Compare Western Wonders by Cosmos vs California Dreaming: From Yosemite National Park to Napa and Sonoma Valley by Culture Trip
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4 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 12 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 2,409 | $ 3,099 |
| Price Per Day | $ 201 | $ 443 |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | No | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
6 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches & 2 Dinners |
| Description | From the gorgeous national parks to the thrilling cities, this western U.S. tour through California, Arizona, and Nevada features unique rock formations, scenic drives, deep canyons, and sparkling waterfalls and lakes—not to mention fun in some of the world’s most famous cities. Your tour starts in Los Angeles, ends in San Francisco, and overnights along the way in Palm Springs, Scottsdale, Williams, Las Vegas, Selma, Sonora, and San Francisco. You’ll visit two of the West’s most famous and beautiful national parks, Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, and Yosemite National Park in California. Stroll the Grand Canyon’s South Rim and stand in awe as you witness the breathtaking scenery. In Yosemite National Park, have your camera ready for the giant granite domes, cascading waterfalls, lush forests, and more. But that’s not all…you’ll also witness spectacular scenery on your drives. Between Scottsdale and the Grand Canyon, you’ll see Arizona's Oak Creek Canyon, known as one of America’s most beautiful drives and home to brilliantly hued cliffs and rugged spires of sandstone, and you’ll stop in Sedona, with the massive red-rock formations that make the area famous. Between Williams and Las Vegas, watch for Joshua trees, which can grow to be more than 40 feet tall. Between Las Vegas and Selma, you’ll witness the vast Mojave Desert. Enjoy sightseeing in Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Perhaps consider a ride on San Francisco’s historic cable cars or enjoy an outing to Alcatraz Prison, the federal penitentiary that once housed Al Capone and other notorious criminals—the choice is yours! Free time in each city—including Las Vegas—gives you time to explore on your own or to take optional excursions. Breathtaking scenery, exciting cities, scenic drives, and more…this western U.S. tour is a perfect vacation for savvy, value-minded travelers. |
On this trip, you’ll head into the wilderness of Yosemite National Park before a vino-tasting tour through the finest fine wine country in the US. Departing from San Francisco, you can look forward to nature-rich hikes through majestic Yosemite, renowned for its towering granite peaks and ancient sequoia trees. You’ll also get to hike the Pacific coast, swim in glassy lakes, and sip cabernet sauvignon in the Napa Valley surrounded by picturesque vineyards. Back in the throb of San Francisco, there’ll be more sightseeing with the chance to explore the myriad street-art murals of the vibrant Mission District. |
Day 1: LOS ANGELES
Welcome to Los Angeles! Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.
Day 2: LOS ANGELES
Begin the day with a sightseeing tour of Tinseltown. Drive through Hollywood and see the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. A historic gem, this world-famous cinema (formerly, Grauman’s) has hosted some of the most exclusive movie premieres in Hollywood history. The Dolby Theater (formerly the Kodak Theater) is the first permanent home of the glamorous Academy Awards. See the Hollywood Walk of Fame where iconic terrazzo stars grace block after city block of Hollywood Boulevard. Explore The Original Farmers Market, with more than 140 shops and restaurants then head to the Santa Monica Pier and the ultimate Southern California beach. The remainder of your day is at leisure; your Tour Director will have suggestions for further exploration of the city.
Day 3: LOS ANGELES–PALM SPRINGS
Journey to the desert oasis of Palm Springs. Ever since Hollywood stars first came here in the 1930s, laying claim to ranch-style estates and holding up in elite hotels, the clean, dry air and sunshine have made Palm Springs irresistible.
Day 4: PALM SPRINGS–SCOTTSDALE AREA
Travel through cacti-covered desert toward Old Town Scottsdale, where Western storefronts create an aura of the past. Afterward, enjoy free time to explore a taste of the Old West, with restaurants, shopping, and Western bars. With wooden beams, wagon wheels, and cowboy hats abundant, you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time to the era of outlaws and saloons.
Day 5: SCOTTSDALE AREA–SEDONA–GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK–WILLIAMS
First stop today is a visit to Sedona, a center for Southwestern and New Age arts. Climb through Oak Creek Canyon with its weather-sculpted formations of dramatic, color-tinted crags. Then pass by the San Francisco Mountains and beautiful pine forests to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, take our optional helicopter flightseeing excursion for incomparable views of flame-colored walls plunging 6,093 feet into the Colorado River. Stay overnight in Williams, a picturesque mountain town with Route 66 as its main street. (CBreakfast)
Day 6: WILLIAMS–LAS VEGAS
Cross the old Mohave gold-strike country, that still has traces of century-old ghost towns set in the natural desert beauty. Look out for Joshua trees, a species of the lily family that grows to 40 feet high and can live for more than 300 years. Today’s destination is the man-made oasis in the Nevada desert that is Las Vegas, a fantastic city of feverish gambling, neon lights, and glamorous shows. An orientation tour upon arrival shows off many of the themed casino resorts along the colorful “Strip.” (CBreakfast)
Day 7: LAS VEGAS
The day is free for exploring on your own. Your Tour Director will have plenty of activities to choose from and will recommend favorite restaurants and shopping areas.
Day 8: LAS VEGAS–SELMA
Departing the neon lights of Las Vegas, we continue across the desert landscape of Nevada before crossing into California. See the vast Mojave Desert, which covers one-fifth of California. Pass through the agricultural land and overnight in Selma in the central San Joaquin Valley.
Day 9: SELMA–YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK–SONORA
This morning, we enter Yosemite National Park, a wonderland of spectacular lakes, giant granite domes, towering pinnacles, cascading waterfalls, and lush forests. Next, drive to Sonora.
Day 10: SONORA–SAN FRANCISCO
This morning, we continue west to the “Golden Gate City” of San Francisco, famous for its cable cars. After lunch, included sightseeing takes in the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge, Nob Hill, and bustling Fisherman’s Wharf. (CBreakfast)
Day 11: SAN FRANCISCO
The day is free for you to explore more of this fascinating city. Perhaps visit legendary Alcatraz Prison and get a close-up look at the infamous federal penitentiary that was off limits to the public for years or choose from a variety of optional excursions.
NOTE:Consider advance ticket purchase for Alcatraz Island with the National Park Service.
Day 12: SAN FRANCISCO
Your vacation ends this morning. You may choose to extend your vacation with extra nights and explore San Francisco further.
Day 1: Welcome to the Hotel California
Accommodation: The Stanford Court
Activities Included: Welcome dinner of dim sum in Chinatown
Well, not quite – but your accommodation is just as lovely as the one described in the song. In fact, unlike the actual Hotel California, your hotel puts you on the edge of San Francisco’s storied Chinatown district, which – after you’ve met your group at 6pm – is where your journey starts. Our Local Insider will also accompany the group throughout the trip. A guided tour is followed by an authentic dim sum dinner, before rounding off with a cocktail at a top-secret speakeasy bar.
Day 2: Into the wild
Accommodation: Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort
Activities Included: Tuolumne Grove hike
After a full-American breakfast, you’ll head east towards the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, stopping at the oldest bar in California, the Iron Door Saloon, for cold beer and buffalo wings. Next up is Tuolumne Grove in Yosemite National Park, where you’ll walk among giant sequoia trees – some up to 300ft (91m) tall – and spy the mountain peaks, El Capitan and Half Dome, from Tunnel View.
Day 3: Hiking, biking and a sunset view in Yosemite
Accommodation: Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort
Activities Included: Guided Yosemite Valley hike, Sentinel Dome hike with champagne
Optional Activities: Bike ride
Pinch yourself. Yes, you really have awoken in Yosemite. Breathe in a lung-full of fresh mountain air and enjoy a hearty California breakfast. Today is all about seeing the highlights of Yosemite. You decide what you’d like to do next: a full-day guided hike in Yosemite Valley, a leisurely bike ride, or an extended session in the eco-spa. Finish the day by ascending Sentinel Dome to watch the multicolored sunset.
Day 4: Sweeping meadow views and swimming in Tenaya Lake
Accommodation: Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort
Activities Included: Pothole Dome hike, Swimming at Tenaya Lake
Today, you’ll have the chance to beat the crowds and explore lesser-known spots within Yosemite. To start, you’ll take the high road to Tuolumne Meadows, a high-altitude area and the starting point of a short hike to the top of Pothole Dome. You might feel slightly breathless, but the panoramic views waiting at the top make it worthwhile. Later, cool off with a swim in Tenaya Lake, or pick a lakeside spot and lounge around while taking in your epic environs.
Day 5: Wine, wine and more wine in Napa and Sonoma
Accommodation: Best Western Dry Creek Inn
Activities Included: Napa bike tour
Wave goodbye to Yosemite and hello to California’s world-famous wine country. To make the most of your time (and wine) in the Napa Valley, you’ll get around by bike, before a gourmet lunch at chef Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bakery, served alongside the best wines from the region. And if that wasn’t enough, there will be time for more in the vineyards of Sonoma Valley on the way to your hotel in Healdsburg.
Day 6: Towering redwoods and road-trippin’ the Pacific Coast
Accommodation: Best Western Dry Creek Inn
Activities Included: Guided hike in Samuel P Taylor State Park, Road trip to Goat Rock Beach, Farewell dinner
Optional Activities: Swimming at Russian River
Your day begins with a morning stroll among towering redwood trees in Samuel P Taylor State Park, giving you the chance to work up an appetite for lunch at the Marshall Store in Tomales Bay, well-known for its Pacific oysters. The road trip continues after lunch with a drive along the coast and a stop at Goat Rock Beach, before pizza at the Russian River Brewing Company.
Day 7: Return to San Francisco
Activities Included: Lands End Trail hike
Optional Activities: Mission District tour
It may be your final day, but the trip is far from over. Back in San Francisco, there are a few more treats in store, including a hike along the Lands End Trail – a one-way clifftop route with amazing views over the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. Lunch in the Mission District means one thing: the Mission burrito, popular since the 1960s and a must-eat if you’re in this part of town. You’ll also discover the local street art, which forms the largest concentration of murals in the world, before finally bidding farewell to your travel companions at the hotel at 3pm.
