Day 1 - To San Francisco
We depart London on our flight to San Francisco. On arrival we transfer to our hotel for three nights, the Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, situated close to the terminus of the California Line cable car, with unbeatable views over the city.
Day 2 - San Francisco and Alcatraz
We begin our tour of the Golden West with a sightseeing tour of San Francisco, including the inspiring Golden Gate Bridge and the popular Fishermen's Wharf area, with its street performers and selection of restaurants. We also visit the infamous island of Alcatraz, once a federal penitentiary housing notorious criminals such as Al Capone and the 'Birdman of Alcatraz'.
Day 3 - At leisure in San Francisco
Your day is free to spend exactly as you wish. If you haven't already taken a ride on the iconic tramways (cable cars) and visited the Cable Car Museum, today could be a good day to do so. Instead, you might like to explore the vibrant streets of Chinatown, spend time at the city's impressive zoo, seek inspiration at San Francisco's Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) or browse around the shops of Pier 39 and Union Square.
Day 4 - Through California to Yosemite & Merced
This morning we depart from Oakland by train on the San Joaquin route through California's Central Valley, bordered on the west by the coastal mountain ranges and on the east by Yosemite National Park. At Merced we transfer by coach to Yosemite itself to enjoy a tour of the Valley Floor, taking in views of Half Dome, the 3,000 foot vertical monolith of El Capitan and the spectacular Bridal Veil Falls. Heading back to Merced, we spend the night at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel.
Day 5 - To Bakersfield and Las Vegas
Our journey on the San Joaquin continues southwards today. Arriving in Bakersfield, we depart eastwards by coach through California and across the Mojave Desert into Nevada, with the terrain getting progressively more mountainous towards the Nevada border. In Las Vegas we spend three nights at Harrah's Hotel, in a great location on the famous Strip.
Day 6-7 - Viva Las Vegas
Our hotel is right in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, with a spa, health club, swimming pool and retail outlets, plus a large casino. With two free days in Las Vegas, you can explore the amazing sights and spectacles of the resorts, which offer something for everyone, with top class shows and an extraordinary selection of entertainment choices on your doorstep, including the world-famous casinos. The Las Vegas Monorail is a great way to explore the exotic delights of the Strip, from the African-themed Sahara Hotel to the MGM Grand, via resorts with Oriental, Roman and Parisian themes - a veritable world tour without need for your passport! Alternatively, your Tour Manager can offer an optional flight over the Grand Canyon, one of the great natural wonders.
Day 8 - The Hoover Dam and Williams
Today we head out of Las Vegas and across Nevada to Arizona, via the Hoover Dam, an engineering masterpiece completed in 1936 to end the constant flooding caused by the mighty Colorado River. Entering Arizona we arrive on the legendary Route 66 and the railroad town of Williams, nestled amidst ponderosa pine forest, where we spend the night at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel next door to the Williams Depot, the southern terminus of the Grand Canyon Railway.
Day 9 - The Grand Canyon Railway
We travel in the vintage carriages hauled by historic locomotives on the Grand Canyon Railway itself to see one of the world's most awe-inspiring sights, the Grand Canyon. We arrive at the South Rim and main viewpoint of the Canyon where we take in the dramatic vistas. After returning to Williams, we join Amtrak's overnight Southwest Chief service to Los Angeles.
Day 10 - Hollywood and the RMS Queen Mary
Arriving in LA we spend the morning in Hollywood with free time to see the footprints of the stars at Mann's Chinese Theatre or to take a stroll along the legendary Hollywood Boulevard. We spend the night on board the RMS Queen Mary, the world famous ocean liner, moored at Long Beach.
Day 11 - The Coast Starlight and Monterey
Bidding farewell to Los Angeles on board the Coast Starlight we travel along the scenic Pacific coast shoreline, enjoying vast stretches of pristine beaches as the train hugs the coast north of Santa Barbara towards the wine producing region of San Luis Obispo. Entering the Salinas Valley we pass the Santa Lucia and Diablo mountain ranges en route to Salinas, where we make a short coach transfer to Monterey for two nights at the Best Western Beach Resort, Monterey's only beachside hotel.
Day 12-13 - Carmel, Big Sur and San Francisco
We explore the wonderful Californian coastline today, including the attractive waterfront of Cannery Row, made famous by John Steinbeck, and the exclusive residences of 17 Mile Drive. We also visit Carmel, where Clint Eastwood was once mayor, a charming town that has attracted artists for decades, and explore the Big Sur, where the Pacific coastline rises dramatically into the Santa Lucia Mountains. On Day 13 we complete the circle by venturing north to San Francisco for a final night at the Holiday Inn Golden Gateway Hotel.
Day 14-15 - San Francisco to London
We transfer to the airport for our return flight from San Francisco, arriving back in London on Day 15.
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