San Francisco Bay Area Holidays
Sample itineraries
The Best of the West Tour
From £1695
A classic tour, this journey takes in the scenic California Coast and iconic Highway 1, incredible National Parks, the mighty Grand Canyon and delightfully over- the- top Las Vegas.
Highlights:
- Los Angeles and the beaches
- Las Vegas Strip
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Death Valley
- Yosemite National Park
- San Francisco & the wine regions
- The scenic California Coast
- Santa Barbara and The American Riviera
- Chic desert resort of Palm Springs
Price per person includes:
- Return Flights to Los Angeles
- Airport taxes
-
13 nights accommodation in sought after locations
- 13 days mid-size inclusive car hire
- A personalised road book which is a complete guide to travelling within North America and provides bespoke driving instructions for your holiday.
Best Time to Visit: Year Round (access into Yosemite National Park is normally difficult November-April)
Prices are based on off-season travel. Please call or email for costs for your preferred date of travel.
"BEST FOR AMERICA" – that’s according to The Times (5 February 2011).
Highly-regarded travel writer Mark Hodson picks out Bon Voyage as the UK’s best tour operator for American holidays, commending our expertise and value.
Day 1 Los Angeles
Arrive at Los Angeles International Airport. Shuttle transfer to your chosen hotel.
Spend the evening gazing at the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, strolling along Santa Monica Beach or enjoying an evening's entertainment at Universal Studio's City Walk. We love the Howl at the Moon Piano Bar here!
Day 2 Palm Springs
Distance: 147 miles
A short drive east out of Los Angeles will take you to the chic resort of Palm Springs, a true oasis in the desert with a cosmopolitan twist. Here you can relax by a sumptuous pool, shop in the many boutiques, play a round of golf, explore the desert or peer at the stars along the Palm Springs Celebrity Walk of Fame. A visit to the The Elvis Presley Honeymoon House is a must-do, as too is a jeep tour of the San Andreas Fault . If you're not afraid of heights then consider a trip on the remarkable Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for incredible views over the valley below.
Day 3 Palm Springs - Scottsdale
Distance: 267 miles
Enjoy a relaxing breakfast in one of the many outdoor cafes that line the pretty streets of Palm Springs before you head off to another terrific desert resort, Scottsdale, Arizona.
Day 4 Phoenix - Grand Canyon National Park
Distance: 230 miles
Start today with a scenic drive through the desert, stop for lunch in the beautiful red rock town of Sedona. If time allows we also recommend a visit to the incredible Meteor Crater, just a 40 minute drive from Flagstaff, before arriving at the mighty Grand Canyon. You will have time to stroll along the South Rim and experience the many wonderous views of nature here. Let Bon Voyage make dinner reservations for you at THE place to dine in the Canyon.
Call Bon Voyage to discuss helicopter trips available from here, it really is the best way to view this Wonder..
Day 5 Grand Canyon National Park - Las Vegas
Distance: 276 miles
Drive through Williams and Kingman to one of the world's greatest man-made structures, the Hoover Dam. Take time out to do the behind the scene tour of this monumental feat of engineering, or perhaps enjoy a white-water rafting trip down the Colorado River.
Continue your drive to Las Vegas, the city that literally has to be seen to be believed, it goes from strength to strength as the mega resort destination that made its name through gambling, glitz and glamour. Now attracting over 40 million visitors a year, even our most cynical customers are captivated by this larger-than-life destination.
Day 6 Las Vegas
Vegas will amaze you!
Call Bon Voyage to learn about the latest hotel openings/attractions in Vegas, this place is constantly changing, the staff are always out there so they'll be able to share their experiences with you......
We have Vegas wedding experts on the Bon Voyage staff, if you want to tie the knot here (or renew your vows), talk to us!
Day 7 Las Vegas - Death Valley National Park
Distance: 139 miles
This morning continue across the Amargosa Desert to Death Valley National Park.
Oh Boy!, Death Valley, this place you've simply got to see! Approximately a 2 hr drive from Las Vegas, Richard E Lingenfelter wrote "For it is a land of illusion, a place in the mind, a shimmering mirage of riches and mystery" From canyons to sand dunes to salt flats and dry lake beds, this region serves up plenty of geological treasures. It's got to be seen to be believed....
Day 8 Death Valley National Park - Yosemite National Park
Distance: 326 miles
Today drive via Bishop into the high Sierra Nevada to the Tioga Pass and Yosemite National Park, one of the America's most scenic national parks See the silvery waters of the Yosemite and Bridalveil Falls and the huge granite formations of El Capitan and Half Dome.
** From early November to late May the Tioga Pass may be closed due to weather or road conditions. In which case you will need to drive the southern route through Bakersfield and Fresno into the Yosemite Area**
Day 9 Yosemite National Park - San Francisco
Distance: 195 miles
The drive from Yosemite National Park to San Francisco is via the scenic Napa and Sonoma wine regions, why not stop for a lunch at a winery?.
The City by the Bay is just about everyone's favourite American city. San Francisco delights in being different from its California neighbours. Even the climate, frequent fog in summer and rain in winter, belies the state's image for golden beaches and sunshine. Quaint small-scale streets, superb restaurants and extensive parks afford a European air and turreted houses line pretty tree lined avenues. If times allows, be sure to hire a bike and ride across the Golden Gate Bridge (call Bon Voyage to pre book your Bike Across The Bridge, spaces fill fast!)
Day 10 San Francisco
A full day at leisure to experience the many sights of this delightful city.
We suggest breakfast at Fisherman's Wharf, a ferry ride across to Alcatraz and a tour of the prison (must be booked in advance, call Bon Voyage), lunch in Chinatown, afternoon shopping and evening on a dinner cruise around San Francisco Bay......
Day 11 San Francisco - Monterey
Distance: 230 miles
Leave San Francisco and drive down the scenic California Coast to Monterey where you can visit Cannery Row (of author John Steinbeck fame). Enjoy a stunning coastline view on famous 17-Mile Drive, have lunch in Carmel and visit Monterey's Fisherman’s Wharf and the Monterey Bay Aquarium before reaching your hotel.
Keep your eyes peeled, if you're lucky you'll be able to spot whales along the coast too.
Day 12 Monterey - Santa Barbara/Ventura
Distance: 130 miles
Next day continue your journey south through some incredible coastal scenery. Stop at Pismo Beach or Santa Maria for lunch on your way to The American Rivieria region and delightful Spanish Moorish seaside town of Santa Barbara.
Day 13 Ventura - Malibu - Santa Monica - Los Angeles
Distance: 70 miles
This morning continue along the coast through Malibu and Santa Monica to Los Angeles.
Either stay in the city or at one of the many beach resorts in this region, call us to discuss the options available to you, Los Angeles has many diferent regions and we want to "fit" you into the right one for your holiday needs.
Day 14 Los Angeles departure
Return your car to the airport before your homeward flight.
Want to extend this tour, stay longer in certain areas or perhaps fly onto one of the heavenly Hawaiian Islands? Not a problem, call Bon Voyage to discuss the wide range of affordable options available to you.
