Nevada to the West Coast Wineries and National Parks

Welcome to Las Vegas! Arrive at your hotel via airport shuttle or local taxi and settle in after your long journey. Take time to relax this evening in preparation for the great adventures ahead. Airport transportation options vary in cost and convenience, you can choose based on your preferences and schedule. _____________________________________________________________________________ • Overnight: Tuscany Suites & Casino, 1 night

Meals: B

Meet your Guide in the hotel lobby today for introductions and a bried overview of the adventure ahead. We start our adventure by exploring the famous Las Vegas Strip by foot. In the early afternoon we are heading out to reach Death Valley National Park. This area is known for extreme weather conditions and temperatures, and is one of the hottest places on earth. In summer, temperatures can reach over 49°C. We aim to get into the park in the late afternoon as the soft evening light sets in. We’ll explore the dramatic landscapes of Zabriskie Point and the salt flats at Badwater Basin. After dark, we’ll try to venture out to the sand dunes for an exhilarating nighttime walk, where you can marvel at the immense dark skies and the Milky Way above. Death Valley is part of the International Dark Sky Association, making it one of the best places on Earth for stargazing. End your evening back at the hotel within the park for a refreshing swim in the hot spring-fed pool. _____________________________________________________________________________ • Overnight: The Ranch at Death Valley, 1 night • Drive time: 125 mi / 200 km or 2.5 hrs _____________________________________________________________________________ **Note: Trips starting before June or past late October may have to detour via Sonora Pass due to snow closure on Tioga Pass Road in Yosemite National Park. Tioga Pass generally opens Memorial Day, which is the last weekend in May. It closes with the first heavy snow of the year. These dates will stay at an alternative hotel.

Meals: B,L

This morning we wake up at Furnace Creek in Death Valley National Park. After a leisurely breakfast we’ll take some time to explore Death Valley. Popular stopping points include the Harmony Borax Works, the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Stovepipe Wells, and the seldom visited Mosaic Canyon. We’ll exit the park through the scenic Panamint Springs and make way towards the lush mountains and forests of central California. This evening we’ll find ourselves just outside the gateway town to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks which we’ll visit the next morning. _____________________________________________________________________________ • Overnight: Comfort Suites Visalia, 1 night • Drive time: ~315 mi / 506 km, or 5.5 hrs

Meals: B,L

From Visalia we’ll depart towards our next national parks following breakfast. The winding Sierra Drive takes us through the small town of Three Rivers and rapidly engulfs us with the Old Growth Redwood Forests. A stop at the Sequoia National Park sign will be our welcome to this trip’s second National Park before embarking on the Generals Highway. There are more points of interest worth stopping at in Sequoia NP than a lifetime could afford, so our guide will navigate us to the most stellar of highlights. The General Sherman Tree, King’s Canyon Overlook, the Lost Grove, and the Big Stump grove will be among the stops as we weave through the park. We’ll exit the in the afternoon, drive through Fresno, Oakhurst, and eventually come to rest for the evening just outside of Yosemite National Park. _____________________________________________________________________________ • Overnight: Yosemite View Lodge, 2 nights • Drive time: 240 mi / 390 km, or 4 hrs

Meals: B,L

Breakfast with the group will be early to facilitate an entire day wandering around Yosemite Valley. We’ll spend the morning doing leisurely walks around the valley floor. Plenty of opportunities for photos and self directed strolls. Stop at the backpacker’s campground, lay on your back, and take in the views of Yosemite Falls and Half Dome. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the park, take a swim in a calm river eddy before turning in for the night. _____________________________________________________________________________ • Overnight: Yosemite View Lodge

Meals: B,L

A transfer from Yosemite to the Napa Valley will include seeing a part of Yosemite we haven’t yet visited. Exiting through Big Oak Flat Road will allow us to look back on the valley from a vantage new to us. We’ll pass Tuolumne Grove and Groveland on our way to Napa. Napa Valley is world-famous for its picturesque vineyards, world-class wineries, and charming towns. We’ll finish the day with a visit to a local winery for a tasting before settling in at our hotel for the evening. _____________________________________________________________________________ • Overnight: Holiday Inn Express - Napa Valley, 2 nights • Drive time: 200 mi / 320 km, or 4.25 hrs

Meals: B,L

Sleep in this morning after a full week of heavy travel. Eat breakfast at your leisure then take a walk around Napa. At 10am we’ll hop on the wine trolley where we’ll commence a tour of numerous wineries and sample the region’s best products offering a blend of exceptional tasting experiences and scenic landscapes. The trolley is included as a part of the tour but drinks and tasting are not. Finishing the night will include a dinner experience at a local restaurant where we enjoy a meal together as a group. We’ll return to the hotel post-dinner for another relaxing night. _____________________________________________________________________________ • Overnight: Holiday Inn Express - Napa Valley

Meals: B,L,D

Today we’ll make way to San Francisco over The Golden Gate Bridge. We’ll stop on both sides of the bridge and look out to Alcatraz Island which we’ll be visiting in the afternoon. Your guide will give you a lay of the San Fran landscape to explore on your own the following day. This afternoon an included tour of Alcatraz Island is in store, famously known as "The Rock". This iconic former federal prison is located in San Francisco Bay, offering a fascinating glimpse into its storied history, stunning views of the bay, and intriguing tales of escape attempts. After the tour, return to the hotel, or stay out to enjoy a SF dinner. _____________________________________________________________________________ • Overnight: Hotel Caza Fisherman's Wharf, 2 nights • Drive time: 55 mi / 90 km, or 1.25 hrs

Meals: B,L

Today is entirely self-directed with a day pass to the Cable Cars for easy transport. This vibrant city is known for its iconic landmarks, diverse neighborhoods, and breathtaking views. You’ll have the opportunity to explore the bustling waterfront at Fisherman’s Wharf, marvel at the Golden Gate Bridge, and wander through the historic streets of Chinatown. No visit is complete without a ride on the famous cable cars, offering a unique way to experience the city's steep hills and stunning skyline. Passes for the Cable Cars are included in the price of the tour. From the art-filled alleys of the Mission District to the serene beauty of Golden Gate Park, San Francisco you’re certain to find many hidden treasures throughout this fabulous metropolis. Head to see the painted ladies and the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood if there’s any time left in your day. _____________________________________________________________________________ • Overnight: Hotel Caza Fisherman's Wharf

Meals: B,L

Today we depart San Francisco and make our way along the coast to Paso Robles, another favorite for California’s wine afficionados. Before tonight’s arrival, we’ll make several stops at notable CA coastal cities. Driving between the ocean and the redwoods, we’ll pass Half Moon Bay on our way Santa Cruz where we’ll take our first break from driving. Grab a coffee on the pier and get some sand between your toes before we head around the bay to Monterey. Have some lunch, stroll around the downtown neighborhood, then hop back in the van as we cruise up to Paso Robles where we settle in for the night. _____________________________________________________________________________ • Overnight: Paso Robles Inn, 1 night • Drive time: 215 mi / 340 km, or 3.5 hrs

Meals: B,L

From Paso Robles to Los Angeles we’ll have many more stops to make along the shore. We’ll hit the coast at Pismo Beach then again at Gaviola Beach where highway one and the 101 meet. We’ll make a stop in Santa Barbara to stretch the legs, eat lunch, and explore the downtown; then we’ll cruise over to Ventura, drive through Malibu, and see the pacific Palisades from the coast. Once we arrive in Santa Monica we’ll turn inland towards Los Angeles proper. Before arriving at the hotel for the night we’ll drive through Beverly Hills for some celebrity spotting. Get to bed early tonight because tomorrow will be a long but fruitful day on Catalina Island. _____________________________________________________________________________ • Overnight: Miyako Hotel, 3 nights • Drive time: 240 mi / 380 km, or 5 hrs

Meals: B,L

The early bird gets the worm today, so we’ll aim to be in Long Beach for the boat to Catalina Island by 7:30am. The boat ride is about an hour, so you’ll have time to review the day’s options and itinerary while you sip a cup of jo on the water. This island excursion is included in the price of your trip. Catch breakfast with the group once we touch down in Avalon then spread out to see the island however you’d prefer. Some like to see it via Zip-line, others via jeep tour. After the morning activity, grab some lunch in the historic downtown before heading out for a second activity. Some enjoy a glass-bottom boat, a drink on the beach, a relaxing hour or two at the spa, or a stroll through the botanical garden. Whatever it is that you do, don’t miss the boat back at 7:30pm! _____________________________________________________________________________ • Overnight: Miyako Hotel

Meals: B,L

Today is our last full day as a group. From the hotel, we’ll drive around LA from Rodeo Drive, Hollywood, the Walk of Fame, and Melrose Ave. In the afternoon we’ll head to Venice beach, Manhattan Beach, and finally the Santa Monica Pier. Farewell dinner tonight in town is included as we toast to the beautiful California coast. _____________________________________________________________________________ • Overnight: Miyako Hotel • Drive time: ~70 mi / 112 km, or 2 hrs

Meals: B,L,D

After breakfast, this amazing trip comes to and end and you will continue to your forward arrangements independently. You have a few transportation options to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), each option offers a different balance of convenience, cost, and travel time, you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

Meals: B