Self Drive Packages: Taste the West

Day 1: Los Angeles / Arrival

Day 2: Los Angeles Enjoy a visit to the City of Angels, with all its entertainment, beaches and culinary indulgences it has to offer. You might want to start your day with a tour across Beverly Hills venturing on the paths of glamourous Hollywood stars, have lunch and a beach stroll in Santa Monica and end the day with star gazing and city lights at the Griffith Observatory. 

Day 3: Los Angeles – San Diego You have the option to take the freeway down to San Diego or rather cruise elegantly down the Pacific Coast Highway. The comparatively short drive leaves you time to stop by Long Beach and visit the Queen Mary. 

Day 4: San Diego There is plenty to do in San Diego: Start exploring the city by visiting Coronado Island, Balboa Park or SeaWorld with its world famous water shows. Experience the Latin flair of nearby “Old Town” with its many unique restaurants and cafés. In the evening you may want enjoy a cocktail in the Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego’s famous bar district. 

Day 5: San Diego – Palm Springs Frank Sinatra loved to hang out in this desert city - a perfect city to unwind and relax. There are many lovely restaurants, spas and worldfamous golf courses where you can enjoy all of these recreational classic Palm Springs activities. A gondola ride with the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will take you up Mt. San Jacinto you can overlook the Chino Canyon and the surrounding area.  

Day 6: Palm Springs – Las Vegas You may want to take some time to go on a detour across the Joshua Tree National Park, with its famous cactus gardens, Joshua trees and colored rock formations. 

Day 7: Las Vegas Experience the glitter and buzz of Las Vegas at one of the many famous casinos on the Las Vegas Strip. To get a different perspective on Las Vegas you might want to take a helicopter flight at night, or go gambling in one of the famous casinos on the Strip. You could also venture out into the area around Las Vegas and visit the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. 

Day 8: Las Vegas – Mammoth Lakes Mammoth Lakes is the ideal destination for outdoor sports fans and nature enthusiasts to venture out to discover the natural beauties of the area. In summer there are plenty of things to do and see such as hiking around one of the more than 100 crystal clear lakes in the area or up the mountains. 

Day 9: Mammoth Lakes – Yosemite National Park Enjoy the pristine environment of Yosemite National Park, you may want to step out of your car and go for hikes that will unveil the beauties of nature to you such as a hike to the Bridal Veil Fall. Take a swim in the Mirror Lake and admire rock formations such as the Half Dome and mighty Giant Sequoia trees. 

Day 10: Yosemite National Park – Napa You may want to linger for a bit longer in Yosemite, experiencing the park and the pristine nature to its fullest before the routing of your day will bring you to Napa Valley wine region. 

Day 11: Napa What is a better place to indulge yourself with exquisite locally grown foods and the world famous Napa wines than the Napa valley itself? You may want to learn more about the regions viticulture, foods and crafts, by either taking a stroll through downtown Napa and also going on a winery tour where you get to taste Napa wines directly from the producer. 

Day 12: Napa – San Francisco Enjoy your day in Napa Valley and drive across one of the famous bridges into San Francisco. Once in San Francisco, being a true foodie, arts and culture destination, lots of restaurants, theatre shows and bars are awaiting. 

Day 13: San Francisco Discover San Francisco by foot in the morning and have breakfast at one of San Francisco’s many cafés. You may want to engage in a guided walking tour through Chinatown, ride the Cable Car down to the bustling Pier 39 and Fishermans Wharf or take a bike ride across the Golden Gate Bridge. 

Day 14: San Francisco – Big Sur Take the scenic route and cruise down Highway 1 and see the sudden changes in the landscape and experience the ocean rolling up against the shore right next to the Pacific Coast highway. 

Day 15: Big Sur - Santa Barbara On your way to Santa Barbara you might want to stop by the Los Padres National Forest for a hike or visit Hearst Castle, the historic estate, where the film industry elite in the 1930s used to meet. When you arrive in Santa Barbara, 
take a stroll up State Street to taste some of the local beers or try out the rich culinary landscape of Santa Barbara.  

Day 16: Santa Barbara / Departure Your trip ends today with the rental car return and departure flight back home. Apx. 85 mi / 135 km

Deluxe Accomodation
Los Angeles – Four Seasons Beverly Hills San Diego – Manchester Grand Hyatt Palm Springs – JW Marriott Desert Springs Las Vegas – Caesar’s Palace Mammoth Lakes – The Westin Monache Yosemite National Park – Ahwahnee Napa – River Terrace Inn San Francisco – Ritz-Carlton San Francisco Big Sur – Ventana Inn & Spa Santa Barbara – Bacara Resort & Spa
Included: 16 day tour / 15 nights Deluxe Accommodation Road book All taxes and fees PLEASE NOTE: Due to the seasonal closure of the Tioga Pass, arrivals before June 1st will be routed via Visalia instead of Mammoth Lakes