Home Family Holidays USA Ready-made Itineraries A Taste of the USA
A Taste of the USA
2-Week Family Easter & Summer Holidays Highlights Itinerary - Western USA
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Prices from £1,898 pp
All prices exclude international flights at the start/end of your trip. Let us book flights for you.
16 days / 15 nights
San Francisco - Yosemite - Mammoth Lakes - Las Vegas - Zion - Bryce - Monument Valley - Grand Canyon - Kingman - Los Angeles
Suitable for families
Overview
If you’re looking for a family adventure during the Easter or Summer holidays then this highlights itinerary is the perfect mix of cities, deserts, and nature. Starting in San Francisco, you’ll take part in a treasure hunt through the city before heading inland to explore plunging canyons, towering rock formations and the bright lights of Las Vegas. You’ll end your trip in Los Angeles with a foodie tour through a local farmers market, sampling everything from cheese to chocolate – a sure-fire hit with all ages!
What's included
- Accommodation – price based on a family sharing
- Airport transfer in San Francisco
- Excursions as described below
- Car hire and insurance – prices may vary depending on departure dates
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Location map
Your day-by-day itinerary
Sights & Seals of San Francisco
San Francisco is one of the must-visits for any family heading to the West Coast. The city boasts a huge array of highlights to enjoy and is famous for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge! You’ll stay in a European-style hotel in the heart of Downtown and embark on an interactive treasure hunt that is not only lots of fun but a great way to get your bearings and learn more about life in The City by the Bay.
Onward transfers
After your stay in San Francisco, you’ll make your own way to the rental car office to pick up your car. Once the paperwork is sorted, you’ll get on the road and head to Yosemite National Park. The journey today will take around 3 hours.
Pine Forests & Peaks of Yosemite
One of America’s greatest national parks, Yosemite will spark the imagination of young and old and makes for a wonderful wilderness adventure for the whole family. Rugged landscape, roaring waterfalls, soaring trees and panoramic vistas will welcome you and by the time you’ve been, you won’t want to leave. You’ll stay in a lodge close to the entrance of the park and during your visit, have the freedom to roam at your own pace. Just make sure the camera is charged and the picnic is packed!
Onward transfers
Your next journey will be from Yosemite to Mammoth Lakes, it’s only a short 45-minute drive today so plenty of time to take in the views.
A night in Mammoth Lakes
You’ll have one night in Mammoth Lakes, a town nestled in the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Known for its walking trails, it is a great place to stop en route through this mountainous region. Take a stroll through the forest amongst the giant sequoia trees and enjoy the quaint feel of this mountain resort.
Onward transfers
Your drive today will take around 5 hours without stops so you’ll probably want to get an early start. The journey from Mammoth Lakes to Las Vegas takes you around the edge of Death Valley with sweeping desert views for miles!
Viva Las Vegas
Viva, Las Vegas! Take a rest from the long car drives and national park adventures to spend a few days enjoying the crazy, wacky world of America’s entertainment capital. From endlessly entertaining theme parks to flashing lights, Elvis doubles and pyramid-shaped hotels, Vegas offers a great opportunity to break for some carefree family fun before disappearing in to the desert. You’ll stay in a family-friendly hotel on the famous Strip itself.
Onward transfers
After your time taking in the bright lights of Las Vegas, you’ll head East towards Zion National Park in Utah. The drive takes approximately 2.5 hours.
Red Rocks of Zion
A few hours on from Vegas, you’ll reach Springdale – the gateway town to the wondrous Zion National Park. The setting for your stay couldn’t be any more picturesque, with your lodge accommodation, complete with outdoor pool, surrounded by soaring red rock formations. With a relaxed atmosphere and car-free roads, the park lends itself very nicely to visiting families and bicycles will be at your disposal during your stay so you can explore with ease on two wheels.
Onward transfers
Today you have a short journey from Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park, this takes around 1.5 hours.
Pinnacles of Bryce Canyon
Bewildering and otherworldly. The geological wonder that is Bryce Canyon simply needs to be seen to be believed. You’ll discover vast natural amphitheatres filled with mystical “hoodoos” of brown, yellow and red rock and there are many spectacular viewpoints from which you can enjoy in the vast views. There is some great hiking to be had, kid’s programs and night-time astronomy talks regularly held.
Onward transfers
Your journey today between Bryce Canyon National Park and Monument Valley will take about 5 hours without stops.
Saddle up in Monument Valley
Visit one of the most photographed places in the country as it should be visited, on horse. This 2-3 hour guided adventure takes you past awe-inspiring rock formations through the Wild West. Guided by your local Navajo Indian guide, you’ll learn more about the traditional way of life and culture too, as you head deep into the valley. It’s a special trip, perfect for active teens, and an ideal break from your road trip as you truly get back to nature in such an iconic place.
Onward transfers
Today you’ll drive from Monument Valley to the famous Grand Canyon which takes around 6.5 hours.
Journey through the Grand Canyon
Up to 18 miles wide, 277 river miles long and over a mile deep – the Grand Canyon is one of Earth’s greatest natural wonders. Spend a whole day exploring the South Rim, easily accessed and great for families, with easy trails to hike and mesmeric views of the vast gorge. If you fancy taking to the sky, helicopter rides are also available – giving you a bird’s eye view of this truly magical place.
Onward transfers
Just a short drive today to Kingman, totalling 1.5 hours.
Pitstop on Route 66
Route 66 is one of the most legendary roads in the world, and a trip along this famous highway is a must for any family trip to the United States. It’s the perfect stopover for your family adventure too, as you move across this vast land from the Grand Canyon westwards. On this part of your family road trip, you’ll drift across dusty desert roads, past abandoned gas stations and ghost towns!
Onward transfers
Your last long journey today takes you from Kingman to Los Angeles, home to Hollywood. The journey takes approximately 5.5 hours but as you approach the city you are likely to find lots of traffic. Reward yourself with a sundowner overlooking Venice Beach when you arrive!
LA: Hollywood Hills & Beaches
Los Angeles, an iconic city with lots on offer which is sure to keep the whole family entertained. You’ll stay in Marina del Rey, a port with a bohemian vibe, that’s only a stone’s thrown from Venice beach. During your time here you can hop on bikes and cycle along Venice Beach to Santa Monica. Afterwards, you’ll have plenty of time to explore so strap on your hiking boots to navigate the trails dotted along the coast or get a taste of Tinseltown on Hollywood Boulevard.
Onward transfers
As your family adventure through the USA comes to an end, you’ll drive to the airport to drop off your hire car before heading to your terminal for your international flight home.
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