The day has come when you’ll fly to San Francisco, located at the northern end of California’s Pacific coast.

The airport is no more than half an hour from the city centre, and it’s easy to get to the hotel by taxi, bus or train that departs from the airport. After collecting your luggage, you’ll proceed through immigration and into the arrivals hall, where you’ll follow the signs for the desired form of transport that will take you to your hotel.

As soon as you arrived at the hotel, you probably noticed the steep streets, the charming town houses and the rails in the street which carry the fully functional trams. And you’ll be staying right here in central San Fran for the next 3 nights.

The time difference is best tackled with fresh air and water. Thanks to the hotel’s central location, you can slip out into the charming streets and enjoy a bite to eat at one of the area’s many restaurants or cafés before bed calls.

You’ll probably wake up early and be ready to head out into the big city.

On the itinerary today is a trip to one of the city’s historic landmarks – the prison island, Alcatraz (details are on your voucher). You are sailed from the mainland to the prison island, where you make your way around the prison’s cells and corridors at your own pace, while stories from former inmates are played in your headphones. One of the accounts tells of a prisoner’s yearning for life on the mainland, from which he could hear the music on days with offshore wind, which is described as the greatest punishment. You also get to see the cell where inmates managed to dig themselves out with spoons and forks!

You decide how long you want to spend here, but expect to spend 3–4 hours including sailing.

Back on the mainland, we’ve ensured that you get the most out of your time in the big city by including a Hop-on Hop-off bus ticket to make it easy for you to get to all the city’s biggest attractions. You activate the ticket at 99 Jefferson Street, and the bus operates from morning to late afternoon. Once activated, you can hop on and off as you wish, both today and tomorrow.

Your Hop-on Hop-off ticket is still valid, and if you didn’t make it to the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge yesterday, you should do it today. The iconic red steel bridge opened in 1937 and has been synonymous with the city ever since. Over on the other side of the bridge, you’re rewarded with a beautiful view of the hilly city rising on the horizon.

Among the city’s other interesting stops are the hip Haight Ashbury with its record stores and vintage stores, as well as Alamo Square, famous for its pastel-coloured houses. You can also enjoy the city’s urban and green breathing space in Golden Gate Park, where botany, small lakes and local life provide a gentle break from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

You can also make a stop in North America’s oldest Chinatown. Dumplings, spring rolls, kimonos and coloured lanterns. A visit to Chinatown is an exciting encounter with a mini Chinese community, the largest of its kind outside Asia.

If you dream of an excursion to the vineyards of Napa Valley, or of tasting the food from locals’ favourite eateries in San Francisco, you might consider purchasing one of the excursions below.

Early morning, it’s time to collect your car rental from a nearby city office. Today’s end destination is the coastal city of Monterey, but it’s up to you whether you want to drive straight there or whether you want to do it in true road-trip fashion with detours along the way. It’s often the detours that turn out to be the little gems, offering experiences where you feel the local history.

A particularly scenic route to Monterey is along the coastal road, which takes you past all manner of small towns, rugged beaches and viewpoints. At Santa Cruz Beach, the iconic amusement park located right by the boardwalk buzzes with life. A break by the sea is never a bad idea.

On your arrival in Monterey, you’ll soon discover that the nerve of the city is found in the marina area. In the early 20th century, Monterey experienced a huge boom in the sardine industry and canning, and this gave rise to the street name Cannery Row, where factories and warehouses stood side by side. After the Second World War, the industry collapsed as a result of the disappearance of the sardines, but today, the old factories remain in excellent condition and are the pride of the city, housing everything from specialist shops to restaurants.

You might like to rent a bike or walk along the path from Old Fisherman’s Wharf to Cannery Row and enjoy the view of all the sailboats and pelicans. During the summer months, you can also take the free shuttle bus that operates between Fisherman’s Wharf, Cannery Row and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Consider a visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium or purchase a whale watching tour. You could also visit the charming town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, also known as Carmel, where Clint Eastwood was once the mayor. The city centre is conducive to pleasant strolls in the charming surroundings with houses that look like something out of a fairy tale.

The day’s mileage: approx. 190 km

There is an option to upgrade your rental car. Get in touch with your travel specialist if you want more information.

We recommend that you start today’s route early in the morning, as you’ll be making quite a few stops. Because… view, view, view. On the route to Santa Barbara, you drive along the coastal road, Highway 1, which affords overwhelming views of the Pacific Ocean on the one side and the changing Californian landscape on the other. Fill up both the car and the snack box, so you can just concentrate on enjoying the day’s leg.

Birds of prey, waves crashing against the rocky shore, elephant seals, green meadows and famous bridges await you today. You might like to make a stop at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, where you can see the McWay Falls cascading beautifully off the cliff into the small Pacific bay.

On the southern section of the route, you’ll come to the coastal town of Morro Bay, where the pace is slow, sea lions peek out from between the kayaks and fishing boats, and where there’s always a view of the town’s landmark – the rock formation, Morro Rock.

Shortly before Santa Barbara is the Santa Ynez Valley. Located here is the city of Solvang, which was founded by 3 Danes in 1911 and which has since been named “The Danish Capital of America”. The Danish roots are evident in the thatched houses, windmills, bakeries selling “Danish donuts” and in the replica of The Little Mermaid.

However, the Santa Ynez Valley is also a mecca for wine enthusiasts, who come here to enjoy the California grapes grown in the local vineyards. There are several wine producers in the area as well as small restaurants that serve dishes made from local produce, if you’re looking for an out-of-the-ordinary dinner.

No matter what time you arrive at your Santa Barbara hotel, you’ll probably need a break. If you haven’t eaten yet, you can either visit one of the area’s small eateries or head to the cosy centre of Santa Barbara.

The day’s mileage: approx. 380 km

If you’d like a shorter day of driving, you can spend the night in Morro Bay or Pismo Beach instead. Talk to your travel specialist and enquire about your options.

You don’t have much driving to do today, so you can spend some of the day in Santa Barbara. Situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara is incredibly beautiful. The city is charming, with palm-lined avenues and Spanish-inspired houses in bright colours and orange tiles, and you don’t have far to go here to find pedestrianised streets with galleries, vintage and restaurants or the city’s fabulous sandy beach and marina. You can stroll along the harbour promenade, past the many boats and houseboats gently bobbing in the water, while enjoying a lovely view of the city’s rooftops and mountains in the background.

When you feel like it, you can set course for Los Angeles. You might consider making a stop at one of the many popular beaches you pass on your way, such as Malibu Beach, Zuma or Carpinteria. If you’re on the lookout for small hidden gems, you should consider a stop at the cosy café Paradise Cove Beach Café, which is located close to Malibu.

Perhaps you’ll already be exploring Los Angeles’ gastronomic delights this evening, and there are many to choose from in the city, which abounds with restaurants for every taste.

The day’s mileage: approx. 160 km

After breakfast, it’s time to head for Hollywood, where a celebrity-based morning awaits you when you join us on a guided tour of Hollywood and Beverly Hills. For the next couple of hours, you can sit back in the seat of an open minibus and take it all in as you drive past everything from Sunset Blvd., Rodeo Drive and the Walk of Fame to views of the Hollywood sign. Along the way, you’ll definitely be entertained with stories about glamorous Hollywood, and you might even be lucky enough to spot a celebrity when you drive past some of the big stars’ houses.

After a morning of glamour, you have the rest of the day to do as you please.

You might like to head to lively Venice Beach, where you’ll find everything from local artists to exercisers making their way along the palm-lined boardwalk. In continuation of Venice is Santa Monica Beach, which for many years formed the backdrop for the popular Baywatch series. The area around the old pier offers an especially cosy atmosphere, where, in addition to an older fairground, there are restaurants and beautiful views of the Santa Monica mountains. Also close to Santa Monica Beach is the popular shopping street 3rd Street Promenade.

You’ll enjoy a very special experience in the Hollywood hills at Griffith Observatory, which affords overwhelming panoramic views of the city and the Hollywood sign. If you’re here in the evening, you’ll be able to experience the millions of city lights twinkling with the stars above you.

You have the day on your own to do as you please, and whether it’s a day for a trip to the beach or whether you’re ready for more adventure is up to you.

However, the obvious way to complete your stay in the city is with a visit to one of the film studios. It’s fun to go behind the scenes and experience special effects up close, and you might even recognise props from the film classics. Read more below about excursions to two of the most popular studios, which you have the option of purchasing.

You could also visit one of the city’s many museums, go on a street art tour or explore the hiking trails in the Griffith Park area with breathtaking views.

Today, you’ll be leaving Los Angeles, and your time at the coast will be replaced by desert, magnificent nature and small towns in the “Wild West”.

The end destination today is the desert city of Lake Havasu, and you pick the route to get there. Lake Havasu is a convenient place to stop and overnight on the border between California and Arizona.

You can choose to drive via the palm-lined city of Palm Springs, which for decades has been the favourite get-away of the rich and famous in the spring and autumn months due to the warm temperatures. Here, you’ll find distinctive architecture, mansions and historic residences that once belonged to celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe and Elvis.

After Palm Springs, you can drive via Joshua Tree National Park if you’d like to experience the unique sight of the barren desert landscape with its endless rows of cacti.

If, on the other hand, you choose to drive via Barstow, you can expect long stretches with views of small towns, sandbars, and perhaps tumbleweed rolling slowly across the road.

In Barstow, you can shop at the town’s outlet centre, and you can literally taste a piece of American history at the iconic Peggy Sue’s Diner from 1954. Go in and order an all-American menu with a cheeseburger, deep-fried onion rings and a milkshake.

Also nearby is the abandoned silver mining town of Calico, where you get right up close to a bygone era. Go inside the silver mine yourself and sense the harsh conditions under which the miners worked, or go for a stroll past the well-preserved buildings of the ghost town.

When you arrive at Lake Havasu, you’ll soon discover that the large lake is the pride of the locals. Lake Havasu was created by the Colorado River, which runs through the city, and a wealth of water sports are to be found here. The city’s landmark is the original London Bridge from the 1830s, bought here in 1968 by the tycoon Robert B. McCulloch, who had it dismantled. The bridge’s facing stones were removed, with each numbered before being shipped across the Atlantic, where the bridge was rebuilt.

After a day on the road, it’s nothing short of wonderful to cool off in the great lake followed by relaxation on the beach or by the pool at your hotel.

The day’s mileage: approx. 500 km

If you choose to drive through Joshua Tree National Park, it’s a good idea to purchase a America the Beautiful-pass. Read more about this in our practical info.

Today, you’ll be setting course for the Grand Canyon itself. And the way here is really quite special, as you have the opportunity to drive on a section of the original Route 66, also named the “Mother Road” by author John Steinbeck. The route via Route 66 stretches between the towns of Kingman and Seligman.

Later in the day, you arrive at the southern part of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, also known as the South Rim. An indescribable encounter with one of the seven natural wonders of the world awaits, and from the moment you leave your car in the parking car, it’s as if any patience you normally have goes out of the window. Everyone here makes a beeline for the edge. And that’s completely understandable because the encounter with the 1.6-km-deep and 440-km-long canyon is quite overwhelming, and you have to stand there yourself to feel just how big and beautiful this is.

If possible, stay until sunset and witness the play of colours on the terracotta-coloured rock walls in the incredible red, orange and almost violet light as the day draws to an end.

Round off the day with a good dinner, which can be purchased both in the park or in the nearby town of Tusayan.

The accommodation included is centrally located, but if you’d like to stay right inside the park, it is possible to upgrade.

The day’s mileage: 360 km

If you’re the type who can get up early on your holiday, you should definitely consider starting the day with a sunrise over the Grand Canyon. Nature slowly wakes up around you, and you can sit here in peace and be part of it all.

Early morning, before the sun has had a chance to raise the temperatures too high, is the best time to hike into the canyon. Consider the popular Bright Angel Trail, a moderate trek that takes you right up close to the red rock walls and a wealth of stunning views. It’s not uncommon to meet birds of prey, mountain goats and donkeys on the paths.

You can also experience the Grand Canyon right up close, but with not as much sweat on your brow, from a seat in the park’s IMAX cinema (booked online or at the cinema), or if you are curious to follow in the footsteps of the explorers, purchase a full-day excursion from Williams, where you travel to/from the Grand Canyon on the old railroad from 1901.

Today, you’ll be heading further into the state of Arizona. You’ll leave the Grand Canyon and drive to the city of Page, where you’ll stay at Lake Powell, which has a whole host of activities to offer.

The city is known for its guided tours in the velvet-like, orange rock caves in Antelope Canyon, to which you can book a visit today. Please note that Antelope Canyon is very popular and should therefore be booked well in advance to secure a place.

On Lake Powell itself, a boat trip through the beautiful rocks is one of the highlights, and this can be done from a boat, kayak or raft.

Around a 20-minute drive from the hotel, you can turn off at the stunning horseshoe-shaped viewpoint, Horseshoe Bend.

You could also choose to drive the significantly longer route via Monument Valley – and the towering, orange sandstone buttes that shoot up in the middle of the red desert landscape, and which you are very likely to recognise from various western films. If Monument Valley is high on your wish list, you should consider adding a night out here if you want to avoid too much driving on the same day.

Talk to your travel specialistabout adding a night in Monument Valley.

The day’s mileage: 240 km

Today, you’ll be leaving Arizona and driving to the state of Utah, which has some of the most beautiful scenery in the US.

The road here is straightforward with no obvious detours, and we recommend that you leave after breakfast so that you can spend as much time as possible in Bryce Canyon National Park.

Bryce Canyon is truly unique. High, pillar-like mountain spires, the so-called hoodoos, protrude into the air like stalagmites emerging from the earth. The hoodoos are completely orange, red and white, and it seems quite unreal to move among the, in some places, 30-metre-high spires, arranged in levels like in an amphitheatre. One of the park’s most popular routes is the 2.1-km-long Navajo Loop Trail, which offers viewpoints from different levels and takes you right up close to some of the park’s tallest hoodoos.

As the day draws to a close, you can stand at Sunset Point and see the last rays of the sun hitting the hoodoos, making them appear almost like red-hot pokers.

The day’s mileage: approx. 235 km

Today, yet another of Utah’s spectacular national parks awaits as you head south-west to Zion.

And you should definitely take one of the absolutely most scenic routes of this tour. Leaving Bryce, head south and turn onto Highway 9 (UT-9) at Mt. Carmel Junction to get on the Mount Carmel Highway. As you approach Zion National Park on this road, you’ll be rewarded with fantastic views of the red mountains and deep valleys.

On your arrival at Zion National Park, you can make a stop at the Visitor Center, where you can check hiking routes, current weather conditions and transport options around the park itself. In the summer months, a free shuttle bus makes getting around easy, and you can just hop off at one of the popular hiking trails.

You also have the option of exploring the park by bicycle, allowing you to make all the stops you want.

When it’s hot, it’s refreshing to take a dip in the cold North Fork Virgin River, which cuts beautifully through Zion Valley.

Round off the day at your centrally located hotel with several eateries close by. Enjoy a relaxing moment by the pool with a view of the scenic mountains.

The day’s mileage: approx. 140 km

Spend the morning and afternoon in Zion National Park if you wish before heading to the gambling city of Las Vegas. If you didn’t have time for a bike ride in Zion yesterday, it’s an option this morning.

Or enjoy the hotel, take a dip in the pool and drive at a leisurely pace towards Vegas.

On your way to Las Vegas, you have the opportunity to turn off to the candy-striped, red-white rocks in the Valley of Fire, located around an hour’s drive from Las Vegas.

Or you can take the direct route to “Sin City”. It’s quite a contrast coming from days of magnificent nature and then suddenly being able to see towering buildings on the horizon. On the 6.8-km-long Las Vegas Blvd., also known as The Strip, the themed hotels are like pearls on a string, and if you arrive here in the evening, you’ll see the lights from the hotels rising like a mirage on the horizon, long before you get here.

Welcome to Vegas, Baby!

The day’s mileage: approx. 270 km

Start the morning by experiencing a true Vegas phenomenon: the buffet.

“Sin City”, as the city is also known, is very much a place where all needs can be met, so why not go all-in on the gastronomic front? A Vegas breakfast buffet can consist of everything from sushi and soup to deli pastries, chocolate-covered strawberries, pancake towers and a chef preparing your omelette just how you want it.

The essence of Las Vegas is best experienced by visiting the various themed hotels (hotel-hopping), which are quite unlike anything you’ve seen before. Go on a gondola tour and eat a delicious gelato at The Venetian, or crepes in the Eiffel Tower at Hotel Paris. The iconic Fountains of Bellagio provide entertainment with a daily water show in front of the hotel, and the New York-New York Hotel offers café life in an indoor version of Greenwich Village.

The Strip might be the epitome of excess, but you cannot help but be fascinated by the special atmosphere that exists here, oozing dedication and buzz.

If you’re looking to enjoy an extra special evening meal, you could consider a dinner at the Top of the World Restaurant in the 350-metre-high tower of the STRAT hotel. The restaurant rotates 360 degrees every 80 minutes, and located at one end of The Strip, you’re all set for dinner with fabulous views of the Mojave Desert and Las Vegas slowly lighting up as the sun goes down.

Today, you’ll be leaving the gambling city and driving back to California. You’re embarking on the 1st leg of your journey to Yosemite, where you’ll arrive tomorrow. But tonight, you’ll be sleeping in the cosy mountain town of Mammoth Lakes.

You can choose to take a scenic detour through one of the US’ largest national parks, Death Valley, which welcomes you with temperatures above 50°C, as well as beautiful, barren landscapes.

The story goes that a small group of pioneers hiked through the park in 1849–1850 and named it the “Death Valley” after losing one of its members along the way, and the name testifies to the extreme, harsh nature found here.

Fortunately, you can avoid the high temperatures and experience the beautiful scenery from the seat of your car, but be sure to refuel beforehand and bring water and salty snacks.

Make a stop at the iconic viewpoint, Zabriskie Point, where you’ll enjoy a fabulous view of the beautiful erosion mountain landscape in the foreground and the often snow-capped Panamint Mountains in the background. Also visit the lowest point in the US: the Badwater Basin salt flats, which are 86 metres below sea level.

After a long day in the car, you arrive at Mammoth Lakes, where crystal-clear lakes and fresh mountain air await you.

The day’s mileage: approx. 510 km

Note that the route from Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite National Park is shortest during the summer months when the mountain snow has melted. When the snow is gone, it is possible to drive through the Tioga Pass, which is typically open from July to October. If you travel in months when the mountain pass is usually closed, your overnight stay will automatically be changed to Bakersfield, so you drive south of Sierra Nevada.

Today, you’ll be driving to Yosemite National Park, and when the snow has melted, you should drive via the Tioga Pass (Tioga Road). As you approach Yosemite National Park, the landscape offers endless rows of conifers, and you might be lucky enough to spot one of the berry-eating, human-shy black bears along the way.

Yosemite National Park extends over a large area of more than 3,000 km2, and magnificent nature awaits you here with everything from waterfalls, giant trees and glacier-sculpted mountains.

Park the car in Yosemite Valley and head out on one of the area’s many hiking trails. It’s a good idea to enquire about suitable trails at the Welcome Center.

The day’s mileage: approx. 170 km.

Reservations are required to enter Yosemite National Park on selected dates – especially in high season. As places are limited, you should secure a reservation as soon as possible. Follow the instructions here.

The waterfalls are at their highest in the spring as the winter snow melts. If you come in the summer or autumn, you’ll experience less powerful waterfalls, but, on the other hand, you’ll be able to drive on Glacier Point Road, which takes you all the way up to one of the park’s best viewpoints: Glacier Point. From here, you enjoy a hair-raising, panoramic view of the park’s mountains and waterfalls.

You can either drive up here by car, or book a bus trip (booked at the park on a first-come, first-served basis). If you’re up for a hike from the viewpoint, you could also book a one-way bus ticket up and hike down via the Four Mile Trail.

Many people also choose to end the day at Glacier Point with a sunset over Half Dome Mountain, as darkness and calm descends over the park. If you stay until nightfall, you’ll experience an incredible starry sky opening up above you here at an altitude of 2,200 metres.

It is possible to rent a bicycle at the Welcome Center and explore the little nooks and crannies of the Yosemite Valley, cut through by the icy Merced River, at a leisurely pace.

The last leg of your road trip is from Yosemite to San Francisco, and as there’s nothing else on the agenda, you set your own pace.

If you’d really like take in the last views, take one last detour into Yosemite Valley.

If you drive via Mariposa Grove, you can experience the famous Giant Sequoia trees. In the grove, there is a smaller cluster of the huge trees, which are easy to reach via the designated footpaths. Look forward to standing in front of the enormous root of the Fallen Monarch and feel smaller than ever before when you walk through the California Tunnel Tree.

You could also opt for an earlier arrival in San Francisco. You’ll spend the night at an airport hotel, but depending on your time and desire, you might like to head into town one last time.

If you wish to stay in the city centre, please ask your travel specialist about your options.

The day’s mileage: approx. 320 km

Today, it is time to say goodbye to the US of A. You’ll drive to the airport and follow the signs to the car rental company, where you drop off your car. Your voucher tells you exactly where and when the car must be returned at the latest. It’s a straightforward process, after which you take your luggage into the airport.  You then fly from San Francisco to Europe.

If you’ve opted to extend the tour to include a visit to a new American city, you’ll continue to the chosen destination.

You land at your chosen airport after an exciting tour, many memories and experiences the richer.