Self Drive Viva the West

Tour Information

11 Night Tour Begins & Ends Las Vegas: 3 nights Las Vegas; 1 night Death Valley; 1 night Yosemite National Park; 2 nights San Francisco; 1 night Monterey; 2 nights Los Angeles; 1 night Palm Springs

Day 1

Ireland to Las Vegas
Arrive in Las Vegas, pick up your car at the airport and proceed to your hotel.
Standard: Imperial Palace
Superior: Harrah’s Las Vegas

Day 2

Las Vegas
This morning at 8:00 hours you will be met by your AmericanTours representative and provided with a welcome kit which includes driving instructions, voucher, maps and brochures of the places you are about to visit. Then experience the fun, attractions and the atmosphere of this glittering Entertainment Capital of the World. Try your luck at gambling or see one of the famous Las Vegas shows.
Standard: Imperial Palace
Superior: Harrah’s Las Vegas

Day 3

Las Vegas - Death Valley National Park (140 miles)
Spend the morning at leisure in Las Vegas. Depart at noon for the drive across the Amargosa Desert to Death Valley National Park. At Zabriskie Point you can admire the panoramic view of this seemingly endless, unchanging valley.
Standard: Stovepipe Wells Village
Superior: Furnace Creek

Day 4

Death Valley National Park - Yosemite National Park** (350 miles)
Today offers a complete contrast in landscape from the desolation of Death Valley, as the drive takes you into the high Sierra Nevada Mountains via Bishop to the Tioga Pass** and Yosemite, one of America’s most scenic national parks. Here, among pine trees, cascade the silvery waters of the Yosemite and Bridalveil Falls. Massive ice-shaped formations rise sharply from the valley floor in the sculptured beauty 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.
Standard: Shilo Inn Oakhurst
Superior: Cedar Lodge Resort

Day 5

Yosemite National Park - San Francisco (195 miles)
Take a drive across California’s fertile Central Valley to spectacular San Francisco: a city of many hills, cable cars, and a beautiful bay. San Francisco, the Pacific gateway to America, is noted for Chinatown, the Japan Center, the Embarcadero, and the Fisherman’s Wharf. Other attractions are the Civic Center, the Cable Car Museum, the Zoo, the Golden Gate Bridge, Twin Peaks Observatory, Union Square, Ghirardelli Square, and Nob Hill’s stunning Victorian houses.
Standard: Best Western Plus Americania
Superior: Holiday Inn Golden Gateway

Day 6

San Francisco
Enjoy a wonderful day touring the city and seeing places like Union Square, the Presidio, Golden Gate Bridge, and Fisherman’s Wharf, where you can take a short boat trip to tour infamous Alcatraz Island.
Standard: Best Western Plus Americania
Superior: Holiday Inn Golden Gateway

Day 7

San Francisco - Monterey/Carmel (130 miles)
Begin your drive this morning via Castroville to Monterey. Visit Cannery Row (brought to fame by John Steinbeck’s novel) and the quaint village of Carmel. Enjoy stunning views of the rugged coastline and the Pacific Ocean on 17-Mile Drive, then continue to your hotel for your overnight stay.
Standard: Travelodge Downtown
Superior: Hilton Garden Inn

Day 8

Monterey/Carmel - Pacific Coast Highway - Santa Barbara - Los Angeles (340 miles)
Today drive along the Pacific Coast Highway, passing San Simeon and Morro Bay to Santa Barbara. Continue toward the cosmopolitan city of Los Angeles and your hotel.
Standard: Custom Hotel
Superior: Crowne Plaza LAX

Day 9

Los Angeles
Perhaps visit Universal Studios, the world’s largest television and movie studios today or see Hollywood, Mann’s Chinese Theater, Sunset Strip and Beverly Hills.
Standard: Custom Hotel
Superior: Crowne Plaza LAX

Day 10

Los Angeles - Palm Springs (120 miles)
Today head for Palm Springs, a favorite playground for the stars of the entertainment industry. Palm Springs is known for it’s golf courses, palm trees and lavish private homes. Enjoy a desert sunset by the pool of your hotel.
Standard: Travelodge Palms Springs
Superior: Holiday Inn Palm Springs

Day 11

Palm Springs - Las Vegas (280 miles)
Today journey into the desert to explore the beauty of Joshua Tree National Park before continuing North with the black mountains as your guide to Las Vegas.
Standard: Imperial Palace
Superior: Harrah’s Las Vegas

Day 12

Las Vegas
Drop off your car at the aiport and catch your flight home.....or extend for a few more nights in Las Vegas.

Day 13

Arrive back in Ireland

What's Included

• Return transatlantic schedule flights
• Economy size car rental
• Hotel accommodation as specified, or of a similar standard
• Detailed briefing by Tour Representative as specified in itinerary
• Welcome kit with comprehensive maps and day-to-day itinerary