Western Discovery

Tour Information

14nt Tour Begins & Ends Los Angeles: 3nts Los Angeles; 1nt Phoenix; 1nt Grand Canyon National Park; 1nt Lake Powell; 1nt Bryce Canyon National Park; 2nts Las Vegas; 1nt Mammoth Lakes; 1nt Yosemite National Park; 2nts San Francisco; 1nt Pismo Beach

See the best of the west on the 14-night Western Discovery escorted coach tour. This American tour starts with a two-night stay in LA, including a trip to San Diego and Orange County.

From coastal California you’ll head east across the desert landscape to the resort of Palm Springs and onwards into Arizona, to stop in the state capital Phoenix. Then it’s via the Sonoran Desert, a biodiversity hotspot, to the Grand Canyon. After time to admire this remarkable natural phenomenon the tour will pass through Navajo lands to Monument Valley, whose weathered red-rock buttes and mesas formed the backdrop to numerous classic western movies.

More unique landscapes await you as you travel to Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Dam, and onwards to Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. From these rugged vistas you’ll head to the brights lights of Las Vegas, for two nights in the entertainment capital of the world, staying on the city’s famous Strip.

From Vegas it’s back into the desert, witnessing the infamous Death Valley on the way to the Sierra Nevada mountains and Mammoth Lakes, a pretty alpine resort town. Carry on through the hills to Yosemite National Park, where you’ll see the impressive rock outcrops of El Capitan and Half Dome, and then cross over to the California coast to stay in San Francisco, before driving down the beautiful coastline to return to Los Angeles at the end of this fantastic tour of the American west.

Day 1

Fly from Dublin to Los Angeles.
Arrive Los Angeles International Airport and transfer via shuttle bus to the hotel where you will meet your Tour Escort. Overnight Los Angeles.
Hotel: Radisson Hotel Los Angeles Westside

Day 2

Los Angeles – The O.C. – San Diego – Los Angeles
Travel south through San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente to San Diego, the second largest city in California, renowned for its year-round mild weather. Following a city tour, visit picturesque Seaport Village, San Diego’s relaxing bay-front marketplace. Return to Los Angeles in late afternoon. Overnight Los Angeles.
Hotel: Radisson Hotel Los Angeles Westside

Day 3

Los Angeles – Palm Springs – Phoenix
Leaving Los Angeles behind we travel towards the rugged San Jacinto Mountains and Palm Springs, a pretty pastiche of swaying palm trees, a lively downtown area and immaculately kept golf courses. We continue across the desert to Arizona’s State Capital, Phoenix. Overnight Phoenix.
Hotel: Carefree Resort & Villas

Day 4

Phoenix – Sedona – Grand Canyon National Park
Travel through the Sonoran Desert, the richest, most biologically diverse desert ecosystem in the Americas. Continue to Sedona and see the spectacular red rock scenery. Situated in a unique geological area, Sedona is encircled by distinctive red-rock monoliths with such names as Cathedral and Coffee Pot. Then drive through the breathtaking Oak Creek Canyon before arriving at Grand Canyon National Park. Visit lookout points along the South Rim to fully experience this mile-deep canyon.
Hotel: Yavapai Lodge West

Day 5

Grand Canyon National Park – Monument Valley–Page/Lake Powell
A highlight of the trip will be watching the sunrise as yuo enjoy a special (optional) breakfast served right at the rim of the Canyon. As you journey further today, you will enter the Navajo Indian Reservation, passing the trading post of Cameron. Continue through the Painted Desert to tour Monument Valley, an area that embodies perhaps the most definitive and iconic images of the American West. Indeed the isolated red mesas and sand swept buttes of Monument Valley have been photographed and filmed countless times for movies and advertisements. Because of this, many visitors often feel an instant familiarity with the landscape, a sense of déjà vu. In the afternoon, we will enter the town of Page, in the Lake Powell Region. Visit the mighty Glen Canyon Dam, the second highest concrete-arch dam in America. From here you’ll enjoy views of stunning Lake Powell, where crystal blue water laps against towering red-rock canyon walls. Overnight in Page.
Hotel: Best Western at Lake Powell

Day 6

Page/Lake Powell – Bryce Canyon National Park
Enter the Mormon state of Utah this morning. Pass through the town of Kanab before visiting spectacular Bryce Canyon, where a tour through a multi-colored world of sandstone spires and pinnacles will dazzle the eye. Nature’s artistry has created rocks in thousands of shapes, sizes and colors, beautiful in their setting against the unusually deep blue sky. Enjoy the evening at leisure.
Hotel: Best Western Ruby’s Inn

Day 7

Bryce Canyon National Park – Zion National Park – Las Vegas
Travel today to Zion National Park and see the massive rock formations carved by wind, time, and the Virgin River. This afternoon experience the contrast of Las Vegas, the dazzling “Entertainment Capital of the World,” where round-the-clock shopping, nightly shows, and of course gambling are available.
Hotel: Circus Circus - West Tower Rooms

Day 8

Las Vegas
Today is at leisure for you to enjoy the many attractions that Las Vegas has to offer. In addition to world-class shopping, bustling casinos, and Broadway-caliber shows, you might simply stroll the famous Strip to take in its amazing sights. Overnight Las Vegas.
Hotel: Circus Circus - West Tower Rooms

Day 9

Las Vegas – Death Valley – Mammoth Lakes**
Having enjoyed the fast pace of glamorous Las Vegas, it will be a sharp contrast this afternoon to enter the quiet and extreme environment of Death Valley. Stop at Zabriskie Point and Furnace Creek Ranch before continuing across the valley and ascending the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the alpine resort town of Mammoth Lakes**. The area gained prominence as a gold mining town in the 19th century, but today it’s the superior skiing terrain and staggeringly beautiful mountain vistas that attract visitors from near and far.
Hotel: Mammoth Mountain Inn or Holiday Inn Visalia (winter)

Day 10

Mammoth Lakes** – Yosemite National Park
A short drive brings you over the Tioga Pass** high in the Sierras into the scenic wonderland of Yosemite National Park. Within the park, you will see the majestic, glacial-shaped granite formations of El Capitan and Half Dome, which rise from the valley floor. Overnight in Yosemite Gateway Area.
Hotel: Doubletree Modesto (or Holiday Inn Express)

Day 11

Yosemite Gateway Area – San Francisco
Depart early this morning, crossing the Oakland Bay Bridge to arrive in San Francisco, one of the most beloved cities in America. Commence a sightseeing tour before an afternoon at leisure. This evening you have the opportunity to take a memorable City by Night Tour (optional). Overnight San Francisco.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Golden Gateway

Day 12

San Francisco (Napa Valley)
The whole day is at leisure in San Francisco. Your Tour escort is on hand to assist with making your plans for the day – perhaps a cable car ride to Fisherman’s Wharf, or a stroll and some shopping around Union Square. You also have the option to take a wine tasting tour to Napa Valley, world-renowned for its many wineries and beautiful scenery (optional).
Hotel: Holiday Inn Golden Gateway

Day 13

San Francisco – Monterey/Carmel – Pismo Beach
Depart San Francisco this morning for the drive to the Monterey Peninsula, known for its enclave of magnificent homes and lovely beaches. In Monterey, visit Fisherman’s Wharf and famous Cannery Row. Then tour charming Carmel-by-the-Sea, noted for its quaint houses, upscale art galleries and unique stores. In the afternoon continue to drive south through Paso Robles, home of the cowboys and wineries, and San Luis Obispo.
Hotel: Mission Inn

Day 14

Pismo Beach/Solvang – Santa Barbara – Los Angeles
Journey south through the Santa Ynez Valley into Santa Barbara, where palm-lined walkways border white sandy beaches. Stop for lunch here, and enjoy the Spanish heritage and architecture. Upon arrival in Los Angeles this afternoon, you will enjoy a comprehensive sightseeing tour through the “City of Angels,” including Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Venice, before reaching your hotel. Overnight at Radisson Hotel Culver City.

Day 15

Independent transfers back to the airport for your return flight.*

Day 16

Arrival back to Dublin.

*Why not extend your stay in Los Angeles or add a Hawaii Extension? Please call us for prices.

What's Included

• Return scheduled transatlantic flights
• Accommodation in hotels described above or similar standard
• Transportation in deluxe air-conditioned Motorcoach throughout the tour
• Service of a professional Tour Director
• Hollywood/Beverly Hills Tour
• San Diego Day Tour
• Palm Springs visit
• Oak Creek Canyon Tour
• Optional Grand Canyon Sunrise Breakfast
• Visit Death Valley
• Yosemite Tour
• San Francisco City Tour
• Optional Napa Valley Wine Tour
• Visit Carmel and Monterey
• Santa Barbara