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13-Nights Golden West Adventure from $2,809
Cosmos
OFFER ID 1517198
Come and explore the Golden West on this affordable vacation through California, Arizona, and Nevada. You’ll begin in Los Angeles with guided sightseeing in the "City of Angels." Take a drive through Hollywood and see the legendary TCL Chinese Theater, the Dolby Theatre, home of the Academy Awards, and the Walk of Fame along Hollywood Boulevard. Stroll through the historic Farmers Market, with more than 80 shops and eateries followed by a visit to Santa Monica Pier. Travel through the California desert to Palm Springs and spend the night in this desert oasis. Continue to Scottsdale in the arid Arizona climate and visit Old Town where Western storefronts create an aura of the past. Visit the red-rock town of Sedona and pass through scenic Oak Creek Canyon and the San Francisco Mountains before arriving at the glorious Grand Canyon, one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World.
Cross the Mojave Desert for two nights in the bright lights of Las Vegas. Try your hand at the blackjack table, play the slot machines, do some shopping, or perhaps see a show. Continue to majestic Yosemite National Park to explore its giant granite domes, cascading waterfalls, and lush forests.
Then on to the "City by the Bay" San Francisco, where sightseeing includes the Golden Gate Bridge, Nob Hill, and Fisherman’s Wharf. Take in the spectacular seaside settings of Monterey and Carmel. Keep an eye out for sea lions and otters off the Old Fisherman’s Wharf and visit Cannery Row-made famous by John Steinbeck’s novel. Drive along legendary 17-Mile Drive to the storybook setting of Carmel by the Sea.
Take in the spectacular coastal scenery along the rugged stretch of Big Sur to visit Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park in the cathedral-like beauty of the California Redwoods. Visit the charming Danish village of Solvang with its Dutch windmills, bakeries, and restaurants. Travel further down the Pacific coastline to Santa Barbara for a photo stop at the historic mission and pier before returning to LA to conclude your memory-filled vacation in the American West!
13 nights from $2,809 per person
Golden West Adventure
Day 1 LOS ANGELES Welcome to Los Angeles! Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.
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Day 2 LOS ANGELES Begin the day with a sightseeing tour of Tinseltown. Drive through Hollywood and see the world-famous TCL Chinese Theatre. An historic gem, this cinema (formerly, Grauman’s) has hosted some of the most exclusive movie premieres in Hollywood history. See the Dolby Theatre, the first permanent home of the glamorous Academy Awards, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame where iconic terrazzo stars grace block after city block of Hollywood Boulevard. Explore The Original Farmers Market, with more than 80 shops and restaurants then head to the Santa Monica Pier and the ultimate Southern California beach. The remainder of your day is at leisure; your Tour Director will have suggestions for further exploration of the city.
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Day 3 LOS ANGELES–PALM SPRINGS Journey to the desert oasis of Palm Springs. Ever since Hollywood stars first came here in the 1930’s laying claim to ranch-style estates and holding up in elite hotels, the clean dry air and sunshine have made Palm Springs irresistible.
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Day 4 PALM SPRINGS–SCOTTSDALE AREA Travel through cacti-covered desert towards Old Town Scottsdale where Western storefronts create an aura of the past. Enjoy free time to explore a taste of the Old West with the Western bars, wooden beams, wagon wheels, and abundant cowboy hats, you will feel like you have traveled back in time to the era of outlaws and saloons.
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Day 5 SCOTTSDALE AREA–SEDONA–GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK–WILLIAMS First stop today is a visit to the red rocks of Sedona, a center for Southwestern and New Age arts. Climb through Oak Creek Canyon with its weather-sculpted formations of dramatic, color-tinted crags. Then pass by the San Francisco Mountains and beautiful pine forests to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and be awed by the grandeur and stunning vistas of this natural wonder of the world. See the canyon from the sky aboard an optional helicopter flightseeing excursion for thrilling views of the canyon’s flame-colored walls plunging 6,093 feet into the Colorado River. Stay overnight in Williams, a picturesque mountain town with Route 66 as the main street. (B)
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Day 6 WILLIAMS–LAS VEGAS Cross the Mojave, that still has traces of century-old ghost towns set in the natural beauty of the desert. Look out for Joshua trees, a species of the Agave family, that grow to 40 feet high and can live for more than 300 years. Arrive in the man-made oasis in the Nevada desert that is Las Vegas, a fantastic city of feverish gambling, neon lights, and entertaining shows. An orientation tour upon arrival shows off many of the themed casino resorts along the colorful “Strip.” This evening, consider a night on the town with an optional Brazilian steakhouse dinner and find your inner Rat Pack at “Vegas! The Show,” to relive the iconic performances of Sinatra, Elvis, and more legends who made Las Vegas the “Entertainment Capital of the World.” (CB)
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Day 7 LAS VEGAS The day is free for exploring on your own. Perhaps try your hand at the blackjack table, check out some of the over-the-top hotel lobbies, or lounge by the pool. Your Tour Director will also have plenty of ideas and can recommend favorite restaurants and shopping areas.
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Day 8 LAS VEGAS–SELMA Departing the neon lights of Las Vegas, we continue across the desert landscape of Nevada before crossing into California. See the vast Mojave Desert, which covers one-fifth of California. Pass through some of the state’s most productive agricultural land and overnight in Selma in the central San Joaquin Valley.
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Day 9 SELMA–YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK–SONORA This morning, we enter Yosemite National Park, a wonderland of giant granite domes, towering pinnacles, cascading waterfalls, and lush forests. See magnificent Half Dome, El Capitan, and Bridal Veil Falls. Afterward, drive to Sonora.
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Day 10 SONORA–SAN FRANCISCO This morning, we continue west to the “City by the Bay” San Francisco, famous for its cable cars. After lunch, included sightseeing takes in the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge, Nob Hill, and bustling Fisherman’s Wharf. (B)
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Day 11 SAN FRANCISCO The day is free for you to explore more of this fascinating city. Perhaps visit legendary Alcatraz Island, explore bustling Chinatown, or go on an iconic cable car ride. Take your adventures higher with an optional walk through the soaring 600-year-old redwoods of Muir Woods or view the stunning cityscape on a scenic San Francisco Bay Cruise.
NOTE:
Consider advance ticket purchase for Alcatraz Island with the National Park Service.
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Day 12 SAN FRANCISCO–17 MILE DRIVE–CARMEL–MONTEREY This morning, travel south to picturesque Monterey, which was once Spain’s Californian capital. Visit Monterey Harbor’s historic Old Fisherman’s Wharf to look for sea lions and otters, then visit Cannery Row, made famous by John Steinbeck’s novel of the same name. Later, take in the spectacular Pacific Ocean waves from legendary 17-Mile Drive and the rugged Pacific coastline en route to Carmel Bay. Nestled in a pine forest beside the picturesque coastline, Carmel by the Sea is a storybook setting not to be missed.
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Day 13 MONTEREY–BIG SUR HIGHWAY–PFEIFFER BIG SUR STATE PARK–SAN LUIS OBISPO–SOLVANG Today, you will experience one of the most beautiful coastlines anywhere in the world—Big Sur. Experience stunning views, redwood forests, and the Pacific Ocean crashing below. Keep your camera handy, as there will be plenty of scenic photo stops. Visit Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and experience the deep shade and cathedral-like beauty of California Redwoods, and the dramatic mountains meeting the sea. Enjoy time in San Luis Obispo before making your way to Solvang, where Denmark has been recreated with picturesque buildings and windmills. There’s time to walk the flower-lined village streets and enjoy the “Old World” architecture. Tasty bakery treats and perhaps a Danish smorgasbord for dinner all add to the unique experience.(CB)
NOTE:
The drive along the coast to Big Sur is dependent on current road conditions on Pacific Coast Highway 1.
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Day 14 SOLVANG–SANTA BARBARA–LOS ANGELES From Solvang, it’s a short drive south to coastal Santa Barbara. There’s time to wander along the vibrant waterfront, visit the pier, or do some shopping in some of the most talked-about boutiques. Then head to Los Angeles International Airport for guests with outbound flights. Please schedule flights after 5 pm.
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Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Moderate facilities have modest enhancements to amenities and décor. These hotels or resorts are dependable, comfortable and some may offer standard features, such as select business services, Continental breakfast or coffee service and may have a swimming pool or small fitness center on-site. Guestrooms are comfortable, moderately spacious, in-room telephones, televisions and limited amenities. Moderate establishments provide suitable accommodations and service for budget-minded travelers.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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