- 102
Westerner 2
- Code #W2
- 14 Days
-
Trip Overview
Want to experience some of the best highlights of Western USA? This one’s for you! Be blinded by the bright lights of Las Vegas with an included party bus tour of The Strip, feel the heat as you step into sizzling Death Valley, gaze up at the magnificent Giant Sequoias in Yosemite, and then head to San Francisco for the chance to stroll along the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Finish with a drive down the California Coast and the opportunity to swim before finding yourself back in Los Angeles. Now that's what we call an awesome all-American adventure!
- Party bus tour of the Las Vegas Strip
- Locally guided San Francisco tour including Union Square, Pier 39, Chinatown & Lombard Street
- Beach time in San Diego & Santa Barbara
- Watch the sunrise or sunset at the Grand Canyon
- Drive along iconic Route 66 & stop in Seligman
- Explore one of the hottest places on earth - Death Valley
- Walk amongst Giant Sequoia trees in Yosemite
- Walk across the famous Golden Gate Bridge
- Admission to incredible national parks - Grand Canyon, Death Valley & Yosemite
If you want to make sure you're in the right place in the heart of the action at the absolute best time to be there, why not book one of our Special Departures. These trips are planned to coincide with some of the most iconic events throughout the Americas.
CELEBRATE THE 4TH OF JULY IN SAN FRANCISCO
TRIP DEPARTS JUN 23RD, 2019
Immerse yourself in the 4th July celebrations in San Francisco - drink in all-things all-American for this major United States annual holiday.
CELEBRATE THE 4TH OF JULY IN SAN DIEGO
TRIP DEPARTS JUL 4TH, 2019
Celebrate the iconic 4th July in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, where the cool crowds turn patriotism into parties as the night gets later...
Interests
Accommodation & Transportation
Food & Meals
- We operate a Food Kitty on this trip - you will need to contribute US$10 a day which covers all your meals whilst camping
Other Inclusions
- Services of a TrekAmerica tour leader
- Private transportation with free Wi-Fi
- All accommodation, camping fees & equipment (except sleeping bag)
Essential Information
- Prices quoted are land only. Call us on 0333 999 7951 for a flight quote (UK only).
- This tour requires a minimum number of five to operate. On rare occasions we may run with lower numbers.
Resources
Nomadic Californian with an addiction to singing while driving. Has a passion for both coffee and craft beer, but doesn't play favorites.
Known to be: fast paced, non-stop, always on, adaptable, dependable adventure spirited Tour leader. Originally from Michigan but traveling the world.
Our routes have been carefully chosen to include the best overnight stops, highlights and included experiences, with plenty of optional activities to choose from. No two Trek trips are the same, with stops at some of your tour leader's favourite places and occasional changes to the itinerary, so get ready for one awesome adventure!
As this tour departs at 07:30 hrs we recommend that you book pre tour accommodation. Please request further details at time of booking.
Say goodbye to LA and hello to the city of San Diego. Laze in grassy Balboa Park or explore the famous San Diego Zoo with over 3,000 animals. San Diego is home to some awesome beaches so no trip would be complete without feeling the sand between your toes at Mission Beach and topping up your Californian tan. If you’re feeling a tad more active, San Diego has the perfect environment for beachfront activities; go rollerblading, cycling or take to the water for a spot of surfing. At night, the Gaslamp Quarter is the place to experience the city's live music and bar scene.
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Today you’ll receive your first introduction to the diverse landscapes of the American West. Head out of ‘America’s Finest City’ and wave goodbye to the sun-soaked beaches on the California Coast. Today’s drive brushes by the Mexican border, through the awesome Algodones sand dunes, and into Arizona’s Mojave desert. Spend the night camping near to the Colorado River.
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Enjoy a stop at Lake Havasu and see the original London Bridge. From here nothing you have ever seen will prepare you for what you're about to see next; the mighty Grand Canyon! You can hike from the forest above to the desert below to get an insider view on the canyon. Or take an optional helicopter flight for a birds-eye view and marvel at the brilliant colours. The canyon depths are nothing short of mind-blowing! As for the sunrise, you will never have seen such an incredible sight!
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Travel along a section of the original Route 66, which at one time was the only way to travel on the great American road trip. You'll stop off at the quirky little roadside town of Seligman, full to the brim with vintage Americana and plenty of souvenirs. Next up is the city of Las Vegas where neon lights guide your path on an included party bus tour of The Strip. You may wish to indulge in an all-you-can-eat buffet, take in a show, enjoy the attractions that many of the glitzy hotel resorts have to offer, or simply sit back and people watch! For the best view of 'Sin City', take to the sky on an optional helicopter flight down The Strip.
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Optional Activities
Today you're in Death Valley National Park and we're not exaggerating when we say it's hot! This is one of the hottest, driest and lowest places on earth. The mercury tips at over 130 degrees in the summer, but it's this heat that has created the spectacle that everyone comes to see. This is a barren (but geographically awesome!) landscape, so brave the heat and check out the incredible Badwater Basin salt flats, and experience otherworldly views from Zabriskie Point. You'll spend the night in nearby Bishop, where thankfully it's not quite as hot!
NB: Due to extremely high temperatures in the summer, it may not be possible to visit Death Valley National Park, for safety reasons. We will continue to monitor this situation and an alternative will be offered. We are confident any changes will have minimal impact on your tour.
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You won't know where to focus your gaze as you drive along winding roads that look out across the beautiful Sierra Nevada range. The scenery you pass by will have you itching to get your hiking boots on and go explore, or rent a bike and pedal along the trails. Yosemite National Park is nature's greatest backyard and with both easy and strenuous hikes on offer, you're bound to find a trail that suits your ability. Whichever trail you choose you'll be amazed at the magnificent waterfalls and epic cliff faces. Keep your camera to hand at all times as this park is famous for its epic Giant Sequoia trees and abundance of incredible wildlife including bears and coyotes. If that isn't enough you can even float down the Merced River on a rubber ring for a different perspective of this truly awesome place.
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Optional Activities
Fall for San Francisco's charm with a tour of Haight-Ashbury, home to the original hippy movement and some great boutique shops and cafes. No visit to the ‘City by the Bay’ would be complete without a stroll over the iconic Golden Gate Bridge - it's a 'must do'. Head to Fisherman's Wharf and perhaps grab a bowl of clam chowder, before heading over to Pier 39 to see hundreds of sea lions just chilling out. Enjoy an included, locally guided tour of Union Square, Pier 39, Chinatown and Lombard Street; one of the steepest and most crooked streets in the city. In your free time why not jump on a cable car and explore the hillside heights, as well as the 'speakeasy' bars which keep going until the small hours. You'll never be bored in this chilled out West Coast city.
If you’re interested in visiting Alcatraz we recommend you book your tickets well in advance, directly with Alcatraz Cruises. For this tour you should book your ticket for day 12 (1pm onwards).
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Departing San Fran, it’s time to hit the road again. You’ll be stopping over in the beautiful San Luis Obispo County, located on California’s sun-soaked central coast. Along the way, admire the rocky outcroppings that the puncture the serene blue of the ocean as you drive alongside the Pacific Ocean.
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Before you head back to LA make sure you make the most of California's beautiful beaches with a stop at Santa Barbara. With miles of sandy white beaches, streets full of unique shops and art galleries, you really won't want to leave. Head back to Los Angeles where your American adventure ends, but if you still haven't had your beach fix then be sure to stop off at Venice Beach to people watch and see the cool kids on their boards.
This tour ends at approximately 17:00 hrs. We can book you post tour accommodation at our gateway hotel if required. If you are planning to fly tonight, please do not book a flight that departs before 21:00 hrs.
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Reviews
What our trekkers say
Best trip ever
So I had already done my first trek which was in canada. In the Rockies. My god I didn't think anything could come close to that... westerner 2 was in another league of its own. The hike and helicopter tour over the grand canyon was just absolutely incredible.. getting stuck in the Arizona desert in the sweltering heat was not amazing... but it was amazing too haha. Honestly it was the best tour and I had the best leader. I only hope I can get 3rd time lucky as I'm off doing the best of the East trip July 2019!!
The absolute best way to travel the west
Westerner 2 was honestly the best trip I've ever done. I've made friends for life and visited so much in such little time. The memories, trek jokes and experiences I had with on W2 were indescribable. If you are considering this trip then go for it because you won't regret it. The itinerary was jam packed with things to do, the accommodation and camping was great and the west really is one of the coolest places to visit. There was so much to do and see and even driving from place to place in the van was thoroughly enjoyable.
Best way to see West Coast USA!
My trek tour left June 7th 2018 and was my first time experiencing travelling alone at the age of 18. I highly recommend pre-accommodation with trekamerica. They had us stay at Aloft, the hotel right next to the Fairfield; which in my opinion was much more modern.
Our tours usually depart at 07:30am and finish around 5:00pm at designated hotels in our gateway cities, so it's a great idea to book a room for the night before and after your tour. It's also worth staying extra nights to explore the city more. You must book these hotels in advance either online with your tour or by contacting our friendly sales team.
LOS ANGELES - FAIRFIELD INN MARRIOTT
525 North Sepulveda Boulevard, El Segundo, Los Angeles, CA 90245
This hotel offers free WiFi, air-conditioning, mini-market, plus an outdoor pool, fitness centre and free shuttle service to LAX.
Twin share (With a trekker of the same sex)
From £114 | US$134 | Eur122 | AU$172 | NZ$181
Price per person per night
Full room (Your own single or double room)
From £177 | US$233 | Eur213 | AU$301 | NZ$316
Price per room per night
AIRPORT TRANSFER INFORMATION
The hotel operates a free airport to hotel pickup from the international airport to the Fairfield Inn & Suites Hotel. Whilst this is a complimentary service a tip of US$1-$2 is generally expected. On arrival to the airport, please call the hotel and advise them which terminal you are at and to arrange pick up. The transfer should take approximately fifteen minutes by road depending on traffic. For airport drop-off, please arrange this with the reception staff.
Sticking around for a day or two after your trip? Arriving early for some big city fun? We don’t blame you. Making sure you catch ALL the highlights, we’ve partnered with GetYourGuide to show off the ultimate things to do in our fave cities.
Check out our city tours below >
Our specialist flights department can offer UK customers a great airline fare to all of our Trek destinations. We have preferred contracts with many international carriers and have secured some of the most competitive prices in the industry.
Why Book Your Flights with Trek?
- Secure your flight with a deposit of only £125 per person
- Date changes free of charge (subject to terms)
- We are ATOL protected and IATA licensed
- Personal service - you're more than just a number
Call us now on 0208 682 8920 for today's special offers or
At TrekAmerica we believe that your safety and enjoyment are the most important parts of your holiday. That's why we recommend you take out insurance as soon as your booking is confirmed. TrekAmerica can offer you comprehensive travel insurance which is completely tailored for your trip and is specially designed to include all the activities listed we do.
If you do not take our policy, you must ensure that the policy you do take offers an equivalent level of protection and covers you for the activities involved - be aware that some policies do not include, or restrict, coverage for this type of travel.
See our insurance page or download our insurance tips pdf for more information.
There are loads of exciting optional activities available for you to choose from during your trip giving you the flexibility to do the things you want to and leave out the things you don't. A list of optional activities and approximate costs are shown at the end of each day by day itinerary descriptions above.
Your tour leader will arrange your chosen activities during the tour so no need to pre-book. You'll also pay for these locally so ensure you budget for the bucket list items!
As local weather conditions and seasonality can change not all optional activities may be available on your trip and prices can be subject to change.
Located in San Francisco bay, Alcatraz is best known as one of the world's most legendary prisons. Departing from Fisherman's Wharf, you can connect with Alcatraz via a return ferry where you explore within the concrete walls and cells with an audio headset to learn the history and conditions within the prison.
Alcatraz tours can sell out far in advance so if you want to visit Alcatraz you will need to book your own ticket ahead of time directly with Alcatraz Cruises.
Check the itinerary description for San Francisco above for the recommended date and time for your tour.
