The Great American West & San Francisco

From its legendary parks to the Red Lands and the mythical streets of San Francisco

The Great American West & San Francisco

Price from : 2445 €
Ideal duration : 17 days –
16 nights

Are you interested in this trip?

Discover the magnificent landscapes and iconic towns of the American West, from Yosemite to Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon, before ending your journey in legendary San Francisco, where you can admire the famous cable cars and the Golden Gate Bridge. You’ll also be accompanied by a Navajo guide who will introduce you to the culture and traditions of his people.

You'll love...

  • See the most mythical parks
  • Observe these red earths
  • Changing shades from sunrise to sunset
  • San Francisco cable cars and bridges
  • Being guided by a Navajo

Days 1 to 3: Los Angeles

Welcome to the origins of cinema, in Los Angeles, and its famous “HOLLYWOOD” on Mount Lee.

Walk in the footsteps of your favorite idols on the Walk Of Fame, or visit Universal Studios in the San Fernando Valley. Take advantage of the mild Californian climate on these beaches too: rollerblade along Venice Beach, have lunch in Santa Monica. And before you return, dream of a home in the chic Beverly Hills district…

Discover Universal Studios Hollywood! (included)

Enjoy the ultimate movie-going experience at Universal Studios Hollywood, the world’s largest movie studio and theme park. Take a behind-the-scenes look at film production during the Studio’s world tour, famous in the park. When you need a break from the entertainment, you’ll find dining, shopping and nightlife options at Universal CityWalk.

Day 4: Flagstaff (Grand Canyon)

Temperatures cool as we approach the Grand Canyon. This exceptional geological phenomenon is the best-known site in the West, and one of the most impressive terrestrial phenomena. The 443 km-long, 30 km-wide fault is approached on foot – a glassed-in area allows visitors to walk safely along the edge of the precipice. Its immensity is disconcerting.

Days 5 and 6: Lake Powell

A vast man-made lake, Lake Powell blends into Glen Canyon Park, just a few kilometers from Page. With 3,200 km of coastline scratched by colorful canyons, it offers a delightful escape after a stay among the stifling mineral wonders of the western deserts.

Its exploration along the water promises a thousand surprises. Starting with the discovery of a hundred or so mini canyons, which intertwine and taunt visitors, who are captivated by this superb labyrinth of wind-polished sandstone arches and footbridges…

Day 7: Moab (Arches)

Day 8: Tropic (Bryce Canyon)

One of the most breathtaking parks in the Southwest Loop. Located in the state of Utah, here you can take in the many vistas of the ochre amphitheater, watch the sun slowly set and change the colors, and descend into the hoodoos (or fairy chimneys) that make the place so special. No loop road here, but a scenic 28 km route between pine forest and hoodoo amphitheaters. One viewpoint follows another, thirteen in all: Inspiration Point, Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Natural Bridge, Rainbow Point… We see deer crossing the road, and have fun distinguishing silhouettes in these rock formations shaped by time and the elements. Depending on the time of day, the light gives a different hue to this forest of stones.

Then it’s time to put on the sneakers and choose your trail. Not too long if you’re not sporty, as it’s stiflingly hot in summer, even at an altitude of over 2,000 m…

Day 9: Hurricane (Zion)

In the state of Utah, there are the “mighty five”, the state’s five national parks: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands. And Zion is the oldest (1919) of them all.

Its assets? Its deep canyons carved by the Virgin River and its tributaries, its monumental ochre rocks, its unique hikes and its focus on canyoning. With its valley (Zion Canyon), it sometimes looks like Yosemite, but in Utah’s “ochre” style.

Day 10 and 11: Las Vegas

Pretty desert road to Las Vegas. It’s a strange sensation to arrive in the midst of bright neon lights after hours in the heart of arid landscapes. Check into a hotel on the famous Strip. Don’t miss the classic but superb shows.

Day 12: Beatty (Death Valley)

Death Valley Park is the hottest spot in North America, a vast desert – allow 6 hours for the crossing. Dry air. Unexpected shades of color, from light sand to bright red. Chaos of volcanic rocks, blisters of earth, granite, piles of rocks, peaks, crevasses, a whole range of colors in all variations of white, beige and red.

Not to be missed: A visit to the most striking sites: Artist Drive, Dantes’s View, Devil’s Golf Course and Scotty’s Castle. Temperatures are extreme, of course, and the best light comes at dawn and dusk.

Day 13 and 14: Mammoth Lakes / Yosemite

Located in the heart of California’s Sierra Nevada, Yosemite National Park is home to alpine landscapes, granite domes, towering cliffs, majestic lakes, rivers and waterfalls, giant redwood forests and hundreds of species of birds and mammals. The scenic Tioga Road crosses the park from west to east.

Day 15 and 16: San Francisco

Between hills and cable cars, colorful houses stretch from Union Square to Golden State Park. In San Francisco, everything is mythical, from the bridges framing Alcatraz to winding Lombard Street and Victorian dollhouses…?

A cruise at the foot of the famous Golden Gare! (included)

On this San Francisco bridge cruise, get up close and personal with the city’s two wonders: the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge, as you cross San Francisco Bay. Visit the city’s major landmarks, such as AT & T Park, Alcatraz, Coit Tower and the Ferry Building, and listen to commentary on the city’s legendary architecture as you pass under the two bridges.

Discovering Alcatraz… (included)

You’ll receive admission to the prison, as well as an audioguide to discover all the history and secrets of Alcatraz. Relax on the round-trip ferry and return at a time of your choosing. Then use your $15USD/person meal credit at a pre-selected restaurant in Fisherman’s Wharf.

Day 17: San Francisco

Return flight

Further information

From €2,445 (based on 2 adults).

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