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Best of the West Road Trip: California, Utah & Vegas Bright Lights

Want the the ultimate U.S. road trip? Coming right up. Spend 13 days seeing the best of the west as you travel through four states, six national parks, and along historic Route 66. Treat your eyes (and your soul) to stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Chill out with the laid-back beach vibes of Santa Monica. Look way, way, way up at the towering granite rocks in Yosemite. And explore the infamous Death Valley and the legendary Joshua Tree National Park. Just under two weeks is all you need for this quintessential U.S. adventure — ready to hit the open road?

On Sale
13 DaysLos Angeles to Los Angeles
Valid on May 5 2026Trip Code: NUNCHW
From $1934.1 USDIncluding taxes and fees

Is this tour for me?

Travel Style: Roamies by Hostelworld & G Adventures

Immersive, social, wallet-friendly adventures where epic hostels are your home-base.

Service Level: Camping

Camping most nights with some hotel/hostel stays to start and throughout; affordable public and private transport.

Physical Grading: 3 - Average

Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.

Trip Type: Small Group

Group trips average 12 travellers per departure, depending on the adventure. The maximum is usually no more than 16, but some can be smaller or bigger, depending on the trip. Check individual trips for details.

Age requirements: 18-35

Check Your Visa Requirements

Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.

Best of the West Road Trip: California, Utah & Vegas Bright Lights - Itinerary

Trip Start: Los AngelesTrip End: Los Angeles

DAY 1

Los Angeles/Santa Margarita

Welcome to sunny Southern California! Your day starts early, taking in all the must-see sites of The City of Angels, before driving along the Pacific Coast Highway. On your morning tour of Los Angeles, you'll check-off all the places you've seen in the movies: Beverly Hills' Rodeo Drive, the famous Hollywood sign, and of course Sunset Boulevard. You'll leave the sprawling metropolis to drive up the coast, with a stop in Santa Barbara for lunch. Set up camp in Santa Margarita before zipping over to San Luis Obispo for dinner on your own.

Los Angeles Sightseeing With CEO:
Right after the welcome meeting hop in the van and begin the adventure! Drive through the city with your CEO as the lead and see the infamous Rodeo Drive and the glitz of Hollywood, Sunset Blvd, and Beverly Hills. The orientation tour will last about an hour and a half. Then, the group will continue driving north up the coast to Santa Barbara where there will be free time for lunch on your own in this charming coastal city.

Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group:
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. The group will meet early on day 1 before beginning the journey along the coast.

Private Vehicle:
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Santa Margarita KOA:
Santa Margarita KOA

Best of the West Road Trip: California, Utah & Vegas Bright Lights - Itinerary

Trip Start: Los AngelesTrip End: Los Angeles
DAY 1
Los Angeles/Santa Margarita

DAY 1

Los Angeles/Santa Margarita

Welcome to sunny Southern California! Your day starts early, taking in all the must-see sites of The City of Angels, before driving along the Pacific Coast Highway. On your morning tour of Los Angeles, you'll check-off all the places you've seen in the movies: Beverly Hills' Rodeo Drive, the famous Hollywood sign, and of course Sunset Boulevard. You'll leave the sprawling metropolis to drive up the coast, with a stop in Santa Barbara for lunch. Set up camp in Santa Margarita before zipping over to San Luis Obispo for dinner on your own.

Los Angeles Sightseeing With CEO:
Right after the welcome meeting hop in the van and begin the adventure! Drive through the city with your CEO as the lead and see the infamous Rodeo Drive and the glitz of Hollywood, Sunset Blvd, and Beverly Hills. The orientation tour will last about an hour and a half. Then, the group will continue driving north up the coast to Santa Barbara where there will be free time for lunch on your own in this charming coastal city.

Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group:
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. The group will meet early on day 1 before beginning the journey along the coast.

Private Vehicle:
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Santa Margarita KOA:
Santa Margarita KOA

DAY 2
Santa Margarita
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DAY 3
Santa Margarita/Yosemite National Park
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DAY 4
Yosemite National Park
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DAY 5
Yosemite National Park/Bishop
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DAY 6
Bishop/Las Vegas
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DAY 7
Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon National Park
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DAY 8
Bryce Canyon National Park to Zion National Park
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DAY 9
Zion National Park/Grand Canyon National Park
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DAY 10
Grand Canyon National Park
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DAY 11
Grand Canyon National Park/Joshua Tree National Park
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DAY 12
Joshua Tree National Park/Santa Monica
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DAY 13
Santa Monica/Los Angeles
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What’s Included

  • Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Your Discover Moment: Yosemite National Park
  • All national park fees
  • Los Angeles Sightseeing With CEO
  • Coastal free time in Avila
  • Guided visit and hikes in Yosemite National Park
  • Sightseeing in Yosemite through Tioga Pass Tuolumne Meadows Lembert Dome Tenaya Lake, and Mono Lake
  • Death Valley National Park visit
  • Free time in Las Vegas
  • Bryce Canyon National Park visit and hike
  • Zion National Park visit and guided hike
  • Horseshoe Bend hike
  • Grand Canyon National Park visit
  • Joshua Tree National Park visit
  • Visit Route 66
  • Free time in Santa Monica
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
Accommodations
  • Camping (10 nts), hotel (1 nt), hostel (1 nt).
Meals
  • 10 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 2 dinners
Transportation
  • Air-conditioned private vehicle, hiking, walking.
Staff & experts
  • 1 CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.

Best of the West Road Trip: California, Utah & Vegas Bright Lights Departure Dates

All Years

StartEndingAvailabilityPrices from
Wed, Jul 08 2026Mon, Jul 20 2026Open (11)$2,024.1 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Wed, Jul 22 2026Mon, Aug 03 2026Open (10)$2,024.1 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Wed, Aug 05 2026Mon, Aug 17 2026Open (9)$1,934.1 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Wed, Aug 19 2026Mon, Aug 31 2026Open (9)$1,934.1 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)

USEFUL INFO

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Discover Moment: Yosemite National Park. All national park fees. Los Angeles Sightseeing With CEO. Coastal free time in Avila. Guided visit and hikes in Yosemite National Park. Sightseeing in Yosemite through Tioga Pass Tuolumne Meadows Lembert Dome Tenaya Lake, and Mono Lake. Death Valley National Park visit. Free time in Las Vegas. Bryce Canyon National Park visit and hike. Zion National Park visit and guided hike. Horseshoe Bend hike. Grand Canyon National Park visit. Joshua Tree National Park visit. Visit Route 66. Free time in Santa Monica. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Cruise through the dazzling neighbourhoods of LA, Sleep along the Pacific Coast in Avila, Stargaze in Yosemite National Park, Hike through the harsh landscapes of Death Valley, Witness the grandeur of Zion, Wander through the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon, Hike to view the impressive Horseshoe Bend, Stare in awe at the utter vastness of the Grand Canyon, Walk among the giant boulders in Joshua Tree, Travel along historic Route 66, Sit back and relax near the Santa Monica Pier

The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you view a final copy of your Trip Details a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

1. An essential part of your trip is participation - from putting up your tent (while camping) or packing it away in the morning, to helping with meal preparation and cleaning up - it is all part of your adventure and when everyone puts in a little effort the trip will run smoothly. Your CEO will do all the meal planning, but we do ask the clients to help with the preparation and washing up. Team spirit is part of the fun! All camping equipment (with the exception of your sleeping bag and pillow) is supplied. We supply dome tents and assembly/disassembly takes only 5 minutes. All tents have built-in insect nets. Comfortable, self-inflating mattresses are also provided, which are approximately 4cm thick.

2. Proper sleeping bags are necessary for this tour. Evening temperatures can reach -9°C - 0°C. Please ensure that your sleeping bag is rated to (-17°C for spring and fall trips and 0°C for trips June - Sept). If you prefer you can purchase a proper sleeping bag on the first day of the trip. Prices range from $60-$150USD. 

3. In order to cover the vast distance in North America to be able to visit several different parks and cities along our trip, we will have a couple of long driving days.

4. All walks and hikes proposed by our CEO will be easy to moderate level. You may choose to participate or not, but exploring our national parks on foot is part of our way of travelling. It’s a healthy way to discover North America’s beauty and landscape.

5. Please note that some trips could be a combination of multiple G Adventure tours. You should expect some group members to join or leave the tour between tour segments.

6. The American West is generally known for warm weather, but temperatures do vary significantly in the mountain and desert areas especially. The day time temperature could exceed 30 C, while the night time temperatures do regularly decrease to single digits, or even possible below freezing. Please be prepared for such extreme conditions.

7. Please note that the legal drinking age in the United States is 21 and in Canada, 19 (with Alberta and Quebec at 18). Many bars and clubs will ask for ID at the door, therefore listening to live music in certain bars or spending a night out in Las Vegas or New Orleans is not possible when you are under the legal age, even if you don't plan on consuming alcohol. Drinking laws in both countries are strictly enforced and our CEOs are unable to help those under age obtain alcohol of any kind.

While this should not stop those under legal drinking age from booking a tour, it is important to note that if a traveller is under-age there are certain optional nighttime activities that they may not legally be able to participate in. When trying to book the right trip, we recommend that travellers under legal drinking age take this into consideration when booking a tour that visits several big cities.

8.ANGELS LANDING
Please note that while the trail to Angels Landing is not included in this itinerary, it is available to be done independently. If you’re interested in continuing to the top, you must apply ahead of time for a permit via the National Park’s lottery system at this website.

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