Please note: National Park Passes are not included
Days 1 - 2: Los Angeles
Los Angeles has it all; so much so that you'll wish you had more time to spend here! You'll be transferred to your centrally-located 4-star hotel on arrival and have two nights to spend at your leisure. Visit Santa Monica Pier which is the official end of Route 66 or head to bohemian Venice Beach. You could stroll along the Hollywood Walk of fame and visit the Chinese Theatre, or there’s shopping on Rodeo Drive. Of course, for the young at heart, there’s Disneyland and Universal Studios.
Days 3 - 4: Joshua Tree National Park
Distance: 270km / 168 miles
Day three will see you pick up your motorhome from the depot, then head east towards Joshua Tree National Park. We suggest a stop in Palm Springs in the Sonoran Desert, a city which is best known for its hot springs, spas and golf courses.
Joshua Tree National Park straddles the Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert, and is best known for its rugged rock formations and its desert landscapes. It takes its name from the area's twisted and bristled Joshua trees and offers stunning sunsets from Keys View.
Days 5: Kingman
Distance: 310km / 193 miles
Continue east towards Vidal Junction where, if you take a slight detour, you can visit Lake Havasu City to see the original 1830s London Bridge. The bridge was dismantled in London in 1967 and then relocated to Arizona. You could also stop off at the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1941 it is comprised of 37,515 acres along the lower Colorado River, and provides a habitat for migrating birds.
Arriving in Kingman (best known for being a city along the legendary Route 66) you can visit the Route 66 Museum and learn about the role of the historic road in American History.
Days 6 - 7: Grand Canyon National Park
Distance: 267km / 172 miles
Cruise in the shadow of the Aquarius and Juniper Mountains as you head towards one of the Seven Wonders of the World – The Grand Canyon. Just over an hour outside of Kingman, you’ll encounter another Route 66 gem – Seligman. Home of the Roadkill Café, it’s an Arizona institution and a great stop for breakfast.
Nothing will prepare you for your first look at the Grand Canyon – it's truly breathtaking. The south rim offers a choice of hikes and walks for all abilities, or you could take a helicopter ride to the remote north rim. Early risers will be treated to an incredible sunrise over the Grand Canyon; a memory that you’ll never forget.
Days 8 - 9: Lake Powell
Distance: 215km / 134 miles
Drive to Lake Powell, a man-made reservoir on the Colorado River which straddles the border between Arizona and Utah. The amazing backdrop of dramatic red rock against the shimmering water is stunning. Take a boat trip to Rainbow Bridge National Monument or explore the many lakes, canyons and sand dunes on foot. Be sure to include a visit to one of the most photographed slot canyons in the USA - Antelope Canyon.
Days 10 - 11: Monument Valley
Distance: 196km / 122 miles
Rise early and journey east to Monument Valley, where monolithic sandstone rocks rise up to 1,000 feet from the desert floor. Feeling a bit of déjà vu? The valley has been used as a setting for countless Western movies since the 1940s, so it’s bound to feel familiar.
Monument Valley is truly at its most magical at sunset and sunrise, so plan your day accordingly. If you are keen to learn about the myths and legends of the area – a tour with a Navajo guide is suggested.
Days 12 - 13: Moab & Arches National Park
Distance: 74km / 146 miles
It’s wall to wall scenery on your way to Moab in the heart of Utah’s dramatic canyonlands. Most of Utah lies on a plateau 4,000 feet above sea level. Explore the Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, as well as the lesser known but still magnificent, Dead Horse State Park. If you're feeling adventurous, why not try white water rafting along the Colorado River or a 4x4 jeep tour deep into canyon country - both of which can be arranged when you book your tour.
Days 14 - 15: Capitol Reef National Park
Distance: 251km / 156 miles
Be sure to include Goblin State Park along your way today. The strange and colourful landscape is full of strange rock formations that resemble a huge gathering of goblins!
The Waterpocket Fold defines Capitol Reef National Park. This 100 mile warp in the Earth’s crust was formed over 50 million years ago. Capitol Reef is considered the most scenic part of the fold.
Days 16 - 17: Bryce Canyon National Park
Distance: 175km / 109 miles
Drive via one of America’s most dramatic drives – Highway 12 National Scenic Byway. The road is very narrow at the top, twisting through Dixie National Forest and across Boulder Mountain which exceeds 11,000 feet.
The limestone rock in Bryce National Park has been eroded by frost and rainwater into bizarre shapes including slot canyons, windows, fins and spires. Head for Fairytale and Sunset Point where you can see the best of these formations.
Days 18 - 19: Zion National Park
Distance: 140km / 87 miles
Continue on the scenic byway all the way to Utah’s oldest national park, Zion. From sunrise to sunset, the changing scenes pass before you in awesome hues. Be sure to watch as light plays upon the canyons and vistas in a dazzling light show. Surely this is another of Mother Nature’s masterpieces.
Days 20 - 21: Las Vegas
Distance: 265km / 165 miles
Today you’ll head to Las Vegas where you’ll be staying for the next two nights. There's plenty to do here; perhaps have a flutter in one of the casinos, see a show or simply walk the strip and take it all in. Vegas comes to life at night, so we recommend visiting when the city is up in lights. The Bellagio Hotel is a particularly beautiful sight to behold.
For those wanting to escape Vegas we suggest taking an excursion to see the Grand Canyon. You’ll fly by plane from to the Grand Canyon from where you’ll take a helicopter ride over the stunning North Rim before exploring the South Rim and the Grand Canyon Village, all this and you’ll still be back in Vegas by evening to see a show!
Days 22: Calico
Distance: 238km / 148 miles
Your journey today takes you south west along the northern borders of the Mojave National Preserve which with its sand dunes, canyons, mountains and carpets of wildflowers is the complete opposite from what you will have experience in Vegas.
Calico is an old west mining town that has been around since 1881 during the largest silver strike in California. With its 500 mines, Calico produced over $20 million in silver ore over a 12-year span. When silver lost its value in the mid 1890s Calico lost its population. The miners packed up, loaded their mules and moved away abandoning the town that once gave them a good living. It became a "ghost" town.
Days 23 - 24: Sequoia National Park
Distance: 444km / 276 miles
From Calico head north east towards the Sequoia National Forest which will be your home for the next two nights. On route make a stop at Bakersfield which is universally recognized as ‘The Country Music Capital of the West Coast’. It is the birthplace for what would become known worldwide as the Bakersfield Sound. The sub genre of country music – described as a mix of twangy guitars, drums, fiddle, and steel guitar and was a defiant reaction to the string orchestras and the polished sound of albums being recorded in Nashville during the 1950s and 60s.
Running adjacent to Kings Canyon National Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Sequoia National Park is best known for its huge sequoia trees, notably the General Sherman Tree that dominates the Giant Forest. Moro Rock is a granite dome offering sweeping park views and close by is the Tunnel Tree, a toppled tree that has been cut to accommodate the road.
Days 25 - 26: Yosemite National Park
Distance: 193km / 120 miles
Today you’ll continue your journey north to Yosemite via Fresno, perhaps make a stop here to visit the Shinzen Japanese Gardens in Woodward Park.
Yosemite National Park is arguably California’s best known National Park, located in the Sierra Nevada mountains it counts giant ancient sequoia trees, the towering Bridalveil Fall and the cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome as its main attractions.
Days 27 - 28: Lake Tahoe
Head north, passing through the Sierra Nevada’s scenic byways, with chances to stop at small mountain towns, alpine meadows, and stunning viewpoints along the way. The drive itself is part of the adventure, offering glimpses of crystal-clear rivers and dense pine forests. At Lake Tahoe, there’s plenty to suit everyone, be it hiking or biking along lakefront trails, relaxing on the beach or simply taking in the incredible mountain and lake views. Tahoe’s charming town has a relaxed alpine atmosphere with great dining choices.
Days 29 - 30: San Francisco
As the turquoise waters of Lake Tahoe recede in the rear-view mirror, the vibrant city of San Francisco waits ahead. With two nights here there’s plenty to see in this friendly city.
Alcatraz is a fascinating must-see (well worth pre-booking), the Golden Gate Park with its fabulous museums, Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, Chinatown. Why not hire a bike and cross the Golden Gate Bridge (you’ll be out of the main traffic lanes and visit picturesque Sausalito before hopping on the ferry back to the sensational San Francisco waterfront.
Days 31 - 32: Moss Landing
177 km / 110 miles
Today you start the journey south along the famed Pacific Coast Highway; we suggest a stop in the city of Santa Cruz. Take a walk along its long wharf that stretches into Monterey Bay, see the bridge shaped rock formation on Natural Bridges State Beach or take a stroll along Pacific Avenue, famous for its vintage clothing stores, cafes and galleries.
Moss Landing is home to hundreds of bird species of waterfowl and migratory shorebirds as it's situated on one of California's largest wetland areas. There are also seals, sea otters and sea lions that can be seen from a nature cruise or from a kayak if you're up for exploring.
Days 33: Morro Bay
230 km / 143 miles
Travel along Monterey Bay, then the famous 17-Mile Drive before cruising slowly south on one of the world’s most scenic routes – California Highway 1. This twisting route along the central California coast starts in Monterey and winds through Big Sur, where mountains meet the Pacific. The landscape becomes less harsh as you travel further south, and as you head to the coastal city of Morro Bay you'll pass Hearst Castle, known as 'The Enchanted Castle on the Hill'.
The coastal city of Morro Bay is best known for Morro Rock, an ancient volcanic mound at the end of Morro Rock beach. It’s also home to lagoons, a bird-rich saltwater marsh as well as plenty of trails, including one up to Back Hill for magnificent views over the city.
Day 34: Los Angeles
364 km / 226 miles
Continue south along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway towards Los Angeles. We recommend a stop in Santa Barbara which is located on the central California coast. It’s well known for its Mediterranean style white stucco buildings with their red-tiled roofs that reflect Santa Barbara’s Spanish heritage. As well as some great beaches there are some impressive restaurants, a selection of wineries and the Santa Barbara Mission; a 1786 landmark home to period art and artefacts.
Days 35 - 36: Los Angles - UK
You have some time to yourself today before you returning your RV and heading to Los Angeles International airport for your evening flight back to the UK.
The holidays to America are provided by Alan Rogers Travel Ltd, a subsidiary of the Caravan and Motorhome Club. ATOL No.11309
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