JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME - WEST COAST USA FLY DRIVE
The allure of vast open highways, breathtaking scenery and diverse cities makes the United States a favourite fly drive location. Explore the stunning coastline roads of California and the breathtaking landscapes of the American West; the United States is the ideal place for a road trip.
Fly to LA
Los Angeles is the epicentre of the United States' film and television industries. Studios such as Paramount Pictures, Universal, and Warner Brothers provide behind-the-scenes tours near the famed Hollywood sign. TCL Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard showcases celebrities' hands- and footprints, the Walk of Fame recognises hundreds of stars, and merchants offer maps to celebrities' houses.
You might spend your time in LA buried in museums and art galleries without ever seeing Hollywood, or you could commit an entire trip to studio tours and pilgrimages to share-worthy locations from TV and movies. Walking isn't a word that springs to mind when you think of Los Angeles, but there's plenty of exercise to be had on gorgeous hikes in the Hollywood Hills or leisurely bike rides along that stretch of sandy beaches.
Photo by Roberto Nickson
San Diego
San Diego is well-known for its beaches, parks, and pleasant weather. The sprawling Balboa Park is home to the world-famous San Diego Zoo, as well as other art galleries, artist workshops, museums, and gardens. A huge operational naval force is housed in a deep harbour, with the USS Midway, an aircraft carrier-turned-museum, available to the public.
Visit Belmont Park is a historic amusement park in Mission Beach that was founded in 1925 by sugar tycoon John D. Spreckels. The park exudes San Diego flavour, particularly the Giant Dipper, an iconic vintage wooden roller coaster. Views of Mission Beach and Mission Bay may be seen from the top of the roller coaster. You can easily spend the day at the amusement park because it contains a boardwalk with restaurants, rides, an arcade, and shops.
Photo by Leslie Yu
Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park is located on the border of eastern California and Nevada. It's famous for Titus Canyon, which has a ghost town and multicoloured rocks, and Badwater Basin's salt flats.
Death Valley National Park is known for its extremes. Famous (and infamous) for having the highest temperature ever recorded anywhere in the globe and for being the driest place in North America, Death Valley is unexpectedly welcoming from fall through spring.
Take a drive along Badwater Road. While everyone wants to visit the salt flats and pools at Badwater, North America's lowest elevation, take some detours as you drive south from Furnace Creek. A three-mile round-trip climb goes through serpentine, flood-carved Golden Canyon and to the magnificent Red Cathedral. Take a one-mile round-trip stroll to Natural Bridge, a stunning rock structure that spans a wash. And an unpaved road leads to Devil's Golf Course, a jagged stretch of eroded rock salt.
Photo by Johannes Plenio
Las Vegas
Photo by Stephen Leonardi
Las Vegas may have a reputation for nonstop partying and opulent casinos, but Sin City has considerably more to offer than hangovers and roulette!
If you're looking for entertaining things to do in Las Vegas, you'll be inundated with options. Take a day trip to explore the Grand Canyon, experience the thrills of the Stratosphere, watch great performances, unwind in luxurious resorts, dine at Michelin-starred restaurants, and so much more.
If you like playing poker, you will have a great time in Las Vegas. You may play poker at almost any casino you come across. But if there's one you shouldn't miss, it's the Bellagio Hotel. The amount of money changing hands at the Bellagio's high-stakes tables is staggering!
If you don't want to play, that's great too — just sit back and watch the pros battle it out.
Grand Canyon National Park
Much of the Grand Canyon is located in Arizona's Grand Canyon National Park, with its stratified bands of red rock reflecting millions of years of geological history. Mather Point, Yavapai Observation Station, and architect Mary Colter's Lookout Studio and Desert View Watchtower are among the sights to see. Lipan Point, with its expansive views of the canyon and Colorado River, is particularly popular around dawn and sunset.
On a mule, explore the Grand Canyon National Park's depths on famous trails like the Bright Angel and South Kaibab. A mule ride across the Grand Canyon is both exciting and easy on the legs. If you’d rather walk Grand Canyon National Park, as well as the Grand Canyon region as a whole, is a hiker's paradise. The backcountry of Grand Canyon National Park is mostly underdeveloped. There are hundreds of miles of hiking, backpacking, and exploring to be done. Despite the Grand Canyon's fame and large number of tourists each year, travellers may enjoy some privacy by hiking only a short distance.
Photo by Sojy John
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. Tunnel View, the iconic sight of towering Bridalveil Fall and the granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome, is famous for its gigantic, old sequoia trees. Shops, restaurants, accommodation, the Yosemite Museum, and the Ansel Adams Gallery, which features reproductions of the photographer's iconic black-and-white vistas of the area, are all located in Yosemite Village.
Yosemite Falls is made up of three separate waterfalls that, when combined, form one of the world's highest waterfalls.
Upper Yosemite demands a more difficult trek to the top, although Middle Cascades and Lower Yosemite Fall are rather easy to reach.
Walk the one-mile trek at the foot of Yosemite Falls for a really amazing view. Hikers with more expertise might choose for an all-day climb to the top of Upper Yosemite, which will reward them with a spectacular perspective of the area. Just make sure to plan ahead of time and only trek with qualified guides and appropriate equipment.
Photo by Pablo Fierro
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a big freshwater lake located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the California-Nevada border. Its beaches and ski resorts are well-known. Emerald Bay State Park on the southwest side is home to the 1929 Nordic-style house Vikingsholm. Sand Harbour Beach and Spooner Lake, a gateway to the long-distance Tahoe Rim Trail, are located in Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park on the lake's northeast shore.
Lake Tahoe is known for its natural beauty, which attracts outdoor enthusiasts. The trails surrounding South Lake Tahoe include some of the most stunning hiking destinations. These lakeside and lake-view pathways provide refreshing alpine vistas as well as energising (or milder) workouts.
Squaw Valley, site of the 1960 Winter Olympics, and Heavenly, with 4,800 acres of magnificent ski terrain and breathtaking lake vistas, are the most popular of Lake Tahoe's ski resorts.
The spectacular 2.4-mile Heavenly Gondola ride, which finishes at an Observation Deck at 9,123 feet and offers stunning views of Lake Tahoe, Carson Valley, and the Desolation Wilderness, will appeal even even non-skiers.
Photo by Philippe Gauthier
San Francisco
The world-famous Golden Gate Bridge connects San Francisco Bay and Marin County. The bridge has been designated as one of the world's contemporary marvels. It was built in 1937 and was the world's longest suspension bridge at the time.
Fisherman's Wharf is San Francisco's most well-known waterfront neighbourhood. Here you may sample some delectable cuisine and partake in some of the world's finest dining. Outdoor booths provide fresh Dungeness crab, while numerous gourmet restaurants serve the freshest seafood of the day's catch. You may also book a variety of tours around the region from here, including Segway, strolling, boat, and many others.
Golden Gate Park attracts 13 million tourists each year who come to see one of San Francisco's most beautiful spots. This beautiful park covers 1,017 acres and offers several opportunities for exploration and relaxation. Lakes, picnic places, monuments, playgrounds, and gardens may all be explored.
There are a variety of events and activities that take place at the park throughout the year.
Photo by Varun Yadav
Carmel
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a tiny seaside town on the Monterey Peninsula in California. It's recognised for the ancient Carmel Mission's museums and library, as well as the village-like centres fantasy homes and galleries. The Scenic Bluff Path, which has a scuba entrance point, leads from Carmel Beach to the bird-rich Carmel River State Beach.
Carmel-by-the-Sea is full of surprises around every turn, with a variety of tours and one-of-a-kind experiences. Explore the Carmel Wine Walk, meet local artists, sample delicious cuisine, learn about Carmel's rich history, and partake in a variety of rewarding activities that are distinctly Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Sip, sample, and explore the region's best wines as you stroll around Carmel-by-the-lovely Sea's European-style hamlet.
The Carmel-by-the-Sea Wine Walk is a free, mobile tour that will take you on a strolling wine tasting adventure across Carmel-by-the-Sea to find unique experiences at wine tasting venues. Whatever your preferences, there are several chances to learn about and experience wine.
Photo by Y S
Monterey
Monterey is a city on the rocky central coast of California. It's a popular strip of renovated factories with gift stores, seafood restaurants, and pubs. The Monterey Bay Aquarium, which houses thousands of marine creatures and plants in underwater and interactive displays, is also well-known.
Without getting your feet wet, the Monterey Bay Aquarium immerses you in the fascinating oceanic world that awaits just offshore Cannery Row. As they smoothly float through the water, you'll notice beautifully coloured jellyfish that resemble some kind of extraterrestrial life form. Get up and personal with cute sea otters, and see leopard sharks and sardine schools moving through the kelp forest display. It's one of the world's highest aquariums, with 28-foot windows.
Photo by Jeremy Huang
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is a city on the central California coast with a magnificent background of the Santa Ynez Mountains. The city's Spanish colonial background is reflected in the city's white stucco buildings with red-tile roofs. State Street is lined with upscale stores and eateries serving local wines and seasonal food.
In Santa Barbara, getting outside is a must. The Santa Ynez Mountains provide a plethora of hiking and biking trails that lead to breathtaking views. The golden ridgelines cascade into the Pacific, offering a variety of water sports such as kayaking, surfing, SUP, and more, as well as breathtaking views of the California coastline. Pick-up beach volleyball games, individuals sea kayaking from Stearns Wharf to the Harbour, boats setting sail for whale viewing, and stand-up paddle boarders sliding over the water may all be found on any given day.
The environment of Santa Barbara, which boasts over 300 days of sunlight each year, is a great lure for anyone searching for year-round outdoor fun. A trek is a great way to start the day. Take a rock climbing or surfing class. Take a sailboat ride or an open-air excursion on an ATV.
Photo by OC Gonzalez
Back to LA
Head back to LA for some last minute things to do. The Venice Canals are a must-see on any vacation to Los Angeles, California. The canals run through all of the small bungalows in classic Venetian design, providing a lovely and whimsical perspective of the gorgeous streets. A stroll along the Venice Canals is stunning, soothing, and one of the most enjoyable things to do in Los Angeles. Birds such as egrets, parrots, herons, and pelicans may soar over if you're lucky.