Suntrek trek 206: California Dreamin’
On this tour you’ll see the highlights of the West: Hollywood, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, San Francisco and the breathtaking California Coast.
1st day: Trek start and welcome meeting at 8.00 a.m. in San Francisco. Sightseeing and shopping in San Francisco. In the afternoon we drive south along the magnificent coastal Route Highway 1. When we reach Monterey we have ample time to visit its famous aquarium and the legendary Cannery Row, subject of John Steinbeck’s novel by the same name. We later visit Monterey’s charming neighbor, Carmel (Clint Eastwood was mayor here until 1989). We can stroll down its shady lanes and visit the beautiful old Mission. Then it’s on to the coast of Big Sur, with its coastal cliffs and Redwood forests.
2nd day: As we travel down California’s rugged coastline, we may spy some Sea Lions or admire a few brave surfers. We continue travelling south and stop at Solvang, a charming Danish town dotted with windmills. We reach Santa Barbara and can enjoy the many optional activities offered here, such as rollerskating, bicycling, hiking, beach volleyball or just relaxing in the sun. The old Mission is also one of the highlights of this coastal town. Afterwards we continue to Los Angeles.
3rd day: We can visit the worldfamous Universal Studios in Hollywood and take a stroll along the star-studded streets of Hollywood and Beverly Hills. We can cruise down to Venice Beach where we can observe the bodybuilders of Muscle Beach or rollerskate along the boardwalk.
For Departures Itinerary 206 B:
1st day: Trek start and welcome meeting at 8.00 a.m. at our hotel in Los Angeles.
4th day: Today is spent on enjoying the many attractions of San Diego such as Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, or simply sunning ourselves on one of the golden beaches of Mission Bay. In the evening we have the option to cross the border to experience Tijuana’s nightlife. As an alternative we can visit the Old Town, one of the first Spanish settlements in California, and check out the Gaslamp Quarter in the evening.
5th day: Driving through the hot deserts of Southern California, we enter Joshua Tree National Park known for its many spectacular desert plants including Joshua Trees, cactuses and Mojave Yuccas. This California desert country also contains striking rock formations and towering mountain ranges. Afterwards we cross the Colorado River for Lake Havasu.
6th/7th day: We turn north towards one of the world’s seven wonders: Grand Canyon. Here we have some time to hike and enjoy the breathtaking view. A helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon is a great option.
8th/9th day: Today we travel west through the Kaibab National Forest and onto the Route 66. We stop in Oatman, a legendary “Old West” mining town with many historic buildings. From there we cross the Mojave Desert and reach Las Vegas, capital of the gambling world. We enjoy the many casinos and nightlife of this glittering city.
10th day: Our agenda today takes us through one of the hottest deserts on the planet, Death Valley, where temperatures rise to record-breaking levels. Traversing the Eastern Sierra, we make our way towards Lee Vining located near the shores of Mono Lake. This lake is unique with its strange tufa rock formations which rise out of its waters.
11th/12th day: Our drive takes us over the Tioga Pass into the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. We reach Yosemite National Park with its aweinspiring granite cliffs and majestic waterfalls. We enjoy hiking, relaxing or the sights.
13th day: We leave Yosemite behind and drive west towards San Francisco, with its countless attractions.
14th day: A last opportunity for sightseeing and shopping in San Francisco.
Note: When Tioga Pass is closed due to weather conditions, Yosemite N.P. is replaced by an alternative.
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