We will depart from Los Angeles this morning and travel to the picturesque Monterey Peninsula! Sea breezes, surging waves, bizarre rocks, and adorable seals along with sea lions rest on the beach. First, we will stop at a world’s first-class golf course resort to sightsee the amazing ocean views and multimillion-dollar mansions. Then we enjoy the scenery of the 17 Miles dr., which is truly breathtaking! 

Itinerary:

Los Angeles → 17-Mile Drive → The Lodge at Pebble Beach (60 mins) → San Francisco

17-Mile Drive

17-Mile Drive is a scenic road through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula in California, much of which hugs the Pacific coastline and passes famous golf courses, mansions and scenic attractions, including the Lone Cypress, Bird Rock and the 5,300-acre Del Monte Forest of Monterey Cypress trees.

Pebble Beach

Pebble Beach is a community on the Monterey Peninsula in Monterey County, California. The small coastal residential community of mostly single-family homes is also notable as a resort destination, and the home of the golf courses of Cypress Point Club, Monterey Peninsula Country Club, and Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Crown Plaza Union City; similar

Join us today as we head over to San Francisco! San Francisco is home to over 50 rolling hills and is surrounded by water on 3 sides. We will visit the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street, Palace of Fine Arts, and Fisherman's Wharf! You can even take an optional cruise on the San Francisco Bay. 

Itinerary:

Golden Gate Bridge (45 mins) → Palace of Fine Art (30 mins) → Lombard Street (45 mins) → Fisherman's Wharf (2.5 hours, optional for Bay Cruise) → San Francisco In-depth Tour (optional)

San Francisco In-depth Tour detail: Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption (30 mins) → Civic Center (40 mins) → Twin Peaks (25 mins) → Treasure Island (pass by)

Golden Gate Bridge

The iconic arches of San Francisco, California's Golden Gate Bridge are well-known throughout the world as a symbol of California and the San Francisco Bay area. From movies to postcards, the Golden Gate Bridge is an American icon.

Palace of Fine Art

The grandiosely-named Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, California is a huge, ornate outdoor structure that is part of the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Its amazing architecture has made it popular for weddings and photography.

Lombard Street

Known as the “Crookedest Street in the World,” Lombard Street is one of San Francisco’s most popular landmarks. Every year, millions of visitors walk or drive down its eight sharp hairpin turns. Surrounded by Russian Hill mansions and perfectly manicured landscaping and flowers, it is also one of the city’s most scenic streets. Take a spectacular photo at the bottom looking up or enjoy the breathtaking view from the top looking out onto the San Francisco Bay, the Bay Bridge and Coit Tower.

San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf

This San Francisco neighborhood is a popular tourist area due to its lovely scenery and abundance of shops, restaurants, museums, and other attractions. The area also hosts several annual events, such as the July 4th fireworks show.

Bay Cruise

Take a boat ride around one of the most famous and historical bays in the United States, the famous San Francisco Bay. Guests can enjoy the scenic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Angel Island.

Civic Center

The Civic Center area is the center of government in San Francisco. Its features two large plazas, and its main attraction is the San Francisco City Hall. The Hall has a recognizable gold-outlined dome, the fifth largest in the world.

Twin Peaks

At 922 feet in elevation, Twin Peaks is second only to Mt. Davidson in height, offering spectacular views of the Bay Area, and is a world-famous tourist attraction. Originally called “Los Pechos de la Choca” (Breasts of the Maiden) by early Spanish settlers, these two adjacent peaks provide postcard views and a treasure trove of animal and plant diversity. Most visitors to Twin Peaks drive (or take a tourist bus), walk, or bike to the north peak parking lot to enjoy the 180-degree views of the Bay Area.

Hampton Inn & Suites Merced; similar / Crown Plaza Union City; similar

Today will depart from San Francisco and head east towards Nevada! We make the first sightseeing stop at the Sacramento State House of California. Following that we will drive over to the Donner Pass and enjoy the desert views along the way! We will spend the night in Elko Nevada.

Ramada by Wyndham Elko Hotel; SureStay By Best Western Wells; similar

Today we will depart from Elko and head east to Yellowstone National Park! First of its kind, Yellowstone is home to world’s largest super volcano and over 10,000 geothermal features. Here, you can find everything you expect to see in a National Park! Snow covered mountains, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, canyons, meadows, herds of buffalos, elks and the most amazing geothermal features in the world! Geysers, hot springs, fumaroles, and mud pots are the true wonders that make Yellowstone truly unique.

Itinerary:

Elko → Yellowstone National Park (Mandatory, 3 hours, Head to visit Palette, Grand Prismatic Hot Spring, Old Faithful Geyser, Fountain Trail, Morning Glory, Biscuit Basin and other attractions. The tour guide will be adjusted according to the actual situation of the day, please refer to the actual arrangement.) → West Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park, the first national park in the United States, is a true gem that you will not want to miss out on! Yellowstone offers spectacular scenic views year-round and a chance to watch animals that migrate in and out of the park! No matter where you are in the park you will get to see these spectacular animals! Here you will find bears, wolves, moose, elk, bison and more!

The Grand Prismatic Hot Spring

The Grand Prismatic Spring, approximately 370 feet (110 m) in diameter and160 feet (50 m) deep, discharges an estimated 560 US gallons (2,100 L) of 160 °F (70 °C) water per minute. It is the largest hot spring in the United States, and the third largest in the world. The vivid colors in the spring are the result of microbial mats around the edges of the mineral-rich water. The mats produce colors ranging from green to red; the amount of color in the microbial mats depends on the ratio of chlorophyll to carotenoids and on the temperature gradient in the runoff. In the summer, the mats tend to be orange and red, whereas in the winter the mats are usually dark green. The center of the pool is sterile due to extreme heat.

Old Faithful Geyser

Old Faithful is a cone geyser in the Upper Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park. It is one of the park's most well-known natural features and is famous for its predictability. It generally erupts every 91 minutes.

White Buffalo West Yellowstone; Yellowstone Country Inn; Dude & Roundup; Travelers Lodge; similar

Today we will continue to explore Yellowstone National Park this morning! Afterwards, we travel along the Snake River and arrive at Grand Teton National Park, where we see nature’s true wonders with an amazing view. Following, we will drive to Jackson, a famous cowboy town as well as a world’s renowned vacation destination. Be sure to visit the Elk Antler Arches Square which is located in the center of Jackson! 

Itinerary:

West Yellowstone → Yellowstone National Park (Mandatory, 5 hours, Head to visit Norris Geyser Basin, Upper Falls, Artist's Point, West Thumb Geyser and other attractions. Passing by Hayden Valley, Mud Volcano, Fishing Bridge. The arrangement of attractions will be adjusted according to the actual situation of the day) → Grand Teton National Park (Mandatory, 60 mins) → Jackson → Elk Antler Arches Park (30 mins) → Pocatello

Kindly Reminder: Before the South Entrance of Yellowstone opens on May 10th, some attractions in Yellowstone may be closed due to snow and weather conditions. Additional stops will be replaced according to weather and road conditions. 

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park, the first national park in the United States, is a true gem that you will not want to miss out on! Yellowstone offers spectacular scenic views year-round and a chance to watch animals that migrate in and out of the park! No matter where you are in the park you will get to see these spectacular animals! Here you will find bears, wolves, moose, elk, bison and more!

Yellowstone Norris Geyser Basin

Norris Geyser Basin, named after an early Yellowstone Superintendent, may be the hottest geyser basin in Yellowstone. The stark, barren landscape of Porcelain Basin is the result of the acidic environment. Due to the hostile condition plants, algae and bacteria have difficulty in establishing themselves. Instead, the basin derives its colors from mineral oxides, in spectrums of pink, red, orange (iron oxides) and yellow (sulfur and iron sulfates). The largest geyser in the world is located here. Steamboat Geyser has long periods of dormancy, but when it does erupt it sends jets of water nearly 380 feet high in a spectacular display.

Upper Yellowstone Falls

Located a quarter mile upstream of the larger Lower Falls, the Upper Yellowstone River Falls plunge 109 feet down an eroded lava cliff into the basin below. The area below the falls has been subject to heavier erosion than above.

Artist Point

Artist Point is one of the most spectacular scenic areas in the Canyon Area of the Park. The sheer walls drop 700 feet to the bottom of the canyon. Upriver the powerful Lower Falls are still in view. Downriver the canyon widens and deepens to a maximum of 1,540 feet. The canyon walls are predominantly yellow but colors of blue, red, orange and brown are also present. The colors are ever changing and especially intensified after a rain with bright sunshine.

Mud Volcano Area

The Mud Volcano blew itself apart in the early 20th century, but visitors can still see the impressive crater and other geothermal features in the surrounding area, such as the Mud Cauldron, Black Dragon's Caldron, and Dragon's Mouth Spring.

West Thumb Geyser Basin

The West Thumb Geyser Basin is situated at the western edge of a large bay along the shores of Yellowstone Lake. This area is known as the West Thumb caldera which was formed by a volcanic eruption that took place 174,000 years ago. This bay is actually a smaller caldera within the larger Yellowstone caldera. The resulting caldera filled with water, creating the bay. 

Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park is located in the Rocky Mountains, Northwest Wyoming. Grand Teton National Park is noted for its stunning mountain vistas and its shimmering alpine lakes. It is also home to a variety of abundant wildlife.

Elk Antler Arches Park

Elk Antler Arches Park has four arches and is made with thousands of elk antlers that make it so unique. It is such an amazing place to discover filled with unforgettable memories.

La Quinta by Wyndham Pocatello; similar

On this lovely morning, we will depart for the Great Salt Lake State Marina which is also known as “America’s Dead Sea.” Following, we will drive to Capitol Hill and visit the most expensive and magnificent State House in America, the Utah State Capitol! Then, we will take a walk in the State Capitol building, to explore the architecture, sculptures and the rich history behind it. In addition, we will explore Temple Square! Here, we will follow the Mormon Missionary sisters’ lead and see the virtue kingdom of LDS church. We will learn all about the history and teachings of the LDS Church. Finally, we will arrive at Canyonlands National Park.

Itinerary:

Pocatello → Great Salt Lake (Mandatory, 20 mins) → Salt Lake City → Utah State Capitol (30 mins) → Temple Square (40 mins) → Canyonlands National Park (Mandatory, 60 mins) → Green River

Great Salt Lake

Great Salt Lake, lake in northern Utah, U.S., the largest inland body of salt water in the Western Hemisphere and one of the most saline inland bodies of water in the world. The lake is fed by the Bear, Weber, and Jordan rivers and has no outlet. The lake has fluctuated greatly in size, depending on the rates of evaporation and the flow of the rivers that feed it. Like the Dead Sea, the Great Salt Lake exists within an arid environment and has chemical characteristics like that of the oceans. However, it has a much greater salinity than the oceans, since natural evaporation exceeds the supply of water from the rivers feeding the lake.

Utah State Capitol

The Utah State Capitol is the house of government for the U.S. state of Utah. The building houses the chambers and offices of the Utah State Legislature, the offices of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, the State Auditor and their staffs. The capital is the main building of the Utah State Capitol Complex, which is located on Capitol Hill, overlooking downtown Salt Lake City. The Neoclassical revival, Corinthian style building was designed by architect Richard K.A. Kletting and built between 1912 and 1916. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

Temple Square

Temple Square is a 10-acre (4.0 ha) complex, owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), in the center of Salt Lake City. Contained within Temple Square are the Salt Lake Temple, Salt Lake Tabernacle, Salt Lake Assembly Hall, the Seagull Monument, and two visitors' centers. The square was designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1964, recognizing the Mormon achievement in the settlement of Utah.

Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park is an American national park located in southeastern Utah near the town of Moab. The park preserves a colorful landscape eroded into numerous canyons, mesas, and buttes by the Colorado River, the Green River, and their respective tributaries. While these areas share a primitive desert atmosphere, each retains its own character. The Island in the Sky mesa rests on sheer sandstone cliffs towering over 1,000 feet (304 m) above the surrounding terrain. Every overlook offers a different perspective on Canyonlands' spectacular landscape. Island in the Sky is the easiest area of Canyonlands to visit in a short period of time, offering many pullouts with spectacular views along the paved scenic drive.

First Choice Inns at the Swell; similar

In the morning, we will be headed to the spectacular Arches National Park, where overlapping mountains surround winding canyons. Come and take some blockbuster photos of your own here! After lunch, we will continue our trip to Monument Valley, where huge columnar monumental rocks stand sky high! Monument Valley is featured in many famous movies and advertisements. You may even take a jeep tour to explore more about the valley at your own cost.

Itinerary:

Green River → Arches National Park (Mandatory, 60 mins) → Monument Valley (Mandatory, 90 mins) → Page

Monument Valley

Monument Valley is a region of the Colorado Plateau characterized by a cluster of vast sandstone buttes, the largest reaching 1,000 ft above the valley floor. It is located on the Arizona–Utah state line, near the Four Corners area. Monument Valley has been featured in many forms of media since the 1930s. Director John Ford used the location for a number of his best-known films and thus, in the words of critic Keith Phipps, "its five square miles [13 square kilometers] have defined what decades of moviegoers think of when they imagine the American West."

Arches National Park

Arches National Park lies north of Moab in the state of Utah. Bordered by the Colorado River in the southeast, it’s known as the site of more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches, such as the massive, red-hued Delicate Arch in the east. A long, thin Landscape Arch stands in Devils Garden to the north. Other geological formations include Balanced Rock, towering over the desert landscape in the middle of the park.

Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Page Lake Powell; similar

Enjoy a scenic ride on the Colorado Plateau this morning towards Antelope Canyon! We will be passing by the Glen Canyon Dam, which holds back Lake Powell. Lake Powell is the nation’s second-largest artificial lake which is surrounded by 96 side canyons. And, Antelope Canyon is one of the top ten sites in the world for photography! It is composed of upper and lower canyons; the upper canyon is the Navajo word for "water through the rocks" and lower canyon means "arch-shaped spiral rock." Here, visitors are always amazed by this wavy canyon rock formation! Following, we will drive to Horseshoe Bend which is one of the top ten locations in the United States for photography by National Geographic! Next, we will drive to Lake Powell and enjoy a boat tour on this picturesque lake surrounded by blue sky and red rock canyons! Finally, we will arrive at the world’s capital for Entertainment in Las Vegas in the afternoon. 

Itinerary:

Page → Glen Canyon (pass by) → Lake Powell Kayaking (Optional, 60 mins) → Horseshoe Bend (Mandatory, 60 mins) → Antelope Canyon (Optional, 90 mins) → Las Vegas

Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend has been featured as a landmark for Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Grand Canyon National Park, the Cities of Page AZ, Kanab UT, St George UT, and the Navajo Nation. Boundary lines are very close in some places. About nine miles downstream is where Grand Canyon National Park truly begins. A social media darling, Horseshoe Bend has become one of the most recognized and visited places in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

Lower Antelope Canyon

Lower Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon in the American Southwest, on Navajo Land east of Page, Arizona. Upon arrival at the Lower Antelope Canyon, you will be able to get off the truck and step into the desert and enter the amazing desert world. The tour guides will explain some geology, culture, history and insights about the place. By walking through the sandstone walls of the Lower Antelope Canyon, you will be immersed in its beauty.

Fontainebleau Las Vegas; similar

Today will conclude our amazing tour. We will be departing from Las Vegas and heading back to San Francisco. 

Itinerary:

Las Vegas → San Francisco