8:00 a.m. — The adventure begins in the lobby of our Los Angeles hostel. After meeting your guide and fellow travelers, we’ll kick things off with a sightseeing tour of some of LA’s most iconic highlights.
Our drive takes us through Beverly Hills, with a stop at famous Rodeo Drive, before continuing on to Hollywood. We’ll visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, the Dolby Theatre (home of the Academy Awards), Hollywood Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard, and more—an ideal introduction to the energy and culture of Southern California.
After lunch, we leave the city behind and head north along the California coast toward Pismo Beach. Here, we’ll walk out onto the pier and take in sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. Getting your feet in the sand is a must, and this classic beach town is the perfect place to ease into the California Sun adventure.
A short 25-minute drive later, we’ll arrive at our campsite for the night.
🍽 Dinner included
🏕 Camping night
🚐 Drive time today: ~4hours
Included activities:
• Los Angeles sightseeing tour
• Pismo Beach
Today we hit one of the most iconic roads in the world—California’s Highway 1—as we make our way north toward Monterey. This morning drive is a highlight in itself, with dramatic coastal views and photo opportunities around every corner.
Along the way, we’ll make several scenic stops and enjoy a short hike in Big Sur State Park, taking in towering cliffs, crashing waves, and classic California coastline. We’ll stop for a picnic lunch, then continue on to Monterey for an afternoon of exploring.
Once in Monterey, you’ll have plenty of free time to wander and enjoy the area, including a visit to historic Cannery Row. There’s no shortage of things to do here—from relaxing along the waterfront to exploring beaches, tide pools, and watching for sea life (on a lucky day, whales can sometimes be spotted right from shore).
One of the most popular optional stops is the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and tandem kayaking is always a group favorite. Your guide will talk through the options with everyone and help make the best plan for the day based on group interests and energy levels.
In the evening, we’ll make a short drive to our campsite for the night.
🍽 Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included
🏕 Camping night
🚐 Drive time today: ~5 hours
Included activities:
• Monterey
• Cannery Row
Optional activities:
• Tide pools & beach time
• Bike rental ($20 and up)
• Kayak rental ($45–$70, single/tandem)
• Monterey Bay Aquarium ($65)
We start the day in the famous beachside town of Santa Cruz, where APA was founded. Here we will visit West Cliff Drive and Pleasure Point to see one of the most iconic surf breaks in the world—Steamer Lane, where Jack O’Neill helped develop the modern wetsuit.
Leaving Santa Cruz behind, we continue north along Highway 1 toward San Francisco, one of the most scenic coastal drives in California. Along the way, we’ll stop at beautiful viewpoints, including the historic Pigeon Point Lighthouse and Whalers Cove Beach, soaking in classic California coastline scenery.
San Francisco is surprisingly compact compared to other major U.S. cities, and many of its top attractions are within walking distance of our centrally located hostel. After checking in, you’ll have free time to explore the city at your own pace. Popular options include visiting the Cable Car Museum, renting bikes and riding across the Golden Gate Bridge, walking Lombard Street, exploring Chinatown, visiting Union Square and California Street, or spending time at the lively Fisherman’s Wharf area.
We aim to keep the evening flexible so you can enjoy the city however you like. One popular optional activity is an Alcatraz Island tour, which requires advance booking and is often sold out 2–3 weeks ahead of time. Another favorite option is sunset sailing on the bay, a memorable way to experience San Francisco from the water. Your guide can help arrange this if the group is interested.
🍽 Breakfast & Lunch included
🏨 Hostel night
🚐 Drive time today: ~2 hours
Included activities:
• Santa Cruz highlights
• Coastal beaches
Optional activities:
• City walking, shopping & sightseeing
• Fisherman’s Wharf
• Cable Car Museum (free)
• Cable car ride ($8)
• Coit Tower ($10)
• Bike rental ($32 and up)
• Alcatraz Island tour ($54 and up — must be booked in advance)
• Sunset sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge ($85+)
This morning, we’ll enjoy a final San Francisco sightseeing tour, visiting some of the city’s most famous highlights. Stops include the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, California Street, and more. We’ll decide as a group where to spend time for lunch before wrapping up our time in the city.
In the afternoon, we say goodbye to San Francisco and head east across California’s Central Valley, making our way toward the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Yosemite National Park.
By late afternoon, we’ll arrive at our campsite just outside the park, where we’ll stay for the next two nights. This campground offers proper bathrooms, hot showers, laundry facilities and even a swimming pool—a great place to relax after a day on the road and get ready for our time in Yosemite.
🍽 Dinner included
🏕 Camping night
🚐 Drive time today: ~4 hours
Included activities:
• San Francisco sightseeing tour
Today is a special treat—we get a full day in Yosemite National Park. After breakfast, your guide will talk with the group and help create a plan for the day based on everyone’s interests and energy levels.
Yosemite offers endless ways to explore, with incredible hiking trails, swimming spots along the Merced River, and options ranging from short, easy walks to longer, more challenging hikes. There are also bike rentals available, with over 12 miles of paved trails winding through the valley. Your guide will help you choose the activities that suit you best.
Throughout the day, you’ll be treated to unforgettable views of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls (the tallest waterfall in North America), and El Capitan, a towering 3,000-foot granite wall.
By the time we return to camp in the evening, we’re often joined by a Western Sun South-bound tour group, which we’ll be traveling alongside for the next few days—making for classic APA road-tripping vibes and a bigger social group to share the adventure.
🍽 Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included
🏕 Camping night
🚐 Drive time today: Minimal (park exploration)
Included activities:
• Yosemite National Park
Optional activities:
• Walking & hiking
• Sunbathing & swimming
• Visitor center, museum & art gallery
• Bike rental ($30 half day)
After packing up camp this morning, we head back into Yosemite National Park to explore a different area of the park. Because our driving route takes us directly through Yosemite, we’ll have multiple options for how and where to spend our time today.
Your guide will work with the group to create a plan that fits everyone’s interests—whether that means more time hiking, relaxing at a beautiful alpine lake, or soaking in the scenery along the way.
As we continue our drive, we’ll climb up and over Tioga Pass, reaching an elevation of over 9,900 feet above sea level, the highest point of the entire trip. In the late afternoon, we cross to the east side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and begin heading south to our next campsite.
🍽 Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included
🏕 Camping night
🚐 Drive time today: ~4 hours
Included activities:
• Yosemite National Park
Optional activities:
• Walking & hiking
• Sunbathing & swimming
We get an early start and head toward Death Valley National Park, crossing the Mojave Desert into one of the most extreme landscapes in North America. Temperatures here can average 110°F (43°C) this time of year, making it a truly unforgettable experience.
Throughout the day, we’ll explore different areas of the park, including sand dunes, salt flats, and Badwater Basin, the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere. Death Valley also holds the record for the hottest place on Earth, adding to the legend of this remarkable park.
In the late afternoon, we continue across the desert and arrive in Las Vegas with time to freshen up before heading out. Known as the gambling capital of the world, Las Vegas offers far more than casinos—world-class shows, incredible restaurants, free attractions, shopping, amusement rides, and legendary nightlife.
Upon arrival, your guide will drive the full length of the Las Vegas Strip, giving you a helpful orientation and pointing out must-see spots, insider tips, and the best ways to enjoy the city over the next two nights.
🍽 1 Breakfast & 1 Lunch included
🏨 2 hotel nights
🚐 Drive time: ~6–7 hours (spread over the two days)
Included activities:
• Death Valley National Park
• Las Vegas Strip orientation
Optional activities:
• Shopping on the Strip
• Sunbathing & swimming by the hotel pool
• Casino gambling & clubbing (21+)
• Limo party (~$40)
• Las Vegas shows ($60–$180)
• Skydiving ($219)
Leaving the lights of Las Vegas behind, we hit the road and head back into classic canyon country. Today’s destination is Grand Canyon National Park, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes you’ll ever experience.
Arriving around lunchtime, you’ll have the entire afternoon to explore the canyon at your own pace. Walk along the rim, visit the information plaza, or take a hike down into the canyon itself for a closer look at its immense scale and layered geology.
As the day comes to an end, we’ll regroup for sunset at a special viewpoint along the South Rim—a truly unforgettable moment and one of the highlights of the entire trip.
🍽 Lunch & Dinner included
🏕 Camping night
🚐 Drive time today: ~4 hours
Included activities:
• Route 66 stop
• Grand Canyon National Park
Optional activities:
• Walking & hiking
• Sunset with the group
• IMAX movie ($14)
• Helicopter flights:
• Short flight (25–30 min): $319
• Long flight (40–45 min): $349
Our adventure continues today with a stop in the famous small town of Seligman, Arizona, better known as the birthplace of Route 66. This historic town inspired Radiator Springs in the Disney movie Cars and is a classic slice of Americana—perfect for photos and a quick walk down memory lane.
From Seligman, we continue south toward Lake Havasu, home to one of the most iconic moments in APA history. You know that famous APA trucker hat photo on the top left of our homepage? That’s one of our travelers out on a SUP board right here on Lake Havasu over 15 years ago.
Fed by the Colorado River, Lake Havasu stretches over 72 km and is known for its warm water and water-sports-friendly conditions. This afternoon is all about fun—swimming, relaxing, and playing in the lake. And yes we’ve been carrying the SUP boards all week just for today!.
With warm desert temperatures and clear skies, tonight is another perfect opportunity to sleep under the stars.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included
Camping night
Drive time today: ~5 hours
Included activities:
• Route 66 stop in Seligman
• London Bridge
• Swimming
• SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboarding)
Today begins with a longer drive as we make our way back to the coast and head south to San Diego. We’ll make a few stops along the way as we cross the Southern California desert before reaching the coast.
Once we arrive, we’ll set up camp and head out to explore Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, the first European settlement on the West Coast of what is now the United States. Depending on timing, we may also visit parts of downtown San Diego and the waterfront this afternoon.
In the evening, your guide will walk everyone through the many optional activities available for tomorrow—because San Diego offers a lot! Popular choices include SeaWorld, the San Diego Zoo, or simply spending the day relaxing at one of the city’s famous beaches, like Mission Beach. Another classic APA option is a visit to a drive-in movie theater—because an APA tour van at the drive-in is always a great time.
Day 12 is a full free day in San Diego, giving you the flexibility to choose exactly how you want to enjoy your final coastal stop.
🍽 2 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch & 1 Dinner included
🏕 2 camping nights
🚐 Drive time (Day 11): ~5½ hours
Included activities:
• Old Town San Diego
• Downtown & waterfront areas
Optional activities:
• Mission Beach
• Drive-in movie night (~$10)
• Surfing lessons ($75–$85)
• San Diego Zoo ($75+)
• SeaWorld (~$110 — check online for discounts)
Today we head north along the California coast, making our way back to where the adventure began—Los Angeles. Along the way, we’ll stop at iconic Venice Beach, including Muscle Beach, for lunch and free time to explore, people-watch, and soak in the uniquely LA atmosphere.
After arriving in Los Angeles, we’ll check into our hostel, located in the heart of Santa Monica. From here, you’re within walking distance of the Santa Monica Pier, beautiful beaches, and plenty of shops, cafés, and street performers.
The afternoon and evening are free to enjoy however you like. Your guide will help organize a group dinner based on everyone’s interests. Some nights we stay local in Santa Monica, while other times the group may head into Hollywood—one of the best parts of our trips is the flexibility to make each experience work best for the group.
🍽 Breakfast included
🏨 Hostel night
🚐 Drive time today: ~3–4 hours
Included activities:
• Venice Beach
Optional activities:
• Santa Monica Pier rides
• Shopping
• Third Street Promenade
Today is a relaxed departure day with no planned activities. If you’re flying out later in the afternoon, the hostel is happy to store your luggage until you’re ready to head to the airport.
Because our hostel is just steps from the beach, we recommend booking a later flight and spending your final day soaking up the sun, relaxing on the beach, or exploring more of Santa Monica. If you’re staying in Los Angeles for a few extra days, we suggest continuing your stay at the same hostel—Santa Monica is one of the most central and enjoyable areas to experience LA.
🍽 No meals included today
Optional activities:
• Beach time
• Surfing lesson (2 hours) – $80
Before you book, please know:
You must have an email address in order to book a tour.
Your plane flight is not included.
Once you pick a trip, fill out the form and we will respond within 1 day or sooner If your trip is a Guaranteed Departure you will get a big information packet with all the tour and payment information via email.
If you are one of the first 5 people to sign up, we will save you a seat, and you don’t need to pay anything now. Once we have 6 people, we guarantee the trip and we’ll send your information packet. If you change your mind after receiving the packet, no problem...please let us know :-)