8:00 a.m. — The adventure begins in the lobby of our San Francisco hostel. After meeting your guide and fellow travelers, we’ll start the trip with a sightseeing tour of the city’s most iconic highlights.
Stops include the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman’s Wharf, giving you a classic introduction to San Francisco before hitting the road. After lunch, we leave the city behind and drive east across California’s Central Valley, heading toward the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Yosemite National Park.
Once we arrive at camp, your guide will take time to go over everything you need to know about Yosemite, helping you plan how you’d like to spend the next day exploring the park.
🍽 Dinner included
🏕 Camping night
🚐 Drive time today: ~4 hours
Included activities:
• San Francisco sightseeing tour
Optional activities:
• Cable car ride ($8)
We’ll get an early start today and spend the majority of the day exploring Yosemite Valley, one of the most spectacular places in the American West. Yosemite offers something for everyone, from short, easy walks to longer, more strenuous hikes, as well as swimming spots along the Merced River.
There are also bikes available to rent, with over 12 miles of paved trails winding through the valley. Your guide will help you choose the activities that best match your energy level and interests. Throughout the day, you’ll be treated to iconic views of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls—the tallest waterfall in North America—and El Capitan, a towering 3,000-foot granite wall that dominates the landscape.
In the late afternoon, we’ll regroup and make the scenic drive up and over Tioga Pass, reaching elevations of over 9,900 feet as we cross to the east side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. From there, we’ll continue 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
• Visitor center, museum & art gallery
• Bike rental ($30 / half day)
• Warm springs (top secret!)
We’ll get an early start as we head south toward the Mojave Desert and into Death Valley National Park, one of the most extreme landscapes on Earth. Temperatures this time of year can average around 110°F (43.5c), making this an unforgettable environment to experience firsthand.
Throughout the day, we’ll explore several areas of the park, including vast sand dunes, shimmering salt flats, and Badwater Basin—the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere. Death Valley also holds the record as the hottest place on Earth, adding to the sense of adventure as we cross this dramatic desert landscape.
By late afternoon, we’ll leave the desert behind and arrive in Las Vegas, checking into our hotel with enough time to freshen up before heading out for a night on the town. As we drive the full length of the Las Vegas Strip, your guide will share the city’s history and point out must-see landmarks, along with plenty of insider tips to help you make the most of your time in Sin City.
Las Vegas may be known as the gambling capital of the world, but there’s far more to do than hit the blackjack tables. From world-class shows and free attractions to shopping, amusement rides, day clubs with incredible pools, and legendary nightlife, these two days are yours to explore the city however you like.
🏨 2 hotel nights
🍽 1 breakfast & 1 lunch included
🚐 Drive time (Day 3): ~5 hours
Included activities:
• Death Valley National Park
• Las Vegas city tour
Optional activities:
• Shopping on the Strip
• Sunbathing or swimming by the pool
• Casino gambling & clubbing (21+)
• “All-you-can-eat” buffets
• Limo party (~$40)
• Las Vegas shows ($60–$180)
• Skydiving: $219 (tandem)
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:
• Grand Canyon National Park
Optional activities:
• Walking & hiking
• Sunset with the group
• IMAX Movie ($14)
• Helicopter flight ($319–$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)
This morning we hit the road and head west toward Los Angeles, arriving in time for lunch. In the afternoon, your guide will lead a city tour covering many of LA’s most iconic highlights.
Stops include Hollywood, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, the Dolby Theatre, Sunset Boulevard, Beverly Hills, and Rodeo Drive. We’ll even pass by the famous Pretty Woman hotel before continuing on to Santa Monica for dinner.
Tonight’s hostel is located right in the heart of Santa Monica, just a short walk from the iconic Santa Monica Pier, excellent shopping, an outdoor mall, and one of the best beaches in Los Angeles. It’s the perfect place to enjoy your final night with the group.
🍽 Breakfast included
🏨 Hostel night
🚐 Drive time today: ~5 hours
Included activities:
• Los Angeles city tour
Optional activities:
• Santa Monica Pier
• Shopping
Today marks the official end of the Western Sun Southbound Adventure. No activities are planned, giving you the freedom to enjoy Santa Monica at your own pace.
If you’re flying out later in the day, the hostel is happy to store your luggage while you head out to explore. Because the hostel is just steps from the beach, we highly recommend booking a later flight and spending your final day soaking up the sun, walking the coastline, 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 best and most central locations in LA, with easy access to beaches, shopping, and public transportation.
🧳 No accommodation provided today
Optional activities:
• Beach time
• Surfing lesson (2 hours) ~ $100
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 :-)