Discovering the Western American legends.
2024
Highlights of the trip
During your stay you can enjoy the following highlights: Culture / Heritage, Faune and flora, Discovery, Adventure / Sports & Leisure, Free time, Relaxation / Well-being.
Best times to go
The best time(s) to go is/are : Printemps, Eté, Automne.
Petit Futé
Where to stay - San Francisco ?
The map of your stay "Discovering the Western American legends."
Detail of the stay : Discovering the Western American legends.
How to get there - San Francisco
Arrival in San Francisco
Steps: San Francisco
You probably landed late in the day, put your luggage at the hotel and reach Union Square for dinner.
Places of interest : UNION SQUARE
San Francisco must-sees
Steps: Monterey
Visit Union Square, the heart of the city, then Chinatown. You have to leave early in the morning, the atmosphere is very picturesque. Then discover the Financial District: architectural curiosities such as the Bank of America, the Wells Fargo Museum, the Russ Building and the Transamerica Pyramid. Then head for Telegraph Hill: the Coit Tower and its exceptional panorama, Lombard Street, the most winding road in the world. Take a detour to Fisherman's Wharf and Marina: fishing and yachting harbour, promenade, old boats, shops and restaurants. Lunch on site. The afternoon will be devoted to Pacific Heights and its Victorian houses. Nob Hill for its magnificent view of the bay, which is best reached by the famous cable car. Afterwards, visit the Opera House and the department stores. Finish by Union Square: shopping and night on the spot.
Places of interest : TRANSAMERICA PYRAMID UNION SQUARE COIT TOWER LOMBARD STREET CHINATOWN FISHERMAN'S WHARF
Mission and Sausalito
Steps: Bolinas
Visit the very lively Mission and Castro, gay and lesbian neighbourhood. Relax at Golden Gate Park and have lunch on site. Join Highway 1 to take the Golden Gate Bridge towards Sausalito and its marina, traditional wooden houses, houseboats (floating houses), art galleries and trendy boutiques. The end of the day will be devoted to Bolinas, the last true hippie community in San Francisco. If you have some time left, make a stop at the beach to surf. Spend the evening in San Francisco in the South of Market area of Castro and Mission. Night on site.
Places of interest : GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE GOLDEN GATE PARK
Entrance to Yosemite National Park
Steps: Valley Of Fire State Park
This day is devoted to Yosemite Valley (entrance from the south of the park at Arch Rock Entrance), starting with Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias (beautiful forest), then Pioneer Yosemite History Center (open-air museum), El Capitan and Cathedral Rocks (two beautiful boulders), Glacier Point (headland overlooking the valley), Yosemite Village (museum of Indian civilization), finishing with Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil Fall (some of the highest waterfalls in the world). Overnight camping or lodge accommodation.
Places of interest : GLACIER POINT ARCH ROCK & ATLATL ROCK EL CAPITAN
Promenade in Tuolumne Meadows
Steps: San Francisco
The second day in the park will be devoted to the discovery of Tuolumne Meadows, the wider subalpine meadow of Sierra, famous for its many hikes or cycling. Leave by the Big Oak Flat Road: two huge sequoias. Night in San Francisco.
Places of interest : TUOLUMNE MEADOWS ET LES HAUTES TERRES
To Las Vegas
Steps: Las Vegas
The day is entirely dedicated to the transfer to Las Vegas. It takes about 8-hour drive. Spending the night in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas and its casinos
Steps: Las Vegas
Admire the stunning architecture of hotels and casinos on the Strip. Sleeping the night in Las Vegas (the luxury hotels are much cheaper than elsewhere).
Zion National Park
Steps: Zion National Park
On the road and arrival for lunch. In the afternoon, visit Kolob Canyons, the most wild part. Night in campsite or a lodge.
Places of interest : KOLOB CANYONS
Zion National Park
Steps: Bryce Canyon National Park
In the morning, go to Mount Carmel. And in the afternoon, walk between the white, pink and red rocks. At the end of the day, go to Bryce Canyon National Park. Arrival for admiring the sunset.
Bryce Canyon
Steps: Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon and its pine forest offer some of the most striking panorama of the South-west American. Night on site, in campsite or lodge.
Lake Powell
Steps: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
In the early morning, leave Bryce Canyon to reach the beautiful Lake Powell located at some 200 km to the east. The lake displays its turquoise waters among the sandstone cliffs and the arches. Make a boat trip or go down the river.
Places of interest : LAKE POWELL
Monument Valley
Steps: Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
Again, drive to Utah and the majestic western landscape of . You can hike on the footsteps of Navajo Indians.
Navajo National Monument and Window Rock
Steps: Kayenta
About one hour's drive north of Monument Valley is the . Admire the well-preserved remains of the late 13th century, the great era of the Anasazis Indians.
Places of interest : NAVAJO NATIONAL MONUMENT
Petrified Forest National Park
Steps: Petrified Forest National Park
Today, you will discover this incredible the Navajo Monument. See also Flagstaff, nicknamed the entrance door of the Grand Canyon.
Places of interest : PETRIFIED FOREST
Flagstaff and preparation for the Grand Canyon
Steps: Flagstaff
Visit the and university and then do your last shopping for the next day's hike. At the end of the day,, go to the Grand Canyon to sleep near the site.
Hiking on South Rim Trail
Steps: Grand Canyon National Park
Go to the South Shore to walk along the South Rim Trail (along the canyon over 20 km) and in Indian crafts galleries. Sunset at or , and spending the night in one of the lodges.
Places of interest : YAVAPAI MUSEUM OF GEOLOGY GRAND VIEW PARK
Trekking along Bright Angel or Kaibab Trail
Steps: Grand Canyon National Park
Early rising and great hiking on or Kaibab Trails (between 4 and 7 hours depending on the hike).
Places of interest : BRIGHT ANGEL POINT
Head to Los Angeles
Steps: Los Angeles
Drive to Los Angeles. The road trip will take one day (7 h) and you should plan several breaks on the way. For example, you can have a picnic along the Mojave desert. Arrival in the evening in Los Angeles. Night on site.
Los Angeles, the sweetness of life
Steps: Griffith Park
In the morning, enjoy the relaxation on the beach of the Getty Center, the Museum with beautiful gardens and architecture. In the afternoon, discover Hollywood Boulevard and its famous Chinese Theater, and admire the sunset at Griffith Park's observatory, where you have a 180° view.
Places of interest : GETTY CENTER TCL CHINESE THEATRE
Los Angeles, Downtown
Steps: Santa Barbara
Start off by going to Pueblo of Los Angeles and Olvera Street, the historic heart of the Angels' City. Continue to the Art Deco station of Union Station. Finish your visit by the famous Walt Disney Concert Hall, whose construction was completed in 2003 by Franck Gehry. Before leaving, go to panoramic bar The Rooftop at the top of Standard Hotel. Road to Santa Barbara late in the afternoon.
Places of interest : UNION STATION WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL
Santa Barbara
Steps: Santa Barbara
In the morning: Red Tile Walking Tour, walk to see the main civilian buildings of the Spanish era. The afternoon will be devoted to Santa Barbara Mission, Santa Barbara.
Places of interest : SANTA BARBARA BOTANIC GARDENS
Bay to San Luis Obispo
Steps: Pismo Beach
In the morning, enjoy Pismo Beach famous for its dunes and clams. Then schedule San Luis Obispo, its mission and the on Thursday night in Higuera Street. Night at the Madonna Inn hotel, very original.
Places of interest : FARMER'S MARKET PISMO BEACH
Hearst Castle, Big Sur, Carmel and Monterey
Steps: San Simeon
In the morning, go to Hearst Castle, an amazing property of a billionaire, opulence and eccentricity are guaranteed... Take the beautiful Highway 1 to Big Sur, a Bohemian green place, and do enjoy the raw nature. There are also beautiful walks and many sports activities to do, if you still have some time, visit Carmel, make a stop in San Carlos Borroméo, one of the most beautiful Spanish missions. Enjoy the beautiful beaches and coves. Do a little shopping in the elegant shops. Finally, Monterey, famous for its beautiful landscapes and beautiful strolls (wooden houses, seals, seals, sea elephants, in mid-September: World famous jazz festival) will be your stop for the night.
Places of interest : HENRY MILLER MEMORIAL LIBRARY HEARST CASTLE
Napa Valley
Steps: Calistoga
In Yountville, you can make an original visit of the vineyards: flying in a balloon. By going to Santa Helena, you will discover the museum dedicated to the writer Stevenson. Finally, a spa resort known for its mud and algae baths in Calistoga awaits you.
Berkeley
Steps: Berkeley
Berkeley is known for its prestigious university. Don't miss the magnificent view on the Bay and Telegraph Avenue: record stores seventies, merchants, street vendors and restaurants. Night in San Francisco.
