TakeTours Gotobus

DAY1 Arrival Los Angeles

Arrival in Los Angeles airport and meet our tour guide at the Baggage Claim Area (for U.S domestic flights) or at Exit (for international flights). Transfer to the hotel for check in.

DAY2 Los Angeles - Solvang - Hearst Castle (95 miles)

After departing Los Angeles at dawn, we will drive along the beautiful Pacific Coast Highway, stopping in the Santa Ynez Valley’s quaint Danish Village of Solvang just before lunchtime, approx. 11:30 a.m. The antiquated windmills and Northern European-style architecture punctuate this charming village's skyline. Brilliant sunshine, boundless open country and rolling hills--these are the characteristics that inspired the original Danish immigrants who settled this area to call it "Solvang" or "Sunny Field.” Pour yourself a cup of aromatic European coffee and nibble a piece of world famous Danish pastry. Around 1:00 p.m., we will board the bus to make our way to the ornate Hearst Castle* in San Simeon, where we should arrive by 3:00 p.m. Built by the famous newspaper tycoon, William Randolph Hearst, at the cost of the millions of dollars, Hearst Castle and the surrounding estate boasts 165 rooms filled with priceless antiques and works of art, as well as an ornate gilt-bordered swimming pool. We will have two hours to explore the castle and grounds before we depart to eat dinner and travel to our hotel.

DAY3 San Francisco - Stanford University

After eating breakfast in San Francisco’s Chinatown, we’ll explore San Francisco, the beautiful City by the Bay! Our tour will visit the stately Palace of Fine Arts; the world famous Golden Gate Bridge; Lombard Street, the world’s most crooked street; the bustling tourist area still home to many commercial fisheries, Fishermen’s Wharf. Passengers may also choose to take a one and a half hour Bay Cruise* to experience the sights of San Francisco from the water, with views of the East Bay and beautiful city skyline, the stately Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, and the harbor islands, including the infamous Alcatraz Island, Angel Island and Treasure Island. Around 3:00pm, passengers may choose to spend some time at leisure in the city, or have the option of the Extensive City Tour* to visit sights such as St. Mary’s Cathedral, the principal Catholic church of San Francisco; Alamo Square; Twin Peaks; the Civic Center; and the Castro District, otherwise known as the gay capital of the world. After the tour concludes at approximately 5:15 p.m., we will make a trip to Stanford University, slightly less than an hour’s drive from the city. Recognized as one of the world's leading research and teaching institutions, the tranquil campus is home to a rich collection of historical and contemporary buildings. Just before 7:00 p.m., we will travel to the city for dinner and return to our hotel.

DAY4 Yosemite National Park - Los Angeles (344 miles)

This morning,we will depart San Francisco early this morning for Yosemite National Park, gem of California’s National Park system and UNESCO World Heritage site, where we should arrive by 9:00 a.m. Located near the geographical center of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Yosemite is comprised of granite rocks, mighty waterfalls and placid valleys, giving it an aspect of a "land of the gods." With its notable cliffs and unique carved rock formations, there is little doubt that water - in both its liquid and solid form as glacial ice - was the chief architect of Yosemite's landscapes. We will have close to two hours to experience this natural wonder up close, with stops for photo opportunities and exploration at such viewpoints as the El Capitan and Bridal Veil Falls, the mighty Yosemite Falls, and the Tunnel View. We leave the park before lunchtime to make our drive back to Los Angeles, where we should at approximately 6:40 p.m.

DAY5 Los Angeles - Tanger Factory Outlet - Las Vegas

Today we will depart Los Angeles for Las Vegas, passing through the San Bernardino Mountains and entering the Mojave Desert on our way into Nevada. It’s a long trip, but the barren desert landscape, the rising hills and mountains peppered with stunted Joshua trees and brush vegetation, and the interesting wildlife we’ll see along the way will allow you to truly experience the deserts of Nevada. We will also stop at the Tanger Outlets to enjoy their great discounts on popular brand labels. Once we arrive in Las Vegas, you will be free to explore America’s entertainment capital at your leisure! Tonight, join us on a night tour* where we will explore the city’s night life and watch famous shows* like Fremont Street’s Viva Vision, the Fountains of Bellagio, and Mardi Gras at Rio.

DAY6 Free Day in Las Vegas

Today you will enjoy a free day to explore the city of Las Vegas at your leisure. Enjoy the fine food, shopping, and casinos which it is known for, and make sure to visit the Las Vegas Strip just outside the city, home to many of the largest hotels, casinos, and resort properties in the world. Tonight, don’t pass up the opportunity to explore the city’s thriving night life for yourself or even try your luck at a casino!

DAY7 Las Vegas - Grand Canyon - Hoover Dam - Las Vegas (275 miles)

Option A: Grand Canyon South Rim

We begin the day by traveling to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Standing at the promontory of Lipan Point, you will be amazed by the immensity and complexity of the canyon, which was formed gradually over two billion years. Then, we will leave the Grand Canyon and return to Las Vegas, stopping to see the Hoover Dam along the way. The largest dam in the United States, it was built in 1935 in an experimental construction effort which is now considered monumental for the industrial progress of the United States. Then we will continue on to Las Vegas.

Option B: Grand Canyon West Rim ((Mandatory $69/person including lunch))

We begin the day by traveling to the West Rim* of the Grand Canyon. As you stand on its famous glass-bottomed Skywalk,* which extends over 4,770 feet of empty space above the Colorado River, you will feel yourself humbled by the scale of nature’s great power. Designed to hold over 70 million pounds, the Skywalk is perfectly safe and gives a breathtaking 720 degree view of the canyon. You will also have the opportunity to take a combined Colorado River Cruise and Helicopter Tour* of the Grand Canyon, which will give a spectacular view of the canyon from below and above. Afterwards, we will travel to see Hoover Dam, the largest dam in the United States. Then we will return to Las Vegas.(Optional: Grand Canyon Skywalk, Helicopter tour and Cruise Combo tour)

DAY8 Las Vegas - Ethel M Chocolate Factory - Botanical Cactus Garden - Los Angeles (265 miles)

On the final day of our tour, we will depart Las Vegas and head back to Los Angeles, stopping along the way at the Ethel M Chocolate Factory and its Botanical Cactus Gardens in Nevada, which are open to the public. In the factory we will learn how this company produces their chocolate, sample their gourmet chocolate treats, and visit their branch of M&M’s World. Later we will wind through the gardens, which display many fascinating varieties of cacti from both local and international sources. Afterwards we will continue on our way, arriving in Los Angeles around 6:30 PM depending on drop off location.
Please arrange your return flight departing from Los Angeles after 9:30pm (for domestic flight) or 10:30pm (for international flight).

Itinerary varies slightly depending on day of departure.

* Optional activity, fee not included in tour price. See “Exclusions” for cost details.