West Coast Tours from Los Angeles

Choose by what you most want to see. For canyons and desert, pick a route to the Grand Canyon, often with Las Vegas and Antelope Canyon. For the coast, a route north through Big Sur to San Francisco and Yosemite works well. If you have more time, longer loops combine the Grand Canyon with Zion, Bryce and other national parks in Utah and Arizona.

They are in opposite directions from Los Angeles, so most trips focus on one. The Grand Canyon route heads east through the desert and pairs naturally with Las Vegas and Antelope Canyon. The Yosemite route heads north along the coast and pairs with San Francisco. If you want both, look for a longer loop, or plan two separate trips.

Spring and fall are the most comfortable for the desert parks, with milder heat and fewer crowds. Summer is hot in the desert but the best time for Yosemite's high country and long days on the coast. Winter brings snow at higher parks, which can close some roads, while the coast stays mild. Check the tour page for seasonal routes.

Distances in the West are long, so expect several hours on the coach on most days, with stops at viewpoints along the way. Routes to the Grand Canyon or Yosemite usually include the longest drives. Small-group tours stop more flexibly, while coach tours have more legroom on long stretches. The daily schedule on each tour page shows the main drives.

Most West Coast tours spend little time in Los Angeles itself. Adding a day or two before or after lets you see Hollywood, the beaches and the theme parks at your own pace. It also helps if your flight arrives late or the tour leaves early in the morning.