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Los Angeles to San Francisco Adventure

An 8-Day G Adventures tour starting from $999

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Brochure Price
$999

Tour Overview

Tour Type:
Tour Category: Overland
Tour Operator: G Adventures
Tour Code: GAP-NUAF-2012
Tour Highlights

Countries Visited

United States

Cities Visited

See Description
Sightseeing Highlights
Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

Group Leader Description
This G Adventures group trip is accompanied by one of our group leaders, otherwise known as a Chief Experience Officer (CEO). The CEO will be the group manager, leader and driver - this person is experienced in the routes travelled and will organize and lead the meal preparations and has experience in cooking a variety of local and international dishes for large groups. As the group coordinator and manager, the aim of the CEO is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. They will also offer suggestions for things to do and to see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting - we think it's the best of both worlds.

Group Size Notes
Max 13, avg 10.

Your Fellow Travellers
As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and are likely to be of a variety of ages too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part.

Highlights
Taking a dip in the Colorado River, stargazing in Los Angeles, experiencing a Grand Canyon sunset, breaking a sweat in Death Valley, rolling the dice in Las Vegas, camping under the stars, strolling the hills of San Francisco, hiking in Yosemite.

Overview

LA, Frisco, Vegas, the Grand Canyon—they might as well rename this whole region ‘The American Best.’ Steel yourself for 8 days of 24-hour thrills as you dive headfirst into the best the West has to offer. Scour the streets of classic American cities in search of the classic American meal—the venerable hamburger—then escape the grid to camp and explore in Yosemite and the Grand Canyon. Add in a streetwise local CEO to keep you headed in the right direction and you’re all set for a whirlwind adventure you won’t soon forget, if ever.

Year Round Offers
  • Book 3 or more tours - Get an extra 5% off
  • Book a group 8 people pay, 9th person is free.
Start Date End Date Brochure price Our Price Quote
5/25/2013
6/1/2013
$999
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6/8/2013
6/15/2013
$999
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6/22/2013
6/29/2013
$999
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7/6/2013
7/13/2013
$999
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7/13/2013
7/20/2013
$999
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7/20/2013
7/27/2013
$999
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7/27/2013
8/3/2013
$999
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8/3/2013
8/10/2013
$999
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8/10/2013
8/17/2013
$999
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8/17/2013
8/24/2013
$999
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8/31/2013
9/7/2013
$999
Get A Quote
9/7/2013
9/14/2013
$999
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9/21/2013
9/28/2013
$999
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10/5/2013
10/12/2013
$999
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Airfare Disclaimer
A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation.

Documents
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.

Day 1 Los Angeles
Arrive to our joining hotel any time. Welcome meeting in the evening.

Day 2 Los Angeles/Joshua Tree NP/Lake Havasu (L,D)
Guided city tour of fabulous Los Angeles, highlights including Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive. Witness some of the world's natural wonders in Joshua Tree National Park, home to numerous varieties of plants and animals that brave the climatic extremes. Explore the beauty of the desert by taking short hikes among the famous Joshua Trees. At Lake Havasu, cool off and enjoy the crystal clear water of the Colorado River. Approximate Distance: 435 km Estimated Travel Time: 5.5 hrs

Day 3 Grand Canyon NP (B,L,D)
In the morning discover a piece of London in Lake Havasu City, the London Bridge. Continue across vast desert landscapes to one of the earth's greatest on-going geological spectacles: the Grand Canyon! Take short hikes at the most spectacular gorge in the world and enjoy a pizza dinner at the rim as you view the stunning sunset. Approximate Distance: 375 km Estimated Travel Time: 4 hrs

Day 4 Grand Canyon NP/Las Vegas (B,L)
Enjoy a bird's eye view of the Grand Canyon with an optional helicopter flight in the morning. Get your kicks on Route 66 and stop at the "Snow Cap-Drive In", one of the wackiest, off beat burger joints around. Explore the city of lights, Las Vegas with a guided tour along the famous "Vegas Strip". Optional VIP limo experience in Vegas. For our night in Las Vegas, we stay close to the action in a hotel in the city center. Approximate Distance: 475 km Estimated Travel Time: 5.5 hrs

Day 5 Death Valley NP/Bishop (D)
Visit one of the country's most rugged landscapes, the legendary Death Valley, the hottest and driest spot and home to the lowest point in North America. Surrounded by peaks which soar to over 14,000 feet in elevation, Bishop, one of "America's Coolest Mountain Towns" sits directly in the center of an incredible area of natural beauty. Enjoy secluded hot springs where star gazing is amazing. Note that on Day 6, we intend on using the Tioga Pass, a scenic a route through the Sierra Nevada mountain range that connects Bishop with Yosemite NP. In the spring and autumn seasons, there's a chance that the pass will be closed due to poor weather conditions or even snow. In such a case, we use an alternate route today, and will spend the night in Lake Isabella instead of Bishop. The status of the road is monitored daily, and our travel plan for the area will be confirmed during the trip. Approximate Distance: 450 km Estimated Travel Time: 6.5 hrs

Day 6 Yosemite NP (B,L,D)
Marvel at the spectacular views of Yosemite National Park's magnificent peaks and granite domes as you enjoy one of most scenic drives in California: the Tioga Pass! Take short hikes to majestic waterfalls, clear lakes, beautiful meadows or walk amongst giant sequoias. With a keen eye, you may be lucky enough to spot black bears, deer or coyotes. Option to rent bikes in Yosemite Valley. Approximate Distance: 305 km Estimated Travel Time: 4 hrs

Day 7 San Francisco (B,L)
Guided Tour of one of the greatest cities in the world: San Francisco! Discover most iconic attractions such as bustling Fisherman's Wharf or the stately Golden Gate Bridge, a marvel of engineering and deco design. Go back in time and take an optional cable car ride over the steep hills or rent bikes and explore the city on wheels. In the evening optional sunset sailing. For our final night in San Francisco, we stay close to the action in a hotel in the city center. Approximate Distance: 225 km Estimated Travel Time: 3 hrs

Day 8 San Francisco
Depart at any time

G Adventures
Meals Included
4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners.

Meals
Most of the meals on this tour are included in the tour price. When a meal is not included, this is because there are often many options available - we would like to give you the opportunity to explore a bit and taste the local cuisine yourself. In these cases, your CEO will be able to suggest some good local restaurants or options for you to choose from. All included meals will be prepared from fresh local produce. The majority of the shopping for food will be done before the trip departs, and fresh goods, such as meats, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, will be bought en route during the trip from supermarkets, local shops and markets. Breakfasts will generally consist of breads and cereals, if time allows a warm breakfast may be prepared. Many lunches will be provided en-route and will be light meals such as sandwiches and/or salads. All evening meals will be freshly-prepared hot meals, and will consist of a variety of continental and local dishes. Our CEO will organize the meal preparation and lead the way here, but will prepare a duty schedule for ensuring a fair, rotating participation from you and your group members in the meal preparation and dish washing duties. Vegetarian meals and other dietary requirements need to be specified prior to arrival.

Transport
Air conditioned private touring van

Accommodation
Centrally located hotels (3nts), Participation camping (4nts)

Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

Important Notes
1. An essential part of your trip is participation - from putting up your tent (while camping) or packing it away in the morning, to helping with meal preparation and cleaning up - it is all part of your adventure and when everyone puts in a little effort the trip will run smoothly. Your CEO will do all the meal planning, but we do ask the clients to help with the preparation and washing up. Team spirit is part of the fun! All camping equipment (with the exception of your sleeping bag and pillow) is supplied. We supply dome tents and assembly/disassembly takes only 5 minutes. All tents have built-in insect nets. Self-inflating mattresses are also provided, which are approximately 4cm thick, warm and comfortable. 2. Proper sleeping bags are necessary for this tour. Evening temperatures can reach -9°C - 0°C. Please ensure that your sleeping bag is rated to (-17°C for spring and fall trips and 0°C for trips June - Sept). If you prefer you can purchase a proper sleeping bag on the first day of the trip. Prices range from $40-$60USD.  3. In order to cover the vast distance in North America to be able to visit several different parks and cities along our trip, we will have a couple of long driving days. 4. All walks and hikes proposed by our CEO will be easy to moderate level. You may choose to participate or not, but exploring our national parks on foot is part of our way of travelling. It’s a healthy way to discover North America’s beauty and landscape. 5. Tioga Pass is a route through the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California on the eastern edge of Yosemite National Park, and we travel through the pass en route. In the the spring and autumn seasons, there's a chance that the pass will be closed due to poor weather conditions or even snow. In such a case, we use an alternate route. The status of the road is monitored daily, and our travel plan for the area will be confirmed during the trip. 6. Please note that some trips could be a combination of multiple G Adventure tours. You should expect some group members to join or leave the tour between tour segments. 7. The American west is generally known for warm weather, but temperatures do vary significantly in the mountain and desert areas especially. The day time temperature could exceed 30 C, while the night time temperatures do regularly decrease to single digits, or even possible below freezing. Please be prepared for such extreme conditions.

Single Travellers
We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

What to Take
You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible. For days in the outdoors, we recommend the use of lightweight, breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics made of wool or synthetic fibers. Cotton is not recommended for days to spend hiking as it does not allow for heat or moisture to enter or escape, and it will not dry easily once wet. We recommend the use of a well-labeled duffel bag, soft bag or backpack (whichever you find easiest to carry). Suitcases or heavy luggage are not recommended for the health of the CEO! A good size day-pack (20-35L) is also essential as you will have the chance to walk and hike in different national parks during these trips This daypack will be used to carry your personal gear for the day, lunch and water bottle. The American west is generally known for warm weather, but temperatures do vary significantly in the mountain and desert areas especially. The day time temperature could exceed 30 C, while the night time temperatures do regularly decrease to single digits, or even possible below freezing. It is therefore important to pack clothes for warm days and cool evenings - a light jacket is necessary. Seasonal temperature ranges: March - May ; September to December: -7 C to +30 C June – August: 0 C to + 35 C Additionally, a set of smart casual clothes is also advisable.

Checklist
Travel - Credit and/or debit card (see spending money) - G Adventures vouchers, pre-departure information and trip details - Passport (with photocopies) - Travel insurance (with photocopies) - Airline tickets (with photocopies) - Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required - Camera and memory cards - Charger for phone/camera/music device - Reading/writing material Equipment - Insect repellent (for North West and East Coast only) - Head lamp with batteries - Hand sanitizers/ antibacterial wipes - Rain Cover or plastic bags for daypacks - Small towel (pack towels are good) and swim wear - Sun hat - Sunblock - Sunglasses - Toiletries (biodegradable) - Water bottle (at least 2L capacity) - Pocketknife - Watch or alarm clock -Sleeping bag : a down or synthetic sleeping bag (0° to +5°C) for the summer and warmer for spring and fall season (-7°C). You can purchase sleeping bags on the first day of the trip. An appropriate sleeping bag will cost from $40-$60USD. At the end of your journey, if you would like to donate your sleeping bag you can leave it with your CEO and we will donate it to a local charity. - Sleeping bag liner (synthetic or silk - optional) - Pillow (pack pillow recommended) - First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band-Aids, anti-histamines, motion sickness remedy, after-bite salve and extra prescription drugs you may be taking). Clothing and Footwear - 3 or 4 lightweight shirts or T-shirts - Fleece/jacket - Windproof/waterproof jacket (rain gear) - 2 pair of shorts - 1 pairs of long trousers - 2 pair hiking pants/track pants - Comfort clothing for the night - 3 to 5 pair of walking/hiking socks (synthetic or wool) - Under garments - Warm thermals/long underwear (fall and spring season only) - Warm wool hat and gloves (fall and spring season only) - Good hiking shoes or boots - Sport sandals (suitable for water if you are planning on rafting) - Extra comfortable slip-on sandal or shoes for the campsites Optional Items: -Hiking poles, binoculars, Playing cards, games, frisbee, notebook, pens/pencils

Visas
All countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy, or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. It is your own responsibility to have the correct travel documentation. Visa requirements for your trip will vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. We keep the following information up to date as far as possible, but rules do change and sometimes without warning. While we provide the following information in good faith, it is vital that you check yourself and understand that you are fully responsible for your own visa requirements.

Tipping
It is customary in North America to tip service providers such as waiters, at approximately 18%, depending on the service. Tipping is an expected - though not compulsory - component of your tour program and an expression of satisfaction with the persons who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides. Recommendations for tipping local guides would range from $2-8 USD per activity depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your CEO for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. Also at the end of each trip if you felt your G Adventures Chief Experience Officer did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference; however as a guideline $5 USD per person, per day can be used.

Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your CEO, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that all clients must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of USD 200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.

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