The Gold Experience is a 7-day journey through the icons of the American West: coastal towns, world-class cities, and spectacular national parks. The tour operates year-round with two seasonal versions to make the most of daylight and weather conditions.
Highlights include a guided Las Vegas Strip tour and visits to the Hoover Dam and Lake Powell. Two itineraries, one unforgettable West.
This 7-day group tour leaves every Monday from Los Angeles (April through October) and it divided so you will first explore the Pacific Ocean with some California's Top-Destinations to later continue towards the Desert & Canyon Region of Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. Leaving the city of Angeles behind us, we will start heading north along the Pacific Highway through historic villages and seaside towns such as Carmel, Solvang and Santa Barbara where we'll have a chance to first-hand experience the much regarded California lifestyle! We'll then arrive in San Francisco one of the most "desired cities" for quality of life in the US where we will spend one day exploring the beautiful city by the bay including participating in a popular Sightseeing Cruise that will take us around Alcatraz Island and under the impressive Golden Gate Bridge.
The tour will then continue East towards Yosemite National Park where we will spend a full day immersed in nature admiring the majestic peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains as well as the Yosemite Fall the tallest waterfall in the US. (Weather-permitting only - alternatively the tour will continue towards Monterey, CA for a visit of the iconic seaside town.
From the secluded mountain areas of Yosemite, we’ll reach the desert to continue towards the capital of gambling, aka the adult Disneyland — Las Vegas. Here, you will have a night at your disposal to try your hand (and luck) at popular casinos or perhaps trying one of the top-chefs restaurants or popular shows.
The second part of the tour is dedicated to the “Wild Wild West” with Canyons, deserts and sandstone sculptures. We will visit the Grand Canyon National Park (south rim), the iconic Antelope Canyon and of course we’ll stop at the ever-popular Horseshoe Bend where you can snap panoramic photos of the canyon in its deep orange & red hues contrasting with the deep blue & green waters of the Colorado River.
We will finish our tour visiting the other 2 incredible National Parks out West including the Bryce Canyon and the magical Zion Park named after one of the first settlement of Mormons in the area. We will make our way back to first Las Vegas for a late afternoon/evening arrival, and in case you rather return to Los Angeles, it is possible to arrange it but please expect to be back in the city of Angels late at night.
Age Restrictions: 7 year old minimum to enter the Antelope National Park.Travel north along the spectacular California Coast to Santa Barbara and visit a historic Spanish Mission, learning how these outposts shaped the region’s history. Continue to the charming Danish village of Solvang for boutique browsing and pastries.
Follow the world-famous Pacific Coast Highway (Route 1) for ocean vistas (small vehicles use the southern portion; full-size coaches take the exclusive 17-Mile Drive). Arrive in Carmel-by-the-Sea for free time among galleries and cafés before heading to your hotel.
Overnight: SpringHill Suites by Marriott Oakland Airport
Discover why San Francisco is among the world’s most beautiful cities. Start at Fisherman’s Wharf and sail on a scenic Bay Cruise with views of Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge en route to Sausalito. Return to Pier 39 for a leisurely lunch.
In the afternoon, enjoy a city tour of signature landmarks: Union Square, Chinatown, Nob Hill, and additional Golden Gate viewpoints. End the day with a nighttime panorama from the Bay Bridge.
Overnight: Modesto Hotel, Modesto
Head east through the fertile San Joaquin Valley to Yosemite National Park, a 1,200-square-mile wonderland of forests, lakes, and waterfalls. Stop at El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, and Half Dome, then walk from the Visitor Center to Yosemite Falls (2,425 ft / 730 m), one of North America’s tallest.
After a memorable day in the park, continue to Stevenson Ranch for the evening.
Overnight: Comfort Inn & Suites Stevenson Ranch
Travel east across the desert toward the entertainment capital, Las Vegas. En route, stop at Barstow Outlet Mall (Levi’s, Nike, Reebok, Timberland, Ralph Lauren, and more).
At night, tour the dazzling Las Vegas Strip to see icons such as Caesar’s Palace, Luxor, Mirage, Paris, Venetian, Bellagio, New York-New York, and Treasure Island. Option to attend a show or try your luck at the casinos.
Overnight: Harrah’s Hotel, Las Vegas
Drive southeast through the desert and the Navajo Nation to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Learn how the Colorado River carved this geologic masterpiece over millions of years.
Continue along the rim with stops at Native American markets to browse handmade arts and crafts. Arrive in the Page / Lake Powell area for the evening.
Overnight: Page area
Begin at Lower Antelope Canyon, known in Navajo as “where water runs through rocks,” to admire extraordinary sandstone formations shaped by wind, water, and sand. Then travel west to Bryce Canyon National Park to see its otherworldly amphitheaters of colorful hoodoos.
Experience the park’s signature sunset glow from a scenic viewpoint (timing varies seasonally). Continue to your overnight stop.
Overnight: Quality Inn Kanab (or Comfort Inn Cedar City on select departures)
Enter Zion National Park, named by Mormon settlers who felt its soaring cliffs and tranquil canyons offered a spiritual sanctuary. Enjoy a short walk along the Virgin River before returning to Las Vegas in the early evening.
Choose to end the tour in Las Vegas or return late at night to Los Angeles (drop-off in Culver City only).
Travel north along the spectacular California Coast to Santa Barbara. Begin downtown on the State Street Promenade, a pedestrian zone of boutique shops and restaurants set amid elegant Spanish-style architecture. Continue to the beaches and Stearns Wharf to “walk on the water” and enjoy ocean views, then visit Mission Santa Barbara to learn how the Spanish missions shaped the region’s development.
From the Mission, continue to Solvang, “the Danish Capital of America,” to admire half-timbered buildings and browse local shops and bakeries. After lunch, head north via Silicon Valley and onward to the Bay Area for overnight.
Overnight: SpringHill Suites by Marriott Oakland Airport
Discover why San Francisco is ranked among the world’s most beautiful cities. Start at Fisherman’s Wharf with a scenic Bay Cruise offering views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island en route to Sausalito. Return to Pier 39 for a leisurely lunch.
In the afternoon, enjoy a city tour featuring the Golden Gate Bridge viewpoints, Union Square, Chinatown, and Nob Hill. End the day with a panoramic skyline view from the Bay Bridge as you head back to the hotel.
Overnight: SpringHill Suites by Marriott Oakland Airport
Begin with a visit to Monterey—see the historic Wharf and Cannery Row, once lined with sardine canneries and now a picturesque waterfront district. Continue to Carmel-by-the-Sea for free time among galleries and boutiques.
Follow the famed California coastline up close along Route 1 (for small vehicles) or the panoramic 17-Mile Drive (for full-size coaches). In the afternoon, travel south to the Los Angeles area for your overnight stop in Stevenson Ranch.
Overnight: Comfort Suites Stevenson Ranch
Head east across the desert to reach the world’s entertainment capital: Las Vegas. En route, stop at the Barstow Outlet Mall, featuring brands such as Levi’s, Nike, Reebok, Timberland, Ralph Lauren, and more.
In the evening, tour the glittering Las Vegas Strip to admire iconic resorts including Caesar’s Palace, Luxor, Mirage, Paris, Venetian, Bellagio, New York-New York, and Treasure Island. Cap the night with an optional show or try your luck at the casinos.
Overnight: Harrah’s Hotel, Las Vegas
Travel southeast through the desert and the Navajo Nation to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Tour along the rim and learn how the Colorado River carved this geologic masterpiece over millions of years.
After lunch, continue along the canyon’s east side with stops at Native American market stalls to browse handmade arts and crafts, then proceed to the Page / Lake Powell area for the evening.
Overnight: Page area
Begin where “the water runs through the rocks” at Lower Antelope Canyon, exploring otherworldly sandstone corridors sculpted by wind, water, and sand. Then continue to Monument Valley, one of the most iconic landscapes of the American West, deep in the heart of the Navajo Nation.
Marvel at towering sandstone buttes (400–1,000 ft / up to 300 m) surrounded by mesas and desert scrub, and join a jeep tour led by Navajo guides to venture onto the valley floor and experience why the Navajo describe this land as “like no other place on earth.”
Overnight: Kanab area (or Cedar City on select departures)
After breakfast, enter Zion National Park, named by Mormon settlers who felt its majestic cliffs and tranquil canyons offered a spiritual experience. Enjoy a short walk along the Virgin River before departing this remarkable landscape for an early-evening arrival in Las Vegas. End of services in Las Vegas or continue onward to Los Angeles as scheduled.
07:00 AM Culver City - Four Points Sheraton Hotel - 5990 Green Valley Circle