Best of the West - Self-Drive Tour
13 Day Self-Drive Tour ” 3-4V
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Los Angeles “ Palm Springs “ Phoenix “ Grand Canyon“ Las Vegas “ Death Valley “Yosemite “San
Francisco “ Napa Valley “ Monterey “ Carmel “Santa Barbara “Ventura“ Malibu “Santa Monica
ITINERARY
Day 1: Los Angeles
Fly to Los Angeles from the UK and on arrival pick up your hire car. Upon check in; please ask the hotel reception for your ATI Tour
documentation pack which will include your tour essentials. Accommodation stay – 1night at the Garland Hotel or similar.
Day 2: Los Angeles – Palm Springs
Make your way south towards Anaheim, Orange County’s fun capital. Spend some time enjoying the iconic characters at Disneyland
Park, visit Knott’s Berry Farm, the nation’s oldest theme park, or take your pick of any number of Anaheim’s numerous attractions,
before continuing your journey on to Palm Springs. Nestling beneath the slopes of San Jacinto Mountain, this desert playground provides
the perfect blend of outdoor entertainment and relaxation. Try one of Palm Springs’ many restaurants, or take the aerial tramway to
enjoy the panoramic views across the Coachella Valley. Accommodation stay – 1night at The Riviera Palm Springs or similar. Driving
distance 237 kilometres.
Day 3: Palm Springs – Phoenix/Scottsdale
After a relaxing morning enjoying the many delights of Palm Springs, you’ll set off through the Coachella Valley, heading east towards
Phoenix and Scottsdale. Two of Arizona’s most popular destinations, you’ll enjoy the contrast today between the skyscraper-filled
skyline of Phoenix, set against the famous backdrop of Camelback Mountain, and the old west charm of Scottsdale, described by many
as the place where the old and new west meet. Accommodation stay – 1night at the Phoenix Marriott Mesa. Driving distance 430
kilometres.
Day 4: Phoenix/Scottsdale – Grand Canyon
Turning north towards the Grand Canyon National Park today, you’ll enjoy what is surely one of the greatest panoramas on earth.
Unrivalled in its sheer grandeur, the Grand Canyon is over a mile deep and almost 280 miles long. Spend the day on the South Rim,
enjoying its numerous lookouts points and hiking trails. Walk along part of the Rim Trail and climb to the top of the watchtower, to take
in views that, on a clear day, extend for over 100 miles. Accommodation Stay – 1night at the Yavapai Lodge East or similar. Driving
distance 370 kilometres.
Day 5: Grand Canyon – Las Vegas
Leaving the grandeur of the Grand Canyon behind, you’ll head west today, following a route that takes you through Williams and
Kingsman and the heart of the historic Route 66. The journey takes you to the Hoover Dam, the largest single public works project ever
undertaken in US history. Straddling the mighty Colorado River, the dam project provides much needed water and power to the entire
Southwest. From here you’ll then continue on to Las Vegas, a city that needs little introduction. Accommodation Stay –2 nights at
the Paris Las Vegas or similar. Driving distance 444 kilometres.
Day 6: Las Vegas
You have an entire day today to enjoy one of America’s most iconic cities. The self-styled entertainment capital of the world, Vegas is a
dazzling mix of kitsch, colour and casinos. Dine in world-class restaurants, catch one of the latest shows, or place a bet in one of the
world’s most famous casinos. There are a dazzling array of shops to explore, rollercoaster’s to ride or, if you just want to relax, plenty of
opportunities to simply lay by the pool.
Day 7: Las Vegas – Death Valley
After a chance to photograph the famous ‚Welcome to Las Vegas‛ sign, your journey continues west today, towards the fiery furnace of
Death Valley and the lowest spot in the Northern Hemisphere. Amongst the dramatic landscapes of the Death Valley National Park, the
Mojave Desert is at its most spectacular. Stop at Zabriskie Point to enjoy the views across the vibrantly coloured badlands and this
evening take a look at the skies, to enjoy some of the finest stargazing anywhere. Accommodation Stay – 1night at the Furnace Creek
Ranch or similar. Driving distance 224 kilometres.
Day 8: Death Valley - Yosemite
Turning north into the High Sierra’s this morning; you’ll drive along the Tioga Road and through the highest navigable pass in California.
Your destination is the sublime setting of Yosemite National Park, home to impressive waterfalls, expansive meadowlands and some
truly spectacular rock formations. One of America’s first wilderness reserves, you’ll have a chance to enjoy ranger-guided walks, discover
the giant sequoia groves and explore something of the park’s 800 miles of hiking trails. Accommodation Stay – 1 night at the Cedar
Lodge Yosemite or similar. Driving distance 525 kilometres.
Day 9: Yosemite – San Francisco
Leaving the wonders of Yosemite behind, your journey west today takes you through the heritage of California’s Gold Rush era. You’ll
take in Sacramento, the bustling state capital, before moving on to San Francisco, one of America’s most engaging cities.
Accommodation stay - 1night at the Hilton San Francisco Financial District or similar. Driving distance 214 kilometres.
Day 10: San Francisco – Monterey/Carmel
Turn south this morning and head out along the spectacular Highway 1 towards Monterey. With breathtaking oceans views to
accompany you along the way, you can stop off and explore Monterey’s famous downtown district and the historic waterfront of
Cannery Row, which was the inspiration for John Steinbeck’s book of the same name. Moving on to charming Carmel, you’ll then have a
chance to enjoy the scenic beauty of 17-Mile Drive between Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach. Accommodation stay – 1 night at the
Hyatt Regency, Monterey or similar. Driving distance 210 kilometres.
Day 11: Monterey/Carmel – Santa Barbara - Ventura
Continuing down California’s Pacific Coast Highway this morning you’ll follow a meandering coastal road down through Big Sur, where
the mountains plunge down into the waters of the rolling Pacific Ocean. As the landscape changes from ragged cliffs to oak-studded
hills, your journey takes you past Hearst Castle and Morro Bay, before turning into the Central Coast region. As you pass through the
lovely countryside of the American Riviera, you’ll pass through Pismo Beach and Santa Barbara, before ending the day in the classic
beach town of Ventura. Accommodation stay – 1 night at the Crowne Plaza, Ventura or similar. Driving distance 451 kilometres
Day 12: Ventura – Malibu – Santa Monica – Los Angeles
Your drive south takes you along the Malibu coast today, through Oxnard and Santa Monica, as you head for journey’s end amongst the
glitz and glamour of Los Angeles. Enjoy the iconic trapping of one of the world’s most enigmatic cities with a stroll along the Walk of
Fame or a drive through Beverley Hills. Check out the Hollywood sign and do some window shopping down Rodeo Drive, before enjoying
a final evening amongst the bright lights of the City of Angels. Accommodation stay – 1 night at The Garland North Hollywood.
Driving distance 120 kilometres.
Day 13: Depart Los Angeles
Return your hire car to the airport prior to your flight back to the UK.
This tour is based on a Room only basis
*Denotes local charge – Optional trips and excursions suggested on the itinerary are bookable and payable locally.
This is a set tour itinerary, if you have booked any pre/post or optional tour arrangements please refer to your separate vouchers
and final documents.
TOUR NOTES
For current departure dates and prices please check our website
Pre/Post Tour information
If you would like to extend your trip or make the tour part of a
longer holiday, we can easily add on a pre or post night stays for
you. Our Sales Team will work with you to arrange the best
connecting flights and book any additional hotel stays. Simply tell
us what you’d like and we can arrange it.
Time difference
Eastern Time Zone: GMT -5 hours
Pacific Time Zone: GMT -8 hours
Mountain Time Zone: GMT -7 hours
Central Time Zone: GMT -6 hours
Tour inclusions
Accommodation listed above
 Welcome phone call from American Tours International
 Virgin Holidays branded rucksack with tour documentation and
Atlas, please ask when you check in at your first hotel for your ‘ATI
Pack’
 Beach Blanket
Starbucks gift card.
Tour exclusions
All Flights and airport transfers in the UK
 Travel Insurance
Car hire and insurance unless this has been booked by the sales
consultant
 Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, tips &
gratuities, video camera fees at monuments
 The required ESTA application
 Anything not detailed on the itinerary.
Dining inclusions
Room Only
Accommodation
Accommodation listed on the itinerary is a mix of 3-4V graded
properties. Please note some tours are up to 3 weeks in duration
and there may be some nights when staying in remote locations
e.g. the National Parks, when the ‘V’ rating may vary. Hotels are
subject to change up until 30 days prior to departure, but you will
be advised of any changes.
Visa requirements
It's mandatory for everyone travelling to or transferring through
the US, under the Visa Waiver Program, to obtain approval to
travel no later than 72 hours prior to travel by completing an
online process ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization
(ESTA) scheme.
Failure to obtain an ESTA could result in the passenger being
denied boarding by the airline. The cost of an ESTA is currently
approx $14 per person and can be obtained by
visiting https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Once completed & approved,
the ESTA application is valid for two years and allows multiple
visits without the need to reapply ” simply update your details on
the same website. Travelers can apply for an ESTA even if they
have no firm plans to travel to the US. If you need any further
information on the ESTA or you have any other visa queries, then
try the Visit USA Website atwww.visitusa.org.uk where further
information on the scheme and up to date fee can also be found.
The ESTA is very similar to the automated visa that you purchase
to enter Australia and is completely paperless
Currency
The official unit of currency in the US is the US dollar. Optional
excursions will need to be paid locally by cash to the tour guide.
Major credit cards and debit cards will be accepted within the US.
Electricity
If you bring any electrical appliance to the USA, you may need an
adaptor to fit the US electrical receptacles. You may also need a
converter to change the voltage from 110 volts to 220 volts.
Tipping
Tipping is a big part of the USA’s service economy and their
taxation system, all visitors should understand that this is a part
of the local culture; please see below a list of useful suggestions
for tipping:
 Waiters/Waitresses: 15% - 20% for average - good service,
more for exceptional service.
 Bartenders: $1 - $2 a round -or- 15% to 20% of the tab, with a
minimum of 50 cents per soft drink, $1 per alcoholic drink.
 Room Service: 15% - 20%
 Taxi driver: Varies depending on locality. Assume 15% will be
enough; an extra $1 to $2 for help with bags.
 Hotel doorman: $1 per bag for help with luggage; $1 per person
for hailing a cab.
What to pack
Lightweight, cotton clothes. Smart casual is acceptable in hotels
A light sweater or fleece for early mornings and evenings and
air-conditioning can be cool in restaurants
Comfortable, enclosed and sturdy footwear
Casual clothing and sandals for dinner and relaxing at your
hotel
Sun cream, sunglasses and hat
Camera and/or video camera with spare batteries and memory
cards
Swimwear for an occasional swim
Binoculars
Mosquito repellent and spray
Handy wipes, antiseptic hand gel and bottled water where
possible
Low denominations of USD” handy for ad-hoc tipping
Recommended vaccinations
We advise you to discuss your individual requirements for the USA
with your GP at least 6-8 weeks prior to travel.