Best of California's National Parks

Welcome to Nevada! Las Vegas will be your gateway to the grandeur of the Golden State. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, giving you plenty of time to bathe in Vegas’ neon glow. It’s recommended that you arrive a day or two early to really experience the city, allowing time to do the classics (think casinos, drive-through weddings and live shows) as well as scratching below the surface by seeing the diverse neighbourhoods, thriving arts scene and many museums that tell the story of the Entertainment Capital of the World.

Leaving Sin City in your dust, you’ll road trip across state lines and through the Mojave Desert today, on the way to Mojave National Preserve. Stopping at the Kelso Dunes, you’ll feel a world away from the bright lights of Sin City. The dunes are known for their singing sand which produces a deep, eerie sound. To get the full effect, shove off as much sand as possible from the crest of a dune that hasn’t been walked on for a while and feel the boom in your bones. You’ll then set off around the southern Sierras to Sequoia National Park, settle into your accommodation near the park and head out for an included dinner at a local restaurant.

Today is simply about seeing the best of the USA’s Sequoia National Park. You’ll embark on leader-led walks around Sequoia, driving from stop to stop as you get to feel small next to the staggering size of General Sherman, the Giant Forest and other specimens of Sequoia’s towering timber. You may even drive through a tree at Tunnel Log, peer into Tharp’s Log and spot marmots, black bears and recently re-introduced bighorn sheep.

After breakfast, you’ll hit the highway headed for the world-famous Yosemite National Park. To start, get acquainted with the awe-inspiring Yosemite Valley during a guided hike. Strewn with dramatic waterfalls, gigantic granite outcrops and lush meadows, this is one of the most spectacular spots in the country. Your leader will also teach you about the ecologically diverse landscape along the way. After sunset, you’ll join a Naturalist from the Yosemite Conservancy for a guided stargazing program. The park’s minimal light pollution makes it an excellent place to see the stars while learning about astronomy, constellations and local lore.

Today, Yosemite is all yours to explore! In the morning there’ll be leader-led walks around some of the park’s best trails. If it’s a clear day you may also drive up to Glacier Point for a view you won’t soon forget, looking down over the valley and across to the iconic Half Dome. The afternoon is yours to fill how you’d like. You might choose to hike along the breathtaking Mist Trail with its many fabulous views, hire a bicycle and peddle along some of the 12 miles of designated (and flat) path or immerse yourself in the park’s history at the Ahwahnee Hotel. Once you’ve seen the sights, the day will be capped off with a pizza picnic in the park for dinner.

After saying fond farewells to Yosemite, you’ll head west to vibrant San Francisco. After stopping to do a walk over the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, your adventure finishes in San Francisco. No accommodation is provided for tonight, but if you do wish to spend extra time in the City by the Bay, just speak to your booking agent. There’s plenty to keep you busy, whether it’s shopping along the funky Haight Street or making your own escape over to Alcatraz Island. Better yet, consider booking an Urban Adventures sightseeing tour like Bridge and the Beach, where you’ll see a different side of the Golden Gate from Baker Beach (see urbanadventures.com/destination/san-francisco-tours).