USA (2022)

Everyone is familiar with the usual suspects here – the Golden Gate Bridge, the Pacific Coast Highway, and of course Las Vegas.

What you may not be familiar with are the hidden treasures within this vast land, which prove that things are not always as they appear. Come and explore the mountain passes and canyons of this wonderful country.

We haven’t been back to the US since 2018, so for 2022 we’re coming back in style with a new and improved tour.

Summary:
Monday – Arrive at our pre-arranged meeting point at SFO (San Francisco International Airport) mid-afternoon to get your tour equipment and your hire car! We have booked a set of V8 muscle cars to maximise the American effect – we’ll have Camaro SS, Mustang GT, and Challenger SRT rental cars ready and waiting for you (subject to availability). Once you have your car and luggage you’ll be on your way to the first hotel, right on the beach in Santa Cruz.

Tuesday – A leisurely drive down the world famous Highway 1 (also known as the Pacific Coast Highway) to get to know your fellow tourers, your tour managers, and the cars… all the way down to the gorgeous Santa Barbara where once again we’ll be staying in a beachfront hotel, right by the boardwalk.

Wednesday – What better way to introduce you to Los Angeles than to take you from Malibu to Beverly Hills to Hollywood before stopping for lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe on Hollywood Boulevard. After lunch we’ll head for the Petersen Automotive Collection, allegedly the best automotive museum in the USA. Shall we check? Let’s reconvene at our hotel in Santa Monica and discuss.

Thursday – We’ll leave the Pacific behind today and head out to the Angeles Crest, a wonderful piece of tarmac which spins through the mountains like the finest alpine passes in Europe, before taking a quick run up the highway to Calico Ghost Town. Yes, you read that right.
Finally we’ll end the day with a run into Paradise, NV – also known as the Las Vegas Strip. We’re staying at one of the finest hotels on the strip, right in the thick of the action, surrounded by the Bellagio and the Venetian and right next door to Caesars Palace and the Forum Shops. There’s a big clue in the picture below:

Friday – An optional drive out to the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and the Valley of Fire. Definitely recommended. We’ll have you back in town for lunch, and then we’d recommend a helicopter trip out to the Grand Canyon for the late afternoon. You won’t regret it.

Saturday – Free day in Las Vegas

Sunday – Leaving Las Vegas we head out to the highs and lows of Death Valley, a place which no pictures or words will ever adequately describe. You really do have to see it to believe it. This evening we’ll end up in a ski resort, and we may or may not see snow. After the heat of lunch in Death Valley this could be a bit of a shock!

Monday – From Mammoth Lakes we’ll head out to Mono Lake and then peel off up the mountain to SR120, also known as Tioga Pass, which will take us out to Yosemite… via El Capitan.

Tuesday – We’ll head back east, over Sonora Pass (10,000ft!) and then start heading north again, passing Lake Tahoe on our way to the overnight stop at Truckee.

Wednesday – A big day today as we head further north into California and to the magnificent Lassen Volcanic National Park. The smells are sometimes a little unusual (sulphur) but the roads and views are worth it…

Thursday – It’s time to head to the coast, but first we’ll head over to the giant redwoods known as the “Avenue of the Giants”, for views like this:

Friday – A gentle run down the coast for a quick visit to Hawk Hill, the very best place for a photo of the Golden Gate Bridge, before driving over the bridge and through San Francisco and back to the airport for your flight home.

What’s included?
Hotel accommodation for 11 nights
Car hire for the duration of the tour, with CDW and unlimited mileage included
Loan of pre-loaded satellite navigation units and powerful walkie talkies
A souvenir route book and polo shirt
Services of our two tour managers

What’s not included?
Flights, meals, drinks, fuel, etc.

How much?
£3799 per person, based on 2 people sharing a twin or double room and 1 car
+£800 single room supplement
+£1200 solo driver supplement
+£150 per day to have your rental car a day or two earlier (by prior arrangement)

Dates:
American Adventure – Monday 26th September to Friday 7th October 2022