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Image of the famous towering trees in California's Redwood Forest - KILROY
View the full itinerary as a list

Recommended duration

4 weeks

Route

Start and end in Los Angeles

Travel type

Road trip

Inclusions

Flights and car hire

Get a quote for this trip
From LA to Las Vegas, deserts to national parks — this road trip packs California & Nevada’s greatest hits into one unforgettable loop.

 

Start in Los Angeles with a few days to soak up city vibes — think beaches, street art, and coastal sunsets. Then pick up a rental car and hit the road along Highway 1 toward the California coast. Enjoy laid-back stops in beach towns like Morro Bay and Monterey, perfect for sea lions, coastal walks and seafood. Then reach San Francisco for a few nights exploring its neighbourhoods, iconic sights and vibrant street life.

Next, head into the wilderness: explore alpine waters and mountain air at Lake Tahoe, marvel at towering cliffs and waterfalls in Yosemite National Park, wander among giant sequoias in Sequoia National Park & Kings Canyon National Park, and cross dramatic desert landscapes in Death Valley.

After wilderness and wide-open spaces, reach Las Vegas for neon lights, nightlife and a totally different kind of rush. Then journey to the jaw-dropping Grand Canyon before winding down via Palm Springs and San Diego. Finally, return to Los Angeles — unless you decide to keep exploring.

This route blends urban energy, coastal chill, dramatic landscapes and desert wildness — giving you a bit of everything across California and Nevada in one epic loop.

*From price per person based on two people over 25 travelling together. Reach out to us if you're younger - it's not a problem!

What's included
  • Return flights to Los Angeles from the UK
  • 3 nights' accommodation in Venice Beach, Los Angeles
  • 3 weeks' car rental (Hertz FCAR model)
  • 3 nights' accommodation in San Francisco 
  • Booking fees
  • Your own travel specialist 
What's not included
  • Travel insurance (but we can help you with that)
  • Vaccinations (ask us about our discount with Nomad Travel)
  • Meals
  • Accommodation between Los Angeles and San Francisco (but we can help you with that too)
  • Optional activities

Road trip suggestion Classic California & Nevada

Home - Los Angeles - Morro Bay - Monterrey - San Francisco - Lake Tahoe - Yosemite National Park - Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Park - Death Valley - Las Vegas – Grand Canyon - Palm Springs - San Diego - Los Angeles - Home

Remember, this is only a route proposal for your big trip. If you wish to receive personal assistance designing your road trip, please get in contact with our travel experts. They love designing dream trips and can give you great insider travel advice. Oh, and one last thing. When on a road trip, you really don't want to travel without good travel insurance. Let us know if you need help with that.

Los Angeles

The adventure starts in sunny Los Angeles. We've included three nights at one of our favourite hostels, so before you hit the road you have time to explore the famous neighbourhoods, including Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and of course, Santa Monica and Venice Beach. Also, don't miss out on the amazing views over the city from the Griffith Observatory. After a couple of days of sightseeing, it's time to pick up the rental car and let the road trip begin!

Morro Bay

Drive along Highway 1 and stop when you reach the charming little beachside town of Morro Bay - famous for its relaxing vibes. Although it's a small town, there are plenty of things to do, especially if you enjoy spending time outdoors or want to enjoy great food and wine. Stay here for 1-2 days and take advantage of everything this seaside treasure has to offer.

Monterey Bay

Monterey Bay is a cosy beach town with a great vibe. We recommend that you hang out here for a few days before moving on. If you want to see sea lions and otters, you should go to Fisherman's Wharf where they often lay in the sun on rocks around the harbor. If you're a fan of wine, you can visit one of California's many vineyards.

San Francisco

Welcome to beautiful San Francisco, where we've included 3 nights in a cool hostel by the bay. This city is full of contradictions, colourful personalities, culture, cool restaurants and cosy neighbourhoods. Here you'll find a glitzy financial district, a hippie-town, China Town and Japan Town! Alcatraz is also worth a visit - just remember to book your tickets well in advance. Trust us, they get sold out quickly.

Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is located at the border between the states of California and Nevada and is the second deepest lake in the US. Hiking, cycling, and water sports are popular activities that you can enjoy here during summer. We recommend that you spend at least 2-3 days in Lake Tahoe to explore everything that this wonderful place has to offer.

Yosemite National Park

Get ready to explore one of Mother Earth's spectacular wonders. Did you know that Yosemite National Park is home to some of North America's tallest waterfalls? Besides that, the park is also famous for its beautiful rocks. Head to Yosemite Valley to check out the vertical granite walls that reach up to 1000 metres. You might also want to visit Mirror Lake to admire the view and take some insanely good looking photos!

Kings Canyon and Sequoia

Some people might refer to Kings Canyon National Park as a rival to Yosemite. So spend some time here exploring the deep valleys, distinctive rocks and the largest remaining grove of sequoia trees in the world. Located next to Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon Park is divided into two main areas: Grant Grove, where you can find the famous General Grant Tree (also known as "the Nation's Christmas Tree" - google it!) and Cedar Grove, which is the place to be if you want to avoid the crowd of tourists. Spend a couple of days here hiking, horseback riding, and of course, camping. It's the perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts!

Death Valley

Can't get enough of nature? We know the feeling! Next stop is Death Valley, which is an exciting national park with extreme nature and many areas that are worth visiting. But just a heads up that it can be HOT out here in the desert, especially if you're travelling during summer. So make sure to stock up on water before you head out. You can choose to drive through the park heading towards Las Vegas, but if you want to stay for a night or two, there are many cool places to sleep over.

Las Vegas

After spending many days out in nature, you'll be driving towards the original Sin City. There are so many sights and attractions here that it's almost overwhelming. Just driving into Las Vegas and seeing all the neon lights flashing in the far distance is an unforgettable experience. Stroll along The Strip and check out all the cool hotels, shows, restaurants and casinos.

On your way to the next stop, we recommend that you stop by Hoover Dam. Or join a day tour from Las Vegas, up to you!

Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon should definitely be on your bucket list for this road trip. It's absolutely amazing and known as one of the most iconic natural wonders Mother Earth has provided!

Palm Springs

Palm Springs is a famous vacation spot known for its natural hot springs and sunny weather. Located right next to Joshua Tree National Park, there are tons of things to do in the area, if you're in the mood for more adventures. If you're up for something a bit more low-key, you can take a stroll downtown and visit local shops and restaurants.

San Diego

If you're not ready to fly back home just yet, we recommend that you drive down to San Diego to enjoy really good Mexican food and the overall beauty of the city. San Diego is the second largest city in California and offers great attractions, beaches, surf spots and climate. The perfect way to end your California adventure!

Los Angeles

We're back where it all started. We've included flights back home, but you can also choose to travel to other places in the US. Talk to our travel advisors and we'll help you extend your adventure.

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