California Calling

Days 1 - 3: Los Angeles

On arrival in Los Angeles, you’ll take a transfer to your centrally-located 4-star hotel, and have three nights to spend at your leisure. There’s so much to see and do here, you won’t be short of places to visit. Why not head to bohemian Venice Beach, or stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame. You could even do a spot of shopping on Rodeo Drive. For the young at heart, a trip to Disneyland and Universal Studios is a must.

Days 4 - 5: Joshua Tree National Park 

Distance: 270 km / 168 miles

Once your time in LA comes to an end, you’ll take a transfer from the hotel to the motorhome depot where you’ll get acquainted with your vehicle before heading east towards the Joshua Tree National Park. On route we suggest that you make a stop at Palm Springs in the Sonoran Desert and enjoy the hot springs, stylish hotels, spas and golf courses.

Joshua Tree National Park is best known for its rugged rock formations and its desert landscapes. It takes its name from the areas twisted and bristled Joshua trees and is characterised by its rugged rock formations and desert landscapes. Sunset from Keys View is not to be missed.

Days 6 - 7: Kingman

Distance: 310 km / 193 miles

Continue east towards Vidal Junction where if you take a slight detour you can visit Lake Havasu City to see the original 1830s London Bridge. The bridge was dismantled in London in 1967 and then relocated to Arizona.

There’s also the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge which provides a habitat for migrating birds. This 37,515-acre stretch sits along the lower Colorado River and was established in 1941 by an executive order of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Kingman is best known for being a city along the legendary Route 66, and here you can learn more about the historic road’s role in American History at the Route 66 Museum.

Days 8 - 9: Las Vegas

Distance: 174 km / 108 miles

Today you’ll head north to Las Vegas where you’ll be staying for the next two nights. Perhaps have a flutter in one of the casinos, see one of the spectacular shows or simply walk the strip and take it all in.

For those wanting to escape Vegas we suggest taking an excursion to see the Grand Canyon. You’ll fly by plane from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, then take a helicopter ride over the stunning North Rim. Safely back on the ground you’ll get to explore the South Rim and the Grand Canyon Village, and still be back in Vegas in time to see an evening show!

Days 10 - 11: Calico

Distance: 238 km / 148 miles

Your journey today takes you south west along the northern borders of the Mojave National Preserve. With its dunes, canyons, mountains and carpets of wildflowers, it’ll be the complete opposite of what you experienced in Vegas.

Calico is an old west mining town that has been around since 1881. With its 500 mines, Calico produced over $20 million in silver ore over a 12-year span. When silver lost its value in the mid-1890s, Calico lost its population and became a "ghost" town.

Days 12 - 13: Sequoia National Park

Distance: 444 km / 276 miles

From Calico head north west towards the Sequoia National Forest which will be your home for the next two nights. On route, make a stop at Bakersfield which is universally recognized as ‘The Country Music Capital of the West Coast’. It is the birthplace for what would become known worldwide as the Bakersfield Sound. This sub-genre of country music was a defiant reaction to the string orchestras and the polished sound of albums being recorded in Nashville during the 1950s and 60s.

Running adjacent to Kings Canyon National Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Sequoia National Park is best known for its huge sequoia trees, notably the General Sherman Tree that dominates the Giant Forest. Moro Rock is a granite dome offering sweeping park views and close by is the Tunnel Tree, a toppled tree that has been cut to accommodate the road.

Days 14 - 15: Yosemite

Distance: 193 km / 120 miles

Today you’ll continue your journey north to Yosemite via Fresno, consider making a stop here to visit the Shinzen Japanese Gardens in Woodward Park.

Yosemite National Park is arguably California’s best known National Park, located in the Sierra Nevada mountains it counts giant ancient sequoia trees, the towering Bridalveil Fall and the cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome as its main attractions.

Days 16 - 18: San Francisco 

Distance: 354 km / 220 miles

Leaving behind Yosemite National Park, you’ll be heading east to San Francisco where you’ll spend the next three nights.

No trip to San Francisco is complete without a visit to the former prison on the rock; Alcatraz, make sure you pre-book this though as only a limited amount of places are available each day.

For those with a little more energy we recommend hiring a bike and cycling along San Francisco’s stunning waterfront, across the Golden Gate Bridge and down to the picturesque seaside town of Sausalito before getting the ferry back to San Francisco.

Days 19 - 20: Moss Landing

Distance: 183 km / 114 miles

Today you start the journey south along the famed Pacific Coast Highway; we suggest a stop in the city of Santa Cruz. Take a walk along the wharf which stretches into Monterey Bay, see the bridge-shaped rock formation on Natural Bridges State Beach or take a stroll along Pacific Avenue, famous for its vintage clothing stores, cafes and galleries.

Situated on one of California’s largest wetland areas, Moss Landing is home to hundreds of bird species of waterfowl and migratory shorebirds. There are also seals, sea otters and sea lions that can be seen from a nature cruise or from a kayak.

Days 21 - 22: Morro Bay

Distance: 230 km / 143 miles

Travel along Monterey Bay and the famous 17 Mile Drive before cruising slowly south on one of the world’s most scenic routes – California Highway 1. This route winds along the central California coast starting in historic Monterey, and heading through Big Sur. 

The coastal city of Morro Bay is best known for Morro Rock, an ancient volcanic mound at the end of Morro Rock beach. It’s also home to lagoons, a bird-rich saltwater marsh as well as plenty of trails, including one up to Back Hill which offers magnificent views over the city.

Day 23: Los Angeles 

Distance: 363 km / 226 miles

Continue south along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway towards Los Angeles. We recommend a stop in Santa Barbara which is well known for its Mediterranean style white stucco buildings that reflect Santa Barbara’s Spanish heritage. As well as some great beaches there are some impressive restaurants, a selection of wineries and the Santa Barbara Mission which was founded in 1786 and houses Franciscan Friars and a museum. 

Days 24 - 25: Los Angeles - UK

You have some time to yourself today before returning your RV and heading to Los Angeles International airport for your evening flight back to the UK.