Best of the West 2008 Round Trip from San Francisco: Mon, Jun 02 - Sun, Jun 15 Mon, Jun 16 - Sun, Jun 29 Mon, Jul 07 - Sun, Jul 20 Mon, Jul 21 - Sun, Aug 03 Mon, Aug 11 - Sun, Aug 24 Mon, Sep 01 - Sun, Sep 14 Mon, Sep 15 - Sun, Sep 28 Mon, Sep 29 - Sun, Oct 12 14 Days: $714 plus $161 for food/parks. Hostel nights not included Frequent Crawler Program Points Awarded for this Trip: 4,000 Points for Free Trip: 40,000 Join the Frequent Crawler Club today!

Best of the West - 14 days

After hostel pickups in San Francisco, the Green Tortoise crawls south along the legendary Pacific Coast Highway. Hit the beach in Santa Cruz while surfers challenge the waves in Steamer Lane, or check out the Surfing Museum housed in the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse. In Monterey, stroll along John Steinbeck's beloved Cannery Row, spend time at Fisherman's Wharf, or pay a visit to the world-famous aquarium. Spend the night camping under the Coastal Redwoods of Big Sur.

At San Simeon State Park, take an optional tour of Hearst Castle, hike through the surrounding wetlands, or just relax on the beach. Spot cliffside mansions in Malibu before checking out some Los Angeles highlights. Recuperate from a night on the town with a visit to Joshua Tree National Park. Hike the Wonderland of Rocks Trail or go bouldering, keeping an eye out for the whimsical trees for which the park was named.

After a passenger exchange in Las Vegas, hike Angel's Landing Trail for breathtaking views of Zion Canyon's sheer sandstone cliffs, or take an optional inner tube ride down the Virgin River.

At Bryce Canyon, take the Rim Trail or the Fairyland Trail to view the bizarre wind-sculpted hoodoos of Bryce Amphitheater. Moving on to Arches National Park, hike the Devil's Garden Trail past eight of the park's best known features, including Landscape Arch.

For the ultimate Wild West experience, take a horseback ride or a jeep tour through the rugged desert-and-mesa landscape of Monument Valley. Escape the desert heat with a cool plunge into Lake Powell. From Mather Point, you'll have two full days to explore the Grand Canyon. Hike a vertical mile to the bottom of the canyon and camp beside the Colorado River*, or walk along the South Rim to Hermit's Rest for a taste of wilderness solitude.

Check out a classic slice of small-town Americana on legendary Route 66, and wrap up your adventure in style with a night out in Vegas. Take a limousine tour of the Strip, see the legendary comedy improv of Second City, or ride the roller coaster at New York, New York. Enjoy a few more hours with your new friends before we drop you off in Los Angeles, or keep the fun going and ride with us to beautiful San Francisco.

*Subject to availability

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Please note this is a combination trip. Please call our office for details.

Flexible Itinerary means that we may alter an itinerary depending on weather, local events, etc. Although we make every attempt to run our trips as advertised, please be aware that the itinerary may change to give you the best trip possible.

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