DAY 1: SAN FRANCISCO
Arrive in San Francisco and proceed to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the diversity of San Francisco by Cable Car or on foot. Visit Fisherman's Wharf and shop at Union Square, home to some of the most unique stores in the city. Perhaps take an excursion out of town and across the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods for a closer look at the giant coast redwoods. On your return, drop in to the seaside villages of Tiburon and Sausalito for one of the best panoramas of the city by the bay.

DAY 2: SAN FRANCISCO – SACRAMENTO – LAKE TAHOE – RENO (246m / 394km)
This morning depart the Pacific Coast and head towards the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Travel east along the American River before taking a short break to visit the reconstructed Old Town in the state's capital, Sacramento. As the road leads into the foothills of the high Sierras you are entering Gold Rush Country. Take the high road west to the south shores of crystal clear and brilliant blue Lake Tahoe. Admire the majesty of the surrounding mountains before it's off to the exciting nightlife of Reno.

DAY 3: RENO – ELKO – TWIN FALLS (455m / 728km)
The high northern Nevada plateau is a wind-swept, sagecovered wilderness where herds of mustangs still run free. The road leads through old mining towns and new developments complete with casinos like Elko. Cross the state line into the Rocky Mountain state of Idaho and arrive in Twin Falls site of Shoshone Falls, reputed to be higher than Niagara Falls.

DAY 4: TWIN FALLS – IDAHO FALLS – YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (271m / 434km)
Take highway 93 across the basalt-covered Snake River plain to Craters of the Moon National Monument with its remarkable volcanic landscape. Enter the foothills of the Rockies for the first time as you leave Idaho Falls. The fertile farmlands of this region are best known for bountiful crops of Russet potatoes. Farmlands give way to timbered forests as you near the gateway to Yellowstone National Park, West Yellowstone.

DAY 5: YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
Today it's time to enjoy a leisurely drive through one of the major highlights of this tour, Yellowstone National Park. America's first national park offers majestic scenery with the geological wonders of geysers and hot springs. There is an abundance of wildlife including wolves, bears and the ever-present buffalo. Waterfalls, huge lakes and steaming streams all combine to create an eerie otherworldly environment not much changed since the first white man John Colter visited this area in 1806.

DAY 6: YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK – GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK – JACKSON HOLE AREA – CASPER (308m / 490km)
Depart the high elevation of Yellowstone and cross the continental divide to Grand Teton National Park. This rugged range provides an alpine backdrop to Jackson Lake as you continue over the more than 9,544 feet high Togwotee Pass and descend into the Wind River Indian Reservation, home to the Arapaho. Pass through the Jackson Hole Area on your way to today's final destination: Casper, a strategic center for the surrounding oil, natural gas, coal and uranium industries.

DAY 7: CASPER – CHEYENNE – ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK/ESTES PARK – BOULDER – DENVER (370m / 592km)
Head south today for the state capitol Cheyenne, named after the plains Indians who roamed this region for centuries. Enter Colorado and exit the main highway for the ascent to Estes Park and the scenic Trail Ridge Road to Rocky Mountain National Park. The Front Range of the Rockies represented in the park is one of the grandest and highest mountain regions in the country. Descend the Rockies via Boulder on the way to the gold rush cow town of Denver.

DAY 8: DENVER
Despite its Wild West beginnings, the State Capitol of Colorado has grown to become a sophisticated and refined cosmopolitan city. With top-notch entertainment and world class museums, Denver offers an abundance of activities for the visitor. From the world-renowned Botanical Gardens to the US Mint or State Capitol building to an afternoon excursion to visit the Coors Brewery in Golden, your day will be memorable.

DAY 9: DENVER – GRAND JUNCTION – CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK – ARCHES NATIONAL PARK – MOAB (355m / 571km)
Leaving metropolitan Denver behind, continue west towards Utah. Stop in Grand Junction, Colorado’s wine country for well deserved break. Later enter the southern Utah wilderness and arrive in Moab on the outskirts of Arches National Park. Formed through the forces of wind and water, the park contains a large number of natural stone arches and makes a perfect setting for a sunset.

DAY 10: MOAB
Day at leisure. Moab is a great starting point for jeep, plane, whitewater rafting, hiking or canoeing trips into the surrounding parks: Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse State Park. The remarkable Arches National Park contains the largest number of natural stone arches in the country and makes a perfect setting for a sunset.

DAY 11: MOAB – BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK (266m / 426km)
Pass through scenic Utah's Grand Staircase and stop in Capitol Reef National Park. This area's name comes from the unusual formation resembling the State Capitol dome. During the late afternoon arrive in a land of hoodoos known as Bryce Canyon National Park. There are easy walks offered along the rim or make it a trek and descend into the spires of supernatural Bryce.

DAY 12: BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK – PAGE/LAKE POWELL NATIONAL RECREATION AREA – GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK (289m / 465km)
Sunrise in Bryce Canyon National Park is a spectacular way to start this day. Page is the site of the massive manmade Lake Powell. Continue to Grand Canyon, one of the world’s most outstanding spectacles. Encounter a world of multi-colored hues reflected on the mile deep walls created by the eroding forces of the Colorado River. At sunset be sure to take in the fantastic, ever-changing panorama of rock formations from the Hopi point.

DAY 13: GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK – LAS VEGAS (275m / 442km)
Crossing the Colorado River and joining pieces of Route 66 you enter the state of Nevada through the Mojave Desert. Before arriving at the hotel, you may want to make a diversion to marvel at the Hoover Dam, one of the highest dams ever constructed. Arrive in Las Vegas, the man-made miracle in the desert.

DAY 14: LAS VEGAS
Relax with a day at leisure. Las Vegas truly is a city that never sleeps. Perhaps try your hand with “Lady Luck” or just lounge at poolside and soak in the sunshine. During the evening take in one of the headlining shows on the "Strip" location to some of the largest and luxurious hotels in the world. Make sure to plan a visit to downtown Las Vegas as well, where you'll find the Fremont Experience light show and plenty of casino action.

DAY 15: LAS VEGAS – LOS ANGELES (285m / 456km)
Depart Las Vegas for the return to California. Pass Baker, a hot desert community better known for its tall thermometer. Make a stop in Calico Ghost Town, once a booming silver town where whiskey was cheaper than water. Calico's attractions include a mine tour, a museum and a train ride. Stop in Barstow for lunch or shopping at the numerous outlet malls lining the freeway. Cross the San Gabriel mountain range past San Bernardino and into the expansive Los Angeles basin.