Chicago to Golden Gate
Chicago to Golden Gate
Chicago to Golden Gate
14 Days Starting in Chicago and ending in San Francisco
Visiting: USA
Tour operator:
Tour code:
UCGG
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 55
Age range:
18-59
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Witness the flair and beauty of America’s gems from the Midwest to the South Coast with a road-trip adventure in 14 jam-packed days. As you travel from Chicago to the west, you will uncover the natural treasures around the Mississippi and the charms of pastoral life in rural Wyoming. Pay a visit to Yellowstone here to have a glimpse of the earth in full motion. You will cover plenty of iconic spots with your local guide. Teton Mountains and the Mormon state of Utah await, where you will experience memorable moments learning about the local mountain culture. Passing through a series of fascinating national parks including the Grand Canyon, make a stop at the Route 66 highlight Seligman. Get into the city vibes in Las Vegas, because a night of boundless gaming and partying will captivate you. Hit Santa Barbara and finally the fashionable San Francisco before you say goodbye.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Chicago
Welcome to Chicago! Meet your group and tour leader in the evening for an informal welcome at the hotel.
Until then, feel free to roam the famous downtown of Chicago like a local or rest up for our great adventure ahead!
Accommodation
Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile - 3 Star
Day 2: Chicago
Start the day with a short tour of the city's highlights including Lake Shore Drive, the Magnificent Mile and Navy Pier.
Enjoy your personal leisure time for the rest of the day to explore the 'Windy City' Chicago on your own terms.
Freely marvel at the fascinatingly bold architecture of downtown Chicago or the inspiring artworks in one of the famous museums in town.
Accommodation
Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile - 3 Star
Meals Included
Breakfast
Included Activities
Sightseeing of Lake Shore Drive
Sightseeing of the Magnificent Mile
Sightseeing of Navy Pier
Day 3: Chicago - Mississippi River Crossing - Sioux Falls
Travel through the Midwest along farms abundant in corn and wheat fields and dairy farms.
Crossing the mighty Mississippi River, we ride into the state of Iowa to arrive just as Lewis & Clark Expedition did two centuries ago on the banks of the Missouri River.
We make our way to Sioux Falls for a refreshing rest.
Accommodation
Comfort Suites - 3 Star
Included Activities
Sightseeing of Mississippi River
Day 4: Sioux Falls - Badlands National Park - Mt. Rushmore - Rapid City
Travel westward through the vast and lush grasslands of South Dakota and onwards to Badlands National Park.
This natural wonderland, once home to the buffalo and antelope, is filled with amazing colorful natural rock formations.
Then we continue on to the Black Hills, sacred to the Native Indians and home to the famous Mount Rushmore.
After we finish soaking in the unforgettable views, we depart for Rapid City to spend the night.
Accommodation
Best Western Ramkota Hotel - 3 Star
Included Activities
Sightseeing of Badlands National Park
Sightseeing of Mt.
Rushmore National Memorial
Day 5: Rapid City - Bighorn Mountains - Cody
We continue our journey towards the wondrous lands of Wyoming, also known as "Equality State", home to twelve mountain ranges intermixed with vast deserts and rolling grasslands.
We will be resting for a big day tomorrow in Cody.
In case overnight in Cody is not possible due to poor weather or adverse road conditions in Yellowstone, we will be spending the night in Billings Livingston, Montana.
Accommodation
Buffalo Bill Village - 3 Star
Day 6: Cody – Yellowstone National Park
Drive past the mountains of Wyoming to Yellowstone, America's first National Park! Tag along your expert guide to on a tour of this immense geothermal wonderland which includes waterfalls, geysers, canyons, colourful wildlife and more! Some of the incredible highlights will be Yellowstone Lake, Old Faithful, Yellowstone Canyon's majestic falls, and the beautiful Hayden Valley.
Accommodation
Kelly Inn West Yellowstone - 3 Star
Included Activities
Sightseeing of Yellowstone National Park
Day 7: Yellowstone – Grand Teton National Park – Salt Lake City
Today we travel through Grand Teton National Park, as long as the weather permits, to witness magnificent mountain peaks towering over 4,000 metres and the local wildlife.
Visit the Snake River Outlook and try your eye at capturing the stunning landscape made famous by Ansel Adam's iconic shot in black and white.
Arriving in Utah, known for its Mormon Community, embark on a short tour of its capital, Salt Lake City.
See how Mormon followers of Brigham Young built one of the best-planned cities in the country.
We visit the State Capital building, famed Temple Square and the Tabernacle before arriving at our hotel for the evening.
May we suggest an optional dinner at the Rooftop Restaurant for panoramic views of Temple Square?
Accommodation
Crystal Inn Hotel & Suites - 3 Star
Included Activities
Panoramic Sightseeing of Grand Teton National Park
Sightseeing of Snake River
Sightseeing of State Capital Building & Temple Square & the Tabernacle
Day 8: Salt Lake City – Bryce Canyon National Park
Embark for a journey to the spectacular Bryce Canyon and follow your guide on a tour through a multi-coloured world of sandstone spires and pinnacles, also known as “hoodoos”, that dazzle the eye.
This evening, weather permitting, make sure to gaze upon the enchanting night-sky with sparkling stars & breath-taking constellations.
Accommodation
Bryce View Lodge
Meals Included
Breakfast
Included Activities
Sightseeing of Bryce Canyon
Day 9: Bryce Canyon – Lake Powell – Grand Canyon – Flagstaff
Departing Bryce Canyon, we ride onwards to the stunning Lake Powell, where canyon walls of red-rock tower over crystal blue waters.
Lake Powell is the second-largest man-made lake in America, part of a series of lakes formed after the damming of the Colorado River.
Our next stop will be the world-famous Grand Canyon National Park, one of the seven great natural wonders and most impressive sceneries of the world! Pause at the rim of the Canyon to fully experience and appreciate this mile-deep canyon and all its plunging gorges, rising spires, extinct volcanoes, and the snaking Colorado River.
Riding on the Historic Route 66, Flagstaff will be where we dream of the sights of the day.
Accommodation
Days Flagstaff (or similar)
Meals Included
Breakfast
Included Activities
Sightseeing of Lake Powell
Grand Canyon National Park Visit
Sightseeing of Route 66
Day 10: Flagstaff – Seligman/Route 66 – Las Vegas
Viva Las Vegas! In the morning, we hit the road for Las Vegas, the dazzling “Entertainment Capital of the World”.
On the way, we will pass through the authentic town of Seligman on the famed Route 66, which looks as if it froze in time sixty years ago.
Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure exploring the world-renowned Las Vegas Strip.
Accommodation
The Strat - 4 Star
Included Activities
Panoramic tour of Seligman Town
Day 11: Las Vegas – Mojave Desert – Beverly Hills – Los Angeles
Riding towards the western coast to Los Angeles, enjoy views of the scenic Mojave Desert with characteristic Joshua trees clustered on the mountainous backdrop.
Arriving in L.
A.
, join your guide for a tour through the “City of Angels” including famed spots as Hollywood, Sunset Strip and parts of Beverly Hills, before reaching our hotel.
Accommodation
Sonesta Los Angeles Airport - 4 Star
Included Activities
Panoramic tour of the Mojave Desert
Sightseeing of Hollywood & Sunset Strip & Beverly Hills
Day 12: Los Angeles
The day is yours is to shape to your wishes! We would recommend an optional full-day tour to Universal Studios, the world's largest theme park and movie studio! Capture an inside look at the movie sets and reveal behind-the-scene secrets of iconic films, or enjoy some of the Studios' thrilling feature rides.
Accommodation
Sonesta Los Angeles Airport - 4 Star
Optional Activities
Universal Studios Tour
Day 13: Los Angeles – Santa Barbara – Central Coast
Leaving Los Angeles in the morning, we ride north through one of California's favorite vacation spots, Santa Barbara.
Soak in views of palm-lined streets bordering vast white sandy beaches.
The city is known for its mission and Spanish heritage.
Along the way, we will make a stop at an iconic California lifeguard tower, particularly made famous by the TV series “Baywatch”.
We continue to Santa Maria along the Central Coast for a rejuvenating night's rest.
Accommodation
Historic Santa Maria Inn - 3 Star
Included Activities
Sightseeing of California Lifeguard Tower
Day 14: Central Coast – Carmel/Monterey – San Francisco
We continue our journey further north to Carmel, boasting fairytale-like cottages and galleries, and home of the world-famous actor/director Clint Eastwood.
Freely browse the shops and galleries of the acclaimed artists' colony.
Traveling further north, we make a stop at Monterey's Old Fisherman's Wharf.
Stroll along the Pier to Cannery Row, well-known thanks to John Steinbeck's timeless novel.
Passing lush valleys of Castroville and Santa Clara, we arrive in San Francisco, the “Golden City.
” Our trip will end here after we bid farewell to newly-made friends.
Included Activities
Old Fisherman's Wharf visit
Sightseeing of Cannery Row
What's Included
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Accommodation
4 and 3 star hotels & inns, superior lodges
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Meals
5 Breakfasts
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Transportation
A/C coach or mini-bus
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Tour Guiding
Services of experienced tour leaders
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Orientation Walks
Organised orientation walks at some of the towns visited
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Free Wi-Fi
Complimentary hotel and coach Wi-Fi ( where available )
What's Not Included
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Any flights not mentioned above
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Travel Insurance
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Meals not stated above
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Items of a personal nature
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Tips and gestures
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Entrance fees to the sights and museums
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Optional activities
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Other services not stated in the itinerary
Add Ons
Local Payment: £0
Check out our Q&As
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Are flights included in this tour?
No
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
No passenger under the age of 21
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
No
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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What is the maximum group size?
Maximum group size is 55
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
There are always single travellers on our tours. If you don't mind being roomed with another single traveller of the same gender, then you do not need to pay a single supplement, however, this excludes all of our North American tours where the sharing option for a solo traveller is not available, and the single supplement must be applied if you are travelling alone. The single supplement is for travellers who would like to stay in a private room for the duration of the tour. PLEASE NOTE: The single private option is not always available, especially for sailing tours and camping.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Our tours are suitable for any traveller above 18 years old. The majority of Travel Talkers are from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada or Europe, however we always have travellers from all over the world. What brings them together is a passion for travel, discovering authentic cultures and experiencing unique adventures with like-minded travellers.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Travel Talk, we believe that travel is a force for good and show our support through various initiatives and charity organizations, as well as keeping the principals of responsible and sustainable travel at the core of our ethos. These values are engrained in our business culture and the design of our trips just the same. Together with our guests, we strive to make a positive impact on local p
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Over 20 years
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Free Date Changes
CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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