USA Road Trip- The Best of Cali

What's Included

• Accommodation
  Hotel (3 nt), participation camping (5 nts).

• Meals
  5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners

• Welcome Moment

  Meet your CEO and group at the start of the tour.

• Santa Monica and San Luis Obispo Stops

  Enjoy stops in Santa Monica and San Luis Obispo during the journey.

• 17-Mile Drive

  Experience a ride along the scenic 17-Mile drive past Cypress forests.

• San Francisco Orientation Tour

  Participate in an orientation tour of San Francisco.

• Yosemite National Park Visit

  Visit and explore the wonders of Yosemite National Park.

• Surf Lesson in Southern California

  Catch a few waves with a surf lesson in southern California.

• National Parks and Monuments Entrance Fees

  Entrance fees to all national parks and monuments with hiking and walking excursions are included.

• Camping Equipment

  Self-inflating mattresses and dome tents are provided for camping.

• Transport

  All transport between destinations and to/from included activities is provided.

What's Not Included

• Tipping and Gratuities

  Tipping and gratuities are not included in the tour price.

• International Travel

  International travel to and from the tour starting point is not included.

• Airport Transfers

  Transfers to and from the airport are not included.

• Sleeping Bag and Pillow

  Sleeping bag and pillow are not provided and must be brought by the traveler.

Transport

Air-conditioned private vehicle, hiking, walking.

Accommodation

Experience a blend of comfort and adventure with 3 nights in hotels and 5 nights of participation camping. Enjoy the convenience of hotel stays and the thrill of camping under the stars, with all necessary camping equipment provided for a memorable outdoor experience.

Meals Included

5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners

Group Size

Max 13.

Solo Travellers

We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

Meals

All included meals will be prepared from goods bought en route from supermarkets, local shops and markets. Breakfasts will generally consist of breads and cereals, if time allows a warm breakfast may be prepared. Many lunches will be provided en-route and will be light meals such as sandwiches and/or salads. All evening meals will be freshly-prepared hot meals, and will consist of a variety of continental and local dishes.

Mode of Transport

Travel in style and comfort with an air-conditioned private vehicle, perfect for exploring the scenic routes. Enjoy hiking and walking excursions, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes and natural beauty of the destinations.

Minimum Age

Minimum age of 18 years for this trip.

Important Notes

1. Please note that this tour combines with other G Adventures tours. As such, the staff and some travel companions on your tour may continue after this tour ends.



2. An essential part of your trip is participation - from putting up your tent (while camping) or packing it away in the morning, to helping with meal preparation and cleaning up - it is all part of your adventure and when everyone puts in a little effort the trip will run smoothly. Your CEO will do all the meal planning, but we do ask the clients to help with the preparation and washing up. Team spirit is part of the fun! All camping equipment (with the exception of your sleeping bag and pillow) is supplied. We supply dome tents and assembly/disassembly takes only 5 minutes. All tents have built-in insect nets. Comfortable, self-inflating mattresses are also provided, which are approximately 4cm thick.



2. Proper sleeping bags are necessary for this tour. Evening temperatures can reach -9°C - 0°C. Please ensure that your sleeping bag is rated to (-17°C for spring and fall trips and 0°C for trips June - Sept). If you prefer, you can purchase a proper sleeping bag on the first day of the trip. Prices range from $60-$150USD. 



3. In order to cover the vast distance in North America to be able to visit several different parks and cities along our trip, we will have a couple of long driving days.



4. All walks and hikes proposed in this itinerary are moderate to strenuous level. You may choose to participate or not, but exploring our national parks on foot is part of our way of travelling. It’s a healthy way to discover North America’s beauty and landscape.



5. The American West is generally known for warm weather, but temperatures do vary significantly in the mountain and desert areas especially. The day time temperature could exceed 30 C, while the night time temperatures do regularly decrease to single digits, or even possible below freezing. Please be prepared for such extreme conditions.





6. Please note that the legal drinking age in the United States is 21. Many bars and clubs will ask for ID at the door, therefore listening to live music in certain bars or spending a night out in Las Vegas is not possible when you are under the legal age, even if you don't plan on consuming alcohol. Drinking laws are strictly enforced and our CEOs are unable to help those under age obtain alcohol of any kind.



While this should not stop those under legal drinking age from booking a tour, it is important to note that if a traveller is under-age there are certain optional nighttime activities that they may not legally be able to participate in. When trying to book the right trip, we recommend that travellers under legal drinking age take this into consideration when booking a tour that visits several big cities.

Group Leader

This G Adventures group trip is accompanied by one of our group leaders, otherwise known as a Chief Experience Officer (CEO). The CEO will be the group manager, leader and sometimes the driver - this person is knowledgeable in the routes travelled and will organize and lead the meal preparations and has experience in cooking a variety of local and international dishes for large groups.



As the group coordinator and manager, the aim of the CEO is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. They will also offer suggestions for things to do and to see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends.



While our CEOs are trained and have resources to assist them along the way, the United States is the fourth largest country on the planet, and it is impossible for them to know everything about this massive country. We recommend local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting - we think it's the best of both worlds.



Please note that specific tour guide licenses are required to guide in certain cities and regions, and as such, our CEOs will oftentimes provide brief orientation walks or drives to point out useful places like supermarkets, main squares and ATMs but for more specific or in depth destination information, an official guided tour is recommended.

About Accommodation

Accommodation will be varied throughout your adventure. Most of the nights on tour are spent camping in tents in public and private campgrounds, but we will also use permanent canvas tents, twin-share rooms in hostels, and simple motels.





Please be aware that American campgrounds have various sites available and because of this there will likely be RVs, camper-trailers, popups and tent camping all on one property.



All camping equipment (with the exception of your sleeping bag and pillow) is supplied, including comfortable camp mattresses. We supply dome tents that take only 5 minutes to assemble/disassemble. They are good quality, durable, industry-standard, oversized 2-person tents, each with 2 separate and convenient zip-up doors, so that each person has his/her own entrance.



We use 2 types of campgrounds in North America:

1. Private campgrounds: These are privately run sites, usually with all services such as fire pits, picnic tables, drinking water, toilets & shower buildings. Some have small outdoor swimming pools and laundry facilities. These campgrounds are typically located near national park entrances or towns.



2. Public campgrounds: These are park-run sites, usually with basic facilities such as fire pits, picnic tables, and drinking water. In some cases, this type of campground doesn’t have showers, only pit toilets and a lake! In other locations, toilet and shower facilities may be located outside the campground, or at times in another location a drive away. Some may have shower fees for onsite facilities ($2-6/shower).

What to Take

You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible.



For days in the outdoors, we recommend the use of lightweight, breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics made of wool or synthetic fibers. Cotton is not recommended for days spent hiking as it does not allow for heat or moisture to enter or escape, and it will not dry easily once wet.



We recommend using a backpack for your convenience, or a medium-sized suitcase if you prefer. Heavy luggage is not recommended for the health of the CEO, who will take a lead in loading the storage trailer. Due to space in the trailer, we will not be able to accommodate more than one piece of main luggage per person. A good size day-pack (20-35L) is also essential to carry your personal gear for the day, as access to luggage between destinations will be limited. This daypack will be used to carry your personal gear for the day, your lunch and a water bottle.



The American west is generally known for warm weather, but temperatures do vary significantly in the mountain and desert areas especially. The day time temperature could exceed 30 C, while the night time temperatures do regularly decrease to single digits, or even possible below freezing. It is therefore important to pack clothes for warm days and cool evenings - a light jacket is necessary.



Seasonal temperature ranges:

March - May ; September to December: -7 C to +30 C

June – August: 0 C to + 35 C



Additionally, a set of smart casual clothes is also advisable.

Spending Money

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

Enquire for Extra Savings

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