Arrive in Santa Monica for a three night stay at the beach! Forget fears of LA-style traffic jams, or elusive parking: you don’t even need a car here. Instead, explore Santa Monica’s 8.3 walkable square miles on foot, by bike or like the locals by rollerblading. Santa Monica enjoys close proximity to LA’s big-name lures – you could catch a bus to Hollywood or Beverly Hills, or stroll along the beachfront to get to Venice Beach – but it’s also a destination in itself.

Spend a few days soaking up its beachy vibes and sunny outlook, starting with Santa Monica Beach. Discover the different neighbourhoods associated with the LA lifestyle, including hip and trendy West Hollywood (or WeHo if you’re in the know!) and glamorous Beverly Hills.

Head to Las Vegas and spend three nights in this unique city. It has its rivals, but nowhere really comes close to the sheer spectacle that is Las Vegas. With its 24 hour casinos and restaurants, world-class shows and events and themed hotels, it’s a city that has to be seen to be believed. 

Leave the lights behind and drive to Death Valley, where you will stay overnight. This National Park boasts that it is the hottest, driest and lowest and summer temperatures here regularly reach nearly 50 degrees Celsius. The sparkling desert has attracted people for centuries. 

Drive to Mammoth Lakes and spend two nights in the High Sierra. Renowned for its winter activities, there is just as much going on here in the summer, from hiking, mountain climbing, biking, canoeing, kayaking, bird and wildlife watching and much more.

(N.B. between November and May the Tioga Pass into Yosemite is closed, so you would need to go from Las Vegas to Barstow for one night and then on to Yosemite)

Head for Yosemite National Park and enjoy two nights in this popular National Park. There are some great ranger-led programmes, as well as trails and driving loops that allow you to get the most out of your visit.

Continue north to Lake Tahoe. The beautiful lake spans the border between California and Nevada and is a wonderful place to relax by the water, swim, paddle, fish or kite board. There are also many land based activities such as golf, horse riding, hiking and biking. Spend two nights here. 

Your final stop is the City by the Bay, San Francisco, where you will stay for two nights. Drop your car off when you arrive and see the sites on foot, by cable car or street car line. This compact city is easy to get around and you can enjoy Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz, Chinatown and Union Square. 

Depart from San Francisco.