Golden West Adventure (8500)

14 days from Los Angeles to Los Angeles

2025 Tour Details View 2026 Tour Details »

Come and explore the Golden West on this affordable vacation through California, Arizona, and Nevada. You’ll begin in Los Angeles with guided sightseeing in the “City of Angels.” Take a drive through Hollywood and see the legendary TCL Chinese Theater, the Dolby Theatre, home of the Academy Awards, and the Walk of Fame along Hollywood Boulevard. Stroll through the historic Farmers Market, with more than 80 shops and eateries followed by a visit to Santa Monica Pier. Travel through the California desert to Palm Springs and spend the night in this desert oasis. Continue to Scottsdale in the arid Arizona climate and visit Old Town where Western storefronts create an aura of the past. Visit the red-rock town of Sedona and pass through scenic Oak Creek Canyon and the San Francisco Mountains before arriving at the glorious Grand Canyon, one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World.

Cross the Mojave Desert for two nights in the bright lights of Las Vegas. Try your hand at the blackjack table, play the slot machines, do some shopping, or perhaps see a show. Continue to majestic Yosemite National Park to explore its giant granite domes, cascading waterfalls, and lush forests.

Then on to the “City by the Bay” San Francisco, where sightseeing includes the Golden Gate Bridge, Nob Hill, and Fisherman’s Wharf. Take in the spectacular seaside settings of Monterey and Carmel. Keep an eye out for sea lions and otters off the Old Fisherman’s Wharf and visit Cannery Row—made famous by John Steinbeck’s novel. Drive along legendary 17-Mile Drive to the storybook setting of Carmel by the Sea.

Take in the spectacular coastal scenery along the rugged stretch of Big Sur to visit Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park in the cathedral-like beauty of the California Redwoods. Visit the charming Danish village of Solvang with its Dutch windmills, bakeries, and restaurants. Travel further down the Pacific coastline to Santa Barbara for a photo stop at the historic mission and pier before returning to LA to conclude your memory-filled vacation in the American West!

The world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi (where available). Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!

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Golden West Adventure map
National Park Tours – National Park Foundation

 Photo Highlights

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

4 Breakfasts


Notes:

On vacations that include an overnight stay in Las Vegas, at least one member of the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older.

 Itinerary

Day 1 LOS ANGELES

Welcome to Los Angeles! Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.

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Day 2 LOS ANGELES

Begin the day with a sightseeing tour of Tinseltown. Drive through Hollywood and see the world-famous TCL Chinese Theatre. An historic gem, this cinema (formerly, Grauman’s) has hosted some of the most exclusive movie premieres in Hollywood history. See the Dolby Theatre, the first permanent home of the glamorous Academy Awards, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame where iconic terrazzo stars grace block after city block of Hollywood Boulevard. Explore The Original Farmers Market, with more than 80 shops and restaurants then head to the Santa Monica Pier and the ultimate Southern California beach. The remainder of your day is at leisure; your Tour Director will have suggestions for further exploration of the city.

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Day 3 LOS ANGELES–PALM SPRINGS

Journey to the desert oasis of Palm Springs. Ever since Hollywood stars first came here in the 1930’s laying claim to ranch-style estates and holding up in elite hotels, the clean dry air and sunshine have made Palm Springs irresistible.

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Day 4 PALM SPRINGS–SCOTTSDALE AREA

Travel through cacti-covered desert towards Old Town Scottsdale where Western storefronts create an aura of the past. Enjoy free time to explore a taste of the Old West with the Western bars, wooden beams, wagon wheels, and abundant cowboy hats, you will feel like you have traveled back in time to the era of outlaws and saloons.

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Day 5 SCOTTSDALE AREA–SEDONA–GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK–WILLIAMS

First stop today is a visit to the red rocks of Sedona, a center for Southwestern and New Age arts. Climb through Oak Creek Canyon with its weather-sculpted formations of dramatic, color-tinted crags. Then pass by the San Francisco Mountains and beautiful pine forests to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and be awed by the grandeur and stunning vistas of this natural wonder of the world. See the canyon from the sky aboard an optional helicopter flightseeing excursion for thrilling views of the canyon’s flame-colored walls plunging 6,093 feet into the Colorado River. Stay overnight in Williams, a picturesque mountain town with Route 66 as the main street.

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 6 WILLIAMS–LAS VEGAS

Cross the Mojave, that still has traces of century-old ghost towns set in the natural beauty of the desert. Look out for Joshua trees, a species of the Agave family, that grow to 40 feet high and can live for more than 300 years. Arrive in the man-made oasis in the Nevada desert that is Las Vegas, a fantastic city of feverish gambling, neon lights, and entertaining shows. An orientation tour upon arrival shows off many of the themed casino resorts along the colorful “Strip.” This evening, consider a night on the town with an optional Brazilian steakhouse dinner and find your inner Rat Pack at “Vegas! The Show,” to relive the iconic performances of Sinatra, Elvis, and more legends who made Las Vegas the “Entertainment Capital of the World.”

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BreakfastContinental Breakfast

Day 7 LAS VEGAS

The day is free for exploring on your own. Perhaps try your hand at the blackjack table, check out some of the over-the-top hotel lobbies, or lounge by the pool. Your Tour Director will also have plenty of ideas and can recommend favorite restaurants and shopping areas.

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Day 8 LAS VEGAS–SELMA

Departing the neon lights of Las Vegas, we continue across the desert landscape of Nevada before crossing into California. See the vast Mojave Desert, which covers one-fifth of California. Pass through some of the state’s most productive agricultural land and overnight in Selma in the central San Joaquin Valley.

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Day 9 SELMA–YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK–SONORA

This morning, we enter Yosemite National Park, a wonderland of giant granite domes, towering pinnacles, cascading waterfalls, and lush forests. See magnificent Half Dome, El Capitan, and Bridal Veil Falls. Afterward, drive to Sonora.

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Day 10 SONORA–SAN FRANCISCO

This morning, we continue west to the “City by the Bay” San Francisco, famous for its cable cars. After lunch, included sightseeing takes in the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge, Nob Hill, and bustling Fisherman’s Wharf.

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 11 SAN FRANCISCO

The day is free for you to explore more of this fascinating city. Perhaps visit legendary Alcatraz Island, explore bustling Chinatown, or go on an iconic cable car ride. Take your adventures higher with an optional walk through the soaring 600-year-old redwoods of Muir Woods or view the stunning cityscape on a scenic San Francisco Bay Cruise.

NOTE:
Consider advance ticket purchase for Alcatraz Island with the National Park Service.

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Day 12 SAN FRANCISCO–17 MILE DRIVE–CARMEL–MONTEREY

This morning, travel south to picturesque Monterey, which was once Spain’s Californian capital. Visit Monterey Harbor’s historic Old Fisherman’s Wharf to look for sea lions and otters, then visit Cannery Row, made famous by John Steinbeck’s novel of the same name. Later, take in the spectacular Pacific Ocean waves from legendary 17-Mile Drive and the rugged Pacific coastline en route to Carmel Bay. Nestled in a pine forest beside the picturesque coastline, Carmel by the Sea is a storybook setting not to be missed.

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Day 13 MONTEREY–BIG SUR HIGHWAY–PFEIFFER BIG SUR STATE PARK–SAN LUIS OBISPO–SOLVANG

Today, you will experience one of the most beautiful coastlines anywhere in the world—Big Sur. Experience stunning views, redwood forests, and the Pacific Ocean crashing below. Keep your camera handy, as there will be plenty of scenic photo stops. Visit Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and experience the deep shade and cathedral-like beauty of California Redwoods, and the dramatic mountains meeting the sea. Enjoy time in San Luis Obispo before making your way to Solvang, where Denmark has been recreated with picturesque buildings and windmills. There’s time to walk the flower-lined village streets and enjoy the “Old World” architecture. Tasty bakery treats and perhaps a Danish smorgasbord for dinner all add to the unique experience.

NOTE:
The drive along the coast to Big Sur is dependent on current road conditions on Pacific Coast Highway 1.

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BreakfastContinental Breakfast

Day 14 SOLVANG–SANTA BARBARA–LOS ANGELES

From Solvang, it’s a short drive south to coastal Santa Barbara. There’s time to wander along the vibrant waterfront, visit the pier, or do some shopping in some of the most talked-about boutiques. Then head to Los Angeles International Airport for guests with outbound flights. Please schedule flights after 5 pm.

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 Tour Director

With COSMOS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

JOHN PLOSZAJ

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

“My favorite things to do include travel and meeting wonderfully interesting people from around the world. Luckily, I get to do both as a Tour Director! What I love most about my job is the chance to be an ambassador for the United States. To see the smiles on my travelers' faces at the end of a tour and to know they had a great time and learned a little something about our country is priceless.”

Tour Director - JOHN PLOSZAJ

 Accommodations

 Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyCosmos site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)


Palm Springs
Scottsdale
Williams
Las Vegas
San Francisco

Palm Springs

Palm Springs Aerial Tram

Palm Springs Aerial Tram

Ascend 2.5 miles to a pristine wilderness aboard the Palm Springs Aerial Tram, the world's largest rotating tramcar!

Price Range: $

Scottsdale

Western Dinner at Rustler's Rooste Cowboy Steakhouse

Western Dinner at Rustler's Rooste Cowboy Steakhouse

Bring your appetite and get ready for a real Western dinner experience at Arizona's legendary Rustler's Rooste cowboy steakhouse!

Price Range: $$

Williams

Grand Canyon Helicopter Flightseeing

Grand Canyon Helicopter Flightseeing

There may be no better way to uncover the sheer splendor of the incredible Grand Canyon than from the air! Choose from two helicopter tours with awe-inspiring views, a once in a lifetime opportunity!

Price Range: $$$$

Las Vegas

Hoover Dam

Hoover Dam

Come face to face with one of the world's Top 10 architectural wonders on this captivating tour of Hoover Dam!

Price Range: $$$

Black Canyon Raft Adventure

Black Canyon Raft Adventure

Travel through the breathtaking scenery of the Black Canyon on this exhilarating rafting trip along the legendary Colorado River!

Price Range: $$$$

"Vegas! The Show" The Story of Vegas Entertainment

"Vegas! The Show" The Story of Vegas Entertainment

Savor a hearty dinner of juicy, hand-carved meats at Pampas Brazilian Grille, then enjoy "Vegas! The Show", a toe-tapping musical tribute to the good ol' days of the "real" Las Vegas!

Price Range: $$$$

San Francisco

San Francisco Bay Cruise

San Francisco Bay Cruise

This fully narrated one-hour cruise sails under the majestic Golden Gate Bridge. Experience the thrilling history of San Francisco Bay with all the sound and glory it deserves.

Price Range: $

Muir Woods Tower Tours

Muir Woods Tower Tours

Venture north over the Golden Gate Bridge to an isolated canyon filled with ancient coastal redwood trees, also known as Muir Woods National Monument.

Price Range: $$



The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include International airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Cosmos).