Golden West Adventure (8500)

14 days from Los Angeles to Los Angeles

2027 Tour Details View 2026 Tour Details »

Experience the best of the American West on a journey that combines iconic cities, spectacular national parks, dramatic desert landscapes, and scenic coastal drives. Begin in Los Angeles with sightseeing that includes Hollywood, the TCL Chinese Theatre, and the Dolby Theatre before traveling to the desert oasis of Palm Springs and the striking red-rock landscapes of Sedona.

Visit Grand Canyon National Park, where sweeping views from the South Rim reveal one of the world's most remarkable natural wonders. Continue to Las Vegas, where you'll have free time to explore the city's famous resorts, entertainment, and nightlife.

Discover the towering granite cliffs, waterfalls, and forests of Yosemite National Park before heading to San Francisco, home to the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, and Fisherman's Wharf. Follow California's scenic coastline through Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea, travel along famed 17-Mile Drive, and enjoy views of the rugged Big Sur coast.

Complete your journey with visits to the Danish-inspired village of Solvang and the coastal city of Santa Barbara before returning to Los Angeles. From world-famous landmarks to unforgettable natural scenery, this Western adventure showcases some of the most celebrated destinations in the United States.

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).

Your Tour Includes:
• Guided sightseeing in Los Angeles and San Francisco, featuring famous landmarks, scenic waterfronts, and iconic neighborhoods
• Orientation tours in Palm Springs and Las Vegas
• Entrance fees and guided sightseeing in Grand Canyon National Park home to unforgettable vistas & Yosemite National Park, home to towering granite cliffs, waterfalls, and giant sequoias
• Scenic drive along 17-Mile Drive with guided sightseeing from Monterey to Carmel-by-the-Sea, featuring dramatic coastal scenery and ocean views
• Entrance fee to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, surrounded by towering redwoods and the rugged beauty of the Big Sur coastline

Dates & Prices Book Online

800.646.5374

Photo Highlights

Meals

Meals & Itinerary

3 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.

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

Itinerary

Day 1 LOS ANGELES

Welcome to Los Angeles! Your Tour Director is available from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. to answer any questions.

After settling into your hotel, enjoy time to explore on your own. Visit nearby art museums, The Broad or the Museum of Contemporary Art, sample the city’s diverse dining scene, or simply relax and unwind before your adventure begins.

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Day 2 LOS ANGELES

Begin the day with a sightseeing tour of Hollywood. See the famous TCL Chinese Theatre, one of the most iconic movie palaces in the United States, and the Dolby Theatre, home of the Academy Awards.

Continue along Hollywood Boulevard to view the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, where thousands of terrazzo stars honor the achievements of individuals in film, television, music, radio, and live performance.

Visit The Original Farmers Market, a Los Angeles landmark featuring dozens of shops and eateries, then head to Santa Monica to enjoy the historic pier and views of the Pacific coastline.

The remainder of your day is at leisure. Your Tour Director will be happy to offer suggestions for making the most of your time in Los Angeles.

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Day 3 LOS ANGELES–PALM SPRINGS

Travel to Palm Springs, a desert resort city known for its year-round sunshine, mountain scenery, and distinctive mid-century architecture. Once a retreat for Hollywood stars, like Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant, and Elizabeth Taylor, Palm Springs remains one of Southern California’s most popular vacation destinations.

Enjoy time to explore the area or choose an optional ride aboard the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Featuring the world's largest rotating tramcar, the journey climbs more than 8,000 feet into the San Jacinto Mountains, offering spectacular views of Chino Canyon and the Coachella Valley below.

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Day 4 PALM SPRINGS–SCOTTSDALE-PHOENIX

Travel through the Sonoran Desert to Old Town Scottsdale, where historic storefronts, western-inspired architecture, art galleries, and local boutiques reflect the city’s blend of Old West heritage and modern Southwestern culture.

Enjoy free time to explore unique shops, relax at a sidewalk café, discover local art, or soak up the atmosphere in this unique desert city.

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Day 5 PHOENIX-SEDONA–GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK–WILLIAMS

Today’s first stop is Sedona, renowned for its striking red-rock formations, vibrant arts community, and spectacular desert scenery. Then travel through scenic Oak Creek Canyon, where towering cliffs and colorful rock formations line the winding route.

Continue north past the San Francisco Peaks and through ponderosa pine forests before arriving at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Take in sweeping views of one of North America's most iconic landscapes, carved by the Colorado River over millions of years.

For a different perspective, consider an exhilarating optional helicopter flightseeing excursion above the canyon. Later, continue to Williams, a historic Route 66 town, for an overnight stay.

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Breakfast

Day 6 WILLIAMS–LAS VEGAS

Travel across the Mojave Desert, passing rugged landscapes dotted with Joshua trees and remnants of historic mining communities. Along the way, experience the vast open spaces and dramatic scenery that define the American Southwest.

Arrive in Las Vegas, the “Entertainment Capital of the World.” An orientation tour introduces you to the city’s famous resorts, themed hotels, and iconic Las Vegas Strip.

The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy. Perhaps try your luck at the casinos, explore the city's renowned dining scene, or consider an optional evening excursion that includes dinner and a performance of Vegas! The Show, celebrating the entertainers who helped make Las Vegas famous.

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Continental Breakfast

Day 7 LAS VEGAS

Enjoy a full day at leisure to experience Las Vegas your way. Explore the city’s famous resorts, shop, relax by the pool, or discover the over-the-top hotels and attractions found along the Strip.

You may also choose from a variety of optional excursions, including a visit to Hoover Dam, one of America’s greatest engineering achievements, or a rafting adventure through Black Canyon on the Colorado River.

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Day 8 LAS VEGAS–SELMA

Leave the bright lights of Las Vegas behind as you travel across the wide-open desert landscapes of Nevada and into California. Pass through the vast Mojave Desert before entering the fertile agricultural heartland of the San Joaquin Valley, one of the most productive farming regions in the United States.

Continue to Selma for an overnight stay in California's Central Valley.

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Day 9 SELMA–YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK–SONORA

This morning, enter Yosemite National Park, one of America’s most celebrated national treasures. Discover a landscape of towering granite cliffs, waterfalls, forests, and mountain valleys shaped by glaciers over millions of years.

View some of Yosemite’s most iconic landmarks, including Half Dome, El Capitan, and Bridalveil Falls, while taking in the spectacular scenery that has inspired visitors for generations.

Later, continue to Sonora for an overnight stay.

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Day 10 SONORA–SAN FRANCISCO

Travel west to San Francisco, the “City by the Bay,” and one of America’s most iconic destinations. Famous for its hills, waterfront setting, and historic cable cars San Francisco offers a unique blend of history, culture, and scenery.

This afternoon, enjoy included sightseeing featuring the Golden Gate Bridge, Nob Hill, and lively Fisherman’s Wharf.

This evening is free to explore. Perhaps discover one of the city's diverse neighborhoods or enjoy the innovative culinary scene that has helped make San Francisco a world-renowned food destination.

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Breakfast

Day 11 SAN FRANCISCO

Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore San Francisco. Visit legendary Alcatraz Island, stroll through the colorful streets of Chinatown, or ride one of the city's historic cable cars.

You may also choose from a variety of optional excursions. Walk among the towering redwoods of Muir Woods, enjoy a scenic cruise on San Francisco Bay for views of the city's skyline and waterfront, or take a guided e-bike ride across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge to the seaside town of Sausalito.

NOTE:
Advance ticket purchases are recommended for Alcatraz Island through the National Park Service.

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

This morning, travel south to Monterey and visit historic Old Fisherman's Wharf, where you may spot sea lions, otters, and other marine wildlife. Continue to Cannery Row, the former sardine-packing district made famous by John Steinbeck's novel of the same name.

Later, enjoy spectacular coastal scenery along famed 17-Mile Drive as you travel toward Carmel Bay. Surrounded by cypress trees and white-sand beaches, Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for its storybook cottages, art galleries, and charming village atmosphere.

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

Today's journey follows California's spectacular Big Sur coast, where rugged cliffs, redwood forests, and sweeping Pacific Ocean views create some of the state's most dramatic scenery. Enjoy scenic photo stops along the route as you take in this remarkable stretch of coastline.

Visit Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, known for its towering redwoods and mountain landscapes, before continuing to San Luis Obispo with free time to explore the charming downtown area.

Later, arrive in Solvang, a Danish-inspired village known for its distinctive architecture, windmills, bakeries, and European atmosphere. Enjoy time to stroll the village streets, browse local shops, and sample Danish specialties.

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

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Day 14 SOLVANG–SANTA BARBARA–LOS ANGELES

This morning, travel south to the coastal city of Santa Barbara, known for its Spanish Colonial architecture, palm-lined waterfront, and relaxed California charm. See the historic Santa Barbara Mission, often referred to as the "Queen of the Missions."

Enjoy free time to stroll along the waterfront, visit Stearns Wharf, browse local boutiques, or simply soak up the seaside atmosphere before continuing to Los Angeles.

For guests with outbound flights, transfer to Los Angeles International Airport. Please schedule flights after 5:00 p.m. Guests extending their stay will be transferred to the Westin Bonaventure Hotel.

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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.”

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

Williams

Palm Springs

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: $

Williams

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: $$$$

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).