Basix
Real San Francisco to LA
4.8
Excellent
20 reviews
13 days
Start
San Francisco, USA
Finish
Santa Monica, USA
Trip Code
SSYG
Min Age
18
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Transport
Private vehicle
Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (8 nights), Hotel (3 nights), Hostel (multishare) (1 night)
From £2,239(13 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Cover Yosemite’s many trails over two full days and three nights dedicated to the park, exploring with your leader and having your own time to hike or bike your way around.
Discover Utah’s natural wonders at Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park – home to red-walled cliffs, towering hoodoos and vast horizons.
Spend two nights getting your fill of the winding gorges and rock formations of the Grand Canyon, and take a leader-led tour of the South Rim.
Appreciate the spectacle of Vegas as you explore this glitzy, neon-filled city at all hours of the day with plenty of time and flexibility to do as you please – night out, anyone?
Bookend your trip with visit to two of the United States’ most iconic cities. Check out San Francisco’s highlights at your own pace, and then finish with the bright lights of Los Angeles.
Is this trip right for you?
Your accommodation on this trip will be a combination of camping and budget hotels. On the days you’re camping, this will be a participatory trip – meaning you should be prepared to help with activities like setting up camp, food prep and washing up. We’ll provide tents, sleeping pads and camp cookware, but you’ll need to bring your own sleeping bag and pillow.
That teamwork also extends to our optional food kitty of approximately USD 20 per day, run to cover the cost of meals. The kitty is optional and for your convenience, so if you've got specific dietary requirements you can opt out and purchase (and cook) your own food.
From the steep hiking trails of the various national parks to the hilly San Francisco, this trip can involve a lot of walking. Please ensure you bring sturdy walking shoes and comfortable clothes. To make the most of the trip, it's best to have at least a moderate fitness level.
This trip includes time spent travelling in a private vehicle with your group. Space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped, but it’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
You’ll be travelling through deserts and mountains, which means temperatures can vary significantly from hot to cold. Research the weather conditions to determine the best time to travel for you, and come prepared with adequate clothing.
Your accommodation on this trip will be a combination of camping and budget hotels. On the days you’re camping, this will be a participatory trip – meaning you should be prepared to help with activities like setting up camp, food prep and washing up. We’ll provide tents, sleeping pads and camp cookware, but you’ll need to bring your own sleeping bag and pillow.
That teamwork also extends to our optional food kitty of approximately USD 20 per day, run to cover the cost of meals. The kitty is optional and for your convenience, so if you've got specific dietary requirements you can opt out and purchase (and cook) your own food.
From the steep hiking trails of the various national parks to the hilly San Francisco, this trip can involve a lot of walking. Please ensure you bring sturdy walking shoes and comfortable clothes. To make the most of the trip, it's best to have at least a moderate fitness level.
This trip includes time spent travelling in a private vehicle with your group. Space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped, but it’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
You’ll be travelling through deserts and mountains, which means temperatures can vary significantly from hot to cold. Research the weather conditions to determine the best time to travel for you, and come prepared with adequate clothing.
Itinerary
Traverse the national parks, coasts and cities of California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah
Head out on an iconic 13-day road trip from San Franciso to Los Angeles, stopping in at the best of the West’s national parks along the way. See desert landscapes in Bryce Canyon National Park, mountain ranges in the Sierra Nevada, the great expanses of the Grand Canyon and the iconic trails of Yosemite. Sprinkle in a ride along the famous Route 66, and two nights soaking in the bright lights of Las Vegas, all with a group of new friends and an expert local leading the way, this trip has all your bases covered.
Inclusions
Transport
Private vehicle
Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (8 nights), Hotel (3 nights), Hostel (multishare) (1 night)
Included activities
Yosemite National Park - Entrance Fee
Yosemite National Park - Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias
Mono Lake - Visit
Zion National Park - Entrance Fee
Zion National Park - Leader-led hike
Bryce Canyon National Park - Entrance Fee
Grand Canyon National Park - Entrance Fee
Grand Canyon - Leader-led South Rim tour
Seligman - Route 66
Joshua Tree National Park - Entrance Fee
Optional activities
Yosemite National Park - Hiking - Free
Yosemite - Cycling in Yosemite Valley - USD12
Yosemite - River Float Raft Rental (seasonal) - USD30
Bishop - Keough Hot Springs - USD15
Las Vegas - Monorail - USD5
Las Vegas - Eiffel Tower - USD22
Las Vegas - Mob Museum - USD27
Las Vegas - Neon Museum - USD20
Las Vegas - Bellagio Fountains - Free
Bryce Canyon National Park - Hiking - Free
Grand Canyon - IMAX Movie - USD15
Joshua Tree National Park - Hiking - Free
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
Prices From
















Important notes
1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6:00pm on Day 1 in San Francisco and finishes on arrival into Los Angeles at approximately 4pm on Day 13 (depending on traffic). The arrival time into Los Angeles depends on each group, but if you decide to fly out on this day, please don't book a flight before 9 pm.
2. In San Francisco the group will be in 8 and 6 person dorms, with shared bathrooms. The hostel will do their best to separate the group by gender, but it's not guaranteed.
3. A single supplement to have your own room (or tent) is available on this trip however excludes night 1 (San Francisco) where you will be in shared accommodation.
4. A sleeping bag is required for this trip.
5. Please note that the legal drinking age in the US is 21 and in some parts of Canada it's 19.
6. We are not able to book airport shuttle services for North America trips. North America has convenient taxi and rideshare options from all airports, as well as public transport systems in major hub cities. Please check the joining and finishing point instructions listed in the Essential Trip Information.
Reviews (25)
5 stars
20
4 stars
5
Jessica
Sep 10, 2025
I had the best time! This was my first time travelling with intrepid and on a group tour, I’ll definitely be doing more in the future!!
Charlotte
Sep 06, 2025
Great way to see the West Coast National Parks and to try out camping in the US!
Phoebe
Aug 24, 2025
This trip was an amazing experience that felt really personal to our group. The pace and activities were so well-suited to everyone, and it never felt like a “one-size-fits-all” schedule. Each day flowed naturally, with the right mix of adventure, relaxation, and fun, and it always felt like we were getting the most out of every moment. The organisation was seamless, which meant we could just enjoy ourselves without stress. Having Justin as our leader really brought everything together – he was attentive and thoughtful, and his little touches made the whole experience even more memorable. Overall, it felt like the trip was shaped around us, and that made it something truly special.
Jess
Aug 22, 2025
This trip was incredible, Justin is an absolute gem and I am so lucky to have him, he organized everything so well and always made sure we were fed and safe, he is the most fun person and he made this the trip of a lifetime! ❤️
Eliana
Aug 05, 2025
Intrepid, the San Fran to LA tour, and our trip leader, Regan, was the most wonderful experience I could have asked for!
Isabella
Jul 05, 2025
Such a fun trip from start to finish! Great guide, chilled pace, saw lots in the parks, enjoyed some hikes and camping out under the stars roasting smores. You’ll have a great time!
Ashlee
Jun 25, 2025
This trip completely changed how I feel about travelling in a small group. I'm so glad I took that step - now I have friends across the world I can send memes to.
Mollie
Jun 03, 2025
Highly recommend this tour for young people who want to see sights of America they would maybe miss, especially those not able to hire a car. Great friendships, amazing sights and great experience of camping and hiking! Don't miss it...
Sophie
Jun 11, 2024
Loved the trip, I had a great group and lots of fun, enjoyed all the hikes and national parks
Alice
Oct 10, 2023
Highly recommend this trip if you enjoy the outdoors! You will see some amazing natural wonders and get to hike some great trails. Also great to do as a solo traveller as you’ll meet like-minded people!
Friends and Family Travel is an agent of Intrepid Travel. All Trip content and associated images are copyright of Intrepid Travel.
You are protected
Contact Information
Call us at
0208 058 4003
Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM GMT.
Contact our customer support
contact@friendsandfamily.travel
We’ll get back to you within 24 hours.

© 2024 Friends and Family Travel | All rights reserved.