Visit Laguna Beach, Palm Springs, Joshua Tree NP, Grand Canyon NP, Las Vegas, Death Valley NP, Yosemite NP, Napa Valley, San Francisco, Monterey, Big Sur & LA

Fly into Los Angeles, pick up your wheels and cruise down Highway 1 for 50 miles until you reach lovely Laguna Beach. This wealthy area of Orange County began as an escape destination for artists and is packed with independent galleries and artisan boutiques. Today, it's a quintessential California surf town and a charming place to find your feet Stateside as you begin your Best of the West adventure.

Discover Laguna Beach’s coves, galleries and millionaire homes. Many of the stylish homes hang on the cliff edges above small secluded beach coves, pick out your favourite as you stroll along the pristine beaches. Enjoy activities such as surfing, sunbathing and kayaking in this sun-drenched part of the California coast.

Spend the morning by the pool or watching the sunrise on the beach. After checking out of your hotel, start the car and take the picturesque Highway 74 to Sinatra’s favourite getaway, Palm Springs. Like a mirage in the desert, Palm Springs offers you luxurious shelter from the deserts surrounding it. Lay out by the pool, enjoy a round of golf or check out the town's modernist architecture.

Joshua Tree National Park is an alien landscape characterized by rugged rock formations, stark desert landscapes and twisted Joshua trees that are found here in abundance. The Park straddles a large area between the cactus-dotted Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert to the north. After you've explored Joshua for a while, continue east to the desert oasis of Lake Havasu City. Upon arrival, you can visit the original London Bridge, which was imported to the US from London back in the 1970s.

The world's largest hole is an awe-inspiring natural wonder, that should be high on everyone's life list. Two billion years in the making, the Colorado River has forged a mile deep, 18 miles wide and 277-mile long gouge into Arizona. Take in the stunning views from the popular south rim whilst enjoying the ever-changing colours during sunset and sunrise.

You’ll join an old section of Route 66 today before heading over the Hoover Dam and entering lively Las Vegas. World-class hotels, shopping, food and entertainment can all be enjoyed during your two-night stay. Want to stay longer? No problem, just let us know when you request your quote.

Enjoy your second day in Las Vegas. If your head hurts after a big night out, then maybe you should relax by one of the amazing pools that adorn every hotel. Alternatively, you may want to explore the legendary 'Strip', book tickets to a show or shop until you drop.

The extreme climate and geology create a forbidding, but beautiful natural environment. The roads here are simply superb, they dip up and down and curve around endless corners before straightening out as you drop to 85 meters below sea level in the salt flats of Badwater. Other highlights include Zabriskie Point, Artist’s Palette and the Sand Dunes to the west.

Drive north up the scenic Highway 395, with deserts to the right and alpine mountains to the left. Once you reach the weird and wonderful Mono Lake, you can head west over the Tioga Pass (June-October) and into majestic Yosemite National Park.

Yosemite National Park is over 1,000 square kilometres of nature at its very best. The most visited area of the Park is the Valley Floor where you'll find vast rock faces, abundant wildlife, staggering views and stunning waterfalls. Leave enough time to visit Glacier Point, which we believe offers the best views in all Yosemite.

Lake Tahoe is completely surrounded by snow-capped alpine mountains, this natural wonder is quite a sight to behold. During the winter months classy ski resorts can be enjoyed and in the summer you can kayak on the crystal clear waters or relax on one of the beaches.

Take the Lincoln Highway to the state capital - Sacramento. After a quick exploration, you’ll continue west through rolling hills of the Napa and Sonoma Valley wine region. Why not enjoy one of the many vineyard tours available in the area. Additionally, you can take a drive along one of our favourite roads in California - The Silverado Trail.

The Golden Gate Bridge spans the headlands of Marin County and San Francisco, this is one of the world's most beautiful bridges and a delightful experience whether you walk, bike or drive across. You can gain stunning views by driving up Conzelman Road on the north side of the bridge.

Once the fog lifts, one of America’s favourite cities will be revealed. Ride a cable car, climb the streets and get into the vibe that only this city can offer. Full of Victorian charm, famous movie locations and wealthy tech companies, San Francisco has it all.

A second full day to explore San Fran’s must-see places which will be listed in your personalised Road Trip Pack. These “must see” places include Coit Tower, Lombard Street, the Painted Ladies, Union Square and Alcatraz to name just a few. Whilst you’re in San Francisco you simply must experience some of the best Chinese food in the world, thanks to the large Chinese community that call this city home.

Monterey was once California’s capital, however, today it's best known for the world-class Monterey Bay Aquarium presiding on Cannery Row. This town was also famous for its whaling and sardine industry, it now focuses on marine education and preservation. Want to experience the bay first hand? Take a whale watching trip from Fisherman’s Wharf. In the early evening, cruise along the famous “17-Mile Drive” on your way to Carmel-by-the-Sea. You’ll pass millionaire mansions, Pebble Beach Golf Club and a beautiful rugged coastline along the way.

Carmel offers two world-class beaches backed by a small town made up of beautiful homes, quaint streets and fabulous restaurants. The wild and wonderful Point Lobos is just a couple of miles south of Carmel. Here you can see Seal Lions give birth to pups on beautiful beaches, sea otters frolicking in the ocean and whales slowly migrating.

Big Sur is arguably the best driving experience in all America. Enjoy the winding roads, State Parks and stunning vistas. Along the way, Hearst Castle perches on “The Enchanted Hill” and overlooks the Pacific Ocean in the distance. Hearst Castle is truly the product of one man's ambition, wealth and imagination, if you're keen to visit here then an overnight in Cambria is key as there's a lot to see. Onwards to Santa Barbara, built in a charming Mediterranean style - thus making it one of the Central coasts best highlights.

Spend the morning in sunny Santa Barbara. After lunch, you’ll then continue driving south down the Pacific Coast Highway passing Malibu’s beaches and coastal homes until you reach Santa Monica in Los Angeles. Santa Monica with its “Baywatch” beaches and old-fashioned Pier is a worthy stop to finish your road trip. Hire a bike and cruise the boardwalk down to Venice Beach or shop your heart out on 3rd Street Promenade.

Tinseltown is synonymous with glitz and glamour, and although many of the studios have now moved on to other parts of the city, it's still fun to visit the home of the Oscars and walk Hollywood Boulevard looking for the handprints of your favourite movie stars. Just a short drive northeast of here lies the Griffith Observatory perched high on a hill overlooking the urban sprawl of LA, this landmark is well worth a visit and is great for views of the legendary Hollywood sign.

Beverly Hills offers the chance to see movie star homes with sky-high fences on palm tree lined streets. Close by is the amazing Getty Center, this is a firm favourite of the team at The American Road Trip Company - your personalised Road Trip Pack will help explain how to visit this attraction and all the other essential places to see in La La Land. The following day you’ll fly home from LAX after spending the morning finishing off any sightseeing.