Chicago to Golden Gate
14 Days Starting in Chicago, United States and ending in San Francisco, United States
Visiting: Chicago, Sioux Falls, Badlands National Park, Cody, Yellowstone National Park, Salt Lake City, Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Francisco
Tour operator:
Tour code:
UCGG
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
25 - 30
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable 14-day journey from Chicago to San Francisco, exploring the diverse landscapes and cultural landmarks of the western United States. Begin your adventure in the vibrant city of Chicago, with its iconic architecture and culinary delights. Traverse the Midwest, visiting natural wonders like the Badlands and Mount Rushmore, and experience the serene beauty of Wyoming's mountains. Capture the breathtaking vistas of Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon, and feel the thrill of Las Vegas' neon lights. Discover the Spanish Colonial charm of Santa Barbara and the artistic allure of Carmel. Conclude your tour in the Golden City of San Francisco, having experienced the quintessential sights and sounds of America's heartland and coastlines. Enjoy comfortable accommodations, guided tours, and the freedom to explore at your own pace, all while traveling in style on an air-conditioned coach.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Chicago
Location: Chicago
Accommodation Name: Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile - 3 Star (or similar)
Welcome to Chicago! Meet your group and tour leader in the evening for an informal welcome at the hotel. Until then, feel free to roam the famous downtown of Chicago like a local or rest up for our great adventure ahead!
Day 2 : Chicago
Location: Chicago
Accommodation Name: Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown - 3 Star (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Start the day with a short tour of the city’s highlights including Lake Shore Drive, the Magnificent Mile and Navy Pier. Enjoy your personal leisure time for the rest of the day to explore the 'Windy City' Chicago on your own terms. Freely marvel at the fascinatingly bold architecture of downtown Chicago or the inspiring artworks in one of the famous museums in town.
Day 3 : Chicago - Mississippi River Crossing - Sioux Falls
Location: Sioux Falls
Accommodation Name: Comfort Suites (or similar)
Travel through the Midwest along farms abundant in corn and wheat fields and dairy farms. Crossing the mighty Mississippi River, we ride into the state of Iowa to arrive just as Lewis & Clark Expedition did two centuries ago on the banks of the Missouri River. We make our way to Sioux Falls for a refreshing rest.
Day 4 : Sioux Falls - Badlands National Park - Mt. Rushmore - Rapid City
Location: Badlands National Park
Accommodation Name: Best Western Ramkota Hotel - 3 Star (or similar)
Travel westward through the vast and lush grasslands of South Dakota and onwards to Badlands National Park. This natural wonderland, once home to the buffalo and antelope, is filled with amazing colorful natural rock formations. Then we continue on to the Black Hills, sacred to the Native Indians and home to the famous Mount Rushmore. After we finish soaking in the unforgettable views, we depart for Rapid City to spend the night.
Day 5 : Rapid City - Bighorn Mountains - Cody
Location: Cody
Accommodation Name: Buffalo Bill Village (or similar)
We continue our journey towards the wondrous lands of Wyoming, also known as "Equality State", home to twelve mountain ranges intermixed with vast deserts and rolling grasslands. We will be resting for a big day tomorrow in Cody. In case overnight in Cody is not possible due to poor weather or adverse road conditions in Yellowstone, we will be spending the night in Billings Livingston, Montana.
Day 6 : Cody – Yellowstone National Park
Location: Yellowstone National Park
Accommodation Name: Kelly Inn West Yellowstone (or similar)
Drive past the mountains of Wyoming to Yellowstone, America’s first National Park! Tag along your expert guide to on a tour of this immense geothermal wonderland which includes waterfalls, geysers, canyons, colourful wildlife and more! Some of the incredible highlights will be Yellowstone Lake, Old Faithful, Yellowstone Canyon’s majestic falls, and the beautiful Hayden Valley.
Day 7 : Yellowstone – Grand Teton National Park – Salt Lake City
Location: Salt Lake City
Accommodation Name: Crystal Inn Hotel & Suites - 3 Star (or similar)
Today we travel through Grand Teton National Park, as long as the weather permits, to witness magnificent mountain peaks towering over 4,000 metres and the local wildlife. Visit the Snake River Outlook and try your eye at capturing the stunning landscape made famous by Ansel Adam’s iconic shot in black and white. Arriving in Utah, known for its Mormon Community, embark on a short tour of its capital, Salt Lake City. See how Mormon followers of Brigham Young built one of the best-planned cities in the country. We visit the State Capital building, famed Temple Square and the Tabernacle before arriving at our hotel for the evening. May we suggest an optional dinner at the Rooftop Restaurant for panoramic views of Temple Square?
Day 8 : Salt Lake City – Bryce Canyon National Park
Location: Bryce Canyon National Park
Accommodation Name: Bryce View Lodge (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Embark for a journey to the spectacular Bryce Canyon and follow your guide on a tour through a multi-coloured world of sandstone spires and pinnacles, also known as “hoodoos”, that dazzle the eye. This evening, weather permitting, make sure to gaze upon the enchanting night-sky with sparkling stars & breath-taking constellations.
Day 9 : Bryce Canyon – Lake Powell – Grand Canyon – Flagstaff
Location: Grand Canyon National Park
Accommodation Name: Days Flagstaff (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Departing Bryce Canyon, we ride onwards to the stunning Lake Powell, where canyon walls of red-rock tower over crystal blue waters. Lake Powell is the second-largest man-made lake in America, part of a series of lakes formed after the damming of the Colorado River. Our next stop will be the world-famous Grand Canyon National Park, one of the seven great natural wonders and most impressive sceneries of the world! Pause at the rim of the Canyon to fully experience and appreciate this mile-deep canyon and all its plunging gorges, rising spires, extinct volcanoes, and the snaking Colorado River. Riding on the Historic Route 66, Flagstaff will be where we dream of the sights of the day.
Day 10 : Flagstaff – Seligman/Route 66 – Las Vegas
Location: Las Vegas
Accommodation Name: Luxor Las Vegas - 4 Star (or similar)
Viva Las Vegas! In the morning, we hit the road for Las Vegas, the dazzling “Entertainment Capital of the World”. On the way, we will pass through the authentic town of Seligman on the famed Route 66, which looks as if it froze in time sixty years ago. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure exploring the world-renowned Las Vegas Strip.
Day 11 : Las Vegas – Mojave Desert – Beverly Hills – Los Angeles
Location: Los Angeles
Accommodation Name: Sonesta Los Angeles Airport - 4 Star (or similar)
Riding towards the western coast to Los Angeles, enjoy views of the scenic Mojave Desert with characteristic Joshua trees clustered on the mountainous backdrop. Arriving in L.A., join your guide for a tour through the “City of Angels” including famed spots as Hollywood, Sunset Strip and parts of Beverly Hills, before reaching our hotel.
Day 12 : Los Angeles
Location: Los Angeles
Accommodation Name: Sonesta Los Angeles Airport - 4 Star (or similar)
The day is yours is to shape to your wishes! We would recommend an optional full-day tour to Universal Studios, the world’s largest theme park and movie studio! Capture an inside look at the movie sets and reveal behind-the-scene secrets of iconic films, or enjoy some of the Studios’ thrilling feature rides.
Day 13 : Los Angeles – Santa Barbara – Central Coast
Location: Santa Barbara
Accommodation Name: Radisson Santa Maria - 3 Star (or similar)
Leaving Los Angeles in the morning, we ride north through one of California’s favorite vacation spots, Santa Barbara. Soak in views of palm-lined streets bordering vast white sandy beaches. The city is known for its mission and Spanish heritage. Along the way, we will make a stop at an iconic California lifeguard tower, particularly made famous by the TV series “Baywatch”. We continue to Santa Maria along the Central Coast for a rejuvenating night's rest.
Day 14 : Central Coast – Carmel/Monterey – San Francisco
Location: San Francisco
We continue our journey further north to Carmel, boasting fairytale-like cottages and galleries, and home of the world-famous actor/director Clint Eastwood. Freely browse the shops and galleries of the acclaimed artists’ colony. Traveling further north, we make a stop at Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf. Stroll along the Pier to Cannery Row, well-known thanks to John Steinbeck’s timeless novel. Passing lush valleys of Castroville and Santa Clara, we arrive in San Francisco, the “Golden City.” Our trip will end here after we bid farewell to newly-made friends.
What's Included
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Accommodation
4 and 3 star hotels & inns, superior lodges
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Meals
5 Breakfasts
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Transportation
A/C coach or mini-bus
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Tour Guiding
Services of experienced tour leaders
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Orientation Walks
Organised orientation walks at some of the towns visited
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Free Wi-Fi
Complimentary hotel and coach Wi-Fi ( where available )
What's Not Included
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Any flights not mentioned above
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Travel Insurance
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Meals not stated above
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Items of a personal nature
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Tips and gestures
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Entrance fees to the sights and museums
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Optional activities
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Other services not stated in the itinerary
Add Ons
Local Payment: £0
Mode of Transport
Travel in comfort with an air-conditioned coach or mini-bus, providing a smooth journey across the western United States. Enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi on the coach where available, ensuring connectivity throughout your adventure.
Accommodation
Stay in a mix of 4 and 3-star hotels, inns, and superior lodges throughout the tour, ensuring comfort and quality. Enjoy accommodations like the Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown, Comfort Suites, and the Sonesta Los Angeles Airport, among others, for a restful experience.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides accommodation in 4 and 3 star hotels and inns, as well as superior lodges.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour includes 5 breakfasts.
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour uses an air-conditioned coach or mini-bus for transportation.
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Will there be a tour guide during the trip?
Yes, the services of experienced tour leaders are included in the tour.
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Is Wi-Fi available during the tour?
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available at the hotels and on the coach, where available.
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Are entrance fees to sights and museums included in the tour price?
No, entrance fees to the sights and museums are not included in the tour price.
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What happens if the weather affects the itinerary?
If poor weather or adverse road conditions affect the itinerary, such as in Yellowstone, the overnight stay may be moved to Billings Livingston, Montana instead of Cody.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
There are always single travellers on our tours. If you don't mind being roomed with another single traveller of the same gender, then you do not need to pay a single supplement, however, this excludes all of our North American tours where the sharing option for a solo traveller is not available, and the single supplement must be applied if you are travelling alone. The single supplement is for travellers who would like to stay in a private room for the duration of the tour. PLEASE NOTE: The single private option is not always available, especially for sailing tours and camping.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Our tours are suitable for any traveller above 18 years old. The majority of Travel Talkers are from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada or Europe, however we always have travellers from all over the world. What brings them together is a passion for travel, discovering authentic cultures and experiencing unique adventures with like-minded travellers.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Travel Talk, we believe that travel is a force for good and show our support through various initiatives and charity organizations, as well as keeping the principals of responsible and sustainable travel at the core of our ethos. These values are engrained in our business culture and the design of our trips just the same. Together with our guests, we strive to make a positive impact on local p
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Over 20 years
Reviews of this operator
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Free Date Changes
Travel Talk Tours allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 61 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Travel Talk Tours requires a minimum deposit of 100 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of travel talk tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 85% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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