Best of the West Itinerary

(You should be in good physical health and be capable of walking up to 4 or 5 miles in a day - or more.)

We do our best to establish our travel itinerary early, but there can be circumstances beyond our control that occasionally force us to make changes. Here is our updated proposed itinerary for both of the 2011 Wild West Coast trips.  Please realize that all of the items listed are not guaranteed as changes may have to be made at the last minute.  ALL MEALS are included EVERY DAY.

Shown below in blue is the link where you can find background information on the sites that you will visit.  We suggest that you click on them and check them out to have an idea of where you will be going and what you will encounter on your travels during the 14 days.

Day 1 - students arrive in Las Vegas, Nevada and are escorted to the host hotel where they are assigned to teams, have a short orientation and enjoy some get acquainted activities.  Late afternoon, you'll head to the world famous Las Vegas Strip where you'll get to attend a live performance of Blue Man Group that's been called “visually stunning,” “wildly inventive,” and “hysterically funny”.  You will be laughing for hours after the show is over.  (photo by Darbe Rotach © BMP)  And who knows what might happen when the show is over!

Day 2 - this morning you'll have some leisure time on the  Las Vegas Strip (sorry you can’t go in the casinos and/or gamble – you have to be 21) but there's LOTS to do outside the casinos.  Later this afternoon, you'll drive to Flagstaff, Arizona with a stop along the way for a great group dinner.

Day 3 - a morning visit to the spectacular Grand Canyon IMAX theater will give you a preview of what you're going to see at one of the many national parks of the U.S.; you'll have some leisure time to explore the Grand Canyon, one of the 7 natural wonders of the world before you head back to Flagstaff for a group dinner at Black Bart's, an old west style steakhouse saloon.

Day 4 - today's travels will take you to Phoenix, Arizona with a stop at Slide Rock State Park for several hours of water fun at the 80 foot long natural water slide; this evening you can test your skill as you relax and have fun on the bowling lanes after a group dinner.

Day 5 - this morning starts early with a drive to San Diego, California, driving along the border where you can often nearly reach out and touch the country of Mexico.  Once you arrive, you'll get a short tour of some of the city's more noted sites such as the isthmus of Coronado, home of the famous Hotel del Coronado where the rich and famous stay and play.  There is nothing more beautiful than California beaches.

Day 6 - an exciting day will start with a short drive to Cabrillo National Monument where you'll have a spectacular view of San Diego Bay and the entire surrounding area.  This is the site first discovered by explorers in the mid 1500's.  By lunch time, you'll be headed to Sea World, home of Shamu the orca whale and many exciting theme park attractions.  You'll be glad to collapse into your bed tonight after such a full day.

Day 7 - a short drive north to the Los Angeles area and you'll get to spend the rest of the day on Santa Monica Beach.  Close by is Muscle Beach, seen in many of the 'beach' movies of the past.  You will get to laze away the day working on your West Coast tan plus enjoy some time in the water, maybe a game of beach volleyball or just people watching. After a fun group dinner on Santa Monica Pier at Rusty's Surf Ranch, you'll head to the hotel to wash off the California sand that got between your toes.  This will be a day that you'll long remember.

Day 8 - you'll wonder if you've become a movie star when you spend the day at the world famous Disneyland.  Everyone is a kid a heart when it comes to having fun at this great place.

Day 9 - everyone dreams of going to Hollywood ....and today you'll get to go after everyone has finished their laundry.  After spending some time in Tinsel Town where you can take your picture with the famous Hollywood sign in the background, you'll  travel north to Atascadero, California for the night.

Day 10 - a fun day will start with a short drive to nearby San Simeon, CA for a visit to Hearst Castle; you'll also visit one of the West Coast's largest natural habitats of elephant seals; have lunch on the beach and maybe have a game of beach volleyball before a relaxing evening and some much needed rest.

Day 11 - this morning you'll travel to one of the most majestic and picturesque national parks in the U.S. - Yosemite National Park.  You'll want to have your camera ready to shoot as there are picture opportunities every where you turn.  This afternoon, you'll wander among giant sequoia trees that are thought to be over 2,000 years old and over 200 feet tall.  You'll spend the night in Oakhurst, California near the south gate of the park.

Day 12 - You'll travel further into the park this morning and have some free time to explore on the free shuttle that will take you throughout Yosemite Village and the surrounding area.  The park is full of natural beauty such as water falls and magnificent mountains.  This stop will make a lasting impression on your mind.  This afternoon, you'll travel on to the city by the bay - San Francisco.

Day 13 - you'll have a short tour of the city to see some of the highlights which will include a group photo taken at the Golden Gate Bridge, and a walk down Lombard Street, the world's crookedest street in the world. After an afternoon cruise of San Francisco Bay, past Alcatraz National Monument, you can spend some leisure time seeing some of the sights of this hilly city such as riding the cable cars plus strolling along Fisherman's Wharf as well as Pier 39.  You'll visit China Town where the largest concentration of Chinese live outside of China and tonight, have dinner at an authentic Chinese restaurant in China Town before packing for the trip home.

Day 14 – today you'll say goodbye to the many newly made friends as you fly back to your host city.  This just might be the busiest and and most exhausting 2 weeks you've ever had as you will have experienced many new things you've never done, seen sights you've only dreamed of and made new friends that will last a lifetime.

Breakfast is included in every hotel stay.  You will receive cash back to buy all meals that are not done as a group or included with the hotel stay.

PLEASE NOTE: the above list is tentative and can change due to availability and scheduling conflicts.  Events listed are not guaranteed.

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