Nine-Day Tour of the West Coast Visual Feast
13 cities |
22 attraction(s) |
total distance 1402
km
TIPS
Day1
Day2
Day3
Day4
Day5
Day6
Day7
Day8
Day9
Day1: Palm Springs > Twentynine Palms > Kingman
5 attraction(s) ·
448 km
1
The hidden wonder of the world, the "eighth" wonder - San Jacinto Mountain Tramway. The Tramway, completed in 1963, is the longest and largest aerial rotating tram in the world. It takes passengers from an elevation of 2,643 feet at Coachella Valley to the summit of San Jacinto Mountain at 8,516 feet (2,600 meters) in just 12 minutes. With a maximum capacity of 80 people, the tram allows passengers to enjoy the surrounding scenery without moving, as it rotates 360 degrees during the journey. It is considered a major engineering feat, with its steep location and four high towers that were constructed using helicopters. At the summit, there are two restaurants, a bar, an observation deck, a nature history exhibit, and a small cinema. Visitors can also explore the scenic trails that lead to the San Jacinto State Park and Natural Preserve, spanning over 50 miles (80 kilometers).
13
km
2
Palm Springs Air Museum is one of the museums in the world with the largest collection of World War II aircraft that are still able to fly. Unlike other museums, the exhibits here are not roped off and can be viewed up close. In addition to aircraft experiences, other exhibits and activities are suitable for visitors of all ages. The latest exhibits are from the Korean and Vietnam Wars. On-site, there are veteran volunteers available to answer questions and offer explanations, and visitors can also experience simulated driving.
8
km
3
Palm Springs Art Museum is located in the downtown area of Palm Springs. Its rich collection is generously donated by local residents. The collection can rival museums in major cities, including works by masters such as Chagall, Picasso, and Andy Warhol. The museum covers an area of 150,000 square feet and exhibits a wide range of modern and contemporary art, glassware, photography, architecture and design, as well as Native American and Western art. In addition, there is an outdoor garden and a café. The indoor temperature is maintained at 24°C, making it a great place to escape the desert heat.
100
km
4
Compared to the arches of Arch national park, the arches of Joshua Tree national park are smaller. The signage for this attraction is not very clear. From the fork in White Tank Campground, turn left at the first intersection and park on the side. You will see the trailhead for Arch Rock, which is about a 10-minute walk away.
328
km
5
Route 66 Museum, Historic Route 66 Association, and Kingman Visitor Center are all located in this building, showcasing various historical stories and memorabilia related to Route 66.
Day2: Kingman > Arizona > Grand Canyon National Park
3 attraction(s) ·
289 km
1
Locomotive Park is an open-air small park showcasing classic steam locomotives from the steam era. It is unattended and visitors can freely enjoy the exhibits.
124
km
2
Some say Seligman is the best preserved town on Route 66. The storefronts are filled with various vintage cars, and Harley motorcycles are scattered around. American flags flutter in the wind, and Route 66 signs are everywhere. You may even see the Harley riders and hear the deafening sound of exhaust pipes.
165
km
3
Grand Canyon, one of America's landmarks, needs no introduction. When visiting Grand Canyon National Park, 90% of people will go to the South Rim. Located north of Tusayan, it is the park's southern entrance. The Canyon Visitor Information Center is located near Mather Point, where visitors can obtain route and attraction information. Continuing north will lead to Grand Canyon Village. At the Yavapai Observation Station in the northeast end of the village, you can see the panoramic view of the Grand Canyon, and there is also an interesting geological museum. Additionally, taking a helicopter tour of the canyon is a worthwhile experience, but it can be quite expensive, around $500. If you can afford it, go and try it to maximize your appreciation of the grandeur of the Grand Canyon in the shortest amount of time.
Day3: Page > Navajo Nation
3 attraction(s) ·
210 km
1
Horseshoe Bend is a horseshoe-shaped bend of the Colorado River near Page, Arizona, USA. It is located downstream from the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell, 6 kilometers from Page. Horseshoe Bend can be reached by hiking 1.2 kilometers from US Route 89. The best viewing spot is on the steep cliffs above. The elevation above the cliffs is 4,200 feet, while the elevation of the Colorado River is 3,200 feet, resulting in a drop of 1,000 feet.
12
km
2
Antelope Canyon is one of the world's famous slot canyons and a renowned photography destination. It is located in the Navajo Nation Reservation in northern Arizona, United States, with the closest city being Page. Antelope Canyon can be divided into two parts, namely Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon. Lower Antelope Canyon, known as "Hasdeztwazi" in the Navajo language, which means "spiral-shaped rock arches," is only open for nine months a year. Exploring Lower Antelope Canyon requires climbing metal stairs and potentially using ropes, as the passages are less than human height, which may pose physical challenges and require courage for visitors. However, the scenery in Lower Antelope Canyon is breathtaking, earning it the reputation as a paradise for photographers. The entrance to Antelope Canyon is narrow and level with the ground, making it difficult to spot. Once inside, visitors descend 50 meters rapidly, and the canyon is very long overall. Unlike the focused light beams in Upper Antelope Canyon, Lower Antelope Canyon showcases more natural and diverse variations. Despite the difficulty of entry, it remains one of the world's most unique tourist destinations.
198
km
3
Monument Valley is not a valley, but a landscape built on a wide plain: red buttes and spires rise hundreds of feet. The sedimentary rock layers once covered the entire region, and this is its last surviving remnant. Monument Valley is a lasting symbol of the American West. The red mesa stands tall in the desert, with vibrant colors, including unique sandstone formations, Navajo and tribal territories, and a four-state boundary monument. Visiting here allows for exploring the history of the American West and learning about Native American history. In the movie "Transformers: Age of Extinction," there is a scene where the Autobots welcome Optimus Prime, which takes place here.
Day4: Moab
2 attraction(s) ·
131 km
1
Canyonlands National Park is located at the confluence of the Green River and the Colorado River in southeastern Utah. It is known for its sandstone towers, canyons, and other formations formed by years of river erosion and weathering. It is one of the most famous erosion areas in the world, known for its rugged peaks and unique rock formations. Established as a national park on September 12, 1964, it covers an area of 1,366 square kilometers. There are no roads here, only off-road trails that can only be accessed by off-road vehicles. It is considered one of the most difficult-to-access areas.
131
km
2
Arches National Park covers an area of 309.7 square kilometers and attracts approximately 850,000 visitors each year. The park preserves over 2,000 natural rock arches, including world-famous delicate arches, and the highest point in the park, Elephant Butte, reaches an elevation of 1,753 meters. Arches National Park is one of the largest concentrations of natural sandstone arches in the world, with the smallest being only 3 feet wide and the largest, Landscape Arch, spanning 306 feet. The park also features numerous unique geological formations such as spires, pedestals, and balanced rocks. Don't miss it!
Day5: Panguitch
1 attraction(s) ·
0 km
1
Bryce Canyon National Park is located near the town of Panguitch in Utah. It is not actually a true canyon, but a large natural amphitheater formed by erosion along the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Its unique geological structures, called hoodoos, are formed by the erosion and deposition of sedimentary rocks by wind, water, and ice from rivers and lakes. The red, orange, and white rocks in the park create a unique natural landscape, earning it the nickname "hall of natural stone statues". The park offers magnificent sunrise views, and there is a scenic trail on the left side that stretches for over ten kilometers, allowing for multi-day hikes or camping in the canyon area. Mornings on the 2400-meter-high plateau can be quite cold, and the park's elevation is several hundred meters higher than the Grand Canyon, with cleaner and more transparent air. As soon as the sun appears on the horizon, the scenery is bathed in radiant light.
Day6: Zion National Park > Las Vegas
3 attraction(s) ·
319 km
1
Here is the visitor center of Zion National Park, where you can get information about the park. Zion National Park is about a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, closer than the Grand Canyon National Park, making it possible to visit in a day. Located in Utah, this national park is well-known in the United States and is a stop on the classic road trip route, the Grand Circle. Zion National Park is one of the best national parks in the U.S. for hiking, with nearly 10 different hiking trails. The Narrows and Angel's Landing are two of the most famous hiking routes, with the former requiring special equipment for walking through water and a round trip distance of 9.4 miles, taking about 8 hours. Angel's Landing Trail is recognized as one of the top ten hiking trails in the United States and is highly challenging.
225
km
2
It is an outdoor archaeological museum covering an area of 36,800 hectares, with many unique red and white striped rock blocks in the valley. Located 90 kilometers northeast of Las Vegas, the valley appears fiery red from a distance.
This place used to be a sacred site guarded by Native Americans for a long time, so there are many wall paintings on the red sandstone, depicting the life of Native Americans at that time and changes in nature. Some of these wall paintings have been dated back to 8,000 years ago.
95
km
3
Las Vegas Boulevard, with a total length of 82.7 kilometers, is a major road in the Las Vegas Valley region of Nevada, USA. Known for its numerous casinos and hotels, the southern section of the road is referred to as the "Las Vegas Strip". Las Vegas Boulevard used to be part of US Route 91 in Nevada, which connected Los Angeles and Salt Lake City, but it has since been replaced by the new Interstate 15. Currently, Las Vegas Boulevard primarily handles local traffic, with some sections belonging to Nevada State Route 604.
Day7: Las Vegas
3 attraction(s) ·
9 km
1
Las Vegas North Premium Outlets
This is a discount store located in Las Vegas.
2
km
2
Las Vegas Natural History Museum
The Las Vegas Art Museum exhibits works by contemporary international artists, injecting some artistic atmosphere into this desert city. Professional guides will provide in-depth explanations of the exhibition content to assist you on your visit. The museum regularly rotates works by artists from different countries, including pieces by Martin Mull and glassblowing artist Michael Chihuly.
7
km
3
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in Las Vegas is divided into different sections, such as the music area and the sports area.
Day8: furnace-creek
1 attraction(s) ·
0 km
1
Day9: Los Angeles
1 attraction(s) ·
0 km
1
Universal Studios Hollywood, known as the "Entertainment Capital of Los Angeles," is a theme park located on CityWalk, right next to Universal City. It combines amusement rides with movie and TV show filming sets. You can step into the world of movies here, join famous animated characters and action heroes, and experience excitement and thrills with Transformers and Harry Potter.
Highlights:
• Adventure with Harry Potter
• Ride the Transformers 3D roller coaster and prepare for an epic battle like never before
• Take a legendary studio tour to explore the secrets of Hollywood movie production
• Experience the 360-degree 3D adventure of the Transformers, one of the most spectacular and thrilling 3D experiences in the world
• Ride the all-new Despicable Me 3D roller coaster and embark on a heartwarming and hilarious journey with Gru, his daughters, and the mischievous Minions
• Visit the "Special Effects Stage" to glimpse behind-the-scenes secrets of blockbuster movies
• In the world of "The Simpsons," ride the all-new virtual sky-high roller coaster for a fast and intense thrill
• Join Shrek and Donkey on an amazing adventure in the Shrek 4D experience.
