Western Wonders USA: Self-Launched LA to San Francisco Road Trip
11 days · Los Angeles to San Francisco, USA
ATP - AlliedTPro charges £2,174
No-markup version: ~£1,300 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
The classic American West road trip — Hollywood to the Golden Gate — reimagined as a self-launched adventure. This 11-day route covers LA, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Mammoth Lakes, Yosemite, Monterey and San Francisco. Instead of paying for a guided coach tour, you'll rent a car (or book shared shuttles/buses between stops), stay in well-rated budget hotels and hostels, and book activities directly or via GetYourGuide. All the same iconic landmarks, roughly half the price. Costs are estimated per person based on two people sharing a rental car and twin/double rooms.
Day-by-day
Arrival in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Fly into LAX and make your way to your accommodation in Downtown LA or Hollywood. Pick up your rental car today if you plan to self-drive the whole route — booking in advance through a comparison site like Kayak or Rentalcars.com will get you the best rates (budget around £35–50/day for a standard car split between two). Get your bearings, grab food on Grand Central Market on South Broadway, and if energy allows, head to Santa Monica or Venice Beach for the afternoon. Optional: book a Los Angeles Beach Tour independently via GetYourGuide (~£35–45pp).
🚌FlyAway bus from LAX to Union Station (~£9), then Metro to Downtown (~£2). Or shared ride (~£30–35). Rental car pickup at LAX.
🛏HI Los Angeles - Santa Monica Hostel (~£35–45/night dorm) or Freehand Los Angeles (~£70–90/night private room)
- →Arrive at LAX and transfer to Downtown LA accommodation (~£18 by FlyAway bus + Metro, or £30–35 shared Uber)
- →Pick up pre-booked rental car from LAX
- →Explore Grand Central Market for street food (budget ~£10–15)
- →Optional: self-drive or rideshare to Santa Monica/Venice Beach (free entry)
- →Optional: Los Angeles Beach Tour via GetYourGuide (~£35–45pp)
Los Angeles City Sights — Hollywood, Walk of Fame & Sunset Strip
Los Angeles, California
Today you tackle LA's iconic highlights at your own pace. Start on Hollywood Boulevard — the Walk of Fame and Grauman's Chinese Theatre are free to walk around and photograph. Drive or Metro up to Griffith Observatory for panoramic city views (free entry). In the afternoon, cruise Sunset Strip and explore West Hollywood. End the day with dinner in Koreatown or Silver Lake. You don't need a guided tour for any of this — it's all freely accessible.
🚌Self-drive rental car or Metro Day Pass (~£5). Street parking varies — use the SpotHero app.
🛏HI Los Angeles - Santa Monica Hostel (~£35–45/night dorm) or Freehand Los Angeles (~£70–90/night private room)
- →Walk Hollywood Boulevard, including the Walk of Fame and Grauman's Chinese Theatre (free)
- →Visit Griffith Observatory and hike up for city views (free, parking ~£5)
- →Drive or walk Sunset Strip in West Hollywood (free)
- →Optional: Warner Bros. Studio Tour via GetYourGuide (~£55–65pp)
- →Dinner in Koreatown (~£12–18pp)
LA to Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Hit the road early for the drive from LA to Las Vegas — it's about 270 miles (4–5 hours on the I-15, traffic depending). Stop at a Barstow outlet or the quirky Alien Fresh Jerky in Baker for a break. Arrive in Vegas by early afternoon, check in to a Strip hotel or hostel, and explore the free spectacles: the Bellagio fountains, the Fremont Street Experience, and people-watching on the Strip. Tonight, if you fancy a Las Vegas Night Tour with a local guide, book via GetYourGuide (~£45–60pp).
🚌Self-drive rental car, I-15 N (~4.5 hours). Fuel cost split ~£15–20pp each way. Alternatively, FlixBus LA to Las Vegas from ~£20–35pp.
🛏The LINQ Hotel (~£60–90/night) or Las Vegas Hostel (~£20–30/night dorm). Book well in advance — prices spike on weekends.
- →Drive Los Angeles to Las Vegas via I-15 (~4.5 hours, ~270 miles)
- →Stop at Barstow/Baker en route (~£10 fuel contribution pp)
- →Walk the Las Vegas Strip — Bellagio fountains, Caesars Palace, The Venetian (free)
- →Fremont Street Experience light show (free, evenings)
- →Optional: Las Vegas Night Tour via GetYourGuide (~£45–60pp)
Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Leave Las Vegas early and drive roughly 4 hours south to the Grand Canyon South Rim (via US-93 S and AZ-64). The Grand Canyon National Park entrance fee covers 7 days ($35/vehicle, ~£28 split). Walk the Rim Trail for staggering views — Mather Point and Yavapai Point are unmissable. Rent a bike at the canyon rim to explore more ground. If you want an aerial perspective, helicopter tours over the canyon can be booked directly with Maverick or Papillon Helicopters (~£180–220pp, or via GetYourGuide). Stay near the canyon tonight.
🚌Self-drive rental car, US-93 S to AZ-64 (~4 hours). Free shuttle buses operate within the park.
🛏Red Feather Lodge, Tusayan (~£80–110/night) or Kanab budget motels if pushing on. Book months ahead — South Rim accommodation sells out fast.
- →Drive Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim (~4 hours, ~280 miles)
- →Enter Grand Canyon National Park (America the Beautiful Annual Pass ~£64pp covers all NPS sites on this trip — strongly recommended)
- →Walk Rim Trail: Mather Point, Yavapai Point, and Bright Angel Trailhead (free with pass)
- →Optional: Helicopter flight over Grand Canyon via Maverick or Papillon (~£180–220pp)
- →Sunset from the South Rim (free)
Grand Canyon Area to Kanab via Monument Valley & Antelope Canyon
Kanab, Utah
An epic driving day through the American Southwest. Start early and head northeast to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park — the valley floor drive is £7/vehicle and the views of the iconic buttes are unforgettable. Drive/time allowing, book an ATV tour through the valley via GetYourGuide or direct with a Navajo operator (~£50–65pp). Then head to Page, Arizona for Antelope Canyon X — this lower canyon requires a guided Navajo tour, bookable directly with Dixie Ellis Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (~£30–40pp). Finish the day in Kanab, a great basecamp for Utah's parks.
🚌Self-drive rental car. Monument Valley to Page ~1.5 hours; Page to Kanab ~1.5 hours. Total driving ~5–6 hours today.
🛏Quail Park Lodge, Kanab (~£75–100/night) or Canyons Lodge (~£80–110/night).
- →Drive to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park (~2.5 hours from Grand Canyon South Rim)
- →Self-drive the 17-Mile Valley Drive scenic loop (~£7/vehicle entry)
- →Optional: Monument Valley ATV Tour with local Navajo operator (~£50–65pp via GetYourGuide)
- →Drive to Page, AZ — visit Antelope Canyon X (Lower Antelope Canyon, guided Navajo tour ~£30–40pp, book direct at navajotours.com)
- →Arrive Kanab, Utah for overnight
Kanab to Las Vegas via Bryce Canyon & Snow Canyon
Las Vegas, Nevada
Another stunning day of scenery. Head north from Kanab to Bryce Canyon National Park (~1 hour). The hoodoo rock formations here are unlike anywhere else on earth — the Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden trails are self-guided and spectacular (covered by your America the Beautiful Pass). Drive south through the pastel-coloured cliffs of Kanab and detour through Snow Canyon State Park in St. George (~£8/vehicle entry) before the final push back to Las Vegas for the night.
🚌Self-drive rental car. Bryce Canyon to Snow Canyon ~2 hours; Snow Canyon to Las Vegas ~2 hours.
🛏Same Vegas accommodation as Day 3, or a different Strip hotel. The LINQ (~£60–90/night) or budget hostel (~£20–30 dorm).
- →Drive Kanab to Bryce Canyon National Park (~1 hour)
- →Hike Navajo Loop Trail and Queen's Garden Trail at Bryce Canyon (covered by America the Beautiful Pass)
- →Viewpoints: Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Bryce Point (free with pass)
- →Scenic drive through Snow Canyon State Park, St. George (~£8/vehicle)
- →Drive to Las Vegas for overnight
Las Vegas to Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth Lakes, California
Leave Las Vegas behind and drive northwest through the dramatic Mojave Desert and into California's Eastern Sierra Nevada range (~5 hours to Mammoth Lakes via US-395). The drive itself is stunning — stop at Lone Pine for views of Mt. Whitney and the Alabama Hills (used in countless Westerns and films). Mammoth Lakes is a year-round outdoor hub with excellent hiking, hot springs, and mountain scenery. Check in and explore the town in the evening.
🚌Self-drive rental car, I-15 N to US-395 N (~5 hours).
🛏Mammoth Mountain Inn (~£90–130/night) or Innsbruck Lodge (~£75–100/night). Mammoth Hostel also available (~£30–40 dorm).
- →Drive Las Vegas to Mammoth Lakes via US-395 (~5 hours, ~310 miles)
- →Stop at Alabama Hills near Lone Pine — iconic film locations and Mt. Whitney views (free)
- →Explore Mammoth Lakes town, breweries and restaurants in the evening
- →Optional: Book tomorrow's Yosemite activities in advance via recreation.gov (Yosemite entry timed permit in peak season)
Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park, California
Drive north from Mammoth Lakes into Yosemite National Park via the Tioga Pass (Hwy 120, open late May–November; check road conditions). Entry via the America the Beautiful Pass. Spend the day in Yosemite Valley — Half Dome Village, El Capitan meadow, and Mirror Lake are all spectacular. The YARTS bus also runs from Mammoth into the park (~£13–16pp) if you'd prefer not to drive. For something truly special, the Sequoia Grove at Mariposa is a short walk from the road. Book a guided Yosemite Valley floor tour via GetYourGuide (~£35–50pp) if you want expert natural history context.
🚌Self-drive rental car via Tioga Pass (Hwy 120) or Hwy 140. Free YARTS shuttle within the valley. YARTS bus from Mammoth ~£13–16pp if not driving.
🛏Half Dome Village tent cabins (~£90–140/night, book months in advance) or Cedar Lodge, El Portal (~£100–140/night) just outside the park.
- →Drive Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite Valley via Tioga Pass (~2 hours, or longer via Hwy 140)
- →Explore Yosemite Valley: El Capitan meadow, Bridalveil Fall, Valley View (free with pass)
- →Hike Mirror Lake Loop or Valley Floor Trail (~2 hours, free)
- →Visit Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias (free shuttle from Valley, included in park entry)
- →Optional: GetYourGuide Yosemite guided valley tour (~£35–50pp)
Yosemite to San Francisco via Carmel & the 17-Mile Drive
San Francisco, California
Head west out of Yosemite and drop south to Carmel-by-the-Sea, one of California's most charming villages. Walk Ocean Avenue and the beach for free. From Carmel, join the famous 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach — entry is £10/vehicle, and the Lone Cypress and coastal views are absolutely worth it. Continue north through Monterey (pop into Cannery Row and the harbour) before the final 2-hour drive up Hwy 1 or US-101 into San Francisco. Arrive in time for a welcome dinner in the Mission District.
🚌Self-drive rental car. Yosemite to Carmel ~3 hours; Carmel to San Francisco ~2.5 hours via Hwy 1 (scenic) or 2 hours via US-101.
🛏HI San Francisco - Fisherman's Wharf (~£35–50 dorm) or Green Tortoise Hostel, North Beach (~£35–50 dorm), or a budget hotel in the Mission (~£90–130/night private).
- →Drive Yosemite to Carmel via Hwy 140/US-101 (~3 hours)
- →Explore Carmel-by-the-Sea village and beach (free)
- →17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach (~£10/vehicle entry — shared between passengers)
- →Stroll Cannery Row and Monterey Harbour (free)
- →Drive Monterey to San Francisco via Hwy 1 or US-101 (~2 hours)
- →Dinner in the Mission District, San Francisco (~£15–25pp)
San Francisco City Day — Golden Gate, Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf & Alcatraz
San Francisco, California
A full day to explore one of America's most beloved cities. Walk or cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge (bike rental ~£30–40 for the day). Take the F-Market historic streetcar to Fisherman's Wharf and the Ferry Building. Chinatown is the oldest in North America — grab dim sum for lunch. Head to Union Square for shopping or people-watching. Alcatraz Island requires advance booking via Alcatraz Cruises (the official operator, ~£40–50pp including ferry and audio tour — book weeks ahead). In the evening, consider the optional San Francisco Night Tour via GetYourGuide (~£45–55pp) or head to a jazz club in North Beach.
🚌Muni Day Pass (~£6) covers buses, metro and historic streetcars. Lyft/Uber for evening (~£10–15). Return rental car before or after today.
🛏HI San Francisco - Fisherman's Wharf (~£35–50 dorm) or Green Tortoise Hostel (~£35–50 dorm) or budget Mission hotel (~£90–130/night).
- →Walk or cycle the Golden Gate Bridge (free to walk; bike rental ~£30–40/day from Blazing Saddles)
- →Ride the F-Market historic streetcar to Fisherman's Wharf (~£3)
- →Visit Ferry Building Marketplace and the Embarcadero (free)
- →Explore Chinatown — dim sum lunch (~£10–15pp)
- →Book Alcatraz Island tour via alcatrazcruises.com (~£40–50pp — book well in advance)
- →Union Square and Golden Gate Park exploration (free)
- →Optional: San Francisco Night Tour via GetYourGuide (~£45–55pp)
- →Optional: Sausalito ferry trip (~£14pp each way via Golden Gate Ferry)
San Francisco Departure
San Francisco, California
Your final morning in San Francisco. Depending on your flight time, grab breakfast in the Mission, revisit any spots you missed, or take a leisurely walk through Dolores Park. Make your way to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) via BART from Civic Center or Powell St (~£11, ~30 minutes — the easiest and cheapest airport option). Return your rental car at SFO if not already done. Depart with memories of one of the great American road trips.
🚌BART from Civic Center/Powell St to SFO (~£11). Alternatively, Lyft/Uber (~£35–50). Rental car return at SFO.
🛏N/A — departure day
- →Final morning: breakfast in the Mission District (~£8–12)
- →Optional: visit Dolores Park for views over the city (free)
- →BART from Downtown SF to SFO Airport (~£11, ~30 minutes)
- →Return rental car at SFO if applicable
Self-launched vs. ATP - AlliedTPro
| This itinerary (self-launched) | ATP - AlliedTPro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,300 | £2,174 |
| Duration | 11 days | 11 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £874 per person (40%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more ATP - AlliedTPro-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,300
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Western Wonders USA: Self-Launched LA to San Francisco Road Trip cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,300 per person for 11 days in Los Angeles to San Francisco, USA. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with ATP - AlliedTPro?+
Yes — ATP - AlliedTPro charges around £2,174 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,300 — a saving of roughly £874 (40%) per person.
How long is the Los Angeles to San Francisco, USA trip?+
This itinerary runs 11 days, covering 11 day-by-day stops through Los Angeles to San Francisco, USA.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a road-trip, adventure, culture trip through Los Angeles to San Francisco, USA, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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