This 13-day road trip in California allows you to combine a multitude of adventures and breathe deeply in front of grandiose landscapes.
On the program, discovery of some of the most beautiful national parks in the country (zigzagging between California, Utah, Arizona...) and urban breaks to explore the must-sees of Los Angeles, the excess of Las Vegas and the charms of Phoenix.
To discover
Travel to the United States: tailor-made tours, hotels and stays from our partners
Step 1: arrival in Los Angeles
3 days – Urban pleasures – Beach
Los Angeles is the starting point for your California road trip.
Justin W Dennis / Justin - stock.adobe.com
After a 12-hour flight from Paris, we landed at LAX airport in Los Angeles, the second largest city in the United States.
During these 3 days, we discover the main attractions of the City of Angels by exploring its famous districts.
Our must-sees in Los Angeles
Walk the star-adorned floor of the Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard
Discover the sets of cult films by visiting Universal, Paramount and Warner Bros studios
Immortalize yourself in front of the iconic Hollywood sign while hiking the trails of Griffith Park
Stroll between the sumptuous villas of Beverly Hills and window shop on Rodeo Drive
Relax on the beaches of Santa Monica, Malibu and Venice Beach and admire the local sportsmen.
GUIDED BIKE TOUR IN VENICE BEACH
Stage 2: Los Angeles – Las Vegas
1 day – Entertainment
433 Km – 4 hours drive
Admire the extravagant hotels and discover the casinos along the
Strip
, the main drag of Las Vegas.
lev dolgachov / Syda Productions - stock.adobe.com
In a rental vehicle, preferably a 4x4, we drive on the legendary Route 66 towards Las Vegas, in the state of Nevada.
On the way, we stop in Victorville or Barstow to enjoy an authentic burger before crossing the ghost town of Calico.
The next day, we take the time to soak up the unique atmosphere of what we call
Sin City
.
Our must-sees in Las Vegas
Admire the extravagant hotels lined up along the
Strip
, the main artery of Las Vegas, and discover the city's casinos
Marvel at the choreographies of the Bellagio fountains at nightfall
Discover the impressive Hoover Dam, located 45 minutes’ drive away
VISIT TO THE STRIP WITH FRENCH-SPEAKING GUIDE
Step 3: Las Vegas – Zion National Park
2 days – Nature
230 Km – 2h15 drive
Make way for the natural treasures that are the national parks of the American West, with Zion National Park as your first stop.
evenfh - stock.adobe.com
After the urban charms of Los Angeles and Las Vegas, it's time for the natural treasures of the national parks of the American West.
On the road leading to Zion National Park, in Utah, we admire the red rock formations and the grandiose landscapes of the Valley of Fire State Park, about 1 hour from Las Vegas.
Go to Zion Canyon and explore its flooded part called the Narrows
Discover the waterfalls and natural pools of Emerald Pools on a hike
Gain height by taking the Angel's Landing and Observation Point trails
VISIT ZION NATIONAL PARK
Stage 4: Zion – Brice Canyon – Lake Powell
1 day – Nature
373 Km – 4 hours drive
Admire the canyons during a cruise or kayak trip on Lake Powell.
Elagina Ekaterina / Ekaterina Elagina - stock.adobe.com
From Zion National Park, take the Mount Carmel Highway, one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the country, to reach Bryce Canyon National Park, located 1 hour 45 minutes away.
From there, we continue the route to the town of Page, the gateway to Lake Powell.
Hike among the
hoodoos
of Bryce Canyon, pillar-shaped rock formations
Admire the landscapes of the park, notably the Natural Bridge arch, while driving on the 28 km long Scenic Drive
Admire the canyons during a cruise or kayak trip on Lake Powell
Discover Horseshoe Bend, a horseshoe-shaped rock formation shaped by the Colorado River
Stage 5: Lake Powell – Monument Valley
1 day – Nature
230 Km – 2h30 drive
Monument Valley is one of the iconic sites of the American West.
Jonathan Ross / jdross75 - stock.adobe.com
Leaving Page, we take the time to visit Antelope Canyon, formed by the flow of water in the rock, giving it the appearance of orange-tinted waves.
We then take the road towards Monument Valley, one of the emblematic sites of the American West.
Immortalize yourself in front of the
mesas,
three immense mounds rising in the heart of the valley
Admire the landscapes of the site while driving on the Valley Drive, 27 km long
Enjoy a superb sunset from the Visitor Center
PANORAMIC TOUR OF MONUMENT VALLEY
Stage 6: Monument Valley – Grand Canyon
2 days – Nature
305 Km – 3h20 drive
Grand Canyon National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Daniela Photography - stock.adobe.com
We leave Monument Valley to head towards northwest Arizona where the Grand Canyon National Park is located, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Admire the gorges carved out by the Colorado River from the Rim Trail hiking trails
Enjoy sublime views of the river while driving on the 40 km long Desert View Drive and watch the sunset from the observation tower
HELICOPTER RIDE IN THE GRAND CANYON
Stage 7: Grand Canyon – Phoenix
1 day – Culture
368 Km – 3h30 drive
Phoenix, the capital of Arizona.
John - stock.adobe.com
Head south to reach Phoenix, the capital of Arizona.
Before discovering what we nickname
The Valley of the Sun
, we take advantage of the journey to admire the pretty landscapes of the Sedona region, where the red of the rock contrasts with the green of the forests.
Explore Oak Creek Canyon in the Sedona region
Stroll among the Saguaro cacti and 50,000 plants at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix
Visit the Heard Museum where the art, history and traditions of Native American people are highlighted through more than 40,000 objects
TAKE A TRIP TO SEDONA
Stage 8: Phoenix – Los Angeles
2 days – Nature
598 Km – 6 hours drive
Before returning to Los Angeles, a stop at Joshua Tree National Park is a must.
Gary C Tognoni / garytog - stock.adobe.com
We leave Phoenix to return to Los Angeles, the last stop on this itinerary.
Before arriving at the City of Angels, a stop is essential at Joshua Tree National Park, in the Mojave Desert.
Discover the largest concentration of Joshua trees in the world while hiking the Hidden Valley Trail
Take a photo in front of Skull Rock, a rock shaped like a human skull
TAKE A HORSE RIDE IN THE PARK
After returning the rental car, we enjoy one last evening in Los Angeles before going to the airport the next day for the return flight to France.