California & Grand Canyon Trip Overview
Live out the last days of summer in the Golden State and Grand Canyon! From LA to San Diego you’ll soak up the SoCal sun in two of California’s greatest cities. We’ll begin our teen tour of the USA in the star-studded city of Los Angeles where you’ll stroll the Hollywood Walk of Fame and admire the city lights at sunset from Griffith Observatory. Enjoy the Pacific Ocean while hanging out at Venice Beach and ride the Ferris wheel at the Santa Monica Pier. In San Diego, hang ten as you learn to surf at one of the city’s most famous beaches and kayak through secret caves in La Jolla. Make sure to look out for sea lions! If the San Diego Zoo or Disneyland (optional) has been on your bucket list, you can be sure to check them off here!
On our way to the Grand Canyon State of Arizona, we’ll make a pitstop in Nevada in the vibrant city of Las Vegas. Ride the High Roller Ferris wheel and enjoy a delicious feast at an interactive dinner show! There’s no downtown in America quite like the Las Vegas Strip – the flashing lights and fountains sure do complement the high energy of Vegas.
There’s no better way to end this road trip than through some of the most famous places in America! First stop, one of the seven natural wonders of the world: the Grand Canyon. Marvel at the never ending canyon along the horizon and try to envision how the Colorado River created such a masterpiece over hundreds of thousands of years. From the mighty Grand Canyon, we’ll travel to Sedona, Arizona to see for ourselves what makes it such a highly trafficked area for outdoor enthusiasts. Ride in style as you tour the most rugged terrain in a fabulous Pink Jeep, and hike to the famous Devil’s Bridge. After Sedona you’ll finish your epic Southwest adventure in Phoenix.
During this program, you will…
- Watch sunset from Griffith Observatory, stroll the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and see that famous sign for yourself
- Live out your childhood dream of visiting Disneyland*
- Relax at the beach in Santa Monica or enjoy one of the rides at the pier
- Kayak secret caves and look for sea lions in La Jolla
- Ride the High Roller in Las Vegas for views of the strip
- Take in the wonder of the mighty Grand Canyon
- Check out the natural beauty of Sedona, Arizona
*This is an optional add-on
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN LOS ANGELES (LAX)
DAYS 1-3: LOS ANGELES
Tackle the second-largest city in the US without feeling overwhelmed! Wander through “Tinseltown” to spot your favorite celebrity along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, window shop in Beverly Hills at Rodeo Drive and check out the Chinese Theatre. Spot the Hollywood sign on your way up to the Griffith Observatory where you’ll watch the city light up as the sun sets. Explore vibrant Venice Beach and shop in the famous Abbot Kinney neighborhood. Play on the Santa Monica Pier, or relax on the beach. You will even have the chance to go on an optional day trip to one of America’s favorite theme parks: Disneyland!
DAYS 4-6: SAN DIEGO
Our adventure continues in sunny San Diego. We’ll get a taste of the laidback SoCal lifestyle as we explore the neighborhoods and coastline that make this city so well known! Wander through Balboa Park and visit the world famous San Diego Zoo. Kayak through secret caves and watch the lazy seals in La Jolla. Take a surf lesson and learn to catch a wave in the Pacific. Absorb the history of the gaslamp neighborhood and enjoy colorful sunsets every night in the beautiful San Diego weather with your new friends.
DAY 7: LAS VEGAS
On our way to Arizona, we’ll stop in the vibrant city of Las Vegas to stroll the Strip and check out some of the well-known sites, including the dancing fountains at the Bellagio and the High Roller Ferris wheel. We’ll catch a dinner show at one of Vegas’s top casinos before heading to our next destination.
DAYS 8-10: GRAND CANYON AND SEDONA
You can’t visit Arizona without making a stop at the magnificent Grand Canyon National Park, but we’ll take it one step further and visit one of the most trafficked towns for outdoor adventures in the Southwest. Discover one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon, and marvel at the incredible sights that stretch beyond the horizon! Then we’ll head to the cultural red rock town of Sedona, home to some of the best desert hiking in the country. In Sedona you will see for yourself why millions of outdoor enthusiasts visit this little town each year. We’ll hike the infamous Devil’s Bridge trail, take an off-road jeep tour on the most rugged terrain in the area, and explore the beautiful and culturally dense downtown Sedona.
DAY 11: DEPART FROM PHOENIX (PHX)
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FAQs
Where do we stay?
Students stay in centrally located, safe, and well-supervised accommodations in each city.
They are well suited to facilitating group supervision and usually within walking distance of the main attractions. We do not use large, impersonal chain hotels on the outskirts of cities; we prefer to select smaller, family-run hotels where we establish personal relationships with the owners.
All accommodations on this trip have been selected to ensure quality while still maintaining character of the places we are visiting. All hotels or dorms are guaranteed to be clean, safe, and equipped with 24 hour security.
For safety reasons, we do not publish the names of the accommodations we use. We do not feel it is safe to publish the name of a hotel where a group of teenagers is staying abroad. After registering, participants and parents are given access to our secure parent website where you will be able to see the names of all of the accommodations for a trip.
Students stay in centrally located, safe, and well-supervised accommodations in each city.
They are well suited to facilitating group supervision and usually within walking distance of the main attractions. We do not use large, impersonal chain hotels on the outskirts of cities; we prefer to select smaller, family-run hotels where we establish personal relationships with the owners.
All accommodations on this trip have been selected to ensure quality while still maintaining character of the places we are visiting. All hotels or dorms are guaranteed to be clean, safe, and equipped with 24 hour security.
For safety reasons, we do not publish the names of the accommodations we use. We do not feel it is safe to publish the name of a hotel where a group of teenagers is staying abroad. After registering, participants and parents are given access to our secure parent website where you will be able to see the names of all of the accommodations for a trip.
What is unique about the USA: California & the Grand Canyon trip?
USA: California & the Grand Canyon is a legitimate road trip designed for teens in mind. Intimate-sized groups make this an incredible experience for everyone on board. You’ll see cities and spend time outdoors in some of the greatest places in California and the Southwest that will create lifelong memories. In addition to the Grand Canyon, your journey to the American Southwest will include visiting hidden gems in Page, Arizona–a destination no other teen travel company ventures to.
USA: California & the Grand Canyon is a legitimate road trip designed for teens in mind. Intimate-sized groups make this an incredible experience for everyone on board. You’ll see cities and spend time outdoors in some of the greatest places in California and the Southwest that will create lifelong memories. In addition to the Grand Canyon, your journey to the American Southwest will include visiting hidden gems in Page, Arizona–a destination no other teen travel company ventures to.
What is included on the USA: California & the Grand Canyon trip?
This trip includes: ground transportation, accommodations, all breakfasts and dinners, chaperones and guides, program related activities, program related activity admissions, taxes and tips.
Not included in cost (this not intended to be an exhaustive list): airfare; visas and visa application fees; lunches; personal and medical expenses; activities and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary; beverages other than filtered water at meals; participant expenses that are outside of the program description, such as excess baggage fees and damage to hotels; expenses related to unforeseen circumstances, such as transportation strikes and natural disasters.
This trip includes: ground transportation, accommodations, all breakfasts and dinners, chaperones and guides, program related activities, program related activity admissions, taxes and tips.
Not included in cost (this not intended to be an exhaustive list): airfare; visas and visa application fees; lunches; personal and medical expenses; activities and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary; beverages other than filtered water at meals; participant expenses that are outside of the program description, such as excess baggage fees and damage to hotels; expenses related to unforeseen circumstances, such as transportation strikes and natural disasters.
What is the food like on this program?
The food on this program is authentic, delicious, and a central part of the cultural travel experience.
We prioritize eating at local, authentic establishments rather than chains, encouraging students to sample the local specialties wherever we go. We fully accommodate all dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten allergies, and other restrictions.
While in California, we’ll have seafood and food influenced by the neighboring continent of Asia. In the Southwest, try the best Mexican food you’ve ever had!
The food on this program is authentic, delicious, and a central part of the cultural travel experience.
We prioritize eating at local, authentic establishments rather than chains, encouraging students to sample the local specialties wherever we go. We fully accommodate all dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten allergies, and other restrictions.
While in California, we’ll have seafood and food influenced by the neighboring continent of Asia. In the Southwest, try the best Mexican food you’ve ever had!