California, Grand Canyon, & Hawaii Trip Overview
This summer, experience some of America’s most beautifully unique states on this one-of-a-kind adventure to the Aloha State, the Golden State and the great American Southwest. The first part of our journey will include Southern California, Nevada, and Arizona! From LA to San Diego, you’ll soak up the SoCal sun in two of California’s greatest cities. We’ll begin in the star-studded city of Los Angeles where you’ll stroll the Walk of Fame in Hollywood 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 while looking out for sea lions. See the amazing San Diego Zoo, and if Disneyland has been on your bucket list, you will have the option to check it 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 complement the high energy of Vegas. Get excited for one of the seven natural wonders of the world: the Grand Canyon. See it for yourself and try to envision how the Colorado River created such a masterpiece over hundreds of thousands of years. We’ll continue on to Page, Arizona to see lesser-known hidden gems: Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend! These natural wonders are not to be missed sites in the Grand Canyon area.
After our time in the mainland, we will spend the rest of our trip in beautiful Hawaii! Our service project is focused on wildlife conservation, where we will learn about sea turtle conservation and participate in several community service projects to protect the endangered hawksbill sea turtles. Projects include snorkeling and reef surveying, beach and habitat cleanup, surveying and cleaning coral, and watching over sea turtles on the island’s beaches. We’ll complement our service projects with plenty of adventure. Walk through bamboo forests to waterfalls, hike to the top of a volcanic crater, take a surf lesson, and more on this incredible student trip to discover the best Hawaii has to offer!
So grab your bathing suit and your hiking boots as we go from canyons to beaches on the adventure of a lifetime!
During this program, you will…
- Watch the 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 Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend
- Earn up to 15 hours of service credit volunteering with multiple wildlife conservation projects
- Learn about sea turtle conservation and protect the endangered hawksbill sea turtles while working up close with injured sea turtle patients
- Learn to surf on the famous shores of Waikiki Beach
- Kayak through the pristine waters of the Pacific Ocean
- Enjoy a traditional Hawaiian feast at an authentic Hawaiian luau
- Take a step back in time and visit Pearl Harbor Memorial
- Try scuba diving and explore the world under the ocean’s surface*
- Play beach volleyball, swim in crystal clear water and enjoy life under the Hawaiian sun
*This is an optional excursion
This program is the combination of our two popular but shorter Hawaii Sea Turtle Service and Adventure and USA: California and the Grand Canyon programs.
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN LOS ANGELES (LAX)
DAYS 1-4: LOS ANGELES
We will begin our adventure in California and 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. Discover some of the best sites of LA by bike. You will even have the chance to go on an optional day trip to one of America’s favorite theme parks: Disneyland!
DAYS 5-7: SAN DIEGO
Our journey 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.
DAYS 8: 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 hang by the hotel pool and catch a dinner show at one of Vegas’s top casinos before heading to our next destination.
DAYS 9-11: ARIZONA CANYONS
You can’t visit Arizona without visiting the Grand Canyon National Park but we’ll take it one step further and visit some of the best-hidden gems of the Southwest. Discover one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon, and see for yourself what makes it one of the most incredible sights in the entire country! Page is home to both Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. If you love traveling to natural wonders off the beaten path, this stop is sure to satisfy your spirit. A short walk takes you to the overlook of Horseshoe Bend where the Colorado River wraps around the canyon below in a literal horseshoe shape! Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon secretly tucked below the ground. You’ll wander through the canyon, gazing up at the bright orange walls that make you feel like you’re on another planet. If you’re feeling up for a swim, stop by the beautiful Lone Rock Beach on the shores of Lake Powell.
DAYS 12 - 16: HONOLULU > PEARL HARBOR > WAIKIKI
Get excited for our next destination, Hawaii! Oahu is the perfect island for a little bit of adventure. We will take a surf lesson on the famous shores of Waikiki with professional instructors who will have you riding waves in no time. Our hotel is just steps away from the beach, so we will have plenty of time to relax, swim, and enjoy some quality time in the summer sun! For a truly unique experience, we’ll hike through a lava tunnel to the top of famous Diamond Head Crater for breathtaking views of the island.
No visit to Oahu would be complete without a journey to the past to pay respects at the USS Arizona and Pearl Harbor Memorials. Accessible only by boat, this memorial is one of several sites in Hawaii commemorating the attack on Pearl Harbor and honoring those who lost their lives as well as the few remaining survivors.
DAYS 17-21: MAUI
Maui is truly a Hawaiian paradise with pristine white sand beaches, colorful coral reefs, lush vegetation, and turquoise ocean. Lucky for us, our hotel is adjacent to some of the best beaches on the island! We can hop over any time we like for beach volleyball, relaxation, and a refreshing swim. You’ll also snorkel in the pristine blue waters at Molokini Crater.
Maui is also home to our sea turtle service project. We partner with a local organization dedicated to protecting and researching this endangered species. We’ll learn all about the hawksbill sea turtles and participate in a variety of projects dedicated to sea turtle conservation. Some of these projects include snorkeling and reef surveying to collect ocean data and look for turtles, beach cleanups to protect their natural habitats, and watching over basking turtles on the beach. At the Center, we will work first-hand with injured turtle patients–tending to wounds, taking fluids, and whatever else these gentle friends need on their road to recovery.
Our service work will be complemented with plenty of fun activities, including sea kayaking, ziplining, walking through bamboo forests to waterfalls, scuba diving (optional), and a sunset dinner cruise. There will also be an optional excursion to catch the sunrise from the top of Haleakala Volcano.
On our last night in Hawaii, we will experience a traditional Hawaiian luau with incredible performances and plenty of food! After living up island life, we will part ways with the Aloha State, but the Ohana we created will last forever!
DAY 22: DEPART FROM MAUI
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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: Hawaii, California & the Grand Canyon trip?
USA: Hawaii, California & the Grand Canyon is a beach trip meets service trip meets legitimate road trip designed for teens in mind. Intimate-sized groups make this an incredible experience for everyone on board. From sea turtle service to the West Coast’s great cities to the Southwest’s natural wonders, this program is the ultimate summer experience!
USA: Hawaii, California & the Grand Canyon is a beach trip meets service trip meets legitimate road trip designed for teens in mind. Intimate-sized groups make this an incredible experience for everyone on board. From sea turtle service to the West Coast’s great cities to the Southwest’s natural wonders, this program is the ultimate summer experience!
What is included on the USA: Hawaii, 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 Americanized 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.
The food in Hawaii involves plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and of course, seafood! Some typical foods we will have the chance to try are poke bowls, acai bowls, poi, and breadfruit.
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 Americanized 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.
The food in Hawaii involves plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and of course, seafood! Some typical foods we will have the chance to try are poke bowls, acai bowls, poi, and breadfruit.
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!