National Park Adventure & California Tour Overview
Visit three of America’s greatest National Parks and explore some of California’s most iconic destinations on a once-in-a-lifetime road trip!
Get ready to see for yourself why the scenery and geological phenomenon of Yellowstone were so inspiring that this area became the first National Park in 1872. Admire the vast wilderness, incredible geysers, and unique land formations that bring people out west year after year!
In Grand Teton, discover the best the Rockies have to offer and experience the raw beauty of the jagged mountain peaks, winding rivers, and turquoise alpine lakes. Try your hand at the high ropes course at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and ride the alpine coaster at Snow King!
For our next stop, we’ll head to Glacier – a showcase of melting glaciers, alpine meadows, carved valleys, and spectacular lakes. With over 700 miles of trails, Glacier is a paradise for adventurous visitors seeking wilderness steeped in human history. Relive the days of old through historic chalets, lodges, and the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road. Fill your time with plenty of outdoor activities, including whitewater rafting, paddle boarding, fly fishing, and hiking.
Then we’ll hit the road and head to California! We’ll start in sunny SoCal, seeing San Diego’s most iconic sights. Spend some time cleaning up the beaches of San Diego then hang ten as you learn to surf at one of the city’s most famous beaches. Immerse yourself in the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles as we take you to all the best spots of this bustling city. Witness incredible landscapes and vistas as you travel along Highway 1, taking in the beauty of the world-renowned Big Sur. Once in NorCal, check out Morro Bay, Santa Cruz, and San Francisco. Embrace the city by the bay as you take in the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, Muir Woods, and much more.
This is the perfect trip for travelers looking to explore the great outdoors and some of the best cities the West Coast has to offer with a small group of like-minded peers.
*This is a combination of our USA for Middle School: National Park Adventure and USA for Middle School: Hello California trips.
During this program, you will…
- Visit three of America’s most incredible National Parks
- Hike the stunning trails in Grand Teton National Park
- Soak in a natural hot spring
- Enjoy a traditional Western rodeo
- Spot a variety of wildlife including bison, elk, and bears
- Horseback ride in Yellowstone Valley
- Watch Old Faithful erupt in Yellowstone National Park
- Zipline through the stunning mountain scenery
- White water raft on one of the best rivers in the states
- Explore the charming town of Jackson
- Learn to surf in San Diego
- Explore Hollywood and the Walk of Fame, wander through Venice Beach and along the Santa Monica Pier
- Take a road trip along Highway 1, experiencing the unique Big Sur
- See an ancient volcanic plug formed by magma in stunning Morro Bay
- Cross the iconic Golden Gate Bridge
- Ferry to the legendary island of Alcatraz prison
- Hike through giant redwood trees at Muir Woods
- Take an e-bike tour through the iconic sights of San Francisco
- Spend a magical day at Disneyland*
*This is an optional add-on
Trip Itinerary
DAYS 1-5: JACKSON, WYOMING & GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK
Welcome to Wyoming! Our home base in charming Jackson, Wyoming is the perfect jump-off point to explore everything Grand Teton National Park has to offer! There are plenty of hiking opportunities for all skill levels and every day will be a new adventure. Admire the mountain views and go for a dip in the vibrant blue alpine lakes or paddle board on the famous Jenny Lake! To get the adrenaline going, test your high ropes skills at the Jackson Hole course, and ride the famous tram to the top of the resort while you’re there! Back in town, we’ll zipline and ride the alpine coaster at Snow King Mountain Park! When you’ve had your fill of action packed adventure for the day, grab a photo under the iconic antler arch in downtown Jackson and spend time exploring one of the quaintest towns in America.
DAYS 5-7: YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
Get ready to see for yourself why the scenery and geological phenomenon of Yellowstone were so inspiring that this area became the first National Park in 1872. Within Yellowstone’s boundaries, it’ll feel like we’ve left planet Earth. Bubbling hot spring pools of vibrant color and spouting geysers provide a window to the super-volcanic activity below. Be amazed by the plethora of wildlife that roams the park, including bison, elk, wolves, and bears! Discover some of the most famous sites in the park, including Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring along with some lesser-known gems. We’ll see the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and take in the park by horseback! Attend a traditional rodeo, go horseback riding, and truly immerse yourself in the wild west of Wyoming.
DAY 7 & 8: BUTTE & MISSOULA, MONTANA
On our way to Glacier National Park, we’ll stop through some of Montana’s most iconic towns like Butte, a place infamous for the Berkeley Pit, a giant former copper mine, and magical Missoula! The last major city in America before the landscape gives way to sweeping glaciated mountains all the way to Canada.
DAYS 8-10: GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
In Glacier National Park you can’t miss the alpine lake hikes and glaciated valleys it’s known for. We’ll stand amongst the rainbow rocks of Lake Macdonald and try our hand at fly fishing! Visit the nearby town of Whitefish for a chance to cool off at the lake and see what the Glacier adventure park has to offer!
Explore melting glaciers, alpine meadows, carved valleys, and spectacular lakes. With over 700 miles of trails, there is plenty to do in this majestic park. Experience the awe of “Going to sun road” as we take a drive stopping at scenic vistas along the way.
DAY 11: MONTANA > CALIFORNIA
Enjoy a fancy final dinner in Montana with all your new friends and then head to the airport to fly to our next destination – California!
DAYS 12-15: SAN DIEGO
Our adventure begins in sunny San Diego. We’ll get our first taste of the laid back Southern California lifestyle as we explore the neighborhoods and coastline that make this city so well known! Wander through Balboa Park, watch the seals of La Jolla, hang ten as you learn to surf in the Pacific, and absorb the history of the charming gaslamp district. During your time here, you’ll contribute to the everlasting beauty of the area and help clean up the beaches for more visitors like yourself to enjoy.
DAYS 16-18: 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 and check out the Chinese Theatre, explore vibrant Venice Beach and the Santa Monica Pier, window shop along Rodeo Drive, and hike through Runyon Canyon for incredible views from the Griffith Observatory. You will even have the chance to go on an optional day trip to one of America’s favorite theme parks: Disneyland!*
DAY 19: HIGHWAY 1
Arguably the most beautiful coastal road in the world, we’ll spend the day snaking our way up it, staying in Morro Bay and stopping at the postcard-perfect beaches of Santa Barbara, the stunning McWay Falls, funky Bixby Bridge, Santa Cruz, and the purple sand of Pfeiffer Beach.
DAYS 20-21: SAN FRANCISCO
Experience all the best of the City by the Bay in the cultural epicenter of NorCal.. Ride the historic cable car and enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes of the famous Pier 39. Sample incredible seafood while watching the lazy sea lions bask along the pier before enjoying a delicious sundae at Ghirardelli Square. Explore San Francisco’s diverse neighborhoods, including Haight Ashbury, SoMa, Embarcadero, and Chinatown.
Head North to Marin County, where you’ll cross the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and stroll through the quaint seaside town of Sausalito before hiking through the impressive redwoods of Muir Woods. Hop on a boat across the bay to tour the infamous prison, Alcatraz, also known as The Rock.
DAY 22: DEPART FROM SAN FRANCISCO (SFO)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is unique about the USA for Middle School: National Park Adventure & California trip?
Participants of the USA for Middle School: Wyoming & Montana trip love the opportunity to explore three of America’s greatest national parks and the insight they gain from experiencing the “real California” off the tourist track. Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the variety California has to offer, including different cities, landscapes, and stunning beaches! From Yellowstone to the Grand Tetons, to Glacier National Park you will experience nature’s finest views and trails!
Participants of the USA for Middle School: Wyoming & Montana trip love the opportunity to explore three of America’s greatest national parks and the insight they gain from experiencing the “real California” off the tourist track. Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the variety California has to offer, including different cities, landscapes, and stunning beaches! From Yellowstone to the Grand Tetons, to Glacier National Park you will experience nature’s finest views and trails!
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.
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.
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 included on the USA for Middle School: National Park Adventure & California trip?
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.
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.There is no better way to immerse ourselves in the culture of a place than through sampling the local delicacies. We stray away chains that cater to tourists, because every true traveler knows the best food is found where the locals are eating!
Of course, we are always willing and able to accommodate vegetarians, vegans, gluten allergies, and other dietary restrictions.
The food on this program is authentic, delicious, and a central part of the cultural travel experience.There is no better way to immerse ourselves in the culture of a place than through sampling the local delicacies. We stray away chains that cater to tourists, because every true traveler knows the best food is found where the locals are eating!
Of course, we are always willing and able to accommodate vegetarians, vegans, gluten allergies, and other dietary restrictions.