Some journeys are meant to be savoured, like travelling through the desolate landscape of the Mojave Desert. This may be one of the driest deserts in North America, but it’s so much more than just a vast patch of sand. This arid landscape is framed by stunning mountains and its deep red and pink hues exude an otherworldly atmosphere, making you feel like you’ve just space walked straight onto Mars. The Mojave Desert is also home to the unique Joshua Trees, emblems of the Western USA landscape. All this gorgeous scenery makes for a breathtaking backdrop to an artistic desert photoshoot, so better make sure your phone’s fully charged. You *won’t* be needing a filter…
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US WEST COAST
INTRODUCTION TO THE US WEST COAST
West Coast is the name, chillaxing is the game. All the glory of a slow-paced sun-soaked life paired with the electric energy of the cities, a USA West Coast tour will tease you, please you, and entice you to the max. Who can resist golden-sandy beaches, palm trees and vast deserts in hues of red and orange? While the scenic views of LA and San Diego will turn any nature-hater into a hiking enthusiast, the Californian vineyards will transform you from wine-lover to expert, whilst the Native American culture that routes the landscape in history will have you utterly transfixed. Not only will a West Coast tour of America set your soul alight, it will likely reignite your zest for life too, awakening your taste buds in the process.
Whether it’s navigating the shops that lie in the desert oasis of Phoenix, embodying the glitzy ‘Viva Las Vegas’ lifestyle in the casinos of Sin City, or getting creative with the freethinkers of San Francisco, the city where boho meets tech, every sight, sound and experience will offer you a new perspective of the American dream. And don’t even get us started on the food: locally sourced ingredients infused with Latin and Asian influences permeate the culinary scene, served of course with a side of Cali’s finest wine. Basically, all the best ingredients to get you salivating.
What’s the West Coast’s best feature? It’s simple: the pure, untampered natural beauty of the region. For West-Coasters, an affiliation with the great outdoors isn’t just a hobby, it’s a way of life, and really can you blame them? With the serenity of Bass Lake, the magic of the starry sky above Yosemite National Park and the iconic Joshua Trees of the Mojave Desert all waiting to be explored, it ain’t a West Coast adventure without a nature blockbuster happening every single day of your trip. And who can overlook the Grand Canyon, an unfathomable natural wonder that will have you pondering your place in the world as you marvel at its size and beauty. Travelling the USA’s West Coast will reinvigorate you, inspire you, and no doubt move you to the core. Don’t believe us? Come see for yourself.
THINGS TO DO ON THE US WEST COAST
Experience the desolate landscapes of the Mojave Desert
Take a hot air balloon ride over the “Valley of the Sun”, Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona, isn’t dubbed the ‘Valley of the Sun’ for no reason. This place experiences an enviable 300 days a year of pure sunshine, making it pretty much the perfect location for us tan-aholics. This desert oasis is filled with rocky hiking trails, awe-inspiring attractions and of course breathtaking views of the valley. One way to experience the full scope of the city’s beauty is to hop in a hot air balloon and take to the sunny skies. You’ll float serenely above desert vistas and vast valleys, gaining a new vantage point of the wild wild west. This is a bucket list essential you simply won’t want to miss out on.
Capture incredible photos of the Grand Canyon with a visit to a panoramic view point
There’s nothing more spiritually awakening than a pilgrimage to the pride of Arizona, aka The Grand Canyon. With our spirits sky-high, we’ll roll up at this immense geological red-rock formation to take in the scene and attempt to fathom the beauty of this timeless natural wonder, filling up our camera memories and pinching ourselves to double check we’re not dreaming. Once we’ve picked our jaws up off the floor, we’ll make our way to the vantage point for a panoramic view of the golden landscape - if we’re lucky, catching the majesty of the sunset over the Canyon. This is an experience you’ll never forget.
Experience the Grand Canyon from a birds eye view with a helicopter flight
Sure, you can marvel at the Grand Canyon from the safety of the ground, but if you’re feeling a little more adventurous why not opt for a helicopter ride to capture this dramatic scenery by air? A birds-eye view will grant you with stunning panoramas of the hidden gorges, rivers and bends you simply can’t see from the viewpoints, and you’ll experience the once in a lifetime feeling of gliding over the middle of the Canyon itself, with nothing but vast red-rock valley below you. Nothing will bring you closer to the Grand Canyon than this VIP style sightseeing tour, 100% worth every penny.
Take a road trip down Historic Route 66
Some highways are just highways, but others are historic icons of the USA. Route 66 is one such legend. No ordinary highway, this road runs between the East Coast city of Chicago, all the way to Los Angeles. We’re no math experts, but you can imagine it’s pretty damn long. Once the vital main road that connected the entire nation, Route 66 is an archetype of the Americana road trip - dotted with kitsch vintage signs, classic 50’s diners and vast desert landscapes. As you blast your Contiki coach tunes, there’ll be photo ops and souvenir hunts a-plenty on your road trip odyssey.
Explore the party city of Las Vegas with a guided sightseeing tour
Viva Las Vegas! Welcome to Sin City, the dream destination for party lovers in all forms. With so much glitz and glamour to take in, there’s no better way to get initiated into the Vegas lifestyle than with a guided sightseeing tour - after all, the city’s weird and wonderful charm isn’t going to uncover itself. We’ll stroll down the strip, almost blinded by the neon signage, take in the sparkly grandeur of the Mirage casino where countless millionaires are made, and even capture the Vegas versions of other landmarks, like the Eiffel tower and Egyptian pyramids that dot this adult playground. Only in Vegas, baby!
Explore the vastness of the Sonoran Desert
If you’ve got a major crush on cacti, you’ll fall head over heels in love with the Sonoran Desert. Spanning California, Arizona and even Northwestern Mexico, the mighty Sonoran is the hottest desert in America, so it’s water and sunscreen all the way for us. Yet whilst the size may be overwhelming, desert life certainly isn’t desolate. Amongst the miraged landscapes, this desert is teeming with life. We’ll traverse the gorgeous shrubs and cacti that give the desert its green hue, marvel and the enigmatic mountainous backdrop and uncover the diverse wildlife that hides among the famous Joshua trees. Make sure your camera is fully charged for this one…
Experience the many delights of Tinsel Town in Los Angeles
Welcome to LA, where glamour meets grit. There’s no better way to get to know this city than a full day packed with Hollywood glamour, Beverly Hills celeb-spotting and some serious beach action on the Californian Coast. Perhaps you’ll rent a bike and dodge fitness fanatics along the shore, take a scenic stroll down Santa Monica Boulevard, or even visit your fave movie stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? Whether you’re after culture, surfing, architecture or Disney, one thing we can all agree on is a quick (or, y’know, leisurely) stop at a Mexican street food stall…
Explore the many cultural delights of the San Francisco Bay area
Here in San Fran, creativity is a high priority. After all, it’s the city’s quirky charm that has attracted artists, musicians and freethinkers for decades. Head to the Bay area for the alluring diversity and charisma that has set this Northern Californian city apart from the rest. Here, you’ll find some of Cali's finest wines, gaze upon colourful Victorian houses, dine on delectable trend-setting eats and even hop in one of San Fran’s distinctive cable cars. Watching the sun set over the crimson Golden Gate Bridge with a stomach full of chowder in the company of your travel buddies makes for a perfect evening in our book…
Hike along the Grand Canyon’s South Rim
The Grand Canyon’s South Rim is the Canyon’s most visited location, mostly due to its incredible vistas and accessible walking paths. If you’re a hiker at heart, prepare yourself for a walk to pretty much trump all walks. Tracing the trail of the South Rim, you’ll get so much more than the stereotypical quick view of the Canyon. Traversing the diverse habitats and scouting out the Insta famous swimming holes, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the biodiversity and wildlife that calls this arid landscape home, getting to know the region’s history in the process.
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TOP 5 FESTIVALS ON THE US WEST COAST
When it comes to festivals, the West Coast makes a strong case for being one of the world’s hottest destinations. Just picture yourself glowing under the warm western sun, some mouth-watering Mexican food in hand, cutting shapes to some of the world’s finest indie beats. All that and more with these 5 unmissable events…
The Flying Burrito Food and Music Festival, Phoenix
What do you get if you combine burritos with music? An absolute whale of a time, that’s what. The set up is simple: 26 of the hottest bands, a myriad of local food vendors, and blissful vibes all round. Food tastings, other-worldly burrito creations and of-course cocktails will have the good times rolling throughout the evening.
San Diego Music Thing, San Diego
Lasting only 2 days, this compact boutique event will get you familiarised with what’s hot in the world of San Diego’s emerging bands and artists. Featuring conference panels, intimate performances and live recordings, this festival is proof that sometimes less is more - and music needs to be stripped back in order to appreciate it fully.
Life Is Beautiful, downtown Las Vegas
It may take place in Sin City, but this festival is all about love and life. Hailed as the festival of positivity, Life is Beautiful seeks to encourage its participants to find beauty in themselves and the surroundings. If you’ve been lacking a little inspiration in your life, this is the festival to get your groove back.
Electric Daisy Carnival, Las Vegas
This is one of the world’s biggest electronic dance festivals and prides itself on being a celebration not just of music, but of love, life and art. This isn’t just a festival, it’s an interactive experience where performance, music and community coexist. Oh, and a lot of dancing, of course…
Rock in Rio USA, Las Vegas
This Las Vegas spin-off of the popular Rio de Janeiro festival is the party of the year (at least, it is if you’re into rock music.) This is the festival where the passionate street-party spirit of Rio meets the glitzy glamour of Sin City, all to the sweet sounds of the world’s finest rock stars.
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TOP 5 MUSEUMS ON THE US WEST COAST
The West Coast isn’t all sunshine, beaches and tacos. It has a pretty impressive roster of museums; from the wacky and obscure, to the super informative. With these 5 museums, you’ll unearth the nations mob history, hang out with your favourite celebrities and get dazzled by Sin City’s neon signage.
Neon Museum, Las Vegas
What do you think of when you picture Las Vegas? The signs, of course. Cameras at the ready, this museum epitomises all of the neon glitz and glamour that sets Las Vegas apart from the rest. The outdoor exhibition space hosts over 200 colourful signs, all of which are more than worthy of a spot on your insta.
Mob Museum, Las Vegas
Who would have thought there’d be a museum for organised crime? This is the museum for those who love gangster movies and mob dramas just a little too much. America’s mob history is enthralling to say the least, and the Mob Museum will get you to the nitty-gritty of mob life - the good, the bad and the ugly.
Madame Tussauds, Las Vegas
Always pictured yourself rubbing shoulders with the greats? If you run out of time for celeb-spotting in Sin City, Madame Tussauds is the next best thing. More than just a wax museum, this is where you’ll live out your celebrity fantasies and even take that one pic convincing enough to fool your friends back home…
National Atomic Testing Museum, Las Vegas
The National Atomic Testing Museum tells the story of America’s nuclear weapons testing program at the Nevada Test Site. Rare artefacts, detailed exhibits and even a large-scale reactor used in the development of a nuclear missile will all open your eyes to the sobering world of America’s infamous nuclear testing programme.
Arizona Science Center, Phoenix
This desert museum will lead you on a journey of discovery with hands-on learning experiences, mind-boggling exhibitions, and the chance to discover what treasures lie in the vast Arizona sky at the in-house planetarium. The museum even offers ‘science with a twist’ evenings for over 21’s which includes music, drinking, and live demos.
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FOOD IN US WEST COAST
The West Coast is the best coast, especially when it comes to food. Heavily influenced by Latin flavours, West Coast cuisine incorporates the bountiful delights of the sea, the laid-back atmosphere of the cities and the diversity of its communities, meaning every meal you eat will be nothing short of sunshine on a plate.
Steakburger California Style
All those beach-bum antics will work up an appetite, and with locations across the West Coast, you’ll never be too far from a Freddy’s. Keep it local with a steakburger California style, with 2 beef patties (because bigger is better) that will keep you full for hours to come.
Best eaten at - Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, locations across the West Coast
Best eaten at - Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, locations across the West Coast
The Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich
Got a sweet tooth? An ice cream cookie sandwich will be sure to cool you down in the sweltering Arizona heat. Decadent and food-porn worthy, you can choose your own ice cream flavour, cookie, and all the extras and sprinkles your dessert-loving heart desires at Churn, an adorable sweet shop and ice cream parlour in the heart of the desert.
Best eaten at - Churn, 5223 N Central Ave, Phoenix
Best eaten at - Churn, 5223 N Central Ave, Phoenix
TV Dinners
There are some who wouldn’t dream of seeking a pub experience outside of the UK, but they’re missing out. This laid-back beer garden has all the joys of a traditional London gastro-pub with all the cool vibes of the desert, offering TV-style dinners in a different theme every week on Tuesday nights. Yaaas.
Best eaten at - Angel’s Trumpet Ale House, 810 N 2nd St, Phoenix
Best eaten at - Angel’s Trumpet Ale House, 810 N 2nd St, Phoenix
California burrito
Sure, you’ve tried a burrito, but have you ever sunk your teeth into a California burrito? Nico’s Mexican Food, a no-frills beachside Mexican joint in San Diego, will introduce you to the joys of Californian-Mexican cuisine. This hefty potato-filled burrito is a surfer’s favourite, served with guac and salsa.
Best eaten at - Nico’s Mexican Food, 4918 Newport Ave, San Diego
Best eaten at - Nico’s Mexican Food, 4918 Newport Ave, San Diego
Guava cheese pastry
We know what you’re thinking: a sweet fruit, paired with a cheese pastry? But honestly, a guava cheese pastry will all but blow your mind. Served by the dozen at Ázucar, a Cuban-style patisserie in San Diego, these cheesy-fruity delights rolled in buttery puff pastry will soon be your new favourite desserts.
Best eaten at - Azucar, 4820 Newport Ave, San Diego
Best eaten at - Azucar, 4820 Newport Ave, San Diego
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