Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Las Vegas
After landing in Vegas and grabbing your rental car, head to the hotel and cool off in the pool before things get going. Once it gets dark, the Strip lights up with all the iconic sights you've probably seen in movies. Walk over to see the famous Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, then catch the free Bellagio Fountain Show or check out the Mirage volcanic eruption. If you want higher perspectives, the Stratosphere Tower or High Roller observation wheel are both options for taking in the whole scene.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sahara Las Vegas)
Included Activities
- Explore the Las Vegas Strip
- View the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign
- Watch Bellagio Fountain Show (free)
- Watch Mirage volcanic eruption (free)
Optional Activities
- Stratosphere Tower visit (payable on site)
- High Roller observation wheel (payable on site)
Landmarks Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign Bellagio Fountains Mirage Volcano Stratosphere Tower High Roller Venetian Hotel & Casino Luxor Hotel & Casino Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino - Day 2
Las Vegas
After settling in from your first night, you'll walk through the themed hotels that make Vegas distinctive. The Venetian has indoor canals and gondola rides if you want that experience, the Luxor gives you the Egyptian pyramid and sphinx setup, and Paris Las Vegas has their Eiffel Tower replica. If retro Vegas appeals to you, the Neon Museum is worth the trip with over 200 original neon signs from the old Strip era on display. You can spend a couple hours wandering through the hotels or dedicate more time to the museum depending on your interests. Either way, you'll get a feel for how different each property tries to be, which is kind of the whole Vegas thing.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sahara Las Vegas)
Optional Activities
- Explore Venice's canals at the Venetian Hotel
- Visit the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas
- Immerse yourself in ancient Egypt at Luxor Hotel
- Neon Museum admission - view over 200 original neon signs from the Strip era (some lit up, others illuminated by spotlights in evening)
Landmarks The Venetian Luxor Las Vegas Paris Las Vegas Neon Museum - Day 3
Las Vegas
You've got options today depending on your mood. Stick around the hotel pool with a smoothie if you want to keep things low-key, or head into Downtown Las Vegas to check out Fremont Street. This area's got all the classic neon signs and live DJs, plus free light shows that start at 6 pm. You'll see the old-school casinos like Golden Gate and Golden Nugget scattered along the street. If you're up for something different, you could take a day trip out to the Grand Canyon from here.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sahara Las Vegas)
Optional Activities
- Relax by hotel pool
- Explore Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas
- Watch free light shows on Fremont Street (starting 6 pm)
- Visit casinos (Golden Gate, Golden Nugget, and others)
- Day trip to Grand Canyon from Las Vegas
Landmarks Fremont Street Golden Gate Casino Golden Nugget Casino Grand Canyon - Day 4
Los Angeles: Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Griffith Observatory
Drive into L.A. through palm-lined streets and start getting a feel for the city of stars. Check out Beverly Hills, then cruise along Mulholland Drive where you get great views winding through the hills. Walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame to see the 2,800 pink stars embedded in the pavement. Head to Griffith Observatory for the best views of the Hollywood Sign, and you'll catch the sunset over the city too.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hollywood Inn Suites Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Beverly Hills
- Drive Mulholland Drive
- Visit Hollywood Walk of Fame
- View the Hollywood Sign
- Visit Griffith Observatory
Optional Activities
- Hollywood Sign Hike
- Open-top bus tour of Hollywood
Landmarks Beverly Hills Mulholland Drive Hollywood Walk of Fame Hollywood Sign Griffith Observatory 
- Day 5
Los Angeles
Start this morning at Santa Monica Pier where you can see the Ferris wheel and roller coaster right there against the ocean. After spending time at the pier, head over to Venice Beach to get a feel for California's beach culture. The Ocean Front Walk has street musicians and artists everywhere, plus plenty of places to grab food or coffee. Muscle Beach is worth a walk through if you want to see the bodybuilders training in the open air surrounded by street art and colorful murals.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hollywood Inn Suites Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Visit Santa Monica Pier
- View Ferris wheel at Santa Monica Pier
- Ride roller coaster at Santa Monica Pier
- Explore Venice Beach and Ocean Front Walk
- Visit Muscle Beach
- Watch street musicians at Venice Beach
- Dine at restaurants and cafés at Venice Beach
- Hollywood Sign Hike
- Open-top bus tour of Hollywood
- Tour of Bryce & Zion National Parks
- Ticket for Universal Studios Hollywood
- Bike day rental in Santa Monica
Landmarks Santa Monica Pier Venice Beach Muscle Beach Ocean Front Walk - Day 6
Los Angeles: Beaches & Downtown
Hit the beach and pick your vibe for the day. Venice Beach has the bodybuilders and street artists doing their thing, or head north to Malibu Beach if you want something quieter with open sand. If beaches aren't calling you, explore downtown L.A. instead. The Disney Concert Hall stands out with its futuristic metal design, and Union Station is a historic spot that's been in plenty of films.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hollywood Inn Suites Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Venice Beach
- Visit Malibu Beach
- Visit Disney Concert Hall
- Visit Union Station
Optional Activities
- Bike day rental in Santa Monica
Landmarks Venice Beach Malibu Beach Disney Concert Hall Union Station - Day 7
Venice Beach to San Diego
Catch one more morning at Venice Beach watching the bodybuilders, skateboarders, and street performers in action. From there, Malibu Beach is close by if you want more time on the sand. Then head south toward San Diego with the windows down and palm trees passing by. When you arrive, walk through the Gaslamp Quarter for neon signs and rooftop bars, or relax at Seaport Village with a burrito and a view of sailing boats at sunset.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Comfort Inn Sea World Area)
Included Activities
- Visit Venice Beach (final time)
- Visit Malibu Beach
- Explore Gaslamp Quarter
- Visit Seaport Village
Landmarks Venice Beach Malibu Beach Gaslamp Quarter Seaport Village 
- Day 8
San Diego: La Jolla & Torrey Pines
Drive out to La Jolla where the water is that bright turquoise and sea lions hang out on the rocks. Walk down to La Jolla Cove and watch the waves hit the cliffs. You can book a kayak tour to paddle through the hidden sea caves if that appeals to you. Grab some crispy tacos at Shore Rider afterward, then finish by hiking Torrey Pines where you get sand and cliffs with the Pacific stretching out in front of you.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Comfort Inn Sea World Area)
Included Activities
- Visit La Jolla Cove
- Visit Torrey Pines
- Short hike at Torrey Pines
Optional Activities
- Kayak tour through sea caves (payable on site)
Landmarks La Jolla Cove Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve Shore Rider 
- Day 9
Departure from San Diego
Use your last few hours to squeeze in anything you didn't get to. Maybe one more coffee with a good view or snap one final photo for your album. Then head to the airport to turn in your rental car and start thinking about what comes next. The drive down the coast is done, and it's time to head home.
