From Wild West grandeur to West Coast sophistication, North America is made for trips on an epic scale. Our experienced Travel Advisors make it easy for you to plan your adventure, bringing together in-the-know recommendations for must-see destinations with some of the best boutique hotels in Arizona and California in one inspiring itinerary.
With its Wild West skies and spectacular desert landscape, Arizona is a sublime starting state for your adventure. And there’s no better introduction to it than Grand Canyon National Park. Take in the sheer immensity of one of the world’s Seven Natural Wonders on foot, in true cowboy style on horseback – or even from the air. Continue the drama with a spot of star-gazing at one of Arizona’s many Dark Sky observatories – Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff is one of the country’s oldest. Then perhaps finish with a scenic road trip to see the giant cacti at Saguaro National Park.
If you fancy swapping mountain rocks for downtown, wander around colourful Tucson (‘too-sawn’). Amble down 4th Avenue for vintage shops and cafés, before popping into Tucson Museum of Art and the nearby historic block for a dash of culture.
…at Castle Hot Springs. This historic Arizona hideaway boasts not just thermal springs but a no-screen time vibe as well as magnificent views of the Bradshaw Mountains. Unwind after a day in the desert with a soak in your hot tub before enjoying a meal under the stars. Suggested stay 3 nights.
Unspoiled wilderness of sparkling streams and panoramic vistas that transport you to frontier times. Hiking trails abound or gaze up in wonder at monumental rock formations such as El Capitan and Half Dome. This is the American landscape at its grandest. Yosemite has been capturing artists’ hearts for generations – perhaps most famously the iconic American landscape photographer Ansel Adams. A daytrip to the Ansel Adams Gallery at the heart of the National Park offers the chance to see his starkly beautiful black and white images in the natural setting which inspired them.
Set on three and a half acres in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, the beautiful Hounds Tooth Inn is an intimate boutique hotel and an ideal gateway to the spectacular Yosemite National Park. Suggested stay 3 nights.
If Arizona brings the heat, San Francisco brings the good times. And it’s got the fog and ocean breeze to cool your brow. If it’s your first time here, tick off the big hitters by sailing under the soaring heights of the Golden Gate Bridge and see Alcatraz up close. Hike up Coit Tower for stunning panoramic views. Then spend the afternoon (or summery evenings) at ground level in ultra-hip Dolores Park.
Haight Street, Balmy Alley and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) are where you’ll experience the city’s rich artistic and political heritage. Getting hungry? Head to Chinatown for dim sum (and karaoke), funky Mission District for gourmet doughnuts, or Fisherman’s Wharf for freshly-caught crab. Then grab a cold beer with a jukebox soundtrack or finish the evening with opera, ballet or jazz.
For stylish glamour with harbourside views, stay at Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa. Blending the elegance of a historic home with thoroughly modern spa experiences, this is a place to truly unwind.
Let things slow down to a luxurious pace in California’s famous wine country. Think vineyard-braided hills and timeless little towns. Heavenly cabernet sauvignon and delicious charcuterie. Fly above the vines in a hot air balloon. Channel vintage glamour on the Napa Valley Wine Train. Or if San Francisco’s rebellious spirit rubbed off on you, hit the winding roads on a Harley Davidson.
Within easy walking distance of St. Helena’s restaurants, boutique shops and wineries, Southbridge Napa Valley is the perfect place to while away the last few days of your American adventure. Suggested stay 3 nights.
Pack for hot days and cold nights in Arizona’s desert, and a raincoat for San Francisco’s cooler months. Road trips in this part of the world always involve long distances, so plan your in-car playlist before you jet off. And ask our Voice Reservation Team for details about transfers or transport provided by individual hotels.
To book the hotels on this independent itinerary, get in touch with our Voice Reservation Team on 0800 0482 314 (UK) & 1-877-234-7033 (US). You can find a full list of our dedicated toll-free numbers here. We’re ready and waiting to plan luxury adventures 24 hours a day, seven days a week. So whenever inspiration strikes, just get in touch.
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