23 Days / 22 Nights

From Denver To Los Angeles

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State Capitol, Denver CO

Day 1 | Arrive in Denver, Colorado

Distance: 0 miles / 0.0 km

Arrive at the airport. Pick up your rental car and proceed to your hotel. Denver has the urban charms of an industrious city, combined with all of the mystery and romance of the old West. Located at just over five thousand feet above sea level, the “Mile High City” was one of the first settlements to not be centrally located to a navigable of water or a functioning railway. A speck of gold was discovered here and led many eager fortune seekers to make camp. Although no major gold discovery was ever had, William H. Larimer arrived in 1859 and laid out a plan for the city. Today, it is a thriving center of commerce and finance with a lingering twinkle of its rugged beginnings. Walking in the Downtown area is ideal. It is bursting with greenery in its parks, pedestrian areas and tree-lined boulevards. Shops, restaurants and nightspots are all around. Top attractions like the US Mint, modeled on the Palazzo Riccardi in Florence, Denver Art Museum, Colorado History Museum area located in this area also. Accommodations: (STD) Comfort Inn Denver Downtown (1 Night)

Rocky Mountain National Park

Day 2 | Denver - Rocky Mountain National Park - Cheyenne, Wyoming

Distance: 251 miles / 403.9 km

This morning depart Denver and begin driving toward Rocky Mountain National Park. Here the Rocky Mountains keep a watchful eye on the dramatic landscape below. There are forests of pine and fir and fields of wildflowers. The views are spectacular. Rocky Mountain National Park is unique because of its diverse terrain, caused in large part by the extremes of elevation that exist within it. A prime wildlife-viewing area, the park is to its famous elk, mule deer, beavers, coyotes, river otters, moose, bighorn sheep, and an abundance of songbirds. Trail Ridge Road, which cuts west through the middle of the park rated among the most scenic highways in America. Trail Ridge Road was designated an All-American Road in 1996, one of the first six in the nation. Climbing to 12,187 feet near Fall River Pass, it is the highest continuous paved highway in the United States. Exhibits at the Alpine Visitor Center at Fall River Pass, 11,800 feet above sea level, explain life on the alpine tundra. Continue on to Cheyenne for an overnight stay. Accommodations: (STD) Holiday Inn Cheyenne (1 Night)

Cheyenne, WY

Day 3 | Cheyenne - Mount Rushmore, South Dakota

Distance: 287 miles / 461.8 km

Depart Cheyenne this morning and drive toward Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. Visit the four figures carved in stone at Mount Rushmore. They represent the first 150 years of American History. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt are captured in stone as the visionaries who individually contributed to the foundation of the United States. In addition to the carved granite faces, here you will find an amphitheater, museum/theater complex, Visitor Orientation Center, Presidential Trail, gift shop, bookstore, and dining facilities. To complete your Rushmore experience, view the evening lighting ceremony. You might also consider a visit to the Crazy Horse Memorial, home of the world’s largest mountain sculpture in progress. It tells the story in granite of the great and patriotic Native American hero, Crazy Horse, who died in 1877. The Memorial's visitor complex includes the 40,000 square foot Welcome Center and theaters, the Indian Museum of North America, the Native American Educational & Cultural Center, the sculptor’s log home studio and workshop, indoor and outdoor galleries, museum gift shop, restaurant and snack bar areas and expansive viewing veranda. Accommodations: (STD) Holiday Inn Rushmore Plaza (1 Night)

Mount Rushmore, SD

Day 4 | Mount Rushmore - Devil's Tower - Cody, Wyoming

Distance: 414 miles / 666.1 km

Today, drive to Devil’s Tower National Monument. The nearly vertical monolith known as Devils Tower rises 1,267 feet above the Belle Fourche River. Known by several northern plains tribes as Bears Lodge, it is a sacred site of worship for many American Indians. Continue on to Cody and visit the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. This unique place is actually five museums in one building offering an intimate look at the history of the west. Examine both the personal and public lives of W.F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, and seeks to interpret his story in the context of the history and myth of the American West. The Whitney Gallery of Western Art presents an outstanding collection of masterworks of the American West. Original paintings, sculptures and prints trace artistic interpretations of the West from the early 19th century to today. The Plains Indian Museum features one of the country's largest and finest collections of Plains Indian art and artifacts. Explore the cultural histories, artistry and living traditions of Plains Indian peoples. The Cody Firearms Museum contains the world's most comprehensive assemblage of American arms, as well as European arms dating to the 16th century. Billing itself as “Rodeo Capital of the World,” Cody provides a unique opportunity to capture the excitement of a real rodeo in a dramatic western setting. Seasonally, the Cody Nite Rodeo is a fantastic way to become part of the west. Accommodations: (STD) Buffalo Bill Cabin Village Cody (1 Night)

Herd of Buffalo

Day 5 | Cody - Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Distance: 304 miles / 489.1 km

Spend this morning at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center if you didn’t spend time there yesterday. Proceed to Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone was the first national park in the world, the example on which parks everywhere are modeled. One of the most famous park features is Old Faithful. This famous geyser got its name because of its punctuality and predictability. Eruptions at Old Faithful last anywhere from 1 to 5 minutes, and spray water and steam up to 184 ft vertically. Yellowstone also has freely roaming herds of buffalo. It also includes the nation's largest wildlife preserve, an enormous lake, the Continental Divide, some 10,000 hydrothermal features, and over 1,000 miles of trails. Its diversity of attractions is a match for any location on the planet. Explore the interesting park locations and the hydrothermal features by strolling the boardwalks built over top them. Yellowstone's wildlife is as spectacular as the hydrothermal features. Because of the park's remote location, and because of its large size, animals roam freely and are able to live in a natural way much as their kind has lived for centuries. Moose, elk and buffalo are among the most populous of inhabitants. A two night stay has been arranged in the Yellowstone area. Accommodations: (STD) Days Inn West Yellowstone (2 Nights)

Yellowstone National Park, WY

Day 6 | Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Distance: 0 miles / 0.0 km

Today is yours to explore more of Yellowstone. Consider stopping at one of the many lodges or visitor centers for interpretive information and shopping for unique gifts. Keep your eyes on the lookout for bear and moose, a special viewing treat within the park. One of the most impressive areas of the park is the deep canyon of the Yellowstone River, featuring the upper and lower portions of Yellowstone Falls. The picture below shows the canyon and Yellowstone Falls from Artist's Point on the south rim. There are many historic buildings in Yellowstone, befitting its long time as a national park. The most famous is Old Faithful Inn. The Inn was originally constructed in 1903-1904, and enlarged in both 1913 and 1928. The Inn area also includes restaurants, shops and other facilities.

Yellowstone National Park, WY

Day 7 | West Yellowstone - Missoula, Missouri

Distance: 262 miles / 421.6 km

Travel today to Missoula, Montana. Along the way, you'll drive on little-traveled roads into a mountainous area. Continue on passed Georgetown Lake, a popular tourist destination in both summer and winter. Finally, Arrive in Missoula for a overnight stay. While here, consider a visit to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Wildlife Visitor Center. See the educational displays, a wildlife art gallery and a gift shop. The Historic Museum at Fort Missoula is another top attraction. It features over 22,000 objects 13 historic structures. It offers a rare opportunity to see how pioneers lived in western Montana. Accommodations: (STD) Holiday Inn Parkside Missoula (1 Night)

Glacier National Park, MT

Day 8 | Missoula - Glacier National Park - Kalispell, Montana

Distance: 121 miles / 194.7 km

Depart Missoula this morning and drive toward Kalispell. Kalispell sits near the head of Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. Glacier National Park, with its majestic snowcapped peaks is close by. They can be seen from the downtown area where a well-established main street circles Kalispell's Courthouse at one end. This small, thriving city is home to the Conrad Mansion, a 19th century Normanstyle mansion with 26 originally furnished rooms; Tiffany glass and eight fireplaces. An overnight stay has been arranged here. Accommodations: (STD) Red Lion Hotel Kalispell (1 Night)

Banff National Park, AB

Day 9 | Kalispell - Banff National Park - Canmore, Alberta

Distance: 313 miles / 503.6 km

Depart Kalispell this morning and drive toward Banff National Park. The town of Banff is actually located inside Banff National Park. Founded in 1885 following the discovery of the Cave and Basin Hot Springs, Banff is Canada's oldest and most famous national park. It includes a variety of outstanding geological and ecological features, including rugged mountains, glaciers, icefields, alpine meadows, lakes, mineral hot springs, deep canyons and hoodoos. Its diverse wildlife features 53 species of mammals, including elk, bighorn sheep, black and grizzly bear, wolf, coyote, caribou, and mountain lion. The Castleguard Caves in the remote northwest corner of the park form Canada's longest cave system. The Cave and Basin National Historic Site in Banff commemorates the establishment, growth, and development of Canada's national parks through interactive displays and exhibits. But with its roaring waterfalls and ice-blue glaciers, meadows full of wildflowers and breathtaking panoramic vistas, this is one park that is best appreciated on foot. Luckily, several turnouts along the Icefields and Bow Valley Parkways allow you to get a closer look without investing too much time or energy. A plethora of companies offer guided one-day and multi-day park tours via bus, bike, snowshoe, ski and hiking boot. Continue on to Canmore for an overnight stay. Accommodations: (STD) Radisson Hotel & Conference Center Canmore (1 Night)

Jasper National Park, AB

Day 10 | Canmore - Jasper National Park, Alberta

Distance: 311 miles / 500.4 km

Drive today toward Jasper National Park. Jasper National Park is the largest of Canada's Rocky Mountain Parks. Jasper spans 10,878 square kilometres (4200 square miles) of broad valleys, rugged mountains, glaciers, forests, alpine meadows and wild rivers along the eastern slopes of the Rockies in western Alberta. There are hiking trails and a number of spectacular mountain drives. Jasper joins Banff National Park to the south via the Icefields Parkway. This parkway offers unparalleled beauty as you travel alongside a chain of massive icefields straddling the Continental Divide. The Columbia Icefield borders the parkway in the southern end of the park. Large numbers of elk, bighorn sheep, mule deer and other large animals, as well as their predators make Jasper National Park one of the great protected ecosystems remaining in the Rocky Mountains. This vast wilderness is one of the few remaining places in southern Canada that is home to a full range of carnivores, including grizzly bears, mountain lions, wolves and wolverines. An overnight stay has been arranged here. Accommodations: (STD) Jasper Inn Alpine Resort (1 Night)

Steam Train

Day 11 | Jasper - Kamloops, British Columbia

Distance: 275 miles / 442.5 km

Depart Jasper and drive toward Kamloops in British Columbia. Kamloops is an expansive city situated in a river valley and bordered by tall mountains. Acting as a center for the agricultural industry, Kamloops was once a real "Wild West" town with cattle ranchers, cowboys and gold rush prospectors. See the many displays reflecting this heritage at the Kamloops Museum. The Kamloops Heritage Railway features a still functioning 1912 steam locomotive that pulls passengers in an open-air hayrack car. Visit the downtown center around Victoria Street, and Riverfront Park, a pretty park next to the Thompson River. Narrated sightseeing tours aboard a stern-wheeler area available along the Thompson River. An overnight stay has been arranged in the area. Accommodations: (STD) Comfort Inn & Suite Kamloops (1 Night)

Totem Pole

Day 12 | Kamloops - Vancouver, British Columbia

Distance: 218 miles / 350.8 km

Travel today to Vancouver Vancouver is a cosmopolitan city with packed with unique neighborhoods and surrounded by natural beauty and plenty of outdoor pursuits. Make sure to visit Stanley Park. One of the largest urban parks in the world, Stanley Park is nothing is amazinf. Sample the highlights on a delightful 1-hour carriage ride that winds through the forest, along Burrard Inlet, past cricket fields, rose gardens, and the park's superlative collection of First Nations totem poles. While you’re there consider a visit to the Vancouver Aquarium. This aquarium features the climate and habitats of animals, birds and vegetation from around the world. The Amazon Gallery includes tropical birds, piranhas and jungle plants. The enormous pools feature orcas, beluga whales and sea otters. Specimens from British Columbia and Canada's arctic underwater coast are also featured. This evening enjoy the dining splendor of Vancouver. Fresh seafood and hundreds of restaurants will leave your palette satisfied. A two night stay has been arranged in Vancouver. Accommodations: (STD) Accent Inn Burnaby (2 Nights)

Vancouver, BC

Day 13 | Vancouver, British Columbia

Distance: 0 miles / 0.0 km

Take the time to wander the West End. The-shopping strip known as Robson Street is here where fashion rules. Each side street holds a corner café or an interesting shop just waiting to be discovered. Another must see is the the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Regional Park. The original bridge was built in 1889. Standing 230 feet above the Capilano River, the plank and cable bridge stretches 450 feet from one side to the other. Other attractions at the park include the world's largest privately owned collection of totem poles, totem carving demonstrations, hiking trails, two restaurants and a gift shop. Another worthwhile stop is the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Classical Chinese Garden. It was constructed in an authentic Ming Dynasty-style. The garden is renowned as being the first of its type built since the late 15th century. It was built with only carefully arranged rocks, wood, plants and water, all without using screws, nails or power tools. The principles of yin and yang opposites, such as light and dark and rough and smooth are a strong element in this garden's design

Seattle, WA

Day 14 | Vancouver - Seattle, Washington

Distance: 141 miles / 226.9 km

Return to Seattle today for the final night of your tour. Enjoy all the sights and sounds of Seattle. Much of modern Seattle began in 1962 with the World’s Fair. It helped spark the creation of the Space Needle, the Seattle Center, the Coliseum, and other local landmarks. The fair prompted the further development of parks, roads, and transportation systems. One of the city’s major attractions is the Waterfront. Here you will find shops, restaurants and the Seattle Aquarium, Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center, and Ye Olde Curiosity. Take the time to visit Pike Place Market. The Market, which opened August 17, 1907, is one of the oldest continually-operated public farmer's markets in the country. It is a place of business for many small farmers, craftspeople and merchants. Make sure to see the fishmongers tossing their catch from person to person. Have a coffee at the first Starbucks, which was opened at Pike Place Market in 1971. After a long day of walking, relax on a tour boat and enjoy the views of the city from the waters of Puget Sound. Accommodations: (STD) Seattle Pacific Hotel (1 Night)

Portland, OR

Day 15 | Seattle - Portland, Oregon

Distance: 174 miles / 280.0 km

Depart Seattle today and drive toward Portland. Known as the “City of Roses” Portland retains many big city charms, but the true beauty can be found in one of the local public gardens or parks within the city. Visit the International Rose Test Garden. Covering more than 5 acres of hillside in the West Hills above downtown Portland, these are among the largest and oldest rose test gardens in the United States. The gardens were established in 1917 by the American Rose Society and are used as a testing ground for new varieties of roses. Though you will probably see some familiar roses in the Gold Medal Garden, most of the 400 varieties on display are new hybrids being tested before marketing. Visit Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square, here a mechanical sculpture called the Weather Machine forecasts the weather everyday at noon. Dine and shop in the many neighborhoods of Portland. With a strong artistic and musical community, unique boutiques and eateries can be found easily. Accommodations: (STD) Shilo Inn Beaverton (1 Night)

Oregon Coast

Day 16 | Portland - Coos Bay, Oregon

Distance: 222 miles / 357.2 km

Drive away from Portland this morning down the spectacular coast of the Pacific Northwest. Stop in Coos Bay for your overnight stay. In downtown Coos Bay, there is an attractive waterfront boardwalk, complete with historical displays, and what was once a huge lumber mill is now the site of the equally large Mill Resort & Casino. Southwest of Coos Bay there are three state parks and a county park that preserve some of the most breathtaking shoreline in the Northwest. The three parks are connected by an excellent trail that is perfect for a rewarding day hike. Start your exploration of this beautiful stretch of coast by heading southwest on the Cape Arago Highway. In 12 miles you'll come to Sunset Bay State Park. This park has one of the few beaches in Oregon where the water actually gets warm enough for swimming (although folks from warm-water regions may not agree). Sunset Bay is almost completely surrounded by sandstone cliffs, and the entrance to the bay is quite narrow, which means the waters here stay fairly calm. Picnicking and camping are available, and there are lots of tide pools to explore. Accommodations: (STD) Red Lion Hotel Coos Bay (1 Night)

Redwood National Park, CA

Day 17 | Coos Bay - Redwood National Park - Eureka, California

Distance: 217 miles / 349.2 km

Bid Oregon goodbye as you travel down the Pacific Coast into California. Make a stop at Redwood National Park. Make a stop in Redwood National Park located along the coastal northern California. The parks protect 45% of the remaining groves of coastal redwood, the tallest and one of the most massive tree species on earth. Here, banana slugs, gray whales, Douglas-fir, black bears, and sea anemones are equally at home with redwoods. Take a serene hike one of the fascinating trails and discover the wonder of these ancient trees. Continue on into Oregon. Consider stopping at the Oregon Caves National Monument. Although small in size, this national monument offers the opportunity to explore a cave. Guided tours are offered for visitors of all ages and skill levels. Above ground, you will see a coniferous forest which harbors a fantastic array of plants, including a Douglas-fir tree with the widest known girth in Oregon. Below ground, is an active marble cave created by natural forces over the course of millions of year. Continue on to Eureka for an overnight stay. Accommodations: (STD) Best Western Humboldt Bay Inn (1 Night)

San Francisco, CA

Day 18 | Eureka - San Francisco, California

Distance: 271 miles / 436.0 km

Continue to enjoy the stunning Pacific Coast views as you travel today to San Francisco. San Francisco is home of majestic wine country and the Golden Gate Bridge. The term "melting pot" is used to describe many American cities and towns. It is very appropriate for San Francisco. Rows of elegant houses, the famous cable cars, clusters of ethnic neighborhoods, and the colorful waterfront all add to the distinctive international flavor of the city. Today, you are free to enjoy one of the many sights and sounds of San Francisco. Take a cable car ride from Fisherman's Wharf. Another major attraction is Alcatraz, a small island located in the middle of San Francisco Bay. It served as lighthouse, a military fortification, and finally as a federal prison until 1963. The rangers give excellent guided tours detailing the history and legends surrounding “The Rock.” Spend the day in Golden Gate Park. Golden Gate Park offers dozens of fun things to do. Top sights are the Conservatory of Flowers and the Japanese Tea Garden. Don’t miss the local resident buffalo herd. This evening dine in one of San Francisco’s many distinctive neighborhoods. From Chinatown to the very Italian flavored North Beach, each offers its own distinctive culture and cuisine. Accommodations: (STD) Cathedral Hill Hotel (2 Nights)

San Francisco, CA

Day 19 | San Francisco, California

Distance: 0 miles / 0.0 km

Visit the dramatic curves of Lombard Street, one of San Francisco's most photographed sites. The beautifully landscaped, one-block descent from Hyde Street to Leavenworth Street, has given Lombard the title of "crookedest street in the world." At the intersection of Hyde and Lombard, a cable car route provides spectacular views of Alcatraz, Angel Island, Coit Tower, Yerba Buena Island and the Bay Bridge. Consider a visit to Muir Woods National Monument. This grove of coast redwoods has been protected for a century, and the amazing specimens rank among the tallest trees in the world. Some reach 252 feet, are 14 feet across, and are more than 1000 years old. Paved trails make for easy exploration and unpaved trails offer more of a challenge for a hiking enthusiast. This evening, explore Chinatown. Along its streets, exotic ingredients are sold, silks and jade are tendered, and wonderful native food can be found at the many restaurants.

Yosemite National Park, CA

Day 20 | San Francisco - Yosemite National Park - Fresno, California

Distance: 186 miles / 299.3 km

This morning drive to another striking national park, Yosemite. The striking beauty of Yosemite is due in part to the Yosemite Valley, whose flat floor contrasts with nearly vertical granite walls. The granite cliffs, including the El Capitan monolith, Glacier Point, and Half Dome all tower as major waterfalls tumble over them. In addition to the Valley, Yosemite includes an extensive high-mountain wilderness of peaks, rivers, and meadows, and groves of giant sequoia trees. Extensive visitor activities, facilities, and services are available. At Yosemite Village, you can visit the Valley Visitor Center and see its orientation film, publications, theater programs, and exhibits highlighting the natural and human history. Self-guiding trails are nearby. Elsewhere in Yosemite Valley, you can gaze up at the waterfalls; visit Mirror Lake/Meadow in the East Valley and the famous "Tunnel View" of Yosemite Valley at Wawona Tunnel. Continue on to Fresno for an overnight stay. Accommodations: (STD) Sheraton Four Points Hotel Fresno (1 Night)

Venice Beach, LA

Day 21 | Fresno - Los Angeles, California

Distance: 219 miles / 352.4 km

Depart Fresno this morning and drive toward Los Angeles in southern California. Los Angeles is the entertainment capitol of the United States. Home to famous movie stars and the infamous landmark, the Hollywood sign; it is a city brimming with culture and happenings. This big metropolis has many regions with distinct flavors and communities. Take a stroll along the Walk of Fame and see the names of celebrities commemorated in pink stars along the sidewalk. Visit Mann's Chinese Theater, the best-preserved of the movie palaces from Hollywood's golden era. Known for its celebrity hand and footprints in the forecourt, over 200 impressions are yours to discover. Accommodations: (STD) Figueroa Hotel Los Angeles (1 Night)

Los Angeles, CA

Day 22 | Los Angeles, California

Distance: 0 miles / 0.0 km

Today drive through Beverly Hills, the most famous neighborhood in the United States and glimpse exclusive homes. Visit the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Shop the famous Rodeo Drive, where luxury retail commands the street. Have lunch in Venice Beach, home to famous Muscle Beach, where the sand and surf are secondary to the lively scene of people that inhabit the sidewalk. Visit Santa Monica Pier, once known as the "finish line" of legendary Route 66. Santa Monica pier was built in 1916. It features an aquarium, an amusement park and the famous Hippodrome building, a mix of California, Byzantine and Moorish architecture that has been featured in many films. Or, make your way to Anaheim and visit the “Happiest place on earth.” Disneyland is home to your favorite characters like Mickey Mouse.

Walt Disney Concert Hall, LA

Day 23 | Los Angeles, CA - Los Angeles Internationa Airport

Distance: 0 miles / 0.0 km

Depart at leisure for the Los Angeles International Airport.