Pacific & Parks Family Holiday

Welcome to the 'City of Angels', Los Angeles. Feel the California sunshine on
your face as you have a free day to take a bus over to Venice Beach and enjoy
some family time on the shore. Visit the Venice Skatepark to watch the
skaters' tricks, then stroll to Santa Monica Pier to ride the giant ferris
wheel. A welcome meeting will be held at 18:00 hrs, where you will meet your
tour leader and fellow travelling companions.

Today will bring out the child in everyone! Enjoy an included visit to
Universal Studios where you can take a behind-the-scenes studio tour and ride
the most exciting roller coasters on the planet. This is entertainment
central for the whole family and the perfect way to experience Los Angeles
after touring Hollywood.

Our California tour continues with a visit to the golden sandy beaches of San
Diego. If you're looking for the perfect place to relax, but with enough
activities to keep the kids entertained, then make sure you visit Mission
Beach. Rent bikes, or rollerblades to cruise around on. Alternatively, for
the more adventurous, try your hand at surfing the Californian waves. Enjoy
an included picnic dinner on the beach - the perfect end to a perfect day.

*Optional Activities*:

* Ocean Beach Surf and Skate - Surf Lessons: US$105 
* Rollerblading US$7
* Bike rental US$7

*Participatory Camping *

Home to the original London Bridge and designated as a recreational area,
this desert oasis has become a mecca for water sports enthusiasts throughout
the Southwest. With 300 days of sunshine a year and all the adventure you
could possibly wish for, Lake Havasu is a great way to keep the kids
entertained. Simply relax and go for a swim to cool off after a long day.*
*

*Optional Activities:*

* Watersports - Prices Vary (US$)

Desert turns to pine covered plateaus as the earth opens to reveal one of the
world's natural wonders, the Grand Canyon. This incredible spectacle is
something truly special to witness, especially through the eyes of a child.
Whether you decide to hike along the rim or take the more adventurous route
into the canyon itself, you'll be amazed at the sheer beauty of the place.
Carved over several millennia, this massive wonder of nature is 277 miles
(445 kilometres) long, up to 18 miles (29 kilometres) wide and over a mile
deep (1.6 kilometres). Snaking through the canyon floor is the mighty
Colorado River, which runs 1450 miles (2330 kilometres) through seven
American states and two Mexican states.

You can explore the park at your own pace and we highly recommend a scenic
helicopter flight over the canyon, which offers a unique bird's eye view that
will amaze the whole family. Pop in to the Grand Canyon Visitor Centre to
learn how the canyon was formed, then venture down the Bright Angel Trail to
Plateau Point to let off some steam, or just stroll along the more leisurely
West Rim Trail and catch the shuttle bus to Hermit's Rest. Finish off the day
by enjoying a dinner with a view as you tuck into pizza and watch the sunset
over the canyon, perfection!

*Optional Activities:*

* Helicopter flight US$289
* IMAX Theater US$10

*Participatory Camping*

Campsite varies depending on departure

Before arriving to the ultimate desert show stopper, Las Vegas, you'll travel
down a section of the original Route 66 and stop at the town of Seligman,
filled to the brim with pure Americana. Why not try a super thick milkshake
at the all-American Snow Cap Diner? Next, is the desert city of Las Vegas -
the ultimate entertainment experience. With its roller coasters, thrill
rides, magic shows, amazing swimming pools and all-you-can-eat buffets,
there's plenty for the whole family to see and do. Family friendly
recommendations include Circus Circus and Treasure Island which are
guaranteed to be a hit. In the evening walk the Strip and enjoy the bright
lights and fountain displays.

Make your way across the desert towards Keough Hot Springs, one of the
largest natural hot springs in the Eastern Sierras. After all the excitement
and the hustle and bustle from the previous day, this is the perfect place to
relax and cool off in the sunshine.

*Participatory camping*

Yosemite is one of California's most treasured national parks and it's easy
to see why. Nestled high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, this is a natural
playground of unspoilt forest and sheer granite walls rising thousands of
feet over the valley floor. There's also plenty of wildlife to be spotted,
including bears and coyotes. Whether inner-tubing down the meandering Merced
River (in season) or hiking to the top of thundering Nevada Falls, Yosemite's
towering cliffs, waterfalls and Giant Sequoias are sure to impress the entire
family.

Yosemite embodies the spirit of America's natural parks and its rugged,
towering peaks and magnificent waterfalls have been immortalised by countless
photographers. Trails throughout the park are as varied as the landscape and
you'll no doubt find a trail that will appeal to you and your family. Take in
the quintessential vistas of El Capitan, a 3,000 foot sheer rock face famous
with rock climbers the world over. Other popular spots in the park are
Bridalveil Falls, one of the most prominent waterfalls in Yosemite, and the
famous granite Half Dome, a rock formation you will have seen before on
countless postcards. At night, it's the ideal place to stargaze around the
campfire as you toast marshmallows.

*Optional Activities:*

* Bike Rental US$12-$34
* Float Trip on the Merced River US$31

*Participartory camping*

Continue on to San Francisco, or the 'City by the Bay', as it is commonly
known. Why not stay on a few extra days and hop on a cable car, taking in
Chinatown, before visiting the Aquarium of the Bay and the city's playful
sea-lions at Pier 39? Head over to Golden Gate Park with a picnic and stroll
across Golden Gate Bridge for inspired views of the city. A 'must do' in San
Francisco is the offshore prison of Alcatraz, where you can learn all about
the infamous inmates and their failed escape attempts. If you plan on doing
this, you'll need to book in advance directly with the Alcatraz Cruises as it
tends to book up fast.

Your California family holiday ends at our gateway hotel at approximately
17:00 hrs. We can book you post-tour accommodation at our gateway hotel if
required. If you are planning to fly tonight, please do not book a flight
that departs before 21:00 hrs.