LA stopover with road trip to Palm Springs & San Diego

Itinerary in brief:

• 2 nights Hollywood, Los Angeles        
• 2 nights Palm Springs               
• 2 nights San Diego    

Day 1: Arrival in Los Angeles      

On arrival in Los Angeles you will collect your car hire and drive to your first hotel. Having a car is invaluable in the huge city of Los Angeles – your hotel is in Hollywood but why not drive down to Santa Monica Pier and watch from the Ferris wheel as the sun goes down on your first day in California?

Day 2: Los Angeles    

Spend the day exploring the city, whether you head to Hollywood in search of your favourite stars on the Walk of Fame, or Venice Beach where you can people-watch to your heart’s content while cycling along the oceanfront. In the early afternoon, take a hike through the Hollywood Hills from the Griffith Observatory for 365 degree views over the twinkling city as the sun sets.

Day 3: Drive to Palm Springs       

Leaving La-la Land behind you, today you’ll make your way east, passing the Cabazon Dinosaurs; huge sculptures on the side of the road just a short distance before Palm Springs. On arrival, you’ll check into your hotel for 2 nights.    

Day 4: Joshua Tree National Park

Today is a free day to explore the area and we recommend you visit Joshua Tree National Park, just an hour’s drive from Palm Springs. The Mojave and Colorado Deserts meet in the park, meaning there are 2 separate desert ecosystems living side by side, creating a fascinating variety of flora and fauna to spot on a trip to Joshua Tree. You might think the desert is lifeless but lizards and rattlesnakes make their home between the rocks while coyotes lurk in the shadows at dusk, so keep a lookout as you drive through the park.

Day 5: Drive to San Diego  

This morning you’ll drive out of the desert and back to the coast. You can drive via Temecula and wander through the local vineyards in the rolling green hills or head through Julian and try a slice of their famous apple pie. Either way you’ll end up on the beaches of San Diego where you’ll check into your hotel for 2 nights.    

Day 6: San Diego       

Spend the day enjoying the laid-back city of San Diego. We’ve included admission to the zoo - one of the most famous in the world, where there are over 650 species here, from cuddly pandas to mysterious clouded leopards. It’s a great place to spend the morning before heading to the beach in La Jolla and filling your afternoon with snorkelling, sun bathing and volleyball.

Days 7: Depart Los Angeles     

Today is your final day in California. Take one last walk along the beach before driving back to Los Angeles Airport to return your hire car and catch your onwards flight.