Get Social: USA West Coast

Jump on the coach amigos, today we’re heading down the Pacific Coast to San Diego. After a drive around town, we’ll park up at Mission Beach. Your next mission? Explore this beaut of a city! Ride the rollercoaster at Belmont Park. Stretch your legs along the beachfront boardwalk. Tuck into a California Burrito – they were born here. Or get your culture fix at Balboa Park that’s chock-a-block with alllll the museums and galleries. This eve? Rally the troops, make a beeline for Old Town and get stuck into an authentic Mexican feast. Technicolour flags, tortillas and tequila = good times all round.

*FREE DAY KLAXON!*. Need some suggestions? There’s an optional San Diego Harbor cruise to get on board with. Or take Fleetwood’s advice and go your own way – slip on the Nikes and hit the lesser-known hiking trails around Balboa Park. Can’t get enough of those Cali tacos? Reunite with your travel fam for an included lunch at ¡Salud!: the so-called ‘King of All Tacos’. Top tip for your free eve? Find out why they call this place ‘America’s Craft Beer Captial’ on a micro-brewery crawl with your trip mates (spoiler: there are over 150 to pick from...).

There’s time for one last dip in the Pacific Ocean before we roll onto Arizona. This state is made for road trips. Stretches of endless sky. Expanses of red desert. Centuries-old history. And some pretty famous rock formations. It’ll be a big driving day, but we’ll break it up with a rest stop at Space Age Restaurant. If you’re feeling peckish, their burgers are out-of-this-world. Next: straighten your neckerchief and shine up that sheriff badge. When we pull up in Prescott, the saloons of Whiskey Row await. During the Cali Gold Rush, this place was heaving with cowboys and miners searching for a shot (or a shoot). After going down in a blaze of flames in 1900, it was rebuilt to its heyday glory. Ready for a real wild (west) experience? Get out there, partner!

Stock up on snacks and share around the AUX cord – we’re going to blast some banging tunes on our way to Flagstaff (the gateway to the Grand Canyon). Want a small taster? En-route, we'll pass Sedona’s Red Rock State Park where you’ll have a chance to admire its fiery-red canyons during an optional jeep tour. Later: get all starry-eyed with a night-time tour at Lowell Observatory. Stargazing got you feeling tiny? We’ll continue the theme tomorrow – you've seen the pictures, but nothing can prepare you for the feels you’ll have standing on the edge of the mighty Grand Canyon.

This is it folks, the moment you’ve been waiting for. The grandest of canyons awaits! One word to describe this place: mesmerising. And the only way to see one of the world’s most incredible natural wonders in its entirety, is from the sky. DW we’ve organised an optional heli-tour for you. Get ready to max out your iCloud with group shots (again...).

Today, we’ll make tracks to Sin City. Seriously, this place is so neon it hurts to look at. But we’ll do just that on a driving tour before giving you the whole afternoon to explore. Snap a selfie next to the ‘Welcome to Las Vegas’ sign or enjoy an epic bird’s eye view of The Strip during an optional heli-tour. Feeling hangry yet? We’ll regroup for another included meal. How does an Italian feast at Buca di Beppo sound? The portions are HUGE so you might wanna wear your elasticated pants.

From big-budget stage shows, Michelin-star restaurants and Eiffel Tower clones – Vegas is the definition of OTT. But you can’t help love it anyway. Today, America’s Playground is ALL yours. So get out there and make the most of it! Our suggestions? Hit up a Vegas-style pool party. Or, if you’re feeling crazy in love, get married. By Elvis, obvs. Anything goes in this town.

Shake the confetti from your hair, hop on the coach and belt out the trip song (in perfect harmony, obvs) – we’re outta here. Next stop? The Sierra Nevada Mountains. This place is Disneyland for outdoor enthusiasts. Where sheer-faced granite walls reign supreme, giant sequoia trees loom over dense forest floors and the sound of thundering waterfalls fill the air. Over dinner tonight, make a plan of attack for your free day tomorrow – your expert Trip Leader has plenty of suggestions.

There aren’t enough adjectives to describe this place – so we’re not going to try. You’ve got a full day to experience the magic of Yosemite (yo-sem-it-ee) for yourself. Don’t waste a second. Start with the Mist Trail for incredible views that compensate for the burning calves. Follow the trail to the top of Vernal Falls and be rewarded with a refreshing dip in Emerald Pool. Want more of a challenge? Follow ‘nature’s staircase’ to the top of Nevada Falls. DW if walking isn’t your thing – there’s a free shuttle to get around. Keep your eyes peeled for deer, bears and golden eagles. David Attenborough wannabes eat your heart out. Worked up an appetite? Dinner's on us tonight – time to swap stories with the fam.

Up and at ‘em – the adventure sure as hell isn’t over yet! We’ve got our eye on San Fran next. Home of Alcatraz prison and one famous red bridge that’s pretending to be golden (we see you). Learn the who’s who of ‘The City’ on a driving tour – including Pier 39, the Fisherman’s Wharf and The Painted Ladies. Then: gather the gang and track down a steaming plate of Joe’s Special. What happens when you throw eggs, spinach and ground beef together? THIS.

This is our last full day. So, don’t hang about! Fuel up with a stack of pancakes that’ll put your elastic waistbands to the test. Then, history buffs will want to tour Alcatraz (get your tix in advance!). Or wander the waterfront and get a pic with the locals at Pier 39. Union Square is the place to flash some plastic before you head home. Then: have a pinch-me moment watching the sunset over the Bay on an optional catamaran cruise. And tonight? It’s our final group din at North Beach Cantina – let’s give this epic adventure the send-off it deserves with burritos and margs!

You tried the food. Stood on the edge. Said yes to new adventures. New experiences. New friendships. And all in under two weeks! Time to say our goodbyes, swap those TikTok handles and start planning next year’s reunion. Our Get Social: Canadian Rockies trip is pretty sweet. Just putting it out there...