California Coast & Las Vegas: Self-Launched 5-Day Road Trip
5 days · California & Las Vegas, USA
On The Go Tours charges £875
No-markup version: ~£540 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Hit the same iconic stops as the On The Go Tours group tour — Pacific Coast Highway, San Francisco, Yosemite, the Las Vegas Strip and Hoover Dam — but do it entirely on your own terms. Rent a car in LA, drive the legendary Route 1, book your own entry tickets and skip the single-supplement tax. This self-launched version covers the same 5-day loop (LA → San Francisco → Yosemite → Las Vegas → LA) at a fraction of the price, with full flexibility to linger where you love and skip what you don't. All cost estimates are approximate and based on current budget-traveller rates.
Day-by-day
Los Angeles to San Francisco via Pacific Coast Highway
Los Angeles → Santa Barbara → Solvang → Carmel → San Francisco
Pick up a rental car in LA early morning — economy cars start around £30-40/day from Budget or Enterprise at LAX. Head north on the 101 to Santa Barbara to explore the stunning Spanish Mission (free to walk the gardens; chapel entry ~£5). Continue to the Danish-style village of Solvang for a quick browse of its bakeries and boutiques. Join Route 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) and hug the dramatic Big Sur coastline north — stop at Bixby Bridge for photos. Roll into Carmel-by-the-Sea for a stroll on the white-sand beach before pushing on to San Francisco. Check into a hostel in the Mission District or Fisherman's Wharf area.
🚌Rent a compact/economy car from LAX (Budget, Enterprise, or Hertz) — approx. £35/day including basic insurance. Drive time LA to SF via PCH is roughly 8-9 hours including stops.
🛏Green Tortoise Hostel (San Francisco) or HI San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf — dorm beds from £30-40/night.
- →Explore Santa Barbara Spanish Mission (self-guided, ~£5 entry)
- →Browse Solvang's Danish village shops and bakeries (free)
- →Drive the scenic Route 1 / Pacific Coast Highway through Big Sur
- →Stop at Bixby Bridge viewpoint (free)
- →Walk Carmel-by-the-Sea beach (free)
San Francisco: Bay Cruise, Golden Gate & City Highlights
San Francisco, California
Park your rental car for the day and explore SF on foot and by transit. Start at Fisherman's Wharf and grab a sourdough bowl of clam chowder from Boudin Bakery (~£10). Book a Bay Cruise via GetYourGuide or directly with Blue & Gold Fleet (~£28) — you'll sail under the Golden Gate Bridge and circle Alcatraz. Spend the afternoon self-guided in Union Square, Chinatown (free to wander — try dim sum for lunch), and hike up Nob Hill for city views. Catch the iconic cable car (~£7 single ride) back down. In the evening, walk the Embarcadero to admire the illuminated Bay Bridge.
🚌Leave rental car parked at hostel. Use Muni buses/metro (day pass ~£6) and cable car. Uber/Lyft available as backup.
🛏Green Tortoise Hostel or HI San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf — dorm from £30-40/night.
- →San Francisco Bay cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz (~£28 via Blue & Gold Fleet / GetYourGuide)
- →Wander Fisherman's Wharf and grab sourdough clam chowder at Boudin Bakery (~£10)
- →Self-guided walk through Chinatown (free)
- →Explore Union Square and Nob Hill on foot (free)
- →Ride a historic cable car (~£7)
- →Evening stroll along the Embarcadero to view the Bay Bridge lights (free)
San Francisco to Yosemite National Park (Summer) or Monterey & Carmel (Winter)
Yosemite National Park (summer) or Monterey / Carmel-by-the-Sea (winter)
SUMMER ROUTE: Drive ~3.5 hours east to Yosemite National Park. Pre-book your timed-entry permit online at recreation.gov (required May–Oct, ~£30 vehicle entry). Walk the Valley Loop Trail to see El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall and Half Dome views. Hike from the Visitor Center to the base of Yosemite Falls — a stunning 1.5-mile round trip. Camp in the valley or stay in a budget cabin at Curry Village (book well in advance). WINTER ROUTE: Drive south on Route 1 to Monterey. Walk the famous Cannery Row (free), visit Monterey Wharf for fresh seafood, then continue to Carmel-by-the-Sea for gallery browsing and ocean views. Stay in Monterey or head back toward the Central Valley for the night.
🚌Drive rental car. LA to Yosemite Valley: ~3.5hrs from SF. SF to Monterey via Route 1: ~2hrs. Fuel cost approx. £20-25 for the day.
🛏SUMMER: Curry Village tent cabin (Yosemite Valley Lodge) from ~£50 — book months ahead. Or camp at Upper Pines Campground (~£20). WINTER: HI Monterey Hostel or budget motel (~£35-50).
- →SUMMER: Yosemite National Park timed-entry (book in advance at recreation.gov, ~£30 vehicle fee)
- →SUMMER: Walk to El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall and Half Dome viewpoints (included in park entry)
- →SUMMER: Hike Yosemite Falls Trail from Visitor Center (~3 miles round-trip, free with entry)
- →WINTER: Walk Cannery Row, Monterey (free)
- →WINTER: Explore Monterey Wharf — try fish tacos or clam chowder (~£10)
- →WINTER: Browse boutiques and galleries in Carmel-by-the-Sea (free)
Drive to Las Vegas via Mojave Desert & the Las Vegas Strip
Central California → Barstow → Las Vegas, Nevada
Early start — drive south and east through the Mojave Desert toward Las Vegas (~8 hours total from the Central Valley/Yosemite area). Stop at Barstow for a lunch break — the Outlets at Barstow have a food court and fast-food options (~£8-12). The drive itself through the desert is dramatic and worth enjoying. Arrive in Las Vegas by late afternoon. Check into a hostel or budget hotel just off the Strip. Spend the evening walking the entire length of the Las Vegas Strip — it's free and spectacular. Marvel at the Bellagio fountains (free, every 15-30 mins), the exterior of Caesars Palace, the Venetian, Luxor pyramid beam, and New York-New York. Try your luck at a slot machine or catch a free casino show.
🚌Drive rental car from Central Valley/Yosemite area to Las Vegas — approx. 6-8 hours depending on starting point. Fuel ~£30. Park at your hotel (many Strip hotels charge £10-15/night for parking — budget hotels off-Strip often free).
🛏Las Vegas Hostel (near Downtown) or Sin City Hostel — dorm from £20-30/night. Budget option: Circus Circus hotel rooms from ~£35/night on off-peak dates.
- →Scenic Mojave Desert drive (free)
- →Lunch stop at Barstow Outlets food court (~£10)
- →Self-guided evening walk of the Las Vegas Strip (free)
- →Bellagio Fountain Show (free, runs every 15-30 minutes)
- →View Caesars Palace, Luxor, the Venetian, Mirage, Paris, Bellagio, New York-New York and Treasure Island exteriors (free)
- →Optional: try slot machines at any casino (set your own budget!)
- →Optional: book a show via GetYourGuide or directly (from ~£40)
Hoover Dam & Lake Mead, Then Drive Back to Los Angeles
Las Vegas → Hoover Dam → Lake Mead → Los Angeles
Rise early for a last Las Vegas breakfast buffet (~£10-15) before checking out. Drive 45 minutes southeast to the iconic Hoover Dam on the Nevada/Arizona border. Buy a self-guided powerplant tour ticket at the visitor centre (~£15-20) to learn about the dam's incredible construction history and engineering. Walk across the dam's top for sweeping views over Lake Mead — the largest reservoir in the US by volume. After exploring, drive back west on the I-15 to Los Angeles (~4-5 hours). Return your rental car at LAX or your chosen drop-off point. All cost estimates throughout this itinerary are approximate — prices vary by season, booking lead time and personal spending habits.
🚌Drive rental car: Las Vegas to Hoover Dam ~45 mins; Hoover Dam to LA ~4hrs via I-15. Return rental car at LA drop-off. Fuel for the day ~£20.
🛏No accommodation needed — return to LA.
- →Leisurely Las Vegas breakfast buffet (~£12)
- →Drive to Hoover Dam (45 mins from Las Vegas Strip)
- →Hoover Dam self-guided powerplant tour (~£15-20, book at visitor centre)
- →Walk across the top of Hoover Dam and view Lake Mead (included in tour ticket)
- →Optional: stop at Nevada/California state line casino for a last slot machine go
- →Drive I-15 back to Los Angeles (~4-5 hours)
Self-launched vs. On The Go Tours
| This itinerary (self-launched) | On The Go Tours | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£540 | £875 |
| Duration | 5 days | 5 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £335 per person (38%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more On The Go Tours-style trips? Check them out here.~£540
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does California Coast & Las Vegas: Self-Launched 5-Day Road Trip cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £540 per person for 5 days in California & Las Vegas, USA. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with On The Go Tours?+
Yes — On The Go Tours charges around £875 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £540 — a saving of roughly £335 (38%) per person.
How long is the California & Las Vegas, USA trip?+
This itinerary runs 5 days, covering 5 day-by-day stops through California & Las Vegas, USA.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a road-trip, adventure, city-breaks trip through California & Las Vegas, USA, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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