Golden Gate, Hollywood and the desert

Who it is for

For anyone who wants California and Las Vegas in ten days, ideally with a car for part of the way.

Not for anyone who wants to do everything on foot or stay at one base; these are three cities with journeys that need transport arranged.

The strategy

The trip heads down the coast from San Francisco to Los Angeles and ends in the desert in Las Vegas. If driving, plan both journeys between bases and the stops along the road before scheduling visits.

What you will see

• Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco. Suspension bridge opened on May 27, 1937, with a 1,280 m main span and 227 m towers; it was the longest in the world for 27 years.
• Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles. Opened on May 14, 1935 on the south flank of Mount Hollywood, with free admission as required by Griffith J.
• Fountains of Bellagio, Las Vegas. An artificial lake of 3.4 hectares with about 1,200 nozzles that shoot water up to 140 m, opened October 15, 1998.

Day by day

San Francisco

1. 1
   Day 1: The east shore, the hills, and the old center

   1. 5Ferry BuildingWorth a visit
   2. 6Coit TowerUp to half an hourWorth a visit
2. 2
   Day 2: Alcatraz in the morning, the Presidio in the afternoon

   1. 2AlcatrazEssential
   2. 7Presidio and Palace of Fine ArtsWorth a visit
   3. 1Golden Gate BridgeEssential
3. 3
   Day 3: Mission, park, and ocean

   1. 4Golden Gate ParkWorth a visit
   2. 9de Young and California Academy of SciencesIf there is time

Los Angeles

1. 4
   Day 4: Historic downtown, the Eastside, and a Mexican night

   1. 7El Pueblo and Olvera StreetWorth a visit
   2. 8Union Station and the Bradbury BuildingUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   3. 4The Broad and Walt Disney Concert HallWorth a visit
2. 5
   Day 5: Griffith, Miracle Mile, and Koreatown

   1. 1Griffith ObservatoryEssential
3. 6
   Day 6: Westside, the beach, and sunset over the Pacific

   1. 2Getty CenterEssential
   2. 6Watts TowersWorth a visit
4. 7
   Day 7: A whole day of eating
5. 8
   Day 8: Malibu and the Pacific Coast Highway (day trip) · if you have more time

   

Las Vegas

1. 9
   Day 9: The Strip end to end

   1. 1Fountains of BellagioEssential
   2. 4SphereWorth a visit
2. 10
   Day 10: Old downtown, museums and locals' bars

   1. 6Mob MuseumUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   2. 5Neon MuseumWorth a visit
3. 11
   Day 11: Red Rock, the old springs and the desert · if you have more time

   1. 3Red Rock CanyonEssential
   2. Seven Magic MountainsUp to half an hourIf there is time