America trip | Self-Drive America iconic west coast

Grand Canyon National Park, located in the northwest corner of Arizona, welcomes about 5 million visitors a year. Nature and wildlife lovers, scientists, geologists and archaeologists remain mesmerised by the imposing beauty and splendour of its vast layered rock canyons, rivers, fauna and flora, and historical significance. The tours are endless: a drive along the incredibly beautiful South Rim; a two-day donkey ride to the bottom of the canyon; hiking trails; helicopter or hot-air balloon tours; or white-water rafting down the Colorado River. The park is home to about 500 species of animals and birds, including the endangered California condor and six species of rattlesnakes.

Mammoth Lakes is a charming small tourist town in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. Known for its spectacular natural beauty, the surrounding valleys, mountains and crystal clear lakes offer endless opportunities for a variety of outdoor sports, including skiing, snowboarding and cross-country skiing. During the winter months, most activities take place at Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort, a popular ski resort designated as the best ski destination in California. During the summer months, you can enjoy beautiful hikes, bike rides or a kayaking trip on one of the lakes.

Deep in the spectacular mountains of the Sierra Nevada in east-central California, lies the beautiful Yosemite National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site attracts nearly four million visitors a year, who come here to witness the breathtaking natural wonders of this vast untouched wilderness. Admire the towering granite rocks, breathtaking waterfalls, beautiful Tuolumne and Merced rivers, forests of massive redwood trees and picturesque mountain meadows. Although the park as a whole has much to offer, most visitors focus their attention on the famous Yosemite Valley for its unparalleled natural beauty and spectacular flora and fauna. A visit to Yosemite National Park is a real treat for nature lovers and anyone with an adventurous spirit.

Tucked away in the Santa Ynez Valley, about 50 km from the city of Santa Barbara, the charming town of Solvang is designed like a traditional Danish village. With its many windmills, this quaint village has long attracted visitors with its excellent shopping, dining and wine-tasting opportunities. Visitors can look forward to exploring the charming art galleries, upscale restaurants, sophisticated wine bars and more than 100 wineries in the surrounding Santa Ynez Valley. Sweet tooths can enjoy the popular Sweet Treats tour of the city's many Danish bakeries, pastry shops and ice cream parlours. History and culture lovers can visit the Elverhoj Museum of History & Art, which focuses on Danish history and culture, and the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum, which displays a collection of vintage and rare motorbikes.

With a year-round Mediterranean climate, its extraordinary rugged coastline and its idyllic location between the steeply rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the beautiful Pacific Ocean, it is not hard to see why Santa Barbara is widely regarded as 'The American Riviera'. Although less than 100 miles from the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles, the city is vastly different from its enormous neighbour to the south. Its wide pristine beaches, renowned wineries and relaxed atmosphere offer residents and visitors the kind of laid-back lifestyle one would expect from a small coastal town, combined with the shopping experiences, dining options and all the amenities of a big city. Don't miss the Spanish Mission Church, historic state park El Presidio, Butterfly Beach and Santa Ynez wine tasting.

Santa Monica's pleasant Mediterranean climate and dramatic cliff-top location overlooking the famous stretch of golden sand beach make it the perfect place to experience LA's glamour at its most relaxed. This coastal paradise has some excellent shopping, world-class restaurants and, thanks to the amusement park on the historic pier, a 24-hour atmosphere of lively festivities. The city bustles by day and positively lifts its spirits by night. Visitors are spoilt for choice with a wide range of evening entertainment. From laid-back pavement cafés, cocktails on the beach, sophisticated hotel lounges, bulging dance clubs and live music hotspots, there really is never a dull moment in this seaside city.

Hollywood, located in the state of California, is one of Los Angeles' largest and most vibrant neighbourhoods. No trip to LA would be complete without visiting 'Tinseltown', the birthplace of the American film industry and the self-proclaimed entertainment capital of the world. Millions of tourists gather here every year to see the 'Hollywood Walk of Fame', a two-and-a-half-mile-long pavement embedded with large metal stars honouring anyone who is anyone in the showbiz world. Other popular attractions include the 20-metre-high 'Hollywood Sign' that overlooks the area high in the Hollywood Hills. Don't miss the vibrant arts and culture centre of Downtown Hollywood, where you will find impressive murals, art episodes, galleries and the unusual ArtsPark, which hosts weekly activities for families, foodies and art lovers.

Beverly Hills is a very upscale enclave city in Southern California, surrounded by the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. Known as 'The Playground of the Stars' for its unparalleled high-end shopping on the famous Rodeo Drive 'Walk of Style' and the many uber-luxurious mansions scattered across the hills that are home to a collection of A-list residents. Popular tourist attractions include the Beverly Hills Gardens, an extensive public park with walking paths, public art and the famous Beverly Hills sign; the Spanish Colonial-style Beverly Hills Civic Centre; and the iconic Beverly Wilshire Hotel. With its streets filled with exclusive boutiques and world-famous restaurants, Beverly Hills is the ultimate destination for those who love to watch the stars and experience the exceptionally glamorous lifestyle of celebrities of Hollywood's elite.

Monterey Peninsula stretches across the beautiful Pacific Ocean on the Central California coast and includes the cities of Monterey, Carmel and Pacific Grove, as well as the luxury resort town of Pebble Beach. This beautiful area has managed to strike an ideal balance between the laid-back lifestyle of Southern California and the sophisticated glamour of Northern California. With its abundance of natural wonders, beautiful beaches, exceptional luxury resorts, some of the world's most renowned golf courses, and some seriously tempting seafood restaurants, this glorious peninsula is an ideal stopover for a road trip or romantic weekend getaway.

As the second-largest city in the United States and the entertainment capital of the country, L.A. is a huge metropolis brimming with movie stars, musicians, surfers and many glamorous A-list acts. The city is made up of a number of vastly different neighbourhoods, including the legendary Hollywood hotspot, the inviting beaches of Santa Monica and Malibu and the hidden gems of Koreatown and Little Tokyo. The result of this unlikely combination is an intriguing melting pot of bold creatives, eclectic world cultures, exotic cuisine and an endless array of wonderfully eccentric characters. Spot a movie star, sip a cocktail at a rooftop bar, slip on a pair of designer shoes at an ultra-luxury boutique in Beverly Hills or dance the night away at a star-filled club. Stay open and embrace all that Los Angeles has to offer and you won't leave disappointed.

Prepare for the wild (and typically steep) ride that the foggy and fabulous city of San Francisco has in store for you. It is teeming with bizarre locals, crazy street performers and eccentric artists who somehow surprise and charm even the most conservative travellers. Your trip is likely to consist of a number of excursions, such as visiting the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Prison and Coit Tower. With its dizzying array of restaurants and farmers' markets, rows of rainbow-coloured Victorian houses, as well as countless vintage saloons and speakeasies, there is never a dull moment in this bustling city by the bay.

From the skyscrapers of New York City to the scenic country roads of New England, The United States of America is a place of beauty and of unprecedented diversity. Visit the glorious Golden Gate Bridge, the famous Empire State Building, the Iconic Statue of Liberty and catch a glimpse of the lights of Las Vegas! Not to mention the country's natural treasures: the many national parks with beautiful landscapes and wildlife. The beaches on both the east and west coasts are also well worth a visit. The United States is a country of such vast dimensions that a lifetime in the United States can still feel like you have barely seen any of the country.

Las Vegas is a spectacular city located in the state of Nevada, in the heart of the Mojave Desert. Las Vegas, America's fastest-growing metropolis, is notorious for its fabulous over-the-top mega-resorts adorned with dazzling neon lights. Vegas pulsates with energy by day and positively attracts at night. The city's club scene rivals Ibiza for its intensity and stages of extravagant shows. This desert oasis also has plenty of history and unusual experiences to explore, especially if you wander from 'The Strip' to Fremont Street in Old Town. Whether you visit Las Vegas for the casinos, the poolside cocktails, the unlimited buffets, or the wild parties and crazy characters, Sin City is destined for everyone.

As the largest of America's 50 states, California has something to offer every traveller, regardless of their tastes or preferences. Travellers in search of natural wonders can indulge in the beautiful redwood forests, world-class beaches, Yosemite National Park, the striking Mojave Desert and the iconic Big Sur coast. Those seeking artistic pleasures can indulge in award-winning wines in Napa and Sonoma, visit Disneyland, take a selfie in front of the iconic Hollywood sign and marvel at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. With all this and more on offer, it is no wonder the 'Golden State' has had an unbreakable hold on the world's imagination for so long.

This vast western state is characterised by great expanses of desert and by the glitzy 24-hour casinos and extravagant entertainment for which its largest city, Las Vegas, is famed. While Sin City certainly attracts much of the tourist attention, travellers who explore beyond the bright lights and luxury resorts of Vegas will discover striking desert beauty and a taste of the Wild West, particularly in Great Basin National Park, where the high desert meets exquisite alpine forest. Nevada is a great place to explore authentic Western cowboy towns like Elko, charming Victorian mining towns like Virginia City and even ghost towns at Ely. Straddling the California/Nevada state line is the Sierra Nevada resort region of Lake Tahoe and Reno, which makes an idyllic destination for nature lovers, boaters and those looking for similar action to Las Vegas in a more relaxed, laidback setting.

Nicknamed 'The Grand Canyon State', Arizona is best known as the home of this truly remarkable natural wonder. However, there is more to this state than just its impressive canyon. Its vast deserts, mighty rivers, petrified forests and dramatic mountains attract hordes of outdoor enthusiasts who love to take advantage of the excellent hiking, rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing and golfing opportunities offered by these spectacularly scenic wilderness areas. The cities are equally attractive, with Phoenix offering world-renowned spas, Tucson boasting a rich Hispanic heritage, and Jerome and Bisbee filled with an abundance of charming galleries and boutiques. Whether you're excited to explore the buttes and mesas of Monument Valley, the stunning red rocks of Sedona, or the surprisingly green landscapes of the Sonoran Desert, you're sure to find plenty to keep you blissfully busy in this extraordinarily rugged Southwestern state.

While Sedona boasts stunning natural beauty amidst the remarkable Red Rocks, Mother Nature is not the only artist at work in this bustling desert city in Arizona. For decades, Sedona has been a southwestern mecca for artists, photographers, nature healers and free-spirited creatives attracted by the city's impressive array of art galleries and the reported mystical quality of its natural surroundings. The area is equally attractive to outdoor enthusiasts keen to take advantage of the hiking and mountain biking opportunities among the incredible pinnacles, spires, buttes and domes of the surrounding canyons. Whether you are looking for beautiful spa facilities, world-class wineries, a thriving art scene, phenomenal restaurants or simply some outstanding natural landscapes to explore, you are sure to find plenty to enchant you in and around the extraordinary city of Sedona.

Pismo Beach, located on California's famous Central Coast, is the quintessential classic beach town. It features expansive white-sand beaches, a picturesque wooden pier and a host of old-fashioned restaurants, bars and cafes. This retro town is an ideal stopover for visitors looking for sun, sea, sand and surf while tripping along the Pacific coast route. The city offers visitors a fantastic selection of exciting attractions, including: the Monarch Butterfly Grove, where thousands of black and orange monarchs migrate during the winter months; the Pismo Bowl, an old-fashioned bowling alley; and Pismo Beach, with its isolated dunes, tide pools and sheltered coves. Popular activities include swimming, hiking, kayaking, golfing, quad biking, fishing, horseback riding, shopping, surfing and wine tasting.

When the wind picks up and the fog lifts over the small beach town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, in Monterey County, California, locals and holidaymakers alike travel along the scenic Carmel Valley Road that leads through an ever-sunny valley to the charming rural village of Carmel Valley. The Santa Lucia Mountains provide this quiet tourist town with a sublime backdrop for the many recreational activities on offer. Eat farm-fresh food at the many tempting restaurants; browse the many art galleries, antique shops and vintage boutiques; or taste the delicious local wine at the various wine tasting rooms. Those looking for outdoor activities are equally well catered for with a number of championship golf courses in the area and some excellent hiking, biking and horseback riding in nearby Garland Ranch Regional Park.

Grand Canyon Village is a portal to one of the most enchanting geological sites in the world. Located on the edge of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, it is the gateway to the famous hypnotic views of the canyons carved deep by the Colorado River over the past 5-6 million years. Admire Mother Nature's handiwork as you descend into the canyon or explore the well-marked trails along the rim, on foot or on horseback. Less strenuous options include taking the free shuttle bus to the area's best viewpoints or experiencing the breathtaking vistas from the air via a helicopter or plane tour. The town itself is full of fascinating historical buildings, including Hopi House, where visitors can see (and buy) incredible native art and crafts.

This diverse national park encompasses everything from rocky, rust-coloured desert landscapes and wildflower-strewn plains to alpine tundra and fragrant pine forests. It is divided into three districts, each with its own iconic geography and ecology. The northernmost district, known as the Flagstaff District, includes the San Francisco Peaks - a cluster of volcanic mountains - and Mormon Lake - the state's largest natural lake. The middle district has the resort town of Sedona as its tourist centre and is known as Red Rock District. It is synonymous with the sandstone buttes, canyons and otherworldly rock formations that have made this part of the world a famous travel destination. Finally, the Mogollon Rim District lies on the edge of the Mogollon Plateau and is a rugged, scenic wilderness dotted with lakes, rivers and dense forestation.

California's Central Coast is a region stretching roughly from Point Mugu to Monterey Bay on the west coast of the United States of America. This beautiful coastline is packed with sights and attractions, with distinctive towns, excellent outdoor activities and prime vineyards and wineries to explore. There is much to choose from, but some recommended destinations include the redwood forests and dramatic beaches of Big Sur (in the Monterey Bay region); the bohemian college town of San Luis Obispo; relaxing on the 'American Riviera' and wine tasting in the Santa Maria and Santa Ynez valleys (in the Santa Barbara region); and the extraordinary Channel Islands National Park and Los Padres National Forest (in the Ventura region, just an hour north of Los Angeles).