Travel Kuoni

Southern California Self-Drive

South California road trip - Los Angeles, Palm Springs and San Diego.

Set off on a self-drive that takes in the best of sun-kissed SoCal. Start in oceanfront Santa Monica with its tourist-hotspot-meets-local-neighbourhood vibe, spend a couple of days relaxing in the desert city of Palm Springs and feel the sand between your toes along San Diego’s glorious coastline.

Self drive

Itinerary overview

Days 1-3

Spend three nights in Los Angeles, home to the stars and the hub of movie making in America. Head...

Days 4-5

Palm Springs, where we suggest staying for three nights, is an oasis city in the Coachella Valley...

Days 6-7

San Diego is often overlooked in favour of its sister cities to the north. But if you continue al...

Days 1-3

Los Angeles

Spend three nights in Los Angeles, home to the stars and the hub of movie making in America. Head to Santa Monica, an oceanfront city that has a unique tourist-hotspot-meets-local-neighbourhood vibe, take in the eclectic vibes in canal-crossed Venice, explore world-famous theme parks and movie studios or travel down to Long Beach.

Major League Baseball Tickets
Miami

Enjoy the excitement of a thrilling Major League Baseball game. Subject to availability, we can arrange tickets for games which take place across the United States and Canada throughout the season which runs from March to November. Watch as the pitcher throws the ball as the batter takes aim to hopefully score a run. No matter which team you are cheering for, being in the crowd can be just as exhilarating as watching the game.

National Basketball Association (NBA) Tickets
Miami

If you are travelling to the United States or Canada between October and June, you may wish to include tickets to see a National Basketball Association (NBA) game. Subject to availability, we can arrange tickets so you can witness the speed of the game as the players power across the court to shoot at the hoop. As each quarter unfolds, the atmosphere being part of the crowd can be electrifying.

National Hockey League (NHL) Tickets
Florida

The National Hockey League (NHL) is something of an institution across North America. Established in 1917, 32 teams compete against each other in ice hockey from October to June. Subject to availability, we can arrange tickets so that you can be rink side to witness the power and speed of the players as they attack and defend across the ice.

Go City L.A. All Inclusive Pass (Incl. Universal Studios & Knott's Berry Farm)
Los Angeles

With the All-Inclusive Pass from Go City, the more you see, the more you save. You have two, three, five or seven days to cram in as much as you can from a huge list of options, including Universal Studios, LEGOLAND, and Knott's Berry Farm. Head to Malibu for a Celebrity Homes Tour, hike up to Griffith Park to gaze at Los Angeles from the above or join the Californians on the Santa Monica boardwalk with a full-day rental of a bike or rollerblades. And you don't just have to look at the water, as a whale watching trip is yours if you want it.

Good to know

The complete list of over 35 tours and attractions is included with your Digital Pass. We endeavour to keep our descriptions up to date, however inclusions on sightseeing passes can change without our knowledge. Please check closer to your departure date for the most up to date list of included activities.

Hollywood, Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles City & Beach Tour
Los Angeles

This is a lively introduction to Los Angeles that gives you more than just drive-by views. Over the course of the day, you’ll explore the city’s most recognisable neighbourhoods and landmarks by sightseeing coach, with time to step out, look around, and get a feel for how LA actually works.

The tour begins in Hollywood, where you’ll walk along Hollywood Boulevard and the Walk of Fame, spotting the names that have shaped film, music, and pop culture over the decades. Nearby, you’ll see landmarks like the Dolby Theatre and hear the stories that give this stretch of pavement its reputation, for better and worse. At Santa Monica, you’ll have time to enjoy the ocean air and the famous pier, where beach culture, street performers, and fairground nostalgia all collide. 

You’ll also pass through Beverly Hills, known less for landmarks than for atmosphere, with its wide streets, palm trees, and carefully understated luxury. A stop at the original Farmers Market adds a welcome break, with time to browse, grab a bite, and see where locals have been eating for decades. It’s casual, varied, and a good reset before heading back out. The tour also takes in elevated viewpoints around Griffith Park, where you’ll see the Griffith Observatory and enjoy wide views across the city basin, a moment that helps pull the whole day together.

• Start time: 9.30am
• Duration: 6½ hours
• Daily departures
• Operates year round 
• Group experience

Los Angeles Hop-on Hop-off Bus with Hollywood Celebrity Homes Tour
Los Angeles

Over 48 hours, you can explore the city at your own pace using an open-top hop-on hop-off bus, with the freedom to get off where something catches your eye and jump back on when you’re ready to move on. The route links more than 40 stops across Los Angeles, covering everything from the revitalised downtown area to coastal favourites like Santa Monica. Whether you want to wander, shop, eat, people-watch, or stay on board and take it all in, the choice is yours.

The Hollywood Celebrity Homes Tour is included, a separate guided drive through Beverly Hills and the Hollywood Hills. This is your peek behind the hedges, passing the homes of well-known actors, musicians, and industry names, with context on how these neighbourhoods became so closely tied to Hollywood life. It’s more about setting the scene than pointing at front doors, and it adds a bit of insider colour to the wider city tour.

Together, the two experiences strike a good balance. The hop-on hop-off buses give you independence and flexibility, while the celebrity homes tour adds a distinctly LA layer you wouldn’t get on your own. It’s easygoing, adaptable, and ideal if you want to see a lot of the city without committing to a fixed schedule. 

• Duration: 48 hour pass
• Daily departures
• Operates year round
• Group experience

Days 4-5

Palm Springs

Palm Springs, where we suggest staying for three nights, is an oasis city in the Coachella Valley that's long been a choice of A-listers seeking a break from Los Angeles. You can shop in high-end boutiques, tee off at one of the many golf courses, laze in hot springs or at a spa, or just cool off in the pool at your resort. If you apprieciate mid-century design and archtitecture, spend time spotting modernist houses, mansions and hotels that date back to Palm Springs' 'LA removed' heyday, and visit the Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Centre. For a bird's eye view of the city and surrounding valley, take the rotating Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up to top of San Jacinto Peak.

Days 6-7

San Diego

San Diego is often overlooked in favour of its sister cities to the north. But if you continue along the Pacific Coast Highway, you’ll discover the best example of that laid-back Southern California lifestyle. There’s the beautifully mild climate (on average there are more than 260 days of sunshine a year); a seemingly endless stretch of sandy beaches which range from family friendly to surfers’ paradise; and a celebrated dining and nightlife scene in the historic Gaslamp Quarter. You can step into the world of Top Gun at the historic USS Midway Museum, that's set on an aircraft carrier docked near downtown San Diego; discover the delightful trails, pretty gardens and world-class attractions of Balboa Park; and head out on a whale-watching trip from the Embarcadero or enjoy a California burrito, fish taco or ceviche at one the harbourfront promenade's many restaurants.

Major League Baseball Tickets
Miami

Enjoy the excitement of a thrilling Major League Baseball game. Subject to availability, we can arrange tickets for games which take place across the United States and Canada throughout the season which runs from March to November. Watch as the pitcher throws the ball as the batter takes aim to hopefully score a run. No matter which team you are cheering for, being in the crowd can be just as exhilarating as watching the game.

Personalise your trip

Get in touch with one of our travel experts and we'll help plan your perfect holiday.

Call our North America experts on

01306 744 988

Available until 5pm

Other Itineraries

Call our North America experts on

01306 744 988

Available until 5pm

Email us