Location	Date Range
Los Angeles	Sat 16th Aug – Fri 22nd Aug
Las Vegas	Fri 22nd Aug – Mon 25th Aug
Grand Canyon	Mon 25th Aug – Fri 29th Aug

Los Angeles

Shopping: Midweek (Monday–Thursday) is usually best for smaller crowds and easier parking. Weekends can be livelier but much busier.

Accomodation:

Exclusive 2BD 3BA with Balcony

https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/ambient-2bd-3ba-balcony-venice-beach.en-gb.html 3,238 EUR

House on the Beach

2609 Ocean Front Walk, Venice Beach, Los Angeles, CA 90291

https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/house-on-the-beach-los-angeles.en-gb.html 3,900 EUR

• No cancellation

Live the Marina Lifestyle

https://www.booking.com/Share-2P5zd4 4,129 EUR

• Free cancellation before 11 August 2025

Sonder — The Beacon

https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/sonder-the-beacon.en-gb.html

Saturday 16th (Arrival in Los Angeles)

• Pick up a rental car at LAX
• Check into accommodation in Santa Monica or Venice Beach
• Relax at Venice Beach

Sunday 17th: Hollywood and Griffith Observatory

• Explore Hollywood (Walk of Fame, Chinese Theatre)
• Visit Griffith Observatory for panoramic city views
• Evening stroll along Sunset Boulevard

Monday 18th: Shopping / Hollywood

Girls: shopping at The Grove or Rodeo Drive

• The Grove & Original Farmers Market: Trendy shops, a fun trolley, and a variety of dining options in one outdoor space.
• Beverly Center: High-end mall with a mix of luxury and mid-range brands.
• Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica: Open-air pedestrian street with popular fashion retailers and dining.
• Glendale Galleria & The Americana at Brand: Large malls side by side; diverse brand options and a family-friendly setting.
• Citadel Outlets: Discounted designer brands if you’re looking for bargains.
• Rodeo Drive (Beverly Hills): Iconic luxury shopping and window-shopping experience.

Boys: Hollywood

• Studio Tours: Universal Studios Hollywood for rides and backlot experiences, or Warner Bros. Studio Tour for a behind-the-scenes look at sets, props, and soundstages.

Notable movie sets include:
• Jurassic Park: Experience sets and props from the dinosaur adventure film.
• Jaws: Encounter the infamous great white shark in a recreated seaside town.
• King Kong: Immerse yourself in a 3D experience on Skull Island.
• Back to the Future: Visit the iconic Courthouse Square, representing Hill Valley.
• War of the Worlds: Witness the aftermath of an alien invasion with a destroyed airplane set.
• Psycho: See the eerie Bates Motel and the Psycho House.
• Transformers: Explore sets used in the battle scenes of the action-packed series.
• Home Alone 2: Walk through areas resembling scenes from the holiday classic.
• Apollo 13: View a Lunar Module replica from the space mission film.
• Desperate Housewives: Stroll down Wisteria Lane on Colonial Street.

• Hollywood Walk of Fame: Check out the handprints and footprints of stars.
• Chinese Theatre: see where major movie premieres happen.
• Academy Museum of Motion Pictures: Explore exhibits on film history and industry artifacts.
• Hollywood Museum in the old Max Factor Building: Movie memorabilia, costumes, and historical Hollywood exhibits.
• Hollywood Sign Hike: A moderate hike with iconic Los Angeles views and a nod to the movie industry’s legendary sign.

Evening:
- CityWalk for dinner and shopping

Universal CityWalk is the entertainment district adjacent to Universal Studios Hollywood, featuring various shops, restaurants, movie theaters, and live entertainment venues.
It’s open to the public without a park ticket, making it a popular spot for dining and nightlife.

Tuesday 19th: Disneyland or Disney California Adventure

• Disneyland is the classic park with nostalgic charm, featuring iconic attractions like Sleeping Beauty Castle, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Space Mountain.
• Disney California Adventure embraces modern storytelling with California-inspired themes, Pixar, and Marvel attractions like Radiator Springs Racers and Avengers Campus.
• Disneyland’s compact layout makes it easy to navigate, while California Adventure is more spread out with themed areas like Pixar Pier and Hollywood Land.
• Nighttime entertainment differs, with Disneyland featuring fireworks and Fantasmic! while California Adventure showcases the World of Color water and light show.
• Character experiences vary—Disneyland focuses on Mickey, Minnie, and Disney Princesses, while California Adventure features Pixar characters and Marvel superheroes.

Wednesday 20th: Beach Day

• Beach day: Santa Monica, Venice, or Malibu
• Option: Surf lessons or biking along the boardwalk

Thursday 21st

• Explore Downtown LA (The Broad, Grand Central Market, Little Tokyo)

• Evening at the Grove or Farmers Market

• Start at The Broad, a free contemporary art museum famous for Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms and an extensive modern art collection. Nearby, you’ll find MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) and Walt Disney Concert Hall for a quick architectural photo op.

• Walk to Grand Central Market, a bustling food hall offering a variety of global eats, from tacos to ramen. Great spot for lunch or quick snacks, and a glimpse of LA’s diverse culinary scene.

• Head over to Little Tokyo. Explore specialty shops, enjoy desserts like mochi or soft serve, and consider visiting the Japanese American National Museum. The area blends historic LA architecture with a taste of Japanese culture.

• In the evening, drive or ride-share to The Grove or the adjacent Original Farmers Market. The Grove is an outdoor shopping mall with a lively atmosphere—lots of shops, restaurants, and a trolley ride for the kids. The Farmers Market next door has vendors serving everything from gourmet donuts to Brazilian BBQ, perfect for a casual dinner and people-watching.

Las Vegas

On the way:

• Peggy Sue’s 50’s Diner: Retro-style diner for a quick meal break.

(Lineups and venues can change, so verify as summer 2025 approaches.)

Friday 22nd (Drive to Las Vegas ~4-5 hours)

• Depart early, arrive early afternoon

Stay at:

MGM Grand

https://mgmgrand.mgmresorts.com/en/hotel.html 790 EUR

Evening:
- fountains at Bellagio
- stroll the Strip

Saturday 23rd

• Explore the Strip’s themed hotels and attractions
• High Roller Observation Wheel or Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay

KÀ (MGM Grand)

7pm

Cinematic adventure with martial arts, acrobatics, and a massive rotating stage. Follows a storyline of separated twins on a heroic quest, mixing spectacle with theatrical storytelling.

Sunday 24th

• Day trip to Hoover Dam
• Optional visit to Red Rock Canyon for outdoor activities
• Relax by the pool or walk Fremont Street in the evening

Grand Canyon

Accomodation:

Thunderbird Lodge
4 nights

Monday 25th (Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim ~4-5 hours)

• Arrive mid-afternoon
• Check into lodging inside the park or in Tusayan
• Sunset views at Mather Point

Tuesday 26th

Hike?

Wednesday 27th: Mule Ride

Canyon Vistas Mule Ride
8am
Pickup point: Bright Angel Lodge

Thursday 28th: Railway Tour

Railway Express Tours
Pickup point: Bright Angel Lodge

Friday 29th

• Drive back toward Las Vegas
• Overnight near the airport or stay on the Strip

Saturday 30th

Saturday
- Return flight to Europe