California Teen Adventure: 2026 Extravaganza | Best Parents

Course Description: California Teen Adventure: 2026 Extravaganza | Best Parents

🇺🇸 Californian Extravaganza Teen Tour

From the Colorado Rockies to the Pacific Coast and deep into Canyon Country, this 28-day teen tour is a true Western road-trip epic. Teens will whitewater raft the Snake River, sail across Lake Tahoe, surf in San Diego, explore San Francisco and Los Angeles, and stand on the edge of the Grand Canyon — all while traveling in a fun, supportive group led by experienced staff 💫

Carefully paced and fully supervised, this program blends big-city highlights, iconic national parks, and bucket-list adventures into one unforgettable summer.

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🌟 Program Highlights

• Whitewater raft the Snake River 🛶

• Explore Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39 & tour Alcatraz Prison in San Francisco*

• Sail on a private charter across Lake Tahoe ⛵

• Learn to surf with professional instructors in San Diego 🏄‍♀️

• Visit 4 National Parks: Yellowstone, Bryce, Zion & the Grand Canyon 🏞️

• Laugh out loud at the IMPROV Comedy Club 🎭

• Ride the Pink Jeep – Broken Arrow Tour in the Sedona desert 🚙

• Visit Universal Studios’ SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ & The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

• Experience Extreme Tubing at Park City Olympic Park (up to 50 mph!)

• Spend a full day at Disneyland, including Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge ✨

• Cook alongside professional chefs at a private cooking school 👨‍🍳

• Enjoy an exciting Las Vegas show

• Visit the world-famous San Diego Zoo 🐼

• Stroll Venice Beach, Rodeo Drive & Hollywood Boulevard ⭐

• Clip into a Via Ferrata climbing adventure with spectacular views

• Learn to waterski or try tubing/wakeboarding on Lake Tahoe

*Alcatraz tour (retail value $47.95) is included in program tuition.

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🗺️ Itinerary Overview

Days 1–2 — Boulder, Colorado

Fly into Denver and drive to Boulder to kick off your adventure with fun icebreakers and “get to know you” activities.

• Tackle a Warrior Challenge Arena teamwork experience.

• Dine at The Sink, a Boulder favorite where you can sign the wall and spot past Westcoast groups.

• Hang out at CU Boulder’s The Connection with bowling and billiards.

• Explore Pearl Street, famous for street performers, shops, and musicians.

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Days 3–4 — Jackson, Wyoming & Yellowstone National Park

Discover cowboy country and the great American West.

• Explore the town of Jackson Hole and take photos under the famous elk-antler arches.

• Whitewater raft the Snake River, conquering rapids like Lunch Counter and Big Kahuna.

• Ride the Alpine Slide and Cowboy Coaster with sweeping mountain views.

• Visit Grand Teton National Park on your way to Yellowstone.

• See Old Faithful, thermal pools, and the Fountain Paint Pots.

• Watch for wildlife like bison and other native species.

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Days 5–6 — Park City, Utah

Step into an Olympic playground.

• Visit Utah Olympic Park, home of the 2002 Winter Olympics.

• Take an Extreme Tubing ride down the landing hill of a ski jump — speeds up to 50 mph!

• Try ziplines, an alpine slide, drop tower, canyon course, and airbag jumps.

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Days 7–8 — San Francisco, California

Welcome to the City by the Bay 🌉

• Explore Fisherman’s Wharf, Ghirardelli Square, and Pier 39 (sea lions included!).

• Take the ferry to Alcatraz Prison for an unforgettable tour.

• Wander down famous Lombard Street.

• Cross the Golden Gate Bridge and ride an iconic San Francisco cable car.

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Days 9–10 — Lake Tahoe, California

Blue water, mountains, and pure summer vibes.

• Play beach volleyball, Ultimate Frisbee, or just relax on the shore.

• Learn to waterski with professional instructors or go tubing/wakeboarding.

• Sail across Lake Tahoe on a private charter sailboat.

• Clip into a Via Ferrata route and traverse cliff faces on cables, ladders, and beams with breathtaking views.

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Days 11–12 — Santa Barbara, California

Classic California coast charm.

• Sea kayak the Pacific Ocean.

• Stroll Stearns Wharf and State Street.

• Enjoy a beach day: swimming, sand soccer, and lounging in the sun.

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Days 13–17 — Los Angeles, California

Big-city excitement and theme-park thrills 🎢

• Spend a full day at Universal Studios Hollywood including:

• SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™

• The World-Famous Studio Tour

• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

• Jurassic World – The Ride

• Walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame and compare handprints at TCL Chinese Theatre.

• Visit Venice Beach and shop (or celebrity-watch) on Rodeo Drive.

• Enjoy a night of comedy at the IMPROV Comedy Club.

• Spend a magical day at Disneyland, including Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

• Sample 100+ cuisines at the Original Farmers Market.

• Explore 3rd Street Promenade and the Santa Monica Pier (Ferris wheel views over the coast).

• Learn from professional chefs at a private cooking school.

• Cheer on the Dodgers or Angels at a Major League Baseball game.

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Days 18–19 — San Diego, California

Surf, wildlife, and waterfront fun.

• Learn to surf with professional instructors.

• Visit the world-renowned San Diego Zoo, home to 4,000+ animals.

• Explore Seaport Village along San Diego Bay.

• Spend the evening at Belmont Park on the beachfront boardwalk — ride the Giant Dipper or Tilt-A-Whirl overlooking the Pacific.

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Days 20–21 — Las Vegas, Nevada

Desert lights and big shows.

• Stay at the Luxor Hotel, the iconic pyramid on the Las Vegas Strip.

• Watch the Bellagio fountains and visit The Venetian for a taste of Italy.

• Ride the Big Apple Coaster at New York-New York.

• Visit M&M World and the Coca-Cola store.

• Enjoy a world-famous Cirque du Soleil show.

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Days 22–23 — Zion & Bryce Canyon, Utah

Welcome to Canyon Country.

• Explore Zion National Park with its soaring cliffs and carved canyons.

• See the orange and red hoodoos of Bryce Canyon, shaped by wind, water, and ice.

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Days 24–25 — Grand Canyon, Arizona

One of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World 🌍

• Walk the rim of the Grand Canyon and take in its dramatic vistas and layered rock formations.

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Days 26–28 — Sedona & Scottsdale, Arizona

Red rocks, pools, and goodbyes.

• Take a rugged Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour in Sedona, passing:

• Bell Rock

• Chapel Butte

• Rock of Gibraltar

• Submarine Rock & Chicken Point

• The “Road of No Return”

• Enjoy a farewell brunch at the Cheesecake Factory.

• Relax at the resort in Scottsdale: enjoy the fitness center, pool, and sunshine.

• Celebrate your journey at a farewell banquet, then fly home from Phoenix ✈️

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🏨 Accommodations

All accommodations are chosen for safety, comfort, amenities, and location. Expect modern hotels and resorts with pools and social spaces, such as:

• Boulder, CO – Hyatt Place Boulder Pearl Street

• Jackson Hole, WY – SpringHill Suites Jackson

• Park City, UT – Hyatt Place Park City

• San Francisco, CA – Embassy Suites Burlingame – Waterfront

• Lake Tahoe, CA – Hampton Inn & Suites Tahoe-Truckee or SpringHill Suites Truckee

• Santa Barbara, CA – Hilton Garden Inn

• Los Angeles, CA – Central Marriott with resort-style outdoor pool

• San Diego, CA – Embassy Suites La Jolla (all-suites)

• Las Vegas, NV – Luxor Hotel on the Strip

• Bryce, UT – Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn

• Flagstaff, AZ – SpringHill Suites or Hampton Inn & Suites

• Scottsdale, AZ – Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak (all-suite, resort-style)

Rooms are typically doubles or triples; each participant has their own bed.

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🌈 What It’s Like

An adrenaline-filled, social, and supportive teen tour with:

• High-energy activities

• Iconic natural and urban landmarks

• Strong group bonding and inclusive atmosphere

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🍽️ Meals

• Included: Breakfast and dinner daily

• Dinners at teen-approved restaurants like hibachi grills, local BBQ spots, Italian eateries, Cheesecake Factory, Eataly, Hard Rock Café, and curated food halls.

• Lunches are purchased in small groups, choosing from local cafés and restaurants.

• Sweet treats might include Cow’s Ice Cream, Crumbl Cookies, Voodoo Donuts, Matsumoto’s Hawaiian Shave Ice, or Diddy Riese cookie ice cream sandwiches 🍪

Most dietary needs can be accommodated, including vegetarian, lactose intolerance, celiac, and kosher-style diets.

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🚐 Transportation

• Chartered, deluxe air-conditioned motor coach with a professional driver

• Internal flight from Salt Lake City to San Francisco (as part of the program routing)

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👥 Group & Ages

• Group Size: Typically 28–48 participants

• Compatible Groupings: Separate departure dates arranged by age for co-ed groups

• Middle School Departure: A specific departure is available for students currently completing 7th or 8th grade

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🧺 Laundry

• Once per week at local laundromats

• Detergent and dryer sheets are provided

• Staff help first-timers learn the basics

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🧳 What’s Included

Program tuition includes:

• All lodging

• Breakfast & dinner daily

• All scheduled recreation & activities

• Airport transfers at designated times

• Gratuities & taxes

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💸 Not Included

• Transportation to/from the program (flights to Denver & from Phoenix)

• Lunches & snacks

• Personal spending money (souvenirs, extra treats, etc.)

• Laundry costs

• Optional travel insurance

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✈️ Program Flights

• Flight to Denver, CO:

• Staff help you arrange arrival within program windows.

• From New York, a chaperoned flight is available with leaders present from check-in onward.

• Return Flight from Phoenix, AZ:

• Leaders assist with check-in and remain at the airport until all flights in designated times have departed.

• Chaperoned return flight available for New York–area travelers.