Region Overviews: California Travel Guide: Overview
Take some time to explore California, and you'll understand why visitors from all over the world flock here.
Couples, Friends & Solos
4 days 3 nights
Activity Level: 2-4
Casual Hotels
From: $3,399 - $3,599 pp dbl occ
($700 for sgl occ)
The names are ominous. Death Valley. Badwater. Furnace Creek. Yet there's striking beauty. The rippling sand dunes. Colorful mountains. Plants and animals thriving amid topographic extremes. Now you're one of them. Savoring the views. Tackling the rides. And basking in the sun. With nothing but good omens in sight.
Start/End Las Vegas
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
DAY 1Take a spin through Red Rock Canyon, a breathtaking example of the desert's beauty and vibrancy | With towering rust-colored peaks, ancient petroglyphs and plant species found nowhere else, the canyon showcases the Mojave's unique features | Kick back at the Inn at Death Valley, a natural oasis where 50 freshwater springs provide water for drinking, showers, irrigation and even the swimming pool.
DAY 2 Pay a visit to the ghost town of Rhyolite, a once-prosperous town site teeming with prospectors | Bike through Daylight Pass to reach the highest point on our trip | Cycle down the valley with views of the Panamint Mountains and sand dunes in the distance | Hop off your bike for lunch and a walk into the dunes at Mesquite Flat, where you'll feel the vastness of the park | After dinner tonight, check out the night sky—stargazing here is like nowhere else.
DAY 3 Bike across the giant Salt Playa to the lowest point in the United States and see if you feel any different at 282 feet below sea level | Desert illusions of water might just mesmerize you | Sip a cool drink as you watch the sun set from the hotel's terrace.
DAY 4 Ascend to Zabriskie Point, the park's most celebrated vista | Take in the Badlands' yellow sandstone and ancient lava flows in the Black Mountains to the south | Hike through out-of-this-world rock formations resembling Neapolitan ice cream | Explore Golden Canyon, a slot canyon that you may recognize from the original Star Wars films.
Nestled at the foot of the Funeral Mountains, this historic and recently renovated Mission-style hotel sits almost 200 feet below sea level. (pool, spa)
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.
Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.
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Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.
The key to a stellar day's ride is a bike that's perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.
Click the arrow to see all bike options.
Included in your trip price
This custom-designed titanium bike is lightweight and responsive, featuring Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting, 11-speed compact gearing, a premium Mavic Ksyrium Pro wheelset and a full carbon fork.
Included in your trip price
A proven classic, this custom-designed titanium bike is suited for a wide range of cyclists. It features a comfortable ergonomic seat and a long wheel base that add to the bike’s control and stability.
Included in your trip price
Keep pace or zip ahead, pedaling with an electric boost. This bike provides plenty of power to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance.
Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+
Ride like a pro with the top-of-the-line carbon Canyon Endurace CF SLX 9 Di2. A performance-first flagship endurance bike engineered for comfort and race-level riding.
$650 rental fee; subject to availability
This hand-built frame features Co-Motion's custom-designed cro-moly steel tubeset, powerful Avid disc brakes, Shimano Ultegra drive train, and a custom, upgraded wheelset. For experienced tandem riders.
$400 rental fee
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Death Valley is a land of extremes. At times, weather conditions (like high winds or even the occasional rain storm) may warrant unexpected changes to our itinerary. In this event, alternate activities will be planned that you're sure to enjoy.
The Inn at Death Valley received a multimillion-dollar renovation in 2018. It is a grand historical treasure and by far the best place to stay in the Death Valley area. While its location within Death Valley National Park makes it an ideal base for exploring the valley's many sights, it is also subject to park regulations and oversight. Similar to many national park lodges, service at the Inn at Death Valley can seem slow and casual compared to the high standards of hospitality found on other Backroads trips.
Take some time to explore California, and you'll understand why visitors from all over the world flock here.
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