Why not spend your early spring holidays on one of the most popular Rock and Pop festivals in the world? Enjoy some entertaining open air days at legendary Coachella Festival. For an unforgettable road trip, combine it with one of the most unique cities in the world: Las Vegas. Boasting with casinos, Rock history, bars, and night life.
On this subTOUR, go hiking outdoors and explore the breathtaking architecture of nature . Enjoy marvellous national parks and the colourful scenery of famous landmarks such as Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, or Zion National Park. Discover the Route 66, the surreal city of Laughlin and the desert surrounding it.
This trip will lead you from Las Vegas to Zion National Park & Antelope Canyon. On the way, take a break at Lake Powell. Afterwards, discover Grand Canyon before heading to Route 66 and Joshua Tree National Park. This is where you will be reminded of Irish Rockers U2's famous album The Joshua Tree. Your final destination is Coachella Valley.
Our recommended subTOUR includes 4 to 5 nights along the route in between Las Vegas and Coachella. But it's up to you to extend or shorten the trip as you like. Get our ultimate tips for some extra days before and after the tour: not only Las Vegas, also Palm Springs is always a good choice for an overnight on top.
This trip is easiest done by car, whether your own or a rental one.
Las Vegas (Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
Viva Las Vegas - ZZ Top already knew best. Welcome to one of the most stunning cities in the world and starting point of your unforgettable subTOURING experience. Whether you are into record shopping, live music, or Rock music history places - discover our favourite spots in town.
Enjoy the hotel and entertainment area along the world-famous Strip. Take a picture on front of the renowned Welcome to fabulous Las Vegas road sign. Or just get married like a Rock star. Always accompanied by the tunes of local heroes The Killers.
Why not spent one or two nights in Sin City before heading on to your Coachella road trip?
Zion National Park (Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
Start early on this first day of your subTOUR. Today's destination is Zion National Park, one of the major national parks in Western USA. Located in Utah, this is also a great place to hike.
The colours of this geological wonder of nature ranges from pastel hues to deep red depending on the time of day and year. In combination with the blue skies, green trees and bushes, and some wild animals, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Take your time discovering this place before heading on to tonight's hotel which is located just outside the park.
Hotel tip: Zion Mountain Ranch will be one of the most romantic and tranquil places you have ever seen. Feel like a cowboy or cowgirl surrounded by buffaloes and horses.
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
The second day of your road trip to Coachella will first lead you to striking Grand Staircase-Escalante, a national monument with vast canyons and impressive rock formations in all possible colours. This remote place is vastness combined with lonesomeness. Numerous dinosaur fossils have been found in the area.
Shopping tip: on your way to Grand Staircase-Escalante, stop at the town of Kanab for Wild West shopping at Denny's Wigwam.
Sights tip: for those having some more time to spend in the area, take the detour to Bryce Canyon first. One more night to experience this truly awesome place is worth all the way.
Lake Powell (Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
Afterwards, hit the road towards Lake Powell, the crystal blue water reservoir on the Colorado River and major vacation spot.
Part of the lake is Wahweap Bay in the far western part. Red rocks and boats set an idyllic and tranquil scenery. Stroll along the long-stretched beach collecting shells. Stand upon the dam watching the kayaks on Colorado River on their way towards Grand Canyon.
Antelope Canyon (Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
Probably one of today's ultimate highlights: be prepared for a real wonder of nature at Antelope Canyon. This Slot Canyon will take your breath in all its colourful shades from pastel hues to deep red depending on time of day. Truly magical. Beams of direct sunlight radiating down from openings at the top of the canyon are breathtaking.
Sights tip: Horseshoe Bend or world-famous Monument Valley are two stunning spots nearby. Definitely worth the detour, but you will probably have to plan another extra night on top for experiencing them in their full beauty.
Hotel tip: Cameron Trading Post further south is your place for tonight. Located perfectly to discover the Grand Canyon the next day.
Grand Canyon (Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
Day three of your road trip will be dominated by fabulous Grand Canyon. Six million years old and one of the most astonishing and amazing spots on this planet. Simply breathtaking. Enjoy the impressive views deep into the gorge of the sparkling blue Colorado River. The Southern Rim offers numerous spots to catch glances that go until the very horizon. Massive, huge, monumental - any term fits for the canyon that comes in pastel hues or deep red shades, depending on weather and daytime. An extraordinary experience at any time of the year and day.
Hotel tip: Comfort Inn further south in the town of Williams is the final destination for the night.
Laughlin (Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
On Day 4 your itinerary will lead you all the way to the town of Twentynine Palms near Coachella and Joshua Tree National Park.
Sight tip: take a part of the old Route 66 with the lovely town of Seligman to discover the true American spirit of the former days. Take a break, get a coffee and shop some memorabilia here before heading on to the fascinating city of Laughlin, Nevada.
City tip: Laughlin is the smaller and not touristy version of Las Vegas. Nestled along the banks of the turquoise Colorado River and surrounded by picturesque mountains. An oasis inmidst the dry Nevada desert, full of fun and entertainment.
Sight tip: From Laughlin, we recommend to take the route via Lake Havasu. Ragged Needle Mountains surround Lake Havasu City, a town conveying Mexican feeling. Dry and dusty land with a deep blue lake. Take your time for a break from driving and explore the lakeside as well as wildlife refuges where you may learn all about local flora and fauna.
Hit the road westwards. The landscape gets even more lonesome and sparse. A (un)real desert trip. Straight roads lead towards the very horizon. Fascinating views of dry land, sandy hills, and high rocky mountains - all in soft and pastel hues and colours. Passing an area of dry lakes and the vast wilderness of Sheephole Valley with absolute silence.
Follow Highway 62 towards the West. Today's final destination is the town of Twentynine Palms. We recommend to stay two nights here so that you have an extra day to explore nearby Joshua Tree National Park.
Hotel tip: Harmony Motel is a place as authentic as it gets. When here, be surrounded by the memories of Irish Rock stars U2 who once stayed here when finishing their album The Joshua Tree.
Joshua Tree National Park (Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
Day 5 is all about Joshua Tree National Park. A surreal place combining archaic Joshua Trees with Africa-like landscape: colourful rock formations, thornbushes, yuccas, cacti, along with dust, heat, and dryness. That's what a desert looks like. Colours range from brown and grey to bright red and paste hues.
Reminded of U2, when around? Yes, that's correct. It was a Joshua Tree that was shot for the cover of their fifth studio album The Joshua Tree.
For a breathtaking view into Coachella Valley get to Keys View spot. Try to spot your festival destination for the next days next to the Little San Bernardino Mountains, the Santa Rosa Mountains, and the Indio Hills. The lush green valley around Palm Springs looks like an oasis-like mirage in the middle of the desert.
Coachella Festival (Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
This is the day. Day 6 will lead you into the Coachella Valley to enjoy some fascinating days at world-famous and legendary Coachella Festival.
Held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, surrounded by huge palms and dry desert. Featuring musical artists from many genres of music, including Rock, Indie, Hip Hop, and Electronic Dance, as well as art installations and sculptures. Across the grounds, several stages host live music.
Palm Springs (Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
When around, why not extend your stay in California with one or two more days in the city of Palm Springs?
Biking, golf, hiking, horseback riding, swimming, and tennis in the nearby desert and mountain areas are major forms of recreation here. This area is also well-known for its mid-century modern architecture, design elements, and a vibrant arts and cultural scene.
In terms of music, artists from the Rat Pack to modern-day Indie rockers have been finding creative inspiration in the magical settings. The city is also home to Desert Rock and Stoner Rock. Bands like The Eagles of Death Metal and Queens of the Stone Age rose from the desert area.
Explore this inspiring city with our recommendations for hotels, record stores, live music venues and much more before heading back home.
Glamourous Indie Rock'n'Roll from Vegas
Las Vegas Alternative Rock
Heavy Metal based in Vegas
Rock band from Nevada
Palm Desert meets Alternative Rock
Stoner Rock born in Palm Desert
