California Bucket List: Road trip dreams and national wonders!

That tingling in your stomach – that's the feeling of dreams finally coming true. Today, your very own American Dream begins! So, you hop on the plane and find yourself in Los Angeles before you know it. And thanks to the time difference, it's still the same day when you arrive. Crazy, isn't it? As you step onto the tarmac, the warm Californian sun shines on your face, and you're beaming right back at it – time for a road trip! Your hire car is waiting for you at the airport, and just a few minutes later, you're on the highway, cruising along as Los Angeles shrinks in your rear-view. Your destination? Palm Springs or Palm Desert in the Sonora Desert! With 350 days of sunshine a year, it's not without reason that Palm Springs is popular with so many Hollywood stars. Chill by the pool and soak up the Hollywood vibes yourself or explore the funky desert modernism designs. The retro architecture here bears the signature of renowned architects and is the hallmark of the desert city!

Even late risers like to get up early for the famous Joshua Tree National Park. The bizarre Joshua trees – a type of yucca tree – are just a stone's throw from Palm Springs (entrance fee payable on site). In the middle of the Mojave Desert, bright green cacti and giant palm trees tower into the bright blue sky. And that's not all there is to see. With a bit of luck, you might even spot some iguanas, coyotes and unusual bird species in this surreal landscape that bears the hallmarks of wind, rain and climatic extremes. So, it's high time to take a closer look at the park! And the best way to do it is on a hike along the Nature Valley Trail, where you're accompanied by massive boulders, oaks, pines, cacti and, of course, the famous Joshua trees!
As soon as you get back behind the wheel of your hire car, the next highlight awaits: Route 66! It doesn't get more American than this! Crank up the music, let the wind blow through your hair and revel in the pure road trip vibes.

The sun has barely woken you up, and you're already on the road, blasting your sunshine playlist. Along the way, the sky's the limit! Are you a Star Trek fan? Then a stop at Vasquez Rocks is a must; after all, it's a well-known film setting from the series. In the park, you'll find bizarre rock formations and viewpoints that provide the perfect backdrop for a few pics – an absolute must-see even for non-fans! As you follow the endless bends of the winding road up the mountain, you stop to enjoy the view of the valley and the mountains and never miss a chance to snap another photo.
After completing an exciting stage of your road trip, you reach Sequoia. Your stomach's probably rumbling by now, and that's no problem at all because there's no shortage of restaurants around. Whether typical American or international, there's something here for every taste! As the evening ends, you kick back and revel in your excitement about your upcoming adventure.

You wake up early, bristling with excitement – gigantic redwood trees and dreamlike nature await! So you grab your keys, grab the wheel and cruise off into the national park. In the Giant Forest, you're captivated by the sight of the impressive giant sequoias. But one in particular stands out: the General Sherman Tree! At 275 feet tall with an astounding circumference of 101.5 feet, by volume, it's the mightiest tree in the world. Never before have you seen such an impressive tree! You pull out your camera and immediately realise that you almost can't even fit it all in frame! And when the urge to go for a hike hits you, you've got two to choose from: a short hike to Crescent Meadow or a hike to the summit of Moro Rock, where you have a unique panorama of the national park. Unforgettable views guaranteed!