Three‑Week West Coast Adventure: Houston, San Diego, Las Vegas & Los Angeles

Day 1: Departure from Wellington & Arrival in Houston

Morning: Depart Wellington on an overnight flight, enjoying in‑flight meals and entertainment.

Afternoon: Arrive at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, transfer to hotel and settle in.

Evening: Take a leisurely stroll around Downtown Houston and dine at a local BBQ joint.

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Day 2: Houston Exploration

Morning: Visit the Houston Museum of Natural Science to see dinosaur fossils and the planetarium.

Afternoon: Explore the vibrant Houston Museum District and have lunch at a café.

Evening: Enjoy sunset views at Discovery Green followed by dinner at a rooftop restaurant.

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Day 3: Space Center Houston

Morning: Head to Space Center Houston for a guided tour of NASA’s facilities.

Afternoon: Experience the Astronaut Gallery and the Tram Tour to the historic Mission Control.

Evening: Return to the city and relax at the hotel or explore the nightlife in the Midtown district.

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Day 4: Travel to San Diego

Morning: Fly from Houston to San Diego; check‑in at a beachfront hotel.

Afternoon: Walk along Pacific Beach boardwalk, soak up the sun.

Evening: Dine at the historic Gaslamp Quarter and enjoy live music.

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Day 5: San Diego Zoo & Balboa Park

Morning: Spend the morning at the world‑famous San Diego Zoo, meeting pandas and koalas.

Afternoon: Explore Balboa Park gardens, museums, and the iconic Spanish Village Art Center.

Evening: Sunset at Coronado Beach followed by a seafood dinner.

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Day 6: La Jolla & Coastal Adventures

Morning: Kayak through the sea caves of La Jolla Cove and spot sea lions.

Afternoon: Visit the Birch Aquarium and enjoy a leisurely lunch on the waterfront.

Evening: Relax at the hotel or explore the trendy North Park neighborhood.

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Day 7: Day Trip to Torrey Pines

Morning: Hike the coastal trails of Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.

Afternoon: Picnic on the beach and optional surfing lessons.

Evening: Return to San Diego, enjoy a casual dinner at Little Italy.

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Day 8: Travel to Las Vegas

Morning: Fly to Las Vegas; check‑in at a hotel on the Strip.

Afternoon: Walk the famous Las Vegas Strip, see the Bellagio fountains and the Eiffel Tower replica.

Evening: Catch a spectacular show (e.g., Cirque du Soleil) and try your luck at a casino.

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Day 9: Las Vegas Highlights

Morning: Visit the historic Fremont Street Experience for vintage Vegas vibes.

Afternoon: Explore the interactive exhibits at the Neon Museum.

Evening: Dine at a celebrity chef restaurant and enjoy the nightlife.

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Day 10: Grand Canyon Day Trip

Morning: Depart early for a guided tour to the Grand Canyon West Rim.

Afternoon: Walk the Skywalk, take panoramic photos, and enjoy a lunch with canyon views.

Evening: Return to Las Vegas; unwind with a nightcap at a rooftop bar.

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Day 11: Relaxation & Shopping

Morning: Relax by the hotel pool or enjoy a spa treatment.

Afternoon: Shop at the Fashion Show Mall and the Grand Canal Shoppes.

Evening: Sunset helicopter flight over the Strip, followed by dinner.

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Day 12: Travel to Los Angeles

Morning: Drive or fly to Los Angeles; check‑in at a downtown hotel.

Afternoon: Walk along Hollywood Boulevard, see the Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre.

Evening: Dinner in West Hollywood and explore the Sunset Strip nightlife.

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Day 13: Hollywood & Griffith Observatory

Morning: Take a studio tour at Warner Bros. Studios or Universal Studios.

Afternoon: Hike to the Griffith Observatory for city vistas and planetarium shows.

Evening: Enjoy a rooftop dinner in the Los Angeles Arts District.

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Day 14: Santa Monica & Venice Beach

Morning: Bike along the Santa Monica Pier and promenade.

Afternoon: Wander the eclectic shops of Venice Beach Boardwalk and watch street performers.

Evening: Sunset dinner at a beachfront restaurant in Santa Monica.

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Day 15: Getty Center & Beverly Hills

Morning: Explore the art collections and gardens at the Getty Center.

Afternoon: Stroll through Rodeo Drive and the Beverly Hills neighborhood.

Evening: Dine at a classic Hollywood steakhouse.

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Day 16: Day Trip to Malibu

Morning: Drive along the Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu, stopping at Point Dume.

Afternoon: Lunch at a seaside café and optional surf lesson at Surfrider Beach.

Evening: Return to LA; relax at the hotel.

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Day 17: Culture & Museums

Morning: Visit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and the nearby La Brea Tar Pits.

Afternoon: Explore the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

Evening: Attend a live performance at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

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Day 18: Disneyland Resort

Morning: Head to Disneyland Park for classic rides and attractions.

Afternoon: Continue exploring Disney California Adventure and enjoy themed dining.

Evening: Watch the fireworks show before returning to Los Angeles.

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Day 19: Free Day / Optional Activities

Morning: Choose a relaxing spa, a golf round, or a shopping spree at The Grove.

Afternoon: Optional visit to the Los Angeles Zoo or a surfing lesson in Huntington Beach.

Evening: Farewell dinner at a Michelin‑starred restaurant in downtown LA.

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Day 20: Departure Preparation

Morning: Pack belongings, enjoy a leisurely breakfast at a local café.

Afternoon: Last‑minute souvenir shopping in Olvera Street.

Evening: Transfer to Los Angeles International Airport for the flight home.

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Day 21: Return to Wellington

Morning: Depart Los Angeles on an overnight flight back to Wellington.

Afternoon: In‑flight relaxation and meals.

Evening: Arrive back in Wellington, concluding the three‑week adventure.

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Time and Cost Estimates

  • Houston Museum of Natural Science – 2 hrs – $25
  • Space Center Houston – 4 hrs – $40
  • San Diego Zoo – 4 hrs – $60
  • Balboa Park (Museums & Gardens) – 3 hrs – $30
  • La Jolla Cove Kayaking – 2 hrs – $80
  • Torrey Pines State Reserve – 3 hrs – $15 (parking)
  • Las Vegas Strip Walking Tour – 3 hrs – $0 (self‑guided)
  • Fremont Street Experience – 2 hrs – $0
  • Neon Museum – 2 hrs – $20
  • Grand Canyon West Rim Day Trip – 12 hrs – $150
  • Hollywood Walk of Fame & TCL Theatre – 2 hrs – $0
  • Warner Bros. Studio Tour – 3 hrs – $70
  • Griffith Observatory – 2 hrs – $0 (parking $5)
  • Santa Monica Pier & Beach – 3 hrs – $0
  • Venice Beach Boardwalk – 2 hrs – $0
  • Getty Center – 3 hrs – $20 (parking)
  • Rodeo Drive – 2 hrs – $0
  • Malibu Point Dume – 3 hrs – $0 (parking $10)
  • LACMA & La Brea Tar Pits – 3 hrs – $30
  • Disneyland Park – 6 hrs – $120
  • Disney California Adventure – 4 hrs – $120
  • Walt Disney Concert Hall Show – 2 hrs – $75
  • Meals (average per day) – 21 days – $45 × 21 = $945
  • Accommodations (average $150/night) – 20 nights – $3,000
  • Domestic flights (Houston‑SD‑LV‑LA) – $350
  • International round‑trip (Wellington‑Houston‑LA‑Wellington) – $1,400
  • Transportation (rental cars, rideshares) – $600
  • Miscellaneous (tips, souvenirs) – $300
  • Total Estimated Cost$7,585

Tips

To extend the trip, add extra days in each city to explore nearby attractions such as the Texas Hill Country from Houston, San Diego’s Coronado Island, a second night on the Las Vegas Strip for more shows, or a coastal road trip from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara. If you need to shorten the itinerary, consider skipping the Grand Canyon day trip and consolidating the Disneyland experience into a single park visit, or replace one of the leisure days with a quick fly‑out from Los Angeles back home.

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