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Wellington → Houston → Las Vegas → San Diego → Los Angeles – 16‑Day Adventure

Viewed by 59 travelers

Day 1: Arrival & Houston Exploration

Morning: Depart Wellington on a premium‑economy flight, arriving in Houston mid‑morning. Transfer to your downtown hotel and settle in.

Afternoon: Stroll along the vibrant Houston Museum District, peeking into the Contemporary Arts Museum and enjoying a light lunch at a local café.

Evening: Dine at a renowned Tex‑Mex restaurant and unwind with a walk along the illuminated Houston Buffalo Bayou Park.

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Day 2: Space Center & Museums

Morning: Head to the iconic Space Center Houston for a guided tour of NASA’s historic missions.

Afternoon: Visit the Houston Museum of Natural Science, exploring its dinosaur hall and planetarium.

Evening: Enjoy a relaxed dinner in the Montrose neighborhood, known for its eclectic eateries.

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Day 3: Parks & Culinary Delights

Morning: Bike through the lush trails of Hermann Park and relax by McGovern Lake.

Afternoon: Take a food‑tour of Houston’s Chinatown, sampling dumplings, pho, and bubble tea.

Evening: Catch a live jazz set at the historic House of Blues.

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Day 4: Art & Culture

Morning: Explore the expansive collections at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

Afternoon: Wander through the Williams Tower Observation Deck for panoramic city views.

Evening: Savor modern American cuisine in the upscale River Oaks district.

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Day 5: Galveston Day Trip

Morning: Drive to historic Galveston Island and walk the famous Seawall.

Afternoon: Visit the Moody Gardens aquarium and rainforest exhibits.

Evening: Return to Houston and enjoy a quiet dinner near your hotel.

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Day 6: Shopping & Riverwalk

Morning: Browse the upscale boutiques at the Galleria mall.

Afternoon: Cruise the scenic Houston Riverwalk on a guided boat tour.

Evening: Experience rooftop cocktails at the Hotel ZaZa lounge.

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Day 7: Relax & Prepare for Vegas

Morning: Enjoy a leisurely brunch at the historic Breakfast Klub.

Afternoon: Pack and relax at the hotel spa, reflecting on your Houston highlights.

Evening: Fly to Las Vegas on a premium‑economy evening flight; check‑in and explore the glittering Las Vegas Strip at night.

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Day 8: Arrival in Las Vegas

Morning: Arrive in Las Vegas, transfer to your resort and settle in.

Afternoon: Walk the famous Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens and watch the iconic fountain show.

Evening: Dine at a celebrity chef restaurant and try your luck at a casino.

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Day 9: Strip Highlights & Shows

Morning: Explore the themed hotels along the Las Vegas Strip, snapping photos at the Eiffel Tower replica.

Afternoon: Visit the Neon Museum to see historic signage.

Evening: Attend a world‑class show (e.g., Cirque du Soleil) and end the night with a rooftop bar view.

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Day 10: Grand Canyon Day Trip

Morning: Depart early on a guided bus tour to the Grand Canyon West Rim, crossing the historic Skywalk.

Afternoon: Take in breathtaking vistas, photo stops, and a short hike along the rim.

Evening: Return to Las Vegas for a relaxed dinner and early night.

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Day 11: Arrival in San Diego

Morning: Fly to San Diego, check into a beachfront hotel.

Afternoon: Wander the lively Gaslamp Quarter and enjoy a seaside lunch.

Evening: Sunset stroll along Seaport Village with live music.

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Day 12: Zoo & Balboa Park

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

Afternoon: Explore the museums and gardens of Balboa Park, including the San Diego Museum of Art.

Evening: Dine in the historic Little Italy district.

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Day 13: Beaches & Old Town

Morning: Relax on La Jolla Cove, snorkeling or kayaking with sea lions.

Afternoon: Visit Old Town San Diego for heritage sites and Mexican cuisine.

Evening: Sunset dinner at a beachfront restaurant in Pacific Beach.

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Day 14: Arrival in Los Angeles

Morning: Travel to Los Angeles, settle into a downtown hotel.

Afternoon: Tour the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame and the historic Dolby Theatre.

Evening: Enjoy dinner at a rooftop spot overlooking the city skyline.

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Day 15: Hollywood & Griffith

Morning: Visit the Hollywood Sign viewpoint and take a guided studio tour.

Afternoon: Hike up to the Griffith Observatory for panoramic LA views.

Evening: Experience a trendy night out on Sunset Boulevard.

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Day 16: Santa Monica & Departure

Morning: Stroll along the iconic Santa Monica Pier and enjoy the beach.

Afternoon: Shop the boutiques on Third Street Promenade before heading to the airport.

Evening: Board a premium‑economy flight back to Wellington, arriving the next morning.

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Time and Cost Estimates

  • Flights (Premium Economy) – Total travel time ~35 hrs – NZ$5,850
  • Hotel (16 nights @ NZ$300/night) – 16 nights – NZ$4,800
  • Space Center Houston – 4 hrs – NZ$45
  • Houston Museum of Natural Science – 3 hrs – NZ$25
  • Galveston Moody Gardens – 5 hrs – NZ$40
  • Bellagio Conservatory & Gardens – 2 hrs – Free
  • Neon Museum – 2 hrs – NZ$30
  • Grand Canyon West (Skywalk tour) – 8 hrs – NZ$250
  • San Diego Zoo – 4 hrs – NZ$70
  • Balboa Park Museums – 3 hrs – NZ$35
  • La Jolla Kayak Tour – 3 hrs – NZ$60
  • Hollywood Studio Tour – 3 hrs – NZ$120
  • Griffith Observatory (incl. parking) – 2 hrs – NZ$20
  • Santa Monica Pier activities – 3 hrs – NZ$15
  • Meals & Miscellaneous – 16 days – NZ$1,500
  • Local Transportation (rides, rentals, shuttles) – 16 days – NZ$600
  • Total Estimated CostNZ$13,550

Tips

If you’d like to extend the adventure, consider adding a day in Austin, Texas, after Houston for live music, or a fourth day in Los Angeles to explore the Getty Center and Malibu coastline. To shorten the trip, you could combine the San Diego and Los Angeles legs by using a high‑speed train, cutting one night of accommodation and reducing overall costs while still seeing the highlights.

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