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USA West – An aviation exploration across California and Arizona taking in world class museums, fascinating boneyards, US mega bases, and two major US Air Shows.
Our famous USA West photography adventure returns this year with this classic tour through California and Arizona. On this remarkable road trip, you will see some classic American landmarks, spend time between locations, and see amazing aircraft and flying displays - just as any great trip should be!
This trip has it all... Literally! Desert road trips, red hot airshows, stunning national parks and military jets... Epic!
You fly into Los Angeles (LAX) and after picking up your transport for the trip, drive East to our first night stop in Palm Springs. Day 2 and a drive a little further East to spend time ‘on the fence’ at NAS El Centro before travelling onto Yuma for the night.
Day 3 will be an all day visit to the MCAS Yuma Air Show and the amazing flying displays it offers, including the famous Tora,Tora,Tora Pearl Harbour attack demo and the whole US Air Show Experience! You will travel to Tucson during the morning on Day 4 and spend two days in the city immersing ourselves in the aviation nirvana that is AMARG (the Boneyard), Davis Monthan AFB and the famous PIMA Air and Space Museum.
On Day 6, after two full days in Tucson, you will travel back north towards Phoenix and spend several hours around the perimeter at Luke AFB monitoring the activity of the five F-35 fighter squadrons based there.
Day 7 – you will be driven back to Palm Springs and a visit to the incredibly photogenic Palm Springs Aviation Museum which is backdropped by the Santa Rosa Mountains and adjacent to the airport’s active runway. The museum also boasts a dedicated hall housing Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk ‘Black Devil’.
Days 8 & 9 are spent travelling North and to Lemoore. During this portion of the journey, we will travel via the airliner storage site at Victorville as well as the US Air Force Plant 42, better known as the Lockheed ‘Skunkworks’ and then finally the Mojave Air & Space Port, home to Virgin Galactic, Stratolaunch Systems and Scaled Composites, as well as an airliner storage and recycling area. All three of these fascinating locations have good vantage points to capture photo opportunities of the on-site activity.
Having arrived in Lemoore, Day 10-11 will be spent at the NAS Lemoore Air Show, a US Navy MAster Jet Base and home to Strike Fighter Wing Pacific. The show will include the Blue Angels as well as numerous military aircraft displays, aerobatic performances, and ground exhibits of numerous other types.
Finally, on Day 12, you will travel back to LAX with the opportunity to grab a burger and some final images at the iconic In-N-Out Burger location at the end of the runway before departing for home.
Prices for this trip are Land-Only and start from £2155.00 for a twin sharing room, with single occupancy rooms from £3195.00.
To see a day-by-day itinerary and for booking and additional information, please follow the BUY NOW button below...
Thursday 12th March- Fly from London to Los Angeles and onward travel to Palm Springs.
Friday 13th - Visit to NAS El Centro (fence line viewing) and onto Yuma.
Saturday 14th – MCAS Yuma Air Show.
Sunday 15th – Drive to Tucson and visits to either PIMA Air & Space Museum, AMARG, viewing movements at Davis Monthan and/or the local Arizona ANG units.
Monday 16th – Second day in Tucson to visit either PIMA Air & Space Museum, AMARG, viewing movements at Davis Monthan and/or the local Arizona ANG units.
Tuesday 17th - Drive towards Phoenix and visit to observe F-35 squadrons from the perimeter at Luke AFB.
Wednesday 18th – Drive to Palm Springs and visit the Palm Springs Aviation Museum and their F-117A Nighthawk.
Thursday 19th – Driving North towards Lemoore and taking in Victorville and then the Lockheed ‘Skunkworks’ at Palmdale.
Friday 20th - Continue the drive North, visiting the Mojave Air & Space Port en-route to Lemoore.
Saturday 21st - Visit the 2026 NAS Lemoore Air Show.
Sunday 22nd - Visit the 2026 NAS Lemoore Air Show.
Monday 23rd - Drive back to Los Angeles and LAX for the flight home.
Tuesday 24th - Arrive back in the UK.
The itinerary may be subject to change as day-to-day operations dictate
Prices for this trip are Land-Only and start from £2155.00 for a twin sharing room, with single occupancy rooms from £3195.00.
Flight options that integrate with all of the trip timings are available from HC Travel. Call Alex on 01256 770775.
Alternate flights from local airports are also available on request.
If you select to book your own flights please do not book any flights until you have a confirmed place on the trip.
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