World Cup Group D Travel Route: Los Angeles to San Francisco via Vancouver and Seattle

Start with a leisurely walk along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, spotting your favorite stars' names in the terrazzo and people-watching around the street performers and souvenir shops.

Join a small-group minivan tour from Hollywood that swings past the best Hollywood Sign viewpoints and cruises through neighborhoods like the Hollywood Hills and Beverly Hills to see celebrity homes.

Step into the courtyard of TCL Chinese Theatre to see the famous handprints and footprints pressed into the cement, comparing your hands to movie legends.

Take a guided backstage tour of the Dolby Theatre, home of the Oscars, to peek behind the scenes, walk through the lobby, and sit where the stars do during award night.

Wander the Hollywood & Highland complex, pick up a coffee, and head up to the viewing decks for framed views toward the Hollywood Sign.

Head into Griffith Park for a moderate hike on one of the popular trails leading toward Griffith Observatory, with dusty switchbacks, scrubby hillsides, and steadily opening views of LA.

Join a small-group guided hike to the Hollywood Sign, following local guides who know the best viewpoints and photo angles while sharing stories about the sign and the city below.

Explore Griffith Observatory's free exhibits, including the giant Tesla coil, space displays, and those sweeping terraces that frame downtown LA and the Pacific haze.

Buy tickets for a planetarium show inside Griffith Observatory to sink into the reclining seats and watch the night sky story unfold above you.

Kick things off at the Santa Monica Pier, walking under the iconic sign, dipping into arcades, and feeling the wooden planks shake slightly under the roller coaster.

Grab a Pacific Park wristband on the pier for a few rides on the solar-powered Ferris wheel and coasters with big ocean views.

Rent bikes near the pier and ride the beachfront bike path south toward Venice, feeling the breeze and watching surfers, joggers, and palm trees whip by.

Continue to Venice Beach to walk the boardwalk, passing street art, skaters, souvenir stands, and the famously gritty outdoor gym at Muscle Beach.

Slip away from the crowds into the Venice Canals, wandering over little bridges and past cottage-style homes reflected in the still water.

Start in Beverly Hills with a walk along Rodeo Drive, window-shopping designer storefronts and peeking at the line of luxury cars idling at the curbs.

Hop on an open-top bus tour that loops through Beverly Hills and Bel Air while guides point out celebrity homes, filming locations, and gossip from past decades.

Stop at Beverly Gardens Park for a quick photo with the Beverly Hills sign and a short stroll along the palm-lined walking path.

Head to LACMA to wander through its galleries, from contemporary works to classic pieces, and see the famous Urban Light installation at the entrance.

Spend a few extra minutes weaving between the lampposts at the Urban Light sculpture outside LACMA for classic LA photos, especially as late afternoon light hits.

Walk or ride over to The Grove and the adjacent Original Farmers Market to browse shops, snack on pastries, and listen to the fountain music loop on repeat.

Use a timed-entry reservation to explore The Broad's contemporary art collection, from giant balloon animals to immersive rooms, right in the heart of Downtown.

Circle around the stainless-steel curves of Walt Disney Concert Hall, walking up the exterior staircases to small terraces that peek over Grand Avenue.

Ride the short but nostalgic Angels Flight funicular between Hill Street and Grand Avenue, one of the quirkiest little trips you can take in Downtown.

Join a guided walking tour of Downtown LA to step into historic theaters, Art Deco lobbies, and back alleys you would probably miss wandering alone.

Head over to the Arts District to wander past massive murals, converted warehouses, and grab a specialty coffee in one of the minimalist cafés.

Start with a narrated cruise on San Francisco Bay, sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge and past Alcatraz Island while learning the stories behind the skyline and the former prison.

Walk around Pier 39 to watch the noisy sea lions on the docks, peek into quirky shops, and enjoy views across the bay to Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Catch the evening ferry for a guided night tour of Alcatraz Island, walking through the cellblocks with an audio guide and live ranger talks that bring escape stories to life.

Hop onto the Powell–Hyde cable car, hang on to the side rail if you can, and rattle over the hills with views of the bay as you roll toward Russian Hill and the waterfront.

Walk down the famously crooked block of Lombard Street, lined with carefully kept gardens and sharp turns, and look back toward Coit Tower and the bay.

Join a guided bike tour that rolls through the waterfront and Crissy Field, crosses the Golden Gate Bridge on two wheels, and often continues toward Sausalito with a ferry ride back.

Spend extra time around the Golden Gate Bridge viewpoints, from the Welcome Center to Battery East or the vista points, to capture classic photos of the orange towers and the Pacific.

Head into Golden Gate Park for a wander around the Conservatory of Flowers, wide meadows, and lakes; rent a bike or simply walk the shaded paths.

Book a guided visit or timed ticket to either the de Young Museum for art and rooftop views, or the California Academy of Sciences for an indoor rainforest, aquarium, and planetarium.

Start at the Dragon Gate on Grant Avenue and wander Chinatown’s side streets and alleys, watching fruit markets, herbal shops, and incense-filled temples wake up for the day.

Join a small-group walking food tour through Chinatown and North Beach, sampling dim sum, fresh fortune cookies, and Italian pastries while hearing stories of San Francisco’s early days.

Walk through North Beach’s cafe-lined streets and, if you are up for stairs, climb toward Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill for sweeping views over the Financial District and the bay.

Head inside Coit Tower to see the 1930s murals and, if you buy a ticket to the top, ride the elevator for a 360-degree view over San Francisco’s hills and bridges.

Walk down through the Financial District’s canyon-like streets to the Ferry Building Marketplace, where stalls sell local cheeses, oysters, and coffee with bay views.

Join a small-group guided food tour through Pike Place Market to taste local bites, learn the backstories of longtime vendors, and get oriented without feeling overwhelmed.

After the tour, wander to the classic market spots: the original Starbucks storefront, the fish-throwing vendors, and the flower and produce stalls buzzing with locals.

Stroll the redeveloped Seattle waterfront and ride the Seattle Great Wheel for wide views over Elliott Bay, the ferries, and stadium rooftops.

Step inside the Seattle Aquarium to see Pacific Northwest marine life, from sea otters and harbor seals to touch tanks with anemones and sea stars.

Ride the elevator up the Space Needle for open-air views of Seattle, the Olympics, the Cascades, and on clear days, Mount Rainier floating in the distance.

Walk through colorful glass sculptures and the luminous Glasshouse next to the Space Needle, one of Seattle's most photogenic art stops.

Duck into MoPOP for exhibits on music, sci-fi, horror, and gaming in a Frank Gehry building that looks like a melted guitar.

Join a guided neighborhood tour by van or minibus that includes Fremont's quirky public art, the Fremont Troll, and Ballard's maritime district and locks.

End the day on the sand at Golden Gardens in Ballard, watching the sun drop behind the Olympic Mountains while locals light beach fires.

Get an early pickup in Seattle for a full-day small-group tour to Mount Rainier National Park, avoiding the stress of driving and parking yourself.

Enter Mount Rainier National Park and stop at classic viewpoints where you can see glaciers, dense forest, and, with luck, wildflowers framing the peak.

Stop at the Jackson Visitor Center in the Paradise area to check trail conditions, use facilities, and grab a map before hiking.

Hike a portion of the Skyline Trail from Paradise, climbing through meadows toward waterfalls and viewpoints with close-up glacier views.

Make a short stop at Narada Falls for a misty waterfall view and photos on the way back down from Paradise.

Sit back in the tour vehicle for the drive back to Seattle, often with a stop for coffee or snacks on the way.

Walk along E Pike and E Pine, exploring bookstores, record shops, and boutiques, and detour through Cal Anderson Park for a feel of local Seattle life.

Learn how Seattle grew from logging town to tech hub at MOHAI on the shore of Lake Union, with interactive exhibits and skyline views.

Take a short scenic seaplane flight from Lake Union, circling over downtown, the stadiums, and the floating houseboats for a last aerial look at the city.

Head back downtown to pick up coffee beans, local chocolate, or Rainier-themed souvenirs before you leave.

Start your trip with a harborfront walk under Canada Place’s white sails, then continue past the Vancouver Convention Centre and the Olympic Cauldron. Watch floatplanes buzz in and out while you get your bearings on the city and the North Shore mountains.

Book a timed ticket for FlyOver Canada inside Canada Place. You are strapped into a motion seat and “fly” across the country with wind, mist and a huge spherical screen. It is touristy in the best way and a fun jetlag-friendly activity.

Walk west along the seawall into Coal Harbour, where glass condos meet marinas full of yachts and seaplanes. It is flat, easy, and the late-afternoon light on the water and mountains is usually spectacular, even on moody days.

Join a guided walking tour through cobbled Gastown to hear stories about Vancouver’s rough-and-tumble early days, the Great Fire and the city’s murkier corners. It is a great way to understand more than just the famous steam clock.

Join a small-group bike tour that loops around Stanley Park’s seawall. You cruise past totem poles, sandy Second Beach, and viewpoints over Lions Gate Bridge while your guide points out First Nations history and favorite photo stops.

Take a slower moment at the colorful totem poles at Brockton Point. Read the plaques to understand the stories behind each carving instead of just snapping a quick photo.

Ride or walk up to Prospect Point for classic views over Lions Gate Bridge, West Vancouver, and the freighters waiting in Burrard Inlet. There is usually a breeze up here, so bring a light layer even in summer.

Wander through the alleys of Granville Island to watch glassblowers at work, browse local ceramics, and step into small galleries. Prices can be high, but it is a good spot for one splurge‑worthy piece that actually fits in a suitcase.

Hop on a tiny Aquabus or False Creek Ferry for a short scenic ride. Sitting low on the water with the skyline around you gives a different angle on the city and is a fun, low-effort mini-cruise.

Get picked up in downtown Vancouver for a full-day guided coach tour to Whistler via the Sea-to-Sky Highway. Your guide handles the driving and timing while you soak up the coastal mountains, inlets, and waterfalls from your window seat.

Stretch your legs at Shannon Falls, one of BC’s tallest waterfalls. A short forested path leads to viewpoints where you can feel the mist on your face and the rumble of the falls in your chest.

Ride the Sea to Sky Gondola up from Squamish to sweeping views over Howe Sound, fjord-like inlets, and the Stawamus Chief. Once at the top, walk across the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge and follow one of the short viewing trails.

Once you arrive in Whistler, walk through the pedestrian-only village past gear shops, patios, and the Olympic rings plaza. It is compact and easy to navigate, which is very welcome after a few hours on the road.

Ride the Whistler Village gondola up the mountain, then connect on the Peak 2 Peak gondola that floats between Whistler and Blackcomb. On clear days you see glaciers and endless ridgelines; even in clouds, the scale feels wild.

Use any spare time at the top for a short signed loop trail. Even a 20–30 minute alpine walk gets you into fresh, thin mountain air and fields of wildflowers in late summer.

Cross the famous Capilano Suspension Bridge high over the river, then wander the treetop walkways and cliffwalk. Book a timed ticket or a guided shuttle package from downtown to avoid fussing with bus connections.

If you have extra energy and time, continue to Lynn Canyon Park for a forest walk and a second suspension bridge that feels wilder and less polished than Capilano. Trails can be muddy, so wear decent shoes.

Make a quick stop by the geodesic dome of Science World at the end of False Creek. Even if you skip going inside, it is a fun spot for photos with the city curling around the water behind you.

Use any remaining time to pick up gifts along Granville Street or at Pacific Centre Mall. This is where you can grab maple treats, local skincare brands, or that extra layer you suddenly realized you need.