Travel/Road Trip Itinerary – A Great Western Adventure (10 Days)

So when putting together our first plans to go out west, some tough decisions needed to be made in terms of what we really wanted to see and experience in those particular states (Nevada, Arizona, Utah & California). Tough because we only have so much time to spend on our trips and we knew there were a LOT of things we wanted to experience out there! So we all sat down as a family and talked it out. I asked my wife and the boys, “So what’s the first thing you think of when I mention the state of California, what do you envision? What do you think would be cool to see or experience?” I asked that same question about each of the 4 states. After much deliberation, we began plotting it all out. So here’s the itinerary…

• Day 1 – Fly into Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport (formerly named McCarran International Airport)
  • This evening, depending on your arrival time, check out the Neon Museum OR go see a show such as The Magic of David Copperfield
  • Stay overnight here in Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Dinner Ideas – “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives” locations in Las Vegas (one of our favorite TV shows)
    • Guy Fieri’s Vegas Kitchen & Bar, Those Pies Guys, Four Kegs Sports Bar

• Day 2 – Drive 0:40 and visit the Hoover Dam in Boulder City, Nevada
  • Drive 1:40 and stay overnight in Kingman, Arizona
  • Dinner Ideas – Rutherford’s 66 Diner, Rickety Cricket Brewing, Calico’s

• Day 3 – Drive 2:30 and take a Pink Jeep Grand Canyon Guided Tour this afternoon in Tusayan, Arizona
  • Drive 2:25 and stay overnight in Page, Arizona
  • Dinner Ideas – State 48 Tavern, Big John’s Texas BBQ, Bonkers Restaurant

• Day 4 – Drive 2:35 and visit Bryce Canyon National Park
  • AllTrails Hiking Information
  • Drive 1:55 and stay overnight in Springdale, Utah (reserve this room for 2 nights)
  • Dinner Ideas – Zion Canyon Brewpub, Jacks Sports Grill, Porter’s

• Day 5 – Drive 0:05 and visit Zion National Park
  • If you’re able, we highly recommend hiking “The Narrows” while here… this is an amazing experience. You may want to stop into one of the many outfitters in town and rent waterproof boots, socks and a walking stick for this. This will help you cover more ground and see more of this amazing slot canyon. This is easily the single-most incredible and memorable hiking experience we’ve ever had as a family.
  • AllTrails Hiking Information
  • Stay here in the same hotel as last night
  • Dinner Ideas – Zion Canyon Brewpub (we ate here and thought it was great after a long day at Zion in the Narrows), Jacks Sports Grill, Porter’s

• Day 6 – Drive 6:45 and checkout the iconic “Hollywood” Sign from Lake Hollywood Park
  • Stay overnight in Los Angeles, California tonight (maybe visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame if you have the time and energy)
  • Dinner Ideas – “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives” locations in Los Angeles (one of our favorite TV shows)
    • Garage Pizza, Terry’s Cafe, Super Charburgers

• Day 7 – Drive 0:40 and take a Warner Bros Studios Tour early this morning (they begin tours at 9am)

• Around 12 noon, Drive 3:30 and visit Sequoia National Park today
  • Be sure to go see The General Sherman while here (the world’s largest tree!)
  • AllTrails Hiking Information

• Drive 0:45 and stay overnight in Visalia, California
• Dinner Ideas – Brewbakers Brewing Company, The Planing Mill Artisan Pizzeria, Good Times Cafe
• Day 8 – Drive 2:45… and visit Yosemite National Park’s Glacier Point today
  • We recommend driving the Wawona Road (a continuation of Highway 41 within the park) for this. At Glacier Point you will see unbelievable views of Yosemite’s most iconic features (Yosemite Valley, Half Dome and Yosemite Falls).
  • AllTrails Hiking Information

• Drive 2:40 and stay overnight in Manteca, California
• Dinner Ideas – Barnwood, Chuck’s Place, DJ’s Restaurant & Taphouse
• Day 9 – Drive 1:45 to San Francisco, California and take a Tour of Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary this morning

• Here’s a few other recommendations of things to go see while in San Francisco today…
  • Lombard Street – “The crookedest street in the world!”

• Ghirardelli Square

• Golden Gate Bridge

• Stay overnight here in San Francisco, California
• Dinner Ideas – “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives” locations in San Francisco (one of our favorite TV shows)
  • Presidio Pizza, The Italian Homemade Company, Barney’s Gourmet Hamburgers
• Day 10 – Fly back home out of the San Francisco International Airport today