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Southwestern US

Travel in the Southwestern USA is fun for the whole family or for a solo hiking trip. We’ve spent many road trips and vacations exploring Utah, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and California. Whether you’re looking to have an adventure in Yosemite National Park or if you want to take a couples trip to Las Vegas, we’ve got suggestions.

One of the best road trips our family has done multiple time is the Utah National Parks road trip, starting in either Vegas or Salt Lake City. Trips from Joshua Tree NP to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are always a hit with our kids. We do lots of hiking and visit lots of museums, so have a ton of information to help you plan.

And yes, California does fall into the Southwest and that’s where you’ll find a few of our repeat destinations such as San Diego, the Central Coast and Disneyland! We have spent many happy days on California beaches and touring wine country. We love California.

Clearly the Southwest is one of our favorite regions in the US. If you have any questions, please let us know. Enjoy browsing and finding your perfect Southwestern USA itinerary!

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Taylor Family and Fall colors on Bear Creek Flathead National Forest Montana 1
Posted inCalifornia Colorado Montana

Best Fall Colors in National Parks: 10 Beautiful Autumn Trips to Love

National Parks are a great place to enjoy fall colors. From the mountains of Glacier National Park to the hills of the rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Parkway, these are the best National Parks to find autumn leaves and fall fun.
Fall Colors on Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia 1
Posted inEast Coast Midwest Pacific Northwest

Awesome Places in the USA to Visit for Fall Colors

The best places for fall colors in the USA, from the Lakes Region of New Hampshire to Napa Valley. 15+ picks for easy weekend getaways for autumn foliage across the United States.
Pinnacles National Park: Everything You Need to Know for an Awesome Visit
Posted inCalifornia Central Coast National Parks

Pinnacles National Park: Everything You Need to Know for an Awesome Visit

Hiking in Pinnacles National Park in California is a beautiful and fascinating experience with caves, desert and canyons. A great addition to road trips or a weekend day trip from San Francisco, see how to plan a visit to Pinnacles.
Full Taylor Family on rocks at Devils Garden Grand Staircase Escalante Utah 2
Posted inSouthwestern US Utah

Utah State Parks: just as awesome at National Parks

Utah’s National Parks get all the attention, but there are some remarkable Utah state parks and national monuments that give the National Parks a run for their money. We have…
Crater Lake National Park FitTwoTravel 4
Posted inCalifornia National Parks NorCal

Road trip through West Coast National Parks: exploring the mountains

Perfect West Coast National Parks road trip plan, from Joshua Tree to Olympic National Park. Stops in the Sierras, Central Oregon, and the best of Washington State's mountains.
Vineyard rows at Presqu'ile Winery Santa Maria Valley California 2
Posted inCalifornia Central Coast Podcasts

Santa Maria Valley Wine Country: How To Enjoy Best Of LA’s Wine Region

The Santa Maria Valley wine country is one of our favorite wine regions. During the COVID pandemic, LA's wine country is still open with precautions and new wine experiences. See hot to visit SMV wine country RIGHT NOW!
Digging into Disneyland and chatting about each lang and its attractions and shows. Our best tips for making the most of your time in the Happiest Place on Earth. Starting in the new Star Wars land, Galaxy's Edge, we review the two main attractions and then work our way through the rest of Disneyland. We've been many times and following our most recent trip, we have done EVERY ride and attraction with the kids and have tips for having the most fun, including what you should actually wait in line for.
Posted inCalifornia Disney Travel Disneyland

Disneyland’s Best Attractions and Valuable Tips For What to Do

Disneyland. We've been so many times through the years. I used to work at Disneyland and have friends that still do. It's one of the most special places we go…
Disney's California Adventure is one of our favorite theme parks. Often we're asked if it's worth adding to a Disneyland trip. YES! This is our guide to the most fun and what's actually worth waiting for. From Pixar Pier to taking kids on Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout we talk about the attractions and experiences that are worth waiting in long lines for. Also, what shows and experiences are not to miss. Tips for having the best visit to Disney's California Adventure any time of year.
Posted inCalifornia Disney Travel Disneyland

Disney’s California Adventure Awesome, Easy Insider Tips

In this podcast episode Disney's California Adventure is our hot topic. Truth be told, we tend to spend more time in DCA than in Disneyland. Maybe it's the smaller crowds;…
Rob Taylor hiking in Grant Grove header
Posted inCalifornia National Parks NorCal

Kings Canyon National Park in Any Season

Kings Canyon National Park is beautiful and full of epic trees and view. Visiting Kings Canyon in any season is fun and interesting, but beware of snowy days. Tips and tricks for hiking at Kings Canyon and where to stay (National Park lodge!).
Chris and Rob Taylor at Entrance Sign to Joshua Tree National Park California 2
Posted inCalifornia National Parks SoCal

Unexpected Joshua Tree: Super Bloom Hiking At An Unusual National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is so unique, and hiking during the super bloom is one of the best things to do near Palm Springs. Guide to trails and the best time to visit Joshua Tree NP.
Prescott - tip of blue kayak - photo credit Visit Prescott
Posted inArizona Paddling: Kayaking, SUP, Canoe & Rafting Travel Southwestern US

Best Places To Kayak In Arizona – Small Towns & Beautiful Canyons

These are the best places to kayak in Arizona. From Page and Grand Canyon territory to kayaking and SUP near Phoenix, launch sites to explore Arizona's National Parks and beyond.
Turquoise water at Emerald Cove East Shore Trail Lake Tahoe Nevada 2020 10
Posted inNevada Southwestern US

Reno Tahoe in 4 Days: Awesome Plan For Spectacular Sights

Reno and Lake Tahoe have so many more things to do than casinos and skiing. I've created an ideal itinerary for enjoying all kinds of outdoor adventures, history, and great…
Taylor family at Golden Gate Bridge from Baker Beach GGNRA San Francisco 16
Posted inCalifornia National Parks NorCal

Best SF Bay Area National Parks For A Special Visit

The San Francisco Bay Area National Parks sites include breathtaking nature, historic homes, famous WWII sites and more. Perfect for learning about the USA or just enjoying the Bay Area. Explore beaches, the Redwoods and more.
Rob Taylor hiking at frozen waterfall Kings Canyon Park Carson City Nevada 2020 1
Posted inNevada Podcasts Southwestern US

Hidden Tahoe & Carson City: Best Discount Tips And Secret Spots

By now you know that visiting Carson City, Nevada is a must-do and it is a pretty cool town. After three visits I can say that it's one of my…
Ferris Wheel at Pacific Park Santa Monica Pier 2
Posted inCalifornia SoCal Southwestern US

Best of Santa Monica: Awesome Fun On the Pier And Great Hotels

The Santa Monica Pier is one of the most iconic sights on the West Coast, and though loaded with tourists, is the perfect plan for an afternoon in the Los Angeles area. From the beach to the Ferris wheel nothing could be more Southern California.
Rob Taylor on V&T Railway Tracks Rail Biking Carson City Nevada 2020 1
Posted inNevada Southwestern US

Outdoor Things to Do in Carson City and the Eagle Valley, Nevada

After traveling solely in Florida for months and months, I got to visit Carson City, Nevada to see how things were being handled during the coronavirus pandemic, and to find…
Yosemite National Park in California is a great destination for experiencing the nature of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Perfect for family travel, from camping to lodges, hiking to guided tours. 2traveldads.com
Posted inCalifornia National Parks NorCal

Yosemite National Park family travel guide

Yosemite National Park is one of the most visited or dreamed about destinations in the United States.  Can you blame everyone for wanting to explore the valleys and peaks that…
Vineyard rows at Presqu'ile Winery Santa Maria Valley California 2
Posted inCalifornia Central Coast

Wine Country Social Distancing in Santa Barbara County: the Santa Maria Valley is perfect!

Over the years we've had many visits to the Santa Maria Valley. It's our favorite off-beat destination on the California Coast. While the world, or at least the USA, is…
Disneyland and California Adventure are full of shows and entertainment year round. These are the best shows in the parks that you CAN'T MISS! #Disney #Disneyland #California
Posted inCalifornia Disney Travel Disneyland

Best Shows in Disneyland and California Adventure (plus parades and experiences)

Nobody wants to waste their time when they're in Disneyland. Between rides and entertainment, there’s always something to entertain and something to wait for. This is our guide to the…
Taylor Family at UPick Blueberries Santa Maria California 1
Posted inCalifornia Central Coast Southwestern US

California Agritourism in the Santa Maria Valley: a new way to explore

We’ve loved visiting the Santa Maria Valley of California for years, ever since our first visit in 2017. We wanted to take a different approach to visiting on our most…
Where to eat in Buena Park: delicious and fun family dining options in BP
Posted inCalifornia SoCal Southwestern US

Where to eat in Buena Park: delicious and fun family dining options in BP

Knott's Berry Farm may be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Buena Park, but this vibrant city has so much more to offer, especially on the culinary front! Here's your guide to exploring Buena Park's diverse and family-friendly restaurant scene, packed with unique experiences and guaranteed good eats.
Taylor Family at art deco building downtown Guadalupe Santa Maria Valley California 4b
Posted inCalifornia Central Coast

The most Instagram-able town in California: Guadalupe CA

The most Instagramable town in California is Guadalupe, CA, on the Central Coast. With colorful art deco buildings, street art and unique nature, it's an Instagram dream.
8 awesome (and surprising) experiences in Palm Springs
Posted inCalifornia SoCal Southwestern US

8 awesome (and surprising) experiences in Palm Springs

What does it take to have a perfect Palm Springs weekend getaway? A few things: great hotel, fun and relaxing plan, somebody wonderful to escape with (even if it’s just yourself). We had all three of these things and enjoyed a much-needed dads three day weekend away to Palm Springs.
Taylor family with colorful murals the Source OC Buena Park California 4
Posted inCalifornia SoCal Southwestern US

Best things to do in Buena Park: awesome family fun in the OC

If I say “Orange County” you most likely think of the beaches or Disneyland, and that makes sense, but did you know there in another really fun destination in Orange…
Taylor Family at Zion National Park Entrance Sign Utah 2
Posted inNational Parks Southwestern US Utah

The Complete Family Guide to Zion National Park

Yes, you can totally get a good sense of Zion National Park in just one day, but believe me when I say that you'll leave wanting more. Between the unique,…
Taylor Family at Moss Cave hiking in Bryce Canyon National Park 1
Posted inNational Parks Southwestern US Utah

Visiting Bryce Canyon National Park in the off season

Bryce Canyon National Park is exceptional when it comes to unique geology and sights. It's a place for hiking and appreciating nature's fascinating processes and diversity. It also gets tons…
Entrance to Pixar Pier Disneys California Adventure 3
Posted inCalifornia Disney Travel Disneyland

Disneyland without Kids: what to do and how to do it

Let’s just start by making it clear: it’s perfectly fine to do Disneyland without kids. Whether you want to visit and leave the kids at home or maybe you don’t…
Summertime in SoCal is one of the most fun family vacations you can do on the West Coast. From Disneyland to the beaches of San Diego there are endless chances for family fun. 2traveldads.com
Posted inCalifornia Disney Travel Disneyland

Summertime in SoCal travel journal: Disney’s Pixar Pier Premiere and exploring San Diego

We're back in Southern California, aka SoCal! What are we doing here? Great question! We've got lots of fun plans in store, from having some fun in Disneyland with the…
Paris Hotel Casino at Night Las Vegas Nevada 1
Posted inNevada Southwestern US

Couples Weekend in Las Vegas: how to plan and enjoy time away

Planning a couples weekend in Las Vegas is a fun getaway you'll love. From relaxing without the kids to going out to nice meals and shows you normally wouldn't, here's how to plan a great Vegas weekend getaway.
Painted cow public art at Historical Museum San Luis Obispo 1
Posted inCalifornia Central Coast Southwestern US

San Luis Obispo, California: SLO CAL at its best

There are so many great towns on California’s Central Coast. We moved on from the Santa Maria Valley to the San Luis Obispo area (SLO) before hitting up Cambria and…

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