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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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The Santa Maria Valley on California's Central Coast is a surprising destination, perfect for families looking for nature, farm life, wine tasting and California cuisine. Wine country meets the ocean. 2traveldads.com
Posted inCalifornia Central Coast Southwestern US

Santa Maria Valley: a new California getaway

You know that we try to do slightly unconventional trips with the kids.  Nothing crazy, but typically hitting more natural and historical sites over big ticket destinations. We just did…
Horse drawn trolley on Mainstreet USA Disneyland 2
Posted inCalifornia Disney Travel Disneyland

Disneyland Dads: Unlock the Magic in the Happiest Place on Earth

Disneyland with kids is amazing. It might sound silly but when we first found out that we were going to be dads one of the very first thoughts that went…
West Coast weekends are the best for exploring and relaxing. From beers in the Columbia Gorge to small towns just beyond the city, we've got lots of ways to relax and recharge being an Ultimate Seekender. 2traveldads.com
Posted inCalifornia Oregon Pacific Northwest

West Coast Weekend trips: exploring new cities one weekend at a time

It’s no secret that we love the weekends.  I mean, who doesn’t? With or without the kids we try to break away to a new city or visit one of…
Greenwich Stairs on Telegraph HIll San Francisco 1
Posted inCalifornia NorCal Southwestern US

San Francisco’s Telegraph Hill: Greenwich & Filbert Steps Parrots

Every city has its defining characteristics that make it unusual and attractive.  Seattle has the ferry system and Pike Place Market, Los Angeles has the film industry and beaches, San…
Whether for an afternoon or a whole vacation there are lots of free things to do in Los Angeles that are fun, unique and perfectly LA. 2traveldads.com
Posted inCalifornia SoCal Southwestern US

Free things to do in Los Angeles to make an awesome trip

If you've ever gone traveling with us then you know we like to have fun, we like to go to bed early, and we love when we find awesome free…
Rob Taylor and Dude in hollow log in Sequoia National Park with Kids 2traveldads.com
Posted inCalifornia National Parks SoCal

Sequoia National Park with Kids: best hikes and activities in the woods

Sequoia National Park with kids is one of the most enjoyable and unique National Parks for hiking on the West Coast. Epic forests, petroglyphs and colorful trees make it an unforgettable destination.
West Coast National Park Road Trip coast header
Posted inCalifornia National Parks NorCal

West Coast Road Trip Itinerary: lighthouses and National Parks

Growing up in Washington with family in both northern and southern California, the West Coast road trip was guaranteed at least once per year… if not three times.  This meant…
Rob Taylor and LittleMan at Wapama Falls at Hetch Hetchy Yosemite National Park 2
Posted inCalifornia National Parks NorCal

Hiking Hetch Hetchy: the unknown Yosemite National Park

Going off the beaten path is something so many travelers strive for.  You know that we’re usually traveling with kids, so we try to experience the less-crowded areas of the…
Taylor Kids at Battery Point Lighthouse Crescent City 2
Posted inCalifornia NorCal Southwestern US

Battery Point Lighthouse: worth getting your feet wet

I went to Crescent City, California once when I was a kid.  I just remember being told that in 1964 a tsunami (tidal wave) crashed into the town… and then…
Carter House Inn header
Posted inCalifornia NorCal Southwestern US

The Carter House Inn of Eureka, California

As we made our way through Northern California and explored the beaches and National Parks, we stayed in all kinds of hotels and lodges.  When we left the Bodega Bay…
Sometimes you hike to amazing sights and sometimes you regret not reading the map correctly... Like at Trinidad Head Lighthouse. 2traveldads.com
Posted inCalifornia NorCal Southwestern US

Finding the Trinidad Head Lighthouse

When you live on the coast you get accustomed to certain maritime things.  You know, like hearing fog horns, continually sweeping up sand in your house, having lighthouses in half…
Taylor Family Golden Gate Bridge from Welcome Center GGNRA 2
Posted inCalifornia National Parks NorCal

A stop at the Golden Gate Bridge: an American icon

Ooh, we love a good tourist attraction.  Not a tourist trap, but a genuine attraction.  Of all of the classic American icons a few really stand out:  the Statue of…
Tenaya Lodge header
Posted inCalifornia National Parks NorCal

The Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite National Park

It was so great to stay in lodges on our #2TDgoparks2016 roadtrip.  After several days of snow chains and foiled hiking plans it was nice to arrive at the Tenaya…
Lobby in John Muir Lodge in Kings Canyon National Park 1
Posted inCalifornia National Parks NorCal

Staying at John Muir Lodge in Kings Canyon National Park

After a few days of battling the fog and snow in Sequoia National Park we took the short drive to cross the border into Kings Canyon National Park.  Like with…

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