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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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Vintage VW Bug at Cabrillo National Monument 1
Posted inCalifornia National Parks SoCal

Great Things to Do at Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego

Visiting Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego is the perfect mix of nature, history and nautical interest. It's ideal to add to family travel in SoCal and is a great budget friendly activity.
Taylor Family at Bodgea Head Bodega Bay 1
Posted inCalifornia NorCal Southwestern US

Staying at the Bodega Bay Lodge: Quiet Luxury on the Sonoma Coast

The Bodega Bay Lodge is a beautiful property set just off the beach on the Sonoma Coast of Northern California. Review and ideas for things to do in the Bodega Bay area of Sonoma County.
Taylor Family in hot tub at Best Western Plus Zion National Park Utah 2
Posted inNational Parks Southwestern US Utah

Where to stay at Zion National Park (and dining ideas too!)

There are so many choices of where to stay when planning a trip to Zion National Park. We range from camping to to hotels nearby to National Park Lodges. Everybody's budget is different when they travel. Luckily, our ideas for where to stay at Zion National Park include the gambit of lodging styles, including national brand options.
Cocktail at Mammoth Tavern Mammoth Lakes California 1
Posted inCalifornia Southwestern US

Best Places to Eat in Mammoth Lakes, California – Local, Unique and Delicious Picks

There are lots of great places to eat in Mammoth Lakes, California. See top picks for unique, healthy spots for breakfast, lunch and dinner before skiing or after hiking. So many choices, but these are guaranteed good.
Haceta Head Lighthouse Florence Oregon Coast 2
Posted inCalifornia Pacific Northwest Southeastern US

25+ of the Most Beautiful Lighthouses in the USA You Have To Visit

There are more than 100 lighthouses in the USA. These picks are beautiful, easy to visit and make for picturesque road trip adventures, from the Florida Keys to the Oregon Coast.
Full Taylor family walking in marina sunset at Island Palms Best Western San Diego California 1
Posted inCalifornia SoCal Southwestern US

Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel: our new favorite San Diego getaway

The Best Western Plus Island Palms Resort Hotel in San Diego is ideal for families. Centrally located, great pools, and delicious restaurant, it's a perfect San Diego hotel.
Full Taylor Family at UTV Yosemite Adventure Co Sierra National Forest 2
Posted inCalifornia Southwestern US

Things to Do in Yosemite Country: 5 Easy Ways to Explore Outside the Park

Outside of the National Park there are tons of things to do in Yosemite Country. From hiking in the Sierra National Forest to off-roading and horseback riding, our top picks for adventures outside the National Park.
Taylor Family with pinecone tree roots Devils Postpile National Monument Mammoth Lakes California 1
Posted inCalifornia Southwestern US

Beautiful and Fun Things to Do in Mammoth Lakes, CA in the Summer

Summer in Mammoth Lakes, California is full of fun things to do. While people usually think of Mammoth as a ski destination, it's also full of summer hiking, kayaking, boating and more. See the best things to do in summertime!
Crashing waves at Moonstone Beach Cambria California Central Coast 6
Posted inCalifornia Central Coast Southwestern US

California Central Coast Road Trip Itinerary: castles, wine and more

What could be more perfect any time of year than a California Central Coast road trip? Nothing. Leaving the SoCal area out of Los Angeles and heading north up the…
Flos V8 Cafe Cars Land Cars 3 Premiere after party at night Disneys California Adventure 1
Posted inCalifornia Disney Travel Disneyland

Family Disneyland Vacation & the Unforgettable Cars 3 Premiere

We’ve just returned from our first family trip to Disneyland with all four of us and it was incredible.  We were so fortunate to get to experience not just Disneyland…
Taylor Family at San Diego Pride Parade 2019 1
Posted inCalifornia Parenting SoCal

San Diego Pride: experiencing the best Pride festival with kids

We get a lot of questions about attending Pride events with kids. This year we flew to California and did the San Diego Pride celebration and had a great time.…
Taylor Family at Fiscalini Ranch Reserve Cambria California Central Coast 4
Posted inCalifornia Central Coast Southwestern US

Cambria, California: perfect for food, fun, & family travel. And wine.

For as much time as we spend in California you’d think that we’d have hit up most of the awesome spots or at least had a good handle on places…
Aquarius Hut to Hut Utah Biking Trail System
Posted inSouthwestern US Utah

190 Mile Utah Biking Journey – Hut to Hut Adventure Experience

This epic Utah biking journey takes you through Color Country, from Cedar Breaks National Monument to Grand-Staircase Escalante. Staying in eco-huts along the way, doing a 190 mile mountain bike adventure in Utah is a bucket list item for outdoors people.
Lobby at Hoodoo Moab Curio Collection Hotel Moab Utah 1
Posted inSouthwestern US Utah

Review of the Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection Hotel – Luxury at Arches National Park

The Hoodoo Moab Hotel is the perfect luxury property just outside Arches National Park. See what makes this resort great for families and an ideal break in the middle of the most rugged landscapes of Utah.
This Utah National Parks road trip plan takes you to all five parks, includes some stops at amazing Utah State Parks and goes off the beaten path for an amazing trip. Includes hotel recommendation and how to plan this fun Utah road trip.
Posted inNational Parks Southwestern US Utah

Epic Utah National Parks Road Trip: all 5 Utah NPs and Bonus Stops

This Utah National Parks road trip plan takes you to all five parks, includes some stops at amazing Utah State Parks and goes off the beaten path for an amazing trip. Includes hotel recommendation and how to plan this fun Utah road trip.
Taylor Family with Rabbit with Teepee at Capitol Reef Resort at Capitol Reef National Park Torrey Utah 1
Posted inNational Parks Southwestern US Utah

Review of the Capitol Reef Resort Just Outside of the National Park

The Capitol Reef Resort at the edge of Capitol Reef National Park is one of the most unique properties we've seen. Located in the center of the state, this Utah glamping resort is fun with kids, or perfect for an adults-only National Park trip.
Evergreen Lodge Yosemite features
Posted inCalifornia National Parks NorCal

Review of the Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite National Park: Amazing Hetch Hetchy Stay

The Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite is ideal for exploring the quiet side of Yosemite National Park. From family cabins to rustic retreat lodging, the Evergreen Lodge has many options and is located very near Hetch Hetchy and Groveland, California.
Tunnel View tourists header
Posted inCalifornia National Parks NorCal

Why you must stop at Tunnel View in Yosemite National Park

Everybody seems to have an opinion about overrated sights and places to visit.  Roadside attractions are totally cliched to stop at, but why not stop?  Viewpoints on highways that have…
Utah National Parks road trip: Southwest travel from Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon
Posted inNational Parks Nevada Southwestern US

Utah National Parks road trip: Southwest travel from Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon

We've been looking forward to this road trip for a LONG TIME. Like, I can't even tell you how long. We are finally exploring more of the Southwest with the…
Bixby Bridge Big Sur Coast California 1
Posted inCalifornia Southwestern US

Complete California Coast Road Trip from Tip to Tip

There is nothing like a California Coast road trip.  That California life is so awesome with all that nature and sunshine.  What better way to experience it than by doing…
Bells at Mission San Juan Capistrano 2
Posted inCalifornia SoCal Southwestern US

Mission San Juan Capistrano: a SoCal must-visit

Mission San Juan Capistrano is one of the most beautiful Spanish missions in Southern California. Located between San Diego and Los Angeles, see what there is to do at San Juan Capistrano and in the surrounding area.
Elliott looking at map in Zion National Park Utah 3
Posted inNational Parks Southwestern US Utah

Best Hikes in Zion National Park: Beautiful Wat erfalls, Thrilling Views

Zion National Park is known for its epic hikes and canyoning routes, but it's also full of fun hiking trails that are great with kids too! By now you’ve seen that…
Taylor family with Condor Wingspan at Phoenix Zoo Tempe 1
Posted inArizona Southwestern US

Best Outdoor Things to do Around Phoenix, Arizona

Outdoor things to do around Phoenix are plentiful, even in the heat. From getting on the water to hiking in Tonto National Forest, the best things to do outside around Phoenix.
Taylor Family on Smugglers Run in Galaxys Edge Star Wars Land Disneyland 2020 3
Posted inCalifornia Disney Travel Disneyland

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – Best Things to Do and Nostalgia to Watch For

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is an incredible experience with so many things to do and see. Both Disney World and Disneyland have this awesome Star Wars land. This guide to Galaxy's Edge is ideal for having a great visit to galactic village of Batuu.
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel: Review and Tips for the Best Stay
Posted inCalifornia Disney Travel Disneyland

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel: Review and Tips for the Best Stay

Disney's Grand Californian Hotel is the closest option to Disneyland and California Adventure. This review has all the details of staying at the Grand Californian, amenities and tips for planning the best Disneyland trip.
Morning hot air ballooning over Red Rocks Park Gallup NM 21
Posted inNew Mexico Southwestern US

Hot Air Ballooning in New Mexico: everything you need to know, from cost to events

Hot air ballooning in New Mexico is a must do. Whether you're there for the Balloon Fiesta or are visiting White Sands National Park, all the information for where to do hot air balloons and when, all over New Mexico.
Bighorn Sheep in Valley of Fire State Park Las Vegas Nevada 2
Posted inNevada Southwestern US

Hiking At Valley Of Fire State Park: Colorful Landscape in Las Vegas

Before we went hiking at Valley of Fire with kids it just looked like an Instagram heaven. That's all that we knew about it, all from photos that people had…
Full Taylor Family at Red Rock walls of Zion Canyon Zion National Park Utah 1
Posted inNational Parks Southwestern US Utah

Visiting Zion National Park: Stress Free Trips for Zion in Any Season

Visiting Zion National Park is doable in any season with helpful information and planning. Tips for using the shuttle, driving, where to stay and best hikes in Zion NP.
Taylor Family at Desert Botanical Garden Phoenix Tempe 3
Posted inArizona Southwestern US

Best Things to do in Tempe AZ with Kids

It's rare that just one of us dads gets to escape for a trip with just one of the kids. It happened though!! It really did! Oliver (our oldest) and…
Best California Missions: Easy, Beautiful Cali Road Trip Stops
Posted inCalifornia Central Coast

Best California Missions: Easy, Beautiful Cali Road Trip Stops

These California Missions make for great road trip stops as you drive from San Diego to San Francisco. Enjoy beautiful chapels and learn about California history with these missions along El Camino Real.

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