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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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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.
Green Mountains Eastern Shore Oahu 1
Posted inHawaii Travel Tips and Plans Southwestern US

Awesome Activities On Oahu That AREN’T Lying on the Beach

There are plenty of non-beach activities on Oahu to create an unforgettable family Hawaiian vacation. From hiking to waterfalls in the jungle to Hawaiian food, so much to do and see around Oahu away from the beach.
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…
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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