After weeks of planning and excitement, it’s official: my family of four—my partner, our two adventure-seeking kids, and I—are setting off on a 16-day adventure that begins with a flight from Sydney to Los Angeles. We’ve put together an itinerary that promises a perfect blend of iconic American landmarks, breathtaking natural wonders, and vibrant city experiences. This isn’t just any vacation; it’s an exploration of some of the most beautiful and culturally rich regions of the United States, and we’re excited to share our plan!
Why a Road Trip? Ideal Transportation for Our Journey
To make the most of our 16-day adventure and comfortably cover the variety of destinations we plan to visit, reliable and flexible transportation is key. For a trip like ours, a road trip through the U.S. requires careful consideration of the best vehicle and travel strategies to ensure both comfort and practicality. Here’s what we think will work best:
Car Rental for Road Travel
Given that our journey will take us through cities, national parks, and long stretches of scenic highways, renting a vehicle is essential. Ideally, we would opt for an SUV or a spacious minivan. This type of vehicle offers:
- Ample Space: Perfect for a family of four, an SUV or minivan ensures enough room for everyone to sit comfortably, with space for luggage, snacks, and travel essentials.
- Comfortable Long Drives: With built-in features like adjustable seating, climate control, and advanced entertainment systems, our kids will stay comfortable and entertained during long stretches.
- Road Versatility: SUVs and minivans provide higher ground clearance, which is helpful when driving through varying terrains like mountain roads and park trails.
Considerations for the Car Rental:
- Unlimited Mileage: This feature will be crucial since we plan to cover hundreds of miles, driving between Los Angeles, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and various national parks.
- GPS Navigation: Ensures we stay on track without relying on mobile data in areas with limited signal.
- Insurance Coverage: Comprehensive coverage for peace of mind during long drives, especially through remote areas.
Flight and Rental Combo
Our journey begins with a flight from Sydney to Los Angeles, the entry point for our adventure. This approach allows us to save time on transoceanic travel and start our road trip feeling refreshed and ready for exploration.
- Flexible Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations: We plan to pick up our rental car in Los Angeles and return it to the same location before our flight back home. However, if your plans are similar but include returning from a different city, consider rental services that allow for one-way rentals.
- Child-Friendly Features: Renting a car with built-in car seats or requesting these add-ons will make the trip safer and more convenient for families with young children.
Alternative Transportation Options
While driving will be our main mode of transport, we’ve also considered other options to balance out long driving days:
- Public Transportation for City Sightseeing: In urban centers like San Francisco and Los Angeles, we may use cable cars, buses, or rideshares for short-distance travel. This helps us avoid city traffic and parking fees.
- Scenic Train Rides: For families who want a break from driving, certain routes offer scenic train rides, such as the Amtrak Coast Starlight between San Francisco and Los Angeles. This could be an enriching alternative experience for part of the journey.
- Bicycle Rentals: Exploring areas like Santa Monica or parts of San Francisco can be enhanced with bicycle rentals for short rides along scenic paths.
Final Thoughts on Transportation
Choosing a flexible, spacious vehicle for our road trip ensures that we have the freedom to make stops whenever we spot something interesting, take scenic detours, and comfortably drive long stretches between major attractions. This level of flexibility is what makes a road trip truly special: the ability to explore at our own pace and make spontaneous memories along the way.
With the combination of a sturdy rental car and thoughtful planning, our 16-day adventure promises to be a seamless blend of excitement, comfort, and discovery.
Our 16-Day Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Touchdown in Los Angeles
We’ll land at LAX and head straight to our hotel to drop our bags and refresh. After a long flight from Sydney, we’re planning a relaxed evening with a walk along Santa Monica Pier. It’s the perfect introduction to LA—ocean views, street performers, and that laid-back California vibe.
Day 2: Classic LA Sights
Our first full day will be packed with the quintessential Los Angeles experience. We’ll start at the Hollywood Walk of Fame and stop by the TCL Chinese Theatre, where the kids can marvel at the handprints of their favorite movie stars. From there, we’ll drive up to Griffith Observatory for sweeping views of the city and the Hollywood Sign. After lunch at a local cafe, we’ll explore The Getty Center, with its stunning architecture and art collections. By evening, we’ll grab dinner in downtown LA before heading back to rest up for tomorrow’s road trip.
Day 3: Journey to the Grand Canyon
We’ll set off early for the 7-8 hour drive to the Grand Canyon, cutting through the Mojave Desert and historic Route 66. To break up the drive, we’ll stop for breakfast in Barstow and enjoy some classic Americana roadside attractions in Kingman, AZ. By late afternoon, we’ll arrive at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The plan is to catch the sunset from Mather Point, a moment we hope the kids will remember forever. We’ll spend the night at a lodge close to the park to soak in the quiet and starlit sky.
Day 4: Grand Canyon Exploration and Page, AZ
Waking up near the Grand Canyon means we can start the day with a short hike or visit more lookout points like Desert View Watchtower. By mid-morning, we’ll begin the 2.5-hour drive to Page, AZ, home to Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. After settling into our hotel, we’ll visit Horseshoe Bend at sunset—ideal for capturing those golden-hour photos. Dinner will be a simple affair at a local diner where we can relax after a day of sightseeing.
Day 5: Antelope Canyon and Drive to Las Vegas
We’ve booked a guided tour of Antelope Canyon for the morning, where the kids will no doubt be awed by the light beams and narrow, twisting walls. Once our tour wraps up, we’ll hit the road for the 4.5-hour drive to Las Vegas. To break up the drive, we might make a quick stop at Lake Mead for a stretch and some photos. By evening, we’ll check into our Las Vegas hotel and take a walk down the Strip, ending the night with the mesmerizing Bellagio Fountain show.
Day 6: Exploring Las Vegas
Our day in Las Vegas will be a mix of kid-friendly fun and iconic experiences. We’ll start with the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, a burst of color and creativity. The Neon Museum is next, where vintage signs tell the story of Las Vegas’s history. We’ll have lunch at one of the city’s legendary buffets—Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace is on the shortlist. The afternoon might include a gondola ride at The Venetian or a visit to the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay. We’ll end the day with a family-friendly Cirque du Soleil show, perfect for wowing the kids.
Day 7: Hoover Dam and More Las Vegas
We’ll take a 45-minute drive out to Hoover Dam in the morning, where the kids will learn about its impressive construction and impact on the region. After returning to Las Vegas, we’ll have a laid-back afternoon exploring Fremont Street and visiting the Mob Museum for a touch of history. Dinner will be casual but delicious—maybe a visit to a local pizzeria before we wrap up the day.
Week 2: National Parks and San Francisco
Day 8: The Road to Yosemite
We’ll say goodbye to the neon lights of Vegas and embark on a long but scenic 7-8 hour drive to Yosemite National Park. Stops along US-395 will include Mono Lake, with its intriguing tufa towers, and Mammoth Lakes for a breath of fresh mountain air. By evening, we’ll check into our Yosemite lodge and enjoy a family meal surrounded by nature.
Day 9: Yosemite’s Natural Beauty
Our full day in Yosemite will start with iconic sights like El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls. The kids will love spotting rock climbers on El Capitan, and we’ll take an easy hike along the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Tunnel View for what many consider the best view of the valley. Dinner will be at the lodge, and if we’re up for it, we’ll drive up to Glacier Point for a starlit view of the park.
Day 10: Heading to San Francisco
Before we leave, we’ll visit Mariposa Grove to walk among the ancient sequoias. The 4-hour drive to San Francisco will include a few interesting stops in Gold Country towns, perfect for grabbing a quick bite and exploring a bit of California history. We’ll check into our San Francisco hotel in the late afternoon and head to Fisherman’s Wharf for dinner and sea lion watching.
Day 11: San Francisco Adventures
The morning will be dedicated to touring Alcatraz Island—tickets booked weeks in advance, of course. After learning about the infamous prison, we’ll explore Pier 39 and Lombard Street before hopping on a cable car for a quintessential San Francisco experience. Lunch will be casual, with clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl at Boudin Bakery. In the evening, we’ll stroll through North Beach and choose a family-friendly Italian restaurant for dinner.
Day 12: Muir Woods and Sausalito
We’ll cross the Golden Gate Bridge in the morning and head to Muir Woods to marvel at the towering redwoods. After a few hours of nature, we’ll drive to Sausalito for lunch by the bay, with its charming shops and relaxed atmosphere. We’ll return to San Francisco for a more laid-back evening.
Day 13: Free Day in San Francisco
This day is our flexible day—perfect for exploring Golden Gate Park, visiting the California Academy of Sciences, or taking the kids to the Exploratorium. We’ll spend the afternoon at the Ferry Building Marketplace, sampling local treats and soaking up the waterfront views. Dinner will be a relaxed affair, perfect for winding down the week.
The Return Journey: Los Angeles Bound
Day 14: Drive to Zion National Park
We’ll set off early for the 10-11 hour drive to Zion, breaking it up with scenic stops or even an overnight stay in Bakersfield to split the distance. The landscape changes along the way will be a treat, keeping the kids entertained with different views from the window.
Day 15: Exploring Zion National Park
We’ll spend the day soaking in Zion’s majestic scenery. From the easy Riverside Walk to the Emerald Pools Trail, there will be plenty for the whole family to enjoy. We’ll drive back to Las Vegas in the evening for one last night in the city.
Day 16: Return to Los Angeles
The last leg of our road trip will be a 4-hour drive from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. We’ll use this time to reminisce about the trip, play our favorite road trip games, and make a few final stops if the mood strikes. Back in LA, we’ll have a final dinner at a classic California diner and start packing for our flight home.
Tips for Making This Trip a Success
- Book Early: Key attractions like Alcatraz and Antelope Canyon need reservations.
- Stay Flexible: Build some buffer time into your schedule for unplanned adventures.
- Pack Smart: With long drives, having snacks, water, and activities for the kids is essential.
Final Thoughts
This journey will be more than just a vacation—it’ll be a collection of memories, bonding moments, and stories we’ll share for years. We can’t wait to share updates and photos along the way as we take on the American Southwest, one mile at a time.
