Southwest Splendors: A Journey through Utah, Vegas, LA, and San Diego
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Zion National Park
- Antelope Canyon
- Las Vegas Nevada
- Los Angeles California
- San Diego California
Introduction
They canceled our flight.
To say the tension was palpable would be the understatement of the century. The rest of this could have been ripped from an episode of the amazing race. We bought new tickets (ouch!), rushed into an Uber, picked up the car, drove from JFK to Newark, paid for parking, got a shuttle to the terminal to catch a flight to get to Vegas that night.
It was a scene, we were on a roll and then, there was water.
Our son had a water bottle with water in his backpack, when you thought your blood pressure had already maxed out. So we were directed out of the area to redo the obstacle course, I mean TSA screening, from the beginning. At this point my wife went ahead to hold the doors at the gate, and we had won the race, feeling like the aftermath of an itchy and scrappy episode (hi millennial;) but we were there.
Or were we?
After taxiing for some time, we eventually had to return to the gate, I kid you not, to deboard an ill passenger but we took off. The shock of it all knocked everyone out. The passenger got help and we were wheels up. There is always a silver lining, Next stop – Zion National Park, Utah through Vegas.
Our chariot on this road trip was a lovely minivan and I can state here now that I officially consider myself wise. I am a convert. Upon our first meeting, it was me, Sienna and three 3 sleepers from Vegas to Utah.
Day 1: Zion National Park: Nature’s Dessert Marvels Unveiled
Breathtaking beauty is the only way to describe Zion National Park’s stunning red rock formations. Again I’m never sure what to expect and I like that particular kind of discomfort. It is partially what draws me so strongly to travel. I look forward to finding out. Zion is a busy park but well organized. Even though there were many people it never felt overwhelming, this was the case for the duration of the time here with one exception. More on that in a bit.
There were many trails to choose from but we chose the Kayenta Trail. It seemed like something we could handle on our first outing. It was hot and remarkably beautiful.
Flashcard:
- Kayenta Trail to Emerald Pools, from the Grotto.
- Shuttle Stop 6 Riverside Walk, to the Narrows
- Shuttle Stop 9: Temple of Sinawava
- Food: Porters: Breakfast through Bumbleberry Inn Lunch:
- Oscars Tex Mex, Porters Dinner: Camp Outpost, Bamboo Chinese
- Stay: Bumbleberry Inn (breakfast included at Porters) great views, great pool, comfy beds, farm animals, laundry on premises.
Day 2 : Arizona, Antelope Canyon and HorseShoe Bend
A day trip is always in the cards, and this time we took off to Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe bend. Our day began with a hearty traditional American breakfast at Bumbleberry Inn’s Porter’s Restaurant. The breakfast spread was impressive, offering everything from classic pancakes to hearty omelets, everyone was easily able to find something delicious and up to the task of the day.
After breakfast, we hit the road for Arizona, eager to explore Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. The ride to Antelope Canyon, started with a check in and a presentation by the local tribe that owns the canyon , they license their images to Microsoft which is why we see it on wallpaper. This was a Learn wide moment for me.
The upper canyons and lower canyon are actually two different tours so something to keep in mind for your future bookings. I had done the lower canyon the previous year and while both are breathtaking, if you have the option the lower canyons were my favorite, and the one I would recommend.
Once we wrapped this excursion we headed over to Horseshoe Bend. The view of the Colorado River curving dramatically around the rock formations was nothing short of spectacular but be prepared for a little bit of a walk with no shade. We took a moment to appreciate the beauty of nature and snapped some family photos against this iconic backdrop.
We wrapped the day with a different kind of adventure. We decided to try Jack in the Box for the first time. The kids were super excited about this fast-food experience! We enjoyed burgers and fries while laughing about our day’s adventures and sharing stories about what we had seen.
Flashcard
Drive to Arizona – Antelope Canyon& Horseshoe Bend
- Upper canyon
- Ate at jack in the box for the first time, kids super excited
- Blisteringly hot
Day 3 : Hiking the Narrows, Zion National Park
This was the big item on this trip and we were super excited. Starting at the Temple of Sinawava, we kicked off the adventure with the Riverside Walk, which was a stunningly beautiful way to ease into the experience. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking, with the Virgin River flowing beside us and those towering canyon walls looming overhead. As I stepped into the water for the first time, I felt a mix of excitement and a little apprehension—this was going to be a unique hike!
Now this part I was less than prepared for. There is a portion of the narrows where the water gets considerably high. Many people wore bathing suits and held their backpacks above their heads. I, as a 6 ft tall person, was chest high in water at one point. Luckily it was the summer and it didn’t make for a very uncomfortable experience for very long but, word to the wise, bathing suits, quick dry clothing and waterproof backpack would be a worthwhile investment.
However, even while damp, The Narrows was still breathtaking. The waterfalls trickling down the canyon walls, the vibrant greenery peeking through the rocks, and those incredible colors in the sandstone was otherworldly. Whether I was chatting with fellow hikers or enjoying a quiet moment surrounded by nature, this hike was an unforgettable experience that reminded me just how amazing our natural landscapes can be.
Flashcard
Hiked the narrows
Day 4,5,6 : Las Vegas, Nevada
One of the highlights was definitely taking a ride on the Las Vegas Monorail, which made getting around the Strip super convenient. The monorail runs alongside some of the major hotels and attractions, allowing us to hop on and off easily without dealing with traffic or parking. It was a fun way to see the city from above while zipping between destinations.
One evening, we were thrilled to catch a performance by the Jabbawockeez, the famous dance crew known for their incredible choreography and signature masks. Their show was a fantastic blend of music, dance, and visual effects that kept us on the edge of our seats. The energy in the theater was electric, and it was clear that the Jabbawockeez had mastered the art of entertaining an audience. It was a unique experience that added a memorable touch to our Vegas adventure.
As we wandered along the Strip, we took time to appreciate all the iconic sights of the famous Las Vegas strip,, from the stunning fountains at the Bellagio to the replica Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas. Each hotel had its own theme and charm, making it feel like we were exploring different parts of the world all in one place. We loved soaking in the atmosphere, snapping photos, and enjoying delicious meals at various restaurants.
Vegas:
- Activities- Midway Arcade, Splash Zone, Adventuredome, saw Jabbawockeez at MGM Grand, walkthroughs of Paris, Venetian and NY NY
Food:
Breakfast in Circus Circus: Big Top Eats and Einstein Bros Bagels
Lunch: Fast food options at CC
Dinner: Kimchi All You Can Eat Korean BBQ and sushi (robot delivery)
Rainforest Cafe
NY NY eateries (Sirrico’s Pizza)
Circus Circus
End of strip, fine room, ok beds, 70s decor, dirty carpets, Smokey smells in lobby and casino, ice cream Cocolina, shops, amusement for kids, midway arcade and circus acts, poor elevator service
Monorail trip handy $5 per trip or day pass. Basically the whole strip.
Day 7 : Los Angeles – Onward to Los Angeles
After our exciting time in Las Vegas, we hit the road to Los Angeles, making some fantastic stops along the way. Our first stop was Seven Magic Mountains, a colorful art installation just outside of Las Vegas. The towering stacks of vibrant boulders against the desert backdrop made for some stunning photos and a fun way to stretch our legs before continuing our journey.
Next, we headed to Calico Ghost Town, a restored silver mining town that offers a glimpse into California’s Wild West history. Walking through the old buildings and learning about the town’s past was both educational and entertaining. We explored the shops, enjoyed some local snacks, and even caught a reenactment of an old-fashioned shootout. The atmosphere was lively, and it felt like stepping back in time, which added a unique touch to our road trip.
For lunch, we stopped at Peggy Sue’s 50s Diner, a classic diner that served up delicious comfort food with a nostalgic vibe. The retro decor and friendly staff made it a perfect pit stop. After filling up on burgers and milkshakes, we made our final stop at Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch. This quirky roadside attraction features hundreds of colorful bottle trees created by artist Elmer Long. It was fascinating to wander through the ranch, taking in the creativity and craftsmanship on display. Each bottle tree tells its own story, making it a memorable experience that perfectly capped off our journey from Vegas to L.A.
Flashcard – Stopped at the Magic Mountains. Calico Ghost Town, had lunch at Peggy Sue’s and Made a stop at Elmers Tree Ranch
Day 8 – Los Angeles – Knott’s Berry Farm
This being our second time in LA it was much more laid back. We stayed with family in Los Angeles, and we kicked off our two-day adventure. On our first full day we headed to Knott’s Berry Farm, a place I had never visited before but was told it was ‘quintessential LA’. As soon as we arrived, the excitement was palpable. The park is a fantastic blend of thrilling rides and charming attractions, all rooted in its rich history as a berry farm. We started our day with some classic rides like the Timber Mountain Log Ride and ventured through the Old West Ghost Town area, where we enjoyed live entertainment and even caught a glimpse of some cowboys in action. The atmosphere was lively, with families enjoying everything from roller coasters to kid-friendly attractions featuring Snoopy and the Peanuts gang.
Exploring Knott’s Berry Farm was an absolute blast, and it was great to experience something new during this trip. We spent the day going from ride to ride, indulging in some of Mrs. Knott’s famous fried chicken for lunch, which was just as delicious as I had heard.
Prior to leaving we had to make the mandatory stop at Randy’s Donuts. Their red velvet donut is the stuff of legend, but because we were on the road to San Diego we opted for a variety box. Fueled the car with gas and ourselves by donuts, we head south.
Activities: Knotts Berry Farm, tickets plus meals: food was surprisingly good.
Stay: with family
Food: California Chicken Company, Randy’s Donuts
Day 9, 10, 11 : San Diego
Our final leg of the journey took us to sunny San Diego, where we packed our days with exciting activities. First on our list was a visit to the USS Midway Museum, an impressive naval aircraft carrier turned museum located at Navy Pier. Exploring the ship was like stepping back in time, with self-guided audio tours that shared fascinating stories from former sailors. We wandered through the flight deck, where we could see restored aircraft up close, and ventured into various areas of the ship, including the engine room and mess hall. The views of San Diego Bay from the deck were breathtaking, making it a perfect start to our San Diego adventure.
Next, we embarked on a thrilling whale watching tour. With the promise of spotting gray whales and dolphins, we set out on the water for an unforgettable experience. The excitement built as we cruised along the coast, and our knowledgeable guide shared interesting facts about marine life. We were lucky enough to see several whales breaching and dolphins playing alongside the boat, which made for some incredible photo opportunities. Being out on the open water with the stunning California coastline in view was a highlight of our trip.
After our ocean adventures, we headed to La Jolla Shores Beach and La Jolla Cove to soak up some sun and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The beach was perfect for relaxing, and we even spotted sea lions lounging on the rocks at La Jolla Cove. The vibrant marine life in the area was captivating, and we couldn’t resist taking a dip in the refreshing waters. We wrapped up our San Diego experience with a visit to the world-renowned San Diego Zoo, where we marveled at exotic animals from around the globe. Our stay at an Airbnb in University Park provided a cozy home base for our adventures, making this trip to San Diego a fantastic conclusion to our journey!
Activities: USS Midway, Whale Watching, La Jolla Shores Beach, La Jolla Cove and beyond/ seals and sea lions, San Diego Zoo, Coronado Beach
Stay: AirBnB in University Heights, excellent neighborhood, close to many good eats
Food: Antique Row Diner, The Crack Shack, Muzita Abyssinian Bistro, Liberty Station, El Zarape Mexican Restaurant
Conclusion
Everytime I travel I’m reminded that it isn’t just about the destinations—it’s about the stories you collect, the memories you create, and the moments that expand your understanding of the world.
So my partners in wanderlust, until our next adventure, keep exploring, stay curious, and travel far, learn wide. 🌄✈️
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