The American West is a perfect place for a family trip. It is indeed an opportunity to vary the experiences, between its attractive cities and its bewitching nature. There are pleasures for the whole tribe: the white sandy beaches of the California coast, Disneyland Park, the extravagant Las Vegas, the unforgettable Los Angeles and San Francisco and above all, landscapes of breathtaking beauty. A trip to the American West has something unique in the world and a family road trip is one of the most beautiful ways to discover it
A road trip between cities and sumptuous landscapes
We arrive in San Francisco and then we start by walking along its steep streets, before reaching the bay to enjoy exceptional views of the sea, the Golden Gate Bridge and the surrounding mountains. Car rental in the United States is simple, it is even the preferred means of transportation for residents and many visitors who wish to travel the country. We embark on a family road trip to Yosemite National Park, in the heart of the Sierra Nevada. Redwood forests, granite mountains, impressive waterfalls, beautiful hikes are available. After resting on the shores of the Mammoth Lakes, head for Las Vegas, with its casinos and night lights that amaze children. It is time to head back on the nature trail, successively through the spectacular torrent canyon of Zion National Park, the red rock landscapes of Bryce Canyon and Monument Valley's famous Far West scenery. Then comes the time to go to the Grand Canyon, play with the children to observe the multicoloured sedimentary layers exposed and which take on varying shades depending on the angle of the sun. All these wonderful places of nature offer unforgettable hikes and the opportunity to take sublime family photos. The penultimate stop is San Diego, for the pleasure of observing the ocean from the beach of the La Jolla district. Finally, we finish the road trip by Los Angeles, to see its vastness and take the children to the famous Warner Studios
Most of the varied landscapes of the American West
Some families prefer not to focus on cities and let children discover most of the landscapes of the American West during a road trip. In this case, a recommended itinerary is from Las Vegas, where you take the time to show the main hotels to children, before heading to Zion to walk the 13 kilometres of the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive and its impressive mountain panoramas. Then, in Bryce Canyon Park, take the Queen's Garden trail, the ideal path to observe the stone columns and suitable for children. Then head for Arches National Park, for a hike between peaks, narrow canyons and cliffs. The natural arches offer a spectacle far from leaving you indifferent. Still thirsting for beautiful spaces? Then we continue with the mythical territory of Monument Valley, the azure blue of Lake Powell, in contrast to the pink and red rock that rises on its shores, then the vastness of the Grand Canyon and its splendid sunsets. At the end of the trip and before reaching Las Vegas, direction Kingman, the historic heart of Route 66. There, it is in the village of Hackberry that children are introduced to typical America, with its motels, dinners and old gas pumps
Road trip to the cowboy countries
Many children enjoy playing cowboys and Indians with friends. So why not offer them an unforgettable stay in the heart of the American West, a land that is found in many cowboy movies. Aboard a camper van, we leave Las Vegas to reach the main sites that take children on a trip to the heart of the Far West atmosphere. In a few days, we cross the different landscapes of red rocks and canyons of the different national parks, which transport children in another dimension. Then, we pass through Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley and then the Grand Canyon to enjoy the vastness of the landscape and offer children unforgettable moments on what can be called the cowboy route. Camping sites allow you to stop, light a fire and at sunset, to have the feeling of reliving the great era when men in hats roamed these regions on horseback
A 100% California road trip
California, the sun, its dynamic cities, its beaches and its magnificent natural spaces, here is a good idea for a road trip for the whole family. From Los Angeles, we take the road to Sequoia National Park. In the giant redwood forest, how could you not feel very small in the middle of these trees, the tallest of which is 84 m? We then head to Yosemite National Park to enjoy the views and take the children on the trail to Yosemite Falls. Urban atmosphere afterwards with a stopover in San Francisco, to observe the sea lions at Fisherman's Wharf and the aquatic fauna of the Bay Aquarium. We then reach Los Angeles by the coast along the Pacific Ocean, and we don't miss taking the scenic 17-Mile Drive, a must in Monterey. The one that crosses one of the richest and most famous residential districts on the west coast offers you the opportunity to see resplendent villas. Finally, in Prismo Beach, we will have a beach atmosphere, with a few play sessions on the sand interspersed with gourmet moments in the restaurants of the charming seaside resort.
California and amusement parks
This is a road trip that children should not forget any time soon. This western American state is indeed a gigantic playground for children. From San Francisco, then after crossing the beautiful Yosemite National Park, we stop for a few hide-and-seek sessions in Sequoia National Park and its giant trees. It is then that we take the road again to drive the children to Disneyland. Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park offer a variety of worlds and attractions that promise good laughs. Another day, and after reaching San Diego, we spend a moment at Reuben H. Fleet Space Theater and Science Center, a cultural, recreational and scientific place where the whole family plays while learning. Finally, we head up the coast to San Francisco, with stops in Prismo Beach and Monterey, in towns that are ideal for good beach games and good restaurant meals.
