Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
United States - The West Coast
100% customisable for you
Your American adventure begins today. Gather the youngsters, head to the airport and board your 11-and-a-half-hour flight from London to Los Angeles.
On arrival at LAX, pick up your hire car and drive to the heart of Westwood, where your hotel for the next two nights awaits. Freshen up and find a bite to eat in the quiet neighbourhood. Too many options? Consult our detailed Dossier for some tasty recommendations. Then grab some well-deserved shut eye, ready for a busy day of exploring tomorrow.
Rise and shine, it’s your summer holiday. Today is all about exploring LA. Brimming with movie-making magic, there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained. Amble down Hollywood Boulevard, stumble across talented street performers and take a star-studded stroll down the Hollywood Walk of Fame, before heading to the hills to snap a family photo with the iconic Hollywood sign.
Spend your afternoon sinking your toes into the sand on one of LA’s many beaches, or explore the coast by bike. Cycle past Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach with a local guide before hitting the ocean for a surf lesson or challenging your clan to a parent vs. children competition on the beachside gym equipment.
For sweeping city views, walk up to the Griffith Observatory or inspire creativity with a visit to the Getty Center which houses an extensive collection of paintings, including works by Van Gogh and Rembrandt. Or, to really win over the youngsters, our Concierge can organise tickets for Universal Studios.
Hop back in your hire car and drive two hours east to Palm Springs, where you’ll spend the night. Watch as LA’s skyscrapers give way to rolling suburbs and craggy desert mountains. This laid-back resort city is perfect for unwinding and enjoying some well-deserved R&R.
After checking into your comfortable hotel, admire the city from new heights as you jump aboard the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for soaring views over the desert below. For any height-hating parents, the beautiful glass-fronted restaurant at the top should be enough of an incentive to make the journey.
After a delicious breakfast at your hotel, explore Palm Springs. Admire the palm-lined boulevards, wander past lush golf courses and play spot the celebrity on your morning stroll.
Then, it’s time to hit the road again for your next stop: Las Vegas. Rally the troops and embark on the four-hour drive, winding past vast expanses of arid desert. From gigantic malls to neon-lit casinos, this capital of excess comes alive at night, illuminating the Nevada desert.
On arrival, settle in your centrally located hotel, which will be your home for the next two nights. Put your feet up after the long drive or make the most of the hotel’s ample facilities, before heading out to discover The Strip. This larger-than-life city is brimming with great entertainment and distinctively American charm, but save the real exploring for tomorrow.
Wake up bright and early for a full day of family fun in Las Vegas. Tuck into a tasty breakfast and spend the morning popping into glitzy casinos and admiring lavish hotels. Or entertain the youngsters with a gondola ride in ‘Little Venice’ at The Venetian Hotel.
Grab a bit to eat and catch a glimpse of the world’s largest chocolate fountain at the Bellagio Hotel’s Patisserie before heading to the far end of The Strip for a family photo with the ‘Welcome to Las Vegas’ sign. Little ones will be wide-eyed with excitement as they pass the ‘Eiffel Tower’ and M&M World – at 28,000 sq ft, it’s hard to miss.
This evening, our Concierge can arrange tickets for the lofty 550ft Ferris wheel – one of the world’s largest. Or, if music is more up your street, we can secure seats for one of the superstar residency shows that Vegas is renowned for.
Today, you’ll leave the bright lights of Vegas behind and drive three hours to the postcard-perfect town of Springdale, tucked away in Zion National Park’s wilderness. To set the perfect road trip mood, hit play on our destination-specific playlist and settle in for a seriously scenic journey.
When you arrive, check into a comfortable motel and marvel at the park’s surrounding red and gold cliffs. This is your base for the next two nights so unpack and get settled before heading out on foot to stretch your legs and familiarise yourself with the expansive desert-like landscapes.
Today is all about exploring Zion National Park. Famous for its deep canyons and flaming red cliffs, this distinctive landscape is the ideal setting for a family adventure. Children can tick off vibrant bird species from their checklists and cool off by the banks of the Virgin River, where cottonwood trees provide shade from the hot desert sun.
Accompanied by a private guide, set off on foot to explore the park, discovering immense rock formations like Angels Landing, which soars 1,488ft above the Virgin River and The Narrows (Zion Canyon’s narrowest section). Or set off on a family bike ride and cycle along the Pa’rus Trail to reach the canyon. If energy levels are dipping (parents, we’re looking at you), admire the photo-worthy sights from the comfort of the park’s shuttle.
Wave goodbye to Springdale and hop back in your hire car for the two-hour drive to Bryce Canyon National Park. After leaving Zion, join Route 89 and follow Scenic Byway 12 (also known as Highway 12), famed for its beautiful scenery. During your journey, keep an eye out for terracotta-hued hoodos. These rock spires jut out from the landscape and are often dubbed ‘fairy chimneys’ due to their unusual shape.
On arrival in Bryce, you’ll be greeted by a striking series of rocky amphitheatres that glow at sunset. Be sure to have your camera at the ready, as they transform from light orange to deeper tawny tones. But first, immerse yourself in your new surroundings. Stretch your legs on a family hiking adventure following the park’s winding trails, or opt for a horseback expedition where the little ones can admire the Martian landscape from a higher perspective.
Once you’ve had your fill of ochre and russet rock spires, it’s time to hit the road again for a three-and-a-half-hour drive to Page. A true oasis on the shore of Lake Powell, this laid-back city is the ultimate base for family hikes and rock-climbing adventures.
Kick back, relax and unpack. Over the next two days, you’ll be exploring the mighty Lake Powell. Stretching 186 miles, it’s one of North America’s largest artificial bodies of water and a must-visit for adrenaline-fuelled activities – sure to be a hit with the youngsters.
Start the day with a splash as you hire a 19ft powerboat for a morning spent cruising around Lake Powell. Explore the lake's coves and arches, taking breaks from the toasty Arizona sun with a refreshing dip or a leisurely snorkel.
If walking is more your thing, head out with a private guide to Antelope Canyon, a picturesque slot canyon and one of the most photographed sites in the American West. Beams of light from openings above create an ethereal feel within the canyon walls, painting the rock in vivid shades of orange.
After admiring Antelope Canyon, inspire any budding photographers in the family with a gentle hike to the iconic Horseshoe Bend. Reward your efforts with a picnic overlooking the canyon as the little ones practice their photography skills.
Another day, another hike. Enjoy one final walk along one of the scenic trails around Page before jumping into your hire car for the two-hour journey to Monument Valley, one of the most iconic parks in the American West.
On arrival, check into your Western-style hotel which will be your home for the night. Once you’ve settled in, head out on a guided family tour of the valley, where towering sandstone monoliths await. Drive along a 14-mile road, passing The Mittens, Three Sisters, John Ford’s Point and Totem Pole.
This morning, leave behind the rocky buttes of Monument Valley and wind your way through the 'Painted Desert' of red, orange, pink and grey rocks en route to the Grand Canyon. You’ve got a three-and-a-half-hour drive ahead of you, so don’t forget to stock up on plenty of snacks.
Once you arrive at the canyon, wake up any sleepy passengers; this is a truly epic bucket-list spot. Arguably the best-known location in the American West and one of the world’s most impressive geological phenomena, the Grand Canyon stretches 277 miles long and 18 miles wide.
What better way to explore the fault than on foot? Thrill-seekers in the family can test their bravery on the glass walkway to appreciate the scale of the place fully. Afterwards, relax at your traditional Tusayan motel and take a dip in the refreshing swimming pool.
Today, you can explore the Grand Canyon to your heart’s content. Whether you’re dreaming of a thrilling helicopter ride or Jeep tour; a visit to the nearby Hoover Dam; or tickets for an immersive film about the Grand Canyon on a six-story IMAX screen at the visitor centre, this is sure to be a day your family remembers.
This afternoon, head out for a private walking tour of the canyon’s ever-deepening gorge, where your children will likely enjoy scrabbling around in the rust-red dust and finding wackily shaped rocks as they learn about the desert landscape.
This morning, catch a final glimpse of the Grand Canyon then wave goodbye to the weaving valleys of Tusayan as you drive to Sedona. Cactus-counting will become an impossible car game for little ones on the three-hour journey into the Arizona desert.
Check into your hotel and put your feet up after the long drive, before heading out to explore your new surroundings. Sedona is tucked away among some of the most awe-inspiring scenery in the USA. Enveloped by 1.8 million acres of national forest land and burnt orange rock formations, this is an adventure lover’s paradise. Come evening, don’t miss the fiery summer sunset which complements the red sandstone rocks beautifully.
Sedona’s dramatic red rock landscapes have long attracted soul searchers, artists and adventurers, so be sure to start your day early to make the most of it. Discover your surroundings on a family hike, enjoy a sightseeing bike ride or opt for an off-roading Jeep tour. However you choose to explore, you won’t be short of pinnacles, spires and buttes to fill your camera roll with.
A tour with a private guide is a must if you want the youngsters to be truly absorbed in the extraordinary scenery. And if you’ve had your fill of the great outdoors, the town is bustling with art galleries and gourmet restaurants.
Sadly, your summer road trip has come to an end. This morning, consult your clued-up Concierge for the best breakfast spot in town before hitting the road again for the two-hour drive to Phoenix airport.
On arrival, return your hire car, whizz through security, and relax in the airport lounge before boarding your ten-hour flight back to the UK. Most flights depart in the evening, so you’ll arrive home the next day.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
