2020 ROAD TRIP OUT WEST
2020 ROAD TRIP OUT WEST
Since traveling abroad wasn’t an option this year, many Americans have decided to explore in our own backyard— including myself and three of my girlfriends. We decided to embark on a 2-week road trip out west. If you’re the outdoorsy type and you’re wanting to scratch your travel itch in the US, look no further.
While on our trip, my girlfriends and I kept a list of our favorite activities and favorite places for you guys to experience and enjoy. There are many great places out west and this trip was based off of our personal interests and curiosities. I put this road trip guide together to help make the planning process easier for you to curate YOUR perfect holiday. If you don’t want to go through the hassle of planning, feel free to follow our route and activities below. Either way, you can’t go wrong!
ROAD TRIP GUIDE
Planning: This part took a little over two months to nail out all the details. Details including destinations, accommodations, budget, and excursions. If planning isn’t your thing, then take your chances and wing it (but would definitely recommend to have some kind of game plan).
Route: Have an idea of where you want to go and see what route fits all of your destinations in one trip. We used MapQuest to help us get an idea of where to start / end. The map will vary depending on where you want to visit obviously. To give you a visual outline, here is the route we decided to take:
Our Summer 2020 Road Trip Route
Budget & Expenses:
1) Car rental and gas. Keep in mind how many miles you’re planning to travel roundtrip and calculate your gas usage based on the vehicle you will be driving (MPG).
2) Accommodations. We stayed in airbnbs for majority of the trip and luckily had great stays at each destination. If you’re wanting a more adventurous accommodation, check out the national park campsites and reserve your spot.
3) Food budget. Make a grocery list and get a cooler.
4) Day passes for the National Parks (will usually cost around $30 or under per park).
5) Extra money for souvenirs, dinners out, or spontaneous day adventures.
Packing Necessities:
Not going to name off obvious items (like clothes, etc), but be sure that you pack:
1) SUN SCREEN
2) Bug spray
3) Camelbacks / hiking backpacks with hydration packs
4) Snake bite kit
5) First aid kit
6) Portable chargers
7) Bandana / hat and sunglasses
8) SPF chapstick
9) Hiking snacks for a quick pick me up (our snacks of the trip were cliff bars and PB&Js)
10) Extra water bottle to carry with you throughout the day
DESTINATIONS & EXCURSIONS
Side Note: Due to Covid-19, most national parks are requiring people to make reservations in order to enter the parks. BOOK RESERVATIONS AHEAD OF TIME.
Below is a list of the hikes and excursions we did in each state throughout our trip. Highly advise researching each hike before you go in order to be prepared. Some of these hikes are LONG and others are short; know what you’re getting yourself into before setting off on your journey. But most importantly, remember to be flexible with your plans and itinerary.
California
Joshua Tree
Ryan Trail Hike
Skull Rock Hike
Hall of Horrors Rock Climbing
Big Sur
Buzzards Roost Trail at Pfeiffer State Park
California State Route 1
This is the drive of a lifetime with mouth dropping views of the coast. As you twist and turn around the winding road, make sure to stop at a beach on your drive to take it all in. If you’re lucky enough, you might even see some seals!
Carmel / Monterey
Do dinner on the beach and watch the sunset to get a real taste of the Cali lifestyle.
Yosemite
Disclaimer: we did not book a reservation ahead of time and couldn’t get into Yosemite. Instead, we explored other trails nearby which did not disappoint and they were less crowded.
Lewis Creek Trail
Fresno Dome Hike in Sierra National Forest
Spectacular view from the top of the dome.
Chimney Tree Trail with giant sequoia trees
Lunch spot called Jones Store at Beasore Meadows
Hands down best lunch spot EVER! I had the tri steak sandwich and nearly fell out of my seat from how tasty this was. Also, make sure to get a slice of their homemade pie. It looks like a backyard family BBQ, but trust me when I say it’s worth it.
Death Valley
Badwater Basin
Lowest elevation point in North America.
Mesquite Sand Dunes
Watch the sunrise on the sand dunes, it’s magical and not yet at scorching hot temperatures.
Mosaic Canyon Trail
Artist’s Drive
Devils Hole Golf Course
Zabriskie Point
Nevada
Las Vegas (Drove Through)
Obligatory Vegas sign photo
Utah
Zion
Eagles Crags Trail
Mt. Carmel Highway through Zion National Park
Must go to this coffee shop with multiple locations. The coffee beans are sustainably sourced, they serve fresh food and offer delectable baked goods. Be sure to check out their main location to experience an incredible view while sipping your morning coffee.
Moab
Arches National Park
Hells Revenge ATV Ride
Navajo Reservation
Moki Dugway Scenic Detour Drive
If you’re looking to enjoy a scenic route on the way to AZ from UT, take this drive. There’s a long, curvy road where you can watch cars disappear into the horizon. We stopped at the lookout for at least 30 mins just to admire the beautiful detour (might’ve had a mini dance party too). If you go and are able to find the lookout spot, keep your eyes peeled for a surprise on the stand alone rock. Happy findings. :)
Arizona
Lake Powell and Lone Rock
Kayak Tours / Cliff Jumping
The Chains swimming spot
Our tour guide recommended The Chains to us, we loved it so much we ended up spending the entire day there. To get to the swimming spot, climb down the rocks and head to the opening where you’ll find bright, turquoise water.
Horseshoe Bend
Grand Canyon
Bright Angel Trail (over 10 miles, hardest trail of the trip), THE hike of the Grand Canyon
This trail goes further, but you need to book an overnight stay at the bottom in advance to continue the hike back up. Would advise starting your hike early in the morning to beat the heat on the way back up. After reaching the top, go get yourself some ice cream. You deserve it, dammit.
Sedona
Phoenix
In all honesty, I wasn’t really sure what to expect while planning this trip since I had never been to the West Coast before. However, I can happily tell you that all of my expectations were blown out of the water. I hold this journey close to my heart and reminisce constantly about the unforgettable landscapes. This trip will definitely kick your ass mentally and physically, but in the best way possible. You’ll come out stronger than before, with memories to enjoy for a lifetime.
It’s no secret that this year is very weird and unusual for all of us. Despite the great deficits we have faced this year as a species, I am profoundly inspired by our persistence to keep moving forward. Make it a point to use this time to reflect and to keep advancing onward. In difficult times, people cope by reconnecting. This could be reconnecting with ourselves, our values, our environment and/or our community.
If you decide to do this trip, I hope you have the opportunity to experience the beauty of these places in the US. I hope you find that you are more connected to yourself and to your surroundings afterward. And I hope that you are able to find peace of mind no matter what’s going on in life.
Make the most out of every moment spent with family and friends. Take time for yourself and prioritize your mental well-being. Wear a mask and social distance. Stay safe and persist to move forward. Cannot wait to see and hear about all of your journeys, feel free to send me updates or questions about this trip (or if you just want to say “hi”)!
xx,
Iz
