Whether you live in LA or are visiting from abroad, the National Parks itinerary is the road trip of a lifetime. Follow along or mix-and-match your destinations according to your schedule, but bear in mind that food is rarely good along those towns. Pack a cooler full of excellent items every time you hit a Whole Foods, and opt for outdoor picnics rather than touristy cafeterias.
Yosemite and Sequoia Park
Yosemite is one of the most visited national parks in the country, and for that reason it is always best to venture out for a hike and a breath of fresh air, away from the cars waiting in line at the parking lot. Big Trees Lodge is located just outside the park, near a Redwood tree sanctuary, and worth staying at if you would rather avoid the crowds. Drive or hike to different viewpoints (Valley View, Glacier Point, Bridalveil Fall, Mist Trail, etc.), and take a break or picnic in the El Capitan meadow. Sequoia Park is also worth exploring beyond the iconic trees, and a night at Wuksachi Lodge would allow for more time on the grounds.
Death Valley and Vegas
On the road to Las Vegas, Death Valley has plenty to do in a day: Dante’s View at sunrise, Badwater Basin, Artist’s Palette, Furnace Creek, Zabriskie Point at sunset, etc. Once you reach Vegas, eat off the Strip at Lotus of Siam or Chada, two Thai restaurants that will ease slowly you into the Vegas vibe. Raku, where all the best chefs meet after service, is another excellent option if you’re in the mood for a Japanese izakaya. On the Strip, Cut, Bazaar or Momofuku should go it, although none of them can compare to the original locations. James Turrell’s art installation Akhob, inside the Louis Vuitton store at Aria, is an experience that cannot be missed and deserves to be booked weeks in advance — it will cleanse your mind and your eyes from the Vegas hubbub. Similarly, opt for a show (Love, O, or a concert) to fill up your evening while everyone else is waiting in line to get into a nightclub. Stop by the Venetian, Caesars Palace and Bellagio for curiosity, but the Wynn has better and less crowded casinos, if that’s what you’re into. Driving out of Vegas, stop by Fremont St. to see where it all started, and head to the art installation Double Negative on the way to Zion.
Zion and Bryce Canyon
After Vegas, a long hike in Zion National Park will be more than welcomed: choose between the terrifying Angel’s Landing, or the more mainstream Observation Point. Zion Under Canvas is an interesting experience, but staying at Zion Lodge (with fireplaces and rocking chairs on porches) has the added bonus of being able to drive your car into the park. Also, Utah has a strict policy on alcohol, so pick up beer or wine in Nevada before crossing the border, if you fancy a picnic in the park, with deers casually walking past you at sunset. On the road to Bryce Canyon, stop by Glen Canyon Dam and get ready for another day of hikes: the Fairyland Loop offers views of the park’s hoodoos, but you should also drive to several “Points”: Bryce, Inspiration, Sunrise and Sunset.
Monument Valley
Should you need to reduce the driving time between Bryce Canyon and Monument Valley, a stop at Capitol Reef would allow you to rest, see some petroglyphs, and sleep in an old-school Conestoga wagons at the Broken Spur Inn. The road 12 to Monument Valley is stunning, and once you get there make sure to check-in at the View Hotel, as it is the only one that will allow you to stay in the Park once all the tourists are gone. Go horseback riding at sunset, galloping with wild horses to areas of Monument Valley that cars cannot access. And wake up at sunrise, to catch that magic light and drive around the official route before everyone else starts packing the place.
Grand Canyon
One may overlook Grand Canyon by seeing it the wrong way: hike down to Shoshone Point in order to take in the view without all the tourists and their selfie sticks. The North Rim is less visited, if you’d like to stay at the Grand Canyon North Rim Lodge. Or for the full experience, try your luck at the Phantom Ranch lottery, which would allow you to stay in a riverside lodge that dates back to the 1930s at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. The two-day hike (down South Kaibab trail and up Bright Angel trail) is quite a trek, but definitely worth it.
Page
The uninteresting town of Page is close to Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, and the famous Horseshoe bend. Don’t wear white while visiting Antelope Canyon if you don’t want to miss up your photos, and book online for Upper Antelope via Ken’s Tours — there’s no need to book the special photo tour if all you want is an iPhone pic of light beams in the canyons. After seeing Horseshoe Bend, rent a boat on Lake Powell and treat yourself to one, very expensive night at Amangiri to end the trip with one of the most breathtaking hotels on the planet.