This spring, our family set off on an unforgettable journey that blended the glitz and excitement of Las Vegas with the breathtaking beauty of California’s iconic national parks. From the sparkling lights of the Strip to the serene trails of Kings and the towering trees of Sequoia, each stop brought us closer to nature - and to each other. Whether we were hiking scenic landscapes, discovering hidden gems, or simply enjoying the road together, this trip gave us memories we’ll cherish forever. Here’s a look at our family’s adventure through city sights and natural splendor!
Our Travel Plan
Pro Tip: We created a license plate account in advance to pay all toll fees in the SFO area. We added the rental car details to that account as soon as we got the car from Hertz in Vegas. This easy hack saved a lot of money if we compare the fees from rental car companies.
Our Itinerary
Day 1 - Friday (April 26, 2025) - Flight from Charlotte Airport to Las Vegas Airport
We were up early at 3:00 AM, groggy but excited to start the journey. By 4:00 AM we had dropped our car at a nearby parking service and headed to the airport. Our flight took off at 7:00 AM and by 9:30 AM we landed smoothly in Las Vegas, welcomed by sunshine and that familiar Vegas energy. At 10:00 AM we picked up our rental car, followed by a quick grocery stop to stock up on snacks and drinks for the road. Lunch was an easy Taco Bell stop at 12:30 PM before spending some time walking the Las Vegas Strip at 1:30 PM, taking in the hotels, casinos, and overall buzz.
Airport Parking: We used The Parking Spot at Charlotte Airport and the experience was excellent from start to finish. The pick-up and drop-off process was completely seamless. As soon as we parked, the shuttle arrived right at our parking spot, very close to the car, which made things easy especially with luggage. The ride to the terminal was quick and smooth, and the return pickup was just as efficient. Everything was well organized, timely, and hassle-free. Overall, an amazing service that made airport parking stress-free and convenient.
 |
| Paris Las Vegas |
 |
| Caesars Palace |
By 4:00 PM we were back on the road, leaving the city behind and driving toward our overnight stop near Joshua Tree National Park. We reached the hotel around 7:30 PM, cozy but windy and chilly after dark. After a long day, we called it a night, tired but happy and ready for what was next.
Hotel: Super 8 by Wyndham Yucca Val/Joshua Tree Nat Pk Area
Day 2 - Saturday (April 27, 2025) - Joshua Tree National Park
After a cozy night’s rest, we were excited to head out for our day trip to Joshua Tree National Park, hoping to enjoy the desert landscapes before returning to the energy of Las Vegas. After breakfast, we hit the road around 9:00 AM and spent late morning to early afternoon exploring the park, taking in views of the San Andreas Fault, catching distant ocean glimpses, and stopping often for photos at scenic viewpoints.
We left Joshua Tree around 2:30 PM and made a quick stop for snacks, lunch, and fuel before continuing back to Las Vegas. By 7:00 PM we checked into our hotel on the Strip, then headed out around 8:00 PM to explore Fremont Street and enjoy a relaxed evening walk.
After a simple dinner, we wrapped up the day and returned to the hotel by 10:00 PM for some well-earned rest.
Hotel: Planet Hollywood Las Vegas Resort & Casino
Day 3 - Sunday (April 28, 2025) - Death Valley National Park
After soaking in the energy of Las Vegas, we set out at 9:00 AM toward the stark beauty of Death Valley National Park, trading neon lights for open desert roads. We arrived around 11:30 AM and immediately felt the dramatic shift in landscape. By noon we were taking in the sweeping views at Zabriskie Point, followed by a walk across the salt flats at Badwater Basin, standing at the lowest point in North America. We drove through Artist’s Palette, amazed by the natural colors painted across the hills, and took a short lunch break in the car at 2:45 PM with views all around.
 |
| Badwater Basin |
We left Death Valley at about 4:00 PM, enjoying a surprisingly varied drive out with desert, mountains, and even a lake along the way, and reached Bakersfield by 8:30 PM, wrapping up a day that felt like traveling through multiple worlds.
Hotel: Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Bakersfield, CA
Day 4 - Monday (April 29, 2025) - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
We left our hotel around 8:30 AM and began our drive toward Sequoia National Park, enjoying a very scenic route as we got closer to the park. We arrived around 10:00 AM and spent most of our time driving through the massive park, taking in the towering trees and views before continuing on toward Kings Canyon National Park. The scenery gradually shifted from lush greenery to dramatic, steep canyons, which made the drive even more memorable. We left the park area around 5:00 PM and reached our hotel by about 6:00 PM, then grabbed Wendy’s after checking in to end the day on a relaxed note.
Hotel - Super 8 by Wyndham Florida City/Gateway to Keys/Everglades
Day 5 - Tuesday (April 30, 2025) - Big Sur
We left our hotel around 9:00 AM and headed toward Big Sur, reaching there around 12:30 PM after a scenic drive along the coast. Most of the day was spent driving through stunning stretches of Highway 1, with several stops at coastal viewpoints, dramatic cliffs, and bridges overlooking the Pacific. We paused to take in the views, capture photos, and just enjoy the raw beauty of the coastline. The highlight was seeing McWay Falls cascading into the ocean, along with a few quiet moments at nearby lookout points before continuing our drive and wrapping up a truly memorable coastal experience.
Hotel: Extended Stay America Premier Suites- Oakland - Alameda
Day 6 - Wednesday (April 31, 2024) - San Francisco
We left our hotel around 9:00 AM and headed to San Francisco, the Golden City, visiting landmarks like Lombard Street, the Painted Ladies at Alamo Square Park, and the Golden Gate Bridge Viewpoint, where it was quite windy. After a day full of sightseeing and adventures, we made our way to our hotel, arriving around 8:00 PM. The hotel itself was recently renovated and felt like a sightseeing spot, with a great location and a very nice surrounding area.
 |
| Painted Ladies |
 |
| Lombard Street |
 |
| Lunch at Pier 39 |
 |
| Golden Gate Bridge |
 |
| Experiencing Waymo |
Hotel: University Hotel - Davis Area
Day 7 - Thursday (May 1, 2025) - Lake Tahoe
We left around 9:00 AM heading toward Lake Tahoe and reached around 11:45 AM after a beautiful drive through the mountains. Once there, we spent a relaxed few hours walking along the lakeside beach, taking in the clear blue water, cool breeze, and dramatic mountain views. The kids enjoyed climbing and exploring the large rocks scattered along the shoreline while we took plenty of photos and soaked in the calm atmosphere.
Around 2:30 PM we started back, making a quick Taco Bell stop for lunch on the way. We reached our hotel around 5:00 PM, tired but happy after a peaceful and scenic day by the lake.
Hotel: Travelodge by Wyndham Hawthorne
Day 8 - Friday (May 2, 2025) - Back Home
In the morning, we headed back to Las Vegas to wrap up the few spots we had missed and enjoy the city one last time at a relaxed pace. We spent the day revisiting favorite areas, soaking in the energy, and picking up a few final memories before the trip came to an end.
In the evening, we returned the rental car and made our way to the airport for our flight back to Charlotte. It was a truly amazing experience for all of us, filled with unforgettable moments, and we came back feeling happy, grateful, and already nostalgic about the journey.
Comments
Post a Comment