Help me plan a family trip. Chicago to Los Angeles

Hello all,

I need some help planning a family trip; myself, wife, a 6-, and a 3-year old. I have about 2-3 weeks and I want to make it somewhat fun for the kids.

Here are the places I'm planning on visiting:

A. Badlands National Park
B. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
C. Devils Tower
D. Yellowstone National Park
E. Bonneville Salt Flats
F. Arches National Park
G. Antelope Canyon
H. Monument Valley
I. The Grand Canyon
J. Zion National Park
K. Yosemite National Park
L. San Francisco
M. Sequoia National Park
N. Los Angeles (destination, already got plans there)
O. White Sands National Park
P. maybe Breckenridge, CO

I also wanted to visit a Native American historical site as well as some "old-school" western town. Any ideas. Anything I should keep in mind.

With that being said, I have some questions:

1. Are there any other attractions that are worth seeing when you are in the area, but not really worthy a special trip from Chicago (hope that makes sense).

2. I'm trying to decide how much time I should spend on each attraction. Which ones should be an entire day? Which ones should be "drive-bys"?

3. Any tips as far as getting the truck ready.

Sorry for a very complex post and thank you for the help.

 

Not sure on when you are planning this, but check for fires prior to heading out.

 

Outside of Yosemite there is an old, Western Ghost Town called "Bodie, CA". It's a pretty cool spot to spend a few hours and explore. It's also a State Historic Park so it's kept up pretty well, and should have a Ranger there to show you some cool stuff and tell you about the town.

 

Yes. And check for fire restrictions. If you're planning on camping at national parks, most (all?) of them will let you buy and burn their wood only in the provided campsite fire ring. If you are dispersed camping west of the divide, there is a high likelihood that you won't be allowed a fire of any kind.

One other recommendation, and I'm sure this is largely personal preference. I'd cut the sites you want to visit in half or less for a 2-3 week trip. Otherwise, you won't really get to enjoy each one, you'll be rushing to the next thing, and you will spend most of your trip in the truck. I mean, 16 destinations for a 14-21 day trip with kids? No offense meant at all, but that sounds insane.

Fewer destinations with more time to play in, explore, and appreciate each one might be a better plan for your family. Speaking from personal experience!

 

I would suggest rocky mountain national park up in Estes Park, before Breckenridge.

 

I would very much second that notion!

 

I have to go to CA, but that's funny as hell. Any specific reason, or just because it's CA?

 

Depends on where in CA

 

Santa Monica

 

Californians thats why not.

 

Hey hey I'm from California, we're not that bad.

Edit: If you do decide to go to SF, check out Battery Spencer, Twin Peaks, crooked Lombard St. Just a few places that when it's not foggy you'll enjoy the view.

 

Hey I cant believe it took this long for you-ins to push back!?

The Truth is the Truth though.

I am fairly sure it is not all or even a majority of people there but it does not take that many to get that impression either.

And I took almost this same journey a few weeks ago so it/they are fresh in my mind!

 

Can you please define what a "you-ins" is.

 

Oh I think You-ins be knowing.

 

I really don't, that's why I asked.

 

You all

yall if from Texas o the plural all-yall

Just being funny or at least thats what my plan was.

 

I’m from the Bay and I say stay away from San Francisco. Too touristy, it’s expensive as hell, there’s homeless everywhere, and it’s not safe to park your vehicle if anything of value inside is in plain site.

 

Not sure if this is your thing, but if you’re taking 90 through South Dakota I would recommend stopping off at the South Dakota tractor museum for a little bit. It’s right off the highway and one of the best museums I’ve ever been to (and I’ve been to a lot). These is also Pioneers Auto Show in SD as well. Had some cool cars but I felt was more hype than anything. You could see if you could head onto the Pine Ridge Reservation. I know they used to run tours through there, but not sure if they still do that. Deadwood SD is a pretty cool town. Wasn’t much in Sturgis when not during bike week.

there is also the John Deere museum a little off the beaten path and not sure if you’ve seen the show American Pickers but their shop is right off the highway as well (assuming you go straight from Chi to South Dakota. Field of Dreams is also a little off the path but might be cool if your kids like baseball.

I second going to Bodie in CA and if you’re going to Yellowstone you need to stop off in Jackson Hole. Don’t bother with Cheyenne or Salt Lake City/Great salt lake. I’d stay away from San Fran, too. It’s a city covered in sh*t and needles. But, if you do go it helps to get an Irish coffee at the buena vista.

Anyway, just my $.02

 

I just moved my Nephew to Sunnyvale and it was a pretty rude awakening for sure.

If going north on 90 I would also stop along the way at historic sites and maybe go to West Yellowstone instead of the usual entrance it seems a lot less crowded to me and you can still see a ghost town in Virginia City which is pretty interesting. You can also go right through Bozeman to Big Sky along the Gallatin River which is amazing and then onto the West Portal and then head through Idaho back to 80 and into Cali through Tahoe if it is open again?

I did this last month and it is an interesting route and drive really I think.

 

If you are planning on So Cal, the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway 1) from Monterey southbound to Paso Robles area is one of the most scenic coastal drives in the continental US. Stop/Camp/stay at Big Sir. Stop at Hearst Castle. Stop at Paso Robles for wine country. Be careful on the drive. Tourists drive off the road/cliffs each year looking at the views. (no joke)

From there, Santa Barbara is beautiful and is nearby Solvang (a Dutch village). Malibu is also cool to drive through and has beautiful views. If you do hit Malibu, stop for a good meal on the beach at Bob Morris’s Paradise Cove. That’s a “Pro Tip!”

Stay out of big cities. They are rat holes and expect smash and grabs if you stay overnight. And I agree with an earlier post, cut your list by a minimum of half. Pressing to get to each spot and then not enjoying it isn’t relaxing or enjoyable. Smell the roses my friend.

California has some of the most beautiful land in the country. Hands down. It it is a LARGE state with a massive Sierra Nevada Mountain range than runs through much of Central/So Cal. So, likely, you will have to pick the eastern or western side of the sierras. The Western side is “greater generally”and the eastern side is dryer. Kings canyon(2-3 days) and the giant redwoods are a must see…. Yosemite (3-4 days) a must see.

good luck with your trip!

 

You will need 3 weeks min for this list and it’s a challenge. I added a few notes on must see places and days. The others, I visited some as a kid but don’t remember how much time to spend. Also, the kids? I heard Bigfoot has been sighted in a few spots on your list! S’mores over a camp fire, the possibility of Bigfoot? What’s better? I’m sorry and also don’t mean to offend. Cut your list would be my recommendation.

A. Badlands National Park
B. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
C. Devils Tower
D. Yellowstone National Park (3-4 days min)
E. Bonneville Salt Flats
F. Arches National Park
G. Antelope Canyon
H. Monument Valley
I. The Grand Canyon (1-2 days max)
J. Zion National Park
K. Yosemite National Park (3-4 days min)
L. San Francisco (Dive over the Golden Gate Bridge and keep going, then head to Monerey Bay)
M. Sequoia National Park (3-4 days min)
N. Los Angeles (destination, already got plans there) Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm
O. White Sands National Park
P. maybe Breckenridge, CO

 

Hope your trip was a good one and did you get to stop at Custer State Park or the Crazy Horse monument

 

I would love to hear an update and what you decided on. Hope the kids enjoyed it.

 

Or returning to Chitown, for that matter. Little town called Frisco, CO is about half way, by road. Good place to stop and never look back.

 

He went with a 3 and 6 year olds. He's probably still recovering.