Drive Day
🚐
Leave by 7:00 AM
Arrive Paso Robles ~11:30 AM
265miles
~4hdrive
~11:30 AMarrive
7:00 AM
🚐 Depart El Dorado HillsTank full, snacks loaded. US-50 W → I-5 S → CA-46 W.
9:00 AM
⛽ Gas + Break — CoalingaHarris Ranch area. Good restrooms, fast food nearby.kid stop
11:00 AM
📸 Cuesta Grade Vista PointJust north of SLO on Hwy 101. Rolling hills panorama — 10 min stop.photo op
11:45 AM
🏨 Arrive Allegretto Vineyard ResortBeautiful grounds, kids can roam. Downtown Paso City Park has a splash pad.explore
6:30 PM
🍽️ Dinner — Early NightLongest drive of the trip is tomorrow. Eat and rest.
Allegretto Vineyard Resort2700 Buena Vista Dr, Paso Robles, CA 93446✅ Booked
Dinner options
🍕
Allegretto Restaurant (on-site)No driving — Mediterranean, kid-friendly. Easy win.
🌮
Taqueria Santa CruzBudget-friendly, fast, delicious for 5.
🍔
Thomas Hill Organics10 min drive. Farm-to-table, relaxed, kids menu.
Long Drive
⚠️
Leave by 6:30 AM — No Exceptions
9–9.5 hrs total. Early start = red rock sunset arrival.
590miles
~9hdrive
~4 PMarrive
6:30 AM
🚐 Depart Paso RoblesUS-101 S → CA-46 E → I-40 E. Grab drive-thru breakfast.
9:00 AM
⛽ Gas — Barstow, CAFill up here — good services before long desert stretch.kid stop
10:30 AM
📸 Mojave Desert PulloffNear Ludlow on I-40. Alien landscape — kids love it. 10 min.photo op
12:30 PM
🍔 Lunch — Kingman, AZCracker Barrel or Denny's off I-40. 30 min max.lunch
4:00 PM
📸 Airport Mesa OverlookFirst red rock view entering Sedona on AZ-89A. Pull over — jaw-dropping. 15 min.wow momenticonic
4:30 PM
🏨 Check In — Courtyard SedonaPool is open. Let the kids decompress.
7:00 PM
🌅 Sunset — Cathedral Rock Overlook10 min from hotel. Best sunset in Sedona. No hike — just park and watch.golden hour
Courtyard by Marriott Sedona4105 W State Route 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336✅ Booked
Dinner
🌮
Elote CafeBest Mexican in Sedona. Short wait, worth it.
🍕
Pizza PazzaCasual, fast, kids love it. Easy after a 9-hour drive.
Short Drive
🌄
Leave by 11:00 AM
Only 2 hrs to Buckeye — enjoy Sedona morning first!
115miles
~2hdrive
~1 PMarrive
7:30 AM
☕ Breakfast + Morning LightMorning in Sedona is magical — warm red rock glow.golden hour
8:30 AM
🥾 Bell Rock Trail15 min from hotel. Flat paved path, massive red rocks. All 3 kids. 45 min round trip.all agesphoto op
11:00 AM
🚐 Depart for BuckeyeAZ-89A → I-17 S → I-10 W. Smooth easy drive.
1:00 PM
🏠 Arrive Buckeye — Friends!Pool, chill, laundry, grocery reset. Kids go wild.rest day
Friends' Home — Buckeye, AZBuckeye, Arizona✅ Confirmed with friends
Drive Day
🏔️
Leave by 9:00 AM
Arrive Grand Canyon ~1 PM — full afternoon on the rim
230miles
3.5hdrive
~1 PMarrive
9:00 AM
🚐 Depart BuckeyeI-10 E → AZ-89 N → AZ-64 N into the park.
10:30 AM
⛽ Williams, AZLast full-service town before park. Fill up, grab lunch supplies.
12:30 PM
🎟️ Park Entrance — Show 4th Grade PassPrinted paper voucher — South Entrance on AZ-64.print pass!
1:30 PM
😮 Mather Point — First LookThe wow moment. 30–45 min. Watch the kids' faces.iconicmust-see
3:00 PM
🥾 Rim TrailPaved, flat, stroller-friendly. East toward Yavapai Point. 1–2 miles.all ages
5:00 PM
🎖️ Junior Ranger ProgramVisitor Center — booklets, activities, badges. Perfect for ages 7–11.badge!
7:15 PM
🌅 Sunset — Hopi PointBest sunset overlook. Free park shuttle. Arrive 20 min early.golden hour
Yavapai LodgeInside Grand Canyon National Park, South Rim✅ Booked · Inside the park
Dining
🍽️
Yavapai Tavern (on-site)Casual grill inside the lodge. Kids menu. Easiest option.
🥪
Canyon Village Market & DeliGrab sandwiches, eat outside with canyon views.
Drive Day
🌅
Morning at rim, leave by 10:00 AM
5 hrs to Zion — optional sunrise first
175miles
~5hdrive
~3 PMarrive
6:15 AM
🌄 Optional Sunrise — Mather PointTotally different light than yesterday. 15 min walk from lodge.sunrise
8:00 AM
🗼 Desert View Watchtower25 min east. Historic 1932 tower, panoramic views. Kids climb inside.climb!photo op
10:00 AM
🚐 Depart for ZionAZ-64 N → US-89 N → UT-9 W. Road into Zion canyon is stunning.
12:30 PM
🥪 Lunch — Kanab, UTCute halfway town. Sego restaurant or Willow Canyon Outdoor.lunch
1:15 PM
📸 Zion East Entrance — Tunnel ViewStop before the mile-long tunnel. Spectacular views east of Zion.must-see
3:00 PM
🏨 Check In — SpringHill Suites SpringdaleShuttle stop nearby. No car needed in Springdale.
4:30 PM
🌿 Virgin River WalkShuttle to Zion Lodge. River rocks, flat path, kids love it.river playphoto op
SpringHill Suites Springdale Zion1141 Canyon Springs Rd, Springdale, UT 84767✅ Booked · Shuttle nearby
Dinner
🍕
OSO RestaurantBest casual in Springdale. Flatbread, outdoor canyon views.
🍔
Zion Pizza & NoodleIn an old church. Classic Springdale family spot.
Scenic Day
🚌
Shuttle at 7:00 AM, leave hotel by noon
Morning in Zion, afternoon on the best drive in America
155miles
4.5hdrive
~5 PMarrive
7:00 AM
🚌 Early Shuttle into Zion CanyonFewer crowds. Ride to Temple of Sinawava (last stop).
8:00 AM
💧 The Narrows — Partial WalkWade where water begins. The entrance alone is stunning.water playiconic
9:30 AM
🥾 Riverside WalkFlat 2-mile walk along the river. Perfect for the 7-year-old.all ages
12:00 PM
🚐 Depart — Scenic Byway 12UT-9 E → US-89 N → UT-12 E. One of the most scenic drives in America.best drive
1:30 PM
📸 Red Canyon — Pink CliffsUT-12 west of Bryce. Pink hoodoos. 15 min stop.must-see
2:30 PM
📸 Hogback RidgeNarrow ridgeline with canyon drops on both sides. Kids will flip out.wild viewmind-blowing
4:30 PM
🏨 Arrive Capitol Reef Resort, TorreyWalk the Fruita orchards before dinner.
Capitol Reef Resort2600 E. Hwy 24, Torrey, UT 84775✅ Booked · Canyon views
Dinner in Torrey
🥩
Broken Spur SteakhouseClassic Western cowboy vibe. Kids love it. Great portions.
🌮
Rim Rock RestaurantOn Capitol Reef Resort property. Scenic and convenient.
Long Drive
⚠️
Leave by 7:00 AM
9+ hrs to Pismo. Early start = beach sunset.
580miles
~9hdrive
~5 PMarrive
6:30 AM
🍑 Fruita Orchards Sunrise Walk5 min from hotel. Sunrise through cottonwoods. 20 min, magical.sunrise
7:00 AM
🚐 Depart Capitol ReefHwy 24 W → I-70 W → US-6 → I-15 S → CA-58 W → US-101 N.
10:00 AM
⛽ Gas — Green River, UTLast good service before Nevada. Fill up.
12:30 PM
🍔 Lunch — Henderson/Boulder City, NVIn-N-Out off I-15. Fast, cheap, kids love it. No Strip needed.no strip!
2:30 PM
📸 Mojave Wind Turbines — TehachapiThousands of turbines on CA-58 hillsides. Kids think alien planet.kids love thisphoto op
5:00 PM
🌊 Arrive Pismo BeachCheck in, shoes off, walk to the water. You made it.beach!
7:00 PM
🌅 Sunset — Pismo Pier2 min walk from Sandcastle Hotel. Best way to end 7 days.trip finale
Sandcastle Hotel on the Beach100 Stimson Ave, Pismo Beach, CA 93449✅ Booked · Beachfront
Dinner
🦀
Splash CaféFamous clam chowder bread bowl. 5 min walk. This is the move.
🍕
Giuseppe's Cucina ItalianaWalkable Italian. Great family final night dinner.
Home Day
🏠
Leave by 9:00 AM
Home by 3 PM — easy final stretch
220miles
5.5hdrive
~3 PMhome!
7:30 AM
🌊 Morning Beach WalkKids collect shells. Leone family photo. Last Pacific moment.final shot
8:30 AM
☕ Old West Cinnamon RollsPrice St, Pismo Beach. Legendary. Open early. Don't skip.
9:00 AM
🚐 Depart for El Dorado HillsUS-101 N → CA-46 E → CA-99 N → I-5 N → US-50 E to El Dorado Hills.
11:30 AM
⛽ Gas — Coalinga / Harris RanchOne quick stop. Lunch if needed.
2:30 PM
🏠 Home — El Dorado Hills8 days · 5 states · 3 national parks · 1 epic Leone family trip 🎉 Welcome home to Morning Glory Ct!you did it!