14-Day USA West Coast Family Road Trip from Sydney: Los Angeles, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Yosemite & San Francisco
There is something special about seeing America by road. One day you are passing Hollywood studios and Pacific beaches; a few days later, you are standing beside the Grand Canyon, driving through the Nevada desert or walking beneath Yosemite’s granite cliffs.
For this 14-day family itinerary, we have planned a one-way route from Los Angeles to San Francisco, with stops along Route 66, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Yosemite and Monterey. It covers some long distances, but each overnight stop has been chosen to keep the road trip manageable for a family.
Getting There from Sydney
The most practical option is an open-jaw flight, arriving in Los Angeles and departing from San Francisco. This avoids returning to Los Angeles at the end of the trip.
Qantas and United Airlines operate nonstop services between Sydney and Los Angeles, with an approximate flying time of 13–15 hours. Nonstop San Francisco–Sydney services are also available on selected schedules; otherwise, travellers can connect through Los Angeles.
Because you cross the International Date Line, you usually arrive in Los Angeles on the same calendar day you leave Sydney. The return flight works in reverse, so an evening departure from San Francisco normally reaches Sydney two calendar days later.
For a family of four, open-jaw economy flights generally cost around AUD 5,500–9,000, depending on the season. Australian school holidays can be considerably more expensive.
Where to Stay for Easy Access
Los Angeles - Hollywood Loews Hollywood Hotel
Kingman - Historic Route 66 corridor Best Western Plus A Wayfarer’s Inn
Grand Canyon - Inside the South Rim Yavapai Lodge
Las Vegas - Central Strip Park MGM
Fresno North - Fresno near Highway 41 SpringHill Suites Fresno
Yosemite - Yosemite Valley Yosemite Valley Lodge
Monterey - Old Monterey/Fisherman’s Wharf Portola Hotel & Spa
San Francisco - Fisherman’s Wharf Hotel Caza Fisherman’s Wharf
As this itinerary covers several destinations, there is no single location that works for the whole trip. Instead, choose a well-positioned base at each stop:
Hollywood works well in Los Angeles because it is close to Universal Studios, Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood attractions. Fisherman’s Wharf is the easiest San Francisco base for Alcatraz, Pier 39, cable cars and waterfront dining.
Day 1: Sydney to Los Angeles
Fly from Sydney to Los Angeles and collect a midsize SUV from the airport. Make sure the rental includes unlimited kilometres, travel through California, Arizona and Nevada, and a one-way return in San Francisco.
Check into Loews Hollywood Hotel, where a two-queen room works well for a family of four. Keep the first evening easy with dinner at H2 Kitchen & Bar inside the hotel. Burgers, pizza and salads are simple choices after the long flight. If everyone still has energy, take a short walk around the TCL Chinese Theatre and Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Day 2: Hollywood, Griffith Observatory and Santa Monica
Begin with breakfast at Mel’s Drive-In, ordering pancakes, eggs, French toast or a breakfast burrito. Walk around the TCL Chinese Theatre, Dolby Theatre and Hollywood Walk of Fame before driving to Griffith Observatory.
Griffith Observatory is free to enter and offers one of the best family-friendly views across Los Angeles. Continue to the Original Farmers Market for lunch, where everyone can choose from tacos, barbecue, burgers, noodles and international food stalls.
Spend the afternoon at Santa Monica Beach and Pier. Entry to the pier is free, while Pacific Park ride wristbands can be purchased separately. Have dinner at The Albright, ordering clam chowder, fish and chips, grilled fish tacos or one of the children’s meals.
Day 3: Universal Studios Hollywood
Leave early for a full day at Universal Studios Hollywood. Prioritise SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Minion Land and the Studio Tour. Dated admission should be booked before the trip, especially during school holidays.
For lunch, try Three Broomsticks, Minion Café or Toadstool Café if you can secure a reservation. Finish with dinner at Universal CityWalk, where Toothsome Chocolate Emporium is a fun choice for burgers, pasta and elaborate milkshakes.
Stay for a third night at Loews Hollywood Hotel.
Day 4: Los Angeles to Kingman via Calico
Check out early and begin the road trip east through the Mojave Desert. Stop at Calico Ghost Town, a restored silver-mining settlement with wooden buildings, desert viewpoints, a mine tour and an optional railway ride.
Have lunch at Peggy Sue’s 50’s Diner in Yermo. Burgers, sandwiches, chicken-fried steak and milkshakes suit the Route 66 setting.
Continue along Interstate 40 to Kingman and check into Best Western Plus A Wayfarer’s Inn, which includes breakfast and parking. Spend the early evening around Historic Route 66 and Locomotive Park before dinner at Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner. Order burgers, chilli, fries and root-beer floats.
Day 5: Route 66 to the Grand Canyon
After breakfast, follow the historic Route 66 alignment to Hackberry General Store, where vintage fuel pumps, old vehicles and roadside signs make this a worthwhile photo stop.
Continue to Seligman and have lunch at Delgadillo’s Snow Cap, known for cheeseburgers, hot dogs and milkshakes. Check its seasonal opening hours before travelling.
Drive north to Grand Canyon South Rim and begin at the Visitor Center and Mather Point. Stay inside the park at Yavapai Lodge, which gives the family easy access to the free shuttle network. Walk a short section of the Rim Trail and watch the sunset from Yavapai Point or another nearby viewpoint.
Have dinner at Yavapai Tavern, ordering flatbread pizza, burgers, tacos or casual Southwestern dishes.
Day 6: Grand Canyon to Las Vegas
Start early with sunrise at Mather Point or Yavapai Point. After breakfast, use the park shuttle to visit Yaki Point, the Yavapai Geology Museum and another short section of the Rim Trail.
Have an early lunch inside Grand Canyon Village before driving towards Las Vegas. Stop at the Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge for a panoramic view over Hoover Dam. A full dam tour is optional, but the bridge viewpoint fits the driving schedule more comfortably.
Continue to Las Vegas and check into Park MGM. Its central Strip location and smoke-free rooms, restaurants and public areas make it a good choice for families.
Have dinner at Eataly, where the family can share pizza, pasta, salads and gelato. End the evening with the Bellagio fountains and the seasonal Conservatory display, both of which are free.
Day 7: Family-Friendly Las Vegas
Begin with breakfast at Mon Ami Gabi at Paris Las Vegas. French toast, eggs Benedict and waffles are good choices, and the terrace looks across towards Bellagio.
Walk through the central Strip before riding the High Roller Observation Wheel at The LINQ. Daytime tickets are usually less expensive and provide clear views across the city and surrounding desert.
Have a casual lunch at The LINQ Promenade, followed by an afternoon at the Park MGM pool. In the evening, explore New York-New York and Hershey’s Chocolate World.
For dinner, book Best Friend inside Park MGM. Its Korean-Mexican menu is designed for sharing; try the Korean wings, short-rib tacos, fried rice and vegetable dishes.
Day 8: Las Vegas to Fresno
This is the longest driving day of the itinerary, so leave Las Vegas after an early breakfast. Stop in Baker for a short break and continue through Barstow and the Mojave Desert.
Have lunch in Tehachapi at a bakery or casual diner before continuing through Bakersfield and the Central Valley to Fresno.
Check into SpringHill Suites Fresno, where family suites, included breakfast and convenient access to Highway 41 make it a practical overnight stop before Yosemite.
Have dinner at Heirloom, choosing from seasonal bowls, grilled chicken, vegetables and fresh Californian dishes.
Day 9: Fresno to Yosemite
Use the hotel breakfast before checking out and purchase sandwiches, fruit and water for a picnic.
Drive north to Yosemite’s South Entrance and begin at Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. When the seasonal shuttle is operating, walk through the lower grove to see the Grizzly Giant and surrounding sequoias.
After a picnic lunch, continue towards Yosemite Valley, stopping at Tunnel View and Bridalveil Fall. Check into Yosemite Valley Lodge, which is one of the most convenient family bases inside the park.
Walk the easy Lower Yosemite Fall Trail before dinner at Base Camp Eatery, where burgers, pizza, bowls and salads keep the evening uncomplicated.
Day 10: Yosemite Valley
Have breakfast at Base Camp Eatery and leave the car at the lodge. Use the free Yosemite shuttle to reach Cook’s Meadow, Sentinel Bridge, El Capitan Meadow and Yosemite Village.
Stop for lunch at Degnan’s Kitchen, ordering sandwiches, pizza, soups or salads. In the afternoon, follow the family-friendly section of the Mirror Lake trail for closer views towards Half Dome.
Return to the lodge for a rest before visiting Valley View near sunset. Reserve dinner at Mountain Room, where trout, steak and seasonal Californian dishes make this the standout meal of the Yosemite stay.
Stay for a second night at Yosemite Valley Lodge.
Day 11: Yosemite to Monterey
Check out after breakfast and drive west through the Central Valley towards the Monterey Peninsula. The journey takes approximately four hours, so plan one short rest stop along the way.
Have lunch at Alvarado Street Brewery in Old Monterey before leaving the luggage at Portola Hotel & Spa.
Spend the afternoon at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, focusing on the sea otters, kelp forest, jellyfish and open-sea exhibits. Tickets should be purchased in advance.
After walking along Cannery Row, have dinner at Old Fisherman’s Grotto. Clam chowder, calamari, grilled fish and seafood pasta are among the dishes worth ordering.
Day 12: Monterey, Carmel and San Francisco
Check out after breakfast and follow 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach. Stop at Spanish Bay, Bird Rock and the Lone Cypress before continuing to Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Walk along Ocean Avenue and Carmel Beach, then have lunch at La Bicyclette. Its wood-fired pizzas, pastas and salads work well before the drive north.
Continue to San Francisco and check into Hotel Caza Fisherman’s Wharf. Return the rental car at a nearby downtown branch rather than paying expensive San Francisco hotel parking.
Spend the evening around Pier 39 and visit the sea lions before dinner at Fog Harbor Fish House. Order San Francisco-style cioppino, clam chowder or grilled fish.
Day 13: Alcatraz, Cable Cars and Chinatown
Start with breakfast at Boudin Bakery before walking to Pier 33 for the ferry to Alcatraz.
The Alcatraz Day Tour includes the return ferry and Cellhouse audio tour. Tickets often sell out well in advance, so this should be one of the first activities booked.
After returning, walk or take the historic streetcar to the Ferry Building for lunch. Its food halls and casual counters allow the family to choose from seafood, sandwiches, baked goods and Californian produce.
Later, ride the Powell–Hyde cable car towards Union Square and continue on foot into Chinatown. Have dinner at Sotto Mare, sharing its well-known cioppino with seafood starters and pasta.
Day 14: Golden Gate Bridge and Return to Sydney
Check out but leave the luggage with the hotel. Take a rideshare to Crissy Field and walk along the waterfront towards the Golden Gate Bridge. If the weather is suitable, walk partway across the bridge before returning to Fisherman’s Wharf.
Have a final casual lunch at Boudin Bakery or In-N-Out Burger, followed by Ghirardelli Square for ice cream, chocolates or last-minute gifts.
Collect the luggage and take a prebooked SUV or large rideshare to San Francisco International Airport, arriving approximately three hours before departure.
Fly from San Francisco to Sydney. Because of the International Date Line, an evening departure normally arrives in Sydney two calendar days later.
Travey Club Insights
This route works because it combines America’s cities, coastline, desert roads and national parks without requiring the family to retrace the entire journey. Los Angeles and San Francisco provide the major flight connections, while the overnight stops in Kingman and Fresno prevent the road trip from becoming a series of exhausting drives.
The most important bookings are the international flights, one-way rental car, Universal Studios, Grand Canyon accommodation, Yosemite Valley Lodge, Monterey Bay Aquarium and Alcatraz. Yosemite accommodation should be secured as early as possible, particularly for summer and school-holiday travel.
For the easiest version of the trip, travel between April and October. Families travelling in winter should expect possible snow and tyre-chain controls around the Grand Canyon and Yosemite and should allow additional driving time.
Travey Club is a private travel design studio specializing in bespoke, self-guided journeys tailored to your individual tastes, lifestyle, budget, and schedule. We craft refined, highly personalized travel blueprints that combine curated experiences, seamless routing, insider knowledge, and meticulous day-by-day structure — empowering you to explore independently with confidence and ease. Rather than booking hotels or tours, we design each element of your journey with precision and intention, allowing you to reserve directly while experiencing a thoughtfully orchestrated, self-guided adventure created exclusively around you.
Look at our fourteen days US West Coast Itinerary from Sydney (16 days) : Travey Club
