Road Trip: California, Arizona & NevadaJordan & I are planning a 16 day road trip through California, Arizona & Nevada, where we will start and end in San Diego. We posted a few polls online and through recommendations and our own research, here is our plan. If you’re planning a road trip, save some of these places for your trip!🚗✌️Authorsrachelhelsby
DestinationsCaliforniaItinerary

Day 1: Anza-Borrego

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Set off from San Diego bright and early to visit Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Drive is about 2 hours, so to make it for sunrise we'd need to leave around 4:30am. Recommended to me by 4 people!!
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Julian Pie Company
After sunrise we'll head back a little and try the famous Apple pie from Julian’s Pie company!
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Salvation Mountain
On the way to Palm Springs stop by Salvation Mountain for some cool photos. Drive is about 1hr 30mins from Anza.
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Bombay Beach Ruins
After Salvation Mountain, Jordan recommended going to Bombay Beach, an abandoned holiday town.
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SKI INN
Stop by Ski Inn for some food - super cool dive bar cover in dollar bills!
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The Courts Anza-Borrego
Stay Day 2: The Courts looks like an insanely cool stay and also has a cafe - recommended by Lottie
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Day 2: Palm Springs

East Twin Palms Drive
On day 3 we’ll drive up to Palm Springs and explore the neighbourhoods and art deco houses. Drive is around an hour.
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Cartel Roasting Co
After photographing we'll grab coffee at Cartel Roasting Co
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Norma's
Lunch will be at Norma's - food and atmosphere look great.
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Cabazon Dinosaurs - World's Biggest Dinosaurs
In the afternoon we'll drive to the Cabazon Dinosaurs.
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Boulder Gardens Sanctuary
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Camp Pioneertown
Well camp for 1 night at Pioneertown, which is an old Western movie set. They even have Wild West re-enactment performances take place along Mane Street in Pioneertown on weekend afternoons,
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Super 8 by Wyndham Yucca Val/Joshua Tree Nat Pk Area
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Book

Day 3: Joshua Tree

Arch Rock
From Camp Pioneertown it’s around a 50 min drive to Arch Rock in Joshua Tree. We’ll set off around 5:30am to get ready for sunrise!
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Frontier Café
After sunrise we’ll head back to Yucca Valley for some breakfast and coffee at Frontier.
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Cholla Cactus Garden
Another bucket list item ticked off! I’ve always wanted to see the cactus’s in Joshua Tree 🌵
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Day 4: Sedona

Brewha - Social Eatery & Market
It'll be a long drive from Joshua Tree to Sedona. Once we've checked into our camping spot, we'll grab dinner nearby at Brewha, so we can get an early night, ready for a busy day the following day. This place looks pretty chill, nothing fancy.
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Black Potion Sedona
Today will be a busy day, so we'll grab coffee and a bite to eat from Black Potion, before we head to Guidance Air for a helicopter ride over Sedona.
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Coffee Pot Restaurant
Afterwards we'll swing by Coffee Pot for some lunch. Jordan and I love eating at diners when we're visit the US and this places looks great!
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Guidance Air - Sedona
Starting the day with a helicopter ride over the amazing Sedona landscape! MAKE SURE THE CAMERAS ARE CHARGED!!
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Chicken Point Overlook
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Chapel of the Holy Cross
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Rancho Sedona RV Park
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Cowboy Cookin'
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Day 5: Sedona

Seven Sacred Pools
Next we'll drive around and explore the area - the first stop will be Seven Sacred Pools which is only 10mins drive to the start of the trail and then a 12 min hike.
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Mammoth Rock
We'll head south to the next view points
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Elote Cafe
In the evening we'll treat ourselves to dinner at Elote Cafe, a amazing Mexican restaurant.
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The View Hotel
Splurge and stay overnight at The View Hotel! I can't wait to wake up and have coffee on the porch, looking out at Monument Valley!
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Day 6: Monument Val

Monument Valley
We're going to wake up early to photograph sunrise at Monument Valley. We'll then go for a short hike, before leaving for lunch. The plan is to return at in the evening to capture sunset.
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Forrest Gump Point
After photographing sunrise we'll head to Forrest Gump Point.
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Linda's Fry Bread
Lunch is at Lindas fry bread stand 😜 The views from this spot are incredible.
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The View Hotel
Splurge and stay overnight at The View Hotel! I can't wait to wake up and have coffee on the porch, looking out at Monument Valley!
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Day 7: Monument/Zion

Watchman Campground
Stay 2 nights at Watchman Campground.
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Camp Outpost
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Day 8: Zion

Angels Landing Trail
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Angels Landing
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The Narrows
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Zion Canyon Brew Pub
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Watchman Campground
Stay 2 nights at Watchman Campground.
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Book

Day 9: Zion

West Rim Trailhead
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Kombucha Shop
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Day 10: Grand Canyon

Under Canvas Grand Canyon
Camp for 1 night at Canvas Grand Canyon.
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Book
Mather Point
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Ooh Aah Point
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Day 11: Las Vegas

Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign
First stop of the day - get a selfie next to the Las Vegas sign 🤳
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The Neon Museum Las Vegas
Spend an hour or two at the Neon museum
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Hard Rock Cafe
Grab lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe
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Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck
Got to see all the famous Las Vegas sights!
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Gondola Rides
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Fremont Hotel & Casino
Have to experience at least one casino.
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Book
Fountains of Bellagio
Stay over night at the Bellagio hotel.
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Day 12: Death Valley

Pioneer Saloon
In the morning we'll take a little detour to Goodsprings and go to Pioneer Saloon for breakfast.
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Zabriskie Point
The first spot in Death Valley is Zabriskie Point
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Artists Palette
We'll go for a short afternoon hike to see Artist's Palette
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Devils Golf Course
On the way to the Badwater, we'll quickly stop at Devil's Golf Course.
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Badwater Basin
We'll then head south to Badwater Basin to see the salt flats.
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Dante's View
Just past the salt flats is Dante's view.
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Trip Highlight
On the way to the campground, we'll swing by this photo spot I saw in Jesswandering's Steller Story.
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Mosaic Canyon Trail
Mosaic Canyon Trail is right by our campsite, so we'll hopefully we'll get there for golden hour and wake up early for sunrise.
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Stovepipe Wells Campground
Camp in Death Valley overnight at Stovepipe Wells. Simple campsite, with clear skies in the evening. Also has a general store onsite.
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Day 13: Lone Pine

Alabama Hills
We'll set off to the Alabama Hills from Death Valley, hopefully catching the sunrise. The drive is about 2hours.
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Alabama Hills National Scenic Area
A great view point to photograph the view.
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Movie Road
Obviously we have to stop by this famous road!
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Skydive Mt Whitney
This is a BIG MAYBE!! But it would be a freaking insane experience.
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Great Basin Bakery
After seeing the Alabama Hills in Lone Pine, we'll drive up to Bishop and explore the town. There is a lovely bakery where we can grab some lunch.
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Black Sheep Coffee Roasters
Black Sheep looks like it does great coffee, if we need our caffeine fix!
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Lone Pine Campground
Camping overnight at Lone Pine Campground! The views are insane 😍
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Day 14: Lone Pine

Cerro Gordo Mines
Visiting the Cerro Gordo mines for their annual 10mile uphill race 🏃‍♀️ If you haven't seen Brett's YouTube channel Ghost Town Living, I'd highly recommend it.
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Alabama Hills Cafe & Bakery
Start the morning with a ginormous breakfast at Alabama Hills Cafe 🥞🍳☕️ before we hit the road. The drive to Wigwam will be around 3 hrs 15.
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Red Rock Canyon State Park
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Bickel Camp
Cool photo spot!
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Wigwam Motel
For our second to last stop we’ll crash at the Wigwam Motel.
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Book

Day 15: San Diego

Old Town Temecula
On the drive back to San Diego from San Bernardino, Peter recommended that we stop and explore Temecula.
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Spill the Beans Coffee and Bagels
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James Coffee Co.
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