We are all about campervanning here at RTE, and one of the (if not THE) most beautiful and epic road trip on earth is through the Southwest of the US and California. It sure was for us!
That being said, you could easily spend three months covering both areas and still not have seen it all. That is why we will help you find the best route for your next campervan vacation, whether it is one, two, or three weeks.
We will, of course, let you in on our experience, which was a 15-day road trip, and tell you how you could shorten or lengthen that trip.
But first, let's talk about the Southwest in general. My guess would be that most people in the world have heard about California, but by far, not everyone knows to put the Southwest on a map.
Where is the Southwest of the US?
There is no exact definition of it; however, most people agree that it includes the states of Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and Southern California. For some, it even stretches to New Mexico and Western Colorado.
Should you choose to mix your Southwestern experience with a Californian coastal experience, just like we did, you will get to drive through and enjoy two very different landscapes and climates, which made our road trip extra fun and exciting to us.
The Southwest is famous for its red and orange rock formations in various shapes and sizes, its endless deserts and empty roads, and its small towns, reminding you of the Western Cowboy movies.
The Californian coast is world-famous for its beaches, surf hot spots, and ruggedness the further north you drive. You can find the State Route 1, also known as the Pacific Coastal Highway, listed in every compilation of world best coastal roads.
Best time to visit
We are big fans of the shoulder season and visited from Mid-April until the beginning of May, and campervanning is, of course, very dependent on the amount of daylight that you have. Thus please be aware that the timings in this itinerary will not work in winter, and you need to cut down on time somewhere to do sunsets and sunrises as described. In summer, on the other hand, days are longer, and you will be able to accommodate even more to your days.
We recommend traveling between Mid-April and Mid-May or Mid-September and Mid-October ideally. These are the best times of the year for beating the crowds and the heat while still having very pleasant temperatures and the biggest campground selection.
From where should you start your Southwest and California adventure?
That, of course, depends a bit on where you live and where you are coming from. Are you flying nationally or internationally? We flew internationally, and we looked at two cities to fly into, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
While Las Vegas is closer to a lot of highlights in Arizona and Utah, for us, flights to get there were also more expensive, and the rental company we wanted to choose, does not have an office in Las Vegas, but only in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City and San Francisco.
So we made our choice very fast. I recommend you compare those factors as well and pick your starting point from there.
Starting from Los Angeles also had a few more advantages. Jen got to experience L.A. (I had been there before). We got to see Joshua Tree National Park and also got to extend our Southwest road trip to California and drive the famous State Route 1.
At the end of the day, you can start and end your American road trip wherever it is most suitable for you.
Also, everyone has different priorities and ways of road-tripping, so take this itinerary as an outline and a guide for you to create your own.
We will be highlighting each stop individually and show you how we pieced it together also to give you a real idea of what is possible in one, two, or three weeks.
What campervan or RV should you rent for your Southwest and California adventure?
Now that you know where you will start your epic road trip, it is time to focus on the pretty much most important thing - your campervan or RV! If you are unsure of what campervan or RV might be the right one for you, we have got you covered. Take a small detour from this itinerary to get your answer via the link below.
Should you also be a compact campervan lover, we can help you out even more. As we have done the research for you and compared the best compact campervan rental companies in Los Angeles for you. Take a look at the in-depth comparison guide: 'Top 4 Campervan Rentals in Los Angeles for 2 People - a Curated Guide'
Now that you got your home on wheels all checked out, it is time to start to plan your route.
Two-week itinerary through the Southwest and California
Day 1: Los Angeles to Joshua Tree
Day 2: Joshua Tree to Salome, Arizona
Day 6: Grand Canyon to Lake Powell (incl. Horseshoe Bend & Antelope Canyon)
Day 7: Lake Powell to Bryce Canyon
Day 8: Bryce Canyon to Las Vegas
Day 9: Las Vegas to Santa Monica
Day 10: Santa Monica to Pismo Beach
Day 11: Pismo Beach to Monterey
Day 12: Monterey to San Francisco
Day 13: San Francisco, incl. Sausalito & Muir Woods
Day 14: San Francisco to Yosemite
Day 15: Yosemite to Los Angeles
Start and ending point: Los Angeles
Total time and distance driving: 50 hours - 4,000 km / 2,486 miles
How to use this map
- Click on the icon:
- This icon will reveal the layers of the map, which are:
- Campgrounds
- Activities week 1
- Route week 1
- Activities week 2
- Route week 2
- You can click the red checkmark
to hide or show the different layers - Clicking on the different icons on the map will show you more information about each spot
- If you have a Google account: Clicking the star next to the title of the map will add this map to your own Google Maps account.
- To view it on your phone or computer, click on the following link to open your: Google Places, where you will find the saved map.
Day 1 - Arrive in Los Angeles and head to Joshua Tree
On the Road: 2.5 - 3 hours (240 km / 150 miles)
To get the most out of your first day, try to arrive in L.A. as early as possible and arrange to pick up your campervan straight after arrival.
This gives you enough time to stop at a supermarket and stock up on your first round of groceries and equipment, like propane, kitchen and toilet paper, etc..
You will then drive about three hours, depending on traffic to the West Entrance of Joshua Tree to overnight.
Where to Stay at Joshua Tree: We recommend staying at the Black Rock or Indian Cove Campground inside the park, should you be able to get a reservation or on the nearby BLM land, should you not have been able to get a reservation (like us) or would like to camp for free.
Day 2 - Joshua Tree to Salome, AZ
On the Road: 3.5 hours (306 km / 190 miles) + multiple stops
On this Southwest itinerary, you will spend half a day driving through and exploring Joshua Tree on foot.
You will drive from the West Entrance to the South Entrance and will take several stops for short hikes at Ryan Mountain, Skull Rock, Arch Rock, and the Cholla Cactus Garden.
We had originally planned an entire day for Joshua Tree, which turned out not to be necessary, as you will get a great understanding and feeling for the park with the highlights mentioned above.
Where to Stay after Joshua Tree: Use the extra hours of the afternoon and keep on driving to overnight at the KOA in Salome, Arizona. It is in the middle of nowhere, very quiet, and has wonderful clean bathrooms.
Day 3 - Salome, AZ to Sedona
On the Road: 4 hours (240 km / 150 miles) + multiple stops
This day will take you back in time and will place you in one of your favorite Western Cowboy movies.
You will leave the vast and empty desert surrounding Salome behind and climb the winding roads of Prescott National Forest. Make sure to take about an hour stop in Prescott to explore its historic Whiskey Row, its saloons, and shops.
You will then continue to drive to Sedona via Jerome, one of the most significant historic copper mining towns, and get the chance to discover its rustic Ghost town.
Next up, you will descend from the plateau of the Coconino National Forest down to reach the Red Wall of the Red Rock Country around Sedona.
Time your day in a way that allows you to do the Devil's Bridge hike in Sedona in the evening hours to experience some even brighter red and orange colors.
Where to Stay in Sedona: We stayed at the Lo Lo Mai Springs Campground south of Sedona, with a campsite right next to the soothing sounds of the Oak Creek.
Day 4 - Sedona to Grand Canyon
On the Road: 2.5 hours (177 km / 110 miles) + multiple stops
Start your day with a couple more hikes to admire and experience Red Rock State Park in all of its magnitude.
There is a gazillion of different possible hikes, and we recommend you do three of them. Devil's Bridge (on this itinerary, you would have done it already the previous evening), Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock. Each takes you about 1.5-2 hours, and they range from easy to strenuous.
In the afternoon around 1 pm, it is time to leave Sedona behind and continue to drive to the Grand Canyon.
On the way, you will hit one of the most scenic routes in the area, the 89A, and make a stop in Flagstaff. Take a stroll around downtown and walk along the stretch of Route 66 that passes through Flagstaff.
Continue driving so that you will arrive at the Grand Canyon in time to marvel at the sunset from the South Rim.
Where to Stay at the Grand Canyon: We highly recommend you stay inside the National Park at the Mather Campground. It was the most affordable campground during our entire road trip and was the perfect location for all the activities we had planned. Plus, the setting in the delicious smelling pine forest made our stay there also very enjoyable.
Day 5 - Grand Canyon
On the Road: no driving today - only hiking → 7-8 hours (20 km / 12.5 miles)
Make sure to plan two nights at the Grand Canyon to allow yourself a full day activity, as you can't comprehend its magnificence by just looking down from one of the rims.
As we love being active outdoors, we always make an effort to plan our road trips with plenty of hikes. At the Grand Canyon, we planned our longest and most strenuous full-day hike.
We absolutely recommend you go down into the canyon, whichever way possible for you. Should it also be hiking, be aware that it takes a highly trained person and tedious pre-planning to go all the way down to the Colorado River and back up in one day. As a matter of fact, there is an uncountable amount of warnings not to do so.
We chose to do the Bright Angel Trail down to the Tonto Plateau to peek at the Colorado River and then return to the South Rim. We recommend you do the same, as this hike was the absolute highlight of our trip!
Day 6 - Grand Canyon to Lake Powell incl. Horseshoe Bend & Antelope Canyon
On the Road: 3 - 3.5 hours (260 km / 160 miles) + multiple stops
This day will start with another very early morning as you should opt to experience the sunrise from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
While sunsets tend to be the more popular choice for many people, we are sunrisers and highly recommend you to crawl out of bed early - it is so worth it! Not only the nature spectacle but also to absorb this natural wonder in peace and only with a few other people around you.
Continue driving along the South Rim on Desert View Drive to the East Entrance of the park to head north on US Highway 89.
Take a stop for about an hour at Horseshoe Bend to get an even closer look at the Mighty Colorado.
Next up is the oh so popular Antelope Canyon. The time you manage to book a tour will kind of dictate your plan and itinerary for the day. You MUST book a tour to Lower or Upper Antelope Canyon in advance to stand a chance of seeing it.
Check out my in-depth article of this day, to learn more about, which canyon to visit, and how to get a ticket still even if it is already sold out.
After returning to your campervan from Antelope Canyon, you can opt for an activity on or around Lake Powell.
Again, we like to be active and chose to do a combined tour of the Antelope Canyon, including kayaking the Antelope Creek in the afternoon.
Where to Stay at Lake Powell: We stayed at the Wahweap RV & Campground, and it was one of our favorites on the trip. Beautifully located next to Lake Powell with nothing but nature and lake views surrounding you.
Day 7 - Lake Powell to Bryce Canyon
On the Road: 2.5 - 3 hours (240 km / 150 miles)
After waking up next to the lake, you will leave Arizona behind and head into Utah to your next National Park: Bryce Canyon.
Bryce Canyon is rather compact compared to other National Parks in the US, and half-day to a day is more than enough to explore it.
Just like in Sedona and the Grand Canyon, there are multiple hiking options, from short to long and easy to strenuous.
We recommend you again to hike down the canyon to get those different perspectives. The most popular one, which allows you to see both amphitheaters and combine the rim with a below the rim hike, is the Queen's/Navajo Combination Loop. We also did this one, and even though it is the most popular, it was not overcrowded.
When it comes to sunset and sunrise, sunrise is the clear winner at Bryce Canyon due to its location.
Should you be reading along and realize that you might not be having the time to cover all the spots I am describing, check out my article comparing the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon to help you make a choice.
Where to Stay at the Bryce Canyon: There are two campgrounds inside Bryce Canyon National Park, and we stayed at Sunset, as North was already full, and we didn't have a reservation.
Day 8 - Bryce Canyon to Las Vegas
On the Road: 5 hours (402 km / 250 miles)
It is time to leave Bryce Canyon after you have soaked up the sunrise, and you are en route to Las Vegas while passing through Zion National Park.
Note: Unfortunately, we can't give you any recommendation on Zion as our plan to overnight there and hike Angel's Landing was interrupted by our deer incident. On our way to Zion, we got hit by a deer, which smashed our side window and made us head straight to Las Vegas to get the window fixed on the same day. Check out our Digital Campfire Story for reliving the entire incident with us.
Itinerary Option: Should you have a spare day or definitely want to experience Zion, we recommend you reduce one night of San Francisco on this itinerary and add it here at Zion.
After having our window fixed, we discovered the Strip, played Blackjack in the Bellagio, watched the fountain dance, and observed people indulging in this crazy city.
For your Las Vegas stay, we recommend you to be prepared to leave the pristine calm nature of your National Park adventures of the last week behind and embrace loud and bright Sin City for one night.
Where to Stay in Las Vegas: We stayed at the RV park of the Circus Circus Casino & Hotel on the strip. The RV park is shabby and was the most expensive on the trip, yet we recommend you stay there as well, simply because of its location.
Day 9 - Las Vegas to Santa Monica
On the Road: 4.5 hours (467 km / 290 miles)
After one crazy night in Las Vegas, it is time to move on and leave Sin City behind. Since you didn't explore L.A. upon arrival, we will do so now before we head up the Californian coast.
In all honesty, you can skip Hollywood, as it is just a run down shady neighborhood, which happens to host the Walk of Fame; however, I totally understand should you want to see it anyways.
To get a more authentic feel of L.A. consider making the Silver Lake neighborhood your first stop. It is a fresh young hipster neighborhood full of street art and artisanal cafes and restaurants. We took a break from preparing our own food and enjoyed a bite at the Lamill Coffee Boutique.
Its time to then follow along the Santa Monica Blvd to pass through Hollywood and Beverly Hills until you reach Santa Monica, with its young and coastal vibe.
Take the evening to explore the famous Santa Monica Pier with its amusement park, as well as downtown, with its many shops, restaurants, and bars. Don't miss the sunset with an ocean view!
Where to Stay in Santa Monica: There are no campground or RV parks anywhere close to Santa Monica. So either you opt to stay in a hostel or hotel, or you park your car in a residential street and give stealth camping a try. We opted for the latter, as we didn't want to spend US$100-200.
Day 10 - Santa Monica to Pismo Beach
On the Road: 3.5 hours (290 km / 180 miles) + multiple stops
If you'd like, you can take the morning to discover other parts of Los Angeles, for example, Venice and Venice Beach, before it is time to change the hot, dry, and red desert landscape for some fresh, chillier, blue and green coastal climate.
Get ready to hit one of the most iconic coastal roads in the world, California State Road 1, also known as the Pacific Coastal Highway.
Your first stop will be at the famous Malibu, and maybe you take the opportunity of putting your toes in the sand and marveling at this unique coastal stretch and the mansions lining it.
Keep heading north and take your next break in Ventura. Have a fresh seafood bite at the Ventura Marina if you haven't had any lunch yet and then continue to Santa Barbara.
Explore Santa Barbara on foot to take in its relaxed atmosphere and Spanish influence. Use this stop to learn a bit about the history of California and the Spanish Empire by stopping by the Santa Barbara Mission.
Your final stop of the day will be in Pismo Beach. The town itself is not that worthwhile; however, the coast with its beach and sand dunes is very inviting.
Where to Stay in Pismo Beach: You will find a great number of campground and RV parks in Pismo. To make the most of this natural paradise, I highly recommend you stay at the Pismo Beach State Park North Beach Campground, with direct beach and dune access and lots of space around your campsite.
Day 11 - Pismo Beach to Monterey
On the Road: 3.5 hours (240 km / 150 miles) + multiple stops
Make use of the beach access at the North Beach Campground and start your morning off with a stroll or run on the beach up to the Pismo pier and back.
Your first stop today will be in Morro Bay, famous for its volcanic Morro Rock sitting right at the mouth of the Morro Bay.
Next up will be the stretch of the famous Big Sur coastline.
We experienced one of those road closures and did not inform ourselves in advance, which led to a crazy detour through the Californian hinterlands. Check out our Digital Campfire Stories for more details of this adventure.
Take multiple stops along the Big Sur Coast to view the small beach coves within the more and more rugged and rough coastline.
End your day in beautiful Monterey.
Where to Stay in Monterey: The best campground in Monterey is the Veterans Memorial Park. It is nestled into a pine forest and is only a 30-minute walk to downtown Monterey and the Old Fisherman's Wharf.
Day 12 - Monterey to San Francisco
On the Road: 3 hours (202 km / 125 miles) + multiple stops
This morning it is time for another gem, the 17 Mile Drive around the Monterey Peninsula.
If you haven't checked out downtown Monterey and the Old Fisherman's Wharf the night before, do so in the morning before you head of along the 17 Mile Drive. It takes you through the gated Pebble Community, and you do need to pay a toll of US$10.50. Well worth it! Don't think about skipping this one.
Also, take a look at Carmel by the Sea at the end of the 17 Mile Drive. It has a rich history of art galleries.
Next up along the Pacific Coastal Highway is Santa Cruz, a hot spot for skateboarding and mecca for surfing. Take a stroll along the boardwalk or pier and peek into the surf museum.
This is your last major stop, and you are only 1.5 - 2 hours away from San Francisco. We recommend you take advantage of your campervan and start with a scenic drive around the west part of the city.
Where to Stay in San Francisco: We got creative and stayed at the Hostelling International at the Fisherman's Wharf; however, we slept in our campervan, as they offer complimentary parking and only used their facilities.
Day 13 - San Francisco, incl. Sausalito & Muir Woods
On the Road: 1.5 hours (56 km / 35 miles) + multiple stops
The order is up to you; however, the highlights of today are crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, visiting Sausalito and Muir Woods, and exploring more of San Francisco on foot.
Be a tourist for a moment and take the cable car from Fisherman's Wharf up to Lombard Street and walk down that fairytale street. Discover neighborhoods like Cow Hollow, Polk Gulch, Fillmore District, Mission Dolores, Lower Haight, and The Castro on foot to get the real authentic experience.
Day 14 - San Francisco to Yosemite
On the Road: 4 hours (322 km / 200 miles)
Get up early to make the most of the day and head straight to Yosemite National Park.
Now we have not been to Yosemite, as we opted to visit Silicon Valley instead. Jen, the geek, had this big idea in her mind that it would be an actual town or village, so we had to go see it to prove her wrong 😆.
Please don't follow our steps here and make a better choice by heading to this iconic National Park.
On this itinerary, you will only have one night in Yosemite, which will not allow you any big hikes, so if you have more time, this is the place to spend it.
For the purpose of this itinerary, we would recommend to do the following.
Drive the Yosemite Valley Loop to have a view on most of the major landmarks, like El Capitan and the Yosemite Falls. Be sure to pass by Tunnel View at the beginning and take a moment to look at Glacier Point at the end of the Valley Loop.
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There are several trailheads along the loop for short hikes if time permits.
Where to Stay in Yosemite: There are 13 different campgrounds inside the Yosemite National Park, and among the best ones are the Pines Campgrounds in Yosemite Valley. There are Lower, Upper, and North Pines. You have to make reservations as early as possible (up to five months in advance) to get a spot. For more information, take a look at James Kaiser's post on camping in Yosemite.
Day 15 - Yosemite to Los Angeles
On the Road: 6 hours (515 km / 320 miles)
Unfortunately, this is the last day of your epic Southwest and California campervan road trip.
It is time to return to Los Angeles, drop off your campervan, and catch that flight home to share your adventures and campfire stories with your friends and families.
With Less Time
Our road trip itinerary is divided into two parts. The Southwest and California each about a week long. So if you only have a week's time, I recommend you fly into Las Vegas to take the Southwest loop and drop Joshua Tree from the itinerary.
If you choose to do the California loop, stick to Los Angeles as your base.
With More Time
Should you be the lucky ones, who have more than two weeks vacation or you are on a longer trip in general, you have various options to prolong this itinerary.
When taking a look at the Southwestern loop, you should definitely add Zion, and you can extend it further to the east of Utah by visiting Monument Valley, Arches, Capitol Reef, and Canyonlands.
When looking at the California loop, you can add more National Parks and Forest by visiting the Death Valley, Sequoia, and even heading up to Lake Tahoe.
I hope I was able to take you on a mental journey and got you excited to visit this amazing place on earth yourself one day.
Are you planning an American Southwest road trip? Please comment below if you have any questions!
