Canyonlands National Park is an amazing national park located in southeastern Utah near the town of Moab. We visited it during our Utah exploration trip. It was a must-see on our list and it did not disappoint. Breathtaking views and amazing opportunities for hiking and off-road adventures. Island in the Sky and the Needles were the two regions we explored. Due to the size of each region, it is recommended that you spend a day in each at least.

The park is divided into four districts: the Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze, and the combined rivers—the Green and Colorado—which carved two large canyons into the Colorado Plateau. While these areas share a primitive desert atmosphere, each retains its own character. Author Edward Abbey, a frequent visitor, described the Canyonlands as “the most weird, wonderful, magical place on earth—there is nothing else like it anywhere.

It is hard to argue with Edward Abbey, the park is a true masterpiece created by the forces of nature and there is nothing like it anywhere. The sheer vastness of the views is just breathtaking. Both the Island in the Sky and the Needles are a must-see. Plan to see both. You would not be disappointed!

Lodging

As we mentioned in the Arches National Park adventure we stayed in Moab during this trip. It is a very strategic location when it comes to this park, the Arches, and the Dead Horse Point State Park. Due to its close proximity to these amazing parks, the hotels get booked very quickly. Plan at least 3-6 months in advance. Moab is an amazing and vibrant town full of offroad and hiking enthusiasts and awesome places to eat.

The Island in the Sky District

The Island in the Sky district is a massive mesa elevated more than 1,000 feet above the surrounding landscape, with panoramic views of spectacular canyon country up to 100 miles in every direction. The district is defined by the Green River to the west and the Colorado River on the east. A paved road with several scenic pullouts leads from Moab to Island in the Sky, making it one of the easiest areas to explore.

We found this to be very true. The region was very easy and convenient to explore. Great roads and the parking is right next to the viewpoints. Great trails all around. Amazing views!

Here are some of the viewpoints that the district is known for:

The Grand View Overlook

As the name suggests this is one of the most impressive overlooks in the park. The views are absolutely breathtaking. We spend a lot of time resting and walking around the edges. There are plenty of spots to sit and enjoy the views. Take a break, relax and just enjoy this beautiful piece of Mother nature’s art.
Getting to the Grand View overlook is very easy but due to its popularity parking is an issue. Have that in mind and plan accordingly. It is the busiest overlook in the park.

Shafer Canyon Overlook

Great overview of the Sharef Canyon and the Shafer Trail. The stop is right off the main road and the overlook is a very short walk from the parking lot. To get to the edge you have to be careful since there is not a great walkway leading to it. However, it is absolutely worth it. The trail is quite popular.

Buck Canyon Overlook

An awesome overlook that offers a view to the east. One of the best places to view the main road leading to the park. It’s a short walk from the parking lot with a good amount of observation space.

Green River Overlook

This southwest-facing viewpoint affords the best views of one of Canyonlands’ two mighty rivers: the Green River, deep in its channel 1,300 feet (396 m) below. Visitors can also see features of The Maze district and the White Rim Road.

Apparently this overlook is also one of the best places to watch the sunset. We witnessed it at the Needles overlook. However, this overlook looks like a perfect sunset photo destination! Next time we will give it a try.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you are in the vicinity of the city of Moab, you have to visit both the Arches and the Canyonlands National Parks. Both offer unique and breathtaking views that are unmatched anywhere in the United States. We truly enjoyed our visit and we are already looking forward to booking the next.

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Maui holds a special place in our hearts. Our first visit there left such great memories that we had to go there again. The COVID pandemic did make things somewhat difficult but once we got the negative test results the rest was just proper planning. As it did in the past Maui did not disappoint. We hiked numerous trails, experienced breathtaking views, awesome food, and overall had a great time. The island has such a great combination of beautiful volcanic nature, golden beaches, friendly people, and tasty food. Just an awesome destination for a family vacation.

Native Hawaiian tradition gives the origin of the island’s name in the legend of Hawaiʻiloa, the navigator credited with the discovery of the Hawaiian Islands. According to it, Hawaiʻiloa named the island after his son, who in turn was named for the demigod Māui. The Island of Maui is also called the “Valley Isle” for the large isthmus separating its northwestern and southeastern volcanic masses.

How to Get There

If this was pre-pandemic time this section of this article would not exist. Sadly the reality is such that traveling to places like Hawaii is not as simple as it used to be. Due to the COVID pandemic, Hawaii requires testing and has a certain process that needs to be followed. All is explained and tracked via the travel.hawaii.gov website.

In a nutshell, you are required to take a COVID test from preferred locations 72 hours before your flight. Then upload your test results via the website and get a barcode. That barcode is then used to track you when you arrive on the island. You can not rent a car or hotel room without that barcode.

Overall the process is pretty seamless once you get the test done (which we did in Walgreens in less than 10 minutes). In our case results were sent via email by LabCorp. The only tricky thing is to make sure you are not outside of the 72-hour window for the results. Note that the process might have changed so make sure you check the website above for the most up to date information.

As far as flights to Maui there are plenty of regular nonstop flights from the mainland. Have in mind that since those are domestic flights the airlines nickel and dime you. There are no screens on the seats and you have to use your own devices to watch the onboard entertainment.

Transportation

To get around the island and go through the Road to Hana you would need a good vehicle. We rented the first time a van and this time a 4×4 Jeep. Pay the extra and get the Jeep. The difference is night and day. Especially if you want to go offroad and continue on the road beyond Hana. We ended up driving more than one thousand miles for the 11 days we stayed on the island.

Roads outside of the main cities are small and without much safety equipment on the sides. Road to Hana and especially the road to Haleakala could be pretty scary for inexperienced drivers and travelers. Pay attention and drive carefully. Also always let locals pass by. They know the roads and do not have much patience for tourists.

Lodging

We stayed in the city of Lahaina. The city is located three hours drive from Haleakala. Close to four (one way) to get to Hana. We have sentimental reasons to stay in this city. Our first visit left awesome memories and we wanted to revisit them. The close proximity to great places for breakfast, lunch, and dinner was also a factor in our decision. The airport is about an hour away as well as Whole Foods in case you need organic groceries etc.

The hotel we chose was the Hyatt Regency Maui. Overall our stay was there was ok. Our timing was bad since they were doing a bunch of renovations and some of the amenities were not available. The hotel did have an awesome pool area for both kids and adults (which does get quite crowded). The Japengo restaurant has one of the absolute best calamari we have ever tried. Sushi was also pretty good. The dining restaurant Son’z Steakhouse was decent. Overall a good hotel but somewhat expensive for what you get.

Since our hotel did not have their lūʻau open we had to book one in another location. You can read below what a luau is and why it is an awesome spectacle and must-see in Hawaii. Since those are usually booked months in advance we ended up going to the only one available at the time in the Wailea Beach Resort Marriott Maui. That hotel left a great impression. Good amenities and location. Right next to a shopping mall. Great high-end restaurants. Infinity pool and it felt overall less crowded and more open. The sunset was amazing as well there.

Cuisine

We absolutely loved the food in Hawaii. During our previous visit, we used to go daily to this Maui Fish Market place. It left such a great memory that the moment we had a chance we went back to it. Still, the best Ahi tuna steak sandwich we ever had. Their lobster bisque was also very good. The Paia Fish Market was awesome as well. They have multiple locations (one in Lahaina). Another awesome place was Joeys Kitchen. Both breakfast and lunch we had there were amazing. The rest of the time while we were not eating in one of those places we used Yelp. It was dead-on in terms of rating.

Overall the fish dishes in all the above places were great. Focus on those would be our recommendation. We did not have a bad meal in our entire stay in Hawaii jumping from a fish market to a fish market and trying the other high-rated Yelp recommendations.

Things To See

There are quite a few things to see and do in Maui. Plenty of great hikes and vista points, awesome beaches, and places for surfing & snorkeling. We wanted to start with the trails and do some hiking. After that, we rested for a few days with trips to the beaches followed by sightseeing and snorkeling.

Maui Sunsets

Maui is quite popular for its sunsets. We made sure that almost every day we would be enjoying those. You should research the popular and recommended spots to watch the sunset. We did that but ended up always seeing them from the hotel. It was just the most convenient place after a tough day hiking or on the beach.

Lūʻau

It would be a crime to visit Hawaii and not to experience a luau at least once. In a nutshell, it is a dinner with great entertainment. It usually includes traditional Hawaiian music, dancing, and overall just great time. We especially love the fire dance routine. Different restaurants do different shows in terms of length and performances but the theme is usually the same. In our case, the performance took us through the islands’ history and their traditions and dances. The price is usually somewhat high since it includes all you can eat, an open bar, and the entertainment.

As mentioned above our luau was at the Wailea Beach Resort Marriott Maui. The name is Te Au Moana (The Ocean Tide). It is right next to the beach. Great location. It turned out that it was one of the higher-rated luaus on the island. You enjoy the sunset, eat great food, watch an awesome show, and just relax. You have to experience it at least once. Another famous one is the Old Lahaina Luau. That one was booked months ahead when we tried to get a reservation. Overall you should do your research and book a luau before you arrive on the island. They are that popular.

Waihee Ridge Trail

Amazing trail. Perfect length and great views. We hiked it with our six-year-old son during the rainy season. The trail is reasonably shaded and somewhat challenging. It is practically uphill all the way to the top and in some areas muddy. You should be careful not to fall/slip on the way down. We highly recommend hiking shoes for this trail. Also, make sure you also park on the trail parking and not on the extended one because you would add another mile to your hike. You have to be in good physical shape to take on the trail. It is a little over 2 miles one way if you park in the parking lot next to the trail. The extended one is the first parking you will see when getting on the road leading to the trail. Avoid that one and keep driving.

Ohai Loop Trail

If you are looking for a short trail with breathtaking coastal views this one is for you. Only 1.2 miles long. Perfect for families with children. We absolutely loved it. The video of the trip has plenty of footage from this trail. The parking lot is not a big one so have that in mind. It also is pretty open so avoid going there during the hot hours of the day or use sunscreen. You can complete the loop in less than an hour. If you stop like us for pictures and video every 5 minutes it would easily take a few hours.

Nakalele Blowhole

Very popular destination and quite crowded. There is a very short trail to get to the blowhole. The actual attraction is a great photo destination if you can be there early before the crowds. Be careful and do not go close to the blowhole. It is dangerous. Warning signs are everywhere. Waiting there for the waves crashing was what we did for a while. And also waiting to see how high the water would shoot through the blowhole.

On the right side before you go down to the actual blowhole you have a very nice coastal view as well. It is a great place to sit and enjoy the crashing waves and get some rest. It is a windy destination so have that in mind if you are going later in the day.

Haleakala

This is one of our favorite Maui destinations. Hard to get to, requires a reservation and you have to get up super-mega early to truly experience it, but it is worth it! Not every day you can see the sun rising from below the clouds while you are above them enjoying the view. It is a special place.

Reservation @ Haleakala

Few things to note here. If you are going for the sunrise you need to get a reservation from this website. You basically reserve a parking spot for one vehicle. It is only valid for the time period between 3 AM and 7 AM. It used to be free and open all the time but they changed it to limit the number of people there. Note that after 7 AM it is open and free but that only makes sense if you want to just see the views or hike. Going there and not seeing the sunrise is a pretty big miss and you should try to avoid it if you can.

Clothing @ Haleakala

It is cold with no sun at 10,000 feet. It is pretty cold. Like super-cold. Pack winter clothing and get blankets from the hotel. We had thermal underwear, hiking shoes, jackets, hats, gloves, and still were somewhat cold. People with flip-flops and tee-shirts there were jumping like kangaroos to remain sane and warm. No idea how they missed the memo about the temperature. You can always change in the car and remove the extra layers of clothing if you are planning to hike after the sunrise. If you are with kids put extra layers on them. Our son was cold even with all the blankets we had and the multiple clothing layers on him.

Hiking @ Haleakala

After the sunrise is officially in the books you have to hike the Haleakala crater. You go down from the summit and stop at the main parking lot. From there you have two options: A very short hike to the initial vista point and then the main crater trail. The main trail is 11.2 miles long. It is not an easy hike and requires tons of water. It is a two-day hike if you want to go all the way. We only did a few miles on it before turning back due to not enough water. It is an amazing trail however and you should absolutely give it a try. Views of the crater are stunning. You literally feel like you are on another planet!

Road to Hana

Road to Hana is like this gift that keeps giving. It is a one-day journey full of so many different types of experiences. You get to see waterfalls, black sand beaches, amazing vistas, crazy tiny roads with one-way bridges, and eat some awesome local cuisine. Absolutely must do. We did it two times! The weather was not kind to us the first time so we wanted to make sure we go through it again. For a full mile by mile list of the attractions check this website.

The Hana Highway (also known as The Road to Hana) is a 64.4-mile-long (103.6 km) stretch of Hawaii Routes 36 and 360 which connects Kahului to the town of Hana in east Maui. Although Hana is only about 52 miles (84 km) from Kahului, an uninterrupted car-trip takes about 2.5 hours to drive, since the highway is very windy, narrow, and passes over 59 bridges, of which 46 are only one lane wide.

Here are the things we visited along the way and are worth mentioning:

– Paia Town

Depending on where you are staying Paia town can be the place where you would have breakfast or lunch. Since we were staying in Lahaina, Paia was our target for breakfast. We started the day early in the morning and planned to be there around the time most places start to open. It is a cute little town with great food. The Paia Fish Market is one of the best places to eat in Maui. Great ice cream place also right next to it. It is not a must-see but a good and convenient place to have some tasty food and continue on.

– Rainbow Eucalyptus Trees

Those are hard to get to and tricky to stop and admire since the road is tiny. However, if you get the chance, stop, and see them (near mile marker 7). They are quite majestic and as their name suggests “pained” with different colors.

– Nahiku Marketplace

Located six miles before the town of Hana (near mile marker #29) this is a great place to get some coffee, some food, and few souvenirs. During our few trips to Hana, the few places where you can get something nice to eat there were closed. We do however remember that during our previous trip the food was great. This time they were doing renovations etc. We instead ended up having lunch both times at Thai Food by Pranee. Great food. It is basically a food truck with a few tents.

– Wailua Falls

The most photographed waterfall in Maui. Located just past mile marker #45. It gets crowded quickly on sunny days. We passed through it two times in vary different weather conditions and both times there were plenty of people there. Overall it is a great place to stop, enjoy the view and relax for a moment from all the driving.

Cascading approximately 80 feet down the side of a lush jungle wall into to a lovely plunge pool, this is easily one of Maui’s most accessible and majestic falls. No hiking required!

– Black Sand Beach

Our son’s favorite beach. Pitch black sand. Very small in size and quite popular as a destination. People tend to stay for half an hour take few selfies and go. The waves are awesome there and the current quite strong. Great place for snorkeling as well. If you can stand the crowds there is a small trail on the left side of it. Follow it for about 15 minutes and you will get to a very similar smaller version of the Black Sand Beach. People just do not want to hike and come for the pictures. There is a small blowhole on the right side of it which is also a popular attraction.

– Pipiwai Trail & Waimoku Falls

This is a highly recommended trail but unfortunately, it was closed due to the rainy season when we were there. It was a must-see in our book but it just did not pan out.

– Hang Gliding

On our first trip to Maui years ago (before our son was born) we did hang gliding on the road to Hana. It was an unbelievable experience. We skipped it on this trip. However, if you want to see Hana, the black beach, and the coast from the sky this is one of the best ways to do so. The name of the company is Hang Gliding Maui. Great instructor and pilot and truly an amazing memory. Highly recommended.

Conclusion

Based on our experience you need about 7-10 days to experience Maui. There is so much to do, see, and try. And that just scratches the surface. Two weeks would probably be optimal. Especially if you are into hiking, snorkeling, surfing, and trying new things. If you want to just sit at the resort, visit a luau or two, and overall chill a week would be just fine. We love Hawaii and it is still for us one of the best places for a family vacation in the USA.

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Big Bear Lake was inhabited by the indigenous Serrano people for over 2,000 years before it was explored by Benjamin Wilson and his party. Once populated by only the natives and the grizzly bears, from which the area received its name. Grizzly bears were not found in the region after 1908. Today, there are black bears in the region since their introduction in 1933, and they are sometimes sighted in residential areas.

It is a very popular destination during almost all seasons. In the winter its ski resorts are packed and during the summer it is an amazing place for a family trip. We visited it during the month of May and the weather was perfect. The lake is by no means the size of the Crater Lake but its big brother is located quite high at 6,790 to 7,200 ft (2,070 to 2,190 m) elevation.

The city itself is significantly less crowded than during the winter season. If you want a relaxing time at the lake there are plenty of places to stop and fish or just relax. The Big Bear Lake Village is also a great place to spend time shopping and dining. There are plenty of restaurants for lunch and dinner as well as some quite nice desert locations.

The village itself is quite colorful. You can find a lot of handmade wooden statues of various animals placed around the main street. If you drive around the lake you would find that this is a common theme and many of the houses and businesses have those displayed next to their buildings. It gives the city a very unique vibe.

Food

If you are staying in any of the hotels/resorts and would like to have an amazing breakfast outside you should try the Grizzly Manor Cafe. We loved every single bite there and would absolutely recommend it. We found it by “Yelping” and it did not disappoint at all. It is always packed so have that in mind when you do your planning.

Getting there

Getting to Big Bear Lake is an adventure by itself. One filled with a long winding road and amazing views. If you have the time do not rush and spend some time at the many pullouts along the road. Some of the views there are really breathtaking.

Overall if you are in the mood of spending time outside and enjoying nature Big Bear Lake would not disappoint. During the winter season, the place is truly alive and buzzing with people. In the warmer months, it is much less busy and offers tons of outside activities. There are plenty of lodging places and more than a few highly rated restaurants.

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Safety

• Japan is a very safe country and has one of the highest in the world literacy rates. Gun laws are extremely strict and the country hardly ever sees more than 10 gun deaths per year. We roamed the streets of the big and small cities with our son without being concerned at all for our safety. Policemen are exceptionally well trained in various martial arts and are very well respected. Overall Japan would be one of the last counties for you to be worried about your safety. Just use common sense and you would have nothing to worry about.
• Many Japanese people wear face masks. This is mainly for health reasons and allergies. Also since the majority of them travel via the train/metro it helps them to feel more safe health-wise.

Language

• English is not a very popular language in Japan. We found out that other than the staff at the hotels we stayed at (in various cities) the majority of the people we had the pleasure to speak with did not speak English. Many of them at all. Staff at the train stations were helpful but mainly by hand signals and finger-pointing. At the main tourist attractions, most of the staff there either spoke or understood English so if you are planning to visit those places chances are you would be just fine.
• The vast majority of the signs at train stations, airports, roads, etc are translated. Overall be patient if you are in a situation where you need to ask for advice or directions. Japanese people are very nice and polite and will do their best to help.
• Learning some key phrases, words, etc would help. Other than saying “Hi” and “Thank you” in Japanese we did not know much else and we were just fine so do not spend too much time on this.
• Luggage storage. Most hotels would let you store your luggage with them. Most of the train stations have plenty of lockers for luggage storage.

Money

• Japan is a cash society. The local currency is the “yen”. Credit cards are not accepted in many places. Many of the mid and high-level restaurants, taxies, hotels as well as 7-Eleven convenience stores do accept credit cards. We carried cash with us consistently.
• Bring cash with you. We never carried more than $500.00 with us and when we ran out we just used an ATM. There are plenty of ATMs at airports, train and metro stations, etc. Overall we never had a problem finding one to get cash out.
• Japan is not cheap. Prices overall are comparable to those in the USA so plan accordingly.
• When paying to place the money/credit card at the little tray. Japanese people only take the payment from that tray and never from your hands. This was our experience.

Lodging

• Plan your hotel’s locations strategically. Make sure they are close to train/metro stations. Japan has a superb rail system and you barely ever would need a car if you made a good hotel choice. To see how we did it check out the main post going over each of the locations we stayed. In each of the cities, we have provided a link to the actual hotel. The hotels we stayed at were within walking distance of the train station.
• Hotels are not cheap. Prices are similar to those in the USA and Canada. Rooms are noticeably smaller.
• Make sure you try the Ryokans (the traditional Japanese inns). At least one night you should stay at a Ryokan for the experience. It is worth it. Note that you sleep on the floor on a portable mattress. Do not worry it is overall pretty comfortable. The food is great too.

In general, ryokan rates include meals fees, too. If you stay overnight, ryokan prepares the dinner on the day and the breakfast on the next day.

Transportation

• Japan’s rail system is second to none. Use it. Get yourself a JP rail pass and book your hotels close to the train/metro stations. You would not need a car if you do that. Note that JS rail pass is NOT always the most cost-effective way to get where you want to. We got it mainly for convenience but in more than a few cases it was not what we needed and we had to buy extra tickets.
• Cars overall are not a very popular way of transportation in Japan. Since their rail system is so efficient the majority of people use it for their daily transportation needs. Also, space-wise owning a car does not make much sense in large cities. We did not use a car even once during our stay in Japan. Anytime we needed to go anywhere we either used a train or a bus.
• Taxies are decent in Japan. Prices are reasonable and drivers would generally not try to screw you over. Just like in other countries in larger cities taxies tend to be more expensive. Based on our research.

Cuisine

We absolutely loved the food in Japan. However, we are big fans of raw fish, sushi, and overall exotic cuisines. Our son obviously is not being four years old. For him, however, there was plenty of rice and chicken, pork katsu, etc. His favorite meal to this day is the Kobe beef we ate in Kobe. But then again … once you try that it is hard to say anything else really.

• Food quality overall is great. If you love sushi and raw fish Japan would be a heaven for you food-wise.
• Japanese people do not eat on the go. This is not a thing there at all.
• If you are not into raw fish etc there are plenty of other options. There are also various Italian and other types of food restaurants. We mainly focused on the local cuisine however and we do recommend it.
• A lot of local places do not have servers but instead have vending machines located right at the entrance. You push the letter/number combination of your dishes, then insert your money. The machine will print a ticket which you give to the chef. They will let you know when your meal is ready to go pick it up. We ate one of the best Udon soup in one of those places.
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are the same in most places. We had udon soup and chicken with rice for breakfast and we loved it :).
• Meal portions are good. Not as humongous as those in the USA however and that is a great thing. If you are used to 2-3K calories per portion meals (not including your Coca-Cola) you would be disappointed.
• Make sure you try an authentic Kobe Beef. Do not leave Japan without experiencing this. Trust us!

Electricity

• Same as the USA – electrical outlets are 100 volts non-polarized and ungrounded with two pins. If you are coming from USA no need for a converter.

Garbage

Yes, you read that right. Garbage is a topic in Japan because THERE ARE NO TRASH CANS almost anywhere! One of the biggest time wasters during our stay was to constantly look for trash cans. After a few days, we just carried a plastic bag with us. We also carried paper towels as well. Yes, we know traveling with kids is fun 🙂

• Trash cans are hard to find. Carry a plastic bag with you. Japan has very strict garbage laws. Businesses and homeowners need to be very careful about how they organize their trash. Almost all the attractions we visited did not have trash cans anywhere. Probably our biggest frustration during the entire trip!

Public Bathrooms / Washrooms

• Most of them are well maintained and clean overall.
• Some are squat toilets some Western-style toilets. Plan accordingly if you are traveling with kids 🙂
• No paper towels in most of them. Bring them with you. You would need them.

Travel Guide Book

Here is a LINK TO THE GUIDE BOOK we used to plan our trip to Japan. It had everything we expected and more. We highly recommend it.

Tours, Tickets and Attractions

A site we trust and you can use to conveniently book TOURS AND TICKETS FOR ACTIVITIES IN JAPAN.
There are more than 300 activities on that list so choose wisely.

Booking Hotels in Japan

If you are ready to go and just need to make your hotel reservations here is a LIST OF THE HOTELS IN JAPAN for your convenience. It is an affiliate link to Booking.com and booking through it would help support this web site. For which we thank you in advance 🙂

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Lodging

Similar to what we did in our visit to Tokyo we made sure you are staying next to Kyoto train station. The station which by itself could be an attraction. It is filled with restaurants, stores, and beautifully architected. As we mentioned almost everything in Japan is connected via train or metro so staying next to a train station is a very good idea. Our hotel was about two minutes walking distance from it. We highly recommend it as a “hub” for daily trips around Kyoto. The hotel’s name is Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo.

Cuisine

We usually either Yelp or ask locals when traveling and looking to experience the local cuisine. Most of the highly rated places in Kyoto were not accessible without crazy wait times. Very few of them accepted reservations or spoke English so have that in mind. We managed to visit a few of them and it was worth the hype and wait. We had the best udon soup and sushi in Kyoto and Nara. For Kyoto specifically read more bellow about the Nishiki Market and the Heart Bread Antique. Those two for us left a great impression.

Things to See & Do

We made reservations prior to the trip on a few things we really wanted to experience in Japan. One was to dress as samurai (something our son was really looking forward to). The other to visit Kyoto in the national Japanese kimonos. It had to be in Kyoto since we wanted to do it in the Fushimi Inari Shrine (the one with the hundreds of the orange gates). We did both reservations online and both were absolutely worth every penny. If you have the time do not think twice about it. We had people stopping us to take pictures and others saying “We should have done this!”. We reserved our kimonos from this web site (use google translate).

The samurai experience included a few sessions where you throw ninja stars and play with various weapons. A 30 minutes history lesson about the samurai and ninjas as well as a sword-fighting demonstration. Overall great experience. It ended up with a 30 minutes session where you can dress as a samurai and take family pictures. Note that you do not actually dress with the authentic samurai armor. Those (as shown below) cost tens of thousands of dollars. You end up dressing (as shown above) with a leather copy of the real ones.

Fushimi Inari Shrine

No other shrine in Kyoto dedicated to Inari is as famous and as beautiful as the Fushimi Inari Shrine with its close to one thousand torii gates up the Inari mountain. We really tried to reach the top but the kimonos we were wearing do not help when caring for stuff and climbing tons of stairs. You have to remember than the kimonos come with sandals, so the comfort level is quite different when it comes to climbing and moving a lot.

The shrine sits at the base of a mountain also named Inari which is 233 meters (764 ft) above sea level, and includes trails up the mountain to many smaller shrines which span 4 kilometers (2.5 mi) and take approximately 2 hours to walk up.

Important Note – Look for the Hidden Bamboo Forest!

When you are in the Fushimi Inari Shrine at the beginning of the pathway keep your eyes open to the right side. There is a “hidden” walkway which leads to a small bamboo forest! It is a less known hidden gem we found about while doing research on the shrine. The main pathway is absolutely crazy the majority of the day and taking pictures alone or with your family is close to impossible. The best time is late afternoon or just go around like we did for most of our photos and look for other views.

Toji Temple

Toji temple is famous for a few things. Its five-story pagoda is the tallest in Japan and at one point it was the main headquarters of Shingon Buddhism. The temple is very well maintained and quite beautiful. We spend about half a day inside exploring it and we felt we needed more time to see everything. There is a very nice fish pond, various flowers, and more than enough benches for visitors to relax and enjoy. Also plenty of cherry blossoms along the pond 🙂

Nishiki Market

While in Kyoto and have a few hours to spare we also would recommend the Nishiki Market. Located one block north and parallel to Shijō Street and west of Teramachi StreetIt is quite a famous place for all kinds of local foods and sweets. It is very busy and quite a tight narrow corridor that you walk through, but other than that it is a must-see. You should also try some of the fresh food from there. We liked everything we tried.

Important Note – Look for the Heart Bread Antique!

If you want to take a break from the Japanese food and want to get some French bread and croissants head over to the Heart Bread Antique. It is right next to the market. Everything we tried there was absolutely delicious! We actually went back again the next day and had deserts after our second visit to the Nishiki Market.

Day Trips from Kyoto

As we mentioned in the beginning our plan was to have Kyoto a base city from which to do day trips via the Japan Rail. Since our hotel was walking distance from the train station that was a very convenient way to explore multiple cities quickly. Bellow are the day trips we did and links to larger and more detailed articles.

Itsukushima / Miyajima Island

We heard a lot of good things about Miyajima and they all were true. This island was a calm beautiful piece of heaven. With its huge tori gate right at its shore to the numerous deers welcoming you when you arrive. It was like a fairy tale. Tons of restaurants and small shops and very historic look and feel of Japan. / read more

Kobe

Although we knew Kobe has so much to offer and experience we wanted to make sure one thing we will do when we get there. Experience an authentic Kobe Beef! Our son is a very picky eater. We could not stop him from eating there and close his mouth from screaming “Oh my gosh this is so good!” It was … it was the best steak we ever tried. An experience that we think is an absolute must in Kobe. / read more

Nara

Nara is the capital of Japan’s Nara Prefecture, in south-central Honshu. It is famous for its beautiful temples and countless deers running around them. The temples and the combination of old and new Japan really made Nara one of the top places we recommend now for people to visit and experience. / read more

Other

Although we did not have a chance to visit these they are highly recommended attractions for our next trip. A few of them we missed on our trip due to unforeseen circumstances. The list includes Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, Tenryu-ji temple, Kinkaku-ji, Myoshin-ji, and others.

Conclusion

Kyoto is a must-see destination. It has everything you want to experience in Japan and more. Beautiful temples, shrines, parks, museums, and amazing food. Its location is perfect for day trips to close by cities and attractions. Do not miss Kyoto. Trust us it is that good!

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Our Visit

We spend one day in Pismo on our way back from Big Sur. We really enjoyed the city. Spend most of the day around the pier and on the beach. Early in the morning we flew our drone around the pier and enjoyed the sunrise. After 9AM the pier really gets alive and quite busy. Once the sun is out all the stores and restaurants open and it is a great place to explore.

Food & Lodging

We stayed right on the coast line with a view of the ocean. The hotel was SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel and we definitely will go back. Great views, nice and cozy rooms, and awesome overall location. The hotel has few pools and it is also just a few mins drive from the pier and the beach.

As far as food is concerned there are more than a few highly rated places there for breakfast and lunch. We decided to try the Splash Cafe for its famous clam chowder. It did not disappoint as far as the clam chowder was concerned. It was really really good. However, we did not like the other dishes we tried so have that in mind if you are going there. Also, this place is crazy busy and if you are going afternoon to eat the line sometimes goes beyond a street block.

Another thing to consider is Pismo Beach is about one hour drive from San Simeon where the famous Elephant Seals lookout is located. The viewing area is right off of Highway 1 before you get to the Big Sur Coast. It is worth the stop. It is not every day you see that many seals in one place:

Overall Pismo Beach was worth visiting. The pier is awesome to sit and enjoy the coastal view. The restaurants are quite busy and the main street is packed. People are definitely enjoying their time in Pismo. It is also the perfect location to stay overnight if you are going to or coming back from Big Sur.

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Morro Bay is considered a must-see on your trip to Big Sur on State Route 1. We visited it as part of our road trip and it was the first location where we stayed overnight. The city is very relaxed and perfect for a few days stay. There are a lot of things to do there as well as more than a few great restaurants and bakeries.

Attractions

Morro Rock is a volcanic plug in Morro Bay, California, on the Pacific Coast at the entrance to Morro Bay harbor. A causeway connects it with the shore, making it a tied island. The rock is protected as the Morro Rock State Preserve.

Other than Morro Rock there are plenty of other things to do as well. Whale watching tours, cruises, various kayaks, and other water sports events are available. Our stay was only for a day so Morro Rock, the main street, and the beach were our main destinations.

Food & Lodging

We stayed at 456 Embarcadero Inn & Suites and we really liked the hotel. It is located right on the main street (Embarcadero) right next to most of the stores and restaurants. If you want to fly your drone or take pictures it is just a perfect location since across the street is basically the bay.

Food-wise there were plenty of options. Our favorite was Frankie & Lola’s Front Street Cafe. Their famous “french toast brûlée, soufflé flambé” was to die for. If you have a chance to be there for breakfast or lunch this desert is really something special.

Another packed place we passed by and very much recommended by the locals was Giovanni’s Fish Market. There was a line of people from the moment it opened which usually tells you all you need to know about the food there. They also had quite a long list of fresh fish, crab, etc.

Conclusion

Overall we really liked the relaxed feeling of Morro Bay. We would come back again to spend a few days exploring the city as well as spending some time on the beach. We felt that two full days would probably be sufficient to cover and experience fully the city and its attractions.

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The Arts District is strategically located near the center of Downtown LA making it easier accessible for alternate forms of transportation. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Gold Line station is located along Alameda St. The cross-section streets are along East First St. and East Temple St. The small neighborhood is also serviced by the Los Angeles Department of Transportations (LADOT) DASH bus making several stops on Hewitt St.

Influenced by the art on those buildings a lot of galleries have opened up to showcase some amazing pieces of art as well. Plenty of good places to eat, explore, and have fun. It has the same vibe and feels like Miami Wynwood although we give the advantage to Miami due to the huge variety of the artworks and sheer size. If you are a fan of graffiti art and street art overall this place and the one in Miami are an absolute must-see. We are huge fans of both and for us, it was a no-brainer.

Things To Do

Honestly, while there you should try to explore and see as much of the murals and street art as you can. Some of the pieces are just insane. I mean in some cases entire building facades were used as a canvas!

In other cases, they are just small, beautiful, and clever. Like two wings which by design are incomplete and out of place on a wall. But once you are next to them … its a masterpiece 🙂

And the work done is so precise and detailed that makes you wonder how is this even possible with a spray can? I mean the “Abuelita” mural must have taken those artists’ days to complete. Not to mention how do you see the entire picture when you are on a ladder working on the hair? Or the glasses? In any case, you would not be sorry for taking your time in LA to see these.

There are also quite a few museums that are free to the public:
Art Share LA, Hauser & Wirth, DENK Gallery, A+D Museum, etc.

Food

Once we got somewhat tired of all the picture taking and mural displays we went for a snack at Wurstkuche. This place is as good as it is hard to read! Exotic grilled sausages with meat combinations that we never thought possible. For example:

How about that? I mean never in my lifetime I would think that I will be eating a Rattlesnake & Rabbit sausage in Downtown LA. And believe me, it was absolutely amazing! The whole place was very nicely done with crazy sausage choices and a relaxing atmosphere.

Other places to eat include Church & State, Bestia, the Factory Kitchen, the Daily dose, Officine Brera, etc. For dessert, we tried the Pie Hole which was nice. Other options include Salt & Straw, Van Leeuwen Artisanal Ice Cream, Mikawaya, etc.

If you are looking for a drink then look no further. The Los Angeles Arts District has plenty to offer. There are quite a few great places like Angel City Brewery, Arts District Brewing Co, Pour Haus Wine Bar, Villains Tavern, Mumford Brewing Co, Eighty Two, etc.

Overall we loved it. We went to walk around and enjoy some street art, get a snack or two and maybe a beer … or two. It was everything we thought it would be and more 🙂

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We did this trip at the beginning of 2019 with the goal of five weekdays and two weekends to visit as many national parks and major attractions as possible. The entire adventure is a round trip that starts at Los Angeles and goes through Joshua Tree and Grand Canyon National Parks, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Bryce, and Zion National Parks, Las Vegas, and back to LA again.

This trip was designed mainly for families with children and not so much for experienced hikers. For example in Zion most if not all must-see attractions require more than a few hours of hiking. That with small children is somewhat problematic. Our son was four and a half when we did this trip and we had zero issues enjoying it. The trip ends in Las Vegas by design since after all that walking and nature you need a little bit of Las Vegas 🙂

Breakdown

Now each day you have plenty of options where to go and what to do. What we did is one example but you should not be afraid to deviate. For example, you might want to spend fewer days in Grand Canyon and more in Zion or Las Vegas. Also, note that since it is a family-based trip almost all drives from and to the parks and hotels are to be less than a four-hour drive. The exception is the last day’s return from Las Vegas to Los Angeles.

Day 1 – LA to Joshua Tree National Park, CA ~3 ½ hour drive

We left LA quite early in the morning so we can have more time in Joshua Tree National Park. The idea was to get to the park spend the majority of the day there and around 5-6 PM to start driving to the hotel, which is in the middle of the way between Joshua Tree and Grand Canyon (~3-hour drive). In this case that is the city of Laughlin, Nevada (hotels in Laughlin, NV via Booking.com). Here is a more detailed blog post about our Joshua Tree visit.

You can also book your hotel closer to Joshua Tree park but the day after you would have to drive more and we wanted to spend as much time as we can in the Grand Canyon. Since we were visiting it during the winter season it really was the crown jewel of the trip. We also did not plan to climb any rocks at Joshua Tree so about six hours were plenty to see most of the attractions/viewpoints.

Day 2 – Laughlin, NV to Grand Canyon, AZ ~3 ½ hour drive

We centered our trip around the Grand Canyon. Because of that, we had two half days there and one full (Day 3). The first half was coming from Joshua Tree after which we spend the next day and half of the following one in the park. That was also needed since we visited the park during the winter season. You really never know what would be the weather there around that period. Half of the time we spend at the canyon we had fog and mist. Only after the second half of the second day, we started to get clear views. However, it was absolutely worth it!

The hotel we booked was The Grand Hotel. Ten minutes drive to the park entrance and located in the grand canyon village just before the park. We loved our stay there! The “Plaza Bonita” restaurant across the street also made the best breakfast & lunch we had on the entire trip.

Here is a more detailed blog post about our Grand Canyon visit and some tours you might like while there.

Day 4 – Grand Canyon, AZ to Page, AZ ~3 hour drive

The city of Page, AZ (hotels in Page, AZ via Booking.com) is the best location to stay for the Horseshoe Bend & Antelope Canyon. The parking lot for the Antelope Canyon was 15 mins from the hotel. The Antelope Canyon can only be visited via a tour booked months in advance. It is not possible to drive there by yourself and just walk around. We booked our tour at noon and there were quite a few other tours there with us.

Here is a more detailed blog post about our visit to the Antelope Canyon. The canyon is an absolute must-see! Tour lasts about one hour and after that (or before based on your tour booking) is the Horseshoe Bend.
The drive between them is approximately fifteen minutes. Another choice you have here is to go explore Lake Powell. Something we decided to do on future trips.

If you want to know more about the Horseshoe Bend check out our blog post about it. Although these two places are so close to each other the Antelope Canyon is only accessible via guided tour where the Horseshoe Bend is completely open. Here are some guided tours you might like while in that area.

Day 5 – Page, AZ to Bryce Canyon, UT ~3 hour drive

The drive from Page, Arizona to Utah, and the Bryce Canyon is very picturesque. Lots of hills and mountains around you. Just beautiful. We got another very conveniently located hotel right next to the park. The Best Western PLUS Ruby’s Inn is practically outside the park entrance and right next to a gas station as well as various small stores.

Bryce Canyon did not disappoint. As we said in our detailed blog post about it, it was as beautiful as the Grand Canyon. Just amazing views and “molding” by mother nature!

Day 6 – Bryce Canyon to Zion, UT ~1 ½ hour drive

The thing about Zion National Park is that it is absolutely insane in terms of the views and hikes. So this to me would be the biggest deviation from this trip and plan. Zion is absolutely worth the trouble to see the Angels Landing and the other viewpoints. Just the hikes there take hours. So plan accordingly. The hotel we stayed at in close vicinity to the park was The Majestic View Lodge in Springdale, UT. There are other hotels there as well.

Since we were with our 4-year-old son we drove through Zion and stoped at a few of the stops on the road. We did not hike much there and just admired the views from the bottom. However, we absolutely are coming back to hike and to experience the park to the fullest. If you are into hiking you should consider having an extra day or two in Zion.

Day 7 – Zion, UT To Las Vegas, NV ~3 hour drive

After all those amazing views and scenery our senses were overwhelmed and we needed some rest. Ironically we were headed to the place where rest is not exactly what you want to do there 🙂 We did our best, however! Enjoyed the crazy lights at the Strip as well as the fountains of Bellagio. Explored the many great places to eat and just chilled for one and a half days there. We stayed at The Cosmopolitan since luckily for us around that time of the year they have amazing deals for a five-star hotel.

Day 9 – Las Vegas, NV to Los Angeles, CA ~4 ½ hour drive

After the end of day eight which was spend entirely enjoying Las Vegas, we headed back to the one and only Los Angeles. Overall we think the trip has everything you would want from a family adventure. Plenty of national parks each with its own unique views and attractions. You get to explore nature and relax at the end in one of the craziest cities in the world – Las Vegas.

If you think we missed or should add something to this trip let us know in the comments. Hope you enjoyed our adventure and thank you for reading.

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The canyon lies within the Colorado Plateau geographic province of North America and straddles the southeastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau west of the Paunsaugunt Fault. It is very difficult to explain the magical paintings the sun paints with the clouds and the mountain tops during sunrises and sunsets there. You have to experience it. Words and even pictures hardly do any justice.

Park visitors arrive from the plateau part of the park and look over the plateau’s edge toward a valley containing the fault and the Paria River just beyond it (Paria is Paiute for “muddy or elk water”). The edge of the Kaiparowits Plateau bounds the opposite side of the valley.

Bryce Canyon was not formed from erosion initiated from a central stream, meaning it technically is not a canyon. Instead, headward erosion has excavated large amphitheater-shaped features in the Cenozoic-aged rocks of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. This erosion exposed delicate and colorful pinnacles called hoodoos that are up to 200 feet (60 m) high. A series of amphitheaters extends more than 20 miles (30 km) north-to-south within the park. The largest is Bryce Amphitheater, which is 12 miles (19 km) long, 3 miles (5 km) wide, and 800 feet (240 m) deep.

All the viewpoints we went to presented amazing views. In some cases, I might argue that some of the views were more impressive than the Grand Canyon or at least as impressive. Nature has done things there that are just mind-blowing. If you do not have much time there make sure you visit the Sunrise and the Sunset points. They are very close to each other and the hike is very very short. Park is very well maintained and the roads are in great condition.

Lodging

We stayed at one of the most historical hotels there – The Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn. It was found in 1916 and still has that cowboy old school feel to it. Very nicely done inside and out. If you have a chance to stay there or at least visit this hotel you would not be sorry. We absolutely enjoyed our stay. Link to it:

The hotel is just outside the park and about 10 mins from Sunrise and Sunset points. Really convenient. Next to it, there are places to eat, gift shops, a gas station, etc. Overall great location to rest and relax after your busy day exploring the park.

When to go

As you can see we went to visit Bryce Canton during the month of January and there was plenty of snow everywhere. The weather was perfect for winter hiking. Sunny and just right for pictures and long hikes. You can see the links section for the temperatures there for each month.

Links

1. Bryce Canyon Official Web Site
2. Bryce Canyon Wikipedia page / Weather & monthly temperatures
3. Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn

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