Family Road Trip: Los Angeles, CA to Bryce Canyon, Utah
- Naza Holliman
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
Every summer, when the school year wraps up and the California heat really sets in, I find myself itching for adventure. There’s something about loading up the car, piling in with snacks, books, and playlists, and knowing that the road ahead will be just as memorable as the destination. I’ve always believed that road trips are where the best family stories are written—the laughter over car games, the unexpected roadside stops, the mix of chaos and magic that comes with traveling as a family.
This summer, we set our sights on Bryce Canyon National Park. But rather than racing there in one long day, we decided to slow down and savor the journey—turning our 8.5-hour drive into a two-part adventure filled with surprises, favorite stops, and new discoveries. And thanks to our partnership with Mazda, we drove the Mazda CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid SUV—the perfect road trip vehicle with plenty of space, comfort, and style to keep both kids and adults happy. From Vegas lights to hidden hikes, sparkling mines to starry skies, here’s the story of how our family’s big summer road trip unfolded.
First Stop: Las Vegas (with a Twist)
Our first stretch took us from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. The boys had their music playlists queued up, and I had snacks stashed everywhere (because no road trip is complete without someone asking for food five minutes in).
But this wasn’t our usual Vegas stop. We had something special planned: The Sphere. We saw Postcard from Earth, an immersive experience that feels like being transported into another world. The kids’ jaws dropped at the visuals, and honestly, so did ours—it was unlike anything we’ve ever seen.
*Pro tip:
If you can, purchase parking at The Sphere ahead of time for an easy arrival.
Also remember, the parking lot does close after the last show of the evening and your car will be locked inside. The good thing is that security does patrol hourly and will let you in to her your vehicle once they see you.
Watch The Sphere video HERE
And because our oldest has been asking for years to finally walk the Strip (we’ve always avoided it because, well, smoke-filled casinos and kids don’t mix), we made his dream come true. Dinner at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas sealed the deal. Watching him take in the gondolas, the twinkling lights, and the over-the-top charm was pure magic.
Watch our dinner at The Venetian HERE
But after a night of neon and excitement, we wanted calm. Enter: The Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa.
A Slice of Italy in the Desert
Lake Las Vegas is one of our family’s absolute favorite destinations. Just 20 minutes from the Strip, but it feels like another world. No smoke, no chaos—just cobblestone walkways, charming shops, and a sparkling lake that truly feels like a slice of Italy tucked into Nevada.
And The Westin? It’s everything we need in a resort. Their pools are a dream—complete with a kid-friendly slide that the boys raced down a hundred times, DJs spinning music that keeps the energy fun and lively, and poolside games that had us all laughing. The little beach area with paddle boarding, kayaking and more options gave us another way to enjoy the water, and the outdoor fire pit lounges are perfect for unwinding in the evenings.
This time, we stayed in the VIP Suite, which connected to a double-queen room for the boys. It gave us space to spread out, enjoy the views of the lake, and—let’s be honest—give us parents some much-deserved privacy. Waking up to those lake views, with coffee in hand, felt like true vacation bliss.
Breaking up our 8.5-hour drive into two easy 4-hour legs was genius (hubby's idea). Everyone arrived happy, instead of exhausted.
Roadside Fun: Mesquite & Glitter Mountain
After a hearty breakfast at Rick’s Café, we hit the road again. One of the things I love most about road trips is the quirky little stops along the way, and this leg did not disappoint.
Watch the brunch video HERE
First up: Little Mount Rushmore in Mesquite, NV. Tucked off the road, this odd but charming landmark features 17 hand-carved heads, including the statue of liberty. It’s quick, free, and makes for the kind of silly family photos you’ll laugh about later.
Watch the Little Mount Rushmore video HERE
Next, we crossed into Arizona for Glitter Mountain, also called the Old Gypsum Crystal Mine. The sun hits the crystals scattered across the ground, making everything shimmer as if the desert itself is covered in glitter. The boys couldn’t believe they were allowed to pick up sparkling chunks to take home.
I have to thank my husband for this find as it was absolutely one of our favorite adventures. Plus we have gorgeous crystals as souvineers all over our house to remind us of this incredible stop.
*Pro tips:
Wear sturdy shoes and bring water—the terrain is uneven, and it gets hot.
You will not see signs and you will drive down a dirt road. While a 4 wheel drive is always preferable on such terrain, we did just fine in the Hybrid Mazda SUV. Just prepare to drive slow.
There are no restrooms, so do stop for a bathroom break prior to heading down the dirt road.
As we drove through Nevada’s deserts, Arizona’s red rocks, and eventually into Utah’s plateaus and mountains, the scenery changed dramatically. Every turn felt like a new postcard view. The Mazda’s windows made it easy for the kids to stay glued to the views instead of their screens (a win for mom and dad).
Clear Sky Resort: Not Your Average Glamping
By evening, we reached Clear Sky Resort – Bryce Canyon, and this place redefines glamping. Forget “roughing it”—our dome was sleek and modern, with a loft featuring two twin beds for the boys and a plush king bed downstairs for us. And let me rave for a second about the bathroom. After long, dusty days of hiking, those spa-like showers were everything.
Watch the Room Tour HERE
We only left our dome on day one for two reasons: the onsite restaurant, where we enjoyed a hearty, delicious meal, and the nightly campfire. Each evening, the resort hands out complimentary s’mores kits, and we joined other families around the firepits, roasting marshmallows and swapping stories under Utah’s star-filled sky. The kids made fast friends, and we adults soaked in the magic of it all. We also love how centrally located Clear Sky Resort is to everything worth seeing in the area.
Escalante Adventures
One of our favorite detours was a day trip to Escalante. We hiked through Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, where the boys were in awe of ancient petrified wood scattered along the trails. It felt like walking through a history book written in stone. I will say that while this is a moderate hike, the lack of shade on a hot Utah day made it a little more than necessary to have head cover / hats and definitely a ton of water. We absolutely loved the hike, loved reading about all of the stops along the trail, but were grateful that we came prepared even though this was a spontaneous stop on a day where we didn't even plan on hiking.
Watch the hike HERE
After an exhausting hike, we stopped at Magnolia’s Kitchen for lunch. This is a family-owned restaurant with food that tastes like it was made with love. Between the fresh flavors, the laid-back atmosphere, and chatting with the owners, it became one of those meals that sticks with you.
Magnolias has a large outdoor area and all of the food is prepared and cooked on this fun turquoise school bus. There is a large covered area with seating, and on cooler days there is live music and even dancing. I almost cant put into words the atmosphere here, so make sure to watch the video to see for yourself.
Watch the video HERE
Bryce Canyon Magic
Finally, we arrived at our main destination: Bryce Canyon National Park.
We kicked things off at Sunset Point. As the sun dipped lower, the hoodoos—those otherworldly spire-shaped rocks—glowed in shades of pink and gold. It was one of those moments where everyone goes quiet, just taking it all in. We also explored a bit and the boys got to run around and play to their heart's content. The view got them really excited to take on this hike the following morning. And to our surprise, our kids were up bright and early, ready to hike the next day.
The next day, we tackled the Navajo Loop Trail. Descending into the canyon feels like stepping into another universe. The towering walls, the twisting paths—it’s awe-inspiring. But the climb back up? Let’s just say those switchbacks will humble you. It’s steep and sweaty, but absolutely worth every step.
*Pro tip: Go at your own pace and take as many stops as you may need on the way up. Bring lots of water.
Watch the hike HERE
We also explored the town of Panguitch, where we stumbled into an antique shop before lunch at Desert Grill. This old-school diner hasn’t changed much since it opened decades ago. Locals love to share stories about how their mothers or grandmothers worked there, and you can feel the history in the walls.
Watch the lunch video HERE
Watch Antiquing Video HERE
Bryce Canyon Wildlife Conservation Museum
And then came the surprise highlight of our trip: the Bryce Canyon Wildlife Adventure Museum.
I can’t overstate how special this place is. Run by Robert D., who hand-crafts every piece of taxidermy, the museum is both personal and awe-inspiring. His passion for wildlife radiates through every exhibit, and walking through feels like stepping into a living love letter to nature.
We almost skipped it, but my husband spotted a “Feed the Deer” sign, and he knew this was an experience I would not be able to resist. Not only did we get to feed the sweetest deer, but Robert also gifted the boys gorgeous gems from his rock shop and gave us insider tips on a hike we “absolutely had to do.” Take a tour of the museum HERE
Mossy Cave: An Unexpected Gem
Following Robert’s advice, we headed to the Mossy Cave Trail. It’s short, easy, and packs a punch. The reward is a stunning waterfall, where the boys immediately started splashing in the water and got to work building dams with other kids we met along the trail. We stayed for hours, splashing in the cool water, chatting with new friends, and watching the kids bond over sticks and stones. It was one of those spontaneous detours that ends up being the heart of a trip.
Watch the hike HERE
Back to Lake Las Vegas
On our way home, we couldn’t resist another night at The Westin Lake Las Vegas. This time, the hotel truly spoiled us with room service—charcuterie and wine for us, a candy board for the boys. After days of hiking, dust, and adventure, it felt decadent to lounge in our suite, take a long bath in the soaking tub, recharge, and just be.
And as an extra bonus, I even got to spend some time with my bestie who lives in Vegas—the perfect cherry on top of an already unforgettable trip.
Of course, no drive to or from Vegas is complete without a pit stop at Eddie World—California’s sweetest road trip tradition. The boys stocked up on candy (and okay, so did we).
This road trip reminded me of why I love to travel with my family: the mix of big adventures and small surprises, the quiet moments by fire pits, the laughter in hotel pools, the joy of discovering places we never planned for.
From The Sphere in Vegas to feeding deer in Bryce, every stop made this journey richer. Bryce Canyon was the goal, but the journey—well, that’s where the real magic happened.
