Pit Stops

Yosemite Sugar Pine Railroad -  You can hop aboard a vintage steam train and chug through scenic forest trails. 

Weed, California - A quirky little town with a memorable name and a fun phot op.

McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park - A stunning 129-foot waterfall fed by underground springs, creating a constant, powerful flow year-round. The easy trails and lush surroundings make it a perfect quick stop to stretch your legs and enjoy some peaceful nature vibes. 

Battery Point Lighthouse - This historic Crescent City lighthouse sits on a tiny island that you can walk to during low tide. 

Ocean World - A small aquarium that’s perfect for kids. It’s not huge, but the interactive exhibits and sea creatures kept everyone entertained

Trees of Mystery — A classic Northern California attraction with towering redwoods, quirky sculptures, and an aerial tram that takes you high above the forest canopy. 

Snow Canyon State Park  - Come for the lava flows and sandstone cliffs, stay for the desert tortoises and Gila monsters.

Dinosaur National Monument  - A bit of a drive, but cool to see the bones while still in the dig site.

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument - A cool back country park that is part Arches, Bryce, and Canyonlands.

Santa Margarita River Trail  - A nice little hike along a river outside of Fallbrook, CA

Horseshoe Bend  - You've seen it on postcards now go see it in person

Nevada Northern Railroad Museum - Probably not worth the stop but we did it so it goes on the list.

Hagerman Fossil Beds  - Prehistoric horse bones

MK Nature Center - Learn all about Idaho's wildlife

Jump Creek Falls - A perfect day trip to get out of the heat 

Shoshone Falls - The Niagra of the West!

Pima Air & Space Museum - If it flies, you can find it here.

Bearizona - Drive thru wildlife park and a chance to feed the otters.

Carpinteria State Beach - We had to stop, it's a family tradition!

Elephant Seal Rookery - It's where the elephant seals go to make babies

Big Sur - The longest and most scenic stretch of undeveloped coastline in the contiguous United States. 

Point Lobos State Reserve - A beautiful park showcasing the central coastline and some of its whaling past

Monterrey Bay Aquarium - If it's good enough to be in Finding Dory, it's good enough for you

Morro Rock Beach - Beach on one side of the strand and a bay filled with otters on the other

Morro Bay Maritime Museum - Really cool place to see some submarines and ships from the area

Lake Nighthorse - A fun lake outside of Durango, Colorado that includes free life jacket rental for the inflatable obstacle course.  Stand up paddle boards and boats are also available to rent.

Old Hundred Mine - A fun and informative tour of an old gold mine outside of Silverton, Colorado.

Colorado Gators - This is what happens when some Texans move to Colorado to open a fish farm.

White Sand Missile Range Museum - Fun place to see some missiles.

Moab Giants - A dinosaur park with life sized statues of the prior local inhabitants.  There is a prehistoric 5d aquarium tour that was fun too. 

Badlands Ranch Store - A place to feed prairie dogs.

Wall Drug - Free ice water! and a huge tourist trap.

Custer State Park - He might have sucked at fighting the natives, but he knew how to make a really nice state park.

Mt. Rushmore/Crazy Horse <-- Click the link and read about it