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Summer Road Trip Ideas: Five Kid-Friendly National Parks

The main purpose of family vacations is to spend time with your spouse and children, and build lifelong memories with them. On summer road trips, for instance, there are priceless occurrences that you can count on that will surely help in building those memories. National Parks in the United States are very popular road trip destinations. There are officially fifty-eight designated national parks in the country, all unique on their own defined by their dependent areas. Here are five of the top family-oriented national parks in America:

1- Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Aside from the usual Ranger-led educational and interpretative talks and other programs for kids the national park offers, children will enjoy joining hiking trips on trails that are suitable for their age and get excited to spot some wildlife, including bears. In addition, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is coined the Salamander Capital of the World! Your kids are sure going to be thrilled seeing those amphibians.

2- Shenandoah National Park – The national park is stunningly beautiful. It also offers various hiking trips for adventurers of different ages, including children with accompanying adults. It is one of the places in the world where you would want to have your cameras with you to capture the amazing views and waterfalls. The park also has daily programs for children during the long summer months that you can sign your kids up for.

3- Carlsbad Caverns National Park – The main attraction of this national park is what lies underground. There are, however, incredible hiking trails above ground that you can explore with your family. Guided tours such as the Blue Tour and Big Room, and the Red Tour are available. It is highly recommended, though, to just get a map and list of things to do from the park’s visitor center, and wander on your own with your spouse and kids to be able to move at your own pace.

4- Olympic National Park – If you are on a family vacation in Seattle, be sure to include a trip to the Olympic National Park in your itinerary. The adventure immediately starts as soon as you embark on the ferry ride from the city to the park. A visit to this national park is like visiting three parks in one trip. There is what they call The Mountains, The Rain Forest and The Ocean. A hike to any of the three areas of the park will give your children a truly memorable time discovering lots of wildlife.

5- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park – The trip to Hawaii will sure be well worth it! The idea of stepping on a volcano alone will definitely excite the kids. Take the family to the Crater Rim Drive to witness actual craters and lava flows. Other things in the park you can check out with the kids are the Volcano House, Sandalwood Trail (located just outside the Volcano House), Tree Fern Forest and the Lava Tube. Be sure to catch the Hawaii Volcano Waterfalls Tour!

National parks not only serve as landmarks to us. They are there for us to discover and learn from. They also serve as a refuge for us to escape from the fast pace of the busy city and be in touch with Mother Nature. The best thing about national parks is that they provide the most budget-friendly family summer road trips!

Summer Road Trip To Utah's National Parks

It is not surprising why Utah is among the top summer road trip destinations in the United States. The fact that within the state are five national parks to visit is enough reason. Arches, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Zion and Canyonlands national parks all give you the chance to witness and experience the most mesmerizing and robust landscapes. Plus, they are all filled with amazing summer activities for every traveler.

Arches National Park has a lot of things to do for everyone. For starters, you can get acquainted with the park by joining guided tours or discovering the park on your own with an automobile tour. Arches National Park offers activities that will dare you to get physical. You can go backpacking and camping, climbing and biking. Hikers have so many trails to choose from for an adventurous trek such as the Double Arch Trail, Balanced Rock Trail, Devil’s Garden and Tower Arch Trail. If you wish to just relax and enjoy the beauty of nature that surrounds you, Arches National Park gives you the best scenes and backdrops for photo opportunities.

The incredible list of outdoor activities that Bryce Canyon National Park offers draw thousands of holidaymakers every year. Families are thrilled to join the summer family programs that the park prepares. Information on the different family activities and age requirements are available in the Visitor Center, where you can also sign up for joining. There are lots of guided hiking trips you can join, but there is one, in particular, that stands out – the Full Moon Hike. It is definitely a different kind of nightlife as you trek two miles of the park under the moonlight.

Like Arches and Bryce Canyon national parks, Capitol Reef also offers hiking, biking, camping and backpacking opportunities. You can test your endurance on any of the trails in the park such as the Cohab Canyon, Frying Pan, Navajo Knobs, Old Wagon Trail and Rim Overlook. You can check on the difficulty levels and any other information you might want and need to know on these trails at the Capitol Reef Visitor Center.

A summer road trip to Zion National Park gives you amazing things you can enjoy. Aside from the staple hiking, camping, backpacking and climbing, Zion National Park offers horseback riding rides. Bicycle rides are also offered along the paved Pa’rus Trail. There are, of course, ranger-led programs that the kids can join, and, as an added bonus to the kids, they also have the opportunity to spot over two hundred species of birds while birdwatching.  Go to the Zion National Park Visitor Center to get your kids a bird checklist.

The last of this roll call of Utah national parks is the Canyonlands. One of the best ways to go around Canyonlands National Park is to join any of the offered tours of the RIM Tours, Inc. It provides breathtaking backcountry mountain bike adventures to everyone. Or you can always experience the park through its waters. Have an afternoon of Colorado River Rafting where you will find yourself surrounded with Mother Nature’s gifts. Kids will have the best time observing cool rock formations and other activities they can join, particularly those of the Junior Ranger Program.

All the great adventures can be found in Utah’s national parks. Whether you choose to visit just one of them or see them all in one trip, you are guaranteed to have one of the best summer road trips you have ever had.

Exhilarating Summer Road Trip To The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Situated on both sides of Tennessee and North Carolina, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park still remains the most popular national park for every road trip planner. Attracting over nine million adventurers and sightseers every year, it is the most visited national park in the United States.  This summer, grab your gear and head off to the massive Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Planning your summer road trip will make you realize that there are so many things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  You would most certainly want to experience all of them. The size of the park might pose as overwhelming, but the Smoky Mountain Heritage Driving Tour will surely help you discover the park at your own pace on a self-guided automobile tour. Take your time driving yourself around to seek out landmarks, mountain culture and heritage, the captivating aura of the neighborhoods and, of course, the history of the Smoky Mountains.

If you are looking for a unique way to wander around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, then the English Mountain Llama Trek is perfect for you. The llama treks also allow you to move at your own timetable as you are welcome to arrange them for varying lengths of time. You have the option to choose a trekking trip with a picnic or even an overnight stay at one of the cabins and/or campgrounds affiliated with English Mountain Llama Trek. Children six years of age and older can join the treks as long as they are accompanied by a responsible adult.

You can also spice up your summer road trip with an adventurous biking tour around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Smoky Mountain Bicycle Tour offers both guided and self-guided tours. Mountain bikes and road bikes are offered for touring the mountains, the historical sights and other scenic areas in and around the park.

There are also horseback riding opportunities in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Walden Creek Stables' Mountain Adventure Trail promises nothing but the best time. The four-hour ride will take you through the valley, across the streams and to the top of the mountains where you can enjoy the most breathtaking views.

Note: During the summer months, the horseback rides are scheduled as early as 9 a.m. Arrangements can be made prior to your desired schedule, should you wish to take the tour at an earlier time.

Dare to challenge yourself physically on this summer road trip by conquering the bubbly and frothy whitewater. Raft yourself away with Rafting In The Smokies, which offers you the chance to experience the waters of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in a very scenic and exhilarating way, even if you have no prior rafting experience. Reservations are highly recommended as it is sure to be packed during the summer.

After the very exhilarating whitewater rafting experience, cool off and relax with the Smoky Mountain Angler, the oldest fly fishing guide and outfitter in Gatlinburg. The Smoky Mountain Angler is authorized to give fly fishing guided services in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and offer these services to both professional fly fishermen and beginners.

The things you can do in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park definitely spells out the words fun and adventure. You can bank it as one of the best summer vacations any road trip planner will have in his or her lifetime!

Adventurous Canadian Rockies Summer Road Trip

It is no wonder  that a road trip through the Canadian Rockies is one of the best things to do for a summer vacation.  Located at the easternmost part of the mountains of Western Canada called the Canadian Cordillera, the Rockies promise amazing sceneries of glaciated mountains, rivers, waterfalls, gorges and lakes.

Within the Canadian Rockies lie five national parks that each offer incredible sights and activities for everyone taking the road trip this summer.  Four of the five national parks interlock with each other, forming the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site.  These are Jasper, Banff, Kootenay and Yoho.   Waterton, the national park that does not interlock with the other four, is located along the international USA border.

Wherever you are coming from, it is best make your way through your Rockies summer road trip with Jasper as the starting point.  Being the largest among the five national parks in the Canadian Rockies, Jasper National Park is abundant of things to see and do.   The Maligne Canyon, the Pyramid and Patricia Lakes, and the Athabasca Falls are some of Jasper's most spectacular gifts.  Guided sightseeing tours are available.  Between May and October, Pyramid Lake offers an extraordinary Canoe Experience that will give you a chance to witness the mesmerizing beauty of nature. There are lots of lodging options in Jasper such as the Lobstick Lodge, that have kid-friendly facilities which is perfect if you have children in tow.

Continue your summer road trip to Banff where you will find the large, highly popular Jewel of the Canadian Rockies, Lake Louise, known for its natural beauty.  Discover Lake Louise and the world renowned Moraine Lake with the Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Summer Tour that will not only allow you to explore the two lakes' shorelines and take photographs, but also educated you about the mountaineering history in the area and the events that helped shape Canadian mountaineering culture. Other attractions in Banff are the Bow Falls, the Cave and Basin Center, and the Banff Gondola. Banff National Park offers a lot of recreational activities such as soaking yourself up in the pool at Upper Hot Springs, nature hiking on mountain trails, cruising on Lake Minnewanka and swinging your clubs on a golf game.

Yoho National Park sits between Banff and Kootenay National Parks. Maximize your Yoho experience by visiting the Spiral Tunnel Viewpoints, the Emerald Lake and the Kicking Horse Pass. Yoho Valley offers a day hike that will definitely test your endurance. Visit the last of the interlocking national parks, the Kootenay National Park, next. Explore the park's Radium Hot Springs, Marble Canyon, Redwall Fault and more!

Carry on with your road trip by driving yourself to the only park that does not interlock with the first four: Waterton National Park. It is located in the farther south that borders Glacier National Park in Montana, USA. The park offers lots of fun summer activities that you can do during your vacation. You can go horseback riding, boating or canoing over the Cameron Lake, and hiking to one of Canada's top rated hiking trail, the Crypt Lake.

Driving through the Canadian Rockies brings you close to nature. With all the bodies of water you get to encounter along the way, and the numerous opportunities for wildlife sighting, this summer road trip will definitely be etched in your memory for a very long time.

Adventurous Motorcycle Road Trip to Alaska

Every road trip planner dreams of conquering the roads of Alaska. Here is an idea for an adventurous motorcycle road trip over the 49th state.

This road trip will surely entice every motorcyclist all over the United States, wherever they are coming from. The first town you will encounter from the Alaska Highway is Tok where you can camp or lodge in a comfortable hotel for a good night's rest before continuing your excursion the following day.

Carry on with your motorcycle road trip through Alaska by making your way to Valdez. Take Alaska's first highway, the Richardson Highway. The scenic highway is absolutely made for the road trip enthusiast as it is full of twists and turns, a mountain pass, elevation gains, waterfalls and glaciers as you travel along Wrangell-St. Elias and the Chugach Mountains. Valdez houses a number of glaciers that you can check out by cruising, flight seeing, walking or just riding by. You can also take a break from riding by fishing for different species of salmon and halibut or you amaze yourself by watching marine and land wildlife such as sea otters, harbor seals, mountain goats, and black and brown bears.

Every motorcyclist taking an Alaskan road trip would most definitely want to visit the Harley Davidson shop in Anchorage. The ride from Valdez to Anchorage is over 551 miles. The experience is well-worth it as you take on the journey under Alaska's midnight sun. Take the tour around the Harley Davidson shop and get ready to be impressed by the innovative structures and engines of these world-famous bikes. You do not need to worry about accommodations as there is a campsite just beside the Harley Davidson building where you can set up your tent free of charge.

Continue your Alaska road trip on your motorcycle by driving 240 miles north of Anchorage to Denali National Park. Marvel over the majestic Mount McKinley and other spectacular mountains. The park is extremely huge and you are free to all the activities it offers. Give your bike a break and relax by doing some fly-fishing. If you are up to something active, you can ride a mountain bike and join a tour of the park, or go rafting or kayaking. Or, if you want to try something new, go on a helicopter flight seeing and heli-hiking and enjoy jaw-dropping views of Anchorage and other parts of Alaska. From Denali National Park, head north through Fairbanks to the isolated tundra of the Arctic Circle, where you are to experience almost twenty four hours of daylight. There are lots of campgrounds in the area for those who choose to stay for the night.

The thousands of miles you conquer, the challenging twists and turns, the picturesque sceneries you pass by, and the extraordinary experiences you get to tell your friends and family back home will make this journey to Alaska all worth it. It is certainly one of the most memorable excursions in every road trip planner's list.

USA Road Trip: Bryce Canyon National Park

One of the best destinations for a USA road trip is Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. Although you have the option to fly in to Bryce Canyon Airport located just four miles from the park, gathering the whole family in an RV is a better way to enjoy the trip. Just one glance of the park's display of grotesque spires (called hoodoos) and horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters makes the two hundred and seventy mile-drive from Las Vegas, Nevada all worth it.

Start your road trip through the USA by strolling, shopping or dining at Las Vegas before driving your RV northbound on I-5. Take the first exit into Cedar City in Utah and stop to stretch your legs after the two and a half-hour drive. Rest, relax and seize the opportunity for a great family bonding time at Kid's Pond where kids twelve and under can fish for free. Then reward yourselves for a variety of the best pastries from the Pastry Pub or classic American cuisine at Adriana's. Check into Springhill Suites By Marriott Cedar City for a good night's rest to prepare yourselves for the long drive to Bryce Canyon National Park the following day.

Signs to the Highway 14 all over Cedar City make this USA road trip a lot easier. Head straight until you reach the junction of Highway 89 where you should turn left. From Highway 89, turn right on Highway 12 or Scenic Byway 12 then straight to Highway 63 which goes into Bryce Canyon National Park.

Your road trip still continues when you reach Bryce Canyon National Park. With your RV, drive around and stop at each viewpoint to take in the majestic sights of the park. Bryce Canyon National Park is an all-year attraction and offers something for everyone in the family. The line of hoodoos sends invitations to every visitor for a hike. Trails vary from easy, moderate to strenuous. Those traveling with young kids can take the easy trails such as the Rim Trail or Mossy Cave Trail,  while those with older kids and teenagers can test their limits by conquering moderate and strenuous trails such as Tower Bridge Trail and Riggs Spring Loop. There are even trails open for overnight hiking. Backcountry hiking and backcountry camping are also available, but are limited. Permits are required for these two activities.

Other activities you can do in Bryce Canyon National Park is biking through the paved roads, shopping for books, souvenirs and more at the Bryce Canyon Visitor's Center, and wildlife sighting. Wildlife in the park is very diverse. Brace yourselves as you gaze upon hundreds of species of birds, mammals and plants. Horseback riding is also one of the activities your family can enjoy in this road trip. Guided horseback riding trips are available starting in April through October. Camping in Bryce Canyon National Park is something everyone should experience. The park's campgrounds, Bryce Canyon Lodge and Bryce Amphitheater, are both located near the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center. Both campgrounds have facilities that cater to the convenience of the park's visitors. If you wish to lodge outside the park, however, Best Western Ruby's Inn will provide your accommodation needs - guest rooms, RV spots and easy access to the park.

The magnificent landscape of Bryce Canyon National Park is a sight to be seen. As you drive your RV back to Las Vegas with your family, you find yourself willing to take the more than two hundred-mile USA road trip over and over just to see Bryce Canyon National Park again.

Motorcycle Road Trip to Everglades National Park, Florida

There is something so special about a motorcycle road trip to feed your wildlife adventure cravings to Everglades National Park.   This is the largest remaining subtropical nature park in the United States, and home to hundreds of rare and endangered species. The landscape of Everglades National Park is simple and at the same time striking. It is intelligently designed to illuminate the presence of wildlife in the park.

Start south from Charleston, South Carolina for an amazing motorcycle road trip along the Atlantic Coast. Almost all throughout the trip, you would be able to hear, if not see, the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Ride two hours to Georgia's First City, Savannah.  Stop and give yourself a scare with a Sixth Sense Savannah Ghost Tour. Explore the neighborhood of haunted houses and listen to ghost stories for only $18 ($30 for midnight tours)! Check in at any of the affordable hotels in Savannah for the night such as Savannah Travelodge, Savannah Suites or Best Western Savannah Gateway. If you want a more luxurious stay, the Hyatt Regency Savannah or The Westin Savannah Harbor Resort and Spa are just there waiting for you.

Moving along your road trip on your motorcycle, cross the Georgia-Florida border and have your first Florida experience at Ponce De Leon's Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine, North America's first historical site. Tour the park and drink from their world famous spring and remain eternally young...young at heart at least! From St. Augustine, ride your bike about 56 miles to Daytona Beach and check out their motor sports attractions.   The exhilarating experience at the Daytona International Speedway will probably get your motor going, so continue with your motorcycle road trip to Miami, Florida. Cool down after the four-hour drive at the beach or relax at the Tropical Park and breath in some fresh air while doing some fishing. Check in at Hyatt Regency Miami, Sheraton Miami Mart Hotel or Sofitel Miami for your last overnight before finally getting to your destination.

From Miami you have only about 35 miles to go to get to Everglades National Park, so take the time to get to know Miami before moving forward with your motorcycle road trip. Ride your bike 45 minutes more and you are at Homestead where the alligators at the Everglades National Park await. The best way to really get to know the park is to rent a kayak or a canoe. Paddle a portion of the 99-mile Wilderness Waterway and get your close encounter with wildlife - manatees, dolphins, alligators and crocodiles. If you plan to stay for the night at one of the 47 designated campsites in Everglades, be sure to secure your permit from the Everglades National Park office. Camping at the park will truly make you feel so close to nature as you hear the noises the wild makes at night. The light from the moon would certainly complete the dramatic setting.

Looking back at all the things you have seen and encountered not only at the Everglades National Park, but at every stop you have made all throughout this ride, you realize that covering almost half of the Atlantic Coast and traveling over 600 miles from South Carolina to Florida is well worth it. After all, it is traveling distances such as this that makes motorcycle road trips more exciting.

Death Valley Motorcycle Road Trip

Death Valley claims to be the ultimate desert motorcycle road trip of this generation. The name alone sounds so inviting to those thrill-seeking bike aficionados! Take the trip to California and head to Death Valley for an electrifying riding experience.

Traveling Interstates 251 and 15, then finally northbound the U.S. Highway 395 to Trona, California gives you great chances of meeting other bikers also making their way to Death Valley for a motorcycle road trip. On the way, you get to encounter some of the tallest dune formations in the United States open for off-road riding, the Dumont Dunes.

Take note that a motorcycle road trip in Death Valley is strictly for experienced bikers, and license plates on dirt bikes are required as stated by the Death Valley National Park rules and regulations. The place has all the reasons why you should go - rocky and narrow canyons, wide open desert riding experience and the dune fields you will need to cross.

Quick note: Death Valley also serves as a training ground for professional race teams.

The road trip to Death Valley National Park on your motorcycle will make you tired and look to check in for the night and recharge for the next day. Continuing your journey requires you to have every ounce of your energy for the terrain.   Stop at the Raffy Motogear4you trailer for your last-minute needs and to have your bike checked before proceeding your motorcycle road trip 90 miles north to the racetrack at Death Valley. The ride north gives you a lot of interesting sights to see in the form of various geological features. Scotty's Castle (also known as Death Valley Scotty or Death Valley Ranch) located deep in the Death Valley National Park will remind you of the ridiculous yet entertaining story of a man named Walter Scott who claimed to have financed construction of the "castle" in the late 1920's.  Moving along to Ubehebe Crater, you imagine how strong the explosive eruption of the Ubehebe volcano was 2,000 years ago as the volcano itself is gone. The Mesquita Springs Campground, also known as the Desert Rat's Paradise, is just a few miles southwest from Scotty's Castle and is an excellent base for climbers and hikers visiting the Death Valley National Park.  Then there is Grapevine Canyon and Titus Canyon...and many more other places to see.

The first 60 miles to Scotty's Castle is a smooth ride. Upon making the turn towards the Ubehebe Crater, though, 27 miles of gravel road will be under your tires. You may stop at at Teskkette Junction after the miles and miles of gravel ride for a break.  Continue, seven more miles to go until you reach Death Valley.

Finally getting a glimpse of the Death Valley racetrack reminds you of the very reason why you decided to take the road trip on your motorcycle to Death Valley National Park in the first place. The view is just magnificent. The track is particularly known for its sliding rocks. Getting off your bike and walking over the dry lake as if you are the only person left on earth is amazing! Then the wind suddenly comes and moves the boulders. Perfect. Ride the rest of the day away! The Death Valley is all yours.

With the adrenaline rush still pumping in and your musles still throbbing from the exhilarating ride, you are more than satisfied. All the dirt on your bike you will be bringing back home is a great reminder of how much fun you had. The motorcycle road trip to Death Valley, indeed, is the ultimate desert ride!

Blue Ridge Parkway Motorcycle Road Trip

Give yourself a break and go on a motorcycle road trip along the longest rural parkway in the United States, the Blue Ridge Parkway. The parkway runs 469 miles that connects the Great Smoky Mountains in southern North Carolina to Shenandoah National Park in northern Virginia and stretches across the southern Appalachian Mountains. That fact alone makes for a very promising scenic motorcycle road trip.

To get the most out of the beauty of Blue Ridge Parkway, you will need about four days for this motorcycle road trip.  Take the time to stop and explore nearby towns that have existed since the first settlements in America.

Starting from North Carolina, the beginning of your ride is set in a movie-like setting as the mist from the Smoky Mountains is so visible.  Head off to Boone, also known as the Firefly Capital of the World. Stop by at Boone's major attraction, the Tweetsie Railroad for a little old time fun.  Moving along to Asheville, take in some cultural and or historic attractions.   In Asheville, you will find the famous Biltmore Estate, the most technologically-advanced home during the time it was built.  If you are a fan of the Wild West, continue your motorcycle road trip with a stop at Maggie Valley.  Here you will find the Ghost Town in the Sky theme park that stages street gun fights back in the day.  Explore more attractions through your Blue Ridge Parkway ride as you head to Humpback Mountain.  Deep inside, you will find Linville Caverns.  Take the time to stop and look around the rooms in Linville Caverns and find oddities after oddities in each.

Leaving North Carolina, you get a chance to see Native American culture in such towns as Cherokee.   Approaching Virginia,  stop for a live entertainment as local actors in costumes give life to the 1800's Appalachian skills, customs and traditions performed at the Humpback Rocks.  The same kind of entertainment lies ahead at Mabry Mill as performers also demonstrate old Appalachian lifestyle.  In Mabry Mill don't miss a bite of the town's specialty, the fresh apple butter.

As dramatic as the Smoky Mountains mist has provided for the beginning of your motorcycle road trip, the roaring sound of the Crabtree Falls  is a fitting scene for the ending. Take one more stop before finally concluding your trip at the Blue Ridge Music Center and listen to some old folk songs dating back from the time of the early settlers.

A four-day excursion via Blue Ridge Parkway will make you realize that there really are so many beautiful places in the United States.  This journey encourages you to explore more of the country's four corners to see its natural beauty with a motorcycle road trip.

California Family Road Trip

California is a fantastic destination for a road trip.  Get the adrenaline rush pumping in your veins and get ready to see and do. There are so many options for a California family road trip, so take your time and plan your trip well.

Start off your trip expedition in San Jose, the third largest city in California and the tenth largest in the entire United States.   Whatever your preference of entertainment or attraction, you're sure to find one that will thrill your family.  The Japanese Friendship Garden located in Kelley Park in central San Jose is so serene - ideal for laid-back families.  This garden is somewhat a replica of Korakuen Park in Okayama, Japan, incidentally a sister-city of San Jose.  All throughout the garden, you'll see pathways, bridges, ponds and other relaxing settings that showcase the exquisite fine art of classic Japanese landscape design. If  you like spooky adventures, then the Winchester Mystery House is the place for you.  The mansion took 38 years non-stop to be constructed and has oddities scattered all over the house.  Also worth mentioning and stopping for is the Children's Discovery Museum in Downtown San Jose.

What is a road trip to California if you don't stop and have a taste of its wine?  Napa Valley is located in Napa County and is widely known for its wine production.  Taking its cue from the Paris Wine Tasting of 1976, Napa Valley hosts wine tasting for millions of people every year.  Because of this, Napa Valley is now second to Disneyland when it comes to attracting visitors in California.  Let your kids explore the vineyard while you and your spouse relax with a glass (or two) of Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon.  Continue the next day to a destination located in the Mariposa and Tuolumne Counties:  Yosemite National Park.  The park is known all over the world for its waterfalls, streams, granite cliffs, biological diversity, and the Giant Sequoias (which means big trees -- and boy, they are big!).  The Yosemite National Park offers many types of accommodations, so if you plan to see all 761,266 acres of Yosemite (or at least a quarter of it), you might want to check in one of the many cabins, hotels and vacation homes in the area.

Conclude your California family road trip with a drive to Lake Tahoe, where California and Nevada meet.  Whether you're in the North or South Lake Tahoe, you're sure to find activities for you and your kids to do, as well as events to keep the family entertained.  Winter, spring, summer or fall, there are different itineraries to choose from.

The numerous remarkable sights and destinations California offers, makes this driving experience worth taking.  California is indeed one of the best places in the world to bond with your whole family with a great road trip!