1. Yosemite, Grand Canyon, LV, LA
Fri, Dec 20: Drive to Merced
Sat, Dec 21: Yosemite
Sun, Dec 22: LA
Mon, Dec 23: LA
Tue, Dec 24: Drive to LV. Mojave National Preserve en-route.
Wed, Dec 25: LV
Thu, Dec 26: Drive to Grand Canyon
Fri, Dec 27: Grand Canyon
Sat, Dec 28: LV
Sun, Dec 29: Back
2. Death Valley, Grand Canyon, LV
1. Day 1 Drive to Death Valley NP; Stay (night 1) (6.5 hrs drive)
2. Night 1: Stay at DV Park
3. Day 2 look around DV and 2 hour drive to LV; stay (night 2) (2 Hour drive)
4. Night 2 Check in at LV
5. Day3 Las Vegas stay (night 3) (local drives if any)
6. Night 3 Stay at LV
7. Day 4 : Drive to Page (night 4) (4.5 hr drive)
8. Night 4: Stay at Page, Az.
9. Day 5 : GC (night 5) (local drives)
10. Night 5: Stay at Page, Az.
11. Day 6 : Drive to Kingman via Flagstaff, all view points on the way (night 6) (4.5 hr drive)
12. Night 6: Kingman, Az (for sleep break)
13. Day 7 : Drive back home (9 hours)
3. Yosemite, LA, Grand Canyon, Death Valley, LV
Fri, Dec 20: Drive to Merced
Sat, Dec 21: Yosemite, back to Merced
Sun, Dec 22: Drive to Death Valley.
Mon, Dec 23: Death Valley
Tue, Dec 24: Drive to LV. Mojave National Preserve & possibly Castle Mountains en-route.
Wed, Dec 25: LV
Thu, Dec 26: LV
Fri, Dec 27: Hoover Dam. Drive to Grand Canyon. Stay near depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams or Flagstaff or Page.
Sat, Dec 28: Grand Canyon
Sun, Dec 29: Drive to LA
Mon, Dec 30: LA
Tue, Dec 31: LA
Wed, Jan 1: Drive back home
4. Death Valley, Grand Canyon, warmer South Arizona
Sat, Dec 21: Drive to Death Valley
Sun, Dec 22: Death Valley.
Mon, Dec 23: Death Valley. Drive to Las Vegas in night.
Tue, Dec 24: Las Vegas
Wed, Dec 25: Las Vegas
Thu, Dec 26: Hoover dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon West. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams or Flagstaff.
Fri, Dec 27: Grand Canyon South Rim. Horseshoe Bend.
Sat, Dec 28: Sunset Crater volcano, Wupatki National Monument
Sun, Dec 29: Sedona, Red Rock state park, Slide Rock state park, Tonto natural bridge state park
Mon, Dec 30: Lost Dutchman state park, Picaho Peak state park, Saguaro national park
Tue, Dec 31: Kartcher Caverns state park, Catalina state park, start driving back
Wed, Jan 1: Joshua Tree national park, Drive back home
5. Death Valley, Grand Canyon, colder South Utah
Sat, Dec 21: Drive to Death Valley
Sun, Dec 22: Death Valley.
Mon, Dec 23: Death Valley. Drive to Las Vegas in night.
Tue, Dec 24: Las Vegas
Wed, Dec 25: Las Vegas
Thu, Dec 26: Hoover dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon West. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams or Flagstaff.
Fri, Dec 27: Grand Canyon South Rim. Horseshoe Bend. Stay at Page
Sat, Dec 28: Antelope Canyon, Rainbow Bridge, Glen Canyon
Sun, Dec 29: Grand Staircase Escalante, White Pocket, Coral Pink Sand dunes, Spooky Slot canyon, Peekaboo Red Canyon Slot (technically challenging)
Mon, Dec 30: Bryce Canyon, Kodachrome Basin
Tue, Dec 31: Cedar Breaks, Zion, stay in LV
Wed, Jan 1: Drive back home
6a. Grand Canyon, colder South Utah
Sat, Dec 21: Drive to Las Vegas
Sun, Dec 22: Las Vegas.
Mon, Dec 23: Hoover dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon West. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams or Flagstaff.
Tue, Dec 24: Grand Canyon South Rim. Horseshoe Bend. Stay at Page
Wed, Dec 25: Antelope Canyon, Rainbow Bridge, Glen Canyon
Thu, Dec 26: Natural Bridges, Canyonlands
Fri, Dec 27: Dead Horse Point, Arches
Sat, Dec 28: Goblin Valley, Capitol Reef
Sun, Dec 29: Bryce Canyon, Kodachrome Basin
Mon, Dec 30: Cedar Breaks, Zion, stay in LV
Tue, Dec 31: LV
Wed, Jan 1: Drive back home
6b. Grand Canyon, colder South Utah
Sat, Dec 21: Drive to California City
Sun, Dec 22: Hoover dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon West. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams or Flagstaff.
Mon, Dec 23: Grand Canyon South Rim. Horseshoe Bend. Stay at Page
Tue, Dec 24: Antelope Canyon, Rainbow Bridge, Glen Canyon
Wed, Dec 25: Monument Valley, Natural Bridges, Canyonlands
Thu, Dec 26: Dead Horse Point, Arches
Fri, Dec 27: Goblin Valley, Capitol Reef
Sat, Dec 28: Bryce Canyon, Kodachrome Basin
Sun, Dec 29: Cedar Breaks, Zion, stay in LV.
Mon, Dec 30: LV
Tue, Dec 31: LV
Wed, Jan 1: Drive back home
7. Grand Canyon, colder South Utah, more time
Sat, Dec 21: Drive to California City
Sun, Dec 22: Hoover dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon West. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams or Flagstaff.
Mon, Dec 23: Grand Canyon South Rim. Horseshoe Bend. Stay at Page
Tue, Dec 24: Antelope Canyon, Rainbow Bridge, Glen Canyon, Zebra Slot Canyon, Tunnel Slot Canyon (can skip)
Wed, Dec 25: Monument Valley, Goosenecks State Park, Bear Ears National Monument, Valley of the Gods, Natural Bridges
Thu, Dec 26: Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point
Fri, Dec 27: Arches
Sat, Dec 28: Goblin Valley, Little Wild Horse Slot Canyon, Capitol Reef
Sun, Dec 29: Capitol Reef
Mon, Dec 30: Bryce Canyon, Kodachrome Basin
Tue, Dec 31: Cedar Breaks, Zion
Wed, Jan 1: Great Basin
Thu, Jan 2: Las Vegas
Fri, Jan 3: Las Vegas
Sat, Jan 4: Death Valley
Sun, Jan 5: Back home
8. Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, surrounding
Sat, Dec 21: Drive to California City
Sun, Dec 22: Hoover dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon West. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams or Flagstaff.
Mon, Dec 23: Grand Canyon South Rim. Horseshoe Bend.
Tue, Dec 24: Bryce Canyon
Wed, Dec 25: Kodachrome Basin
Thu, Dec 26: Cedar Breaks
Fri, Dec 27: Zion
Sat, Dec 28: Great Basin
Sun, Dec 29: Las Vegas
Mon, Dec 30: Las Vegas
Tue, Dec 31: Las Vegas
Wed, Jan 1: Death Valley
Thu, Jan 2: Death Valley
Fri, Jan 3: Joshua tree
Sat, Jan 4: LA or Big Sur
Sun, Jan 5: Back home
9. San Francisco, Grand Canyon, colder South Utah, more time
Sat, Dec 21
Golden Gate Bridge
Sun, Dec 22
Drive to California City
Mon, Dec 23
Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon West. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon Junction, Williams, or Flagstaff.
Tue, Dec 24
Grand Canyon South Rim. Horseshoe Bend. Stay at Page.
Wed, Dec 25
Antelope Canyon, Rainbow Bridge, Glen Canyon, Zebra Slot Canyon, Tunnel Slot Canyon (can skip).
Thu, Dec 26
Monument Valley, Goosenecks State Park, Bear Ears National Monument, Valley of the Gods, Natural Bridges.
Fri, Dec 27
Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point.
Sat, Dec 28
Arches.
Sun, Dec 29
Goblin Valley, Little Wild Horse Slot Canyon, Capitol Reef.
Mon, Dec 30
Bryce Canyon, Kodachrome Basin.
Tue, Dec 31
Cedar Breaks, Zion.
Wed, Jan 1
Great Basin.
Thu, Jan 2
Las Vegas
Fri, Jan 3
Las Vegas.
Sat, Jan 4
Back Home
10. San Francisco, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, surrounding
Sat, Dec 21: Golden Gate Bridge
Sun, Dec 22: Drive to California City
Mon, Dec 23: Hoover dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon West. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams, or Flagstaff.
Tue, Dec 24: Grand Canyon South Rim, Horseshoe Bend.
Wed, Dec 25: Bryce Canyon
Thu, Dec 26: Kodachrome Basin
Fri, Dec 27: Cedar Breaks
Sat, Dec 28: Zion
Sun, Dec 29: Great Basin
Mon, Dec 30: Las Vegas
Tue, Dec 31: Las Vegas
Wed, Jan 1: Las Vegas
Thu, Jan 2: Death Valley
Fri, Jan 3: Big Sur
Sat, Jan 4: Back home
11. San Francisco, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, surrounding
Sat, Dec 21: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Sun, Dec 22: Drive to California City
Mon, Dec 23: Hoover dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon West. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams, or Flagstaff.
Tue, Dec 24: Grand Canyon South Rim, Horseshoe Bend.
Wed, Dec 25: Page. Antelope Canyon.
Thu, Dec 26: Kodachrome Basin
Fri, Dec 27: Bryce
Sat, Dec 28: Cedar Breaks
Sun, Dec 29: Zion
Mon, Dec 30: Las Vegas
Tue, Dec 31: Las Vegas
Wed, Jan 1: Las Vegas
Thu, Jan 2: Death Valley
Fri, Jan 3: Big Sur
Sat, Jan 4: Back home
12. San Francisco, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, surrounding
Sat, Dec 21: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Sun, Dec 22: Drive to California City
Mon, Dec 23: Hoover dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon West. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams, or Flagstaff.
Tue, Dec 24: Grand Canyon South Rim, Horseshoe Bend.
Wed, Dec 25: Page. Antelope Canyon.
Thu, Dec 26: Kodachrome Basin
Fri, Dec 27: Bryce
Sat, Dec 28: Cedar Breaks, Zion
Sun, Dec 29: Las Vegas
Mon, Dec 30: Las Vegas
Tue, Dec 31: Death Valley
Wed, Jan 1: Channel Islands
Thu, Jan 2: Big Sur, back home
13. San Francisco, Grand Canyon, colder South Utah, aggressive
Sat, Dec 21
Golden Gate Bridge
Sun, Dec 22
Drive to California City
Mon, Dec 23
Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon West. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon Junction, Williams, or Flagstaff.
Tue, Dec 24
Grand Canyon South Rim. Horseshoe Bend. Stay at Page.
Wed, Dec 25
Antelope Canyon, Rainbow Bridge, Glen Canyon, Zebra Slot Canyon, Tunnel Slot Canyon (can skip).
Thu, Dec 26
Monument Valley, Goosenecks State Park, Bear Ears National Monument, Valley of the Gods, Natural Bridges.
Fri, Dec 27
Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point.
Sat, Dec 28
Arches.
Sun, Dec 29
Goblin Valley, Little Wild Horse Slot Canyon, Capitol Reef.
Mon, Dec 30
Bryce Canyon, Kodachrome Basin.
Tue, Dec 31
Cedar Breaks, Zion. Drive to Vegas.
Wed, Jan 1
Las Vegas.
Thu, Jan 2
Las Vegas
Fri, Jan 3
Back Home
14. San Francisco, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, southern Utah, relaxed
Sat, Dec 21: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Sun, Dec 22: Drive to California City
Mon, Dec 23: Hoover dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon West. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams, or Flagstaff.
Tue, Dec 24: Grand Canyon South Rim, Horseshoe Bend.
Wed, Dec 25: Page. Antelope Canyon.
Thu, Dec 26: Kodachrome Basin
Fri, Dec 27: Bryce
Sat, Dec 28: Cedar Breaks
Sun, Dec 29: Zion
Mon, Dec 30: Las Vegas
Tue, Dec 31: Las Vegas
Wed, Jan 1: Las Vegas
Thu, Jan 2: Drive back home
15. San Francisco, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Death Valley, Southern Utah
Sat, Dec 21: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Sun, Dec 22: Drive dear Death Valley
Mon, Dec 23: Death Valley
Tue, Dec 24: Hoover dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon West. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams, or Flagstaff.
Wed, Dec 25: Grand Canyon South Rim, Horseshoe Bend.
Thu, Dec 26: Page. Antelope Canyon.
Fri, Dec 27: Kodachrome Basin
Sat, Dec 28: Bryce
Sun, Dec 29: Cedar Breaks, Zion
Mon, Dec 30: Las Vegas
Tue, Dec 31: Las Vegas
Wed, Jan 1: Las Vegas
Thu, Jan 2: Drive back home
16. San Francisco, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Death Valley, Southern Utah
Sat, Dec 21: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Sun, Dec 22: Big Sur
Mon, Dec 23: Channel Islands
Tue, Dec 24: Death Valley
Wed, Dec 25: Hoover dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon West. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams, or Flagstaff.
Thu, Dec 26: Grand Canyon South Rim, Horseshoe Bend.
Fri, Dec 27: Page. Antelope Canyon.
Sat, Dec 28: Kodachrome Basin, Bryce
Sun, Dec 29: Cedar Breaks, Zion
Mon, Dec 30: Las Vegas
Tue, Dec 31: Las Vegas
Wed, Jan 1: Las Vegas
Thu, Jan 2: Drive back home
17. San Francisco, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Death Valley, Southern Arizona
Sat, Dec 21: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Sun, Dec 22: Big Sur
Mon, Dec 23: Channel Islands
Tue, Dec 24: Death Valley
Wed, Dec 25: Hoover dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon West. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams, or Flagstaff.
Thu, Dec 26: Grand Canyon South Rim, Horseshoe Bend.
Fri, Dec 27: Sunset Crater volcano, Wupatki National Monument
Sat, Dec 28: Sedona
Sun, Dec 29: Saguaro national park
Mon, Dec 30: Las Vegas
Tue, Dec 31: Las Vegas
Wed, Jan 1: Las Vegas
Thu, Jan 2: Drive back home
Sun, Dec 29:
Mon, Dec 30: Tue, Dec 31: Kartcher Caverns state park, Catalina state park, start driving back
18. San Francisco, Big Sur, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Death Valley
Sat, Dec 21: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Sun, Dec 22: Big Sur. Stay in Big Sur.
Mon, Dec 23: Start driving to Death Valley. Stay en-route in California City.
Tue, Dec 24: Drive to Death Valley. Stay.
Wed, Dec 25: Death Valley. If we are near North Death Valley, stay night in Las Vegas, else stay in same place as earlier. Apply for Wave daily lottery 3 days prior.
Thu, Dec 26: Hoover dam, Lake Mead. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams, or Flagstaff.
Fri, Dec 27: Drive to Grand Canyon South rim. Horseshoe Bend. Stay in Page.
Sat, Dec 28: Wave (lottery permit) or Lake Powell. Drive to Bryce City.
Sun, Dec 29: Bryce Canyon. Stay near Bryce.
Mon, Dec 30: Cedar Breaks or Kodachrome. Stay near Bryce.
Tue, Dec 31: Drive to Zion. Drive to Las Vegas in the night.
Wed, Jan 1: Las Vegas
Thu, Jan 2: Drive home
19. San Francisco, Big Sur, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Death Valley
Sat, Dec 21: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Sun, Dec 22: Big Sur. Stay in Big Sur.
Mon, Dec 23: Start driving to Death Valley. Stay en-route, close to Death Valley's entrance.
Tue, Dec 24: Drive to Death Valley. Drive to Las Vegas in the night.
Wed, Dec 25: Las Vegas. Stay in Las Vegas. Apply for Wave lottery permit.
Thu, Dec 26: Hoover dam, Lake Mead. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams, or Flagstaff.
Fri, Dec 27: Drive to Grand Canyon South rim. Horseshoe Bend. Stay in Page.
Sat, Dec 28: Wave (lottery permit) or Lake Powell. Drive to Bryce City.
Sun, Dec 29: Bryce Canyon. Stay near Bryce.
Mon, Dec 30: Cedar Breaks or Kodachrome. Stay near Bryce.
Tue, Dec 31: Great Basin. Stay near Great Basin.
Wed, Jan 1: Drive to Reno. Stay
Thu, Jan 2: Drive home
20. San Francisco, Big Sur, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Death Valley
Sat, Dec 21: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Sun, Dec 22: Big Sur.
Mon, Dec 23: Start driving to Death Valley. Stay en-route in Ridgecrest.
Tue, Dec 24: Drive to Death Valley. Drive to Las Vegas in the night. Stay.
Wed, Dec 25: Las Vegas.
Thu, Dec 26: Las Vegas.
Fri, Dec 27: Hoover dam, Lake Mead. Stay near Grand Canyon.
Sat, Dec 28: Drive to Grand Canyon South rim. Horseshoe Bend. Stay in Page.
Sun, Dec 29: Wave (lottery permit) or Lake Powell. Stay in Page.
Mon, Dec 30: Glen Canyon or Rainbow bridge. Drive to Bryce. Stay near Bryce.
Tue, Dec 31: Bryce Canyon. Stay near Bryce.
Wed, Jan 1: Start driving home. Stay en-route.
Thu, Jan 2: Drive home. Reach night.
https://www.mapquest.com/routeplanner/from/us/ca/san-jose/95120-4417/6147-franciscan-way-37.22497,-121.89458/to/us/nevada/great-basin-national-park-470557700/to/us/utah/bryce-canyon-national-park-434959111/to/us/utah/zion-national-park-534171230/to/us/az/page-282022570/to/us/arizona/grand-canyon-national-park-south-entrance-449537648/to/us/nevada/hoover-dam-470561178/to/us/nv/las-vegas-492976340/to/us/california/death-valley-national-park-467625300/to/us/ca/big-sur-282916536/to/us/utah/cedar-breaks-national-monument-351694322
Detours near Las Vegas:
Valley of Fire state park, Red Rock Canyon state park, Tule Springs fossil beds, Kershaw-Ryan state park-Canyon Overlook Loop, Caliente ghost town, Cathedral Gorge State Park with Moon Caves-Cathedral Caves-Miller Point Trail
Detours near Page:
Buckskin gulch slot canyon (prefer AWD), White Pocket (4WD needed). Consider 4WD tours such as Coral Cliff tours, Alstrom Point (needs AWD near the end).
Lone Rock Beach, Lake Powell.
