High School Grad Trip-RV Style
We’ve hit the season of growth, excitement, and accomplishment- yes, we are talking high school graduation season! If your teenager is graduating this year, you know there is a great deal of bitter-sweet excitement and emotions that comes with this stage of life, and not just for your teen, but for your whole family.
Graduating high school is a pivotal time for any teenager; whether they are headed off to college, to travel abroad or to begin their life in the working world, it will be a big change for everyone. Parents, hold back those happy tears, you still have the entire summer before your baby leaves the nest! Make it a summer they will remember forever and that you can cherish as the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.
We believe there is no better way to bond with your family for a ‘last hurrah’ family vacation than an RV road trip! Don’t own an RV? No problem, Happy Campers RV Rentals can help you with that and we’ve proactively compiled some of the best road trips to take a family vacation in an RV to get the planning process started for you!
Southern California
Is your family a group of thrill seekers? The type that loves theme parks and can go on rides all day? If so, road tripping to Southern California where they have no shortage of theme parks is the trip for you. Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knotts Berry Farm are just a few of the parks who call Southern California home. If you want to try to fit as many parks as you can into one trip, buying a package through City Pass is the best deal out there.
Utah & Arizona
Yearning for some red rock beauty and desert heat? Head east to explore ‘The Big 5’ in Utah and top it off with a stop at the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Arches, Zion, and Capitol Reef all make Utah’s ‘Mighty Five’. Experience all 5 in your RV traveling through some of the most scenic byways in the country on the Road to Mighty. Once you’ve completed the Road to Mighty, you’ll be well prepared for the cherry on top, the Grand Canyon. There’s no way to describe the profound grandeur of the park, it is a “must see in person” kind of place. You’ll understand why when you get there.
Washington
One of the greatest gems of the Pacific Northwest is Seattle. The excitement of city life, surrounded by incredible natural beauty earns this city its title of the Emerald City. Sports fans can rejoice in Seattle with seven major league teams to cheer for throughout the year. When visiting in the summer, plan to catch a Mainers or Sounders game to indulge in the true Seattleite fan experience.
Pike Place Market and the first Starbucks should also be added to your itinerary to stock up on goods before making the 3-hour drive to Olympic National Park for a little nature R&R. Encompassing three different ecosystems, Olympic National Park is rich with opportunity for exploration. From lush rainforests to glacier-capped mountains to the wild Pacific coastline, this park is replete with wildlife and Kodak moments in every direction.
Northern California
Highway 101 connects the entire west coast from Washington to California and is one of the longest remaining routes in the country, not to mention the picturesque landscapes and views throughout. As incredible as it would be to road trip the entire stretch of highway, stopping at all the parks and beaches, we highly encourage driving the stretch from Oregon to the San Francisco Bay Area, circling back through Yosemite National Park.
If you want to experience the land of the giants, stop at Redwood National Park in Crescent City, California. The ancient redwood ecosystem is a sight to behold. Staring up at these old-growth beauties will have your jaws dropping and cameras flashing.
Continuing down 101 will bring you into the foggy city known as San Francisco. A city rich with culture, cuisine, museums, shopping, and the famous cable cars, you will not run out of things to do. Renting bikes and riding across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, and then catching the ferry back to the city is a fun day-trip for the more active family.
After you’ve spent some time exploring the city, travel west into California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains to find Yosemite National Park. If you think you’ve witnessed impressive waterfalls, just wait until you see what Yosemite has to offer. The waterfalls are at their peak in the spring and early summer, so make sure you plan accordingly.
