So many non-Americans I know will probably only get the chance to come to the US once, and you can’t see it all. And how are you supposed to know where to start?
First question you need to ask yourself is “Do I want to see cities and history, or do I prefer natural wonders?” If you’re more into the cities, I’m no expert, but I would plan something on the East Coast. Hit up New York, DC, Philly and get some American History.
But my expertise is in road trips. More specifically the greatest road trip throughout the South West.
If you have the means, the time, and the desire, of course you should try to see all of it, though. Every state has so much to offer, and there is so much culture that you miss when you only go to the big tourist spots, but I know it’s unreasonable to try to do it all with limited lime and limited funds. I am, and have always been in the maximizing utility business.
So without further ado- the plan for the Great American Road Trip: Arizona, Utah, & California.
Flying into LAX, or PHX and renting a car from there would be good for a jumping off point because they’re big international hubs, and close to the action.
California: Joshua Tree National Park, Salvation Mountain, and your pick of some great beaches (Oceanside, Huntington, Santa Monica, Malibu, Laguna). You also have the Hollywood sign, Disneyland, and The San Diego Zoo which is widely recognized as the best zoo in the US. You could also go up to Northern California and hit up San Francisco, see the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz, but it’ll add about 11 hours of driving.
Santa Monica Pier 
Salvation Mountain 
Joshua Tree National Park
Arizona: Sedona, Grand Falls, Havasupai, Grand Canyon, Vermillion Cliffs, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, tons of great mountains to hike (Mount Humphries, Picacho Peak, Mount Lemmon, Mount Graham, The Superstitions) and some really cool caves to explore (Kartchner Caverns, Lava River Tunnels, Colossal Mountain Caves, Peppersauce Cave) There are also lots of fun kitschy things and towns scattered throughout Arizona to give you a true “American road trip” experience. Roadside stops like “The Thing,” “Rooster Cogburn’s Ostrich Ranch,” Tombstone AZ, Jerome AZ, and Bisbee AZ.
Vermilion Cliffs 
Horseshoe Bend 
Antelope Canyon 
Havasu Falls, Havasupai 
Chocolate Falls or Grand Falls 
Jerome Grand Hotel in Jerome, Arizona 
Rooster Cogburn’s Ostrich Ranch 
Sedona Arizona 
Tombstone Arizona
Utah: Southern Utah has tons of great hikes and stunning views in their national parks, like Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Park, and Arches National Park. And if you want to go further North into Utah, the Bonneville Salt Flats are also pretty cool. They also have some cool cultural things like Amish Country to buy some soaps, desserts, antiques, and take a step back in time.
Arches National Park 
Zion National Park 
Bryce Canyon
It would also be easy to add a quick stint to Nevada for Las Vegas, and Death Valley, or even to pop down into Mexico to go to Rocky point or any part of Baja California if you want to turn it into an international trip.
I know there are a million things listed but the true must-sees are fairly close together and have an easy route between them: Joshua Tree & Salvation Mountain in California, on to Arizona, for Sedona, Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Antelope Canyon, and up a little ways into Utah for Bryce, Zion, and Arches.
*Another thing to keep in mind is that hotels in the US are not like hotels or hostels throughout Europe. Even for the worst quality motel, you’ll be paying upwards of $50 a night. That is part of what makes it so cost-prohibitive to travel in the US. Luckily, when you’re outside of the big cities, you have the option to camp. If you have never camped, this road trip gives you the perfect opportunity to sleep in some beautiful and famous places and really enjoy nature while saving some money.
Finding Eden 