US West: Los Angeles, Las Vegas & the Grand Canyon in 7 Days: Day-by-Day Itinerary
Hollywood, Universal Studios, Santa Monica, desert highways, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon — the classic West Coast road trip.
United StatesRoad tripNatureFamilyCity break
Length7 days / 6 nights
CitiesLos Angeles, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon
CurrencyUSD US dollar
Best time to goSpring (Mar–May) and autumn (Sep–Nov) are best; desert summers top 40°C and winter nights are cold.
Day-by-day overview
Day 1 Arrive in Los AngelesDay 2 LA city × Santa MonicaDay 3 Universal StudiosDay 4 LA → Las VegasDay 5 Grand Canyon day tripDay 6 Las Vegas easy dayDay 7 Fly home
Day 1Arrive in Los Angeles
11:00🚗 Transport
Arrive at LAX
Type / No.Flight
Visa Waiver travellers need an approved ESTA.
15:00🏨 Stay
Check in (add your hotel)
Type / platformHotel
Check-in / out15:00 / 11:00
LocationHollywood 🧭
Choose a well-reviewed, well-connected area.
17:00📍 Sight
Hollywood Walk of Fame & TCL Chinese Theatre
Suggested time1.5 hrs
LocationHollywood Walk of Fame 🧭
📸 Photo spot
19:00🍽 Food
Day 2LA city × Santa Monica
09:00📍 Sight
11:00📍 Sight
The Getty Center
Suggested time2.5 hrs
TicketsBook ahead
LocationGetty Center 🧭
Free entry; parking is extra.
14:00🍽 Food
15:30📍 Sight
Santa Monica Pier & Venice Beach
Suggested time2.5 hrs
TicketsFree
LocationSanta Monica Pier 🧭
See the Route 66 “End of the Trail” sign.
🧴 Sunscreen📸 Photo spot
18:30📍 Sight
Griffith Observatory at sunset
Suggested time2 hrs
TicketsFree
LocationGriffith Observatory 🧭
Parking is scarce — consider the shuttle.
🌙 Night view📸 Photo spot
Day 3Universal Studios
08:30📍 Sight
Universal Studios Hollywood
Suggested timefull day
TicketsBook ahead
LocationUniversal Studios Hollywood 🧭
Buy dated tickets ahead; Disneyland is an alternative.
🎟 Book ahead👶 Kid-friendly
19:30🍽 Food
Day 4LA → Las Vegas
08:00🏨 Stay
Check out
Type / platformHotel
Check your ID, phone and belongings; most hotels will hold luggage.
08:30🚗 Transport
Pick up a car and drive to Las Vegas
Type / No.Rental car
LocationLas Vegas 🧭
About 4 hours; most foreign licences need an International Driving Permit — check rental rules and insurance.
⚠️ Heads-up
12:00📍 Sight
Stop: Barstow outlets
Suggested time1.5 hrs
LocationBarstow 🧭
Fill up and carry water on desert roads.
🛍 Shopping list🧴 Sunscreen
16:00🏨 Stay
Check in (add your hotel)
Type / platformHotel
Check-in / out15:00 / 11:00
LocationThe Las Vegas Strip 🧭
Most hotels add a resort fee.
20:00📍 Sight
Bellagio fountains & the Strip at night
Suggested time2 hrs
TicketsFree
LocationFountains of Bellagio 🧭
🌙 Night view📸 Photo spot
Day 5Grand Canyon day trip
07:00🚗 Transport
Grand Canyon day tour (West or South Rim)
Type / No.Bus / coach
LocationGrand Canyon South Rim 🧭
The West Rim is ~2.5 hrs away; the South Rim is farther but iconic.
10:30📍 Sight
Grand Canyon viewpoints
Suggested time4 hrs
TicketsBook ahead
LocationGrand Canyon West 🧭
Bring water and sunscreen; big temperature swings.
📸 Photo spot🧴 Sunscreen
19:30🍽 Food
21:00📍 Sight
Cirque du Soleil show
Suggested time2 hrs
TicketsBook ahead
LocationLas Vegas Cirque du Soleil 🧭
🎟 Book ahead
Day 6Las Vegas easy day
10:30📍 Sight
13:30📍 Sight
18:00📍 Sight
19:30🍽 Food
21:30📍 Sight
Fremont Street light show
Suggested time1.5 hrs
TicketsFree
LocationFremont Street Experience 🧭
🌙 Night view
Day 7Fly home
08:30🏨 Stay
Check out
Type / platformHotel
Double-check passports, power banks and valuables.
09:30🚗 Transport
12:00🚗 Transport
Head to the airport and fly home
Type / No.Flight
Aim to reach the airport 2.5–3 hours before an international flight.
🎟 Book these before you go
- Day 2｜The Getty Center: Free entry; parking is extra.
- Day 3｜Universal Studios Hollywood: Buy dated tickets ahead; Disneyland is an alternative.
- Day 5｜Grand Canyon day tour (West or South Rim): The West Rim is ~2.5 hrs away; the South Rim is farther but iconic.
- Day 5｜Grand Canyon viewpoints: Bring water and sunscreen; big temperature swings.
- Day 5｜Cirque du Soleil show
🌦 Monthly temperatures: Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon
| City / month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles High / low | 20° 9° | 20° 10° | 21° 11° | 23° 13° | 24° 15° | 26° 17° | 29° 19° | 29° 19° | 28° 18° | 25° 15° | 23° 11° | 20° 8° |
| Las Vegas High / low | 14° 3° | 17° 5° | 21° 8° | 26° 12° | 31° 17° | 37° 22° | 40° 26° | 39° 25° | 34° 21° | 27° 14° | 19° 7° | 14° 3° |
(typical averages — check the forecast before you go)
FAQ
How many days does US West: Los Angeles, Las Vegas & the Grand Canyon in 7 Days take?
It’s planned as 7 days / 6 nights with 28 stops (14 sights and 5 meals). Copy it and add or remove stops to suit your pace.
What should I book in advance?
We recommend booking or buying ahead: The Getty Center, Universal Studios Hollywood, Grand Canyon day tour (West or South Rim), Grand Canyon viewpoints, Cirque du Soleil show.
How do I make this template my own?
Tap “Use this template”, enter a name and start date, and an editable copy is created. Add your flights and hotels, adjust times and stops, then export a PDF or image to share.
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Note: opening hours, prices, timetables and entry rules change often — check official sources. This page offers general suggestions, not bookings or professional travel advice.