7 Days in Los Angeles and Las Vegas: A Family Road-Trip Full of Icons, Beaches, and the Grand Canyon
Welcome to two American legends—Los Angeles and Las Vegas—wrapped into one easy, exciting family itinerary. Los Angeles grew from a Spanish pueblo in 1781 to the world’s storytelling capital, where studios built myths and the beach became a lifestyle. Las Vegas rose from a railway stop to an entertainment powerhouse, a gateway to the Mojave and the Grand Canyon.
For families, this combo is gold: surf and sunsets in Santa Monica, movie thrills at Universal Studios Hollywood, and the bright spectacle of the Las Vegas Strip. Add in a scenic LA–Vegas desert drive, a Hoover Dam stop, and a Grand Canyon West day for jaw-dropping memories—especially for teens on their first U.S. adventure.
May brings mild beach weather in LA (around 60–75°F / 15–24°C) and warm-to-hot days in Vegas (70–95°F / 21–35°C). Pack layers, sunscreen, and comfy shoes. Driving the I‑15 means long desert stretches—fill up, carry water, and download maps just in case. Expect 15–20% tipping at restaurants, and reserve big attractions in advance to keep lines short and smiles wide.
Los Angeles
LA is a mosaic of beach towns, hillside hikes, Mexican and Asian flavors, and the film industry’s living backlot. Teens will love spotting the Hollywood Sign, hunting street art on Abbot Kinney, and spending a full day riding film-themed attractions.
- Iconic sights: Santa Monica Pier, Venice Canals, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Griffith Observatory, The Getty Center.
- Great for teens: Universal Studios Hollywood, Warner Bros. Studio Tour, bike rides on the beach path, taco tastings.
- Food notes: From taco trucks to Korean BBQ, LA’s global cuisine is an attraction itself. Breakfast burritos, In‑N‑Out, and mochi donuts are kid-pleasers.
Where to stay: Search family-friendly hotels or apartments near Santa Monica, West Hollywood, or Universal/Burbank for easy logistics.
- VRBO Los Angeles stays (kitchen + space for families)
- Hotels.com Los Angeles hotels (filters for pools, parking, suites)
Getting to Los Angeles: Fly into LAX (best choice), or BUR (Burbank) for studio-area convenience.
- Search flights on Trip.com (often best schedules from Brazil via hubs)
- Search flights on Kiwi.com (good for multi-airline combos)
Day 1 — Arrival, Santa Monica & Sunset
Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag with ocean air: stroll the Santa Monica Pier, play a few arcade games, and walk the beach path. Grab a light late lunch at Blue Plate Taco (California-Mexican with ocean views) or Big Dean’s (casual burgers and fish tacos under the pier).
Evening: Watch sunset from Palisades Park—palms, cliffs, sweeping views. Dinner around Third Street Promenade: try 109 Kitchen (Thai staples), HiHo Cheeseburger (grass‑fed smashburgers), or share a pizza at Stella Barra. Dessert: Salt & Straw for inventive ice creams the kids will remember.
Day 2 — Hollywood Classics + Griffith Observatory (avoid Mondays)
Morning: Coffee and breakfast sandwiches at Philz Coffee (order a Mint Mojito iced if it’s warm). Explore the Hollywood Walk of Fame, peek at TCL Chinese Theatre handprints, and view the city from the Dolby Theatre steps.
Afternoon: Head to Lake Hollywood Park for a relaxed, photo-friendly angle of the Hollywood Sign without a strenuous hike. Lunch in Thai Town at Ruen Pair (papaya salad, pad see ew) or grab In‑N‑Out burgers (teen favorite). If time allows, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures has a dazzling Oscars exhibit.
Evening: Sunset at Griffith Observatory for city lights and telescope views (closed Mondays). On the way back, eat in Los Feliz: Little Dom’s (Italian red-sauce comfort), or HomeState (Tex-Mex queso + tacos).
Day 3 — Universal Studios Hollywood
Morning: Be there at opening; go straight to Super Nintendo World and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Breakfast-on-the-go from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at CityWalk.
Afternoon: Don’t miss the World‑Famous Studio Tour. Cool off with Jurassic World—The Ride and catch a stunt show. Lunch picks: Krusty Burger (Simpsons‑themed), Three Broomsticks (British pub fare), or Din Tai Fung soup dumplings at CityWalk.
Evening: Stay for one more headliner ride, then dinner at CityWalk: Toothsome Chocolate Emporium (outrageous desserts), VIVO Italian Kitchen, or Jonny Rockets for classic shakes. Early night to reset—or late-night donuts at Voodoo Doughnut.
Day 4 — Venice, Canals, and Coastal Cruising
Morning: Start with pastries at Sidecar Doughnuts (Santa Monica) or breakfast burritos at Uncle Bill’s (Manhattan Beach, if you like a short detour). Rent bikes and ride the Marvin Braude Bike Trail between Santa Monica and Venice.
Afternoon: Wander the Venice Canals, then Abbot Kinney’s boutiques and murals. Lunch at Gjelina Take Away (market salads, pizza) or Tocaya (modern Mexican bowls). If everyone wants a culture hit, drive to the hills for the Getty Center gardens and views (closed Mondays—swap with Day 2 if needed).
Evening: Early dinner near the beach: Water Grill Santa Monica (seafood), Tender Greens (fast-casual bowls), or The Misfit (American comfort). Pack snacks and water for tomorrow’s road trip.
Las Vegas
Vegas is spectacle and surprise—yes, neon and mega-resorts, but also family-friendly thrills, a thriving Arts District, and quick access to the desert’s wild beauty. Teens will love immersive art at AREA15, jaw-dropping views from the High Roller, and the engineering marvel of Hoover Dam.
- Top family picks: The LINQ Promenade, Bellagio Conservatory & Fountains, AREA15, Shark Reef Aquarium, Hershey’s Chocolate World, M&M’s at Showcase Mall.
- Nature near Vegas: Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon West, Valley of Fire, Red Rock Canyon—easy day or half-day trips.
Where to stay: Look for resorts with easy dining and pools. The LINQ/Flamingo area is walkable; Park MGM and MGM Grand have monorail access; off-Strip resorts can be calmer for families.
LA → Las Vegas (May 6 drive): 270 miles via I‑15 N, ~4.5–5.5 hours without long stops. Fuel cost roughly $40–70 depending on car and gas prices. Great stops: Peggy Sue’s 50’s Diner (Barstow), Baker for snacks (world’s tallest thermometer), and just before Vegas, the colorful desert art at Seven Magic Mountains.
Prefer to fly instead? LAX to LAS is ~1 hour; plan 3–4 hours total door-to-door.
Day 5 — LA to Vegas Road Trip, AREA15 & High Roller
Morning: Depart LA after breakfast to beat traffic. Optional pit stops in Barstow for lunch and in Baker for a stretch. Hydrate—desert air is dry.
Afternoon: Check in, then head to AREA15 for an immersive art playground. The star for teens is Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart—a “supermarket” that opens into surreal worlds and hidden storylines.
Meow Wolf's Omega Mart at AREA15 (tickets)
Evening: Dinner at The LINQ Promenade: choose Yard House (huge menu), Flour & Barley (brick-oven pizza), or Jaburritos (sushi burritos). Cap the night with the High Roller—28 glass cabins, 30-minute rotation, spectacular Strip views for photos.
High Roller Wheel Admission Ticket at The LINQ
Day 6 — Grand Canyon West & Hoover Dam (full-day tour)
Today is a bucket-list day. Join a guided coach tour from Vegas to Grand Canyon West on the Hualapai Reservation, plus a stop at the Hoover Dam. Expect early pickup, scenic desert driving, and time at viewpoints like Eagle Point and Guano Point. Add the glass Skywalk if your family likes thrills; views plunge 4,000 feet to the Colorado River.
Grand Canyon West, Hoover Dam Stop and Optional Lunch and Skywalk
Bring sun protection, a light jacket (wind can whip along the rim), and plenty of photospace. Back in Vegas, keep dinner simple: Secret Pizza (Cosmopolitan, hidden gem vibe), Eataly at Park MGM (mix-and-match Italian counters), or Tacos El Gordo (adobada on the spit).
Optional late-night wow: If energy allows, take a 10–12 minute helicopter flight over the Strip’s lights—unforgettable for teens and adults alike.
Las Vegas Helicopter Night Strip Flight Tour with Optional Dinner
Day 7 — Pool Time, Bellagio, and Farewell
Morning: Enjoy a relaxed pool session. Coffee at Vesta Coffee Roasters (Arts District) or Sambalatte (Boca Park/Strip-adjacent). Stroll the Bellagio Conservatory for seasonal floral displays and catch a daytime Bellagio Fountains show.
Afternoon (departure day): Quick lunch at Shake Shack (NY‑NY) or Grand Lux Cafe (Venetian), then pick up last souvenirs at M&M’s or Hershey’s Chocolate World. Head to the airport with time to spare.
Alternative Hoover Dam (shorter option): If you prefer a half-day instead of the Grand Canyon day, swap Day 6 for a compact Hoover Dam experience and add more Vegas attractions.
Award Winning 3-Hour Hoover Dam Small Group Mini Tour from Vegas
Local tips: The Mirage Volcano show has ended; instead, see the Sphere’s exterior animations after dark and the LINQ Promenade for street performers. Use rideshares or the Monorail for teen-tired feet, and always carry water walking the Strip.
Transport recap: You’ll fly into LA, spend four activity-filled days, drive the scenic I‑15 to Vegas for two nights plus a Grand Canyon day, then depart from Las Vegas. For flights to/from each city, compare options on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. For stays, browse VRBO LA, Hotels.com LA, VRBO Vegas, and Hotels.com Vegas.
In one week, you’ll time-travel from Hollywood’s golden age to the neon future of Vegas, with ocean breezes and red-rock canyons in between. It’s a snapshot of the American West that balances thrills, culture, and family downtime—perfect for a first U.S. trip your teens will talk about for years.