OTR 2025

Our adventure begins in Venice. After a long journey with a connection in Rome, we land in Los Angeles at 1:15 p.m. Once we collect our rental car, we head to Santa Monica, our first stop and home for the night.

Instead of California’s classic blue sky, we are greeted by a grey, overcast day. We are not quite sure what to expect, especially after the terrible wildfires that recently struck the surrounding area. Pacific Palisades, not far from here, was among the hardest-hit places: entire neighbourhoods were devastated and many families had to leave their homes. It is impossible not to think of everyone facing the consequences of this tragedy.

Despite the cloudy sky, we cannot begin our trip without a walk along the famous Santa Monica Pier. Among the amusement-park lights, the sound of the ocean and the unmistakable atmosphere of the pier, we finally begin to feel that we are truly in California.

For dinner we choose Bubba Gump, where we eat extremely well. The place is busy, the air is cool and there are plenty of colourful characters around us. From our very first hours here, the atmosphere feels lively, distinctive and wonderfully American.

The journey has only just begun, but Los Angeles has already given us our first emotions.

The day is even cloudier than yesterday, but we start on the right foot with breakfast at Teddy’s Cafe, a historic, untouristy diner frequented mainly by locals. In true American style, we enjoy an enormous, fluffy and delicious pancake.

We then drive towards the former Staples Center, now the Crypto.com Arena, home of the Lakers and a symbolic place in the legend of Kobe Bryant, where we stop to pay tribute to his memory.

We continue to the Walk of Fame and Hollywood Boulevard, among stars, bright signs and colourful characters. We end the day on the elegant streets of Beverly Hills and among the luxury boutiques of Rodeo Drive, where a glance at a few shop windows is enough to remind us how poor we are.

Fortunately, dreaming is free.

We climb up for an iconic photo of the Hollywood sign, although the fog does not help very much.

We then return to Santa Monica, where a spectacular sunset awaits us.

We leave cloudy Los Angeles, but not before one last essential stop at Teddy’s for a hearty American breakfast.

Our destination is Joshua Tree National Park, where the scenery changes completely: the sky is clear, the sun is shining and it is decidedly hot. We venture along the trails, surrounded by the park’s distinctive yuccas and enormous rock formations. The long walk rewards us with remarkable landscapes that seem to belong to another planet.

In the evening we reach Barstow, a town in the heart of the desert and a historic stop on Route 66. After an intense day, it is the perfect place to rest and prepare for the next adventure.

We leave mild Barstow and set off towards the Grand Canyon. Once in Arizona, we follow a stretch of legendary Route 66 and stop in two of its most representative towns.

The first is Kingman, with its vintage signs and old-America atmosphere. We stop at Mr D’z Route 66 Diner, a restaurant perfectly suited to the journey. We then continue to Williams, a picturesque town full of restaurants, little shops and reminders of the historic highway.

Between boundless landscapes and old-fashioned atmospheres, the journey towards one of the world’s most famous natural wonders is already a wonderful adventure in itself, even as the temperature drops sharply and a few snowflakes begin to fall.

In the afternoon we cross Kaibab National Forest on our way to the Grand Canyon. The weather changes quickly: first it rains, then it actually begins to snow. We also encounter some wildlife along the way, making the drive even more exciting.

We finally reach Grand Canyon National Park, ready to admire its immensity, but thick fog completely hides the view. We cut our trail short because darkness is falling and walking in the snow is no longer safe. We return to our hotel in Tusayan for a rather forgettable dinner, hoping tomorrow’s weather will be better. Meanwhile, the snow keeps falling heavily.

We wake beneath a much more reassuring sky and return to the park, following spectacular Desert View Drive to the famous Desert View Watchtower.

Along the way we almost run out of petrol, but luckily we find a station only a short distance from the tower: danger averted.

This time the Grand Canyon reveals its full immensity. Some areas are covered in snow while others are completely bare: a surprising contrast that makes us realise just how vast this place truly is.

We then return to the Visitor Center area, where we manage to walk part of the Rim Trail. Following the canyon’s edge and seeing it from constantly changing viewpoints is the perfect way to end this unforgettable day.

We leave the fascinating, snow-covered Grand Canyon and head southeast, ready to discover more of Arizona’s wonders.

Our first stop is Meteor Crater, an enormous crater formed roughly 50,000 years ago by a meteorite impact, impressive both for its size and its state of preservation.

We continue to Petrified Forest National Park, famous for its ancient petrified logs, transformed over millions of years into natural works of art. Unfortunately, heavy rain begins and we have to abandon the longer trails.

We then cross the Painted Desert, although beneath such a grey sky it looks decidedly less… painted.

In the evening we arrive in Holbrook, an almost deserted town. Even the restaurant is nearly empty, but dinner surprises us with excellent barbecue: the perfect ending to a long and intense day.

After our usual ‘modest’ breakfast, we leave Holbrook and head northwest towards Page.

We immediately stop at Big Lake Sand Cave, a striking sandstone cave hidden behind a Shell station and reached by a short walk from the road. It is a first taste of what lies ahead—and a brilliant piece of marketing by whoever opened the petrol station there.

We then visit majestic Glen Canyon Dam, the imposing barrier built across the Colorado River that created Lake Powell. We continue to Wahweap Overlook, where we admire the lake from above.

Then it is time for iconic Horseshoe Bend: the spectacular curve of the Colorado River leaves us speechless.

After a short break at the hotel, the essential dinner at Big John’s Texas BBQ awaits us. We end the day by returning to the overlook to photograph the lake wrapped in sunset colours.

The day begins beneath a clear sky on a road surrounded by arid grasslands, isolated rocks and old windmills. We follow AZ-98, a remote, lonely and scenic highway crossing the desert and the Navajo Nation.

Before reaching Monument Valley we encounter Agathla Peak. Its name comes from the Navajo word Aghaałą́, meaning ‘much wool’, referring to animal fur that once collected on the rock. It is considered a sacred mountain by the Navajo people.

In the morning we drive Monument Valley’s Scenic Drive in our own car, following dirt roads through red dust and gigantic rock formations. Every bend reveals a different view, as though we have entered an old Western movie.

At sunset we join an organised tour and venture into otherwise inaccessible places. Among hidden corners, Navajo traditions and spectacular scenery, we even find a basketball hoop in the middle of nowhere.

The day ends before the great rocks glowing red and orange: a silent, unforgettable moment containing all the magic of Monument Valley.

We leave Kayenta in the morning with the landscapes of Monument Valley behind us. After following US-163, we continue along US-191 and encounter curious Church Rock, an imposing sandstone formation named for its rounded shape, like the dome of a solitary church in the desert.

In the afternoon we reach Canyonlands National Park and hike several trails in the Island in the Sky district. The highlight is Mesa Arch, a spectacular natural arch overlooking an immense expanse of canyons and time-sculpted rock.

Before ending the day we reach Dead Horse Point, a natural balcony from which the Colorado River looks like a slender ribbon between sheer walls. Finally we arrive in Moab, tired but still filled with the images and emotions of this magnificent day.

After a generous American breakfast, we devote the entire day to Arches National Park, which fully lives up to all our expectations.

In the morning we tackle the demanding Devils Garden Trail, walking among spectacular arches and encountering some local wildlife.

After a lunch break and a refreshing shower, we return to the park for the Delicate Arch Trail: a strenuous climb, but completely rewarded by the wonder of an arch so iconic that it even appears on Utah licence plates.

Despite our tired legs, we finish with two shorter routes: Windows Loop Trail and Double Arch Trail.

Before leaving the park, we also admire the imposing rock formations around Courthouse Towers.

The evening ends in Moab with a well-earned and more than respectable pizza after an intense, unforgettable day.

After a sweet and generous breakfast at Moab Diner, we leave Moab on US-191 north, then join I-70 west and finally I-15 south.

The drive is long, but the landscape changes constantly: desert plains, plateaus, red-rock canyons and roads that seem to disappear into the horizon. We cross Utah, skirt St. George and drive through spectacular Virgin River Gorge in Arizona before entering Nevada.

In the afternoon we arrive in Las Vegas. It is only April, yet the heat is already intense—we are, after all, in the heart of the Mojave Desert. Once settled in, we walk along the Strip, dazzled by the lights, hotels and almost surreal atmosphere.

Naturally, we try our luck at roulette without winning a fortune, then end the evening with dinner at Virgil’s Real BBQ and the Bellagio fountain show.

We leave Las Vegas for Death Valley and cross into California, the final state of our journey. Although it is only April, the temperature already reaches 40°C: a first taste of the extreme conditions that define this place.

We visit some of the park’s most spectacular sights: the boundless panorama from Dante’s View, the shapes and colours of Zabriskie Point, Artist’s Palette and Badwater Basin—the lowest point in North America—before finishing at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.

Leaving Death Valley, we follow a completely deserted road that seems never-ending and encounter almost nobody. Fortunately, our car does not abandon us in the middle of nowhere.

In the evening we reach Ridgecrest, perhaps not the most memorable town, but perfect for resting after a day of heat, desert and extraordinary landscapes.

We leave Ridgecrest for Sequoia National Park. Along Highway 65 we pass numerous oil wells with their distinctive pumpjacks moving slowly and endlessly through California’s arid landscape.

As we approach the park, the road begins climbing through mountains and continuous bends, demanding careful driving but rewarding us with increasingly beautiful views.

Once there, we discover that Moro Rock is inaccessible: it snowed recently and the route is often still closed at this time of year. Undeterred, we choose a couple of trails through Giant Forest and walk beneath ancient sequoias.

Along the trail we keep our eyes open for wildlife, but the cold is still biting and the forest remains silent. Perhaps the animals are all still warm in their shelters, unconvinced that spring has really arrived.

We head north towards Yosemite National Park. The air is still cool and the signs of recent snowfall are clearly visible along the way.

Before entering Yosemite Valley we pass through famous Wawona Tunnel. As soon as we emerge, the view suddenly opens before us: from Tunnel View we admire the valley in all its splendour, framed by El Capitan, Half Dome and Bridalveil Fall. It is one of those views that leaves you speechless.

We then reach Bridalveil Fall and walk Mirror Lake Trail, surrounded by granite walls, forests and waterfalls fed by melting snow.

As we leave the park, the most exciting encounter of the day awaits us. We notice people staring towards the top of a tree: two bear cubs are playing and climbing among the branches while their mother carefully watches from below. We take a few photographs from a safe distance, then continue towards Mariposa, where we spend the night.

We leave the mountains and head for the sea. Our first stop is San Francisco, a city that immediately wins us over: charming, lively and delightful to explore on foot, even though its famous steep streets put our legs to the test.

For lunch we wander among the eateries and stalls of the Ferry Building, then reach winding Lombard Street and continue to Fisherman’s Wharf, where we stop for dinner.

In the city centre we also discover a fantastic coffee shop: alongside excellent coffee, we treat ourselves to an extremely sweet slice of red velvet cake.

In the evening we move to the Golden Gate area for sunset photographs. The temperature is pleasant, but the wind is incredible: our sweatshirt hoods keep blowing on and off our heads, making the moment even more amusing and unforgettable.

The morning begins with a visit to the famous Painted Ladies, the colourful Victorian houses that have become one of San Francisco’s symbols. Nearby, signs warn us to watch out for coyotes—an unexpected and curious detail in the heart of the city.

We continue to Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors. As a huge fan, I certainly could not miss it. Basketball is everywhere in this area, not only inside the arena but also along the streets and pavements.

Our next stop is the Palace of Fine Arts, a truly distinctive and elegant place, with imposing classical architecture overlooking a peaceful lagoon.

In the afternoon we board the ferry to Alcatraz. Visiting the famous prison is both impressive and atmospheric: among the old cells, prisoners’ stories and views across the bay, it almost feels like travelling back in time. We also understand how impossible escaping from that place must have been. Naturally, the wind is ever-present, as always in San Francisco.

Once back, we return to Fisherman’s Wharf and end the day with a local speciality: famous clam chowder, a creamy soup served inside a sourdough bread bowl. Simply delicious.

We leave beautiful, windy San Francisco and begin our journey along the California coast. Before heading south, however, we detour through legendary Silicon Valley, the global birthplace of technological innovation. We pass the headquarters of companies that changed how we live and communicate: Meta, Apple, Google, NVIDIA and Intel.

In the afternoon we reach Monterey, where we booked a whale-watching boat trip. Unfortunately, luck is not entirely on our side and we mostly see only a few fins. It is still a wonderful experience: sailing across the bay, breathing the ocean air and observing marine wildlife makes the tour thoroughly enjoyable.

In the evening we head to delightful Carmel-by-the-Sea, a fairytale-like town known for its distinctive cottages, art galleries, elegant boutiques and immaculate lanes leading to the beautiful beach. Walking along Ocean Avenue among buildings straight from a storybook is the perfect way to end this intense day on the California coast.

We leave charming Carmel-by-the-Sea and continue south. Unfortunately, famous coastal Highway 1 is still closed around Big Sur because of a major landslide and severe road damage. We therefore have to detour inland before returning to the coast and continuing to Venice Beach.

It is a long stage, but we make a couple of pleasant stops along the way. The real surprise is Pismo Beach, a lively seaside town known for its immense beach, distinctive pier and relaxed California atmosphere. Despite the time of year, the beaches are busy and full of life, with surfers, families and people strolling across the sand.

In the evening we finally reach Venice Beach and walk along its famous oceanfront. Everyone here seems to practise a different sport: running, skateboarding, basketball, beach workouts and roller skating. The explosion of energy, music and eccentric characters creates a truly unique atmosphere.

We end this long day with a decidedly expensive pizza—fortunately, it is also excellent.

It is the last full day of our trip, and we hope Los Angeles will finally give us more sunshine than it did at the beginning. Fortunately, our wish is granted.

Naturally, the day starts with breakfast at Teddy’s. We then visit one of the city’s most famous symbols: the unmistakable Hollywood sign. From there we reach Griffith Observatory and enjoy a magnificent view across Los Angeles, made even more impressive by the clear sky.

We continue to Long Beach and enjoy an excellent, creamy dulce de leche flan. We end the day—and symbolically our journey—with delicious tacos, one of the area’s most widespread and characteristic foods, as well as one of the few specialities still available at a reasonable price.

A simple but perfect finale of sunshine, views and local flavours.

Our final day has arrived. We begin with a thoroughly American breakfast: coffee and food from Starbucks, taken away and enjoyed directly on the beach while looking out over the ocean. One last peaceful moment before departure.

Then come the final chores: we wash the car, return it and head to the airport for check-in. The journey home awaits and, as always when leaving a place that has given us so many emotions, a tear inevitably falls.

We return home with a little sadness, but above all with our eyes and hearts filled with images, experiences and memories that will remain with us forever.