We (myself, my wife and 5 year old son) are flying from Montreal to Las Vegas on Feb 23 and leaving from LA on March 6.

We are going to catch up with the folks in San Diego who are travelling across the US in their RV. We are planning in Arizona at the Grand Canyon. Lucky us its offseason and we will catch a decent deal at a canyon lodge.

We are wondering if its worth the drive to monument valley and or Canyon de Chelly in the winter or go south to Sedena area and Phoenix and then on to the either national parks on the mexico border to check out the cactus before heading west to San Diego.

For San Diego, we'll be doing the trio of seaworld and the zoos and do some R&R on the surrounding beaches. Since i like playing basketball, any chance i can catch a run on a outdoor court?

I'm not planning on much time in LA but will probably drive around for a day.

sounds great..
Don't take the RV down in Mexico..
Sedona is lovely and don't miss it.
San Diego has an oceanfront basketball court in South Mission Beach.
Best to you!

Driving time from Grand Canyon to Monument Valley is just 3 hours. Do it! Monument Valley is spectular. However, it is a little like Stonehenge: You see it and that's it. Okay, you do the loop drive and some walking, but half a day is sufficient to catch the magic of the place.

Start in the morning from Grand Canyon. Spend half a day in Monument Valley. Then drive to Sedona (< 4 hours), stay overnight.

From Sedona, drive to Tucson (< 4 hours). On the way, visit Montezuma Castle. It is not Canyon de Chelley, but it is enroute and impressive enough.

Tucson is one of my favourite cities in the U.S., especially at this time of the year. Enjoy springlike weather, visit Saguaro Natl. Park, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Mission San Xavier del Bac, maybe drive to Tombstone or walk over the border into Nogales, Mexico.

From Tucson to San Diego, driving time is 6 hours.

Should read "spectacular". Especially your son will enjoy Tucson: animals, old west... (my boys did!).

Just fyi, the weather in late Feb/Early March in San Diego is not likely to be "beach weather". It will be okay for beach walks or bike rides (and basketball ), but not swimming or water play.

Your five-year old might really enjoy LegoLand.

>>Lucky us its offseason and we will catch a decent deal at a canyon lodge.<<

Do you have a reservation? Rooms in the park fill up quickly.

Lee Ann

Thanks for your replys.

We were not expecting to swim to much in San Diego. Just playing around is fine. It beats the fridgid cold we've had in Montreal. My parents will be at a campland on the bay on mission bay.

Thanks for your advice on monument valley. We might just go for it.

Legoland is on the agenda. More so for the mother than the boy!!

I was having problem booking the grand canyon hotel online so i'll give them a call asap. (they show availability in all lodges). We might splurge for that night.

Of course we'll wing things up a little along the way.