# Five Southwest Road Trip Destinations to Cool Off This Summer *By James Hills, mantripping.com — Updated July 2023* It's getting hot and if you are in the Southwest United States, it's going to get a lot hotter over the next few months. I just drove back from Las Vegas and as we drove through Baker, CA the thermometer on the car hit 116 degrees! That got me thinking about ideas for places to go visit later this summer to avoid the heat and cool off for a few days.  Before any trip it's important to make sure your car is in great shape too though. So while picking the right destination and packing the right clothes are important ... so is making sure your car is going to be happy too! Depending on your skill level, there are some things you can do yourself such as getting new wiper blades, topping off fluids, making sure your lights are all working perfectly and making sure your car has a good [emergency kit](https://mantripping.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1276:preparing-an-emergency-kit-for-your-car&catid=16&Itemid=530). While you are shopping at AutoZone though, make sure to take advantage of some of their other benefits such as free battery testing to make sure it's still in great condition. Trust me - you don't want to be stuck in the middle of the desert with a dead battery! ## Mammoth Mountain Just a few hours outside of LA, this is a quick road trip for people in Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego. It's also a quick drive for people in the desert looking to take a break from the heat. While Mammoth is most widely known as a winter resort it had some fantastic opportunities for summertime enjoyment too. Since it's high up in the Sierra Mountains it's also going to be a lot cooler. Guys Trip Destinations and Getaway Ideas FLOWMEDIAMARKETING [What Do Gen Z Travelers Think About Cruising And Where Do They Want To Go Next?](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/api/flowads/click/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fflowmediamarketing.com%2Finsights%2Fwhat-do-gen-z-travelers-think-about-cruising-and-where-do-they-want-to-go-next.html&id=654&type=blog&site=mantripping) [Read More →](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/api/flowads/click/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fflowmediamarketing.com%2Finsights%2Fwhat-do-gen-z-travelers-think-about-cruising-and-where-do-they-want-to-go-next.html&id=654&type=blog&site=mantripping) MANTRIPPING [Awesome Ideas For Single Guys To Explore In The Philippines](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/api/flowads/click/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mantripping.com%2Ftravel%2Fawesome-ideas-for-guys-to-explore-in-the-philippines.html&id=371&type=blog&site=mantripping) [Read More →](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/api/flowads/click/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mantripping.com%2Ftravel%2Fawesome-ideas-for-guys-to-explore-in-the-philippines.html&id=371&type=blog&site=mantripping) MANTRIPPING [Eight Dangers To Avoid On A Mexican All-Inclusive Resort Guys Getaway](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/api/flowads/click/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mantripping.com%2Ftravel%2Fdangers-to-avoid-during-a-mexican-all-inclusive-resort-guys-getaway.html&id=372&type=blog&site=mantripping) [Read More →](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/api/flowads/click/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mantripping.com%2Ftravel%2Fdangers-to-avoid-during-a-mexican-all-inclusive-resort-guys-getaway.html&id=372&type=blog&site=mantripping) FLOWMEDIAMARKETING [How I Use AI to Transform Social Media Comments Into Blog Posts That Drive Traffic](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/api/flowads/click/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fflowmediamarketing.com%2Farticles%2Fturn-social-media-comments-into-blog-posts-with-ai.html&id=649&type=blog&site=mantripping) [Read More →](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/api/flowads/click/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fflowmediamarketing.com%2Farticles%2Fturn-social-media-comments-into-blog-posts-with-ai.html&id=649&type=blog&site=mantripping) MANTRIPPING [Five Ways We Used Cellular at Sea Cruise+ on Our Canada and New England Cruise](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/api/flowads/click/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mantripping.com%2Ftravel%2Fcellular-at-sea-on-norwegian-getaway-canada-and-new-england-cruise.html&id=378&type=blog&site=mantripping) [Read More →](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/api/flowads/click/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mantripping.com%2Ftravel%2Fcellular-at-sea-on-norwegian-getaway-canada-and-new-england-cruise.html&id=378&type=blog&site=mantripping) We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.   ## San Diego San Diego is the perfect retreat to escape the ravages of the summer heat by relaxing on the beach and enjoying America's best craft beer, margaritas, and tacos. From the zoo to the beaches and tons of ways to spend time on the water, this is a great choice to cool down. Plus - even when it does get hot, there's always an ocean breeze to cool you down!   ## Sedona Arizona Located north of Phoenix, Sedona Arizona has summer temperatures that are 10-15 degrees cooler than in the Valley of the Sun and at night it can get down to the 60s. Plus, it's absolutely beautiful to drive around and there are some amazing resorts. ## Las Vegas Ok, what? Isn't [Las Vegas](https://www.mantripping.com/united-states/nevada/las-vegas.html) in the middle of the desert? Yup it is but hang in there with me - between the fact that prices are dirt cheap during the summer, pools are plentiful and drinks are always cold it really isn't that bad. Plus, most of these resorts are so massive that you can spend an entire weekend inside, enjoying the air conditioning without ever having to go outside! --- {"html":""} --- ## Carmel California Finally, we'll head out of the mountains and cool off on the ocean in Carmel. While virtually any place along the coast is a great spot to cool off, the wooded areas here provide some much-needed shade and since it is incredibly dog-friendly that makes it a great spot to escape with your dog as well! Details Written by: James Hills Last Updated: 22 July 2023 ### 🚢Ready To Book A Vacation? Let us help you plan a cruise, all-inclusive resort, or tour for your next guys trip, family vacation, or romantic getaway. Click here to [**Book Your Next Vacation**](https://www.mantripping.com/vacation-planning.html). #### Alaska's Cultural Side: Why Cruising the Last Frontier Is More Than Just Scenery Feb 23, 2026 [Alaska's Cultural Side: Why Cruising the Last Frontier Is More Than Just Scenery](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/alaska-more-than-just-natural-beauty-wonder-unique-culture-traditions.html) [Plan Your Next Vacation Today!](https://www.mantripping.com/vacation-planning.html) #### COROS Pace 4 Review: I'm Not a Runner. I'm Still Not Taking This Smart Watch Off Mar 24, 2026 [COROS Pace 4 Review: I'm Not a Runner. I'm Still Not Taking This Smart Watch Off](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/coros-pace-4-watch-review.html) #### From Huawei Watch 2 to COROS Pace 4: What A Decade of Reviews Taught Me About Screens Mar 23, 2026 [From Huawei Watch 2 to COROS Pace 4: What A Decade of Reviews Taught Me About Screens](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/gps-watch-display-types-mip-amoled-solar-explained.html) #### Spring Cleanup Done Right: Plano Storage Trunks and Shelving Reviewed Mar 02, 2026 [Spring Cleanup Done Right: Plano Storage Trunks and Shelving Reviewed](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/spring-cleanup-done-right-plano-storage-trunks-and-shelving-reviewed.html) ### Related Articles #### Testing the 2026 Nissan LEAF: First Impressions of Nissan's Redesigned Electric Crossover [Testing the 2026 Nissan LEAF: First Impressions of Nissan's Redesigned Electric Crossover](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/2026-nissan-leaf-first-impressions.html) #### Vegas's Best Bachelor Party Suites: What $10,000+ Per Night Actually Gets You [Vegas's Best Bachelor Party Suites: What $10,000+ Per Night Actually Gets You](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/vegas-high-roller-suites-bowling-basketball-courts.html) #### What to Know Before Working with a Nightlife Concierge for Your Vegas Trip [What to Know Before Working with a Nightlife Concierge for Your Vegas Trip](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/what-to-know-before-hiring-a-las-vegas-nightlife-concierge.html) #### 15 LA Movie Locations Every Guy Should Visit: From Die Hard to Star Trek [15 LA Movie Locations Every Guy Should Visit: From Die Hard to Star Trek](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/la-movie-locations-every-guy-should-visit.html) #### At Greenhorn Ranch Adults-Only Summer Camp You'll Be Able To Rediscover Your Inner Child [At Greenhorn Ranch Adults-Only Summer Camp You'll Be Able To Rediscover Your Inner Child](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/greenhorn-ranch-adults-only-summer-camp.html) - [**](https://www.mantripping.com/search.html) - [**](https://www.mantripping.com/sitemap.html?view=html&id=1) - [** Polls](https://www.mantripping.com/polls.html) - [Community Login](https://www.mantripping.com/registration/login.html) - [Brand Engagement Newsletter](https://www.mantripping.com/pr-ops-newsletter.html) - [Gift Guides & Roundups Submission Form](https://www.mantripping.com/roundups-form.html) - [Links](https://www.mantripping.com/links.html) - [Pitch Portal](https://www.mantripping.com/pitch.html) {"html":""} --- ### Need help planning? **Heather** is a cruise and travel specialist at mantripping.com with over 15 years of experience in personalized trip planning. She helps travelers plan cruise vacations tailored to their specific needs — whether it's choosing the right ship, coordinating a group, or finding the best itinerary for your budget and interests. **Get in touch:** - [Request a personalized quote](https://mantripping.com/book-with-heather?ref=agent) - Email: heather@flowmediamarketing.com --- **About mantripping.com:** Men's travel, lifestyle, and adventure since 2010. Honest reviews from 20+ years of travel experience. *Source: [Five Southwest Road Trip Destinations to Cool Off This Summer](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/fivefinall-south-west-summer-road-trips-to-cool-off-this-summer.html) — mantripping.com* **Related content you may find useful:** - [Travel guides and destination reviews](https://mantripping.com/travel/) - [Men's lifestyle and gear reviews](https://mantripping.com/mens-lifestyle/)