US West Coast

The Pacific coast of California, Oregon and Washington, combining major cities, Highway 1, redwoods, snowy mountain national parks and wine country.

In this plan, the West Coast means the three Pacific-coast states of California, Oregon and Washington, split off from the census Pacific division and excluding Alaska and Hawaiʻi. California is the main event. Los Angeles has Hollywood, Universal Studios, Disney and Santa Monica Beach; San Diego enjoys a pleasant climate; San Francisco is known for the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars and Fisherman's Wharf; and to the north, Napa and Sonoma are the most famous wine regions in the US. Inland, the Sierra Nevada holds Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, with Mammoth Lakes, Bishop and Lone Pine on the eastern slopes, and Lake Tahoe good in every season; the southeastern deserts have Palm Springs and Joshua Tree. In Oregon, Portland is known for its food and coffee culture, and Cannon Beach, the Columbia River Gorge and Crater Lake are outstanding. In Washington, Seattle is home to Pike Place Market and the Space Needle, with Mount Rainier, the Olympic Peninsula, the North Cascades and the San Juan Islands nearby. The classic route is the Highway 1 road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles, passing Monterey, Big Sur and Hearst Castle, in about 4–6 days; California cities plus national parks take about 10–14 days; and the Pacific Northwest "Seattle–Olympic–Portland" loop takes about a week. Between cities you can fly or take the train, but national parks and the coastline require a car. The Big Sur section is occasionally closed by landslides, so check road conditions before setting out; in the mountains, carry snow chains in winter.

Destinations

Itineraries

US West National Parks & Coast Grand Loop – A Los Angeles loop passing through Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Yosemite, and San Francisco, returning…
Pacific Coast Highway: San Francisco to Los Angeles – Drive south along Highway 1, connecting San Francisco, Big Sur, Hearst Castle, and Santa Barbara
Northern California Redwoods Coast & Volcano Loop – Head north along Highway 1 to Mendocino and the Redwoods, then turn toward Redding and Lassen Volcanic before returning…
Oregon Gorge, Crater Lake & Coast Loop – Depart from Portland, looping through gorge waterfalls, Bend, Crater Lake, and the southern and northern coasts
Eastern Sierra US-395 & Yosemite Crossing – Head north from Los Angeles along US-395, crossing the mountains via Tioga Road to Yosemite and San Francisco
Death Valley, Sequoia & Yosemite National Parks – Fly into Las Vegas and out of San Francisco, visiting Death Valley, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite in succession
Southern California Coast & Desert Loop – From Los Angeles to San Diego, then to Palm Springs and Joshua Tree, split evenly between beaches and deserts
Washington Cascade Loop & Whidbey Island – Head east from Seattle through a Bavarian town and the North Cascades, looping back via the Whidbey Island coast
Olympic Peninsula Rainforest & Coast Loop – Loop the peninsula from Seattle, visiting Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, wild beaches, and the Hoh Rain Forest
Los Angeles Neighborhood Life and Santa Barbara – Stay downtown and use the metro to explore Olvera Street, Hollywood and Fairfax, plus a day train trip to Santa Barbara.
Los Angeles City and Coastal Day Trips – Stay in Santa Monica; three days in the city, plus day trips to Malibu, Catalina Island and Laguna Beach.
Pacific Northwest by Rail and Ferry, Car-Free – Ride Amtrak to link Portland, Seattle and Vancouver, then take a ferry to Victoria