The Ultimate Road Trip USA West Coast Guide You Need

Looking for the ultimate road trip USA West Coast guide? This is the best guide that takes you through epic national parks, luxury escapes, coastal wonders, and more.

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A USA West Coast road trip has some of the most unique and diverse landscapes in the world. The West Coast has intense coastlines that can range from rugged shores to calm beaches, beautiful mountains, vibrant cities, and more. This road trip USA West Coast guide takes you along the Pacific Coast Highway through national parks, epic beaches, and everything in between.

Explore the best road trip stops on the West Coast including San Diego, Los Angeles, and Palm Springs in the stunning state of California. See Las Vegas in Nevada, Crater Lake in Oregon, Seattle in Washington, and so much more.

This ultimate guide will also include the best places to visit on a West Coast road trip and where to stay, must-see stops on a West Coast road trip and all the popular attractions, the top national parks on a West Coast Road Trip, a road trip packing list for the West Coast, and much more.

This post is all about the ultimate road trip USA West Coast guide.

The Ultimate Road Trip USA West Coast Guide

Why Take A West Coast Road Trip?

The West Coast of the USA is beautiful and has so many unique landscapes. It has many stunning cities along the Pacific Ocean. The West Coast also has some of the best scenic views for a road trip, especially along the Pacific Coast Highway. There are historical sites to visit along the way and many National Parks to explore. Take in the natural attractions and explore luxurious beaches, enjoy the hustle and bustle of the vibrant cities, and so much more.

For an East Coast road trip in the USA check out the blog post “THE ULTIMATE ROAD TRIP USA EAST COAST ITINERARY YOU’LL LOVE“.

Best Time To Road Trip The West Coast USA

The best time for a West Coast road trip is spring, summer, or fall. Winter is nice as well, you just have to keep an eye out for weather conditions and snow, especially in Oregon and Washington states. The benefits of traveling in the winter are that the prices are cheaper, there are a lot fewer crowds and it is a lot less busy during this time. The ideal time to road trip the West Coast is spring or fall since it’s not the prime season but the weather is still good even in the northern states, and prices are less than the prime season in summer. Summer is the busiest season to road trip the West Coast, also probably the best time but with higher prices and tourist crowds.

Recommended Routes and Itineraries For An East Coast USA Road Trip

There are many different road trip routes you can take along the West Coast of the USA. The best scenic routes and hidden gems include:

The Pacific Coast Highway – Has some of the best views of the Pacific Ocean and has iconic stops like Big Sur.
Avenue of the Giants – The best views and drive through the ancient redwood forests.
Olympic Peninsula Washington – Has some of the most unique rugged coastlines and beautiful temperature rainforests.

This road trip USA West Cost guide will take you from the south and all the way up to the north while stopping in each significant city.

Must-See Destinations On The USA West Coast Road Trip

San Diego, California

The first stop on this road trip USA West Coast guide is San Diego in California. San Diego is known for its miles and miles of amazing beaches, warm climate, and lots of wonderful attractions like the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Safari, Balboa Park, SeaWorld San Diego, Legoland California, and several US Marine, Navy, and Coast Guard Bases. The most popular thing to do in San Diego is visit the USS Midway Museum at Navy Pier. You will get to see some aircraft up close and personal and some of these are similar to the ones used in the Top Gun Movie. There are lots of adventurous things to do in California and a lot of them are located in San Diego.

Where To Stay In San Diego – Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego is a great hotel to stay at while visiting San Diego. This luxury hotel is located right in downtown San Diego and has amazing views of the city from the lounge located 40 stories above San Diego Bay. Also has 8 separate dining and bar options on site. Another great place to stay is the Pacific Terrace Hotel. Located right on Pacific Beach Park it has a swimming pool, hot tub, and stunning ocean views.

Los Angeles, California

Next head to the entertainment capital of the world, Los Angeles. Being the largest city in California there is so much to see and do in this beautiful city like visit the movie studios like Universal Studios, beautiful beaches, sunset strip, museums, the Staples Center Arena, theme parks, wineries, great food, exciting nightlife, and so much more! Although Los Angeles is not a very budget-friendly place to stay it is definitely worth a visit. Amazing places close to Los Angeles also include Hollywood, Malibu, Santa Monica, Anaheim, Venice Beach, and Beverly Hills.

Where To Stay In Los Angeles – A great place to stay in Los Angeles is Level Los Angeles – Downtown South Olive Hotel. Located in the center of Los Angeles this beautiful hotel has an outdoor pool, and basketball court, and is a close walk to the Staples Centre. Another great place to stay in Los Angeles is Sheraton Grand Los Angeles.

For more on Southern California, check out the blog post “THE ULTIMATE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BUCKET LIST“.

Palm Springs, California

After the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles make your way to Palm Springs. Palm Springs is more of a luxury place to visit in Southern California. It is known for its amazing hot springs, spas, golf courses, shopping, and luxurious resorts. This is the perfect place to come and relax and detox. This is a must for a Southern California bucket list for couples. There is also the Coachella Valley that surrounds Plam Springs where you can enjoy some hiking and biking trails and even horseback riding. This is also home to the Coachella Music And Arts Festival. This is one of the most renowned music festivals in the world.

Where To Stay In Palm Springs – There are many luxurious places to stay in Palm Springs. One of the best ones is The Weekend Palm Springs. Located right in the center of Palm Springs, it is close to shopping and dining places. Other great places to stay are Dive Palm Springs and The Palm Springs Hotel.

Las Vegas, Nevada

After doing some relaxation in Palm Springs you need to go to Las Vegas. Las Vegas is located close to the Nevada-California border. Las Vegas also known as Sin City is one of the most lively cities on the West Coast. There is so much to see and do here including walking the famous Las Vegas Strip, checking out Freemont Street known as Old Las Vegas, shooting ranges, a day trip to the famous Grand Canyon, and more. While here you have to explore all the different casinos and all of their attractions like the Bellagio Fountains at the Bellagio, the Venitian Canals at the Venitian, the Big Apple Roller Coaster at New York New York, and more.

You could also see a show at a Las Vegas casino or even go see a residency show. Dine at a celebrity chef restaurant for the best fine dining experience. Relax by the many pools at the hotels. Experience the ultimate Las Vegas nightlife with bars, clubs, dancers, street entertainment, and so much more.

Where To Stay In Las Vegas – For the best experience stay on the Las Vegas Strip. The Bellagio Hotel And Casino is one of the best places to stay on the Las Vegas Strip. The Bellagio is a luxury resort that is more of a splurge. Another great hotel to stay in on the Las Vegas Strip is Caesars Palace Hotel And Casino.

For a more in-depth review of Las Vegas, check out the blog post “THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO LAS VEGAS FOR FIRST TIMERS: UNFORGETTABLE TRIP TO SIN CITY“.

Big Sur, California

After exploring Las Vegas head to Big Sur in California. As you drive along the stunning Pacific Coast Highway you will get to see some of the most breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, serene forests, one-of-a-kind landmarks, and more. Explore the famous Bixby Creek Bridge where you can get some stunning pictures. Visit McWay Falls which is a cascading waterfall that goes right into the Pacific Ocean, truly breathtaking. Relax on Pfeiffer Beach with purple sand. Explore the Point Sur Lighthouse which is located on volcanic rock making it super unique. Walk the scenic trails of Garrapata State Park to see wildflower fields and beautiful cliffs.

Where To Stay In Big Sur – A great place to stay in Big Sur is Big Sur Lodge which is close to nature. Another great place to stay near Big Sur is Hidden Valley Inn which has spectacular views of the mountains.

San Francisco, California

The next stop of this road trip USA West Coast itinerary is San Francisco in Northern California. San Francisco is a cultural gem on the West Coast. There is so much amazing architecture to see here including the famous Golden Gate Bridge that is a recognizable landmark all over the world. This beautiful city is full of historic charm, iconic hills with houses lining the streets, historic cable cars, and a unique atmosphere. Another famous attraction in San Francisco is Alcatraz Island where you can take a guided tour that is full of history. Also visit Fisherman’s Wharf And Pier 39, Chinatown, Lombard Street, Golden Gate Park, and so much more.

Where To Stay In San Francisco – Some great places to stay in San Francisco are the Hilton San Francisco Financial District, Nob Hill Hotel, and Chancellor Hotel on Union Square.

Napa Valley, California

Next, make your way to the luxurious Napa Valley in California. Napa Valley is famous for its world-class wineries and vineyards. It also has stunning landscapes with beautiful luxury accommodations and exquisite cuisine options. The most famous thing to do in Napa Valley is wine tours and tastings. With over 400 wineries in the region, you can really go anywhere for an exclusive wine experience.

There are lots of other things to do in Napa Valley, California as well. Enjoy the spa and get a relaxing massage. You could take a hot air balloon ride and take in the views of Napa Valley from above. This is a unique experience and the views are just mesmerizing. Also, be sure to enjoy some gourmet dining options as well. There are many Michelin-star restaurants in the area as well as lots of casual dining options.

Napa Valley also has many outdoor activities to enjoy including hiking through the Valley or even cycling through the trails. There are many golf courses to enjoy with stunning views all around. Enjoy some retail therapy by checking out the shops in Downtown St. Helena as well.

Where To Stay In Napa Valley – Stay at the Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Napa American Canyon, Napa Valley Hotel & Suites, or The Knoll Hotel Napa Valley, Tapestry Collection by Hilton.

For more luxury countryside retreats check out the blog post “THE ULTIMATE LUXURY WEEKEND BREAK IN COUNTRYSIDE RETREATS“.

Redwood National State Park, California

After enjoying some of the best wineries in Napa Valley head to Redwood National State Park also located in Northern California. Redwood National State Park is home to some of the oldest trees in the world making it a favorite for adventure seekers and nature lovers. The breathtaking forests have some trees that are over 350 feet tall, the park also has a unique diverse ecosystem with a rugged coastline, flowing rivers, prairies, and more.

Some of the top attractions in Redwood National State Park include the Tall Trees Grove hike which is fairly challenging, Lady Bird Johnson Grove is a short trail with some of the best stunning views of the ancient trees, Fern Canyon is a canyon filled with greenery and ferns and is a great place for a walk (also featured in Jurassic Park 2), Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway is a scenic 10-mile long drive, and Gold Bluffs Beach with amazing coastal views.

Where To Stay In Redwoods National State Park Area – Stay at Redwood Suites Hotel which is located in the town of Ferndale very close to the park. Or stay at the Crescent Beach Motel which is a budget-friendly motel located right on the oceanfront and also close to the park.

Crater Lake, Oregon

The next stop on your road trip USA West Coast itinerary is Crater Lake in Oregon. Crater Lake is a divine natural wonder that is known for its stunning blue water, serene atmosphere, and unique geology. This one-of-a-kind Lake is the deepest Lake in the USA measuring about 1943 feet deep. Crater Lake was formed within a collapsed volcano which is what makes it unique.

The best things to enjoy at Crater Lake are the Rim Drive which is a 33-mile circle that has the best panoramic views of the lake and the beautiful diverse landscape. Another great attraction to enjoy is Wizard Island which is a volcanic cone rising out of the lake, only accessible by boat, but once on the island, you can enjoy a little hike here as well. Cleetwood Cove Trail is the only trail that leads to the shoreline along the lake where you can enjoy some swimming and fishing. Other great things to see at Crater Lake are Watchman Peak and Phantom Ship.

Where To Stay At Crater Lake – Some good places to stay at Crater Lake are the Eagle Crater Lake Inn
and the Aspen Inn. Both are budget-friendly places to stay and are perfect for a cozy relaxing stay after enjoying the adventurous outdoors.

Portland, Oregon

After enjoying Crater Lake, make your way to Portland, Oregon. Portland is a great city that is filled with lots of art, nature, an amazing food scene, and wonderful charm. While in Portland check out Washington Park to do some hiking and see the International Rose Test Garden, the Portland Japanese Garden, and more nature. Visit the Pioneer Courthouse Square to enjoy some food trucks, fun events, entertainment, and public art. Also, be sure to go to the Portland Art Museum which is one of the oldest art museums in the Pacific Northwest. It has many different collections ranging from Native American artworks to modern artworks. Portland is also full of food trucks, amazing restaurants, craft breweries, bakery shops, and more, so make sure to indulge in some fantastic food and drink options.

Where To Stay In Portland – Great places to stay in Portland are The Mark Spencer Hotel, the Courtyard by Marriott Portland City Center, and the DoubleTree by Hilton Portland.

Seattle, Washington

For the last stop of your road trip USA West Coast itinerary make your way to Seattle in Washington. Seattle has a rich culture, an iconic skyline, lots of natural beauty, and more. One of the best attractions in Seattle is the Space Needle which is the most famous and it offers beautiful panoramic views of the city, Mount Rainer, and the Cascades. Another great attraction is Pike Place Market where you can find many unique shops, local vendors, and lots of seafood vendors as well. The Museum of Pop Culture is a museum that is dedicated to music, science, fiction, and pop culture. It includes exhibits on Nirvana, Jimi Hendrix, and fantasy films as well. The Seattle Waterfront is a lively area of the city with shops, boutiques, restaurants, bars, and attractions like the Seattle Aquarium.

Seattle also is known for its seafood delights as it is located along the ocean. Make sure to visit the exquisite coffee shops, craft breweries, and delicious restaurants as well.

Where To Stay In Seattle – The top places to stay in Seattle are The Paramount Hotel, The Alexis Royal Sonesta Hotel Seattle, and Four Points by Sheraton Downtown Seattle Center. All are great hotels in good locations close to many attractions.

Packing List For Road Trip USA West Coast

Make sure you check the weather before heading on your road trip. If you are going in the summer then all you will need are summer clothes for all the states. If you are going in the fall or spring bring some light clothing you can layer depending on the daily temperatures. Maybe a light jacket would be a good idea to pack for the northern states. If taking a road trip in the winter pack warmer clothing you can layer, bring boots, a jacket, and cozy items. Also, make sure your car is equipped with snow tires and anything else you may need for winter driving.

Check out the post “The Best Family Road Trip Checklist You Need” for more information on specifics for a road trip. Packing for a family road trip? Take a look at the blog post “The Best Family Road Trip Checklist You Need“. For help on packing essentials see the post “The Ultimate List Of Travel Accessories You Need“.