While we are living out in Los Angeles, not only did we want to explore everything LA had to offer us, but wanted to take advantage of being on the west coast and take as many road trips as possible. Here’s our guide to road trip USA with 25 best coast west coast road trips. Like all my lists, sometimes I like to modify as I go, so I’m always open to suggestions! :)
Click links to find out more info about each destination.
25 West Coast Road Trips | Our Guide to Road Trip America:
- ✓ Pacific Coast Highway – Don’t Miss Big Sur + Monterey Area
- ✓ Las Vegas (so many people from LA do weekend trips to Vegas). Local Tip: Stop by Donut Man in Glendora and get the Strawberry or Peach donuts if they are in season.
- ✓ The Wave, Vermillion Cliffs, Arizona
- ✓ Havasupai
- ✓ Bryce Canyon National Park
- ✓ Zion National Park
- ✓ Death Valley National Park
- ✓ Salvation Mountain + Slab City
- ✓ San Francisco
- ✓ Crater Lake National Park
- ✓ Portland + Columbia River Gorge
- ✓ Olympic National Park
- ✓ Yosemite National Park
- ✓ San Diego
- ✓ Seattle
- ✓ Joshua Tree National Park
- ✓ Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
- ✓ Ojai, California
- ✓ Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park
- ✓ Napa (French Laundry if you love food)
- ✓ Sonoma Valley
- ✓ Grand Canyon National Park
- ✓ Palm Springs
- ✓ Antelope Canyon
- ✓ Redwood National Park
Also, if time permits:
- ✓ Channel Islands National Park (need to take a ferry from LA)
- ✓ Vancouver – full post coming soon, meanwhile check out capilano suspension bridge & richmond night market!
- ✓ Snowboard in Tahoe
- ✓ Multnomah Falls
- Banff / Lake Louise
- Hawaii (not a roadtrip, but flights are way cheaper from LA)
- Whistler
If you’re leaving from the PNW, pick up a Seattle RV Rental. We loved our time in an Airstream.
Which one of these destinations interests you the most?
What do you guys think about my list? Anywhere you’ve already been that wasn’t worth it? Anything you think I should add? Also, if you need some inspiration to hit the road, check out New York Time’s 36 hours / 150 weekends in US & Canada.
Good list. Add Whistler, and Banff/Lake Louise if you haven’t been.
aren’t they in canada? i guess if we make it to vancouver, it wouldn’t be too much farther. thanks! will be adding it to the list.. maybe i need to make a top 50. haha :)
Great list! What’s funny is I’ve lived in SoCal practically my whole life, and I still haven’t done the majority of this list. I feel like I’ve seen more of the outside world than what’s in my own backyard. I think we have a tendency to take for granted what we have. I’ve been working on changing that and trying to visit as many places as possible. I’d also add the Salton Sea to your list if you haven’t been there yet. And hey, why stop at 25?! :)
–Michelle
If I can fit more this year, I am up for it! :) Yeah, I lived in Atlanta and I took everything I had there for granted up until the month before I moved. I guess when you realize how limited your time can be somewhere, you begin to appreciate it more.