5 West Coast road trip ideas for your next adventure

Stretching some 1,365 miles from San Diego all the way up to Blaine, WA, the West Coast region of the United States is ripe for a road trip. But, with so much terrain to cover, where do you start?

To help you decide, we’ve mapped out five great West Coast road trips, from a route between two top cities, to a drive through California’s best beach towns. You can do just one or string them together for an extended tour, but for the best experience, plan to spend at least one night in both your departure and arrival destinations. Whether you want to see national parks, wine country, or sprawling metropolises, you’re in for the ride of your life.

If you only have a weekend to take a West Coast road trip, a quick drive from Portland to Seattle is a perfect choice. Begin with a stay at the Hoxton Portland, which is located downtown near the city’s best boutiques and restaurants. Hit The Yo! Store for colorful women’s and children’s clothing; Frances May for independent designers; and Powell’s City of Books, the one of the largest bookstores in the world. Then grab a meal at any number of spots, like Mother's Bistro & Bar, Dan & Louis Oyster Bar, or Old Town’s Pizza & Brewery.

The next day, spend a few hours at the tranquil Portland Japanese Garden before hitting the road. Break up your drive with a pit stop in Olympia, WA, to walk through one of the city’s 40 parks (Percival Landing has a lovely boardwalk and views of Puget Sound) or the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.

When you arrive in Seattle, check into either the Seattle Marriott Waterfront or the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle, then go straight to the famed Pike Place Market to explore the stalls upon stalls of fresh produce, seafood, flowers, and handicrafts. Also make time to visit the recently renovated Space Needle (head to the top for jaw-dropping views of the city through the world’s first and only rotating glass floor) and the Museum of Pop Culture, where you can browse immersive exhibits on rock ’n roll, science fiction, audio technology, and more.

Take in some of the West Coast’s most stunning scenery on a road trip from Seattle to the Columbia River Gorge—an 80-mile river canyon that straddles the border between Washington and Oregon. About 150 miles from Seattle, the expansive canyon has natural beauty in spades, with rivers, mountains, and waterfalls (including the famous Multnomah Falls).

On the way, stop in Tacoma to see attractions like the Museum of Glass, Point Defiance Park, and America’s Car Museum. Once at the gorge, hike the 2.6-mile out-and-back trail to the top of Multnomah Falls, or book a half-day waterfall tour if you’d prefer someone else to lead the way. Then, celebrate a day well spent with IPAs at one of the many microbreweries in the area, like Gorges Beer Co., Cascade Locks Ale House, or Thunder Island Brewing Co.

To see the best of southern California, start in San Diego, a favorite for its beachy lifestyle—and stellar fish tacos (especially at Puesto, a Travelers’ Choice Award winner). Book a room at the Pendry San Diego for easy access to the city’s best sites, like the USS Midway Museum, the San Diego Zoo, and the Lamb’s Players Theatre in nearby Coronado.

After a few days exploring down south, head up to the coast toward Los Angeles, stopping in the charming beach towns along the way. Hit La Jolla for shopping (try Ark Antiques, 2bella Boutique, and Bendls of La Jolla) and Laguna Beach for lunch (go to Mozambique for fresh seafood), then continue on the 405 to Malibu for ocean views, upscale dining, and celebrity sightings at any moment. If you can score a reservation at Nobu Malibu, you’ll enjoy some of the best sashimi you’ve ever had alongside jaw-dropping ocean vistas. Spend the night at Nobu Ryokan Malibu, just a minute away, which features rooms with ensuite fireplaces and private decks.

For an easy city-to-country adventure, fly into San Francisco International Airport and make the 50-mile drive north to Napa Valley and Sonoma County, where you can spend your days wine tasting, eating at some of the best restaurants in the country, biking through the vineyards, and relaxing in hot springs. There are several great options for places to stay in California wine country, but we recommend the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa for its prime location in the heart of Sonoma.

After a few days spent soaking up the scene in cute towns like Yountville and Calistoga, drive an hour north to Santa Rosa to hike in the Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve. Then return to San Francisco for a night or two to enjoy renowned restaurants (don’t miss the James Beard Award–winning Delfina and the Roman-inspired Montesacro Pinseria) and gorgeous parks (like Golden Gate Park, which houses the San Francisco Botanical Garden and the de Young art museum).

The Rolls Royce of West Coast road trips, the Pacific Coast Highway runs for more than 600 miles along the northern California coast, offering some of the best views in the entire country. It takes about 10 hours to drive straight from start to finish, but we suggest stretching the trip over three or four days, stopping at every scenic overlook you can.

From San Francisco, head south to Big Sur, home to magnificent forests, ocean vistas as far as you can see, and a smattering of luxury resorts, restaurants, and art galleries. Treat yourself to an overnight at Post Ranch Inn, perched on a cliff over the sea.

The next day, continue south to Santa Barbara, a glitzy beach town with sophisticated restaurants, sublime hiking, and an entire neighborhood of wine tasting rooms. Rest your head at the nearby Ritz-Carlton Bacara (but not before a dip in the incredible pool), then keep driving south to Los Angeles.

There, you can go the touristy route with a live show taping or a visit to Universal Studios Hollywood, or devote your time to the outstanding dining scene in the Arts District and Little Tokyo, both home to some of the city’s best eats. If you’d rather be on the beach, head to Santa Monica to walk the pier and lounge on the sand.