15 West Coast Road Trip Itinerary Ideas!

Are you planning a West Coast road trip but don’t know where to start or where to go? I am here to help with my complete West Coast travel guide!

The West Coast is a varied landscape with many options for fun road trips. From national parks to exciting cities, the West Coast has something for everyone.

I’ve included a road trip for every state on the West Coast which includes California, Oregon, and Washington. I also added one for Alaska if you find yourself up north.

Many of these road trips on the West Coast pass through several states so you can get a good glimpse into this region.

There is a West Coast road trip itinerary for every traveler and budget! Whether you like visiting small towns, relaxing at beaches, hiking, or exploring cities, you are guaranteed to have fun!

If you are flying in, make sure to pick an airport close to your starting point. Some of the bigger airports on the West Coast are in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland.

From the airport, you can easily rent a car or rent an RV.

Now, let’s look at the best West Coast road trips for your bucket list!

15 West Coast Road Trip Itinerary Ideas!

Ultimate Oregon Coast Road Trip

Highlights

• Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor
• Port Orford and Cape Blanco State Park
• Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area
• Cannon Beach
• Astoria

This Oregon coast road trip is one of my favorite West Coast road trips!

Start by hiking on any of the amazing trails at the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor.

Next, head to Port Orford and Cape Blanco State Park. Port Orford is the oldest town on the Oregon Coast and is incredibly charming. In Cape Blanco State Park, see the Cape Blanco State Lighthouse.

Then, head to the unique rock formation at the Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area.

The Devil’s Punchbowl is a cool rock formation that was once two sea caves. You can get pretty close to it too. Continue to Cannon Beach where you can see the popular Haystack Rock in the ocean.

Nearby is Seaside, another of the best small towns on the West Coast that you should explore.

End your road trip in beautiful Astoria. Walk in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark and learn more about the area’s history before heading home.

Pacific Coast Highway Highlights

Highlights

• Santa Monica Pier
• Moonstone Beach
• Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
• Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
• Swanton Berry Farm

The Pacific Coast Highway is a fabulous way to see the beauty of California. Start at the famous Santa Monica Pier and explore all the fun rides and booths.

From there, head to Moonstone Beach. It is a beautiful example of a California beach. There is a wooden boardwalk and a nice sandy beach.

Next, head to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve where you can find one of the best hikes in the USA. It’s full of gorgeous rock formations and local flora and fauna.

Continue on your Western USA road trip to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. this is the state’s oldest amusement park and is full of new attractions as well as nostalgic ones.

Before you head home, explore Swanton Berry Farm. Bring back berry preserves as a souvenir or spend some time sampling their homemade treats. This is one of the best West Coast road trip stops!

California Gold Country Road Trip

Highlights

• Sacramento
• Rancho Cordova
• Folsom
• Whitewater Rafting on the American River
• Jackson

Start your road trip through California’s Gold Country in Sacramento.

The district of Old Sacramento is where you will find many historic buildings relating to the Gold Rush. There is a history museum, a railroad museum, and lots of unique shops.

Next up, head to the city of Rancho Cordova. It was a prominent city established during the Gold Rush, and it is proud of its history. You’ll find plenty of historic sites, museums, and more to explore.

Folsom is another Gold Rush-era town, probably most well known for the Johnny Cash song, “Folsom Prison Blues.” There is a large lake, historical sites and museums, and amazing restaurants as well.

Take a break from driving and enjoy an outdoor adventure.

The American River played a large part in the Gold Rush and is where many people once panned for gold. It’s also a great place for white water rafting.

Jackson is a small town and the county seat of Amador County, one of the counties with the most Gold Rush towns. Jackson is full of Gold Rush-era architecture and a cool way to finish your road trip.

If you are interested in history, this is one of the best weekend road trip ideas on the West Coast!

Towns and Nature of Alaska Road Trip

Highlights

• Anchorage
• Talkeetna
• Denali
• Seward
• Homer

Start this Alaska road trip in Anchorage. Take time to explore the city on a trolley tour. You’ll see cool homes, beautiful parks, and so much more.

Next, head to Talkeetna. Talkeetna is home to some of the best restaurants in Alaska and is a unique city that is worth spending some time in.

From Talkeetna, head to Denali and Denali National Park. In Denali, you’ll see beautiful Alaskan mountains, wild elk, and absolutely stunning views.

If you want to go on a whale-watching tour, Seward is the best place. There are a ton of companies that will take you to see Kenai Fjords National Park. You’ll see the amazing glaciers and usually plenty of animals too.

Before heading home, end your road trip in Homer. Walk to the beach and watch people fish for halibut. You can also fish if that is something you’re interested in. It’s a beautiful place to see!

Small Towns of California Road Trip

Highlights

• Solvang
• Carmel-by-the-Sea
• Sausalito
• Mendocino

Start your West Coast America road trip through California in the cute town of Solvang. It is known as a slice of Denmark in Southern California. Solvang is charming with Danish architecture, restaurants, and more.

In Carmel-by-the-Sea on California’s Central Coast, explore the small one-square-mile town. There are lots of unique boutiques and wonderful restaurants.

Next, head to Sausalito. You’ll be near the Golden Gate Bridge on the northern end of San Francisco. Sausalito’s unique history dates back to the Liwanelowa Nation before Spanish settlers arrived.

Finish in Mendocino, another city near San Francisco. It is known for its distinct New England-style architecture and its hippy past. It is a super fun small town to explore before heading home.

You will have so much fun as you road trip America’s West Coast!

West Coast Hot Springs Road Trip

Highlights

• Deep Creek Hot Springs, California
• Travertine Hot Springs, California
• Umpqua Hot Springs, Oregon
• Terwilliger Hot Springs, Oregon

A hot springs road trip is one of the most unique road trips on the West Coast! There is some distance between these hot springs, so give yourself plenty of time to see them all.

Start with some of the best hot springs in California. The first one you’ll see is the Deep Creek Hot Springs in the Mojave Desert. It is known for its stunning views of the California desert landscape.

Head north to Travertine Hot Springs. Found in the Sierra Nevada, you’ll enjoy stunning mountain views. They are beautiful hot springs that you absolutely must see!

Next, head farther north to Oregon. Your first stop in Oregon is the Umpqua Hot Springs. They are located down a trail in the Umpqua National Forest and are pretty popular. Be prepared for a crowd.

End your road trip further north at the Terwilliger Hot Springs. They are found down a trail in the Willamette National Forest.

Epic Big Sur Road Trip

Highlights

• Carmel-by-the-Sea
• Point Lobos
• Garrapata State Park
• Bixby Bridge
• Pfeiffer Beach

Begin your Big Sur road trip at Carmel-by-the-Sea. Take time to explore the cute town before heading to Point Lobos.

At Point Lobos, there are plenty of hiking trails where you can enjoy the local flora and fauna.

Next, head to Garrapata State Park. This is another great spot for a beautiful hike. You’ll find a landscape full of wildflowers and sand dunes along the coast.

Continue to Bixby Bridge. This engineering wonder is one of the most iconic photo spots on Big Sur. Make sure you stop at one of the lookouts to get a good picture of the bridge.

The last stop on your Big Sur road trip before heading back to Carmel-by-the-Sea is Pfeiffer Beach.

This is one of the best beaches in the area that you can walk down to and enjoy. There is an entry fee, but it is well worth it. It has stunning rock formations and a large beach.

Big Sur is seriously one of the top family road trips on the West Coast USA!

Highlights of Washington Road Trip

Highlights

• Seattle
• Olympic National Park
• Rialto Beach
• Bellingham
• North Cascades National Park

For an epic Washington road trip, start in Seattle. There are a ton of things in this vibing city. For a full breakdown, check out my 3 days in Seattle itinerary.

From there, head to Olympic National Park. This park is full of natural wonders to explore and admire. You’ll love adding this stop to your West Coast road trip itinerary!

Your next stop is Rialto Beach, which is fairly close to Olympic National Park. It is a rocky beach with large pounding waves that are beautiful to see.

For all you Twilight fans, Rialto is also very close to the town of Forks. Yes, that Forks. This is an optional stop if it’s something you’re interested in.

From there, head to Bellingham. What makes Bellingham so cool is that it is a major port city on the border of Canada.

End your road trip at the beautiful North Cascades National Park. It has everything from lakes, glaciers, and mountains. You’ll find plenty of hiking trails to explore.

You will love seeing some of the best things to do in Washington State!

Cities and Nature Northern California Road Trip

Highlights

• San Francisco
• Point Reyes National Seashore
• Wineries of Santa Rosa
• Avenue of the Giants
• Lassen Volcanic National Park

There are a lot of great stops on this Northern California road trip.

Fly into San Francisco and take time to explore the city. There are lots of things to do in San Francisco! You’ll at least want to see the Golden Gate Bridge.

Then head to the Point Reyes National Seashore. Give yourself plenty of time to explore this super cool seashore. There are shipwrecks, animals, a tree tunnel, and more. I could easily spend 1-2 days just exploring the area.

Next, enjoy wine tasting at any of the many wineries in Santa Rosa. The area is well known for its winery tours. It’s a must-do activity when visiting Northern California!

After sampling local wine, head to the beautiful Avenue of the Giants. This is a 31-mile road in Northern California bordered by massive Redwoods. You don’t have to drive all 31 miles, but make sure you do some of the drive.

Before heading home, end your West Coast trip at Lassen Volcanic National Park. It is a lesser-known park, but it is absolutely worth the stop. It perfectly rounds out your Northern California Road Trip.

Cities and Nature of Southern California Road Trip

Highlights

• San Diego
• Los Angeles
• Trona Pinnacles
• Death Valley National Park
• Mojave Desert National Preserve

There’s no better place than San Diego and it is one of the cheapest places to live in California!

It is the southernmost city in California and full of things to do on your San Diego Itinerary! Make sure to explore the parks, food, and all the city has to offer.

From there, head to Los Angeles. If you have the time, spend at least two days exploring Los Angeles. There is so much to do in this big city!

Next, head to the Trona Pinnacles. These unique rock formations stand tall in the middle of the desert. They have been used as the background for popular science fiction movies like Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, Planet of the Apes, and Lost in Space.

For more amazing desert landscapes, visit Death Valley National Park. There are a ton of unforgettable things to do in Death Valley, so give yourself time to explore the area.

Although it is a bit out of the way, visiting the Mojave Desert National Preserve is worth it. Hike and admire beautiful rock formations, canyons, and even abandoned mines.

It is a great place to see before heading back to either Los Angeles or San Diego for your flight home.

This is an amazing road trip down the West Coast and you will have so much fun!

Best of Oregon Road Trip

Highlights

• Portland
• Mount Hood
• Eugene
• Oregon Caves National Monument
• Samuel H. Boardman National Scenic Corridor
• Cannon Beach

There’s no better place than Portland to start an Oregon road trip. From Portland, head to Mount Hood to admire the view and take in a few hiking trails.

Your next stop is Eugene, a perfect stopping point for foodies. It has a thriving food scene and plenty of local breweries to check out.

Next, head to the Oregon Caves National Monument. This is the most detailed and elaborate cave system west of the Mississippi. You can explore the caves pretty freely, so plan to spend some time here.

From there, head to the Samuel H. Boardman National Scenic Corridor. The National Scenic Corridor is a beautiful stop full of hiking trails. On your hikes, you’ll find stunning views of the Oregon coast.

Before heading back to Portland, end your road trip at Cannon Beach. Admire the famous Haystack Rock and enjoy the view. It’s a great place to end your best-of-Oregon road trip.

West Coast National Parks Road Trip

Highlights

• North Cascades National Park
• Mount Rainier National Park
• Crater Lake National Park
• Redwoods National Park
• Pinnacles National Park

Begin your West Coast national parks road trip in Washington at North Cascades National Park. It is right by the Canadian border and features breathtaking mountain views, lakes, and more.

From there, head south to Mount Rainier National Monument. Have fun hiking near the active volcano.

Next, head to Crater Lake National Park. This is a beautiful park and home to Crater Lake, which is a massive lake created by a sunken volcano. Find beautiful views while hiking the various trails in the park.

Continue to one of California’s most iconic nature sites, the Redwoods National Park. Hike among ancient trees that soar into the sky. It is an amazing experience!

Before heading home, make one last stop at Pinnacles National Park. Pinnacles is full of unique rock formations once created by volcanic lava flows. It is a must on any West Coast USA itinerary.

It is easy to see why nature lovers think this is the best road trip on the West Coast USA!

Waterfalls of the West Coast Road Trip

Highlights

• Panther Creek Falls, Washington
• Multnomah Falls, Oregon
• Proxy Falls, Oregon
• Burney Falls, California

There are so many amazing waterfalls on the West Coast to discover!

Start at Panther Creek Falls in Washington. This is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge and is fairly easy to get to. The hike isn’t too long, but it can quickly get wet and slippery, so be careful.

Multnomah Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in Oregon. It is bucket list-worthy! It’s the tallest fall in Oregon at 620 feet. Take a fairly easy trail or a more difficult one. Either way, you’ll get stunning views.

From there, head to my favorite waterfall in Oregon, Proxy Falls. It is super tall and has a very easy and family-friendly hiking trail. It is a stunning example of Oregon waterfalls and a must-see!

End your waterfalls of the West Coast journey in California at Burney Falls. Found in the volcanic region of California, it is a bit of a hidden gem.

It is the perfect last stop for this beautiful West Coast itinerary with kids.

Los Angeles to Yosemite Road Trip

Highlights

• Los Angeles
• Sequoia National Park
• Kings Canyon National Park
• Yosemite National Park

Start in Los Angeles, where you should try to spend a few days exploring and soaking in the vibe of the city.

From there, head to Sequoia National Park. You’ll find massive sequoia trees that make up the amazing landscape in the park. The trees are considered the largest in the world, and you’ll feel like you’re walking in a land of giants.

Next, head to Kings Canyon National Park, which is right by Sequoia National Park. It has a similar landscape and is home to the famous General Grant Tree in Grant Grove.

The canyon that the park is named after was carved by glaciers and the Kings River. Surprisingly, it has points that are deeper than those in the Grand Canyon.

The main attraction of this road trip is of course Yosemite National Park. Plan to spend a few days here exploring all the amazing things the park has to offer before heading home.

Olympic Peninsula Road Trip

Highlights

• Seattle
• The Staircase Area, Olympic National Park
• Ruby Beach
• La Push Beaches
• The Hoh Rainforest
• Lake Cresent

You’ll start the Olympic Peninsula road trip in Seattle. Explore the city before heading out into nature.

From Seattle, head to one of the least popular, but still beautiful, areas of Olympic National Park. The Staircase Area is pretty and perfect for those looking for a break away from the crowds.

Next, head to Ruby Beach and the famous La Push beaches. These are some of the best beaches in the USA!

Ruby Beach is full of interesting rock formations and is a great place to stop for a picnic. Next, head to the famous La Push beaches. You’ll find massive driftwood logs and stunning Pacific Northwest beach views.

Continue to the Hoh Rainforest which is one of the world’s largest temperate rainforests. Some years it gets up to 14 feet of rainfall. There is a visitor center where you can learn more about this iconic and beautiful rainforest.

Your last stop is Lake Crescent. You can go kayaking and there is also a very challenging hike if that interests you. Exploring Lake Crescent is the perfect way to end your Olympic Peninsula road trip!

If you love beaches and nature, this is one of the most popular West Coast America road trip ideas!

There are many amazing things to do and see during a West Coast road trip. Whether you like outdoor adventures, small towns, or big cities, there is something for you.

I hope this road trip planner for the West Coast USA has inspired you to get out there and explore this beautiful part of the country.