The 6 Best Places To Travel On The West Coast

There are many incredible sights on the West Coast of the United States that make it a great place to visit. If you’re seeing the West Coast for the first time, these are all places you need to consider exploring.

 

It’s always a great experience to visit the United States, especially the West Coast! The number of incredible national parks and beautiful places to visit in California will make it challenging to choose a favorite destination, but start with the destinations on this list to explore the best places on the West Coast to travel.

1. San Francisco

San Francisco is a vibrant city with a ton of sights to see. It has anything and everything you could want. With its heap of history as well as trendy little cafes and bookshops, there’s something for everyone here. The city is always buzzing with new events. In such an environment, there is nothing better. Explore Fisherman’s Wharf and visit Alcatraz while you’re in San Francisco to get a creepy yet cool history lesson.

 

Also, have brunch in the Castro District and wander along Haight Street; it’s a welcoming and warm city, making it the perfect destination for travelers. If you are looking for an outdoor adventure, Muir Woods is a lovely park that contains enormous redwoods that lend this park its name. It doesn’t take long to reach the magnificent redwoods in the park if you drive over the Golden Gate Bridge. Or take a detour to Redwoods National Park to see some of the largest trees you will ever see.

 

On your next trip to the west coast, don’t miss out on San Francisco. While this city is the most expensive on the West Coast, the city also has many free attractions to explore.

2. Big Sur, California

As one of the best places to travel on the west coast, Big Sur is really gorgeous! The Central California Coast’s Big Sur stretches over 90 miles and is a popular destination for people looking for beautiful scenery to escape to. Big Sur is home to a scenic landscape of rugged hills, rocky coastlines, hidden beaches and coves that are created by the Santa Lucia Mountains meeting the Pacific Ocean. The Pacific Coast Highway, also known as SR1, parallels the coast and showcases breathtaking views if you decide to drive through by car.

 

Big Sur has many natural attractions including Pfeiffer Beach with its sea stacks and Keyhole Rock, the tidal McWay Falls, Point Lobos wildlife, majestic coastal redwood trees near Big Sur Village, and Ragged Point’s views. One of Big Sur’s most photogenic places is the Bixby Creek Bridge, which is a must visit for travelers in the area.

 The Point Sur Lighthouse is another favorite place to visit in Big Sur and one of the most instagrammable. Throughout the year, guided tours are also available at this historic lighthouse.

 

In addition to its beautiful attractions, Big Sur has many state and national parks where campers and hikers can enjoy the great outdoors. The best places to camp in Big Sur include Big Sur Campground and Cabins, Ocean Sites, Limekiln State Park, and Plaskett Creek Campground.

3. Los Angeles, California

The lifestyle of Los Angeles goes beyond the city! The city is home to the film industry, and is a favorite destination for movie buffs. You can take a detailed behind-the-scenes tour of the most famous studios in the city, including Warner Brothers, Paramount Pictures, and Sony. You should also check out the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Dolby Theatre, where the Oscars are held. Also, see if you can find your favorite movie stars as you take a stroll on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. There are also many celebrity tours in Beverly Hills that offer tours of the Hollywood sign and many other sights throughout the star-studded city.

 

There are also many museums in Los Angeles. Museum Row on the Miracle Mile is home to most of these institutions. A visit to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Edward Cella Gallery, and the Broad should be on your list if you love art. A natural history enthusiast will enjoy the La Brea Tar Pits and Page Museum. 

 

Fans of automobiles will enjoy the Petersen Automotive Museum. The Museum Square is a great place to spend some time after visiting the museums. If you want to take a day trip – you must check out the world famous Joshua TreeYou can’t forget about Los Angeles when thinking about the best places to travel on the West Coast.

4. Seattle, Washington

The Emerald City is Seattle, Washington’s nickname for a reason. There are many things that make it a truly magical place. Undoubtedly, the Pike Place Market is one of Seattle’s most famous tourist attractions and is a place you don’t want to miss. Only local businesses can operate in this market, so if you want to try local foods or pick up jewelry or art from Seattle-based artists, it’s the perfect place to do so. If you do visit, you have to try Chukar Cherries’ chocolate-covered cherries and Pike Place Chowder’s award-winning clam chowder.

 

Many of Seattle’s museums aren’t even art museums, but they’re still fantastic. Among the exhibits at The Museum of Flight are those of the most famous rocket ships and airplanes. There are many popular attractions at the Seattle Center as well, so make sure you spend the entire day there. If you do go, you can find musical instruments belonging to Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and other legendary Seattle musicians at The Museum of Pop Culture. At the museum you can also see costumes, scripts, lyrics, and props from various films that I’m sure you will recognize.

5. Mendocino, California

Mendocino is one of the best West Coast destinations, located three hours north of San Francisco. San Francisco to Seattle road trippers should absolutely stop along the Pacific Coast Highway in Mendocino. The town of Mendocino is a small coastal town that boasts beautiful beaches and a charming downtown area with shopping, restaurants, wineries, breweries, state parks, and hiking trails. Dramatic cliffs frame a spectacular shoreline that you will want to take a picture of.

 

If you are into hiking then you need to make your way to Van Damme State Park, where you can enjoy stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the Mendocino Headlands. If you are looking to stay the night, Glendeven Inn is a cute and romantic bed and breakfast accommodation that offers ocean views. 

 

One of the unique characteristics of Mendocino is the presence of two rivers that meet the ocean – the Little River and the Big River. The Rivers are a popular place for biking, paddling, and wading. A popular kayaking destination in Mendocino is its gorgeous sea caves. Guests will learn how to navigate the kayak in tight spaces and encounter seals and sea birds during the guided kayaking tour. There is no better place to experience ocean and river views than Mendocino, a small city bursting with big adventure which is what makes it one of the best places to travel to on the West Coast.

Conclusion

The West Coast of the United States has a lot to offer including stunning scenery, beautiful beaches, and picturesque coastal towns that make you want to extend the your trip. The West Coast destinations listed are all different, so you can make memories wherever you go. Often referred to as the Pacific Coast, this is the coast of the western United States that meets the always beautiful Pacific Ocean. Whether it is one of the cities in California, the stunning pacific Northwest, or the always perfect SoCal, these are some of the best places to travel on the West Coast. More of an East Coast person? Check out the top places to travel in Florida next!