Road Trip USA: Pacific Coastline West

Begin your adventure in Seattle, spending a couple of days exploring Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, and the city's famous coffee culture before picking up your rental car. From here, drive to Olympic National Park, where rainforests, rugged coastline, mountain views, and abundant wildlife offer a true introduction to the Pacific Northwest.

Continue south to Portland, Oregon's creative and environmentally conscious city. Spend a day or two enjoying its vibrant food scene, local markets, gardens, and craft breweries before heading towards the coast.

Follow the scenic Oregon coastline through Newport and Coos Bay, stopping at viewpoints, beaches, lighthouses, and dramatic coastal landmarks along the way. Keep an eye out for whales, sea lions, and other marine wildlife as you explore some of the Pacific Coast's most beautiful stretches of road.

Leave the coast behind for a visit to Crater Lake National Park, home to the deepest lake in the United States and some of the most striking scenery in the Pacific Northwest. Continue into California and spend time in Redwood National Park, where you'll walk among the tallest trees on Earth and experience ancient forests, wild rivers, and rugged coastline.

Slow down the pace in Napa Valley, famous for its rolling vineyards, picturesque towns, and excellent food and wine experiences. From there, continue to San Francisco, one of California's most iconic cities, where you can explore neighbourhoods such as Chinatown and North Beach, ride the famous cable cars, walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, and visit Alcatraz Island.

If you'd like to include more nature in your itinerary, this is the perfect point for an optional detour to Yosemite National Park. Spend a few days discovering its dramatic granite cliffs, waterfalls, giant sequoias, and spectacular hiking trails before returning to the coast.

The final week takes you along legendary Highway 1, widely regarded as one of the world's most scenic coastal drives. Stop in Monterey Bay to enjoy ocean views, wildlife watching, and the relaxed atmosphere of this charming coastal town.

Continue south to Santa Barbara, known as the "American Riviera" for its beautiful beaches, Spanish-style architecture, and laid-back Californian lifestyle. End your journey in Los Angeles, where you can spend your final days exploring Venice Beach, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Griffith Observatory before heading home or continuing your travels.