Road Trip on the West Coast
Going on a Road Trip is fun! Rather than staying in just one place, you get to see many different attractions and sights. One of the most popular road trips on the West Coast is the California – Arizona- Nevada – California Road Trip. It leads from LA – San Diego – Grand Canyon – Las Vegas – Yosemite – San Francisco – LA. This trip is a great because of the diversity of the landscape, the various breath taking sigths, and the many different attractions and opportunities you will find along the way. If you want to read more about the things you can do at the different stops that we suggest, just click on the links! Do you want to know more???
The Road Trip
As already indicated, this is a round trip, so you can start anywhere along the way. However, we will start our departure in of the West Coast Road Trip in Los Angeles. Being an important international airport, it is a good place to start. If you want to spend a couple of days in LA, here you can read more about the things to do in Los Angeles!
From LA you leave south toward your first stop, San Diego. Then from San Diego enjoy the drive to the Grand Canyon, Arizona. You can stop at Williams where you will find different organized tours to visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. From your second stop you cross the Arizona Desert to the Gambler’s paradise: Las Vegas. After hopefully winning some extra cash for your travel adventure, you can take the shorter way on Freeway40 to Kingman, or take the famous Route 66 from Seligman to Kingman, from where you head North on the 93 toward Las Vegas. From this 3rd stop you head north on the 95 until Beatty and catch the 374 to the 190 to cross Death Valley National Park. Then you can get on the 395 North all the Way to Yosemite National Park. After enjoying the scenic tour of the park, you drive west to San Francisco before finishing with the drive along the Coast to return to Los Angeles.
The Stops you can’t miss!
On your way to San Diego
On your way to San Diego, San Juan Capistrano is a great place to take a break. You can visit the famous Mission San Juan Capistrano and its peaceful gardens. Who knows? You might actually need it after LA traffic! L’Hirondelle is a wonderful place to have lunch especially on their charming patio. In San Diego you have quite a list of things to see and do. In function of the time period in which you are visiting San Diego, certain hotels offer great deals you should check out. Every neighborhood of San Diego has a large choice of cuisine from Thai to Italian, French to Mexican; and great happy hour deals. I would recommend Lei Lounge in University Heights for amazing appetizers and an original cocktails menu!
On your way to the Grand Canyon
This is a 6 to 8 hours drive. Honestly not the most scenic drive you will make, but the destination is well worth it! The best way to get there is trough the 15 until Barstow and get on the 40 there until you reach Kingman. Since the Grand Canyon offers you a lot to see and do, I would recommend doing the drive in one day and spend some more time at the Grand Canyon to take full advantage of the different attractions there instead of stopping along the way.
On you way to Las Vegas
While crossing the desert to get to Vegas, make sure to respect the speed limit… you might think you’re alone… and you are, that’s why the only cop hidden won’t miss you! Before Las Vegas you pass the Hoover Dam. Take a guided tour of the dam, it is an amazing sight and it is one of the most fascinating man-made structures on the West Coast!
On your Way to Yosemite
After a lot of Vegas fun you might need a break on your way to Yosemite. The Stovepipe Wells Village just of the 190 in Death Valley is a simple but great spot to rest. Their restaurant has a nice menu and the staff is very friendly.
On your Way to San Francisco
If you have time, take advantage and visit Oakland. Eventhough it is close to famous and beautiful San Francisco, this city often gets overlooked by tourists, but there are a lot of fun things to do.
On your Way back to Los Angeles
You follow the coast, most likely drive along the Highway 1. An especially breathtaking scenic drive is the 17 Mile Drive, where you can also see the famous Pebble Beach Golf Course. An amazing scenic drive you cannot miss!!! Of course there is San Jose, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara along the way. On your way down the cost you are passing by Hearst Castle. Stop and take an organized tour. You have to see it, just for the architecture alone! As the road is beautiful, but winding, it is a good idea to make a stop along the way. I would recommend Cambria. This town is beautiful, friendly and the Bluebird Inn absolutely charming and all the restaurants are have great food at affordable prices! If you’re hungry on your way to the finish line, the La Super-Rica Tacqueria in Santa Barbara is a great place to savour authentic Mexican cuisine.
And now you’ve got your Road Trip! A few ideas on dinning, resting and visiting, now you just need to put it all together to fit your needs and expectations and get behind the wheel! Have a fun Road Trip on the West Coast!
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