If it is the first time you are going to travel to the west coast of the United States, depending on the time you have, you should focus on doing the essential visits.
To do this, it is advisable to plan a route that combines the three large cities (San Francisco, Los Angeles y Las Vegas) with the most beautiful towns and natural environments.
On this occasion I am going to propose a 15-day route along the West Coast by essential sites What you should include in your trip, starting from San Francisco, to Yosemite y Los Angeles, and ending well in Las Vegas or in Phoenix, southern Arizona.
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All the information in detail
- 1 Tips for traveling to the West Coast
- 2 Driving route along the West Coast
- 2.1 Day 1- Arrival in San Francisco
- 2.2 Days 2 and 3 – Visits in San Francisco
- 2.3 Day 4 – From San Francisco to Yosemite National Park
- 2.4 Day 5 – From Yosemite to Monterey
- 2.5 Day 6 – From Monterey to San Luis Obispo
- 2.6 Day 7 – From San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles
- 2.7 Days 8 and 9 – Los Angeles
- 2.8 Day 10 – From Los Angeles to Las Vegas
- 2.9 Day 11 – Las Vegas
- 2.10 Day 12 – From Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon of the Colorado
- 2.11 Day 13 – From the Grand Canyon to Monument Valley
- 2.12 Day 14 – From Monument Valley to Phoenix, via Sedona
- 2.13 Day 15 – Return flight from Phoenix
- 2.14 Alternatives on the route
- 3 Map Driving route along the West Coast
Tips for traveling to the West Coast
As a prelude to the route information, it is worth considering the choice of flights and how are you going to stay in West Coast hotels and motels.
You should also make sure that you travel with a good travel insurance, taking into account the very high coverage What you will need to travel to the United States with peace of mind.
On the proposed route, since the arrival city of your flight to the west coast is different from the departure city, at the time of book flights Perhaps the most advisable thing is to first book a trip from Spain to New York, or some other city in the eastern United States.
Subsequently, to get to the west coast, you can search for offers at american companies low cost for the outbound flight to San Francisco and return from Las Vegas or Phoenix.
This combination may not cost you more than booking a round-trip flight directly from Spain to, say, Los Angeles or San Francisco.
As to accommodation, it is recommended Search and book hotels in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Las Vegas, as well as in the most uninhabited areas of the interior, such as Grand Canyon and the Monument Valley.
Instead my advice is to leave the rest of the days open to have some flexibility during the route for possible incidents or changes in it.
Driving route along the West Coast
Day 1- Arrival in San Francisco
The day of the arrival in San Francisco After your flight to the west coast you will surely need it to recover from the jet lag, especially if you have not rested on a stopover in the United States after starting the trip in Spain.
Days 2 and 3 – Visits in San Francisco
In the first two days you will have the opportunity to do all the essential visits in San Francisco, including a possible boat excursion through the bay, with a visit to the Alcatraz island and the town of Sausalito.
Day 4 – From San Francisco to Yosemite National Park
Without getting up early, you can get to the Yosemite National Park at noon, since it is 300 kilometers away, three and a half hours on the road.
In this national park you can visit the Yosemite Valley, whose iconic corner is the great promontory of El capitán and it will give you time to go up to the Glacier point, an ideal place to watch the sunset.
Day 5 – From Yosemite to Monterey
The next day, on the way to Fresno, you will visit butterfly grove, a place where you can see spectacular giant sequoias.
And leaving from the south, you head towards the coast (three and a half hours) to the Monterey Bay, with its typical pier.
In this natural environment you can also see places like Carmel by the Sea, beautiful town with a bohemian atmosphere.
(If you are interested in doing Monterey la boat trip to see whales, it will take you half a day, with the subsequent readjustment of the route)
Day 6 – From Monterey to San Luis Obispo
From Monterey, you will go down the cliffs of Big Sur (winding sections of 150 kilometers) to reach Saint Simeon, where I tell you that it is really worth seeing the hearst castle.
It is a very curious corner not sufficiently known by tourists who travel from Spain to the United States, which has become a kind of theme park.
After this visit you will get to sleep San Luis Obispo or its surroundings.
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Day 7 – From San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles
From San Luis Obispo you will have time to make a quick visit of Santa Barbara before arriving in the afternoon Los Angeles.
It is an old colonial city also well known for its enormous beach.
Days 8 and 9 – Los Angeles
These two days in Los Angeles You will spend them, on the one hand, visiting the most outstanding areas of the city, especially Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and the old Town of Los Angeles, in the middle downtown.
And on the other hand, to enjoy a theme park, such as the Universal Studios (highly recommended to do the film studio tour).
If you are not interested in visiting the theme park, you will have an additional day to reorganize the route.
Day 10 – From Los Angeles to Las Vegas
On this day you can undertake the trip from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, with a possible stop to visit the “ghost town” of Calico.
At night, already in Las Vegas, you can go see the atmosphere of the city center, including a walk down the street Freamont.
Day 11 – Las Vegas
Full day in Las Vegas visiting the Las Vegas Strip themed hotels, both day and night.
You will also have time to go to one of their impressive outlets for shopping.
Day 12 – From Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon of the Colorado
The day arrives in which you have to undertake the trip from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon of the Colorado, going through the Hoover dam, and touring the historic Route 66,
To evoke the atmosphere of this route you should stop especially in towns like Williams, or in picturesque corners like Hackberry Store o Seligman.
You will reach the South Rim South rim of the Grand Canyon with enough time (if you travel in summer...) to enjoy the sunset.
If you are interested in some activities in the Grand Canyon, as Hiking o Rafting, you will need to extend your stay one more day.
To fly over it in a helicopterIf you book the flight for early in the morning you can follow the route for the rest of the day.
Day 13 – From the Grand Canyon to Monument Valley
After getting up early, you will visit again, now during the day, the viewpoints of the South Rim.
Then, leaving the national park through the Desert View Lookout and the Indian watchtower, you head straight to the Monument Valley.
You will arrive with enough time to take the route along the inland road and enjoy the sunset (if you travel in summer...).
You can stay in Kayenta o Mexican Hat.
Day 14 – From Monument Valley to Phoenix, via Sedona
From the Monument Valley and to finish your route along the west coast, you have two options, go down to the sedona region and get to Phoenix or continue your route through Utah to return to Las Vegas.
In the first option, on the route to the south you must go to the resort town of sedona going through the Oak Creek Canyon.
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If you don't dawdle too long, you'll have time to get to Phoenix to sleep.
(If you are interested in visiting the area in more detail sedona, with the visit of mining town of Jerome and red rock mountains, you will have to dedicate a day and reorganize the route)
Day 15 – Return flight from Phoenix
This day your route through the western United States ends, and you will take the flight east to return to Spain.
Alternatives on the route
As we have mentioned, after visiting Monument Valley you have the alternative of continuing traveling through Utah to end in Las Vegas, where you can take the return flight.
On this route, from the Monument Valley you would go towards Page to visit the spectacular natural landscapes of Antelope Canyon y Horseshoe Bend.
To recover a day, it is possible to go down from Yosemite directly to San Simeon for, after visit Hearst Castle, head towards Los Angeles.
This means not visiting the Monterey Bay, nor go through the Big Sur.
Or even if you need to save more time, you also have the option of go directly from Yosemite to Los Angeles.
Here are other routes along the west coast that will be of interest to you by offering you other alternatives: Route from San Francisco to Los Angeles along the coast; Route from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley
I'm sure you'll find these tips helpful in planning your own West Coast route. It is not like this?
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Map Driving route along the West Coast
On this map you have the detail of the car route along the West Coast What we suggest you do.
Hello. I will be in the United States from December 1 to 16. I am interested in an all-inclusive tour along the western route, could you recommend a travel agency that sells this package?
Thanks in advance.
Patricia, at Guias Viajer we try to help readers take a trip on their own through the United States.
Regarding all-inclusive tours, the truth is that we have neither information nor experience. I'm sorry 🙁
Good afternoon, I have a question for you regarding the change in the itinerary. If I want to change the route from San Francisco to Los Angeles to spend more time later in the Grand Canyon, what would be the most recommended places and route?
Thank you!
Mariano, you would have several options.
1.- the alternative of going to San Luis Obispo from Yosemite, which saves you a day.
2.- go directly to Los Angeles from Yosemite, which saves you two days.
3.- Another additional option would be to go from Los Angeles directly to the Grand Canyon, and then go up to Monument Valley and go to Las Vegas passing through Page, on a circular route. You can also save some time.
Jose Luis, I asked you a while ago, next week I am leaving Argentina for the west coast, the idea is to do as San Francisco told you, go down to Los Angeles along the coast through Monterrey, looking at Hears Castle, San Luis Obispo , etc.
After spending 4 days in Los Angeles (two days in the parks and two days exploring) going out to San Diego, my question is if it is worth it at this time to spend three days in San Diego, that is, if I can take advantage of the beach. Then from there I leave as you indicated before to Las Vegas.
Any recommendations that may be useful to me,
Thank you,
Mariano
Mariano, I have not been to California in winter, but I am about to assure you that you will not be able to enjoy the typical day at the beach. Another thing is that your visit coincides with splendid weather, which allows you to take a pleasant walk on the beach.
Therefore, perhaps three days in San Diego at this time is excessive, if what you are looking for is “to go to the beach.”
Thank you Jose Luis, I forgot to tell you that the travel time is approximately 15 days, do you recommend spending a night in Yosemite, in Grand Canyon and somewhere that I should not miss, excluding SFCO, LAX and Las Vegas? Best regards
Taking into account your interest in visiting Yosemite, although you will only be able to visit the valley, in 15 days you could do, in general terms, the following trip:
– Days 1 to 3: Arrival in San Francisco and visit of the city and surroundings
– Day 4: Yosemite, visit and sleep nearby
– Day 5: go to Hearst Castle, in San Simeon, on the coast, visit it, as well as the sea lions nearby, and sleep en route to LA
– Day 6: arrival in LA, with possible visit to Santa Barbara
– Day 7: visit of LA (Hollywood, climb Griffith Observatory, Beverlly Hills, Santa Monica)
– Day 8: Universal Studios and, if there is time, complete a visit to LA
– Day 9: route to the Grand Canyon, through Seligman and sleep in Williams.
– Day 10: arrival at the Grand Canyon and visit. Sleep on the way to Monument Valley
– Day 11: route to Monument Valley, visit at sunset, sleep in Kayenta
– Day 12: route to sleep in Page and watch the sunset in the surrounding canyons
– Day 13: visit Antelope Canyon and trip to Las Vegas, with night visit
– Days 14 and 15: Visit to Las Vegas and return
It is a suggestion that you can later adapt to your taste and preferences. My advice is to only pre-book hotels in San Francisco and Las Vegas. The rest, as you go, when you close the route.
I hope it helps you as a guide
Hello, in March, I want to take a trip from Argentina for the first time and I want to start from Las Vegas and rent a motorhome and go to Aspen. I really like skiing and on the way back, I would like to get to Miami. I would like you to inform me of the possible places to visit.
thank you very much
Carlos, I'm sorry I can't help you, but I don't know the areas you indicate and I can't guide you.
I wish you a good trip.
Jose Luis, you are our north...we are from Argentina and we want to do the west coast at the end of the American winter at the end of March-April. It turns out that I want to do the Yosemite area and some of the sequoias, but at that time I am going to miss some of that because of the snow, I would like you to guide me on the ideal itinerary so as not to miss Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, some place in the redwoods, Los Angeles, some theme park because I am going with teenagers, a cordial greeting
You do not indicate how many days you have planned for the trip.
In any case, in Yosemite at the time you indicate you cannot go up to the high areas of the park, including Mariposa Grove, where the redwoods are. And the Sequoia Park, further south, is also closed on weekdays and is open for visits on weekends... if the snow allows it.
In any case, for a trip to the west coast, an essential visit is San Francisco, and nearby is the redwood forest of Muir Woods (http://www.nps.gov/muwo/index.htm)
A good trip would be to start in San Francisco, go down the coast, through Monterey, without failing to see Hearst Castle further south (it is almost a theme park that will be interesting for teenagers), until you reach Los Angeles. There you have Universal Studios.
Then you can go directly to the Grand Canyon, passing through Seligman and Williams, on the old Route 66. If you have time, from there I advise you to go up to Monument Valley, and then go to Las Vegas, passing through Page.
If you don't have time, from the Grand Canyon, return south to Las Vegas, the entire city is a theme park...
If you have questions or want more options, don't hesitate to ask.
Jose Luis, thank you very much for your prompt response. The question about the car was to explore the city of San Francisco... the idea is to explore it without a car... what do you think? Can be done? What area do you recommend to stay in San Francisco? thank you so much!
Maria, in fact, you can visit the center of the city without a car, but if you want to go later to surrounding areas, such as the Golden Gate, climb Twin Peaks, or go to Tampo or the redwood parks of Muir Woods ( http://guias-viajar.com/los-estados-unidos/yosemite-vistas-panoramicas-glacier-point-secuoyas-gigantes/ ), the car is almost essential. Of course, you can go to Sausalito by boat.
What I can't tell you is the experience of getting around by public transportation in San Francisco...well, I went by car.
And as for accommodation, due to circumstances of my trip, I stayed on the outskirts of San Francisco. Of course, if you don't rent a car, you will have to look for a hotel in the central area of the city.
Hello, I am planning my trip to the west coast. I have 15 days. I would like to ask you several questions.
The international flight arrives in San Francisco and returns from Los Angeles.
1. In order not to spend so much on car rental, my intention is to do San Francisco WITHOUT A CAR. It's possible? Are public transportation good?
2- I am planning to stay 3 days in SFO, the fourth go to Yosemite (very early in the morning) stay there until the afternoon and then drive to Monterey to stay there 2 days. Does it seem ok to you?
3- The idea is to go down the coast, stay 1 day in San Luis Obispo or Santa Barbara and then arrive in Los Angeles (3 days) (they told me it is better to stay in Santa Monica) what do you think?
4- go to Las Vegas, stay 3 days and do the Grand Canyon (go and come back during the day)
5- Return to Los Angeles for return. (Since I have to go and return from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, can you think of a different route to avoid doing the same thing twice?)
From already thank you very much!! greetings
PS: Are the guides available in pdf format?
Maria, I tell you
1. I can't tell you how it is to travel by bus in the United States, since I have done it in a rental car. And I assure you that it is totally worth it, because the rentals are not too expensive and it gives you an autonomy that you will not have anywhere close to on the bus.
2. Regarding Yosemite, I think you are going to be quite tight, and understanding that you are going by car. Consider the possibility of sleeping on the way to Monterey, for example, in Merced. Keep in mind that it is 4 hours to Monterey.
3. On the way to Los Angeles, my advice is that you do not book a hotel in advance, and you do it as you go, so that you have the freedom to dedicate more or less time to the different visits.
4. Regarding where to stay in Los Angeles, since it is a huge city, if you have a car, I would stay in a motel in a service area next to one of the highways in Hollywood or any other area. This allows you to move quickly from one area to another.
5. Three days in Las Vegas? It seems like a long time to me. I think that with two days you have plenty, including the possibility of going to an outlet. The third day would be dedicated to the Grand Canyon. That is, going and returning to the Grand Canyon in two days. It can be done in one day, but it is very tight; You don't have time to enjoy the landscapes or stop, for example, in Williams or Kinsman, on Route 66.
And regarding the pdf guides, they are only available for Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Hello, we are 5 Argentines (family), we want to plan a trip to the west coast for 10 days in December, at Christmas, we want to rent a motorhome, what would you advise me? thank you so much
hello.
I'm going on my honeymoon in June and I really like the organization of the trip that you have proposed.
The only thing is a couple of things I would like to ask you.
Is it possible to go from one city to another by public transport?
My idea was to spend a night in Carmel and then Los Angeles. but the issue of car rental does not convince us due to parking and loss issues,…
On the other hand, we wouldn't like to come to Spain without seeing New York, how could we do it?
Thank you
I start at the end. As indicated in the published topic, it is advisable to go to New York first. In addition to visiting it, it will allow you to adapt to the new schedules. Keep in mind that the west coast time difference with Spain is huge.
And to visit New York, with two full days you can undoubtedly see the most interesting and tourist places.
And as for traveling by public transport, I have no experience because I did my entire trip by car.
I assure you that there is no problem traveling by car; On the contrary, it gives you great flexibility. And it is not necessary to use it always, for example, in San Francisco or Las Vegas.
However, in Los Angeles it is ideal to have a car because it is a huge city.
Now, of course it is possible, but it certainly takes away from the flexibility of the trip.
If you plan “long jumps” along the route, it will always be easier to adapt to public transport. Like, for example, going from Carmel directly to Los Angeles.
Or you can even consider the flight from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, which is very cheap.