75 essentials: what to see on the West Coast of the United States

Un sightseeing trip to the West Coast of the United States It is undoubtedly a unique experience, in which you will discover places that you will never be able to forget.

You will be able to visit cities with many movie locations, such as Los Angeles, San Francisco o Las Vegas, or the most impressive landscapes you can enjoy in the United States.

They are numerous National Parks that you can include in your route, from the Grand Canyon of the Colorado and Monument Valley but also Yosemite o yellowstone, You can even see a section of the famous Route 66.

But when it comes to organizing a West Coast route You may have many doubts.

This is a trip in which you will have to cover large areas of territory, and it is essential to do good prior planning and know how to prioritize. because it is impossible to see everything you would like in a single 15-day trip.

We wrote this article with the idea of ​​guiding you with everything you need to know to be able to select the places to include in your trip.

How to prepare a tourism route along the West Coast

After several trips along the west coast of the United States, we have been learning that although it is a very easy trip to make, the aforementioned planning is basic.

To begin with, in order to travel to the United States you must take into account various factors related to the security requirements that are required to allow you access to the country, such as fill out the ESTA form.

In this regard, these will be useful to you. tips for a trip to the West Coast. in which we also guide on how to organize the trip on your own.

Likewise, we are talking about one of the countries in the world where it is easier to make a travel by car, for which you must take into account these tips for driving in the United States.

What to see on the West Coast tourism route

In order to plan your trip, there are hundreds of points of interest in such an extensive territory, with stunning nature and cities as amazing as Las Vegas, Los Angeles o San Francisco.

And prepare an article like this one that summarizes all the West Coast of the United States is not easy.

That's why we are going to organize the most 200 articles published in Travel Guides on the West Coast, from north to south, depending on the visits that can be made in each section, and so that it is very easy for you to find the information you need.

So depending on the section you plan to travel, you can see all the places that are essential to visit, as well as other alternatives.

These sites are ordered in the direction in which the complete route would be taken, leaving from the northern end in Seattle, which is the least known and most frequented area, to the south in Los Angeles.

Once we reach Los Angeles at the southern end of the coast, we include in the route the extension to Las Vegas, with sections of the Ruta 66 , to get to Grand Canyon of the Colorado.

 

And from there, other national parks in the interior such as Monument Valley, and other places of interest, such as sedona or authentic ghost towns from West.

What to see and visit from Seattle to San Francisco

In general, the extreme northwest of the United States is a much less visited area than the rest of the country and that is precisely why we wanted to include it in one of our trips.

Washington and Oregon They are the two most northwestern states, not counting Alaska, and from where the West Coast route if you want to make it complete.

Be careful, do not confuse the washington state located on the west coast of the country, in the city of Washington, In the East Coast, the capital of this great nation, and place where its president and Federal government.

Both states were historically one, and it must be recognized that they have quite a few similarities since a geological curiosity determines their climate.

A mountain system crosses both states, dividing them into two from north to south, with a very humid climate on the western end, with frequent rains and full of waterfalls, while the eastern side is the opposite.

These are the greenest areas in the country, and they have some of the most liberal laws in the United States.

Although both states are very similar, once you visit them you realize that Oregon He's like the little brother of Washington, with a similar lifestyle, but with cities that are generally smaller, but that still maintain a special charm.

Seattle 

The two most important cities to visit are Seattle in the states of Washington and Portland in Oregon; Both are very clean and well-kept, with forests and rivers that surround them.

 

The city of Seattle has as one of its main attractions go up to the Space Needle Tower, from where you enjoy the best panoramic views of the city.

• What to see in Seattle

Portland

And as for Portland, is considered as the Green City, and as a curiosity, the series of The Simpsons It is set in it.

 

Multnomah Falls

The main attractions of both states are their imposing nature, with their natural reserves and two enormous mountains, Mount Rainer y Mount Hood.

But if there are two visits that we recommend one hundred percent, they are the Multnomah Falls near Portland, where you can see green landscapes with large waterfalls.

• What to see in Portland

Crater Lake

And above all, Crater Lake in Oregon, a beautiful lake that occupies the crater of an ancient volcano within a natural park with enormous trees and full of deer.

 

One of the most beautiful places we have ever seen.

Cannon Beach

Another natural setting worth highlighting in Oregon is Cannon Beach, known as the Goonies beach.

An hour and a half from Portland, this natural enclave is famous for the rocky pinnacles that rise from the sea very close to the beach.

Yellowstone national park

 

Yellowstone is not really located within a West Coast route The location of this national park is much further inland.

 

But this does not prevent many tourists from taking advantage of a trip to the west of the country to make an extension by flying to Jackson Hole for visit Yellowtone.

And with good reason as the volcanic activity in the area creates some of the most spectacular natural events in the world.

In this national park large geysers where they walk freely bison, springs with unique colors are created, such as those known as Mammoth Hot Springs, or the great park geyser, Old faithful.

It is also the home of the famous I dare Yogui and his partner Boo Boo.

• Here we leave you some useful ones tips for visiting Yellowstone.

What to see and visit in California

California It is one of the most populated states in the United States, some of the most important cities in North America are located here, such as Saint Franciso.

Territory where some of the best wines in the country are produced, it is a huge area, mild climate and warm temperatures, California is home to some of the beaches and cities that we have all seen in the movies.

Places like Golden Gate, Hollywood, Santa Barbara or the immense redwood forests from movies like Planet of the Apes, are some of the attractions of the region.

San Francisco

For many San Francisco It is the most beautiful city in the world; Whether this is the case or not, what no one can doubt is that those who visit it are fascinated, and with the certainty that they will return.

 

San Francisco slopes

Tour those impressive streets with steep slopes uploaded on a traditional tram, or see the beautiful victorian houses European style, it is a postcard that everyone would like to experience.

Golden Gate in San Francisco

But the thing does not stop there, since in San Francisco the iconic suspension bridge is located Golden Gate or the famous Alcatraz prison. both places in the large bay that faces the residential city of Sausalito.

In the same city of San Francisco is the Castro neighborhood, an emblem of the freedom of the 60s, where the country's main social advances took place.

Here he lived Harvey Milk, who in 1977 was the first openly gay person elected to public office in the United States, and who was assassinated just a year later.

• Here we leave you this article with the best places to see and visit in San Francisco.

Excursions in San Francisco

Furthermore, we propose the best tours and guided visits in San Francisco and excursions to do near San Francisco.

Route San Francisco to Los Angeles through the interior of California

To make the journey that connects the two main cities, from a tourist point of view, on the California coast, there is two alternative routes that you will have to choose from.

Well along the coast, visiting enclaves such as Monterey Bay, Big Sur o Santa Barbara, or inland, visiting the national parks of Yosemite o Redwoods.

You will actually have to choose between two types of landscape; the interior where you can see mountain landscapes and large redwood forests, or the route along the coast with the Cliffs and the famous Californian sun.

Here you have detailed information about What are giant sequoias and where to see them in California.

Although it is true that both routes could be mixed in some sections, a lot of time is lost if you cross from one to the other.

On one of our trips we were going down the interior and due to some fires in the forests of California, something that usually happens every summer, we were diverted and we lost almost a day by having to change the initial route.

We are going to explain to you what you can see on each path to make your choice easier.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is one of most important national parks in the United States and that attracts more tourists every year.

This natural reserve is where some of the impressive huge sequoia forests between green landscapes, as well as the great rocky promontory of El capitán, the main attraction of the park.

Also places like Toulunme Meadows on the route of Tioga Road.

Of course, if you consider making the trip in winter, you have to know what the Yosemite areas and roads closed due to inclement winter weather.

Here we leave you all the information you need to know, with several Tips for visiting Yosemite National Park

• What to see in Yosemite

Sequoia National Park

Another national park that you can visit in the interior of California is redwoods, where the enormous sequoia known as General Sherman.

As a curiosity, I will tell you that in this national park there are bears in the wild, so you should be prepared.

San Francisco to Yosemite Tour

On your trip to the western United States, you can also consider taking advantage of your stay in San Francisco to visit Yosemite Park.

If you do not have a car on your trip, this information about the Yosemite tour from San Francisco, which allows you to make a quick visit to this national park in one day.

Coastal route from San Francisco to Los Angeles

La Monterey Bay It is the perfect stop on a route along the west coast.

Monterey Bay

In this coastal area you can visit several interesting places, such as the pretty town  Carmel by the Sea and beautiful cliffs Big Sur along the way, they certainly form the classic West Coast experience.

On this route there are several stops you can make, both for See sea lions at 17 Mile Drive Nature Site, or even to make a excursion to see dolphins or whales.

Big Sur Cliffs

In the coastal route to Los Angeles you will have to travel a long stretch of cliffs known as Big Sur.

At the end of this tour you will reach the Ragged Point Vista Overlook, from where you have good views of the Big Sur cliffs, and very close you will pass through the Piedras Blancas beach, another place where you can see sea lions.

hearst castle

On the way to Los Angeles it is well worth making a stop at the hearst castle, what was the extravagant mansion of the great tabloid press magnate, William Randolph Hearst.

It's actually like a Theme Park where you will see several mansions with mix of architectural styles which were built in the first half of the 15th century by this famous character who starred Marlon Brandon in his most famous film, Citizen Kane.

Here you have practical information for visit Hearst Castle.

Santa Barbara

About 150 kilometers before reaching Los Angeles you can visit the historic city ​​of Santa Barbara.

In addition to its enclaves from the colonial era, such as the Santa Barbara Mission or the Victorian-style buildings, Santa Barbara is highly visited for its spectacular beach.

If you are in Los Angeles and you want to visit this city, here you have information about the excursion to Santa Barbara in a full day, which includes the visit of the Outlet Camarillo Premium.

Santa Ynez Valley

Near Santa Barbara you can spend a day of wine tourism visiting the wineries of the Santa Ynez Valley.

If you prefer, you can sign up for a excursion to the Santa Ynez Valley organized by a tourism agency, and in this way deepen the knowledge of the famous Californian wine.

Also in this valley with a wine tradition you have the opportunity to visit a Danish-style town.

Here you can know the curious history of Solvang, and how the Danes settled in this area of ​​California.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles It is the city of cinema par excellence, with the Hollywood walk of fame as a great icon. and for this reason alone its visit becomes essential on a route through the western United States.

• What is essential to see in Los Angeles

Hollywood in Los Angeles

It is in the aforementioned Hall of Fame where you can see the famous artists stars on the sidewalk, as well as the hand and foot prints of artists versus Grauman Chinese Theater.

However Hollywood Boulevard It has other famous cinema corners, such as the Dolby Theater, long known as Kodak Theater, where the Oscar awards.

Or the huge hollywood sign that we have all seen in hundreds of movies.

Universal Studios in Los Angeles

Of course, one of the locations had to be located in Los Angeles. theme parks most famous in the world, UUniversal Hollywood Studios, located next to the original film studios and with all its attractions inspired by movies.

Griffith Observatory

On your visit to Los Angeles, I advise you to climb the mountain located next to the city.

Specifically, to the enclave of Griffith Observatory, an astronomical observatory located above Hollywood, from where you have the best Panoramic views of the huge Californian city.

Beverly Hills in Los Angeles

Tourism related to cinema is so important that there are tourists who sign up to tours and excursions that walk the streets of the luxurious neighborhood of Beverly Hills, with its enormous palm trees and famous mansions, to see where your favorite artists reside.

In this neighborhood, the complex of luxury brand stores known as Rodeo Drive.

Santa Monica and Malibu beaches

But Los Angeles is a city mainly on the coast, with great beaches in different parts of its county, with the classic beach lifeguard huts, his iconic Santa Monica Pier, or the Malibu beach.

Visualizing the landscapes of Los Angeles is very easy since its streets have appeared in hundreds of movies, but experiencing it is an even better experience.

A fantastic beach atmosphere in which, unlike many states in the United States, people take care of themselves and play sports in the streets.

Here we leave you all the information you need to know with the best tips for visiting Los Angeles, as well as information about the Olvera Street Historical Monument, in the middle Downtown de la ciudad.

It will also be useful for you to know how to get from LAX airport to downtown Los Angeles.

Route San Francisco to Las Vegas through Yosemite

La route through the interior of California It is mainly a route through natural parks where you will travel Yosemite landscapes and her environment.

If you go with time you can also visit bodie, ghost mining town: Virginia City, west town which gained fame for being the place where the ranch was located The Ponderosa, protagonist of the 60's television series, Bonanza.

Here we leave you the main places that this route includes.

Death Valley National Park

It must be said that the death valley national park It is one of the driest and hottest places in the world, and when it comes to including it in a route, it is a bit in no man's land.

This is not to discourage a visit, but in reality it is usually visited when on the route along the west coast after San Francisco you skip Los Angeles to go directly to Las Vegas, where this national park catches you on your way.

If you choose this route, it is worth it, since any other combination to see Death Valley requires a detour.

• Here we leave you all the information about what to see when visiting Death Valley.

It should also be noted that in the Death Valley area you can visit Rhyolite, Another ghost town.

Route from Los Angeles to Las Vegas

Mojave desert

El Mojave desert It is located between San Francisco to Las Vegas and is undoubtedly a perfect approach to the next step on the route.

You leave a macropolis like Los Angeles and you enter a desert of many kilometers that prepares you so that you can take a real dimension of what it is like. Las Vegas, a city full of lights in the middle of the desert.

Along the way there is another visit that will not take you much time, but that you may be interested in doing, the old miner town now a ghost town, Calico.

Las Vegas

Las Vegas, or as it is more often known, the game city, it is a real amusement park for adults.

It is the city of the great casinos and the great shows.

Include Las Vegas and Grand Canyon of the Colorado It is very common on a route along the west coast, and with good reason.

It is a huge city full of casino-hotels Located in the middle of the desert, and this is precisely part of the charm of the route, especially if you arrive by car at night.

Outlets in Las Vegas

During the day there is hardly things to do in las vegas, beyond being in the hotel pool resting and escaping from the high temperatures, or go shopping at outlets.

But when the sun goes down, the city changes.

And it is not a question of playing or not, but of going through the great themed hotels, authentic movie sets, which are the true attraction of visiting Las Vegas.

Casino Hotels in Las Vegas

Hotels like the Venice, New York, Paris o Excalibur, all truly surprising and spectacular, it is like taking a tourist trip through many cities in a small space.

To highlight the Stratosphere hotel, where at the top of its tower there is a small amusement park.

Shows and attractions in Las Vegas

Another nighttime attraction is enjoying shows and musicals in Las Vegas, or also see the Freemont Street Audiovisual Show.

You also have the option of signing up for a night helicopter tour to fly over Las Vegas.

Grand Canyon Tours from Las Vegas

And if on your trip to the western United States you find yourself in Las Vegas and you don't have time to take a two or three day road trip to do the essential visit the Grand Canyon of the Colorado, in this city you have the option to do it in a day.

So, you can sign up for the Grand Canyon minivan day trip, yes, to the area of west rim, somewhat less spectacular than the most visited in the South rim, but where can you walk around Skywalk.

One of the best experiences of our life.

Here you have our best tips for visiting Las Vegas in Nevada.

From Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon of the Colorado

The city of Las Vegas It is a starting point to discover some of the most interesting places in the western United States, which you can do with a driving route through national parks, among which the Grand Canyon of the Colorado and Monument Valley.

Or walking through the mythical Route 66, or visiting the beautiful places in the area of sedona.

Without a doubt, they are very striking incentives that turn some of these into essential sites to include in a trip to the western United States.

• At the outset we leave you information about what the route to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas.

Hoover dam

La Hoover dam is very close to Las Vegas and it is the one that supplies water to the city by collecting water from the Colorado River.

Apart from seeing her on the way to Grand Canyon, you can visit it with guided excursions if you are interested.

Here you have information about how to visit hoover dam.

Ruta 66

An icon of the famous country Ruta 66, the highway that crosses the United States from east to west, from Chicago but also Los Angeles.

On your trip from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, travel some sections of this legendary route that witnesses the history of the United States.

It will be a few kilometers, but you will pass through towns and corners that have now become museums of the history of North America.

This is the case of Hackberry, Seligman o Williams, from where you can go to the Grand Canyon by steam train.

Or curious places like Oatman, a former mining town that has now become a tourist attraction, or the Wigwam Motel, where you sleep in a typical Indian tent.

Here we leave you the information you need to know about the historic Route 66.

sedona

If in your trip along Route 66 Upon arriving at Williams, instead of going up towards the north to go to the Grand Canyon you head south, you will reach the sedona region, the second most visited area by tourists in Arizona.

The great attraction of this region whose nerve center is the very vacation city of sedona, are the spectacular landscapes with rocky areas with reddish colors, which have been the scene of hundreds of Western films,

These reddish rocky mountains are found in the valley of Oak Creek Canyon, or in the Red Rock route.

En sedona you can see other places of interest, such as Jerome, an old western mining town We have to say that we found the most authentic western town of all those we saw on our trip.

And for shopping, a shopping center built emulating a Mexican town, with indigenous craft shops.

• Here we leave you more information information with the best places to see in Sedona in Arizona.

Grand Canyon of the Colorado

El Grand Canyon of the Colorado is, without a doubt, the national park par excellence of the United States.

El Colorado River It is one of the longest in the world and for thousands of years it has shaped this canyon of hundreds of kilometers.

The visit can be done in many ways and from many areas since the Grand Canyon of the Colorado It is enormously large.

The most prominent area visited by tourists is known as South rim, which is accessed from the south from the aforementioned town of Williams.

But day trips that they are made from las vegas, both by minibus and by helicopter or plane, take you to the west rim, less spectacular.

That's where you find places like the Havasupai Indian Reservation, the place of Havasu Falls or the famous attraction of the Skywalk glass platform located on one edge of the canyon.

When you arrive at the South Rim, just before entering the national park you find the accommodation area of Showing, as well as the airport from which the helicopter tours to fly over the Grand Canyon.

But there are a lot of activities to do in the Grand Canyon going down to the waters of the Colorado Riveras Rafting, in the style of the first explorers who crossed the river on that legendary expedition.

You can also do hiking in the Grand Canyon, although perhaps the most curious excursion of all, which when we saw it we couldn't quite believe it, is the ride a mule to the waters of the Colorado River

And for the most daring, the star activity is see the Grand Canyon from the air, which can be done by small plane or helicopter, an experience that is never forgotten.

Our advice is that the best option is the helicopter because due to the way it flies, it can more easily enter the interior of the canyon in search of the most spectacular views.

Furthermore, this environment is one of the few where Indian tribes still live, natives of those lands before colonization.

Apart from those mentioned hotels in Tusayan, within the park you have the option of accommodation in more original places, such as in a riverside ranch or in rustic cabins inside the national park.

Here you have various Tips for visiting the Grand Canyon of the Colorado, as well as all the practical information you need to know, such as schedules and ticket prices.

Natural sites in Page 

In a route through the north of the Grand Canyon, riding a Arizona, around Page you have the possibility of meeting several and very interesting natural places. in addition to being a common place to find accommodation.

Horseshoe

Located next to the Lake PowellIn this area you can visit places like Horseshoe, a spectacular meander like a horse's horseshoe that forms the Colorado River while passing through this area.

Also in this area it is very common to take excursions along the river, either Rafting or simply a motorboat ride since it is easier to go down to the river here than in the southern part of the Grand Canyon.

We do not forget to remind you that here you can see the classic rock formations so characteristic of Utah, which have become so famous as a result of the film based on the true story of a climber who became trapped.

As Antelope Canyon and in Water Holes Canyon.

Finally, comment that you also have the possibility of making a helicopter or small plane tour from Page to see these wonderful landscapes from the air.

Antelope Canyon

If there is a natural enclave near Page which has really become a tourist attraction that is Antelope Canyon.

It is a type of place called a narrow canyon, and once you enter it, specifically at noon, its interior becomes a spectacular symphony of colors.

Here you have information about how to get to and visit Antelope Canyon.

Route through national parks in Utah

If in your trip through the western United States you have reached the Grand Canyon and you have more time, it is worth visiting other natural places in the state of Utah That will leave you with your mouth open.

In fact, you can even take a route that, visiting these places, takes you to the north of the Grand Canyon, and then return to Las Vegas.

Here you have this route from the Grand Canyon to Monument Valley and Las Vegas.

Monument Valley

Right on the border between Arizona y Utah is the Monument Valley, a park that depends on the Navajo Indians and that shows some of the most characteristic images of the western United States.

Already on the route that takes you from the Grand Canyon to Monument Valley You are going to see that type of landscape.

It is a huge, completely flat desert in which any mound stands out enormously and Monument Valley It rises with very whimsical shapes.

It is important if you are going to sleep in these areas that you must book in advance, as there are hardly any towns and the best accommodations are reserved several months in advance, such as the hotel overlooking Monument Valley.

In this regard, near Monument Valley you have hotels in Kayenta and in Mexican Hat.

Here you have the best tips for visiting Monument Valley.

To highlight also near Monument Valley other desert places, such as Valley of the Gods, The Wave, in the natural area of Coyote Buttes. or San Juan River Goosenecks, tributary of Colorado River which also forms an impressive meander.

Bryce Canyon National Park

One of the most prominent National Parks what can you visit in Utah it is without a doubt, Bryce Canyon.

In this great natural area you will be able to see some curious rock formations known as hoodoos, elongated pinnacles formed by water erosion, which combine the colors red, ocher and white, and which you can see grouped in various corners of the park.

• Here you have the information about how to visit Bryce Canyon National Park.

Arches National Park

Another type of formation that is common to see in these semi-desert regions of Utah are rocky arches, also formed after millions of years of water erosion.

The best place to see them is arches national park, where up to 2.000 rock arches are currently preserved.

Here is the information you need to know about how to visit arches national park.

Zion National Park

In a route through Utah you can too visit Zion national park, whose main attractions is a canyon formed by the virgin river, which is 800 meters deep.