Best Road Trips in America: West Coast Edition

America’s west coast is a stunning spectrum of natural beauty. From densely-packed forests to unbelievable ocean views, a road trip up or down one of the many picturesque highways or byways will leave your pic-packed Instagram begging for mercy. We won’t give you a map - hey, isn’t half the fun of a road trip getting lost along the way? - but we will give you a list of the 10 best drives where the sun sets. Grab some snacks, fuel up (or, charge up, as it were), and hit the road!

Pacific Coast Highway: San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA

There’s probably no more iconic road trip than a cruise down the PCH. Check out the scenic views of the Monterey Peninsula - and don’t forget to pull over to check out the world famous Monterey Aquarium - then duck into the wilderness of Big Sur mountain range. If you’re looking for a spot to pit stop, try Post Ranch Inn, with its modest accommodations and breathtaking clifftop location.

Alaska Highway: Seattle, WA to Anchorage, AK

Known as the “Alcan”, this 1,400-mile highway starts in Seattle, crosses through Vancouver, and ends up in the heart of the true Northwest, Anchorage, Alaska. Bears and moose will guide you through widely-arranged mountains and massive lakes, and you can dip in to the Northern Lights Resort and Spa to watch the Aurora Borealis stretch across the night sky.

California Parklands: Yosemite, CA to Death Valley, CA

You’ll start in Yosemite National Park at North America’s highest waterfall, Yosemite Falls. You can post up at The Majestic Yosemite Hotel - the first-ever luxury property in America’s national parklands - or you can head south to Kings Canyon and Sequoia national parks to get a look at gigantic, centuries-old megatrees. The final lap of your trip is the Death Valley Scenic Byway, which features mesmerizing sand dunes and just the right amount of creepiness.

Highway 101: Los Angeles, CA to Seattle, WA

Highway 101 is road tripping 101. Featuring 300+ miles wrapped around Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula, this drive showcases misty lakes, cascading emerald waterways, a jaw-dropping rock-filled coastline and several dozen less-than-a-thousand-people towns along the way. Don’t forget to visit Goonies Rock, and make sure to stop at Hoh Rainforest, which is an actual rainforest full of colossal spruce and hemlock trees right here in America! Who knew?

California Wine Country: Napa, CA to San Francisco, CA

Why choose between Cali’s most revered wine regions when you could visit all of them? Napa is rife with high-class wineries and gorgeous hills, while nearby Sonoma County features tons of mom-and-pop shops, artisanal wineries, and giant Redwoods. In Napa, check out Schramsberg Vineyards to sample the official bubbly of The White House. In Sonoma, sample an incredible assortment of cabernets at Jordan Winery. Wrap things up in San Fran with a trip to Fisherman’s Wharf for a taste of crab chowder, and a rousing vocal performance from the city’s famous sea lions.

HI-360: Paia, HI to Kauiki Head, HI

Also known as the Hana Highway, this 60+ mile stretch spans the northeastern coast of Maui, Hawaii. You’ll want a vehicle with off-road chops that can handle the more than 600 curves and bends along the way, which only add to the adventurous vibe of the towering cliffs, dynamic waterfalls, dense forests and unreal views of the Pacific Ocean. Check in at the television-free Travaasa Hanaand and book yourself a traditional Hawaiian healing massage before you gas back up.

U.S. Route 20: Bend, OR to Vale, OR

A town in Oregon’s high desert, Bend is also home to raging rivers, forests, and volcanic scree. Pick your poison - there’s skiing, mountain biking, climbing, hiking, or white-water rafting experiences are all available along the way, and the various entry routes can lead you anywhere from the switchbacks of Mount Hood to the thick forests, mountain views, and river canyons. Bend is also known as one of America’s great “under the radar” beer cities, so stop at any one of the nearby bars and breweries to recharge with a round. 

Historic Columbia River Highway: Troutdale, OR to The Dalles, OR

As one of the last legs of Lewis & Clark’s American expedition, this trip around The Columbia River Gorge features hiking trails, and wildlife scenes straight out of Endor. Waterfalls punctuate the winding highway, leading to rivers perfect for beach cruising or kite surfing. The Gorge is also right near Hood River, a well-respected “small beer” town that feels right at home nestled between the rocks.

Oregon Route 62: Medford, OR to Chiloquin, OR

Crater Lake - a giant hole caused by a collapsed volcano, and the central focus of this journey - houses the deepest lake in America. Go in winter and you can see the gorgeous snowfall that helps keep it stocked with fresh water, then marvel at the crystal-clear pool in the center of hiking, camping and cliff-jumping excursions aplenty. The approach through central Oregon will get you primed for what is essentially a trip to a completely other world. 

I-5 S: Los Angeles, CA to Tijuana, Mexico

If you start in LA - or the much closer San Diego (only a half hour away!) - you can make your way down south via Cali’s famous coastal highway system, before ending up in one of the most iconic “bad decision” locations of all time. But, hang on...TJ isn’t just for binge drinking anymore. The dining scene has attracted some of Mexico’s best chefs, and there’s a genuine brewery culture developing these days. This sweetly scenic road trip could certainly end in shenanigans, but shenanigans of the very best kind.