9 West Coast Road Trips to Take This Year

Here are nine of our favorite West Coast road trip itineraries, including where to stop, where to stay, and what you’ll see along the way.

It seems everyone is turning to the classic road trip this summer. For those on the West Coast, that means picking between sun-drenched drives through southern California's deserts, wooded escapes in the Pacific Northwest, or long weekends driving deep into Oregon on the Columbia River Highway. We've even got routes that will take you into Mexico and Canada, too (perfect for easing your way back out there once international travel is on the table again). However you slice it, there's no shortage of things to see and do—nor incredible drives to take—and now is the perfect time to cross a few of the West Coast's best routes off your list.

Below, our nine favorite West Coast road trips. Plus, where to eat, sleep, and find the best photo opps along the way. Remember to read up on state travel restrictions before hitting the road; the same goes for crossing international borders. It's also a good idea to check with any sights, restaurants, or hotels you want to visit beforehand, as hours and operations are subject to change at any time.

San Diego to Valle de Guadelupe

Southern Californians in the know have been following Mexico's 1D toll road on long weekends for years. Looping through the northernmost part of Baja California, there are four main food-and-drink-focused stops: Head to Tijuana for nitro cold brew and taco carts; inhale no-frills regional seafood in Rosarito and Ensenada; then, drive inland to the Valle de Guadalupe where you'll find two of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, and over 50 wineries. Throughout it all, the views change from panoramas of the Pacific to sweeping desert landscapes.

Where to stop: In Tijuana, pop into Object boutique, a design shop that pulls together furniture, clothing, and home goods from artisans across the country. Then, detour at KM 84 for the Mirador observation deck, between Tijuana and Ensenada, which has the best ocean views of the trip.

Where to eat: For a quick refuel, don't miss seafood tostadas at the Bourdain-approved La Guerrerense cart in Ensenada (the scallops are a highlight). If luck strikes and your dates line up, join an Animalon pop-up dinner, hosted by the region’s star chef Javier Plascencia under a 200-year-old oak tree in the Valle de Guadelupe.

Where to stay: Encuentro de Guadalupe's is a favorite stay, with modern villas scattered among boulders on the hills of the Valle de Guadelupe. The Bruma de Guadelupe vineyards are another retreat right in the middle of the desert (pair those organic reds with in-room massages and a meal at farm-to-table Fauna).

Pacific Coast Highway: San Francisco to Los Angeles

Is there a more iconic road trip than taking Highway 1 south from San Francisco along California’s coast? We can't think of one. On this route, you'll hug the winding coastline, with pitstops on the Monterey Peninsula, Big Sur, and along the Central Coast. Take a long weekend to enjoy the ocean views (and wine) this drive has to offer.

Where to stop: In Big Sur, stop for a picture of the Bixby Bridge, one of the tallest concrete bridges in the world. The kitschy Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo is another chance for a photo; or, pull off in Paso Robles and do a self-guided tour through the area's nearly 50 wineries.

Where to eat: In Monterey, make a reservation at Aubergine within L'Auberge Carmel. Chef Justin Cogley doles up multi-course tasting menus that focus on local fish, and there's a 2,500-bottle wine cellar full of California and French wines that you should absolutely sample. Down south, make sure to pull over for fish and chips at the no-frills Malibu Seafood.

Where to stay: There's Post Ranch Inn, the splashiest place to stay in Big Sur thanks to its swoon-y clifftop location, or Glen Oaks Big Sur, where you can have a mid-century modern room for night two of your road trip. In Santa Barbara, the Hotel Californian is a refreshing hideaway right on the coast, with ocean views, a great on-site restaurant (Blackbird), and a Moroccan spa to counteract hours spent in the car. Planning to just do half the drive?

Highway 101 on Oregon's Coast

Down the snaking shoreline from Washington State to the California Redwoods, Oregon's Highway 101 puts on a show, from broad Cannon Beach to dozens of outstanding state parks with even better names (see: Devils Punchbowl, Cape Perpetua). Each detour is distinctive, and the drive is—dare we say it—as lovely as California's Highway 1.

Where to stop: Thanks to its appearance at the end of the 1985 kidventure flick The Goonies, Haystack Rock is forever known as "Goonies Rock." The sea stack rises 235 feet above sea level, and is a visible beacon calling you to Cannon Beach.

Where to eat: Pelican Pub and Brewery in surfers' cove Pacific City lets you drink a locally brewed porter with your toes in the sand.

Where to stay: Built in the early 1890s, the iconic Heceta Head Lighthouse—just five miles from Cape Perpetua—has an adjacent light keeper’s house that's now a plush bed and breakfast (with a memorable multi-course meal in the morning). If you're the sporting type, Bandon Dunes golf resort is nationally renowned and a great place to stay for a day or two.

California Parklands: Yosemite to Death Valley

Eastern California is blessed with prolific and diverse national parklands. Start in Yosemite National Park with North America’s highest waterfall, Yosemite Falls, and the 3,000-foot tall granite monolith, El Capitan, then head south to contiguous national parks Kings Canyon and Sequoia, underscored by larger-than-life, centuries-old Sequoia trees within virgin forests. Finish the park tour exploring the ethereal sand dunes and canyons of Death Valley National Park by way of the Death Valley Scenic Byway.

Where to stop: In Yosemite, make sure to pull over at Tunnel View on your way out for a sweeping look at the entire park. Put size into perspective with a picture of the largest tree on earth, the 275-foot-tall General Sherman sequoia tree, in Sequoia National Park.

Where to eat: Splurge on dinner at the Majestic Yosemite Dining Room, a formal, candle-lit space that maintains its 1920s grandeur with candelabra chandeliers, fine china, and modern takes on classics like oysters Rockefeller and French onion soup.

Where to stay: Unpack at The Majestic Yosemite Hotel (formerly Ahwahnee Hotel), a Gilbert Stanley Underwood designed, Y-shaped lodge in the heart of Yosemite National Park—and the first-ever luxury hotel in America’s national parklands (it opened in 1927). If you're up for camping, the lower campgrounds at Yosemite are the spot to do it—you'll wake up to a world class view, with amenities at an arm's reach.

Historic Columbia River Highway

The 75-mile Columbia River Highway connects Troutdale, Oregon, with The Dalles, for a short drive that is jam-packed with scenery: expect to see towering waterfalls, moss-covered bridges, and lush greenery throughout the entire drive. Plus, you can pick up the drive just thirty minutes east of Portland (to really stretch things out, combine it with a longer trip up or down the Oregon coast).

Where to stop: The 610-foot Multnomah Falls are a must-see, and visible from the road, but they tend to draw a crowd. Consider making your way to Oneonta Falls, just off the highway, for a short hike with equally impressive views (if you’re feeling especially adventurous, wade through the Oneonta gorge).

Where to eat: Snack at the fresh berry stands along the route, or stop at one of the wineries in Hood River. Hiyu Wine Farm, which produces nearly everything it serves, from biodynamics wine to hearty steaks, is a favorite.

Where to stay: With Portland right near the west end of the highway, it’s easy to use the city as your home base. The Hoxton and Ace Hotel both have outposts in the city, right in downtown—perfect for gliding on and off the highway.

California Wine Country: Napa to Sonoma

The New Four Seasons Resort, Napa Valley

Why choose between California’s two most renowned wine regions when you don't have to? Do both in one trip: Take in the verdant hills and highly polished wineries and estates of Napa Valley, and then head west to Sonoma County, a region rich in mom-and-pop establishments, artisanal wineries, and towering Redwoods.

Where to stop: In Napa, tour the caves and fuel up on sparkling wine at Schramsberg Vineyards. In Sonoma, delight in superlative cabernets at Jordan Winery.

Where to eat: Off the scenic Bohemian Highway, follow the scent of fresh-baked delights to Wild Flour Bread in Freestone (population: 32), Sonoma’s first historic district. Grab a cheese fougasse and piping hot “Egyptian” bread with fig, pear, and candied ginger for an afternoon picnic.

Where to stay: Sleep off the food and wine at Vintners Inn, a family-owned, 92-acre estate in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley.

Highway 101 in the Olympic Peninsula

In its northernmost reaches, Highway 101 loops some 330 miles around Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula, showcasing vast swathes of temperate rainforest in Olympic National Park, mist-shrouded emerald lakes, cascading waterfalls, rocky coastline, and dozens of quaint, small towns with populations under 1,000. (Even better? The loop itself is just a couple hours' drive from the city of Seattle, making it easy to reach.)

Where to stop: See what an American rainforest looks like at Hoh Rainforest, where towering spruce and western hemlock trees dominate and black bears and bobcats roam. Don't miss the Dungeness Spit, one of the world's largest sand spits (somewhat like a natural jetty) and a national wildlife refuge.

Where to eat: Sample the seasonal “garden-to-plate” items at Nourish in Sequim, where all ingredients are local and organic.

Where to stay: Get back to nature in Olympic National Park at the rustic Kalaloch Lodge, which sits between evergreen forests and the Pacific Ocean.

Los Angeles to Palm Springs

Many Angelenos are under the impression that Los Angeles is a desert. And while that’s not actually the case, it doesn’t take long to get to one—just head east and you’ll hit Palm Springs in under two hours (depending on traffic, that is). From there? It’s just another 45 minutes to Joshua Tree and surrounding small towns like Twentynine Palms, making for the perfect weekend away from the big city, replete with art, great food, and that dry desert heat.

Where to stop: Design lovers should beeline for the Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center, or swing by Sunnylands, a family estate that embodies the mid-century modern design the area is known for, and offers tours.

Where to eat: Counter Reformation, inside the Parker Palm Springs, is a wine bar serving charcuterie and great bottles a cut above its competition; Rooster and the Pig, known for contemporary Vietnamese-American cuisine, also pulls a crowd with dishes like pork belly fried rice, and signature cocktails.

Where to stay: The Ace Hotel & Swim Club is a Modernist haven, filled with lazing hammocks and local art right at home in the desert—and a pool for when you desperately need to cool off. The dreamy Joshua Tree House, available on Airbnb, is a well-appointed two-bed, two-bath house right outside the park.

The Alaskan Highway

The 1,390-mile Alaska Highway has a legendary name—the Alcan—and views to match. Starting in Seattle, it crosses the Canadian border into Vancouver, and then on to Anchorage, where you'll see the best of the Northwest, super-sized. "Mountains are wide and widely spaced, and massive lakes are electric blue," writes Allison Williams for Seattle Met magazine. Bears and moose will keep you company along the way. (Editor's note: The U.S.-Canada border is currently closed.)

Where to stop: Vancouver, always, for a walk through Stanley Park and amazing meals to fortify you on the long road. Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory is one of the few landmark towns on the Alcan, and a great place to overnight.

Where to eat: Join the line at Vancouver Indian institution Vij’s for lamb popsicles and spicy goat curry. In Whitehorse, try Antoinette's, which serves up Caribbean dishes like spiced ribs and curried stews, or Burnt Toast Cafe for classics like burgers and beer.

Where to stay: Lodging is a little sparse on this road trip, but the Summit Lake Lodge outside Moose Pass, and Northern Lights Resort and Spa in the Yukon, are reliable options. Plus, the Northern Lights Resort lives up to its name.