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The US is an incredible country with many places to visit and things to do. But the West Coast of our country comes with its own unique charm and many beautiful locations to explore.
It has an abundance of famous cities, spectacular National Parks, theme parks, and lots of scenic routes to take. Known to many as the Pacific Coast, this area is rich in picturesque views, world-famous landmarks, and attractions for your whole family to enjoy. From the vibrant cities in California, wine-tasting in Napa Valley, the vast forests and towering redwoods in Oregon, the west coast has a lot to offer.
There are many beautiful places to explore along the West Coast of America, so if you are planning to visit this area, it is well worth knowing some of the top spots of interest to check out. Let’s take a look at the 11 unbelievable West Coast locations we’ve chosen, which you shouldn’t miss!
…Click “Next” to see what locations we’re talking about!… Number 5 is our personal favorite!
Seattle is a perfect starting point for any west coast US road trip. This is the city where many top companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Starbucks got their start. It’s famous for interesting live art scenes and micro-breweries that serve craft beers. Seattle is also better known as the Emerald City due to its refreshing natural spaces and evergreen forests.
While here, you can explore the Seattle Centre, take a ferry ride to watch whales, and even stop by the Museum of Pop Culture. Also, stop by the Pike Place Market and get a sip of the world-class coffee at the first-ever Starbucks. Get to the top of the Space Needle for impressive views of the downtown Seattle skyline, and nature-lovers should check out Discovery Park.
It’s over 500 acres, and it is an incredible place to take in captivating wildlife and surround yourself with the West coast’s natural beauty. You can also enjoy various activities while visiting. There are some spectacular views to see here, including impressive mountains. There are also protected tidal beaches, sand dunes, and woodland.
In this west coast location, you’ll find incredible Mount Rainier. It’s a soaring volcano that has become an iconic landmark and a vital part of Washington’s landscape. This is the perfect place to enjoy diverse and striking terrains, spectacular scenery, fascinating wildlife, and sensational plant life.
It’s an overall educational experience that is excellent for people of all ages to enjoy. The diversity and beauty of this national park attract lots of people every year. While visiting, you can also discover more about its fascinating history as well as take in the awe-inspiring surroundings and picturesque views!
This entire state is one of the most amazing places to visit on the west coast. But especially Portland, which is the home of hipsters, foodies, and eco-activists. It is a city full of vegan restaurants, coffee shops, and craft breweries. While here, you should check out the funky neighborhood with parks, bridges, and bicycle trails to easily explore the city on a bike.
You will also find many food carts throughout the city which you can enjoy. Also, make sure to visit Powell’s City of Books. It’s an iconic bookstore where you can wander around and get lost. This shop is so huge that it takes up an entire city block!
Next, stroll through the serene gardens, connect with the diverse communities, and taste just almost everything. We also suggest exploring the Oregon Zoo and Washington Park, filled with a zoo, museums, and beautiful gardens.
…Psst, check this out!
On the old Oregon and California Trails route, this small city in the Portneuf River valley is where you’ll find your next relaxing weekend on the west coast! In the late 1800s, the land and its springs, which were part of the Fort Hall reservation, were bought by the US Government from the locals.
These hot springs are full of minerals and were known for their healing properties by the initial inhabitants, the Shoshone-Bannock people, who called them Poha-Ba, aka the Land of Healing Waters. Today, the Hot Springs are managed by the Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation’s Lava Hot Springs Foundation.
The Hot Springs are famous for five hot pools where the temperature range between 102 and 112 degrees Fahrenheit, as well as the Olympic pool, water slides, diving platforms, Indoor Aquatic Center, and Portneuf Kiddie Cove.
Well, this is something you don’t experience every day! Bear World at Yellowstone is a private wildlife park near Yellowstone National Park in Rexburg, Idaho. It was founded in 1998, and it’s the only wildlife reserve in the area that is a drive-through.
What this means is that its visitors get to see grizzly bears, gray wolves, moose, bison, white-tailed deer, and other typical North American wildlife on the west coast in their natural habitat,…all from the safety and comfort of inside their cars. As a unique bonus, the park’s visitors can go behind the scenes to help feed the bear cubs while supervised by the park animal keepers.
There is also a famous petting zoo, which covers one acre of land, on which farm animals and birds live freely. Occasionally, visitors can participate in bottle-feeding of elk calves and deer fawns as well.
By taking a trip to this west coast city, you will take in the breathtaking and historic Golden Gate Bridge, which receives many visitors annually. In addition, you can take the opportunity to explore the city, by cable car, including the attractive bay area with its recreational activities and a wide variety of facilities. Each day in the city is a different experience with new activities.
It provides a bustling atmosphere with many things to do, not to mention the popular sites to visit. Explore Fisherman’s Wharf to see some seals and stop by Haight and Lombard Streets for excellent boutiques, restaurants, and cafes.
Taking a trip to the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge wouldn’t hurt either. And heading to Muir Woods would give you a view of some massive redwood trees and beautiful landscapes. You could also take along your hiking shoes, as there are lots of trails to explore. And, as you might expect, your trip wouldn’t be complete without checking out Alcatraz and the history it has to offer!
LA is one of the biggest and most famous cities in the state. Known for its vast metropolis, celebrities, and Mediterranean climate, this west coast city has some of the best beaches in the US. While there are many things to keep you occupied, we highly recommend a tour of the Warner Bros. Studios to get a better sense of how movies are made.
Other top places to visit include Universal Hollywood, Hollywood Boulevard, Santa Monica Pier, the Walk of Fame, and of course, the Hollywood Sign. But besides this, there are many other great things to keep you busy, including the fantastic restaurants and the dozen malls and shopping districts throughout the city.
The LA Museum of Art and the Getty Center are places to view art and cultural exhibits. The famous Sunset Boulevard is worth a visit if you crave exciting nightlife, great shopping, or simply the chance to visit some famous establishments… and dare we say, spot a celebrity or two!
Napa Valley is well known as a world-famous wine region with hundreds of hillside vineyards and wineries. The beautiful countryside scenery and weather, Michelin star restaurants, spas, and luxury accommodations are part of what makes this city so sought after.
It’s the best place to visit on the west coast for memorable winery tours. The only difficulty you might have with the many options is choosing which vineyard to visit first!
Some ideas for you would be to start with the Pride Mountain Vineyards, Castello di Amorosa, Modus Operandi Cellars, and the St. Clair Brown Winery and Brewery… Our one recommendation is that you get a driver while here because you may get a little woozy from all the wineries you go to!
For an unbelievable adventure, Las Vegas is one of the best places to visit in the US. The glitz and glamour of this city always attracts attention, no matter the age. With its vibrant neon lights, fantastic nightlife, and outstanding entertainment, this is a place that will enhance your exploration of the West Coast… we’re not even gonna include the sprawling casino resorts.
Whether you decide to explore the hotels and casinos, catch a show from world-class entertainers, enjoy a night of partying, or just unwind with a meal at one of the many restaurants, you should definitely make sure you take a stroll along the strip.
Also, explore the Fremont Street Experience for incredible entertainment, gaming, shopping, and dining. Or for an “off the strip” adventure, the Red Rock Canyon National Conversation Area is a fantastic location to go for a drive, hike, or picnic.
It’s clear why the Hoover Dam is considered one of the seven engineering wonders of the modern world. At 726ft above the Canyon floor and stretching out 1,244ft across Black Canyon, this dam was the tallest in the world when finished in the 30s.
It’s is an “arch-gravity” dam, meaning that it’s thicker at the bottom, 660ft wide, and thinner at the top, where it’s only 45ft thick. It took over 6.5 million tons of concrete to construct, and it’s just a few miles to the southeast of Las Vegas.
Those looking for a unique and intriguing experience on the west coast will be delighted with a trip here. It will be one to remember. You can choose from several different tours to suit your preferences, including the power plant tour and the dam tour, making it the perfect excursion for your family’s adventure.
No visit to the west coast would be complete without stopping at the most famous canyon in the world. Grand canyon national park measures about 2000sq miles, while the Grand Canyon’s steep size covers over 200 miles long, 18 miles wide, and the depth of a mile.
First off, make sure you don’t skip the hiking trails for some once-in-a-lifetime views. But a few of these trails, such as the Horseshoe Bend, also lead you to the enchanting Havasu Falls and Bright Angel trails with epic views crafted by gigantic cliffs.
And even though it’s a bit of a distance from the coast, it’s still within the country’s western region. With the unbelievable views from sunrise and sunset, the Grand Canyon is a spectacular spot worth visiting.
What did you think about all of these great locations on the west coast? Have you added any to your bucket list? Be sure to let us know some of YOUR favorite west coast locations in the comments below!
…And also check out: 10 East Coast Destinations You’ll Love
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