Pacific Coastline West

Road trip suggestion Pacific Coastline West

Home - Seattle - Olympic NP - Portland - Newport - Coos Bay - Crater Lake NP - Redwood NP - Napa Valley - San Fransisco - [optional] Yosemite NP - Monterey Bay - Santa Barbara - Los Angeles - Home

Remember, this itinerary is only a route proposal for your big trip. If you wish to receive personal assistance designing your road trip, please get in contact with our adventurous travel experts. They love designing dream trips and they give you great insider travel advice. Oh, and one last thing. When on a road trip, you really don't want to travel without a good travel insurance. Let us know if you need help with that!

Seattle, Washington

Start your trip in the beautiful Seattle, where we recommend that you take at least 2 nights so that you can get a smooth start to your adventure without rushing it. Take some time to explore the city famous for its many coffee shops, the tall Space Needle tower and the old Pike Place Market.

After a couple of days of city life, it's time to start getting ready to hit the road and pick up the rental car!

Olympic NP, Washington

Once you've started the engine, it's time to navigate towards Olympic National Park, between 2 and 2,5 hours from Seattle depending on how scenic you'll make the drive. In Olympic National Park you'll find everything from lush rainforests and rugged coastline to towering mountains and serene lakes. Whether you're into hiking, camping, or just soaking up stunning scenery, this place has it all. The landscapes are very diverse, and you've got the chance to see wildlife like elk and black bears if you're lucky! Some of our favourite trails include the Hoh Rain Forest Trail, an easy-to-moderate trail that'll take you deep into one of the park's forests. The Hall of Mosses and Spruce Nature Trail loops are perfect for a short but stunning walk a...

Newport, Oregon

Now it's finally time to drive towards the ocean! Your destination today is Newport, a charming coastal town with a relaxed vibe. On the way from Portland it's worth it to make a stop in Depoe Bay, the whale-watching capital of the Oregon coast, where you can often spot these majestic creatures from shore from June to November. Once you arrive in Newport, head to the historic Bayfront to explore shops, watch sea lions lounging on the docks, and see if you can resist the smell of fresh seafood. The Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area is a must-see, featuring a historic lighthouse and tide pools with a lot of marine life.

Coos Bay, Oregon

From Newport it's a very pretty drive along the coast down to Coos Bay. If you've got the time, Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, is a nice spot to take a break. Here you can hike through old-growth forests and see the dramatic Spouting Horn and Thor's Well - both rock formations that get beaten up by the waves. Coos Bay itself is not a big town, but there is plenty to see and do here. Start by exploring the stunning Shore Acres State Park, with ocean views and beautifully landscaped gardens. If you enjoy hiking, the trails at Cape Arago State Park offer stunning coastal scenery and a chance to spot seals and sea lions. Don't miss a visit to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, where you can hike, ride ATVs, or even try sandboarding on the t...

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

After visiting the lovely Coos Bay, this is something very different. Visiting Crater Lake National Park is like stepping into a natural wonderland. The park's centerpiece, Crater Lake, is the deepest lake in the United States, famous for its stunningly clear, blue water. Start your visit with a scenic drive around Rim Drive, which offers breathtaking views and plenty of photo opportunities. For a closer look, take a boat tour to Wizard Island, where you can hike and explore the volcanic cinder cone. If you're into hiking, trails like the Cleetwood Cove Trail and Garfield Peak Trail will treat you to incredible views.

Redwood National Park, California

Have you ever dreamed of wandering around in a lush forest surrounded by world's tallest trees? Here's your chance! Stop for a visit at the Redwood National Parks and take yourself for a hike on one of the many paths of this stunning area. The parks have an amazing diversity to them, meaning that you can find not only redwood forests, but also prairies, wild rivers, and 60 kilometers of Pacific coastline.

Napa Valley, California

Napa Valley is the perfect next stop on your road trip, offering a relaxing and picturesque escape. Known for its world-renowned wineries, this region is a paradise for wine enthusiasts. Start your visit with a scenic drive through rolling vineyards and charming towns like St. Helena and Yountville. Spend your days touring wineries, enjoying tastings, and learning about the winemaking process. For a bit of adventure, try a hot air balloon ride at sunrise for breathtaking views of the valley and don't miss a visit to the natural hot springs in Calistoga for some relaxation!

San Francisco, California

Welcome to the beautiful city of San Francisco, where hippies and financiers live side by side. The city is full of contradictions, colorful personalities, culture, cool restaurants and cozy neighborhoods. Here you find a financial district, a hippie-town, China Town and Japan Town! Alcatraz is also worth a visit before jumping in the car and starting your road trip. Just remember to book your tickets well in advance, trust us - they do get sold out!

[Optional detour] Yosemite National Park, California

Depending on how much time you have left, we recommend a to take a little detour from the coast and head to Yosemite National Park. Here you can find some of the tallest waterfalls in North America as well as deep cliffs and valleys like you've never seen before - it's one of the most famous national parks in North America for a reason! Spend a couple of days hiking and exploring the park and its trails, and visit other ''nearby'' parks and forests to really enjoy the Sierra Nevada mountains. It's a truly stunning area with much to offer!

Santa Barbara, California

Santa Barbara is also known as "the American Riviera". Here you can go whale watching, go to the weekly arts and crafts market or go on a beer tasting at one of the many local breweries. You should also remember to go to the beach where you can rent a kayak or surfboard! The city is home to one of the coolest colleges in California, so the young and hip vibe in this beach town reflects the true Californian spirit.

Santa Monica & Los Angeles, California

Last stop on this itinerary is Los Angeles. We've included 3 nights in our favorite hostel at Venice Beach, so you can either decide to drop of the car and explore the surroundings by foot, bike or one of the electric scooters. It's a nice way to get around in the nearby neighborhoods, whereas if you'd like to cover bigger distances in the city for instance to check out some of the fashionable areas such as Beverly Hills and Hollywood, a car would be a better solution. Don't miss the view from Griffith Observatory, where you'll get a splendid view over the city. Whether you want to go home after LA or continue the trip onwards is up to you, we'll help you out either way.

Recommended duration

4 weeks

Starts in

Seattle

Ends in

Los Angeles

Included in the price

Flights, car rental

Prices from 1,820 EUR

This road trip is the perfect combination of magnificent nature and vibrant cities. Pacific Coastline West takes you through lush scenery in Oregon to the rough cliffs of the northern California coast and onwards to the hilly San Francisco and to the always-sunny Los Angeles.

Starting in Seattle, you pick up your rental car after exploring the city for a bit. The first stop on your drive is Olympic National Park, where lush rainforests, pristine lakes, and rugged coastlines await. Drive south to Portland, a city known for its craft breweries, definitely try some! With further stops in Newport and Coos Bay you'll end up in Crater Lake National Park, where the deepest blue waters of Crater Lake, formed in a volcanic caldera, offer breathtaking views and incredible hikes.

Next up is Redwood National Park, home to the tallest trees on Earth. Wander through the towering redwoods and experience the serene beauty of this ancient forest. Heading further south, enjoy the rolling vineyards of Napa Valley, perfect for wine tasting and relaxing in the pretty countryside. San Francisco is your next stop, where you can walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, explore Alcatraz Island, and ride the famous cable cars. An optional detour to Yosemite National Park offers rugged granite cliffs, majestic waterfalls, and giant sequoias.

Back on the coast, you'll drive the highway 1, famous for its amazing coastal views. On the way you'll stop in Monterey Bay for its scenic 17-Mile Drive, which offers stunning ocean views and - if you're lucky - glimpses of marine life. Continue to Santa Barbara, known as the American Riviera, with its Spanish-style architecture and beautiful beaches. Finally, you reach Los Angeles, where you can enjoy the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, stroll along Venice Beach, and explore the diverse neighborhoods.

We've included a car in this road trip, but you can change it to a campervan if you'd like, the choice is yours! It's also good to mention that when you're renting a car abroad, make sure to have your travel insurance in order. Don't have one yet? No worries - we can help you out with that.

What is road trippin’ the KILROY Way?

Well, we always encourage our travelers to be curious. To open up, and to embrace the unexpected. Stop where you can, go down the narrow side street and don’t get stuck in the camper. Don’t just drive for the sake of driving. Approach new people. Approach new ways of doing things. Explore and be open to changes – that’s where the magic happens.

*Price is a from-price per person and based on 2 people over 25 traveling together. Reach out to us if you're a little younger than that - it's not a problem!