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If you’re looking for the top 10 places to visit in the West Coast, you’re going to love these destinations. The USA is full of breathtaking scenery, both near and far from the city. Places to visit include Big Sur, Yosemite, Sonoma, and the mountains of Alaska.
When planning your travel to these destinations, you’ll save the most money by using a site like Kiwi.com. It’s one of my favorite flight search engines because of their Nomad search feature. If your goal is to see as many places on this list in a single trip, the Nomad feature gives you the best flights between each city you want to visit. Check out your search options below.
The Top 10 Places to Visit in the West Coast Include:
1. Lake Tahoe
On the border of California and Nevada, you’ll find a large freshwater lake called Lake Tahoe. It’s a popular destination year-round since there are ski resorts and many beaches. There’s also Vikingsholm, which is a 38-room mansion with Nordic architecture. You can even drive the 72-mile road dubbed the Most Beautiful Drive in America.
2. The Mountains of Alaska
Perhaps some of the most popular features Alaska offers are its mountains and Northern lights. In Alaska, you’ll find Denali/McKinley, which is North America’s highest mountain. You can get there in about four hours from Anchorage if you drive. According to Nasa, that mountain grows .04 inches every year.
3. Multnomah Falls
If you’re a fan of the Twilight series, you’ll recognize this waterfall from the scene where the Cullens play baseball. In the background is this 620-foot waterfall—just 30 minutes from Portland, Oregon. You can hike to the top of the waterfall, and when you’re done enjoy a meal at the Lodge. There’s also a gift shop inside. Multnomah Falls was recently closed for a long time because of a fire that went through the Columbia River Gorge, however, it is now open.
4. Hawk Hill in Marin County
Just North of the Golden Gate Bridge, you’ll find the 923-foot peak of Hawk Hill. This is where you’ll get the best pics of the bridge. If you visit in the fall, you can witness the fall raptor migration. History buffs will also love nearby Battery 129, which is a World War II military installation.
5. Painted Hills
Considered one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon, you can find Painted Hills about four hours SE of Portland. The hills unveil millions of years of history with it’s red, tan, orange, and black stripes. Visit in the late afternoon for the best photo opportunities. In the winter, there is usually snow, and when that melts you’ll find stripes of gold and red. During the summer there are yellow wildflowers everywhere.
6. Redwood National Park
The tallest trees on Earth are redwoods, and you’ll find them all over Northern California. When you’re in Redwood National Park, you can enjoy over 110,000 acres of Redwood rainforest and 50 miles of coastline with incredible views. You won’t find any hotels or lodges in the park, but you can camp in one of the campsites or hike to a backcountry site as long as you have a free permit.
7. Big Sur
If you went to the Redwood National Park, you should definitely swing by Big Sur. You’ll enjoy dramatic scenery during your visit—rugged mountains, misty views, and many winding turns. You can also find lots of wildflowers and sea otters. Activities include hiking, dining at its many restaurants, surfing, visiting art galleries.
8. Whidbey Island
North of Seattle in Puget Sound, you can find Whidbey Island. Home to many beaches, rugged hills, farmland, forest trails, and freshwater lakes, the island is popular for tourists year-round. Visit Fort Casey Historical State Park to see a lighthouse, and enjoy coastal towns like Oak Harbor and Langley. There, you’ll see many boutiques, art galleries, and cafes.
9. Yosemite National Park
If you’re looking for ancient sequoia trees, this is the best place to find them. At Yosemite, you can also visit Half Dome, El Capitan, and Tunnel View. It’s most popular for its waterfalls, and many visitors come to go camping. Some of its camping sites are open year-round, while others are open only seasonally.
10. Sonoma
If you’re looking for wine country, you’ve got to head to Sonoma. It’s much less crowded than Napa Valley, and you can explore nearby art galleries. There are many beautiful adobe buildings, including those once used by the Mexican military.
Conclusion—Top 10 Places To Visit In The West Coast
From Alaska, down through Oregon, and to California, you can find some incredible destinations. We’ve picked the top 10 places to visit in the West Coast because of its sheer beauty, availability of attractions, and popularity. No matter the time of year that you visit, there are plenty of options to explore.
When you do plan your trip to these destinations, you’ll want a reliable place to find airline tickets. We’re huge fans of Kiwi.com, and use it to book many of our own trips. It’s exactly why I could travel to 21 countries in just 18 months. Search for your flights below.
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If you have dreams of waking up to the sound of crashing waves and the fresh smell of redwood trees, get yourself to Big Sur. We’ve put together a list of the best Big Sur hotels to stay at, all the way from lavish lodges to family-friendly digs, you’ll find something for everyone.
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Thank you! I do, too! I appreciate you telling me about Painted Hills! It’s stunning.