My West Coast USA Roadtrip back in 2012 was incredible, absolutely incredible. My family and I did it to celebrate my 21st birthday, graduation, and my Dad’s 50th.
We started in San Francisco, then drove down the Pacific Coast Highway through Big Sur to Pismo Beach, then onto Beverly Hills and Los Angeles.
From there we went to Phoenix in Arizona, Sedona, Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, and then finished in La Vegas.
I asked you all on Instagram last week if you’d like to see a blog post on my roadtrip, and the answers were all a big yes!
So here it is, the perfect West Coast USA Roadtrip Itinerary…
Day 1: Fly to San Francisco, California
Ok, so you want to start by flying into San Francisco. Take a look at hotels on Booking.com, but I recommend staying in the main city rather than at Fisherman’s Wharf.
We made that mistake and ended up being quite far from the action and stuck around the Wharf area for meals etc. Don’t hire a car until you’re ready to leave the city to go south, as parking in San Fran is a nightmare.
Top Things to do in San Francisco, California
- Go across to Alcatraz
- See Lombard Street
- Go on a Tram
- Go to Ghiradelli for chocolate
- See the Fine Art Museum
- Golden Gate Bridge
- See the ‘Painted Ladies’
- Pier 39
- Go shopping on Union Square
Day 4: Drive to Pismo Beach, California
Start out early and pick up a hire car (we hired a Chrysler 300c and it was perfect!), and start the drive down the Pacific Coast Highway to Pismo Beach.
Stop off at a supermarket before you get onto Highway 1, and stock up on snacks and drinks for the road – we became obsessed with ‘Vons’ supermarket, but Walgreens is good too.
It’s around a four hour drive, five if you stop off more en-route to take photos (you have the gorgeous Carmel-by-Sea and Monterey on the way).
Pismo Beach is the perfect overnight stop on the way to Los Angeles, it’s really pretty and the beach really is gorgeous!
Day 5: Drive to Beverly Hills, California
Wake up bright and early, you’re off to Hollywood, baby!
We chose to stay in Beverly Hills due to its close proximity to Hollywood, Venice Beach, and Santa Monica. There isn’t too much to do or see in downtown Los Angeles, and it’s a fair way out from everything.
Stay at the Beverly Hills Hotel or Bel-Air Hotel if you can, they’re both absolutely stunning and I really loved my stays at both hotels!
Top Things to do in Beverly Hills, California
- Go to Santa Monica and Venice Beach
- Take a tour of the Warner Bros. Studios
- Go to The Cheesecake Factory for Oreo Cheesecake
- Walk up Rodeo Drive
- Visit The Getty Center Museum
- Go to the Polo Bar inside the Beverly Hills Hotel
- Hollywood Walk of Fame
- BBQ Ribs at South Beverly Grill
- Go to the Chinese Theatre
- Go to Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery to see Marilyn Monroe & Dean Martin’s graves
- Griffith Observatory for the incredible views of LA and the Hollywood Sign
Read my first timers guide to Los Angeles!
Day 9: Drive to Phoenix, Arizona
We only went via Phoenix to meet our long lost cousin who we’d finally found a coupla years earlier, so we didn’t see any of Phoenix as we spent our time with our cousin and his wife, catching up after all those lost years. It was pretty amazing.
However, you’ll need to drive through Phoenix if you want to go to Sedona, which is honestly such an amazing place!
Day 10: Drive to Grand Canyon, Arizona
Wake up nice and early, you have a big day ahead of you!
Drive up to Sedona, and stop off at Montezuma Castle on the way. Montezuma is a huge living complex half way up a sheer cliff. Built by the Singua people between 1100 and 1425 AD, it’s super impressive and well worth seeing!
Sedona is really beautiful, the red rocks are just stunning and it’s an absolute must-do and was a highlight for us.
After Sedona drive up to Grand Canyon, and after a well deserved night’s rest, spend Day 11 exploring. Grand Canyon is a breathtaking place, and it’s hard to describe it properly!
Day 12: Drive to Zion National Park, Utah
After your day exploring Grand Canyon, you’ll need to spend the next day driving to Zion National Park.
Now, Grand Canyon is impressive…but Zion is a whole other world.
It feels as though you’re in the middle of a movie, and it’s just the most indescribable feeling being actually down in a canyon.
Make sure you do some of the more gentle hikes and walks if you’re not up to the big ones – it’s surprising just how much you can see even just doing these smaller ones.
Day 14: Drive to Las Vegas, Nevada
Vivaaaa Las Vegas!
Vegas is a whirlwind that is just a must do on a West Coast USA Roadtrip! I mean, what a way to finish your holiday?! We had so much fun in Vegas and managed to see a comedy magic show, enjoyed seeing all the different casinos, and LOVED going to BB Kings inside The Mirage.
We stayed at The Palazzo, which was OK, but when I next go I really want to stay at The Cosmopolitan or The Wynn!
Top things to do in Las Vegas, Nevada
- Bellagio Fountain show
- See the Mike Hammer Comedy Magic Show
- Fremont Street Experience
- Check out the casino strip
- Visit some of the clubs
- Stratosphere
- Treasure Island night time show
- BBQ dinner and show at BB Kings at The Mirage
- See the shopping malls at Caesars Palace and The Venetian
- Dinner and clubbing at Hakkasan Las Vegas
- A day trip to Hoover Dam
Day 18: Fly Home
Sorry to say, but the time has come to head home. Â Drop off your hire car and head to the airport.
Catherine Lux is a veteran travel blogger by night and the Head of Content Marketing at Amazon by day. Originally from Surrey, she spent four years living in Australia (2007-2009, and 2016-2018), and now lives in London. An ex-party girl sometimes prone to relapses, she loves nothing more than sharing her fine dining and luxury travel experiences with her loyal readers.
This was our honeymoon!! It was incredible, we didn't go as far as Arizona, though I'd be keen to go back.
This all sounds so amazing! Please can you come back to London now and stop travelling? You're making me so jealous with all your amazing antics away! Gary x
Oh my God, Dale and I were watching La La Land right before I left London. We were totally joking about how we had to do a road trip from NYC to his 'hood (LA!) and basically just binge on food trucks along the way…but you know what? It has to happen! I mean, he's the only person I know who can actually drive on the "wrong side" of the road…x
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What an amazing trip – I did the Pacific coast last year and went to the Grand Canyon when I stayed in Sedona so just the last leg to fit in 🙂