Orlagh Claire

How to Slow Travel the World

Ultimate 3 Weeks USA West Coast Road Trip Itinerary

This blog post is all about our 3 weeks West Coast road trip itinerary and travel route.

west coast road trip

I’m so excited to share our 3 week USA West Coast road trip travel route and itinerary with you!

As you might already know, we love travelling across America having previously spent a year living in New York, doing an East Coast of America road trip a few years ago and visiting as many states as we can in between this.

I’d never been to California before which seemed criminal, but we were also dying to visit Yosemite, Monument Valley and Tombstone, Arizona in particular.

My boyfriend Steff bought concert tickets to see Oasis in Los Angeles which triggered the idea for this West Coast road trip. And it was INCREDIBLE.

If you’re planning your own West Coast road trip, I hope this helps and gives you inspiration to visit some places you may not have thought of.

Plus, I’m going to have YouTube vlogs of everywhere we visited below, so keep an eye out on my YouTube channel for those!

RELATED USA West Coast Road Trip Itinerary blog posts to read:

Why We Love Road Tripping America

There’s something about a road trip in the United States that feels different from anywhere else in the world.

Distances are huge, landscapes change dramatically within just a few hours, and the infrastructure for driving is amazing. From scenic byways to roadside diners and small motels, it really does feel like the country was built for road trips.

One of the things we love most about road trips is the freedom it gives you. You’re not tied to train schedules or domestic flights. If you see something interesting along the road, you can pull over and explore.

Some of our favourite memories from this West Coast road trip weren’t even planned. They were random viewpoints, quiet towns, or scenic stops we discovered along the way.

Why We Chose This Route, Itinerary and Trip Length

When planning our West Coast road trip itinerary, we knew we wanted to combine big cities, coastal drives, and national parks.

The American West is incredibly diverse, so we wanted an itinerary that would allow us to experience as many different landscapes as possible without feeling too rushed.

Three weeks felt like the perfect amount of time, especially since we were flying so far from Sydney, Australia.

Our travel route was long enough to include major highlights like the California Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), Yosemite National Park, San Francisco and Monument Valley, while still allowing us to slow down in places we really loved.

Another important factor was drive times. We tried to design a route where most driving days were manageable, giving us plenty of time to explore each destination rather than constantly being on the road.

The result was a West Coast road trip itinerary that felt balanced between adventure, sightseeing and downtime.

Things to Consider for Your West Coast Road Trip

If you’re planning a similar West Coast road trip itinerary, there are a few things worth thinking about before you go.

How Much Time You Have

The West Coast of America is huge. While you could easily spend months exploring the region, most visitors have around 2–3 weeks.

Planning your travel route and itinerary carefully helps ensure you don’t spend the majority of your time driving.

Time of Year, Season and Weather

The best time for a West Coast road trip is typically spring or autumn, when temperatures are comfortable and crowds are smaller.

Summer can be beautiful, but it’s also peak travel season and some destinations (especially desert locations) can get extremely hot.

We did our road trip at the very end of August, leading into September which was a pretty hot time to visit (especially the desert), but still bearable. It also meant kids were back to school, so less families and locals travelling which meant parks weren’t too busy.

If you want to hike in Yosemite for example, paying attention to time of year is crucial as some hikes will be closed, or waterfalls dry due to less rain.

Car Rental and Insurance

Having your own car is essential for a West Coast road trip. Many of the most beautiful places in the American West are only accessible by road.

We rented our car with Turo, just as we did for our East Coast road trip. However, Turo does come with the risk that the car owner can cancel at any time, so make sure you are in good communication with the owner leading up to your trip.

Another car rental company we have used more recently is DiscoverCars.com and I’d highly recommend them, especially if you want more security and peace of mind.

Make sure to check your insurance coverage, mileage limits (look for unlimited), and one-way drop fees if you’re returning the car in a different city.

Accommodation Planning

Some destinations, particularly national parks like Yosemite and popular coastal towns like Santa Barbara, can book out months in advance.

If you’re travelling during peak season, it’s worth reserving your accommodation ahead of time.

3 Week West Coast Road Trip Itinerary

This blog post is a complete overview of the exact route we took around the West Coast of America, including where we stopped, where we stayed, what we did and where we ate.

For each destination, I’ll share a quick overview of our experience and then link to more detailed blog posts and YouTube vlogs where you can dive deeper into each stop.

If you’re currently planning your own West Coast road trip adventure, this guide will give you a clear idea of how to structure a similar trip.

Quick Overview of our West Coast Road Trip Route

So you can quickly get a sense of the cities, towns and states that we covered during our West Coast road trip, I’ve listed it all below before we get into great detail.

Each West Coast road trip is unique and there may be places below that you had never thought of or considered but maybe want to, or there may be places in my itinerary that you might want to avoid completely.

The below travel route for our West Coast road trip was based on us wanting to explore a lot of California, but also really wanting to visit Monument Valley, Yosemite National Park and Tombstone, Arizona.

Some niche spots, but they peaked our interest and we’re so glad we visited.

  • Landed in Los Angeles, drove straight to Santa Barbara
  • Santa Barbara, California: 1 night
  • Monterey, California: 1 night (drives to Big Sur, Carmel-by-the-Sea & Solvang)
  • San Francisco, California: 4 nights
  • Mariposa, California: 2 nights (for Yosemite National Park)
  • Las Vegas, Nevada: 1 night
  • Bluff, Utah: 2 nights (for Monument Valley)
  • Phoenix, Arizona: 1 night (due to busted tire)
  • Tombstone, Arizona: 1 night (was meant to be 2 – drives to Lowell & Bisbee)
  • San Diego, California: 3 nights
  • Los Angeles, California: 5 nights

Flying into Los Angeles from Sydney, Australia

We flew directly from Sydney, Australia into LAX, Los Angeles. From here, we picked up our Turo car rental and started our drive out of Los Angeles, heading straight to Santa Barbara.

Los Angeles was going to be the last stop of our trip, so we stopped at Randy’s Donuts for some much-needed large coffees and donuts for the drive.

Our flight left Sydney, Australia at 9am on Monday, and we actually landed BACK IN TIME at 6am that same day in Los Angeles, California.

It’s quite hard to wrap your head around the time difference and going back in time, but the flight was 13 hours direct, and we were a little disorientated landing in Los Angeles, as you can imagine.

However, driving along the Pacific Coast Highway and being back in America definitely made up for it.

1. Santa Barbara, California

Santa Barbara was the very first stop on our West Coast road trip, and it turned out to be the perfect place to ease into the 3-week journey we were about to undertake.

Drive time from Los Angeles: 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic.

Why Visit Santa Barbara on Your West Coast Road Trip

Often referred to as the “American Riviera,” Santa Barbara is a beautiful coastal city known for its Mediterranean-style architecture, palm-lined streets, and relaxed beach-town atmosphere.

Compared to larger California cities, Santa Barbara feels incredibly calm and polished. The streets are spotless, the buildings are elegant, and the overall vibe is very peaceful.

It’s also one of the more affluent areas along the California coast, which is reflected in the well-maintained buildings, boutique shops and excellent restaurants around town.

We only spent one night here, but it immediately stood out as somewhere we would happily return to for a longer stay.

Where to Stay in Santa Barbara

For our one night in Santa Barbara, we checked into Best Western Plus Santa Barbara.

While technically a motel-style property, it felt much more modern and comfortable than we expected.

Our room had a balcony overlooking the outdoor pool, which made it feel surprisingly resort-like for a short stopover.

The hotel was extremely clean, well-maintained, and came with the added convenience of free parking right outside the room, which is ideal when you’re travelling with luggage and a rental car.

It ended up being a perfect base for our quick stay in Santa Barbara.

I’ve also written a full hotel review blog post if you want a more detailed look at our stay.

Things to Do in Santa Barbara

Even though we only had one day in Santa Barbara, there was plenty to see and do. The town is compact enough that you can explore many of the highlights in just a short visit.

Some of the best things to do in Santa Barbara include:

  • Old Mission Santa Barbara: One of the most famous landmarks in the city, this historic Spanish mission dates back to 1786 and is often called the “Queen of the Missions.”
  • Stearns Wharf: A wooden pier stretching out into the Pacific Ocean, with seafood restaurants, souvenir shops and amazing coastal views.
  • Explore the Funk Zone: A creative district packed with art galleries, wine tasting rooms, trendy cafés and colourful murals.
  • Walk along State Street: The main street in downtown Santa Barbara, lined with shops, restaurants and historic Spanish-style buildings.
  • Visit the Santa Barbara Courthouse: One of the most beautiful courthouses in the USA, with incredible architecture and panoramic views from the clock tower.

I’ve also created a full 1 Day in Santa Barbara Itinerary guide that goes into much more detail on how to structure your visit.

Where to Eat in Santa Barbara

We ate very well in Santa Barbara, and the food was definitely a highlight of our short time here.

I’ve noted everywhere we ate in Santa Barbara below in this list:

RELATED Santa Barbara blog posts to read:

Santa Barbara IG Spots
Every corner of Santa Barbara was a photo spot!

2. Monterey, California

Monterey was the second stop of our West Coast road trip as we continued driving north along the California coast.

This was one of the destinations I had been particularly excited about visiting, mostly because I’m a huge fan of both the book and TV series Big Little Lies, which is famously set here.

Seeing the dramatic coastline and the town itself after watching it on screen for so long felt surreal.

We only stayed one night in Monterey, but it ended up being a great base for exploring the surrounding area, including Big Sur and Carmel-by-the-Sea, which are both just a short drive away.

Drive time from Santa Barbara: 4.5 to 5 hours, depending on your route and traffic.

Why Visit Monterey on Your West Coast Road Trip

Monterey is a historic coastal city located along California’s central coast.

Once a major sardine fishing hub, the town is now known for its beautiful ocean views, marine wildlife, and charming waterfront district.

Many visitors recognise Monterey because of Cannery Row, the historic waterfront street made famous by author John Steinbeck. Or if you’re like me, Big Little Lies.

Today, the old sardine canneries have been transformed into restaurants, shops and attractions, giving the area a lively but relaxed seaside atmosphere.

Monterey is also one of the best places along the California coast for wildlife spotting, with sea otters, seals and whales often visible from the shoreline.

As part of a West Coast road trip, Monterey works really well as a stop because it sits right next to two other iconic destinations: Big Sur and Carmel-by-the-Sea, making it the perfect base for exploring the area.

Where to Stay in Monterey

For our one night in Monterey, we stayed at Monterey Pines Inn.

Like our hotel in Santa Barbara, it was a motel-style property, although it felt a little more basic in comparison. That said, it was clean, comfortable, and did the job for a short overnight stay.

When you’re road tripping, sometimes convenience is the main priority (as well as sticking to a budget), and having easy parking right outside the room made things very straightforward.

If you want to read more about our stay in Monterey, I’ve written a dedicated blog post review of our stay at Monterey Pines Inn.

Things to Do in Monterey

Monterey is compact but packed with interesting things to see, especially if you enjoy coastal scenery and wildlife.

Some of the best things to do in Monterey include:

  • Cannery Row: The town’s most famous waterfront street, filled with restaurants, souvenir shops, and incredible views of Monterey Bay.
  • Monterey Bay Aquarium: One of the most famous aquariums in the world, known for its huge kelp forest tank and sea otter exhibits.
  • 17-Mile Drive: One of the most scenic drives in California, winding along dramatic coastline, golf courses and luxury homes.
  • Pebble Beach Golf Links: A legendary golf course overlooking the Pacific Ocean. My dad is a huge golf fan, so I made sure to stop here to take photos and pick up some merchandise for him.
  • Lone Cypress Tree: One of the most photographed trees in North America, perched dramatically on a rocky outcrop along the 17-Mile Drive.

I go into more detail in my How to Spend 1 Day in Monterey blog post which you can see here.

Monterey is also a fantastic starting point for the Pacific Coast Highway drive toward Big Sur, which is exactly what we did next!

Where to Eat in Monterey

Since we spent a bit of time in Big Sur and Carmel-by-the-Sea during our stay in Monterey, we didn’t get to eat at too many places.

We did of course, make sure to try the brunch scene for the most important meal of the day, and I can confirm that the spot we tried was excellent and popular.

If you’re visiting Monterey, I’d highly recommend Alta Bakery for breakfast, coffee or a pastry.

Some of the best places to eat in Monterey include:

  • Alta Bakery & Cafe: This quaint bakery was our breakfast stop before heading out for the day. Great coffee, pastries and relaxed courtyard seating.
  • Old Fisherman’s Grotto: A long-standing seafood restaurant on Fisherman’s Wharf known for its clam chowder.
  • Montrio: A slightly more upscale restaurant serving Californian cuisine with fresh local ingredients.
  • The Sardine Factory: One of Monterey’s most famous restaurants, located right on Cannery Row.

RELATED Monterey blog posts to read:

Alta Bakery Monterey

3. Big Sur, California

Driving along the Pacific Coast Highway toward Big Sur was one of the moments on this trip that truly felt like a classic American road trip.

The dramatic cliffs, winding coastal roads and endless ocean views make this one of the most famous scenic drives in the world.

We actually drove through Big Sur twice. Once in the evening for dinner at sunset, and then again the next morning when the weather was clearer so we could enjoy the views properly.

Drive time from Monterey: Big Sur begins roughly 45 minutes south of Monterey, although many of the most famous viewpoints are about an hour to an hour and a half along the drive.

Why Visit Big Sur on Your West Coast Road Trip

Big Sur isn’t a traditional town.

Instead, it’s a stretch of rugged coastline along the Pacific Ocean known for its towering cliffs, redwood forests, and dramatic ocean views.

The region has become legendary among road trippers thanks to the Pacific Coast Highway, which winds its way along the cliffs offering some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in North America.

It’s wild, remote, and completely breathtaking. Stopping here during a West Coast road trip is almost essential.

Where to Stay in Big Sur

Although we didn’t stay overnight in Big Sur, there are several incredible accommodation options if you want to spend more time here.

Some popular Big Sur hotels include:

Best Things to Do in Big Sur

Big Sur is all about scenery. The best way to experience it is simply by driving and stopping frequently along the route.

Some of the best things to do in Big Sur include:

  • Bixby Creek Bridge: One of the most photographed bridges in the United States and an iconic stop along the Pacific Coast Highway. You’ll also recognise this from Big Little Lies if you’re a fan.
  • Scenic viewpoints along Highway 1: There are countless pull-offs where you can stop and admire the cliffs and ocean.
  • McWay Falls: A famous waterfall that flows directly onto a beach below the cliffs.
  • Pfeiffer Beach: Known for its purple sand and dramatic rock formations.

Even if you don’t hike or spend much time exploring, simply driving through Big Sur is unforgettable.

Where to Eat in Big Sur

Dining in Big Sur is just as much about the views as the food.

Some great places to eat in Big Sur include:

  • Nepenthe: This is where we had dinner at sunset, sitting on the outdoor balcony overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It was easily one of the most beautiful dining settings of the entire trip. You can see our view from Nepenthe in the photo below!
  • Big Sur Bakery: A popular casual spot for breakfast and pastries.
  • Sierra Mar: A fine-dining restaurant at Post Ranch Inn with panoramic ocean views.

You can find a full guide to the best restaurants in Big Sur and places to eat in my Best Restaurants in Big Sur blog post here.

RELATED Big Sur blog posts to read:

Nepenthe Big Sur
The incredible view from Nepenthe in Big Sur

4. Carmel by the Sea, California

After driving through Big Sur again the following morning, we stopped in the charming coastal village of Carmel-by-the-Sea before returning to Monterey.

This tiny town quickly became one of the most unexpectedly delightful stops of the trip.

Drive time from Monterey: Carmel-by-the-Sea is only about 10 minutes from Monterey, making it an incredibly easy side trip.

Why Visit Carmel-by-the-Sea on Your West Coast Road Trip

Carmel-by-the-Sea feels like something straight out of a storybook.

The town is famous for its fairytale cottages, art galleries, boutique shops and charming courtyards, giving it a completely different atmosphere compared to most California beach towns.

It’s also a popular spot for artists, writers and creatives to live.

One of the most famous former residents was actor and director Clint Eastwood, who even served as the town’s mayor in the 1980s. Fun fact for you.

Wandering the streets of Carmel is half the fun.

Where to Stay in Carmel by the Sea

Although we only visited for the afternoon, Carmel has some beautiful boutique hotels.

Some popular Carmel hotels include:

These hotels perfectly match the town’s charming and romantic atmosphere.

Best Things to Do in Carmel by the Sea

The best way to experience Carmel is simply by wandering through its charming streets and discovering hidden courtyards.

Some of the best things to do in Carmel include:

I go into more detail in my How to Spend 1 Day in Carmel blog post which you can see here.

Where to Eat in Carmel by the Sea

Even though we only grabbed a quick bite here, Carmel has some fantastic cafés and restaurants.

Some of the best Carmel restaurants include:

RELATED Carmel by the Sea blog posts to read:

Carmel by the Sea things to do

5. San Francisco, California

After our coastal stops in Monterey, Big Sur and Carmel, we continued north to one of the most iconic cities in America: San Francisco.

This was a stop I had been really looking forward to, as it was a completely new city for me to explore, but Steff had visited before.

We spent four nights in San Francisco, giving us plenty of time to wander different neighbourhoods, visit famous attractions and experience the city properly.

Drive time from Carmel: roughly 2 hours, depending on traffic.

Why Visit San Francisco on Your West Coast Road Trip

San Francisco is one of the most recognisable cities in the United States.

Built across steep hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, the city is famous for its colourful Victorian houses, historic cable cars and of course the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

Like many travellers, I had heard mixed things about visiting the city in recent years, particularly regarding crime and safety.

While it’s always important to stay aware when travelling, we personally didn’t experience any issues during our visit and had an incredible time exploring.

San Francisco ended up being one of our favourite stops of our West Coast road trip.

Where to Stay in San Francisco

We stayed at Grant Hotel near Union Square for our four nights visiting San Francisco.

It was a budget-friendly hotel in a very convenient location, making it easy to walk to many of the city’s main attractions.

While the hotel sits relatively close to the Tenderloin area, we never had any reason to go down into that neighbourhood, as it sits at the bottom of the hill. Our experience in the surrounding area felt completely safe and comfortable.

One feature we really appreciated was the secure parking garage located across the street, which was particularly reassuring given the reports of car break-ins around the city.

I’ve also written a full hotel review blog post covering our stay here in more detail.

Best Things to Do in San Francisco

We packed a lot into our four days in San Francisco and explored many of the city’s most famous attractions.

Some of the main things to do in San Francisco for first-time visitors include:

  • Alcatraz Island: Visiting the famous former prison was one of the most fascinating experiences in the city. It was Steff’s third time doing a tour of Alcatraz, so he’s quite the expert on Al Capone now.
  • Golden Gate Bridge: Walking or driving across this iconic bridge is a must.
  • Pier 39: A lively waterfront area known for its sea lions and street performers.
  • Lombard Street: Often called the “crookedest street in the world,” it’s quite something to see.
  • The Painted Ladies: The famous row of colourful Victorian houses overlooking Alamo Square.
  • Mrs. Doubtfire’s House: A fun stop for fans of the classic movie.
  • Muir Woods National Monument: We visited these incredible redwood forests while exploring the area north of the Golden Gate Bridge.
  • Sausalito: We also spent time visiting my cousin who lives in Sausalito, which meant driving across the Golden Gate Bridge for the full experience.

I’ve written a detailed 4 day San Francisco itinerary guide if you want a deeper breakdown of how to plan your time in the city.

Where to Eat in San Francisco

San Francisco has one of the best food scenes in America, and we made the most of it during our stay.

Some of best restaurants in San Francisco that we loved include:

RELATED San Francisco blog posts to read:

Golden Gate Bridge San Francisco

6. Yosemite National Park & Mariposa, California

Yosemite National Park was easily one of the places we were most excited about visiting on this entire West Coast road trip.

Yosemite had been on our travel wish list for years, and it absolutely lived up to the hype.

Drive time from San Francisco: 4 hours, depending on your entrance point and traffic.

Why Visit Yosemite National Park on Your West Coast Road Trip

Yosemite National Park is one of the most famous national parks in America, known for its granite cliffs, giant sequoia trees, waterfalls and breathtaking scenery.

Iconic landmarks like El Capitan and Half Dome attract visitors from all over the world, and it’s clear to see why.

Because accommodation inside the park can be extremely expensive and limited, many travellers choose to stay in nearby gateway towns, which is exactly what we did.

We stayed in Mariposa, which turned out to be the perfect base for exploring Yosemite National Park.

Where to Stay Near Yosemite National Park

We stayed at The Monarch Inn in Mariposa for two nights.

Mariposa is a small historic town about an hour’s drive from Yosemite, and staying here allowed us to keep hotel costs much lower than staying inside the park.

It also gave us the chance to experience a classic small American town, which was a fun addition to the trip.

We woke up extremely early both mornings, leaving around 5:30am to reach Yosemite as early as possible, which helped us beat the crowds.

Plus, Mariposa had a drive-thru Starbucks that opened at 6am that was our very first stop each morning before heading towards the park.

I’ve also written a full review of our stay at The Monarch Inn which you can read here for more detail about Mariposa.

Best Things to Do in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is packed with incredible sights and hikes. Even with two full days we barely scratched the surface.

Some must-see highlights of Yosemite include:

  • Yosemite Valley: The heart of Yosemite and home to many of its most famous landmarks.
  • El Capitan: One of the most famous rock formations in the world.
  • Half Dome: Another iconic granite formation visible throughout the valley.
  • Yosemite Falls: One of the tallest waterfalls in North America.
  • Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias: Walking among these enormous ancient trees was one of the most surreal experiences of our West Coast road trip.
  • The Ahwahnee Hotel : Even if you’re not staying here, visiting this historic luxury hotel is worth it. It’s firmly on my bucket list of hotels I’d love to stay in someday.

I’ve also written a detailed guide for first-time visitors to Yosemite National Park that covers these highlights in much more detail.

Where to Eat in Yosemite National Park & Mariposa

Food options in and around Yosemite are fairly limited, but we still found some great spots.

Some places we enjoyed in Mariposa and Yosemite included:

RELATED Yosemite National Park blog posts to read:

Yosemite National Park Guide
Yosemite is probably the most breath-taking place I’ve ever been to

7. Las Vegas, Nevada

After leaving Yosemite and Mariposa, our next big destination on our West Coast road trip itinerary was Monument Valley.

However, the drive was far too long to do in one go, so we decided to break up the journey with a quick overnight stop in Las Vegas.

Drive time from Yosemite National Park: 6–7 hours, depending on the route and traffic.

It’s a long driving day, but the scenery along the way is amazing as you move from the dramatic Sierra Nevada mountains into the wide open desert landscapes of Nevada.

Why Visit Las Vegas on Your West Coast Road Trip

Even if you’ve never visited before, chances are you’ve heard of Las Vegas.

Often described as the entertainment capital of the world, this Nevada desert city is famous for its enormous casino resorts, world-class shows, luxury hotels and larger-than-life atmosphere.

The main strip of hotels and casinos runs along the famous Las Vegas Strip, where you’ll find iconic resorts themed around places like Paris, Venice, New York and ancient Egypt.

One of the things I personally love about Vegas is that it feels like an adult version of Disney World.

Every hotel has its own theme, attractions and experiences, and you can easily spend hours just wandering through the different casinos.

My boyfriend and I had both visited Las Vegas before, so this stop on our road trip was intentionally short. We only stayed one night, just long enough to grab dinner, walk the Strip and enjoy the electric atmosphere before continuing our journey the next morning.

If you want to stay longer in Las Vegas, I’d recommend watching my YouTube vlog of our previous visit to Las Vegas where we stayed for 4 nights, seeing and doing just about everything Las Vegas has to offer.

Where to Stay in Las Vegas

For our one night stay in Las Vegas, we checked into the Excalibur Hotel & Casino.

This castle-themed resort is one of the more family-friendly and budget-friendly hotels on the Strip, but it still offers large comfortable rooms and great views.

We had a lovely big room overlooking New York-New York Hotel & Casino, and having a Starbucks right inside the hotel lobby was a lifesaver before our early drive the next morning.

Another big plus for road trippers is that the hotel has its own parking, which made arriving and leaving extremely easy.

This was also my second time staying at the Excalibur Hotel – I’m a fan!

Best Things to Do in Las Vegas

There are honestly endless things to do in Las Vegas, and if it’s your first visit you could easily spend several days here.

During previous trips we’d done a lot of the big attractions, but on this visit we kept things simple.

Here are some of the highlights we enjoyed during our short stop:

We ended up winning enough money at the casino to cover the cost of our hotel stay, which made it feel like we’d had a completely free night in Vegas.

Where to Eat in Las Vegas

Las Vegas has one of the best food scenes in America, with everything from celebrity chef restaurants to legendary diners.

Some of my personal favourite places to eat in Las Vegas include:

On this trip though, we tried something completely different.

We headed to the dive bar Hard Hat Lounge, home to a tiny burger spot called Stay Tuned Burgers, which has been named as serving one of the best burgers in Las Vegas.

It was excellent and honestly felt like you could have been sitting in a dive bar in any small American town rather than the glitzy Vegas Strip. Highly recommend!

RELATED Las Vegas blog posts to read:

8. Bluff, Utah

After leaving Las Vegas, we began the long journey toward Monument Valley, stopping along the way in the tiny town of Bluff in Utah.

Stops to Make Driving from Las Vegas, Nevada to Bluff, Utah

The drive from Las Vegas to Bluff takes roughly 7 hours, but the journey is packed with incredible scenery.

Along the way we passed through the stunning landscapes of Zion National Park, which was absolutely breathtaking even just driving through.

We also stopped at Horseshoe Bend, one of the most famous viewpoints in the American Southwest, before continuing to Page, Arizona for fuel.

Fun fact: the petrol station in Page actually has a hidden photo spot that looks surprisingly similar to the famous rock formations inside Antelope Canyon (you can see it below).

Since we didn’t have time to visit Antelope Canyon on this trip, it was a fun little discovery along the way.

Secret Photo Spot Page Arizona
The secret photo spot in Page, Arizona!

Why Visit Bluff on Your West Coast Road Trip

Bluff is a tiny desert town in southeastern Utah with a population of just a few hundred people.

It sits along the banks of the San Juan River and is surrounded by dramatic red rock landscapes that feel straight out of a Western movie.

Most travellers stop here as a base for visiting nearby attractions like Monument Valley, Valley of the Gods and Bears Ears National Monument.

What makes Bluff special is its peaceful, remote atmosphere. It feels completely removed from busy tourist destinations, making it a great place to slow down and experience a quieter side of the American Southwest.

Where to Stay in Bluff

One of the highlights of our entire trip was staying at Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa.

Instead of a traditional hotel room, we stayed in one of their luxury teepees, which was such a unique and incredible experience.

Waking up in the middle of the desert with panoramic red rock views felt incredibly special, and it’s easily one of the most memorable places we stayed during our entire West Coast road trip.

I’ve written a full hotel review of our stay at Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa if you want a more detailed look at what staying here is like.

Best Things to Do in Bluff, Utah

Bluff itself is small, but there are still a few interesting places worth visiting while you’re here.

Some of the highlights of Bluff include:

  • Bluff Fort Historic Site: A fascinating open-air museum telling the story of the Mormon settlers who founded the town.
  • Valley of the Gods: A beautiful scenic drive often compared to Monument Valley but with far fewer visitors.
  • Sand Island Petroglyphs: Ancient rock carvings created by Indigenous peoples thousands of years ago.

Where to Eat in Bluff, Utah

Dining options in Bluff are limited, and many places close on certain days of the week, so it’s worth checking opening times in advance.

During our stay we ate both evenings at Comb Ridge Eat and Drink, which serves delicious locally inspired dishes.

Other Bluff restaurants include:

RELATED Bluff blog posts to read:

bluff dwellings resort teepee
The teepee we stayed in at Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa! How cool!

9. Monument Valley, Arizona

Without question, one of the destinations we were most excited about visiting on this entire West Coast road trip was Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.

Drive time from Bluff: Monument Valley is located roughly 1 hour south of Bluff, making it a very easy day trip.

Why Visit Monument Valley on Your West Coast Road Trip

Monument Valley sits on the border of Arizona and Utah within the Navajo Nation and is one of the most iconic landscapes in America.

The valley is famous for its towering sandstone buttes that rise dramatically from the desert floor, many of which are hundreds of feet tall.

Even if you’ve never heard of Monument Valley before, you’ve almost certainly seen it in films. It’s appeared in countless Western movies and is often considered the classic image of the American Wild West.

Standing there in person is incredible. The scale of the rock formations is enormous, and the landscape feels completely surreal.

During our visit to Monument Valley we mainly drove around the valley, stopping frequently to take photos and simply soak in the scenery.

Where to Stay in Monument Valley

Although we stayed in Bluff, many visitors choose to stay directly inside Monument Valley itself.

The two main accommodation options in Monument Valley are:

  • The View Hotel: they host nightly showings of Western movies filmed in Monument Valley at sunset, with Monument Valley itself as the background. Pretty epic.
  • Goulding’s Lodge: the most famous of the two with different accommodation styles, including air-streams.

Both properties offer incredible views of the famous Monument Valley rock formations.

Things to Do in Monument Valley

Some of the best experiences in Monument Valley include:

Where to Eat in Monument Valley

We stopped for lunch at Goulding’s Stagecoach Dining Room, mainly so we could also explore the historic property.

The restaurant has beautiful views across the valley, making it a great lunch stop.

Other Monument Valley restaurants include:

Where to Stay in Monument Valley
I still can’t believe I’ve seen Monument Valley with my own eyes.

10. Phoenix, Arizona

Stopping in Phoenix wasn’t actually part of the original plan for this West Coast road trip.

We had intended to drive straight from Monument Valley to Tombstone in one long 9-hour driving day, but road trips have a funny way of throwing unexpected curveballs your way.

Just outside of Flagstaff, Arizona we realised one of our tyres had picked up a nail. After waiting around three hours for roadside assistance, we eventually had the tyre replaced with a temporary spare before driving into Flagstaff to get it properly patched.

By the time everything was sorted it was already 4pm, so we made the call to cut our losses and head south to Phoenix for the night before continuing to Tombstone the next morning.

It definitely wasn’t how we planned the day, but it’s also one of those classic road trip stories that you laugh about later (but not at the time).

Drive time from Bluff: 6.5–7 hours, depending on traffic and stops along the way.

Why Visit Phoenix on Your West Coast Road Trip

Phoenix is the capital of Arizona and the fifth-largest city in the United States, located right in the heart of the Sonoran Desert.

With over 300 days of sunshine each year, it’s known for its warm climate, striking desert landscapes and beautiful mountain backdrops.

Unlike many cities in the American West, Phoenix feels very spread out, with modern neighbourhoods, golf courses, hiking trails and desert parks scattered across a huge city area.

On a West Coast road trip, travelling between places like Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and southern Arizona, Phoenix makes a convenient stopover city to break up long drives.

While we didn’t get the chance to explore much during our unexpected overnight stay, it’s definitely somewhere I’d like to return to in the future for a proper visit.

Where to Stay in Phoenix

For our quick one night stay in Phoenix, we stayed at GreenTree Inn & Suites Phoenix Sky Harbor.

It was exactly what we needed after such a long day: cheap, comfortable and with easy parking for the car.

Since we arrived late and were leaving early the next morning, it did the job perfectly.

If you’re planning to spend more time in Phoenix though, there are plenty of great hotels in the city, including:

Things to Do in Phoenix

We didn’t actually explore Phoenix during our visit, unfortunately. After the chaos of the tyre situation, we arrived at our hotel, grabbed dinner and went straight to sleep.

If you’re visiting with more time though, there are plenty of great things to do in Phoenix, including:

Where to Eat in Phoenix

After such a long day we kept things simple and grabbed food from Chipotle near the hotel before collapsing into bed.

If you’re visiting Phoenix properly though, some great restaurants to try include:

11. Tombstone, Arizona

One of the most unique stops on our entire West Coast road trip was the legendary Wild West town of Tombstone.

We had actually discovered Tombstone randomly on social media before our trip and immediately knew we had to include it on our West Coast road trip route.

As huge fans of country music and anything western-themed, this place sounded like it had been designed specifically for us.

Drive time from Phoenix: 3 hours, heading southeast through the Arizona desert.

Why Visit Tombstone on Your West Coast Road Trip

Tombstone is one of the most famous towns from the American Wild West era.

Founded in 1879 during a silver mining boom, the town quickly became known for its rowdy saloons, gambling halls and legendary gunfights.

The most famous of these was the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, involving the lawman Wyatt Earp and his brothers.

Today, Tombstone has embraced its history and feels like stepping straight onto the set of an old Western movie.

The main street is filled with wooden saloons, costumed actors, staged gunfight shows and historic buildings.

When we visited, it also happened to be Labor Day weekend, which meant there were even more performances and activities happening throughout the day.

It genuinely felt like the entire town had come to life.

Where to Stay in Tombstone

We stayed at the wonderful Sagebrush Inn Motel, and I would absolutely recommend it.

This isn’t your typical roadside motel. The rooms are modern, beautifully designed and each one is named after a famous figure from Tombstone’s history.

We stayed in the Wyatt Earp room, which felt very fitting given the town’s legendary past.

Another big advantage was the location of Sagebrush Inn Motel. The motel is within walking distance of the main street, so we were able to leave the car and explore everything on foot.

Things to Do in Tombstone

Although Tombstone is quite small, there’s still plenty to see and do during a visit.

Some of the best things to do in Tombstone include:

  • Visiting the historic O.K. Corral and seeing the show, site of the famous Wild West gunfight.
  • Watching live gunfight reenactments on the main street throughout the day.
  • Exploring the historic shops and saloons along Allen Street.
  • Taking a short drive to Boothill Graveyard, where many of the town’s original residents are buried. This is a must!
  • Visiting historic buildings like the Bird Cage Theatre, one of the most famous saloons in the Old West.

Where to Eat in Tombstone

One of the best parts of Tombstone is that everyone fully commits to the Wild West theme, including the restaurants and cafés.

During our visit we ate at these Tombstone restaurants:

The atmosphere in all three places really added to the immersive Wild West experience and made this one of the most memorable stops on our West Coast road trip.

Things to Do in Tombstone Arizona
Getting into character in Tombstone, Arizona

12. Bisbee & Lowell, Arizona

Later that afternoon, we took a short drive from Tombstone to the historic mining town of Bisbee.

We also made a quick stop in the nearby ghost town of Lowell, which ended up being one of the most unusual places we visited during the entire West Coast road trip.

Drive time from Tombstone: Bisbee is located just 30 minutes south of Tombstone, making it an easy side trip. Lowell sits right beside Bisbee and only takes a few minutes to reach.

Why Visit Bisbee & Lowell on Your West Coast Road Trip

Bisbee was once one of the richest mining towns in America thanks to its booming copper industry.

Today it has reinvented itself as a quirky arts town, filled with colourful buildings, independent shops, art galleries and cafés.

The town sits in the hills, which means the streets wind up and down through narrow lanes and staircases. It feels very different from the flat desert towns elsewhere in Arizona.

Just outside Bisbee is Lowell, a tiny historic district that looks like it has been frozen in time since the 1950s.

Old neon signs, vintage cars and abandoned buildings line the street, giving it the feeling of an open-air movie set.

It’s a really unique place to visit on your West Coast road trip and a fantastic stop for photo.

Where to Stay in Bisbee, Arizona

Although we didn’t stay overnight, Bisbee actually has some great hotel options.

Some popular places to stay in Bisbee include:

Things to Do in Bisbee & Lowell

If you’re visiting Bisbee and Lowell, some of the best things to do include:

Where to Eat in Bisbee & Lowell

Although we didn’t have time to eat here, Bisbee has some fantastic restaurants and cafés.

Some popular places to eat in Bisbee include:

Bisbee Historic District Guide
Bisbee Historic District is a really cool area to explore

13. San Diego, California

We stayed in San Diego for three nights, and it ended up being one of my favourite stops of our West Coast road trip.

Steff had visited San Diego before and absolutely loved it, so I was excited to finally experience it for myself.

After the desert landscapes of Arizona, it also felt amazing to be back in California’s coastal scenery again.

Driving from Tombstone, Arizona to San Diego, California

Drive time from Tombstone: 6 to 7 hours, depending on traffic and the border checkpoint when entering California.

This stretch of the West Coast road trip felt very different from many of the others because we spent a lot of time driving right along the Mexico border, passing through remote desert towns that felt incredibly isolated.

We also drove through a number of quirky desert towns with Area 51-style alien statues and UFO decorations, which made the whole journey feel slightly surreal.

Along the way we stopped for breakfast at the wonderfully eccentric Space Age Restaurant, a retro diner filled with rockets, aliens and vintage space memorabilia.

It was such a fun and unusual stop and a great way to break up the long drive.

Why Visit San Diego on Your West Coast Road Trip

Located in Southern California along the Pacific Ocean, San Diego is known for its incredible weather, laid-back surf culture and beautiful coastline.

With over 70 miles of beaches, a vibrant food scene and countless outdoor activities, it’s often considered one of the most relaxed and liveable cities in America.

Compared to larger cities like Los Angeles or San Francisco, San Diego has a much more chilled, beach-town atmosphere.

People spend their time surfing, cycling along the waterfront, eating tacos and watching the sunset over the Pacific.

San Diego is also the southernmost major city in California, located very close to the Mexican border. Because of this, the city has an incredible Mexican food scene, which we definitely took advantage of during our stay.

With beautiful beaches, lively neighbourhoods, excellent food and a relaxed atmosphere, San Diego is a perfect stop on any West Coast road trip itinerary.

Where to Stay in San Diego

During our visit we stayed at the Wyndham Garden San Diego, which is located close to SeaWorld. Don’t worry, SeaWorld wasn’t on our itinerary.

The property felt more like a large American-style motel than a traditional hotel, but it worked perfectly for our West Coast road trip.

Our room was huge, which we really appreciated after so many nights of constantly packing and unpacking during the trip.

Having extra space made it feel much more comfortable for our three-night stay.

Because we had a car for the entire West Coast road trip, we also liked that parking was straightforward and easy.

When you’re road tripping through America, finding accommodation with simple parking access can make a huge difference.

Best Things to Do in San Diego

San Diego is a large and spread-out city, so if you want to see multiple neighbourhoods it’s quite vital to have a car.

Many of the best attractions are located in completely different areas, from the beaches to downtown to the historic districts.

Here are some of the best things to do in San Diego, including many of the places we visited during our stay:

  • Coronado Island: A beautiful island connected to the mainland by bridge, known for its beaches and the famous Hotel del Coronado
  • Hotel del Coronado: One of the most iconic hotels in California and definitely on my future bucket list for a stay
  • La Jolla Cove: Famous for its sea lions and stunning coastal scenery
  • Balboa Park: A huge cultural park filled with gardens, museums and Spanish-style architecture
  • Gaslamp Quarter: San Diego’s historic downtown district with restaurants, bars and nightlife
  • Pacific Beach: A lively beach area popular with surfers and sunset watchers
  • Ocean Beach: A relaxed neighbourhood with one of the most beautiful sunsets in the city
  • UC San Diego’s Fallen Star House: The famous house that appears to hang off the edge of a rooftop
  • Embracing Peace Statue: A giant sculpture inspired by the famous V-J Day photograph
  • Petco Park: Home stadium of the San Diego Padres baseball team

One of the highlights of our time in San Diego was going to see a San Diego Padres baseball game, which was such a fun and uniquely American sports experience.

I’ve now been to baseball games at Yankee Stadium (New York Yankees), Fenway Park (Boston Red Sox) and now Petco Park (San Diego Padres).

Slowly making my way through all the famous American baseball stadiums!

Where to Eat in San Diego

San Diego has an incredible food scene, but it’s especially famous for its Mexican cuisine and tacos, thanks to its location close to the Mexican border.

We ate incredibly well during our time here, and if you love tacos like we do, you’ll definitely be very happy in San Diego.

Here are some great places to eat in San Diego that we enjoyed:

San Diego La Jolla Lifeguards
Lifeguards on duty in La Jolla, San Diego

14. Los Angeles, California

We made it!! Right back to where we started on our West Coast road trip, almost three weeks ago.

We were finally at the last stop of our West Coast road trip and ready to settle in to LA life for 5 nights.

I was looking forward to doing the most touristy things possible as this was my first time visiting Los Angeles and it’s always been a dream to see it for myself.

Drive time from San Diego: 2 to 3 hours, depending on traffic.

On our way into Los Angeles we made a quick stop to see the oldest McDonald’s restaurant in the world, which has now been turned into a small museum showcasing the history of the famous fast-food chain.

It was a fun and slightly random stop, but road trips are always better with a few quirky detours along the way.

Why Visit Los Angeles on Your West Coast Road Trip

Los Angeles is one of the most famous cities in the world, known globally as the home of the entertainment industry.

With Hollywood, movie studios, iconic beaches and celebrity culture, it’s a place that many people feel like they already know before they even visit.

As the second largest city in America, Los Angeles is enormous.

The city is made up of many different neighbourhoods, each with its own personality and atmosphere, from the glamour of Beverly Hills to the laid-back beach culture of Santa Monica and Venice.

This was my first time visiting Los Angeles, and I was unbelievably excited. I actually (no joke) teared up when I saw the Hollywood Sign for the first time. I couldn’t believe I was actually seeing it with my own eyes!

We spent five nights in Los Angeles, which gave us plenty of time to explore different parts of the city.

We also timed our visit around the Oasis concert, which was one of the main reasons we planned this West Coast road trip in the first place.

Because Los Angeles is so large and spread out, staying several nights here makes a huge difference. It gives you enough time to explore properly without feeling rushed.

Where to Stay in Los Angeles

Accommodation in Los Angeles can be very expensive, especially when you add the cost of parking.

Since we were on a West Coast road trip and needed somewhere to leave the car for several nights, we were looking for somewhere reasonably priced with affordable parking options.

We ended up staying at the Ramada by Wyndham Koreatown for five nights. The hotel itself was a little older and slightly run down in places, but the biggest advantage was that we had a suite with a separate bedroom and living area.

After three weeks of travelling and constantly packing and unpacking, it was actually really nice to have a bit more space to spread out.

Having a separate living room also made it feel like we could properly relax during our final few days of our West Coast road trip.

Koreatown is also a great location for exploring different parts of Los Angeles, with relatively easy access to many of the city’s main attractions.

Best Things to Do in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is packed with things to see and do, so it’s impossible to experience everything in one trip.

However, there are certain iconic attractions that almost everyone visiting the city will want to include on their Los Angeles itinerary.

Here are some of the best things to do in Los Angeles, including many of the places we visited during our stay:

During our time in Los Angeles we packed a huge amount into our five days.

One of the most surreal moments was walking along the Hollywood Walk of Fame and accidentally stumbling upon Jessica Chastain receiving her star, with Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer also in attendance! A very LA moment!

We also loved going to the movies at the Vista Theater and TCL Chinese Theatre, which felt like the perfect LA experience.

Where to Eat in Los Angeles

Los Angeles has one of the most exciting and diverse food scenes in America, with incredible restaurants representing cuisines from all over the world.

Here are some great places to eat in Los Angeles that we loved during our stay:

  • In-N-Out Burger: A classic West Coast fast food chain and a must-try in California
  • Pink’s Hot Dogs: A famous LA hot dog stand that has been around since 1939
  • Yang Chow Restaurant: A legendary Chinese restaurant known for its slippery shrimp
  • Great White: An amazing brunch spot that we loved so much we went twice
  • Erewhon: The luxury grocery store famous for its celebrity smoothies including the Hailey Bieber smoothie (yes, I did try it and yes, it’s delicious)
  • La La Land Kind Café: A great place for coffee in The Grove
  • Sushi Fumi: One of the best sushi restaurants in West Hollywood
  • Pino’s Sandwiches: Incredible Italian sandwiches in Los Feliz
  • Grand Central Market: A must-visit food hall with dozens of food vendors

RELATED Los Angeles blog posts to read:

Hollywood LA Itinerary

West Coast of America Road Trip

A 3 week West Coast road trip is one of the most exciting travel experiences you can have in America.

From world-famous cities to dramatic desert landscapes and beautiful coastal towns, this route offers an incredible mix of destinations.

Over the course of our West Coast road trip we visited vibrant cities like San Francisco, Las Vegas and Los Angeles, explored breathtaking national parks such as Yosemite and Monument Valley, and discovered fascinating historic towns throughout the American Southwest.

What makes a road trip like this so special is the variety.

One day you might be hiking through a national park, the next you’re driving through the desert past tiny roadside diners, and the next you’re standing beneath the bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip.

For us, this trip was the perfect combination of nature, culture, history, food and unforgettable experiences.

If you’re planning your own West Coast road trip adventure, hopefully this itinerary gives you a helpful overview of the route and inspires you to start planning your own journey.

And if you’d like more detailed information about each stop along the way, be sure to check out my individual destination guides and blog posts, and YouTube vlogs, where I go much deeper into the best things to do, places to eat and where to stay in every location on this road trip.

RELATED West Coast Road Trip blog posts to read:

Orlagh Claire New York

By Orlagh Shanks

Orlagh Shanks is the Editor of Orlagh Claire, an award-winning travel and lifestyle blog.
After working in the PR & Influencer Marketing industry, Orlagh quit her job to travel Asia for 12 months and moved to Sydney, Australia where she is now a full-time travel blogger and content creator sharing travel tips and recommendations for all 30 of the countries she’s visited so far.

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