USA Road Trip: West Coast National Parks

Make your own way to Seattle and pick up your rental car.

The largest city in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle brims with natural and cultural attractions. Explore the protected expanse of the Salish Sea on a boat or drive beyond the city to Anacortes, the premier starting point for orca whale watching. The iconic Space Needle tower makes for breathtaking panoramas of the city. History lovers will enjoy strolling the atmospheric Pioneer Square or taking in a performance of the century-old Seattle Symphony Orchestra that plays primarily at Benaroya Hall.

Group Pike Place Market Food Tour

Enjoy a delicious food tour of Seattle’s famous Pike Place Market. Start with fresh baked goodies from 3 Girls Bakery, the market’s oldest continuously operating business. Then try traditional Greek yoghurt at Ellenos Greek Yoghurt. If you are on the morning tour, head to Honest biscuits to sample their signature ‘Pike Place biscuit’. If it’s the afternoon tour, then head to Chukar Cherries for fruity treats. Seafood is next on the menu, with a visit to Pike Place Chowder.

Then, dive deep into truffles at The Truffle Queen before trying the succulent barbecue at Pike’s Pit BBQ, which has vegan options too. Sample fresh local fried cod at Seatown Market and Fish. Your final stop is Pike Place Fish, where you will meet the famous fish throwers and have their alderwood smoked salmon. Along the way, your guide will fill you on the market’s history and its legendary characters.

Explore Mount Rainier National Park on your own

If you have the time and the weather allows it, we recommend visiting Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state. You could start by riding Mt. Rainier Railroad that runs Friday through Sunday. The train travels through forests and fields and over the Nisqually River, making for a scenic tour. It also stops on the bridge so you can take photographs.

In the summer, you can sign up for a ranger-led tour to learn more about the park. Follow the paved nature trails from Paradise to see dazzling wildflowers. The Nisqually Vista Trail is a gentle hike suitable for kids and older people. For those who want a more challenging route, try the Skyline Trail with its stunning views. In the winter, follow the spur trail along the Trail of Shadows to Longmire Meadow for views of Mount Rainier and Rampart Ridge.

Discover the beauty of an old growth forest in Ohanapecosh, located in the southeast corner of the park. Go fishing or non-motorised boating in Mowich Lake from mid-July to mid-October. The Sunrise area of the park also offers some of the best stargazing in the Pacific Northwest but make sure to check the weather forecast first.

Drive yourself from Seattle, WA to Port Angeles, WA in your rental car. The duration of the trip is about three hours.

Port Angeles, the seaside-meets-mountain-town on the Olympic Peninsula, boasts fascinating history, captivating beauty and adventure. The township is surrounded by beautiful beaches and serene bays, and is perfect for kayaking or standup paddleboarding.

Explore Olympic National Park on your own

If you have the time and the weather allows it, we recommend visiting Olympic National Park in California. Discover the flora and fauna that resides in the park’s varied ecosystems that consist of glaciated mountains, temperate forests and the Pacific coastline. Deer and elk are common and there is plenty of bird life to see too. The Olympic coast is part of the whale trail, and you can watch these majestic animals on their migration route from April to May and October to November. Kalaloch and Shi Shi Beaches are two of the best locations from which to spot them.

You might also catch sight of sea otters, bears, and beavers. Moving from large to small, you can also explore the tidepools for intertidal life. Popular spots are Kalaloch's Beach 4, Mora's Hole in the Wall and Ruby Beach. Sign up for a ranger-led interpretive walk in the summer or a ranger-guided snowshoe walk at Hurricane Ridge in the winter. There are plenty of hiking trails suitable for beginners and experts alike. You could even go paddling on Lake Crescent or try your hand navigating the Elwha River. Catch and release fishing is permitted in Ozette River and Queets River below Tshletshy Creek.

Drive yourself from Port Angeles, WA to Portland, OR in your rental car. It will take you about four and a half hours to get to Portland.

Group Morning Portland City Tour

Tour the diverse neighbourhoods of Oregon’s largest city on this enjoyable tour. Set off in the morning with your knowledgeable guide and drive to downtown Portland. Enjoy a stroll around Pioneer Courthouse Square, often called the city’s living room in keeping with its reputation as a happening spot. Visit Pittock Mansion, a well-preserved French Renaissance-style château, which is listed on the national registry of historic places. Enjoy scenic views of the city from the sprawling grounds of this mansion that was built in the early 20th-century. Next, head to the International Rose Test Garden located within Washington Park, where you can see about 10,000 bushes featuring more than 600 different varieties of roses. From May to October, you can walk among the seasonal blooms and breathe in their delightful fragrance.

Nob Hill, the Pearl District, and Vista Hills are some other neighbourhoods you’ll visit. On weekday and Sunday mornings, check out the vibrant shops, restaurants, and concert venues that line North Mississippi Avenue. On Saturdays, stop by the PSU Farmers Market to mingle with the locals and check out the colorful displays of produce and food. Before you wind up your tour, visit Lan Su Chinese Garden, built by Chinese artisans from Portland’s sister city of Suzhou, and take in the seamless blend of art, design, and nature.

Group Columbia Gorge Waterfalls & Wine Tour

Discover beautiful views and waterfalls and then relax with a glass of wine on this idyllic tour. Head out around mid-day, travelling east out of Portland along the Columbia River toward the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area. Keep an eye out for bald eagles and ospreys along the way. After stopping for photographs at the viewing area, your guide will plot the rest of your tour after factoring in group preferences, the weather and crowds.

Explore some of the 70 waterfalls found in the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area, including Multnomah Falls, the tallest waterfall in the Pacific Northwest. You’ll have the chance to hike, click photographs and even take a dip in the water. From there, head to Hood River, where you will visit two local wineries and sample boutique wines found only in Oregon. Learn about the terroir that shaped the wine-growing region at wineries such as Cathedral Ridge, Hood Crest and more. Then, head back to Portland to enjoy the evening in the city.

Drive yourself from Portland, OR to Eugene, OR in your rental car. The duration of the trip is about two hours.

Explore Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

If you have the time and the weather allows it, we recommend visiting one or more of these attractions in Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. You could explore this distinctive landscape by hiking one of the many trails that let you experience the diverse ecosystems here. While the Oregon Dunes Trail leads straight to the expanse of wind-carved sand hills, the Sutton Campground loop trails pass through the coastal forest. Fishing and boating on Sutton Lake and swimming in Sutton Creek are some popular activities you could try en route.

There is also the Hall & Schuttpelz Lake Trail offering scenic views of the freshwater lake, dune, and forest. Alternatively, you could sign up for an ATV, dune buggy, or lightweight sand rail tour of the dunes. Sandboarding is also an option with a choice of beginner and expert slopes. For a change of pace, there is Siltcoos Beach where you can soak in the sun and spend time in the water. Beachcombing, surfing, and mountain biking are some other pursuits possible here. You could also take along a picnic lunch and enjoy it in one of the designated areas.

Explore Crater Lake National Park

Discover Crater Lake, one of the world’s deepest and bluest lakes, in Crater Lake National Park. Perhaps the best way to see the park is to drive along the 33-mile Rim Drive, which circles the lake and offers from views of the lake, the caldera and meadows from over 30 viewing points. Along the way, you can stop at one of five picnic areas, explore a number of trails and see several waterfalls. In the summer you can take one of the daily two-hour trolley tours. A ranger will tell you about the park as you circle the lake.

The trolley stops at five to seven locations, where you can take photographs. Alternatively, you can take a ranger-led boat tour on the lake. Explore some of the 90 miles of trails that meander through forests and open to views of the lake and the caldera. In the winter, you can go skiing, snowboarding and sledding. Visit the park on a day trip from Eugene, ON.

Drive yourself from Eugene, OR to Grants Pass, OR in your rental car. It will take you about two and a half hours to reach Grants Pass.

Explore Cape Blanco on your own

If you have the time and the weather allows it, we recommend visiting Cape Blanco. Located on the Pacific Coast of Oregon, Cape Blanco is home to a state park with gorgeous vistas. Adjacent to the Cape Blanco State Park, on a clifftop, stands the oldest lighthouse on the Oregon Coast. Follow a volunteer up the spiral staircase to the top of the brick tower and learn about the large Fresnel lens, which turns inside the beacon. Next, visit the Historic Hughes House, a farmhouse constructed by ranchers Patrick and Jane Hughes. Built in 1898, this two-story edifice is a fine example of the vernacular Queen Anne/Eastlake style. The interiors feature diamond-shaped patterns in the gables and semicircular fish scale designs on the lower walls.

Afterwards, proceed to the beach for a walk along the rugged shoreline and watch the ospreys try to catch fish. At low tide, you can catch sight of pink anemones, goose barnacles, mussels and ochre sea stars on the dry rocks. Before you wrap up for the day, stop at the Langlois Market for delicious hotdogs.

Drive yourself from Grants Pass, OR to Eureka, CA in your rental car. The duration of the trip is about three and a half hours.

Explore Redwood National Park on your own

If you have the time and the weather allows it, we recommend visiting Redwood National Park. From your hotel in Eureka, drive north along the Pacific Coast to Lady Bird Johnson Grove. Wander among ancient redwoods and Douglas firs, and head to the Prairie Creek Visitor Center. Check out the exhibits and learn about the area’s history. Time permitting, hike to Fern Canyon, before taking a drive on the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. This ten-mile route, set in the heart of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, takes you past thousands of acres of old-growth redwood trees. Along the way, stop at Big Tree Wayside and Atlas Grove, and keep an eye out for Roosevelt Elk, named after President Theodore Roosevelt.

Continue driving along Enderts Beach Road. One of California’s most picturesque beaches, it is known for its tidepools, and rock-studded and driftwood-laden shoreline. Next, proceed to the famous Howland Hill Road, a former stagecoach pathway that passes through the center of Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. Journey through redwood forest habitats and fern-carpeted hillsides, before heading back.

Drive yourself from Eureka, CA to Redding, CA in your rental car. It will take you about three hours to reach your destination.

Redding lies along the Sacramento River in Shasta County. It has the privilege of being the sunniest city in California, so there is plenty to do in the great outdoors here. It has 225 miles of trails that lie within a 15-mile radius of downtown, earning it the nickname ‘Trail Capital of California’. Explore the rolling foothills and discover stunning river and valley views. You can also go off-road biking in the woods or rafting on the river. If you prefer a slower pace, spend the day on Shasta lake or take a scenic river ride.

Drive yourself from Redding, CA to Lake Tahoe, CA/NV in your rental car. Your destination is about four hours drive from Redding.

Explore Lake Tahoe On Your Own

Discover the scenic attractions of beautiful Lake Tahoe! There’s a lake experience for everyone, no matter how active or laidback you are. Soak up the sun on Nevada Beach, which offers panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountains. If you're a hiking enthusiast, try the Spooner Lake Hike or the Echo Lakes Trail.

Check out the hot springs near Lake Tahoe and catch a lake view from the top of the Gondola or Emerald Bay. Adventure seekers can ride a power boat or a wave runner and indulge in parasailing. Stroll around The Crossing, The Village Center, and the Chateau at the Village where dozens of unique boutiques, eateries and live music beckon. Tuck into some dinner and a magic show at the Loft Theatre to end the day.

Explore Emerald Bay State Park on Your Own

Emerald Bay State Park, a National Natural Landmark, is located 12 miles north of South Lake Tahoe. The teardrop-shaped glacier-carved crystalline Emerald Bay is known for its spectacular sheer granite cliffs, ridges and a jagged shoreline. At Emerald Bay Lookout, see the waters of this fjord-like inlet change hues from cloverleaf green to light jade, depending on the angle of the sunlight.

Emerald Bay surrounds Fannette Island, Lake Tahoe’s only island. Its sparsely timbered granite peak rises 150 feet above the water and contains the ruins of a stone structure known as the Tea House. The park is also home to Vikingsholm, a 38-room estate completed in 1929, built as a replica of a 1,200-year-old Viking Castle. It is a rare masterpiece of Scandinavian architecture in the United States. Divers and snorkellers can experience California’s first maritime heritage underwater trail, beneath the surface of Emerald Bay that features Lake Tahoe’s sunken barges and small boats.

Drive yourself from Lake Tahoe to Yosemite National Park in your rental car. The duration of the trip is about four and a half hours.

Explore Yosemite National Park At Leisure

Explore the impressive waterfalls, meadows and unusual rock formations of the world-famous Yosemite National Park! Stroll through the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, home to over 500 mature giant sequoias. Enjoy the thrill of rushing water at Yosemite Falls and Sentinel Falls. Visit the famous viewpoints of Tunnel View and Glacier Point, which provide some truly breathtaking views of Yosemite Valley. Spot spectacular granite rock formations, including Half Dome and El Capitan from the Valley floor. Hiking enthusiasts can choose from 750 miles of trails, with the Yosemite Valley Hike and Glacier Point Road being some of the popular choices. Finish the day with stargazing on a clear night!

Explore Lower Yosemite Falls Trail on Your Own

Hike at your own pace to the Lower Yosemite Falls in the Yosemite Valley. This cascade forms the base of the magnificent Yosemite Falls, the tallest in North America. Enjoy the short and easy walk across the scenic landscape of Yosemite Valley. Take in beautiful views of the upper and lower falls as you make your way to the footbridge at the base. Watch as the water plunges over 320 feet, spraying you with a fine mist of droplets! Put your camera to optimal use before you decide to head back.

Drive yourself from Yosemite National Park, CA to Visalia, CA in your rental car. It will take you about three and a half hours to reach Visalia.

Visalia is located in California’s fertile San Joaquin Valley. The town has a long history, some of which can be witnessed in the number of Victorian houses and other historic buildings. The town is an ideal base from which to explore the Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

Explore Sequoia National Park on your own

If you have the time and the weather allows it, we recommend visiting Sequoia National Park. Start by viewing the beautiful scenery on a drive along Generals Highway. Stop at observation points and enjoy panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Located just off the highway is the Giant Forest, home to the 2,000-year-old General Sherman Tree and the ‘Tough Twins’. There is also the Giant Forest Museum that provides an introduction to the area’s history. View interactive exhibits that tell you about the preserve’s giant sequoia trees, its landscape and nature. Nearby, is the paved Congress Trail with groves of sequoias, namely ‘Senate’, ‘House’ and ‘President’.

Then, take a break and get something to eat at Lodgepole Café, before heading out on a hike to Moro Rock. Ascend more than 350 vertical stairs to the summit of the massive granite-dome rock formation. Once you are at the top, take in 360-degree views of the surrounding mountain chain. Finally, visit Crescent Meadow where you will find the Tunnel Log. It is a fallen sequoia tree under which small vehicles can drive through.

Drive yourself from Visalia, CA to Palm Springs, CA in your rental car. The duration of the drive is about five hours.

Group San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour

Discover the wonders of the San Andreas Fault zone while driving through the area in a Jeep. Meet your guide and hop into a classic open-air Jeep Scrambler and set off to explore the interesting terrain. Along the way, your guide will tell you more about this fault line, which is the boundary for two moving tectonic plates. Take in the steep canyon walls and the region’s natural beauty as you make your way to the Coachella Valley.

You will also learn about the plants and animals that are found here. Delve deeper into the desert with a visit to a natural palm oasis, where you will discover the resourcefulness of the Cahuilla Indians, who skillfully utilised desert plants for sustenances and shelter and to make medicines and tools. Explore a recreated Cahuilla Indian Village and see ceremonial structures such as the long-house, sweat lodge, and kishes (family huts). After, drive back to the starting point with a deeper appreciation for the region's natural and cultural history.

Explore Joshua Tree National Park on Your Own

Discover the wonders of Joshua Tree National Park, which brings together two distinct ecosystems of the Mojave and Colorado deserts. From epic otherworldly landscapes dotted with unique flora and fauna, to the creative communities around the park, this Californian desert playground has plenty to offer. There are hidden oases, quirky art installations and iconic rock formations to look out for. The Indian Cove Nature Trail, flanked by photogenic boulders, is an ideal route to see the namesake Joshua tree. Cross ten acres dominated by teddybear cholla on the Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail.

Head up to the Keys View lookout, perched on the Little San Bernardino Mountains, to enjoy spectacular vistas of the Coachella Valley and the infamous San Andreas Fault. Drop by the World Famous Crochet Museum and Noah Purifoy's Desert Art Museum, among other famous venues. The park's wide open skies offer fantastic opportunities for stargazing!

Explore Palm Springs On Your Own

Explore Palm Springs at your own pace. There’s no better place to start than the iconic Joshua Tree National Park that straddles the iconic Mojave and Sonoran deserts. Choose from dozens of themed trails for hiking, horseback riding, biking, and 4x4 excursions. Next, drive through the San Gorgonio Wind Farm Park that houses thousands of windmills. You can learn about the region's history of renewable energy on a tour.

Continue onward to the Southern San Andreas Fault, and visit the 1,000 Palms Oasis in the Coachella Valley Preserve. Back in town, drop by the Ruddy's General Store Museum that showcases historical American products at this recreated general store from the 1930s. Later, ride on the world's largest rotating tram car that ascends over the Chino Canyon to the top station of Mount San Jacinto State Park. Soak in superb panoramas of the Palm Springs valley below, or explore the miles of trails available here.

Drive yourself from Palm Springs to Los Angeles in your rental car. It will take about three hours to reach Los Angeles.

Shared Los Angeles Hop-on-Hop-off Tour – 48 hours (Tickets Only)

Discover the top attractions of Los Angeles from an open-top bus offering 360-degree views of the city’s landmarks. This convenient hop-on-hop-off tour comes with audio commentary. See all that this Southern California city has to offer, from its vibrant downtown to Beverly Hills, Hollywood and Santa Monica. Cruise past plush mansions in Hollywood and Beverly Hills, view the iconic Dolby Theater, Rodeo Drive and Sunset Strip. On Museum Row, find the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and La Brea Tar Pits Museum.

Visit The Original Farmers Market, a historic market with several gourmet grocery stores and restaurants. Stroll on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and along Melrose Avenue, lined with exclusive fashion and high-end boutiques. The next day, visit the University of California and Hammer Museum. Continue onward to Santa Monica Pier that juts into the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Finally, spend time at the Venice Beach boardwalk which hosts numerous street vendors, performers and cafes.

Group Griffith Observatory Hike

Venture out on a 3.5-mile hike through Griffith Park on this tour. Ascend the path along Fern Dell Nature Preserve that is lined with American sycamore trees. Continue uphill, and meander past a man-made stream and The Trails café. Take in panoramic views of the sprawling city of Los Angeles. Along the way, you may spot eastern gray squirrels, red-tailed hawks and acorn woodpeckers.

Visit locations that were featured in films such as ‘La La Land’, ‘Batman’ and ‘Terminator’. Arrive at Griffith Observatory, on the bluff of Mount Hollywood, which was built in 1935 and occupies an Art Deco building. Soak in sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, the San Gabriel Mountains and Santa Monica. While touring the observatory, you may look through the telescopes and even attend a live show in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium. After, visit an overlook and capture that perfect shot of the iconic Hollywood Sign.

On the last day, make your own way to Los Angeles airport and drop off your rental car.