Last Updated: December 20, 2023
A road trip in the USA has been one of my biggest dreams pretty much ever since I discovered American movies. I was longing for the endless stretches of the open road and I dreamed of seeing with my own eyes the natural wonders of Death Valley and the Grand Canyon. I wanted to walk in the streets where some of my favorite movies were directed and feel the sand of the California beaches in my toes.
That dream of going on an epic West Coast USA road trip was finally about to come true in 2018. Much like a kid who was about to discover Disneyland, I barely closed my eyes throughout the flight.
DREAMIN’ OF THE EPIC WEST COAST USA ROAD TRIP
Who hasn’t watched Beverly Hills Cop and didn’t wonder if Beverly Hills really looks that elegant? How many of you have watched The Hangover and imagined having a crazy night in Vegas? Perhaps you’ve dreamed of walking barefoot at the shores of Venice beach?
ROAD TRIP
Our plan was essentially a round trip around the West Coast, with San Francisco being our starting and finishing point. We wanted to cover as many MUST SEE places as possible, so a good route plan was paramount.
Below you will read about each and every place we stopped along the way. Also, you will find out why these locations should be on your list when you plan your Epic West Coast USA Road Trip.
NATIONAL PARKS
We rented a car in San Francisco the evening we arrived and tried having an early night to rest. The next day, bright and early, we made our way towards the national parks. First was Yosemite National Park, then the Grand Canyon followed by Death Valley. Once we covered the national parks, we headed to Las Vegas where we stayed for a couple of days. I’d like to make a pause here and explain where I come from. We currently live in Malta, a very small island below Sicily, Italy. So, you can only imagine how awestruck I was by the natural beauty of Yosemite and the Grand Canyon. That same awe followed us throughout the entire road trip. We stopped at every twist and turn, to admire the scenery and tried to take in as much as possible.
VIVA LAS VEGAS
After spending a few days surrounded by nature, Las Vegas felt like a bit of a cultural shock. The neon lights and palatial buildings were a huge contradiction to the vast desert we came from. Once we adjusted to the drastic change of scenery, we understood why Vegas is known as the Entertainment Capital of the World. I loved the upbeat vibe of the city which had us constantly energized. We watched spectacular shows, drunk cocktails by the pool, and tried our luck in the casino. We were now ready to continue our adventure to the next destination on our list.
ROUTE 66 DRIVE
On the way to Palm Springs, we got to experience driving on the historic Route 66. My dream of the ultimate USA road trip would have been incomplete without driving on Mother Road and to actually be there, was an experience that I will cherish forever. We made several pit-stops along the way, at cute 50s themed diners and motels, one of them being the popular Peggy Sue’s.
PALM SPRINGS
I had seen many pictures of Palm Springs on social media and I was very excited to finally be there. Located between mountains, Palm Springs has the perfect weather. It is an idyllic city, with palm trees lining the streets and cute shops at every corner. The city is popular for having the largest concentration of mid-century modern architecture, so be sure to stop at E Sierra Way for that perfect Instagram worthy picture.
FALL IN LOVE WITH SAN DIEGO
Next stop, San Diego, America’s Finest City. I left my heart in San Diego not only because this city has over 100 days of sunshine each year, but also because of the long stretches of beautiful sandy beaches. One of my fondest memories is from Coronado beach. While we were watching the sun go down, a thin layer of mist was forming lazily on the horizon creating a mesmerizing scenery. Add to that the iconic Hotel Del Coronado in the backdrop and the moment was priceless.
CITY OF ANGELS
After three days in San Diego, we drove towards The City of Angels. Los Angeles is a very diverse city and it is that diversity that attracted me the most. It has an incredibly energetic vibe, the kind that you feel like everything is possible. We experienced the most surreal moments during our days in LA. While walking in Beverly Hills, we overheard people talking about their experience at the Oscars. We spoke with a local while hiking towards the Hollywood sign who offered his insight into the best places to visit in LA. He also warned us of which areas in LA are best to be avoided (e.g. Skid Row in DTLA). We got stuck in what seemed the worst traffic jam we’ve ever encountered. We got lost in downtown LA ending up in the not so charming parts of it. Having said that, I wouldn’t have it any other way because everything added up to an amazing experience.
SCENIC BIG SUR
Making our way back to San Francisco via Highway 1 and boy oh boy were we in for a treat! We were naïve to think that this would be just another drive along the coastline. Highway 1 is the ultimate West Coast USA road trip drive. A spectacular coastal route offering extraordinary views, starting from San Diego and ending in San Fran. It is easy to see why Big Sur is famous for being one of the most scenic routes in the world. There are so many places to explore here that you need a few days ideally to see all of them. Be sure to stop at Bixby Bridge. Its unique architecture and breathtaking views make it a popular spot for sightseeing and taking pictures.
GOING TO SAN FRANCISCO
Like all good things, this trip was about to come to an end, with our final stop being San Francisco. The city is known for its cool summers; Golden Bridge, Alcatraz, the Painted Ladies, and the cable cars. We did not have many days left off our holiday but we were determined to make each day count and explore as much as possible.
We started off our first day by exploring Union Square & the Financial District and then headed towards the Golden Gate Bridge. There are several good spots from where one can enjoy the view of the bridge. A walk or cycling on the bridge is amongst the most popular choices. My favorite place, however, was from Baker beach.
Our last day was dedicated to exploring Haight-Ashbury, the hub of Summer of Love, in search of unique vintage clothes. If you have a soft spot for all things vintage, pin this neighborhood on your notes. You’ll thank me later.
My dream of experiencing an epic USA Road Trip became finally a reality. At the end of the trip, I had a memory card (more like two memory cards) full of pictures that will always remind me of how extraordinarily beautiful this trip was. Most importantly, it left me with a content heart and an overwhelming feeling that everything is possible.
