West Coast USA Self Drive Tours & Road Trips
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10 Self drive tours in West Coast USA
Compiled by
MelissaWest Coast USA travel expert at TourRadar
- California Bucketlist: Beach Lovers & Road Trip Summers (9 destinations)
- New York & California: From the Big Apple to the Golden State
- Road Trip California: Golden Gate Meets Hollywood Hills
- USA & Mexico: Californian Road Trip Meets Los Cabos
- USA Road Trip: Cruisin' from the Strip to the Shore (from Las Vegas to San Diego)
- California Road Trip West Coast Wonders & Golden Cities
- Road Trip California: Golden Gate Meets Hollywood Hills
- New York & California: From the Big Apple to the Golden State
- USA & Mexico: Californian Road Trip Meets Los Cabos
- USA Road Trip: Cruisin' from the Strip to the Shore (from San Francisco to San Diego)
Duration 12 days Destinations San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Solvang, Los Angeles, Oceanside, San Diego, Palm Springs Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in Only: German Operator journaway From
- NZ$4,756Incl: Flights from/to Düsseldorf International Airport. Other airports possible.
Duration 17 days Destinations New York City, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Sequoia National Park, Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, Morro Bay Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in Only: German Operator journaway From
- NZ$5,631Incl: Flights from/to Hamburg Airport. Other airports possible.
Duration 15 days Destinations San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Solvang, Santa Barbara, Malibu, Los Angeles Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in Only: German Operator journaway From
- NZ$4,889Incl: Flights from/to Hamburg Airport. Other airports possible.
Duration 14 days Destinations San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Solvang, Los Angeles, Los Cabos, Cabo San Lucas Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in Only: German Operator journaway From
- NZ$5,175Incl: Flights from/to Berlin Brandenburg Airport. Other airports possible.
Duration 10 days Destinations Las Vegas, Grand Canyon National Park, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, San Diego Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in Only: German Operator journaway From
- NZ$3,310Incl: Flights from/to Berlin Brandenburg Airport. Other airports possible.
Duration 14 days Destinations Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park, Sequoia National Park, Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, Morro Bay Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in Only: German Operator journaway From
- NZ$5,517Incl: Flights from/to Düsseldorf International Airport. Other airports possible.
Duration 12 days Destinations San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Solvang, Santa Barbara, Malibu, Los Angeles Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in Only: German Operator journaway From
- NZ$4,242Incl: Flights from/to Hamburg Airport. Other airports possible.
Duration 20 days Destinations New York City, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Sequoia National Park, Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, Morro Bay Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in Only: German Operator journaway From
- NZ$5,974Incl: Flights from/to Berlin Brandenburg Airport. Other airports possible.
Duration 17 days Destinations San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Solvang, Los Angeles, Los Cabos, Cabo San Lucas Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in Only: German Operator journaway From
- NZ$5,213Incl: Flights from/to Berlin Brandenburg Airport. Other airports possible.
Duration 14 days Destinations San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon National Park, San Diego Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in Only: German Operator journaway From
- NZ$4,356Incl: Flights from/to Düsseldorf International Airport. Other airports possible.
What our customers ask about West Coast USA Self Drive Tours & Road Trips
When is the best time for a Self Drive tour on the West Coast USA?
The West Coast USA Self Drive tour works best from May to September. The weather is reliable though San Francisco and Seattle often have fog throughout the year. Inland spots like Yosemite National Park and Palm Springs offer clearer conditions. Mountain areas like the Sierra Nevada can be tricky to drive in winter. Holiday Inn Express Monterey serves as a good base during peak season with TourRadar travelers noting the "perfect weather for coastal driving."
What are the best coastal towns to stop at during a West Coast USA Self Drive tour?
The Pacific Coast offers several distinctive stops. Monterey draws visitors to its historic Cannery Row while Carmel-by-the-Sea stands out for its art galleries and boutiques. Santa Barbara showcases classic Spanish colonial buildings. Consider staying at Casa Munras Garden Hotel in Monterey or the DoubleTree by Hilton Santa Barbara. As one TourRadar traveler shared "The small coastal towns offered the perfect break from driving with each having its own unique character and charm."
How many days should I plan for a comprehensive West Coast USA Self Drive tour?
A thorough West Coast USA Self Drive tour needs 14-21 days to cover the route from Seattle to San Diego properly. Most travelers spend 2-3 nights in major cities like San Francisco at the Hotel Abri or Los Angeles at the Hilton Checkers. Smaller towns usually warrant one-night stays. TourRadar travelers suggest "Two weeks allowed us to explore at a comfortable pace without feeling rushed between destinations."
What are the must-see national parks on a West Coast USA Self Drive tour?
The key national parks include Yosemite's granite landscape Redwood's ancient trees and Olympic's varied environments. Convenient bases include Cedar Lodge in El Portal near Yosemite and Red Lion Hotel Eureka close to Redwood National Park. One TourRadar traveler noted "The contrast between the coastal redwoods and Yosemite's vast valleys made for an unforgettable driving experience."
How should I plan my daily driving distances on a West Coast USA Self Drive tour?
Keep daily drives to 200-300 miles (320-480 km) maximum. Popular routes like San Francisco to Monterey or Los Angeles to San Diego span about 120 miles each allowing time for stops. Holiday Inn Express locations serve as reliable overnight spots. A TourRadar traveler suggests "Breaking up longer drives with overnight stays in coastal towns made the journey more enjoyable."
Are there any scenic routes I shouldn't miss on a West Coast USA Self Drive tour?
Key routes include Pebble Beach's 17-Mile Drive the coastal stretch of Highway 1 through Big Sur and Oregon's Columbia River Highway. Elizabeth Oceanfront Suites in Newport Oregon provides a good base for exploring these roads. According to a TourRadar traveler "The views along Big Sur were absolutely spectacular - plan extra time for photo stops and short hikes."