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From the sun kissed beaches of southern California, through the redwood forests of the Cascade Mountains to the rugged beauty of the Pacific Northwest, the U.S. West Coast deserves as much time as you can give it. This 2 week West Coast USA itinerary gives you just long enough to do this stunning coastline justice.
Kicking off in sunny San Diego, we’ll rub shoulders with the stars in Tinseltown before taking a step back in time to San Francisco. Crossing the Oregon border, we’ll pass along some of the most dramatic coastline the U.S. has to offer. We’ll enter an alternate universe in hip and trendy Portland, before crossing the final state line to Washington.
Finishing up in stunning Seattle, one of our favorite American cities, you’ll have covered over 1,250 miles. Of course, our 2 week West Coast USA itinerary works perfectly in reverse too. Working southwards has the benefit of saving the best weather until last.
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- Best Time of Year For A 2 Week West Coast USA Itinerary
- Do I Need a Car for This 2 Week West Coast USA Itinerary?
- The Ultimate 2 Week West Coast USA Itinerary
Best Time of Year For A 2 Week West Coast USA Itinerary
We recommend setting off for this 2 week West Coast USA itinerary in spring or fall. April, May, September and October are the ideal times for this journey. You’ll avoid the summer crowds in San Francisco and Los Angeles, plus benefit from lower hotel prices. The height of winter can bring travel disruption, particularly through rural Oregon, so if you do decide to travel in the winter months, always have a back up plan.
Do I Need a Car for This 2 Week West Coast USA Itinerary?
No, absolutely not. Bringing your car, or renting one, certainly makes the trip an easier one. You’ll be able to take detours to hidden gems and start and stop whenever you fancy. However, it is possible to cover this 2 week West Coast USA itinerary using public transport. This mainly consists of Amtrak trains and intercity buses. We’ve included our top tips on how to complete each leg in the itinerary below.
The Ultimate 2 Week West Coast USA Itinerary
Day 1 – San Diego
We absolutely love San Diego. It goes without saying that one day here is never enough, so if you are able to tag a few days on to the start of your 2 week West Coast USA itinerary, do. In fact, we’ve got the perfect 3 day San Diego itinerary already planned for you.
During your day here, don’t miss a visit to the Old Town. Like a scene from a Western film, it’s been impeccably restored. A tour on a vintage trolley is the best way to see it. Make sure you leave time to explore the USS Midway. I visit every time I’m in San Diego and will never bore of it. Wrap up the afternoon with a sightseeing cruise in San Diego harbor, before heading to Little Italy for dinner. Alternatively, create your own DIY street food tour using our ultimate California street food bucket list.
Where to Stay in San Diego
With such a short time in San Diego, it pays to pick a central hotel. Our top suggestions are Little Italy and the Old Town. La Pensione is a great choice in Little Italy, as is Urban Boutique. In the Old Town, we recommend the Old Town Inn.
Travel tip: If you’re able to add more time in San Diego, consider crossing the border to Mexico with a day trip to Tijuana. The border is just a 15 minute trolley ride from downtown San Diego, and crossing is super easy. Just don’t forget your passport. We’ve got some suggestions on how to have the ultimate day in Tijuana. Better yet, stay overnight to experience Tijuana’s legendary nightlife.
Days 2 & 3 – Los Angeles
The journey from San Diego to Los Angeles is one of the easiest on this 2 week West Coast USA itinerary. The drive is around two hours, although LA traffic is notoriously bad. If traveling by public transport, Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner runs several times each day with a journey time of just under three hours. Greyhound and Flixbus have buses pretty much hourly, taking around three hours.
During your two days in Los Angeles, we suggest you visit as many of our favorite spots as possible. Hollywood Boulevard is, naturally, a must, as is a trip up to the Griffith Observatory to get the perfect snap of the Hollywood sign.
You can’t visit LA without checking out the Original Farmers’ Market for lunch. And, of course, you have to see Santa Monica Pier and the original Muscle Beach. This half day tour is a great way to cram all these sights in when time is precious.
If you have a little time left over to explore Downtown LA, don’t miss a ride on Angels Flight. The world’s shortest funicular, it runs for 218 feet between South Hill Street and South Olive Street. Another Downtown highlight is Mexican Olvera Street. Home to LA’s oldest house, built in 1818, the street hosts a colorful Mexican street market.
Where to Stay in Los Angeles
Picking a hotel for LA during this 2 week West Coast USA itinerary can be daunting. After all, it is the U.S.’s second largest city. We suggest choosing a hotel in Hollywood or Downtown LA. In Hollywood, we recommend The Alder or The Aster if you’re craving luxury. Downtown, we favor Kawada Hotel and the Los Angeles Athletic Club.
Day 4 – San Luis Obispo
190 miles north of Los Angeles, the drive to San Luis Obispo takes around three and a half hours. If traveling by public transport, there’s one bus a day which leaves early in the morning, taking five hours. There are three trains, the Pacific Surfliner runs once in the morning and once in the afternoon, whilst the Coast Starlight departs just before 10am.
San Luis Obispo sits between the mountains and the Pacific Ocean and is a relaxing paradise in comparison to busy LA. Nowhere is the old adage of being able to swim in the mornings and ski in the afternoons in California more true.
Make the Spanish Mission your first port of call. Still an active church, if you time your visit right, you’ll be able to enjoy a guided tour. You have to see the, frankly disgusting, bubble-gum alley. Ever since the 1950s, some very unique graffiti artists have been sticking used gum on the wall. Every time city officials clean it up, new gum immediately takes its place.
Spend the rest of your day in San Luis Obispo wandering aimlessly through the quaint streets of downtown. To sample some authentic Californian wine, take a trip out to the vineyards on a vintage motorbike and sidecar.
Where to Stay in San Luis Obispo
Downtown San Luis Obispo is fairly compact, so wherever you stay, you’ll be able to walk to the main sights and restaurants. Garden Street Inn is our top pick. If you prefer the finer things in life, Granada Hostel & Bistro won’t disappoint, whilst Avenue Inn Downtown is perfect for budget-conscious travelers.
Days 5 & 6 – San Francisco
To continue with this 2 week West Coast USA itinerary, hop aboard the once daily bus to San Francisco via San Jose. If you’re driving, the trip will take around four hours.
Just like San Diego, there really is no such thing as too much time in San Francisco. As we’re covering so much ground on this 2 week West Coast USA itinerary, you’ll need to pack a lot in to your time here. We guarantee you’ll be longing to come back the second you leave.
Kick off your time in the city on the bay with a trip out into that very bay. Visiting the iconic Alcatraz island and touring the abandoned prison is on almost every traveler’s bucket list. Make sure you book your tickets (with a timed entry slot) in advance using only the official website. If you enjoy being on the water, when you get back hop on another cruise to see the Golden Gate Bridge up close.
Take a ride on a vintage cable car – the two main lines usually have very long queues, the less touristy California Street line is the one to go for. A visit to the Cable Car Museum is free and well worth a visit. You’ll get to see the cogs and pulleys which move these magnificent contraptions in action. When night falls, don’t miss the chance to sample some of San Francisco’s best wine bars.
Where to Stay in San Francisco
Given your short time in San Francisco on this 2 week West Coast USA itinerary, we recommend staying somewhere central. Fisherman’s Wharf and the Embarcadero are the best areas. Hotel Zephyr and the Argonaut Hotel are our top picks for Fisherman’s Wharf. On the Embarcadero, we suggest the Harbor Court Hotel and Hotel Griffon.
Day 7 – Sacramento
California’s underrated capital is just 87 miles from San Francisco. Easily accessed by bus or Amtrak’s Capitol Corridor, the drive should take you less than 2 hours.
Sacramento is beyond beautiful. Once plagued by social issues, the Californian capital has undergone quite the transformation. The Old Town is the must-see here. Running alongside the Sacramento River, it’s a homage to the U.S. of yesteryear. Top attractions include the California State Railroad Museum and Sacramento History Museum.
To get a true feel for old Sacramento, join a guided sightseeing cruise along the Sacramento River. After dark, this ghosts & ghouls walking tour is a great way to get underneath the city’s long and varied history.
Where to Stay in Sacramento
Staying in Sacramento’s Old Town is always a good idea. Our favorite spot is Delta King, a converted paddle steamer which plied its trade along the river for decades. For a more budget-friendly option, the Vagabond Inn is a great value, centrally located base.
Day 8 – Redding
The 161-mile drive from Sacramento to Redding takes you through the Cascade foothills. If you’re driving, there are endless photo opportunities on the trip north. By public transport, there are three daily buses and one train service. The Coast Starlight leaves Sacramento late in the evening and reaches Redding in the early hours.
Sitting astride the Sacramento River, Redding came to being during the California gold rush. Named in honor of Benjamin Redding, the politician who enabled the building of a railroad to the town, it was temporarily named Reading after Pierson Reading who initially owned the land later bought by Redding.
During the Redding stop on your 2 week West Coast USA itinerary, ensure you find time to check out Sundial Bridge and take the hike out to Lake Shasta and its famous caves. Taking a ride on an electric railbike is a great way to explore the beautiful redwood forest which surrounds the town.
Where to Stay in Redding
One of the smaller stops on our 2 week West Coast USA itinerary, wherever you pick to stay in Redding, you won’t be far from the center. We love Thunderbird Lodge and the Americana Modern. The Sheraton at Sundial Bridge is perfect if you want somewhere a little more luxurious.
Day 9 – The Cascades & Klamath Falls
Crossing the border to Oregon, the journey from Redding to Klamath Falls is only 140 miles, taking two and a half hours to drive non-stop. The problem is, it’s impossible to do this drive in one hit. The need to stop for photos is overwhelming. If you’re on public transport, the Coast Starlight travels between the two towns through the night and there’s one daily bus with a change required in Medford, Oregon.
Klamath Falls is one of our Oregon highlights. Home to Crater Lake, the U.S.’s deepest lake and Train Mountain, it’s longest miniature railroad, there’s plenty to see and do here. If you aren’t a fan of the great outdoors, head to Klamath County Museum or the Favell Museum which is dedicated to Native American history.
Where to Stay in Klamath Falls
Our top pick in Klamath Falls, the Cerulean Hotel is perfectly located for a stopover on your 2 week West Coast USA itinerary. A little cheaper, Maverick Hotel offers the perfect balance between value and comfort.
Day 10 – Eugene
The track and field running capital of the U.S., Eugene is almost as hip as Oregon’s capital, Portland. In fact, a night in Eugene is the perfect way to prepare yourself for the next stop on our 2 week West Coast USA itinerary.
Don’t miss a visit to the Museum of Natural and Cultural History and the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. Round off day 10 of your 2 week West Coast USA itinerary with a wander through Alton Baker Parks on the banks of the Willamette River before unwinding in one of the city’s dozens of wine bars. Many showcase the finest Oregonian wine from local vineyards.
Where to Stay in Eugene
Whilst many of the best value hotels are located close to the University of Oregon, we recommend choosing one in Downtown to reduce your travel time. Inn at the 5th is our top pick. The Local Motel & Shops is a great budget option a short walk the center.
Days 11 & 12 – Portland
Oregon’s uber-hip capital is like no where else on earth. From Eugene, it’s served by several daily Amtrak trains. The Cascades and Coast Starlight connect the cities in just over two-and-a-half hours. Flixbus also run between Eugene and Portland, taking just over three hours.
Portland is one of those places that can be all things to all people. Home to a wonderful alternative culture, it’s brimming with history. On your 2 week West Coast USA itinerary, you’ll need to pick your sights carefully. We suggest ticking off a few of our Portland highlights.
Pittock Mansion is a must. Built in 1914, it’s just outside Downtown but feels a million miles removed. The Oregon Historical Society is a great place to learn about local history. If you have a little time left over, check out Powell’s City of Books and lunch in Food Truck Park. For dinner, it has to be Huber’s, a Portland staple since 1879. After dark, join a tour of the secret Shanghai tunnels with an included beer tasting.
Where to Stay in Portland
With such a short time in Portland, you’ll want to choose a centrally located hotel. The Old Town and Pioneer Courthouse Square are our favorite areas. In the Old Town, we recommend The Society Hotel and The Hoxton. For Pioneer Courthouse Square, check out The Paramount or the Dossier Hotel.
Day 13 – The Oregon Coast
Oregon’s stunning coastline is perfect as a day trip from Portland. Cannon Beach is our number one destination. Just ninety minutes from the capital, it’s possible to join a group day tour if you’re not driving.
Don’t miss the chance to take in the views of Haystack Rock. At 235-feet tall, this sea stack was formed 16-million years ago. Ecola State Park, at the northern end of Cannon Beach is the true gem. Go to Indian Beach at the far end of the park for the best solitude.
Day 14 – Seattle
The last leg of our 2 week West Coast USA itinerary is an easy one. Flixbus and Greyhound have four daily services between Portland and Seattle, taking just under 4 hours. Amtrak offer seven departures, with a journey time of three-and-a-half hours.
There’s no denying that we adore Seattle. Whether you have one day or three, Seattle has something for everyone. To be honest, whilst one day in Seattle is always going to be amazing, if you can tag an extra day on to your 2 week West Coast USA itinerary, you won’t regret it.
Don’t miss exploring Pike Place Market, taking a ride on the monorail from Westlake to Seattle Center and taking in the view from atop the Space Needle. If you’re able to tag on an extra day, a day trip to Boeing’s airplane factory at Everett Field is a must.
Where to Stay in Seattle
For ease of access on this 2 week West Coast USA itinerary, we suggest picking a hotel in Downtown Seattle or South Lake Union, close to enigmatic Fremont. In Downtown, our top picks are The Arctic Club and the Inn at the Market. For South Lake Union, we recommend the Astra Hotel and Denny Park Hotel.
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