My Favorite Region for Scenery, Road Trips & Wild Variety
After visiting 60+ countries and road tripping all over the U.S., I keep coming back to the West Coast. It’s my absolute favorite region in the country for jaw-dropping landscapes, offbeat towns, and wildly diverse adventures.
I travel out here multiple times a year, exploring everything from redwood forests and desert canyons to coastal cliffs and volcanoes. This section is filled with firsthand guides to my favorite places across California, Oregon, Washington, and even a few border-hugging gems in British Columbia.
If you’re looking for the usual top 10 lists, this isn’t it. These are personal picks, hidden gems, and unique stays I’ve uncovered over years of road trips, slow travel, and local connections.
What You’ll Find in This Category…
🚗 Scenic Road Trips
I’ve mapped out the most epic drives on the West Coast…complete with stops you won’t find in your average guide:
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Pacific Coast Highway (with actual good detours)
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Northern California redwoods to Crater Lake loop
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Southern Oregon coast to Olympic National Park
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Desert-meets-ocean routes in Baja California and SoCal backroads
🏞️ Nature + National Parks
From Yosemite and Olympic to Mount Rainier, Crater Lake, and lesser-known stunners like Lassen Volcanic, I share real hiking recs, hidden viewpoints, and how to beat the crowds. I’ve personally visited and explored these spots…so you’re getting tips that come from the trail, not just the top of Google.
🏕️ Unique Places to Stay
I’ve stayed in A-frames tucked in the woods, cliffside cabins with hot tubs, glamping tents in Big Sur, and modern Airbnbs on islands off the coast of Washington. These aren’t just places to sleep…they’re part of the trip itself.
🌆 Cities, Coastal Towns & Culture
Yes, I cover the big hitters like San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, and San Diego, but I also spotlight:
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Underrated towns like Bellingham, Cambria, and Ashland
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Beach towns that actually have character
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Local food, surf spots, bookstores, and saunas you’ll never see on generic travel blogs
