Pack up your hiking shoes and lots of layers. This quintessential Pacific Northwest (PNW) quest has endless views and dreamy vibes.
Your perfect PNW
adventure starts in
the sea of Fir trees
and mountain mist
that lines Highway 20,
the North Cascades Scenic Highway.
Head south, keeping an eye out
for glimpses of Glacier Peak in your
windshield. Make your way past the outskirts of Seattle and take the 410 to the east side of Mt. Rainier, where you can see the peak from a new perspective at the Goat Rocks Observation site. Go in the evening to watch the sun sink behind the summit.
Your last mountainous stop will be the Silver Star Scenic Area. With rolling wildflowers and views of five peaks, this remote spot feels worlds away from Portland despite being just a 90-minute drive. To complete the PNW experience, cross your fingers and hope for a light rain as you drive the last leg to Portland.
Grab your flip flops and some serious sunscreen. This coastal adventure brings you the best beaches that California has to offer.
Your Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) highlight reel begins just outside of Los Angeles, in world- famous Malibu.
Head west on the PCH until you reach Nicholas Canyon Beach. This secluded shore offers the full Malibu experience with fewer crowds.
After watching surfers catch waves in the crisp water, continue a few hours up the PCH to Morro Rock, where a massive volcanic rock formation towers over 500 feet above the stunning Pacific water. The area also offers extensive wildlife sightings and the most unique sunset views in the state.
Next, make your way 60 miles northwest, toward the magic of Big Sur State Park. Here, you can explore the hidden gem of Jade Cove. Wear sturdy shoes so you can hike down to the rocky, peaceful beach. Next, continue north through San Francisco.
By now, the sunny California atmosphere has likely transformed into an enchanting mist. Your last stop is Point Reyes National Seashore, a nature lover’s dream that offers whale watching, hiking, and pristine shelling.
It’s time to swap crowds for cacti. Stock up on supplies and get ready to explore some of the most remote parts of California and beyond.
Your western wilderness journey begins in Death Valley, CA, at the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.
Here, you can catch a
different kind of wave –
this sprawling sea of sand
is one of the few places in the park
that sand boarding is permitted.
Next, take Route 190 towards your next stop: an authentic Golden State ghost town. Established as a mining town in the late 1800s, Darwin is now home to fewer than 50 people. A drive through it gives you a glimpse into a distant part of California history.
Next, hit Sheephole Valley Wilderness. This dreamy desert offers stunning sunrises, endless sand, and plenty of solitude.
Say goodbye to California as you head east for your last stop, Kofa National Wildlife Refuge in Arizona. This remote spot is a protected area for Big Horn Sheep and is home to dozens of other exotic plants and animals. Here, you’re more likely to encounter towering saguro cacti than other visitors.
