Imagine this: You’re driving through giant redwood forests so tall they block out the sun. Then you round a corner and see the Pacific Ocean stretching endlessly ahead. This is the magic of a West Coast road trip from LA to Seattle.
I’ve driven this route four times over the past six years. This complete guide shares practical wisdom from actual road trips, including mistakes I made, so you won’t repeat them. Your perfect West Coast experience starts here.
Pre-Trip Planning and Preparation
Your van becomes home for weeks, so stock up on water, food, and gear before leaving LA, then use the Campendium app for free campsites while avoiding traffic via I-5 north.
Vehicle and Equipment Setup
Your van is your home for the next week or more. I learned this lesson when my first rental had no water storage, and I got stuck buying expensive bottles at gas stations.
Pick up your camper van from Escape CamperVans’s LA Rental Site. Stock up on drinking water, non-perishable food, camping gear, and safety equipment before leaving LA.
Download the Campendium app for finding free campsites. Skip LA traffic completely by heading north on I-5 to Santa Clarita first.
Best Time to Travel
Timing makes or breaks your West Coast road trip. I’ve done this in both summer and winter. The difference is huge. Summer means crowds in July and August. Spring and fall offer better weather and fewer people.
Winter changes everything from November to March when mountain passes close and Yosemite becomes inaccessible. Tours switch to Monterey instead. Check road conditions before you go using the California Department of Transportation website.
Southern California Starting Points and Attractions
Start at the LA Farmers Market, visit Santa Barbara’s Spanish mission, experience Danish-style Solvang, drive the scenic 17 Mile Drive, and find movie-perfect Carmel, where Clint Eastwood was once mayor.
Los Angeles Area Departure
Guided tours start at Starbucks in the Los Angeles Farmers Market. Your first taste of California charm comes in Santa Barbara’s old Spanish mission.
Solvang feels like Denmark dropped into California wine country. The famous 17 Mile Drive starts your coastal experience with stunning views.
Carmel is Clint Eastwood’s hometown, where the actor was mayor once. The town has that movie-set perfect feel with charming shops and galleries.
First Major Destination: Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
These trees will humble you. Standing next to a 2,000-year-old giant sequoia changes your perspective on everything.
Free camping is everywhere in the Sequoia National Forest region. Use Campendium to find spots that don’t cost thirty dollars per night.
The drive from LA is simple via I-5 north with no tricky mountain roads or confusing turns. Perfect for getting comfortable with your van before tackling more challenging routes.
Central California Scenic Highlights
Wake early at Tunnel View for sunrise over iconic landmarks like 730-meter Yosemite Falls and 914-meter El Capitan, with Monterey as a winter backup when snow closes the park.
Yosemite National Park Experience
Get to Tunnel View early for sunrise over Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, and Half Dome from your van bed.
Yosemite Falls towers 730 meters above the valley floor. El Capitan is a climbing mecca with its 914-meter granite wall drawing climbers worldwide.
Bridalveil Fall is easier to reach than Yosemite Falls. Winter backup plan sends you to Monterey when snow closes Yosemite from November to March.
San Francisco Urban Exploration
The Golden Gate Bridge looks more massive and orange in person than in photos. Take the bay cruise from Fisherman’s Wharf for the prisoner’s perspective of Alcatraz Island.
Pier 39 has everything, including food, shops, and famous sea lions lounging on docks. The guided tours hit Union Square, Chinatown, and Nob Hill, where each neighborhood tells a different story of San Francisco’s rich cultural history and development over the decades.
Northern California Coastal Road Trip
Highway 1 north of San Francisco delivers magical coastal views with harbor seals, wildflower headlands, and Victorian Mendocino – best photographed in early morning or late afternoon light.
Highway 1 Coastal Drive
This is where the trip gets magical. Highway 1 north of San Francisco offers views that make you pull over every few minutes.
Harbor seals sun themselves on offshore rocks while wildflower seasons turn coastal headlands into natural gardens.
Mendocino stole my heart as this Victorian village perched on coastal bluffs feels like stepping back in time. Photography tip: Early morning and late afternoon offer the best lighting along this constantly changing coast.
Redwoods National and State Parks
Highway 1 becomes Highway 101 as you head north through a seamless transition into ancient forest territory.
Take the Avenue of the Giants detour running parallel to Highway 101 through a fully established redwood forest. You’ll feel tiny walking among these thousand-year-old giants.
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park shows where forest meets ocean. Fern Canyon creates otherworldly landscapes while Gold Bluffs Beach offers wild elk sightings during your 1.5-mile walk.
Practical Logistics and Accommodation
Prioritize free camping via the Campendium app, but book hotels early for summer travel at $80-150 nightly, with Las Vegas offering the cheapest deals despite casino walks.
Accommodation Options
Free camping should be your priority, using the Campendium app to find dozens of options along your route.
Hotel breaks are okay when you need showers or real beds, expecting to pay eighty to one hundred fifty dollars per night during peak season.
Book ahead for summer travel as popular spots like Oakland, Modesto, and Las Vegas fill up fast. Las Vegas offers the cheapest hotel deals if you’re willing to walk through casinos.
Route Timing and Distance Management
Don’t rush the scenic sections as Highway 1 and Avenue of the Giants deserve slow speeds and frequent stops.
Plan photo breaks into your daily schedule since the best shots often happen when you least expect them. The weather can change plans quickly, with mountain passes closing and coastal fog blocking views.
Build flexibility into your itinerary and gas up whenever you see stations in remote areas with fifty-plus-mile stretches between fuel stops.
Conclusion
Your West Coast road trip itinerary is now complete with everything from giant redwoods to coastal drives. From my four trips along this route, I’ve shared the timing, campsites, and scenic stops that make this experience unforgettable.
You have the practical details to avoid my mistakes and the insider knowledge to find those magical moments between LA and Seattle. Spring and fall timing, the Campendium app, and early morning starts at places like Tunnel View will transform your trip.
The open road is calling, and you’re ready to answer.
Share your West Coast memories in the comments below. Planning your first trip? I’d love to help with any specific questions about routes or timing.
Safe travels and incredible views ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should my West Coast road trip itinerary be?
Plan for 8 days minimum to see major highlights from LA to Seattle, or 2-3 weeks for a relaxed pace with extensive camping and hiking. Eight-day tours cover essentials like Yosemite, San Francisco, and coastal drives, while longer trips allow deeper exploration of national parks and small towns.
What’s the best route for a West Coast road trip itinerary?
Start in Los Angeles, head north through Sequoia, Yosemite, San Francisco, then take Highway 1 up the coast to the Redwoods. Continue to Oregon’s Crater Lake, Bend, and Cannon Beach, finishing in Washington’s Olympic and Mount Rainier National Parks before reaching Seattle.
When is the best time for a West Coast road trip itinerary?
Spring and fall offer ideal conditions with mild weather, fewer crowds, and perfect hiking temperatures. Avoid July-August peak season crowds. Winter requires route changes as mountain passes close from November to March, with Monterey substituting for inaccessible Yosemite National Park.
What should I pack for my West Coast road trip itinerary?
Essential items include drinking water, non-perishable food for 3+ days, camping gear, a first aid kit, and safety equipment. Download the Campendium app for free campsites. Rent a camper van from established companies like Escape Camper Vans for reliable, well-equipped vehicles.
How much does a West Coast road trip itinerary cost?
Budget $100-200 per day, including van rental, gas, food, and campsite fees. Free camping through the Campendium app saves money, while hotels cost $80-150 nightly. Gas stations are sparse in remote areas, so fuel up frequently. Winter modifications may affect costs and accessibility.
