West Coast USA Self Drive Tours & Road Trips
A self-drive tour throughout West Coast USA is the ultimate road trip. Travel off the beaten path, stop at photogenic hotspots and craft the perfect itinerary tailored to you. Whether you hire a car, a campervan or a motorcycle, these 11 tours are guaranteed to deliver a truly unique experience.
10 Self drive tours in West Coast USA
Compiled by
MelissaWest Coast USA travel expert at TourRadar
- USA Road Trip: Cruisin' from the Strip to the Shore (from San Francisco to San Diego)
- California Road Trip West Coast Wonders & Golden Cities
- California Beach & Sun
- In the exciting West (14 nights)
- Golden bridges & grandiose canyons
- Natural beauty of the west coast
- USA Road Trip: Cruisin' from the Strip to the Shore
- USA Road Trip: Cruisin' from the Strip to the Shore (7 destinations)
- Road Trip California: Golden Gate Meets Hollywood Hills
- Road Trip California: Golden Gate Meets Hollywood Hills
You'll drive California's Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge through Los Angeles to San Diego's La Jolla Cove, with stops at Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach. The route takes you through Las Vegas, where you can check out the Bellagio fountain show and Fremont Street's light displays along the iconic Strip. Fisherman's Wharf includes views of the historic Maritime National Historical Park ships and Alcatraz, then you'll head through Beverly Hills' Mulholland Drive to see the Hollywood Sign at Griffith Observatory.
No departure dates availableDuration 14 days Destinations San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon National Park, San Diego Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Operator journaway DACH 
No departure dates availableDuration 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 All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Operator journaway DACH 
Take the 17-Mile Drive for Pacific coast views, then head to Yosemite National Park to see 2,400-foot waterfalls and granite cliffs. Try Zinfandel tastings at Temecula Valley, stay 14 nights at Tenaya Lodge and Hyatt Regency Monterey, walk around Carmel Mission from 1770, and hike Joshua Tree's Sonoran Desert trails.
Duration 15 days Destinations San Francisco, Sacramento, Yosemite National Park, Monterey, Carmel, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Joshua Tree National Park, Palm Springs, San DiegoSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Operator MEIERS WELTREISEN From
- US$1,742
Take the Pacific Coast Highway through Santa Barbara wine country and stop at Solvang, a Danish village, before reaching Monterey's Cannery Row. You'll see Yosemite National Park's granite cliffs and waterfalls, then head to Death Valley's desert landscape sitting 300 feet below sea level.
Duration 15 days Destinations San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Mammoth Lakes, Death Valley National Park, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon National Park, Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Joshua Tree National Park, Los AngelesSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Operator DERTOUR From
- US$1,398
Take the Pacific Coast Highway through Carmel's English-style streets and stop at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, then head to the Spanish mission town of Santa Barbara. You'll see Death Valley's Badwater Basin at 280 feet below sea level and hike Bryce Canyon's amphitheater with 200-foot-tall hoodoos. Stay at Maswik Lodge inside Grand Canyon National Park.
Duration 13 days Destinations San Francisco, Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Page, Grand Canyon National ParkSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Operator DERTOUR From
- US$1,538
Take Highway 101 from Seattle to San Francisco and see some of the West Coast's best scenery. You'll pass through Olympic National Park's Hoh Rain Forest, check out the massive redwoods in Redwood National Park reaching over 380 feet tall, and stop at Cape Perpetua to see Thor's Well and Devil's Churn.
Duration 15 days Destinations Seattle, Port Angeles, Bainbridge Island, Olympia, Forks, Portland, Mount St. Helens, Seaside, Newport, Cannon BeachSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Operator DERTOUR From
- US$1,493
Your self-drive West Coast adventure includes a rental car with unlimited mileage covering 330 miles from Las Vegas through California's coastal highways to San Diego. Head from the neon-lit Strip past themed hotels like the Venetian and Luxor, cruise down to Malibu Beach and Venice Beach's famous halfpipes, then wind along palm-lined roads to Torrey Pines with endless Pacific views. One-way rental fee of approximately $250 applies when picking up in Las Vegas.
No departure dates availableDuration 9 days Destinations Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Journaway 
Drive along Highway 1 from Las Vegas to San Diego with unlimited mileage in your rental car, stopping at Santa Monica Pier's colorful Ferris wheel and Venice Beach's Ocean Front Walk. Head through Beverly Hills on Mulholland Drive, hike to the Griffith Observatory for Hollywood Sign views, and check out La Jolla Cove where sea lions bask on the rocks.
No departure dates availableDuration 10 days Destinations Las Vegas, Grand Canyon National Park, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, San Diego Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Operator journaway DACH 
Take Highway 1's best stretches from San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge to Los Angeles' Walk of Fame with unlimited mileage included. See Big Sur's waterfall dropping onto sandy beaches, stop at 80-meter-high Bixby Creek Bridge, and cruise Mulholland Drive through Beverly Hills. Your rental car covers days 5-10 with comprehensive insurance, taking you through Santa Cruz, Solvang's Danish architecture, and Malibu's celebrity coastline.
No departure dates availableDuration 15 days Destinations San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Solvang, Santa Barbara, Malibu, Los Angeles Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Operator journaway DACH 
No departure dates availableDuration 12 days Destinations San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Solvang, Santa Barbara, Malibu, Los Angeles Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Operator journaway DACH
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."