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 for photo breaks whenever you want and craft the perfect itinerary tailored to you. Whether you hire a car, a campervan or a motorcycle, these 16 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
- In the exciting West (14 nights)
- Natural beauty of the west coast
- California Beaches and the Lights of Las Vegas
- USA Road Trip: Cruisin' from the Strip to the Shore (from San Francisco to San Diego)
- Road Trip California: Golden Gate Meets Hollywood Hills
- California Road Trip West Coast Wonders & Golden Cities
- California Bucketlist: Beach Lovers & Road Trip Summers (11 destinations)
- Road Trip California: Golden Gate Meets Hollywood Hills
- USA Road Trip: Cruisin' from the Strip to the Shore (7 destinations)
- Washington Road Trip: Seattle Sights & Olympic Mountains
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, Oakland, Yosemite National Park, Mammoth Lakes, Death Valley National Park, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon National Park, Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Joshua Tree National ParkSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Operator DERTOUR From
- US$1,373
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$1,474
Duration 13 days Destinations San Francisco, Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Big Sur, San Simeon, Pismo Beach, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, Los AngelesSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Worldee From
- US$1,842+$2,572 upfront costs
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, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Venice, Malibu, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon National Park, 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, Carmel, Solvang, Santa Barbara, Malibu, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Operator journaway DACH 
No departure dates availableDuration 14 days Destinations Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park, Mojave Desert, Sequoia National Park, Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, Big Sur, Carmel, Morro BaySee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Operator journaway DACH 
No departure dates availableDuration 15 days Destinations San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Carmel, Solvang, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Malibu, OceansideSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Operator journaway DACH 
No departure dates availableDuration 12 days Destinations San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Big Sur, Carmel, Solvang, Santa Barbara, Malibu, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Operator journaway DACH 
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, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Malibu, San Diego Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Operator journaway DACH 
No departure dates availableDuration 11 days Destinations Seattle, Mount Rainier National Park, Cannon Beach, Forks, Olympic National Park 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."