West Coast vacations include a variety of exciting options, from exploring the great outdoors to wandering through some of the most exciting cities in the US. The entire length of sunny California presents dozens of opportunities for enjoying one of the most memorable vacations, but California is not the only state to offer wonderful experiences. Washington and Oregon both provide their own set of delights for travelers seeking the best West Coast vacation destination to visit.

Some of the best California destinations include the magnificent national parks, the coastal cities, and the various family-friendly destinations, all unique to the state. For travelers interested in adventure, Yosemite National Park and the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park are two of the most outstanding nature reserves in the state. A popular West Coast destination and one of the first national parks in the country, Yosemite offers great hiking trails, the chance to see Half Dome and El Capitan, and lush meadows. Sequoia and Kings Canyon are home to the largest trees in the world and plenty of outdoor adventures.

Also among the best California destinations are the various beaches and cities. If you’re looking for the best place to go on the West Coast to relax in the sand, check out Santa Monica, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Santa Barbara, or San Diego. The state is also terrific for family vacations, as it’s home to Disneyland and similar attractions, including the Sea Center at Santa Barbara, the San Diego Zoo, and SeaWorld. San Francisco also has a great zoo and its share of city attractions, including Pier 39, Alcatraz Island, and the cable cars. The City by the Bay is one of the iconic West Coast vacation destination options, and it’s well worth a visit if you have the chance.

Washington has a wide selection of things to do and see on the West Coast, including one of the country’s best-known cities. Seattle has terrific restaurants and attractions such as Pike Place Market, as well as access to hiking trails, national parks, and wine tasting. Playing the adventurer is easy with such exquisite national and state parks as Washington offers, including Mt Rainier National Park, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, and the illustrious Olympic National Park, located along the Pacific Ocean. If you’re looking for a West Coast destination that offers hiking, kayaking, and the chance to see rain forests, this might be the place for you. Visiting some of the other cities in Washington, such as Tacoma, Olympia, and Spokane, can prove to be quite an experience, as each has its own set of interesting encounters.

Nestled between California and Washington, Oregon is one of the best options for anyone seeking outdoor West Coast vacations. In addition to the delightful city of Portland, the Oregon Coast has lovely towns and amazing scenery. The attractions in that area include Cape Lookout, Shore Acres State Park, Prehistoric Gardens, and the Seaside Aquarium, and you’ll also find some of the best hiking in the country, between Mt Hood, the Columbia Valley, and the many state and national parks in the region.

From the warm coast of southern California to the cooler mountainous regions of northern Washington, West Coast vacations offer plenty of excitement, entertainment, and adventure. Whether you’re seeking the best California destinations for romantic getaways, a cheap vacation in Oregon, or a family vacation in Seattle, you’ll find plenty of things to satisfy you in this beautiful region of the US.