Our West Coast USA Road Trip
- savoryroads
- Aug 20
- 3 min read
18 Days of Highlights and Humor
A road trip through the American West had been high on our bucket list for years.
In 18 days, we drove from Los Angeles to some of the most breathtaking national parks, iconic cities, and hidden gems along the U.S. West Coast.
Here’s our route, highlights, and personal experiences – from Route 66 and the Grand Canyon to San Francisco and Yosemite National Park.
From Brussels to Los Angeles – The Start of Our Adventure
After an early flight from Brussels Airport and a layover in Washington D.C. (including a 4.5-hour delay), we finally landed in Los Angeles.
Our first stop? Santa Monica – the perfect place to shake off jet lag with a stroll by the famous pier.
Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Our First In-N-Out Burger
The first few days were dedicated to Hollywood must-sees: Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood Sign, and the Walk of Fame.
In Beverly Hills, we cruised down Rodeo Drive, playground of the rich. And of course, we had our first In-N-Out Burger – in our opinion, an absolute must on any West Coast road trip.
Warner Bros, Joshua Tree & Lake Havasu
We went behind the scenes at Warner Bros Studios in Burbank, wandered past sets from Gilmore Girls and Spider-Man, then drove to Joshua Tree National Park.
With temps soaring near 40°C (104°F), our stop was short but unforgettable. We continued to Lake Havasu, where a refreshing swim was just what we needed.
Route 66, the Grand Canyon & Monument Valley
Through Kingman and Seligman – two classic Route 66 towns – we made our way to the Grand Canyon, a jaw-dropping highlight of the trip.
From there, we headed to Monument Valley, exploring the iconic rock formations with a Navajo guide.This was hands down one of the most memorable experiences of our road trip.
Page, Bryce Canyon & Zion National Park
In Page, we visited the picture-perfect Horseshoe Bend and cooled off with a swim at The Chains, a local tip.
Next, we wandered among the orange hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park, and passed through Zion National Park (no hikes this time – way too busy) before arriving in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas – Neon, Heat & the Famous Sign
In Las Vegas, we stayed at Circus Circus, tried our luck in the casino (mini-jackpot of $5!), and snapped the classic photo at the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign.
The heat was intense, but the energy of Vegas made it unforgettable.
Sequoia & Yosemite National Park
We stood in awe before the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree on Earth, in Sequoia National Park.
In Yosemite, we took on a challenging 11 km (6.8 mile) hike to Nevada Falls – tough, but the views made every step worthwhile.
Later, Mirror Lake gave us a peaceful pause in the otherwise busy park.
San Francisco – From Alcatraz to the Golden Gate Bridge
After the drive north, we explored Alcatraz Island, crossed the Golden Gate Bridge, and zigzagged down Lombard Street.
A hop-on-hop-off bus took us stress-free to all the highlights: Chinatown, the Painted Ladies, Fisherman’s Wharf, and more.
Pacific Coast Highway & Pismo Beach
We planned to drive the full Pacific Coast Highway, but a road closure forced a detour. Still, we managed stops in Carmel-by-the-Sea (a dreamy coastal town) and the iconic Bixby Creek Bridge.
Our day ended in Pismo Beach.
Back to Los Angeles
Our final day was all about souvenir hunting: a Lakers jersey, a visit to the Stüssy store, one last stroll along the Walk of Fame, and a drive through Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive.
Short but sweet – the next morning, we headed home.
Tips for Your West Coast Road Trip
Start early in the national parks – lines can get long.
Buy the America the Beautiful Pass – it grants access to nearly all U.S. national parks.
Bring a cooler for long drives through the desert.
Leave room for spontaneous stops – sometimes the unexpected gems are the best ones.
In big cities like San Francisco and L.A.: park safely or opt for Uber/Lyft.
Our West Coast road trip was the perfect blend of nature, cities, and iconic drives like Route 66 and the Pacific Coast Highway.
From sunrises in Monument Valley to the energy of Las Vegas, this journey gave us memories for a lifetime.
Stay tuned – we’ll be sharing detailed guides to our favorite stops and practical tips soon here on Savory Roads.
– Savory Roads
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