10-Day West Coast USA Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 10-day West Coast USA tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaWest Coast USA travel expert at TourRadar

• 10 Day California Itinerary, incl. San Francisco and Los Angeles

  California's treasures stretch across 11 cities over 10 days from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Yosemite's Cathedral Spires, 17-Mile Drive's Lone Cypress, and San Simeon's Hearst Castle highlight the route. Upscale hotels, including San Francisco Marriott Marquis, host guests between daily breakfast and three included dinners.

  

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  • Days 1-3

    San Francisco

    Take your first three days to explore SF. Start with a morning trolley tour of the Golden Gate Bridge and Presidio when crowds are light. "Get to Japanese Tea Garden right at 9am opening - it's wonderfully peaceful before tour groups arrive and the morning fog adds mystique." Spend your afternoon browsing Union Square shops before dinner in North Beach.

    
  • Day 3

    Sonoma wine country

    For day 3, take a trip to Sonoma wine country across the Golden Gate Bridge. Book morning tastings to avoid afternoon heat and traffic. Stop in Sausalito on your return. The waterfront gets busy at lunch, so plan for a late 2pm meal instead.

    
  • Day 4

    Yosemite National Park

    Drive 4 hours east to Yosemite. Start with the Valley Floor tram tour to get oriented, then tackle the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls if you like moderate hiking. A guest tip: "The lodge rooms are basic but location can't be beat - request an upstairs room facing the forest for best views of Half Dome at sunset."

    
  • Days 5-6

    Monterey & Carmel

    Travel to the coast through Mariposa Grove to see giant sequoias. Stay in Monterey for two nights to explore Cannery Row and the aquarium. Take the 17-Mile Drive to Carmel. Plan about 3 hours for the scenic route with photo stops. Visit Cannery Row at 8am to spot playful otters before the crowds show up.

    
  • Day 7

    Big Sur to Solvang

    Drive the stunning Highway 1 through Big Sur. Allow 6-7 hours for stops at viewpoints. The road often has morning fog, so start your drive south around 10am when it usually clears. Stop at Hearst Castle for a tour before reaching the Danish town of Solvang.

    
  • Days 8-10

    Santa Barbara & Los Angeles

    Start with Solvang's bakeries (try the aebleskiver pancakes), then drive 45 minutes to Santa Barbara's mission. Your final two LA days offer choices between the Getty Center's art collections or Santa Monica's beaches. One visitor suggests: "Skip Hollywood Boulevard crowds and head to Griffith Observatory instead for the best city views."

    

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• 9 Day Pacific Coast USA Itinerary, incl. San Francisco and Seattle

  The Pacific Northwest unfolds over 800+ miles from Bay Area to Seattle, showcasing Redwood National Park's ancient trees and Crater Lake's pristine waters. Portland's urban charm, Willamette Valley's wineries, and Olympic National Park's diverse landscapes complete this nine-day route.

  

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  • Day 1

    San Francisco

    Get a Muni pass ($13/day) for easy access to cable cars and buses throughout the city. Visit Haight Street in the morning for vintage shopping before the crowds arrive. Book your Alcatraz tour for early afternoon when the morning fog typically clears for better photos.

    
  • Days 2-3

    Redwood Coast

    Drive 6 hours north to Crescent City on the Pacific Coast Highway. Visit Avenue of the Giants before 10 AM to avoid tour buses. Take the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail in Redwood National Park, an easy 1.3-mile loop where you might spot Roosevelt elk. The coast runs about 20°F cooler than inland areas, so pack accordingly.

    
  • Day 4

    Crater Lake National Park

    The 4-hour drive leads you to Oregon's deepest lake. Take the 33-mile Rim Drive with its 30+ scenic stops. The East Rim offers the best morning light for photography. Pack extra warm clothes even in summer since snow can stick around until June at 7,000 feet. Bring snacks since Rim Village Café is your only food option.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Portland & Columbia River Gorge

    Stop in Willamette Valley wine country on your way to Portland. Visit Powell's Books and explore the city's food cart pods. Head 30 minutes east to see Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge before 9 AM. A recent visitor advised: "The spray from the falls can make the viewing bridge slippery - wear shoes with good grip and bring a rain jacket."

    
  • Days 7-8

    Olympic Peninsula & Seattle

    Drive 4 hours to Kalaloch Beach in Olympic National Park to see the "Tree of Life" growing on an eroded cliff. Pack waterproof gear for the Hoh Rain Forest, which gets 140 inches of rain yearly. In Seattle, visit Pike Place Market at 6 AM to watch vendors set up before the crowds arrive.

    
  • Day 9

    Seattle Departure

    Plan extra time for reaching Sea-Tac Airport since morning traffic on I-5 can add 30+ minutes. If you have a late flight, consider using downtown luggage storage instead of hotel storage, which often charges fees.

    

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• 9 Day California Itinerary, incl. Death Valley and Yosemite

  A grand Western loop connects 9 destinations over 9 days. Descend into Death Valley's Badwater Basin, stand beneath Sequoia's General Sherman Tree, gaze at Yosemite's Half Dome, and cross San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge before reaching Los Angeles via Highway 1.

  

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  • Day 1

    Las Vegas to Death Valley

    Leave Las Vegas before 8 AM for the 3-hour drive to Death Valley. Start at Badwater Basin (-282 feet) in the morning before temperatures hit 110°F. Pack at least 1 gallon of water per person. A recent visitor shared: "Death Valley was intense - definitely do Zabriskie Point first thing for the best photos and before the heat gets unbearable." Stay overnight in Bakersfield.

    
  • Days 2-3

    Sequoia National Park

    Drive 90 minutes to reach Sequoia. Begin at the Giant Forest Museum to get oriented then take the shuttle to avoid parking problems. Walk the 2-mile Congress Trail loop to see the best groves. Visit the General Sherman Tree in late afternoon when there are fewer people. A tip from a hiker: "Bring good walking shoes with grip - the paths around the sequoias get slippery from falling pine needles."

    
  • Days 4-5

    Yosemite National Park

    Take the 3.5-hour drive through Sierra Nevada to Yosemite. Stop at Tunnel View after entering through South Gate for your first look at the valley. Start early with the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls (you'll get wet) then explore the valley floor using the free shuttle. On day two you can either climb to Nevada Falls for a challenge or bike around the valley's flat paths.

    
  • Day 6

    San Francisco

    Start for San Francisco by 8 AM. The 6-hour drive through Oakland gives you great Bay Bridge views. Stay near Fisherman's Wharf for convenience. Take the Powell-Hyde cable car for the best route with Golden Gate Bridge views.

    
  • Day 7

    Monterey

    Drive 2 hours south to Monterey. Take the 17-Mile Drive (there's an entrance fee) for beautiful coastal views. Get to the Monterey Bay Aquarium at opening time (10 AM) to avoid crowds. As one visitor noted: "Book aquarium tickets online - lines get crazy by midday and it often sells out."

    
  • Days 8-9

    Santa Maria to Los Angeles

    Follow the coastal route south and stop in Santa Maria's wine country. Start the final 4-hour drive to LA early to beat traffic. Schedule your LAX flight after 2 PM to allow for delays.

    

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