3-Day West Coast USA Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-day West Coast USA itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaWest Coast USA travel expert at TourRadar

• LGBTQIA+ Yosemite Escape Camping Tour

  Natural wonders unfold during this 3-day West Coast adventure covering San Francisco and Yosemite National Park. Take in Tunnel View's 4,500-foot vista, visit the Ansel Adams Gallery, and watch climbers at El Capitan. Package includes 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and camping/hotel options with professional guide.

  

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  • San Francisco USA

    160 mi

  • Yosemite National Park USA

    160 mi

  • San Francisco USA

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• 3 Days in California, incl. San Francisco and Yosemite

  A scenic 3-day West Coast route covers 5 major cities across 1,200 miles. The path leads from Los Angeles through Santa Barbara's Spanish Mission, along 17-Mile Drive to San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf, reaching Yosemite's El Capitan and Bridal-Veil Falls. Hotel stays and professional guided tours included.

  

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  • Day 1

    Los Angeles to San Francisco Coast

    Leave LA before 8 AM to avoid heavy traffic. Drive 2 hours north to Santa Barbara and visit State Street Promenade downtown. The streets are car-free and feature beautiful Spanish Colonial buildings. Visit Santa Barbara Mission in the morning when the lighting makes the pink-and-cream facade look its best. Head to Solvang after lunch to experience California's Danish village. Park near Mission Drive to easily reach the best bakeries. Stop for authentic aebleskiver (Danish pancake balls) at one of the local shops. Drive Route 1 or 17-Mile Drive to San Francisco, stopping at scenic coastal spots along the way. If you're visiting in summer you can explore Carmel-by-the-Sea's downtown area. The streets don't have numbers and parking is easy to find after 4 PM.

    
  • Day 2

    San Francisco

    Start your day at Fisherman's Wharf around 9 AM before it gets busy. Take a bay cruise to see the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Sit on the right side of the boat when leaving the pier for the best photo opportunities. For lunch at Pier 39 skip the tourist spots and walk to the back of the pier where you'll find better seafood at better prices. Take an afternoon city tour to see Union Square and Chinatown. If you want great photos of the city lights from the Bay Bridge plan to be there around sunset. Summer visitors stay overnight in Modesto while winter travelers stay in Monterey.

    
  • Day 3

    (Summer) Yosemite National Park / (Winter) Monterey and Hearst Castle

    Summer option: Drive about 3 hours from Modesto to Yosemite. Use the western entrance for your first impressive view of El Capitan. Take the easy 1-mile round trip walk from the Visitor Center to Lower Yosemite Falls. The path is paved but wear good shoes since the waterfall spray can make it slippery. Winter option: Start early at Monterey's Cannery Row before crowds arrive. Drive 3 hours to Hearst Castle. First-time visitors should take the Ground Floor Tour for the best introduction to the mansion. The final drive to LA takes about 4 hours so you'll arrive in the evening.

    

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• 3 Days in Olympic Peninsula, incl. Hurricane Ridge and Hoh Rainforest

  The Olympic Peninsula unfolds over 3 days: Hurricane Ridge's alpine zone, Shi Shi Beach's dramatic coastline, and Hoh Rainforest's ancient trees. Lodging at historic Lake Crescent Lodge while covering 3-8 miles daily on moderate trails.

  

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  • Day 1

    Olympia to Hurricane Ridge

    Leave Olympia before 7 AM to avoid Seattle traffic and get the best morning light on Puget Sound. The drive north along Hood Canal takes about 3 hours. At Hurricane Ridge (5,500 feet elevation), pack layers since morning temperatures can be 20°F cooler than sea level. The ridge trail runs 3-5 miles with 600-1000 foot elevation changes. Bring trekking poles for better stability. On clear days, you can see Vancouver Island, but fog often rolls in after noon. Spend the evening at Lake Crescent Lodge. If you can, book a lake-facing room for beautiful sunrise views over the water. The lodge offers some nice short nature walks along the waterfront.

    
  • Day 2

    Shi Shi Beach & Makah Territory

    Drive 1.5 hours to the Makah Reservation trailhead. The trail to Shi Shi Beach is a 2-mile forest descent. Wear shoes with good grip as the trail stays muddy throughout the year. Look up tide tables before you go - low tide is best for exploring tidepools near Point of Arches. One visitor shared: "The geological formations and sea stacks at Shi Shi are incredible, but bring water shoes for crossing the small streams that cross the beach." If the weather turns, spend your afternoon at the Makah Museum learning about local culture. Total hiking for the day: 4-8 miles, mostly flat terrain.

    
  • Day 3

    Hoh Rainforest to Olympia

    Bring rain gear no matter what the forecast says. The Hoh gets 140 inches of rain each year. Drive 1.5 hours from Lake Crescent to reach the visitor center early and get a good parking spot. Start with the Hall of Mosses loop (0.8 miles) for classic rainforest views. Walk further up the Hoh River Trail to find more peace and quiet, plus better chances to spot wildlife like Roosevelt elk in the meadows. The drive back to Olympia takes about 3.5 hours along Highway 101's coastal route. Plan to arrive late afternoon since you'll want to stop for photos. You might want to break up the trip with a rest stop at Ruby Beach or Kalaloch Lodge.

    

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