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West Coast Loop travel photo

Photo: WolfmanSF (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)

Sierra to Cascadesfrom 1 saved reel

West Coast Loop

A grand West Coast road trip route running from the Sierra Nevada up through the Cascades, covering national parks, volcanic peaks, alpine lakes, waterfalls, and coastline across California, Oregon, and Washington.

Sights & activities

  • Yosemite National Park: Starting point of the road trip, famous for granite cliffs and waterfalls. reel
  • Lake Tahoe: Alpine lake along the route through California. reel
  • Lassen Volcanic National Park: Volcanic landscape in northern California. reel
  • Burney Falls: Featured as Stop 2; scenic drive-to waterfall location. reel
  • Mount Shasta: Iconic volcanic peak in northern California. reel
  • Klamath Falls Area: Region in Oregon along the route. reel
  • Crater Lake: Featured as Stop 3; stunning caldera lake in Oregon with deep blue water. reel
  • Bend Area: Central Oregon hub region. reel
  • Cannon Beach/OR Coast: Oregon coastal area with scenic beaches. reel
  • Trillium Lake/Mt. Hood: Scenic alpine lake and mountain area in Oregon. reel
  • Hood River: Town in northern Oregon. reel
  • Multnomah Falls/Portland: Famous waterfall near Portland, Oregon. reel
  • Mount Rainier: Major peak and national park in Washington. reel
  • Alpine Lakes Wilderness: Wilderness area in Washington with hiking trails. reel
  • North Cascades: Featured as Stop 5; mountain range in Washington with glaciers and alpine lakes. reel
  • Mt. Baker: Volcanic peak in Washington Cascades. reel
  • Redwood National Park: Optional addition in Northern California, mentioned as worth visiting. reel
  • Olympic National Park: Optional addition in Washington, mentioned between Rainier and North Cascades. reel

Practical tips

  • Best time to visit: mid-August through early September (August 17 – September 4 recommended). reel
  • Total driving time is 20+ hours; plan for 3 weeks minimum, preferably a full month for the complete itinerary. reel
  • The route follows the Sierra Nevada north into the Cascades, giving access to both inland parks and the Pacific coast. reel
  • Excellent for hiking, with multiple trails and campgrounds along the way. reel
  • The itinerary mixes famous national parks with hidden gems outside the major parks. reel
  • Expect beautiful scenic drives throughout the entire route. reel
  • Can extend the trip to include Redwood National Park (Northern CA) and Olympic National Park (WA). reel
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