USA West Coast 2020

We didn't have a strict plan. Just a rough route, a car and a craving for adventure. It turned out to be one of the best trips I've ever had.

It wasn't just about the places. It was about the freedom, the late-night talks, the wrong turns, the random stops, and the feeling that anything was possible. Here's how it all went down.

1. 1

   Los Angeles Aug 10 – 14

   We landed in LA in the afternoon, jet-lag's unwelcome — I chose. We explored Venice Beach, grabbed the best tacos from SUPER Mexicana. A great start.
2. 2

   Santa Barbara Aug 15 – 16

   A quick stop but super charming. Beaches, palm trees and good coffee. We visited hikes and rode along the coast. Perfect reset.
3. 3

   Big Sur Aug 17 – 19

   The highlight of the trip. The road is unreal. We stopped every 10 minutes. Waterfalls, cliffs, views — I don't have the words. Just go.
4. 4

   Monterey Aug 20 – 22

   Cute coastal town with a cafe vibe. We saw sea otters, ate raw too much seafood and walked a lot. Nothing crazy but it was perfect.
5. 5

   San Francisco Aug 23 – 27

   Cold mornings, great coffee, amazing views and even better company. Golden Gate never gets old. We rode across it — don't ask how — biked up the hills and had a big dinner in North Beach.
6. 6

   Yosemite NP Aug 28 – Sep 02

   One day in Yosemite to finish the roadtrip with nature at its best. El Capitan is massive. Photos don't do it justice. Would go back just for this.
7. 7

   Lake Tahoe Sep 03

   Alpine lake, clearest water I've seen stateside. Paddleboarded at sunrise, ate too many tacos.
8. 8

   Napa Valley Sep 04

   Vineyards, tastings, and a picnic by a row of oaks. Slowest day of the whole trip — on purpose.
9. 9

   Mendocino Sep 05

   Wind-swept cliffs and a B&B with a dog named Pepper. The fog rolled in at 4pm like clockwork.
10. 10

    Redwood NP Sep 06

    Walking through those trees does something to your sense of scale. Silent, cathedral-like.
11. 11

    Crescent City Sep 07

    Short overnight. Lighthouse at low tide, clam chowder, early to bed.
12. 12

    Crater Lake Sep 08

    Technically Oregon — we cheated. The blue is unreal, photos flatten it completely.
13. 13

    Portland Sep 09 – 10

    Two days of food carts, bookstores and long walks. Powell's took a whole afternoon.
14. 14

    Mt. Hood Sep 11

    Drove up to Timberline. Cold wind, warm coffee, no summit attempt this time.
15. 15

    Seattle Sep 12 – 13

    Pike Place, the Sound, a great ramen place I can't remember the name of. Rain was polite.
16. 16

    Olympic NP Sep 14

    Rainforest one hour, rocky beach the next. The most ecosystems I've crossed in a single day.
17. 17

    Cannon Beach Sep 15

    Haystack Rock at golden hour. Everyone stopped talking for a solid five minutes.
18. 18

    Bend Sep 16

    Breweries, lava fields, and a hammock afternoon. Desert Oregon was a surprise.
19. 19

    Reno Sep 17

    Pit stop. Great diner, terrible slot machine run. Slept eight hours.
20. 20

    Death Valley Sep 18

    Hottest place I've ever been. Badwater Basin at sunrise. Then we ran to air conditioning.
21. 21

    Joshua Tree Sep 19

    Slept under the stars. Rocks that look like Moomins. Forgot what time was for a night.
22. 22

    Palm Springs Sep 20

    Pool day, absolutely earned. Mid-century architecture tour by bike, sunset cocktails.
23. 23

    San Diego Sep 21 – 22

    Balboa Park, fish tacos, La Jolla tide pools. The sun has a different setting here.
24. 24

    Channel Islands Sep 23

    Day trip by ferry. Dolphins the whole way out, sea caves the whole way back.
25. 25

    Malibu Sep 24

    Last-day beach cruise up PCH. Everyone got quiet — nobody wanted it to end.
26. 26

    Back to LA Sep 25

    Returned the car with 8,400 new miles on it. Airport hug, flight home, already missing it.