Wandering the West Coast

When contemplating a trip to the West Coast of America, the following stereotypes might cross your mind:

1. Celebrities are spotted on a daily basis.
2. The majority of people are superficial, their religion being plastic surgery and pilates classes.
3. It's populated by liberal, vegan environmentalists.

Although due to media these stereotypes (and many more) are interwoven into the West Coast's persona, this post will demonstrate how you or I could peruse the West Coast without flashing a Gucci bag or being force-fed a paleo diet; on a student budget. This post will analyse how to best spend the month of August in the West Coast.

First to Consider: Flights.

Although on a budget you often don't have much choice in terms of stop-offs and journey durations, Aer Lingus have 11-hour direct flights to San Francisco, the first stop-off in the itinerary. This is the lowest cost, fastest airfare from Dublin, with four direct flights a week to-and-from. If you are sticking by this itinerary, we suggest booking Dublin to San Fran, then Vegas to Dublin, will set you back roughly €700 in August.

Almost There...

Rent a car. Public transport around the West Coast is virtually non-existent, taxis must be booked in advance and ride-sharing is expensive. Hiring a car from San Fran airport costs as low as $30 per day.

Finally...

West Coast Itinerary

1) San Francisco: 2 days.

Image sourced from timedotcom.com

San Fran is the perfect spot to begin a fun-fuelled trip along the West Coast. Known for its natural sights, good food and historic landmarks, it's the perfect recovery spot to adjust to the time difference and eradicate the jetlag after an 11-hour flight. With only two days to explore this city, follow this whirlwind jaunt of the classic highlights to capture its essence.

Accommodation in San Fran is affordable for more upmarket hotels, for example the Embassy Suites by the Hilton or the Half Moon Bay Lodge, starting at as low as $30pppn.

San Fran is renown for its relaxed and 'sleepy' quality, however, there are some attractions on the SF bucket list you'd be mad to miss:

1. Alcatraz Prison. Experience where the most high-profile criminals such as Al Capone paid for their crimes. Make sure to book this trip as soon as possible as it's often sold out months in advance!
2. Watch the sea lions over lunch at Fisherman's Wharf.
3. Cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge.
4. Picnic and prosecco in Golden Gate Park.
5. Capture the natural phenomenon of Muir Woods.

Next stop is a 3 hour drive to...

2) Lake Tahoe: 3 days.

Image sourced from hotelscombined.com

Nestled between the state lines of California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe boasts pristine lakeside beaches and a plethora of activities.

Because Lake Tahoe is a popular ski destination in the winter, affordable accommodation is plentiful as the weather warms in Summer. Catch brilliant deals such as the Tahoe Ridge Resort or Squaw Valley Lodge, costing as low as $45pppn.

1. Rent see-through kayaks
2. Take in the view at Emerald Bay
3. Take the Heavily Scenic Gondola; an 8-person glass gondola up a mountain. This journey provides breath-taking views of the lake and Sierra Nevada. At the top, enjoy zip-lines, a mountain coaster and rope courses.
4. Enjoy the famous rum bars by the lake.
5. Enjoy water activities, such as white water rafting and jet skiing.

Next, take a scenic 2-hour road-trip to...

3) Yosemite National Park: 3 days

Image sourced from nationalparkservice.com

With a multitude of picturesque waterfalls, gorgeous hiking trails, masses of wildlife, and stunning views, Yosemite National Park is what dreams are made of.

Yosemite also have ample affordable accommodation to cater for its large tourism base, such as the Heidelberg Inn and the Village Lodge, costing approximately $45pppn.

Things to see and do are plentiful, including:

1. Taft Point.
2. Sentinel Dome.
3. Glacier Point.
4. Tunnel View.
5. Hike the Mist Trail towards Vernal Falls.
6. Tenaya Lake.
7. Meander through trees 5 times as tall as the Statue of Liberty in Mariposa Grove.

We then take a 5 hour drive to...

4) Los Angeles: 4 days.

Image sourced from petapixel.com

Los Angeles is a trend-setting metropolis boasting 75 miles of sunny coastline.

As touristy as you'll feel, the best way to see LA is to get the Go Los Angeles Card. This card will already pay for itself if you avail of the multi-day card and plan on visiting a theme park, such as Universal Studios. Other attractions included in the card are the Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood, Six Flags and San Diego Zoo.

However, accommodation in LA can certainly set you back if you aren't savvy about price-searching. The more people the costs are spread over, the smaller the cost to you, so this is why it's good to go in groups of 4 or more! Some central, cheap and pleasant accommodation include the Venice Breeze Suites and the Best Western Hollywood Hills Hotel.

Attractions are plentiful in this bustling city so drink a coffee or two and prepare for a jam-packed few days:

1. The Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory. A Hollywood hills tour is included in the Go LA card.
2. The Hollywood Walk of Fame.
3. Grauman's Chinese Theatre, the site where countless well renown movies held its global premiere, including Star Wars in 1977. The theatre is also known for housing over 200 handprints and footprints of famous Hollywood celebrities. A tour of the theatre is available using the Go LA card.
4. Hollywood Museum. Also available on the Go LA card.
5. Rodeo Drive, LA's most luxurious street for window-shopping.
6. Santa Monica Pier, the location of Baywatch.
7. Venice Beach Boardwalk.
8. Universal Studios/ Six Flags/ Disney Land.

We then venture 2 hours away to...

5) San Diego: 3 days.

Image sourced from amazing-places.com

San Diego is a famously laid back city in the West Coast, known for its surfing, golden beaches, perfect weather and easy-going vibes. It’s the US’s 8th largest city, but feels more like a series of towns, all with their own unique character.

Accommodation is very affordable in this large city. Stay in great hotels such as the Porto Vista or the Best Western Yacht Harbour Hotel for only $40pppn.

Activities:

1. San Diego Zoo: on Go LA card.
2. Sea World
3. Balboa Park
4. Gaslamp quarter, north park: nightlife.
5. Take a day trip to Tijuana, Mexico.

Our next and final destination is 4 hours 30 minutes away...

Las Vegas: 5 days.

Image sourced from huffpost.com

Las Vegas's strip alone boasts hundreds of restaurants, shows, and attractions than can be visited, so yes, when you come to Las Vegas, you certainly won’t be lacking in things to do. But the sheer enormity of the city could leave even the most intrepid traveller feeling overwhelmed.

Staying in Las Vegas mid-week is ideal, as it's far more affordable. Book one of the well-known but less costly choices such as Excalibur or Luxor for around $50pppn, or splash out a bit and stay at the world renown Venetian for $100pppn.

1. Casino hopping, such as the Venetian, the Bellagio, and Caesar's Palace.
2. Have a drink and skydive at the top of the Stratosphere Casino.
3. Head off to the Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage.
4. Watch a show such as KA, O and Mystere, productions from Cirque du Soleil.
5. Take a break from the nightlife and drive out to Red Rock Canyon.
6. Hoover Dam.
7. Grand Canyon.
8. Zipline through Freemont Street.
9. Watch the dancing fountains at the Bellagio.
10. Visit New York New York, a mini Manhattan.

And so concludes a jam-packed month of travelling the West Coast! I hope you found this itinerary useful and I've helped with the holiday planning. Please share this post and keep up to date with this blog for more content on other travel itineraries to pursue!