The West Coast of America has become a symbol of freedom, opportunity and natural beauty over the last 100 years. There’s good reasons why it’s seen as one of the globe’s most desirable spots and it’s full of incredible sights and awesome activities. You could spend months exploring the states that line the country’s coastline but we’ve narrowed it down to 5 of our favourite places and experiences. Of course, you’ll want to see the Golden Gate Bridge and the Hollywood Sign but these choices are a bit different to some of these headline attractions.

Camping in Yosemite

A night in the remote splendour of one of the West Coast’s most famous national parks is a real treat. Whilst in Yosemite- you can hike, swim and ogle at the marvellous surroundings. We would advise checking out some of the beautiful waterfalls that punctuate the landscape as well as taking the time to appreciate the natural splendour. If photography is your thing (or posting pictures on Instagram) then this is a perfect destination filled with dreamy images.

The Park is home of one of the world’s largest waterfalls- the Yosemite Falls stands at a whopping 2,425 feet! Bizarrely, the Park made a bid for the Winter Olympics in the 1920s and built an ice rink, toboggan run and a ski jump. You can still try some winter sports nowadays. The bid was unsuccessful, by the way!

Stargazing at the Griffith Observatory

This place is a must for anyone with an interest in the solar system or indeed anyone with an interest in incredible, panoramic views. Before you even start thinking about the out of this world elements of the experience – you can enjoy some spectacular views from the site itself. You can gaze out across the ocean, Santa Monica Pier and downtown L.A. Truly incredible at any time of the day or night as you observe the city lights. The observatory is on the land that was donated by the philanthropist Griffith J Griffith who donated the 3,000 acres that the observatory sits in. There is a dark side to this generous man though and he spent two years in jail after shooting his wife. (not fatally)

Inside the observatory itself you can discover more about outer space and even touch a meteorite. There’s model telescopes, photographs and information about space exploration- an important part of the American journey to being a superpower. In the evenings – you can gaze out at the stars and on a clear night- you’ll be able to enjoy some pretty special views!

The Exploratorium

This is a museum like no other- it barely deserves to share the same name as some of the more stuffy and dull images that might come to mind. For the last 50 years- this place has served as a centre for those fascinated by science, technology and experiments. It’s been described as a “mad scientist’s penny arcade” and is full of hands-on, interactive ways to explore the world around us. There’s 600 participatory exhibits to enjoy. The centre also aims to produce more energy than it consumes and much of its efforts are focused around sustainability.

The museum was set up by Frank Oppenheimer. This eminent scientist had worked on the Manhattan Project before becoming a science teacher. He became committed to the idea of having museums serving the public interest and then toured Europe seeking inspiration. He convinced various others of the need for this and secured funding to set up a centre for students to be able to discover more about scientific endeavours. It was opened in 1969 and Oppenheimer served as its director until his death in 1985. Today, the place marks a fascinating place to spend some time and also enrich one’s knowledge and its future!

Surfing in Santa Cruz

This gem on the Pacific Coast is a surfers’ mecca and it plays host to some of the country’s best surfing. There’s 11 surf breaks in the area so you are spoilt for choice. On The Coyote Trip, we give you the chance to try your hand at the sport and master the basics. If that’s not for you- then watching the surfers try and tackle the waves is an impressive way to wile away some beach-side time. It is also home to some beautiful beaches and a chilled out, Californian culture. It’s hard not to feel relaxed when there’s a constant backdrop of ocean splendour to feast your eyes upon! You could also visit the nation’s oldest theme park which has been operating since 1915.

Craft Beers

As you’ll discover throughout travelling on our backpacking trips in America – there’s a whole range of delicious, local craft beers to enjoy. San Francisco certainly sees itself as a major player in this national trend. There’s a huge range to experience across a small area in the city with 30 member in the brewers guild. There’s Anchor Brewing which was saved from extinction by beer-father Fritz Maytag and you can sample their signature steam beer. Elsewhere, there’s a whole series of further options: IPAs, craft ales and everything in between await. On our final night of our longest backpacking trip in America – we take you on a bar crawl through San Francisco where they’ll be ample opportunity to enjoy the full range of crafty treats. In the wider bay area – there are no less than 120 brewpubs and micro-breweries- the world’s longest bar crawl.

Ready to travel to America? You can discover the delights of the West Coast on our West Coast America Budget Tour, Canyons to California tour or the Full Coyote. Drop us a message in the chat box below or send us an email at info@thecoyotetrip.com to find out more!

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