Are you the type of traveler who likes to tick off all the “must-see” spots on your bucket list? Or would you rather take the risk of choosing a lesser-known vacation itinerary than filling your travel diary with potentially crowded classics?
Regardless, knowing which places have garnered local, national, or even global attention can help you plan your travel season. The West Coast gems below have been recognized this year on lists of the best in the country or the world, by travel publications and companies like Lonely Planet and Tripadvisor.
Some of the most beautiful beaches in the world
A Lonely Planet book released in February, “The Most Beautiful Beaches: 100 of the Most Incredible Beaches in the World” Beaches from Washington, Oregon and California are also featured.
The closest to The 12 selected American beaches Ruby Beach is located in Olympic National Park. Located on the Olympic Peninsula, a 3.5-hour drive from Seattle, the beach is known for its sparkling red minerals found in the sand, tide pools, hoodoos, and rugged, wild atmosphere.
The Lonely Planet editors behind this selection were not sparing in their poetic side in describing the beach, which “looks like a giant has emptied his pockets on the shores of Ruby Beach”, with tree trunks “scattered like matchsticks”, fairy chimneys clustered “like crumbled chocolates” and “a colourful assortment of agates, garnets and sea glass (adding) a touch of glitter to this captivating mess”.
A state to the south, the Oregon's Favorite Beach, Cannon Beach Cannon Beach was also considered a top destination for “beachgoers seeking wildlife and breathtaking sunsets.” From downtown Cannon Beach, there is a nearly 4-mile stretch of beach, with the famous Haystack Rock rising 240 feet from the shoreline.
Pfeiffer Beach, California, El Matador State Beach and Venice Beach are also featured in the book, reinforcing the strong West Coast presence.
Two of the best state parks in the country
Global lifestyle magazine Time Out skipped Washington in its March list “Top 10 National Parks in the United States” but highlighted two other West Coast locations.
Ecola State Park in Oregon is located near the aforementioned Cannon Beach. Ecola stretches along 9 miles of shoreline and primarily attracts visitors for sightseeing and hiking, but picnicking, swimming in the calm waters, surfing, and wildlife watching are also popular activities. As Time Out noted, the park has also served as a scenic backdrop for films such as “Twilight” and “The Goonies.”
Further south, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park in California was praised for its “plenty of incredible photo opportunities” and its Waterfall Overlook trail, which leads to an ocean viewpoint where you can watch a waterfall tumble 80 feet into the sandy cove below. Other places on this side of the country that made the list include Goblin Valley State Park in Utah, Chugach State Park in Alaska, and Big Bend Ranch State Park in Texas.
“Ideal for exploring the west coast”
Reduce the “The 12 Best Places to Visit in the United States in 2024” It may seem like a daunting task, but that hasn't stopped travel writer Bailey Freeman. Her February Lonely Planet article named New Orleans “the best destination for foodies and art lovers” and Santa Fe, New Mexico, “the best destination for indigenous history and culture.”
The Pacific Coast Highway ranks fifth and is described as “the best way to explore the West Coast.” Although the name sometimes refers specifically to Highway 1 in California, Road Trip USA's recommended route on the Pacific Coast Highway The route spans 1,600 miles through Washington, Oregon and California, taking road trippers through big cities and natural wonders like Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and Redwood National and State Parks.
One of the most spectacular castles in the world
Whether it's the way they bring history to life or the way they remind us of the fairy tales we grew up with, many travelers are drawn to castles.
In February, Tripadvisor has compiled 10 of the most spectacular in the world that are open to the public. The list begins with Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, which “looks like it came straight out of a fairy tale” and stretches from Osaka, Japan, to Mexico City.
The United States may not be the first country that comes to mind when you think of spellbinding castles, but the newest destination on the list, finished in 2007, is located in Napa Valley, California.
Inspired by 14th-century medieval architecture, Castello di Amorosa, a Tuscan-style castle and winery, features 107 rooms, a moat, a drawbridge, five towers, courtyards, a chapel, stables, an armory, and even a torture chamber. Castello di Amorosa offers several tour and tasting options, starting at $60 for adults and $25 for youth ages 2 to 20.
According to Tripadvisor, “Travelers recommend visiting during the grape harvest season, from August to October, to enjoy the full farm-to-table wine experience.”
