Along the northernmost reaches of Washington's coastline you'll find rugged, remote stretches of beach protected by Olympic National Park. Here, towering sea stacks emerge from the mist and powerful winter storms batter the beaches. Here, you can backpack the Ozette Triangle, where you'll pass American Indian petroglyphs and spot otters playing on the beach. Or, venture down to Kalaloch Lodge, perched on high bluffs overlooking the ocean, where you can dine on Dungeness crab or curl up by the fire as storms roll in. Whale watching, clamming and fishing are other popular activities here. Further inland, venture through the Hoh Rainforest, where you'll find ancient maple and fir trees draped with moss. Olympic National Park rangers lead occasional guided walks throughout the park; for the latest schedule, check the park's newspaper, "The Bugler."
Oregon's beaches also feature big sea stacks and crashing waves, but you might find them slightly more accessible -- and less remote -- than Washington's. From Portland, Cannon Beach is just an hour away. Here, beachfront bed-and-breakfasts open up to impressive Haystack Rock, the beach's dominant rock formation. To the south, the town of Newport is crammed with shops and restaurants, many of which feature local seafood like mussels and salmon. Newport's Oregon Coast Aquarium teaches visitors about marine life in the Pacific Ocean, and you can spot puffins, giant pacific octopus and sea lions. Whale watching tours also leave from Newport on calm weather days. If you're in the mood for a road trip, Highway 101 runs the length of the American West Coast.
Northern California has one foot in the Pacific Northwest and another in the tropics, with its mist-shrouded Redwood forests and small surfing towns sprinkled among stretches of untouched coastline. At Redwood National and State parks, you can walk among the giant, ancient trees. Numerous camping and hiking opportunities await in the parks, and the 40 miles of coastline here are untouched. You can venture further south to the under-the-radar wine area in Lake County, just inland from the coast. Here, wineries are tucked into rolling green hills, and you can stop to sample top-notch cabernet sauvignon, merlot, syrah and sauvignon blanc.
Southern California calls to mind movie stars, surfers and palm trees. You can spend time in San Diego, walking along the warm sand beaches or visiting SeaWorld San Diego and the San Diego Zoo. Outdoors enthusiasts can take a guided kayak tour or snorkeling trip here. Head up to Los Angeles, where you can take a Red Line Tour through the city, hopping on and off as you please. You can tour the Hollywood Walk of Fame or spot your favorite movie stars' footprints in the courtyard of the TCL Chinese Theatre, formerly Grauman's. And of course, hitting the road on Highway 1 will bring you through small towns, big cities and miles of stunning beach and cliffside scenery. In Central California, you can cruise the Big Sur scenic drive, passing spectacular cliffside views and crashing surf. Pass through the charming towns of Monterey and Carmel, with their historic buildings and unique shops.
