Vancouver – Seattle – San Francisco – Los Angeles 

The West Coast of Canada and the US features four World Cup 2026 host countries: Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. If you ask us, your intrepid travel specialists, there’s no better excuse for a West Coast road trip. Between the Pacific Northwest Corridor to California Route 1, the West Coast is often considered among the top 10 driving routes in the world. Since the World Cup 2026 is spread between June 11 and July 19, there’s ample time to drive leisurely along this extraordinarily scenic route, stopping to catch must-see matches in host cities along the way. 

If, like us, you couldn’t pass up on such a tempting opportunity for a road trip, read, save, and share this West Coast Road Trip Guide for the World Cup 2026 with those you’d most like to travel with. Breaking the route down into three sections (Vancouver – Seattle, Seattle – San Francisco, and San Francisco – Los Angeles), we tell you which roads to take and where to stop along the way. With this guide by your side, you’ll be sure to see the West Coast’s most incredible scenery and most iconic towns.

Vancouver – Seattle: 140 miles/ 3 hrs

Scenic driving routes

Chuckanut Drive: Swap the I-5 between Bellingham and Burlington, Washington for the scenic route along Chuckanut Drive. The 21-mile route tightly hugs the coast, offering uninterrupted views of Samish Bay and the San Juan Islands on one side, and the Chuckanut Mountains on the other. For a taste of small-town Washington, stop in Bow and Edison along the way.

North Cascades Highway: Taking you straight through the heart of the rugged North Cascades National Park, the North Cascades Highway is perhaps the most scenic drive in the Pacific Northwest. The 120-mile route passes directly by some of the park’s most breathtaking views, including Diablo Lake and the Washington Pass Overlook. Stop for scenic outdoor adventures like kayaking, climbing, and hiking, looking out for Pacific Northwestern wildlife such as bald eagles and black bears.

Deception Pass to Whidbey Island: Instead of continuing south on the I-5 from Burlington, head West for a scenic detour through Whidbey Island. To reach it, you’ll drive across Deception Pass, a historic bridge 180 feet above the water, which offers sweeping views of cliffs, islands, and the often-churning water below. Reaching Whidbey Island, stop in Deception Pass State Park and enjoy the forest and coastal walking trails.

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Exploring the route from Vancouver to Seattle by car

Hike in the North Cascades

If you’re going to hike anywhere in Washington, make it the North Cascades, for its beauty is beyond compare. Think towering jutted peaks, alpine forests, and glaciers trickling into turquoise lakes. To see the best of the North Cascades, take the Maple Pass Loop, a moderate 7 mile loop (with 2,000 ft of elevation) that leads through old growth forest, sub-alpine flower meadows, and ridge-tops offering majestic views of the North Cascade range. For a more relaxed hike, take the Blue Pass route, a 4.5 mile out-and-back trail (with 1,000 ft of elevation) that rewards you with a perfect alpine lake framed by Liberty Bell Mountain and Early Winters Spires.

Camp in Deception Pass State Park

Camp for a night or two in Deception Pass State Park on Whidbey Island to explore the scenery, observe the rare wildlife, and immerse yourself in the rustic atmosphere of the Pacific Northwest. After arriving in the park, walk back along Deception Pass Bridge to get a more advantageous view of the surrounding scenery. Then hike along one of the park’s best routes including Rosario Head, Bowman Bay, and Goose Rock where the misty ocean and surrounding islands peek through the forests before revealing themselves in their full glory. 

Go Whale Watching

From Spring through Fall, the Pacific Northwest is blessed with orca, gray, and humpback whale sightings. While you can be lucky enough to spot them from the coast, you’ll have a better chance of seeing the majestic creatures on an expert whale watching tour. There are several spots along the coast where you can join a whale watching tour, including Vancouver Island, the San Juan Islands, and Whidbey Island — take your pick!

Seattle – San Francisco: 800 miles/ 13 hrs

Scenic driving routes

Pacific Coast Scenic Byway: After leaving Seattle, take the I-5 south to Portland, where you can head West to the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, which spans the length of the Oregon Coast. This world-famous driving route boasts some of the most iconic scenery of any road in the USA. From rugged bays, bold sea stacks, crashing waves on one side to redwood forests and small rustic towns on the other, there’s something to pique your interest every mile of this beautiful drive. Here’s where to stop along the way:

• Astoria: for the museums and riverfront dining
• Cannon Beach: to see Haystack Rock
• Depoe Bay: for the whale watching
• Oregon Dunes: for a surreal landscape walk
• Brandon: for the charming cafes and galleries
• Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor: for the views
• Brookings: for the beaches and seafood

California State Route 1: As you enter California from Oregon, you’ll join the mesmerizing Route 1 in Crescent City. It begins by winding through Redwoods National & State Parks, where the dramatic coastal cliffs continue to impress before ironing out to sunnier and sandier views of the Sonoma Coast before landing in San Francisco. Spanning 355 miles, Route 1 to San Francisco is around a six-hour drive, so take it slow and enjoy the views, stopping in the laid-back coastal towns of Northern California along the way:

• Fern Canyon: for a hiking trail featured in Jurassic Park
• Fort Bragg: for Glass Beach’s colorful seaglass
• Mendocino Village: for the art galleries, cozy cafés, and ocean bluffs
• Salt Point State Park: for the tidal pool hike
• Bodega Bay: for the seafood, kayaking, and bird watching
• Muir Woods National Monument: for the giant coastal redwoods 

Exploring the route from Seattle to San Francisco by car

Portland, Oregon

Since soccer and beer go hand in hand, be sure to stop in Oregon and explore its world-renowned brewery scene. With 70+ breweries, it boasts the most per capita in the U.S., so if you weren’t a beer buff when you enter Portland, you certainly will be by the time you leave. Portland has also gained a reputation as one of the most artsy and alternative U.S. cities, and while it doesn’t take much to soak in its offbeat scene, a jaunt around the Albert Arts District’s galleries, boutiques, and murals will give you an epic introduction to it. Afterward, head to Hawthorne for the best vintage shopping, and Mississippi Avenue for live music and craft cocktails.

Hike in the Redwoods National Forest

Hike amongst the world’s tallest trees in Northern Cali’s Redwoods National Forest. There are several routes to take through the forest, including the Trillium Falls Trail, the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail, and the Tall Trees Grove, each offering whimsical forest or coastal scenery. To see Hyperion, the world’s tallest redwood, reaching over 115 meters tall, take the Tall Trees Grove trail, a slightly steep but rewarding 4-mile out-and-back. For those who prefer a scenic drive through the redwoods, head through the Avenue of Giants in Humboldt Redwoods State Park for a drive you’ll never forget. 

Walk in Mendocino & Fort Bragg

Resembling the hilly green coastlines of England, the Mendocino Coast is a particularly beautiful section of the Northern stretch of Route 1. The best place to take in the views are on a walk along Mendocino Headlands State Park, but the best place to soak up the quaint atmosphere is in Mendocino Village where historic Victorian streets are lined with cafes, galleries, and artisan studios well worth a browse. After your visit, continue south to Fort Bragg, for more scenic blufftop walks and a ride on the Skunk Train through more redwoods.

Wine tasting in Napa Valley

As one of the leading destinations for new World wine, it would be rude not to stop for a tasting or two in Napa Valley. Choose from over 400 wineries ranging from historic estates like Robert Mondavi and Castello di Amorosa to boutique family-run vineyards. Although Napa is best known for its wineries, the region is an enviable foodie and wellness destination too. After high-energy matches and long drives, reset in a Napa Valley wellness resort by spending a few days eating, wine tasting, and indulging in luxury spa facilities. Not only is Napa’s culinary scene known for its exquisite farm-t–table dining and gourmet food experiences, but there’s a few noteworthy Michelin-star restaurants to try too.

San Francisco – Los Angeles: 380 miles/ 6 hrs

Scenic driving routes

Coastal Route 1: The most direct way to reach LA from San Francisco is to continue along Route 1, which hugs the coast for almost the entire 380 miles. From the Mcway Falls to the Big Sur cliffs, the coastal views are no less impressive than those on previous stretches of the West Coast. However, its vibe feels totally unique as the quaint Victorian small coastal towns of the Pacific Northwest are replaced by cool hippie surf towns Santa Cruz and Pismo Beach and laid-back luxury coastal towns like Carmel-by-the-Sea and Malibu. Of all sections of the West Coast, this is often considered the most iconic because of its winning combination of exceptional scenery and eclectic coastal towns. Here’s the highlights:

• Half Moon Bay: for the rugged beaches and golden bluffs
• Santa Cruz Wharf: for the classic arcades and surf vibe
• Monterey: for the Aquarium and Cannery Row seafood
• Carmel: for the storybook cottages and upscale vibe
• Bixby Creek Bridge & McWay Falls: for iconic Route 1 photos
• Pismo beach: for the surf and retro surf town charm
• Santa Barbera: for the palm-lined beaches and luxury resort vibe

Exploring the route from San Francisco to Los Angeles by car

Explore the Santa Cruz Boardwalk

Get nostalgic at the Santa Cruise Boardwalk where retro amusements, rides and arcades take you back in time to a 60s style Americana seaside resort. While the Giant Dipper coaster and Looff Carousel give the town its legendary landmark profile, the quaint arcade games and boardwalk treats like deep-fried twinkies and saltwater taffy are equally integral to the perfect Santa Cruz experience. Afterwards, relax in Santa Cruz Wharf with a drink amongst the lounging sea lions.

Surf the California waves

From top to bottom, the California Coast is a haven for surfers of all levels, attracting budding surfers and pros form around the world to its epic waves. If you’re driving along the California Coast, there’s ample opportunity to get out there see why it’s considered one of the top surfing spots in the world. While the small swells of Capitola and Carmel are ideal forr beginners, more advanced surfers might prefer Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, and Santa Barbera.

Try Clam Chowder in Cannery Row

Cannery Row in Monterey Bay is an Industrial Era seafront sardine cannery block turned quaint tourist hub known for its historic charm and world-class seafood. The fishing town gained literary recognition in the John Steinbeck novel ‘Cannery Row’ in 1945 and while it’s no longer a functioning cannery, the row’s industrial buildings have been preserved. Instead of stinky sardines, these buildings now house a vibrant selection of artisanal shops, seafood restaurants, art galleries displaying local artists, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. While Cannery Row has several claims to fame, many argue its famous clam chowder is the most worth experiencing.

Admire the architecture of Carmel-by-the-Sea

Nowhere in the U.S. is quite like Carmel, a fairytale town characterized by its whimsical pitched-roof cottages which belong in a medieval German village. Carmel’s extraordinary storybook vibe has not only attracted poets, artists, and other creatives, but also a wealthy community who have gifted it with an enviable boutique shopping and culinary scene. Browsing the boutiques and galleries, and sampling the gourmet food and wine is one of the highlights of the whole West Coast.

Book your World Cup 2026 West Coast Road Trip

Pinned to be one of the most popular World Cup competitions yet, booking flights, accommodation, tickets, and transport far in advance is important, so get started today with Tripsby.ai. As a multi-city trip, planning and logistics can easily become overwhelming, but our advanced AI-human combined planning and booking service ensures your West Coast road trip will be smooth and stress-free without compromising on extraordinary. Oh, and it can do everything within the time it takes to make a cup of coffee. Find out more by talking to our Tripsby Travel Planner today.

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