With officially-designated scenic highways, big skies, and wide open spaces, the USA practically begs to be explored by car. However, a visit here doesn’t have to be dictated by one.
Sustainable travel is becoming a necessity instead of a nice-to-have. Whether it’s for environmental reasons, personal preferences, or simply avoiding the hassle of parking, you might not realize that a wanderlust-worthy trip along the US west coast can still hit many epic destinations car-free.
Vancouver, Canada
Long hailed as one of the most sustainable cities in North America, Vancouver is a delight to explore on foot, even when cloaked in mist. The seaside city’s West End features the huge Stanley Park, a 150,000-tree urban rainforest hemmed in by an 8.8km-long seawall.
It’s easy to cycle with a rented Mobi, Vancouver’s public bike share scheme, past the First Nations totem poles and under the Brockton Point lighthouse. When it’s time to refuel, indulge in the city’s amazing foodie scene with a stop at the stalls at Granville Island Public Market before moving onto Vancouver’s fantastic breweries. The selection around Main St is particularly crawl-able: don’t miss Electric Bicycle Brewing, Brassneck Brewery, and 33 Brewing Experiment.
Where to Stay in Vancouver
Canada’s first Indigenous arts hotel, Skwachàys Lodge, is a short walk or bus ride from Pacific Central train station. Rooms are stocked with eco-friendly toiletries, and a ground-floor gallery displays beautiful Indigenous crafts, supporting the Vancouver Native Housing Society social enterprise.
Getting Between Vancouver and Seattle by Train: Hugging Puget Sound for most of the journey, the Amtrak Cascades train runs twice a day between Vancouver and Seattle. It’s one of the most scenic stretches on the west coast, taking about 4.5 hours. Enjoy amenities such as Wi-Fi, at-seat plugs, and a bistro car.
Seattle, Washington
As entrepreneurial as it is eccentric, Seattle offers a vibrant culture that outweighs its big-name corporate counterparts. To taste the city in all its glory, make Pike Place Market your first stop.
Quirky traditions reign supreme, from fish flying overhead to the 3000 pounds of colorful goo scraped off the Gum Wall each year. Eat Seattle runs fantastic chef-led tours that dive right into the heart and stomach of the market. The iconic Space Needle is also worth a visit, especially since it unveiled the world’s first revolving glass floor 500 feet above ground in 2018.
Where to Stay in Seattle
On the doorstep of Pike Place Market, The State Hotel boasts a prime location, making much of Seattle easily walkable, including the ferry dock and King Street Station where Amtrak trains arrive. Housed in a retrofitted 1904 building, the rooftop bar offers unbeatable views of the market.
Getting Between Seattle and Portland by Train: Four Amtrak Cascades services operate between Seattle and Portland, taking roughly 3.5 hours. Amtrak’s daily Coast Starlight train begins in Seattle, making stops in Portland after about four hours.
Portland, Oregon
Portland has long been the PNW’s hipster hub, with endless spots for premium coffee, craft beer, and food truck grub. Remarkably, huge swathes of the city remain wonderfully wild, making it easy to explore without a car. A walk through the undergrowth in the aptly named Forest Park feels exceptionally remote despite being on the edge of a populous city of nearly 650,000.
A day trip to the breathtaking Columbia River Gorge is an absolute must. Leave the logistics to Around Portland Tours, which runs a hike and bike experience that’s the best way to see this natural treasure up close.
Where to Stay in Portland
Across Burnside Bridge from Portland’s Union Station is the first US outpost of Iceland’s KEX, opened in 2019. Visitors can find a range of private and shared “poshtel” rooms, a rooftop space, and a Scandi-style sauna in the basement.
Getting Between Portland and San Francisco by Train: Hop on Amtrak’s Coast Starlight for an overnight journey to California. Considering staying in a sleeper car so you arrive rested; meals in the dining car are included.
San Francisco, California
San Francisco presents a myriad of opportunities to explore its 47 square miles without a car. Ride the historic wood-lined cable cars, hop a ferry to Alcatraz, or take a hike around Lands End, where a trail follows an old train line leading to the Sutro Baths.
Even Lombard St, often called “the world’s crookedest street,” has considered implementing a $10 entry fee, but foot traffic remains free.
Where to Stay in San Francisco
Hotel Emblem is centrally located and a short, manageable walk from Powell St BART station. It’s also accessible via cable car. The hotel’s quirky atmosphere features a Beat Generation-inspired bar, in-room typewriters, and walls adorned with Jack Kerouac quotes.
Getting Between San Francisco and Santa Barbara by Train: Amtrak’s Coast Starlight continues south from Emeryville or Oakland, arriving in Santa Barbara after about nine hours. This segment is particularly scenic during golden hour, making the sunset arrival memorable. For best views, sit on the right side of the observation car.
Santa Barbara, California
Picturesque Santa Barbara, known for its immaculately kept Spanish-colonial-style buildings, has a compact and pedestrian-friendly downtown. Survey the city from the top of the mural-filled 1929 Moorish Revival Santa Barbara County Courthouse.
You don’t need a car to get a taste of wine country; sample the best vino on Santa Barbara’s Urban Wine Trail, featuring over 30 wineries in the city. The largest cluster is found in the Funk Zone, a vibrant neighborhood filled with converted warehouses and street art showcasing Santa Barbara’s hip side.
Where to Stay in Santa Barbara
The Waterman, a small Moxy-brand hotel just a short walk from Santa Barbara’s train station, boasts a fantastic location. With a communal kitchen, library, and games, it promotes a social atmosphere.
Getting Between Santa Barbara and Oxnard by Train: Both Amtrak’s Coast Starlight and Pacific Surfliner services cover the stretch between Santa Barbara and Oxnard, with multiple departure times daily. The journey is just shy of an hour.
Oxnard, California
Thought you’d have to skip California’s national parks because you’re traveling by train? Not so! Oxnard serves as the nearest launch point to Channel Islands National Park, often referred to as “California’s Galapagos.” Here, you can find numerous species of plants and animals found nowhere else in the world.
The ride to the national park transforms into a wildlife-spotting adventure as dolphins leap through the boat’s wake, and orcas, gray, and humpback whales are frequently sighted. The impossibly cute island fox may also prance along the hiking trails. Kayaking into the enormous Painted Cave, the largest sea cave in North America, brings you closer to barking sea lions and the layers of brilliantly colored lichens and algae that define the cavern’s beauty.
Where to Stay in Oxnard
Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach offers stunning sunset views. While it’s easiest to take a 10-minute taxi or Uber from the train station, you’ll then be within walking distance of Island Packers’ boats to Channel Islands National Park.
Getting Between Oxnard and Los Angeles by Train: On Amtrak’s Coast Starlight or Pacific Surfliner services, the trip south to downtown LA takes approximately two hours.
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles drivers spend about 128 hours a year stuck in traffic, but you don’t have to join them. Instead, step off at LA’s gorgeous Union Station, which has become a destination itself, offering the Imperial Western Beer Co, a craft beer brewery set within the stunning Art Deco space.
The Metro connects you to many places on your LA to-do list, while electric scooters from Bird, Lime, or local vendors provide convenient alternatives. Boost your step count with a hike around Griffith Park and behind the Hollywood sign before enjoying sunset views from Griffith Observatory.
Where to Stay in LA
Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown is just a few Metro stops away from Union Station, providing a luxurious experience as you ascend to the 70th-floor lobby with ceiling-height windows, offering splendid views of the Hollywood sign.
Getting Between Los Angeles and San Diego by Train: Take the Pacific Surfliner, which travels along the coast several times daily, making the three-hour journey to San Diego.
San Diego, California
Sun-tanned and laid-back, San Diego offers the perfect finale to your journey. Watch surfers take on waves at one of the city’s 60 beaches or relax in Balboa Park, surrounded by its many museums.
Celebrate the completion of your cross-country adventure with a night out in the vibrant Gaslamp Quarter or enjoy a pint at one of the many breweries in America’s self-proclaimed craft beer capital.
Where to Stay in San Diego
Andaz San Diego is a short walk from San Diego’s Santa Fe Depot, where Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner train concludes its route. The hotel is ideally located in the midst of the Gaslamp Quarter, and its rooftop bar starts your evening off right.
