USA West Coast Road Trip: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

We had never done a long road trip before, so when choosing our summer trip for 2023 we came up with the idea of driving the entire West Coast Highway 101 in a couple of weeks. We had read many positive comments about this route, and the USA has so many parks and interesting places that it felt like a good opportunity to see a lot in a relatively short time.

And we did see a lot.

A lot of good: breath-taking nature and an incredible variety of landscapes.

A lot of bad: long hours of driving on rather ordinary roads, and the surprisingly stressful task of trying to book decent camping spots in advance in some of the park campgrounds.

And a lot of ugly: poverty, homelessness, and a disturbing indifference to human suffering.

Obviously, the photos will mostly reflect the good side of the trip, but we’ll try to include the less shiny parts in the story as well. Whenever we remember this journey, the ugly comes to mind immediately. Those memories are so strong that, while reviewing the photos for this post, I couldn’t believe how perfect the trip looked in the images.

So for the sake of balance and honesty we’ll try to stick to all sides of the story.

Day 1: Arriving in Seattle and Potlatch

For the first time on our vacations we didn’t use our usual jumbo backpacks. Since we were setting out on a road trip, we thought it would be easier and faster to travel with a large suitcase for packing, unpacking, and storing things in the car. Going camping with a huge suitcase felt a bit strange (to say the least), but in practice it worked surprisingly well.

The first day of any trip is usually hectic, and even more so on a journey like this. We chose our flight connection through Helsinki not only because of the timing, but also because of the chance to see Greenland from high above. And indeed we were lucky: clear skies allowed us to watch the enormous glacier rivers winding across the ice far below for quite some time.

Once we landed, it took a while to pass border control and collect our rental car. Our schedule was tight. We wanted to get on the road as soon as possible in order to reach REI, a large outdoor gear store, before closing and buy some missing essentials: gas for the stove, adventure food, and the National Parks pass. Thus, we didn’t even enter Seattle. Instead, we jumped straight onto Highway 101 and started heading south.

The goal of the day was to reach Potlatch, where we had our first night booked in a motel instead of a campsite, allowing ourselves to rest a bit after a long flight and be in better condition for the long drives in the upcoming days. Fighting the sleepiness from jet lag and the late hour, we managed to reach our destination safe and sound around 9:30 p.m.. By then it was already dark, so our first stretch of Highway 101 passed without much scenery—something we would definitely make up for in the days ahead.

Day 2: Potlatch – Port Angeles – Lake Crescent – Olympic National Park (Hoh) – Ruby Beach – South Beach Campground

We started the day early, waking up to the sunrise over the lake, which immediately lifted our spirits. We watched it for a few quiet moments and then set off around 6:30, ready for the long hours of driving ahead.

By 7:00 we were already stopping at the first open coffee shop for our morning dose of caffeine and some bagels.

The day began beautifully, and the first stretch of driving was pleasant enough. Every now and then something along the road would catch our eye and we’d pull over for a quick look.

We made a short stop in Port Angeles to refill supplies at Safeway. The town itself didn’t leave much of an impression, but we grabbed another coffee and some donuts (we are in the USA after all… the home of Starbucks and donuts) and headed to the Olympic National Park Visitor Center for a bit of orientation before continuing.

Realising we were moving slower than planned, we finished our drinks and returned to Hwy 101.

The first place that truly made us stop was Lake Crescent. The road follows the natural curves of the shoreline for quite a while, and eventually we couldn’t resist pulling over at Lake Crescent Pier to take a closer look at the water. I have to say it was the clearest water I have ever seen. It was almost impossible to judge the depth, because you could see straight to the bottom without the slightest distortion. A small boat waiting patiently for its owner seemed to be floating in the air. Surrounded by mountains and dense forest, the lake looked so calm and peaceful that I could easily have spent the whole day there.

But… the road trip had its own schedule, and we had to move on.

One small rule we tried to follow during the trip was to include at least a short hike in a park whenever possible. The main destination for this day was, of course, Olympic National Park. Unfortunately we didn’t have time to explore it properly (it’s enormous), nor to hike Mount Olympus, so we settled on visiting the Hoh Rain Forest and its famous Hall of Mosses trail.

It was a charming stop, definitely mossy and green. It was also our first encounter with the giant trees that surpass anything you can see in Europe. The trail itself was short (barely 3 km), easy to follow, well-marked and educational, with information boards explaining the ecosystem and pointing out small details you would otherwise miss. Still, for such a remote place it felt surprisingly crowded for our taste, both with people and with mosquitoes.

After spending an hour walking the trail, we headed back to our car. Next stop: Ruby Beach. A couple of hours later we were finally looking out at the North Pacific Ocean.

Ruby Beach is well known, and finding parking wasn’t easy, but the stop was absolutely worth it. We walked down to the shore and followed the pebbled beach away from the crowds. Just a few minutes later we were almost alone: just us, the enormous driftwood logs, and a few seals playing in the water. Those huge logs added charm and wilderness to the beach, although they also reminded us that the North Pacific might not be so pacific after all.

Another 4 km – check.

It would have been tempting to spend the night there as well, but we still had more miles planned for the day, so once again we headed back to the car.

The next stretch of driving followed the coastline, but to be honest it was rather boring. Dense forest covered most of the landscape and there were very few views of the ocean itself. Eventually, around 5 p.m., we reached South Beach Campground and were surprised to see how full it already was.

With a bit of luck (and some tension while trying to understand how the booking system worked) we managed to secure a spot just before the campground filled completely. Finally relaxed again, we went out for another walk along the beach, about 5 km this time. More driftwood logs, an endless strip of sand, and a few birds patiently posing for photos.

After a well-deserved dinner and a beer we returned to the shore to watch the sunset. One of the great advantages of the West Coast is that you get to enjoy spectacular sunsets almost every evening.

Exhausted after the long day, we crawled into our tiny tent and fell asleep listening to the sound of the ocean.

Day 3: South Beach Campground – Aberdeen – Cape Disappointment State Park – Cannon Beach – Tillamook

The day ahead of us was long, with no clear destination in mind and no campsite booked. After seeing how quickly the campsites filled up, we decided to start early and hit the road around 6:30 am. Again.

Next stop: Cape Disappointment State Park. Conveniently located along our route, it was the perfect place for a longer break. Despite the name, it turned out to be anything but a disappointment.

The park is relatively small but rich in history. It has a lovely Waikiki Beach, the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, and a short hike along the Deadman’s Cove Trail leading to the lighthouse. Altogether we covered almost 5 km, just enough to stretch our legs after the morning’s driving.

After this short but refreshing stop we continued toward Cannon Beach, still impressed by the enormous US-style bridges spanning wide rivers along the way.

Cannon Beach felt completely different from the ghostly Aberdeen we had seen earlier. It was lively, crowded with tourists, and packed with cars (which made parking a challenge).

Once we settled in, we still had just enough time to visit a nearby shop in Tillamook and pick up some local cheese and snacks for dinner by the fireplace.

Day 4: Tillamook – Lincoln City – Moolack Beach – Yachats – John Dellenback Dunes Trailhead – Secret Camp RV and Tent Park (Gold Beach)

We woke up to the first rays of sunlight in this quiet and charming campsite. The sun quickly warmed our tent and created a small shadow-theatre performance on the fabric walls. It was tempting to stay inside a little longer… but another day of adventures was waiting, so we packed up and went in search of breakfast.

About an hour and a half later we reached Lincoln City and rewarded ourselves with a full Pig ‘N Pancake breakfast. Delicious, although the mix of sweet and salty dishes was slightly unexpected.

Completely full for the rest of the day, we hit the road again. This stretch of the trip turned out to be much more generous with coastal views, as the highway followed the shoreline for long sections.

After about an hour we stopped at Moolack Beach, which sits right next to the road. The place was completely empty. Just us and a few small living creatures moving through the shallow pools left by the low tide. It felt like the perfect place to stretch our legs and pretend, for a moment, that we were explorers discovering an untouched coast.

Another hour later we reached Yachats, a tiny village recommended by someone working at REI on our first evening. And indeed, it was a lovely stop: colourful houses, great coffee at The Village Bean, and yet another stretch of coastline inviting us to linger.

The next stretch of driving was longer, though still scenic, with a few quick stops along the way.

Eventually we reached the main destination of the day: the John Dellenback Dunes Trailhead. And as the name suggests, we set out for a hike in the dunes.

One of the best things about a West Coast road trip is the sheer variety of landscapes you encounter. The dunes added yet another completely different environment to the list, with their desert-like appearance and intense heat.

We hiked barefoot across the dunes until we reached a small patch of forest that quickly reminded us why shoes remain one of humanity’s greatest inventions. The path through the forest was Narnia-style (except in summer), with such thick vegetation that we were literally walking through some natural tunnels.

Eventually the trail led us to the beach. A crab beach, as I immediately named it, as the sand was scattered with an astonishing number of dried crab shells (some as large as a palm) staring back at us with their empty eyes.

On the way back we accidentally strayed from the trail and found ourselves climbing along the edges of the dunes, feeling the sand sliding beneath our feet and hoping it wouldn’t suddenly carry us down the slope.

Walking through sand is never easy, and the hike turned out to be both fun and surprisingly exhausting. In total we covered about 10 km in just over three hours. And the sand we carried away with us in shoes, backpacks, pockets, and places we didn’t even expect, would remind us of that hike for several days afterwards.

After another two hours of driving we finally reached our destination for the night: Secret Camp RV and Tent Park in Gold Beach. Not quite as secret as the name suggests, but perfectly good for a night’s rest.

Day 5: Secret Camp RV and Tent Park (Gold Beach) – Brookings – Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park – Eureka – Benbow SRA Campground (Garberville)

Early mornings had already become our routine. They gave us extra time for spontaneous stops along the way and, just as importantly, a better chance of securing a camping spot for the night. Another routine had also formed: start the day hungry and stop about an hour later for a proper breakfast and coffee. We usually relied on Google Maps reviews to choose a place. This morning the choice fell on Mattie’s Pancake House in Brookings.

The drive there was beautiful, with stretches of coastline that kept tempting us to pull over for photos. Meyers Creek Beach Viewpoint was particularly striking.

Not long after breakfast, however, the road drifted away from the coast and lost a bit of that scenic charm.

Eventually we reached our main destination for the day – Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park  – and our second, more immersive encounter with the giants of the West Coast.

Here we finally met the big tree. And another big tree. And hundreds more! It’s almost absurd how enormous they are. Walking among them, I felt like Alice in Wonderland wandering through an oversized forest.

We started from the visitor’s centre along the Foothill Trail, located The Big Tree, and continued deeper into the forest. Later we diverted onto the S Fork Trail for slightly steeper terrain, then descended along the Brown Creek Trail before joining the Karl Knapp Trail back to the visitor’s centre. In total we spent nearly four hours exploring the park, hiking a little over 16 km through forest so dense that every rustle in the bushes sent a small chill down my spine.

After this nice encounter with the giants we drove towards Eureka to fill our stomachs and wander around a bit more. Eureka turned out to be one of my favourite small coastal towns. It has a quiet, hard-to-explain charm: beautiful wooden buildings in the old town, bits of street art on the walls, and a relaxed atmosphere.

I wouldn’t have minded staying longer, but the road was calling. So off we went again.

Hwy 101 carried us through more forest until we noticed a turnoff for the Avenue of the Giants. What an incredible road! The pictures don’t reveal its true majesty. Just be careful driving here, as we were not the only tourists stopping in the middle of the road just to take a picture…

Our plan was to stay at one of the nearby campgrounds. Little did we know they would all be completely full. After wandering around for quite a while we finally found a spot under the bridge. Well… technically at Benbow SRA Campground in Garberville. But yes  – literally under the Hwy 101 bridge. Not sexy. But it did the job for the night: there was a shop nearby to restock supplies and a fireplace where we could toast some marshmallows.

Day 6: Benbow SRA Campground (Garberville) – Fort Bragg – Corte Madera (REI) – Cow Hollow Motor Inn (San Francisco)

Today was mostly about driving. We were eager to reach San Francisco, one of the major milestones of this road trip. The morning was misty but offered beautiful views. They improved even more when we diverted onto Hwy 1, which hugs the shoreline, winding along cliffs and dramatic curves. Stunning. Without a doubt one of the most spectacular stretches of the West Coast road trip.

We stopped for breakfast in Fort Bragg (more excellent pancakes) and continued south, enjoying the scenery. Unfortunately we couldn’t follow Hwy 1 all the way to San Francisco. Landslides had damaged parts of the road, and the highway was closed for repairs. Instead we were redirected back to Hwy 101, which made the journey noticeably longer (stopping at REI probably didn’t help either, but we are hiking-shop addicts, so…)

It turned into a loooong day of driving. Eventually we reached San Francisco, checked into our hotel, and immediately went out for a walk. The city is enormous and we only had two days to explore it, so there was no time to waste.

First things first: Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, and views across the bay toward Alcatraz.

Then a long walk through the city’s famous straight streets with their dramatic ups and downs, a stop at Grace Cathedral, an early dinner in Chinatown, and finally the curving descent of Lombard Street with the lights of San Francisco spreading out ahead of us.

It was beautiful. But it was also the moment when the ugly began to surface. Walking after dark in a big American city doesn’t always feel safe. One wrong turn and you can easily end up on a street where you clearly shouldn’t be walking. For us, coming from Europe, it was quite a dramatic change and something we are not used to. Keeping a fast pace and sticking to the main streets, we reached our Inn without incidents or too much stress, and spent the rest of the evening planning our second day in San Francisco.

Day 7: San Francisco

A day dedicated to pure tourism. No, really, tourist mode at its finest: a hop-on-hop-off bus and a checklist of San Francisco’s most famous sights.

We began the morning by walking to the first stop of the bus tour. A big mistake. We were punished by waiting in line for ages just to board the bus. Stressful and completely unnecessary. It would have been far better to start at almost any other stop (one of them was literally right next to our Inn). In fact, the whole bus experience turned out to be a bit of a waste of money. The buses stop early in the evening, and in the end we spent most of the day walking anyway.

And who could have imagined that San Francisco would be so cold? Very, very windy. And very, very cold.

Despite everything, we began our tour by visiting the Golden Gate Bridge, walking it all the way across and back to the city, where we spent the rest of the day sightseeing. Mainly on foot, which made the hop-on-hop-off experience feel even more useless…

Day 8: San Francisco – Manteca – Yosemite National Park (Camp 4)

We started the day early and drove straight toward Yosemite, making just one stop for coffee at Bean and Leaf Café in Manteca. The excitement of finally seeing Yosemite National Park kept us moving. With a lot of persistence (and a bit of luck) we had managed to book a camping spot at Camp 4 while boarding our flight to the USA. As good as it gets! So we left San Francisco just after 6 a.m., reached Yosemite before midday, pitched our tent, grabbed some cold beer and snacks, and headed out for what we thought would be a short walk in the valley.

A walk turned out to be quite a hike!!!

First, we took the Valley Path towards El Capitán, leaving Half Dome behind us.

It was a very easy walk on a well-marked path that led us straight to the majestic legend of Yosemite. It leaves you breathless just to think that people actually climb this wall, some even without safety ropes. The sheer granite face is enormous and imposing.

After admiring it from up close for a moment we turned back, crossed the river and sat down for a while to drink our beer, soak our feet in the fresh water and enjoy views worth a million. I wanted that moment to last forever. As close to perfection as it gets.

After that we decided to hop on one of the shuttle buses that circle the valley and visit another side of Yosemite instead of walking straight back to camp. It was a great decision! A short wait, a quick ride, and we were ready to explore another side of the valley.

After a couple of kilometres walking uphill we reached Mirror Lake with Half Dome standing right in front of it. Another perfect moment for a beer and a foot bath. Interestingly, Half Dome actually looks even more impressive from a distance, where you can clearly see its iconic shape. Still, it’s hard not to stare at a rock formation that looks as if someone sliced a giant cake cleanly in half.

Evening was creeping up quickly, so we started our way back along the Valley Loop Trail toward Camp 4. Along the way we stopped for photos explaining the famous reflection that gave Mirror Lake its name, passed by Yosemite Falls, and spotted a few members of the local wildlife.

By the end of the day we had covered 18 km: a solid warm-up for the much more challenging hike planned for tomorrow.

Back at the campsite we cooked our dinner, carefully stored the remaining food in a bear locker, and crawled into our tent, secretly hoping to hear a bear somewhere in the distance (preferably far away).

Day 9: Yosemite National Park

No bears came to visit us during the night. Maybe next time…

Our morning started very early. With the heat forecast for the day, we decided to start before sunrise and do most of the climbing in the cool hours of the morning.

First, we climbed towards Yosemite Falls, with a breakfast stop halfway up to enjoy the sunrise rising from behind Half Dome.

The climb itself is long and steep (about 730 meters of elevation gain in just over 6 km), zigzagging its way up the mountainside. Along the way the trail offers constant views of the waterfalls and, fortunately, plenty of shade during the early morning hours.

We didn’t linger long at the waterfall, as we were too eager to visit El Capitán – this time from the top. The rest of the hike was equally spectacular, with panoramic views of Yosemite around every corner. However, although it looked so close from our campsite, reaching the top of El Capitán is no easy task. Just getting there took us 15 km, always climbing, although the steepest part was the section up to the Falls. And of course, whatever distance you climb, you also have to walk back. No wonder we barely saw any other hikers that day. Still, it was absolutely worth it.

Our lunch break on top of El Capitán was one of those moments you wish you could freeze in time. We ate, lay down for a short siesta, and simply let the landscape sink in. At least an hour passed before we gathered our strength and started the long walk back.

The only downside of this hike is that the return follows the same trail. A proper loop would have been far more satisfying, but that’s not an option on this hike, unless you dare climbing down with ropes on the steep side of the mountain. Not our case… So we simply walked all the way back.

The heat was building, and the fatigue started to settle heavily into my knees. After all, this was a 30 km hike with well over 1000 meters of elevation gain and descent.

On the way back, we stopped to admire Yosemite Falls from up close, even if that meant some challenging vertigo moments for Pedro.

Just before sunset we finally returned to Camp 4, ready for our adventure-food dinner and to hit the sack, completely exhausted.

Day 10: Yosemite National Park – Fresno – Lebec – LA

We left Yosemite with the feeling that two nights had been far from enough. It was an absolute highlight of our trip, with nothing else quite comparing to it. But the schedule was tight, so we packed everything and left early in the morning. Little did we know how long that driving day would turn out to be, even using other major highways.

It was an exhausting day, both physically and mentally. We only stopped for breakfast and lunch, spending the rest of the day in the car, battling tremendous traffic while entering Los Angeles and trying to reach our destination at the far end of the city – Huntington Beach. We barely made it in time for sunset.

A quick look at the beach and then a short walk to find a Mexican restaurant and stretch our stiff bodies after such a long drive.

Given the horrors of the traffic we experienced arriving in LA, we decided that driving around the city the next day might not be the smartest idea. Public transport suddenly sounded like a much better plan. So back in our room we spent the evening studying routes, itineraries, and the places we wanted to visit the next day, hoping to save ourselves some time and stress in the morning.

Day 11: LA

A day for good old tourism: Natural History Museum, California Science Center, Grand Central Market (with an amazing burger for lunch), Griffith Observatory and a descent all the way down to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. All interesting places and worth a visit. And yet… when I think about this day, I barely remember any of them. My memories are overshadowed by the authentic LA experience – Ride with Pride – the public transport.

I mean… I had heard a lot of stories. None of them compare to the reality.

The morning went fairly smoothly. There were some delays in the schedule and a few weirdoes on the metro, but nothing too alarming. Most of the day we moved around on foot, walking from one point of interest to another, comfortably inside the protective bubble of tourism.

Things started to become slightly more complicated when we wanted to reach Griffith Observatory, as it was a bit further away, so we decided to take a bus. Apart from being overcrowded and completely off schedule, it was still manageable.

By the time we finished exploring the observatory the day had already begun to fade. We started descending the trail back toward the city with the last rays of sunlight. We could already see people going down the trail with the flashlights of their mobile phones when we realised it was time to move on. We still had the Hollywood Walk of Fame on our checklist for the day, which was relatively close by, and from there we could take public transport back to our hotel. So we walked our last 4 km of the day.

And the deeper we got into the city, the uglier it became. Full of lights. Full of people. Yet full of indifference. It wasn’t the poverty itself that shocked me (we’ve seen worse on other trips), but the blunt indifference to human suffering that left me completely appalled. Three years later, I can still remember the face of a young man in his twenties sitting on the sidewalk, his leg tremendously swollen, crying out loud in agony while people passed by without even looking at him. And he wasn’t the only one. There are homeless people around every corner. After dark – the streets are theirs.

We reached the Hollywood Walk of Fame around 7:30 p.m.. We smiled for the photos, but honestly it was difficult to stay in the mood with that atmosphere around us. So we decided to head back to the hotel. Little did we know that the real experience was still waiting for us.

We went down into the subway. Just us and a handful of locals who didn’t look particularly trustworthy. No tourists. After several minutes the train finally arrived. Inside wasn’t any better, but we managed to find a corner where we could sit quietly and wait out the ride. Unfortunately it wasn’t a direct route, so after several stops we had to change lines.

The station where we transferred was crowded, but only a few people looked remotely normal. The rest were either clearly on drugs, looking for trouble, or behaving in ways that made it difficult to tell whether they were struggling with mental illness or simply high. And of course there were homeless people everywhere, many with visible illnesses that I prefer not to think about.

The screen showed 15 minutes until our train.

Security officers were present, trying to keep some kind of order: telling people not to consume substances while waiting for the train and stepping in when conflicts started. Fifteen minutes passed. No train. Instead, the board changed to another 23 minutes of waiting. Breathe in, breathe out, wait…

At 9 p.m. the security officers left. The atmosphere shifted immediately. The crowd grew more chaotic, slowly drifting closer and closer around us. It felt scary and surreal, like stepping into a completely different world. I couldn’t help thinking that many Hollywood movies about zombies and the apocalypse probably find their inspiration somewhere in the subways of LA. The waiting became excruciating.

When the train finally arrived, it didn’t help much. It was so full that it was basically impossible not to bump into someone. We tried to stay as close as possible to one mother traveling with her two kids, clearly unhappy about the situation but with no other choice than to endure it.

At that moment I felt like an intruder in a world that wasn’t mine. A different world. The world of the outcasts. The world of the unwanted. The world of people abandoned by society. Down there they seem to find warmth and company, and perhaps their own set of rules that keep that world functioning.

I felt profoundly unsafe. Never on any other trip in my life had I felt as unsafe as I did that night on public transport in LA. Ride with Pride. I suspect it will take much more than a slogan to solve the deep problems facing the public transport system (and society more broadly) in the United States.

After the second train ride we were still far from our hotel. The final part of the journey was supposed to be by bus, but after nearly two hours of the metro experience we decided to call a cab and finish the trip (still another half hour) in the safety of a car. No wonder LA is permanently stuck in traffic.

Day 12: LA

After the stressful Ride with Pride experience the day before, one thing was absolutely clear: no more public transport. Wherever we went, it would be by car. The only question was where to go.

Our initial idea had been Joshua Tree National Park, but considering the traffic we had already experienced, and the distance involved, it didn’t make much sense. Spending another ten hours (or more) in the car just to get a few hours in the park during the hottest part of the day didn’t sound particularly appealing.

So, after some hesitation, we decided to go all in on tourism and visit Universal Studios. Yep, you have to try different things in life. It turned out to be a fun and relaxing day. Our absolute favourite was the Harry Potter ride. Such cool special effects! It really felt like flying.

And to finish the day: dinner at Bubba Gump. Run, Forrest, run!

And just like that, the day was over.

Day 13: LA – Seattle

Our return flight home departed from Seattle, yet we woke up that morning still in Los Angeles. So it was obvious that a very long day lay ahead.

The first flight left very early, giving us barely a few hours of sleep. On the bright side, it also meant we would have several hours to explore Seattle: something we hadn’t managed to do when we first arrived.

After the Ride with Pride experience in LA we felt slightly uneasy about using public transport again to get into the city and back to the airport. But then again, we had survived it late at night in Los Angeles. What could possibly go wrong with an airport shuttle in broad daylight?

Our second flight was scheduled for late in the evening, which gave us just enough time for a quick visit to the city. Even in a few hours we managed to squeeze in quite a lot: the Gum Wall, Ballard Farmers Market, the Seattle Monorail, the Space Needle (although we couldn’t go up because it was already fully booked by the time we arrived), the Gates Foundation Discovery Center, and some aimless wandering through the streets.

Eventually it was time to head back to the airport. Except the train line was partially closed and replaced by buses along the section under construction, which quickly brought us back to the Ride with Pride experience, this time in the middle of the day and in broad daylight. Even though the buses were meant mainly for tourists heading to the airport, the location of the temporary bus stop could definitely have been chosen more carefully.

With overcrowded buses that refused additional passengers, forcing us to skip a couple while time kept running out, the situation became slightly stressful. But in the end we made it to the airport on time and began our journey home with plenty of food for thought.

Closing remarks

It was, without a doubt, an interesting trip. We saw incredible landscapes, sometimes so vast that they made us feel almost insignificant. We also saw a lot of road. Long stretches that were simply roads, occasionally interrupted by truly scenic sections that made the journey worthwhile.

And then we saw the civilization. The greatest country in the world, with the most powerful economy, yet still struggling with profound social challenges. It gave us another perspective on what we have at home, which is by no means perfect, yet somewhat more socially responsible and sensitive to human beings.

And the main takeaway from the concept of a road trip holiday is simple: give it more time so you can enjoy each place without rushing. Unfortunately, our personal circumstances didn’t allow us more than 14 days, so we only experienced bits and pieces of everything the West Coast has to offer.

Even so, it was a remarkable experience. Difficult moments and encounters with the “bad” or the “ugly” don’t make a journey worse. If anything, they deepen the experience and provoke reflections that go far beyond beautiful Instagram photos. In that sense, it was a very rich trip.