Morning: Depart Seattle early via I‑5 South, enjoying views of Puget Sound and the Cascade foothills. Stop at the iconic Lake Sammamish State Park for a quick stretch and photo op.
Afternoon: Arrive in Portland and wander the lively Pierce’s Books and the vibrant Pioneer Courthouse Square. Sample a food‑cart lunch featuring local specialties.
Evening: Dine along the waterfront at Portland Waterfront Park and take a sunset stroll across the illuminated Portland Saturday Market before settling into your hotel.
Find HotelsMorning: Head south on I‑5, crossing the Columbia River at the Columbia River Gorge. Brief stop at the Bonneville Dam viewpoint for impressive engineering sights.
Afternoon: Continue toward Redding, detouring to admire the majestic Mount Shasta from the Mount Shasta City Park. Enjoy a picnic with mountain vistas while avoiding higher elevation roads.
Evening: Arrive in Redding, relax at the riverside Sundial Bridge and have dinner at a local eatery before checking into your accommodation.
Find HotelsMorning: Drive east on CA‑44 toward Lassen Volcanic National Park. Take the easy Manzanita Lake loop for sunrise reflections without high‑altitude passes.
Afternoon: Explore the park’s hydrothermal features at Bumpass Hell and enjoy a short hike to Devil’s Kitchen. Depart for Reno, staying on lower elevations.
Evening: Arrive in Reno, wander the historic Truckee Riverwalk, and savor dinner at a downtown steakhouse.
Find HotelsMorning: Travel south on US‑95, crossing the high desert toward Great Basin National Park. Stop at the visitor center to learn about the park’s unique geology.
Afternoon: Take the gentle Lehman Caves tour and enjoy a short hike to the iconic Alpine Lakes Loop, staying well below snow‑bound elevations.
Evening: Continue to Pahrump, Nevada. Check into a comfortable lodge and relax with a desert sunset over the Spring Mountains.
Find HotelsMorning: Depart Pahrump on I‑15 South, then merge onto I‑10 East toward the Mojave Desert. Brief stop at the historic Calico Ghost Town for a glimpse of mining history.
Afternoon: Arrive at Joshua Tree National Park and explore the famous Hidden Valley trail and the iconic Joshua Trees against rugged rock formations.
Evening: Stay in the nearby town of Twentynine Palms, enjoy stargazing in the park’s dark‑sky preserve, and dine at a local café.
Find HotelsMorning: Take I‑10 West toward the Pacific Coast, stopping at the scenic San Bernardino National Forest overlook for a quick photo.
Afternoon: Continue on I‑5 South, passing through the San Juan Capistrano Mission for a historic interlude before reaching Huntington Beach.
Evening: Arrive at Huntington Beach, unwind on the famous Main Beach, and celebrate the journey with a beachfront dinner at a waterfront restaurant.
Find HotelsIf you have extra time, consider adding a day in Lassen Volcanic to hike the higher-elevation Bumpass Hell Trail or a night in Joshua Tree for sunrise photography. To shorten the trip, skip the detour to Great Basin and head straight from Reno to Joshua Tree via I‑15, reducing travel time by about 4 hours while still enjoying the desert highlights.