What involves thoughts whenever you envision a West Coast getaway?
For most, it is a blended bag of massive metropolis thrills and lovely seashores — they usually’re not mistaken.
Today, I’m placing on my tour information hat with one exception: I’m going to be trustworthy as your resident insider who’s traversed every West Coast state extensively from Bellingham, Washington all the way in which right down to the Mexican border.
That’s proper — no sugarcoating or smoke and mirrors. That’s what we try for right here at Travel Off Path.
Without additional ado, this is our knowledgeable tackle the West Coast’s 4 most overrated locations and the place it is best to actually go as an alternative:
4) Disneyland: You Can Put A Price On Happiness
Disney theme parks have generally been generally known as the ‘happiest locations on Earth’. That phrase ought to include an asterisk stating, “you’re only happy if you don’t check your bank account”.
Sure, theme park rides are all the time enjoyable, however having to get up on the break of day to attain primetime parking and spent a fortune to really feel, effectively, ‘completely satisfied’, does not seem to be it must be the components.
I’m no Deepak Chopra, however I’ve felt lots happier in so many different locations, together with one other stylish seashore city close-by that can preserve your kiddos simply as entertained as minimum-wage youngsters wearing outsized rodent costumes.
The various: Carlsbad.
This up-and-coming seashore city was deemed by Travel + Leisure because the #1 vacation spot on the planet for 2026.
It’s house to LegoLand, one other theme park filled with thrills for all ages.
Unlike Disney’s base of Anaheim, Carlsbad is a ravishing seashore city, so that you get the perfect of each worlds. You can ebook at resort inside the LegoLand grounds or go for an underrated oceanfront resort strolling distance from Carlsbad Village.
Plus, a lot to locals’ chagrin, Carlsbad’s comparatively new industrial airport is now anchored by United and American, making a visit to this midsize metropolis extra possible.
3) Laguna Beach: Just As Inauthentic As MTV’s Portrayal
Remember Laguna Beach on MTV?
Unfortunately, I do too. But the actual Laguna Beach is not a lot a set-jetter vacation spot like that of The White Lotus.
In some methods, it is identical to the present — materialistic, posh, and inauthentic to outsiders.
In different methods, it is really considered one of SoCal’s most stunning seashores. It’s not that I hate coming right here by any means, it is that I’ve to take a deep breath figuring out discovering a parking house will probably be maddening, locals do not care about something however surf circumstances and the way a lot crypto is of their belief funds, and there is not any such factor as an inexpensive meal when Whole Foods is the place to stockpile seashore snacks.
Don’t get me mistaken — it’s beautiful. But the general uppity vibe feels much less like a laid-back paradise and extra just like the ready room of a Botox clinic.
The various: San Clemente.
The entryway into Orange County driving north is San Clemente, and it is a stunner.
This native gem oozes the allure of Spain with a whitewashed townscape topped with red-tiled roofs and the easygoing nature of small SoCal seashore cities.
You’ll discover much less Ferraris and extra skateboards, higher costs, and sometimes fewer crowds, particularly throughout holidays.
2) Portland: A One-And-Done City
I visited Portland final yr for the primary time and by no means had a boring second exploring town by myself.
That mentioned, I can not provide you with a real purpose to return.
It’s true town does issues in another way, each politically and societally — it is their declare to fame.
To me, it is a one-and-done vacation spot. As nice because the meals, espresso, artwork, and endless bizarro experiences had been, as soon as you’ve got completed it, you’ve got completed it.
Despite being surprisingly affordable, the largest shock was Portland’s cultural range. I wasn’t anticipating a serious Chinatown and Japantown right here.
Let’s be trustworthy, although — there are manner higher cities to pig on out Asia’s most interesting delicacies and what I felt Portland lacked what aesthetically stunning structure that attracts you in.
The various: San Francisco.
If you need a bustling waterfront metropolis with immersive tradition, San Fran is your finest wager with bustling districts devoted to Japanese, Chinese, Italian, amongst different communities.
It’s really considered one of my favourite cities — one which I’d reside in if homeownership would not break my soul.
It is essential to notice each Portland and San Francisco have been a PR agent’s worst nightmare dealign with ugly headlines by way of crime and a myriad of homelessness points.
Right now, vacationers are scoring Portland with 80/100, adopted by San Fran’s 82/100, which is truthfully higher than I anticipated given the zombie-like neighborhoods typically portrayed in mainstream information.
1) Los Angeles: The Fallen ‘Angel’
I used to like weekend getaways in LA.
We’re talkin’ Beverly Hills, Marina del Rey, Santa Monica, Malibu, Okay-Town and the July 4th Parade in Pacific Palisades.
Nowadays, you could not pay to me waste my time.
Obviously, aforementioned Malibu and Pacific Palisades aren’t fairly what they was given the out-of-control wildfires that took occurred shortly over a yr in the past.
But the remainder of town?
Crime/security has been an enormous speaking level and one which mainstream media has really gotten proper.
The various: San Diego.
That’s to not say my hometown does not have issues; one gander at East Village actually says so.
San Diego is the place Angelenos go to flee their metropolis however not a lot the opposite manner round except it is business-related, given snail-pace gridlock and security considerations.
SD feels safer, site visitors is much less of a headache, has tastier tacos (yeah, I mentioned it!), higher seashores, and continues to develop whereas LA feels it could not presumably unfold out any extra.
From a security perspective, vacationers are scoring LA practically 10 factors decrease than San Diego. In reality, it is even decrease than Medellin, Colombia.
Yikes!
