West Coast USA holidays

Wherever you dream of heading, you can compare prices on a great range of west coast USA holidays with TravelSupermarket...

America's west coast is inspirational for both its scenery and lifestyle. Fog-shrouded mountain ranges, desert landscapes, sun-drenched vineyards, lush forests, sandy beaches and windswept bays provide the backdrop to huge cities and sprawling suburbs. Comprising “sunshine state” California as well as Oregon and Washington, the west coast is best known for its laidback lifestyle and variety of attractions. Whether you're looking for art, entertainment, history or culture, west coast USA truly has it all.

Sup milkshakes with the locals in diners, test the surf on the windswept coast, drive through giant redwood trees, crank up the glamour and hire a convertible car, hike to the highest points, sup a coffee in the home of Starbucks, spot celebrities in star-studded Hollywood - whatever tickles your American fancy, TravelSupermarket can help bring your fantasy to life. 

The sunny southern west coast draws the majority of holidaymakers, with the Californian cities of San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco attracting visitors keen to get their own slice of California, just like the thousands that flocked here during the Gold Rush of the 1850s. 

There's a host of theme parks in Southern California - Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Universal Studios and Six Flags Magic Mountain to name a few. Families will find plenty to keep them occupied at any time of year. San Diego is renowned for its water sports and family-friendly activities - Sea World, San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park all have enduring appeal.

Further north you'll find Seattle in the state of Washington, famed for rainy days, a diverse music scene and that coffee empire, while the pleasant and up-and-coming city of Portland is in Oregon. 

The west coast is a playground for nature, where scenery, wildlife and geology clash with spectacular style. There's the striking San Andreas Fault - an 800-mile ridge where two tectonic plates meet; Yosemite National Park, east of San Francisco, whose waterfalls and mountains are photographed and explored by millions of awe-struck visitors; the nearby Mono Lake; Big Sur - the mountainous part of California's coastline; Great Basin National Park in Nevada, where deer, rabbits, squirrels, skunks and eagles can be spotted among the great swathes of pine trees; Lava Beds National Monument in California, where you can explore caves formed by lava flows thousands of year ago; and Washington's volcano, Mount Saint Helens. 

Whether you plan to relax in style, shop till you drop, soak up nature, or feel the adrenaline of the theme parks, the west coast offers every kind of holiday with options to suit every budget. 

The west coast of the United States of America is wonderfully diverse and perfect for exploring during a road trip or fly-drive holiday. You can enjoy a whistle-stop tour of the world's scenery in just a few states: arid deserts, green mountains, sandy beaches, sun-soaked vineyards, buzzing cities - west coast USA has it all and much, much more.

The central coast runs between the iconic city of San Francisco and the metropolis of Los Angeles and here you'll find beautiful white sand beaches, roaring surf and the outstanding natural beauty of Big Sur State Park, where the Santa Lucia Mountains tower above the Pacific Ocean. The Pacific Coast Highway (Route 1) winds through some of the most spectacular landscapes in the US, and many travellers hire a car and make the classic road trip between the cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles.

If you appetite has been whetted by the wonderful west coast, search now on TravelSupermarket to discover how cheap it could be to begin your American adventure.

The weather on the US west coast is as diverse as its scenery. Read on and discover the ideal time to take west coast America holidays...

In southern California you can rely on mild winters and warm summers as California is one of the sunniest states in the USA, with 12-14 hours of sunshine typical during the summer months. In San Francisco, in the north of the state, you should wrap up warm in the evenings at any time of the year - those famous fogs can feel very chilly. In the northern states of Washington and Oregon you might think you're in Britain, with cold winters and unreliable summers; be ready for rain at any time.

Summer is the height of the tourist season, but the spring and autumn offer a fresher climate, lower prices and fewer crowds - this might be the best time to look for cheap west coast America holiday packages.

There's always something happening in this beautiful coastal region. Discover some of the biggest and best annual events...

Chinese New Year in San Francisco; January: San Francisco lays claim to the oldest Chinatown in North America, so it's the place to be for the annual festivities of Chinese New Year. Parades, parties and feasts can be expected in this colourful district.

Oscars in Los Angeles; March: Feel the buzz of Hollywood's glitziest annual event at the Academy Awards. Even if you aren't famous enough to glide down that red carpet, there are lots of Oscar-themed events in the city to take part in.

Spring Break in Las Vegas; March/April: If you want to experience Spring Break like the youth of America, be in Las Vegas. College students do what holidaying college students do best - swim, drink, gamble, party, dance and sunbathe. Famous bands and artists take to numerous stages during the wild weeks.

San Francisco Pride Parade; June: The streets are alive with colour and festivity during the world-famous parade by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups. Thousands line the city streets to see the parade pass by.

Seafair in Seattle; July/August: The city on the sea celebrates the ocean during Seafair, which has grown over the last 100 years into one of the nation's best events. Boat races, street parades and aerial performances mean that the action is on land, sea and in the air.