Going out west this summer? Whether you’re planning to soak in some spectacular Canyon vistas, looking to dip your toes into the Pacific or hoping to hang in a hammock alongside the Rocky Mountains, you can be sure you’ll satisfy your wanderlust with a journey out West. Listen to some tunes in Seattle, explore the country’s largest ponderosa forest in Flagstaff and be sure to take in those views in The City Above the Clouds. We’ve rounded up some of the top West Coast destinations and the best places to stay. Here are our top picks:
Flagstaff, Arizona
Set along the base of the beautiful San Francisco Peaks, Flagstaff is home to the longest stretch of America’s famed scenic byway, Route 66, and the country’s largest ponderosa pine forest. With plenty of opportunity for fresh air fun, Flagstaff is a stone’s throw away from seven national parks and monuments and only 80 miles from the Grand Canyon. Add to that a historic, pedestrian-friendly downtown teeming with eclectic architecture, a dose of college-town flavor and plenty of laid-back charm and you’ve found yourself a perfect northern Arizonian escape. For an absolutely charming B&B getaway, head to England House Bed and Breakfast in the heart of the city. Whether you’re in town for sightseeing, skiing or shopping, England House Bed and Breakfast offers a perfect locale, plenty of character and a home-cooked, gourmet breakfast. Plus, you’re sure to enjoy the endless supply of fresh-baked cookies.
Woodland Park, Colorado
Nestled on the North side of Pikes Peak, Woodland Park, known as the City Above the Clouds , offers the perfect mountain getaway surrounded by unspoiled wilderness. Just 20 minutes up the Ute Pass from Colorado Springs, Woodland Park serves as a hub for outdoor recreation as well as a vibrant arts community. With its hometown charm, deep blue skies and fresh mountain air Woodland Park provides a pretty spectacular hideaway in the Rocky Mountains. And for some luxe accommodations with a coveted 9000- foot vista of Pikes Peak, head to Pikes Peak Paradise for a secluded, mountainside retreat. Each room is equipped with private hot tubs; fireplaces, decks and 1200 thread count sheets. Plus, you’ll enjoy a full gourmet breakfast in the morning and four hours of complimentary beer or wine with dessert in the evening.
Seattle, Washington
No doubt, Seattle is a sightseer’s paradise. The Pacific Northwest city composed of culture, scenery and a healthy dose of quirkiness has so much to offer from the Seattle Great Wheel to the nine-acre Pike Place Market. Take a walk on the waterfront. Enjoy more than 400 works in the city’s public art collection lining public parks, bridges, and streets. Listen to the contemporary sounds of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. You’d better get started because there really is so much to see in the Emerald City. For a room with a view, head to Three Tree Point Bed & Breakfast tucked on a quiet hillside overlooking Puget Sound. From your private unit, equipped with a kitchen, living room, bedroom and bath, soak in some panoramic views of Mount Rainier and the Olympic Mountains. And, if you happen to be visiting Three Tree Point Bed & Breakfast during the summer, check out the Seattle International Beerfest at Fisher Pavilion or Bumbershoot, a festival of music, comedy and the arts.
Beaverton, Oregon
Just outside of Portland is the city of Beaverton. Tucked in between the West Hills and Tualatin Valley farmland, Beaverton is more than Portland’s next-door neighbor. Believe it or not, this place is just as diverse and dynamic as Portland, named “one of the best places to live” by Money Magazine. Beyond the quaint downtown shopping district dotted with boutiques and local eateries, miles of trails weave through forest groves and more than 100 city parks, beckoning you to ditch the car and explore the city on foot. After getting a dose of fresh air, check-in to the Cornerstone Bed and Breakfast, nestled in the Willamette Wine Country. Stay in one of three themed rooms celebrating Oregon’s history and enjoy bucolic views from the wraparound porch.
Westport, California
With the Redwoods, Scenic California Highway One and the sandy beaches of the Pacific Coast, you really can’t go wrong in Westport, California. If you’re planning a summer getaway, look no further than the Howard Creek Ranch Inn. Ribboned with miles of beach and mountains on the beautiful Mendocino Coast, Howard Creek Ranch Inn is a historic, 60-acre ocean front paradise. Visit the properties award-winning gardens or take a stroll over the 75-foot swinging footbridge over Howard Creek. Feeling adventurous? Head out on horseback along the beach or through mountains. Soak in the splendor of the 60-mile long stretch of wilderness. It’s as good for the soul as the full ranch breakfast.
