Perfect Summer Trips

Poolside R&R in Palm Springs, CA

Palm Springs in summer? Yep, we said it. Zero crowds, killer deals, and a pool around every corner make this the place to be.

Hang ten on San Diego's Solana Beach

Visit artsy, cool shops, munch on good eats, or catch some waves at picturesque Solana Beach.

Splash around in Cascade, ID

Explore nature's very own water world in Cascade, Idaho. Sparkling lakes, flowing rivers, and natural hot springs boast fun activities for the whole family.

Sun and surf in Huntington Beach, CA

Whether you're carving up the waves or watching the pros from the sand, this classic beachy California vacation town will work its charms on you.
Here's where to stay, get lobster tacos, watch the surfers, and learn to catch a wave.

Escape to Edmonds, WA

Summer brings out the all-American spirit in this small waterfront ferry port town. Grab some gourmet picnic grub and head to the beach, or hop a ferry for a scenic tour of the nearby Kitsap Peninsula.

Cool off in Sierra City, CA

In summertime, a cool pine forest laced with bracing-cold streams sounds just right. Take a dip in ice-cold swimming holes, hike through fields of wildflowers, then jump back into the crisp alpine waters to cool off again.

Surrounded by nature in Sawtooth Mountains, ID

Imagine a national park-level wilderness without national park-level crowds. No bus tours. No traffic. No entrance fees. Just drop-to-your-knees gorgeous land full of hiking trails, hot springs, trout-filled streams, and some of the best lemonade we've ever tasted.

One perfect day in Yosemite

See the sun rise over glistening meadows, trek to three waterfalls, eat lunch beneath El Capitan­—and still have time for an ice cream break. Here's our hour-by-hour breakdown of the perfect day in Yosemite.

Explore nature in San Juan Islands, WA

A long summer weekend in Washington's San Juan Islands is just enough time to savor the area’s patented pleasures: orcas and eagles, kayaking and hiking, and a food scene that shows the influence of a burgeoning slow-food movement.

Sparkling scenery at Lake Tahoe

Clear, blue, and still a classic: Summer in Tahoe is the same as it ever was. Go for a sunset sail, take a shot at paddleboarding, or find a slice of beach and take in the to-die-for beauty.

Go wine tasting in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley

This achingly beautiful wine country is in full-throttle discovery mode, with new wineries and different kinds of grapes going in all the time ― nearly 60 varietals, planted all over the benchlands, hillsides, and valley floor.
Add to this the Okanagan's pristine lakes, orchards, and wide range of non-wine-related things for the whole family to do (from riding the century-old Kettle Valley steam train to biking and hiking), and you have a wine-country experience like no other.

Pour a glass in Oregon's Willamette Valley wine country

With luxe new inns and tons of tasting rooms, Willamette is ready for prime time.
You can get lost on the backcountry roads but always find a good glass of Pinot around the bend.
And now, with new hotels opening and tasting rooms mustering in towns like Carlton, you can experience the valley’s off-the-beaten-path vibe yet have the comforts of a soft bed close by.

Road trip through Yellowstone, WY

This is the granddaddy of national parks, full of waterfalls, bison, and geysers. From cabins to fishing to camping, here's our tips on what to do, where to eat, and where to stay.

Tear up the road on Big Sky drive, MT

Hit the road this summer on an epic road trip through the Rocky Mountain Front to Glacier National Park.
You'll pass through Montana's Rockies through the plains and you can stop to explore tipi villages, hunt for dinosaur bones and Indian relics, stay at a guest ranch, and catch a small town rodeo.

Cruise along Highway 395 in the Eastern Sierra

Hop from lake to forest to charming mountain town on the Sierra’s eastern slope.

Delicious eats in Long Beach Peninsula, WA

If you like oysters ― we're talking just-harvested Willapa Bays ― you'll love the Long Beach Peninsula.

Discover Prince William Sound, AK

Want some adventure therapy? Paddling the pristine Prince William Sound alongside humpback whales, floating icebergs, and 350-pound sea lions soothes Sunset's editor-in-chief.

Pristine waters in Idaho's lake country

Deep, blue, and busy are three words that sum up three of the West's most beautiful lakes: Coeur d'Alene, Pend Oreille, and Priest. Each has its own character -- Coeur d'Alene's got boats and golf and high-end resorts; Pend Oreille has the little town of Sandpoint; and Priest has huckleberry pie.

Paddle through North and South Pender Island, BC

The Southern Gulf Islands is a paradise for paddlers and anyone who loves hidden beaches small farms, and seaside spas.

Relax and refresh in Sooke, Vancouver Island, Canada

Escape to the wild seaside on the south coast of Vancouver Island. You'll need a car to drive the pretty back roads, where there is a honey farm, but you can also rent a bike and pedal the Galloping Goose Trail.
Cap it off with a stay at the artsy Sooke Harbour House. Berries seem to hang on every bush in the summer.

Embrace nature in Lassen Peak, CA

All the scenery of Yosemite, but without the crowds.

Amazing eats in Point Reyes/Tomales Bay, CA

An hour from San Francisco, you’ll find rolling hills, a placid bay, wild coastline, and some of the most amazing food anywhere.

Tour the coast from Half Moon Bay to Santa Cruz, CA

Just south of San Francisco, mile after mile of undeveloped, rugged coastline.

Pitch your tent the West's best campgrounds

Camping is the ultimate bargain getaway. From the rim of the Grand Canyon to the sweeping Arch Rock Campground in Nevada’s Valley of Fire State Park, here are 90 great spots to roll out your sleeping bag.

Have some fun in San Diego, CA

What to do, where to stay, and where to eat in the city's three best neighborhoods for summer fun.