Travel Ideas: Tips, Guides & Road Trips for the Western U.S. - Sunset

The Latest From Sunset

These 19 Restaurants Are the Dining Institutions of the West

These are the West’s culinary roots—the classic restaurants that weave together culture, atmosphere, and the best ingredients

July 13, 2012

December 6, 2019

California

Local’s Guide to San Francisco

Here’s your to-do list for San Francisco, whether you have just a day or a whole long weekend to play with

October 19, 2015

December 5, 2019

California

San Francisco Day Trip: Outer Sunset

5 great reasons to head to the beach in San Francisco

December 23, 2009

December 5, 2019

The ski gondolas at Park City Mountain surrounded by snowy slopes and trees during the day

Outdoor Adventure

15 Great Snowy Getaways for an Epic Winter Vacation

Where to hop on a sleigh, lace up your skates, ski deep powder, or just cozy up

October 7, 2009

December 3, 2019

Hit the Slopes at These Fantastic (or Fantastical) Mountain Resorts

Outdoor Adventure

These Ski Resorts Lead the Pack on Sustainability in the West

With eco-friendly equipment, plastic-free campuses, and zero-waste plans, these mountain resorts are helping ensure the future of snow sports

November 20, 2019

December 6, 2019

Man hiking along ridgeline with skis at Telluride

Travel

17 Epic Ski Resorts to Add to Your Snowy Bucket List

Get your winter sports fix at the best mountain resorts around the West

April 15, 2011

November 17, 2019

Outdoor Adventure

We Made Up the Ultimate Mountain Resort for a Winter Sports Dream Come True

Forget custom skis: This season, we customized an entire resort with all our favorites—both new and classic—from the best snow towns across the West

December 2, 2019

December 6, 2019

Kids skiing down a mountain at Beaver Creek Ski Resort

Outdoor Adventure

Picture-Perfect Ski Resorts for Families with Tiny Shredders

What does it take to rank high as a kid-friendly mountain? A nice mix of gentle and advanced terrain, a killer ski school, and family-fun events. Perks like ice skating and free cookies sure don't hurt, either

December 3, 2019

Where to Go in the West Right Now

Amazing Aurora Borealis Adventure in Alaska

Outdoor Adventure

Amazing Aurora Borealis Adventure in Alaska

The cure for the daily grind? An Alaska getaway to meet the aurora borealis and the people who track it

October 3, 2018

November 14, 2019

Aerial view with winding route of one of the best hikes in the West Angels Landing at Zion National Park, UT

National Parks

Zion Turns 100: These 5 Champions of the National Park Sing Its Praises

In honor of Zion National Park’s centennial celebration this November, we hear from five people deeply connected to the land and invested in protecting it for another 100 years

November 26, 2019

December 3, 2019

Wine Country

We Shouldn’t Tell You This, But: You Can Sleep in a Refurbished Grain Silo at this Oregon Wine Farm

For a unique and cozy sleep, bunk up at this wine country hidden gem

November 20, 2019

November 21, 2019

Southwest

How to Plan the Ultimate Trip to Marfa, Texas

Everything you need to know before your epic trip to West Texas’s quirkiest town

August 15, 2018

November 26, 2019

More Ideas

The eclectic lobby at the Soho Warehouse in L.A.

Hotels

Meet the New Hotels Everyone Will Be Talking About This Season

From a new Canyon Ranch retreat to a sexy ski-in/ski-out W Hotel in Colorado, these sleek pads will have you packing your bags

November 24, 2019

December 3, 2019

Travel

These Holiday Markets Boast Chic Artisan Goods and Loads of Cheer

'Tis the season for taking photos with Santa, sipping mulled wine, and shopping for unique, handmade gifts at these spirited Christmas bazaars across the West

November 15, 2019

December 3, 2019

Two women skating across Lake Louis ice skating rinks with giant mountain in the background

Travel

The Most Beautiful Ice Skating Rinks from San Diego to Vegas

With its staggering mountains, beachside settings, and glittering cities, the West provides the perfect backdrop for some seriously magical skating

November 9, 2011

November 24, 2019

The Montage Deer Valley hotel covered in snow

Travel

Gift Yourself One of These Amazing Holiday Vacation Packages

Whether you’re looking for Yuletide splurges or savings, these end-of-year escapes will put you in the holiday spirit

August 2, 2017

December 3, 2019

Fall color on Silver Lake on the June Lake Loop in California, which has many of the state's great fall hikes

Outdoor Adventure

These 15 Great Fall Hikes Prove Autumn Is Better in the West

Fall in the West was made for hiking and these trails over-deliver on foliage, killer terrain, and expansive vistas

August 30, 2011

November 19, 2019

Cruise Through Hunter S. Thompson’s Vegas

Travel

11 Western Locales That Inspired Iconic Literary Works

From Joan Didion’s California to Edward Abbey’s Southwestern desert, these landmarks and places will have you appreciating your favorite authors on a whole new level

September 10, 2018

November 5, 2019

Hotels

10 Hotels with Amazing Libraries

These properties elevate the book experience with stellar design, rare collections, and loads of character

October 17, 2018

December 4, 2018

Travel

12 Most Instagrammable Bookshops in the West

A good bookshop stokes the imagination in more ways than one. Add these literary gems to your list of places to stalk

October 18, 2018

November 14, 2019

Travel

San Miguel de Allende Travel Guide

Our complete guide on where to stay, eat, and play in San Miguel de Allende

November 15, 2016

May 1, 2019

Mexico

A Perfect Trip to Oaxaca

Explore Oaxaca's restaurants, museums, historical sites, and more on an itinerary inspired by the town's famed mezcal

September 17, 2018

October 8, 2019

Travel

Top 15 Things to Do in Tijuana

A new generation of adventurous chefs, artists, and innovators are turning TJ into a city for the locals, by the locals

July 14, 2014

December 11, 2018

Travel

Mexico City Travel Guide

Street food. Modern cuisine. Mezcal. Here’s how to eat, drink, and be generally way cooler than your at-home self in Latin America’s crazy-fun metropolis

February 9, 2016

February 22, 2019

Travel the West

These Beach Resorts Go All Out for the Winter Holidays

The Latest From Sunset

These 19 Restaurants Are the Dining Institutions of the West

Local’s Guide to San Francisco

San Francisco Day Trip: Outer Sunset

15 Great Snowy Getaways for an Epic Winter Vacation

Hit the Slopes at These Fantastic (or Fantastical) Mountain Resorts

These Ski Resorts Lead the Pack on Sustainability in the West

17 Epic Ski Resorts to Add to Your Snowy Bucket List

We Made Up the Ultimate Mountain Resort for a Winter Sports Dream Come True

Picture-Perfect Ski Resorts for Families with Tiny Shredders

Where to Go in the West Right Now

Amazing Aurora Borealis Adventure in Alaska

Zion Turns 100: These 5 Champions of the National Park Sing Its Praises

We Shouldn’t Tell You This, But: You Can Sleep in a Refurbished Grain Silo at this Oregon Wine Farm

How to Plan the Ultimate Trip to Marfa, Texas

More Ideas

Meet the New Hotels Everyone Will Be Talking About This Season

These Holiday Markets Boast Chic Artisan Goods and Loads of Cheer

The Most Beautiful Ice Skating Rinks from San Diego to Vegas

Gift Yourself One of These Amazing Holiday Vacation Packages

These 15 Great Fall Hikes Prove Autumn Is Better in the West

11 Western Locales That Inspired Iconic Literary Works

10 Hotels with Amazing Libraries

12 Most Instagrammable Bookshops in the West

San Miguel de Allende Travel Guide

A Perfect Trip to Oaxaca

Top 15 Things to Do in Tijuana

Mexico City Travel Guide