Consider this your guide to some of the most inspiring people, places, and activities worth a visit right now. With travel back in full swing, there’s plenty to discover—and not just the next great road trip, emerging foodie destination, or newly redesigned hotel. Exploration in the West is changing. People don’t want to just be tourists passing through; they want to immerse themselves in local culture and support community-run businesses. They’re seeking connection with strangers and their neighbors, whether around a table or on the trail. So, here’s to your next epic excursion. We’ve got plenty of ideas for making the most of your trip, even if it’s right next door.
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Coastal Gems | Wine Country Winners | The New Food Pilgrimage | Stress-Free Staycations | A Sense of Place and Purpose | Epic Outdoor Getaways
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The salty sea air and rugged cliffs of the coast are calling. With many travelers looking to book stress-free trips at places they never have to leave, we predict a massive return to beachfront escapes. Here are some of our favorite coastal hot spots.
Alexandra Fisher/Unsplash
With a name like Surf City, it’s easy to see why the California town beckons families and surfers alike. We’re celebrating recent efforts to make the beach more accessible for all. Now visitors with disabilities, stroller-toting parents, and others can make their way down a pair of mats that serve as a stable pathway across the sand.
Kristin Loken
An iconic Tomales Bay hot spot recently got a refresh for the first time in 15 years. The cottages sport new furnishings and wallpaper, and the restaurant has an upgraded back bar. It’s Northern California coastal cooking at its best: lots of seafood, salads, Asian and Mexican influences, and a heavy dose of Alice Waters–style, produce-first deliciousness.
Courtesy of The Nomadic People
Courtesy of The Ingalls
Courtesy of Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort
It’s no easy feat making wine in the West. And yet the region’s growers and producers continue on the path of mindful cultivation, releasing innovative bottles in the face of a historic pandemic, wildfires, and drought. We’re ready for a viticulture renaissance. Here’s where you’ll find us amid the vines.
Courtesy of Craft & Cluster/Visit the Santa Ynez Valley
Let us name the reasons we keep returning to the fertile California valley: more than 100 wineries, an array of family farms, notable hotel openings, and a renovated open-air theater, among others. If you’re looking for rolling vineyards, this is the place to be.
Ali Beck
It doesn’t get any better than a brisket sandwich special on the patio of the beloved Los Alamos outpost. Pastries and loaves are baked fresh daily.
Thomas J. Story
Rebecca Nuss
Rob Stark
Experiential dining spaces and over-the-top tasting menus are en vogue. We don’t just want to share food with our friends; we want to commune with strangers amid a dining experience that ignites all of our senses. Here are some of our favorites.
©2022 Marc Fiorito/Gamma Nine Photography
Michelin-starred chef Ludo Lefebvre takes on Denver at a hip, new French restaurant with staples like steak tartare, duck à l’orange, and bison bourguignon.
Brady Lawrence
No longer the new kid on the block, Washington’s fertile southeastern region is teeming with new restaurants and food trucks, a burgeoning arts scene, and more than 100 wineries that appeal to all types of palates.
Courtesy of Salish Lodge & Spa
Aubrie Pick
Courtesy of the Meritage Collection
Your next great getaway could be right in your backyard. Fueled by an increase in local exploration, more people are finding rest and rejuvenation close to home, whether that’s a nearby metropolis or a wellness resort. Luckily, the West is home to myriad hospitality groups constantly creating innovative spaces to discover throughout the region.
The Line Hotel
A hotel, private residences, four dining experiences, a nonprofit theater space, and a rooftop solarium all converge in this expansive project designed by Bjarke Ingels Group and Handel Architects. It’s slated to open this year.
Tanveer Badal
This downtown Los Angeles hotel’s history in the women’s movement remains apparent, with a revolving art series featuring female artists and a custom suite outfitted with eye masks, candles, and more from women-owned businesses.
Thomas J. Story
Christian Horan
Travelers want to be intentional about where they spend money and who’s guiding them on the journey. Whether taking in a piece of history or getting tips from a bonafide local outfitter, we’ve got ideas.
Denis Tangney Jr/Getty Images
You won’t find pueblo and adobe architecture like this anywhere else in the U.S., not to mention the city’s unique topography that lends itself to stargazing, hiking, and hot spring dips
Jeremy Jeziorski
A creekside 550-seat theater recently opened to bring regional arts organizations, international performers, and educational exhibitions to Beaverton.
Jeremy Swanson
Amanda Powell
Isabel Baer
Courtesy of Visit the Santa Ynez Valley
More people than ever are venturing out into Mother Nature—and they’re showing no signs of slowing down. Whether you’re hitting the open road, hiking solo, or camping with a group, here’s how to live your best outdoor life this year.
Jennie Hutchinson
The red desert and Wind River Mountain Range play host to an array of opportunities in the great outdoors, from rodeos to road trips through Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks, plus a new public access point on the Popo Agie River.
Sequoia Shuttle
Avoid parking headaches at Sequoia National Park with an eco-friendly shuttle that departs from most Visalia hotels. Even if you’re headed to the backcountry, the shuttle offers a one-way ride to spots including the Pacific Crest Trail.
Courtesy of Sheldon Chalet
Courtesy of Dunton Destinations
Ren Fuller
Marielle Dezurick
© REI
Brasada Ranch