The West Coast’s 4 Most Overrated Destinations & Where To Go Instead

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What involves thoughts whenever you envision a West Coast getaway?

For most, it is a blended bag of huge metropolis thrills and lovely seashores — they usually’re not improper.

Today, I’m placing on my tour information hat with one exception: I’m going to be trustworthy as your resident insider who’s traversed every West Coast state extensively from Bellingham, Washington all the best way all the way down to the Mexican border.

That’s proper — no sugarcoating or smoke and mirrors. That’s what we attempt for right here at Travel Off Path.

Without additional ado, here is our knowledgeable tackle the West Coast’s 4 most overrated locations and the place you must actually go as an alternative:

4) Disneyland: You Can Put A Price On Happiness

(*4*)

Disney theme parks have generally been generally known as the ‘happiest locations on Earth’. That phrase ought to include an asterisk stating, “you’re only happy if you don’t check your bank account”.

Sure, theme park rides are at all times enjoyable, however having to get up on the break of day to attain primetime parking and spent a fortune to really feel, properly, ‘completely satisfied’, would not appear to be it ought to be the method.

I’m no Deepak Chopra, however I’ve felt quite a bit happier in so many different locations, together with one other stylish seaside city close-by that may hold your kiddos simply as entertained as minimum-wage youngsters wearing outsized rodent costumes.

The different: Carlsbad.

This up-and-coming seaside city was deemed by Travel + Leisure because the #1 vacation spot on the planet for 2026.

It’s dwelling to LegoLand, one other theme park filled with thrills for all ages.

Unlike Disney’s base of Anaheim, Carlsbad is a ravishing seaside city, so that you get the most effective of each worlds. You can guide at lodge inside the LegoLand grounds or go for an underrated oceanfront resort strolling distance from Carlsbad Village.

Plus, a lot to locals’ chagrin, Carlsbad’s comparatively new business airport is now anchored by United and American, making a visit to this midsize metropolis extra possible.

3) Laguna Beach: Just As Inauthentic As MTV’s Portrayal

Remember Laguna Beach on MTV?

Unfortunately, I do too. But the actual Laguna Beach is not a lot a set-jetter vacation spot like that of The White Lotus.

In some methods, it is identical to the present — materialistic, posh, and inauthentic to outsiders.

In different methods, it is really one in every of SoCal’s most lovely seashores. It’s not that I hate coming right here by any means, it is that I’ve to take a deep breath understanding discovering a parking house will likely be maddening, locals do not care about something however surf circumstances and the way a lot crypto is of their belief funds, and there is not any such factor as an inexpensive meal when Whole Foods is the place to stockpile seaside snacks.

Don’t get me improper — it’s beautiful. But the general uppity vibe feels much less like a laid-back paradise and extra just like the ready room of a Botox clinic.

The different: San Clemente.

The entryway into Orange County driving north is San Clemente, and it is a stunner.

This native gem oozes the allure of Spain with a whitewashed townscape topped with red-tiled roofs and the easygoing nature of small SoCal seaside cities.

You’ll discover much less Ferraris and extra skateboards, higher costs, and sometimes fewer crowds, particularly throughout holidays.

2) Portland: A One-And-Done City

I visited Portland final 12 months for the primary time and by no means had a uninteresting second exploring town alone.

That stated, I can not give you a real cause to return.

It’s true town does issues in a different way, each politically and societally — it is their declare to fame.

To me, it is a one-and-done vacation spot. As nice because the meals, espresso, artwork, and unending bizarro experiences had been, as soon as you have carried out it, you have carried out it.

Despite being surprisingly affordable, the most important shock was Portland’s cultural range. I wasn’t anticipating a significant Chinatown and Japantown right here.

Let’s be trustworthy, although — there are method higher cities to pig on out Asia’s most interesting delicacies and what I felt Portland lacked what aesthetically lovely structure that attracts you in.

The different: San Francisco.

If you desire a bustling waterfront metropolis with immersive tradition, San Fran is your greatest guess with bustling districts devoted to Japanese, Chinese, Italian, amongst different communities.

It’s really one in every of my favourite cities — one which I’d dwell in if homeownership would not break my soul.

It is necessary to notice each Portland and San Francisco have been a PR agent’s worst nightmare dealign with unpleasant headlines by way of crime and a myriad of homelessness points.

Right now, vacationers are scoring Portland with 80/100, adopted by San Fran’s 82/100, which is actually higher than I anticipated given the zombie-like neighborhoods typically portrayed in mainstream information.

1) Los Angeles: The Fallen ‘Angel’

I used to like weekend getaways in LA.

We’re talkin’ Beverly Hills, Marina del Rey, Santa Monica, Malibu, Okay-Town and the July 4th Parade in Pacific Palisades.

Nowadays, you could not pay to me waste my time.

Obviously, aforementioned Malibu and Pacific Palisades aren’t fairly what they was given the out-of-control wildfires that took occurred shortly over a 12 months in the past.

But the remainder of town?

Crime/security has been an enormous speaking level and one which mainstream media has really gotten proper.

The different: San Diego.

That’s to not say my hometown would not have issues; one gander at East Village definitely says so.

San Diego is the place Angelenos go to flee their metropolis however not a lot the opposite method round except it is business-related, given snail-pace gridlock and security considerations.

SD feels safer, visitors is much less of a headache, has tastier tacos (yeah, I stated it!), higher seashores, and continues to develop whereas LA feels it could not probably unfold out any extra.

From a security perspective, vacationers are scoring LA almost 10 factors decrease than San Diego. In truth, it is even decrease than Medellin, Colombia.

Yikes!