Our FUTURE Most EPIC American road trip .

Yes, Crater Lake is beautiful. Yes, you should see it. However, it is a long haul from Eugene or any of the major stops off the 5, so you'll want to plan accordingly and expect to take a full day to visit and drive back from this attraction. From high atop the rim of Crater Lake, you can see just how magical the world really is. A hike down to the water reveals new beauty. The water is so blue and so deep, it’s no surprise that it’s the deepest lake in America, and one of the deepest on Earth. That’s why it’s one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon.

Surrounded by cliffs almost 2,000 feet high and boasting a picturesque island with a violent volcanic past, Crater Lake is also home to hikes through old-growth forests, and cross-country ski trips in the winter months. Many of the roads and facilities close during the winter, but the park is open and accessible all year long.

Crater Lake is located in southern Oregon, which is also home to the world-renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the stunning Rogue River, the Oregon Caves and vineyards, and chocolatiers and cheesemakers galore.

This world-famous scenic drive is a 31-mile portion of old Highway 101, which parallels Freeway 101 with its 51,222 acres of redwood groves. It is by far the most outstanding display of these giant trees in the entire 500-mile redwood belt and is accessible to all with convenient services provided along the way. The Avenue of the Giants is surrounded by Humboldt Redwoods State Park, which has the largest remaining stand of virgin redwoods in the world. Take time to picnic, camp, hike, swim, fish, raft, or bike in the cool hush of these ancient redwood forests.

Rent a bike from one of the touristy bike rental places and take it across the Golden Gate Bridge to Salsalito. There, you'll find cute shops, places to eat, and fun bars, and you can jump on a ferry back across the bay. You get outstanding views of the Bay, of San Francisco, of Marin County and the Ocean. There's parking on the San Francisco side as well as the Marin County side. Fair warning- it gets very windy on the bridge so hold on to your hats, caps, and any loose items you wear. If you're a photographer, it's kind of a dream bridge because there's always dramatic fog. Fun fact: Before it opened in 1937, during its construction the city laid a safety net under the floor of the bridge. It was massive and stretched the length of the bridge. The net saved over 19 men from falling to their deaths. Those guys became part of a very exclusive club, known as the “Half-Way-To-Hell Club.”

Then it’s straight on to Yosemite National Park. It's one of America’s most awe-inspiring parks, and also one of its most popular. The best time to visit to avoid the seasonal crowds are after Labor Day and before Memorial Day. Plan to spend time floating down the Merced River if the weather is nice, and see if you can get a permit to climb Half Dome. From the minute you enter the park, you’re immediately surrounded by massive sequoia trees and there are loads of must-see spots hidden within the forest: Bridalveil Fall, Mirror Lake, and Glacier Point, to name a few.

After exploring Yosemite, hop back in the car and visit the Santa Monica Pier, which is open every day of the year, and features free admission. There are loads of fun rides at the pier, including roller coasters, and a historic Carousel from 1922. You'll also find an old-fashioned soda fountain and an aquarium... or just stroll along the pier to watch the street performers and listen to musicians, and then make your way out onto the sand.

Rounding out the most epic American road trip is a visit to Grand Canyon National Park, the most popular spot that showed up in our Holiday Inn contest submissions. Drive between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View for some amazing scenic overlooks. The National Park Service takes exceptional pride in this park and does an amazing job at keeping it well-maintained and clean. A few insanely cool hikes are the hike down South Kaibab Trail toward Phantom Ranch, the North Rim hike to the river, and the South Rim Trail, which provides unbelievably beautiful sunsets.

From Vegas, drive to Monument Valley. This is home to what’s arguably the most iconic landscape of the American West.If you go to The View Hotel and pay $10 per person, you can get some insane pictures of the valley from the Visitor Center balcony. This is absolutely an essential stop on any great American road trip.