Interstate 5 is the main highway of America's West Coast, running parallel to the Pacific Ocean and U.S. Route 99, from Mexico to Canada. The major states I-5 goes through include California, Oregon and Washington. It runs through some pretty cool cities too: Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Diego. It also happens to be the only continuous Interstate highway to touch the borders of both Canada and Mexico. These are a few of the best stops along I-5!
Surfing, fishing, camping and beach access for day-use visitors make South Carlsbad State Beach a great place to spend some time. If you can, stay to watch the sun set over the water: there's nothing quite like it.
Next pay a visit to Mission San Juan Capistrano. The history of Spanish missionaries coming to California is important, and also sobering; there are 2,000 inhabitants of this 18th-century mission buried in unmarked graves, mostly Native Americans. The ruins of the old stone building are also quite fascinating to see.
via Interstate 5 N
There's tons of natural beauty along I-5. Between late winter and early spring, Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve explodes with brightly-hued flowers, mostly poppies. Seven miles of trail make for awesome wildflower viewing, or for a good place to stretch your legs after long hours in the car.
Another nice place to stretch your legs is the O'Neill Forebay Wildlife Area in Gustline, CA. It's perfect for camping, or if you pick up some food, for a nice afternoon picnic. If you have time, you can also enjoy the swimming and boating here and at the other nearby reservoirs!
Or, another great place to picnic is Bogle Vineyards and Winery... and, as an added bonus, Bogle also gives you complimentary wine tastings in a serene vineyard setting. Their wines are known for being delicious and reasonably priced, so pick up a few bottles as a souvenir.
Whether you're a Johnny Cash fan or not (the singer famously played a show for the prisoners here in Folsom), you're sure to find the Folsom Prison Museum interesting. You can see inside an old cell, and look at handmade weapons crafted by the inmates at one of California's most notorious lockups.
Dive Bar in Sacramento is a kitschy spot featuring specialty drinks, beer, pub grub, and real, live mermaids! Okay, maybe they're not "real" mermaids, but the performers in full mermaid garb who put on shows in the massive tank make this place totally worth a visit.
Stay the night at the Citizen Hotel, the Sterling Hotel, the Inn off Capitol Park, or one of the other nice hotels in Sacramento.
via County Road 99W & Flournoy Ave
The town of Shasta, which was active during the mid-19th century, is mostly abandoned today. However, the old buildings have been preserved at Shasta State Historic Park. Step back in time at the jail, the store, the church, the museum, the post office, and the school.
The stunning Lake Shasta Caverns, which must be reached via a boat, are one of the coolest attractions in the area. As you traverse the system of caverns, you'll learn about their fascinating history and see all kinds of wild rock formations. It's a bit of a trek, with about 600 stairs total, but it's well worth the effort.
Once you reach Gold Hill, OR pull over at the Oregon Vortex/House of Mystery, a 1930s-era attraction and roadside classic not far off I-5. Whether or not you believe in the scientific analysis of the "vortex" that causes the laws of physics to seem irrelevant (as I suspected in high school science class), it's still a fun stop. Plus, they have a cute curio shop with offbeat oddities.
Next, bask in some breathtaking natural beauty at Umpqua National Forest. This massive woodland preserve is packed with shaded trails, fields of wildflowers, misty waterfalls, and cozy cabins. Even taking a quick detour to drive through this beautiful forest is a must!
From there, you'll find yourself in Eugene, OR where you can grab a drink at Blairally Vintage Arcade. It's part dive bar, part hands-on museum dedicated to the most beloved arcade games of the past, and 100% retro fun. Cheap beers and free pinball make this place the perfect place to spend a few hours, which might turn into the whole night.
Planning on staying the night? There are some rad hotels in Eugene, like C'est La Vie Inn, Inn at the 5th and the Campbell House Inn.
It's free to tour Brass Ring Carousel Project, a carousel studio and museum, and it'll amuse and entertain the young and the young-at-heart. It's totally whimsical, and their dedication to preserving gorgeous old carousels is really neat to see.
After that, if you keep driving up I-5, you'll hit the city of Portland. The International Rose Test Garden is free, and you can't deny that the best way to meet The City of Roses is in their rose garden! You can see all kinds of varieties of the flower here, and take in some awesome views of Portland.
Need some more reading material for when you're not in the driver's seat? Powell's City of Books is a legendary independent bookstore. It's utterly massive, so if you're looking for something in particular, grab a map; otherwise, it's just as fun to aimlessly get lost among the rows of books and stumble across something you never knew you needed.
And stay the night at one of Portland's hip hotels: Hotel Modera, The Nines and the Hotel Vintage Plaza are awesome spots.
Whether or not you were alive when the Mount St. Helens volcano erupted in 1980 or not, it's still a formidable sight to see. The Mount St. Helens Visitor Center offers amazing views of the mountain, excellent exhibits, and a trail. If you're feeling daring, you can buy a permit to climb to the top and stare into the crater. It's ideal for beginner mountaineers, but make sure you check up on the status of the volcano before you attempt to conquer it.
Ahh...back to nature, since the beauty along I-5 in the Pacific Northwest is legendary. The secluded forests and lake (complete with swimming beach!) at Millersylvania State Park are completely relaxing. It also has awesome camping if you find yourself so enchanted by the surroundings that you can't pull yourself away.
After you cruise through Olympia, you'll hit the city of Tacoma. Learn firsthand about Tacoma's prominent past with a tour of Lakewold Gardens Estate. Developed by a shipping magnate as a country retreat in the early 20th century, the gardens were designed by the Olmsteads, the country's most prominent landscaping firm (Frederick Law Olmstead designed Central Park!) Soak in the beauty of the well-manicured property as you stroll along.
Glass isn't just for cups, windows, and spectacles! The Museum of Glass is dedicated to the artistry of glassblowing. Cross the Bridge of Glass, lined with pieces by famed glass artist Dale Chihuly, and check out the museum. See some mindblowing sculptures, watch live demonstrations, and check out the gift shop.
In search of a hotel in Tacoma? The Hotel Murano and the Courtyard in Downtown Tacoma are super nice.
The best time to road trip down I-5: In the summer there's a significant amount of fog along the northern part of the route. The best weather is generally from September through early October, as well as late April and May. Also keep in mind that the summers are high tourist season, and road conditions in winter can be slightly precarious, especially up north.
