We want to help you to fall in love with the west coast.
Here at West Coast Wayfarers, we’re a team of west coast experts who write helpful, practical, and well-informed guides to the best places on the west coast of the United States to help you plan the perfect adventure, big or small.
We believe that life is better when you’re outside, and that the outdoors are for everyone as long as we respect the places we play.
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Explore the Best of the West Coast
We have lived on the west coast our entire lives, and are still blown away by the number of incredible places we discover for the first time every single year.
We’re here to share our favorite places with you so that you can experience the best that the west coast has to offer.
Latest from the Blog

What is the Best Time to Visit Mount Rainier? Complete Guide
Have you caught glimpses of the stunning, glaciated peak of Mount Rainier in photos, or perhaps seen it in person among the lineup in the Seattle skyline? The glistening white peak is hard to miss and can be seen from across western Washington. Curious to experience the mountain up close? It’s time to start planning…
Oh hi there! We’re Matt & Alysha!
Welcome to West Coast Wayfarers. We’re Matt and Alysha, the creators of this site dedicated to sharing the best of the West Coast.
We’re both West Coast natives – we’ve never lived anywhere else, and the West Coast is our home.
We met in 2014 in San Francisco, and lived there for seven years together before taking our show on the road full time, living in our Honda Odyssey (named “Homer”, who is not the sexiest campervan around, but he’s doing a great job!) and spending our days hiking, camping, and living life outside.
We’ve been all over the West Coast, but we’re not always the best people to tell the story of a place. That’s why we work with local experts to bring you the insider information you need to plan the perfect trip.

9 Outrageously Beautiful Hikes in Mammoth Lakes
Nestled in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains and surrounded by the Inyo National Forest and the Ansel Adam and John Muir Wilderness areas, the area in and around Mammoth Lakes is home to astounding natural beauty, and more than 300 miles of hiking trails. Mammoth Lakes hiking is one of the best ways to appreciate…

How to Plan an Amazing Day Trip to Joshua Tree
If you want to spend a day hiking through a desert landscape and clambering over otherworldly, massive boulders, Joshua Tree is the place for you! While I think anyone could easily spend a full two or three days in the area, spending one day in Joshua Tree is a great way to experience this uniquely…

The Best Hikes near Hood River: A Complete Guide
Whether you’re just visiting for the day or spending a whole weekend in Hood River, you’ll have too many choices about how to spend your time. But one thing that needs to be at the top of your list is hiking! As a Portlander, I frequently find myself in the windy city of Hood River…