The United States of America is mostly associated with skyscrapers towering over canyons of noisy streets laden with cars and crowds. This is partly true. But the Wild West, even in the twenty-first century, still bears the imprint of that wild land and “one-story America” that westerns demonstrate. Outside of several huge centers of civilization, such as Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles and others, endless prairies, dense forests, mountains and canyons extend. What about the Indians? They are also present. Some communities prefer the old way of life, which brings a certain touch to visiting their reservations. In this article, we take a virtual journey along the west coast of the United States. We will overcome several thousand kilometers by traveling from Alaska in the north to California in the south (bypassing the territory of Canada).
What territories are considered to be the western coast of the USA
Oddly enough, there is no consensus on this score. For example, the Cascade Mountains, Sierra Nevada, the Mojave Desert are reckoned to the west coast. Arizona and Nevada do not have access to the Pacific Ocean. But they also belong to the west coast, since they have a strong climatic and cultural influence from states such as Washington, Oregon and California. Hawaii is washed by the Pacific Ocean from all sides. But the archipelago does not adjoin the mainland of North America. Alaska has no land border with the rest of the country. By its location on the map it can be compared with the Kaliningrad region of Russia. And, although the main states on the west coast of the USA are California, Washington and Oregon, Alaska can also be included in their number. We begin our virtual journey from the very north.
Alaska Attractions
The northwest coast of the USA is a land of harsh polar nature. Alaska is the largest state in the country. Its area is one million and seven hundred-odd thousand square kilometers. The United States travels to the far north primarily for extreme sports and wildlife. Last here - more than enough. Indeed, in addition to the mainland, the state of Alaska also includes completely wild or semi-inhabited islands: the Aleutian, Pribylova, Alexander and St. Lawrence archipelago. The Gold Rush has little changed the landscapes of this northern region. People come here to observe the aurora, ride through the narrow fjords, and conquer glacier mountain peaks. The capital of Alaska, also called the Land of the Midnight Sun, is Juneau. But the most visited city by tourists is Anchorage. They go to Juneau to get acquainted with the life of gold miners of the nineteenth century. And to touch the culture of local Indian tribes, they are sent to the city of Ketchikan. But the main wealth of Alaska is its natural parks. The most famous is Denali. On its vast territory is located the highest point of the peninsula - Mount McKinley. Other famous national parks are Wrangel, Glacier Bay and Kenai Fjord.
Washington state
Now move through the territory of Canada to the west coast of the United States. In its very north we are met by the forty-second state of the country - Washington. The capital of the territorial entity is Olympia, but the largest city is Seattle. In Washington, as well as in Alaska, they go for natural beauties. The most famous national reserve is considered the "Olympic" in the north-west of the state. A visit to this natural park can be compared to a trip to a fairy tale. There are mountains and waterfalls, alpine lakes and crystal streams, the unique Hoh rainforest and the long sea coast. Needless to say, all these landscapes are inhabited by an amazing variety of wild fauna? Another most visited tourist destination is the Rainier stratovolcano. Its slopes are also included in the natural park of the same name.
West coast of the USA: cities. Seattle
Among the virgin forests and boundless prairies, like islands in the vast sea, urban agglomerations are found. Seattle is one of them. The population of the city itself is over six hundred thousand people. Seattle is also a major seaport. It is located on the shores of Puget Sound Bay. In the east of the city lies the picturesque Lake Washington. And behind it begins the Rocky Mountains, which, like a magnet, attract climbers. Seattle has two attractions on the Mast Sea list. The Space Needle is the hallmark of the city. It was built in 1962 and was Seattle's tallest building, until the seventy-six-story Calambia Center was erected in 1985. At the Pike Place Market seafood market you can buy not only Pacific shrimp and lobster, but also see the performance of singers, street actors and clowns. Under the Washington Bridge, you should see the Fremont Troll, holding in its hands a real Volkswagen.
Oregon
Moving south and leaving the state of Washington. The US west coast continues to Oregon. By tradition, the capital of the state is the small town of Salem. And the largest metropolis is Portland. Oregon also offers tourists many natural beauties. These are Mount Hood and Deshats National Parks with Newberry Volcano. Tourists are attracted by the Rocky Mountains, which stretch from north to south along the west coast of the United States. To the east of this ridge, at an altitude of more than a thousand two hundred meters, extends the "Oregon Desert" - a very arid land. And, in addition, the state will delight lovers of beach vacations with sandbanks and beaches, bays and secluded bays between the rocks.
California
The west coast of the USA completes this sunny state in the south. It is the longest along the Pacific Ocean. And, add, the most filled with various attractions. Here are located such world-famous urban agglomerations as Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, Hollywood. It is also the birthplace of Disneyland. California's endless beaches are a byword. Sunbathing on the legendary Malibu, you can see whales, and after taking a walk in one of the many natural parks on the coast, observe the rookeries of fur seals. But even in the depths of the mainland in the state of the traveler, various sights await.
Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Sequoia and Yosemite Parks, Route 66
The first attraction is known throughout the world. The Grand Canyon stretched four hundred and forty kilometers. Its beauty cannot be described in words - it must be seen!
Death Valley is the lowest point on the mainland (eighty-six meters below sea level), the driest and hottest. In the summer there is +57 C! 40 mm of precipitation falls in the Death Valley annually, while in the Sahara - 384 mm.
The name of the sequoia park speaks for itself. Here you can see not just huge trees, but real giants. “Here God has transcended himself,” it is said about Yosemite Park. You will not find such a variety of species of flora and fauna anywhere else.
The eastern - western coast of the USA is still connected by the legendary road No. 66. Every American dreams of driving it from beginning to end (almost four thousand kilometers). The motorway connects Los Angeles with Chicago.
City of Angels and Sins
The US west coast in California is famous for cities such as the Hollywood movie industry center, the capital of gambling Las Vegas, and San Francisco. In Los Angeles, you should definitely visit the museum at the Universal Studios, and if you travel with children, this is the very first Disneyland in the world. In Las Vegas, it’s hard to resist, so as not to look into any casinos. And, of course, you just need to walk along the Walk of Fame, where stars dedicated to Hollywood celebrities are laid out under your feet.