One of the many things that you’ll love about being a traveling health professional is taking the time to explore new locations as you move to and from new assignments. You just can’t beat getting paid to work in the beautiful West Coast while you do some serious sightseeing. Whether you’re looking to make the most of traveling to and from an assignment or have an upcoming weekend free to explore, here’s a guide of the best road trips on the West Coast!

Pacific Coast Highway

Also known as Highway 1, is it one of America’s most beloved driving destinations, as there are very few routes like this one. Running for 550 miles, Highway 1 stretches along most of California’s coastline. Driving down the coastline means hours of overlooking the Pacific and its ocean views, beaches, attractions and discovering what The Golden State is all about. Give this road trip a minimum of three days.

Make your way from northern San Francisco to San Diego, or vice versa. Some popular places to stop along the way include Silicon Valley in San Jose, the popular beaches of Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Santa Barbara, Bixby Bridge and Big Sur’s breathtaking views, explore wine country and much more! Make a stop in Hollywood and some natural parks along the way – you won’t regret it!

Highway 395

This is one of the west coast’s (and world’s) most traveled highways. It goes through a wide range of locations mainly in California, such as the dry Mojave desert to the high Sierra Nevada and White Mountains to the marvelous Sequoia in redwoods and the highest point in California, the famous Mt. Whitney to the widely explored Yosemite and majestic Lake Tahoe.

With such a varied landscape throughout its journey, you will have plenty to see and experience. Haunt your way through plenty of ghost towns and reminisce back to California’s Gold Rush era! With an abundance of natural landscape, and even some old artwork and development going on in the state, you won’t run out of beautiful things to discover. There is plenty to see of the western life and its recreation such as fishing, boating, hiking, skiing & snowboarding year round that you can even try if time allows!

Highway 101: Oregon to the California Border

This highway winds down the entire Oregon coast, from the Columbia River to the California border. Along the way it passes through the scenic Oswald West state Park, perfect for outdoor activities such as hiking, surfing, bird watching and camping, to the popular city destinations such as Portland. Tillamook and Lincoln County will also be along the way. Do you love cheese more than most people? You’re in luck – Tillamook is the home of the popular tourist attraction Tillamook Cheese factory!

Highway 101: From Washington’s Capitol to Shores

A twisty and mostly two-lane road, this trip will take you everywhere from the honorable State Capitol to its beautiful western shores. Pass through tiny villages and don’t forget to pull over for stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and a quick snack of oysters, clams and delicious seafood! You will also get the opportunity to visit the city of Forks and the Forks Timber Museum-and detour along Upper Hoh road to one of four temperate rain forests in the peninsula.

Taylor Shellfish Farms in Shelton is a prime place to make a pitstop and enjoy the region’s specialty, geoduck as well as some seafood. Pass through farms with llamas, yaks, bears and more. Visit Port Angeles nestled up in the Olympic Mountains, and if you have an extra day, explore the Olympic National Park, a World Heritage site and spectacular Hurricane ridge.

KPG Healthcare is proud to be your go-to source for healthcare opportunities in the West, specializing in California. Whether you’re interested in travel nursing, per diem, allied, locum tenens or permanent placement, KPG Healthcare is your trusted partner for high quality, rewarding career opportunities. Contact us today!