Planning The Ultimate West Coast Cannabis Road Trip

The West Coast has been a pivotal region for American cannabis culture, from the Emerald City to the Emerald Village. With full legalization spanning down the US western states of Washington, Oregon, and California, the West Coast is a prime area to get away from your troubles and enjoy some cannabis tourism. To see it all, a road trip is a great way to get a panoramic view of the Pacific Coast’s natural and cultural wonders, as well as the weed offerings for which this special trinity of cannabis-friendly states is renowned. 

So, it’s time to gather some friends, pack supplies, and hit the road for a journey into the best of cannabis culture on the West Coast! This guide provides a layout for taking your own thrilling weeklong road trip through all three states, stopping at iconic cannabis regions, scenic spots for stoner thoughts, and must-visit cannabis-friendly social spaces. We also outline the different legal complexities for each state that you should know, so you can have a good time without violating any laws.

For both the experienced connoisseur and the newly cannabis-curious, options for excitement along this West Coast adventure are plentiful. As such, our itinerary surely can’t cover every standout landmark, city, or establishment available across all three states, so feel free to customize this trip to make sure you hit the must-see spots on your list. The most important thing is to plan a fun-filled excursion, so you and your road trip buddies can get the most out of this iconic region’s deep-rooted cannabis legacy, local weed-welcoming communities, and excellent buds.

Legal Restrictions to Keep in Mind:

• You must be at least 21 to purchase recreational cannabis on the West Coast. 
• Individuals aged 18-20 may purchase medical cannabis to treat certain qualifying medical conditions with a valid recommendation or prescription from a certified healthcare provider. 
• Recreational cannabis is well-established and legal in all three West Coast states, but laws still prohibit anyone from smoking or vaping cannabis, or consuming cannabis edibles, in public places or public view. Hotels typically forbid smoking in rooms or on the property.
• Despite the laws in these particular states, Cannabis remains a federally illegal drug, making it illegal to transport any cannabis products (excluding hemp-based items) across state lines, even between legal states. So, pace yourself in Washington and Oregon, and don’t buy more products than you can consume before moving on to the next state. Thankfully, California is large enough that you can take your stash with you from one destination to the next.
• Federal law also forbids the possession of cannabis on federal lands, and this includes national parks. Therefore, if you visit any of the Pacific states’ awesome national parks, such as Redwoods National Park or Mount Rainier, you will violate the law if you use or even bring your cannabis along.
• There are specific rules for riding with cannabis in your vehicle. In Washington and California, state law requires drivers to keep a cannabis product completely sealed and unopened in its original retail packaging when storing it in areas of the car accessible to themselves or passengers. All open cannabis products must be kept in the trunk of the car (or some other inaccessible, unoccupied storage area if there is no trunk. Do not use the glove compartment.). Oregon’s laws do not explicitly define how to store cannabis in a moving car, but to avoid any trouble, follow the same rules outlined above in case you interact with police on the road.
• These vehicle storage rules also prohibit passengers from possessing, smoking, vaping, or consuming edibles while on the road. 
• Do not drive or bike under the influence of cannabis. It is illegal and unsafe. 

Where Should I Go to Smoke?

So, you can’t smoke on the beach, you can’t smoke in the car, you can’t smoke at the park, you can’t smoke on a hike, and you can’t smoke in a hotel room…where are you supposed to smoke your West Coast weed acquisitions? How exactly is an immersive cannabis road trip even possible? Here are some ways you can legally partake in your smokable dispensary purchases and have successful joint appreciation sessions on this journey down the Pacific Coast states:

• 420-friendly rentals: Property advertisers who are open to cannabis use in their rentals can be found through services like Airbnb Bud and Breakfast. Securing a stay at one of these cannabis-friendly residences means that you will have access to a smoking space on private property, so you can light up without worry and then wander the exciting landmarks and locales found throughout this guide’s featured destinations in a mesmerizing weedy haze. 
• 420 Hotels: There are also a few hotels that allow smoking on the property, even weed. For example, Noe’s Nest in San Francisco permits guests to smoke on the patio and is known as one of the top 420-friendly stays in the city.
• Cannabis Lounges: Particularly in California, you can find several atmospheric spots for socializing and smoking weed freely in style. Some locations even offer food, so you can consume more than just cannabis in a lively, relaxing space serving tasty options ranging from casual bar fare to elegant dining experiences.
• Cannabis Buses: Taking a cannabis bus tour is also a great way to explore a variety of local sights. These buses allow passengers to consume cannabis while on the road taking in the attractions and scenery around town without having to worry about the legal consequences of smoking cannabis in public spaces. 

A Cannabis Tourist’s Guide to the Ultimate West Coast Cannabis Road Trip

Day 1: Seattle, WA

As one of the first states to legalize recreational cannabis in 2012, the State of Washington has been historically at the forefront of the cannabis movement. In Seattle, the state’s largest and most populated urban hotspot, cannabis culture has thrived among the city’s abundant dispensary offerings and progressive local attitudes toward cannabis use. Taking time to explore Seattle and its surrounding areas gives your West Coast excursion an easy start without timelines or extended drives to worry about as you prepare for the road ahead. 

There are many ways to spend one short day in the Emerald City, but it seems obligatory to first pay a visit to Seattle’s famous Space Needle. Proceed from this landmark and head toward the city’s historic Pike Place Market. On your way to the famed public market, you will find a few opportunities to make the first cannabis pit stop on your West Coast weed tour. But before you hit the local shops, here’s a hot tip: Washington accepts medical cannabis cards from out of state, so if you or any of your fellow travelers are medical marijuana patients, you can receive an exemption from cannabis sales tax in the State of Washington, where recreational cannabis comes with a heavy 37%, sales tax, the highest amount in the nation.

In the neighborhood of Belltown, there are two enticing dispensaries to look out for. One of your options will be the Lux Pot Shop, where local art meets local craft cannabis. The location stocks a selection of quality products from Washington’s most experienced and sustainable growers, offering cannabis tourists like you a taste of the region’s premier bud. Make sure to check out the dispensary’s adjoining pop-up/activation space featuring independent local artisans and artists for a unique cultural experience. Also along the way, you can find the flashier Have a Heart dispensary. With a distinctively wacky aesthetic, the cannabis retail shop boasts a selection of top-notch regional weed. Given so many enticing options, it is tempting to buy up a sampler of various locally-grown eighths but keep in mind that you will be crossing state borders tomorrow, so don’t buy more than you can consume if you want to avoid breaking the law. 

Now, you’re ready to immerse yourself in the bustling activity and diverse offerings at Pike Place Market. Explore and take in the spectacle with your road trip crew while flying high on Washington’s best weed, and there are sure to be good times and laughs all around. With museums, underground tours, shops, and amazing food options abound, there is a lot to see and do around the Seattle area, and you may decide to just move with the rhythm of the city’s busy pace and wander for a while. Seattle’s final must-see destination to enjoy after digging into your cannabis treats is Kerry Park, where you can gaze out at the city’s iconic skyline from a distance and get lost in deep thought.

Day 2: Seattle, WA 🡪 Portland, OR

Drive time: 2 hours 45 minutes

Have a leisurely morning in Seattle to go over any last-minute sights you missed, and perhaps stop in one of the city’s (non-Starbucks) coffee stops. If you’re in a spooky mood, go searching for Ghost Alley Espresso underneath the main entrance to Pike Place Market. People know the tiny shop for its unique artisanal shaken espresso drinks and its resident ghost. Or, if you’re too creeped out by haunted coffee, you can try Moore Coffee Shop instead, which is known for serving drinks topped with incredible foam art creations featuring cute animals. 

Now the journey continues onward to Oregon, a state with a deep-rooted history of progressive drug policy and a thriving market for small-batch craft cannabis. Oregon has been a leading pioneer in the world of cannabis advocacy for decades, standing out as one of the first US states to decriminalize cannabis possession back in the 1970s and emerging as one of the earliest states to legalize recreational use, after Colorado and Washington, in 2014. So, say farewell to Seattle and the rest of the Evergreen State as you make the relatively light drive of around 3 hours to the State of Oregon’s largest and most famous city, Portland. 

As a city renowned for its progressive culture, vibrant social atmosphere, plus a population of health-conscious and ecologically-minded individuals, Portland has naturally become a prime destination for cannabis lovers, and it isn’t afraid to flaunt this fact. Visit today’s official Travel Portland website, and you will find welcoming guides for cannabis tourists providing legal information and sightseeing recommendations for cannabis-friendly attractions around the area. 

With Portland boasting an active arts scene, eclectic culinary offerings, scenic gardens, and over 150 cannabis dispensaries, narrowing down a to-do list in the Rose City can seem like a thorny decision-making process, which is why it might be a great idea to kick off your Portland experience with a guided tour on a cannabis-friendly bus. The Potlandia Experience Marijuana Tour will take you and your fellow road trip groupies on a rock n’ roll-themed ride around Portland in a dope 12-seater, green and purple consumption bus. Yes, you can smoke weed on the bus! As your designated bus driver takes you on a 420 adventure to dispensaries and some iconic Portland stops, you can enjoy an overview of the exciting variety offered by the weed-positive city while also partaking freely in your cannabis acquisitions. 

For nature lovers, there is alternatively the Weed and Waterfalls cannabis bus tour, where you can enjoy the scenery of Oregon’s diverse landscapes beyond the city limits with a drive to the breathtaking Columbia River Gorge (after first stopping at a local dispensary of course). Enjoy nature sightseeing, historic landmarks, and leisurely hikes on this unique cannabis-fueled excursion through nature, where you can take in miles of majestic scenery while hitting some of Oregon’s finest joints from the comfort and privacy of an eccentric little cannabis bus. 

Day 3: Portland, OR 🡪 Trinidad, CA

Drive Time: 7 hours

Get up extra early in Portland, because it’s time for a particularly long drive down the coast. No need to worry about the trek being boring, though! There are plenty of neat stops along the way to fill your day with activity. Check out one of Oregon’s charming coastal towns, like Newport, on your way out of the state. 

Next, cross over to the Golden State where a plethora of exciting cannabis treasures await! After crossing the Oregon-California border, your options for cannabis sightseeing are limited at first. However, you can make your first weed pit stop in Crescent City, where several cannabis dispensaries await. For example, Leo’s World and 5th + Green offer quality products from famed growers in the local Emerald Triangle, so you can get a taste of the regional strains produced by some of the most established craft growers in the state. Don’t get too excited and overspend, though, because the most unique offerings are yet to come as you proceed southward to Humboldt. 

After restocking your stash, if you’ve gotten an early enough start, this drive also takes you right by Northern California’s scenic Redwood National and State Parks. Make a stop somewhere peaceful and secluded to enjoy a timeless pairing: nature’s wonders and the effects of cannabis.  

Your ultimate destination is the city of Trinidad in California’s legendary Humboldt County, a region famed for its top-quality weed and storied legacy market. There’s not a lot of action in this charming coastal small town, but if you have time to spare, Trinidad is known for its spectacular seaside views of offshore rock formations and wildlife, which you can view from a variety of coastal parks found in the area. If you’re running out of daylight, however, you can instead take a stoned stroll while appreciating some stunning scenery at the Trinidad pier. 

Day 4: Trinidad, CA 🡪 San Francisco, CA

Drive Time: 5 hours 30 minutes

Wake up early again to start your day in the iconic Emerald Triangle, an area that encompasses the Northern California counties of Humboldt, Trinity, and Mendocino, where cannabis is abundant and top-quality. Leaving Trinidad, head south to the city of Arcata, which is home to dispensaries like Pacific Paradise, which boasts over 50 years of business and some of the best local flowers from growers throughout the Emerald Triangle. Or, try the cannabis farmers market experience offered by the 3,000-square-foot Herb & Market Humboldt, where you can choose from a curated selection of the famous region’s local fine flowers. 

Travel a little farther south to the city of Eureka, and you’ll find the elegant and locally operated Kiskanu dispensary, where indoor-grown cannabis is produced in small exclusive batches, and shoppers can treat themselves to luxurious hand-crafted, lab-tested CBD wellness products. Eureka is also home to the Crisp consumption lounge, where you can smoke and enjoy live events at Humboldt County’s first cannabis lounge experience.

Proceeding through the Emerald Triangle will take you by the charming coastal towns of Mendocino County. You can wander around scenic shops, galleries, and eateries found around the historic Mendocino Village. Or, pay a visit to Point Arena, where you can climb the tallest lighthouse on the West Coast and be mesmerized by cliffside views of the Pacific while stoned. Plus, you might also get to see Mina, the lighthouse’s resident kitty cat. 

Next, it is time to check out what the Golden Gate City has to offer. Given all the adventures along the way, you may arrive in San Francisco later in the day feeling a bit tired out, but don’t let that keep you from taking in the City’s active nightlife! There’s no better way to motivate a second wind out of you and your crew than taking a trip to one of San Francisco’s premier cannabis lounges. 

If you want to smoke in style, visit the Mission Cannabis Club, where luxury and modern aesthetics saturate the atmosphere, creating a relaxing yet vibrant social space for consuming cannabis, chatting with the locals, and enjoying live entertainment. Or, you could try Moe Greens Cannabis Lounge, which provides a simply stylish and lively environment featuring regular entertainment, including live drag shows, comedy nights, and cannabis demos, making for a memorable San Fran cannabis night out with your road trip buddies. Finally, there’s also the welcoming, nostalgic bar-styled Barbary Coast, which is considered one of the best cannabis consumption lounge experiences in the city. Featuring a laid-back and welcoming vibe, live comedy shows, a dab bar, and even “puff n’ paint” nights on Saturdays, Barbary Coast provides a socially stimulating and comfortable setting for people just looking to smoke weed and have a good time. 

Day 5: San Francisco, CA 🡪 Pismo Beach, CA

Drive Time: 3 hours 45 minutes

Yes, you should probably get up early again, but at least you have supplies for a motivating wake and bake before conquering the sights offered in San Francisco by day. The city is home to world-class destinations, such as gardens, museums, iconic landmarks, and vivacious neighborhoods. The options are vast, and they are all extraordinary here, so you’ll need to prioritize what destinations you cannot leave without seeing in case you run out of time. Take a look at the Golden Gate Bridge, get lost around Golden Gate Park, try some fresh fortune cookies in Chinatown, or whatever else you might want to do while high in the city, but don’t lose track of time. San Francisco may be an exciting place with an overwhelming variety of famed sights, but other treasures await your stoned enjoyment as you traverse the coast to the next milestone on this trip.

After getting in some last-minute sightseeing around San Francisco, you will ideally hit the road by noon for another drive along more breathtaking coastlines as you make your way toward the charming city of Pismo Beach. On the way, you must hit the pier in Santa Cruz for some silly stoned fun, and take a ride on the historic carousel where you can try to score a goal by throwing rings into a giant open clown mouth! 

After Santa Cruz, it is essential that you also make a visit to see the 17-mile drive in Monterey, where you can have your mind blown by an aesthetic journey through quintessential views of the Northern California coast. Finally, if you left early enough, you can make a stop at Big Sur, and take in some more remarkable scenery while enjoying your cannabis trip. 

Arrive in the small coastal city of Pismo Beach in the evening. At this point, you might want to take a break and relax after three straight days of excitement and long drives, and the quiet seaside area around Pismo Beach is an excellent location for unwinding and sampling some treats you picked up on your tour of NorCal’s dispensary scene. Also, as an area known for its local wines, Pismo Beach is a great place to get a taste of the region’s vineyards. For options serving up local vintages late, check out the pink and fun Cali Love Wine or the wine and music lovers’ escape, Puffer’s of Pismo.

Day 6: Pismo Beach, CA 🡪 Los Angeles, CA

Drive Time: 3 hours

After perhaps another wake and bake in the morning, you can start your day with a refreshing walk on the Pismo Beach Pier. Then, you will continue south toward your next destination: Los Angeles. However, before leaving Pismo, if you are in town between October and February, you will not want to miss a quick stop at the nearby Monarch Butterfly Grove, where thousands of Monarch butterflies flock and cluster among the eucalyptus trees on their seasonal migration route, creating a mesmerizing sight for your road-tripping stoner crew.  

Next, before entering the daunting chaos of LA traffic, you may want to take one more breath of coastal relaxation and stop by the scenic city of Santa Barbara. Enjoy gorgeous coastline walks with views of rocky seaside cliffs and towering palm trees against the backdrop of the region’s majestic mountainous landscape. Alternatively, you can check out Santa Barbara’s lively downtown to enjoy looking around the shops and hip cafes, or maybe chill at one of the numerous wine bars serving up tastings of the local vintages for which Santa Barbara is a renowned destination. 

Now, ready or not, the time has come to enter the fray. Your next stop will be the iconic metropolis of Los Angeles. Possibilities are plentiful in this enormous sprawl of action, with options ranging from museum-hopping around LACMA to soaking up the sun wandering Venice Beach or Santa Monica, to touring along Hollywood Boulevard. There’s pretty much no way to go wrong when it comes to embracing the LA area, so get spontaneous, and let the SoCal vibes steer your agenda for the rest of the afternoon. There will no doubt be a memorable collection of stoner stories left over afterward.

Next, it will probably be time to partake in some dining and cannabis. The Los Angeles area serves up a unique assortment of cannabis dinner experiences, with the LA-adjacent city of West Hollywood (known locally as WeHo) being the place to go. WeHo is the only city in the greater Los Angeles area to have approved cannabis consumption lounges in its jurisdiction, and this welcoming move by the city’s local government has drawn numerous cannabis businesses to the area, such as Woody Harrelson’s nature-inspired, elegant consumption space, The Woods. 

Although the passage of California’s AB 1775 in 2024 permits cannabis cafes to provide uninfused food and drink (but not alcohol) options at their establishments with local approval as of January 1, 2025, the relatively recent effectiveness of the law means you still won’t find a fully licensed Amsterdam-style cannabis café in the area. However, this doesn’t mean clever cannabis entrepreneurs haven’t already exploited loopholes that have allowed them to get away with offering food service alongside cannabis consumption at their establishments. So, if you are looking to have some weed with dinner, you can’t miss the unique experiences available in WeHo.

To experience a true original in the cannabis industry, it goes without saying that the landmark OG Cannabis Café in West Hollywood is the place to see. Reopened in 2023, the OG Cannabis Café was initially established in 2019 as the first cannabis restaurant in the US, then closed shortly after due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Relax with some cannabis consumables and enjoy casual bar food offerings like Korean BBQ wings, nachos, or burgers while smoking cannabis either in the establishment’s greenery-rich indoor consumption area or enjoying more of the stellar SoCal weather on the outdoor patio. Feeling in the mood for a more elevated dining experience? WeHo is also home to PleasureMed’s lounge/restaurant, Irie, where you can dine on elegant dishes like fresh oysters, Hamachi ceviche, lamb loin, or braised short rib pappardelle, while also savoring the delights of cannabis in the location’s classy cannabis consumption and dining area.

Day 7: Los Angeles, CA 🡪 San Diego, CA

Drive Time: 2 hours

It’s been a long trip, and you need to recharge. Take a day to relax amidst the distinctively chill vibes of SoCal with a relatively short and scenic drive to the paradise known as San Diego. Begin your trek southward with a tour of LA’s South Bay beach towns. You will first find Manhattan Beach, where there’s a free aquarium perfect for connecting with cute fish friends while blazed. Continue down through the personality-rich cities of Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach and you will find yourself on a scenic drive along the stunning cliffs and contours of Palos Verdes.

Next, it’s time to rejoin the freeway hustle so you can make your way down to America’s Finest City. Taking the 1-5 Freeway South will eventually bring you to the small city of Oceanside, where you can exit to get on the Historic Route 101 to get a grand tour of San Diego County’s endearing coastal towns of Encinitas, Carlsbad, Solana Beach, and Del Mar. From Del Mar, you can continue to the stunning scenery of Torrey Pines and La Jolla. Stop at La Jolla Cove for some amazing views of the Pacific and to get a few laughs out of watching the area’s resident sea lions bark and swim in the SD sun. The best way to depart from La Jolla is with a ride to the top of the iconic Mount Soledad, where you can behold an astonishing 360 view that lets you take in the whole city from a sky-high perspective. 

On to the dispensary scene. If you continue your drive over Mount Soledad, you’ll descend upon San Diego’s Pacific Beach area, where you can stop by Cannabist. Offering an open space where customers can browse shelves of cannabis products without having to order from a counter, Cannabist is an easy, efficient, and immersive shopping experience providing buyers with a broad variety of options. Being in San Diego means a beach is always within your reach, so after legally consuming a few of your purchases, it’s time to spend a relaxing day at one of the city’s spectacular beaches. 

In the evening, move on to the sublime scenes offered at San Diego’s Sunset Cliffs, and gaze while blazed at the radiant sunset as daylight disappears into the Pacific on this final day of your travels. As far as nightlife goes, Downtown San Diego and its adjacent Little Italy area feature a variety of attractive destinations for eating, drinking, or just wandering. Alternatively, you can explore some of the city’s smaller trendy neighborhoods, such as North Park or Hillcrest, to appreciate the carefree and laid-back energy distinctive to the local San Diego charm. 

The End of the Road

We have now reached the end of our nearly 1,400-mile journey across three states in seven days. Yet, there is still so much more to see of these iconic Pacific coastal states’ natural beauty, world-class attractions, and wealth of quality cannabis offerings. Our guide only grazes these states primarily along the coastline, and there remains an entire frontier of the states’ eastern regions from Washington’s Canadian Border to SoCal, which features marvels that include iconic national parks, seemingly endless forested mountains, exotic deserts, and of course, enticing cannabis attractions. 

Whether you feel intrepid enough to complete this weeklong adventure, or if you’re just interested in a weekend getaway, we hope this itinerary can spark your inspiration, so you can begin planning your trek along the wondrous West Coast. There are points of interest that we, unfortunately, had to pass by on our road trip, so if we missed some adorable towns or must-see cannabis destinations on your personal hit list, this flexible itinerary is yours to customize. With all there is to explore across Washington, Oregon, and California, it’s difficult to run out of things to do and see, and all of it is waiting for you to blaze the trail.