Recommended Side Trips from Mesa to Victoria

[Snowbird]

We are heading back north at the end of March, and I'd like some suggestions on places to see along the way. On the way down we came down the I-5 through California and found it direct but lacking in interest. Any suggestions for places to stretch our legs and see some local history and natural beauty?

[Midwest Michael]

If you take a look around a bit, you'll find that West Coast trips are easily among the most popular and most discussed trips on this forum - and for good reason.

Just a short list of the possible detours would include Joshua Tree NP, Sequoia, Yosemite, Crater Lake, and all of the Pacific Coast! That's not even close to a complete list, but it hits some of the most popular. You can find many more ideas by searching around this site. Which places will work best or you depend upon your interests and the amount of time you have available.

[glc]

It will also depend on what areas and mountain roads have reopened after the winter.

If you want to stay on the beaten path, you could take I-17 to Flagstaff, then US-89 up into Utah (stopping by the Grand Canyon if you haven't been yet), seeing Zion and Bryce Canyon, then head for I-15 to I-84 to I-82 to I-90 to Seattle.

[AZBuck]

There are alternatives to I-5, one of which glc has mentioned. Another is to go home by way of Las Vegas, eastern Nevada and the Snake River using US-93/I-84/I-82 to Seattle. The journey up through Nevada is what I like to call beautiful desolation and takes you by Great Basin National Park, the Thousand Springs area, Bruneau Canyon, and the Snake River Birds of Prey Natural Area. In addition, if you're in the mood to add a few miles and some time to the drive, a journey down the Columbia River Gorge to Portland would be well in order.

AZBuck