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The USA is a glorious land home to good proud people. The country is diverse and if you’ve never experienced it you are in for a wonderful treat. For the average UK citizen, you will be amazed that one state can be very different to another with an entirely different culture. A little like moving from one European country to another. And as restrictions relax from state to state, an ESTA visa can get you into the country providing it is a stay under 90 days.
ESTA Visa Requirements for UK Citizens Travelling to the USA
ESTA falls under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) and allows UK citizens to travel to the USA without a visa for visits up to 90 days. These visits can be for tourism, business, medical or travelling through and each ESTA is valid for two years. In other words, you can make multiple trips under 90 days during this time.
If you’re a family, you’ll need one for each member including children. You’ll also need a valid biometric passport. It is a good idea to learn how to apply for ESTA from UK and other important entry requirements before you go. Once you have your ESTA, let’s explore the must see places on America’s West Coast!
The West Coast of the USA
Head west in America and you’ll come to the Pacific Ocean. The USA’s part of this coast stretches between Canada in the north to Mexico in the south. With rugged beaches, amazing world class cities, ancient forests and diverse and interesting towns you can’t help but fall in love with this part of America.
So starting in the north and heading south, where to go.
Seattle
Seattle is well known for being a tech city and almost 1 in 10 workers in the city are toiling in that field. Microsoft and Boeing are based here, and it is also well known for being the home to Starbucks which began in the city.
Many like to visit Pike Place Market where the daily fishing catch is sold at dawn. Take a tour of the Space Needle where you’ll get magnificent views of the city and Mount Rainer which dominates the city’s skyline.
When you’re ready grab a harbour cruise and learn some facts about this great city. When the evening comes enjoy craft beers brewed locally and catch some decent bands.
Visit La Push Beach But Don’t Get Bitten
When you’re done with Seattle a possible next stop is La Push Beach in Washington state. The beach was used in the Twilight films and if you’re a fan you’ll recognise bits of the beach that was used in the movies.
La Push’s Third Beach is where most of the filming was done. It is a hike away from the road and is part of the Quileute Indian Reservation. As such it is never swamped by visitors which means you can relax and enjoy the rugged splendour of the place.
Cannon Beach (Oregon)
For a different kind of beach experience head to Cannon Beach in Oregon. The beach again has movie fame as this one was used in The Goonies. It is beautiful in its own right and the town is more developed than La Push. It is packed full of art galleries and places to eat and many stop here for a night or two.
When you explore the rocky coastline, you’ll notice plenty of sea life including orange starfish and crabs in the tidal pools.
Portland, Oregon
The city of Portland is famed for its hipster eco-activist scene and laidback vibe. All of this applies but the city has more to offer than this. Take a stroll through the city and you’ll be greeted by great restaurants, museums, second hand bookshops and scintillating bars.
It is a city where you can lose yourself and spend hours exploring it.
Redwood National Park, California
Arguably the spiritual home of the state, Redwood National Park is home to ancient trees whose trunks are wide enough to drive through and the tallest are over 300 feet tall. Nobody is quite sure how old the trees are and some believe they may predate the Roman Empire.
The trees are gorgeous and awe inspiring and you can’t help but want to explore the park where they reside.
San Francisco
While you’re in California check out the remarkable city of San Francisco. The Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and the bay area are must see and yet the city has much more to offer than that. Take a tram to Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf and enjoy the quirky shops and restaurants.
At night, the city has plenty of offerings. So if you’re here, enjoy them. The USA is an amazing place, make sure you get your ESTA visa and check it out as soon as you can.
There you have it, the USA’s glorious west coast. If you’re looking to travel Cruise118 has a variety of cruises from the Celebrity Cruises that will give you a huge number of packages.
