Whichever direction the federal government chooses to proceed on policies like rescheduling cannabis and the SAFER Act could be a window into just how much the momentum will continue in favor of cannabis legalization and access for the next few years to come.

States’ rights have continued to propel many individual commonwealths to put their own adult-use initiatives up for a vote, with more states like Pennsylvania, Hawaii, and Wisconsin possibly doing just that in 2025. Due to the recent efforts of anti-legalization groups, it remains to be seen if they will be successful or if there will be any compromise on either side.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 tryMoore Coffee Shop instead, which is known for serving drinks topped with incredible foam art creations featuring cute animals.
Best Weed DispensaryNow 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.
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.
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.
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.
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