U.S. Coastal Road Trip Vacation Ideas

The road trip is a quintessential American getaway, and these California and New England coastal routes take you past spectacular scenery, plus luxurious places to spend the night.

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When the weather’s fine, there’s an eagerness to get outdoors. If you’re looking to hit the road without roughing it, you can uplift your getaway with stays at Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection properties.*

Each day brings scenic views and new adventures while each evening you can pull over and settle in for an indulgent stay. After all, Platinum Card® Members can enjoy an exclusive suite of benefits including a room upgrade upon arrival, when available†, guaranteed 4pm check-out, a $100 credit which varies by property, to use toward eligible charges, such as food and beverage, spa, or other on-property charges, and daily breakfast for two when booking a Fine Hotels + Resorts® property through Amex Travel. When staying at least two nights with The Hotel Collection, Platinum and Gold Card Members get a $100 credit, which varies by property, to use toward eligible charges, such as food and beverage, spa, or other on-property charges, and a room upgrade upon arrival, when available.

We’ve mapped out road trip itineraries for the California and New England coasts that hit a variety of Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection properties ready to welcome you with comforts and benefits. You could cruise from New York to Connecticut then hug the coast up to Maine, taking in the charms of lighthouses and gilded-age mansions and the taste of fresh lobster. Or zigzag your way down from the vineyards of Sonoma County past San Francisco and along the rugged Pacific coastline towards the beaches of San Diego, where the surf’s up and the sun’s out.

Whichever route calls to you, keep in mind that you earn 5X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with your Platinum Card through AmexTravel.com. You also have the option to use Membership Rewards® Pay with Points for all or part of your prepaid hotel and prepaid car rental making it easier to turn your road trip daydreams into a reality.*

New England Road Trip

If you’re taking the scenic route from New York City to Maine, prepare for a stunning coastline and picturesque stops ahead. Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection properties are more than a stop along the way — they’re an entirely elevated take on a road trip.

Start in New York City with ➊The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel as your base. Built in 1881, this landmark property is where untold history meets timeless heritage.  Enjoy a crisp cocktail in Manhattan’s living room at The Bar Room and end your night at Le Gratin, where you can use your $100 credit on a Lyonnaise-inspired meal in courtesy of chef Daniel Boulud.

Once you’re ready to make the city-to-country switch, head pretty much due north through Connecticut. After you drop your bags at ➋ Mayflower Inn and Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection, in Washington, CT, take advantage of early 12pm check in (when available) and stroll along one of the state’s beautiful beaches. There are 58 landscaped acres of woodland and gardens where you can stretch your legs, with even more time to explore when you take advantage of guaranteed 4pm checkout. When it’s time for a bite, chef-in-residence April Bloomfield’s farm-to-table menus provide nourishment worth writing home about. 

If directly on the water is where you prefer to be, make your way east to the New England coast and park yourself for the night (or longer) at Newport, RI’s Brenton Hotel. Pick a room overlooking the Newport harbor and, once settled, head out to absorb the old glamour of Newport’s Gilded Age mansions and the sea air. Take your meals with an ocean-side view at The Living Room, or “LR” as the locals say, where you can take advantage of your $100 credit.

Nantucket bound? Book at ➍ The Wauwinet, in Nantucket, MA, for access to extraordinary private northeast beaches. Savor one of Nantucket's best wine programs and take a 50-minute cruise on The Wauwinet Lady to the waterfront TOPPER'S restaurant, where you can apply your $100 credit toward dinner. Life on the water is good—extend that goodness by taking advantage of 4pm check-out.

Making your way further north will land you at the ➎ Mandarin Oriental, Boston, located in the heart of Boston’s chic Back Bay neighborhood. Use 12pm early check-in (when available) to drop your bags and explore the city’s finest shopping, cultural venues, and restaurants. After a packed day of sightseeing, use your $100 credit at Boston’s first and longest running five-star awarded spa and indulge in expansive serene spaces, including the Crystal Steam Room.

Once you’ve hit Boston, you’re almost at Maine, and Maine in the summer is magic. The ➏ Inn by the Sea, in Cape Elizabeth, is a local beach landmark offering a classic charm and gold-standard service. Hike, swim, boat, explore — and then put your $100 credit, with a 2-night stay, toward the hotel spa’s signature Sea Waves massage. You can also check out the nearby historic lighthouses or spot wildlife at Great Pond. 

California Road Trip

The drive along the California coast is a legendary one that can be done again and again, in so many ways. Whether you’re starting from the Bay Area and heading south, or doing San Diego to San Francisco, the Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection properties dotting the path are an excellent place to rest between the miles—and make your Golden State road trip truly memorable.

If your starting point is the Bay Area, why not immerse yourself in Sonoma wine country at ➊ Hotel Healdsburg, featuring bespoke artwork, ceramics, and furniture by local artists and designers. Open your room’s French doors to a private balcony overlooking the garden, town plaza, or countryside. Bike around Sonoma County and sample transatlantic wine tastings. Take advantage of your $100 credit, with a 2-night stay, at the vibrant Dry Creek Kitchen, where you can choose from an extensive wine list highlighting some of Sonoma’s best.

Burrowed in San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood, ➋ InterContinental, San Francisco puts you within walking distance of the Theater District and Union Square. After a day full of sightseeing activities – museum visits, the Ferry Building, maybe even a cable car ride or a tour of Alcatraz Island – treat yourself to a fine-dining meal at Luce, where you can use the $100 credit, with a 2-night stay.  

For a change of scenery and decidedly less urban stay, make the 50-minute drive toRosewood Sand Hill in Silicon Valley, where five-star luxury meets California calm. All accommodations come with balconies or terraces with breathtaking views of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Take a horseback ride at Glenoaks Equestrian Center or use your $100 credit toward meal at the award-winning Madera. 

The central coast feels like the American Riviera once you hit ➍ Alila Ventana Big Sur, where the sky, the sea, the mountains, and the redwoods all converge. Wake up to views of this natural beauty from your secluded suite with a private balcony, one of the villas or glamping options at the resort. Use your $100 credit toward a meal on the outdoor deck at Sur House or a picnic basket for the next day’s drive further south; treatments in an outdoor cabana at the resort’s Spa Alila are another tempting option.

Heading further down the coast, you'll want to brake in the tranquil town of Santa Barbara. Take in the serene backdrops of vineyards, ocean views, and coastal countryside from the ➎ The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara. The Mediterranean architecture and laid-back charm will inspire you to slow down and appreciate every moment, which is even easier thanks to guaranteed 4pm check-out. You might explore the coast on horseback, splash around two beaches, and use your $100 credit at the locally sourced restaurant Angel Oak.

The ➏ Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach is perched on 175 stunning acres that encompass a private beach club, three pools, an oceanfront spa, and restaurants. Finish off a day in paradise with a nightcap around the fire pit, and make the most of guaranteed 4pm check-out hitting the greens at Monarch Beach Golf Links.

When you’ve reached San Diego, don’t worry, you’re not done yet. The ➐ Fairmont Grand Del Mar feels like an entire vacation on its own with four heated pools, golf, an outdoor fitness center, self-guided hiking trails, plus some of California's prettiest beaches. Extend your time on the coast, and in the lap of luxury at Fairmont, with guaranteed 4pm check-out.

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