Top 5 Summer Travel Guides For Travel Out West

Here are my 2022 Top 5 Summer Travel Guides that I turned to for summer travels in Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and Southern California.

I will share our adventures on my blog at the start of the Summer 2023 Travel Season!

Moon Nevada by Scott Smith

This book provides an overall resource on traveling throughout the state of Nevada.

Here you can figure out itineraries from camping to going to casinos.

The book relates the top sights. Including hiking to the world’s oldest trees at Great Basin National Park. Seeing the blue waters of Lake Tahoe or Lake Mead and marveling at Hoover Dam.

Also, you will find full-color photos and detailed maps.

Focused coverage includes Reno, Las Vegas, and Death Valley, along with the different regions of the state.

It was thorough and really gave me an idea of what to see and do in Nevada more than just the casinos in Las Vegas.

Moon Washington by Matthew Lombardi

This book discusses the Seattle area from the Space Needle to Mount Rainer to all the way out to Spokane.

You can use it for itineraries with any different budget or timeline and including trips from Seattle, Olympic Peninsula, and the entire state.

The book is for outdoor adventure, foodies, or culture and history buffs.

Unique activities include hiking the sub-alpine forests of Mount Rainier National Park, witnessing migrating whales, charming towns like Bellevue, and even exploring the history of airplanes at the Museum of Flight.

I found it a good place to figure out our trip to Washington state.

Fodor’s Travel: Southern California: with Los Angeles, San Diego, & the Central Coast & the Best Road Trips

This book provides full details on travel from the Hollywood Walk of Fame to Sequoia National Park down to the San Diego Zoo and west to Joshua Tree National Park.

The book is filled with maps, recommendations, and restaurant and hotel reviews along with shopping advice, nightlife, performing arts, and other activities.

Find occasional photos to gain a sense of place.

The book includes itineraries such as driving along the Pacific Coast Highway.

Learn also the history and culture of the area.

It is especially good for exploring Los Angeles, San Diego, Palms Springs, and all the places in between.

The authors do a good job of providing detailed information on all the places to check out in Southern California.

Moon Oregon Travel Guide by Elizabeth and Mark Morris

This book includes different itineraries from a wine trip to a few days in Portland to going off into the mountains or to the Oregon coast.

It also discusses unique opportunities like a Shakespeare Festival in Ashland or Portland’s renowned craft beer scene.

I found it helpful in exploring the Columbia River Gorge and learning about possible hiking trails.

It features sections on Portland, Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood, and the Willamette Valley, to name a few.

The book also has detailed maps, color photos, and background information on the culture, landscape, climate, and wildlife.

It is a handy guide for traveling around Oregon.

Lonely Planet Pocket Seattle by Robert Balkovich

Advice on what to see such as Pike Place Market, the Chihuly Garden, and the spectacular Space Needle.

It includes full-color maps and images. Highlights itineraries for your personal needs and interests.

Essential information such as hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, and prices.

Reviews for all budgets relating to eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, or hidden gems.

It has a user-friendly layout along with icons and is organized by neighborhood.

I found a pull-out map along with 21 colored neighborhood maps.

It covers areas of town such as Pike Place, Waterfront, Pioneer Square, International District, Belltown, Queen Anne, Lake Union, Fremont, and Green Lake.

I kept this in my back pocket when I walked some of these neighborhoods to find places I wanted to go. It is helpful to have a small guide that you can carry around. I especially liked the transit information which is useful if you don’t have a car.

TWO BONUS SUMMER TRAVEL GUIDES

I also used these Lonely Planet Pocket Guides as I walked around Los Angeles and Las Vegas

Lonely Planet Pocket Las Vegas by Benedict Walker

This book gives an overview of what to see and do in Las Vegas. This also includes the surrounding area such as Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon

It has full-color photos, maps, and highlighted itineraries.

Insider tips on how to save money and time.

Reviews on places to eat, sleep, sightsee, shop, and hidden gems.

The essential information such as hours, phone numbers, websites, prices, and transit tips.

The book also goes into the different neighborhoods of Las Vegas.

I will return to this book when I go there for some of the food suggestions and where to shop. Additionally, I like some of the casino layouts included and I wish it had more of those.