Choosing the destination for a girls’ weekend to celebrate your friend’s upcoming nuptials can be a lot of responsibility. It can be especially difficult if the bachelorette is not looking for the typical wild weekend in Vegas for her party. But, whether she’s the outdoorsy type, the partier, or just looking to unwind before the big day, we know the perfect place to whisk away your west coast bride-to-be.
5 West Coast Bachelorette Party Destinations
1. Napa Valley, California
For a classic bachelorette destination, Napa Valley still holds up as one of the best girls’ getaway destinations. Enjoy an endless amount of scenic vineyards and wine tastings, and if you really want to be classy you can rent a limo as your designated driver. If you are really an oenophile, you may consider signing up for one of the wine clubs for big discounts on tastings and bottles, and the opportunity to bring some Napa back home with you. If you want to add some adventure to your party, you can schedule a hot air balloon tour; some of which even include a champagne brunch back on the ground.
2. Portland, Oregon
If your friend is more hip than the average bride, then a trip to Portland will make her dream bachelorette party a reality. Forest Park is perfect for biking and hiking with more than 70 miles of trails, many of which can still be enjoyed even in the winter months. When you are ready to get down to some real partying, there will be no shortage of craft beer options or beer tasting, because with more than 65 breweries, Portland actually has more breweries than any other city in the world. And if you really want to plan an unforgettable night, then book a late night 80s dance cruise on the Willamette River. They say, “costumes are encouraged”!
3. San Diego, California
San Diego is known for its beautiful beaches, and if you mix that with some rousing nightlife, you have the perfect formula for a bachelorette party. For a relaxing day next to the Pacific, spend some time on Coronado, a little island you can drive to via the San Diego-Coronado Bridge. Coronado is home to one of the most pristine beaches in Southern California. When you are done soaking up the sun, you can take yourselves on a little self-guided tour around the beautiful Hotel del Coronado, a National Historic Landmark built in 1888. Once the sun sets, head over to the Gaslamp Quarter where you can walk between bars of all varieties; from sports bars, to dance clubs, or even an Irish pub with traditional live Irish music and dancing.
4. San Juan Islands, Washington
If you are looking for a completely original location for your bachelorette party, try visiting one of the four San Juan Islands that you can ferry to from the Washington coast. No matter the various interests of your group of ladies, you will find plenty to satisfy everyone. On any given day, choose from browsing art galleries and boutique shops, sample local wine at a tasting room, or go whale watching. You can even go on a BYOB evening sailing trip around the islands, or charter a private sailboat and make your own itinerary.
5. Palm Springs, California
Nothing makes you feel ready for that next chapter in your life than spending some time getting pampered, and Palm Springs is known for its spas. One unique opportunity is at Two Bunch Palms, a resort and day spa that features The Grotto, two pools of natural mineral spring water. These therapeutic hot springs are accessible for a fee with a 60-minute spa treatment, and a great supplement to a spa day. Once your group is fully relaxed and rejuvenated, you can take in Palm Springs’ natural beauty from the Aerial Tramway, the world’s largest rotating tramcar.
This article was written by Paula Ashlee Berg.