West Coast USA Trip Cost 2026: LA, Vegas & SF 9-Day Budget
Wondering how much a US West Coast trip costs? Get the real budget breakdown for a 9-day adventure through LA, Las Vegas, and San Francisco in 2026.
Loading...
Wondering how much a US West Coast trip costs? Get the real budget breakdown for a 9-day adventure through LA, Las Vegas, and San Francisco in 2026.
Ultimate Guide to West Coast USA Travel Costs
LA, Las Vegas, San Francisco: 9 Days, 7 Nights
Photos/Text © Mini Mani Moo
Hello, fellow adventurers!
It's Mini here, ready to dish out all the juicy details about my West Coast USA adventure!
When I was planning my US trip, the one thing I searched for most was...
..."How much does a trip to the US actually cost?"
Especially for a West Coast route hitting LA, Las Vegas, and San Francisco all in one go,
the costs and vibes vary so much from city to city, making budgeting a real challenge.
Yeah, it wasn't easy to get a clear picture!
Today, I'm going to meticulously break down my actual expenses for 9 days and 7 nights,
categorized by item and city!
For those of you planning a trip to the US during these high-exchange-rate times, pay close attention!
Table of Contents |
Trip Essentials at a Glance |
Itinerary by City |
West Coast USA Trip Costs: Summary (Per Person) |
Flights (Korean Air Direct & US Domestic) |
Accommodation (Location Recommendations & Costs) |
Transportation |
Food & Dining |
Tours & Shopping |
Trip Essentials at a Glance
Item | Details |
Trip Duration | 9 Days, 7 Nights |
Travelers | 2 People |
Itinerary | LA (2 nights) - Las Vegas (2 nights) - San Francisco (3 nights) |
Payment Method | Credit/Travel Card + Small Amount of Cash |
Exchange Rate Used | 1 USD = 1,430 KRW |
Itinerary by City
I focused on hitting the absolute must-see spots in each city.
· LA (2 nights): Hollywood & City Center
· Las Vegas (2 nights): Focused on the Grand Canyon Tour
· San Francisco (3 nights): Fisherman's Wharf & Golden Gate Bridge
⬇️ Check out my full 9-day, 7-night West Coast USA itinerary post! ⬇️
West Coast USA Trip Costs: Summary (Per Person)
Flights and accommodation took up the largest chunk of the overall budget.
(The grand total, including shopping, was around ~$4,072.)
Category | Cost/Per Person | Notes |
Flights | ~$2,068 | Korean Air Direct (Golden Holiday Period) |
Accommodation | ~$812 | 7 nights + Resort Fees Included |
Inter-city Travel | ~$160 | US Domestic Flights |
Local Transportation | ~$236 | Uber, Lyft, TAP Card |
Food & Dining | ~$353 | Dining Out + Groceries |
Tours & Tickets | ~$339 | Grand Canyon, Big Bus, etc. |
Shopping & Miscellaneous | ~$146 | Souvenirs & Incidentals |
TOTAL | ~$4,114 |
Flights (Korean Air Direct & US Domestic)
Direct flights might be pricier, but they save your energy!
If you're moving between cities, budgeting for domestic flights is a must too!
· International Flights (Korean Air Multi-city): ~$2,068
· US Domestic Flights: Approx. ~$193
Los Angeles - Las Vegas: ~$73
Las Vegas - San Francisco: ~$120 (incl. baggage)
💡 US domestic flights often have strict baggage policies, so make sure to check if baggage is included when booking!
⬇️ Read my review of Korean Air direct flights & US domestic flights here! ⬇️
Accommodation (Location Recommendations & Costs)
In the US, resort fees are often charged separately upon check-in,
so be sure to factor them into your budget.
·Cost: Average of ~$145 per night (plus resort fee of ~$35 per person)
·Location: Koreatown (Excellent for safety and accessibility)
⬇️ LA The LINE Hotel / Mokoko House Reviews ⬇️
·Cost: Average of ~$235 per night (resort fee included)
·Location: Main Strip (Optimal for tour pickups)
⬇️ Planet Hollywood / Cosmopolitan Reviews ⬇️
·Cost: Average of ~$214 per night
(plus resort fee of ~$69 per person)
·Location: Fisherman's Wharf (Convenient for getting around)
⬇️ Hotel Caza Fisherman's Wharf Review ⬇️
Transportation Costs
For getting around, Uber and Lyft were my go-to!
Korean Taxis + Uber/Lyft + Making the Most of Your TAP Card
⬇️ Your Guide to Korean Taxis & TAP Cards ⬇️
Mostly on Foot + Uber/Lyft for Longer Distances
⬇️ Master Lyft with These Tips! ⬇️
Uber/Lyft + Korean Taxis + The Big Bus
⬇️ Your Guide to Booking Big Bus Tickets ⬇️
Food Expenses
Get ready for the *killer* prices in the US!
When you add in tax and tips,
Your bill will often be 20-30% higher than the menu price.
💡 Savings Tip: Grabbing salads or easy meals from supermarkets (like Trader Joe's)
can seriously help you save on food costs!
Item | Cost |
Gaju Kimbap/Gaju Market | ~$25 |
Getty Terrace Cafe | ~$21 |
Farmers Market | ~$37 |
Bukchangdong Sundubu | ~$57 |
Brunch (Openaire) | ~$95 |
Alfred Coffee | ~$8 |
Starbucks | ~$19 |
Total | ~$261 |
Item | Cost |
Dirty Hot Dog | ~$10 |
Burger King | ~$15 |
Supermarket | ~$7 |
Convenience Store | ~$11 |
Hot N Juicy | ~$89 |
Gordon Ramsay | ~$91 |
The Coffee Bean | ~$8 |
Total | ~$230 |
Item | Cost |
Convenience Store | ~$17 |
Boudin Bakery | ~$20 |
Philz Coffee | ~$7 |
Trader Joe's | ~$64 |
De Young Cafe | ~$38 |
Uber Eats (Sottomare) | ~$71 |
Peet's Coffee | ~$7 |
Total | ~$224 |
⬇️ Don't Miss These Must-Try Restaurants! ⬇️
Tours & Shopping
Item | Amount |
Grand Canyon Day Tour | ~$285 |
Big Bus Tour | ~$55 |
Total | ~$339 |
⬇️ The highlight of our US trip: Grand Canyon Tour ⬇️
⬇️ A must-do for San Francisco's night views ⬇️
Item | Amount |
Trader Joe's | ~$39 |
Airport Duty-Free | ~$66 |
Total | ~$105 |
I was worried about the high exchange rate,
but I fully experienced the majestic nature and urban charm that made it all worthwhile!
It was a 7-night, 9-day trip.
I hope my expense breakdown can offer a little help for your travel planning.
If you have any more questions, please leave them in the comments below!
Wishing everyone a wonderful trip to the USA!
The total cost per person for this 7-night, 9-day West Coast USA trip, including shopping, was approximately ~$4,114. This amount covers flights, accommodation, inter-city travel, local transportation, food, tours and admission tickets, shopping, and other miscellaneous expenses.
The domestic flight from LA to Las Vegas cost ~$73, and the domestic flight from Las Vegas to San Francisco, including baggage, cost ~$120. The total cost for travel between these two cities was approximately ~$193.
The total accommodation cost per person for the 7-night, 9-day trip was ~$812. In LA, the average cost per night was approximately ~$145 (excluding a resort fee of about ~$35 per person). In Las Vegas, the average cost per night was approximately ~$235 (including resort fees). In San Francisco, the average cost per night was approximately ~$214 (excluding a resort fee of about ~$69 per person).
The Grand Canyon day tour cost ~$285 per person. The San Francisco Big Bus tour cost ~$55 per person.
A tip for saving on food expenses was to buy salads or simple meals at supermarkets. Trader Joe's, in particular, was mentioned as a supermarket that can help significantly reduce food costs.
Discover more travel stories curated around the same theme.
Discover Tacos Royale in LA for an unforgettable culinary journey. Indulge in premium tacos and uncover a hidden bar with a lively local vibe, perfect for an authentic evening out. Find out why this spot is a must-visit in 2026!
Craving a unique coffee experience in LA? Cafe Dulce's viral blueberry matcha latte is a game-changer. Find out which location is best for you and what else to try!
Craving authentic Mexican street tacos in Los Angeles? Leo's Tacos Truck is a must-visit, especially for their legendary Al Pastor, carved fresh off the spit.
Embark on an epic 7-day US West Coast road trip in 2026, hitting LA, Las Vegas, and San Francisco. This optimized itinerary ensures you don't miss a thing!
Planning a trip to the US West Coast in 2026? Discover Mini's top 10 must-visit spots in LA, Las Vegas, and San Francisco for an unforgettable adventure. Find hidden gems and local favorites!
Looking for the perfect Hollywood stay? Our 2026 review of The Hollywood Grande, Autograph Collection, reveals why its unbeatable location and stylish amenities make it ideal for exploring LA's vibrant scene. Read on!
West Coast USA 7-Day Travel Itinerary Summary | LA Las Vegas San Francisco Itinerary Recommendations
Los Angeles | LA Flight Korean Air KE011 Economy | Flight Time Seat Recommendations In-flight Meal Review
US Domestic Flight | LA - Las Vegas Delta Air Lines DL2202 Flight Review
US Domestic Flight | Las Vegas - San Francisco Alaska Airlines AS777 Flight Review
San Francisco Flight Korean Air KE024 Economy | Flight Time, Seat Recommendations, In-flight Meal Review
Los Angeles | LA Accommodation Recommendations | The LINE Hotel LA Double Bed Room Honest Review
Los Angeles | LA Accommodation Recommendations | LA Koreatown Guesthouse Mokoko House | Couple Room, Breakfast, Late-night Snack, Luggage Storage Review
Las Vegas Hotel Recommendations | Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Ultra Hip 2 Queen Room Review
Las Vegas Hotel Recommendations | The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Terrace Suite Fountain View Review (Bellagio Fountain View)
San Francisco Hotel Recommendations | Hotel Caza Fisherman's Wharf Deluxe 2 Queen Room Review
Los Angeles | Getting from LAX to the City Center | A Comparison of LA Korean Taxis, Uber, and Lyft
Los Angeles | Your Guide to the LA TAP Transit Card: Usage, Fares, and My Experience on Buses & Subways
How to Use Ride-Shares in the US | Lyft: Sign-up, Usage, and Essential Discount Code Tips
From Las Vegas Airport to the Strip: How to Get There | Uber & Lyft Pickup Spots, Prices, and My Review
San Francisco Big Bus Tour: Ticket Types, Routes, and How to Book – Your Complete Guide
Los Angeles | LA's Best Restaurants: Honest Review of Our Revisit to BCD Tofu House Main Branch (Waiting & Menu)
Los Angeles | LA Koreatown Brunch Spot Openaire | Menu, Prices, How to Order, Review
Las Vegas Restaurants: Hot N Juicy | Menu, Prices, How to Order, Review
Las Vegas Restaurants: Gordon Ramsay Burger | Menu, Prices, Ordering Tips, Review
San Francisco Clam Chowder Spot Boudin Bakery | Menu, Prices, How to Order, Review
San Francisco Cioppino Spot Sotto Mare Oysteria & Seafood
Grand Canyon Day Tour from Las Vegas | Price, Booking, Itinerary, Review
San Francisco Trip: Big Bus Sunset Tour Tickets, Routes, Booking Guide