Why it's iconic: There's nothing that screams "America" in, uh, America like Ansel Adams' photos of iconic Yosemite destinations like Half Dome and Glacier Point, and seeing it in person is the kind of thing that makes you be all, "Bro, I'm so glad I'm seeing this in person." There's no shortage of hikes in the summer (and snow activities in the winter); but it's the smell of fresh wood, the sight of waterfalls, and run-ins with wildlife that'll inspire even the most cynical road-tripper to actually acknowledge that, yeah, being outside is pretty damn good, sometimes. Also: if you've never stayed at The Ahwahnee, you're doing something very, very wrong. Just ask James Franco.
Source: https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/san-francisco/best-west-coast-road-trips-california-oregon-washington