7 Things Red States Complain About… Then Visit The West Coast Anyway

Some travelers love to talk trash about “woke” states—until it’s time to book a getaway. Suddenly, those liberal enclaves don’t seem so bad when they come with pristine hiking trails, street food festivals, and world-class healthcare access (just in case someone rolls their ankle on the trail). Blue states catch a lot of heat politically, but they also top the charts when it comes to the stuff people crave while on vacation.

So let’s break it down: here are seven things often criticized in political debates… but quietly enjoyed when the vacation days kick in.

Table of Contents

1. Environmental Protections (AKA Clean Beaches and Wild Parks)
2. Gun Control Laws (AKA Safer City Tourism)
3. High Taxes (AKA Clean Parks, Transit, and Public Restrooms)
4. LGBTQ+ Rights (AKA Inclusive Events and Epic Pride Festivals)
5. Public Healthcare and Access (AKA Peace of Mind on the Road)
6. Liberal Cities (AKA the Food, Arts, and Festivals Everyone Loves)
7. Regulation and Red Tape (AKA the Reason Everything Runs Smoothly)
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1. Environmental Protections (AKA Clean Beaches and Wild Parks)

usa, america, california, sequoias, lady bird johnson grove, redwood national park, nature, forest, redwood, path, trail, foggy, california, redwood, redwood, redwood, redwood, redwood — Photo by USA-Reiseblogger on Pixabay

You can’t have redwoods, glacier-fed lakes, and public coastal access without serious environmental regulation. And yet, those are the exact places people flock to on vacation. Blue states tend to pass strict laws to protect natural resources—limiting development, reducing pollution, and preserving public access.

California’s Coastal Act ensures beaches remain open to everyone. Oregon’s Beach Bill protects the entire coastline for public use. Washington invests heavily in habitat restoration and wildfire prevention. It’s not “government overreach”—it’s why your lake isn’t covered in algae and your trail didn’t turn into a parking lot.

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2. Gun Control Laws (AKA Safer City Tourism)

“Broad Street Downtown Area in Nevada City, California” by Frank Schulenburg is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

One of the biggest criticisms aimed at blue states is their restrictive gun policies. But guess what? Those same policies often correlate with lower gun-related death rates, particularly in urban areas—something travelers benefit from, whether they realize it or not.

California, Oregon, and Washington all rank among the states with the strictest gun laws—and also report lower rates of gun violence per capita compared to many red states (source: CDC, 2022). If walking through a downtown feels safer, or your festival experience feels more relaxed, those regulations might be playing a role.

3. High Taxes (AKA Clean Parks, Transit, and Public Restrooms)

Blue states take flak for higher taxes—but those taxes pay for the things that make vacations smooth. Think: well-maintained rest stops, modern airports, trail maps at every junction, and city buses that show up on time.

California’s public investment in outdoor recreation facilities is massive. Oregon’s gas tax helps fund bike paths and state parks. Washington’s public transit options make it easier to explore cities without renting a car. High taxes might be an easy political punchline, but for travelers, they often translate to better infrastructure.

4. LGBTQ+ Rights (AKA Inclusive Events and Epic Pride Festivals)

man in black suit jacket and woman in black and white floral long sleeve shirt — Photo by Maico Pereira on Unsplash

Some red-state politicians campaign on “traditional values”—but plenty of their residents travel to blue states to attend drag shows, Pride parades, or just enjoy cities where inclusivity is celebrated, not questioned.

Portland, Seattle, and San Francisco host some of the biggest and most iconic LGBTQ+ events in the country. More importantly, these cities also create safer spaces for LGBTQ+ travelers year-round. From queer-owned B&Bs to all-gender restrooms in airports, inclusivity isn’t just a value—it’s a feature that makes vacations better for everyone.

5. Public Healthcare and Access (AKA Peace of Mind on the Road)

medical professionals working — Photo by Piron Guillaume on Unsplash

It’s not glamorous, but one of the smartest travel perks in blue states is access to robust healthcare systems. California alone has some of the top-rated hospitals in the country, and Oregon and Washington rank high for access to emergency care (source: Commonwealth Fund, 2023).

For travelers with chronic conditions or families with kids, that peace of mind matters. Add in walk-in clinics, accessible pharmacies, and emergency services in even remote areas, and it’s clear that “socialized” healthcare systems aren’t just political—they’re practical.

6. Liberal Cities (AKA the Food, Arts, and Festivals Everyone Loves)

Big blue cities like L.A., Portland, and Seattle are often mocked for being “too woke”—yet these same places attract millions of visitors for their food scenes, music festivals, art galleries, and culture.

It’s no accident. Local governments fund public arts, support diverse small businesses, and allow creative freedom to thrive. That’s how you end up sipping locally roasted espresso while watching a street performance on a car-free plaza. It might feel “edgy,” but it’s also what makes cities feel alive.

7. Regulation and Red Tape (AKA the Reason Everything Runs Smoothly)

Nina walking down the Cowiche Canyon Trail, everything is dry and desert looking a touch of orange and yellow at the start of fall.

People love to bash bureaucracy—until their train shows up on time or their hiking trail has bear boxes and clean signage. Blue states are more likely to have regulations around safety, environmental impact, and public access… and it pays off for travelers.

From permitting systems that limit trail overcrowding to strict food safety laws at festivals, these “annoying” rules are the invisible hand making your trip better. If your favorite vacation felt organized, beautiful, and safe—it probably wasn’t by accident.