6 day california road trip

The Ultimate California Road Trip Itinerary

Written By: The Planet D

Road Trips , United States

Updated On: February 8, 2024

This California road trip itinerary will take you along incredible the famous Pacific Coast highway, through deserts, and around lakes and mountains. It is one of the most diverse road trips you can take in the United States.

We have personally driven these roads and highways on different road trips in California and we visited all the sights recommended. This two week itinerary can easily be mixed and matched to create different California road trips as long or short as you like.

California Road Trip Itinerary

Make sure to download your Pacific Coast highway Self Drive tour before embarking on your California road trip. Explore the California Coast at your own pace as you follow the app to discover monuments, towns, and points of interest along the route. It will track your route and play automatically to tell you about your stops as you drive from Monterey to Pismo Beach.

Table of Contents

California Road Trip Map

1. San Francisco – 2 Days

We’ve planned the initial stage of our California road trip itinerary from San Francisco . It is easy to fly into from all major hubs and car rentals can be picked up directly at the airport. Plus, traffic in San Francisco isn’t as congested as it is in Los Angeles making it the perfect start for any California road trip itinerary.

Spending two days in San Francisco will give you the chance to see all the iconic sites like the incredible Golden Gate Bridge before moving South. We have an excellent 72 hours in San Francisco guide where you can plan your entire stay in San Francisco .

• Tip: When we visited San Francisco for the first time, we bought a  City Pass  and explored all the neighborhoods by bus. It was a great way to get acquainted with the layout of the city and have the option to hop on and hop off whenever we wanted with a 24 or 48-hour pass.
• Click here to search all the car rental agencies and get the best price for your California Road Trip!

Things to do in San Francisco

• San Francisco Cable Car
• Golden Gate Park – one of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge
• The Painted Ladies – made famous by Full House
• Hippie district of Haight Ashbury and China Town
• Palace of the arts
• See our complete guide to the Best Hikes in San Francisco

Make sure to get out on the Bay to see the city when in San Francisco, this Golden Gate Bay Cruise let’s you see many of San Francisco’s top attractions. You’ll cruise along the waterfront, sail under the Golden Gate Bay Bridge, go around Alcatraz and see the former hippy enclave of Sausalito. Whatch for marine life such as sea lions, dolphins and whales as you cruise the Marin Headlands wildlife reserves.

Where to Stay in San Francisco

For first-time visitors to San Francisco, we suggest staying near Fisherman’s Wharf. You will be close to all the iconic places in the city.

• Luxury: Argonaut Hotel – A 4-star hotel located next to the SF Maritime National Historic Park for about $300 per night. TripAdvisor / Booking.com
• Mid-Range: Pier 2620 Hotel – This eco-friendly hotel is close to the beach. It is a new and modern design, with a fitness center. $200 per night TripAdvisor / Booking.com
• Budget: Hotel Zephyr – This boutique has nautical-themed rooms, central, near Pier 39, Lombard Street, and Ghirardelli Square. TripAdvisor / Booking.com
• Read our full guide for San Francisco Neighborhoods and Accommodation Where to Stay in San Francisco 

2. Monterey / Carmel By the Sea – 1 Day

Drive just 2 hours and 45 minutes from San Francisco to Monterrey

After leaving San Francisco, we make our way down the Pacific Coast Highway to Monterey. You can stay either stay in Monterey or Carmel by the Sea. Monterey and Carmel by the Sea are only 10 minutes from each other. We stayed at Carmel by the Sea and it was a great location to get around Big Sur.

When visiting Monterey, you’ll want to get out on the water as it is one of the best places in the world for whale watching. This Monterey Bay tour departs from Old Fisherman’s Wharf to set sail for some whale watching. You’ll see Californian Sea Lions basking in the harbor as you pass Cannery Row and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. 

Things to See and Do

• Cycling 17 Mile Drive – If there is one thing to do in Carmel before moving on, you must take a tour of 17-Mile Drive. We had a blast on e-Bikes with Big Sur Adventures . Read about our full experience at 17-Mile Drive – California’s Most Scenic Drive. 
• Cannery Row – The Historic Cannery Row has been transformed from old warehouses to colorful buildings lining the waterfront filled with eateries and shops.
• Monterey Aquarium – The Monterey Aquarium is the centerpiece of the city where they study the waters of Monterey Bay and tackle the oceans health problems.
• Kayaking Monterey Bay – Don’t miss getting on the water in Monterey. We highly recommend taking a kayaking tour of Monterey Bay with Adventures by the Sea to view sea otters and sea lions.
• Surfing Carmel – Beginners will love the easy break and sandy shallow waters of Carmel Bay. We spent the morning taking a lesson with the Carmel Surf Company

Hotels and AirBnBs in Monterrey

The Hideaway – Centrally Located on Juniper Street, a short walk to restaurants, and just a few blocks from the beach. This luxury boutique hotel has in-room fireplaces and offers a modern design. TripAdvisor / Booking.com

Suggested Place to Eat – La Belana Cucina Toscana takes you straight to the heart of Tuscany with a traditional setting. Sit outside on the heated patio and enjoy a fresh farm to table menu drizzled in olive oil and truffles.

4. Big Sur – 1 Day

Continue down the Pacific Coast Highway 1 for an hour from Monterrey to Big Sur .

The Pacific Coast Highway is the Grand Dame of all California road trips. We suggest a minimum of 2 days exploring the coast along Big Sur. You can easily keep your base in Monterey to explore these sights.

A great compliment to your Big Sur road trip is to download this Pacific Coast Highway Self Drive tour. The app showcases the top scenic stops and views from Monterey to Pismo Beach. It tracks your route and the audio guide plays commentary to tell you stories and suggest points of interest. On this leg, you’ll see places like Garrapata State Park, Pfeiffer Canyon, McWay Falls, and the Bixby Bridge.

Considered by many the world’s most scenic drives, The Big Sur portion of California Coastal Drive on Highway 1 is a must for any road trip lover. In our opinion, all California road trips should include this leg as there are so many gorgeous stops from sea cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Things to See in Big Sur

• Bixby Bridge – Don’t miss stopping at the Bixby Bridge. Made famous by many a film and TV Show (most recently Big Little Lies . Tip : Go for sunrise no tourists were there at all when we were up before dawn.
• Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park – This a good place to go for hikes and walk along the trails. It’s most famous for the McWay Waterfalls and offers beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean.
• Pfeiffer Beach – One of the best beaches on the route. Pfeiffer Beach is a bit of a drive off the main highway down a narrow and bumpy road, so it attracts fewer tourists than other viewpoints on Highway 1. Check out: 24 Of The Best Beaches in California
• Garrapata State Park – Hiking trails along the coast, Karst formations, sea arches, and jagged rocks make for extraordinary views of a rugged coastal landscape at Garrapata State Park. For a complete breakdown of photography stops with GPS Co-ordinates visit our Photography Guide to Big Sur

Where to Stay in Big Sur – Ventana Resort

When exploring Big Sur we made a home base at Ventana Resort and spent two days exploring the surrounding area. We spent one night in  their glamping tents  and one night in a luxurious suite overlooking the ocean. Ventana is the perfect base for exploring Big Sur as it’s in the heart of everything.

Check out our guide to The Best Places to Camp in Big Sur

Where to eat in Big Sur

• The Sur House – Located at  Ventana Big Sur , The Sur House is an upscale dining establishment using locally sourced cuisine created by Executive Chef, Paul Corsentino. $90 Fix menu offers a divine three-course meal. Location: 48123 Highway 1
• Big Sur River Inn – The  Big Sur River Inn  was the first hotel and restaurant in the area. Enjoy the photographs from a bygone era dating back to 1932.
• Nepenthe – Open since 1949,  Nepenthe  is a staple of Big Sur attracting artists, poets, and travelers to its 800-foot sea cliff views. Location: 48510 Highway One
• Big Sur Roadhouse – This locally run eatery has a funky vibe with family-style seating. Designer Steve Justrich transformed the roadhouse into a unique design that they claim as homegrown modernism.

5. Coastal Highway Stops

This drive takes 3 hours from Big Sur to Santa Maria, but take you time to see all the sights.

We continue down the coast from Big Sur to the charming town of Santa Maria, which is one of our favorite California road trip stops. Be sure to give ample time for breaks on this route. There is still a lot more to see on this portion of the California Coast and you can easily spend a day exploring the sites as you make your way to your next overnight stop. 

• Hearst Castle – Built by San Simeon, this incredible estate was built on 127 acres on a hill overlooking San Simeon. Pop in for a tour of America’s castle before driving on to spend the night in the lovely town of Santa Maria.
• Morrow Bay – Another beautiful beach, Morrow Bay’s main attraction is Morrow Rock, a 180-meter tall volcanic plug standing proud offshore.
• Pismo Beach is another place to stop if you still have time before spending the night in Santa Maria.

6. Santa Maria – 1 Day

So it is a good time to park your car and get out to explore the nearby vineyards for a proper “Sideways” wine tour experience. We have it as one day on your California road trip itinerary, but if you can spend two days here, we recommend it.

Things to do in Santa Maria

• Wine Tours – There are several vineyards to choose. Hire a private car through Gold Coast Executive Transportation to take you on a wine tour. We had an amazing time touring Wine Caves of  Cottonwood Canyon .
• Dune Buggy Adventure – To explore even more of the highest dunes in the world, go on a Dune Buggy adventure with  Steve’s ATV Rentals, 332 Pier Ave. Oceano.  Get in a dune buggy and hit the dunes.
• Hidden Hollywood – Don’t miss this very cool Hidden Hollywood at the Dunes Center museum in Guadalupe Cecil B. Demille created an entire set of the pyramids of Egypt in the middle of the California Sand Dunes. He didn’t want anyone to use his set again, so he buried it in the desert and didn’t tell anyone where it was. It was nearly forgotten by everyone, until the 1990s when the director, Peter Brosnan decided to search for the hidden city.

Hotels and AirBnBs in Santa Maria

Check in to the historic Santa Maria Inn in the center of town. It has been a staple in Santa Maria since 1917. Be sure to peruse the halls to see legendary movie stars that have stayed here.

• Santa Maria Style Barbecue – If you want to try authentic Santa Maria Style Barbecue, go to Far Western Tavern Tavern in Orcutt.

7. Santa Barbara – 1 Day

Today we drive a short distance of just 1 hour from Santa Maria

Continuing on through wine country and making our way through our California road trip itinerary, we arrive in Santa Barbara for a night before stopping in Los Angeles.

Santa Barbara is considered one of the world’s most beautiful wine regions with nine different wine routes to explore. It is a popular escape from Los Angeles, and there are many things to do here.

Things to do in Santa Barbara

• Sunset Sail – We suggest a sailing trip to enjoy the beautiful sunset and the California Coast followed by dinner on a patio by the waterfront.
• Stearns Wharf – Historic deep-water pier dating back to 1871.
• Shopping – Santa Barbara is all about the upscale experience, stroll the Spanish style shops lining State Street.
• Museums – Check out the many museums. The Museum of Art, MOXI – The Wolf Museum of Exploration and Innovation and Museum of Natural History and the Sea Center.

Santa Barbara Hotels and AirBnBs

We stayed at the luxurious Four Seasons Biltmore Santa Barbara. This estate is the perfect place to relax after all that driving.

8. Los Angeles – 2 Days

It’s an hour and a half to Los Angeles so you can start enjoying the city immediately

Click here for map CA coast

We’ve come to the next metropolis on our California Road Trip and it is time to explore L.A. Los Angeles is a good place to start for southern California road trips. Who doesn’t love Los Angeles? There are so many things to do in LA , that you could have your entire California road trip right here.

Things to do in Los Angeles

The possibilities are endless for sightseeing in L.A. so you can decide how long you want to stay here. From Universal Studios and Disneyland to hiking up to see the Hollywood sign or follow the Hollywood Walk of Fame. You must get out to see the beaches of Los Angeles. Our favorite beach is Manhattan Beach where you can see the famous 90210 beach house. But everyone loves popping over to Venice Beach too. I hope you’ve rented a nice car to drive along Rodeo Drive but if not, don’t worry, you’ll fit right in with the Bohemian atmosphere of Venice Beach. Read 25 Best Things to Do in Los Angeles – Hollywood, Hikes, And More

• Note: You seriously need a car to explore L.A. It is spread out and it was made for driving.
• Check out our post: Where to Stay in Los Angeles – 4 Hotels to Make You Feel Like a Star. 

Option: Continue to San Diego – Or Turn North

From Los Angeles you can continue south to San Diego or start heading north to make your way back to San Francisco.

• The Best Things to Do in San Diego – A Local’s Guide to the City
• Where To Stay In San Diego – The Best Neighborhoods & Areas

For our road trip, we turned north up towards the National Parks .

9. Joshua Tree National Park – 1 Day

From Los Angeles we drive two hours to the iconic Joshua Tree National Park .

Get the link to this portion of your road trip ideas in California.

Joshua Tree National Park is where two deserts meet: The Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert. There are lookout points and there’s even a cactus garden. You can camp overnight in Joshua Tree and there’s also rock climbing. It’s one of the premier places on earth for bouldering. We only suggest spending a day here on this California Road Trip Itinerary, but if you have more time, put a tent in the back of your car and spend a couple of days hiking Joshua Tree and exploring more of California

10. Death Valley National Park

It takes about 2 hours to drive through non stop

If you are planning a California road trip, you must try to include a day driving through Death Valley. It’s very hot, dry, and it’s a beautiful drive, but this portion of your California road trips planner should involve some precautionary steps. The average temperature is 48 degrees Celcius. (120F) Luckily there are enough stops at viewpoints along the road that keep you from having to trek too far for viewing in the heat.

• Safety in Death Valley : Pack plenty of water, cover-up, and wear sunscreen.
• Get the Google maps of  road trips California with a detour to Vegas .

11. Yosemite National Park – 2 Days

From Death Valley we drive 7 hours to Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is one of the Big 3 National Parks in the USA and it did not disappoint. It is where the legendary photographer Ansel Adams set up shop and took some of the most recognizable nature photographs of all time.

Things to See in Yosemite

Yosemite has all those iconic formations that you’ve all heard of like “The Nose” and “El Capitan”. Here you’ll find Bridalveil Falls, and the famous Tunnel View Lookout. Glacier Point is another not-to-miss stop. It’s also a place for adventurers to get out an enjoy nature. There are so many hiking trails you will need days to complete them all. Read more at Things to do in Yosemite National Park

En route to Yosemite, be sure to stop at Sequoia National Forest. We combined our stay in Yosemite with seeing the sequoias as they are less than an hour away. A highlight for us was taking the park tour to see the Grand Sequoia Trees of Mariposa Grove. It is a bit of a drive from Yosemite, but hey, you’re on a road trip so it’s right up your alley!

When booking accommodation in Yosemite, plan in advance. During high season, things sell out fast! Curry Village has a range of canvas tents and wooden cabins plus hotel rooms. Accommodation range from basic tents with shared bathrooms to private hotel rooms with bathrooms. Check out TripAdvisor for prices .

• Yosemite Valley Lodge is a great location to make a base in Yosemite. There’s free parking, free Internet and a pool. Read more: Where to Stay in Yosemite National Park

12. Lake Tahoe – 2 Days

From Yosemite it is 2 hours and 30 minutes to Tahoe.

There are two major tourist areas to make a base in both South and North Lake Tahoe. The south is certainly the busier of the two sides of the lake with casinos, nightclubs and lots of people. While the north side of the lake is all about nature, quiet family run lodges and rugged and historic ski hills, the South sits directly on the Nevada border and feels kitschy and commercial.

Things to do in Lake Tahoe

• Scenic Drive – The best views most certainly happen when driving between South and North Tahoe via Emerald Bay State Park. It takes an entire day to really explore the lake and you must give a lot of time for sightseeing at Emerald Bay.
• Emera l d Bay State Park – Emerald Bay has several different scenic stops and each one is a must! When you pull over, be sure to get out of your car and hike to the viewpoints. They get more spectacular with each turn! Hike down to the bay and see the famous Vikingsholm Castle or go on a lake cruise.
• Camp Richardson – If you are up for more hiking, there are trails all around Camp Richardson that are less steep than the hike down from Emerald Bay. They also offer hotel and cabins for lodging.
• Skiing – Sugar Bowl Ski Resort is the closest skiing to San Francisco and receives the most snowfall out of all the hills in California. After driving up the long and winding road, we stopped for a magnificent view of Donner Lake. North Star offers the luxury end of the spectrum of skiing with the only slope-side five-star lodging in the area, and don’t forget Mt.Rose offering Tahoe’s Highest Base elevation. Heavenly Mountain located in South Tahoe.
• Read Things to do in Lake Tahoe in Winter

Hotels and AirBnBs in Lake Tahoe

• There are plenty of lodging options in North Lake Tahoe and a good stay for families would definitely be our lodge at Cedar Crest Cottages .
• Sunnyside Resort is a welcoming resort located on the Shore of Lake Tahoe. Your stay includes continental breakfast and afternoon tea.

Where to Eat – We loved our meal and the friendly staff at  Sunnyside Restaurant and Resort  located at 1850 W Lake Blvd, Tahoe City. It has been a Sunnyside tradition since 1965.

13. Sacramento – Bonus Night

It’s about a five-hour drive from Lake Tahoe to San Francisco, so if you want to split up the 5-hour drive we suggest stopping in Sacramento . Even if it’s not on your California road trip itinerary from the start, it’s worth the time to see all of this history. The state capital of California is worth a visit even if you only see the historic downtown landmark of Old Sacramento. This 28-acre district is filled with old town saloons and bars taking you back to the 1800s.

Where to Stay in Sacramento

A great place to stay is  The Kimpton Sawyer Hotel  that is just a short 15-minute walk from Old Town. This new upscale hotel is located in the heart of Sacramento overlooking the Golden 1 Center, home of the Sacramento Kings.

How much does it cost to Road Trip in California?

As you’ve seen, your California road trip itinerary can move in a lot of different directions. There were a lot of stops we didn’t even make because this state is so enormous. As such, the cost can vary greatly depending on lodging.

Accommodation – If you stay in a campground you will pay $35 per night but you can also spend up to $1000 per night in luxury lodges like Ventana in Big Sur or the Four Seasons in Santa Barbara.

This road trip is 1500 miles in total . If the average car gets 20 miles per gallon and the average cost of fuel is $3.50 per gallon, you can expect to pay $262 in fuel for this trip.

Meals too can have a broad range. If you want a multicourse meal at some of the luxury hotels, you can spend up to $200. but you can also hit roadside diners for $20. We mixed and matched packing lunches, eating in diners and sometimes splurging on gourmet meals. We suggest you do the same to make the most of your trip.

If you can get breakfasts included and pack sandwiches and waters for lunch, you have just saved a lot of money for a romantic dinner out.

Full Map of Our Road Trip in California

Whatever route you choose, you will go through some of the best  scenery in all of California . We hope to have given enough information to create your own tour by offering these California road trip ideas.

You have now completed the route and can make your way back to The San Francisco Bay area to return your rental car. Or feel free to stick around California. There are so many places to visit , you can spend months exploring.

Did you enjoy this California Trip Planner? Why not pin it to use as a reference for future road trips.

And that ladies and gentlemen are our picks for the best road trips California has to offer. So, now you are ready to hit the road with a solid plan of all the things to do in California!

To see our full itinerary through California check out  Follow ThePlanetD from Oceans to Mountains  on the Visit California Website.

• Things to do in Napa Valley
• 16 Best Cities in California
• 27 Best Beaches in California
• 15 Best Hikes in California – Inspiration to Get Outdoors

You may also like these other great road trips:

• 25 of The Best Road Trips in the World – That We’ve Taken
• 13 of the Best Canadian Road Trips – That We’ve Done
• Arizona Road Trip – The Ultimate 10 Day Itinerary
• Dempster Highway Road Trip – Yes You Can Drive to the Arctic
• The Cowboy Trail – A Southern Alberta Road Trip
• Driving the Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper Alberta

Our trip to California was in partnership with Visit California. For more information on California travel and itineraries,  visit their website. As usual, all opinions are our own.

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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About The Planet D

Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil are the owners and founders of The Planet D. After traveling to 115 countries, on all 7 continents over the past 13 years they have become one of the foremost experts in travel. Being recognized as top travel bloggers and influencers by the likes of Forbes Magazine , the Society of American Travel Writers and USA Today has allowed them to become leaders in their field.

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49 thoughts on “The Ultimate California Road Trip Itinerary”

Wow, what a great itinerary! I remember my California road trip like it was yesterday – an unforgettable experience. Starting in San Francisco was a smart choice – it’s such a diverse city with so much to see and do. I couldn’t get enough of the panoramic views from Golden Gate Park! And that City Pass was definitely a worthwhile investment. Made getting around the city super convenient. The drive along the Pacific Coast Highway was absolutely stunning. It’s a journey I think everyone should experience at least once. For anyone planning this road trip, don’t rush it! Take your time and really soak in the breathtaking views. It’s worth every second.

Oh wow! This is a great itinerary. Super detailed – thank you. We love California.

Thank You for sharing! This detail very use full for me!

This is really an ultimate road trip! I live in CA and have done so much of this but only little bits at a time. Beautiful photos!

This California road trip is really amazing and very useful for road trippers. Thank you for sharing.

Thanks Sharon, I’m glad we could help! And have a great road trip! When do you leave for California?

This is incredible and you travel photography is totally shocking! In spite of the fact that I live in California, there are a few places on your excursion that I haven’t visited at this point! I’m anticipating getting to Lake Tahoe and Death Valley sooner rather than later! A debt of gratitude is in order for sharing!

You are going to love Lake Tahoe. In the winter it’s a great destination. They really have it figured out as a four season destination. Make sure to bring plenty of water for Death Valley. I am sure you are used to the heat, but we were amazed with how hot it actually was.

Santa Barbara, California is a nice place to vacation and travel to often.

Santa Barbara is gorgeous. I’ve always wanted to go there since the soap opera called Santa Barbara. It didn’t disappoint.

I’m looking forward to getting to Lake Tahoe and Death Valley in the near future! Thanks for sharing!

Enjoy! They are two great and very different locations.

Super detailed – thank you!

Thanks, I’m glad we could help!

This is a great itinerary! There is so much to see in California. I have been creating CA road trip itineraries for 4 years of different duration and covering various interests. I currently have 35 and counting on my blog.

Oh wow! There are so many places to see in California, it really does take years. This road trip planner is from several different trips we’ve taken as well. It would be a dream to do it all again at one time!

I could not agree with you more about California being one of (if not the) best destinations for a road trip. Have you ever thought of renting a campervan to make the trip? It really makes the trip all the more immersive when you can stop and sleep right in the middle of it instead of having to venture off the beaten path to find lodging. And in most cases, you can do that in Cali. I recommend Travellers-Autobarn for an awesome campervan rental. They have locations in San Francisco and LA. I put their link in the website field. Happy Trails!

A campervan would be amazing. We love camping and meeting people on the road and we find that campgrounds are so much fun. Thanks for the tip!

Good to see wonderful snapshot of California and California road trip itinerary.

Thank you for sharing with us.

Great guide. Brings back so many California road trip memories. Planning one now with kids in tow!

Thanks! We love California

California is just amazing and blog was so informative about the Joshua Tree,Los angles ,South Lake Tahoe,Yosemite,Death Valley i love these kinda places actually nice write-up thanks or posting!

This post made me move towards road trip to California. Incredible post along with awesome photograph which is central attraction of the blog. Reading this post made my day. I wish I could travel like you without any worry of time.

Appreciate it for your great effort that made my day with motivation.

I hope you get the chance to road trip in California. We also have a photography guide to Big Sur with all the GPS coordinates so you can make the most of yoru trip. https://theplanetd.com/visual-guide-to-big-sur-coastal-drive-california/

A California road trip has been on the top of my travel bucket list for so long and this post hasn’t changed my mind. I’ve been to both LA and SF but would love to see all the amazing scenery in between.

Two great locations! You already have a great start to your road trip? Where would you like to go next?

This post makes me want to move home and go on a road trip! Thanks for giving me so many places to book mark. Can’t want to visit Cali again now!

Lucky you being from California. It is one of the greatest states in our opinion 🙂

Yes indeed it is great

This is great and you photography is absolutely stunning! Although I live in California, there are several places on your road trip that I haven’t visited yet! I’m looking forward to getting to Lake Tahoe and Death Valley in the near future! Thanks for sharing!

Wow, that is a serious road trip, filled with so many gorgeous things! When I was growing up, we did the Highway 1 trip several times, and I have so many great memories of it. This route takes you to all kinds of places I am yet to explore! Love it!

This is some great advice for our upcoming trip. I’m currently planning a road trip from San Francisco, so this is super helpful! Beautiful pictures you captured. Thank you so much for sharing this post.

I just want to tell that your photographs are really very inspiring and they just got me. I wanted to meander in the streets of this state. Thank you for taking us on this part.

Okay … just read over all the comments and I see a lot of people don’t care for Las Vegas. Fair enough. Please don’t right the whole city off as wasteful and uncaring for the environment. I’d ask you to please be open minded and learn more about our city before jumping to that conclusion. There’s more to Las Vegas than the four miles people know as the Strip.

Get in touch regarding Las Vegas and anything you want to know about the Southwest. I’ve lived in Vegas for five years and know the Southwest well. Would love to chat about your plans and provide recommendations/answer questions. You know where to find me!

We’ve been living in the bay area our whole lives and still haven’t done this route. SF direct to LA yes, but not this kind. Sounds like an adventure! I heard you two were at a Travel Massive event in SF late last year no? It was at a beer shop I believe. We were there too!

Hi. That trip sounds amazing. I’ve actually been to all those places on a Trek America tour. Alcatraz is a must see, there is plenty to do in Vegas without gambling and if you get the chance to take a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon do it because the views are to die for. You’ll have a blast! l look forward to reading about it.

You guys are going to have such a great trip! I’m from the SF area, went to college in LA and spent several summers on family backpacking trips in Yosemite, so I have to admit I’m actually a little jealous. Enjoy it extra for me, please!

Too bad you will be missing Lake Tahoe! One of the most beautiful places in the country! You definitely have to plan a trip to visit here at some point 🙂

Did a similar road trip last year and Cam is right, you need to stop by Sequoia National Park and see the General Sherman Tree (it’s basically on the way from Yosemite to Bakersfield!). With that said, still looks like tons of fun and I’m sure it’ll be a blast!

Thanks for the report : ) We will be doing about the saem route in September: Denver-Ouray-Arches-Bryce-Zion-Grand Canyon-Las Vegas-Death Valley-Mammoth Lakes-Yosemite-SFO 🙂

— Anton Way Any Way – Airfare search done right http://www.wayanyway.com

Sounds like a lot of fun. I’ve always wanted to do a west coast road trip. I have driven from the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas, and I definitely did not spend enough time at the Grand Canyon. Las Vegas is fun, and as for shows any Cirque du Soleil show will be a good bet. I saw O which was fantastic.

Seriously–you are driving right by some really amazing places with no time to stop. You have to add several more days and visit Sequoia National Park (world’s largest trees), and Death Valley National Park.They are both incredible! Las Vegas is soulless and weird and there’s nothing to do if you don’t like gambling (my friend Jane who lives there slaps me every time I say that–well, not really, but I can tell she wants to). Replace your time in Las Vegas with time in Sedona, Arizona, about an hour’s drive south of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Plus, Zion isn’t all that far from Bryce Canyon National Park, which is way better! How’s that for unsolicited advice!

If you want to get out of California, these are all great suggestions. We need a year to really visit California and all the great States that Surround it.

Wha?! You’ve never been to Vegas…? Looks like a fun road trip, we’ve done a couple Californian road trips but we’ve never made it to Utah or Arizona. We originally planned to due a Utah, AZ, NV, CO road trip combined with TBEX this year, but Baby B is not a fan of long car trips, so that ones on the shelf for a few years

What a great route, including some mind-blowing scenery. Don’t spend too long in Vegas. We were disgusted by the excess and waste also. A sidetrip to the Hoover Dam would be an eye-opener as to just how much water is being sucked up. The water of Lake Mead will be so low by 2017 that they dam may not be able to produce any power.

Whoa! I met Felipe from Twtvite in Berlin last summer. Cool guy! Sounds like the road trip will be a blast. Zion National Park is amazing!

You’re not doing Highway 1 at all????

That’s by far one of my favourite road trips, between SF and LA!

Thanks for your great and motivating article.

Ultimate California Road Trip Itinerary: From the Pacific to the Redwoods!

Are you looking for the best California road trip itinerary to explore the most beautiful places in the Golden State? Our 10 days in California itinerary will take you from the rugged coast and beautiful beaches to the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevadas. Hike the Mojave desert, sleep underneath a yucca tree, and visit the lowest place on the continent while you road trip in California. Read our 10 day California Road Trip guide now. You may also like our post on 20 Best Road Trips in the USA .

Welcome to our ultimate California road trip planner!

We created this planner to help you plan the perfect road trip around California and it contains all the essential information you need to plan your trip today including budget and costs, what to eat, where to stay, etc.

Here you will find recommendations for a variety of California itineraries as well as get more information on California road trip must-see attractions including the Golden Gate Bridge, Big Sur, Yosemite, and Los Angeles.

Our mission? To make sure you have a blast in California!

Also Read: Portland to San Francisco Road Trip Itinerary California To Texas road trip planner Best Things to do in Washington State

California is our favorite destination ever.

I have been enamored with California long before I visited it.

California, San Jose, and the West coast are randomly thrown around in conversations in India – because everyone knows someone working in Silicon Valley – and you can’t help but know about this slice of America.

Growing up, I knew more about Cisco, Apple, Google, and Yahoo (remember when everyone used Yahoo?!) than San Francisco, Yosemite, and Big Sur.

And Disney – because everyone knows Disney!

California has such a unique history.

The oldest, tallest, and widest trees live here and guess what, they have been around since prehistoric times – yes, even dinosaurs lived among the redwood trees!

One of the lowest, aridest, and hottest places on earth is right here in California in Badwater Basin.

And as for scenic places: California has so many of them!

We love Big Sur and its rocky coast, the wildflower super blooms, blue Lake Tahoe, Mono Lake and its tufas, unique shapes of Joshua trees!

There are so many things to see in California road trip that the list just goes on!

Also Read: 24 Best Places to Visit in California in winter

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And that’s why in our California road trip itinerary of 10 days, we take you around all these unique and beautiful places in the Golden State.

Our California 10 day road trip itinerary is perfect for driving around dreamy landscapes of yellow poppies, orange orchards, purple foliage, and lush green vineyards.

We have divided this California roadtrip itinerary into 4 essential stretches as per the geographic features of the state – yepp, we are that geeky – and you can customize it as you want. 

Best waterproof walking shoes for California beaches

If you are a beach person like me, then extend the Pacific Coast Highway Itinerary to 10 days.

If you are a mountain lover like my hubby, then take a 10 day road trip from San Francisco to Yosemite.

Pick your favorite area and stay there as long as you want. Or follow our California in 10 days itinerary exactly as described!

As always, we have also included suggestions for if you have more or less time.

Whatever you chose, you are going to have the time of your lives – because this is California!

“Every time I come, I’m still amazed at the breadth California has. Big Sur, Yosemite, the desert… I love it.” – Theo James, the English actor

Best of California Road Trip 10 Days Itinerary

We, like most people, have seen California in bits and pieces rather than in one go.

We first visited California almost a decade ago and did San Francisco, Los Angeles, and the theme parks.

Second time around, we visited Death Valley National Park on a road trip from Vegas.

Then I lived and worked in the Bay area in tech (oh, the irony!) and that’s when we explored the California National Parks, North Coast, and the Sierra Nevada side of the state.

Our most popular posts: 22 Best City Breaks in the USA The Best Things to do in New York on your first visit Ultimate List of Best Places to visit in the USA

Most recently, we did the San Francisco to Los Angeles road trip along the gorgeous Pacific Coast Highway – oh and also road-tripped Southern California and Disney with the kids.

On our next trip – we plan to do the North Coast and Redwoods Scenic Highway AGAIN.

Yeah – that’s how much we love California – have been to many destinations several times and still can’t have enough.

The best way to tour California is obviously by driving. The state is beautiful but huge and it’s not easy planning California trip that covers all the major attractions with limited time in hand.

And planning a California road trip with kids is even more difficult – how do you prioritize between theme parks and natural attractions?

And that’s where we rush in – your knights in shining armor – delivering the ultimate 10 day California road trip itinerary. 

Our California trip planner is more like going on a series of best California road trips – each more gorgeous than the previous.

Also, we follow this road trip along two of California’s most popular routes: south on the SR1 or Pacific Coast Highway and then back north along the scenic SR 395 through Eastern California .

That’s what makes our itinerary the absolute best California driving trip planner!

You can also call it the California National Parks road trip because we will be visiting the most popular of them on an epic road trip.

We hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Stretch 1: Down The Pacific Coast – 4 Days

Often enough, when someone talks about a California driving holiday, this stretch along the Pacific Coast Highway is the one they actually mean.

Constantly ranked among the top scenic drives in the world, the coastal drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles is the best of both worlds.

It combines the urban getaways of California’s two largest cities with the natural panoramas of Big Sur and the Pacific. 

If you have limited time, we would recommend spending 3 to 4 days along this route.

If you want to focus only on this coastal road trip, then just drive south on a road trip from San Francisco on SR1.

Take your own time to enjoy roadside stops like Carmel-By-The-Sea, Morro Bay, and the stunning Big Sur.

Hike or camp and explore nature.

Here’s our suggestion for this stretch of 10 day California itinerary planner.

San Francisco – 1 Day

Start with our San Francisco road trip planner.

San Francisco is our favorite city to start a 10 day California trip.

The city is quite easy to fly into; the 3 airports of San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland are located close by and many airlines have deals to the Bay area.

We would recommend spending a minimum of one day in San Francisco before picking up your rental car and driving south.

Or you can rent a car before, see SF, and then drive the PCH.

You can also start your 10 day road trip from Los Angeles, in that case, adjust your plans accordingly.

Read this now! Whatever you do – don’t casually park your car at an empty garage in San Francisco. Car Break-ins in San Francisco are very common, as we discovered to our ill-fortune . On our latest trip to San Francisco, we had parked in a garage two blocks away from Pier 39 and came back to find the rear glass broken and both our children’s suitcases gone!  We had to spend quite some time to sort the issue and it left a sad memory on an otherwise awesome road trip around California in 10 days. We would recommend parking at your hotel while taking a cab or the tram to explore the city. 

San Francisco has many names – SF, San Fran, Fog City, the City by the Bay, Frisco (though don’t say that in front of locals) or simply, the City – going back to the days of the Wild West when there was nothing much in Northern California but the city.

San Francisco is colorful, vibrant, and bohemian.

It’s amongst our favorite US cities – right there at the top along with New York , Chicago , and New Orleans.

There are quite a few things to do in San Francisco: unsurprisingly most of them begin at or near the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco’s gigantic urban park.

Begin your visit at the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center near the southern end of the bridge.

Learn interesting facts and see construction relics from the building of the Golden Gate Bridge before visiting the bridge itself.

Next walk across all 1.7 miles of this engineering marvel and icon of America.

The views of the bay from the bridge are beautiful and you feel an indescribable thrill while walking across it.

Definitely the highlight of your California travel itinerary!

Up for more adventure?

Bike the Golden Gate!

We have done it twice – most recently with our 3 yrs and 6 months old kids – it is a superb experience.

We love biking across to Sausalito, exploring the quaint town, and taking the ferry back to San Francisco.

You can also bike to the redwoods if you have more time.

Read our ultimate guide to biking the bridge here.

If not biking, then use the rest of your day to explore San Francisco’s highlights: Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39, Lombard Street, and Ghirardelli Square.

If you want to spend more time in San Francisco, see the Painted Ladies – those famous SF houses shown in Full House!

You can also check out the city from the Twin Peaks.

The Golden Gate Park is perfect for a stroll.

Ride the cable car to Chinatown and have some dumplings and noodles for lunch.

Spend an afternoon admiring the beautiful architecture of the Palace of Fine Arts or visit the prison of Alcatraz Island.

Visit the beautiful redwood trees at Muir Woods National Monument or whale watch and hike at Point Reyes.

San Francisco is a beautiful city and you can easily spend a couple of days there as a part of your 10 day trip to California.

Read our San Francisco posts now to plan this part of the trip: San Francisco 3 to 5-day itinerary ideas 17 Best Things to do in San Francisco on your first visit

The area around San Francisco is also full of activities and tourist attractions.

Here are some suggestions if you want to spend a few more days exploring around the Bay Area during your California itinerary of 10 days:

Napa & Sonoma 

Take a day trip from San Francisco to Napa Valley along the Silverado Trail.

Sonoma County is also a great place to visit for wine lovers.

You can tour the many vineyards, taste local wines, dine at Michelin starred restaurants, and visit famous tasting rooms.

If you happen to visit in the fall, you will see beautiful fall colors in the vineyards and be able to attend grape stomping. 

San Jose is popular with millennials and those working in Silicon Valley.

You will find plenty of trendy nightclubs and bars in San Jose.

If you enjoy shopping, check out the high fashion brands on Santana Row.

For outdoor lovers, a hike to Mission Peak is a must while families will love the Winchester Mystery House.

Silicon Valley

If you love tech then you need to visit Silicon Valley.

It boasts the largest concentration of geeks and nerds – and as a fellow geek, I say it quite fondly!

Start your visit at the Computer History Museum to know everything about the machine that changed our lives.

Then see Google’s Android lawn sculptures in Mountain View or the garage where Hewlett Packard began in Palo Alto.

Visit Stanford University’s sprawling campus as well as Facebook and Apple!

Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip – 2 Days

On to the next part of the 10 day road trip in California.

After seeing San Francisco, drive south along the SR1 or Pacific Coast Highway.

Over the next 2 days, you will follow the coastal route to Los Angeles while making plenty of stops along the way.

Check the coastal communities of Half Moon Bay and Davenport before reaching Santa Cruz.

If you have kids, spend some time at the Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk.

Next visit Monterey and Carmel by the Sea. Hike in Point Lobos or walk the coastal bluffs at Garrapata State Park.

On the way, you will see secret beaches, hidden coves, and beautiful views. 

As you begin driving PCH1 while following our 10 days in California itinerary, you understand why artists settle here, photographers and writers both wax lyrical about this region, and why the drive is called the most beautiful in the world.

We recommend staying somewhere in the vicinity of Carmel Highlands for the night.

The next day, rise early for the star attraction of the drive: the 90-mile long rugged, wild Big Sur.

Big Sur is 6 hours from Los Angeles and you have a big day ahead.

It is really hard to describe Big Sur.

Rocky cliffs, foaming waves, spring wildflowers, lighthouses, migrating whales, turquoise water, redwood trees: Big Sur has everything.

It is gorgeous in a wild way.

In Big Sur, you will find amazing state parks, some of California’s best hiking trails, iconic beaches, and tons of marine life, including otters, elephant seals, and dolphins.

Some areas of Big Sur can be closed at any given time of the year due to floods or landslides – so we recommend checking out the PCH status before your 10 days road trip California.

Read more about all the attractions including the beautiful McWay Falls in our post One day in Big Sur . 

Other attractions of the Pacific Coast Highway drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles include Monterey’s famous 17-mile drive, the seaside towns of Pismo Beach and Morro Bay, the famous Hearst Castle, Santa Barbara, and the beaches of Malibu.

For the purposes of this California Itinerary of 10 days, we would suggest 2 to 3 days on PCH.

However, if you have more time then the PCH is easily a 4 day to week-long road trip in itself.

To read more about all the awesome stops on PCH and planning a detailed itinerary, check out our article on Planning a road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway . 

Also Read: Top 10 Convertible drives in the USA

Los Angeles – 1 Day

While San Francisco and Silicon Valley are for tech lovers, Los Angeles is for Hollywood fans.

How long to stay in Los Angeles is a tricky question.

If you only have one day in Los Angeles, start by seeing the famous Hollywood sign and then visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame to take selfies with your favorite stars.

Also, see the Kodak Theatre (now Dolby Theatre) which hosts the Oscars and tour the movie star homes on Rodeo Drive.

If you have more time to explore Los Angeles, we suggest starting with lunch at the Santa Monica Pier.

Then visit the Griffith Observatory and see Los Angeles from above.

Or you can take a behind the scenes VIP studio tour at one of your favorite studios: pick from Warner Brothers, Paramount Pictures or Sony!

You can also check out the beautiful exhibits at the Getty Center or the beautiful modern art at the Broad.

LA also has many other top museums and a large number of attractions – read our post on Best Things to do in Los Angeles for more ideas.

For more help in planning your day, read our Los Angeles itinerary for first-time visitors .

Here are some suggestions to explore the area beyond Downtown Los Angeles:

No California family road trip is complete without a trip to Disney.

Both of California’s Disney Parks are located close to Los Angeles in Anaheim.

On the best California vacation itinerary, you have to meet Mickey, Goofy and other beloved cartoon characters!

Kids also get to meet Disney’s princesses in full attire at the parks.

To plan a California family vacation itinerary including a trip to Disney, read our Disney posts .

Universal Studios

To understand all about movie-making, see movie sets, and enjoy thrilling rides visit Universal Studios.

This theme park has really cool attractions and the Studio Tour will take you through sets based on Shutter Island, Jaws, King Kong, and more.

Harry Potter fans will love visiting Hogwarts and taking thrilling rides based on the books and movies – and is a must-visit if you are spending 10 days in California.

Channel Islands National Park

For a unique experience, customize our itinerary for California 10 days and visit the remote Channel Islands.

Comprised of 5 islands, the park has excellent wildlife, sea caves, and lots of natural beauty.

You can take a ferry to the park from Ventura.

Optional: San Diego – 1 Day

From Los Angeles, you can venture on the next part of California 10 day itinerary or extend your trip down the coast by visiting San Diego.

Not many people know that San Diego is the oldest city on the West Coast.

It has beautiful Spanish Colonial architecture and lots of history. 

Read our post 22 Best Things to do in San Diego now to know more about this beautiful city.

If you have one day, you can visit the Historic Old Town and understand the Mexican and Wild West roots of the city.

Next, visit the famous Balboa Park with its beautiful architecture, renowned museums, and the San Diego Zoo.

Round off your time in the city by exploring the historic Gaslamp Quarter and its Victorian architecture and trendy eateries, hotels, and pubs.

This area is perfect for ending the day with dinner and drinks.

If you have more than a day, visit the famous San Diego Sea World and see the dolphins in action.

San Diego is home to many beautiful beaches; the Mission Beach boardwalk is very popular.

Other things to see include Mission San Diego, Sunset Cliffs Park, and the bustling waterfront area of Seaport Village.

If you have more time on 10 day itinerary California, check out the dramatic sculptures in the desert city of Borrego Springs.

Related: For more California road trip ideas, check out our post on 12 Best California road trips

Stretch 2: Through The Arid Californian Desert – 2 Days

Continue on the California road trip route planner through deserts of southern California.

While most people associate California primarily with the coast and then with the dense redwood forests, the state is also renowned for its unique desert landscapes.

Most of these parts of southern California have a desolate beauty.

It is full of desert cities like Palm Springs which offer unique tourist attractions for visitors.

In this post, we focus our California 10 days itinerary on exploring two of the region’s national parks: Joshua Tree National Park and Death Valley National Park.

Joshua Tree National Park – 1 Day

Located partly over the Colorado desert and the Mojave desert, Joshua Tree National Park is named after the iconic Joshua tree.

This is a type of Yucca tree that is twisted, scraggly, and found only in the Mojave desert of California.

The easily recognizable tree looks even more dramatic in the desert landscape and bare rock formations of Joshua Tree National Park.

The national park is one of the most underrated California road trip destinations.

Its unique vistas have drawn photographers and artists to the park for decades.

Read our post on One Day in Joshua Tree to plan your trip.

There are many things to do in Joshua Tree and its otherworldly landscape.

One of the best ways to see Joshua Tree is by driving around the paved road in the park.

Campsites in Joshua Tree are spectacular and hikes through Yucca trees and cacti adventurous.

The Hidden Valley Trail is a short mile-long trail that offers great desert landscape views.

The park has many popular geological rock formations that are used for rock climbing.

The park also has a dark night sky and is good for stargazers, astronomy enthusiasts, and night sky photographers.

Wildlife and birding opportunities around the park are also numerous.

Read more in our post 24 Best Things to do in Joshua Tree National Park .

While deciding how to plan a trip to California, we recommend keeping more time aside to explore the many attractions surrounding Joshua Tree.

You can easily include them on a South California road trip from San Diego to Joshua Tree in this order: San Diego – Anza Borrego – Galleta Meadows – Salton Sea – Palm Springs – Joshua Tree.

Here’s some more information about these desert experiences that are worth adding to your itinerary if you have the time.

Salton Sea 

The Salton Sea is an inland lake created by flooding from an irrigation canal of the Colorado River that carries water to the Imperial Valley in 1905.

Several resort communities were built along the new lake.

However, the lake has no discharge and as a result, the water became unusually saline causing the death of marine life.

As a result, the communities were abandoned and are extremely popular with ruin photographers.

If you have teens, then definitely include Bombay Beach ruins in your California vacation itinerary – they will love to see random objects lying on the beach.

Today, the Salton Sea shoreline is filled with deteriorating structures and RV communities.

The Salton Sea is also located directly on top of the San Andreas fault and geothermal activity including mud pools are present along the coast.

The Salton Sea State Recreation Area is popular for birding, boating, picnicking, and camping. 

Palm Springs

Palm Springs, located in the Colorado desert region, is one of the biggest Californian desert cities.

If you want a relaxing vacation, then Palm Springs is one of the best California ideas.

One of its main attractions is the Palm Springs aerial tramway which takes you up Mount San Jacinto and offers great views of the surrounding area.

Palm Springs also has many great museums, boutique stores, restaurants, and resorts.

It is one of the most popular winter vacation destinations in the USA.

If you plan to visit Palm Springs, then check out our post on 30 Best Things to do in Palm Springs, California.

Anza Borrego and Galleta Meadows Sculptures in Borrego Springs

While California has many beautiful state parks, few know about its largest – Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

This park is at its most beautiful in the spring when the cacti flower and the desert landscape comes alive with colors.

Anza Borrego Desert State Park is just two hours away from San Diego and can be seen on a San Diego Joshua Valley road trip.

In nearby Borrego Springs, you can see the unusual Galleta Meadows Estate sculptures.

These sculptures created by artist Ricardo Breceda are free to visit and beautiful works of art.

By driving all over the land you can spot dragons, serpents, wooly mammoths, and other fantastic creatures.  

Also, read our post on Planning the ultimate Southern California itinerary.

Coachella Valley Preserve 

Coachella’s Thousand Palms Oasis is a unique chance to see the oasis environment in the middle of the desert.

The oases directly sit on fault lines and the water seeping through the faults has given life to California Fan Palms and other big palms in the arid desert.

Wildlife including sheep, goats, bobcats, etc, also can be spotted at the oasis.

Entry to the reserve is free and it has many hiking trails plus offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.

There are also other hiking areas close to Coachella Valley Preserve including Indian Canyons where you can hike through slot canyons. 

Death Valley National Park – 1 Day

Comprising of areas of the Mojave desert and the Great Basin desert, Death Valley is vastly different than Joshua Tree National Park.

For the most part, Death Valley is devoid of vegetation and is home to a variety of geological formations including the badlands, sand dunes, and the famous salt flats.

Death Valley also has the distinction of being the lowest point in North America and is also one of the hottest and driest places in the country.

No trip to Death Valley National Park is complete without visiting the Badwater Basin salt flats.

The salt flats, at 282 feet below sea level, are the lowest place in North America.

Death Valley National Park has many scenic drives that are perfect for exploring around the park.

Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes are good for taking a stroll, exploring the desert plants, viewing animal tracks, and sunrise/sunset photography.

The park has many interesting geological formations.

Death Valley also has a dark night sky and is great for stargazing and photographing the Milky Way.

Read our post on 14 Best Things to do in Death Valley National Park for more information.

We know you are planning to roadtrip California, but we can’t talk about Death Valley without mentioning Las Vegas.

Las Vegas is also a great city to begin your road trip to California.

The distance between Vegas and Death Valley is just over 2 hours and the route is quite scenic.

In fact, it is one of our favorite road trips from Las Vegas.

You can see the Sin City and then go on a road trip through California – an epic Las Vegas Los Angeles San Francisco trip, if you will!

Or you can also go on a memorable Las Vegas Grand Canyon road trip from California.

For Las Vegas travel inspiration, read our post on 52 Best Things to do in Las Vegas .

Stretch 3: Up Through The Sierra Nevada – 4 Days

After seeing Death Valley, take a road trip on California’s Scenic Highway 395.

This road trip is scenic whether you do it from north to south or like we recommend here, from south to north.

The best time to see the aspens turn yellow here is in fall.

The total distance from Death Valley to your final destination of Yosemite is 4 hours when the Lee Vining road to Yosemite is open in the summer.

However, we recommend keeping aside 4 days for this road trip as it has some of the most underrated road trip destinations in California including the Manzanar National Historic Site, Alabama Hills, Ancient Bristlecone pine forest, Bodie Ghost Town, etc.

For more information on these Route 395 stops, see this article .

For the purposes of this itinerary, we focus on the popular attractions of Mammoth Lakes, Yosemite, and Lake Tahoe. 

Route 395 will take you high up into the Sierra Nevada mountains, known for their spectacular beauty.

The Sierra Nevadas are home to many national and state parks including the mighty Yosemite and crystal clear high mountain lakes.

For the rest of your Californian road trip, you will be exploring the High Sierras and its many breathtaking attractions.

This is a welcome respite after the desert landscapes of Death Valley and Joshua Tree and depending on when you visit you will be able to see beautiful meadows, wildflowers, fall foliage, and even snow!

Mammoth Lakes And Mono Lake – 1 Day

Contrary to their name, Mammoth Lakes is not a lake but a winter ski town in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Mammoth Mountain is the main winter skiing area with a variety of ski runs.

In summer, it is a favorite with mountain bikers and hikers.

The town does have several beautiful lakes that are accessible only in the summer but none of them are named Mammoth.

The area has beautiful alpine meadows with wildflowers in spring and natural hot springs for some R&R.

In one day, we recommend taking the roughly one hour drive around the Lakes Basin and visiting all the lakes.

You can hike, picnic, kayak, and fish in whichever lake you like.

Or maybe just hang up a hammock and read a book by the lake.

Nearby Mono Lake is a saltwater lake surrounded by unique towering limestone formations called the tufa.

The lake visitor center has great information about the formation of the lake and the tufa while the short South Tufa trail is great for exploring the surrounding area.

The trail takes you along the lakeshore and among the tufas.

We suggest stopping here for an hour or so; Mono Lake accepts National Park Pass for entry.

On the way from Mammoth Lakes to Mono Lake, you will pass by June Lake and Devils Postpile Monument.

June Lake Loop Road is a great place to see the fall colors while the Devils Postpile National Monument is a unique geological formation of basalt columns.

Rainbow Falls, a 31m plunging waterfall, is another popular attraction of the monument.

Past Mono Lake, take the Lee Vining Road into Yosemite.

The official name of the road is Tioga Pass Road and it is closed in winter and spring (usually November to May) due to snow.

In that case, you can’t really visit Yosemite from the eastern side.

To know alternative routes in winter, check here . 

Yosemite National Park – 2 Days

Best known for its giant sequoia trees, bald granite cliffs, and spectacular waterfalls, Yosemite National Park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Yosemite along with Yellowstone National Park and Grand Canyon National Park is known as the ‘Big Three’ and receives over 4 million visitors each year.

Yosemite is a must-stop on any Ca road trip itinerary.

The best time to visit Yosemite National Park is from the summer to fall when Tioga Pass Road is open.

We suggest spending 2 days in Yosemite National Park to hike, drive along scenic roads, and see the major attractions. 

On your first day, start by taking a Yosemite Valley Tour.

The Yosemite Valley is surrounded by the bald granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome.

Most of the waterfalls including Yosemite Falls are also located in the valley.

The Valley is also where most of the park services including accommodations, shuttle buses, etc are located.

The Valley has hiking trails for all difficulty levels that lead to stunning views of Yosemite.

Lower Yosemite Falls hike is a short and easy trail that goes to the base of the falls.

Touring the Yosemite Valley via the free shuttle bus is the easiest way to see the national park.

However, if you are visiting in summer (especially long weekends) it can get very crowded – so plan to start early in the morning.

The Valley Visitor Center has great information and exhibits about the history and geology of Yosemite, plus it is a good place to get souvenirs, postcards, and magnets.

The aptly-named Mirror Lake reflects Half Dome peak and is beautiful to visit.

However, it dries up towards the end of summer and is best seen in spring/summer. 

Another must in the Valley if you’re visiting in summer is Glacier Point.

Located along the valley rim, it can be reached only by car or private tour.

The views from Glacier Point are stellar. It is also the base for many of Yosemite’s rim hikes.

We suggest spending one day exploring the valley. Yosemite also offers paid guided tours if you prefer them.

On the next day, you can go up the Tioga Pass road if it is clear of snow.

This is your chance to experience Yosemite devoid of the crowds.

The shuttle bus will take you up the Tioga Pass road to Tuolumne Meadows.

To see Yosemite’s giant sequoia trees, visit the Mariposa Grove.

This area is also accessible by the park shuttle.

End your day by visiting Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite Village.

Photographer Ansel Adams’s stunning black and white photos of Yosemite are a great reminder of how Yosemite looked over half a century ago.

Lake Tahoe And Emerald Bay – 1 Day

If you continue along Route 395 from Yosemite, you will reach lake Tahoe.

Note: Route 395 itself does not reach Lake Tahoe, so you will be following 207 from the Nevada side. 

The deep blue water of Lake Tahoe surrounded by snow-clad mountain peaks of the Sierra Nevadas is one of California’s iconic images.

Located on the California-Nevada border, Lake Tahoe is a popular travel destination for Californians throughout the year.

In winter it is popular for snowshoeing, skiing, and sledding.

Summer in Lake Tahoe is made for biking and camping.

In fall, the area around Lake Tahoe comes alive with spectacular fall foliage and is one of the top fall drives in the country .

South Lake Tahoe or the California side is best for enjoying the outdoors and nature with family while the Nevada side has lots of casinos and is more touristy.

Crystal clear waters of Lake Tahoe (CC 2.0 – Christian Abend )

The drive around Lake Tahoe is 72 miles long and takes about three hours.

It is highly scenic and one of the best road trips in California.

Much of the shoreline of Lake Tahoe is public and the views of the lake from the drive are stunning.

The lake looks a pretty shade of blue during the day and taking a beautiful picture of the water is a highlight of your visit.

An essential stop along the drive is the Emerald Bay State Park.

The drive here is spectacular and the views of the turquoise lake are lovely.

There are many other ways to enjoy Lake Tahoe.

You can take a helicopter tour or enjoy watersports on the lake.

The Sierra Nevada mountain ranges are an absolute delight for outdoor and nature lovers.

What you will see in these 4 days is just the tip of the iceberg.

The High Sierras have many beautiful alpine valleys, lakes, ghost towns, waterfalls, and hiking trails worth exploring.

If you can spend more time in the Sierra Nevada, then here are some other must attractions:

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks 

These are the two other national parks located in the High Sierras.

The giant sequoias surround you as you drive the park roads creating a surreal and unique experience.

The twisting and turning roads here are not for the faint-hearted (hint: carry some Dramamine!).

Both national parks have great hiking trails and lots of wildlife.

John Muir Trail

While it is not possible to hike in a short time, John Muir Trail deserves a special mention.

This is a long-distance trail in the Sierra Nevada and passes through Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks.

It is as renowned as the Appalachian or the Pacific Crest Trail. 

Bodie Ghost Town

The old mining ghost town of Bodie is an hour away from Mammoth Lakes.

Preserved as a state park, the town is full of historic saloons and deserted buildings.

While Sacramento is not in the Sierra Nevada mountain ranges, the city is on the way while returning to San Francisco from Lake Tahoe and makes for a great addition to our California road trip itinerary recommendations.

One of the top attractions in Sacramento is the California State Railroad Museum.

Stretch 4: Along The Wild North Coast

There are many things to do in Northern California including national parks, scenic drives, beautiful coastal towns, and more.

You will need another 5 days minimum to fully explore the Northern part of the state.

Hence, we do not recommend covering the North Coast if you are following this California Road Trip Itinerary for 10 Days – you simply won’t have time.

The best way to explore this region is to plan a separate road trip in the northern part of the state, the details of which you can read here in our post, Ultimate Northern California road trip itinerary .

California’s North Coast is less visited, unspoiled, and partially unexplored compared to the famous central Coast and the crowded southern coast.

The prehistoric coastal redwood trees grow in groves along the road all the way up to Oregon.

Hwy 1 ends at Leggett where it joins Hwy 101.

While the road follows the coast, for the most part, it turns inward in the area of the Lost Coast.

The remote Lost Coast as the name suggests is devoid of major highways and remains the ultimate adventure for a 10 day trip to California.

However, the coast is not the only unique thing about Northern California.

The northern part of the state is also home to geothermal activity.

You can climb lava tunnels at Lava Beds National Monument and see volcanic craters, domes, mud pools, etc at Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Here are a few attractions of the region:

Redwoods National and State Park

The Redwoods National and State Parks were created to preserve the old-growth redwood forests.

The Redwoods are the tallest living trees on Earth and also among the oldest.

The National Park and state parks are also home to a number of endangered animals including spotted owl, species of sea lions, etc.

The unique environment of the dense redwood forests by the coast has resulted in the park being designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Seeing the Redwoods covered in fog during winter or spring is a surreal experience.

Point Reyes

Point Reyes National Seashore, located in Marin County, preserves a large swath of northern California’s coastal wilderness.

Most popular attractions at Point Reyes include Alamere Falls on Wildcat Beach and Point Reyes Lighthouse.

Other attractions include the endangered tule elk herd that can be seen around Tomales Point, Native American redwood houses, earthquake trail, and dramatic cliffside beaches.

Avenue of the Giants

Avenue of the Giants is an over 30 miles long scenic highway that passes through the Humboldt Redwoods State Park and its mighty coastal redwood trees.

Roadside attractions include tunnels cut into redwood trees, giant groves, and unique roadside attractions like a house created from a single redwood log and a Redwood RV.

We suggest hiking in the Redwood groves to experience the truly gigantic trees.

The quaint seaside town of Mendocino is quite different from the coastal towns on the Central Coast.

It reminded me of Maine and the coastal upper East coast due to its Victorian mansions painted in pretty pastel colors.

The town is a historical landmark and very pretty to wander and explore.

Nearby Mendocino Headlands State Park and Russian Gulch State Park are worth a visit.

Nearby Fort Bragg is no fort but a lumber town on the North Coast.

The famous ‘Glass Beach’ of which I’m sure you have seen pics floating around on social media is in Fort Bragg.

The beach is a part of MacKerricher State Park, a state park with amazing views of the undeveloped headlands, beaches, and tide pools.

Another popular attraction in Fort Bragg is the Skunk Train – a railroad built to haul timber logs from the redwood forests.

Other attractions on the North Coast include the pretty Victorian towns of Ferndale and Eureka, Del Norte Redwood State Park, and the seaport community of Crescent City.

More 10 Day California itinerary ideas for slow travelers

You can use our California road trip planner to customize your itinerary based on your interests. 

If you can only spend 10 days in California, then seeing all the above attractions can be overwhelming; here are a few suggestions for those who like slow travel.

California coast road trip itinerary

One great option is to go on a 10 day pacific coast highway trip or 10 day west coast road trip.

That way you can spend more time in the cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles while seeing Big Sur at a leisurely pace. 

On this San Francisco to Los Angeles road trip in 10 days, you can tour the lighthouses, hike the trails, picnic on the beach, visit the wineries of the Central Coast, and enjoy nature – seriously the best road trip in California. 

You can even do the San Francisco to San Diego road trip in 10 days.

In that case, we would recommend keeping aside 2 days each for the 3 major cities and spending the rest of the time in the Big Sur region. 

This San Francisco 10 days trip lets you enjoy the beauty of the coast while visiting the Sierra Nevadas and the desert later.

California National Parks itinerary

California has 9 national parks – all of them are unique and make for an exciting California National park road trip. 

You can visit either the most popular ones or all of them, depending on how much time you want to spend in each park. 

We would suggest starting from Los Angeles, then seeing Joshua Tree and Death Valley before visiting Kings Canyon and Sequoia. 

Then see the beautiful Yosemite Valley. From Yosemite, head north to Lassen and then finally see Redwoods parks before returning to San Francisco. 

You can also see Pinnacles and Channel Islands if you have the time, to complete the national parks in California road trip. 

You can also use this route for creating your own California RV trip itinerary, since most national parks have RV campgrounds. 

Northern California road trip itinerary

Another great option for those who like slow travel is to plan a Northern California itinerary for 10 days. 

Start your road trip from San Francisco and drive along the less visited North Coast and see the majestic redwood trees. 

Drive along the Redwoods Scenic Byway before turning towards the mountains and exploring the caves at Lava Tubes National Monument. 

Visit Mount Shasta on your way to Lassen Volcanic National Park and end your trip in Sacramento, a couple of hours away from San Francisco. 

For more information on how to plan a California road trip focusing on the northern part of the state, read our in-depth post on Northern California road trip .

If you have less time: California itinerary 7 days

If you can’t spare 10 days, then we also have suggestions for 7 day California road trip routes. 

With only 7 days in california, we would recommend focusing on one region and exploring it at a leisurely pace. 

Of course, you can opt for a 7 day southern California itinerary or a 7 day California coast road trip along the PCH, but you can also consider some unique road trip ideas in California which explore its most popular attractions. 

Here are our favorites if you want to see the best of California in a week:

7 day road trip from San Francisco to Yosemite

If you are wondering how to spend a week in California but still see the most popular attractions, then this itinerary is for you. 

Start your road trip in San Francisco, see the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Mission District, Fisherman’s Wharf etc in two days. 

Then spend a day in Napa Valley and nearby Calistoga before seeing Sacramento.

In Sacramento, see the state capitol and the railroad museum then make your way to Yosemite National Park. 

Take a tour of the Yosemite Valley and see the famous El Capitan as well as the many waterfalls.

Enjoy the panoramic view from the Tunnel View Outlook. 

Then depending on the season, visit the Tuolumne Meadows area.

Return to San Francisco to complete 7 day road trip in California.

North California coast road trip

This California 1 week itinerary is perfect for slow travel. 

Land in San Francisco and take a day or two to explore it’s many attractions.

Then rent a car and drive north. 

Part of this road trip is on the Pacific Coast Highway 1 till Legett, after which you will be driving along the famous Redwood scenic byway. 

For your first stop, explore the beautiful Point Reyes.

See the lighthouse and the shipwreck, then eat oysters in Tomales Bay. 

Drive along the Avenue of the Giants and pass through the Redwood tunnels. 

Hike in the prehistoric Fern Canyon and visit the glass beach at Fort Bragg, then last stop at Eureka or Crescent City to finish the California coast 7 day itinerary.

7 Day Southern California trip itinerary

For this ca road trip planner, begin your trip with a day or two in San Diego or Los Angeles and then wind your way around Southern California’s desert attractions. 

See famous Joshua Tree and Palm Springs.

Enjoy the fantastic landscape of the Mojave desert and drink a delicious date shake.

See the sculptures in Borrego Springs. 

Then visit Anaheim and enjoy the theme parks.

There are also many things to do in Anaheim besides Disney. 

7 Day California Coast Road Trip

This is one of the most popular california driving holidays itineraries.

Follow this California road trip itinerary 7 days along the world famous Pacific Coast Highway. 

See the major cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Explore the charming mountain side towns of Pismo Beach and Morro Bay. Learn to surf and spot the elephant seals. 

Spend some time hiking and enjoying the wild, rugged vibe of Big Sur.

Take a tour of the Point Sur Lighthouse and hike down to Keyhole Rock. Go whale watching. 

If you have more time: California road trip itinerary 14 days

This two week california driving itinerary is perfect for long summer vacations, when most parts of the state including the High Sierras are completely accessible. 

Just use our main California trip planner, but add in all optional ideas including San Diego and the beautiful northern coast. 

Then see the Lassen Volcanic National Park area and visit the beautiful Burney Falls from Redding.

Spend some time in Mount Shasta and head back to San Francisco to complete California 2 week itinerary.

We hope you liked our California road trip blog.

Now you have everything ready to plan your perfect California trip itinerary, so make the most of it.

Did we miss any hidden gems in the Golden State?

Which part of the road trip did you enjoy the most? Let us know in the comments!

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6-Day California Central Coast Road Trip Itinerary

Plan a California coast road trip from Ventura to Cambria with this itinerary packed with outdoor adventure, amazing food, and unique places to stay.

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A California Coast road trip is a rite of passage for any outdoor adventure traveler, and the central coast of California is particularly iconic. This stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway provides incredible ocean views, beautiful sights, easy access to quaint California beach towns, and of course, endless opportunities for outdoor adventure.

A few years ago, I joined forces with Visit California in search of the best adventures along the Central California Coast. I’ve compiled what I discovered into this itinerary along with recommendations from the rest of the Bearfoot Theory team who have spent lots of time exploring this region.

This itinerary combines outdoor adventures with top-notch opportunities to experience the local culture of the Central California Coast from Ventura to Cambria, with information on visiting additional destinations like Big Sur, Monterey, and Santa Cruz if you have the time.

From sea-to-spoon and farm-to-fork meals to hikes with sweeping views, boutique hotels, and hidden gems that are just off the beaten path, this itinerary will not disappoint.

Be sure to check out the video of my Central California Coast Road Trip below as well.

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Central California Coast Road Trip Basics

What is the central california coast.

Most people are familiar with Northern California (San Francisco and above) and Southern California (Los Angeles south), but what is the Central California coast?

While there’s no exact definition of what makes up the Central California Coast, it’s commonly accepted that this section stretches between Ventura County in the south to Santa Cruz in the north .

In between Ventura and Santa Cruz, there is an amazing array of stunning beaches, wild mountainsides, small coastal towns, great restaurants, the famous Big Sur , and so much more.

Here are the top destinations on the central coast of California at a glance from south to north:

• Santa Barbara
• Avila Beach
• Pismo Beach
• San Luis Obispo
• Montaña del Oro State Park
• Cambria/San Simeon
• Carmel by the Sea

How much time do you need to road trip the Central California Coast?

This itinerary is for 6 days, which is a good amount of time to get a feel for the region, although if you have more time you can certainly dive deeper. If you only have a weekend, I recommend picking one area to explore – like Ojai, Santa Barbara, or Big Sur for example.

My biggest tip – don’t rush it. The Central California Coast operates at a slower pace and is meant to be enjoyed at a slower pace as well. Use the information here to customize your own trip based on your priorities and the amount of time you have.

Best Way to Explore the Central California Coast

You’ll definitely want a car or campervan for any central California coast road trip. If you plan on staying in hotels or accommodations, a car will be fine. A rental car can be picked up in Ventura or the Los Angeles area if you’re going south to north or in San Francisco if you’re going north to south.

If you want to experience some of California’s best campgrounds, I highly recommend renting a campervan. Not only will this allow you to be more flexible, but you really can’t beat camping on the beach! Check out our list of campervan rental companies for ideas.

Best Time for a California Central Coast Road Trip

California is known for its sunny weather and mild climate, so you can really plan a road trip any time of the year. Here are a few considerations based on the season:

Spring is a great time to plan a California Central Coast road trip, especially if you want to see California’s beautiful springtime wildflower blooms. Temps can still be a bit chilly, though, so pack layers and be prepared for windy days.

Summer is typically the busiest time of year for California, so you’ll see lots of crowds and will need to make camping or hotel reservations in advance. The weather tends to be great, though, with temperatures in the 70s and little to no rain.

Fall in central California brings fewer crowds and cooler temps, making it a great time to visit. Days are often clear as well whereas in summer you may experience “June gloom” where the coast is often shrouded in clouds.

Winter on the California coast can be really nice if you enjoy cooler temperatures and a more laid-back vibe. Some places do close for the winter and the days are shorter so you’ll have less daylight to explore, so that’s something to keep in mind when you plan your trip.

Read next: Best Time to Visit California’s Central Coast.

Central California Coast Road Trip Itinerary

There are infinite ways to explore the central California Coast with so many things to see and do. Below is my 6-day itinerary with a few options for extending or customizing your trip.

• Day 1: Arrive in Ventura
• Day 2: Ventura
• Day 3: Ojai
• Day 4: Santa Barbara
• Day 5: Avila Beach and Cambria
• Day 6: Morro Bay

If you have more time, continue on to Big Sur , Monterey Bay, and Santa Cruz which I’ll touch on below as well.

Day 1: Explore Downtown Ventura & Hit the Beach

We started our California road trip in the energetic beach town of Ventura. Ventura is known for its iconic beach boardwalk where you can walk, pedal, or skate past bustling shops, restaurants, and wide-open sandy beaches that lead right down the Pacific Ocean.

There is no shortage of things to do in Ventura, but here’s how we spent our days exploring this iconic coastal town:

Grab a quick bite and morning coffee at Palm & Boy Coffee in the center of downtown Ventura. This cozy indoor and outdoor café is a great spot for people-watching as you slowly perk up and begin your day.

With coffee in hand, walk a couple of blocks towards the beach to the Visit Ventura Visitors and Convention Center . Here you’ll find lots of inspiration and ideas to plan out your day. We suggest chatting with one of the super-friendly folks who work at the Tourism Center.

The morning and early afternoon in coastal California can be a bit overcast depending on the time of year, which makes it the ideal time to pop in and out of Ventura’s unique and colorful shops. Check out Passport Habits , an eclectic travel-themed shop, located on East Main Street in downtown Ventura, Jockamo Records , Iron & Resin , and the Patagonia Flagship store to name a few.

For lunch, chow down some tacos at Beach House Tacos at the historic Ventura Pier. If the weather is nice, head to the beach in the afternoon. Alternatively, Grant Park is a great place to spot wildflower blooms and get a city-wide view if you aren’t keen on heading down to the water.

If you’re into beer tasting, walk back into town and cool off with a round of beers at the Ventura Coast Brewing Co. , a cool, laid-back brewery with indoor/outdoor seating and a friendly local crowd. The beers and tacos will hold you over until it’s time for a late dinner – after sunset, of course.

Surfer’s Point is a prime beachfront spot to watch the sky shift to shades of pink, orange, purple, and blue over the horizon line. I recommend scoring a seat on the rocks near the estuary. You might even be rewarded with a show from local surfers taking on the world-class waves.

After watching the sunset, head to Rumfish & Vino for dinner. This gastropub serves Central American-inspired food with several vegan options and a great outdoor patio. If you want something a little more casual, check out Fluid State Beer Garden , which serves pizza and creative bar food.

Where to Stay in Ventura

Faria Beach Campground: This campground is situated in a quiet and scenic beachfront spot off the Pacific Coast Highway. Many of the sites have unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands National Park . You’ll want to book in advance to score sites 6-13 which have the most space and the best views (although there are no hookups at these specific site numbers). This campground is best for camper vans and truck campers because it’s on pavement and campsites are more like parking spaces.

Waypoint Ventura Vintage Trailer Hotel & RV Park: If you want a unique experience, book a vintage trailer at Waypoint Ventura Vintage Trailer Hotel & RV Park . These trailers have been impeccably remodeled for a luxurious vintage stay. You can also bring your own camper, but they have criteria for what vans and campers they accept.

Day 2: Ventura Area Activities

After getting a taste of what Ventura has to offer, it’s time to really explore!

If you’re looking for a place to grab a tasty and nourishing breakfast, head to Harvest Cafe . They serve delicious vegetarian and vegan food as well as a variety of coffee drinks.

After you’ve eaten breakfast, fill your backpack with snacks, water, and sunscreen to get ready for a day of biking on the local bike paths. You can rent bikes at Bike Depot , which is located right on the outskirts of downtown Ventura.

The friendly staff at Bike Depot can give you suggestions on where to ride. Ventura is an extremely bike-friendly city with well-marked paths that lead in and out of town, connecting you to must-see sights around Ventura.

Ventura bike route suggestions

Ventura River Trail to Ojai : This 17-mile one-way paved path runs all the way from downtown Ventura to Ojai. It’s a nice way to get some exercise and see a different side of Ventura, especially in the spring when everything is green.

Of course, you don’t have to pedal the full 34 miles out and back to enjoy it! If you’re looking for a fun stop along the way, check out Ventura Spirits Company. The tasting room is open for drop-ins Monday through Friday 12 pm – 5pm and by reservation on the weekends.

Directions to the Ventura River Trail start

Ventura Coastal Bike Trail : During the warmer months when the River Trail gets too hot, you’ll be better off riding the Ventura Coastal Bike Trail to catch a cooling ocean breeze. Take a bike map with you from the Bike Depot, since the coastal trail has some sections that are on the street.

Directions to the Ventura Coastal Bike Trail start

When you return from your ride, make time to visit the Art City Studios , located right around the corner from Bike Depot for a taste of Ventura’s local character and culture.

This world-famous sculpture studio and garden is owned by sculptor Paul Lindhard whose mission is to support and bring together local and global artists in an inspiring outdoor space.

You can walk around the artist studios, chat with the sculptors about their work, and browse the gallery. If you get the chance, go see if Ramon is around to check out his incredible stonework!

By this time, you’ll be ready for a cold drink, so quench your thirst at Topa Topa Brewery for happy hour drinks. Then head to one of Ventura’s lively restaurants like Social Tap or Rice By Mama , two eateries that the locals rave about.

Tip:  If you’re looking to expand your vacation with another day of sightseeing I recommend heading out to the Channel Islands National Park . Anacapa & Santa Cruz Islands are the most popular for day trips to hike, kayak, and/or snorkel. Check out the Channel Islands Adventure Company for sea cave kayaking tours on Santa Cruz Island. Camping is also available on both islands.

Day 3: Explore Ojai

Leaving the coastal vibes of Ventura, head inland for a day to the charming SoCal town of Ojai.

Downtown Ojai is quaint, unique, and easy to explore with many shops and restaurants in walking distance. Outside the downtown area, you’ll find beautiful open spaces for hiking plus olive oil tasting in local olive orchards, wine tasting, and more.

The 30-minute drive from Ventura to Ojai is very scenic as it transitions from beach town to bucolic landscapes filled with farms, wineries, and mountains.

Whether it’s a sunny day or not, you’ll have fun exploring Ojai. I loved it for the local flavors and handmade culture that thrives in this town.

Stores like  FiG Curated Living , Bungalow by FiG , and Bart’s Books provide a quintessential Ojai vibe that is a must-see while you’re there.

For lunch, take a break from browsing the shops and refuel over at Hip Vegan for a nourishing meal made from 100% vegan ingredients. It’s a little off the main drag but has a phenomenal menu that’ll hit the spot when you’re craving classic California health food.

If you’re just looking for a little energy kick don’t miss Revel Jun Bar . Jun is like Kombucha but made with green tea & honey instead of black tea & sugar.

Tip:  If you’re in town on Sunday don’t miss the bountiful  Ojai Farmer’s Market . It’s from 9-1 pm rain or shine at 300 E. Matilija Street. Grab picnic supplies and head out on a picnic hike , visit a local winery, or go olive oil tasting at Ojai Olive Oil Co .

After lunch, drive to the outskirts of town to spend your afternoon at the beautiful Lake Casitas .

There are plenty of hiking trails, bike paths, picnic areas, and view points . You can also rent a boat or bring your own kayak or SUP. There’s a $10 entry fee for vehicles, however, it does vary depending on holidays and weekends — check the Lake Casitas website for updated information.

There’s also camping at Lake Casitas if you want to spend more time there.

After visiting the reservoir, drive back into town so you can hit up some of Ojai’s best wineries. Our favorites were the Majestic Oak Winery and Tasting Room and The Ojai Vineyard Tasting Room .

Beer lovers can sip on some pours at the Ojai Beverage Company , or as the locals call it, OBC, or at the Ojai Valley Brewery . 

For dinner, check out Ojai Rotie ,  The Nest , Ojai Pizza , or Nocciola .

Where to Stay in Ojai

Emerald Iguana Inn: This boutique hotel is located in the heart of Ojai. It has a relaxed yet upscale vibe and beautiful rooms decorated in a tranquil, Southwestern style. I highly recommend enjoying a soak in their hot tub or a swim in the pool. Their sister hotel, the Blue Iguana Inn , is equally wonderful and is located on the bike path so you can bike right into town on one of their rental bikes.

Caravan Outpost: For a unique stay that matches Ojai’s eclectic vibe, book an Airstream at Caravan Outpost . Each Airstream is beautifully decorated and surrounded by lush gardens.

More Road Trip Inspiration

Day 4: head to santa barbara.

The next stop on your central California coast road trip is sunny Santa Barbara, California where there are tons of things to do depending on your interests.

Important: It is illegal to park oversized vehicles – including vans and RVs – on the streets in Santa Barbara. Learn more about where to park your oversized vehicle here.

In the morning, grab breakfast near where you’re staying. The options are endless but a few favorites include The Daily Grind , Handlebar Coffee Roasters , and Alessia Patisserie & Cafe . Then walk or bike on the beachfront coastal path from Butterfly Beach , where the famous Biltmore Hotel is, all the way to the West Beach/Marina area.

Next, head downtown to the Santa Barbara Public Market and sample some of the Asian fare at Empty Bowl . Get the curry soup, you won’t regret it! Or for those craving tacos, hit one of the many taquerias near Milpas Street, including Julia Child’s favorite taco stand, La Super-Rica Taqueria.

Wash down lunch with a stop at one of Santa Barbara’s many urban wineries or breweries in the Funk Zone . A few Bearfoot Theory team favorites for wine tasting include Carr , Pali , and Municipal Winemakers (locally known as Muni). For local beer, check out Topa Topa , Figueroa Mountain , and Rincon Brewery .

After sampling Santa Barbara’s eats and treats, make sure you save some time to get to Hendry’s Beach before sunset. It’s a dog-friendly spot with towering seaside bluffs and plenty of space to meander along the shoreline with your furry friend.

Here you’ll also find the Boathouse Restaurant which is pretty much the best place in Santa Barbara to grab happy hour.

While you’re over in the Mesa neighborhood, you’ll also want to get a different viewpoint of Hendry’s Beach from above at Douglas Preserve . This is a prime spot to watch the sunset over the Pacific.

If you’re looking for a great atmosphere, try Zaytoon  (Lebanese & Middle Eastern cuisine) for dinner where you can sit around fire pits while listening to live music.

Tip:  If you’re looking to expand your stay in the Santa Barbara area I recommend checking out the town of Los Olivos which is in the Santa Ynez Valley. Santa Barbara Wine Country Tours offers biking & van tours to the valley for a day of wine tasting and exploration.

Where to Stay in Santa Barbara

Hotel Santa Barbara: A historic hotel located right downtown, Hotel Santa Barabra is definitely a splurge, but worth it if you want to be within walking distance of everything.

Camping : Refugio State Beach is 25 minutes north of Santa Barbara and has a small campground along oceanfront cliffs. Carpinteria State Beach is 20 minutes south of Santa Barbara and has a nice beachside campground along the sand. These are your best bets if you want to camp.

Day 5: Avila Beach + Cambria

Located midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles is San Luis Obispo County, otherwise known as SLO Cal.

Many people love this part of the Central Coast for its picturesque California beach towns that are more laid back than those closer to city life.

On your way out of Santa Barbara on Highway 154, take a quick detour up  Painted Cave Road . Follow the winding road up to a scenic lookout where you can pull off the road into a dirt parking lot. Soak up the breathtaking panoramic views of the city and coast from this unique vantage point.

From Painted Cave Road, it’s only a short drive to Cold Springs Tavern , a divey local favorite tucked away in the hills. This biker bar is famous for its BBQ Tri-Tip Sandwich and live music on the weekends.

If you have time, the area surrounding the tavern is full of great hikes. I recommend using All Trails or another hiking app  to look up a well-rated hike that suits your experience and preference.

As you continue north on Highway 101, I highly recommend grabbing a bite at Bob’s Well Bread Bakery in Los Alamos, which is known for its artisan baked goods and mouthwatering sandwiches. Stop and eat in their courtyard or take it go.

Continue your drive for another 40 minutes up the 101 to get to the colorful town of Avila Beach. Take some time to scope out the vibrant downtown scene and then head straight over to Avila Beach Paddle Sports , situated right outside of town.

Get set up with a kayak or paddleboard for the afternoon, but before you get going, chat with the staff to get some insight on how to best scout out the seals and sea otters that live in the bay.

I recommend paddling all the way out to see the Port San Luis Lighthouse . This is a historic area right above a sandy beach that has wildflowers, eucalyptus trees, old maritime structures, and most importantly, a wooden swing!

If you’re hungry when you get back, head to Fat Cats Cafe . It’s a local favorite and conveniently located across the parking lot from the Paddle Sports storefront.

Hop back in the car and coast up Route 1 to Cambria. Time your arrival to catch the sunset in Cambria at Moonstone Beach where you can walk along the beach boardwalk. You can also continue a few miles up the Pacific Coast Highway to San Simeon for a good chance to see elephant seals bask in the rookeries.

Cap off your day with dinner at Robin’s , which offers mouthwatering comfort food in a restored adobe home. It’s a favorite spot among locals and visitors.

Tip:  If you have an extra day, Montaña de Oro State Park has amazing beachfront hiking and a great campground or you can head north to San Simeon to see elephant seals and Hearst Castle (be sure to make a reservation). The historic town of San Luis Obispo is also a stone’s throw away.

Where to stay in Cambria

Cambria Beach Lodge: I highly recommend staying at Cambria Beach Lodge – a beach-inspired boutique hotel with a low-key vibe and elevated minimalist design that’s located on the scenic Moonstone Beach Drive with beautiful views of the sparkling Pacific Ocean from the hotel. I loved the natural aesthetic, the soothing colors, and the small details that made a big impact. Spend as much time here as you can! It’ll leave you feeling relaxed and inspired.

Day 6: Morro Bay + Tin City

Make the final day of your central California coastal road trip an adventurous one that’s full of exploration in Morro Bay and Tin City in nearby Paso Robles.

Drive 30 minutes back down from Cambria to Morro Bay on the Pacific Coast Highway where you can soak in the coastal views and get a glimpse of famed Morro Rock as you make your way into the downtown area.

Stop at Frankie & Lola’s for a hearty and classic breakfast. Don’t fill up too much, though, because whale watching is next. Depending on the time of year, swells can get big and the boat ride can be a bit rocky.

Morro Bay Whale Watching offers guided tours on the open water to give you a glimpse of SLO Cal’s most famous visitors.

If you time it right, you can catch:

• Humpbacks on their northbound migration from late March through April into May
• Blue Whales from April through the summer
• Gray whales from March to May

Or catch them all going southbound from December through February.

Once you’ve made your way back to land, grab a nourishing California-style vegetarian lunch to go at Shine Café and head out for a short but scenic hike at Black Hill Trail in Morro Bay State Park.

This is a moderate 2.5-mile hike that can be cut short if you want to drive up to the parking lot near the hilltop instead.

It’s an enjoyable and moderate hike with just over 500 feet of elevation gain that ultimately has you topping off with 360-degree views of the coast, city, and hills behind you.

Eat your lunch here and snap a few pics. Make sure you bring sunscreen, bug spray, sun protection , and plenty of water as there is very little shade.

To wrap up your road trip, cruise out to Tin City in Paso Robles. Located in Central California Wine Country, Tin City is a cool and eclectic place to walk around and sample the local brews, wine, and food that the region is known for.

Check out Barrelhouse Brewing Co. (where they also have live music in the summer!), Tin City Cidery , and a variety of food trucks.

When you’re ready to eat dinner, grab a bite from one of the food trucks at Tin City, or go to the historic downtown of Paso Robles to scope out the different restaurants this vibrant city has to offer.

You can dine al fresco and enjoy the night, as many of the restaurants have outdoor seating and a view of the square.

Fill up on something tasty and take your time as you enjoy the last night of your central California coast road trip before your return home.

Extending Your California Central Coast Road Trip

If you want to extend your trip, you can easily make your road trip a one-way adventure and drive all the way to San Francisco. This will allow you to check off even more of California’s coastal gems like Big Sur, Monterey, and Santa Cruz.

Here’s an extended itinerary:

• Day 7: Head up Highway 1 to Big Sur, stopping to see the famous McWay Falls and do some hiking (see our full Big Sur guide for more).
• Day 8: Start the morning with a hike at Big Sur River Gorge before driving up the coast to Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey. Be sure to stop for photos!
• Day 9: Explore the many hiking and biking trails and sights around Monterey, including the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. If you want to get out on the water, book a whale-watching tour or go kayaking with sea otters .
• Day 10: Drive north through Santa Cruz, stopping for a walk and lunch along the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Continue on to the cozy town of Half Moon Bay where you can stretch your legs on one of the many beaches.
• Day 11: Finish in San Francisco! You could spend another week exploring San Fran, but if it’s your first time, you’ll definitely want to take a picture at the Golden Gate Bridge and stroll around Golden Gate Park. Find more of our favorite outdoorsy things to do in San Francisco here .

What to Pack for Your Central California Coast Road Trip

What you pack will really depend on what kind of trip you’re planning. To start, be sure to check out our Road Trip Essentials Packing List .

If you want to car camp or stay in a camper van, here are some camping resources:

• Car Camping Essentials + Packing List
• Car Camping 101: A Beginners Guide
• Van Life Essentials

If you plan on hiking or doing a lot of outdoor activities, check out these gear guides for our favorite gear recommendations:

• What to Wear Hiking
• Best Women’s Hiking Daypacks
• Best Women’s Hiking Boots & Shoes
• Best Women’s Hiking Shirts
• Best Women’s Hiking Pants & Leggings
• Best Women’s Sun Hats for Hiking

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Make the most of your visit to California. Use these related posts to help plan your epic road trip:

• Best California Beach Campgrounds
• Best California Road Trip Stops
• Best Bodega Bay Campgrounds
• Best Things to do in Yosemite National Park
• Best Joshua Tree Hikes
• Best Things to do in Big Sur

Got any questions about doing a California Central Coast road trip? Do you have any tips or favorite stops to add? Let us know in the comments below.

Related Posts

With two decades of hiking and seven years of van life under her belt, Kristen has dedicated her life to helping people experience the positive effects of nature. As a pioneer in the outdoor blogging space, she founded Bearfoot Theory in 2014 and has since authored more than 350 blog posts about outdoor travel, hiking, camping, and van life. Her work has been featured in National Geographic, Outside Magazine, and Backpacker, and when she’s not on the road, she lives in Park City, Utah with her partner Ryan, their son, and two adventure pups.

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I live in Ventura (lucky me!) and you have hit on a lot of the great spots in town…even the Emerald Iguana in Ojai that we love to stay at for a quick weekend getaway. I would also recommend to your readers to check out the Visit Ventura website’s calendar of local events, because there is always something going on in this town! Concerts, music and art festivals, the wine walk and lots of street festivals. Great job on capturing some of the best places about Ventura!

Thanks, Christine! Great additional ad for finding local events.

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The Ultimate California Road Trip: A Step by Step Itinerary 

Planning a California road trip but not sure where to start? This (rather brilliant) California road trip itinerary will take you from beautiful beaches to stunning national parks. Discover now. 

When you hear the word “California” I’ll bet that things like scenic views, gorgeous beaches, and parks — so many parks — come to mind, right?

It figures that there are few places  better than California for you to hop behind the wheel to set off on a road trip. 

My own California road trip was one of the most memorable adventures I’ve had to date. One moment I was chillin’ and eating tacos in San Diego , the next marvelling at the jaw-dropping beauty of Yosemite National Park .

There were coastal hikes skirting giant seal colonies, wine-drenched days in Sonoma , all punctuated with classic Californian sights like the Golden Gate Bridge. 

In short, if you’re not bouncing around in excitement at the prospect of your upcoming road trip, I’m pretty sure you will be after this. 

Enough of the chat. It’s time to explore. 

California Road Trip Itinerary 

Los angeles: california road trip days 1 – 2 .

Los Angeles is the perfect starting point for the best road trips in California, whether you’re heading south or north. 

The weather’s incredible, the city’s vast, the beaches are inviting, the galleries and museums mesmerising, and the food scene… guaranteed to blow your mind (or at least your tastebuds).

Things to Do in Los Angeles

I think we can all agree that it’s straight up  impossible to cover all the cool spots in the course of a few paragraphs, but here are a couple of highlights. 

Want to delve deeper? Check out my Things to do in Los Angeles guide.

Enjoy the Stunning Beaches

It’s no secret that LA has more than its fair share of stunning beaches and it would be a shame not to hang out on at least one of them during your trip. 

Head to Santa Monica beach to sunbathe alongside the city’s elite, or head to eccentric Venice Beach for street performers set on the backdrop of the Pacific.

Visit Griffith Observatory

The Griffith Observatory , only open Friday through Sunday, has a planetarium that transports you to the cosmos, an electrifying Tesla coil exhibition, and a spot providing sweeping views of LA. I’d recommend booking a guided tour to discover more about this fascinating structure. 

Suggested Stay for Los Angeles on Your California Road Trip Itinerary 

Loews Hollywood Hotel –  A rooftop pool and sun terrace make this spot enticing, but the California-inspired cuisine at its restaurants puts it over the top. Alternatively, you can look for other properties in Los Angeles for more choice.

Big Sur: California Road Trip Day 3 

A rugged coastline, verdant forests, and craggy cliffs with waves crashing — along with the gleeful words of writers like Jack Kerouac — have brought Big Sur worldwide acclaim. The highlight of any West Coast road trip , it more than lives up to its promise. 

Things to Do in Big Sur

Julia pfeiffer burns state park.

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park offers marked trails transporting you to a world dominated by waterfalls, wildflowers, hidden coves, and turquoise waters lined with rock formations.

Pfeiffer Beach

Secluded Pfeiffer Beach has unmissable Pfeiffer Keyhole Rock as its top attraction—the sunrise and sunsets are to die for—but an expansive shoreline and tide pools also attract people.

Getting to Big Sur from Los Angeles

Continuing on this part of this California coast road trip, you’ll be covering around 295 miles of road between LA and Big Sur. 

Driving time is around 5 hours 20 minutes. 

Suggested stops if you have more time: Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay.  

Suggested Stay for Big Sur on Your Itinerary 

Hidden Valley Inn – This property’s proximity to Carmel Valley, where fine restaurants and vineyards await, earned my recommendation. If you’re looking for something a little more exuberant, check for other properties in Big Sur .

San Francisco: California Road Trip Days 4 – 6

San Francisco makes up for its relatively small size with scenic beauty, a boatload of attractions, tempting food and a diverse population. 

Things to do in San Francisco

Admire the golden gate bridge.

The Golden Gate Bridge and its orange arches are world-renowned. I recommend heading to the Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point to glance at San Francisco from a new angle.

Stroll Fisherman’s Wharf

This trendy neighbourhood houses a tonne of restaurants and shopping places in addition to attractions like the Madame Tussauds wax museum and cute sea lions in Pier 39 Marina.

Getting to San Francisco from Big Sur

The journey to San Francisco from Big Sur lasts 141 miles. 

Driving time is around 2.5 hours. 

Suggested stops if you have more time: Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey. 

Suggested Stay for San Francisco on Your California Road Trip Itinerary

Hotel Caza Fisherman’s Wharf – Equipped with an outdoor pool, a garden, and a restaurant serving delicious food – is my pick for staying in the Bay. 

Alternatively, you can look at other properties in San Francisco for something that suits you better.

Napa Valley: California Road Trip Day 7

Napa Valley is among the top wine regions globally and, as such, draws visitors who love nothing more than sipping reds and whites. 

Things to do in Napa

Tantalise your buds at a vineyard.

If you’re a wine drinker, I recommend stopping by Domaine Carneros for sparkling and Pinot noir wines coupled with breathtaking views of the valley.

Dine on a Train

The refurbished Napa Valley Wine Train offers a luxurious experience on a 36-mile round trip. Onboard, you can enjoy delectable dishes while exploring the valley by rail.

Getting to Napa Valley from San Francisco

The San Francisco to Napa Valley drive is around 67 miles.

Driving time is around 1 hour. 

Suggested stops if you have more time: Oakland, Berkeley. Or head to Sonoma as an alternative to Napa Valley. 

Suggested Stay for Napa Valley on Your California Road Trip Itinerary 

Napa Winery Inn – Set in a quiet atmosphere and featuring a seasonal pool and spacious rooms with daily breakfast, you won’t go wrong with this place. 

Alternatively, look at other properties in Napa Valley for something that suits you.

Yosemite National Park: California Road Trip Days 8 – 9

Yosemite National Park is teeming with things to do. It’s a natural wonder worth seeing with its verdant forests, towering cliffs, beautiful waterfalls, and many hiking trails. 

Things to Do in Yosemite National Park

Marvel at el capitan.

3,000-feet tall El Capitan is a sight to behold and draws in rock climbers and nature lovers by the dozens with just its presence.

Watch the Water Splash at Yosemite Falls

Continuing the theme of unrivalled natural beauty, here is iconic Yosemite Falls. Catch a glance at the cascades from Yosemite Village for the best vista from afar.

Tackle one of Yosemite’s Many Stunning Hikes

Yosemite is a hiker’s paradise with trails for all levels. Whether you’re looking for the adrenalin-rush of taking on the Half Dome or want something a little more low-key, spending some time exploring the park on two feet is a must. 

Getting to Yosemite National Park from Napa Valley

The drive to Yosemite National Park from Napa Valley is 191 miles.

Driving time is around 3.5 hours. 

Suggested Stay for Yosemite National Park on Your California Road Trip Itinerary 

The Ahwanee is one of the few hotels in Yosemite National Park itself and offers high-end rooms with stunning views. 

Browse other properties near Yosemite for comparison.

Death Valley: California Road Trip Day 10

Death Valley spans over 3 million acres, made up of an incredible variety of animals, plants, trails on unique terrain, and fantastic views.

Things to Do in Death Valley

Enjoy dante’s view.

I can’t tell you who Dante is, but one thing I can tell you is that this view of Death Valley is otherworldly, especially with sunsets or sunrises.

Trek to Telescope Peak

While no actual telescope awaits at the top, views of Badwater Basin and Mount Whitney are a worthwhile reward for taking on the 14-mile hike.

Getting to Death Valley from Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park to Death Valley spans 237 miles.

Driving time is around 4 hours. 

Suggested stops if you have more time: Mammoth Lakes, Inyo National Forest. 

Suggested Stay for Death Valley on Your California Road Trip Itinerary 

Best Western Pahrump Oasis – An hour from Death Valley, the accommodation offers a daily breakfast and coffee-making facilities. 

Alternatively, look for other properties near Death Valley .

Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park: California Road Trip Days 11 – 12

Palm Springs , with its plethora of spas, incredible cuisine, and hot springs, is one of the must-see places on a California road trip. 

Joshua Tree is most famous for its unique trees, but it also boasts a variety of plants and animals set in an almost otherworldly landscape. 

Things to do in Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park

Ride an aerial tramway.

The Aerial Tramway whisks you away along the Chino Canyon and rewards all who dare hop on with incredible views.

See the Mid-Century Architecture in Palm Springs 

Palm Springs is a haven of cool architecture – you should visit at least a few during your trip. Put the Kaufmann House, Elrod House and Twin Palms at the top of your list. 

Cholla Cactus Garden

The natural garden has over a thousand chollas lined across the land, which are particularly mesmerising when the sun shines on them.

Getting to Palm Springs from Death Valley

The journey from Death Valley to Palm Springs is 274 miles long.

Driving time is around 4.5 hours. 

Suggested stops if you have more time: Big Bear Lake, San Bernardino National Forest. 

Suggested Stay for Palm Springs on Your California Road Trip Itinerary 

Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs – This luxurious property offers spacious rooms, an exotic spa, and on-site dining options. Check out other properties in Palm Springs .

San Diego: California Road Trip Days 13 – 14

San Diego , an outstanding feature on any southern California road trip, blends cultural diversity, pristine beaches, trendy street art, cool hikes and a rich history to attract all kinds of people.

Things to do in San Diego

Visit san diego zoo.

San Diego Zoo is home to an impressive array of animals, some of which you can get up close and personal with on the Animals in Action Tour.

Party the Night Away at Mission Beach

Quiet by day and lively by night is probably this beach’s motto. Two miles of oceanfront and an electrifying boardwalk teeming with bars and diners await.

Getting to San Diego from Palm Springs

Your trip south to San Diego from Palm Springs is at least 126 miles long.

Driving time is around 2 hours 10 minutes. 

Suggested stops if you have more time: Temecula. 

Suggested Stay for San Diego on Your California Road Trip Itinerary 

Andaz San Diego – The rooftop pool along with a restaurant offering dining coupled with panoramic San Diego views won me over. Alternatively, check out all accommodation in San Diego . 

After San Diego, drive back to LA to finish your road trip! 

If You Have More Time: More Spots for the Best California Road Trips

Due to its vastness when explored via a road trip, California still has a lot (I mean a lot!) more to offer beyond the 14 days I recommend. 

Got more time to play with? Here are a couple of other suggestions for cool places to stop by during your time on the road.

Lake Tahoe – Freshwater lake straddling the California-Nevada border where verdant forest and granite boulders blend with surrounding mountain peaks await hikers.

Mammoth Lakes – A quaint town showcasing high-alpine beauty and offering activities like kayaking, skiing, and climbing.

Redwood National Park – A beautiful park home to 300-feet tall redwoods which you can explore by foot or car.

Handy Tips for Planning Your Road Trip in California

California road trip: group tour or independent travel.

You can tackle this itinerary alone or with a group. Either way, you’ll have fun, although it will differ depending on your choice.

Travelling alone will mean you won’t have to contend or compromise on your preferred destination and activities there. Travelling with a group provides ample opportunity to make lifelong memories with your friends.

G Adventures offer this incredible 18-day road trip covering California in the Southwest . 

Not only does it cover quite a few of the destinations featured in this itinerary, but it also allows you to venture into Nevada, Utah and Arizona to see more stunning locations such as the Grand Canyon , Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park . 

Check out G Adventures’ full range of USA Road Trips here

What to Pack for Your Road Trip in California

To ensure you have the best California road trip, you must pack adequately and have all road trip essentials on you. 

Cali has a Mediterranean-like climate where summers are hot and winters are kind of wet, meaning you’ll have to plan with the season in mind. Here’s a general list to get you started.

• Reusable water bottle – the Hydroflask is a great option 
• Hiking shoes – Tropic Feel’s all weather, all terrain hiking shoes are a gamechanger
• Sunscreen — seriously, California can be scorching.
• Camera for beautiful snaps
• Season-appropriate clothing (raincoats for winter, hats for summer etc.)

I go into a lot more detail on my Road Trip Packing List guide . 

Useful Resources – Getting to California

One of the reasons I chose Los Angeles as the base, in addition to being one of the best places to road trip in California, is because the LAX airport services flights from just about everywhere.

Check flights to Los Angeles on Skyscanner

Getting Around

If you intend to follow this road trip itinerary California has to offer, you will need to rent a car, and you can rely on the following rental agencies.

• Enterprise Rent a Car
• Sixt Car Rental

California Road Trip – Map

Planning Your California Road Trip? Read Next…

• Cool Things to do in California
• The Ultimate West Coast Road Trip
• What to do in… Los Angeles
• What to do in… San Francisco
• The San Diego Explorer Guide
• Discover the Best of Yosemite

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I’m Julianna Barnaby - a professional travel writer and geek extraordinaire. I started The Discoveries Of to help you to discover the best of new destinations from around the world.

Discovering new places is a thrill - whether it’s close to home, a new country or continent, I write to help you explore more and explore differently.

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Ultimate California Road Trip Itinerary

Countless songs have been sung about California. It's a land of dreams and opportunity; innovation and enchantment. On this 12-day road trip around the length and breadth of the Golden State, you'll see why it's been a muse to so many and agree with the State Motto – “Eureka!”

On this ultimate California Road trip start on the sun-filled shores of SoCal, drive by the dramatic cliffs of Big Sur to San Francisco, admire the Redwoods, explore distant peaks in the Sierra and be embraced by the solitude of the Mojave Desert.

This curated 12-day itinerary covers as many of the state's varied landscapes as possible – with helpful tips on where to stop and spend the night. Read on below to start planning your own ultimate California road trip.

What is the ultimate California road trip itinerary?

The ultimate California road trip itinerary covers a total distance of 2,455 miles and would take a whopping 55 hours to drive nonstop. We suggest breaking up the drive over 12 days; this makes the average drive time about 4 hours and 30 minutes per day.

Some days entail as much as 7 hours of driving and others are as short as two, so read carefully to see where you'll have more time in a day to explore and note where you might want to spend more than one night if a lot of the previous day was spent driving.

The ultimate road trip itinerary in California

From gorgeous beaches on the sunny Pacific Coast to the towering redwood forests, majestic Sierra Mountain range and breathtaking scenery of Lake Tahoe, this road trip itinerary features the best things to do on the ultimate California road trip.

You can add detours and more days to your itinerary, but we strongly suggest visiting all the places highlighted on the map above for the best experience and an epic Californian adventure.

For an easy-to-compare view of rental options for your ultimate California road trip, why not take a look at our partner site, RentalCars.com .

Day 1: Driving from Los Angeles to Pismo Beach

On your very first day on the road, you'll cover 180 miles from Los Angeles to Pismo Beach, which should take around 3 hours and 15 minutes of driving, mostly along the glistening coast.

Road trip route from Los Angeles to Pismo Beach

You'll pass quite a few SoCal hot spots on this first leg of the trip, including Malibu, Ventura, and Santa Barbara as you follow CA Route 1 (CA-1) North, Pacific Coast Highway, all the way to Pismo Beach .

If you'd like to learn more about driving on the Pacific Coast Highway, check out our comprehensive guide .

Things to explore on the way to Pismo Beach

Especially if you are an avid hiker, you won't want to miss Point Mugu State Park on your way north from Los Angeles. Just past Malibu, this state park has over 70 miles of gorgeous hiking and biking trails traversing the coastal hills at the northern end of the Santa Monica Mountains.

The popular Chumash Trail is accessible right off the Pacific Coast Highway. If you're feeling ambitious, do the Mugu Peak Trail. From the modest 1,266-foot elevation, you get sweeping panoramic views of the coast and La Jolla Valley; on a clear day, you can even see the Channel Islands!

If you know anything about California, then you know Santa Barbara is one of the cutest coastal cities in the south of California where you can enjoy the best beaches, wine, and nightlife.

This city makes the most of its enviable warm climate; you can lounge along the broad Leadbetter Beach or walk with an ice cream cone up and down Sterns Wharf.

In town, phenomenal food and wine await you along State Street; some of the best places are in the aptly named, and colorful, Funk Zone.

Santa Barbara is also famed for its Spanish Colonial style of architecture, and you can see great examples of it in the Old Mission as well as in the Santa Barbara County Courthouse.

Where to stay in Pismo Beach: a dune-buggy destination

One of the most idyllic and popular towns on the central coast, Pismo Beach is one of the few places where you can drive a dune buggy on the beach, see migrating Monarch butterflies, and enjoy a stellar local wine over the sunset.

The Inn at the Cove maximizes the breathtaking coastal vistas of Pismo Beach and is conveniently located off the Pacific Coast Highway. Along with all the standard amenities you would expect at a mid-range hotel, you can also book an in-room spa treatment or massage.

Many of their king rooms have private patios where you can continue to unwind after a long drive with a juicy local pinot noir. Across the highway, you'll find the Pismo Preserve, an abode of coastal serenity and a great place for a vigorous morning walk.

Day 2: Driving from Pismo Beach to Monterey

The second day of driving is slightly shorter at 150 miles, which will take around 3 hours and 30 minutes. You will drive past the rugged cliffs of Big Sur, past scenic Bixby Bridge and admire the crystal-clear ocean views in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

READ MORE - Our Guide to Pismo Beach

Road trip route from Pismo Beach to Monterey

You can look forward to more breathtaking coastal vistas as you continue driving north along US Route 101 North and CA-1. This is a particularly isolated stretch of road once you leave San Luis Obispo you likely won't find another gas station until you get to Big Sur.

Keep in mind that part of this route on the Pacific Coast Highway is currently closed due to rockslides and you might have to make an inland detour to get to Monterey.

Things to explore on the way to Monterey

There are many must-see stops all along the mythically beautiful coast of Big Sur, where mountains meet the sea. The Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is much more accessible than the sprawling Peiffer Big Sur State Park and is located right on the coast.

Here you'll find that postcard-perfect McWay Cove Beach with its graceful waterfall.

Further north, treat yourself to some lip-smacking baked goods from the hamlet of Big Sur and make your way to Pfeiffer Beach. Here the sand has a purplish hue from the Manganese garnet cliffs that formed it. Don't miss out on taking a photo of the famous Keyhole Arch while you're here.

The old-world charm of Carmel-by-the-Sea is a nice change of scenery along a coast known for innovation and new-age eccentricities. Around the immaculate Carmel Plaza, you'll find multiple Michelin Star restaurants and tasting rooms showcasing the area's notable wines.

If you'd prefer a laid-back picnic followed by a hike, then you have a few outstanding options like Garrapata State Park, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, and the powdery white sands of Carmel Beach.

Where to stay in Monterey: a sea view over cypress trees

A small, seaside town adjacent to Monterey, Pacific Grove is rustic and relaxing. The main attractions of Monterey are a moderate walk or a short drive away. Make the most of staying on this pleasant spot along the coast at the Seven Gables Inn .

This boutique property is meticulously maintained to take your breath away at every step.

All the common areas and many rooms have fantastic views of the cypress-lined Monterey coast. As if it couldn't get any better, they offer a scrumptious continental breakfast bathed in the coastal light to fully energize you for the next day of driving.

READ MORE - Click here for more great hotel options

We highly recommend visiting Monterey State Beach before you leave the city.

Day 3: Driving from Monterey to Sonoma

This is another moderate day of driving 160 miles along the Pacific Coast Highway. If you don't hit any traffic along the way, then it should take 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Keep in mind that you'll be passing through the San Francisco Bay Area, so traffic in the mornings and evenings around commute time will be substantial. Traffic aside, it is a beautiful and diverse landscape that makes for a beautiful drive.

Road trip route from Monterey to Sonoma

Start driving north of Monterey on CA-1, this takes you past Santa Cruz, San Gregorio State Beach, and Half Moon Bay into San Francisco.

There's plenty to see here, in case you want to stay a day or two. Take US-101 North across the Golden Gate Bridge, then continue past San Rafael and navigate to CA Routes 121 and 12 to get to Sonoma.

Things to explore on the way to Sonoma

Santa Cruz is a popular weekend destination for people from the Bay Area and we can see why. Even though Southern California has arguably better weather for surfing, Santa Cruz is where this free-spirited water sport took root in the mainland US.

At Steamers Lane, a famous surf spot in the north of town, there's a quirky museum inside a lighthouse where you can learn about the area's connection to the sport dating back to the 1930s.

Santa Cruz is also famous for its Beach Boardwalk, one of the oldest amusement parks in the state featuring classic rides like the Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster. A pro tip for a great time in Santa Cruz: recharge with a warm cup of Pu-erh or green tea at the Hidden Peak Teahouse.

After exploring Santa Cruz drive another hour and a half north to reach San Francisco. This world-famous city has been booming and innovating for over a century.

Filled with colorful Victorian homes, distinctive neighborhoods, every kind of tasty ethnic cuisine, and major landmarks like Coit Tower, Pier 39, and Alcatraz, you might want to consider more than one night here if you have the time.

If you want to see a historic neighborhood, award-winning museum, and gorgeous park all in one go, then head to Haight-Ashbury to pay tribute to the godfathers of psychedelic rock, then walk through Golden Gate Park to the De Young Museum and admire their distinctive art collection.

On the other side of town, along the bay, grab an expensive-but-worth-it treat at the Embarcadero Market in the Ferry Building then walk along the piers before heading to the heart of the city for some shopping in union Square.

Where to stay in Sonoma: the golden heart of Wine Country

Sonoma is the flagship town of California Wine Country. The many varieties grown here pair well with farm-to-table cuisine available on every corner and the golden rolling hills that surround the area.

We recommend checking out a wonderful boutique hotel here that gives you a glimpse of the best of California living. The rooms of the Cottage Inn & Spa include bungalow-style cottages encircling a courtyard with a beautiful fountain at the center.

Whether you feel like an aromatherapy session or need some deep-tissue work done, their on-site spa has you covered.

It is just a 5-minute walk from Sonoma Plaza. Especially since this is a destination with too many wine-tasting opportunities to count, it is safe and convenient to place to stay within walking distance of all the major tasting rooms.

Day 4: Driving from Sonoma to Mendocino

On this day you'll drive for 140 miles back over to the coast and continue your northward journey along the rugged and breathtaking Sonoma coast. This drive will also take around 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Road trip route from Sonoma to Mendocino

From Sonoma, take CA Route 116 West through Petaluma and hop on Valley Ford Road to CA-1 North in Bodega Bay. From there, drive past Sonoma Coast State Park and Point Arena all the way to Mendocino.

Things to explore on the way to Mendocino

Beyond being the harbor side town where Hitchcock's “Birds” was filmed, Bodega Bay offers charm and opportunities for enjoying the outdoors in equal measure. One of the best local trails leads to the Bodega Head, the hilly tip of a small peninsula that has phenomenal 360-degree views.

If the water is just too tempting, this is also a great place to try kayaking on the scenic waters of the bay. For a delectable lunch in Bodega Bay, consider splurging on the Michelin-rated Terrapin Creek Café or get your seafood fix at Spud Point Crab Company.

A little further north, Salt Point State Park makes for the perfect place to stop and stretch your legs while walking along the Mendocino coast for an hour or two. The trails of this park take you through the dense evergreen forest that gives way to rugged cliffs and the roiling ocean.

This constant bombardment by the waves has sculpted the rocks and tide pools below into the most wondrous formations. Watching wave after wave crash and dissolve into frothy white foam is truly mesmerizing.

Where to stay in Mendocino: between rivers big and small

Mendocino is an isolated town at the mouth of a river that has a unique, East Coast aesthetic that stands out on the Pacific Coast. In addition to superior dining and whale-watching opportunities, the Mendocino Headlands State Park has fantastic trails that follow the Big River as it forms an estuary before merging with the ocean.

Just a little before you reach Mendocino, keep an eye out for Little River and the wonderfully bucolic SCP Mendocino Inn and Farm . It is only a 5-minute drive from the adorable downtown Mendocino area but offers better beach access than most places in town.

We couldn't get over the chance to wake up to a view of llamas overlooking the Pacific Ocean. After enjoying an artisanal breakfast at the inn, you can also walk directly through farm grounds to Van Damme State Beach and through the Spring Ranch Nature Preserve to more pristine coastal outlooks.

Day 5: Driving from Mendocino to Klamath

Today's drive is a little longer at 4 hours and 15 minutes and covers a distance of 210 miles. It takes you deeper into the foggy northern extremes of the redwood curtain.

Road trip route from Mendocino to Klamath

Take CA-1 North from Mendocino and follow it as it wanders inland and merges with US-101 North in Leggett. Here it continues north, but we recommend hopping on CA-254, also called the Avenue of Giants scenic road, just before Phillipsville.

This stunning road through the ancient redwood forests is worth the extra miles and the road eventually re-joins US-101 North just before the town of Stafford. Stay on US-101 North as it heads back towards the coast, past Eureka and Arcata, to Klamath.

Things to explore on the way to Klamath

Eureka is an underrated north coast town that we think is worth a visit. Once a booming port town that shipped lumber from the expansive interior forests to all corners of the globe, the wealth of Eureka's heyday is reflected in the many ornate Victorian homes you can see here.

The historic waterfront is a great place to stop for lunch and wander the docks for an afternoon. In nearby Arcata, there's a more “granola” vibe, with organic markets, Finnish saunas, and a rainbow of characters you can see on any given day in the square.

The biggest attractions in Humboldt County are Redwood National and State Parks. All along the California Coast, you can find Sequoia groves, but the old-growth forests preserved in Redwood National and State Parks are on a whole different level.

Once you pass through the entrance near Orick, you'll feel as if you've been transported back to the Jurassic Age when life was lived on a larger scale. No part of the park embodies this more than Fern Canyon, so be sure to see this when you come to the park.

The 1.4-mile-long trail through Lady Bird Johnson Grove is another easily accessible and breathtaking hike you should do while you're here.

Where to stay in Klamath: the very north of the North Coast

Trinidad is a small town located near Klamath with gorgeous beaches which overlook towering outcrops in the ocean. It is slightly more built up than Klamath, with cafes and markets, which make it a better place to spend some time and stock up on a long trip.

The ranch-style View Crest Lodge operates between a more standard hotel space and several independent cottages spread over verdant grounds, with trails leading deeper into the surrounding redwoods or the beach.

Its quiet location will allow you to fully take in the splendor of the Humboldt coast and the tasty breakfast will have you contemplating spending another night here.

Day 6: Driving from Klamath to Mineral

Today's drive is a 340-mile, 6-hours 30-minutes long haul to the northernmost point in the route which will take you briefly across the Oregon border before you start heading southeast as you start the other half of the state-wide loop.

Road trip route from Klamath to Mineral

After savoring some final glances of the NorCal coast in Klamath, take US-101 North through Crescent City to US Route 199 North to O'Brien, Oregon. From there, take Waldo Road and Greyback Road south to the California border and continue on towards Happy Camp.

Navigate to CA Route 96 East and take that from Happy Camp to Yreka, where you'll be able to get on Interstate 5 and continue driving south past the towering Mt. Shasta. Once you get to Redding, look for CA Routes 44 and 36 which will take you east to Mineral.

Things to explore on the way to Mineral

Just before Crescent City, look out for Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park. This is a great place to enjoy a final romp in the coastal redwoods before this route takes you inland.

There are several trails that start from the visitor center, and you will be overcome with the grace of these gentle giants from your first step in the park.

Some trails lead to the ocean and others meander along streams deep in the forest. The redwood curtain is known for wet conditions, so make sure you have some light rain gear to stay dry on a magical, misty trail.

Both the rural town of Mt. Shasta and the towering Volcano of the same name are both worth checking out as you pass by them along I-5. The town is filled with a variety of home-town dining options from casual grills and burger joints to Indian food.

In case you wanted to learn more about this area, which has been revered as a cosmic center by several Native American tribes and settled by people of European ancestry in the late 19th century, head to the Mt. Shasta Sisson Museum.

In case you're itching to stretch your legs, nearby Lake Siskiyou has several pretty trails which offer incredible views of Mt. Shasta. There are even more hiking, biking, and backpacking opportunities a little to the south of Mt. Shasta in Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

Where to stay in Mineral: get acquainted with the high Sierras

Mill Creek is another small town, like Mineral, which sits near the entrance to Lassen Volcanic National Park in the northern Sierra Nevada Mountain range.

In addition to providing easy access to the nearby national park, the Village at Childs Meadow offers incredibly comfy beds that will be incredibly welcoming after a long day's drive.

Many rooms also have a patio that looks out over the peaks of Lassen. There's also a little market at the property which is incredibly convenient given the limited services and amenities in the surrounding area.

Day 7: Driving from Mineral to Lake Tahoe

The drive from Mineral to Lake Tahoe is a bit easier than the previous days, but you'll still need to be alert and drive carefully on these mountain roads. It will take you just over 4 hours to complete this 180-mile section of the trip.

Road trip route from Mineral to Lake Tahoe

From Mineral, drive via CA-36 East to CA-89 South which will take you through Plumas National Forest to Truckee. From Truckee, head across the Nevada border to Incline Village, then hop on NV-28 South along the lake, which joins with US-50 South.

This will take you through Zephyr Cove and to South Lake Tahoe, which sits on the California border.

Things to explore on the way to Lake Tahoe

You can't come this far north without seeing Lassen Volcanic National Park. With dozens of geothermal features like geysers, hot springs, and mud pots, Lassen is California's own version of Yellowstone.

One of the most popular areas to see these natural wonders is the trail through Bumpass Hell. Another, more accessible, place to see the earth venting off some steam is Sulphur Works.

In addition to these more exotic features, Lassen Volcanic National Park is simply a stunning mountainous area with grand views, miles of hiking trails, and revitalizing high-altitude air.

Truckee is a typical, small Sierra town with a fascinating history going back to the earliest days of the European-American settlement of the region.

Truckee is most well known for being the area near Donner Pass where the infamous Donner Party met with disaster. You can visit the nearby pass as well as a memorial museum in the town itself.

The charming, historic main drag of Truckee along Donner Pass Road is worthwhile walking around. This is a great spot to grab lunch, coffee, or a sip of microbrew before heading off to Tahoe. In case you're making this trip in the winter and are an avid skier,

Truckee is close to some of North Tahoe's best slopes, including NorthStar.

Where to stay in Lake Tahoe: enveloped in evergreen

South Lake Tahoe is the more happening side of the lake where you can try your luck or catch a show at a casino, as well as enjoy the abundant natural beauty of this incredible alpine region.

From the moment you arrive at the Black Bear Lodge, you'll be enveloped in that old Tahoe feel , but one with all the right updates. While the common areas and pool have that wooden, rustic charm, the rooms are clean, spacious, and modern.

Many also have attached patios so you can look out into the evergreen forest and unwind over a hot cocoa or brew of your choice in peace.

Located just a few blocks from the lakeshore and less than two miles to the main downtown area, the location makes it easy to explore the area on foot if you'd like to take a break from driving.

Day 8: Driving from Lake Tahoe to Yosemite

This is a straightforward 110-mile drive towards Lee Vining and Yosemite National Park that will take you 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Road trip route from Lake Tahoe to Yosemite National Park

From South Lake Tahoe, you'll hop briefly back over the border to Nevada and get on US-395 South in Gardnerville, NV. This route takes you east of the Sierra highlands to Lee Vining and the back entrance to Yosemite.

Things to explore on the way to Yosemite National Park

Who doesn't love nature's spa? Travertine Hot Springs are isolated thermal pools that attract a surprising number of visitors. Still, there are many springs with varying temperatures, so you can easily find one to your liking that doesn't feel crowded.

If the natural hot tubs themselves aren't enough to melt away any accumulated stress, then the stunning views will make you feel like you've reached a heavenly land.

Lee Vining is about a half an hour drive from the Tioga Pass entrance of the incomparable Yosemite National Park. The most popular attraction on this side of the park is the idyllic Tuolumne Meadows.

Far fewer visitors come via this entrance, compared to the Yosemite Valley side, so you won't get caught up in the crowds, even if you're making this trip during the summer.

The drive itself over Tioga Pass is stunning and there are places to stop, enjoy the view, and even hike in case you didn't feel like paying the $35 entrance fee at Yosemite.

Where to stay in Yosemite National Park: adventure beyond the park's bounds

Set against the rugged ridges of the Sawtooth Mountain range, Bridgeport has a special place in the heart of all Californian outdoor adventurers who have had the good fortune to find it. Here we recommend staying at the Silver Maple Inn and The Cain House Country Suites .

This has a classic motel vibe with nicely maintained interiors giving the inn a more polished feel than most motels. It is located just 26 miles from the Tioga Pass entrance to Yosemite, which you might want to see in the morning rather than when you just arrive.

If you happen to arrive with some extra time and energy on hand, they have free bikes for guests to use to explore the beautiful surroundings of Bridgeport.

Day 9: Driving from Yosemite National Park to Bakersfield

On this day you'll log more time on the road than usual, with this leg of the route taking 6 hours to drive, covering approximately 350 miles.

Road trip route from Yosemite National Park to Bakersfield

Get back on US-395 and drive south to Lone Pine. Here you can take country roads towards Panamint Springs and Death Valley if you wanted to include this as a stop on your trip.

To get to Bakersfield from here, drive towards Searles and CA-14. Take this towards the town of Mojave, then hop on CA-58 West to Bakersfield.

Things to explore on the way to Bakersfield

The massive Inyo National Forest is the most visited in California, attracting over 4 million people each year, and with good reason. Inyo is home to Mt. Whitney, the tallest peak in the contiguous U.S. as well as eye-catching geological formations like Banner Peak.

There are abundant backpacking opportunities in the various wilderness areas that lie within the national monument, like the stunning Ansel Adams Wilderness.

Inyo is also home to some of the oldest trees on the planet. While the Ancient Bristlecone Pine forest is a good two-hour hike into the park, it is the chance of a lifetime to see these ancient trees up close.

While visiting Death Valley National Park would likely involve another night's stop before heading on to Bakersfield, it is yet another area of rare natural beauty that you'll probably regret not seeing if you had the chance.

Within its 3 million acres you can visit the lowest point in America at the Badwater Basin salt flats, trace the trails of moving rocks at the Racetrack Playa, and see kaleidoscopic hillsides at Artists Palette.

There's even evidence of relatively recent volcanic activity in the form of the Ubehebe Crater, which measures half a mile across and was likely formed just 2,100 years ago.

Of course in the spring a sight you can't miss are the dozens of species of wildflowers that crop up if there have been enough winter rains. What you see here will forever change your perception of the desert as a barren place.

Where to stay in Bakersfield: experience a bit of Country out West

Bakersfield is the industrial and economic hub in the heart of California's fertile Central Valley. It's also renowned for its country music scene and has a few pockets of vibrant nightlife as well.

Conveniently located in downtown Bakersfield, the Padre Hotel is a historic property with a modern interior. It has on-site parking, so you can give the wheels a break and explore the city on foot.

Attractions like the Bakersfield Museum of Art and the historic Fox Theater are both nearby. In case you're tuckered out and prefer a night in, their restaurant Belvedere is one of the best in town for a delicious dinner.

Day 10: Driving from Bakersfield to Palm Springs

On this drive back into the desert you'll cover 325 miles, which should take you about 6 hours. In terms of scenery, this is not the most exciting day of driving, so have a few episodes of your favorite podcast downloaded and ready to go.

Road trip route from Bakersfield to Palm Springs

From Bakersfield, take CA-58 West to Barstow then hop on CA-34 towards Yucca Valley and the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park. You can drive all the way through the park on Pinto Basin Road and Cottonwood Springs Road, which will take you to I-10.

Take I-10 West towards Coachella and Palm Springs.

Things to explore on the way to Palm Springs

Though there aren't many major attractions on the stretch of road leading out of Bakersfield, a few local gems can be found in the heart of tiny Tehachapi, which you'll pass before Barstow and the route into Joshua Tree.

Housed in a beautiful Art Deco building that dates to the 1920s, the Tehachapi Heritage League Museum lays out the natural and native history of this quiet pocket of Central California.

In case you simply can't get enough of mountainous trails through the forest, check out Tehachapi Mountain Park to the south of the town.

Until recently Joshua Tree National Park was only on the radar of particularly outgoing outdoors people and eccentrics from SoCal. Now it is one of the most popular and photographed national parks in the state.

In addition to the spikey and spindly Joshua trees themselves, there are gardens of Cholla cactus and maze-like rock formations along the Skull Rock trail. One of the most accessible and rewarding trails to do here, especially if you're just stopping by for a day, is the Hidden Valley Nature Trail.

Where to stay in Palm Springs: relax under the desert sky

Palm Springs was once an exclusive getaway for the stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood; now it's a place for rejuvenation that welcomes people from all walks of life.

Palm Springs has no dearth of adorable boutique hotels and spas, yet the Fleur Noire Hotel stood out with its bold floral designs , great fire pit for some evening socializing, and lovely pool area. The staff are incredibly welcoming and pay close attention to detail, so you'll be in excellent hands once you arrive.

Day 11: Driving from Palm Springs to San Diego

On this day you'll drive an easy 180 miles from the desert back to the fresh Pacific Coast, which will take 3 hours and 20 minutes. Try to avoid reaching San Diego during the peak afternoon commute time of 4-7 pm.

Road trip route from Palm Springs to San Diego

From Palm Springs head east along I-10 then go south on CA-86 towards Salton City. Look out for CA Route 78 West and take that road past Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Once you reach Descanso Junction, take Interstate 8 West all the way to San Diego.

Things to explore on the way to San Diego

The Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is full of surprises. Spread over 600,000 acres, this state park features several different kinds of desert habitats and boasts 12 wilderness areas.

It's possible to spot roadrunners, bighorn sheep, kit foxes, mule deer, iguanas and even red diamond rattlesnakes, so be sure to keep your eyes on the trail as you explore.

There are features you can enjoy all throughout the year like the hike to Slot Canyon or the Fonts Point overlook, but this place really comes to life during the spring.

From January to mid-April the canyon floors become a patchwork of yellow, white, and purple as dormant wildflower seeds briefly wake up to transform the desert landscape, making this a must-see stop on a spring road trip.

If you want to learn more, you can find our guide on the best road trips to see the superbloom locations in California here .

A little closer to San Diego, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park is one of those state parks that you could easily overlook, but you'd be missing out. With steams, oak and pine-covered rolling hills, and miles of gorgeous trails you could be forgiven for thinking you're back in the Sierra foothills.

Whether you're rearing to go bouldering on some outcrops, hike to a picturesque pond, admire the deep-red bark of manzanitas, or just stop here to picnic and make use of the well-maintained bathrooms, a few hours here will do your mind and body good.

Where to stay in San Diego: the city of surf and sun

Coronado is on a thin peninsula that forms the San Diego Bay, so staying here will have you as close to the warmest waters in California as you can be.

Just walking distance from one of San Diego's most popular urban beaches, the Hotel Marisol Coronado offers a personal touch that will have you feeling relaxed and ready to explore sunny San Diego.

You can take your time getting here as they offer a 24-hour front desk service. Once you've settled in, consider renting one of the complimentary bikes to explore Coronado or take it easy watching the sunset by the beach.

From here it's easy to enjoy the best that the city has to offer since it is just a 10–15-minute drive on the freeway to places like Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo.

Day 12: Driving from San Diego to Los Angeles

This final day's driving distance is modest at 125 miles but that can take anywhere from 2 hours to 4 hours to cover depending on the traffic. As your trip literally comes full circle, you'll be able to savor every moment of beach culture and urban chic that SoCal is famous for.

Road trip route from San Diego to Los Angeles

You can take Interstate 5 North all the way from San Diego to Los Angeles. This freeway stays right on the coast as it passes Del Mar, Oceanside, and San Clemente, then it heads inland through Anaheim to reach downtown Los Angeles.

Things to explore on the way to Los Angeles

Both San Diego and Los Angeles have amazing beaches, but Oceanside is a town that lives and breathes beach culture. Surfing and simply being on the beach is such a central component of life here that it was deemed a California Cultural District in 2017.

The California Surf Museum aims to preserve and explore the unique boarding culture shared by both skateboarding and surfing throughout Southern California.

By far one of the must-see local haunts of the Oceanside Municipal Fishing Pier, one of the longest wooden piers on the West Coast. It's lined with shops and vendors so you can get your snack on while you people watch and wait for the next big catch.

It might seem a bit cliché, but a stop by Disneyland in Anaheim can really lift the spirits and act as the capstone to a quintessentially Californian road trip.

Disneyland has always been intended as a place where people of all ages can immerse themselves in fantasy and fun, but recently they've made adult-oriented additions like a Star Wars-themed bar and the luxurious Tenaya Spa.

Then of course there are the rides, the characters, and the chance to feel like a kid all over again.

Where to stay in Los Angeles: find your place among the stars

Nestled in the hills between Beverly Hills and Santa Monica, Westwood Village is a gorgeous home base that's close to many of Tinsel Town's major attractions.

In addition to having that classy feeling created by ample hardwood interior finishes, the Plaza la Reina is a comfortable place to spend a few days at the end of your whirlwind trip around the Golden State.

Many rooms have kitchenettes, but our absolute favorite amenity was the on-site washing machines. It is set in a pleasant and safe neighborhood that's perfect for morning walks and it is less than five miles from must-see Los Angeles attractions like Sunset Boulevard and the Getty Museum.

Things to see on the ultimate road trip in California

This trip is the perfect opportunity to take your time and discover the many sides of California. In addition to the main stops, we've given for each day of the trip above, try to see some of these gems as well.

• Malibu - Just north of Santa Monica, there's a lot more to Malibu than celebrity homes. The broad and sandy Zuma Beach is inviting on any day and the cliffs of Point Dume are worth exploring as well.
• San Luis Obispo - This college town a little inland from Pismo Beach has a wonderfully walkable downtown set alongside a creek and features an 18th-century Spanish mission you can tour.
• San Simeon - Perched on the central coast, here you can see an elephant seal rookery from a safe distance or head for the hills and take a tour of the elaborate Hearst Castle.
• The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park - This refreshing state park southeast of Santa Cruz is filled with wandering trails, some challenging changes in elevation, redwoods, and bright yellow banana slugs. For those interested, it was also the center of the Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989.
• Half Moon Bay - This charming coastal town north of Santa Cruz has a lovely little marina and pier. If you drive inland along Highway 92 there are some incredible nurseries and craft studios.
• Muir Woods - This enchanting grove of coastal redwoods is a popular weekend excursion, so try to visit on a weekday if you can. Nearby Mill Valley is an adorable town that also makes a good breakfast or lunch spot as you drive north from San Francisco.
• Point Arena - Here you can find a well-preserved lighthouse and museum. From the top, there are breathtaking views of the Mendocino coast.
• Avenue of the Giants - This 31-mile stretch of scenic highway lies parallel to US Route 101 and will have you slowing down to admire the towering trees on either side of the road.
• Luffenholtz Beach - This rugged beach north of Arcata, just before you reach Trinidad, is a wonderful place for a morning stroll and casual tide pool gazing. Steep stairs lead down to the beach, which is rarely crowded.
• Happy Camp - On the long drive through a winding, mountainous road between Klamath and Mineral, Happy Camp is a convenient place to stop and refuel. There's a statue of the legendary Big Foot here, in case you'd like to get a picture with a local celebrity.
• Redding - This sunny mountain town is a hub where you can get a gourmet meal and enjoy creature comforts that are few and far between in the vast forests of Northern California.
• Zephyr Cove, Nevada -Before you reach the relatively Built-up area of South Lake Tahoe, stop by Zephyr Cove to swim, sunbathe, and relax with the heavenly views over Lake Tahoe among minimal crowds.
• Bridgeport - Though too small to be called a town, Bridgeport was established in the mid-19th century and has a quaint, historic main street that speaks to its more populated past. It is surrounded by mountains and wide meadows and is a great base for day hikes and excursions in the surrounding wilderness.
• Mono Lake - This saline, high-altitude lake serves as a unique habitat for dozens of bird species and other wildlife. You can learn more about the natural history of the lake at the Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center then wander the lake-side trails of the Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve.
• Mammoth Lakes and Mountain - A beloved eastern Sierra ski spot, this is a stunning place to visit any time of the year. Hike through the pine-scented air to get unbelievable views of the surrounding mountain ranges.
• Devils Postpile National Monument - If you're an aficionado of the odd geological formation, then make sure you drive the few extra miles behind Mammoth Lakes to see this exquisite example of columnar basalt. Nearby, you can also walk parts of the John Muir and Pacific Coast trails and see Rainbow Falls.
• California Route 66 Museum - Not far from Barstow you can pay homage to the great American tradition of road-tripping and see every kind of road sign and a few vintage vehicles at this museum with just the right amount of kitsch.
• Whitewater Preserve - Explore another stunning desert area near Palm Springs, filled with more colorful flora and water features than you might expect.
• Surfing Heritage and Culture Center - A little inland from San Clemente, this small museum has been curated with love and offers an amazing selection of surfboards and memorabilia from surfing legends.
• San Juan Capistrano - This slightly inland town is most famous for the intricate beauty of the Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano. While the swallows no longer nest here, it is a stunning example of religious architecture on the West Coast.

Best time to go on the ultimate road trip in California

California is a famously sunny state with winters that are much milder than elsewhere in the States, so this is really a trip you could make at any time of the year.

The only caveat is that some of the roads between Mineral and Lee Vining, basically the eastern Sierra portion of the trip, face multiple road closures from November to May so you'll want to plan your trip with this in mind.

Traveling in winter

If winter is the only time you have to explore, or if you were interested in hitting the slopes on some parts of the trip, you could do a modified version of the route we've outlined.

From South Lake Tahoe, take the Golden Chain Highway (CA-49) through several Gold Rush Era towns to get to the Big Oak Flats Entrance of Yosemite. From here you could head to Bakersfield and take a detour east to Death Valley National Park or continue the original route to Palm Springs.

Traveling in summer

For swimming on the coast and being able to adventure in the highest reaches of Lassen and Yosemite National Parks, the summer would be the best time to do this trip.

The only drawbacks are that attractions in major cities might get crowded and some of the desert locations might be too hot to visit during most of the day.

Traveling in spring or fall

While the high-altitude roads will still be closed in the early spring, the late spring could be an ideal time to do this trip, with warm weather interspersed with light showers on the north coast and some lingering wildflowers by the time you reach the southern deserts.

The mid-fall around October, is another surprisingly great time for this trip. You would maximize your chance of seeing clear coastal views along the north coast, be able to access mountain passes before the heavy snow starts and get temperate weather for outdoor activities all over the state.

In addition to timing your trip to coincide with spring blooms or October skies, consider including a few concerts or festivals along the way.

In addition to gigantic festivals like Coachella, which happens in April, there are smaller ones like Outsidelands in San Francisco which takes place every August and the Monterey Jazz Festival in September.

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A Vanlifer’s Ultimate California Road Trip [With Local Destination Guides]

The beauty of van life is the ability to drive wherever, whenever you want. And, in our opinion, a California road trip is one of the best adventures you can go on in the United States.

There aren’t many places in the world that have deserts, mountain ranges, and white sandy beaches all in one area — this is why California comes out on top as a road trip destination. From the redwoods in the Sequoia National Park to the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California has it all. And if the Golden State wasn’t on your road trip bucket list already, it will be soon enough.

As road trippers, we know that sometimes the hardest part about van life or road trips is finding a route that’s both time and fuel-efficient. It can be a tedious task, we get it.

But luckily for you, we’ve done the hard part and curated the ultimate California road trip itinerary.

Whether you plan to begin your journey in California or if you’re passing through the area, keep on reading. You won’t want to miss this California coast road trip!

Short On Time? Here’s Our California Road Trip Itinerary

If you don’t have time to read our entire guide, you can view a short version of the itinerary below; you can go ahead and jump to any section that peaks your interest. 

Also, be sure to check out our itinerary maps. So as not to overwhelm you, we’ve split the itinerary into 2 legs:

• Redwood National Park to Los Angeles

LA to Lassen Volcanic National Park

Redwood national park to la.

The first leg largely takes you along the Pacific Coast Highway. Here is our recommended list of stops on this leg of the road trip:

Redwood National Park

Napa valley, san francisco, monterey county, santa barbara.

• Greater Los Angeles

This leg will keep you on the coast until you reach San Diego; from there, you’ll head inland and north again.

These are the stops we’ll recommend for the second leg of the journey:

Palm Springs

• Joshua Tree
• Death Valley

Sequoia National Park

• Lassen National Forest

Our California road trip starts off along the state’s north coast at the Redwood National Park. 

As I’m sure you can gather from the name, the Redwood National Park is one of the top places in the world to walk amongst some of the biggest trees on Earth. If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be an ant, then you’ll have your answer after visiting Redwood. 

Some of the trees in the Redwood National Park are over 2,000 years old and stand over 300 feet tall. With countless hikes, scenic drives, and access to the beach, you can spend 2 to 3 days at the National Park, taking in all the natural beauty, wildlife, and breathtaking views. 

Scenic Drives in Redwood National Park

Sometimes, the best part about a road trip is driving along large stretches of road with valleys or coastlines rolling past your windows.

As the Redwood National Park is easily accessible, there are numerous routes you can drive along for uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean or the towering redwoods . Here are some of our favorites: 

• Redwood Creek Overlook
• Klamath River Overlook
• Crescent Beach Overlook
• Howland Hill Road
• Bald Hills Road
• Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway
• Coastal Loop

Campgrounds in Redwood National Park

Redwood National Park is actually split into 4 sections: the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, the Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, and the Redwood National Park.

There are no hotels within the National Park boundaries , but there are 4 campsites in the 3 State Parks. It’s best to book these campsites in advance, especially if you’re visiting during the summer months. 

Visitors Centers

As with many National Parks throughout America, the Redwood National Park has a couple of visitor centers where you can learn more about the area and all of its history.

The Kuchel Visitor Center is the park’s main center, but you can also find the Hiouchi Redwoods Visitor Center in the northern section of the park.

From the Redwood National Park, there is a beautiful scenic drive down Highway 1, aka Pacific Coast Highway, which takes you along vast stretches of California’s coast. Many people refer to this drive as the Lost Coast, and we find it the perfect route to the next California road trip stop of Mendocino. 

The drive is roughly 4 hours , but there are numerous campgrounds along the way to break up your time on the road. Some of the campsites are even dotted along the shores, so the journey is a destination in itself. 

When you reach Mendocino, you’re in for even more incredible hikes through spectacular state parks, strolls along the magnificent California coastline, and you can even add a little wine tasting to the itinerary if you so wish. 

State Parks in Mendocino

These are the state parks you’ll find in Mendocino :

• Russian Gulch State Park 
• Mendocino Headlands State Park
• Van Damme State Park

Other Things to Do in Mendocino

Apart from visiting parks, here are a few more things you can do while you’re exploring Mendocino :

• Wonder through Downtown Mendocino
• Visit the Mendocino Bay Viewpoint for that perfect photo opportunity
• Cycle or hike along the Big River Haul Road
• Witness incredible wildlife at the Jug Handle State Natural Reserve
• Kayak or paddle board down the Big River
• Head to the Point Cabrillo Light Station
• Visit one of Mendocino’s vineyards for a wine tasting experience

Also, from November through to April, you can head out on a whale watching tour to see California gray whales .

If you didn’t manage to get any wine tasting done in Mendocino, you’re in luck. Napa Valley is one of California’s most famous wine regions , and is lined with vineyards and wineries of indescribable beauty. If you’re a wine connoisseur, we’d highly urge you to dedicate a few days for a wine country road trip through Napa County.

Of course, as you can imagine, there are numerous vineyards to explore, with the most popular being the Sattui Winery in St. Helena.

Things to Do in Napa Besides Wine Tasting

If you aren’t a fan of wine , don’t worry — there are plenty of other things to do in Napa :

• See the vineyards and Mount Saint Helena from a bird’s eye view in a hot air balloon.
• Ride the 36-mile round trip Napa Valley Wine Train.
• Visit Calistoga and relax in some of the country’s best and only mud baths.
• Walk along the streets of Downtown Napa.
• Dine in style at one of Napa’s six Michelin Star restaurants. 
• Hike up, Mount St. Helena. The hike is moderately challenging, but you get magnificent views of the Napa region.
• Drive down the Silverado Trail to see the hills and vineyards of Napa.

After wrapping up in Napa Valley, you’ll want to make your way down to San Francisco.  Well known throughout the world for its numerous attractions and landmarks, San Francisco is an absolute must-visit destination on your great California road trip. 

Golden Gate Bridge

When 4 engineers designed and built the Golden Gate Bridge in 1937, it was the longest suspension bridge on Earth. That record has now been beaten by the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Tokyo, but the Golden Gate Bridge still remains one of the modern wonders of the world.

The bridge, which is 1.7 miles long , has become the most photographed bridge on the planet and should definitely be on your must-see list when visiting San Francisco.

If famous bridges weren’t enough, San Francisco is also home to — arguably — the world’s most notorious prison, Alcatraz. The federal prison may not house any prisoners today, but it has become one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions.

When you visit the prison on Alcatraz Island, you can take a walk inside and see where the likes of Al Capone and George Kelly served their time . 

Ride the Cable Cars

San Francisco is the only place in the world with manually operated cable car systems running through its streets. 

When the first cable cars were added to their tracks in 1873, their popularity soared. But, just under 20 years later, engineers designed the first electric streetcar, and so the decline of manual cars began. 

In our opinion, the cable cars in San Francisco are an excellent way to see the city, and as they’re the last manual cable cars in the world, its an experience you won’t get elsewhere.

Visit San Francisco’s Resident Sea Lions

If you’ve heard anything about San Francisco, then you’re probably well aware of the city’s resident sea lions. You can find the California sea lion community on the docks of Pier 19 at the Fisherman’s Wharf . 

If you’re traveling with kids, then Fisherman’s Wharf is also a great place to explore as it has a high concentration of family-related activities. The USS Pampanito submarine, which took part in World War II, Madame Tussauds wax museum, and  Ripley’s Believe It or Not! are just a few of the kid-friendly attractions in Fisherman’s Wharf. 

Visit the Twin Peaks

If you’re after amazing views of the Bay Area, you need to head to the Twin Peaks. The peaks stand at 922 feet tall and are easily accessible by car or tourist bus.

After you’ve been to the top of the peaks, you can make your way back down to the 64-acre park and enjoy some quiet time. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the endangered Mission Blue Butterfly.

Roughly an hour’s drive south of San Francisco is the next stop on your California road trip — Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz sure does have some character and is seen by many as the land of the mountains, surf, and laid-back vibes .

When you think of a Californian beach town, Santa Cruz is what will pop up in your head.  Surfers ripping waves in the ocean, boardwalks along the beach, and plenty of ice cream stalls dotted around the place. 

Whether you stop in Santa Cruz for just the day or if you spend the entire weekend there, you’re guaranteed a fun, relaxed, and enjoyable visit. 

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is iconic. It’s been in numerous movies mainly thanks to its old-fashioned fun fair that features a historic wooden roller coaster, The Giant Dipper. 

Everyone loves amusement parks, especially when they’re situated right alongside the beach, so spend the afternoon getting your adrenaline pumping and indulge in the Boardwalk’s many sweet treats.

Drive Along West Cliff Drive

Driving along any stretch of California’s Pacific Coast Highway is unforgettable, and the West Cliff Drive is no exception. West Cliff has some of the most beautiful views in all of Santa Cruz, and if you have time, we highly recommend getting out of your car and taking in the refreshing ocean air.

You may never have heard of Monterey County, but once your road trip is complete, you’ll most definitely want to head back. 

Carmel-by-the-Sea

One of the most popular attractions in Monterey is the beach in the city of Carmel. The beach is stunning with its white sand and relatively calm waters, which makes it a great stop for families on the road.

After you’ve finished up at the beach, you need to take a stroll through the quaint Carmel-by-the-Sea town. It feels like you’ve jumped in a time machine and headed back in time. The cobblestone paths and unique buildings are an attraction of their own when visiting Monterey. 

Drive the 17 Mile Drive

The 17-mile drive down the Monterey Peninsula’s southern side is an epic road that gives you some of the most beautiful views that Monterey has to offer.

We recommend starting the drive from the Pacific Grove Gate and working your way down to Carmel to enjoy the beach and Carmel city. 

Other Things to Do in Monterey

Here are a few more activities that are worth your time while you’re in Monterey :

• Go shopping on Cannery Row and see one of the largest populations of California sea lions.
• Visit the award-winning Monterey Bay Aquarium.
• Go souvenir shopping at Old Fisherman’s Wharf.
• Head out on one of the many whale watching tours.

A short, 45-minute drive south of Monterey, is Big Sur, which is home to over 90 miles of jagged coastline and the St. Lucia Mountain Range . With this great diversity of landforms come numerous activities for nature lovers to enjoy. 

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

The Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park got its name from one of Big Sur’s beloved pioneers, Julia Pfeiffer. While walking one of the seven marked trails, you’ll encounter intriguing coves, picturesque waterfalls, and towering redwood forests. 

One of the most popular trails is the Waterfall Overlook Trail. It’s less than a mile long and takes you to the McWay Falls, which is one of Big Sur’s most popular attractions.

If you’re on the hunt for whales, this is the place to be.

From December to February and March to May, migrating gray whales frequent the waters around the Big Sur coast , with some even coming up into the cove into which the McWay Falls flows.

Pfeiffer Beach

If your feet are sore from hiking, or you’re just short on time, you can head to Pfeiffer Beach.

Pfeiffer offers its visitors expansive shorelines that are towered by rock formations and thick vegetation.

One of the most famous rock formations in the area is a few feet out into the ocean.

This rock is the Pfeiffer Keyhole Rock, which got its distinguishable arch from thousands of years of erosion. During low tide, you’re able to walk through the water to the rock, and if you can wait until sunset, then you’ll have an incredible photo opportunity. 

Sand Dollar Beach

Sand Dollar Beach is Big Sur’s largest stretch of unbroken sand and is said to be one of the best surfing locations in the area.

Now, we know not everyone is into surfing, so if you’re heading to the beach, you can also try your luck at beachcombing.

You see, this is where the shoreline gets its name — from sand dollars that wash up on the shore. Sand dollars are flat, burrowing sea urchins that, once dead, turn white and end up on the beach.

From Big Sur, your next stop will be down the coast in southern California.

Santa Barbara is home to many celebrities , including George Lucas, Ellen DeGeneres, and Drew Barrymore.

And, with celebrities settling in Santa Barbara, it must be a nice place to visit. 

This charming city, which many people nickname the American Riviera, is full of fancy shops and 5-star restaurants, along with beautiful beaches, cozy cafes, and numerous photo opportunities. 

Visit the Mission Santa Barbara

The Mission Santa Barbara is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, which makes it a must-see during your California road trip. 

In 1925, an earthquake destroyed buildings all throughout Santa Barbara. Then, during the rebuild, builders designed and constructed buildings in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, which was inspired by the Mission Santa Barbara.

Stearns Wharf and the Santa Barbara Pier

Stearns Wharf isn’t just a great place to head to if you’re after incredible views — it also leads to the Santa Barbara Pier, which sits at the end of State Street. 

Built in 1872, the Santa Barbara Pier is the oldest working wooden wharf in California . At the time of construction, it was also the longest deep-water pier in the area between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Nowadays, the pier is home to numerous attractions, like the Sea Center and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.

Walk, Skate, or Cycle the Cabrillo Bike Path

If you want to feel like you’re in a California-based movie, you’ll want to either skate, cycle , or walk down the Cabrillo Bike Path. The path runs between some of Santa Barbara’s best beaches and has palm trees lining its edges.

Head to the Funk Zone for Some Nightlife

After a week or two on the road, you may well feel like you need a night out. If that’s the case, the Funk Zone is the perfect place to go!

The Funk Zone is full of some of Santa Barbara’s best cafes, restaurants, and entertainment venues, as well as boutique shops, art galleries, and street art displays .

Just over an hour down California’s Pacific Coast Highway is the beach city of Malibu.

Now, we would be lying if we said the majority of your time won’t be spent on one of Malibu’s many beaches, because, well, that’s what Malibu is known for!

Point Dume State Beach

One of Malibu’s most popular beaches, Point Dume is the perfect place to relax and unwind. If you aren’t into lying on a beach, the State Beach also has a hiking trail that offers you a short and interesting hike with views of the Santa Monica Bay, Santa Monica Mountains, and, on a clear day, Catalina Island.

Zuma is another one of the city’s well-known beaches. It’s the biggest one in Malibu, so as you can imagine, it’s a hotspot for locals and tourists alike. 

The beach is a great stop for families, couples, or solo travelers; if you can, stay for the sunset . Depending on the conditions, the sky lights up with shades of orange, red, and pink.

Once you finish up in Malibu, you can drive a further 20 minutes south to Santa Monica to enjoy the Santa Monica Pier, the Santa Monica Beach, and even visit the original Muscle Beach Gym.

Los Angeles

Everyone, and we mean everyone, has heard of Los Angeles. So, of course, it was a no-brainer to add to your California road trip itinerary.

LA is home to amazing entertainment, nightlife , restaurants, and theme parks, all of which certainly make it a place you don’t want to miss.

Hollywood Sign

If you head to Santa Monica, the Hollywood Sign in northern Los Angeles is on your way. The Hollywood sign is about a 30-minute drive from Santa Monica , and in our opinion, you can’t visit LA without making a trip to see the world-famous mountainside lettering. 

If you don’t want to hike up to the sign, then there are a few places you can head to that offer amazing views from down below. These include Lake Hollywood Park, the Hollywood Reservoir, and North Beachwood Drive. 

While, sadly, you can’t touch the sign, you can hike up Mount Lee to get views of Los Angeles from behind it.

There are a few options to get you to the top of the mountain; these include:

• Walking along Mulholland Dr or Deronda Dr from Lake Hollywood Park
• Hike the Wonderview Trail
• From the Griffith Observatory parking lot take the Mount Hollywood Trail
• Set off from the Bronson Caves

Stargaze at the Griffith Observatory

At the peak of Griffith Park is the Griffith Observatory, which is one of the world’s finest planetariums. If you’re interested in all things space, then the Griffith Observatory is a must-do while you’re on your California road trip visiting LA. 

The observatory has a 290-seat planetarium, giant telescopes, and educational films that teach you all about the planets, stars, and give you sneak-peek at the mysteries of the universe.  

Take a Ride on a Hop-on-Hop-off Bus

One of the easiest ways to see LA is by jumping on a hop-on hop-off bus. Not only do these buses take you to all the must-see destinations, but they also have guides to the city’s history and other relevant information.

Head Down to Venice Beach

While in LA, you’ll find yet another world-famous California destination — Venice Beach.

Venice Beach is an ideal destination for those looking to catch some waves before relaxing with a drink at one of the many bars.

Drive to Huntington City Beach

If you’re a beach lover, you’ll want to head about an hour south of Venice Beach to Huntington Beach.

On your drive, you’ll also pass through Long Beach; we highly recommend visiting all 3 beaches as they all have unique characteristics that set them apart from the rest.

This one only really applies to all the Disney lovers out there, but when there is a Disney park in the area, you just have to go.

The first-ever Disneyland Park to open was in Anaheim in 1955. Since Anaheim is only a 26 drive from Los Angeles, it is a no-brainer. 

Laguna Beach

If you aren’t a Disney fan, your next stop after departing Los Angeles should be Laguna Beach. It’s about an hour’s drive south, but the picturesque coastline is well worth it. 

After all the outdoor activities you’ve been doing, we hope you aren’t sunburnt by this point, as Laguna Beach has lengthy stretches of sandy seashore, and many hiking trails to explore.

Head to the Beach

As Laguna Beach has seven miles of coastline, you could spend days exploring some of its many beaches. Here are some to help you make a decision:

• Crescent Bay – Good for kayaking and sea lion spottings
• Thalia Street Beach – Perfect for beginner surfers
• Rockpile Beach – Ideal for experienced surfers
• Treasure Island Beach – Amazing views and a secluded cove to explore
• Aliso Beach – For firepits and bonfires
• Main Beach – Basketball and volleyball nets

Hike Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

The Laguna Coast Wilderness Park has 40 miles of trails that wind through vast sycamore and oak woodlands. You can do all sorts of activities on the trails, from mountain biking to bird watching.

The southernmost destination of our California road trip takes us to San Diego.

San Diego is yet another city in California that has unforgettable beaches, vibrant nightlife , and captivating attractions. Exploring these is definitely worth your time.

Visit Balboa Park

Balboa Park is home to the San Diego Zoo, which is classed as one of the best zoos not just in the United States but in the entire world. 

What’s more, the 1,200-acre park that houses the zoo makes an ideal location for bike rides, scenic walks, and picnics.

Spend Time at Mission Beach and Pacific Beach

Mission Beach and Pacific beach connect together to form the shoreline of San Diego. With miles of sand, nearby boardwalks, and even an amusement park, you’ll always find something to keep you entertained throughout your visit. 

Although these beaches are connected and share the same coastline, they couldn’t be any more different from one another. Mission Beach has calmer waters and a more relaxed vibe in general. Pacific Beach, on the other hand, is more upbeat and lively, with restaurants, shops, and bars lining the Mission Boulevard.

Enjoy the Views at Sunset Cliffs

As I’m sure you can tell by its name, Sunset Cliffs is San Diego’s best sunset-watching location. With untouched vegetation and dramatic cliff faces, the area is picture-worthy during the day and night, but it’s best to go around sunset time.

Now it’s time to turn around on your California road trip and head back up north to Palm Springs.

Palm Springs has a few notable attractions that deserve your attention, so it makes sense to stop here before you go on to hike Joshua Tree and Death Valley later on in the trip. 

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Once you make it to Tramway Road, you’ll come across a gondola ride that works its way from Palm Spring up into the San Jacinto Mountains.

If you’ve been struggling with the heat, the aerial tramway will be a godsend as the air temperature drops by double digits once you reach the top . 

Tahquitz Canyon

It’s not every day you see flowing water right in the middle of a desert. But, at Tahquitz Canyon, that is exactly what you’ll see. 

The two-mile loop trail leads you to a waterfall that is tucked into the Tahquitz Canyon. If you worked up a sweat on the trail you can even take a dip in the falls to cool off .

Mount San Jacinto State Park

If you like what you saw on the Palm Spring aerial tramway, why not hike through southern California’s second-highest mountain range?

The Mount San Jacinto State Park takes you up roughly 11,000 feet above sea level and gives you impeccable views of the alpine forests and surrounding areas.

Joshua Tree National Park 

We hope you rested up in Palm Springs as you’ve got some long hikes ahead of you in the Joshua Tree National Park.

Joshua Tree is around a 40-minute drive from Palm Springs and has some stark differences from the coastal towns you drove through not long ago.

Joshua Tree has over 795,000 acres of rock formations and stark desert with hiking trails a-plenty throughout. 

Hidden Valley Nature Trail

The Hidden Valley Nature Trail is one of the shorter and easily accessible hikes in Joshua Tree, and it will take you on a 1-mile loop through an opening into a large rock-walled bowl. 

Barker Dam Nature Trail

The Barker Dam Nature Trail is another relatively short route that goes for 1.3 miles past Joshua trees, rocks, and bodies of water.

Many people turn around and walk the loop back once they reach the remnants of a water tank. But we recommend carrying on. Although this makes the hike shorter, you actually miss the best bit — the largest trees beyond the dam.

Ryan Mountain Hike

If you’re after a more challenging hike, then the path from Park Boulevard up the Ryan Mountain should be right up your alley. Known as the Royal Mountain Hike, this 3-mile up-and-down hike takes you up 1,000 feet of elevation. But the 360-degree views of Joshua Tree at the top are well worth it. 

Other Things to Do in Joshua Tree

Here are a few more things you can do at Joshua Tree National Park apart from hiking:

• Visit Skull Rock
• Drive up to Keys View Lookout Point
• Explore the Cholla Cactus Garden
• Marvel over Joshua Trees’ rare permanent spring, Cottonwood Spring Oasis
• Hike the Arch Rock Trail
• Gaze at the stars come nightfall

What to Do After Joshua Tree

If you want to explore other natural attractions on your California road trip, make your way over to the San Bernardino National Forest. From the deserts in Joshua Tree to the 800,000 acres of woodlands in San Bernardino, you’ll truly feel like you teleported to another world and not just driven an hour down the road. 

San Bernardino is an awesome hiking location with hot springs, the Big Bear Lake, scenic drives, and wildlife encounters. But be aware, there are bears in the area.

Campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree has a large selection of campsites to choose from. However, if you’re traveling into the area with an RV or van, 2 of the best sites are the Black Rock Campground and the Cottonwood Campground as they both have drinking water and flushable toilets.

Death Valley National Park

Now it’s time to head back up to northern California to explore Death Valley. And don’t worry, we know it doesn’t have the most appealing name, but the area is truly magnificent. 

Death Valley is the lowest, driest, and hottest place on Earth. If that doesn’t intrigue you, then I’m not sure what will.

An aptly-named section of the park, Furnace Creek, received the hottest temperature ever recorded in July of 1913.

Wondering what that temperature was?

Well, it was 134°F. Yikes.

Dante’s View

Dante’s View offers one of the best viewpoints at Death Valley.

There is a parking lot at the viewpoint, along with trails, to give you a different perspective of the land down below. 

Zabriskie Point

If you’re visiting Death Valley at sunset, you should head to Zabriskie Point. There is a short walk to the overlook, and then there are short trails that lead out into the hills.

Badwater Basin

Few can say they’ve been to the lowest point in the USA. But you can — if you visit Badwater Basin, that is! Badwater Basin sits 282 feet below sea level and comprises wide-open salt flats.

Other Things to Do in Death Valley

If you feel that you can tolerate a bit more heat, here are a few other activities to engage in at Death Valley National Park :

• Explore the lumpy salt flats of Devil’s Golf Course
• Enjoy the 9-mile scenic drive down Artists Drive
• Hike Golden Canyon and Gower Gulch
• Walk to Darwin Falls and enjoy the natural wonder of a waterfall in the desert
• Sled down the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
• Visit the Ubehebe Crater and witness a once active volcano

Campgrounds in the Death Valley National Park

Campsites in Death Valley work on a first-come-first-serve basis.

That said, the Furnace Creek Campground takes reservations during its busy season.

If you plan to camp at Death Valley, remember — temperatures are scorching during the summer months, and because of this, most campsites are closed.

Time to beat the heat of Death Valley and head west to get to some much-needed shade in the Sequoia National Park.

The Sequoia National Park is home to the world’s largest redwood, Hyperion .

Hyperion stands over 380 feet tall, and if that isn’t a reason to visit Sequoia, then I don’t know what is. 

If the height of Hyperion doesn’t impress you enough, Sequoia is also home to the largest tree by volume. The General Sherman Tree is more than 36 feet in diameter at its base. For perspective, it would take about 20 people holding hands to hug this tree.

Things to Do in the Sequoia National Park

Sequoia National Park offers more than just majestic redwoods for you to admire; there are plenty of attractions and activities from which to choose.

Here are some that we’d recommend:

• Visit the Giant Forest Museum
• Climb 390 steps to Moro Rock (the view is well worth it)
• Drive through the Tunnel Log
• Explore the Crystal Cave marble cavern
• Take a dip at the Tokopah Falls
• Drive under Tunnel Rock

Hiking Trails in the Sequoia National Park

Needless to say, there are a few excellent hiking trails at the park, too:

• Crescent Meadow Trail
• Big Trees Trail
• Congress Trail

Campgrounds at the Sequoia National Park

There are 7 campgrounds dotted around the park.

That said, the best one to head to if you’re traveling in RVs or vans is the Potwisha Campground.

Potwisha can accommodate RVs up to 24 feet long, and the area has flushing toilets, water, and other amenities.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is one of America’s most famous National Parks. And for a very good reason.

The park’s vistas are stunningly beautiful and offer guests a range of activities, from hiking and biking to fishing and rock climbing. 

Yosemite Falls

One of the prettiest parts of the Yosemite National Park is the Yosemite Falls. This waterfall pours its way down over the granite wall smashing against the rocks down below.

Because of its height, you can see the waterfall from numerous areas in the park, but the best view is at the start of the Yosemite Falls hike. 

You can hike your way down the trail to reach the base of the falls with minimal effort. On particularly hot days, the mist the falls create is pleasant and refreshing, so we highly recommend this hike.

Another of Yosemite’s popular sites is the Half Dome climbing wall. Climbers from all over the country have flocked to Yosemite to tackle the giant granite wall that towers over the valley.

If you aren’t looking to climb the wall, then there are two great options that give you fantastic views of the Half Dome.

The first is at the Glacier Point Lookout, where you can see how much the rockface actually looms over the valley and the surrounding mountains.

And the second option is the Mirror Lake hiking trail, which takes you to the bottom of the rock so you can see it from an ant’s perspective.

Tunnel View

The most iconic Yosemite Valley view is from the Tunnel Valley, which stretches out to Bridalveil Fall, El Captain, and the Half Dome.

The best time to visit is during the afternoon, when all the walls are bathed in direct sunlight.

Other Things to Do at Yosemite

Here are a few more things for you to do while you’re at Yosemite National Park :

• Gaze at the 3,000-foot El Captain Rock.
• Drive an hour up to Glacier Point
• Hike to the Bridalveil Fall
• If you’re skilled, try climbing the rocks of Yosemite
• Hike Tioga Road
• Cycle along Yosemite’s 12 miles of paved paths

Campgrounds at the Yosemite National Park

Yosemite has 13 campgrounds, most of which have sites for RVs.

It’s important to book ahead as much as possible to secure yourself a camp space , as all the campgrounds in Yosemite fill up fast.

Heading further northeast on the ultimate California road trip will take you up to Lake Tahoe, where you can spend the day hiking through the Sierra Nevada Mountains or participating in water sports on the lake itself.

Emerald Bay

Emerald Bay is a small sheltered cove of Lake Tahoe that has relatively shallow water, which gives the bay its beautiful turquoise color . 

Overlooking the bay is a Scandinavian castle, Vikingsholm, which is open to the public. Guests can take a tour inside after hiking its steep one-mile trail.

Alternatively, you can jump in a kayak or get up on a paddle board and explore the lake from the water itself. 

Hiking Lake Tahoe

Some of the more beautiful hiking trails are at the lake’s southern end. These trails include:

• Fallen Leaf Lake Trail
• Cascade Falls Trail
• Rubicon Trail

Partake in Winter Sports

During the winter months, Lake Tahoe transforms into a world-renowned alpine skiing destination. Even if you aren’t an avid skier, the ride to the Observation Deck via a 9,123-foot gondola gives you outstanding views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding areas. 

Other Things to Do in Lake Tahoe

When you’ve had enough of skiing and water sports, you can still find a few exciting things to do around Lake Tahoe:

• Have a picnic at the D.L Bliss State Park
• Relax on the sandy beaches at the Sand Harbor State Park
• Hike the Eagle Rock Hiking Trail

Sacramento is one of our final stops on this California road trip itinerary. As the state capital, the city features plenty of historical landmarks . Below are our top picks.

California State Railroad Museum

Over 500,000 people flock to the California State Railroad Museum every year, and if you too are interested in trains, we suggest you make a stop there yourself . 

The museum is spread out over six buildings and showcases railroad cars and locomotives, along with their history, and how the railroads shaped California and its economy.

Pony Express Terminal

The endpoint of the Pony Express was in the Pony Express Terminal in Sacramento. Although the mail service is no longer around, the building was named a National Historic Landmark, which now belongs to the Wells Fargo History Museum.

American River Bike Trail

Grab a bike and cycle along 32 miles of paved roads on the American River Bike Trail. The trail runs from Discovery Park to Beal’s Point and has separate lanes for people going either way.

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Our final stop on this California road trip will take you to the Lassen Volcanic National Park, which is around a 3-hour drive from Sacramento. And, don’t worry, Lassen is well worth it.

The Lassen Volcanic National Park is home to all 4 types of volcanos: cinder cone, plug dome, composite, and shield. And the best part is some of these volcanos are still active . 

Hikes and trails throughout the park can take you alongside volcanic gas vents, steam vents, turquoise pools of water, and boiling mud pots. Now, that’s something you don’t see every day. 

But, along with the volcanic activity in the area, there are also plenty of lakes, waterfalls, and scenic drives that you can fill your days in Lassen with. 

The Best Trails in the Lassen Volcanic National Park

Not everything comes easy, and some of the best views require some work to get there. We hope you have your hiking boots ready, as the Lassen National Park has some incredible hikes that you won’t want to miss. These include:

• Bumpass Hell Trail – Easy
• Sulphur Works Sidewalk Trail – Easy
• Devils Kitchen Trail – Challenging
• Lassen Peak Trail – Challenging
• Cinder Cone Trail – Challenging

Other Things to Do in the Lassen Volcanic National Park

If you’re tired of hiking, you can find some time to relax and take in the natural beauty at the landmarks below:

• Manzanita Lake 
• Juniper Lake
• Emerald Lake
• Boiling Springs Lake
• Kings Creek Falls
• Mill Creek Falls

Finally, you can take a drive down the Lassen Park Highway and immerse yourself in the surrounding scenery from the comfort of your vehicle.

Campgrounds in Lassen Volcanic National Park

There are 7 separate campgrounds throughout Lassen, but only 3 can accommodate RVs and trailers. These 3 sites include Manzanita Lake, Summit Lake, and Butte Lake.

That said, there are no RV hookups, so make sure your RV or van is equipped with everything you’ll need during your stay. 

California Road Trip: Conclusion

So, there you have it! The ultimate California road trip. We hope this itinerary has helped you shape your future trip through the beautiful state of California.

As we wrap up this article, we’d love to know your favorite parts of California. Did this itinerary help you? And is there anything we should have added to the destination or activity list? Let us know in the comment section down below!

Please note that all comments will be checked by our team before being approved.

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The Best California Road Trip Itineraries: 13 Grand Adventures

California is built for road trips. We’ve got 163,000 square miles of mountains, desert, redwood forest, beaches and pastoral landscapes. And while driving the Pacific Coast Highway or doing a lap of Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks are popular (more on them below), there are a whole lot of other backroads and coastal drives that await you.

So, we’ve compiled our favorite baker’s dozen of California road trip itineraries. These CA road trip ideas cover the whole state, north, south, east and west and all of them promise stunning landscapes and epic adventures.

(This article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase, I’ll make a small commission.)

• Our 13 Fave California Road Trip Itineraries

This CA road trip planner has a lot of detail. Each itinerary has mileage info and suggested number of days along with a rough idea of which roads to take. We’re also suggesting some itinerary highlights, when to go and some top stays along the way.

We think you should read the whole thing, so that you can get itinerary ideas for multiple trips. But if you’re in a hurry, please use the table of contents to skip around to the areas which most peak your interest.

Pacific Coast Highway: SF to LA

Pacific coast highway: north coast, north coast redwoods, the central coast loop, napa/sonoma wine country drive, highway 49 gold country route, the lassen/shasta volcanic legacy highway.

• National Park Trifecta: Yosemite, King's Canyon and Sequoia National Parks

Highway 395 Eastern Sierra Drive

South coast beaches: la to san diego, california deserts loop: san diego to death valley, the best of the sierra nevada scenic drive, the best california road trip itinerary (in 2 weeks).

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• Start : San Francisco
• End : Los Angeles (you can do the reverse, but pullouts are easier to do north-to-south.)
• Miles : 460
• # of Days : 3-6
• Route : Highway 1 all the way down

The Pacific Coast Highway is America’s classic road trip and hand’s down the most popular California road trip itinerary. It actually runs the full length of California from the Oregon Border to San Diego. And we cover more sections of it in the North Coast and South Coast road trips below.

But the section from SF to LA is a fave Cali road trip for the sheer jaw-dropping scenery. If you need some convincing, check out our advice on why we think Big Sur is so worth it .

Just go ahead and bookmark our SF to LA PCH itinerary . It’s a 5-7 day slow roll down the coast which is optimized for epic coastal views, marine life, wine tasting and fun beaches.

On the northern section of the drive, key stops include whale watching in Monterey Bay, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and the 17-mile drive through Carmel .

Once you hit Big Sur , our favorite stops include the Point Lobos State Park, Garrapata Beach, redwoods in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, McWay Falls, Pfeiffer Beach (purple sand!), Sand Dollar Beach, the Piedras Blancas lighthouse , Hearst Castle and elephant seals at Ragged Point.

After Cambria, you can head inland for wine tasting in Paso Robles or stay on the coast road. You can visit quirky Harmony town , do some fun hikes and eat cookies in Cayucos , or take on some activities in Pismo Beach , like visiting Pismo’s best beaches or doing some Edna Valley wine tasting .

In the southern section of the hike, you can visit the quirky Solvang Danish town, do yet more wine tasting in Los Olivos and swing into Santa Barbara to visit the mission and art galleries. Then it’s a long roll down Highway 1 past some of Northern LA County’s prettiest beaches.

When to Do the PCH

Summer is the busiest time to visit Big Sur . And winter is very tricky because winter storms often close Highway 1 through Big Sur. We favor April/May or September-November for the finer weather and slower pace.

Notable Places to Stay on the PCH

The Hyatt Carmel Highlands is a 5-star splurge with killer views. For something more low-key amidst the redwoods, you can also rent glamping cabins in Big Sur . Get an ocean view (with free sunsets!) at the Vespera Marriott in Pismo Beach.

• End : Leggett
• Miles : 210
• # of Days : 3-5
• Route : Highway 1 all the way up

This northern section of the PCH is less popular than the Central California section, but it’s notable for its rugged coastline, Tule elk, some of our favorite northern California coastal towns . And if you’re thirsty, there’s no shortage of wine tasting throughout this region.

On the southern end of this road trip, notable stops include Muir Woods (reservations in advance are required), the Marin Headlands and dog-friendly Stinson Beach (one of our favorite CA hippie towns .)

In the mid section, Point Reyes National Seashore is worth at least a full day, with tons of hikes, Tule elk, elephant seals and the lovely cypress tunnel. There are also wine and cheese tasting rooms nearby. Cute Bodega Bay is worth a stop, as are the Sonoma Coast, Fort Ross and Salt Point State Parks.

There’s also a ton to do in and around Fort Bragg and Mendocino. Detour onto Highway 128 to visit the Anderson Valley vineyards and take a stroll through the Hendy Woods redwood groves. You can also find coast redwoods and a fern grove in Van Damme State Park , killer sunsets on the Mendocino Headlands, a quiet cove at Jug Handle beach and the skunk trail and rail bikes in Fort Bragg.

We are (arbitrarily) ending this routing in Leggett on Highway 101, but you can combine this California road trip plan with the one for the North Coast redwoods and do both as a loop.

When to Do the North Coast

This part of California receives a ton of rain between December and March. Any other months are fine and April/May and Sept/Oct are quieter times to go.

Notable Places to Stay on the North Coast

The Palace Hotel in SF is one of the city’s oldest and it offers afternoon tea in their stunning atrium lobby. For some oceanfront bathing, the Seamist cottage in Bodega Bay has an ocean front hot tup and the North Cliff hotel in Fort Bragg has ocean view bathtubs with a fireplace.

• End : Crescent City
• Miles : 355
• # of Days : 4-7 days
• Route : Highway 101/Highway 1 all the way up

This is one of our favorite California road trip itineraries for all of the forest bathing opportunities. California’s North Coast Redwoods can easily be done as a loop in conjunction with the coastal route just above. Or, if you are keen for some serious me-time in the trees, you can just focus on this particular itinerary.

This road trip covers 13 state parks, one national park and some whacky roadside attractions…all focused on Coast Redwoods. We have a very thorough redwoods road trip itinerary with a full FAQ, map, advice on the best time to visit the redwoods , and trip planning ideas.

But here are some of our favorite highlights: The Avenue of the Giants scenic drive in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, the scenic Drury parkway drive in Prairie Redwoods State Park, the Roosevelt Elk in Prairie Redwoods, the wacky Trees of Mystery , the Lady Bird Johnson grove in Redwoods National park, and the groves and Boy Scout hike in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.

Phew, that’s a lot of trees!

When to Do the North Coast Redwoods

Notable places to stay in the redwoods.

There aren’t a lot of fancy hotels in this part of California. You’ll want to look for cozy inns and places that give you forest or ocean views. You can go glamping in the woods near Trinidad, or at the Mendocino Grove , or lodge at the Lighthouse Inn in Crescent City is near Jedediah Smith and close to downtown restaurants and the actual lighthouse.

• Loop : Between Monterey and Santa Barbara
• Getting There : ~2 hours from LA to Santa Barbara or SF to Monterey
• Miles : 506
• #of Days : 3-5
• Route : Highway 1, Highway 101, Highway 33

Many folks just drive down Highway 1 through Big Sur, which is certainly worth the views and the beaches. But there are some really great things to see and do on the Central Coast’s interior.

This itinerary goes down (or up) the coast and then laps back, taking some little known scenic roads. This whole region has a chill vibe and you can use that to set a leisurely pace for your road trip.

Drive…stop at a beach…drive…stop for a walk…drive…have a long lunch…drive…do a wine tasting…wash rinse repeat.

All of the key stops that we noted on the PCH itinerary above are still relevant. But some of our favorite interior stops include: wine and olive oil tasting in Paso Robles , the San Luis Obisbo Mission, eating danish in Solvang, and the Carrizo Plain National Monument (if the spring flowers are blooming).

We also recommend taking a winding scenic drive through Los Padres National Forest. It goes from Ventacopa to Ojai on Highway 33. And for that matter, it’s really fun to wander around the wine country backroads in Paso Robles and Los Olivos. Even if you aren’t into wine, the countryside is really beautiful.

When to Do the Central Coast Loop

This route is really fun in the summer, after the June gloom fog clears. The Carizzo Plain often blooms in early April. And there are fall wine harvest festivals, which is a great time to visit Pismo Beach .

Notable Places to Stay in on the Central Coast

There’s the completely over the top Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, the Ojai Valley Inn (with spa!), and yet more glamping tents and trailers at the Flying Flag in Buellton (near Solvang).

• Start/End : Loop from San Francisco
• Mile s: 213
• # of Days : 3-4
• Route : Highway 101, Highway 29, Highway 128, Highway 116

Many people just go to either Napa or Sonoma and hang out in one spot for wine tasting. But it’s worth extending your wine country stay and doing a wider loop because you’ll find lovely country drives, state parks, fine cheeses and fun on the water.

This wine country drive is a loop which starts in SF, goes up Napa Valley and down through Healdsburg, with a side trip to Guerneville before heading down Sonoma Valley. If you want to go wine tasting, especially on a weekend, it’s best to get reservations in advance.

In Napa Valley, start by taking a wander around Napa’s downtown shopping and art district. The Oakville Grocery is a great place to pick up picnic provisions and you can do a mud bath in Calistoga. From there, branch off of Highway 128 and take the slow road to the Petrified Forest and Safari West, before heading into Healdsburg.

Healdsburg has a really cute downtown with galleries, boutiques and a great indy bookstore. Heading southwest on Westside road will take you along the Russian River and past the Armstrong Woods State Park (redwoods!) to quirky Guerneville . If it’s summer you can do a lazy river float along the Russian River, or take a cedar bath at the Osmosis Day Spa. Then head south to groovy Sebastopol where there are three dairy tasting rooms from the California Cheese Trail , Finally, heading back east, taking Highway 12 down Sonoma Valley.

Take a hike in the Trione Anondel State Park or visit the Jack London State Historic Park , then taste some yummy private label Jack London wine at the Kenwood Winery. Sonoma has the well-preserved Sonoma Mission, a chill downtown square and a couple more cheese stops.

When to Do the Napa/Sonoma Drive

This region gets a lot of rain in the winter. Which is not to say that you can’t visit during that time, but pay attention to the forecast. The fall is a fun time because of the wine harvest festivals. Any weekend from May to September is going to be very busy, so book ahead.

Notable Places to Stay in Napa/Sonoma

Go for some Buddhist vibes at Bann in Oak Knoll , Dr. Wilkinson’s spa is a quirky boutique motel with mud baths, Autocamp Russian River has the full glamping experience with luxury tents and Airstreams, or a historic ranch stay at the Beltane in Glen Ellen .

• Start : Mariposa
• End : Nevada City
• Miles : 186
• # of Days : 2-4
• Route : Highway 49 all the way up

By most measures, California’s economy is one of the largest in the world. And it all started when, in 1849, gold was found in them thar hills. This historic Highway 49 route, also known as the Golden Chain Highway, takes in some of California’s well-preserved gold rush history and it has a lot of fun activities for kids and history buffs.

The key on this itinerary is to take it slow and take advantage of the many historic markers and tiny little towns along the route. Start in Mariposa, which is also the western gateway to Yosemite National park. It also has a historic park with gold rush exhibits and one of the oldest (and loveliest) county courthouses in the state.

There’s another small county museum in Coulter and a nice vista along the Don Pedro reservoir. If you’re keen on covered bridges, you can take a detour to Knights Ferry. Otherwise continue to Jamestown for the Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, and then through Sonora to the Columbia State Park. It’s an oldey timey gold rush town and living museum.

Take a side trip up Highway 4 to Calaveras Big Trees State Park for some Giant Sequoia trees. Then north to Indian Grinding Rock State Park and then the adorbs little town of Sutter Creek. If you are into wine, there are a lot of places to stop in the stretch between Sutter Creek and Placerville.

North of Placerville, you’ll find the Gold Bug Park and Mine and Sutter’s Mill, which is where gold was initially found. You’ll find the Empire Mine State Park near Grass Valley along with a cute historic downtown in Nevada City, before ending the trip at Malakoff Diggins State Park .

If you have extra time, stay on Highway 49 and then take the Gold Lake Highway scenic byway to Highway 395.

When to Do the Gold Country

Unless there have been heavy winter storms, you can do this drive any time of year. Although expect to find cold winter temps in some of the state parks and Nevada City.

Notable Places to Stay in Gold Country

Bed, breakfast and wine at the Hanford Inn in Sutter Creek. The National Exchange Hotel was built in the throes of the gold rush and it occupies a sweet spot in downtown Nevada City. Or you can go glamping at the Autocamp Midpines , which is just 5 miles from Mariposa.

• Start : Mount Shasta
• End : Lassen National Park
• Route : Highway 89

The official Volcanic Legacy Scenic Highway actually starts at Crater Lake and the full drive is 500 miles. But this alternative routing is shorter and takes in the best bits of the California section. On this drive, you get a lovely mix of volcanic geology, waterfalls and charming historic communities.

This part of northern California is not nearly as popular as places like Lake Tahoe or the PCH, so you can enjoy a relaxed pace and a strong dose of outdoorsy vibe with this itinerary.

Key stops include historic Dunsmuir, Weaverville Joss House State Park, Shasta State Historic Park, Burney Falls, Bumpass Hell hydrothermal pool, Devastated Area interpretive trail and Lake Almador.

When to Do the Lassen/Shasta Drive

Late May through late October. The waterfalls are best in spring, but the main road through Lassen is  closed in the winter .

National Park Trifecta: Yosemite, King’s Canyon and Sequoia National Parks

• Start : Three Rivers
• End : Groveland
• Miles : 276
• # of Days : 4-6
• Route : Generals Highway, Highway 180, Highway 41, Highway 120

This California road trip itinerary is optimized for sheer awe inspiring nature.

Sequoia National Park is famous for their giant Sequoia trees and Kings Canyon has conifer forest and the deepest canyon in North America. There’s a scenic route connecting the two parks. The Generals Highway covers the best-of Sequoia National Park and Highway 180 covers the best-of Kings Canyon, including the Giant Forest, Grant Grove, and trails to Mist Falls and Zumwalt Meadow.

Yosemite is California’s most popular national park, and for good reason. It presents the best of the Sierra Nevada mountain range with pine forests, giant Sequoia groves and soaring granite peaks.

Valley highlights include the Mariposa grove, Glacier Point overlook, Vernal Falls, Mirror Lake loop, and Yosemite falls. In the upper reaches, there’s the scenic drive over Tioga pass, tons of hikes and the Merced grove. Consider cribbing part of this SF to Yosemite itinerary if you’re also keen to add on some Gold Country.

When to Do the National Park Trifecta

Mid-spring through late fall is best. The parks are open throughout the year, but Tioga Pass and the higher elevations will be closed for snow. You can do Yosemite Valley in the winter , but keep an eye on the National Parks site for closures.

Notable Places to Stay on the Trifecta

The Ahwahnee is Yosemite’s historic inn and it has great views and lovely architecture. They Tenaya Lodge is located in the southern section of Yosemite, offering free park entrance and amenities for the kids. And Autocamp in Midpines is a cool glamping option near-ish to Yosemite Valley.

However you stay, even if it’s a modest motel, book early for these parks.

• Start : Bridgeport
• End : Lone Pine
• Miles : 147
• # of Days : 4-6 days
• Route : Highway 395

The Eastern Sierra doesn’t get as much love as the Western Sierra (and Yosemite), but there’s a lot there for people who like crazy geology, hot springs, ghost towns and sparsely populated forests.

This drive is a straight down (or up) Highway 395 and can easily be combined with a visit to Lake Tahoe, the higher elevations of Yosemite National Park or Death Valley. We’ve got a full 5 day Eastern Sierra itinerary along with detailed stay and play guides for both Bishop and Lone Pine .

Some highlights on this itinerary include: Mono Lake and its moonscape, Bodie Ghost Town State Historic Site, the June Lake Loop, Mammoth Lakes, the Devil’s Postpile National Monument, Convict Lake , Hot Creek Geologic site, the Laws Railroad Museum, Manazar National Historic site, and the Alabama Hills.

And if that isn’t enough for you, there are about 2 million acres of National Forest lands which feature alpine lakes, scenic canyon drives and more hiking and fishing than you’ll ever have time for.

When to Do the Highway 395 Drive

Unless you are a skier, winter is not a great time as many of the forest areas and Tioga Pass (via Yosemite) will be closed. Summer is a great time to visit, but it will be hot in the southern end. This is one of our favorite California road trip itineraries for October because the fall color is unbelievable.

Notable Places to Stay in the Eastern Sierra

Just for grins, you can rend a covered wagon at the Virginia Creek Settlement motel . And if you want to pick a central spot for your base, there are tons of condo rentals in Mammoth Lakes .

• Start /End: Los Angeles or San Diego
• Miles : 120
• Route : Highway 1, I-5, Coast Highway/El Camino Real

Forget Disneyland, the San Diego Zoo and the California Missions. This SoCal road trip itinerary is all about the shoreline. And there’s 120 sweet, sweet miles of it between the Los Angeles and San Diego airports.

For this road trip, be sure to override the Google mapping instructions. It will always steer you on the large freeways and this itinerary is best done on the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) and the slower surface roads.

Key stops in greater LA include: Manhattan Beach (stroll or bike The Strand), Huntington Beach (10 miles of uninterrupted sand), Newport Beach (electric Duffy Boat rentals), Catalina Island (old school beach resort) and Laguna Beach (Crystal Cove State Park), and Dana Point (whale watching).

Key stops in greater San Diego include: Carlsbad (spring ranunculus flowers), Encinitas (Moonlight Beach), Solana Beach (San Elijo Lagoon), Torrey Pines State Reserve, and La Jolla (sea lions and tide-pooling).

When to Do the South Coast Beaches

Try to avoid the May/June gloom season. Otherwise, go for it!

Notable Places to Stay in on the South Coast

Laguna Beach House , is a unique surf-themed ocean-front stay. The Hotel del Coronado is an old-school 130 year-old luxury resort hotel with historic architectural features and a prime spot on the beach. The Sea Bird is an oceanfront hotel in Oceanside, with a spa!

• Start/End : San Diego
• Miles : 822
• # of Days : 7-8
• Route : San Diego, Julian, Salton Sea/Bombay Beach, Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park, Kelso Dunes, Death Valley National Park, Ballarat, San Diego

This is one of the best winter California road trip itineraries for its vast open landscape. The southeastern California deserts include both the Sonoran and Mohave deserts. And what to some people is a whole lot of brown, to us is a surprisingly diverse ecosystem with a lot of subtle beauty.

And this lap from San Diego (or LA) shows off the best of CA’s deserts. This itinerary has a fun mix of forest, desert, weird geology and even offbeat art projects.

The first section includes Julian (apple cider and pies), Anza Borrego (hiking and metal sculptures), Slowjamistan (a weird micronation), the Slab City squatter community and the East Jesus art installation .

Center yourself in Palm Springs, taking in the mid-century vibe, palm oasis’ and a scenic lap around the Palms to Pines drive .

Spend at least a day in Joshua Tree (two is better), using our Joshua Tree hiking guide to prioritize which areas to explore, then head into Joshua Tree town for more quirky art projects.

Ignore the Google mapping instructions for how to get to Death Valley and instead, take the slow way to Death Valley via the Amboy Crater and Kelso Dunes. Then use our Death Valley visitor’s guide to plan your time there.

On the way back to San Diego, take the Trona Wildrose road out via Ridgecrest, stopping at Ballarat Death Valley Ghost town on the way out.

When to Do the California Deserts Loop

This whole region is volcanically hot in the summer. October to April is best and going between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is a very quiet time to be in the National Parks.

Notable Places to Stay on the California Deserts Loop

In Palm Springs, go for the Fleur Noire , a low-key spot with floral murals and rosé all day. Joshua Tree town has a ton of quirky trailers and cabins to rent , and the Inn at Death Valley is a fancy historic inn right in the heart of the park.

We’ve also got camping guides for Death Valley , info on hotels and motels in and near Death Valley , and also for Joshua Tree campgrounds .

The two CA road trip itineraries below combine several of the plans noted above into one larger itinerary.

• Start/End : Anywhere along the loop
• Miles : 900-1,000
• # of days : 12-14 days

Glue together the Yosemite/Sequoia, Highway 49 and Highway 395 road trips into one epic, mountain adventure. This itinerary does a full lap around the Sierra Nevada range, with Lake Tahoe at the north end and Lake Isabella at the south end.

After you finish up Highway 49, head over to Lake Tahoe, where you can do a scenic drive around Tahoe . Head over to Highway 395 via either historic Carson City or take Highway 88 over Monitor Pass.

Once you’ve lapped Highway 395, ignore the Google maps instructions and head back over to the western Sierra via Highway 178 and Lake Isabella.

When to Do the Best of the Sierra Nevada Scenic Drive

This drive is best done between late May and early November. You’ll avoid snowy road closures. For any portion of the trip that occurs on a weekend (especially in Yosemite and Tahoe), be sure to book lodging ahead.

• Start/End : San Francisco or LA
• Miles : ~1,000 miles
• # of Days : at least 14, more is better

This loop combines two of the most popular road trips in California: Yosemite/Sequoia and the Pacific Coast Highway from SF to LA.

You can do the drive in either direction, however we like doing the PCH from north-to-south as it’s easier for the scenic pullouts. Do not underestimate how much driving this is, so get an early start everyday and bake in some down time.

If you have extra days and want to spend some time in San Francisco, we have travel tips for SF first timers and a local’s guide to San Francisco .

If you don’t care to visit SF, just use Highway 152 to cut over from Yosemite directly to Monterey and start down Big Sur. If you don’t care to visit LA, head northeast from Ventura, on the scenic Highway 33 through the Los Padres National Forest to Ventacopa, then east from there.

When to Do California’s Most Epic Road Trip

November through April are the worst weather for both the Sierra Nevada range and Big Sur. You’ll also get some June gloom along the coast. We like April/May or July-October for this route.

Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me, as is ever so on the road. Jack Kerouac

Got that right Jack! Enjoy your epic California road trip. Whichever of these routes you take, you are sure to have a most grant adventure.

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6-Day Road Trip on California's Pacific Coast Highway

https://www.foratravel.com/guides/3QHJX9/6-day-road-trip-on-californias-pacific-coast-highway-katherine-flynn

Los Angeles

San Francisco

Santa Barbara

Adventure Travel

Boutique Travel

Domestic Travel

Curator’s statement

The best way to experience California is on the road along highway 101. Starting in LA with stops along the way and completing north of SF, this road-trip itinerary includes where to stay, eat and visit. Luckily this trip is doable year-round but my recommendation is late spring or early fall to avoid summer heat and tourists. From wineries to oysters on the water to boutique hotels, I hope this day-to-day guide will be an inspiration for your next CA road trip.

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Insider knowledge

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Where to stay

Palihouse santa barbara.

In the historic Presidio neighborhood, this charming retreat has just 24 rooms set around a leafy courtyard.

Welcome amenities.

Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

Skyview Los Alamos

Iconic roadside motel-turned-boutique luxury with a pool and working vineyard.

ALiLa Ventana Big Sur

Just off the PCH, this newly all-inclusive and ever-romantic getaway is spread over 160 secluded acres.

$100 food / beverage or spa credit.

Breakfast daily.

Cavallo Point Lodge

A storied San Francisco stay at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, with a top farm-to-table restaurant and pinch-me views.

$100 hotel / resort credit.

Nick's Cove

Set directly on the shores of Tomales Bay, this coastal sanctuary features luxurious cottages and a popular eatery.

Timber Cove Resort

A scenic coastal retreat where nature's beauty meets exquisite luxury.

Unlock perks by contacting Katherine to book your trip.

Day 1: LA to Santa Barbara

Drive up the coast from LA and stop in Santa Barbara. Explore the Funk Zone's tasting rooms and breweries. A few favorites are Topa Topa and Pali Wine Co.

Spend the afternoon at Hendry's or Butterfly Beach. Rent bikes and ride along the boardwalk. Some of the best hiking trails are Inspiration Point, San Ysidro trailhead and Douglas Preserve.

Grab a picnic from Oat Bakery and head to the lawn at Old Mission Santa Barbara. Or spend the whole day relaxing poolside at Palihouse SB .

For dinner, we recommend Bettina , Loquita or Bibi Ji . Before hopping back in the car, grab a coffee at the Dart Coffee Coffee Shop & Garden .

Day 2: Santa Barbara to Los Alamos

At first glance, you’d drive right through Los Alamos thinking there’s not much besides some old Western buildings and antique stores. However, tucked away are some of the best unassuming food spots, including a bakery that will change your life.

After checking in at Skyview, spend the afternoon at Bodega Los Alamos sipping on natural wine surrounded by olive trees and fire pits. Grab dinner at Michelin-starred spot Bell's or seasonal pizza local's fave Full of Life Flatbread .

The next morning stop at Bell's Well Bread bakery for English muffins, scones and simply, a breakfast that can't be missed.

Day 3: Los Alamos to Big Sur

You'll cut over from highway 101 to PCH 1 to travel through the coastline of Big Sur. You can choose to stay on the property at Ventana or one of the glamping tents, both of which are luxurious experiences surrounded by redwoods, ocean air and beautiful landscape. For meals, visit Big Sur Bakery , The Coast or Nepenthe , particularly at sunset.

Day 4: Big Sur to San Francisco

Once you're in SF, we recommend stopping for lunch at Tartine Inner Sunset , or Souvla , check google maps for the nearest location in the city. Don't miss the frozen Greek yogurt at Souvla.

If you wish to sit on the water, stroll the SF Ferry Building and grab a table at Hog Island Oyster . Grab a trolley in front of the Buena Vista Cafe after enjoying Irish Coffees, walk the Presidio or explore the Pacific Heights neighborhood with its classic SF townhomes and streets that make it seem like you're on the edge of the world.

Once you're over the bridge, head to Cavallo Point and enjoy a cocktail on the porch. I recommend Hook Fish Co , The Junction Pizza Garden or Sol Food for dinner.

Day 5: San Francisco to Point Reyes

You'll drive along Point Reyes through the Marshall Shore north of the city. I recommend having lunch at either the OG Hog Island Oyster farm or The Marshall Store - both amazing waterfront oyster spots with a huge seasonal seafood menu.

Stop in Point Reyes downtown to try honey wine at the Heidrun Meadery . Once checked in at Nick's Cove, enjoy the restaurant on site and relax in their cottages on the water.

Day 6: Point Reyes to Sonoma

On the final day, drive up to Timber Cove Resort along the beautiful seashore of Northern California. After the frequent stops along the way, I recommend slowing down to enjoy the scenery of the Sonoma coast and the property including the Great Room filled with games, a fireplace and a cozy bar, plan your meals at the Coast Kitchen and spend your days on the guided hikes and wine tastings in this very unique area of California.

Need to Know

For more travel tips, check out Lindsay Rawitscher's guide to Big Sur: Camping Under the Stars in Big Sur .

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This guide is part of our ongoing series on  travel to California and our continuing series on road trip travel .

The top 5 road trips in California

Sep 10, 2023 • 4 min read

The ultimate California road trips take you from sea to mountains and through desert and redwoods © Oleksandr Telesniuk / 500px

Road-tripping is the ultimate way to experience California , so fill the gas tank and buckle up for unforgettable drives through scenery that tugs at your heart and soul.

Get ready for memory-making encounters as you wheel through sensuous wine country, humbling redwood forests, epic desert expanses, endless miles of coastal highway and sky-touching Sierra Nevada peaks. Just make sure that rental car has unlimited miles – you'll need 'em all.

California is the third-largest state in the US , and you could easily spend weeks navigating its rural byways, safely distant from the nerve-jangling, often-jammed interstate system. These five classic road-tripping routes are soaked in enough epic scenery to make each deliciously slow, winding mile worthwhile.

1. Pacific Coast Highway

Best road trip for world-class ocean views & autumn trips Dana Point at Interstate 5–Hwy 101 in Leggett; 656 miles

No matter if you follow the entire 656 miles or just a short stretch of coast-hugging Hwy 1 , you'll hit the Insta jackpot. Posing options include dramatic sea cliffs, sun-soaked surfing towns, playful harbor seals and the Golden Gate Bridge .

Our top pick for classic California dreamin’ snakes along the Pacific coast, although officially, only the short, sun-loving stretch of Hwy 1 through Orange and Los Angeles Counties can legally call itself Pacific Coast Hwy (PCH). Never mind those technicalities, because equally bewitching ribbons of Hwy 1 and Hwy 101 await all along this route.

Local tip: For best results, avoid driving the PCH in the spring and summer months, when the central and northern coastline can be socked in by fog and the rainy season can initiate landslides. Instead, September and October will yield the sunniest skies and some of the best weather as you spend a week checking this beaut off your bucket list.

2. Route 66

Best for iconic drives & weekend drives Arizona border near Needles–Santa Monica; 315 miles

Get your kicks on America's “ Mother Road ,” which brought Dust Bowl refugees, Hollywood starlets and hippies to California. Cruise from the desert to the Pacific Ocean, pulling up alongside retro relics, sleeping in a tipi hotel and fueling up in neon-lit diners.

The Golden State was the promised land at the end of a long and sometimes lonesome road. Today you motor across the Mojave Desert – a relative breeze compared to times of yore – through famous western towns, like Barstow and Daggett, into the San Bernardino National Forest. Emerge in Pasadena and Los Angeles before dead ending into Hwy 1 in Santa Monica for a grand coastal-view payoff.

3. Gold Country and California Highway 49

Best for historic hills & family road trips Oakhurst–Nevada City; 200 miles

Follow Hwy 49 through the rough-and-tumble Sierra Nevada foothills, a stronghold of gold-rush history with thrilling, mostly true tales of banditry, bordellos and bloodlust.

That highway number is significant: it commemorates the ’49ers who came seeking fame and fortune in California’s original Gold Rush. Today the route winds through Gold Country towns such as Placerville and Nevada City, past ghostly Old West mines and Victorian buildings housing inns, restaurants and museums.

You won't want to miss the blend of western history and charming wineries strung along stunning views of the Sierra Nevada. Give yourself three to four days to enjoy this outdoorsy, family-friendly road trip. Summer and early fall are ideal times to go.

Detour: Hwy 49 comes mighty close to Yosemite National Park (15 miles) and Lake Tahoe (75 miles), both wonderful jumping-off points for family camping and natural majesty.

4. Avenue of the Giants

Best for road trips with kids & raw redwood brilliance Stafford–Highway 101 junction; 32 miles

The incredible 32-mile road at Humboldt Redwoods State Park is canopied by the world's tallest trees, some of which were seedlings during the Roman Empire. It’s one of the most justifiably celebrated drives in California, a place where travelers stand with jaws agape and necks craned upward. The best time is in the morning when sunlight glints off dew-drenched ferns.

The route connects a number of small towns with mid-20th-century motels, diners serving “lumberjack” meals and pull-offs packed with Harleys.

Among the majestic groves along the Avenue, like the rightly famous Rockefeller Grove and the Founders’ Grove, the California Federation of Women’s Clubs Grove is home to an interesting four-sided hearth, designed by renowned architect Julia Morgan. Walking trails wind through all the groves for proper tree-hugging.

5. Desert Solitaire in Death Valley

Best road trip for moody moonscapes & winter or spring driving Palm Springs–Death Valley; 290 miles

Tank up and load the water onboard as you road-trip from Palm Springs through Palm Desert and Joshua Tree up to Death Valley . You’ll drive where California pioneers and gold miners once rolled their wagons. 

In Death Valley National Park the magnum forces of natural and human history collide. Artists Drive is nine miles of vividly variegated desert hills, a taster of the area’s sensuous sand dunes, water-sculpted canyons, rocks moving across the desert floor, extinct volcanic craters, palm-shaded oases, soaring mountains and endemic flora.

Local tip: Go between February and April for spring wildflower blooms and cooler temperatures. Give yourself three days to soak up sites like Badwater Basin (the lowest elevation in the US), Mesquite Flat and Emigrant & Wildrose Canyons .

This article was first published January 2011 and updated September 2023

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Everything You Need To Know For The Ultimate Central California Road Trip + Six Day Itinerary

You can spend months exploring Central California and all the natural beauty it has to offer. From small seaside surf towns to the major tourist destinations that everyone knows about, you could easily extend your vacation indefinitely. Though Central California can get over-shadowed by NorCal and SoCal , it’s a region that offers incredible landscapes ranging from jagged cliffs and crashing waves to vineyards and rolling farmlands. Moreover, Central California has an incredible bounty of farm-fresh produce, fruits and meats which make dining exceptional at many restaurants. Exploring this region of California will be worth while whether seeking adventure or relaxation, or simply a memorable getaway.

One Week Exploring Central California: Travel Guide + Itinerary

There’s never really a bad time to explore Central California. But in my opinion, the best time would be sometime during the spring when the wildflowers are in bloom and it’s not too hot. We went at the beginning of April and lucked out with perfect weather.

Also , always keep a jacket or sweater in hand, a s it will always cool way down come sunset. Another thing to keep in mind? In case you stumble upon the perfect spot on the coast to dip your toes in the water, keep flip flops and a beach towel handy.

Keep cash on hand for when you inevitably run in to farmer markets and fresh produce stands on the side of the road.

Central California Destinations

We started our trip in San Francisco and proceeded to Carmel-by-the-Sea, San Luis Obispo, Solvang, Cambria, Monterey and back to San Francisco.

Carmel-By-The-Sea

This European-style town offers visitors quaint old world vibes and sophistication that will have you quickly falling in love with the picture-perfect town. Certainly it’s is one of the most quaint, seaside villages you’ll ever come across. Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for its fairytale cottages, art galleries, and storybook-looking boutique shops that ooze romance and whimsy. In other words, it’s a one-of-a-kind destination.

Check out my complete Forbes piece on the Monterey Peninsula here.

What to Do in Carmel-By-The-Sea

Bikes, Bites, & Bevs tour with Carmel Food Tours

Stop by  Mad Dogs & Englishmen  and rent one of their shiny, top-of-the-line e-bikes or classic bikes for a tour of the coast. Popular, incredibly stunning routes include the Scenic Drive in Carmel, 17 Mile Drive in Pebble Beach and Point Lobos. You can start right at the bike shop and take a number of routes, each one featuring turquoise blue waters, white sand beaches, windswept cypress tress, cliffs and more.

Landmarks include Butterfly House, Carmel River State Beach, and Clint Eastwood’s Mission Ranch. On your way to the highway, you’ll pass the Carmel Mission which is celebrated its 250th anniversary last year.   Your guide will also lead you on a couple lovely mini-hikes in Point Lobos on foot.   Perfect for all ages, it’s a great activity to take in the beauty of the coast. Not to mention, it’s suitable for those who don’t love biking (like me!). Be sure to bring your camera and secure your belongings before you take off!

After the e-bike tour with Mad Dogs & Englishmen, part two is a food tour with Carmel Food Tours. This is a two hour tour that includes five locations and a guide who gives excellent insight on the history architecture and culture of Carmel!

See below for the Bites & Bevs part of this fun tour!

Carmel Beach

When in town, stop by Carmel Beach , one of the most iconic spots on the Central California Coast. This stunning beach has white sand, plenty of space for picnicking and taking in the views and is dog friendly. While here, take a stroll on the Scenic Bluff Path, a manicured pathway that parallels Scenic Road just above Carmel Beach. The trail is shaded by the Monterey cypress takes you to the landscaped gardens to Carmel Point. Meander along the coastline from Carmel Beach to Carmel River Beach with views from iconic Pebble Beach to Point Lobos.

Carmel Village

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a one-square-mile seaside village that effortlessly exudes charm. Its unique European-feel blends seamlessly with a casual, laid-back Central California vibe, making for an ideal weekend getaway. There are no chain restaurants, parking meters or street addresses, but rather cozy cottages, boutique shopping, wine tastings, quality dining, sweet shops and cafes, countless art galleries and more.

Check out my complete Forbes piece on the Carmel Village & Hofsas House Hotel .

Where to Eat in Carmel-By-The-Sea

When it comes to dining, there’s an endless amount of options.

Rise + Roam

Start your day off with breakfast at this spacious and modern cafe for some high-quality pastries, savory morning treats and coffee. Afterwards, grab something indulgent to-go like the cinnamon sugar morning bun, kougin-amann or bread pudding for a treat later.

Treehouse Café  

This restaurant combines global flavors like those of Thailand and Mediterranean in a variety of dishes.

Lucia Restaurant and Bar

For a special occasion, make a reservation at this Forbes Four Star fine dining destination located at the Bernardus Lodge & Spa. This menu is inspired by seasonality and locally sourced seafood, meat and produce. Set on 28 stunning Carmel Valley acres lush with vineyards, flowers, lavender, olive orchards, culinary gardens and more, Lucia showcases the best this area has to offer. In short, it’s a worthwhile culinary experience.

Check out the below video for our dining experience at Lucia!

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5th Ave Deli  

This is a casual deli for gourmet sandwiches on the go. Once you have your food take it to the beach or nearby Point Lobos State Park for a picnic al fresco.

The Cottage of Sweets

This British-style sweet shop has been around since 1959. For example, it offers homemade fudge, imported licorice, gummies, chocolates and more. It has what you need to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Scheid Vineyards  

If wine is your thing, why not do a tasting at this lovely tasting room? While there, try out the 2015 Late Harvest Riesling if you’re into sweet wines. It’s divine.

Brophy’s

For a pre-dinner cocktail and bite stop by this casual spot located alongside Hotel Carmel. Pub fare includes braised short rib fries; fish and chips with fresh halibut; Brophy’s burger with cremini & king trumpet mushrooms; and the crispy calamari.

Popular Carmel Food Tour spots include:

Grasings Restaurant

This a upscale bistro in situated right in the downtown area and features an impressive array of grilled USDA Prime steaks and seafood dishes.

Bud’s at La Playa

This upscale watering hole located in La Playa Carmel offers classic libations and elevated contemporary comfort fare in a historic, sleek lounge. They offer a selection of signature cocktails that include the Bud’s Martini with Gin, Vodka, and Lillet; and The Mayor with Whisky, Bitters, Orange, and Bourbon Cherry. Meanwhile, munch on popular bites such as the Prime Rib French Dip; Salmon Nicoise Salad; and Bud’s Burger.

Check out the below video for all the spots we ate at!

Alvarado Street Brewery

A brewery and New American restaurant is in a vibrant, open aired shopping area. Known for it’s lively bar scene, this spot has a great selection of beers and craft cocktails and barbecue that includes St. Louis ribs, smoked brisket, and half chicken served with a special house porter barbecue sauce.

Pescadero Carmel

A lively Mexican restaurant offers Baja-inspired fare with local ingredients. Must-try items include the Tacos Baja Norte; Chile Relleno with Mexican squash “ratatouille”; and the Burrito “El Naufrago”. Afterwards, wash it all down with a refreshing cocktail or Jaranitas soda.

Where to Stay in Carmel-By-The-Sea

Hotel Carmel

If you’re looking for somewhere to spend the night, check in to Hotel Carmel. This boutique property is located just steps away from boutique shops, galleries, restaurants, and the beautiful Carmel Beach. Moreover, it features a fire pit, pool and ocean views.

Hofsas House Hotel

For a different vibe, check in to the historic, family owned boutique inn, Hofsas House Hotel. This property has a delightful pretty, light pink exterior and features distinctive Bavarian-inspired décor. Examples of this decor include a playful mural along with various enhancements at the front of the building painted by artist Maxine Albro.

San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo is a charming town that flies under the radar of many tourists, especially those traveling Central California. It’s a great midway point between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Furthermore, it’s just 15 miles away from some absolutely incredible beaches including the classic California beach town, Pismo Beach. Not to mention, this part of Central California boasts hundreds of farms which cater to year-round daily farmer’s markets selling the freshest produce, meats and more to local chefs and their restaurants.

In addition, as a town in close proximity to the coastline it has plenty of fresh seafood to impress diner with. To add to its top notch culinary scene, this area is also now for producing some of the country’s best wine thanks to its temperate Mediterranean climate and high quality soil. Scenic, nearby wine tasting areas include Paso Robles.

What to Do in San Luis Obispo

Enjoy miles of pristine, stunning beaches on the coast, as well as water sports that are available at any given beach town. Why not try surfing, kayaking or paddle boarding? While on the boardwalk, enjoy bites like fish and chips and take in beautiful views no matter where you end up on the icon Highway 1. Meanwhile, keep your eyes open for wild life, even whales depending on the time of the year!

Wine Tasting

SLO is home to three wine regions—Paso Robles, Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande— each producing award-winning wines in laid back luxury. Furthermore, Edna Valley alone is home to over 27 tasting rooms. Exceptional wineries include Edna Valley Vineyard, Tolosa Vineyard, Chamisal Vineyard, Biddle Ranch Vineyard and more. Paso Robles is another incredible wine tasting region. Because of its 11 viticultural areas and Mediterranean climate, high quality wines are what this place is known for.

Boutique Shop

SLO is buzzy university town with lots of great boutique shopping in its cute downtown area, which also has plenty of great eateries, bars and cafes. Retail therapy anyone?

Avila Beach Hikes

Avila Beach is another area home to countless hikes and trails that offer beautiful coastal views from Point Sal to Point San Luis. Great hiking places include the 5 mile roundtrip Bob Jones Trail, which includes a tidal estuary to explore; clothing-optional Pirates Cove’s Mallagh Landing Trail; Sycamore Crest Trail; the paved Shell Beach Bluff; Avila Ridge Trail and more. Make sure to bring picnic goodies, pack your camera and wear good hiking shoes!

Where to Eat in San Luis Obispo

Park 1039 is an upscale eatery and market that offers guests a taste of fine French living through fine dining, wine tasting (they have over 2000 bottles!) and artisanal shopping. Chefs Brendan Collins and Sarah Carlisle are extremely passionate about using local ingredients. For instance, they forage for every item they can, even sea water for the best finishing salt you’ll ever taste. Because of this, it’s quite a unique dining experience.

Brasserie SLO

Situated next to Hotel Cerro is Brasserie SLO which is a chic spot serving modern coastal cuisine with an emphasis on the quintessential French dining experience. Above all, dishes use ingredients from both the abundant agricultural life on the Central Coast, along with produce from its own Edible Gardens.

SLO Provisions

This lively spot offers all-day take-away and dine-in options with house-roasted rotisserie meats, family-style dinners, specialty sandwiches, farm-fresh salads, and rustic-style baked goods. They also offer local ingredients for sale from small-batch purveyors; local wines; fancy salts; coffee beans and more.

Check out my complete Forbes piece on the where to eat in San Luis Obispo, California here .

Where to Stay in San Luis Obispo

Hotel Cerro

Hotel Cerro is a relatively new property in the heart of the downtown area with modern, cozy, accommodations; a stylish, chic rooftop pool and bar; and a recently opened Central California coast-inspired day spa and private gym.

Solvang is one of the most memorable, one-of-a-kind towns in Central California. It had been on my bucketlist for as long as I can remember! With one stroll through town, you feel like you’ve left the states and transported to an adorable, peaceful town in Denmark. In short, from unique architecture, traditional Danish bakeries and history to its own wine country and a top-notch culinary scene, there’s lots to appreciate.

Old-world European architecture; looming windmills, boutique shops that include places to buy specialty items like coo coo clocks, kitschy souvenirs and clogs; and more make this “Danish Capital of America” worth the visit.

Check out my complete Forbes piece on Solvang, California here .

What to Do in Solvang

Danish Bakeries

One of the best parts of this town is the fact that Solvang is home to a number of unparalleled, traditional Danish bakeries that offer the freshest, most indulgently delicious pastries you’ll find. Don’t let the lines deter you. A short wait is worth biting in to a flakey, soft, freshly baked almond custard kringle or a rich cream cheese, fruity raspberry or apple danish. Not to mention, each bakery has it’s own vibe and charm, try to check out each one!

Danish Mill Bakery

This bakery was established in 1960 and some of their most popular items include the Æbleskiver; Flødeboller; and the classic Danish cakes and Danish butter cookies. Another good thing to know? It has fun automated robot “bakers” in their storefront, be sure to grab a video!

Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery

This is Sovang’s most popular Danish bakery known for a variety of authentic, delicious Danish pastries, breads, cookies and cakes including Danish custard kringle, almond tarts, butter rings and an authentic RundsTykker Danish Continental Breakfast. Olsen’s uses the recipes of four generations of Olsen Bakers and because of that it’s super authentic.

Mortensen’s Danish Bakery

Located in Petersen Village Square is Mortensen’s Danish Bakery, a quaint cafe featuring everything from almond paste thumbprint cookies and bear claws to pistachio squares and pretty little petite four cakes. Due to its variety, making a decision on what to buy is tough!

Birkholm’s Bakery & Cafe

This old-timey bakery offers tubs of Birkholm’s fresh Danish butter cookies, which come an assortment, and of course a huge selection of fresh Danish pastries that include cherry-cheese pastries, chocolate Barvarian cream-filled danishes and more.

Solvang Bakery

This namesake bakery is so incredibly cute! It’s also one of the most photogenic, thanks to being next to one of the town’s iconic windmills. Founded back in 1911, this bakery offers all the Danishes specialties from strudel and butterings to Danish pastries and cinnamon crispies. It also sells impressive cakes and a selection of gingerbread houses for any occasion.

Where to Eat in Solvang

Sear Steakhouse

This restaurant features reclaimed wood accents, two fireplaces, and wood tables and banquettes that have all been hand-built. As a result, this this steakhouse has a warm, upscale ambiance and modern ranch flair. Moreover, what separates itself from most other steakhouses is the fact that the establishment sources many, if not most, ingredients from the restaurant team’s very own farms. Specifically, Sear Farm and Roblar Farm are just minutes away from the steakhouse. 

Read my full review of Sear Steakhouse here .

Check out the below video for our dining experience at Sear Steakhouse!

pesants FEAST

This eatery offers diners seasonal, scratch-made food, made possible through the direct relationships with local farmers and purveyors of artisanal foods and beverages in the area. Above all, peasants FEAST menus honor every part of each plant and animal destined for the restaurant’s tables, through beautiful dishes that highlight the local agricultural community.

Where to Stay in Solvang

The Vinland Hotel & Lounge

Book a stay at  The Vinland Hotel & Lounge , which is conveniently located in the heart of Solvang’s Mission Drive in walking distance to all the fun in the area. This relatively new hotel features 82 modern, sleek rooms and both a hot tub and heated pool, (both of which aren’t too common here).

Cambria is a lovely seaside town known for its coastal landscape that combines both the ocean and weathered pine forests. It’s an artsy place with tons of gorgeous, rugged scenery; places to appreciate nature; as well as areas for cycling and hiking trails. The town offers art galleries; boutique and antique shopping; and moreover, great spots to indulge and imbibe.

What to Do in Cambria

This pretty beach a scenic, preserved area that’s ideal for watching marine life include whales, dolphins, sea otters and elephant seals. Because the boardwalk is a mile-long, it’s ideal for stroll at anytime of the day to take in the lovely ocean views.

Fiscalini Ranch Preserve

The Fiscalini Ranch Preserve features 437 acres of forest, grasslands and meadows. In other words, it’s ideal for hiking, biking, or bringing a furry friend to explore this sprawling natural landscape. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy epic views of wildlife, birds, otters, migrating whales and more from the rocky coast, which drops down a dramatic 400 feet.

Where to Eat in Cambria

Hidden Kitchen

Start your day off this laid-back Cambria gem that offers a one-of-a-kind menu of both sweet and savor waffle creations and a variety of smoothies. They offer blue corn waffles which serve as the perfect, uniquely flavored vehicle for delicious piles of toppings.

Robin’s Restaurant

Robin’s Restaurant offers diners a menu of internationally inspired dishes made with local farmer’s market-fresh ingredients. Moreover, the restaurant has a spacious, garden setting which showcases live music. It’s known for have the largest selection of vegetarian dishes on the coast.

Linn’s Of Cambria

Linn’s Restaurant known for its famous olallieberry—a cross between a blackberry with a raspberry—pies and desserts. But before dessert, order a hearty one of Linn’s signature pot pies with a flaky, hand rolled double crust filled with chicken and veggies. After that, finish your meal with Linn’s olalliberry pie a la mode—it’s divine. Other examples of desserts include the olalliberry bread pudding almondine; cream puff with ollaliberry custard; and the olallieberry cream cake with vanilla cake, berries and a vanilla Swiss meringue buttercream frosting. In other words, you can’t go wrong!

Where to Stay in Cambria

Cambria Pines Lodge

Check in at Cambria Pines Lodge, a relaxing coastal retreat nestled in the hills of Cambia. Minutes from Moonstone Beach and the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, it also offers 25 acres of grounds, lush gardens to explore and an organic kitchen garden. Cambria Pines Lodge Restaurant also offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a range of dishes featuring steak, seafood, and pasta made with organic, hand-picked herbs and produce from their culinary garden. They also have on property the rustic Fireside Lounge which features nightly entertainment

Monterey is an absolutely gorgeous Central California destination. It’s most famous for its rugged scenery, including cliffs, state parks, tide pools and more. Moreover, it’s known for its wild marine life, think whales, otters and seabirds; as well as, one of the top aquariums around, The Monterey Bay Aquarium. For foodies, there are wine tasting rooms and world-class dining, meanwhile, history buffs will appreciate the story behind Cannery Row and the historic buildings here. The area also is home to a number of unique boutiques on Cannery Row and outdoor activities like kayaking and paddle boarding.

What to Do in Monterey

Monterey Bay Aquarium

The aquarium is literally one of my all time favorite places to spend a day at! Firstly, the amount of sea life they have on display is absolutely unreal! I’ve always been obsessed with tide pools and the ocean wildlife, so if you’re like me this place will equally blow you away! Secondly, its enormous variety of marine life includes a rainbow-colored kaleidoscope of fish; penguins, jelly fish and a variety of sharks, and exhibits which currently include the giant pacific octopus; the kelp forest; open sea; rocky shore; and sea otters.

Cannery Row

Cannery Row is one of the most popular tourist spots on the coast thanks to its nautical charm, history, and eclectic shopping. Beautiful waterfront hotels, restaurants, candy shops and boutiques, it’s a must when experiencing Monterey.

Pebble Beach + 17-Mile-Drive

For the most outrageous panoramic views, you’ll need to experience the iconic 17-Mile-Drive. Before you do, stop by the iconic  Pebble Beach Club  and test out a top-of-the-line Lexus. What better place to do it than the also iconic 17-Mile-Drive? You’ll certainly revel in taking your Lexus for a spin through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula, hugging tight turns on the coastline, wind in your hair, and enjoying the sights.

Be sure to make stops at points of interest including the Lone Cypress, the extremely popular 250-year-old tree which is also the logo for Pebble Beach Company; Harbor Seals; Bird Rock; the 5,300-acre Del Monte Forest of Monterey Cypress trees; and more.

Where to Eat in Monterey

Schooner’s Coastal Kitchen

Start your day off right with a luxurious breakfast spread overlooking the bay at Schooner’s Coastal Kitchen. Stunning views and incredible coastal fair? Yes, please! Start with oysters on the half shell and mimosas, followed by heartier specialities such as the Dungeness crab Benedict or the oak smoked salmon & avocado toast. Meanwhile revel in the incredible views that surround you.

Tidal Coffee

Before you leave your hotel, satisfy your morning sweet tooth try these out-of-this-world pastries including almond, chocolate croissants and cinnamon rolls from Tidal Coffee.

The Bench at Pebble Beach Resort

While at this ritzy place, Take a seat at The Bench at Pebble Beach Resort. Overlooking the 18th hole at Pebble Beach Golf Links, The Bench delivers an eclectic menu inspired by global styles and uses the innovative technique of wood roasting and open-flame cooking.

The Sardine Factory

Established in 1968, the restaurant offers an epic wine cellar that holds over 20,000 bottles and more history than you could imagine. For instance, there are arched brick catacombs; wrought iron-gated wine vaults; antiques; and rare, historical artifacts which are just a few of the authentic elements of this cellar. The menu offers fresh, sustainable seafood and usda prime beef. Surf and turf; diver scallops; grilled wild abalone medallions; filet mignon and more await diners.

Where to Stay in Monterey

Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa

While in town, check into the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, which is ideally located on the historic beachfront property within Monterey Bay’s Cannery Row and walking distance to all the fun cafes, restaurants and boutiques.

As the only Forbes four-star rated hotel in Monterey, the Plaza also offers a penthouse-level Vista Blue Spa; Schooners Coastal Kitchen, and the property’s newest addition, The Helmsman Lounge, perfect for imbibing on artisan spirits and delicious small plates.

Six Day Itinerary Of Central California From San Francisco

Arrival at Carmel-by-the-Sea

Bikes, Bites & Bevs tour

Check-in at Hotel Carmel

Brophy’s Tavern for Drinks

Lucia for Dinner

Overnight at Hotel Carmel

Breakfast at Rise + Roam

Drive to San Luis Obispo

Shopping/ Explore Downtown

Check in at Hotel Cerro

Dinner at Brasserie SLO

Overnight at Hotel Cerro

Breakfast at SLO Provisions

Hike or Beach afternoon

Drive to Solvang

Check-in at Vinland Hotel and Lounge

Dinner at Sear Steakhouse

Cocktails at V Lounge at Vineland Hotel

Overnight at Vinland Hotel

Explore downtown Solvang – Danish Bakeries

Lunch at pesants FEAST

Drive to Cambria

Check-in at Cambria Pines Lodge

Olalliberry Pie at Linn’s

Moonstone Beach

Dinner at Robin’s

Overnight at Cambria Pines Lodge

Breakfast at Hidden Kitchen

Drive to Monterey County

Lunch at The Bench at Pebble Beach

Pick up Lexus for a self-guided tour of 17-Mile Drive at The Lodge Concierge

Check-in at Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa

Explore Cannery Row

Dinner at The Sardine Factory

Overnight at Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa

Breakfast at Schooner’s Coastal Kitchen

Depart for San Francisco

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Chelsea is a San Francisco-based journalist whose passion revolves around exploring the world, immersing herself in foreign cultures, and of course, eating and drinking everything delicious.

Her work can be found in TravelPulse, Forbes, INSIDER, SF Gate and more. She covers all things food, drink and travel and is always up for an adventure, whether that means an adrenaline-pumping excursion or trying a new cuisine.

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California Road Trip: A 21-Day Suggested Itinerary

California is the third-largest state in the country and home to over 40 million people, as well as a range of environments and landscapes: dense forests in the north, rugged mountains in the east, majestic deserts in the south, world-class beaches on the coast, and the fabulous wine regions in the west and in the Central Valley.

And it’s perfect for road trips.

I’ve already outlined an awesome seven-day itinerary for Southern California , but today I wanted to share a longer, more comprehensive route for anyone who has a few weeks to explore more of the state’s cities and landscapes.

Even with three weeks, you’ll still miss a lot of great spots in this state (I mean, you could spend months traveling California), but this suggested itinerary hits some of my favorite major — and not so major — places.

Table of Contents

Days 1–3: San Francisco

Day 4: big sur, days 5–7: los angeles, days 8–9: san diego, days 10–12: joshua tree national park, days 13–15: sequoia national park & kings canyon national park, days 16–18: yosemite national park, days 19–20: napa valley, day 21: back to san francisco.

• Walk the Golden Gate Bridge – When it opened, the Golden Gate Bridge was the world’s longest and tallest suspension bridge, stretching some 4,200 feet. It offers incredible views of the bay and the ships coming and going. You can walk across it too.
• Tour Alcatraz – Alcatraz is one of the country’s most infamous former prisons. It housed some of the worst criminals, such as Al Capone. Today, it’s a national landmark in which you can take tours of the prison, step foot in the cells, and learn about its history. Admission is $53.25 USD (this includes round-trip transportation by boat, entrance fees, and an audio guide).
• Visit the Beat Museum – Dedicated to the 1950s Beat Generation, this unique museum houses original manuscripts, rare books, letters, and more from authors like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. It also holds regular events, so check the website to see if anything is happening during your visit. Admission is $8 USD.
• Take a food tour – San Francisco is known for its foodie culture. If you want to cast a wide culinary net and try a lot of different cuisines and dishes, consider taking a food tour. Some companies to check out are SF Native Tours and Secret Food Tours . Tours are generally around $79 USD.
• Explore Chinatown – When immigrants from China first came to America, many set up shop in San Francisco. Today, in the biggest Chinatown in the US, you’ll find some of the best Chinese food in the country, as well as wonderful teahouses, bars, souvenir stalls, and fortune cookie makers.
• Relax at Golden Gate Park – This gigantic park is a great place to walk or relax. It features a Japanese garden, museums, an arboretum, a carousel, and many hiking and walking trails. It’s 20% bigger than New York’s Central Park, so you easily could spend an entire day here!

For more suggestions, here’s a detailed list of things to see and do in San Francisco .

Where to Stay

• HI San Francisco – Downtown – HI Downtown has some standard perks, like free breakfast and free towels, but the staff also organize a lot of events, including pub crawls, trips to Muir Woods and Yosemite, and bike tours across the Golden Gate Bridge.
• Green Tortoise Hostel – This lively hostel is my favorite in the city. It offers free breakfast, free dinners multiple times per week, and even a free sauna! It’s a party hostel, so be sure to stay here only if you’re looking to meet people and get rowdy.

For more suggestions, here’s a full list of my favorite hostels in San Francisco!

And if you need a rental car to kick-start your trip, check out Discover Cars . They search rental agencies big and small to find the best deals.  

Where to Stay I suggest staying at least one night around Big Sur (or just south of the region) to split up the drive to LA. If you don’t have camping gear, Airbnb has a lot of places around the area. You can also just pop into any of the numerous cheap motels nearby too.  

Here are some suggestions on how to fill your days:

• Hit the beach – Venice Beach is an iconic LA hot spot where you’ll encounter all kinds of street performers, surfers, roller skaters, and locals and tourists alike soaking up the sun. Other beaches worth checking out are Carbon Beach, Santa Monica State Beach, Huntington City Beach, and El Matador.
• See the Le Brea Tar Pits – Located in Hancock Park, these natural asphalt pits have existed for over 50,000 years. Tons of fossils preserved for centuries have been found in them, and there’s a museum nearby that has lots of interesting information about them and how they came to be. Adult admission is $15 USD.
• See the Hollywood Sign – You can snap pictures of the sign from pretty much anywhere in Hollywood. However, it’s also possible to hike up to the sign itself to take in the view. The three trails that you can take (from easiest to hardest) are the Mt. Hollywood Trail, the Brush Canyon Trail, and the Cahuenga Peak Trail. Bring water, because the hike will take a few hours.
• Visit LACMA – Home to some 150,000 works, the LA County Museum of Art is the largest art museum in the western USA. It has collections from pretty much every era throughout history and every region of the world. Admission is $25 USD.
• See The Last Bookstore – This is one of my favorite bookstores in the world. It also sells records, has art displays, and features a cool upstairs area with cheap used books. Browse the shelves, grab a coffee, and buy a book for your journey.
• Stroll down Hollywood Boulevard – Don’t miss the Walk of Fame (where celebrities have their names engraved in the sidewalk) and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre (featuring stars’ handprints and footprints).
• Tour the Getty Museum – This art museum opened in 1997 and boasts a diverse collection of paintings, manuscripts, drawings, and other artwork. The collection runs from the 8th century to the present day, so there is something for everyone. Admission is free.
• Go hiking – Get out and stretch your legs on the city’s hiking trails. Some worth checking out are the Charlie Turner Trail (90 minutes), Baldwin Hills (30 minutes), Runyon Canyon (45 minutes), Portuguese Bend Reserve (3 hours), and Echo Mountain (3-3.5 hours).
• Visit The Broad – This contemporary art museum is one of the city’s newest. Opened in 2015, it has over 2,000 pieces of art. It also has a rotating series of temporary exhibitions too (check the website to see what’s on during your visit). Admission is free, though you must reserve a timed entry slot in advance.

For a much longer list on what to see and do in LA, check out my Los Angeles travel guide .

Moreover, the city also has innumerable world-class food options. Some places I really like are Musso & Frank Grill, Dan Tana’s, Meals by Genet, The Butcher’s Daughter, and Sugarfish.

• Banana Bungalow Hollywood – A laid-back but social hostel that organizes lots of activities and makes it easy to meet people. If you want to party and have fun, this is the place for you!
• Freehand Los Angeles – This hostel/hotel features designer rooms with comfortable beds, a rooftop pool and bar with amazing views of the city, a lobby bar, a restaurant, and even a fitness center.

For more suggestions, here’s a list of my favorite hostels in Los Angeles.  

Here are some suggestions for things to see and do during your visit:

• Visit the USS Midway Museum – This aircraft carrier, commissioned right after World War II, was the largest ship in the world until 1955 and saw action in numerous conflicts, including Vietnam. It was decommissioned in 1992 and became a museum. You can explore the flight deck as well as many of the rooms below. Admission is $32 USD and you can get them in advance here .
• Hike Point Loma – Walk out to the tip of the peninsula where Europeans first arrived in California and enjoy the serene views, visit the lighthouse (built in 1855), and watch locals climb the rocks and cliffs of Osprey Point.
• Explore the San Diego Zoo – This is one of the best zoos in the country. Located in Balboa Park (see below), it has over 3,500 animals and 700,000 plant species. It’s a massive, 1,800-acre park where you could easily spend an entire day. If you’re traveling with kids, don’t miss it. A one-day adult pass is $72 USD.
• Admire Balboa Park – In addition to the zoo, Balboa Park also offers dozens of museums, as well as walking paths, sports fields, gardens, greenhouses, stadiums, theaters, and much more. It’s one of the oldest recreational parks in the country.
• Enjoy Pacific Beach – If you want to soak up the sun, swim, or surf, head to Pacific Beach. If you’re a night owl, the area also has lots of bars, clubs, and restaurants.
• Go whale-watching – California gray whales, which can grow up to 49 feet and live for over 70 years, migrate from Alaska to Mexico each year between December and April. They are incredible to see up close, and tours are quite affordable (usually around $39 USD).
• Relax in Belmont Park – This is a kitschy amusement park right next to the ocean. It has a few classic rides, as well as games and lots of greasy (and delicious) snacks. It’s cheesy but fun!
• Go surfing – Whether you’re a veteran or a newbie, grab a board and hit the waves. There’s some awesome surfing here. You can usually rent a board for around $60 USD a day. Lessons cost around $130-150 USD and last 90 minutes.
• HI San Diego – HI San Diego organizes lots of events and tours that make it easy to meet other travelers. Breakfast is included, and there’s also a big kitchen so you can cook your own food to save money.
• ITH Adventure Hostel – This is an eco-friendly hostel with a vegetable garden (guests get free veggies), a recycling and compost program, and even backyard chickens. There is lots of outdoor common space to relax in too.

If you’re on a budget, here’s a list of the best hostels in San Diego for you.  

The park was declared a national monument in 1936 and designated a national park in 1994. There are a lot of trails here, so consult the trail map when you visit. Some of my favorites are:

• Barker Dam Trail – A quick 1.1-mile loop on which you can see wildlife such as rabbits, bighorn sheep, and all kinds of birds.
• Wall Street Mill – An easy 2.8-mile hike that leads to an old mill used to refine ore from nearby gold mines.
• Ryan Mountain – A steep 3-mile hike offering some incredible views.
• Split Rock Loop – A quiet 2-mile hike with lots of neat rock formations.

A seven-day vehicle pass for the park is $30 USD (it allows multiple entries in case you stay in one of the nearby towns).

Where to Stay Airbnb is the best option if you don’t have your own camping gear, although there are also glamping and more rustic options.  

Start your visit at the Giant Forest Museum to learn about the history, geography, and importance of the park and its flora and fauna. Afterward, walk the Big Trees Trail, a short loop that will get you in and among the trees so you can see them up close.

For a sweeping view of the forest and surrounding landscape, hike up Moro Rock, a massive 250-foot granite dome that juts out of the surrounding hills and forest. Stairs and a concrete viewpoint were built into the rock itself, so you can safely climb to the top and enjoy the magnificent vista.

And for more hiking options and beautiful scenery, visit nearby Kings Canyon National Park. Here you’ll find “General Grant” (the third largest tree in the world). For a scenic drive, cruise along the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway.

Both parks are around 4-6 hours from Joshua Tree. Combined admission for both parks is $35 USD. If you plan on visiting a lot of national parks and federal lands on your road trip, you might want to get an America the Beautiful parks pass ($80 for a one-year pass).

Where to Stay There are tons of places to camp here (both inside and outside of the parks). However, there are also lots of lodges and hotels if camping is not for you. Booking.com is the best place to search for affordable options.  

Yosemite is also where you’ll find El Capitán, the towering granite cliff you’ve likely seen on social media (it was also featured in the documentary, Free Solo , where elite rock climber Alex Honnold ascended the cliff face without ropes or other protective gear).

Here are a few hiking suggestions to help you get started:

• Mirror Lake – An easy 2-mile hike to the lake. Takes 1-2 hours.
• Nevada Falls Trail – A challenging 5.8-mile hike to the top of the Nevada Falls waterfall. Takes 5–6 hours.
• Tuolumne Grove Nature Trail – An easy 2.5-mile hike around a grove filled with massive giant sequoia trees. Takes 1–2 hours.
• Elizabeth Lake Trail – A moderate 4.8-mile hike that leads to a glacier-carved lake at the base of Unicorn Peak. Takes 4–5 hours.
• Eagle Peak Trail – A difficult 6.9-mile hike to the top of the peak and back. Takes 8 hours.

Be sure to visit the visitors’ center on arrival to get information on activities, prices, and the latest weather. Admission is $35 USD and reservations to enter the park are required for peak hours and seasons.

Where to Stay If you aren’t planning to camp, there are actually many other options here. Lodges, resorts, and hotels can be found both inside the park and all around it. Use Airbnb or Booking.com to find a place to stay.  

While it’s a particularly expensive region of the state, it is possible to visit Napa Valley on a budget if you plan ahead and share costs with other people.

If you’re on a budget, stick to the markets and sandwich shops. Gott’s Roadside has locations in both Napa and St. Helena and serves yummy burgers for $10-15 USD , while Ad Hoc runs a lunch-only food truck called Addendum offering delicious fried chicken made by a Michelin-star chef (only open Friday & Saturday).

Where to Stay While some vineyards offer accommodation, they are usually super expensive. Unless you’re looking to splurge, use Airbnb . I find the best value accommodation in the area on that site.  

It’s time to head back to San Francisco. The drive is around 90 minutes, so you’ll have plenty of time to make stops along the way if you see anything that piques your interest.

This three-week itinerary will help you cover a lot of ground without being too rushed. Adjust the route as you go (or based on the amount of time you have). But no matter the route you pick, the diversity and beauty of California will ensure you’ll have a wonderful road trip.

Book Your Trip to the USA: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe, so you always know no stone is being left unturned!

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Need an Affordable Rental Car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip!

And if you need an RV, RVshare lets you rent RVs from private individuals all around the country, saving you tons of money in the process. It’s like Airbnb for RVs, making road trips fun and affordable!

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on the United States? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide to the US for even more planning tips!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

A Two Week California Road Trip Itinerary

Last updated: June 3, 2022 . Written by Laurence Norah - 114 Comments

The United States is pretty much the perfect country to road trip in, with great roads, cheap gas and hundreds of gorgeous destinations to choose from. It’s no wonder that a California road trip is on many visitors to-do lists!

We’ve taken a number of fantastic US road trips , including Route 66 , the Pacific Coast Highway , the Oregon Trail and a route through the Deep South , and have never failed to have an amazing time.

One of our favourite states to explore though has to be California. With a mix of an excellent climate, some of the best National Parks in the country, and world-famous cities to explore, you’re never going to run short of things to do in California.

With this in mind, I wanted to put together a classic two week California road trip itinerary, taking in some of the best that the sunshine state has to offer. I did a trip almost exactly the same as this a few years back, so I know that it’s a good one.

Two weeks is also a good amount of time for a trip like this, although you could of course extend it by a few days if you wanted to see a bit more, or wanted to go a bit slower.

California Road Trip Itinerary

This California road trip itinerary has you starting and finishing in San Francisco. As it’s a loop, you could also start and finish at any other point. If you would prefer another starting location, LA would be the most logical.

The route runs anti-clockwise, but you are welcome to drive it in whichever direction you prefer!

San Francisco – 3 Days

We’re going to start our California road trip with three days in San Francisco. San Francisco is home to the second largest airport in California, so there are plenty of opportunities for getting here for both domestic and international travellers.

San Francisco, and the surrounding San Francisco Bay Area is also an excellent city to base yourself for your first three days.

If you’re arriving internationally, you’re going to want a few days to adjust to the time zone difference before hopping into a car. For this reason, I’m going to recommend spending three nights in San Francisco, and picking up your hire car as you leave. You won’t want (or need!) a car while you’re in the city – parking is expensive and there are plenty of other options to get around.

You won’t be short on things to do in San Francisco, and in fact, might feel a little overwhelmed by all the choices!

Our suggestions would be to take in the Golden Gate bridge (hire a bike to get here easily), explore Chinatown, pop across to Alcatraz , revel in the tourist trap that is Fisherman’s Wharf, don’t miss golden gate park , head to the top of Nob Hill for cocktails at The Mark, hop on a cable car and, if you still have time, take a stroll at Lands End.

To get yourself oriented, we can also recommend taking a walking tour with the excellent SFNative folks, they know the city backwards. Finally, if you’re looking for some great photo opportunities, check out our guide to the best photography locations in San Francisco .

Accommodation wise, there are plenty of options in San Francisco. Here are some of our favourite picks for your stay, across a range of budgets.

• HI San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf Hotel – found right on Fisherman’s Wharf, this budget hostel offers both dormitory and private accommodation options. There’s free breakfast and free parking, making this an excellent option for the location.
• Marines’ Memorial Club & Hotel – found in the popular Union Square district, this great value 3-star hotel has a rooftop restaurant, library, and on-site theatre. Rooms have private bathrooms and coffee makers, and breakfast is included. A paid parking garage is available nearby.
• Parker Guest House – found in the old Mission district just behind the San Francisco mission building, this is a well reviewed and good value guesthouse offering private rooms. Free breakfast is available, and parking is available on site for a reasonable (by San Francisco standards) fee.
• Columbus Inn – Just a few hundred yards from Lombardy Street and Fisherman’s Wharf in the North Beach district,  this 3* inn offers great value for the location. Private rooms offer en-suite and tea/coffee making facilities. There’s also free parking on site.
• Golden Gate Hotel – a very well reviewed 3* hotel just minutes from Union Square. Continental breakfast and afternoon tea are included. Rooms are definitely on the cosy side, and some have shared bathrooms, but the price is great for the location. Paid parking available nearby.
• Staypineapple Union Square – we stayed at this restored historic 4* 1913 hotel on a recent trip to San Francisco, and loved the mix of the old and the new. We loved the rooms, the colorful pineapple theme, and the free pineapple flavoured cupcakes certainly helped! Parking is available nearby for a fee.
• Four Seasons Hotel – if you are after five star luxury, then consider the Four Seasons hotel. Also found in Union Square, rooms are huge, there’s an on-site restaurant, fitness centre, and many rooms have city views.

See more options for hotels in San Francisco here, as well vacation rentals on Plum Guide here and Vrbo here .

Pacific Coast Highway – 2 Days

The drive down the section of the Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco to Los Angeles is definitely one of the best road trips in the world. So it’s really a no-brainer that this would be your first destination after you pick up your hire car and head out of the city.

There are numerous highlights along the way, from cute seaside towns to gorgeous wilderness areas. Don’t miss Santa Cruz , Monterey , Big Sur and the Julia Pfeffer Burns State Park (camp here if you can!).

The latter is particularly famous for the waterfall that cascades onto the beach, a gorgeous photo opportunity.

From Big Sur head further south and take in highlights like the seals at Cambria , tasty food at San Luis Obispo, the gorgeous Pismo beach, Hearst Castle and more.

For loads more information on this stretch of highway and to help you plan the perfect coastal road trip, check out our super detailed guide to planning a  Pacific Coast Highway road trip .

For the 2 days you’ll spend on this part of your California road trip, we recommend stopping overnight around Monterey or Carmel on your first night, and San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay or Cambria on your second night.

There are plenty of accommodation options all the way down this stretch of highway, from campsites and B&B’s to luxury hotels – it all depends on your budget and what you’re aiming for. Here are a few options to consider in our recommended towns along the way.

For your first night, we recommend one of the following:

• If you like to camp, then there are camping options in the national parks along the route here, including the Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground . I’ve camped here and it’s lovely to be surrounded by the massive redwoods. Just be aware that it is popular, and booking in advance is a must.
• Sandpiper Inn , Carmel – we stayed here when we visited Carmel. We enjoyed the comfortable rooms, inclusive breakfast, and proximity to the beach. Free parking is available.
• Coachman’s Inn , Carmel – we’ve stayed at a number of the boutique hotels which are in the Four Sisters Inn collection, and they’ve all been excellent. This inn, found in the heart of Carmel Village, gets good reviews. Rooms include coffee makers and free popcorn, wine with hors d’oeuvres is served in the evenings, and breakfast is included.
• The Inn at 1252 , Monterey – a good value inn on the way into Monterey. Rooms feature coffee makers, and a heated pool is available year round. There’s also a fitness room, free parking and free coffee.
• The Jabberwock B&B , Monterey – just a few blocks from Cannery Row, this very well reviewed B&B offers seven lovely guest rooms, some of which have fireplaces and hot tubs. Free parking, and breakfast is included.

For your second night, we recommend one of the following:

• Apple Farm Inn , San Luis Obispo – we really enjoyed our stay here on one of our Pacific Coast Highway road trips. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, the breakfast was fantastic, and the on-site bakery has some delicious food. There are also two pools on site, and free parking.
• Madonna Inn , San Luis Obispo – this four star family-owned motel just to the south of SLO is a truly quirky destination, and a landmark of the central coast. Each of the 110 rooms is uniquely decorated, with pink being a key theme throughout. We didn’t stay here, but we did have dinner at the Gold Rush steak house on-site, which was fantastic.
• Seaside Inn , Morro Bay – this 2* budget inn is one block from the waterfront. Rooms have a microwave and refrigerator, and there’s free on site parking and coffee.
• Beach Bungalow Inn and Suites , Morro Bay – five minutes walk from the aquarium, this three star inn is very well reviewed. Comfortable rooms have fireplaces, refrigerators and coffee machines, and a hot breakfast is included as is parking.
• Cambria Palms Motel , Cambria – this 2* motel is a couple of blocks from downtown, and offers comfortable rooms at a good price. Rooms have refrigerator and coffee machine, and free parking is available on site.
• El Colibri Hotel & Spa , Cambria – on one of our visits to Cambria we stayed here for a couple of nights and really enjoyed it. The rooms are lovely, with fireplaces, and some have spa tubs. There’s an on-site spa, outdoor hot tub, and breakfast is available. Free parking on-site.
• J Patrick House B&B , Cambria – this five star Irish themed inn was Cambria’s first B&B. There’s a a free wine hour, evening cookies and a full breakfast included with your stay. Each room is individually designed, and there’s free parking on site. A great pick in Cambria.

Santa Monica, LA – 2 Days

Los Angeles can be a big, confusing place, particularly after your trip down the Pacific Coast Highway. That’s why I suggest you head to Santa Monica and make that your LA base.

On the coast, and technically a separate city (it’s kind of hard to tell as LA and its surrounds are part of a fairly vast urban sprawl), you’ll have access to the wonderful beach and pier, as well as nearby Venice, most famous for its beach and people watching opportunities.

Again, there’s no shortage of things to do in LA. If you’re interested in film, you can visit the Hollywood sign, walk the Hollywood walk of fame or go on a tour of the backlot at Universal Studios .

Art lovers will find their thrills at the Getty Center , which also offers gorgeous panoramic views of the surrounding city. Other highlights include Sunset Boulevard, and of course, you can hop on one of those tours of the stars homes if you’re so inclined.

LA also has plentiful accommodation options to suit all budget. Here are some of our recommended options:

• Santa Monica Motel – we enjoyed our stay at this basic 2* motel, which is around a 10 minute walk from Santa Monica Pier. There’s free morning coffee and free parking, and rooms come with coffee makers and in-room refrigerators. It’s definitely a value option.
• Banana Bungalow – this hostel offers shared and private accommodation, around a mile from the downtown Hollywood area. There’s free parking on-site, and reviews are positive.
• Magic Castle Hotel – this 3* hotel is a short walk from the Hollywood walk of fame, and you get a pool, unlimited free snacks, free continental breakfast and reasonably priced parking. It’s also a short walk to the Hollywood Bowl, and only three miles from Universal Studios. We really enjoyed staying here.
• Villa Delle Stelle – this boutique hotel in central Hollywood gets excellent reviews and will make you feel like a celebrity. Each suite is designed after a specific old Hollywood Celebrity, and guests can avail of celebrity style services such as in-room massages, private chefs and a personal trainer. Free parking is also included.
• The Georgian Hotel – this beautiful 1933 4* Art Deco hotel is a short walk from Santa Monica pier, and offers ocean views and on-site dining. Breakfast is available, and parking is available on-site for a fee.

See more LA listings here for inspiration , as well as LA listings on Vrbo here . For a more curated apartment rental option, check out Plum Guide. You can see their LA listings here .

If you’re not excited about Los Angeles, you could also choose to skip it and head down the coast to San Diego County and the city of San Diego itself. This is a more laid back (and easily navigable!) experience compared to LA, and there’s a great deal to do here as well.

For more reading on San Diego, check out this guide to things to do in San Diego we put together.

Joshua Tree National Park – 1 Day

Time to head out of the city, and the remainder of this itinerary is going to focus on exploring some of California’s unbelievable wilderness areas and National Parks. We’re going to start this off with a trip to the Joshua Tree National Park , home to those iconic shaped trees that the park is named for.

It’s a wonderful place, the meeting point of two deserts, and offers good opportunities for camping, hiking and star-gazing.

The best way to experience the park is to camp overnight in one of its many campgrounds (you should definitely reserve a spot well in advance if this is your plan), otherwise, there are various lodging opportunities outside the park if you’re not big into camping. You should also be aware that there is very limited water availability in the park (and no hookups for RV’s), so make sure you bring plenty of water and food – this is a remote desert environment after all!

Here are some suggested accommodation options in nearby Twentynine Palms.

• 9 Palms Inn – this budget 2* property gets good reviews, and rooms come with a coffee machine, microwave and refrigerator. There’s also free parking on site.
• El Rancho Dolores – this is a great value 3* property with a seasonal pool. Rooms have microwaves and refrigerator, and free parking is included.
• Sunnyvale Garden Suites – a very well rated 2* hotel offering a range of suites, each of which comes with a BBQ as well as a full kitchen. There’s a hot tub and gym on site, and free parking is available.
• Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites – this 3* chain hotel offers comfortable and well reviewed accommodation, with an outdoor heated pool and fitness centre. Rooms have coffee making facilities, microwave and small fridge, and there are BBQ facilities available for guest use.
• Flying Point Homestead – if you want something a little bit different, check out this property. It’s actually a holiday home rather than a hotel, but one of the options is a beautiful silver streak trailer!

See more listings for Twentynine Palms and this general region on  Plum Guide here .

Note, if you want to include a detour to Las Vegas, this would be the moment to do just that. We’d suggest adding a couple of days to your trip if you want to experience the city and its surrounds as there’s a lot to see and do here. Then you can rejoin the trip at the next stop.

For more on that sort of trip, check out our two week USA road trip itinerary , which include Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon.

Death Valley National Park – 1 Day

Moving on from one desert environment to another desert environment – and the largest national park in the contiguous United States. Death Valley (the name was given by gold rush travellers who nearly perished here) is the hottest and driest place in North America, and has recorded the hottest ambient air temperature in the world.

So, overall, a hot place.

Other than making you want to crank up the AC then, what does Death Valley offer? Well, there’s that sense of remoteness. The vast, unforgiving wilderness. The knowledge that you’d probably die fairly quickly if you happen to wander off and get lost (don’t wander off and get lost folks).

Truth be told, there’s plenty to do here. You can visit Badwater Basin, the lowest point in the entire North America, which actually sits 86 metres below sea level. Then there are sand dunes, salt flats, craters, colourful canyons and hiking opportunities galore.

Just be aware that this is a seriously inhospitable, and, in the summer months, unbearably hot, destination, so plan and pack accordingly . If you’re looking for more ideas on spending a day in Death Valley, check out this excellent post .

Mammoth Lakes – 1 Day

From Death Valley we’re going to head further north, up to Mammoth Lakes . This drive is quite incredible, along the Sierra Nevada mountains, and the scenery (and temperatures) will change dramatically as you ascend into this gorgeous part of the world.

Mammoth Lakes are an adventure lovers playground. You can go hiking, camping, cycling, rock climbing, horseback riding, fishing – the list goes on! There’s also a ghost town , craft beer companies, shopping opportunities – basically, pretty much everything you could imagine.

Whilst you’re here, you should also take the opportunity to visit Lake Mono . Now a state nature reserve, Lake Mono is a million year old lake notable for the “tufa” towers, calcium carbonate structures that stand above the lake like strange modern art installations. Definitely worth a visit, and particularly photogenic at sunrise and sunset.

Yosemite National Park – 3 Days

Finally on our awesome California road trip, I’m going to suggest you spend three days exploring Yosemite National Park before heading back to San Francisco to return your hire vehicle and head home.

Yosemite is without doubt one of my favourite places in the entire United States. It’s a wonder of nature, a photographer’s paradise, and somewhere I dare anyone to visit without falling instantly in love.

There’s a lot to see and do here, which is why I’m going to suggest taking three days to get the most out of your visit. This will let you see all the highlights, as well as go for some longer hikes (or drives), and not feel too rushed.

I’ve got a full guide to the best photography locations in Yosemite , but in brief, don’t miss Yosemite Falls, the hike up to Nevada and Vernal Falls, the drive (or hike) to Glacier Point, Tunnel View, Valley View and Bridalveil Falls.

If you love longer, more challenging day hikes, then Half Dome is a seriously challenging walk (permit required), as is the walk up to the top of Yosemite Falls .

There are a range of accommodation options in Yosemite National Park, ranging from campsites to canvas-sided tent cabins, through to luxury hotels.

There are 13 campsites available in the park , with a number of these available for reservation, and the rest operated on a first come first serve basis. If you want to camp, we highly recommend booking well in advance, which you can do here .

There are also nine lodging options operated by Yosemite Hospitality inside the park, which are the only other accommodation options available in the park itself. These can be reserved up to a year in advance, and range from simple canvas cabins through to a high-end luxury hotel. These can all be reserved online in advance here .

Important –  As of 2022, Yosemite has introduced a reservation system for park entry. If you are visiting between late May and the end of September and planning on driving into or through the park between 6am and 4pm you will need to have a reservation. You can find out more and make your reservations online here .

California Road Trip Map

We’ve put together a map of our suggested California road trip itinerary, which you can see below, and also on Google Maps here . Note that depending on the time of year, access to Yosemite can be restricted due to snow, so you have to take the longer way round.

In addition, parts of the Pacific Coast Highway are often closed due to damage caused by landslides. As such, the map should be seen as an overview rather than a definitive route. You’ll want to plan your own California road trip route that matches any current road conditions and closures.

You can check the status of the coast route (state highway 1), as well as all the other roads in the state, on the Caltrans website here .

California Road Trip Itinerary Overview

• Days 1 – 3: San Francisco
• Days 4 – 5: Pacific Coast Highway
• Days 6 & 7: Los Angeles
• Day 8: Joshua Tree
• Day 9: Death Valley
• Day 10: Mammoth Lakes
• Days 11 – 13: Yosemite National Park
• Day 14: Return to San Francisco

When to Take a California Road Trip

California is a fairly good year round destination, but there are a few things to be aware of when planning your trip. In the Winter months, places like Yosemite can become accessible particularly from the east side, due to snow, as you can see in the map above.

The main road in to Yosemite is the Tioga Road, and this is usually closed from November through to May or even June. In addition, parts of the park, including Glacier Point road, are often closed for a similar timeframe.

If this happens to you, you’ll have to take a serious detour to get in based on this itinerary. A better option might be to embrace the snow, and head up to Lake Tahoe for some fantastic skiing opportunities. Or, you can head east, out to Nevada and the pleasure city of Las Vegas.

In summertime, the heat can be quite intense, in particular in places like Death Valley, where in the summer months temperatures can exceed 100F, and it’s not recommended to spend much time outside.

Where to Stay in California

California has a serious range of accommodation options to meet pretty much every budget, although larger cities and busier months do tend to increase the prices. We’d always recommend booking in advance for your trip if possible – in particular for national park campsites and hotels, and to get the best deals on city centre hotels.

For two people travelling together, you’re looking at a budget range of $60 – $150 per night for comfortable private en-suite accommodation, although you can obviously spend far more than that!

Our preferred option for hotel booking is booking.com, as they usually have the best prices, regularly run deals, and many properties offer good last minute cancellation policies. See their listings for California , San Francisco and Los Angeles to get you started.

We also use and recommend Plum Guide and Vrbo for vacation rentals.

For more ideas, take a look at our travel resources page for helpful hints and tips on getting the best deal on accommodation when you travel.

How to Get Around California

This is a road trip, so obviously you’re going to want a hire a car! We nearly always hire cars for our US road trips through Enterprise . We generally find they have the most competitive prices and widest choice of locations, plus if you’re thinking of a one way trip they have reasonable fees for doing that.

If you’d prefer to compare prices across a range of providers, then we recommend Rentalcars.com .

Drivers with foreign licenses are allowed to drive, if your license is in a language other than English then you would be best with either an international drivers license, or a certified translation.

Another option of course is to hire a camper van or RV, which will let you stay in campgrounds and other, more out of the way areas. This can be a fun way to travel in a more self sufficient style. If this sounds like you, we recommend comparing RV rental prices at Motorhome Republic . They list all RVs from many of the major suppliers to help you find the right one for you. See their USA listings here .

We can also recommend checking out  RVShare , who offer peer to peer campervan rental – a bit like the AirBnB of RV rental! Similar options include Outdoorsy and RVEzy .

If this is your first time in the USA, or you just want a reminder of what it’s like to drive in the USA, check out our guide to driving in the USA for lots of tips!

Practicalities for a California Road trip

Travelling in the USA is relatively easy, but we wanted to share a few things to help make planning your California road trip a little easier.

Electricity

The USA uses a 110v electrical system, with plugs that are either two pin or three pin. The holes are flat, and sometimes the two pin plug holes will be different sizes, so the plug will only go in one way.

If you’re coming from much of the rest of the world, including Europe, the UK or Asia, you will definitely need a travel adaptor like this . You will also need to check that your equipment supports the 110v supply, as much of the rest of the world uses a 220v supply.

In our experience, most electronics like laptops and phone chargers accept a universal voltage, whilst higher power devices like hairdryers do not. Always check the device itself, the voltage rating should be on your plug or adaptor somewhere.

Internet Access

Internet access is widely available across the USA in the form of WiFi, which can be found for free at most hotels, cafes, bars and restaurants. There are also a number of free WiFi hotspots in some of the cities on our list.

If your phone is unlocked you can pick up a pay as you go SIM in the USA. One of the better options is from Straight Talk , which you can buy in Walmart stores.

For more options on getting online when travelling, check out our guide to getting online when travelling to help you figure out the best options.

The USA uses the US dollar, and there are ATM’s available throughout. In our experience though, you can pay for nearly everything with a credit card, so you will rarely need cash. Whilst it is worth having a few bills on you, for the most part you won’t need them.

Instead, just make sure you have a credit or debit card that doesn’t charge you any foreign transaction fees and uses a fair price for currency conversions, and you should be good to go.

Water across the USA is safe to drink, unless otherwise indicated. There are drinking fountains in the majority of public locations, and we recommend you travel with a re-usable water bottle so you can just fill it up as you go.

One thing we always love about travelling in the USA is how drinking water is always brought to your table at a restaurant – something we wish was standard around the world!

For the most part, the USA is a safe destination to travel in, and we have never had any problems. Of course, every country has crime, and areas where you would be wiser to avoid, however if you practice basic safety precautions, keep your valuables out of sight and behave as you would at home, you should be fine!

Further Reading and Resources for a California Road Trip

California is a very popular destination, so there’s no shortage of research material to help you plan your trip! Here are some of my favourite resources:

• We have a guide to things to do in San Diego
• I’ve written a guide featuring some of my top tips for driving in the USA to help get you going on the road!
• Wondering how much a California road trip will cost? Check out our  guide to how much it costs to travel in the USA to help you plan your trip budget.
• Jess has a guide to driving the Pacific Coast Highway , which will give you lots of ideas for that section of the road
• If you’re interested in California’s wine country, see our guide to visiting Napa Valley
• Route 66 ends in California, so take a look at our guide to planning a route 66 trip , as well as our detailed 2 week Route 66 itinerary and 1 week Route 66 itinerary
• Fodor’s Guide to California , which also includes details on a number of fantastic road trips
• The Lonely Planet California Guide , which is great for finding things to do, places to eat and places to stay
• A US road atlas , because sometimes you don’t want to rely on GPS!
• If you’re planning on hiring an RV or camping, this guide to free and super cheap campgrounds will quickly pay for itself
• The official Visit California page, which will give you more advice on what to see and when to visit
• For more in California, see this awesome guide to places to visit in California , from fellow bloggers at yTravelBlog
• My guide to things to do in Redding California , if you decide to head to northern California
• Getting online when travelling in a foreign country can be daunting – check out our guide to getting online when travelling to help you figure out the best options for your trip
• And if you’re looking for inspiration for the rest of the USA, check out our USA section , which includes a Deep south itinerary , tips for New Orleans during Mardi Gras – and lots more!

And that sums up my perfect two week California road trip itinerary! If you’ve got any comments, suggestions or additions, do pop them in the comments below. Plus, if you liked this post, do check out the rest of my itinerary series , which will help you plan the perfect trips all around the world!

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robert feinberg says

16th December 2023 at 4:48 pm

Hello, we are planning a road trip to California in July, and using your template, but adding a few different options. we are traveling with 2 15 year olds, and they want to surf. any recommendations you can make on that, as well as stops that will be good for them? much appreciated.

Laurence Norah says

16th December 2023 at 8:26 pm

So there are a lot of surfing options all along the coast from San Francisco to San Diego. A lot will depend on the experience of your children and whether or not they are experienced surfers or are looking to learn. Also, some locations will have surfboard rentals wheras others are more remote. So it will depend what you need in that regard. However, there are good options all along the California coast, including Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, Pismo, Morro Bay, Ricon Point and Surfrider beach (Malibu). I’d just recommend doing some research to ensure you match the breaks to the skill level required 🙂

Have an awesome trip!

Kim Dawtrey says

7th October 2023 at 9:39 pm

Hi Lawrence We are just home after nearly three weeks in the US on a route based on your California Road Trip, although we also went to the a Grand Canyon and Las Vegas. The information within your blog was a great help in planning our trip. Unfortunately we were unable to drive down the whole Pacific Highway due to landslide near Big Sur, but we loved the 17 mile drive and would recommend staying in Pacific Grove (we stayed in Bide-A-Wee hotel which was great). We were also unable to drive across Death Valley as the NP was closed due to the damage to the roads, we did however visit Death Valley Junction and throughly recommend a visit to Amargosa Opera House. The board outside says tours at 9.00am and 6.00pm, but the young lady in the hotel reception was more than happy to give us a tour for a donation, fascinating place and history. If you haven’t visited I can send you some photos. Another side trip we did was to Bristlecone Ancient Pine Forest, amazing place, great drive up to 10,000 feet, with fresh snow at the top! The Grand Canyon and Yosemite were certainly the highlights for us. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip, thank you for all your valuable information, if we were 40 years younger, we would love to be doing what you and Jess are doing!

8th October 2023 at 12:33 pm

Thank you so much, I’m happy to hear you had a great trip in California and beyond! Unfortunately the Pacific Coast Highway does get blocked quite regularly due to landslides, and it also sounds like unfortunate timing with Death Valley. However I am glad to hear you still had a good time overall! We haven’t visited the Amargosa Opera House, we will definitely have to add that to the list!

Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences, and safe onward travels 🙂 Jess and I love to hear from fellow adventurers who have been out exploring!

All the best,

erika liaci says

3rd July 2023 at 2:54 pm

Hi we are finalising our US Road trip to/from LAX in mid August. Would you recommend still going to the Death valley? I am a bit scared of the temperature which might be 50C? Thanks erika

4th July 2023 at 9:26 am

So I would personally probably skip Death Valley in August. It’s going to be too hot to do very much, and you would likely be able to better spend your time elsewhere. An extra day in Yosemite for example!

Have a great trip!

17th April 2023 at 11:43 am

Hi – this 2 week California road trip looks amazing. Your blog is really helpful for planning our own trip. Would it be possible to know the driving distances between each of the places please. Thanks Sam

18th April 2023 at 8:09 am

Hi Sam, thanks very much! So I didn’t put distances because in my experience they tend to change with side trips etc. Also, the Pacific Coast Highway is regularly affected by landslips so stretches of the route can be closed.

That said, as a rough guide:

From San Francisco to Santa Monica is around 500 miles From Santa Monica to Joshua Tree is around 150 miles From Joshua Tree to Death Valley is around 260 miles From Death Valley to Mammoth Lakes is around 200 miles From Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite is normally around 75 miles but this depends on the pass being open From Yosemite back to San Francisco is around 170 miles.

I hope this helps! Have a great time in California 🙂

28th January 2023 at 2:46 pm

Hi. Would you recommend Zion National Park or Bryce Canyon? We will be driving back from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas and are thinking of an extended detour north rather than going back via Kingman. Thanks

29th January 2023 at 9:07 am

It is with some dismay that I’m not able to accurately answer your question as both parks are still on my to-do list and I haven’t visited either. So rather than inaccurately answer your question I would have to say I don’t know. I definitely want to visit them both, and from the photos I have seen I don’t think you would be disappointed with either, but that’s about as much as I can say for now until I have visited both!

Sorry not to be of more help but I hope you have an amazing trip nonetheless!

Maxine says

4th August 2022 at 8:16 am

This post has been super helpful and given us great ideas for a trip we are planning with our two teenagers next summer. We want to include vegas, therefore, would you recommend that we head there after San Diego before heading back to Yosemite? Thank you

4th August 2022 at 6:06 pm

Thanks very much, glad you found the post useful! So yes, heading from San Diego or Death Valley to Las Vegas would make the most sense. I’ve actually written a trip out that is similar to this one but include Vegas (and the Grand Canyon if you wanted to also include that). That’s here:

https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/2-week-usa-road-trip-itinerary/

You can save time of course by skipping the Grand Canyon 🙂 Let me know if you have any more questions, I’m happy to help. Otherwise, have a great trip!

William D Villont says

6th January 2022 at 9:03 pm

My wife and I took a California trip similar to this one except we went south to San Diego as our final destination. I really enjoyed the trip and can fully understand why you highlight this trip as one someone should surely take. We agree. My only disappointment of the trip is that, at the time, I was doing videography and that is all I took on the trip, my video camera. Now that I have gotten back into photography I wish I had taken my camera as well. We rarely get out the old video (VHS tape) and watch and I have not taken the time to transfer the VHS to DVD yet. I just gave it away, that this trip was sometime ago because I was shooting VHS. Anyway I would love to take this trip again and if this Covid thing ever goes away, maybe I will. Thanks for sharing this trip.

7th January 2022 at 11:29 am

Hi William,

I’m glad to bring back positive memories of your California trip! Interesting to hear you mostly took video. I have a similar reverse quandry when I travel, I usually only find myself able to concentrate on one medium of story telling as we go, so I focus on photos. But I often think it might be nice to have more videos. I hope you get to watch your video soon and also to take the trip again one day!

Have a lovely and safe 2022,

Delaney Blute says

1st July 2021 at 3:18 am

Hi! Thank you so much for the wonderful travel recommendations. I’m planning on taking this trip with my mother and sister, possibly leaving next late summer. Do you have a ball park recommendation for price for the entire trip for 3 people? We plan on budgeting it, but just wanted to know if you had any estimate of what this trip would cost for 3 people. Thanks so much!

1st July 2021 at 12:47 pm

Hi Delaney,

This is a great question. So it’s really hard to give a price estimate because everyone has a different travel style, and it will depend on what type of accommodation you are thinking of booking, whether you are happy to share a room for the three of you vs have individual rooms, whether you are ok with budget dining vs more expensive options and so on. I’m also not sure if you’re from the US or not, so car rental if you need to rent a car would also be a cost to consider.

I do have a guide which has a ballpark idea of costs for travel in the UK, which you can see here: https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-travel-in-usa/

That should give you an idea of how much each element of the trip should cost you, to help you come up with a rough figure. The main costs are going to be your accommodation, gas / car rental / car parking in cities, food, and any attraction entry.

I hope this helps! Let me know if I can provide any further input, and have a great trip 🙂

Chantelle says

7th March 2020 at 2:06 pm

We have a trip booked for just short of a month in September! Your blog was really helpful, thank you!

I was wondering if you had some advice on Car vrs Camper. Is it easy to find places to stay in a camper or would you recommend a car and motels. We are happy either way just want our trip to be as stress free as possible!

7th March 2020 at 5:07 pm

Hi Chantelle!

So we have done both, and honestly, we prefer motels / B&Bs to campsites.

In the USA, campsites are a bit different to the UK in my experience. They tend to have more formal “sites” for each visitor, which means they can’t just squeeze another person in. When they are full they’re full. For National Parks especially, this means that they can book out and then you can be stuck trying to find somewhere to stay. You can of course book them in advance, so that’s an option. The other good news is that if you have a campervan all is not lost as there are places you can camp for free. However these tend not to be totally exciting, Walmart carparks for example let folks stay overnight, but this might not be the dream option.

The other thing is that if you do the math, you will find that the cost of renting a campervan + the cost of paying campsite fees will probably be a lot more than the cost of a cheap car and economy lodging. Plus if you plan on visiting a few of the cities in this itinerary a camper will be more effort than it’s worth. You didn’t mention budget so this might not be a huge factor, but I just wanted to highlight it.

I think you can see where my preference lies for this itinerary. Obviously if you love camping and want to spend more time out in the backcountry and national parks, it’s a great option. But you might find that buying a cheap tent and a couple of sleeping bags for a few nights is a better option than renting a camper 🙂

Have a great trip – let me know how it goes and what you decide to do! We have a facebook group you’re welcome to share your experiences in here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelloversandphotography/

chantelle sims says

14th March 2020 at 2:44 pm

This has been so incredibly helpful thankyou!!

My pleasure Chantelle – have a great trip!

Sharon says

16th February 2020 at 7:40 pm

Great inspiration and ideas, thanks

16th February 2020 at 9:34 pm

Our pleasure Sharon, thanks for stopping by and commenting!

Thiago says

12th February 2020 at 7:45 pm

Just want to thank you for these super detailed guides, guys;

13th February 2020 at 10:48 am

Our pleasure Thiago, if you have any questions we’re happy to help 🙂 Safe travels!

Kathy Reed says

26th January 2020 at 5:51 pm

Hi – this was an amazing find! Loved all of your recommendations. Do you have any recommendations for anything just a little further north into the Redwoods. Perhaps starting in Santa Monica and going north? Though i do love the loop feature of this itinerary. Makes it so hard to decide. Thanks!

28th January 2020 at 9:19 am

We have travelled north of this itinerary as well, with our highlights including Napa Valley, Point Reyes National Park and Redding, however we’ve not put together a detailed itinerary for this sort of trip as we’ve not covered the area in enough detail. If redwoods are what you are after particularly, then on this itinerary you can see them near Santa Cruz, if you did want to follow it.

Let me know if I can offer any more advice for your trip!

4th January 2020 at 4:39 pm

Hi Great site for info ? Just would like to know what time of year would you recommend doing this road trip ive just read on here ,we’re coming from the UK so any info will help us plan Many thanks Barry

5th January 2020 at 11:25 am

It can definitely be done at any time of year, but I might avoid the depths of winter as snow can make the roads into Yosemite a challenge, plus it will be quite cold. So if you are looking for more of a summery California road trip, I might suggest May through September. We just toured California in August, and it was definitely very hot inland, as well as being busy so perhaps May/June or September would be the best time for a good combination of weather and fewer people 🙂

Debbie says

4th January 2020 at 3:03 pm

Hi We are planning this trip in April 2020! We will skip LA (Not interested) & Yosemite (We’ve already been) & we will only spend 1 day in San Francisco (we’ve already been) my question is do you think we can do the rest in 7 days?? We definitely want to do the scenic drive from San Francisco to San Diego & back to San Fran an thank you for all the wonderful information!!

5th January 2020 at 11:32 am

Hey Debbie!

Awesome 😀 So you can do the Pacific Coast Highway from SF to San Diego in a couple of days if you don’t mind going at a bit of a pace. I’d probably slow it down to 3 days though. I’m not sure if you still plan on seeing Joshua Tree and Death Valley – if you plan on going up and down the Pacific Coast Highway both ways, then you’re actually going to end up driving much more than this itinerary if you do visit Death Valley, as you’ll do about 2/3rds of the route and then turn around.

I’m not sure if you wanted to go to Las Vegas instead, but what you could do instead of going all the way back is finish in Vegas. I have noticed that many car hire firms don’t charge one way fees for trips between SF and Las Vegas, and flights out of Las Vegas are also very inexpensive. Even if you don’t want to do the whole Las Vegas thing, there are some lovely outdoor attractions in the area including the Hoover Dam and the spectacular valley of fire state park.

Anyway, just a thought. To answer your question – yes, you could do the rest in 7 days but I fear it might be a bit rushed,

30th December 2019 at 1:24 am

How many miles is this trip in total?

30th December 2019 at 3:28 pm

Around 1400 miles, but you’ll want to add on detours, side trips etc. So I’d say 1500 – 2000 to be on the safe side 🙂

Mallikarjun says

19th December 2019 at 8:51 pm

Can you please let me know the “Public Transport” options, it may be Bus, Metro or any other services in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego. I am planning for a trip in end of Jan 2020 for about 6 to 7 days to cover these cities. Or is there any travel packages you suggest for these cities. Please let me know.

Thanks, Malli

22nd December 2019 at 5:29 pm

My pleasure, and apologies for the slow response, I’ve had some site issues I’ve been working on.

For your question, are you looking for public transport between the cities, or in the cities? If the former, then I’d generally recommend the long distance bus as the best way to get between the cities in California, although you will struggle to get to more remote locations this way.

For each city you mention, there are different options. San Francisco is the easiest to get around, as there’s a great bus system as well as bikes, e-bikes and scooters. LA is a bit trickier – there are both buses and a metro, but just be aware that the distances can be quite far as the city is very spread out. So the best option is to figure out what you want to see and make sure the accommodation you pick is as close to the sights as possible.

San Diego is also easy to get around for the most part, with buses, trolleys and trains.

I hope this helps 🙂

Samantha says

28th October 2019 at 1:20 pm

Hi! this sounds amazing and I am literally looking at booking this for June next year! From looking about the only area that I am a bit unsure of is Death Valley – where is best to stay around there and if only doing a day – what would be the best suggestion of something to do? I am also thinking that we will add 1 day on to do a Vegas stay since its so close!

29th October 2019 at 8:31 am

Hi Samantha,

So when we visited we stayed just outside the valley at Panamint Springs – specifically we stayed here .

A day is enough to see the highlights of Death Valley. You’ll want to visit Badwater Basin of course, the lowest point in North America. Other highlights including the Mesquite Sand dunes, Zabriskie Point, the Devil’s Golf Course, the Artists Drive and Palette and Mosaic Canyon.

We can definitely recommend tacking on a trip to Vegas as well. We’re actually thinking of publishing a new itinerary in the coming months which includes Vegas, as it’s a popular addition 🙂

Gisele leduc says

13th October 2019 at 3:38 pm

Would like to know w ymt is there a bus trip to 14 days in calif. Where does the bus leave from in the US. And approx how much is the cost

14th October 2019 at 8:36 pm

Sorry, could you clarify? Are you looking for a tour of California?

15th October 2019 at 3:32 pm

Looking for next year we live in Ottawa Canada and would like to take a 14 day bus tour especially san Francesco and pacific route. Are there bus tours leaving let’s say from Buffalo, New York we can easily drive to these destinations. I meant leaving from New York City and Buffalo. What would be the cost and does it include meals. Thank u

Gisele Leduv says

15th October 2019 at 7:37 pm

Hi I would like to know if there are Any bus tours leaving from New York City or buffalo 14 day road trip to California especially the pacific coastland. What would be the cost for such a trip.

16th October 2019 at 8:08 pm

Hey Gisele,

I have looked but most tours that depart from New York and go to California are much longer, because the distance is so great from the east coast to the west coast. If you want a tour that focuses more on California, it would definitely be easier to get one that departs from San Francisco or Las Vegas rather than New York – is that a possibility?

vivianchoo says

5th October 2019 at 4:44 am

Good articles and good photos, Helps a lot. Thank you!

5th October 2019 at 10:16 am

My pleasure – have a great trip!

Jason Parsons says

19th August 2019 at 3:23 pm

This is a super inspiring blog. Which area did you stay in Yosemite? We are planning to complete our road trip with 3 nights in Yosemite. We will have a car and plan on day trip walks within the park.using a hotel or lodge as our base.

19th August 2019 at 4:09 pm

Thanks very much! In Yosemite we’ve stayed in a few places. On the trip with the photos in this post, we stayed in Curry Village, which were canvas tents ( https://www.nationalparkreservations.com/lodge/yosemite-curry-village/ ).

Jess has also stayed at the Wawona hotel, and the other lodge options are The Ahwahnee Hotel and the Yosemite Valley Lodge. I would definitely recommend staying with the park if you can as it makes it a lot easier to see everything within a short distance. The various options are at different price points though, so you’ll have to figure out which is best for you 🙂

Have an amazing trip!

julie morton says

15th June 2019 at 4:36 pm

Great article, thank you. I will be doing a similar route with my husband in September. Do you have any further guides on the Mammoth Lakes area or could you suggest somewhere to base ourselves there for a couple of nights please? We will be coming from Death Valley and then heading on to Yosemite.

15th June 2019 at 8:31 pm

Hi Julie! We don’t have anything else about Mammoth Lakes unfortunately on our blogs. We have guides to other parts of California, including Yosemite, but Mammoth Lakes is still on the to do list.

Have a great trip, sorry we couldn’t help this time!

Tara West says

2nd June 2019 at 6:30 pm

Hi there, Just found your blog. Really helpful. Thank you. We are thinking of doing a Californian road trip with our 5 month old baby in Sept. How long are the drives between the places you mention? I wouldnt want to do LA so would probably do San Diego instead. Is there anywhere you advise missing out with a baby? Thanks so much. Tara

3rd June 2019 at 6:26 pm

Our pleasure, we’re delighted to be able to help 🙂

So the drives will obviously vary depending on what you stop and see, but none of the days on the itinerary should have more than four hours driving. We’ve also not got any personal experience with traveling with a baby, however, just bear in mind that even in September Death Valley is going to be very hot. Other than that I don’t see a reason not to go to any of the locations on the list, and Death Valley will be manageable, just take care with the heat 🙂

Priya Singh says

30th April 2019 at 6:40 am

I really appreciate the work you have done, you explained everything in such an amazing and simple way.Good post. I was searched for this topic. Finally, I got the information on this blog. Thanks for the effective information.

30th April 2019 at 5:38 pm

Thanks Priya – pleased we were able to help! Have a great trip 🙂

Rafael says

5th March 2019 at 1:45 pm

Hi guys, great post. I found it really handy now as i’m planning a 3 week road trip through California (and Nevada) in a month (apr 6 to 27). We are starting in LA, just a few days and then planning to go to Joshua Tree (Mojave, is it worth it?), Las vegas, Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Yosemite, San Francisco, and Route 1 back to LA. It’s quite a lot of days, and i find hard to plan where to sleep every night, as i’m not sure how long would it take me to visit every national park, and even cities. So my question is, should i book in advance all different accomodation? In that case how many days should we give to the different national parks and places. As the trip gets so long, we are being really careful with our budget, and that takes me to the second question, what are the best places to stay on a budget in the different stops?

By the way, we are a group of four, planning to rent a car.

Thanks again for your post. Looking forward to read your answer!

Rafael from Uruguay

5th March 2019 at 2:50 pm

Thanks very much 🙂

So to answer your questions. I think Mojave is worth it if you like deserts and wide open spaces.

In terms of accommodation, you are not travelling at a very busy time of year, although it is easter towards the end of April. However there are no Federal holiday, so it should not be too busy. So this means you should be able to book quite last minute. The only places I would advise maybe booking in advance would be any national parks you want to stay in, which can be busy year round. So Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Death Valley, if you plan on staying inside the park, you will want to plan your accommodation in advance.

In terms of budget accommodation, the parks all have campsites, so that would likely be the cheapest option if you don’t mind camping. Some have existing tents you can hire if you don’t want to bring your own tent – Yosemite for example has some nice fixed tents which are not too expensive. For other cities, I’d advise looking at the budget motel chains like Motel 6, Red Roof Inn and so on. These can be very cheap, but do be aware they are not always very central. So you might find something like AirBnB to be more cost effective.

As you are visiting a number of parks you will probably want to buy a national parks pass, which will save you money on parks entry.

I’d also advise taking a look at my guide to how much it costs to travel in the USA, which should give you some more budgeting ideas 🙂

https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-travel-in-usa/

Let me know if you have any more questions!

c. m. crawford says

17th February 2019 at 3:22 pm

I would take extra care with possessions in the big cities in California. I left my purse in the back of my rental car, parked in a highly visible location on a beach in San Francisco, and even though there were people walking up and down the beach, the window was smashed and the purse stolen. Luckily wallet & phone were on me and the purse was even found and turned in to the police, but I had to exchange the rental car. Other than that California is awesome.

17th February 2019 at 4:34 pm

Sorry to hear that Cris! This is definitely an issue around the world, we always recommend not leaving any valuables in sight in a car as it makes for a tempting option for a thief 🙁 Glad to hear you got your purse back though!

Matthias says

9th February 2019 at 6:57 pm

Hey you guys! You have a great blog and this post inspired the route for my first trip to California with a buddy (we’re planning on doing pretty much the same route). But our plan is doing it the other way around: Also starting end ending in SF but heading to Yosemite from there and doing the trip clockwise. Would love to hear your thoughts on that idea 🙂

10th February 2019 at 6:06 pm

Hi Matthias!

The route would work either way. The only thing is that many people prefer to drive the PCH from north to south as you are on the right hand side of the road, so you get clearer views. But it’s stunning either way to be honest 🙂

Catherine Smithfield says

18th January 2019 at 4:12 pm

Hi Laurence,

Fabulous site guys… I would love some tips please my husband and I are planning a once in a lifetime trip to the USA, we fly into and out of Los Angeles , arriving 16th October and leaving 5th December. We will be spending thanksgiving with friends in Washington state . We would like to drive the Pacific highway, see some of LA, San Fran , Yosemite,Death Valley Las Vegas,- just very quick as we feel we should see it and the Grand Canyon . We love nature, beautiful landscapes, we are also foodies . Any suggestions would be very welcome , hire car v Rv , obviously due to the length of our trip I would like to be sensible on accommodation costs…is there a reliable decent hotel/motel chain you would recommend, or Airbnb. I have also been looking a5 the trusted Housesitters website but have recently come across a few very negative reviews . Many thanks catherine(UK)

18th January 2019 at 6:33 pm

Hi Catherine!

Thanks so much! We’ll do our best to help out.

So first of all, if you haven’t already, we can definitely recommend checking out the USA sections of both our websites:

https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/category/destinations/north-america/usa/ https://independenttravelcats.com/category/travel-destinations/united-states/

Where we have loads of posts that you will find useful. Most particularly, I’d advise reading our driving in the USA , and our guide to how much it costs to travel in the USA . That latter one in particular will help you in terms of costing out the trip.

For a hire car, a normal car rental is going to be a lot cheaper than an RV, especially as you will most likely still have to rent campsite space to stay at. A standard hire car in the US will usually start at around $200 a week. Our US travel budget post has a lot more on how to find the best deal and things to watch out for.

In terms of accommodation, the US has a wide range of options. The cheaper chains include: Red Roof Inn, Motel 6, Super 8, America’s Best Value Inn, Travelodge. The next step up would be Comfort Inn and Holiday Inn.

Note that the cheaper hotels are often found a little way outside of towns, often at interstate exit ramps. It’s also worth being aware that they are nearly all franchises, and so as a result the quality can vary dramatically, so it’s always worth reading reviews before visiting.

For booking and reviews, we highly recommend Booking.com . We have nearly always found this to be the cheapest option, even compared to turning up at the property, and the reviews can be a helpful guide. However, just bear in mind that cheaper hotels tend to rate worse, as folks can have high expectations!

Hopefully all this helps, let us know if you have any more specific questions we can help with!

Natasha says

9th January 2019 at 10:22 am

PS We are also planning to visit family in LA and have possible access to accommodation in Pacific Grove so should we be considering finding snow at Big Sur instead of north of San Fran? PPS Budget is going to be very tight!

9th January 2019 at 10:38 am

Hey Natasha!

So I’ll answer the Big Sur question first 🙂 Snow isn’t very common at Big Sur as it’s right by the sea, and it doesn’t usually get much except at higher elevations. The most reliable option is to head east to Tahoe or Yosemite, although that is going to be quite a drive and won’t fall into the definition of a short drive I’m afraid 🙁 The other option is to head up towards Auburn, as you get closer to the Sierra Nevada Mountains you will definitely find snow, but again, this isn’t going to be a short drive.

Whilst there is always a possibility of snow elsewhere, I wouldn’t want to guarantee it!

In terms of house swaps, the closest option we have for you is TrustedHousesitters , but that’s more of a house sitting opportunity than a home swap. I know there are home swapping platforms, but we’re not familiar with them, so I wouldn’t want to give a recommendation!

I hope you have a wonderful trip!

9th January 2019 at 2:44 pm

Thanks for the super-prompt response! Very helpful to know Big Sur is unlikely to tick the box and we hadn’t considered Auburn so I’ll find out more about that instead. Otherwise we’ll stick to Yosemite or Tahoe, which we’ve heard lots about.

9th January 2019 at 2:50 pm

My pleasure! Those two will definitely be fantastic, Yosemite in winter in particular is stunning. We have a guide to visiting Yosemite here 🙂

Also, I know real snow is ideally preferable, but there are a number of locations that generate snow that are going to be closer to San Francisco. If you google “snow in san francisco” or something similar, you should find some options!

9th January 2019 at 10:17 am

Thrilled to find your fascinating and helpful site! We live in Cape Town, and are planning a month in California between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, focussed around spending time with family in San Fran.

But my 14- and 16-year-olds have never experienced snow so we’re looking for guaranteed on-the-ground snow in early/mid December, as short a drive from SF as possible. Skiing not required, but snowman-building and perhaps some sledging would be great.

Also, can you recommend a site we might arrange a house swap through?

20th November 2018 at 8:30 pm

Hi, I’d like to know if February os a good time to make this travel. And what do you think about Sequoia National park?

27th November 2018 at 11:22 am

February would be good, just be aware that there might still be snow in Yosemite and so you’ll need to keep an eye on road closures around that area. We haven’t visited Sequoia National Park, but we have heard it is a great park, well worth visiting 🙂

12th November 2018 at 10:53 am

Hi there! This post has been really helpful as my partner and I are planning our honeymoon for April 2019 and we would love to roadtrip in the US. We have about 12 nights and would love to spend good chunks of time in San Francisco, LA or Santa Monica and some national parks. We would also love to do the Pacific Coast. We were originally thinking of flying into San Francisco and out of LA, but your post has me wondering if a roundtrip is better. Would you suggest we amend your suggested route? Which of the the national parks would be the best to visit?

12th November 2018 at 4:15 pm

Hey Neely! There are so many great National Parks, but Yosemite is definitely up there as one of my favourites. I would say a round trip is better – the route I have outlined makes a nice loop, and car hire is nearly always better value if you return the car where you picked it up 🙂

Chiara says

2nd October 2018 at 5:21 pm

Hi! I love your blog guys! We are thinking about a road trip in California next summer, and this post is a perfect inspiration! We will travel with our kids, they will be 3 and 6 and we have 3 weeks instead of 2. Do you have suggestions on how/where to use the extra days? Considering we can’t plan super long tiring car journeys and have to incorporate some activities they would enjoy too like some beach life, aquariums… Any suggestion is very welcomed! Thank you very much in advance!

4th October 2018 at 4:20 am

Hey Chiara!

So my suggestion would be to follow this itinerary, but just to go a bit slower and spend a bit more time in each place. I’d definitely suggest the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the San Diego Zoo as two great options along the way, and Universal Studios in LA is also sure to be a hit 🙂 Along the PCH you’ll also find loads of lovely beaches, so I think you’ll easily be able to stretch this two week road trip into a three week California itinerary! Have an awesome time!

4th October 2018 at 2:09 pm

Thank you very much!

ANGELINE MONTIJO says

19th August 2018 at 3:48 pm

Hi Im planning a road trip with my family to California from Orlando,Fl on June 2019. I want some advice where should we start.

19th August 2018 at 5:41 pm

Hi Angeline! Do you mean where to start in terms of planning? If you could let me know how long you are travelling for and what your interests are, then we can try to help. In the meantime, we can help out with some tips on driving in the USA:

https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/tips-for-driving-in-usa/

And some tips on budgeting for your trip:

The overall route you take will also take you through part of our Deep South USA itinerary:

https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/usa-deep-south-road-trip-itinerary/

As well as parts of our Route 66 itinerary:

https://independenttravelcats.com/2-week-route-66-itinerary-ultimate-american-road-trip/

Which should both serve to help inform your planning on your route 🙂

Lisa Stark says

16th August 2018 at 1:20 pm

Hi, my partner and me are planning to do a road trip next September 2019, starting from San Fran and heading south, eventually arriving in San Diego over a 2 week period. Can you recommend a good car hire company, how long before we should book and some nice places to stop with boutique hotels, This will be out first time in America and I’m completely at a loss where to start planning. Many thanks. Lisa

16th August 2018 at 7:05 pm

Hey Lisa! Well, that’s a great question. There are a number of hire car companies that we recommend, you can see our list here: https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/travel-resources/#Car-Rental

It looks like you are doing a one-way trip, so just bear in mind that sometimes the “meta-search” tools that search a variety of providers don’t always account for that. So it might be easier to go direct. We’ve found that it really varies, but we’ve often had success with Enterprise and Hertz. It’s also worth bearing in mind that pick up from an airport location is nearly always more expensive than a city location, so if you can be flexible in that regard you will likely save a bit of money. Especially somewhere like San Francisco, as you don’t really need the car for the city and it will just end up costing you in car parking fees and wasted rental fees for a car you aren’t using.

For hotel and car bookings, I’d usually say the further in advance the better so you have everything sorted and don’t have to worry about it. In terms of stops, your route pretty much follows the Pacific Coast Highway, and we have a super comprehensive guide to all the towns along the route which you can see here:

https://independenttravelcats.com/planning-a-california-pacific-coast-highway-road-trip-from-san-francisco-to-los-angeles/

That also has planning tips and suggestions. I’d also advise reading our tips for driving in the USA: https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/tips-for-driving-in-usa/

And our guide to how much it costs to travel in the USA: https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-travel-in-usa/

In terms of other things to think about, I’m not sure which country you are coming from, but definitely consider getting a travel credit card that won’t charge you for foreign transaction fees, and maybe a SIM card that offers roaming in the USA. Three in the UK has a pretty good deal for SIM cards that offer free data in the USA.

Hopefully this helps a bit, let me know if you have other questions. It gives me an idea to put together a first timers guide to travelling in the USA 🙂

6th August 2018 at 12:24 pm

This is a great read, thank you for sharing. My partner and I are looking to do a similar trip in October this year. However, we are slightly confused on the route (and in what order) to do it all in. We want to do 14 nights and start in San Francisco and either end in San Diego or Vegas. (Everyone says Vegas is a must see at least once and although not on the top of our list, we thought we could add it on the end).

Our initial thoughts are 3 nights in San Fran, 2 in Yosemite, 1 in Monterey, 1 in Santa Barbara. 3 in la, 2 in San Diego and 2 in Vegas. Does this sound too ambitious? And any thoughts on in what order we would do this? I would appreciate anyones input on this. Thank you in advance!

6th August 2018 at 12:58 pm

My pleasure. So the only slight niggle in your itinerary is that Yosemite is the opposite direction to the Pacific Coast Highway, so that will add a bit of driving time to your route (it’s about 3 – 4 hours each way from San Francisco). I definitely recommend Yosemite, it’s just going to take a bit of time to do it on this trip. Overall your route is certainly do-able, as long as you don’t mind a fair bit of driving. I like that you are scheduling multiple nights in the various locations, that will give you more time to enjoy without rushing. I’d say that your order is pretty good, I can’t think of a better way to do it.

6th August 2018 at 1:27 pm

Thank you for taking the time reply! I am glad it sounds doable. I think the multiple stops should help to break up the drive (I won’t be doing it my other half has that pleasurable job =) ). Yes Yosemite is the one we are are a bit confused about as when to add it. Before or after San Fran and at what point as you say it is out of the way, but is a must for us, and we don’t want to miss anything on the drive down from San Fran to La, so a tricky one. Thank you for your input, much appreciated!

Tim Shakespeare says

24th July 2018 at 9:42 am

Hi there, my wife and I are coming mid October to California for a road trip celebrating my 50th. We start in SF, only for 2 days, then have 3 days before we get to Yosemite. Have you any recommendations of where to visit in that time, we don’t mind going in any direction before heading towards Yosemite? We then head to Las Vegas for my actual birthday for 3 days then onto LA for a further 4 days, any suggestions of where to spend time between the cities?

24th July 2018 at 9:42 pm

Hey Tim! Well, it really depends on what you are interested in! Obviously you’re not too far from Napa Valley if it’s wine you’re after, or you could head north to Redding, where there’s some beautiful scenery. A sojourn along the Pacific Coast Highway, or at least part of it, is also an option – there are so many cute towns along that route to check out (see our guide here: https://independenttravelcats.com/planning-a-california-pacific-coast-highway-road-trip-from-san-francisco-to-los-angeles/

Between Vegas and LA, the obvious choices are Joshua Tree National Park, and the whole Mojave Desert is pretty impressive. I’m assuming you’ll stop at Death Valley from Yosemite, but if not, you could head up that way. Another option is to head south from Vegas and find Route 66, and follow then into LA, which is a fun option. You can see more on Route 66 here: https://independenttravelcats.com/2-week-route-66-itinerary-ultimate-american-road-trip/

Hope this helps a bit! Have a great trip and happy birthday!

tim shakespeare says

27th July 2018 at 2:56 pm

Thanks Laurance, that info is really useful

28th July 2018 at 4:08 pm

My pleasure 🙂

Paula Lambie says

20th July 2018 at 2:35 pm

Hi Laurence, Absolutely loved your article. We are a group of 6 friends that are coming from Trinidad and want to stay about 7-8 days on a road trip starting in LA and possibly leaving from San Fran. We are coming around the end of Feb 2019 and leaving around March 6 or 7th. Still in the planning stages and would appreciate any advice or recommendations. I want to include Yosemite and Sequoia but don”t know if it is feasible with the time period we are looking at. Any advice would greatly be appreciated. Take care.

22nd July 2018 at 9:09 pm

Thanks very much. So Yosemite would be feasible, but you have to bear in mind that in February and March it can still be quite snowy in the park, and it’s also a four hour drive each way from San Francisco, so that’s going to eat up a lot of your time. My suggestion would be to definitely do the Pacific Coast Highway over two or three days, and then depending on your interests, either some time in places like the Joshua Tree, or the cities like LA, San Francisco or San Diego. Another option is to go further north of San Francisco, although Yosemite is a really incredible place and well worth the effort to get out there!

Hope this helps, have a great trip!

Louisa says

12th June 2018 at 6:03 pm

Hi Laurence, We are a family of 5 holidaying in California in August and staying San Francisco (3 nights) -Yosemite (3 nights)-Monterey (2 nights)-Santa Barbara (1 night) and at the moment San Diego (2 nights) and LA (3 nights). I am wondering if we are being over ambitious at the end of the holiday and should just stay in LA rather than driving down to San Diego and back to LA for our flight back? Is San Diego a must see? I am torn between wanting to see it all while we are in California but not overdoing it and rushing too much. What are the travel times likely to be realistically between Santa Barbara, LA and San Diego at that time of year? Thank you for any advice.

13th June 2018 at 11:07 am

Hey Louisa!

I think San Diego is worth visiting, and as you have 3 nights already in LA I don’t think you’ll have too much rush. I will be honest and say that I don’t know exactly what the travel times at that time of year will be, but I find that Google usually estimates travel times pretty well – just avoid the peak rush hours and you should generally be fine 🙂

Shelley says

14th May 2018 at 9:00 am

Hi Laurence, Great website! We are booking a 3 week trip over Christmas. LA to San Francisco, via Vegas/Death Valley etc. Weather wise, what should we expect, particularly with Yosemite? Is there anywhere along the coast which is worth stopping off between LA and San Francisco for a night? Many thanks Shelley from Sydney

14th May 2018 at 2:53 pm

Hi Shelley!

Thanks for your comment – sounds like you have a wonderful trip planned. So, Yosemite in particular can be tricky in winter. It can be accessed, but you need to be aware that it will obviously be quite snowy, and access isn’t possible from all sides – the route I have laid out for example you would have to alter a bit in order to access Yosemite in winter, as the Tioga Road is closed. You also usually can’t get up to Glacier point in winter. But the major attractions in the valley are accessible. For more on visiting Yosemite in Winter, you can check out this guide to Yosemite in a day that Jess wrote: https://independenttravelcats.com/planning-day-yosemite-national-park-introduction-yosemite-valley/

There is a lot to see and do on the Pacific Coast Highway, certainly enough to fill a day or two. There are lots of towns to stop at, and which you choose really depends what you are into. Cambria is a favourite of ours, but there’s a lot to see and do. This post breaks down all the highlights, so you can make an informed decision 🙂

Have a fabulous trip!

Lis Brown says

1st May 2018 at 11:15 pm

Hi Laurence, great post and photos! My husband and I are planing to do 2 weeks driving trip in California, i love all your suggested destinations, I may do the same trip as yours. However, I will be 4 months pregnant (planning to go in May) during the trip, may I know if the in-land route/parks and lake visits are suitable for me and accessible by car or light walking/ light hiking? your trip is start from san francisco and end there too, am i right? thanks in advance!

2nd May 2018 at 8:24 pm

Hi Lis! Thanks very much 😀 The trip does start and end in San Francisco yep.

For your question – I have to admit to not being an expert as we’ve not had any kids, however there is definitely light hiking in the majority of places. Just be aware it can get very hot in some parts of California, so do take plenty of water along. My advice would be to check the websites for the national parks you want to visit and see what hiking routes they have – I think you should be fine, but it’s always best to check as one persons “light hike” is another persons marathon 😉

Theresa says

10th April 2018 at 1:59 am

This looks like a great route, but I was really hoping to see Sequoia National Park. Any advice?

13th April 2018 at 6:16 pm

Hi Theresa! Thanks very much! As that’s in the north, you’d want to add it on near San Francisco. So you could either spend less time in the city, or lose a day somewhere else on the route. It’s hard to give specific advice without knowing your exact interests, but as you sound like you prefer nature to cities, perhaps spending less time in the cities might work better for you? Have a great trip!

15th April 2018 at 5:51 pm

Thanks for your reply. Sequoia National Park is south of Yosemite on the map (Redwood National Park is north of San Francisco). It doesn’t appear that there is road access to Sequoia NP on your route which heads north on 395. I did more research and verified that is the case.

18th April 2018 at 6:22 am

Hi! My apologies, I was thinking of the redwoods to the north of San Francisco and got a bit confused – but that is another option if you can’t make it to Sequoia. Road access can be a challenge due the mountains, and also in winter some of the roads into Yosemite are closed due to snow. So you might have to alter the route a fair bit to make it to Sequoia if that’s a priority 🙂

Jacques says

5th April 2018 at 10:41 pm

Hi Lawrence , we are also considering tyis roadtrip this month. Were from Canada. Assuming we are on the road a giving day with no reservations for a room the same night , by what time do we need to confirm a room or is there plenty of options once arriving early evening. Thank for everything.

6th April 2018 at 5:09 pm

Hi Jacques! At this time of year for the most part you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a room at the last minute. It does depend a little on what level of accommodation you are after, but for quick and easy motels we found they had lots of availability in general. We do definitely advise always checking prices online somewhere like booking.com though, as we nearly always got better deals that way compared to turning up – often the person at the desk didn’t have the power to actually match a price. So do keep that in mind 🙂 Have a great trip, and let me know how it goes!

Jacques Gauthier says

20th May 2018 at 1:13 am

Hi Lawrence ! We decided to take two weeks to travel from San Francisco to LA (Manhattan Beach) . We travel along the coast for these 14 days and enjoyed it tremendously. Next trip will be the National Parks .

Thank you .

20th May 2018 at 2:36 pm

13th March 2018 at 1:27 pm

We are hoping to do everything in your itinerary plus San Diego, we will only have 15 nights and would like to spend at least 2 full days in San Diego and 2 full days in SF, do you think this is reasonable without spending too long out of the 15 days in the car?

13th March 2018 at 8:34 pm

I think that should be do-able yes, if you are focused and don’t get too distracted 😉 Have an awesome trip!

Jacqueline says

19th February 2018 at 4:25 pm

Hi! I am planning a trip with my 10 year old son and love the looks of your itinerary. What would you suggest budget wise for this trip (minus flights) for the two of us?

Thanks, Jacqueline

19th February 2018 at 6:03 pm

Hi Jacqueline! It’s quite tricky to put a budget together on a case by case basis because everyone has different styles and standards of travelling. I’d suggest taking a look at my guide to how much it costs to travel in the USA, which covers pretty much all the areas you need to consider, and should give you some ballpark figures 🙂

Let me know if you still have questions after checking that out 😀

Gai Pendlebury says

12th October 2017 at 11:04 pm

Thank you — what a great and helpful site you have made.We are flying into San francisco from Australia in April.We only have 10 nights.Your suggestions are great — we will miss the LA part.Happy for anyone hear to put in their opinions for an itinerary!We will spent 4 or 5 nights in San fran and 3 in yosemite but the 3 nights are up for grabs –we have done Big Sir before so probs wont go south on the coast.I am thinking maybe Lake tahoe,gold rush towns …love to walk,history, beautiful scenery and quaint American towns.Happy to drive long distances– thank you –your photos are wonderful!

Laurence says

13th October 2017 at 10:33 am

Our pleasure – thanks for commenting to let us know, it’s always appreciated. Sounds like you have some good plans already – one idea might be to head north for Shasta Cascade region and see the caves / redwoods. I have a post about that region on the site too 🙂 Have a fabulous trip!

14th October 2017 at 5:09 am

Thank for that .I will look into it a bit more — I am really impressed with your links for such like 12 best spots for photographing San Fran or Yosemite. So helpful to know where to go to get those great shots!

Jules Selby says

28th August 2017 at 10:24 pm

We are planning two weeks but thinking of hiring an RV instead of hotels, what do you think?

28th August 2017 at 10:43 pm

An RV is definitely a good idea, but do be aware that they can be pricey, and you often have to pay for camping on top of that as well – although there are a lot of places you can camp for free in the US! So really it’s up to you – we’ve done both, and RV’ing is definitely a lot of fun!

Bob Steiner, Jr says

25th June 2017 at 4:07 am

You can’t drive a highway 1 through Big Sur. The highest us closed and detours long and winding over dirt roads

25th June 2017 at 1:32 pm

Thanks for pointing this out. Do you know how long the road will be closed? I’ll put a note in the post.

Erica Landry Napolitano says

16th April 2017 at 7:52 pm

This is some great advice for our upcoming trip. We have almost three weeks out in CA and these will be some great spots! Traveling with an 8 and 10 year old this still seems doable! Thanks.

16th April 2017 at 7:54 pm

My pleasure, have an awesome trip!

Jenna Francisco says

17th September 2016 at 5:18 am

So many good ideas here, and I agree that visitors should plan at least 3 days in San Francisco and Yosemite. One suggestion I’d make related to the “when to visit CA” section–SF and much of the coast are cold and foggy in the summer, so it’s a good idea for visitors to dress in layers and expect lots of fog in summer, that way they won’t be disappointed!

Sarah @ Endless Distances says

14th August 2016 at 1:16 pm

Wow this is so exhaustive!! I’ve don’t the pch before and it’s a dream. I would also definitely recommend staying in Santa Barbara – and the Mexican street food!!!

20th August 2016 at 8:28 pm

Thanks Sarah! It’s a fun place to road trip for sure – thanks for the recommendation!

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The Ultimate Northern California Road Trip Itinerary (2024 Guide)

• Last Updated: February 4, 2024

Looking for the perfect Northern California road trip? This ultimate road trip itinerary takes you through the top destinations in Northern California!

As one of the biggest and most diverse states in the USA, California is packed with natural beauty, history, and culture.

One of the best ways to fully experience the wonders of the Golden State is on a road trip! This article will focus on an incredible Northern California road trip itinerary that will help you see the best of the area.

Northern California is incredibly special, and it varies slightly from the warm and sunny Southern California . From the bustling cities of San Francisco and Sacramento to the quaint beach towns along the rugged coast, Northern California has so much to offer travelers.

From touring world-renown wine countries to exploring the wide range of national and state parks, lovers of nature, cuisine, art, and culture will have a blast on this Northern California road trip.

See unique natural landmarks like Burney Falls, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and the iconic Redwoods National Park. Soak in hot springs, hike to the Point Reyes Lighthouse, or go camping and backpacking in one of the many beautiful California state parks.

This Northern California road trip itinerary encompasses all the highlights of the area, and organizes them into a convenient driving route so you can explore the state with ease!

Read Next: Check out our post on all of the other top things to do in Northern California !

Table of Contents

How To Get Around Northern California

Where to stay on your northern california road trip, how long do you need for a northern california road trip, stop 1: san francisco, stop 2: napa valley, stop 3: sonoma wine country, stop 4: sacramento, stop 5: yosemite national park, stop 6: lake tahoe, stop 7: lassen volcanic national park, stop 8: macarthur burney falls memorial state park, stop 9: lava beds national monument, stop 10: shasta trinity national forest, stop 11: redwood national park, stop 12: trinidad state beach, stop 13: humboldt redwoods state park, stop 14: fort bragg, stop 15: point reyes national seashore, stop 16: muir woods national monument, return to san francisco.

The easiest way to complete this Northern California road trip itinerary is by renting a car. If you don’t already have a car, your best bet is renting one in San Francisco.

This road trip will start and end in San Francisco, so you can easily explore the city and then rent a car when you’re ready to hit the road.

This Northern California itinerary visits some remote places that don’t have direct public transport, so a car is definitely the best way to explore. You can easily return your rental car back to its original location in San Francisco when the road trip is finished!

The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rental Cars , which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market.

Throughout your Northern California trip, there are lots of accommodation options. Even in the national and state parks, lodgings are plentiful.

Because this road trip itinerary is quite flexible, you can choose where you want to spend the night and for how long. Booking.com or Airbnb are great options for finding accommodation in each location.

You can also camp in many places, or try the road trip with a campervan so you can sleep in your vehicle. Be sure to check any national and state parks websites for a full list of campgrounds and regulations on this road trip!

If you’re looking for an awesome place to stay in the area, we personally love using Airbnb. If you’ve never used the platform before, sign up using this link to get USD$35 off your first booking .

We recommend about two weeks for this Northern California road trip. You could probably visit all the destinations listed in about one week if you wanted to, but it’s better to take your time and really soak it all in.

Some destinations require more time to explore, such as Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe , and San Francisco . You could easily spend 3-7 days in each of these locations and stretch your Northern California road trip into 3 weeks or more.

But the time frame of this Northern California road trip is flexible, so feel free to modify or change it however you want. To give you an idea of the time and distance of the road trip, here are some approximate stats about the route we’ve mapped out:

• Total Driving Distance: 1,520 miles or 2,460 kilometers
• Total Driving Time: 32 hours

These stats are just for driving from destination to destination. Each traveler’s actual Northern California road trip may differ depending on any side trips or modifications you make. But use this as a rough guide and feel free to create your own Northern California road trip itinerary that suits you!

Find more things to do in the Golden State with our complete list of the best things to do in California !

The Ultimate Northern California Road Trip Itinerary

Let’s dive into this ultimate Northern California road trip itinerary! Beginning in San Francisco, spend some time admiring the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, and other highlights of this iconic city.

Then grab your rental car and continue on towards the area’s top wine countries, national parks, and lakes. You’ll head east towards the Nevada border, then loop up towards the Oregon border before returning to the West Coast and driving back down to San Francisco.

You’ll begin your Northern California road trip in the mighty city of San Francisco . This vibrant and iconic metropolis is known for its stunning natural beauty, diverse culture, and technological innovation.

Before you set off on your road trip, be sure to spend at least a few days enjoying all that San Francisco has to offer. Make sure you see the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, which spans the entrance to San Francisco Bay and offers breathtaking views of the city skyline.

Other attractions in addition to the Golden Gate Bridge include the former prison, Alcatraz Island , and the windy and scenic Lombard Street.

For art enthusiasts, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art showcases an impressive collection of contemporary and modern art, while the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park offers a blend of American art and international exhibits.

The city’s diverse neighborhoods each have their own unique character and attractions. The vibrant Mission District is a hub of culinary delights, boasting an array of international cuisines, colorful murals, and trendy boutiques.

Fisherman’s Wharf is a bustling waterfront area known for its fresh seafood, lively street performers, and iconic attractions like Pier 39 and the historic cable cars.

With its captivating blend of coastal charm, cultural richness, and technological innovation, San Francisco is the perfect place to begin any Northern California road trip.

Plan your stay with our 3 Days In San Francisco Itinerary !

• Driving time from San Francisco: 1.5 hours

After experiencing the best of San Francisco, head to what is arguably the top wine region in the USA: Napa Valley . Renowned for its picturesque vineyards, rolling hills, and Mediterranean-like climate, Napa Valley is a true gem of Northern California.

With over 400 wineries and many miles of hiking and biking trails that wind through the lush landscapes, you’ll have a blast soaking in the luxury and tranquility of Napa.

Wine tasting is, of course, the top activity to try here. Book a guided wine tour so you can learn about the local delicacies and boutique wineries from a local!

In addition to wine tasting, you can also enjoy food and culture while visiting Napa Valley. The region is home to renowned culinary institutions, attracting top chefs from around the world.

Visitors can treat their taste buds to exceptional farm-to-table cuisine, sample artisanal cheeses and olive oils, or attend culinary events and food festivals that showcase the region’s gastronomic delights.

Napa Valley also hosts a variety of cultural events throughout the year, including music festivals, art exhibitions, and theater performances. For those seeking relaxation, the valley’s natural hot springs and world-class spas provide the perfect retreat to unwind and rejuvenate.

• Driving time from Napa Valley: 50 minutes

Right next to Napa is another iconic wine country in Northern California, Sonoma Valley. These two locations are so close that you can choose to just visit one or the other. But if you’re a real wine lover, you may want to spend at least one full day in both places!

With its rolling vineyards, historic villages, and cultural landmarks, Sonoma Valley offers a rich tapestry of flavors and experiences for wine enthusiasts and travelers alike. The region is home to hundreds of wineries, ranging from boutique family-owned estates to renowned producers.

The valley’s natural beauty is also a major draw, with opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and hot air balloon rides, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the scenic splendor of the region.

Sonoma Valley’s rich history and cultural heritage further enhance its appeal. Sonoma County is dotted with charming towns and historic sites where visitors can explore adobe buildings, mission churches, and museums that showcase the region’s past.

Sonoma State Historic Park is the center of the area’s history, so this is a great place to learn about the culture, architecture, and traditions of Sonoma County.

• Driving time from Sonoma Valley: 1 hour and 25 minutes

Once you’ve had your fill of wine tasting, head to the dynamic city of Sacramento . As the capital city of California, Sacramento blends a rich history with modern amenities.

Sacramento’s historical significance is evident in its well-preserved Old Sacramento district, which showcases the city’s Gold Rush heritage through its charming wooden sidewalks, historic buildings, and museums. Hop on a Gold Rush River Cruise to learn more about the history as you sightsee down the Sacramento River!

The city also boasts a vibrant arts scene, with numerous galleries, theaters, and performance venues that host a variety of events, including art exhibitions, live music, and theater productions.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Sacramento offers ample opportunities for recreational activities. The American River Parkway provides miles of trails for hiking, biking, and jogging, while the rivers offer options for boating, kayaking, and fishing.

Travelers can easily spend up to 3 days in Sacramento, but there is much more to explore on this Northern California road trip. One or two days in the city is sufficient because next you’re heading out to some of the most stunning national parks and lakes in Northern California!

Find more things to do in Sacramento here !

• Driving time from Sacramento: 3.5 hours

The next stop on your Northern California road trip itinerary is one of the country’s most beloved national parks.

Yosemite National Park , located in the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, is a natural wonderland that captivates visitors with its awe-inspiring landscapes and untouched wilderness.

Spanning over 750,000 acres, Yosemite is famous for its towering granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls, ancient sequoia groves, and abundant wildlife.

The park’s crown jewel is the iconic Yosemite Valley, a glacially-carved valley that boasts breathtaking vistas such as El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridal Veil Falls.

Hiking trails crisscross the park, offering opportunities for both casual strolls and challenging treks. From the misty meadows of Tuolumne Meadows to the serene beauty of Glacier Point, Yosemite’s diverse ecosystems and geological formations provide endless exploration.

Whether it’s rock climbing, camping, wildlife spotting, or simply basking in the tranquility of nature, Yosemite National Park offers an unforgettable experience for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.

No Northern California road trip is complete without a visit to Yosemite National Park!

• Driving time from Yosemite National Park: 5 hours

After exploring Yosemite Valley, set aside a full day to travel from there to Lake Tahoe . It’s a 5-hour drive, but after all the hiking and adventuring you may need a bit of R&R.

Enjoy a leisurely drive through the western side of Northern California, then get ready to explore another natural wonder!

Lake Tahoe is a pristine alpine lake that enchants visitors with its crystal-clear turquoise waters and dramatic mountain scenery. Spanning over 190 square miles, Lake Tahoe is not only the largest alpine lake in North America but also one of the most beautiful.

The lake’s azure blue waters are surrounded by jagged mountain peaks, lush forests, and sandy beaches, creating a breathtaking backdrop for outdoor adventures and relaxation.

Whether it’s kayaking or paddleboarding on the lake’s calm waters, hiking through the scenic trails that line the shoreline, or simply lounging on the beach, Lake Tahoe offers an array of recreational activities for visitors to enjoy.

One of the highlights of Lake Tahoe is Emerald Bay State Park, a natural gem with stunning emerald-green waters. Book a boat cruise of Emerald Bay and South Lake Tahoe to cover more ground while sightseeing in this beautiful place.

Tahoe City is the urban hub of the area. If you’re looking for places to stay, dine, or buy supplies, Tahoe City is a great place to base yourself for your explorations of Lake Tahoe.

In the winter, the region transforms into a winter wonderland, attracting skiers and snowboarders to its world-class ski resorts, such as Heavenly, Squaw Valley, and Northstar, where they can carve through fresh powder and take in panoramic views of the frozen lake.

• Driving time from Lake Tahoe: 3.5 hours

Next on your epic Northern California road trip itinerary is Lassen Volcanic National Park. This geologically diverse and visually striking national park showcases the remnants of volcanic activity in Northern California.

The park is home to Lassen Peak, an active volcano and the southernmost peak in the Cascade Range, which offers breathtaking views from its summit.

Visitors can explore a range of volcanic features, including steaming fumaroles, bubbling mud pots, and colorful hot springs, all within the park’s hydrothermal areas.

Lassen Volcanic National Park also boasts beautiful mountain lakes, meadows filled with wildflowers, and dense forests that provide opportunities for hiking, camping, and wildlife watching.

From the dramatic landscapes to the unique geological formations, Lassen Volcanic National Park is definitely worth a stop on any Northern California road trip itinerary!

Read Next: Have extra time on the West Coast? Take the ultimate road trip from San Francisco to Seattle !

• Driving time from Lassen Volcanic National Park: 1 hour

The natural wonders just keep coming on this Northern California road trip! From Lassen Volcanic National Park, head north to one of the state’s best state parks: MacArthur Burney Falls Memorial State Park.

Surrounded by towering evergreen forests, MacArthur Burney Falls Memorial State Park offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Burney Falls is undoubtedly the highlight of this beautiful state park. The magnificent 129-foot waterfall never fails to amaze visitors with its cascading beauty and crystal-clear waters.

Fed by underground springs, Burney Falls is surrounded by lush greenery and moss-covered cliffs, offering a serene and picturesque setting for nature lovers and photographers to enjoy.

Once you’ve admired Burney Falls and the surrounding nature of one of the top state parks in Northern California, hit the road again and continue your road trip!

• Driving time from Burney Falls: 1 hour and 45 minutes

Your Northern California itinerary continues as you head north toward the Oregon border. Stop for the day at Lava Beds National Monument , a fascinating destination that showcases more of the region’s volcanic history.

The monument is home to a vast network of lava tube caves formed by ancient volcanic eruptions, offering visitors an opportunity to explore these otherworldly underground formations.

As visitors navigate through the labyrinthine passages, they can marvel at the intricate lava formations, ice formations, and diverse geological features.

Additionally, Lava Beds National Monument boasts an abundance of cultural and historical significance, with numerous Native American rock art sites and the presence of the Modoc War battlefields, providing a rich tapestry of human history.

With its captivating geological wonders and cultural heritage, Lava Beds National Monument offers an unforgettable adventure for those seeking to delve into the region’s volcanic past and connect with nature and history here.

• Driving time from Lava Beds National Monument: 1 hour

It’s time to take your Northern California road trip back south toward the magical Shasta Trinity National Forest. Encompassing over 2.2 million acres of stunning natural beauty in Northern California, Shasta Trinity National Forest has mountains, valleys, trails, hot springs, and more.

Hikers and backpackers are spoiled for choice with an abundance of spectacular trails to explore. The Pacific Crest Trail winds through the forest, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

For a more challenging adventure, the Mount Shasta Summit Trail provides an opportunity to conquer the majestic peak.

Lake Shasta is a magnificent reservoir renowned for its beauty and recreational opportunities. With over 365 miles of scenic shoreline, Lake Shasta offers abundant opportunities for boating, fishing, water skiing, and swimming.

There are some great lodges and hotels near Lake Shasta, or you can stay at one of the many popular campgrounds in the forest including McBride Springs Campground, Fowlers Campground, and Panther Meadows Campground.

• Driving time from Shasta Trinity National Forest: 3 hours

Continue your exploration of California’s majestic forests by heading toward the coastal redwoods. Located near the Northern California coast, Redwood National Park is a sanctuary of ancient giants and awe-inspiring beauty.

Renowned for its towering coastal redwood trees, the tallest trees on Earth, Redwood National Park offers a majestic and serene atmosphere. It’s definitely a highlight of any Northern California road trip.

Hiking trails like the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail and Tall Trees Grove Trail lead visitors through lush forests of towering redwoods, providing an up-close experience with these magnificent giants.

For breathtaking viewpoints, the overlooks along the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway and the Klamath River Overlook offer stunning vistas of the rugged coastline and the convergence of the forest and the sea.

With its enchanting trails and mesmerizing viewpoints, Redwoods National Park is an unparalleled destination for nature lovers exploring California.

• Driving time from Redwood National Park: 25 minutes

After hiking amongst the redwoods, get ready to soak in more of that salty Pacific Ocean air on the Northern California coast. The next stop on your road trip itinerary is Trinidad State Beach , known for its dramatic cliffs, beautiful sandy shores, and crystal-clear waters.

Visitors can stroll along the shoreline and search for seashells, watch seabirds soar overhead, or simply bask in the tranquility of the coastal scenery.

This beach is a hidden gem that invites visitors to relax, connect with nature, and immerse themselves in the serene landscape of the Northern California coast.

You only need to spend a short time here as there isn’t much to do besides relax by the beach. But it makes a nice break from driving on your Northern California road trip!

• Driving time from Trinidad State Beach: 1 hour and 20 minutes

After enjoying the beach, you can explore even more magnificent redwood trees if you want! Humboldt Redwoods State Park is a bit further south than the famous Redwoods National Park, but it offers a similar experience.

If you’re short on time or you’re not that interested in redwoods, you can choose one of the two parks to explore. But if you do have time, Humboldt Redwoods State Park is absolutely worth it!

Spanning over 53,000 acres, the park is home to more of California’s iconic Redwoods, including the famous “Avenue of the Giants” where towering redwoods line the scenic drive.

The park offers a variety of hiking trails, such as the Founders Grove Trail and the Rockefeller Loop, which wind through towering groves, fern-filled canyons, and meandering rivers.

Visitors can marvel at the sheer grandeur of the redwoods, take in the peacefulness of the forest, and witness the intricate interplay of light and shadows filtering through the dense canopy.

• Driving time from Humboldt Redwoods State Park: 2 hours

Continue south down California’s west coast as you make your way back toward San Francisco. Your next stop is Fort Bragg , a charming coastal city located in Mendocino County. With its dramatic coastal scenery, Fort Bragg offers a tranquil retreat for beach lovers and nature enthusiasts alike.

The city’s iconic Glass Beach, known for its shimmering sea glass scattered along the shore, is a popular attraction that showcases the beauty of nature’s transformation.

Visitors can also explore the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, wander along the scenic Noyo Headlands Park trail, or embark on a scenic coastal drive along the Pacific Coast Highway .

Fort Bragg is a coastal gem that invites visitors to relax, connect with nature, and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere, and it’s a convenient stop on your Northern California road trip itinerary.

• Driving time from Fort Bragg: 3 hours and 45 minutes

From Fort Bragg, you’ll continue south along the route of the Pacific Coast Highway until you reach Point Reyes National Seashore. This protected nature preserve is one of the final stops on your Northern California road trip itinerary!

Point Reyes National Seashore is known for its rugged cliffs, idyllic beaches, and expansive grasslands. The Point Reyes Lighthouse is an iconic landmark here, as is the scenic Cypress Tree Tunnel.

Visitors can explore the wide variety of hiking trails that wind through the park, such as the famous Tomales Point Trail, which offers lovely views of the ocean and the chance to spot tule elk.

The Chimney Rock Trail also offers lovely views of Drakes Bay and the Northern California coastline.

Hiking, biking, kayaking, whale watching, and birdwatching are all common ways to pass the time in the stunning Point Reyes National Seashore.

• Driving time from Point Reyes National Seashore: 1 hour and 15 minutes

After soaking in the views at the seashore, there is one more stop on your Northern California road trip before you return to San Francisco.

Located just north of the city, Muir Woods National Monument offers travelers the chance to connect with nature and witness the grandeur of more giant trees.

Named after renowned naturalist John Muir, the monument is home to a pristine coastal redwood forest, where towering trees reach heights of over 250 feet and create an enchanting atmosphere.

As visitors stroll along the well-maintained trails, they are surrounded by the quiet serenity of the towering redwoods, with rays of sunlight filtering through the dense canopy above.

Once you’ve seen the best of the Muir Woods National Monument, it’s time to head back to San Francisco and return your rental car.

You’ve probably gathered that this Northern California road trip itinerary can be modified or completed in reverse. There is no right or wrong way to explore the beautiful Golden State, and this road trip itinerary certainly doesn’t cover all of the state’s wonders.

But we’ve tried to create a good starting point for exploring Northern California! There is so much beauty here, and there are plenty of amenities along this driving route that make any road trip convenient and fun.

DISCLAIMER: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you book accommodation, tours or buy a product, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products that ourselves or our fantastic editorial team have personally experienced, and regularly review these. Thanks for your support, kind friend!

Gabby Boucher

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

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California road trip itinerary – 7 days along pch.

Are you ready for the ultimate California Road Trip Itinerary in 7 days?! This one week guide will give you a taste of every part of California, all the way from quirky San Francisco to trendy and fast paced Los Angeles!

California is such a beautiful state, each city being so different from the rest. You can’t say you’ve fully experienced California without spending some time experiencing the wildly different landscapes and cultures.

Even though this is a fast paced road trip with a lot of driving, the driving distances in between are relatively short and include a lot of fun stops to break up the drives. If you want to turn your one week in California to a longer trip, I also recommended some bonus ideas to extend your trip at the bottom!

Okay… let’s get started! 🙂

There is a chance my free guides contain affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through these links, I might make a small commission (at no extra cost to you) that goes towards little Rosie’s dog treats!

Itinerary Overview

Day 1: Travel Day + San Francisco sight seeing

Day 2: San Francisco sight seeing

Day 3: Drive to Monterey + Cannery Row

Day 4: Big Sur Road Trip

Day 5: Day trip to Paso Robles Wine Country

Day 6: Drive to Los Angeles

Day 7: Los Angeles sight seeing + Travel home

Day 1: Fly into San Francisco

San Francisco has a major, international airport , which means that flights are usually inexpensive! Once you arrive in San Francisco, you will want to either grab a taxi / Uber or take the BART (an above ground subway system) to head into downtown San Francisco.

This city is bustling with things to do and so much history, so I would be prepared to have a jam-packed few days in the city in order to squeeze everything in.

Since you only have a few days in the city, I would recommend as close as possible to the things you want to see so you can save time walking / driving. Once you decide what area of San Francisco you want to stay in, be sure to read my guide on best hotels in San Francisco with a view!

TIP: Have an extra day to spare on your California Road Trip itinerary?! You can start the trip in Lake Tahoe to explore the beautiful scenery before heading to San Francisco! Click here to read my Lake Tahoe Winter Itinerary !

Day 2: San Francisco

On this California road trip itinerary, you only have one day in San Francisco, which means you will need to make the most of it! I have visited this quirky city numerous times, and here is my list of absolute must-sees!

Lombard Street

This unique and winding street is not far from most of the tourist attractions and is one of the staples of San Francisco! Located on Lombard Street between Hyde Street and Leavenworth Street, you can see the 8 sharp turns that cars will have to take down the steep street.

TIP: You can hike up the street to get closer to the view, but it is FLOODED with people on the narrow sidewalk. I would recommend just picking which view you want to see (from the bottom looking up or the top looking down) instead of attempting to see both. 

Fisherman’s Wharf

Fisherman’s Wharf is easily the  most touristy area of San Francisco, but if it’s your first time in the city, it is definitely worth checking out! This area has a ton of individual sites to see, all within walking distance. You could easily spend half the day exploring this area! Be sure to check out Pier 39 to see all the seals / sea lions, Ghirardelli Square , Alcatraz and more!

TIP: I would recommend going to this area in the morning to beat the crowds and enjoy some lunch / breakfast on the water front!

Golden Gate Bridge

You can’t go to San Francisco without seeing the Golden Gate Bridge , you just can’t! This red staple can be seen from many areas of the city, but here is the ultimate way to experience the bridge…. Go to china town to pick up some to-go lunch and head over to Crissy Field (a grass area at the base of the bridge), and enjoy your lunch with the best view in the world!

After you stuffed yourself with yummy Asian food, spend an hour or so walking along the bridge and taking some photos! I wouldn’t recommend walking the entire thing because it is 1.7 miles each way and it might be difficult to find a ride back on the other side.

This photo was edited in ONE CLICK using my Lightroom Presets! Click here to check them out!

Sausalito + Muir Woods

If you want to experience the slower paced and nature side of Northern California, then you will want to spend your afternoon out of the city and in Sausalito ! This waterfront, yacht-lined city has tons of walking trails, shopping, and restaurants with beautiful views of the San Francisco skyline.

Close to this area (about 25 minutes past), you can also spend some time with the massive Redwood trees in the Muir Woods National Monument . You will need to purchase tickets online in advance and tickets cost only $15.00 per person.

The Painted Ladies

If you’re a Full House TV show fan (which, who isn’t?!), then you will want to make sure you stop at Alamo Square Park to enjoy the views of the Painted Ladies ! This string of colorful houses appeared on the show almost every episode, and now is a huge tourist site in San Francisco.

There is not much to do in this area other than see the houses, but if you want to enjoy a picnic lunch / dinner here, there is a large grass area to sit at.

There are obviously a ton of other things to do in San Francisco, but these are just the top sites that I have personally done and recommend seeing! If you want some more ideas, be sure to check out my guide on Things to do in San Francisco !

Click here to search hotel options in San Francisco.

Day 3: Drive to Monterey (2 hours)

Day three will consist of driving from San Francisco to Monterey or Carmel-by-the-sea . These two neighboring, coastal towns are the beginning of the Big Sur! You will want to stay the night here so you have a full day enjoying your Big Sur Road Trip. 

The drive from San Francisco to Monterey is just under two hours, and if you want to break up the drive while getting to see a cute beach town, stop in Santa Cruz for lunch on the beach! They have a huge pier with carnival rides, arcade games, and roller coasters, but it is only open Saturday / Sunday.

During the afternoon, enjoy Monterey & Carmel by going to the beaches, hopping around the many wine bars, seeing cannery row , or going on a sunset dinner cruise ! Click here for a quick guide to visiting Monterey Bay, California!

Day 4: Big Sur – Cambria (2 hours – full day)

This will be by far the best day of your entire California itinerary!

The Big Sur is the #1 road trip in the USA , well.. maybe in the world! This small stretch of California coastline will make your jaw-drop time and time again. I would highly recommend not “squeezing this day in” or combining it with anything else because you will want to take your time stopping at every pull out and soaking in every viewpoint!

The drive from Monterey to Cambria (your ending point) is roughly 2 hours without stopping. However, you will be stopping… A LOT. So I would plan to spend at least 5-6 hours driving and enjoying the coast before arriving in Cambria.

I have an extremely detailed guide on how to tackle this Big Sur Road Trip , which includes the best stops along the way, how long to spend at each stop, best time of year to go, photography tips and a map of all the stops to save for later. So be sure to check that out before you go!

Recommended Read: 10 Common Mistakes People Make When Traveling to Big Sur!

Day 5: Day trip to Paso Robles (45 minutes)

Here is where you customize your California road trip itinerary!

If you like wine tasting, there is a really great spot just inland of Cambria. You can either drive straight there after the Big Sur, or stay the night in Cambria and just do a day trip to the wine area. This area, called Paso Robles, is only 45 minutes from Cambria and an easily doable day trip.

I have gone wine tasting in many famous areas ( Napa Valley , Sonoma, Champagne France , Willamette in Oregon to name a few), and Paso Robles is just as beautiful but a fraction of the cost! Click here for my guide on wine tasting in Paso Robles!

If you want to enjoy the wine and take a break from driving, you can sign up for wine tours that will pick you up either in Cambria or from your hotel in Paso Robles! Click here to view tour options.

If you do NOT like wine tasting, I would still stay the night in Cambria to break up the drive and then drive straight to Los Angeles to have an extra day in this famous city to explore the sites!  Click here to view hotels in Cambria, California! 

Day 6: Cambria to Los Angeles (4 hours)

This will be your longest stretch of the trip, but lucky for you, this stretch of coastline is SO beautiful! Plus, there are tons of tiny beach towns worth stopping at to break up your drive.

I would recommend stopping for lunch in one of the cute beach towns like Santa Barbara , Malibu, or Ventura. That way you get to soak in the last hours of quiet, coastal life before arriving in the bustling and fast-paced city of Los Angeles!

Once you arrive in Los Angeles, check into your hotel and try to squeeze a few sites in before getting dinner at a trendy and unique restaurant. LA is known for being a creative and unique city, not just with the sites and the people, but with the food too! Here is a great guide on unique restaurants in Los Angeles. 

TIP: Avoid driving in Los Angeles during rush hour traffic! California traffic (especially downtown LA) is the worst in the world!!

Day 7: Explore Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the city that truly has everything! Beautiful weather, jaw-dropping scenery, greenery, beaches, culture, food… you name it! You could easily spend the entire one week in California visiting all the sites that LA offers.

There are activities for every taste, but here is my ideal day in LA that gives you a little taste of everything! If any of these don’t sound appealing to you, I have a little bonus section at the end for you to swap out activities.

Click here to view hotels in Los Angeles.

– Morning –

Start your morning off with a hike to the famous Hollywood Sign up on the hill! There are a few hike options to choose from, all different lengths and elevation changes, but the most popular is called the Hollyridge Trail . This 2 hour, 5 mile round trip hike will give you views of the front of the sign, back of the sign and the entire city! Plus, it will feel extra good to stretch your legs after all that driving. 🙂

TIP: Make sure you go early in the morning to beat the crowds & the heat! There is almost no shade on this trail. 

Next up, head to the famous Beverly Hills for an instagrammable brunch at The Ivy Restaurant. This adorable restaurant has colorful cocktails, fresh flowers all over, and a beautiful outdoor patio!

– Afternoon –

In the afternoon, I would recommend hanging out in downtown LA to see famous sites like Hollywood Blvd, Walk of Fame , or one of the many museums. Los Angeles can be very hectic to drive through and find parking spots, so I would recommend picking a few sites close to each other and just walking between them.

Rather skip the city and head to an amusement park? Consider doing a day trip to Buena Park to visit Knott’s Berry Farm or Disneyland!

– Evening –

After you’ve had a busy day squeezing in as much as possible, it’s time to unwind on the beach and enjoy the beautiful California sunset! There are beaches lining the entire coast of Los Angeles, but the most popular and picturesque is Venice Beach / Santa Monica Beach.

Grab some food to go from the adorable Santa Monica Pier and have a picnic dinner on the beach to enjoy the sunset.. magical!

BONUS: More things to do in Los Angeles

• Day trip to Catalina Island
• Spend the day at Universal Studios
• Go on a food tour
• Celebrity Homes tour
• OUE Skyspace SkySlide (glass bottom slide on the top of an observation deck)
• Rent beach cruises to ride down the board walk
• Surfing lesson on Venice Beach
• Ride the Ferris Wheel at the Santa Monica Pier
• Go shopping at the adorable boutiques along Melrose Ave

Click here for more ideas!

Even though Los Angeles is the stopping point for most California road trip itineraries, I would recommend spending an extra day going even farther south to San Diego! This is my favorite beach town in California and is only an extra 1.5 – 2 hours more of driving. If so, check out my 4 days in San Diego or Girls Weekend in San Diego guides for some ideas!

Okay, that’s a wrap! I hope this California road trip itinerary (7 Days) gives you tons of ideas for this bucket list trip! In this one week itinerary, you get to experience the quirky culture of San Francisco, the jaw-dropping natural beauty of the California coast, quaint beach towns, and the most famous city on the west coast!

If you have extra time to see more of California, you could also spend a few days going inland to see Yosemite National Park. Here is my 2 Days in Yosemite itinerary for you to check out !

If you want more ideas for California travel, be sure to check these out:

• Big Sur Road Trip – One Day Itinerary
• 27 Things to do in Buena Park – A Perfect Girls Weekend!
• Day Trip to Santa Barbara!
• A PERFECT Lake Tahoe Itinerary – Winter Guide!
• Quick Guide to visiting Monterey Bay, California
• Girls Trip to San Diego
• Celebrating a birthday in Napa Valley
• Unique things to do in San Francisco
• Spring Itinerary to Carlsbad, California

Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂

Like this guide pin it here.

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This road trip sounds amazing! I’ve visited both LA and San Francisco but I’d really love to do a road trip to visit the destinations in between. Big Sur looks phenomenal! Thanks for the wonderful guide!

Thanks for reading Hannah! Big Sur is my ultimate favorite spot in the USA, so much beauty in such a small stretch of coastline!

Incredible! More and more I see more about California’s coast….I’d love to come here one day – when I think of Cali I think of “big city” but not insanely beautiful coastline! Definitely adding to my bucket list!

California truly has it all! But I would say I definitely prefer the jaw-dropping coastline 🙂

It’s a classic drive … and every time we had people visiting us in Los Angeles, they always wanted to do the coastal drive to San Fran. There’s some epic bits of coastline … I love the area around Hearst Castle, San Simeon, and Moonstone beach.

I have never seen Moonstone Beach, I will have to look into that for my next trip! Thanks for the tip Jay! 🙂

I had never really considered a road trip in California, but after reading this post I feel like booking a trip, it sounds so amazing! I love the sound of the wine tasting in Paso Robles and that Big Sur road trip looks beautiful!

That’s definitely my favorite part!! 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the guide!

[…] 7 Day California Itinerary – San Francisco to LA! […]

[…] my recent 7 day California road trip, I spent a few days in Monterey and did a day trip to the Big Sur. Out of everything I saw on this […]

[…] Have more than a weekend? Do a 7 day road trip down the entire California coast! Click here to read my California Road Trip Itinerary (7 Days)! […]

[…] to extend your road trip from Las Vegas into California, be sure to check out my Big Sur Road Trip, California Road Trip Itinerary 7 Days, and 4 Days in San Diego […]

[…] you are doing a PCH road trip and are planning to just do a day trip to Santa Barbara, I got you covered with a jam-packed […]

[…] you plan to see San Diego while exploring more of California, be sure to check out my 7 day California itinerary! It squeezes in all the best sites from San Francisco to San Diego! OR if you are planning a trip […]

Nice Piece of Information for planning… Great going.

Thanks for reading!

I’m doing this trip in August with my family. We are from PA and my daughter is headed to college in San Diego so our family vacay is flying out to SF and driving the coast to SD. We are doing a night in each town to explore the state and this guide is such a help.

That makes me so happy to hear, Susan! Thanks so much for reading and taking the time to comment. Hope you have an amazing trip! 🙂

[…] If you want to explore from San Francisco to Los Angeles, be sure to check out my 7 Day California Road Trip itinerary! […]

The Road Trip is the best way to take in all the sights a place has to offer. And when it’s California, it has to be exciting. I will love to drive through the legendary Golden Bridge.

Absolutely! California is gorgeous!

[…] California Road Trip – 7 Days along PCH […]

Between Cambria and Santa Barbara there are soooo many cute beach towns like Morro Bay and the namesake Rock.

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The ultimate California road trip: from San Francisco to Santa Monica

Where to stay, drink and dine along the Pacific Coast Highway

Of all the scenic drives in the world, the Pacific Coast Highway is undoubtedly top of many a road-trip bucket-list. A romantic, winding route taking you along the California coastline, you'll take in everything from dizzying, dense redwood forests to spectacular clifftop vistas and bohemian seaside resorts. It's no exaggeration to say that it often feels like being on a film set – and this is quite literally the case at many of the destinations, whether you pass over the Bixby Bridge made famous in Big Little Lies , or end up at the beaches in Santa Monica and Malibu, which were used for the filming of Baywatch .

If you're considering a PCH trip, one thing to note is the direction: travelling north to south is preferable, as it offers views uninterrupted by oncoming traffic. An entirely obvious statement but also an important one to consider: it's long (the second-longest highway in the US, in fact, taking approximately 10 hours of uninterrupted driving to complete) and there is a lot to see. In fact, there are so many recommended stops along the way that it's almost impossible to decide what to prioritise. We recommend the portion of the drive from San Francisco to Santa Monica, which includes what is widely agreed to be one of the most beautiful stretches of road in the world: the rugged, mountainous section of coastline known as Big Sur. Buckle up...

SAN FRANCISCO

Where to stay: 1 hotel san francisco.

But, eco excellence aside, the rooms are comfortable, the service highly commendable and the atmosphere calming; you can see why it describes itself as a "sustainable sanctuary". Even if you aren't actively looking for a hotel that ranks best in class on the responsibility scale (although let's face, it, we all should be), then there is much to love – not least the soothing Bamford Wellness Spa, which offers a variety of holistic treatments designed to nurture the mind, body and spirit.

The hotel's location is also hard to beat: situated on the Embarcadero, it's ideally stationed adjacent to the city's famous Ferry Building, which features a bustling selection of shops, restaurants and a farmer's market offering all manner of fare (don't miss the Hog Island Oyster Co for delicious, fresh seafood). Many of the rooms also offer views over the bay, so it's worth requesting this when you book. It's true that you're spoilt for choice with hotels in the Golden City, but 1 Hotel San Francisco is a stylish, sustainable option with thoughtful design, welcoming staff, and a fantastic location.

Where to eat: Terrene

Like the hotel in which it's situated, Terrene also takes influence from its surroundings and is respectful to the planet, with a menu featuring local, organic and sustainably sourced produce. The hotel's rooftop garden provides many of the ingredients used in both cooking and cocktails, while on-site beehives allow for the property's own honey production. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the restaurant operates under the watchful eye of executive chef Scott Koranda, who conceived a tempting menu inspired by both the San Francisco landscape and his own upbringing in the agricultural hotspot of Iowa. On it you'll find a selection of healthy bowls and salads alongside woodfire oven flatbreads, skewers and sliders. With a buzzy atmosphere and friendly staff, you'll want to grab a table outside on the terrace on a balmy North Californian evening.

Where to stay: Post Ranch Inn

There are special hotels, and then there's the Post Ranch Inn . This beloved Big Sur retreat tops many 'best hotel' lists, so renowned is it for its spectacular cliff-edge location and exclusive, hideaway feel. The 100-acre site is surrounded by towering redwoods, majestic mountains and wild meadows, and every single room – whether a rustic coastal cabin or a cosy treehouse suite perched on stilts – comes compete with incomparable views. It's little wonder that it's attracted the Hollywood set; Taylor Swift, Natalie Portman and George Clooney have all reportedly checked in in recent years.

Our Pacific-facing ocean house included a fireplace, spa-tub and curving wooden deck with loungers, on which we sipped wine while gazing, mesmerised, out to the horizon. The ranch also has a series of heated pools and hot tubs (ideal for those cooler California evenings), all of which have similarly awe-inspiring vistas.

While the amenities are generally faultless, there are two things you won't find in your room: a television or an alarm clock. Post Ranch is dedicated to helping guests switch off from the real world, and this means unwinding away from screens and sleeping in until you wake naturally (to a memorable sunrise over the ocean, ideally). The adults-only hotel promotes relaxation and reconnection – describing itself as "a sanctuary for the soul" – and is therefore unsurprisingly popular with couples looking for a romantic escape.

While you may well want to spend your entire time lounging in comfort, there's also plenty on offer in the way of activities, many of which have a wellness slant, including morning yoga, forest bathing and guided nature walks. There's even falconry, where you can get up-close with birds of prey and learn about local conservation efforts. Also, don't miss the Post Gallery, which showcases a selection of photography, sculptures and fine jewellery created by talented members of the local community, with regularly changing exhibits.

Given that the property's location is so integral to its success, it makes sense that Post Ranch operates at the forefront of environmental responsibility; their mantra is that "what is good for the planet is also good for your guests", and it's a sentiment that holds true. Aesthetically, the resort was designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape – with the aim of allowing guests to feel part of nature, rather than observers of it – with buildings constructed using natural materials and designed to fit around the trees, rather than having to remove them, as much as possible. But appearance aside, the sustainability efforts run deep, and environmental impact has been considered with every element: guestroom walls were created from reclaimed wine casks; the stilted tree houses were designed to protect the fragile roots of nearby redwoods and oaks; all water used is sourced and treated via seven wells located on site; a vast solar-panel installation helps to power the resort and reduce carbon emissions; 90 per cent of the ranch's 100 acres is maintained as a protected area – the list goes on...

POST RANCH INN – BOOK NOW

Where to eat: Sierra Mar

Dining at Sierra Mar is an experience like no other. Before you even get to the menu, you're dazzled by the location – a glass box perched on the edge of the cliff, suspended over the Pacific ocean, the mist rolling in around you.

In keeping with the Post Ranch ethos, the restaurant operates a farm-driven dining experience, with dishes celebrating the "coastal bounty" of the region and designed with balance and sustainability in mind. If you're staying on site, then do take the opportunity to explore the chef's garden, which produces much of the fruit, vegetables and herbs used at Sierra Mar and throughout the ranch (plus a variety of medicinal plants, which are incorporated into spa treatments). Other produce is sourced from local businesses, allowing for menus that are a true reflection of the Big Sur surroundings.

Perhaps because diners are hypnotised by the view, the atmosphere at Sierra Mar is positively serene (it's arguably here that Post Ranch's adults-only rule is most noticeable), and each table has its own air purifier, to create an invigorating 'bubble' of fresh, filtered air for each party. The menus are seasonal, designed for sharing, and change daily. We feasted on yellowfin tuna tartare with puffed rice; a warming coconut and curry soup; pan-seared salmon; roasted king trumpet mushrooms; and duck breast with glazed apricots; finished with a mocha, mascarpone and cardamom Opéra Gâteau. The restaurant also has an award-winning wine selection, with more than 3,200 labels on offer. If you need help whittling it down, the Sommelier Selection list features a curated edit of house favourites.

SIERRA MAR – BOOK NOW

Where to stay: The Rosewood Miramar Beach

As soon as I set foot in Montecito I could understand exactly why Prince Harry and Meghan chose to make it their home; this charming slice of the 'American Riviera' has a quiet, small-town appeal with understated glamour that attracts big Hollywood names. Hidden among the homes of the rich and famous is the Rosewood Miramar Beach , an elegant, estate-like property with immaculate lawns, luxurious lodgings and access to its own private stretch of beach.

We stayed in one of the Garden Bungalows, a light and airy single-storey suite that overlooked lush greenery, vibrant pink gardenia and red maple trees. The spacious guestroom featured a comfortable lounge with a roaring fire, a separate dressing area, a marble-tiled bathroom and an elegant bedroom with double doors opening up onto a patio and outdoor seating area. It was hard to decide whether I preferred sitting curled up here with a book, reclining by the pool with a cocktail, or soaking up the atmosphere at the beach club (in the end I opted to divide my time between all three).

While relaxation is encouraged, there’s much to entertain, with six bars and restaurants, two pools and a variety of upscale boutiques – including one dedicated to Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle brand, Goop (this is California, after all). The bar staff were knowledgable and friendly, and the cocktail list varied and interesting – particularly in The Manor Bar, where all the drinks are inspired by literature; an enjoyably lethal combination as I discovered one night. Here, the wooden-panelled walls are lined with shelves stacked with novels, and the intimate space is peppered with cosy vintage-style seating; little wonder that it's popular with guests and locals alike (truly, you never know who you might bump into...).

If you got a little overexcited in the bar one evening, then the rejuvenating Sense spa offers indulgent treatments and head-clearing activities such as sunrise yoga and guided sunset walks along the water’s edge. They've truly thought of everything: the resort even has its own ice-cream parlour to help you cool off in the Santa Barbara sunshine.

ROSEWOOD MIRAMAR BEACH – BOOK NOW

Where to eat: AMA Sushi

While yes, the Rosewood Miramar Beach has multiple dining options, its Japanese restaurant, AMA Sushi , is arguably its most spoiling. And don't just take my word for it: it was recommended in the Michelin guide in both 2022 and 2023.

The restaurant focuses on Japan's Edomae tradition, which celebrates sushi in its purest form, and is inspired by the legacy of Japanese free divers. Showcasing always-fresh ingredients, two dining options are available. The first is an omakase tasting menu (omakase translates literally as "I leave it up to you"), encouraging an open-minded, spontaneous experience between the chef and diner, taking place at an intimate 13-seater sushi bar with a front-row seat to watch the masters at work. The second is the prix fixe menu, which offers a self-guided journey through traditional Japanese flavours. An advantage of the latter is that you're able to enjoy it in the restaurant's charming garden, alongside the coy pond, surrounded by floating lanterns. But whichever you opt for, you won't be disappointed. Expect to find classic sashimi, nigiri and cut rolls – featuring bluefin tuna, amberjack, dungeness crab and more – alongside black cod, braised pork belly, and wagyu striploin. Naturally, this is complemented by an extensive selection of wine, sake, and cocktails.

The restaurant's sustainability credentials are also commendable: AMA Sushi is endorsed by both SmartCatch and Ocean Wise – two bodies that are dedicated to protecting our oceans and supporting responsible practices.

AMA SUSHI – BOOK NOW

SANTA MONICA

Where to stay: the georgian.

In 2023, one of Los Angeles' oldest hotels, The Georgian , reopened with a chic and stylish new look – one inspired by the resplendent Art Deco interiors of the original that first opened its doors in 1933. The property has been painstakingly restored in all its Wes Anderson-esque glory, complete with eye-catching turquoise façade, original arched ceilings, and bell boys dressed in retro baby-blue uniforms. This is all about storytelling; as soon as I set foot inside it was as if being transported back in time to the golden age of Hollywood. Indeed, the attention to detail is second to none, from the gold tasselled room keys hanging behind reception, to the old-timey record players in each guestroom with a curated selection of vinyls. Lift the receiver of the vintage rotary phone in the lobby and you'll hear a selection of voice messages from 'guests' who stayed in the hotel's 1930s' heyday. Press the golden 'champagne' button in your room, and a drinks trolley appears outside.

When The Georgian first opened its doors, it became known as the First Lady of Santa Monica, attracting guests such as Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin and Clark Gable, and acting as a discreet respite from the glare of the LA spotlight. Today, the property stands out among its Ocean Avenue neighbours; the jewel in the crown of the beachfront line-up. Of course, when it comes to the location, it's hard to beat; the property is situated along the beach boardwalk, a stone's throw from the Santa Monica Pier. There's nothing quite like having breakfast while gazing out to sea, and we were lucky enough to witness one of the legendary technicolour LA sunsets from our ocean-view suite one evening.

To say that the hotel is aesthetically pleasing would be an understatement. The rooms are spacious, with chic, carefully curated, candy-coloured interiors, plenty of luxurious finishing touches, and Slim Aarons-style photography adorning the walls. For a boutique hotel (with 28 suites and 56 rooms) the amenities are impressive; there's a library and games room with an honesty bar, a small gym, a co-working space, and even an art gallery, which previously hosted an exhibition of work by the actress Sharon Stone. An outdoor pool and sundeck is coming soon.

THE GEORGIAN – BOOK NOW

Where to eat: Sunset Bar, Terrace and Dining Room at The Georgian

The Georgian's restaurant is spread across three spaces: the Dining Room, the Sunset Bar and the Sunset Terrace , which offers simple, elegant beachfront dining. Here you'll find a mixture of hotel guests, locals and international visitors – with a limited number of daily walk-ups available – gathering for either brunch, dinner or spuntini ('snacks' in Italian).

The menu was crafted by chef David Almany and inspired by the "vibrant cuisine of coastal Italy", interspersed with global favourites. Don't miss the grilled jumbo prawns, the Georgian chopped salad, the garganelli oxtail ragu, or the free-range Chicken Milanese. There's also a caviar service if you're looking for that extra special something. New for 2024 are 'Spaghetti Sundays', with a heartwarming menu influenced by family-style Italian dinners (think home-made garlic bread, spaghetti with 'red sauce', and Italian meatballs). And, in keeping with the hotel's aesthetic, the cocktail menu features 1930s classics alongside more modern iterations.

Also, don't miss The Georgian Room, the hotel's speak-easy-style basement space – one of Santa Monica's most exclusive drinking and dining establishments, where privacy is protected and photography strictly banned. The menu is inspired by the hotel's history in the '30s and '50s, and the intimate space attracts a regular rotation of surprise musical guests. Legend has it that early patrons of The Georgian Room described frequent sightings of a mythical creature on the Santa Monica shoreline, holding a martini glass up high. Whether or not the fable is true, or simply an indication of how good the cocktails really are, remains to be seen...

DINING AT THE GEORGIAN – BOOK NOW

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The Road Trip Guy

Find The Best Road Trips Around The world!

A 6-Day San Francisco to Los Angeles Road Trip Itinerary

Table of Contents

This San Francisco to Los Angeles Road Trip Itinerary is the most popular road trip in the world today. This stunning route skirts the beautiful Pacific Ocean for most of its way.

To comprehensively enjoy the drive and all the enchanting sites on the way it would be prudent and imperative to take a slow leisurely drive stopping at least three nights in four days. In this guide we describe the designated places where you can take time to relax, rejuvenate or even celebrate a milestone birthday in the USA with friends and family.

Renting a RV in California

A good preparation is half the battle. Therefore, I recommend you book your RV as fast as possible and receive the best road trip car with a great discount. They allow you to easily book your favorite RV by comparing 100s of offers so you can get the best deal possible! You can also find the best motorhome rental advice here.

Travel With Family & Friends

It would be fun to travel on this route with a few friends and family joining in. Stopping frequently at pit stops and interesting landmarks to get that perfect family Instagram shot is a great way to make lasting memories.

San Francisco to Los Angeles Road Trip Itinerary – The Route

The distance is a mere 450 miles or 720 kilometers. You could drive in a day on a long clear highway with minimum traffic, but this would deprive you of an exhilarating experience which money could never buy. Relax and take your time as you are on a road trip holiday!

We suggest a 6-day trip that would be a truly exhilarating experience like none other road trip you would have ever undertaken before. California dreaming, here we come!

If you are interested in staying longer, I recommend reading this amazing blog post about 2-week itineraries in the USA .

You can also extend the road trip down south and visit San Diego. But before you do make sure you avoid these mistakes when traveling to San Diego !

If you are interested in continuing your journey east, you should check out this blog post about a road trip on the I40 (starting in LA) that takes all the way to Atlanta and explores wonderful landmarks and attractions along the way.

If you are keen on staying in California and you are interested in exploring the Southern area, I highly recommend the blogpost Best Road Trips in Southern California from Lauren West. She compiled the most beautiful road trips in Southern California for couples.

Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Cruz, Monterey and Carmel | Day 1 & 2

To reach the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) you would need to drive west till you reach Ocean Beach. From here your exhilarating journey down south to the picturesque city of Los Angeles begins.

Santa Cruz BoardWalk Theme Park

Santa Cruz could be your first stop where you have enough time to pick up some grub and enjoy the Santa Cruz BoardWalk Theme Park  . The Park features more than 40 rides. It includes two National Historic Landmarks: the world-famous 1924 Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster and the beautiful 1911 Looff Carousel. They also have a lot of restaurants, gift shops, scream-inducing thrill rides, gentle kiddie rides indoor arcades, and miniature golf.

After a long day you might want to check out one of the best breweries in Santa Cruz for a nice cold beer. The perfect way to start a relaxing evening before visting the aquarium the next day!

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey would be your most likely next stop as you would be in for a treat at the Monterey Bay Aquarium which hosts an abundance of colorful fish which would keep you amazed!

Today, more than 30 years after opening, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a showcase for the habitats and sea life of one of the world’s richest marine regions. More than 35,000 creatures representing over 550 species fill 34 major galleries. With nearly 200 exhibits in all, the Aquarium is a window to the wonders of the ocean.

Stay the night at Carmel and there are plenty of cozy places to select from and have the inherent joy of having spent the night where that icon in Hollywood movie star Clint Eastwood was its Mayor not very far back in time. Carmel-by-the-sea, as it is lovingly referred to by its residents, would give you a wonderfull experience. The laid back atmosphere is just what you need after a day well spent on the road.

Cross the Famous Bixby Creek Bridge | Day 3

The first stop for the day could be none other than at the Bixby Creek Bridge , a construction marvel that is picturesque and spectacular in every way. With the Pacific Ocean on your right and the rugged cliffs to your left, the drive on the Bixby Creek Bridge would push any road tripper’s adrenaline to the limit.

The Big Sur

The Big Sur is a nature reserve that is home to a spectacular 80 foot waterfall that never dries up and located just a short walk from the PCH at the Julia Pfeiffer State Park .

The quaint town of Cayucos would be your watering hole for the night and is a place to relax and enjoy some of the best seafood that you could pick and relish.

Enjoy The Final Night at Santa Barbara | Day 4

Start the day fresh as a flower and after a sumptuous breakfast set off on your way. Deviate slightly to enjoy the sights at San Luis Obispo a town famous for the very popular San Luis Obispo Museum of Art .

A hundred and half kilometers more of driving with stops to take in the beauty of the drive would bring you to the most popular hot-spot of California, the bustling beach town, of Santa Barbara .

There is much to do here and a day would be insufficient to take in all the wonderful sights. Go explore the local museums and learn more about the classic Spanish heritage in Santa Barbara at the Santa Barbara’s Museum Mile.

In the evening it is time to relax and find an amazing restaurant to rest your legs. A local’s favorite, Opal restaurant and bar infuses an Eclectic California Cuisine with creative influences from around the World. The chefs use the freshest of ingredients to create dishes inspired by the colorful multi-cultural heritage of America. These dishses often have an Asian flair.

End the Road Trip in Los Angeles | Day 5 & 6

The final leg of your journey and stopping at many places to enjoy the sights would be a fun way to spend the day in LA. The first couple of stops could be at Carpentaria and Ventura , two of California’s best preserved beach towns.

Of course, if you travel with children a visit to DisneyWorld California would be a great idea as well. Check out these important Disneyland Hacks to make your magical day extra special!

And make sure to check out this blog post about great places to stay in LA to get some rest and relaxing time with the family.

Cuisine Los Angeles

The cuisine served in these towns is much talked about. Enjoy stunning sea-food dishes and grilled meats when visiting these areas, whilst enjoying a beautiful sunset. The Brophy Bros is one of these famous sea-food restaurants and is located in Ventura and Santa Barbara. Their menu consists of famous local fish-species and desserts.

La Nightlife

Reaching your destination Los Angeles late in the evening would enable you to catch a glimpse of the colorful night scene. The perfect way to finish your 6-day California road trip. Go out, have fun with friends and family, and discuss the fun times you had on this trip.

Sound Nightclub is a popular nightclub in Los Angeles Their philosophy is:

Sound was built with a simple philosophy: to bring a novel and always-evolving experience to nightlife in Hollywood. We worked with a dream team of designers, professionals, and industry specialists to create an environment based in cutting-edge visual and audio technology, musical formats, and interior design. Our interior 3D mapping and custom video content, paired with our one-of-a-kind sound system, offer an unparalleled nightclub journey.

Final Words

The final stretch on the PCH is home to some of the best sights of the trip. Give yourself time to make frequent stops to capture them for posterity. With the Pacific Ocean on your right and the changing scenes on your right it is sheer spectacular to say the least.

P.S – Interested in this road trip? Book a great RV or Motorhome for your trip!

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Central Coast California Road Trip 3 Day Itinerary

C alifornia Central Coast, with its rugged cliffs, pristine beaches, and charming towns, offers a captivating escape if you a looking for a perfect blend of natural wonders and coastal culture.

From the historic charm of Monterey to the breathtaking vistas of Big Sur and the laid-back vibes of Pismo Beach , a journey along this stretch of the California Central Coast has something for everyone.

We asked our friend Anu Agarwal of Destination Checkoff to share her favorite California Central Coast road trip itinerary.

Where does the Central Coast California Start & End?

The Central Coast of California encompasses the coastal stretch between Point Mugu and Monterey Bay, situated to the northwest of Los Angeles and to the south of the San Francisco Bay Area.

California Central Coast Road Trip Itinerary

This road trip starts in Monterey, which is only an hour’s drive from San Francisco and heads South to Pismo Beach. Thus it’s perfect to add this Central California coast road trip to any San Francisco itinerary for 3 days or more.

If you have more time, you can definitely spend more days at each location or continue further down to Santa Barbara.

Day 1: Monterey, 17 Mile drive and Carmel

On day 1, start your road trip in the coastal town of Monterey, continuing south to experience the scenic 17-mile drive and finally ending the day in the charming town of Carmel by the Sea.

Kickstart your road trip in Monterey, a coastal gem known for its rich maritime history and picturesque coastline. Begin your day with a hearty breakfast at First Awakenings, a local favorite.

Start your Monterey adventure by wandering along Cannery Row. This vibrant waterfront street was once the heart of the sardine-packing industry and has now transformed into a lively strip of souvenir shops, galleries, and restaurants. Enjoy the ocean breeze as you explore the boutiques or grab a coffee at a cozy cafe.

Afterward, visit the renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium, home to fascinating marine exhibits. A must-visit attraction, the Monterey Bay Aquarium offers a mesmerizing journey into the underwater world of the Pacific Ocean.

Discover vibrant marine life, from playful sea otters and penguins to graceful jellyfish. The Open Sea exhibit, featuring a massive kelp forest tank, is a highlight that showcases the beauty and diversity of California’s coastal waters.

17 Mile Drive

In the afternoon, drive along the iconic 17-Mile Drive, a scenic route that winds its way along the coastline, offering jaw-dropping vistas at every turn.

The route takes you through the prestigious Pebble Beach Golf Links, and there are several beaches and hiking opportunities along the way. Make sure to stop at viewpoints like the Lone Cypress and Bird Rock for Instagram-worthy photos.

Carmel by the Sea

In the evening, explore Carmel-by-the-Sea, a picturesque coastal town with storybook charm and artistic ambiance.

Galleries and studios showcasing a wide range of artwork dot the town along Ocean Ave, offering a visual feast for art enthusiasts. Additionally, boutique shops featuring artisanal crafts and unique souvenirs line the streets, making it a delightful destination for shopping.

Indulge in a gourmet dinner at Casanova Restaurant, where European flavors meet coastal ingredients. Carmel Beach is an ideal spot to relax, catch a sunset, listen to the waves, and enjoy the breathtaking coastal views.

Where to stay in Monterey or Carmel

Check-in at a charming bed and breakfast in Carmel-by-the-Sea, such as the Carriage House Inn.

Check Carriage House Inn reviews on TripAdvisor and find the best deals on Hotels.com or Booking.com

Central California Road trip Tip: California’s Highway 1—also known as the Pacific Coast Highway  Self-Driving Audio Tour

Day 2: Big Sur, Hearst Castle, Paso Robles

On Day 2, explore the scenic drive along the Big Sur coastline and experience hiking and beaches. Visit the famous historic Hearst Castle, and end your day in Paso Robles , a wine country destination.

Big Sur is an iconic stretch of rugged coastline located between Carmel and San Simeon and offers a unique blend of natural wonders and scenic drive.

The most iconic feature of Big Sur is the dramatic coastline with the sheer cliffs on one side, often adorned with wildflowers and shrubs, and the ocean on the other. You will find hidden coves, sea stacks, and secluded beaches along the coastline.

As you drive along Big Sur, stop at the famous Bixby Creek Bridge, an engineering marvel with breathtaking views. Big Sur is known for its abundant outdoor activities, like hiking to explore redwood forests, grassy meadows, and stunning coastal viewpoints. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park are popular spots for hiking.

Continue to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and take a short hike to witness the stunning McWay Falls. This picturesque waterfall tumbles from about 80 feet onto a pristine beach, creating a postcard-worthy scene often associated with Big Sur’s beauty.

Hearst Castle

Arrive in San Simeon for a guided tour of Hearst Castle, the opulent estate of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. Be transported to a bygone era as you explore the lavish rooms and expansive grounds.

Perched on a hill overlooking the Pacific, the mansion’s opulent rooms, art, and architecture are showcased through guided tours. Highlights include the Roman Pool, Gothic Study, and stunning outdoor terraces with panoramic views.

Paso Robles

After exploring Hearst Castle, make your way to Paso Robles. Paso Robles is a charming Central California city known for its wine country, hot springs, and small-town feel. Wine enthusiasts can explore a multitude of wineries and vineyards, tasting a variety of wines that the region is famous for.

One of the best things to do in Paso Robles is to experience the Sensorio Field of Lights. This immersive art installation features thousands of colorful LED lights that create a stunning visual spectacle in the evening, transforming the landscape into a mesmerizing field of illuminated blooms.

The downtown area boasts a mix of boutiques, galleries, and restaurants, making it an ideal place for leisurely strolls and shopping. The Paso Robles City Park is a central gathering spot, hosting events and festivals throughout the year.

Thomas Hill Organics is a great farm-to-table restaurant that focuses on locally sourced, organic ingredients.

For those seeking relaxation, Paso Robles is also known for its natural hot springs. You can indulge in spa treatments or simply enjoy the soothing mineral-rich waters.

Where to stay in Paso Robles

Paso Robles Inn is a great historic inn to stay at night and is close to the main city center and within walking distance of the restaurants and wine-tasting rooms.

Check Paso Robles Inn reviews on TripAdvisor and find the best deals on Hotels.com or Booking.com

Day 3: San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach

One Day 3, explore the historic downtown of San Luis Obispo and then spend the rest of the day at Pismo Beach enjoying the beach, water sports, and dining.

San Luis Obispo

In the morning, visit San Luis Obispo (SLO), a vibrant college town. It’s known for its laid-back vibe, diverse dining options, and the historic Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. The city’s central location also allows for easy trips to nearby beaches and wineries.

Explore the charming San Luis Obispo downtown and walk along the San Luis Obispo Creek Trail in the middle of downtown. Don’t miss Bubblegum Alley, a quirky local landmark. The Bubblegum Alley is an unusual sight, covered in layers of chewed gum. You have to see it to believe this one!

The downtown has several restaurants to pick from. The Flour House has excellent pizzas and Italian food.

The Thursday evening Farmers’ Market is a local favorite, offering food, music, and crafts. Outdoor enthusiasts can hike the nearby Cerro San Luis trails for panoramic views. There is horseback riding available as well.

On the way to Pismo Beach, indulge in a wine-tasting experience in the Edna Valley Wine Region, known for its boutique wineries and stunning vineyard landscapes. Enjoy a picnic lunch amidst the vines, savoring local cheeses and wines.

Pismo Beach

Arrive in Pismo Beach, your final destination on this road trip. Pismo Beach is one of the most popular beaches on the Central California coast. Pismo Beach is popular for water sports like surfing, paddle boarding, and kiteboarding.

Take a leisurely stroll along the famous Pismo Beach Pier and relish the vibrant sunset over the Pacific Ocean. Relax on its pristine beaches and indulge in activities like swimming and sunbathing.

For adventure, go ATV riding on the nearby Oceano Dunes, a unique off-road experience. During winter, the Monarch Butterfly Grove is a must-visit, as it becomes a haven for thousands of migrating butterflies, offering a captivating natural spectacle.

If you’re in the mood for a classic fish and chips experience, Pismo Fish and Chips is a great choice. Enjoy a casual meal of crispy fish and fries right by the beach.

If you have time, visit the nearby small town of Avila Beach, which offers a relaxed atmosphere, a scenic beach, and a charming promenade lined with shops and eateries. The Avila Beach Pier is a popular spot for fishing and strolling.

Where to stay in Pismo Beach

Choose from beachfront resorts like the Inn at the Pier or Sandcastle Hotel for a relaxing stay with ocean views.

Check Inn at the Pier reviews on TripAdvisor and find the best deals on Hotels.com or Booking.com

Check Sandcastle Hotel reviews on TripAdvisor and find the best deals on Hotels.com or Booking.com

Wrapping it Up: California Central Coast Road Trip

Your 3 day California Central Coast road trip from Monterey to Pismo Beach promises an incredible adventure. From the rugged beauty of Big Sur and 17-mile drive to the opulence of Hearst Castle, experience a diverse range of landscapes and attractions.

The charming towns, stunning coastal views, and beautiful beaches along the way are sure to provide a true taste of California’s coastal charm. 

Recommended Travel Resources

• Travel Insurance: World Nomads .
• Transport: CheapOAir and Skyscanner (Best Sites to Research Flight Prices) 
• Best Car Rental Deals: Rentalcars.com
• Best Sites to Find Hotel Deals: Hotels.com and Booking.com
• My Favorite Hotel Review Website: TripAdvisor
• Best Tours: Viator and Get Your Guide

More Articles About California

• 50+ Awesome Things to do in Southern California
• 50+ Fantastic Things to Do on the Central California Coast
• 5 Best Places to Camp in California  (With Camping Checklist)
• 50+ Fantastic Things To Do In Big Sur, California

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