northern california travel conditions

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Northern California

With soaring peaks, vast coastline and the tallest of the world's trees, Northern California inspires all who visit to dream that much bigger.

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Yosemite National Park

Yosemite & the Sierra Nevada

Yosemite means "killer" in the Indigenous Miwok language, and in today's parlance it's indeed an impressive, awesome site. Everywhere you look in Yosemite…

Golden Gate Park

San Francisco

When Frederick Law Olmsted, architect of New York's Central Park, gazed in 1865 upon the plot of land San Francisco Mayor Frank McCoppin wanted to turn…

Haight Street

The Haight & Hayes Valley

Was it the fall of 1966 or the winter of ’67? As the Haight saying goes, if you can remember the Summer of Love, you probably weren’t here. The fog was…

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North Beach & Chinatown

If you look close today at the clinker-brick buildings lining these narrow backstreets, past the temple balconies jutting out over bakeries, acupuncture…

City Lights Books

No one could have predicted the cultural force City Lights would become when it first opened in 1953. Sure, it had a proletarian ethos suggested by its…

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa

When the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art expanded in 2016, it was a mind-boggling feat that nearly tripled the institution's size to accommodate a…

If you want to really see San Francisco, head to Coit Tower, a 1933 art deco beaut designed by Arthur Brown, Jr. and Henry Howard that sits high up on…

Golden Gate Bridge

The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers

Few cities boast a structure so iconic as the Golden Gate Bridge, commemorated in everything from films like The Maltese Falcon to not one but two emojis…

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Best places to visit in Northern California in summer and early fall

Over the last few weeks, I’ve camped or visited with several fellow travelers who rave about the current conditions for traveling throughout northern California. Late-season snows, abundant rains and recent warm weather have made the state verdant, wrapped in bright green hues. Streams run strong, waterfalls tumble, and wildflowers pop out along many trails, all portending wonderful travel outings in the coming months.

From those friendly discussions, here are recommendations from my fellow traveling pals regarding the best destinations and times to visit some of these sparkling targets. With these suggestions, we’re trying to factor in the time of year, predicted temperatures, seasonal traveler impacts, and sightseeing appeal. Here are suggestions, month by month.

May:  Target the mid-Sierra, where snows have receded, and crowds have not yet reached summer levels. Check out gems like Twain Harte and Pinecrest Lake up Highway 108, Murphys and Calaveras Big Trees State Park on Highway 4, or the Crystal Basin area in the El Dorado National Forest, off Highway 50.

Pinecrest Lake has long been a favorite, offering a 3-mile hike around the lake and a side trail up Boulder Creek Canyon, where you’ll find a brisk stream and select waterfalls just off the lake. Murphys is a favorite historic Gold Rush town, and just above Calaveras, Big Trees would likely be a national park in any other state, with huge sequoias towering over 250 feet. 

To find the Crystal Basin area, take Highway 50 East, turn left on Ice House Road, pass Ice House Lake to Union Valley Reservoir, and find a variety of lovely campgrounds with fishing, hiking, and camping galore. If you are camping in the area, take your food in, for the Ice House Resort offers limited options for food or lodging in this wild country.

June: We recommend visiting Yosemite in early to mid-June, before the summer crowds get almost overwhelming. We also highly suggest visiting the Hetch Hetchy Valley and the Tuolumne Meadows portion of the park. Hetch Hetchy is the inspiring valley that John Muir fought so hard to preserve, losing that battle when O’Shaughnessy Dam was constructed in the late 1920s to impound a water supply for the city of San Francisco. 

Hetch Hetchy remains a stunning valley despite the reservoir, and a hike up the trail on the north side of the lake offers amazing vistas and waterfalls like Tueeulala and Wapama Falls, almost the rival of Yosemite Falls. Best of all, Hetch Hetchy, about 20 miles off the main road, gets only about 5% of Yosemite’s visitors, so you will often have that lakeside hike to yourselves.

July:  Target Lassen National Park, featuring Lassen Peak, which blew its top in a volcanic eruption in 1915 and 1916, flattening trees for miles to the northeast and throwing huge boulders three miles. Visit the Bumpass Hell area, a hissing, steaming hydrothermal area featuring fumaroles and bubbling mud pots to almost rival Yellowstone. Reserve a campsite in scenic Manzanita Lake Campground on the park’s northwest corner and consider the hike to the top of Lassen volcanic peak. Best, the park is only 200 miles from San Joaquin County.

August:  Redwoods State and National Parks are a fantastic destination, just six hours north up the coast, remaining relatively calm and enticing even during the hottest month of the year. Just off Highway 101, state parks and the national park preserve the remnants of the once-two million acres of old-growth redwood; today, only 5 percent remain. Tour the Avenue of the Giants, an awe-inspiring 30-mile tour of the Coast Redwood forest, the tallest trees in the world. Stop at the Thomas Kuchel Visitor Center south of Orick for the history of the preserves and insight into the majestic flora and fauna of the area. Nearby are Ferndale, Scotia, and the Samoa Cookhouse (stop for lunch at this former cookhouse of the Hammond Lumber Mill).

September : For an early fall visit, save the closer California north coast, from Bodega Bay to Mendocino. From Stockton, the coast is easy to reach (about three hours) and offers some of the most stunning waterfront vistas in the United States! 

This piece of California offers impressive vistas, spectacular food, great camping options, and wonderful places to stop for the night. Bodega (the town is different from Bodega Bay) is just off Hwy 116 and offers the old school where the 1963 Hitchcock classic 'The Birds' was filmed. 

Six miles north is Bodega Bay, home to various fine restaurants and several nearby beautiful campgrounds. Stop at the Tides Restaurant for great food, and check out many state parks for tenting or trailering options. A favorite is Wright's Beach State Park, right on the ocean!

Just north, cross the languid Russian River and the cute town of Jenner, where the Russian spills into the Pacific. Stop at River's End Restaurant for great food and stunning views. Beyond Jenner, find Ft. Ross, the old Russian outpost from the early 1800s, then pass through a host of cute coastal towns like Sea Ranch (stop at the Sea Ranch Lodge for breakfast or lunch), Gualala, and Point Arena (check out the Point Arena lighthouse, for riveting coastal views). Further north, one passes through Manchester, Elk, and Albion to reach Mendocino. Mendocino is the quintessential California seaside town, with trendy shops and several restaurants. This is a definite trip worthy of two or three days.

Contact Tim,  [email protected] . Happy travels in Nor Cal!

Information

California road trips, visitcalifornia.com; California’s North Coast, northcoastca.com; Crystal Basin and El Dorado National Forest,  fs.usda.gov/Eldorado ; Lassen Volcanic National Park, NPS /gov/lavo ; Pinecrest Lake area, and Yosemite,  visittuolumne.com .

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An Epic Northern California Road Trip Itinerary (Guide + Tips From A Local)

last Updated: January 19, 2024 california Northern California

FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. I’ll receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which I’ll totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. As always, thanks for the support.

Planning an epic Northern California road trip and looking for the best stops to make?! I’m here to show you all the highlights (think redwoods, deep blue lakes, and freshly shucked oysters)! You’ll be wondering why you didn’t take this road trip to Northern California sooner! 

What comes to mind when you picture NorCal? If you said towering redwoods , the granite peaks of Yosemite, and delicious wine regions, you wouldn’t be wrong! But we’ve also got a snow-capped dormant volcano (true story), that dramatic Pacific coastline, plenty of Victorian-era houses, and even the capital of California (no, it’s not LA or SF).

As I’m sure you could’ve guessed, Northern California is HUGE. And with that comes tons of diversity, in both its urban areas and stunning landscapes. You could spend months road tripping to Northern California and still not see it all. You will however feel that relaxed Californian attitude after just a few days in the state.

The area is so massive I even wrote a guide with over 300 things to do in NorCal ! While we won’t be knocking out all 300, we will be crossing off not one, not two, but THREE national parks in California on this Northern California road trip. I told you the itinerary I planned out is epic. 

→ Read Next: The BEST Road Trips in California (so many great ideas in here!)

I’ve lived in California for over 5 years now, and explore the Golden State every chance I get. Although I haven’t completed this entire NorCal road trip I’m suggesting in one go, I’ve been to all the stops — some, even multiple times! I’ve taken all my tips and included them in what I feel is the ultimate Northern California road trip itinerary → perfect for you all looking to explore the northern half of the state!

→ Psst: Check out my road trip packing guide for must-have items and other handy tips and tricks (helpful even if you’re an experienced road tripper, promise!)

Northern California Road Trip Itinerary Overview

• Start : San Francisco
• Stop #1: Yosemite National Park
• Stop #2: Lake Tahoe
• Stop #3: Sacramento
• Stop #4: Lassen Volcanic National Park + Burney Falls
• Stop #5: Redding/Mount Shasta
• Stop #6: Eureka/Trinidad
• Stop #7: Redwood National and State Parks
• Stop #8: Mendocino/Fort Bragg
• Stop #9: Napa /Sonoma
• Stop #10: Point Reyes
• End : San Francisco

Why take a Northern California road trip?!

Well for starters, NorCal is absolutely breathtaking. As I mentioned before, there’s craggy coastlines, towering redwoods, and delicious oyster picnics!

In addition, the state is just too damn huge to road trip through all at once. I mean, maybe if you had a month plus that’d be slightly doable. While I’m beyond obsessed with the Pacific Coast Highway and southern California , a trip to Northern California is oh so different.

If you’re looking to get a bit off the beaten path and delve from the ordinary, a road trip to Northern California will be perfect for you. 

How Long Will this Road Trip in Northern California take?

This is a super tricky question, because you could honestly spend months exploring NorCal! I say, plan for as long as you’ve got! If you wanna see all the stops on this Northern California road trip itinerary I’ve planned, aim for at least 3 weeks. You can probably do it in 2, but it’ll be super crammed and you’ll do too much driving vs. exploring in my opinion.

If you’ve got less than 2 weeks, I’d pick out a few spots below which pique your interest the most. Look at the map below and try to keep the places you pick close-ish together.

Only have a week or so? Leave off Yosemite National Park and Lake Tahoe. While they’re actually some of my favorite places in Northern California, these two spots are a bit further away from the others, so it doesn’t make sense to include them on a shorter trip. You can easily spend 3-4 days in each, so best to save them for another trip when you can really give them the time they deserve. 

Things to Know Before Driving Around Northern California

Getting to San Francisco

First things first, if you’re not a resident of San Francisco, you’ll of course need to get yourself there (stop #1). Since SFO is a major international airport, and a hub for many airlines, you can easily find cheap airfare within the states. You can start this NorCal road trip in Sacramento, but I have a feeling you’ll probably find cheaper airfare to San Francisco.

Renting a Car

Since this is in fact a road trip , you’ll need a vehicle to get you from place to place! Worth mentioning so you don’t forget to account for the cost of a rental car when following this Northern California road trip itinerary! I like to search via this site in order to compare rental companies to see who has the best price (and frequently save a fair bit of money!).

Filling up on Gas

While this Northern California road trip makes a bunch of stops in highly visited areas, it does take you through some more rural spots. Because of that, you’ll wanna make sure to fill up when you see a station if you’re getting to about ½ a tank. 

Some areas will be much more expensive than others, but if you’re not from California, you’ll find that gas prices are probably (much) higher than you’re used to regardless. Gas is the highest in the nation (on par with gas in Hawaii), so just take this account when planning your NorCal road trip budget.

I like to use the app GasBuddy to check out locations and prices of gas stations nearby. Google Maps has also started including gas prices for stations as well.

Traffic in Northern California

While you’ll definitely encounter traffic in certain areas (Bay Area, Sacramento, and likely, Lake Tahoe), you’ll be pleasantly surprised that most of Northern California isn’t super crowded. Yes, there’ll be other cars on the road, but 2352342 times less than in southern California. 

Do note you’ll encounter one-lane roads on certain state highways and other smaller areas. Be patient, let locals pass you, and always pull over at pullouts if you’re driving slower than others. Don’t be that driver with a long line of cars behind them (just please don’t — it aggravates everyone).

Toll Roads in Northern California

You’ll come across some toll roads (and bridges) on this road trip to Northern California. We use FastTrack to automatically pay tolls (kinda like EZ Pass on the East Coast). Some tolls will not take cash, including the drive over the Golden Gate Bridge. If you’re not using a FastTrack, you’ll need to look out for bills in the mail, sent to the address linked to the license plate.

Renting a car? I highly recommend asking your car rental company about any toll collection policies ahead of time so there’s no surprises when you return the car. It may be wise to rent a FastTrack from them, but they can sometimes be pretty expensive (depending on the way the rental agency rents them out).

What to Pack for a Northern California Road Trip

Definitely pack a light, waterproof jacket (especially for the coast), and plan to wear layers for outdoor activities (the weather changes fast here). A reusable water bottle will be perfect — the tap water here in California is delicious and definitely drinkable! Keep a cooler in the car for picnic lunches when exploring more remote areas.

And if you plan on doing any hiking, you’ll wanna take along some hiking shoes with good traction. The trails can get slippery, especially during the misty morning.

When to Take this NorCal road trip 

Such a difficult question! But no matter the season, the weather changes quickly in Northern California. If you have ultimate flexibility, I’d choose September or October. Easily. The summer crowds are gone, the sun is out and about, and the leaves are just starting to change colors (in some spots). 

SF experiences an Indian Summer, meaning summer comes late in the city (August – October). Expect fog and chilly weather from May – July. Lassen National Park is best in late summer as well, as it’s usually still pretty snowy in June (meaning the popular trails may still be closed). 

Sacramento will be hotter than all the other destinations on this Northern California road trip, with Lake Tahoe seeing similar temps. The weather on the NorCal coast is finicky at best, but you’ll see lots of sun in early – late Fall (with the most rain December through February).

Where to Stay in Northern California

There’s an abundance of hotels everywhere in NorCal, but why not choose a few unique and exciting AirBnBs as well? Mix it up a bit! Psst: I’ll go into more detail below each stop on this road trip in Northern California, but here’s a few unique spots I’m dying to check out for myself:

• Cozy A-Frame Cabin In The Redwoods (Inverness): Imagine being surrounded by redwoods, yet only a few minutes drive from the coast and wineries. This bohemian A-Frame cabin is great for a small group of friends, small families, and couples who just wanna get away from it all.
• Floating Houseboat (Sausalito): Get the unique Sausalito houseboat experience here! With sweeping views of the bay, the surrounding rolling hills, and in the distance, the majestic slopes of Mt. Tamalpais, I can’t think of a better night in Sausalito. What an experience!
• Japanese-Inspired Oceanfront Retreat (Stinson Beach): Serene and private, this Japanese inspired retreat is just a 3 minute walk to town, the beach and trails! Wear your yukata (kimono) to the inside/outside bathhouse to experience a Japanese soaking tub. Sleep to the sound of waves, wake to bird songs.

If you want to go camping on your road trip in Northern California, that’s totally doable too! You can camp in state parks, in national forests, and on BLM land — and of course there’s designated camping spots! Always double check camping is allowed, and be mindful that you may need to reserve campsites. I’m not an avid camper so don’t have much info for you, but there’s tons of resources online. 

Northern California Road Trip Map

Here’s a Northern California road trip map to get you started! I find seeing all the destinations plotted on a map always helps me visualize my overall journey.

By following this route, you’ll see it takes roughly 26 hours (yes, TWENTY SIX hours!) to make the trip from San Francisco to Point Reyes (with all the stops in between of course). Take that into account when planning your trip (you don’t wanna be driving all day!).

Other road trip posts you may enjoy:

• Complete Pacific Coast Highway Guide (all my favorite stops – yes, all 75 of them!)
• BEST Road Trips in California (so many great ideas in here!)
• Utah’s National Park Road Trip Guide (plus Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend, and Antelope Canyon)
• New York City to San Francisco (the ultimate cross-country road trip!)
• Mini Road Trips from San Francisco (perfect when you don’t have enough time to do this full road trip in Northern California) 

The Complete Northern California Road Trip Itinerary

Start: san francisco (1-3 days).

If you’ve never been to the City by the Bay before (San Francisco!), you need to spend a few days here! I’m partially biased, but it’s one of the best cities in the world (I moved here for a reason)! 

The city is SO diverse and there’s culture around each and every corner. With so many neighborhoods to explore and tons of beautiful look out spots with views of the famed Golden Gate Bridge, I promise you’ll never get bored. 

I’m listing out a few of my favorites below AND sharing my complete 3-day San Francisco itinerary to help you plan your perfect trip. In all honesty, there’s just too much to do here (not a bad thing), so just pick and choose what sounds interesting to you. And don’t forget to save some time for foodie excursions — the city is FULL of delicious eats!

Top things to do in San Francisco:

• Walk around the Mission District to see the thought-provoking murals (at Balmy Alley and Clarion Alley), and then devour a HUGE Mission Burrito (at either El Farolito or La Taqueria)
• Get some of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge at either Crissy Field, Baker Beach, and Golden Gate Overlook, and/or walk over the bridge itself (just remember, it’s 2 miles each way!). Wanna see my all-time favorite view of the bridge? Head over to Battery Spence r!
• Drive or walk down Lombard Street, famous for its steep section with EIGHT hairpin turn
• Get a workout on some of my favorite steps and stairs , including the Lyon Street Steps (the whole neighborhood is gorgeous), the Hidden Garden Steps, and the 16 Avenue Mosaic Staircase 

• Explore the ethnic neighborhoods of North Beach and Chinatown — stroll down Grant Avenue (don’t miss the Dragon Gate), sip Chinese mai tais at LiPo Cocktail Lounge, and indulge in egg tarts from Golden Gate Bakery (if they’re open), and grab a slice of Sicilian at Golden Boy Pizza and a cannoli at Stella Pastry 
• Spend the day in Golden Gate Park waving hello to the bison, snagging free views from the Hamon Observation Tower (within the de Young Museum), walking around Stow Lake, sipping tea at the Japanese Tea Garden, getting your science on at the Cal Academy, and cooling off with some froyo from Twirl & Dip 
• Sign up for a tour of Alcatraz — you’ll take the ferry over and then wander the grounds on an audio tour, seeing the old jail cells, and learning about the history of the famous prison. It’s educational, historical, creepy, and impressive all in one.
• Be a tourist at Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 to watch the sea lions play, get some mini donuts, have lunch at Boudins with some clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl, and take some cheesy tourist pics. The famous Ghirardelli ice cream sundaes aren’t too far from here, either!

What/Where to Eat:

• A ginormous mission burrito at either El Farolito or La Taqueria (can’t go wrong with either)
• Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings) and green onion pancakes on Taraval Street — we love both Kingdom of Dumpling and Dumpling Kitchen. The pan fried dumplings are my all-time favorite.
• A few scoops at Bi-Rite and a cannoli at Stella’s (two of my all-time favorite sweet treats in San Francisco )

• Slurp up some ramen in Japantown (Marufuku, Ramen Yamadaya, and Hinodeya Ramen Bar are all fan favorites), then try a few Japanese desserts afterwards (mochi from Benkyodo, donuts from Mochill Mochidonut, a cute character crepe from Belly Good Cafe & Crepes, and taiyaki ice cream from Uji Time)
• Some authentic Italian at Original Joe’s — always get the ravioli as your side and save some room for butter cake for dessert!
• One of these super-fun restaurants in San Francisco (I have way too many suggestions to list them all here in this Northern California road trip guide)

Where to Stay:

There’s no shortage of accommodation options in San Francisco, BUT where you stay will GREATLY impact your few days in the city. I can’t stress this enough – all the neighborhoods are drastically different with entirely different vibes.

I recommend staying in the following neighborhoods: Hayes Valley, North Beach, Pacific Heights, the Marina, and Nob Hill. There’s tons of great restaurants over here, and these neighborhoods are pretty central to lots going on. Some popular faves:

• Hotel Vitale (a Joie de Vivre boutique hotel right on the waterfront)
• The Proper Hotel (retro and eclectic with inspired touches of the Old World)
• Hotel Kabuki (a chic, beautiful boutique hotel in Japantown with zen-like public spaces)
• Complete 3 Days in San Francisco Itinerary
• 125 Things to do in SF (my ultimate Bay Area bucket list)
• Best Spots to See the Golden Gate Bridge
• My Favorite Dessert Spots in SF
• Day Trip to Muir Woods from San Francisco

Stop #1: Yosemite National Park (2-4 Days)

DRIVE TIME from SF to Yosemite: ~4 Hours (~190 miles)

Nature lovers, rejoice. We’re off to the Sierra Nevada mountains — Yosemite National Park, to be exact! 

The park is famous for its granite formations, incredible cliffs, gushing waterfalls, deep valleys, and ancient sequoia groves. It’s majestic, awe-inspiring, grand, and utterly magnificent. There’s simply not enough adjectives to truly capture the spirit of the park. It’s a true work of art! No wonder Ansel Adams (a famous environmentalist and photographer) based so many of his pieces on the place!

Yosemite is regarded as California’s most attractive National Park. I mean, there’s a reason over 4 million people visit each year. As soon as you arrive, you’ll be blown away by Yosemite’s sheer size and magnitude — I promise. 

Since Yosemite is downright huge (roughly 1,200 miles), you’ll want a plan of attack before you visit. You’ll probably spend most of your time in Yosemite Valley checking out the iconic viewpoints and landmarks — including Half Dome and El Capitan, but don’t miss other parts of the parks as well!

Top Things To Do in Yosemite:

• Go hiking, of course! The Mist Trail, Four Mile Trail, and Half Dome (lottery permit required) are all great half-day/full-day (moderate-strenuous) options.
• Check out the sweeping panoramic view at Tunnel View; by far Yosemite’s most iconic spot, and no hiking required! You’ll see landmarks like El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls, and even Half Dome from here.

• Go for an easy stroll around Mirror Lake, a small, glacial lake known for its picturesque backdrop of granite domes (aka — don’t miss it)
• Take an epic drive on Glacier Point Road (weather and season permitting) for some of the best views in all of Yosemite, including the aptly named Glacier Point. This is also where you’ll find the 2-mile trailhead for Taft Point (beautiful for sunset).
• Get an up-close view of Yosemite Falls via the Upper Yosemite Falls trail, Lower Yosemite Falls trail, or even from Cook’s Meadow! It’s the tallest waterfall in North America at 2,424 feet!
• Walk along the giant sequoias at Tuolumne and/or Mariposa Groves — both worthy of some time. Look up; you’ll feel so tiny and humbled in their presence! Don’t miss the Grizzly Giant — the oldest and tallest tree in all of Yosemite.
• Experience Yosemite without the crowds at the Hetch Hetchy area, including the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, which is probably the most beautiful dam you’ll ever damn see.

You don’t come to Yosemite for the food (spend longer in SF to check out all my favorite restaurants). But thankfully, the park has more food facilities than other national parks!

The lodges within the park have a bunch of dining options, including the Ahwahnee Dining Room (it’s gorgeous), the Yosemite Valley Lodge Food Court (for quick, casual meals), Mountain Room and Bar (slightly upscale), and even a Starbucks.

I recommend planning a picnic instead though!

So, here’s the thing with Yosemite. If you’re trying to cut costs, you’ll need to stay roughly 45 minutes to an hour outside of the park (sometimes longer). And combined with the driving within Yosemite itself, it makes for some long driving days. 

If you can swing it, I’d stay within the park itself at one of the few lodges — or, go camping! Inside the park there’s The Ahwahnee Hotel (completely bucket-list worthy), Yosemite Valley Lodge (near Yosemite Falls!), and Curry Village (camping vibes but not actual camping). There’s also a whole slew of campsites within the park. 

We’ve stayed at Rush Creek Lodge (literally minutes outside the entrance to the park) and LOVED it! Psst: You’ll need to make reservations way in advance for any of those, including camping, especially if you’re visiting in summer.

• One Day in Yosemite (I highly recommend longer though!)
• Visiting Yosemite in Winter (it’s a winter wonderland for sure!)

Stop #2: Lake Tahoe (2-4 Days)

DRIVE TIME from Yosemite to Lake Tahoe: ~ 4 hours, 45 minutes (~205 miles)

Lake Tahoe is a dream come true. There’s fresh mountain air, brisk turquoise water, scenic short hikes, and epic sunsets. It’s actually the largest alpine lake in all of North America. There’s nothing much better than a few days in the mountains of Lake Tahoe, in my opinion. Making Tahoe the perfect stop on any Northern California road trip.

How long you stay solely depends on what you wanna do and how much time relaxing you wanna have. There’s hiking, driving around the lake , stand-up paddling, kayaking, boating, biking, lakeside strolls, and more. We love to visit the State Parks (D.L. Bliss, Sand Harbor, and Emerald Bay), walk the East Shoreline Trail, and stop at the various viewpoints.

Just FYI — the water is COLD, even when the sun is high in the sky and shining. Don’t plan on doing much swimming here unless you’re used to brisk, chilly waters!

Top Things To Do at Lake Tahoe:

• Go stand up paddling (SUP) or kayaking in the aqua colored waters of Sand Harbor (the water is so super clear and the rocks/smooth granite boulders are amazing!). This is my favorite spot in all of Lake Tahoe — don’t miss it; just get there early to beat the crowds!
• Visit Emerald Bay State Park and make the steep one mile hike down to Vikingsholm Castle Historic Site, a castle with Scandinavian architecture that you can tour.
• Go on a hike! There’s no shortage of trails here at Lake Tahoe, ranging from super short ones like Eagle Rock Trail and Cave Rock, to longer, more strenuous hikes including the Rubicon Trail (popular and famous for a reason) and the short but steep Vikingsholm Trail.

• Go for a wander on the newly-completed East Shoreline Trail, taking you from Incline Village all the way to Sand Harbor — but you don’t need to walk the entirety to see spectacular landscapes. This is a must for anyone looking for those epic views of Lake Tahoe.
• Gawk at all the huge yachts in the Tahoe City Marina — we love picking out our favorites and guessing prices (haha).
• Drive around Lake Tahoe , stopping at all the viewpoints and different beaches along the way (my favorites including Hidden Beach, Memorial Point Scenic Overlook, Zephyr Cove, and Secret Cove)
• Go skiing/snowboarding and/or snow-tubing at one of 6 ski resorts, popular ones being Heavenly Mountain and Squaw Valley (weather and snow permitting of course!) Psst – the donuts and hot cocoa in Heavenly Village are delicious!

You may be surprised, but there’s actually a ton of great food (and coffee) in the area! We love Base Camp Pizza, Himmel Haus, Ten Crows BBQ (we’ve eaten here so many times), and The Hangar! Other options include Inclined Burgers and Brews, Tahoe Pourhouse, Glazed and Confused (for donuts!), and Free Bird and I.V. Coffee Lab (for coffee).

Where to Stay: 

Thankfully, there’s lots of hotel and accommodation options in Lake Tahoe. The major towns (where you’ll find most of these places to stay) are in South Lake Tahoe, Incline Village, Kings Beach, Tahoe City, and Truckee. A few recommendations below:

• South Lake Tahoe : Hotel Azure , Basecamp Tahoe South , Hard Rock Hotel & Casino , Hotel Becket
• North Lake Tahoe (including Incline Village and Tahoe City): Hyatt Regency , Franciscan Lakeside Lodge , and Basecamp Tahoe City
• Truckee (a few minutes northwest of Tahoe): Northstar Lodge , Walk Resorts Lake Tahoe
• Driving around Scenic Lake Tahoe (all my favorite stops)

Stop #3: Sacramento (1-2 Days)

DRIVE TIME from Lake Tahoe to Sacramento: ~2 hours (~110 miles)

Sacramento, the State Capital of California, kinda gets brushed off as just another city, but it’s recently become pretty cool! There’s now microbreweries, trendy boutiques, elegant Victorian-era homes, leafy parks, and farm-to-fork cuisine, all blending seamlessly into a chic urban vibe. It’s seriously underrated!

I mean, a few of my friends have even bought houses here, so I guess it’s not all bad! 

History lovers will fall in love with all things state capitol, as there’s the Capitol Museum, Old Sacramento Waterfront, California State Railroad Museum, and Sacramento History Museum.

Local Tip → if you’re doing your Northern California road trip in the fall (the best time in my opinion), you’ll be passing through Placerville on your way from Tahoe to Sacramento. Do yourself a favor and stop in Apple Hill for some festive fall treats, like caramel apple pecan pie, apple cider milkshake, and apple cider donuts. Mmmm….

Top Things To Do in Sacramento:

• Walk alongside the Sacramento River at RiverWalk Park, then cross over the iconic yellow Tower Bridge into the Old Sacramento Waterfront District
• Visit California’s State Capitol building → you can even take a tour (available every day between 9am-4pm). Don’t miss the gorgeous grounds surrounding the building, and pay a visit to the museum as well

• Join the coffee culture (it’s a big thing here in Sac) — lots of coffee shop recs below!
• Admire some statement art pieces (and learn some history, too!) at the Crocker Art Museum, a staple of Sacramento Art and Culture
• Visit Old Sac(ramento) for some old timey, western vibes (and don’t miss the California Railroad Museum!). It’s full of Gold Rush-era buildings, cobblestone streets, and even horse-drawn carriages.
• Hunt for colorful murals around town; there’s constantly new pieces from the Wide Open Walls and Sacramento Mural Festival (my kinda festival!). Don’t miss the Lady Bird mural at 901 16th Street, Michelle Obama Mural at 1409 Del Paso Blvd, and the Here Comes the Sun mural at 1818 X Street

What/Where To Eat:

As mentioned above, Sac is now a haven for foodies! There’s a whole bunch of trendy brunch spots, hip coffee spots, and eclectic dining for dinner. I’m adding an extra section for coffee because there’s just so many great coffee shops! Here’s our favorites, and where we can’t wait to indulge in next: 

FOOD/DRINK: Yard House (modern and casual, yet upscale at the same time, with over 100 draft brews and craft cocktails), Punch Bowl Social Sacramento (for some bomb chicken and waffles), Fizz Champagne & Bubbles Bar (go for some wine and charcuterie), The Bank (upscale food court in a refurbished bank),  Beast + Bounty (hip Californian restaurant), Hook and Ladder (another Californian restaurant)

COFFEE: Temple Coffee Roasters (an absolute must!), Vampire Penguin on K, Goodside Coffee, Pachamama Coffee, Camellia Coffee Roasters, Naked Coffee Roasting & Cafe

Sac is larger than many think, with many different neighborhoods. You’ll wanna stay in Downtown Sacramento, the quintessential business district, located right in the city center! I’ve heard great things about the following hotels:

• Kimpton Sawyer Hotel : a stylish hotel with a pool and chic dining, plus in-room yoga mats
• The Citizen Hotel, Autograph Collection : sophisticated and elegant lodging with a stylish restaurant, bar, and fitness center 
• Hyatt Regency Sacramento : contemporary rooms, posh dining, and a cocktail bar (plus an outdoor pool and spa)
• The Inn & Spa at Parkside : stately mansion with elegant rooms and gourmet breakfasts (!!!)

Stop #4: Lassen Volcanic National Park + Burney Falls (2-3 Days)

DRIVE TIME from Sacramento to Lassen: ~3 hours (160 miles)

From steaming hot springs and bubbling mud pots, to piping fumaroles and remnants of volcanic activity. That, my friends, is Lassen Volcanic National Park in a nutshell .  I just couldn’t believe how bad certain parts of the park smelled (due to the sulphur, which smells juuuust like rotten eggs).

While Lassen is definitely a little less discovered than other parks, I highly recommend adding it to your Northern California road trip itinerary. It’s even called a mini Yellowstone, boasting similar natural phenomena to the (super crowded) park in Wyoming.

Promise me you won’t miss nearby Burney Falls — it’s my all-time favorite waterfall in California (well, maybe besides McWay Falls in Big Sur ). 

Top Things to Do in Lassen Volcanic National Park:

• Make short stops at Lake Helen, Emerald Lake, and Manzanita Lake (for stunning reflections of the Lassen Volcano)
• Smell the sulphur at Sulphur Works – an active hydrothermal area. And when I say active, you have no idea how active! Walk over to the bubbling mud pot and steaming vents, and you’ll see what I mean!

• Hike the Bumpass Hell Trail, a three mile round-trip hike leading to a boardwalk full of all kinds of crazy things. Here you can listen to bubbling mudpots, watch the steam escape from a fumarole (named Big Boiler), marvel at the unusual multi-colored soil, and watch the boiling pools of water. Note that the trail typically does’t open until mid-June/early July due to high snowfall in the winter months.
• Marvel at Burney Falls (it’s been called the eighth wonder of the world for a reason!). I even dubbed it as one of the most beautiful places in California . I recommend doing the short loop hike that takes you down past the falls.

Unfortunately, there’s a serious lack of food options in the national park (to be expected) and between the waterfalls. I encourage you to bring our own picnic lunches (we typically buy sandwiches at a grocery store near our hotel).

There’ll be plenty of food options in Redding if you decide to stay there (next stop on our list anyways, so might as well condense the number of times you unpack!).

While it’s not impossible to find hotel accommodation located directly in the park, your best bet is to stay in Redding/Anderson (45 miles west of the park) or Chester (30 miles south of the park). 

• Redding: TownePlace Suites Redding , Fairfield Inn and Suites , Hilton Garden Inn
• AirBnBs closer to Lassen Volcanic: Touch of Home , TeePee Tent (quite a unique stay!), Cozy Log Cabin

MORE INFO: 

• The Complete Guide to Lassen Volcanic National Park 

Stop #5: Redding/Mount Shasta (1-2 Days)

DRIVE TIME from Lassen to Redding: ~1 hour (~50 miles)

Longing for some sunshine? With over 300 sunny days, you’re bound to find some warm air in Redding (and fun fact: surprisingly, it’s actually the 2nd sunniest city in the US!). 

Redding icons include a giant sundial (morphed into a bridge), million-year-old caves, and spectacular views of Mt. Shasta from Castle Crags State Park. And plus, Downtown Redding has no shortage of public art spaces, music performances, and hot dining spots.

On the flip side, the rugged 14k-foot volcanic mountain of Mount Shasta is just begging to be explored; there’s backcountry skiing, climbing, and tons of panoramic views. And the skiing is almost half the price of similar conditions in Tahoe – win win.

Redding and Mount Shasta are about an hour away from each other, so definitely plan out your day/days in advance so you’re not zigzagging back and forth!

Top Things to Do in Redding and Mount Shasta:

• Walk across the Sundial Bridge and check out the Turtle Bay Exploration Park. Trust me, this ain’t your average bridge — the glass block walkway and soaring white tower and suspension cables are pretty cool. (Redding)
• Sign up for a free, ranger-led kayak tour around Whiskeytown Lake — the Moonlight Tour would be an epic thing to add to your road trip to Northern California. (Redding)
• The Shasta Dam, across the Sacramento River, is not to be missed (and there’s a FREE tour)! The architecture is pretty grand, and the Shasta Dam is the second largest in the states after the Hoover Dam in Nevada. (Redding)

• Take a short catamaran ride on Shasta Lake en route to the limestone caves of Shasta Caverns, where stalactites, helictites, and rare formations await (between Redding and Shasta)
• Hike (or drive) around McCloud Falls, a series of three waterfalls each easily accessible from the parking lot. My favorite’s Middle Falls! (Shasta)
• Get your hike on at Castle Crags State Park, admiring the 6,000-feet tall crags. If you squint really hard, you may even see Mt. Shasta from the very top! (Shasta)
• Spend your whole day with stunning views of Mount Shasta from Castle Lake Road (Shasta)

The culinary scene is alive and well in Redding! Locals have a ton of old favorites, and there’s always new chefs popping up in town.

Here’s my top picks for food and desserts in Redding and around → Anthony’s Mediterranean Grill, The Parlor Ice Cream (for ice cream donut puffs), Dutch Brothers Coffee, Deja Vu (for breakfast/brunch), Taste & See Creamery (creative ice cream flavors), Cinders Wood Fired Pizza, and Jack’s Donuts (for more sweets). 

I’ve also heard Le Testimony Organic Bistro, Evergreen (for coffee), Theory Collaborative (for coffee), Mosaic (California-inspired), and Yak’s On The 5 (with a cult following!) are all really tasty!

It may be wise to stay at the same spot as you did for Lassen, if you’re like me and hate moving around every night or two.

• Mount Shasta: Mount Shasta Resort , McCloud Mercantile Hotel , Best Western Plus Tree House

Stop #6: Eureka/Trinidad (2-3 Days)

DRIVE TIME from Redding to Eureka: ~3 hours (~150 miles)

Imagine spending your time amongst the lush greenery of the towering redwoods, walking around old victorian architecture, and gazing at rugged and remote ocean landscapes. That’s Eureka in a nutshell ! 

The landscapes are stunning, there’s lots of talented local artists (hello colorful street art!), and the coast is craggy in this vibrant seaport city. It’s the quintessential California coastal town. 

And Trinidad is only a few miles north — I was OBSESSED with basically everything about it. Definitely don’t miss this spot. The rocky coastal landscapes are insane.

Top Things To Do in Eureka and Trinidad:

• Slather on the sunscreen and make the steep trek down to College Cove Beach — don’t miss the caves filled with starfish and sea anemone (or take the coastal trail above the beach to find the secret swing) (Trinidad)
• Soak up the rugged coastline on the Trinidad Fishing Pier over Trinidad Harbor, a popular crabbing spot with even more spectacular views (Trinidad)

• Wander around the handsomely restored Old Town district, and feel like you’re still in the Victorian era. Don’t miss the dozens of ornate 19th century Victorian homes, including the Carson Mansion and the Pink Lady! (Eureka) 
• Take a morning stroll along the Giant Sequoias at Sequoia Park, filled with tons of towering trees and even more cute pups (Eureka) 
• Go for the full flight of ciders (or go easy with an “ample sample”) at Humboldt Cider Company Tap Room (Eureka)
• Spend an afternoon wandering around the tiny town of Ferndale, a former dairy capital with Victorian-era ‘butterfat mansions

There’s a whole slew of dining options in Eureka and whole area, with my favorites below:

• Coffee:  Jitter Bean Coffee Co, Old Town Coffee & Chocolates, Gold Rush Coffee on Broadway, and Dutch Brother’s
• Breakfast: Renata’s Creperie (Arcata), Los Bagels (Eureka, Arcata), The Greene Lily (Eureka), Ramone’s Bakery & Cafe (multiple locations)
• Lunch/Dinner: Oaxaca Grill Restaurant (Eureka), Sixth and E Neighborhood Eatery (Eureka), Surfside Burger Shack (Eureka), Humboldt Bay Social Club (Samoa), Samoa Cookhouse (Samoa), Campground (Arcata)

Being one of the major towns on the NorCal coast, there’s tons of accommodation options in Eureka and nearby.

• Eureka: Carter House Inns (upscale lodging with Queen Anne architectural charm), Inn at 2nd & C (a largely restored hotel from the 1880’s with an old-school vibe),  Holiday Inn Express & Suites Eureka , Best Western Plus Humboldt Bay Inn , and Eureka Inn Trademark by Wyndam .
• AirBnBs in Eureka: Chic Eureka Studio (a chic and modern 500sq ft upstairs studio), this Modern Studio Loft (Newly renovated space with sleeping loft and fully stocked kitchen)
• AirBnbs Nearby: The Ranch House at Humboldt Bay Social Club (the crown jewel of a 22-acre bayfront property), 1952 Airstream Dream (Stay in a piece of history – this 1952 Airstream offers modern comforts with a historic feel), or check out this Enchanting Dome House in the Redwoods (nestled in 5 acres of redwoods yet still so close to the beach!)

More Resources: 

• Weekend Getaway to Scenic Trinidad and Eureka 

Stop #7: Redwood National and State Parks (1-2 Days)

DRIVE TIME from Eureka to Redwood Parks: ~1 hour, 15 minutes (~50 miles)

Ancient and mysterious. Stately and powerful. Cool and dark and damp and pungent. I could go on and on with ways to describe these old-growth redwood trees. The redwoods are a true icon of NorCal — meaning, you won’t wanna miss them on your road trip to Northern California! I mean, the Northern California coast is the ONLY place in the WORLD you’ll find these coastal redwoods.

A lot of people get this confused, so I’ll clear this up right away — Redwood National and State Parks are actually a few parks in one, located on the coast in Northern California in Humboldt and Del Norte counties. The parks include: 

• Redwood National Park
• Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
• Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
• Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

An hour north outta the way (you’ll have to drive through Eureka to get back south to SF), but well worth the detour. I mean, this Northern California road trip has already brought you so close!

If you’re not feeling the extra driving, you could always hit up the Avenue of the Giants on your way to Mendocino or Muir Woods on your way back to San Francisco. You can also drive through a 315-foot redwood tree at Leggett’s Drive-Thru Tree Park (don’t forget to take a photo!) on the way back from Mendocino.

Psst: For this NorCal road trip, I’d stick to Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park and Redwood National Park. The other two (Del Norte Coast and Jedediah Smith) are further north, adding extra driving time to your route.

Top Things to Do in Redwood National and State Parks:

• Apply for a permit to hike the never-crowded Tall Trees Grove Trail — only 50 cars are allowed in per day
• Find “Atlas”, one of the widest trees in the park at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, or just stroll around the 75 miles of trails amid old-growth redwoods 

• Wander through the fairy tale forest of the short yet stunning Fern Canyon , an unusual vertical-walled river canyon covered in leafy ferns (Fun Fact: Part of the 3rd Jurassic Park movie was filmed here!)
• Hike through a lush rainforest to a suspension bridge overlooking Trillium Falls — it’s absolutely mesmerizing 

Again, like other national parks in California, there’s not many options for food within the parks themselves. You’ll wanna bring along a picnic and/or have a big breakfast in Eureka/Trinidad.

Where to Stay: I recommend staying at the same accommodation in either Trinidad or Eureka, and making a day trip (or two) — depending on how much hiking you wanna do. Or, you could go camping in the parks if that’s your style!

Read Next: 

• 15 Places to See Redwoods and Giant Sequoias in California 
• Hiking the Fern Canyon Trail (everything you need to know)

Stop #8: Mendocino/Fort Bragg (2-3 Days)

DRIVE TIME from the Redwoods to Mendocino: ~4 hours (~190 miles)

*If you’re staying in Eureka, it’ll be approximately 3 hours to get to Mendocino from here.

Get ready for misty mornings, dense redwood forests, and fern-covered canyons – Mendocino is any nature lover’s perfect weekend getaway! There’s stunning shorelines, mushroom ice cream (yup – I said mushroom), secluded beaches, sleepy sea lions, and magical sea caves. 

Since the drive from the redwoods to Mendocino will be one of the longest on this Northern California road trip, why not break it up? Go for one last breakfast in Eureka, and then you can stop at the Avenue of the Giants on the way (about half the way in Weott).

Drive slowly through the Avenue of the Giants, a scenic 30 mile highway running through 50,000 acres of redwood groves in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Put on your boots and walk through the clover-lined mini trails in the park (don’t miss the Founder’s Tree and Dyerville Giant)!

Top Things To Do in Mendocino and Fort Bragg:

• Spot the rainbow of sea glass on Glass Beach within MacKerricher State Park (but don’t take any with you)
• Smell the rhododendrons, begonias, and other beauties at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, then head to the water for great views of the rocky coastline 

• Sip wine with a view of the rocky Mendocino coast at Pacific Star Winery (one of the best places to stop on this Northern California road trip for wine and nature lovers!)
• Check out the numerous (and gorgeous!) state parks in the area, including Van Damme, Russian Gulch, Jug Handle, and Mendocino Headlands
• Climb aboard the world-famous Skunk Train in Fort Bragg , and ride into the nearby lush redwood forests. There’s two-passenger railbikes if you’re looking for something a bit more active. 
• Cowlicks Ice Cream: Possibly the best ice cream I’ve ever had. The line is long but the portions more than make up for it.
• Frankie’s: This small restaurant is known for both their pizza and ice cream (can’t go wrong with either — this is where we get mushroom ice cream!)
• MacCallum House: I heard people raving about the atmosphere and food → Definitely the spot to be for a cute brunch.  Kinda expensive, but kinda worth it.

• Patterson’s Pub: A local favorite in the area. Prices are good, beers are flowing, and you’re sure to find an interesting crowd at the bar.
• Wild Fish: Wanna surprise your partner with an amazing meal and ocean views? Make a reservation (the place is super tiny) at Wild Fish, a super romantic fine-dining restaurant. We love it here!
• Little River Inn: Another good place for a romantic dinner in a super charming spot

Where To Stay:

• Glendeven Inn & Lodge (my top pick). If you’re looking for a romantic place to stay, look no further than the Glendeven Inn. I can’t stop gushing about our stay there, I really can’t! Expect an in-room wood-burning fireplace, homemade breakfasts, and a location surrounded by the lush Van Damme State Park.
• Sea Rock Inn : We also passed by the cottages at Sea Rock Inn after walking around the Headlands, and I think we wanna check that place out next time we visit!
• Heritage House : A romantic seaside escape in a historic Gold Rush farmhouse?! Yes please! 

More resources: 

• The Weekend Guide to Mendocino and Fort Bragg 

Stop #9: Napa/Sonoma (2-3 Days)

DRIVE TIME from Mendocino to Napa: ~2 ½ hours (~115 miles)

Everyone’s heard of Napa. I mean, there’s wine – what’s not to love?! But haha, Napa is so much more than that – imagine lush rolling hills, miles and miles of vineyards, generous tasting pours, and some truly amazing restaurants (including the ridiculously-priced but highly sought-after French Laundry). It would be a shame not to include it on your road trip to Northern California!

While Napa is more glam-worthy, Sonoma is more spread out and expansive (at almost double the size of Napa!), with a much more chill vibe. Sonoma’s kinda like the gloriously laid-back sister of nearby Napa Valley, and we love it!

Sonoma even grows tons more varieties of grapes, meaning a larger selection of wines (although Chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, and pinot noir are the most abundant)!

While we love both areas, I’d honestly pick either Napa Valley or Sonoma. It’s just just too spread out to do it all. My favorite towns in Sonoma are Petaluma and Healdsburg/Guerneville, while we enjoy winery hopping all over Napa Valley.

Top Things To Do in Napa

• Sip wine in a real-life castle at Castello di Amorosa (inspired by a castle in Tuscany), and then say hi to the baby goats on property!
• Stomp on grapes in a wine barrel at Sterling Vineyard (one of the messiest things to do in on this Northern California road trip), after taking the gondola up the hill for stunning vineyard views

• Gather supplies and feast on a gourmet picnic under the shady oak trees at V. Sattui with meats, cheeses, and even cheesy jalapenos! 
• Board the Napa Valley Wine Train for spectacular vineyard views while feasting on a first-class meal
• Float away in a hot air balloon above the vineyards of Napa Valley – and yes, it’s just as magical as it sounds!
• Cool off in a CAVE and learn about the winemaking process and see where barrels are stored on a winery cave tour 

Top Things To Do in Sonoma

• Walk along the Petaluma waterfront, and grab a slice of pie from Petaluma Pie Company and/or an ice/soft serve combo from Wicked Slush (one of my favorite day trips from San Francisco )
• Sip some wine and snack on gourmet foods in a modern castle at Ledson Winery & Vineyards (the grounds are spectacular!)

• Bring your blow-up floatie or inner tube and float down the Russian River (or just relax at Johnson’s Beach, one of the most popular things to do in Northern California, and more specifically, Guerneville !)
• Hike among the majestic sequoia trees at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve – they’re over 500 years old and over 200 feet tall!
• Go wine tasting in Alexander Valley, one of the best cabernet sauvignon growing regions in the world
• Learn about California history by checking out the Mission San Francisco Solano, the barracks, Toscano Kitchen, and other exhibits at the Sonoma State Historic Park (all in a span of 3 blocks)

The dining options are nearly endless here – from $500 multi-course michelin-star meals to a bustling marketplace full of trendy eateries! There’s tons of wine country casual hot spots to choose from.

In Napa we LOVE checking out the Oxbow Public Market, getting breakfast at Thomas Keller’s Bouchon (worth waiting in line for), having dinner on the outdoor patio at Bistro Don Giovanni, and having picnics at whatever vineyards allow it!

Sonoma is well-known for The Girl & The Fig (still on my must-eat list), Sunflower Caffe (one of my favorites!), my friends restaurant Sugo Trattoria (get the bruschetta – it’s so good), and KINSmoke (a southern bbq place).

Where to stay:

Accommodation in Napa Valley tends to be on the expensive side, especially during summer and fall. But don’t let that deter you — even if you can spend just one night I say go for it!

Napa: We’ve stayed at and love the Andaz Napa , and I’ve heard great things about River Terrace Inn , Hotel Yountville (the pool area looks divine!), and SENZA Hotel . And of course the Four Seasons Resort Napa Valley is on my bucket list.

Sonoma: Check out the Ledson Hotel (upscale and elegant), Sonoma Hotel (historic!), El Dorado Hotel (chic with fine dining), and Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country .

There’s also quite a few unique stays in this area if that’s something you’re interested in:

• Sleep in a tent and go glamping at Wildhaven Sonoma Glamping (Sonoma)
• Feed the giraffes and stay in an upscale tent on a 400-acre wildlife preserve at Safari West , also known as the “Sonoma Serengeti” (Sonoma)
• Stay in a modern Craftsman-style bungalow with a fireplace at The Bungalows at Calistoga — I want to stay here so bad! (Napa)

Stop #10: Point Reyes National Seashore (1-2 Days)

DRIVE TIME from Napa to Point Reyes: ~1 hour, 45 minutes (~75 miles)

By now you’re probably exhausted from all the running around on this Northern California road trip (told ya there’s lots to do here!). BUT, I promise a day (or two!) in Point Reyes is well worth your time, especially if you’re up for a (stunning) coastal hike and some grilled oysters!

The area is known for its charming small town (Point Reyes Station), some of the best oysters in all of California, award-winning cheese, and green coastal landscapes. It honestly kinda looks like something outta an Ireland fantasyland (from my speculations, since, ermmmm, I haven’t made it to Ireland just yet).

FYI — Point Reyes is one of the foggiest, rainiest, and windiest places in all of the Bay Area. You’ll wanna dress in layers and keep a waterproof jacket in the car no matter when you visit. Unfortunately, the weather’s wildly unpredictable over here!

Top Things To Do in Point Reyes

• Walk down the equivalent of a 30-story building to the Point Reyes Lighthouse (one of the most strenuous things to do on this Northern California road trip by far!) Work those glutes!
• Find the Inverness Shipwreck (psst – it’s behind a small grocery store in Inverness, or simply put “Point Reyes Shipwrecks” into Google Maps). Don’t attempt to climb it — it’s old and unsteady and unfortunately deteriorating! Just admire from afar.

• Have an oyster picnic! It’s exactly what it sounds like! Feast on freshly harvested oysters (and even shuck and grill them yourself!) at Hog Island Oyster Company and/or Tomales Bay Oyster Company.
• Walk the (mostly flat!) 9.6 miles of the Tomales Point Trail or the much shorter 1.9 mile Chimney Rock Trail. Both are absolutely beautiful, and kinda hidden gems of Northern California. You’ll be able to see elephant seals on the beach below the Chimney Rock Trail (in the winter season), and Tule Elk on the Tomales Point Trail!
• Up your instagram game with a photo under the Cypress Tree Tunnel (but be sure to get there early – it’s popular with photographers and tourists).
• If there’s only one thing you eat in Point Reyes, make it oysters — this part of the coast is known for them for a reason! Check out either Hog Island, Tomales Bay Oyster Company, and if all else fails, The Marshall Store.
• Bovine Bakery: A local jaunt with a sustainable focus, with artisan pastries, cookies, pizza, and fair-trade coffee. A great little spot for breakfast or lunch (PS: the morning buns and rare savory scones are heavenly).
• Sir and Star at the Olema: If you’re looking for locally focused California fare, you need to make a reservation here. Sit by the fireplace, sip some wine, and order the beignets along with your dinner.

Surprisingly, despite its location, Point Reyes has more accommodation options than you probably think. You’ll find bed and breakfasts, hotels, cottages, and some epic AirBnbs around here. A few worth noting:

• Olema House at Point Reyes : It’s intimate and tranquil, — and plus, it’s surrounded by national forests!
• Nick’s Cove and Cottages : Nostalgic and welcoming and located right on the water!
• AppleGarden Cottage: A private bed-and-breakfast (located on a working farm!) just outside of Tomales/Point Reyes
• Straus Home Ranch : A beautifully renovated 150 year old farmhouse nestled between eucalyptus and cypress trees

End: San Francisco

DRIVE TIME from Point Reyes to San Francisco: 1 ½ hours (~60 miles)

Woo — officially made it back from our Northern California road trip! If you’ve got another day or two, continue checking out SF ( there’s loads to do ), or take a day trip ( I’ve got lots of good options here )! Some of my favorites and where I love bringing visitors: Muir Woods , Sausalito , Battery Spencer , and Half Moon Bay / Pacifica . 

Hope this helps you plan your Northern California road trip! Have a few oysters and ice creams for me!

Loo king for more California content? Explore my other California guides here!

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June 2, 2023 at 5:11 pm

Definitely agree that Lake Tahoe is a dream come true! Those crystal clear waters and fresh air can’t be beat!

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I’m from the east coast and planning a trip to northern California and this is extremely helpful. Thank you so much!

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Rain and snow return to the Northern California forecast this weekend. Here are the big changes coming

By Ashley Nanfria

Updated on: May 3, 2024 / 2:19 PM PDT / CBS Sacramento

After a quiet stretch of weather this week, our weather pattern is about to make a big change just in time for the first weekend of May. 

Two more days of warm and sunny weather as we finish the week. This weekend expect cooler and wet weather to return. Our late-season storm system brings more valley rain, colder temperatures and more Sierra snow. 

The Change-up

After days of being under an area of high pressure, it'll start to break down as we get closer to Friday, bringing a rapid cool-down to the weekend.

This change opens the storm door and allows our next system to drop down from the Gulf of Alaska.

Recent weather models have increased the amount of moisture tied to this system as it taps into a weak atmospheric river. In short, expect more precipitation across Northern California as Saturday turns into a wet day. 

Saturday's Late Season Storm

A cold front is expected to move in from the coast as early as Friday night and while we could see a few showers develop across the northern valley and coastal range, most will stay dry until Saturday morning. CBS13 has made Saturday a First Alert Action Day as the bulk of the system arrives. 

After the initial front moves in expect widespread, steady rain during the morning and afternoon across the valley floor. We could see a few isolated thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening, but those chances are a bit lower with all of the cold air in place. Expect small hail, gusty winds, lightning and brief heavy rain with any thunderstorms that develop. 

Gusty winds will also develop as this storm moves through on Saturday with the strongest wind across the northern valley, foothills and Sierra. Gusts up to 30 to 40 mph are possible, with gusts up to 50 mph across the Sierra. 

Across the Sierra, precipitation will start off as rain at first as snow levels will be quite high, starting around 7,000 feet on Saturday before dropping to 4,000 feet by Sunday morning. 

The biggest change of the weekend will be the noticeable drop in temperatures. Highs on Friday will be in the 80s across the valley while highs will only warm to the upper 50s through the weekend, about a 20 to 30 degree drop for most. 

Being two days away, there is still the chance of precipitation amounts to change depending on the track of this system. If the bulk of this system stays to the north, this would lead to much lower rain and snow totals. Something we'll keep an eye on for the next 48 hours. Yet as of Thursday morning, amounts have increased. 

In our current forecast expect amounts of 0.50'' to 1'' across the valley, 1'' to 2'' in the foothills and 1.5'' to 3'' across the Sierra from Friday night through Sunday morning. This will be a beneficial rain for most as we head into the warmer months of the year.

This will be significant by May standards locally as Sacramento's average monthly precipitation for the month is 0.86''. 

Winter Storm Warning 

As for snow, the highest accumulations will be in areas above 6,000 feet. From 6,000 feet and higher, we are forecasting 5 to 10 inches of snow with up to a foot at higher peaks. 

A Winter Storm Warning and Winter Weather Advisory have been issued from 11 a.m. Saturday to 8 a.m. Sunday. Travel will be difficult with heavy snow and wind gusts greater than 60 mph at times. 

Minor accumulation below 5,000 feet but enough to make roads wet and slick. Make sure to stay updated with the forecast before you travel over the passes as we could see possible travel delays. 

This will be a fast-moving storm system and will quickly clear out of the region by Sunday morning. We may see a few lingering showers across portions of the Sierra, but these showers should not amount to much accumulation. 

Sunday and Beyond 

Once our storm system passes, Sunday will turn into a nice day from the foothills to the coast with partly cloudy skies overhead. Cool air will be in place, but highs will be slightly higher than Saturday's with many in the upper 60s.

Temperatures will be slow to warm looking ahead to next week starting off cooler than average before reaching back to the low 80s by Wednesday. 

Across the valley, next week looks to stay mainly dry with more wind returning throughout the week. We could see a few light showers across the Sierra, but many will end up dry. 

Make sure to stay with the CBS Sacramento First Alert Weather team for updates on this weekend's storm and changes to next week's forecast. 

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Interstate 5 from Redding, California to the Douglas/Lane County line in Oregon - 5/7

Scroll down to see webcams from redding to cottage grove that update in real time.

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NUMEROUS ROAD REPAIR PROJECTS ARE OCCURRING ON I 5 FROM THE CALIFORNIA STATE LINE TO COTTAGE GROVE IN OREGON. THESE ARE ALL LOW IMPACT TO TRAVEL SITUATIONS. BE WATCHFUL FOR WORKERS AND EQUIPMENT WHEN YOU ENCOUNTER THESE REPAIR PROJECTS. 

Off ramp north bound at mile post 125 in Roseburg. Road construction is occurring. Prepare to slow. Watch for workers. Ramp is affected.

Northern California I 5 webcams. These cameras update in real time .

Dunsmuir - http://cwwp2.dot.ca.gov/data/d2/cctv/image/dunsmuir/dunsmuir.jpg?1575135426197

I 5 Hwy 89 junction - http://cwwp2.dot.ca.gov/data/d2/cctv/image/i5sr89/i5sr89.jpg?1575135462245

Mt.Shasta City - http://cwwp2.dot.ca.gov/data/d2/cctv/image/abramslakenb/abramslakenb.jpg?1575135523667

Central Weed - http://cwwp2.dot.ca.gov/data/d2/cctv/image/i5us97/i5us97.jpg?1575135550051

Yreka -  http://tripcheck.com/RoadCams/cams/Yreka_pid617.jpg?rand=1480450925095

Anderson Grade north of Yreka - http://cwwp2.dot.ca.gov/data/d2/cctv/image/andersongrade/andersongrade.jpg?1575135578745

Siskiyous at Hilt -  http://tripcheck.com/RoadCams/cams/NorthHilt_pid613.jpg?rand=1480450985779

Southern Oregon I 5 webcams.  These cameras update in real time .

Siskiyous at mile post 2 -  http://tripcheck.com/RoadCams/cams/Siskiyou%20I-5%20NB%20at%20MP.2_pid1688.JPG?rand=1480451226070

Siskiyou Summit -  http://tripcheck.com/RoadCams/cams/I-5atExit6_pid625.jpg?rand=1480451265248

Ashland Chain up southbound -  http://tripcheck.com/RoadCams/cams/Siskiyou%20Chain%20Up%20Area%20N_pid2515.JPG?rand=1480451299940

Medford - https://tripcheck.com/RoadCams/cams/I-5%20at%20Medford%20Viaduct_pid3621.JPG?rand=1575135711236

Central Point -  https://tripcheck.com/RoadCams/cams/I-5%20at%20East%20Pine_pid2916.JPG?rand=1506185850263

Sexton Summit -  http://tripcheck.com/RoadCams/cams/SextonSummitN_pid2527.JPG?rand=1480451358077

Canyon Mountain -  http://tripcheck.com/RoadCams/cams/I-5%20at%20Canyon%20Mt%20NB_pid2816.JPG?rand=1480451386932

Roseburg -  http://tripcheck.com/RoadCams/cams/I-5%20at%20Roseburg%20-%20Garden%20Valley%20Exit%20S_pid2408.JPG?rand=1480451413054

Rice Hill north of Sutherlin -  https://tripcheck.com/RoadCams/cams/I-5%20at%20Rice%20Hill%20NB_pid2820.JPG?rand=1575135802219

2 miles south of Cottage Grove/ Douglas County line -  https://tripcheck.com/RoadCams/cams/I-5%20at%20Cottage%20Grove%202mi%20South_pid2388.JPG?rand=1575135847397