california and nevada road trip

A Quirky California and Nevada Road Trip: 10 Days Through the High Desert

By Author Tara Schatz

Posted on Published: September 26, 2023

Categories Destinations , United States , US National Parks , Western United States

Lonely desert highways, weird roadside attractions, and a nice mix of thrilling outdoor adventures that you won’t find anywhere else.

The farther you drive away from the California coast and into Nevada, the more you might think that the area is nothing but a giant sun-baked sandbox with nothing to do but gamble.

Nothing could be further from the truth!

Sure, the desert defines much of the landscape, but you’ll also discover several mountain ranges, forests of ancient trees, and as we’ve already mentioned, a lot of truly weird stuff.

This ten-day California to Nevada road trip starts in the crazy-busy, must-visit Yosemite National Park and heads off the beaten path from there.

I will not tell you that this road trip has something for everyone because that would be a lie.

Instead, this road trip is for those intrigued by secret aliens, weird clowns, hidden hot springs, ancient petroglyphs, and trees hanging with shoe ornaments.

As part of our back-road adventures across the United States, we’ve toured some pretty amazing places, but our family agrees that our southwest road trips have been the most memorable, especially the trips that end up so far removed from the vision we start out with.

Despite some strange experiences, we loved this road trip, and we think you will too!

We’ll give you all the important details for planning this wild and weird California to Nevada road trip, with suggestions for lodging or camping, hikes, and roadside attractions.

First, some logistics to help you plan your trip.

Table of Contents

California and Nevada Road Trip FAQS

Even if the planning stage isn’t your favorite part of a road trip, don’t be hasty. There are a few things that you’ll want to know before hitting the road so that your trip will be memorable for all the right reasons!

Read Next: America’s Most Scenic Road: Highway 12 in Utah

Where Should I Fly in and Out of?

This California-Nevada road trip works starting from a few different major airports. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is almost a four-hour drive from Yosemite, but flying into SFO will give you the best deals on flights and car rentals. If keeping costs low is the most important thing, go with SFO.

Don’t want to drive four hours, much of it through Bay Area traffic, before your road trip even begins? You should consider flying into Sacramento International Airport (SMF), which is 3.5 hours from Yosemite National Park.

Finally, it’s worth looking into flights to McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas (Las) and then spending your first night at Cathedral Gorge State Park , which is about two hours and forty-five minutes away.

From Cathedral Gorge, we recommend doing the trip in a counter-clockwise loop.

If you’re anything like us, the airport you choose will be largely based on price, so find the best deal on flights and a car rental before planning the rest of your journey.

Insider tip: For a unique camping trip, rent an Escape Campervan for your road trip through California and Nevada. They have rental depots in both Las Vegas and San Francisco, so you can plan a camping trip without all the pesky camping gear.

California to Nevada Road Trip Map

Here’s an overview of the road trip starting in Sacramento, which would be our top choice if cost weren’t a factor.

Feel free to make adjustments based on the airport you choose or check out this Google Map of the same route starting from Las Vegas.

When is the Best Time to Take This Southern California/Nevada Road Trip?

This route requires driving from Yosemite Valley over Tioga Pass, which is the highest highway pass in California at 9, 943 feet. Unfortunately, Tioga Road is closed in the winter, usually between November and May. In 2019, the pass didn’t fully open until early July, so be sure to keep an eye on the weather as your departure date gets closer.

We’d actually recommend taking this road trip in September or October when the temperatures are cooler and the parks aren’t as crowded. Of course, summer is the best time for families with school-age kids to travel. We did this road trip in July, and we lived to tell the tale!

Things You Should Know Before Heading Out

• You’ll be driving on a road called the Extraterrestrial Highway and another called the “Loneliest Road in America”. Cell service is spotty. Gas stations too. Fill up your tank when you can and keep a few gallons of water in your car for emergencies. Don’t be nervous — we just want you to be prepared!
• Even the desert landscapes that seem flat on your road trip are actually over 4,000 feet in elevation with many spots even higher. You will acclimate to the higher altitude during your trip, but you should drink lots of water, use extra sunscreen, and take it easy when hiking until your body adjusts.
• Pack for three seasons. Even if you embark on this road trip in the summer, be sure to pack a fleece, a light jacket, a beanie, and wool socks . But don’t forget your swimsuit and your sturdy sandals!
• It’s pronounced Neh-VAD-uh, not Neh-VAH-duh. Not a big deal, but we spent a whole summer in Nevada, and everyone corrected us until we got it right, so we thought we’d save you the frustration!

A 10-Day Road Trip in Nevada and California

This is the ultimate quirky, but scenic route that starts in the Sierra Nevada mountains and ends in the intimate metropolis of Reno, Nevada.

While the vast desert landscape often looks the same for miles and miles, there are enough cool spots to keep things interesting. Choosing the best spots to feature on this road trip was easy, but you may want to plan for more time in some areas if you can.

Let’s get started on this weird and wacky road trip through Nevada and California.

Day One: Yosemite National Park: Yosemite Valley

Today you’ll arrive in Yosemite National Park, settle into your lodging/campsite, and explore Yosemite Valley.

Driving time: Depends on where you’re coming from, but plan on 3-4 hours .

The first thing you should know about visiting Yosemite National Park, especially if you’re only staying for a few days is that you won’t be able to see and do everything. The park is huge, covering 1,187 square miles of wilderness. 

Our suggestion would be to spend the first afternoon getting your campsite set up or checking into your lodging, and then exploring Yosemite Valley and doing a few short hikes. No need to run yourself ragged on the first day of a mega road trip!

Lodging and Camping in Yosemite Valley

You will find a few lodging options just outside of the Big Oak Flats entrance to Yosemite National Park on Route 120, but I 100% recommend finding lodging or camping inside the park if you can.

While staying in the park is more expensive, it will save you a good amount of driving time, plus the frustration of having to drive in traffic as you head into the park each morning.

Lodging inside the park can also be hard to find in the summer unless you plan way ahead (like 8+ months), and while camping in Yosemite National Park is affordable, competition for campsites is stiff, especially in the summer.

There are 13 popular campgrounds in Yosemite National Park.

Reservations are required year-round for camping in Upper Pines in Yosemite Valley, and between April and October for the rest of the campgrounds within the park.

Campground reservations become available on a rolling basis, either five months, two months, two weeks, or one week in advance.

I recommend reading up on the different campgrounds available inside Yosemite, picking your top three choices, and then looking up the reservation time frame for each campground.

Here’s an overview of when campsites become available based on your traveling timeframe. 

Nearly all reservations for the months of May through September and for some other weekends are filled the first day they become available, usually within seconds or minutes after 7 am! Another reason why we recommend visiting in the fall.

Don’t let the competition discourage you from camping in Yosemite National Park.

Make a plan, set a timer on your phone, pour yourself a glass of wine, and get your reservations. Once you’ve reserved a campsite or lodging, you can relax until it’s time to hit the road. 

Where to Stay in Yosemite National Park

The benefit of lodging over camping in Yosemite is that you don’t have to call and reserve the minute that campsites become available to get a site.

If you’re reading this and decide you want to plan this road trip, you can book lodging right now for any time in the next year. I mean, you probably won’t get a room if you’re heading into Yosemite tomorrow, but if you plan a couple of months or even weeks in advance, you will probably be fine.

You should still book your lodging as soon as you know when you’ll be cruising into the valley.

If you don’t mind a little glamping action, our first choice for Yosemite lodging would be the canvas tent cabins at Curry Village , which feature a double bed with linens, a shared central bath, and a bear locker. It’s rustic, but you can’t beat the location just below Half Dome and Glacier Point.

Curry Village also has a hotel with basic rooms and regular cabins (with bathrooms).

If you’re looking to burn a hole in your wallet right at the beginning of your trip, plan a stay at the luxurious Ahwahnee Hotel. Not only is this gorgeous landmark on the National Register of Historic Places, but it’s also considered the crown jewel of National Park lodges.

You’ll feel like royalty staying here, if only for a night or two, and you may spend the rest of your road trip eating pb&js while tailgating in parking lots. It will be worth it, especially if you go the extra mile, or dollar, for a room with a view.

If camping is more your speed, our top choice in Yosemite Valley is Lower Pines Campground near the Merced River.

The views are incredible, the location is convenient, and the campground is surrounded by giant sequoias, waterfalls, hiking trails, and massive rock formations – totally worth sleeping on the ground!

There are 60 campsites in the campground, which is open from April through October. Fees are $36 a night, and there are no hookups.

Don’t be picky! If you really want to camp in Yosemite, don’t latch onto any particular campground. Lower Pines may be our personal favorite, but because every campsite is a coveted commodity, take what you can get!

Explore Yosemite Valley

We’re going to assume that this is your first time in Yosemite and offer up a few must-see hikes and attractions as well as a few spots off the beaten path.

Depending on where you’re coming from, your first day will likely just be an afternoon, perfect for exploring Yosemite Valley. Driving through the valley will take about an hour (more or less, depending on traffic).

We’re including three short hikes that give you some of the best views in Yosemite Valley for not much effort, but you could spend days in Yosemite Valley exploring the trails, waterfalls, lakes, and views.

If you’ve arrived late in the day, choose one of these before heading back to your camp/lodging for dinner.

Bridalveil Fall: Be Prepared for a Shower

Bridalveil Fall is Yosemite’s most photographed waterfall, and in the summer, it’s a nice way to cool off after a short, paved hike. Yes, you’re going to get wet! It’s not the tallest waterfall in Yosemite, but at 620 feet, it’s still pretty impressive.

No matter when you make the trek to Bridalveil Fall, you’ll share the experience with others. Because the trail is only .75 miles round-trip without significant elevation gain, it’s a hike that anyone can do.

To avoid some of the crowds, park in the alternate parking area on Southside Drive. This makes the hike a little longer, but you will get to cross Bridalveil Creek and a meadow, and the views are better.

Lower Yosemite Falls: Part of the Tallest Waterfall in North America

Together Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls make up North America’s tallest waterfall, dropping a total of 2,425 feet. Lower Yosemite Falls is the final 320-foot drop, and you can reach it on an easy paved path of a half-mile (one-way).

Start at the Visitor Center and follow the bike path to shuttle stop #6. From here, follow the loop around to the falls – clockwise for better views.

Insider tip: Visit in early summer if you want to see the falls in all their glory. By July or August through October, the falls are all but dried up and may not be worth checking out. When the falls are flowing, you can pretty much see them from anywhere in Yosemite Village, but you can also stop in the Visitor Center to ask if the falls are flowing.

Artist Point: A Stunning View Without the Crowds

The hike to Artist Point is less crowded than the other two – maybe because it isn’t even mentioned on the National Park website. The trail begins at the Tunnel View parking area, which is one of the busiest spots in the park (for good reason). The view from Artist Point is similar to the view from Tunnel View, without the throngs of people.

If you’ve been driving all day, you can stop here for a 2.2-mile hike that climbs about 750 feet before continuing on to Yosemite Village. The hike to Artist Point is not terribly difficult, but it will get your heart pumping and your legs moving.

Because the Artist Point viewpoint isn’t listed on the official Yosemite National Park, I recommend using Alltrails to track your route and make sure you get to the viewpoint. From the trailhead, climb for about .5 miles, then turn left on Old Wawona Road, following the sign for the Bridalveil Fall parking area.

Insider tip:  Since there are several not-too-hard hikes in this itinerary, be sure to download the  AllTrails app  before heading out. It’s a GPS tracker, but also allows you to easily find trails while you’re traveling, read reviews, and find current conditions for local trails. If you purchase  AllTrails+  ($35.99 per year), you can download your map so that you can follow the GPS tracks even if you don’t have cell service.

Day Two: Glacier Point and Mariposa Grove

Today you’ll explore a little deeper into Yosemite with a scenic nail-biting drive (or hike), and a tour of Yosemite’s largest grove of Sequoias.

Driving time: 3-4 leisurely hours from Yosemite Valley.

Today, you’re going to explore a few more popular spots in Yosemite National Park – Glacier Point and the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias. Both are in the same general area of the park, so it doesn’t really matter which one you want to do first.

Glacier Point: An Iconic View With Hiking Opportunities

When open (May to October), you can drive to Glacier Point by taking the Wawona Road south from Yosemite Valley.

After traveling about 13 miles, turn on to Glacier Point Road at the Chinquapin intersection. It’s a winding road and takes about an hour each way. Shuttles run to Glacier Point in the summer if you don’t want to drive.

There’s plenty of parking at Glacier Point and the views are commanding. If you want to stretch your legs, hike from Glacier Point up to Taft Point , where you’ll be treated to all the awesome views of Yosemite Valley — Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls — without the crowds.

At Taft Point, you can walk right up to the edge of the cliff – if you dare!

The hike from Glacier Point to Taft Point is 2.2 miles round-trip and gains only 200 feet in elevation. Here’s an overview of the hike courtesy of Yosemite Hikes.

If you’d rather let someone else do the driving to Glacier Point (it’s definitely a nail-biter), you can take a bus tour.

The four-hour bus tour departs Yosemite Village at 8:30 and 1:30. You can even buy a one-way ticket up to Glacier Point and then hike back down to the valley on the Four Mile Trai l, which is actually 4.8 miles one-way.

Tickets for the round-trip bus tour are $57 for adults and $36.50 for kids 5-12. One-way tickets are $28.50 for adults and 18.25 for kids.

Mariposa Grove: Yosemite’s Largest Grove of Giant Sequoias

Visit the largest grove of giant sequoias in Yosemite – the Mariposa Grove . You’ll see more than 500 giant sequoias – many over 1,000 years old.

If you have time, we recommend hiking the two-mile Grizzly Giant Loop so you can say hi to Grizzly Giant himself. This king of the forest is said to be 3,000 years old and has a diameter of 30 feet!

You’ll also be able to walk through the California Tunnel Tree, the only tree in Yosemite with a man-made tunnel drilled through it.

The Grizzly Giant Loop is moderately steep and very busy, but not as busy as the Big Trees Loop, which is only .3 miles, and perfect if you are short on time but still want to say hi to the trees.

Day Three: Tioga Road to June Lake

Today you’ll be leaving Yosemite on the scenic Tioga Road, which will bring you into the High Country of the Sierra Nevadas. You’ll continue on to the resort town of June Lake.

Driving time: 2-3 hours

Today you’re bidding farewell to Yosemite Valley and heading toward Tioga Pass and Tuolumne Meadows on State Route 120 (Tioga Road). This is Yosemite’s High Country featuring gorgeous alpine lakes, expansive views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and some fabulous hiking trails.

From Yosemite Valley, it’s about 62 miles to Tioga Pass, which will take about two hours without any stops.

June Lake is another 18 miles from there, so plan your stops to coincide with how much time you want to spend on the road today.

Remember that snow closes Tioga Road between November and May, maybe even June or July.

Here are the stops we’d recommend on Tioga Road:

• Vista – Olmstead Point: This is a quick stop to stretch your legs and take in a stunning view of Half Dome. It’s a good photo opp, and one of the best views outside of Yosemite Valley.
• Tuolumne Meadows: The massive Tuolumne Meadows is about as beautiful as it gets. It’s surrounded by jagged peaks, sliced through by the Tuolumne River, and covered in wildflowers. While this area is crowded, you’d hardly know it because there is plenty of room to spread out. There are numerous hiking trails in Tuolumne Meadows , but I recommend hopping on the John Muir Trail and taking it as far as Lyell Fork and then turning around for an hour-long stroll.
• Ellery Lake: Located just outside the entrance to Yosemite National Park, Ellery Lake is a gorgeous man-made lake at 9,489 feet. Icy cold on even the hottest summer days, this may not be the perfect swimming lake, but the views sure are pretty.

Drive the June Lake Loop: Alpine Lakes and Mountain Views

Once you hit Route 395 south, it’s another 13.7 miles to June Lake. Stop in Lee Vining to get gas and snacks, and then continue south.

Provided you’re not anxious to get out of the car, take a slight detour onto Route 158, otherwise known as June Lake Loop. This road (closed in the winter) brings you past several beautiful lakes – Grant Lake, Silver Lake, and Gull Lake before landing at your destination – June Lake.

June Lake Lodging and Camping

Welcome to the tiny resort town of June Lake, elevation 7,600 feet.

All the lakes in this area feature bright turquoise water that doesn’t look real, are surrounded by snow-capped mountains and are perfect for relaxing after your busy Yosemite itinerary.

You’ve got plenty of options for lodging, from June Lake cabins, budget hotel rooms, or, our favorite way to stretch a dollar and stiffen up your back — camping. We recommend reserving your June Lake lodging ahead of time in the summer.

If you are traveling in the fall, you might be able to score a room, cabin, or campsite on the fly. Here are some suggestions:

• Camping: June Lake Campground is located right on the water (although the individual campsites are not), with easy access to a marina and swimming. From the campground, you can hike into the Ansel Adams Wilderness without getting into your car. The June Lake Campground has just 27 sites, so it’s important to reserve ahead, especially on summer weekends.
• Vacation rental: This small, pet-friendly cabin in June Lake is suitable for four people and has nice views of the lake. This is a modest cabin, but it makes a great home base for R&R.
• Hotel: June Lake Motel is located in June Lake Village between Gull Lake and June Lake, and it is within walking distance of both, as well as shopping, restaurants, and cafes. June Lake is an adorable town, and it’s very walkable.

Day Four: A Day of Hot Springs in California and Nevada

Today is all about Hot Springs! You’ll be traveling through a geothermal hot spot, soaking in a few natural p ools, and camping next to your own private hot springs tub.

Driving time: 1 hour

Start your morning with a swim in either June or Gull Lake (summer) or a paddle (fall). You can rent kayaks at Gull Lake Marina, right on the shore of Gull Lake, and you can spend the morning paddling for less than $25 an hour.

We know that you could spend days relaxing by the shores of June or Gull Lake, but we’ve got some miles to cover! You’re about to head through a geothermal hot spot, literally!

Hot Creek Geological Site

Very few geothermal sites can compare to Hot Creek Geological Site in Inyo National Forest, where boiling water bubbles up from the creek bed making you feel like you’re on a planet closer to the sun. While entering the water is prohibited here, it’s fun to watch the steam vents and geysers within the shallow gorge.

Meander along the trails, have a picnic, take in the views of the Eastern Sierras, and heave a contented sigh. You’re not even halfway through your epic road trip.

Wild Willy’s Hot Spring

Those bubbling waters were awesome to behold, and now you’re wondering if you can find some hot springs that you can get a little more intimate with.

There are dozens of hot springs in this area, and we’re not going to talk about all of them. Instead, we’ve chosen a couple of our favorites.

The first, Wild Willy’s Hot Springs , can be crowded because it’s so easy to get to, but it’s worth checking out, even if you decide not to soak. The area consists of two small hot springs at the end of a long boardwalk. You’ll likely see some friendly naked people, and you may want to get naked too.

The temperature at Wild Willy’s varies from day to day, ranging from 95 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hilltop Hot Springs

If you get to Wild Willy’s Hot Springs and find that there are too many people, drive ten additional minutes to Hilltop Hot Springs . This is a shallow pool made of stones and cement with room for about six people, and the temperature varies between 100 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

As with most hot springs in the area, Hilltop is clothing optional. For both Wild Willy’s and Hilltop Hot Springs, you’ll see fewer crowds if you visit during on a weekday.

Read Next: Secret Natural Hot Springs for Winter Bliss

Inn at Benton Hot Springs

The last hot spring on our itinerary is a commercial endeavor, but I think it’s one you will love!

The Inn at Benton Hot Springs allows you to reserve a campsite with a private hot spring hot tub. Each hot tub site is unique, and each ranges from $70 to $80 per night. The sites are suitable for tent or RV campers but they don’t have hookups.

If you’re not into camping, you can still stay in the historic hotel, which was built in the 1940s and renovated in 1998.

Day Five: Welcome to Nevada!

Today, you’ll be leaving the Sierra Mountains and heading into Nevada. Route 6 is characterized by a flat grey desert, distant mountains, and not another vehicle in sight. Gas stations are few and far between, so fill up in California.

Driving time: 1.5 hours

Tonopah, Nevada

The old mining town of Tonopah, Nevada is less than two hours from Benton Hot Springs in California, but it’s worth checking out, and worth spending the night if you like dark skies and weird hotels.

Here’s what we learned while staying in Tonopah and some things you should check out:

• Tonopah came into being when silver was discovered in 1900. It thrived for several years until the silver dried up and investors moved on.
• Because Tonopah is strategically located between Las Vegas and Reno, it serves as a stopover for Nevada road trippers like you.
• Tonopah has one of the darkest night skies around and is considered one of the best places in the country for stargazing. 
• There’s a cool, 100-acre historical mining park where you can learn all about the silver-mining boom that put Tonopah on the map.
• There are a few restaurants and a few motels, but don’t expect luxury. You really are in the middle of nowhere.

The Clown Motel in Tonopah

Right on the main drag in Tonopah, the Clown Motel is a bit of an icon these days. We had no idea when we visited, but it’s been featured on National Geographic, and more recently on Atlas Obscura .

The Clown Motel was named “America’s Scariest Motel” due to its clown theme and proximity to the cemetery where many miners were laid to rest from to the Tonopah-Belmont Mine Fire of 1911. 

If you think clowns make for a creep-fest, pass it by, but we couldn’t resist!

The motel itself is two stories, with all the doors leading to the outside. Each room features a dancing clown on the door, two full beds, and dated furnishings and decor.

There are thousands of clowns in the lobby for your viewing pleasure, and the staff is very nice and accommodating. 

Tonopah Cemetery

The Old Tonopah Cemetery is located right next to the Clown Motel. The cemetery was “active” from 1901-1911 and features wooden gravestones and the graves of many of the original settlers, as well as 14 silver miners who died in a mine fire in 1911.

Visiting the Tonopah Cemetery is quick, but it’s still a cool piece of history if you enjoy unusual graveyards. We actually didn’t know about the cemetery until the morning when we were checking out of the Clown Motel. You won’t be so fortunate!

Day Six: The Extraterrestrial Highway to Cathedral Gorge State Park

Today you’ll be driving on the weirdly secluded Extraterrestrial Highway. Download your favorite road trip tunes because we’re covering some desert ground.

Driving time: 3 hours

We know you’re a fan of all things wild and wacky or you wouldn’t be reading this post, so let’s head deeper into the desert on Nevada State Route 375, also known as the Extraterrestrial Highway.

Get gas before leaving Tonopah, because you’re about to embark into some of the most desolate desert terrain in the United States. 

So, why is this called the ET Highway and should you be worried about alien life on your trip?

The highway’s proximity to the top-secret Area 51 government base along with reported UFO observations is what led to the name.

The designation of the Extraterrestrial Highway has made the road and the tiny town of Rachel a bit of a tourist attraction.

That doesn’t mean it’s busy. You’re not likely to come across many other travelers on this route, but the ones you do meet may have more than a passing interest in otherworldly lifeforms.

Welcome to Rachel, Nevada!

This isn’t really a long stretch of pavement, but you’ll feel like it’s taking forever when you spot a sign for Rachel, population 70.

There’s not much here, but you should at least pay a visit to the Little A’Le’Inn. Surrounded by a few run-down mobile homes, this little dive pays homage to all things out-of-this-world: UFOs, aliens, and Area 51 are all discussed ‘round the bar, and there are even a few dusty souvenirs available.

We loved it and we still talk about this quirky spot in the middle of nowhere.

Cathedral Gorge State Park

After the long and lonely drive on the  ET Highway, hop on Route 99 and head to Cathedral Gorge State Park near the Utah border.

This underrated park was one of my favorite state parks in the whole United States for many years. It’s not big, but it’s got plenty of character, and the campground is like an oasis in the desert, especially after traveling on the ET Highway.

We absolutely recommend pitching your tent here for the night, hiking the loop trail, befriending the jackrabbits, and watching the stars before continuing on your journey. If you don’t want to camp, there are a few lodging options in nearby Panaca .

Day Seven: Cathedral Gorge to Great Basin National Park

Today you’ll be driving north on the Great Basin Highway to another underappreciated gem, Great Basin National Park. Take in the scenery and turn up the tunes. This is a beautiful drive!

Driving time: 2 hours

Lodging and Camping in Great Basin National Park

Four of the six campgrounds in Great Basin National Park can be reserved through Recreation.gov. We did not have a chance to explore them all, but can 100% recommend Upper Lehman Campground, especially in the summer when the 7,500-foot elevation makes this spot much cooler than the lower campgrounds.

With just 23 sites to choose from, it’s imperative that you reserve your spot ahead of time. Of course, there are five other campgrounds to choose from if Upper Lehman is booked.

As for lodging, there isn’t anything right in the park, but you can find a few hotels in nearby Baker. Stargazer Inn is about as close to Great Basin National Park as you can get without staying in the park. This is a ten-room, independently owned roadside motel (our favorite kind). This motel is pet-friendly, clean, and comfy – a perfect road trip stop!

Day Eight: Explore Great Basin National Park

This underrated park is one of the least visited in the National Park system, seeing just 90,000 visitors annually. Compare that to the most visited park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which saw 12.1-million visitors in 2020.

Hiking, stargazing, and going on the guided tour of Lehman Caves are the top things to do in Great Basin National Park . Here are our recommendations for your visit.

• Take a guided tour of Lehman Caves: This massive cave delves a quarter mile into the Snake Mountains and features stalactites and stalagmites, plus cool shield formations. Definitely go for the Grand Palace Tour if you can. It brings you deep into the cave for a 90-minute tour. Prices vary depending on the tour you choose, but you can explore your options on Recreation.gov.
• Take the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive: Gain more than 4,000 feet in elevation as you climb Wheeler Peak, the second-highest peak in Nevada at 13,063 feet. This narrow road takes you to 10,000 feet and is suitable for vehicles less than 24 feet long. There are lots of scenic vistas and trailheads, making this a great way to spend the afternoon!
• Hike the Alpine Lakes Loop: This 2.7-mile loop gains 600 feet and passes Stella and Teresa Lake. Pack a picnic and your swimsuit and start at the Bristlecone Parking lot near Wheeler Peak Campground.
• Hike the Bristlecone Pine Glacier Trail: Combine parts of the above hike with the Bristlecone and Glacier Trails for a longer outing. This trail takes you through an ancient bristlecone pine forest to Wheeler Peak Glacier, the only glacier in Nevada. It’s an out-and-back trail – 4.5 miles round-trip, gaining 1,040 feet.
• Watch the stars: Great Basin is an International Dark Sky Park and awesome when the sun goes down. Hopefully, you’ll have a chance to participate in a ranger-led astronomy program , which might include a full-moon hike or an interpretive stargazing program. There’s even an Astronomy festival each September.

Day Nine: The Loneliest Road in America

That would be Highway 50, which travels across the state of Nevada, from Great Basin all the way to Lake Tahoe. Life Magazine gave Highway 50 the title of the Loneliest Highway, with a warning that readers not embark on the journey unless they possessed certain survival skills.

Driving time: 3.5 hours

While Highway 50 travels through a stark desert landscape, there’s plenty to see. Here’s an overview of the places you should check out.

• Ely, Nevada: Check out the Ely Renaissance Museum, the Ely Opera House, and the Nevada Northern Railroad Museum. Ely calls itself “the friendliest town on the loneliest road”. We can vouch for that!
• Hickson Petroglyphs, Austin: 10,000-year-old rock carvings and interpretive panels along a 1/2-mile trail.
• Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park, Austin: This fascinating park is home to the most abundant concentration of Ichthyosaurs, an ancient marine reptile that swam in a warm ocean that covered central Nevada 225 million years ago. It also protects the remains of the once booming mining camp of Berlin, which thrived in the late e1800s. Take a self-guided tour of the ghost town and visit the Ichthyosaurs fossils preserved in the fossil house.
• The Shoe Tree: Maybe you heard tell of the famous shoe tree on Highway 50 that was destroyed by vandals in 2010. In 2017, a new shoe tree was designated nearby. Last we heard, there were actually two shoe trees. It’s located right of the highway near Fallon. The Shoe Tree is near Fallon, Nevada, so you may be checking this one out on day ten.

Lodging on the Loneliest Road in America

We were excited to see a bunch of independent motels in Austin, which is a small town right in the middle of Highway 50 as you’re driving west. We recommend checking into the Cozy Mountain Motel before exploring Hickson Petroglyphs and Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park (mentioned above).

Cozy Mountain Motel is a charming hotel in an equally charming town, with luxurious linens, cozy rooms, and a handful of chickens to welcome you when you arrive.

Day Ten: Reno – The Biggest Little City in the World

Today you’ll be heading to the intimate metropolis of Reno, Nevada. Say goodbye to the vast, lonely desert, and hello to neon lights, great food, and bustling neighborhoods.

Sure, you can head to Reno to gamble, but it’s also got a great arts scene, a thriving downtown, fantastic green spaces, and great food. A day certainly isn’t enough, so if you’re not too road-weary, consider spending a few days. Here are some Reno highlights to consider.

• Nevada Museum of Art: Founded in 1931 with 70,000 square feet of space for exhibits featuring art from the 19th to the 21st century as well as a growing collection of contemporary art.
• Bruka Theatre: Named “Best Theatre Company” by Reno News and Review, Bruka Theatre has been going strong for 29 years, producing classic and contemporary plays in an intimate setting.
• Wander around MidTown: A wonderful community and home to more than local boutiques, 20+ restaurants, and a thriving art and music scene.
• Biggest Little Brewery Tour: Discover Reno’s thriving craft beer scene on a private pedicab tour. You’ll visit three of the city’s up-and-coming craft breweries, with generous samples and guided tours of each.
• Wingfield Park : This isn’t your typical city park. At Winfield Park, you can go white water rafting or swimming in the Truckee River, catch an outdoor show, or grab take-out from a nearby cafe for a delightful picnic.

Where to Stay in Reno: SpringHill Suites by Marriot is located in South Reno and has beautiful, comfy rooms and an indoor pool. If you want to be right downtown, stay at Renaissance Reno, which is a gorgeous hotel and spa within walking distance of great downtown attractions.

Are you ready to hit the road?  Which stop on this California and Nevada road trip itinerary are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!

Planning more getaways in the Southwest? Check out these posts:

• The Most Awesome Things to do in Lake Havasu City, Arizona
• The Family Adventure Guide to Joshua Tree National Park in California
• Plan a 7-Day Road Trip Through Arizona

Tara is a freelance writer and travel blogger with a passion for outdoor adventures. She is the co-author of AMC’s Best Day Hikes in Vermont and currently blogs at Back Road Ramblers and Vermont Explored , where she shares travel tips, adventure destinations, and vacation ideas for the wanderer in everyone.

Friday 20th of January 2023

I enjoyed reading your Northern NV experience. I grew up off of Highway 50 and love the stretch from Great Basin National Park through Ely, Eureka, Austin, and then Fallon. I always wanted out due to the desolation. It has its own unique type of beauty and I miss it now that I am slaving away in a city. Sand Mountain is a great stop if it isn't busy with off-roading crowds from Reno and CA. Thank you for taking me back home!

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A Road Trip Itinerary For California And Nevada

There’s no better way to explore a place than on a road trip

A trend had started to appear in our conversations with friends, family, and fellow travellers. Every time we’d mention that we loved road trips , we’d be grilled, almost harassed, for not having been to California. On revealing that I had been to 70+ countries and the US was not one of them, people would refuse to believe that and quiz Savi on why she didn’t force me to tag along when she visited the East Coast in 2010. This year, as part of our whirlwind trip around the world, we decided to put an end to this seemingly embarrassing fact of our travelling life. We were going to drive in the US, and how 🙂

Although our initial plan was to spend 3-4 months driving the whole breadth of the US, we succumbed to our desire to visit Costa Rica , Mexico , and Guatemala and cut our time in the US to 2 months – enough to squeeze in a gorgeous  18 day long road trip from San Francisco to Las Vegas and back.

Planning a road trip in California and Nevada

Forget the US, California itself is so big that you could spend months driving around the state and not get bored. Add to that the numerous national parks   and you’s start spending nights worrying about the route for your road trip. Our suggestion would be to select the top few places and experiences you’d like to have and plan your road trip around those. There’s no point in cramming everything in one trip – there’s always a next time 🙂

Renting a car in the US is easy and straightforward. There are plenty of providers to choose from and if you book a month or so in advance, you can grab a great deal. We used this website to compare rates from different providers and got an excellent deal for a Toyota Yaris including collision damage waiver for USD 30/day. We didn’t face any issues with the car or the rental service and really enjoyed the fact that we could rent from right across our hotel in San Francisco 🙂

Fuel is really cheap in the US – on an average USD 2.5 per gallon (roughly 70 cents a litre) and we spent a total of USD 85 on fuel for our 2,300 km road trip – the least we have spent on a roadtrip by a mile.

What to do on your road trip in California and Nevada

We had seen so many stunning photographs from California and Nevada on Instagram and Facebook in the past few years that we could barely contain our excitement. We decided to fly into San Francisco and start from there – you can choose to fly into San Jose or Oakland instead and make your way to San Francisco.

Day 1 – 4: Get settled in and explore San Francisco

Well, if you’re flying into the west coast from outside the US, chances are that you’ll fly into San Francisco. We opted not to rent the car on the first couple of days that we were in the city just so that we could settle in and absorb everything that this laidback and chilled city had to offer. Our favourite places and experiences were:

• Walk along the bay and spend some time on Pier 7 – the view of the city from the fag end of the pier is absolutely gorgeous. Even though Pier 39 is supposed to be great, we found it overly crowded.
• Have a coffee at Blue Bottle coffee at the Ferry Building
• Explore the hipster area along Mission Street
• Walk aimlessly from one end of the city to the other – we walked from Pier 7 all the way to Lafayette park and ended our walk at Union Square

On our last day in San Francisco, we decided to rent our car and drove to Land’s End – the view of the Golden Gate Bridge is amazing on a clear day. From there, drive to the Golden Gate Bridge – if you want a great view of the bridge minus the crowds, head to Battery Godfrey (south-west side of the bridge). After you have absorbed the stunning views, drive on to the Northern side of the bridge (no toll needs to be paid when going towards North but you must pay $6 if driving South on the bridge) and take a left on to Conzelman Road. Whilst more people try to get a shot from Battery Spencer (thus making it SUPER crowded), we decided to drive further on to Hawk Hill – the view from there is out of this world.

If you don’t want to drive, you can always rent bicycles in the city and make a day of it. Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge on a bicycle will be an experience in itself 🙂

Where to stay in San Francisco

We wanted to stay somewhere central and comfortable so we opted for Hilton Union Square – it’s as central as it gets in San Francisco. We asked for (and were luckily given!) a room on the 41st floor overlooking the entire city, The Bay Area, and Golden Gate bridge. Night or day, it was a sight to behold. The rooms were well-equipped and spacious and the hotel lobby had a nice cafe serving delicious breakfast. Since it’s bang in the middle of the city, expect a lot of business guests in the hotel lounge. Another thing that really worked out for us was the location of car rental offices right across the street from the hotel’s entrance. Take our word for it – it’s a big advantage in a city like San Francisco where driving can be a big pain.

Day 5: Drive the Pacific Coastal Highway

Both of us had our own experiences that we were looking forward to when it came to this road trip in the US. Savi was most excited about exploring the street art in West Hollywood whereas I could not wait to drive down the much talked about Pacific Coastal Highway. I was worried that after Iceland , New Zealand , and Ladakh , this drive might not live up to the hype. Thankfully I was wrong. It’s a beautiful drive that takes you through stunning coastal vistas, gorgeous mountainous landscapes, and quaint little villages along the sea.

The best piece of advice we can give you is to start early . Technically you can drive the entire stretch from San Francisco to Los Angeles along California State Route 1 (also known as Pacific Coastal Highway :)) in a day, but you won’t be doing it justice if you did that. We’d suggest taking a good 6-7 hous driving from San Francisco to a mid-point on the stretch (more on this later).

Have breakfast at Cafe Lumiere in Monterey (some of the finest coffee we had on our road trip)  and drive along the coast through Carmel, Big Sur, and Cambria. Bixby Bridge is a popular photography spot so make sure you do stop here. Bruised Passports’ tip: don’t stop at the vantage point before the bridge begins (if you’re coming from San Francisco). Instead, cross the bridge and park your car right after a tiny hillock. It’s a perfect place to picnic and if you walk up the hillock you will have an amazing view of the bridge and the coastline sans the hundreds of tourists 🙂

Some other interesting stops along the way are McWay Falls (water falls directly into the ocean) and Pfeiffer State Beach. We chose the beautiful coastal town of Morro Bay as the mid-point of our drive on the Pacific Coastal Highway.

Day 6 and 7: Morro Bay

We fell in love with this waterfront city the moment we stepped foot in it. From the long stretches of sandy beaches to the ochre sunsets, there’s nothing not to love about Morro Bay. The iconic Morro rock stands guard between the ocean and the city as thousands of sea birds dot the skies. If you are in the mood for whale and dolphin watching, there ain’t a better place along the Californian coast. We managed to see humpback whales only a few hundred feet from the shoreline. It’s the perfect place to enjoy gorgeous seaside views, scrumptious sea food, and soul stirring live music. You can see more pictures and read about our experiences in Morro Bay here .

On Day 7, continue your drive towards Los Angeles. We found that the second half of the Pacific Coastal Highway wasn’t as pretty as the first half, so if you want to save time, you can take the expressway all the way to Los Angeles.

Where to stay in Morro Bay

We stayed at Pleasant Inn which is situated just a few blocks from the harbour. It’s a quintessential American Motel which has been recently refurbished to give it a more luxurious look.

Day 8-11: West Hollywood, Los Angeles

After spending the first week of our trip in laid-back cities and lush landscapes, we were looking forward to the glitz and glamour of West Hollywood  and it did not disappoint. What amazed us was the fact that a city just 1.9 square miles in area offers so much to the visitors – from the array of fine dining restaurants on Sunset Boulevard to the quirky street art on Melrose Avenue – it has something to offer to all visitors. WeHo, as it’s lovingly called by locals, is at the heart of Los Angeles (LA) and is the perfect place to explore everything that LA county has to offer.

It was amazing to explore the area on foot. Some of our favourite experiences were hunting for street art spread across the city of WeHo, walking along the palm-tree lined alleys of Beverly Hills, watching the sun go down from the Sunset strip, and sampling delicious food in some of the conscious restaurants dotted around the city ( Gracias Madre was our favourite :-))

When we got tired of walking around, we’d slip out for a drive to explore the neighbouring areas. If you find yourself in the area, you must go for a sunset drive to Griffith Observatory and spend an hour or two there, watching the sun go down over Los Angeles and the famous Hollywood sign. If you’d rather spend a languorous afternoon on the beach, then head to Venice beach and find a secluded spot (can be difficult later in the evening) to witness the sunsets that California is so famous for.

Where to stay in West Hollywood

We stayed in Petit Ermitage , a quirky, Moroccan-themed hotel bang in the middle of West Hollywood. The all-suite hotel boasts of spacious and well done up rooms as well as one of the best rooftop pools in the city. There was nothing better than coming back to a refreshing cold beverage by the pool after a long day of exploring. We had dinner at the rooftop restaurant on one of the nights and really enjoyed the lamb shanks and chicken cous-cous. Breakfast at Petit Ermitage was a bit overpriced for what it was, but things tend to be expensive in this part of the US 🙂

Read all details about our experience in West Hollywood 🙂

Day 12-14: Death Valley National Park

In every trip we take, there is always one place we visit that surpasses our expectations. On this road trip through California, Death Valley National Park was that place. When we booked 3 nights here, our friends who had been there commented that it was way too much time. People often visit Death Valley National Park on a day trip or at most an overnight stay – what would we do for 3 nights?

Well, if we could rework our itinerary, we’d add on a couple of nights to it. We fell in LOVE with this place. I was most excited about shooting the night skies here since this national park has some of the darkest skies in the world. However, I was blown away by the landscapes and panoramas on display during all times of the day. Some of our favourite experiences were:

• Driving to a dark area every night to photography the millions of stars in the sky. The good thing is that there is hardly any civilisation here so you only have to drive 500 metres from your hotel to witness truly dark skies.
• Watching the sun set over the mountains whilst enjoying a picnic at Badwater basin – this place resembles the salt flats of Bolivia.
• Soaking in the lunar like landscape from Zabriskie point
• Going for aimless drives in the national park. Mark our words – Death Valley National Park has some of the most stunning drives in this entire world. The landscape makes you feel as if you are on another planet. The Artist’s Drive is just a small example of this. The colours of the mountains that loom large in front of visitors resemble the colours of an artist’s pallete, hence the name.
• Chilling at the Mesquite sand dunes. Given the proximity of these sand dunes to the highway that cuts through Death Valley National Park, you can expect many people here, especially at sunset. However, if you walk in a bit, you can find some untouched dunes all to yourselves. It’s the perfect way to spend an evening enjoying the sunset.

While the panoramas reminded us a lot of our trip to Ladakh, the Death Valley region had a certain calmness to it which we have never experienced before. We would return in a heart beat 🙂

Where to stay in Death Valley National Park

As we mentioned earlier, there aren’t any big towns or cities inside the park, so accommodation options are limited. We stayed at the Furnace Creek Inn , the luxurious wing of the long established Furnace Creek Ranch. The rooms are well-equipped and comfortable, and all necessities have been taken care of (which include a coffee machine – yes please :-)). What’s more, there is a big pool for guests and the view of the pool from the terrace against the valley makes for a stunning photograph. The hotel grounds are beautifully landscaped and you’d actually feel as if you are staying in an oasis in the middle of the desert. It was delightful to have access to such luxury in the middle of nowhere. A big bonus and a thumbs-up for the decent WiFi at the property – to be honest we weren’t expecting any, given the location.

Day 15-17: Las Vegas

We wound up our trip in the mecca of hedonism – Las Vegas. After long and hectic days in Death Valley National Park, we were in dire need of some lazy days spent with each other and we got those in Las Vegas. We opted for a hotel that was away from The Strip so that we could enjoy some peace and quiet and yet be in close proximity to all the madness of The Strip so that we could go and experience it when we wanted.

The first day in Vegas was all about ordering room service, enjoying the pool at our hotel, and gambling away in the evening at the hotel’s casino. A perfect day without moving around much – just what the doctor ordered. That said, our itchy feet got the better of us and we could not resist getting out and exploring Las Vegas and the surroundings. Even though we had already had our share of dramatic landscapes in Death Valley National Park, we decided to drive out to Valley of Fire National Park  one evening and enjoyed the ever changing colour of the rocks as the sun changed its angles. Highly recommended!

If you, like us, decide to stay away from The Strip, make sure you head out there to spend an evening walking up and down and taking in all the crazy sites and sights. Do make sure you catch the musical fountains right outside The Bellagio (every 15 minutes in the evenings) and visit the different casinos along The Strip.

Another quirky experience around Las Vegas was the Seven Magic Mountains, a colourful art installation by renowned Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone. Seven tall towers of colourful, stacked boulders in the middle of a desert make for an amazing view. Make sure you head there soon after sunrise as crowds begin to pour in as the day progresses.

Where to stay in Las Vegas

We stayed in a quieter part of the city, a short 20 minute drive from The Strip. JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort and Spa is perfect for a relaxing vacation. This place is a city in itself – you name it, and you can probably find it here. With a massive casino, a beautifully landscaped pool area, plenty of restaurants to choose from, and a spa that offers some of the best treatments, you can’t really go wrong in choosing this hotel. We got a city facing room on the 6th floor and could see The Strip from the comfort of our balcony – a sight to behold especially at dusk when the skies would be bright orange and the city lights would come on. The hotel provides a free shuttle to The Strip and back, so you don’t even need to worry about driving in the maddening traffic of the city.

Day 18: Drive back to San Francisco and fly out

That’s it, the trip is over. The last day is just for the long drive from Las Vegas to San Francisco through the desert. It took us 9 hours of pretty much non-stop driving (just a couple of stops for coffee and quick lunch). If you are unable to catch a flight on the same day, just stay in one of the hotels around the airport and fly out the next day.

We had an amazing time on this road trip in the US and can’t wait to go back and drive there for longer. Have you driven  through California and Nevada? What were your favourite parts?

Planning to visit US this year? Read all our posts on our travels within USA

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85 thoughts on “ a road trip itinerary for california and nevada ”.

I’d like to venture the US, The bay I’ve been wanting to do as it seems like such a different part of California.

The Bay Area is super special and we really enjoyed spending time there. Can’t wait to be back to explore more of California 🙂

This is what dreams are made of! I’m actually planning something similar for next year so I’ll be sure to send this to my friends and bookmark it!

Awesome – send us photos from California Elodie. We’d love to share them with our readers 🙂

Gorgeous photos!!! I would spend hours by the window with that fantastic view to look at, just amazing!

Hey Natasha – that’s pretty much what we did throughout our roadtrip in California 🙂

Oh how amazing are these pictures and I just wish I was able to travel more but it’s so costly and difficult with 6 kids although California would be a dream come true for sure

Emma it’s definitely much harder with kids, especially 6 of them. But all of you would definitely love California -it has something for all ages 🙂

You took some very beautiful pictures and it seems like you had a wonderful time on this part of your trip. California and Nevada certainly are very beautiful parts of the US, such gorgeous scenery!

Thanks a ton Sarah 🙂 California and Nevada are stunning and we have a great time on our roadtrip

I did a very similar trip earlier this year – I went up from Las Vegas to San Fran via the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and Yosemite National Park. I loved the mix of cities and national parks on my trip, there’s so many contrasting amazing places to see on this route!

Hey Milly – that’s so true. Hope you enjoyed the time spent driving around in California and Nevada 🙂

I have always dreamed of doing a road trip around the US or at least part of it. I think as soon as my daughter is a little bit older we shall definitely do it xx

Hope to get around to doing a road trip in California super soon Charli 🙂

I’ve been to San Francisco and LA. Las Vegas is definitely on my list x

We really enjoyed our time in Vegas – great place to indulge. It truly is sin city 🙂

That sounds like such a great trip. I’ve been from San Francisco to Vegas stopping at places in between but it was far more intense a trip than yours x

Hey Rhian – we met a lot of people who’d covered that stretch within a week and found themselves exhausted at the end of it. That’s why we tried to take it slow and easy and really relish the places we visited on our road trip in California 🙂

Of course being a street art enthusiast the West Hollywood street art caught my eye. Beautiful photos as always x

Isn’t it gorgeous? West Hollywood’s street art had me sold!!

I’d love to do this road trip one day – it’s definitely on my bucket list x

Hope to make it to California for a road trip super soon Stephanie 🙂

This is an amazing itinerary, the places you have seen are so beautiful. I love the Morro Bay story, it seems like such a unique place. Your photos are so beautiful!

Thanks a ton Martina 🙂 We really did enjoy ourselves at Morro Bay – it was one of my favourite bits in our roadtrip to California 🙂

Oh this is so amazing. I love Vegas and dream of one day heading back there x

I love Vegas too Rachel – it’s just a crazily cool place 🙂

I have not yet been to San Francisco nor Vegas and I would love to take such a beautiful road trip

Hey Anosa – this was one of my favourite road trips ever. There’s so much fun to be had along the way 🙂

This looks and sounds like an amazing trip I would love to go one day x

Hope you make it to California super soon 🙂

This is a trip I’ve always wanted to do and now I’ve got my drivers licence I can finally make it a reality! Didn’t know about half of these things along the way so thanks for all the ideas 🙂

That’s awesome Laura – hope you manage to include some of these places in your itinerary too. Have fun driving in the US 🙂

Wow those photos are amazing!!!! I would love to go to California I’ve never been but it is one of the few places that I really want to go to. I’ve been to Vegas that was really good.

Hey Melanie – You really need to explore California soon. It’s one helluva state 🙂

I have become a fan of your blog, i love the detailed itenary and the beautiful photos you post. Your posts are always to helpful, and very useful for travellers.

So happy you enjoyed reading our itinerary for a roadtrip in California and Nevada Nayna – tried to include as many details as I possibly could 🙂

Oh wow! You guys had totally made me want to go on a road trip 🙂

Hehe that’s us done here then 😉

This post is literally my dream road trip! It’s #1 on my travel list – I visited California when I was younger but would love to go back but would certainly love to visit Vegas, Grand Canyon and Death Valley! xo

Hey Rachel – California is so much fun. You should definitely plan your roadtrip soon 🙂

Wow! How amazing does your trip look? The photos are simply stunning and make me want to go there NOW! Doing something like this is on my bucket list and it has just got even higher on that list after reading this! x

Hey Tanya – you just need to check a road trip in California off your bucket list soon 🙂

Gosh! I love the detail in this post – I would love to go to both Cali and Vegas! Its no my 40 before 40 bucket list.

Thanks so much for this hun, Ive bookmarked it for the near future *fingers crossed* Seriously amazing post hun

Hey Charlotte – so happy to know you enjoyed our post. I was jotting down little details throughout our road trip and just HAD to pop them all in a post in the hope it would help someone out there 🙂

I am sitting here right now totally green with envy, just wow! I got married in Vegas so it is a special place to me, but the whole trip is just brilliant.

Getting married in Vegas must’ve been a crazy experience Stephen – that’s so cool 🙂

Wow, what an awesome place to visit, I will add this in my bucket list and I wish I can go there

Hope you make it to California super soon Angela – it’s a very special part of the world 🙂

I have not gone west coast before but it looks immense. My brother just moved to Seattle way so maybe in the future we will go that way but so far not been. Great post and great photos x

Great idea Leah – hope you make it to the West Coast super soon 🙂

Ahh, I love it ? Wonderful itinerary!

Thanks a ton Adele 🙂

Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous – I feel like I was on the road with you <3 I've always wanted to visit the US and these are places I'll definitely want to visit when I finally go 🙂

Hey Louise – thanks a ton. So happy you enjoyed reading our account of our Roadtrip in California and Nevada 🙂

Hey Savi/Vid,

If you are going to do this again, check out the 17-mile drive near Monterey, hike at the Point Lobos Natural Reserve and do stop for lunch at Carmel-by-the-sea. It is one of the prettiest towns here and a happy place to be!

We did have the 17-mile drive on our itinerary. However, we realised they have recently started charging a significant fee for driving on this stretch, which seemed like a waste given how beautiful the entire Pacific 1 highway is (without having to pay money to drive). we did go to Carmel-by-sea and had a great cuppa there.

Wow looks amazing, definitely on my bucket list. How much did you spend approximately for 2 people?

Expect to spend around USD 5,000 for 18 days including accommodation (above average – luxury stays), food, car rental, and fuel.

Hope that helps!

Great stuff as usual. Just when I can afford a little more I would definitely be doing this till then I am venturing into cheaper countries. It would be nice if you could give an account of budgets like in your new zealand blog. Helps us poor indians.See we have started to be demanding of you fellas now ?

Hey Kamakshi,

We’ll come up with an article detailing the budget for this trip soon.

Hi savi Vid,

I did a similar trip last year and loved it. But i visited death vallry during summers and till date regret it. The place is so beautiful but at that time it was so freaking hot..we could hardly soemd more than 10 mins in a spot.. ..it felt like i was sitting inside a furnace ? wish i had a chosen a better month. Loved the badwater basin..mesquite sand dues and devils golf course.It would be great during the winters i guess. The highlight of my trip was definitely the pacific coast highway drive. It was my bucketlist ? but i did a diff route – santa barbara…the lovely monterey(fell in love with this place).. carmel by the sea.. pebble beach ❤ and bck to LA. I would without a second thought take this drive again and do the bixby bridge & morro bay as u suggested. It was so beautiful.

Loved reading your version. Relived my trip ? thank you guys.

Wow! can’t begin to imagine what Death Valley National Park would be in peak summer. Even in October day time temperatures were really high, so we shudder to think what summer would have been like. You’re right – the Pacific Coast Highway was a treat to drive on. Loved this experience in California – it’s such a special state.

Hi Savi and Vid,

We did this SF to LA to Vegas road trip early this year. I could relate to every bit of detail you guys have mentioned in the write-up:) Looking forward to reading more of your posts and setting our (my husband and I :)) goals to travel around the world!

Cheers! Arathi

Hey that’s so cool – hope you guys travel tons in the near future 🙂

What an absolutely beautiful blog post. Your photos are just incredible and extremely stylish. Super destinations of course help and you sure have hit some of the best spots in both California and Nevada. I am just dying to get back on the open highway out in the western USA as I simply love the place. Super site, keep up the incredible work. You guys deserve every bit of success that comes your way!

Thank you so much for the lovely note Gavin – we have such fond memories of this roadtrip in California and Nevada

Hey , I used to read your blogs regularly but then stopped as they started getting to me 🙁 !! Im headed to the US for the first time in mid April with my wife and another couple . We planning to land into SFO and go stay 2 nights in Napa valley at a BnB , then drive towards Santa Barbara with a night halt at the Big Sur .. 2 days in Santa Barbara and then head towards Vegas with an overnight halt in Death Valley .

Any changes you recommend … places to stop and soak in while on this stretch ? Looking to rent a SUV as its 4 of us …. looking for the link for the agency you used as I could not find a link in your blog .

Look forward to hearing for your tips … 🙂

Hey Saazid,

This itinerary sounds great 🙂

The link to the rental agency is right there in the article under the “Planning a road trip…” section 🙂

Have a great Californian road trip

Hey Savi and Vid I love the pictures and the details..thank you … this would be so helpful while i plan our itinerary. My husband and I are planning to do a similar trip starting may this year starting with SF.. would you think end of may-june is good weather for all the above destinations ? What months of the year was your trip? and What kind of budget should we look at including all the Mid range stays, food, sightseeing , accommodation etc.. Waiting for your reply !! Thanks again 🙂

Hi Pallavi,

We did this in October – November. Don’t think May-June should be a problem.

That was a beautiful post. Just one question, which time of the year did you visit the Death Valley National park and how was the weather?

Thank you 🙂

We visited Death Valley National Park in November and the weather was hot during the day but cold at night 🙂

I did the same on my honeymoon just a couple of months ago. I did SFO 3 nights where as u I didn’t pick the car which was a great decision then I drove to Pismo Beach stayed a night. Then drove to LA for 3 nights and then drove to vegas and Flew out to Hawaii 😉 I can so much relate to your trip and had I read your earlier I am sure I wouldn’t have skipped Death Valley. Any ways I can so much relate yours and I must say you have made a good one and given me more goals like the next one as your NZ post. Keep the good work mate! Cheers

So happy to hear that 🙂 well, there’s always a next time for Death Valley

Hope you have a great road trip in New Zealand whenever you do plan to go

I’m glad you enjoyed California’s coast. I think it compares favorably to any natural landscape. Love your blog. Ladakh is on my must see list thanks to your stories and pictures.

Thanks Ed. Ladakh is unlike anywhere else in the world. You’ll love it 🙂

Any reason why you didn’t do Grand Canyon or Antelope Canyon from Vegas? We’re planning a trip in June and were planning to a day trip to one of the Canyons? Any suggestions?

Just short on time this trip 🙂 Also, good to leave a few places for the next trip 😉

What time of year did you travel?

Travelling to Las Vegas in November and curious about renting a car to check out California.

We drove around California and Nevada in November!!

We are looking to do something like this for our Wedding/ Getaway in 2021 (we are from Scotland UK). What year did you do this? Do you think the prices have gone up drastically since then?

Thanks, Emily and Euan

We did this in 2016. I’m sure there must have been an increase in prices but shouldn’t be drastic.

Have a great trip

This is quite amazing. I just like to add one more thing here if anyone wanted to experience the ultimate shooting range in Las Vegas then they can try it out with The Range 702. They are also providing CCW classes for Indoor Shooting range and Outdoor Shooting range for the ones who love shooting and want to enjoy it. For more details visit: https://www.therange702.com/classes-training/

Hi! In which month did you do this trip, and do you have any opinions on doing a trip to Cali & the surrounding national parks in April?

Hello we did this in September 🙂 April should also be a good time

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An EPIC Arizona to California Road Trip Itinerary

Planning an American road trip looking to hit beaches as well as hike mountains, while also partying hard and enjoying some scenic drives? Here is an ultimate road trip itinerary that fits the bucket which includes destinations across USA South West covering Arizona, California, and Nevada. This road trip is unarguably one of the best road trips in the USA across the southwest approximately covering ~1000 miles. This adaptable Arizona to California road trip itinerary can be moved around to start from any three of the three states which can be covered in 10 days to 2 weeks. I have enlisted a day-by-day breakdown with top stops, experiences, and places to stay along the route to make your road trip planning easier.

If you would like some help with road trip planning itself or wonder how to plan a long road trip like this, here are some of our top travel tips and guides:

• Ultimate Road trip Planner Guide
• Road Trip Accessories
• Road Trip Packing List

Road Trip Duration

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This road trip itinerary was planned to cover fewer but major highlights along the route, focusing on scenic routes and national parks in Arizona and Nevada and then adding more time for relaxation in California with less driving. It was also done this way to make sure we have room for spontaneous explorations than with a heavily packed itinerary to catch until the end. We thoroughly enjoyed this style and the itinerary was a good mix of multiple experiences. Read on!

Journey Details:

The road trip started in Phoenix exploring Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona state, Las Vegas, and Hoover Dam in Nevada state and ended in Los Angeles and San Diego in California.  This is one of the longest road trips that I have driven myself, covering some of the major US Highways 17, 40, 93, and 66 . All road trip parts are written as exclusive blogs linked in the end and per destination for those interested in the overall journey.

We spent our days as in the itinerary we followed covered in the blog, but I would recommend adjusting days based on what attracts you more. In the table, you will find a rough recommendation for the number of days and top destinations to cover along the route. In the individual itinerary planning, I will highlight other destinations and reroutes to take for your itinerary customization, some of which are still on my bucket list. Below is my recommendation for the 10-15 days planning. I wished I had more time in Arizona than we could afford to in our ten days trip, so I have made this into a two weeks road trip itinerary.

Our journey started in Phoenix and ended in San Diego as shown in the route below that is downloadable. You could also start this journey from somewhere in California.

Arizona to California Road Trip: Arizona

Below is a list of major bucket list items to cover in Arizona Road Trip:

• Phoenix: Capital city of Arizona with an international airport
• Sedona Red Rock State Park : A red rock heaven, stunning natural beauty and best for hiking
• Grand Canyon National Park : A natural landscape wonder and great for hiking
• Kaibab National Forest : Good for wildlife tour
• Coconino National Forest : Arizonian forest experience
• Drive Across US Highway 66 : The American road trip dream route

If you have more time, you could also do a trip from Phoenix to Saguaro National Park , which is the ultimate cacti desert of Arizona. Similarly, you could add Monument valley to the Northwest as well as both lower antelope canyon and upper antelope canyon as well as Horseshoe bend for an ultimate Arizona road trip.

• Hot Air Balloon Adventure in Phoenix
• ATV Tour in the Sonoran Desert
• Grand Canyon with Helicopter

We arrived in Phoenix around late afternoon, where we started this road trip across South West of America from Arizona to California. The evening drive from the Phoenix Airport to the hotel was already pretty exciting with sights of mountains and huge trucks on the wide American highways. Phoenix is one of the largest cities in Arizona, one of the desert states in America especially known for the Grand Canyons , and is sprinkled with national parks, forests, and large varieties of mountains. 

• Explore the Botanical Garden
• Phoenix Art Museum
• Phoenix Zoo
• Checkout the Hall of Flame Fire Museum
• Hike Camelback mountain
• Goldfield Ghost town
• Scottsdale Old Town

We drove from Phoenix towards Grand Canyon and spend the majority of the day exploring Sedona red rocks. I would recommend spending one more day here to go on the hikes. There are some nice outdoorsy staycation sites here to explore including some popular retreats in Sedona .

READ: Road Trip to Sedona & Grand Canyon, Arizona

• Hike Chapel of Holy Cross
• Pink Jeep Tour (very good if you have time, takes 2 hours)
• Cathedral Rock
• Oak Creek Canyon
• Devil’s Bridge Trail

The red rock city is a stunner, which is so unique and leaves you breathless. It really reminded me of ancient temples in India and even made me think of the pyramids of Egypt in a funny way. The red rocks look like a big piece of architecture from a far sight.

• Broken Arrow Pink Jeep Tour : Most popular recommendation from all travellers in the community
• Stargazing in Sedona: Mostly recommended by locals
• Sedona Grand Canyon Sunset Tour : Most romantic option

Sedona to Grand Canyon is an easy drive with some stunning views when you approach the grand canyon national park south rim. You need to get a national park entrance pass to go inside here and as expected there was a long queue.

Entry Ticket: 35$/vehicle, 20$/individual.

All information to find a pass is here.

• Plan a hike based on how much time you have at hand
• Don’t miss the sun rise and sunset here. There are specific points and hikes for best sunrise and sunset views that you could plan accordingly. Just turning up to the canyon wont give you the experience you are looking for.
• Checkout Kaibab Forest if you are into wildlife photography
• Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour : A very popular one
• Grand Canyon Tour with Skywalk : The skywalk is pretty unique
• Grand Canyon Pink Jeep Tour : Most highly recommended by travel community

Arizona to California Road Trip: Nevada

A few major bucket list items to cover in Nevada a Road Trip include:

Other top itinerary items to add to your list include exploring the Red Rock Canyon , Death Valley National Park, and Valley of Fire State Park .

We drove along the US Highway 66, across Hoover Dam to Las Vegas , via Boulder City. Nevada is really underrated in my opinion as the drive along this route is scenic and enjoyable. The border between Arizona and Nevada is cut by the Colorado River and the lakes and river views in this area are spectacular. The signboard that welcomes you to Nevada is a great road tripper experience to get to that roadside landmark.

When you are approaching Vegas,  the view of the city is captivating when you suddenly see a grand city with tall buildings appear on the horizon far away,  in contrast to the mountainous side views from the road. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to capture a nice picture of our approach.

• Casino hopping (The Mirage, Luxor Hotel, MGM Grand)
• Watch the fountains of Bellagio
• Stroll around the Las Vegas Strip
• Watch a live show
• Strip club – (go for it if you fancy 😉 )

• Las Vegas Night Bus Tour : Perfect to enjoy the city lights and vibe in Vegas
• Las Vegas Roller in the Strip : Perfect for a great view

We drove back to Hoover Dam from Vegas via Bounder city via Lake Meade on this day, and this is the best day trip for those who visit Las Vegas that offers such a fantastic scenic route to drive on.

Top tip: Hire a fancy car at least for this route and thank me later!

READ: Road Trip from Las Vegas to Hoover Dam

• Take the Lake Meade route
• Explore art and mural in Boulder City
• Stroll around the serene Hoover Dam and try your photography skills

Some highly rated tours from Las Vegas to Hoover Dam are:

• Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and Route 66 Guided Tour from Las Vegas

We drove from Hoover Dam to Los Angeles California by taking a small break in Boulder City. We drove in the evening time to reach Los Angeles during the night time, so this was just a highway drive with not much sightseeing.

Arizona to California Road Trip: California

We covered two major bucket list cities during the Road Trip California time:

• Los Angeles

If you have time, you could also try to hit Lake Tahoe as well as the Joshua Tree National Park around this area. Another hidden gem is Lake Havasu which is top of my bucket list for our next visit.

For those of you not been to San Francisco, I would recommend adding the city in in and do the PCH- the famous Pacific Coast Highway Route and visit the Redwood National Park where you can see the tallest trees in the world. I plan to go back and do this another time when I visit Cali, as it is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in California for a road trip lover.

We spent two days in Los Angeles which is good enough to see the majority of LA attractions, but you can add more days to enjoy the beaches and the vibe here for longer.

• Venice Beach
• Santa Monica Pier (Sunset)
• Walk of Fame
• Griffith Observatory (Sunset)
• Mural hunting (Venice)
• Disneyland Park
• Museum of Art

READ: Los Angeles Road Trip Itinerary

Griffith observatory is my personal favourite in LA. You get here via Hollywood and you can see the Hollywood sign landmark from here. The sunset view is perfect at LA LA Land moment and the observatory is absolutely worth it. This is one of the most romantic places I have been to ever.

• Beverly Hills and Hollywood Helicopter Ride
• Celebrity Homes and Hollywood Tour

From Los Angeles to San Diego, we took the most popular Amtrak train journey along the coast in California. We added this break in our drive to have some time to relax and we picked up our rental car in San Diego for road tripping in San Diego.

San Diego was the most relaxed leg of the road trip, it being the last place as well as an epicenter of one of the best beaches in California . We enjoyed beach hopping here, including kayaking, while we also enjoyed the city. San Diego’s old town is great and there are some cool bohemian-themed shops here that are very vibrant. La Jolla was my favourite most beach. Don’t forget to walk around here to see some of the best houses in San Diego.

• Sea World San Diego
• Old Town San Diego
• San Diego Zoo

READ: San Diego Road Trip Itinerary for Three Days

• Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise
• San Diego Jet Boat Thrill Ride

On our last day, we spent a relaxed day at the Coronado islands which is a short drive from San Diego and one of the coolest places to hang out. We particularly enjoyed kayaking here at the San Diego bay.

• Water sports
• Take a tour of the island
• Hotel del Coronado
• Coronado beach is perfect for pets

You could take a Segway tour from San Diego to Coronado , which is highly recommended to see the islands.

USA South West Road Trip from Phoenix: Journey in Parts

For the detailed itinerary of all these top bucket list destinations that can be covered in this road trip, below are the exclusive blogs of all parts of the journey. 

• The Arizona Road Trip from Phoenix to Sedona & Grand Canyon covers the major attractions in Arizona around Sedona and Grand Canyon.
• The Nevada Road Trip to Las Vegas and Hoover Dam covers the most scenic routes in Nevada apart from Las Vegas.
• Los Angeles Road Trip part covers the journey from Las Vegas to Los Angeles vacation and its main attractions.
• San Diego Road Trip blog covers our adventures in San Diego for three days. 

Jumana is a travel writer and technologist living in the United Kingdom, born and brought up in India. While she is busy with her full time job as a computer technologist, she is an active explorer during her spare time. She has been exploring states of India since she was 15 and then around the world since she moved to the west in her 20s. Her favourite travel style is “On the Road” and she has perfected the art of road trip planning, covering multiple famous and undiscovered routes around Europe, UK and USA. She is on a mission to road trip the planet and learn more about the cultures around the world.

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Iam waiting for the next blog….

Have you seen the Arizona trip blog linked above? I am working on the upcoming ones, thanks for following 🙂

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7-Day American Southwest Road Trip Itinerary: Popular and Hidden Destinations in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah

You either waste the entire week of spring school break or use it to make memories. We chose the latter and went on a 7-day road trip across the American Southwest, exploring some of the favorite destinations and hidden gems in California , Nevada , Arizona , and Utah.

7-Day American Southwest Road Trip Itinerary: Favorite Places and Hidden Gems in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah

Re-exploring your favorite places, discovering new destinations, stumbling upon hidden gems you’ve never known existed… A road trip showcases a region in a completely new light. Old places become one step closer while new locations inevitably sneak into your itinerary. 

We’ve been road-tripping for quite a few years already. It all started with weekend getaways to nearby towns and national parks . Slowly but surely, longer road trips, including shorter versions of this road trip across the American Southwest, became one of our favorite and pretty affordable ways to explore the U.S. 

Last spring, Roshan came up with an idea of going on an even bigger road adventure. This time, we spent one week exploring California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. A 7-day road trip across some of the most alluring states in the American Southwest? It sounded too good to let this idea go. 

Why did We Choose California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah for Our 7-Day Road Trip across the American Southwest?

After reading several blog posts about the American Southwest, I’ve noticed that people often start their adventures in Las Vegas , Nevada. It makes sense for those who fly into the region. 

The City that Never Sleeps is an irresistible place on its own. Furthermore, it’s surrounded by a number of incredible road-trip destinations that unveil the true essence of the American Southwest . 

If none of them entice you just yet, driving from Las Vegas to the wold-famous national parks in Arizona and Utah shortens the time you spend on the road. On top of that, those who love road trips but loathe driving, can succumb to convenience of guided tours through different regions of the American Southwest offered by Las Vegas-based companies. 

We neither needed nor longed for any guided tours at that point. Driving, taking frequent breaks, and exploring places we ached to see was at the core of our 7-day American Southwest road trip. And since we started our week-long road adventures in Los Angeles , we couldn’t help but explore a few destinations in California along the way. 

READ MORE: How to Plan a Road Trip for Budget Travelers (+Tips for Planning Itinerary and Budgeting)

When to Go on a 7-Day Road Trip across the American Southwest

Considering that some parts of the area we covered on the wheels during this road trip stay relatively unchanged throughout the year (deserts surely like to keep things simple), you can visit a few favorite and hidden destinations in the American Southwest any time of the year. Think about getting tire chains and checking for potential road closures when venturing into Northern Arizona and Utah in winter. 

• If you plan a road trip across the American Southwest with kids , utilize any school breaks. Spring school break (like we did), winter holidays, summer vacations… All works here. Keep in mind, though, the popular national parks and nearby cities are busy during these times. 
• Solo travelers or families without kids can jump in a car and road-trip through the American Southwest at any time. These travelers are the luckiest, no doubt. Yet if possible, avoid any popular destinations during those times when the families with school children go on their American Southwest road trips. Furthermore, stick to weekdays while exploring the national parks. On the weekends, they are the busiest. 

7-DAY AMERICAN SOUTHWEST ROAD TRIP ITINERARY: PLACES TO SEE IN CALIFORNIA, NEVADA, ARIZONA, AND UTAH

We’ve shared our exact American Southwest road trip itinerary here. A few alternative routes and destinations that may interest you are included at the end of each day/section. Use this itinerary as it is or adjust it to suit your needs. Feel free to add new places or skip the entire regions altogether. 

Moreover, if you have just 2 or 3 days for the road trip across the American Southwest, choose the area that is closest to your heart and leave the rest for your next adventures on the road. Without further ado, here is your 7-day American Southwest road trip itinerary.

7-Day American Southwest Road Trip: Map

AMERICAN SOUTHWEST ROAD TRIP ITINERARY: DAY 1 – PIONEERTOWN AND JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA

Approximate time on the road: 3 hours

Stop 1: Pioneertown

Drive time from Los Angeles : 2 hours 

Located on the outskirts of Joshua Tree National Park, Pioneertown is a western-themed town. The area was created as a playground for Hollywood celebrities and their families. Striving to reconstruct the elusive past, 17 investors bought a parcel of land and turned it into a quintessential western town. 

All structures from a mini museum to a general store and gift shops follow the old architectural style and traditions. Some buildings, however, are fake. Joining the Pioneertown family at a later time, they complete the themed-town ambiance. 

For those who set off on the American Southwest road trip without a prior preparation, Pioneertown can look like a real, old settlement. So convincing it is.

Pioneertown is a quick stop. All it asks is about 15-30 minutes of your time. So don’t linger in the area for too long as the next stop on your American Southwest road trip itinerary needs at least a full day. 

Stop 2: Joshua Tree National Park

Drive time from Pioneertown: 25 minutes

Peculiar Joshua trees arouse your interest in Joshua Tree National Park in the first place. Spreading for miles on end, they adorn a vast desert, adding a strange charm you can’t resists. 

They say first Mormon settlers named the trees when they saw them during their travels across the American Southwest. Stretching wide their branches-arms, these desert plants reminded the Mormons of Biblical Joshua who extended his arms to the sky in prayer.

At 1,253 square miles, Joshua Tree National Park is one of the biggest parks in California. The area sits on the territory of two deserts: the Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert. Consequently, one part of the region looks different from the other. 

The best way to explore and admire the two deserts is by taking the 101.6-mile point-to-point scenic drive . And since you’ve allocated only one day for Joshua Tree National Park during this American Southwest road trip, it’s the fasted way to see more in less time.

Hikes in Joshua Tree

If you ache for some hiking adventures, walk along a 1-mile loop trail to Barker Dam . Most of the year, the reservoir is dry as the rest of the desert. But it you happen to visit the first big destination on your American Southwest road trip after a rainy season, the dam turns into a splendid oasis, a place many desert inhabitants, including bighorn sheep, drink from. 

A short drive from Barker Dam nestles another famous attraction. Resembling a skull, Skull Rock can be a quick stop or a short, 1.7-mile hike from the Jumbo Rocks Campground. 

Similar situation is with Arch Rock . Sitting at the end of a 0.5-mile loop trail near the White Tank Campground, it’s a beautiful place to see the first sunset of your 7-day road trip across the American Southwest. 

Alternative Hikes in Joshua Tree

Alternatively, you can venture into the area where the two deserts merge and admire the sunset at the Cholla Cactus Garden .  

For those who are fixed on the idea of finding a real oasis in a desert, there is no better way to finish the first day of this week-long American Southwest road trip than hiking to the Oasis of Mara . It’s a short, 0.6-mile adventure near the small city of Twentynine Palms.

READ MORE: Weekend in Joshua Tree National Park: Guide and 1 to 2 Day Itinerary

Where to Stay: The nearby city of Joshua Tree offers all sorts of accommodations, including budget and luxurious hotels, resorts, and glamping destinations. Airbnb’s, such as a camper van turned into a low-class glamping spot we stayed at in Camp Walpi , are another great option to find a home for the first night of your 7-day American Southwest road trip.

READ MORE: Where to Stay in Joshua Tree National Park: Camping, Glamping, and Nearby Lodging

AMERICAN SOUTHWEST ROAD TRIP ITINERARY: DAY 2 – SEVEN MAGIC MOUNTAINS AND VALLEY OF FIRE STATE PARK, NEVADA

Approximate time on the road: 5 hours 40 minutes

Stop 1: Seven Magic Mountains

Drive time from Joshua Tree National Park: 2 hours 40 minutes

Located about 30 minutes from Las Vegas, Seven Magic Mountains is an art installation in the middle of a desert. Seven pillars consisting of 3 to 6 massive rocks allure the American Southwest roadtrippers from afar. Each boulder is pained in different neon colors. The vibrant shades, in their turn, add a remarkable contrast to the plain surroundings. 

Stop 2: Valley of Fire State Park

Valley of Fire State Park sits approximately 1 hour from Las Vegas. Clearly overshadowed by the neon lights of the Entertainment Capital of the World, the area is still one of the best-kept secrets of Nevada. 

Significantly smaller than the national park you visited on day 1 of your 7-day American Southwest road trip, Valley of Fire State Park has a lot to offer to fill your second day with jaw-dropping views and unforgettable desert adventures. 

Some of the most popular places to hike here are the elusive Fire Cave Trail , the multi-colored Rainbow Vista area, and the historic White Domes Trail . The latter runs through a classic slot canyon, a movie set, and an open desert. 

The highlight the state park is undoubtably the Fire Wave . A vibrant sandstone formation sits along a 1.5-mile, round-trip trail. 

Those who are satisfied with the driving part of their American Southwest trip can stick to the road and admire the area through the window of their cars. The best places to do it are Mouse’s Tank Road and White Domes Road . 

On top of that, some roadside natural landmarks, such as Elephant Rock and Seven Sisters , show a different side of the park. And they don’t require walking and hiking whatsoever. 

Alternative Route: Las Vegas

If you wish to add some urban vibes into your 7-day road trip across the American Southwest, skip Valley of Fire State Park and spend the second day in Las Vegas. With its beautiful hotels , casinos, The Neon Museum , and night entertainment, you may need more than one day here. 

And since you spend the second day of your road trip in an urban area, find a place to call home for the night in this Gambling Capital of the American Southwest. 

TIP: Make sure to leave Las Vegas at dawn the following day, as the drive to Zion National Park is rather long from here. 

READ MORE: Why Las Vegas is not for Everybody

Where to Stay: If you follow our American Southwest road trip itinerary to a T, drive to Washington, Utah. The place is located 1 hour 35 minutes from Valley of Fire State Park (45 minutes from Zion) and offers different accommodation options. We chose to spend a night at the budget-friendly Quality Inn (912 West Red Cliffs Drive) .

AMERICAN SOUTHWEST ROAD TRIP ITINERARY: DAY 3 – ZION NATIONAL PARK, UTAH

Approximate time on the road: 2 hours 35 minutes

I’ll be the first to admit that you need at least 2 days to visit Zion National Park . Yet given that you’ve set aside only 1 day out of the 7-day road trip through the American Southwest for this region, make the most of your trip, one area at a time.

TIP: You may want to pack lunch and snacks before venturing into the Zion wilderness. Although you can stop in Springdale or Zion Lodge to grab a bite, save this time for more adventures in the park.

Stop 1: Zion Canyon Scenic Drive

If you road-trip across the American Southwest sometime between November and early March, drive along the road at your own pace. From mid-March through November, a park shuttle transports the visitors between 9 stops. 

The scenic drive is a must when in Zion for the first time . The route begins at Canyon Junction and goes all the way to the Temple of Sinawava (9th shuttle stop). All the popular hikes and natural wonders nestle in this area. 

Alternative Things to Do: Depending on your activity level, you can choose longer hikes, such as Angels Landing , Emerald Pool , the Narrows , and Observation Point . At the same time, Court of the Patriarchs and the Weeping Rock Trail allow you to enjoy the untamed beauty of Zion without strenuous hikes.   

Stop 2: Riverside Walk Trail

If you road-trip with small kids, discover the natural wonders of the American Southwest along the Riverside Walk Trail . The trail is 1-mile long (one way). It runs along the Virgin River. At the end of the trail, you have an option to turn back or venture across the river to the famous Narrows . 

Stop 3: Zion-Mount Carmel Highway

Unlike in the scenic drive area in the main canyon, no shuttle operates along Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. As a result, the place is open for self-guided tours aka drives any time of the year. 

The highlight of the region is the 1.1-mile Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel . For some reasons, the area on the other side of this historic structures entices fewer visitors. Consequently, fewer crowds, more hidden gems and secret canyons sneak into your road trip across this overlooked region of the American Southwest.

Stop 4: Zion Canyon Overlook Trail

The first area to explore in the eastern section of Zion is the Canyon Overlook . The 1-mile, round-trip trail sits near the entrance to the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. The path starts as a steep walk up the stairs. Soon it level out and continues on along a cliff edge with astounding view into Pine Creek Canyon . 

As you reach the end of the trail, breathtaking vistas of the canyon with signature switchbacks on Route 9 open up. The Canyon Overlook Trail is a great alternative to the longer Observation Point hike. 

Stop 5: Shelf Canyon 

A hidden slot canyon, known as Shelf Canyon , sits about 500 feet from the Canyon Overlook Trailhead. Difficult to locate at first, the 0.5-mile hike bestows on you an unforgettable adventure through the almost untrodden realm of the American Southwest. 

Where to Stay

For a place as popular as Zion, no shortage of lodging can ever occur. The nearest town, Springdale , is the first in line to accommodate all the visitors of the American Southwest region. Those who can afford to splurge a little bit, can stay inside the park, at Zion Lodge .

If you think about the next leg of your American Southwest road trip, try to get as closely as possible to your next destination, Bryce Canyon National Park. Panguitch Lake Resort is a beautiful option to see a different side of the Southwest and enjoy a homey vibe for the night. 

The resort is located about 20 minutes from the town of Panguitch. Drive for 25 more minutes to reach Bryce Canyon National Park from here. 

READ MORE: Where to Stay in and near Zion National Park: Camping and Lodging

AMERICAN SOUTHWEST ROAD TRIP ITINERARY: DAY 4 – PANGUITCH AND BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK, UTAH

Approximate time on the road: 1-3 hours 

Stop 1: Panguitch

Stop in Panguitch for breakfast and a bit of history. This little town can’t wait to share with the occasional American Southwest road-trippers its survival story and passion for quilts. 

Stop 2: Bryce Canyon National Park

Absolutely stunning year-round, Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the Utah’s Mighty Five. The park is nowhere as big as Zion. Thus, one day is sufficient to check out all the favorite overlooks and hike into the canyon. You can see quite a lot of the park along the Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive. 

The first place you must see while road-tripping through this part of the American Southwest is Sunrise-Sunset Point area . Both overlooks introduce you to incredible hoodoos that rise almost to the rim level. A 0.5-mile trail connects the two viewing platforms. 

Hiking Trails

The Sunrise-Sunset area delights also those who plan to hike into the canyon. Each overlook has a trail that swirls into the stunning abyss. 

• Take the 1.8-mile, round-trip Queen’s Garden Trail if you start your Bryce Canyon’s exploration at Sunrise Point. The path snakes among the towering hoodoos, taking the hikers to a rock formation that resembles Queen Victoria.
• The 1.3-mile Navajo Loop Trai l, famous for its Wall Street, starts at Sunset Point.

More Overlooks

For inspiration from the rim, visit Inspiration Point , Bryce Point , and Natural Bridge . The Bryce Canyon scenic drive ends at Rainbow Point , the highest point in the park. Yovimpa Point , another epic overlook, sits nearby and offers different views of the canyon. 

READ MORE: How to Spend One Day in Bryce Canyon National Park: 11 Best Things to Do and Places to Visit

Hidden Gems in Bryce Canyon

The greatest advantage of any road trip is an opportunity to discover some of the hidden gems in the great American Southwest region. In Bryce Canyon National Park, such a secreted landmark is the Mossy Cave Trail . 

The hike starts in the northern corner of the park, at the hoodoos’ foot level. The cave entices with its long icicles handing from the ceiling in winter. In summer, the tiny cavern is filled with moss. 

Hike in the opposite direction of the cave, and you’ll find a Bryce Canyon’s waterfall . This natural wonder is a seasonal attraction, though. It fills the area with the sound of cascading water from May through October . The rest of the year, only a hardly-noticeable trickle reminds of the roaring waterfall. 

Where to Stay: Head back to Panguitch or stay in Bryce. One of the most affordable places here is Bryce UpTop Lodge. Its services, however, are not so great. But it’s something you can work with for one night. 

AMERICAN SOUTHWEST ROAD TRIP ITINERARY: DAY 5 – GLEN CANYON NATIONAL RECREATION AREA AND MONUMENT VALLEY, ARIZONA

Stop 1: cathedral wash trail.

Drive time from Bryce Canyon National Park : 2 hours 40 minutes

Another hidden gem to add to your American Southwest road trip is the Cathedral Wash Trail . This 1.5-mile path nestles near the Lees Ferry Entrance to Glen Canyon. A great alternative to popular Antelope Canyon , this hidden slot passage ends at the bank of the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park . 

Stop 2: Paria Beach, Glen Canyon

Before heading farther east, spend a few minutes at Paria Beach where the Paria River meets the Colorado River.

Stop 3: Monument Valley

Monument Valley is the epitome of the classic road trip across the American Southwest. Endless roads run through the desert, emphasizing the vastness and magnitude of the region. Sandstone structures of different sizes and shapes tower over the winding, narrow roads. 

Nothing, not even sound of the passing by cars can disturb this sacred tranquility. To add Monument Valley to your road-trip adventures in the American Southwest or not to add is never a question. It’s a must. 

The easiest way to explore Monument Valley is via the Monument Valley Loop Drive . This 17-mile scenic route has 11 numbered stops. It takes approximately 2-4 hours to see all of them. If you up to a more detail-filled trip, join a guided day tour.

Where to Stay: Goulding’s Apartments in Oljato-Monument Valley, Utah offer a beautiful home away from home for all Monument Valley’s guests. 

AMERICAN SOUTHWEST ROAD TRIP ITINERARY: DAY 6 – THE FLAGSTAFF AND WILLIAMS AREAS, ARIZONA

Approximate time on the road: 5 hours 30 minutes

As you slowly narrowing the distance between you and the California’s border, don’t forget to explore some of the popular destinations and hidden gems near smaller cities in Arizona.

Stop 1: Wupatki National Monument

Drive time from Oljato-Monument Valley : 2 hours 30 minutes

The Arizona’s deserted area wasn’t always unwelcoming. Nearly 900 years ago, the present-day Wupatki National Monument region hosted a bustling ancient town. Only ancient ruins along a few short trails in this part of the Southwest remind of the Arizona’s heyday. You haven’t seen anything like this during this 7-day road trip across the American Southwest yet. So give the area a quick stop.

READ MORE: The 6 Best Ancient Stand-Alone and Cliff Dwellings in Arizona

Stop 2: Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

A 34-mile scenic loop connects Wupatki National Monument with Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. The area is located mere 19 miles from Flagstaff and offers a few hiking trails through a hardened lava field. 

Stop 3: Walnut Canyon National Monument

Drive time from Sunset Crater Volcano: 25 minutes

More ancient dwellings adorn a cliff in Walnut Canyon National Monument . The best way to approach these centuries-old abodes is by hiking the 1-mile Island Trail . Walking into the ancient cliff rooms is prohibited. Please follow the rules so many other American Southwest roadtrippers can see this historic place in person. 

Stop 4: Grand Falls

Drive time from Walnut Canyon: 50 minutes

At more than 181 feet high, Grand Falls is higher than Niagara Falls. And it sits right on your way from Flagstaff to Williams, Arizona. The best time to admire this natural wonder and, for that sake, go on a road trip across the American Southwest is March and April .

READ MORE: The 9 Best Things to Do in and near Flagstaff for Outdoor Lovers

Stop 5: Williams

Finish this sightseeing-packed day in Williams . Explore its Historic Route 66 area or look for company of local wildlife at Bearizona , a wildlife and safari drive-through park. You are almost done with this week-long American Southwest road trip, so take it slowly and enjoy a lazy evening at Cataract Lake or Kaibab Lake .

Where to Stay: Williams is a perfect place to find a shelter for the night. Our recommendation for the budget travelers is Rodeway Inn Williams Route 66 – Grand Canyon Area.

AMERICAN SOUTHWEST ROAD TRIP ITINERARY: DAY 7 – SYCAMORE FALLS AND LAKE HAVASU CITY, ARIZONA

Approximate time on the road: 4 hours

Stop 1: Sycamore Falls  

Drive time from Williams: 25-30 minutes

Spice up your adventures in the Arizona’s part of your American Southwest road trip with a visit to Sycamore Falls . This seasonal waterfall is hidden in the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness, 15 miles from Williams. 

Stop 2: Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Drive time from Sycamore Falls: 3 hours

Lake Havasu City is an optional stop on your American Southwest road trip itinerary. Home to the famous London Bridge , the city offers authentic gift shops and restaurants to explore. 

Adventure and nature loving travelers also find enough places to finish their road adventures on a strong note. From ample hikes in SARA Park , outdoor activities in Lake Havasu State Park and Havasu National Wildlife Refuge to a quick trip to Parker Dam , the area needs a least a day of your time. 

Alternative Route: Yet if you need to finish your American Southwest road trip on day 7, skip Lake Havasu City and head back home. 

Where to Stay: For all those who decide to explore the area, Lake Havasu City offers as many lodging options as day activities. Luxury stay is guaranteed at London Beach Resort. Windsor Inn Motel Lake Havasu City works best for the budget roadtrippers. 

AMERICAN SOUTHWEST ROAD TRIP ITINERARY: DAY 8 – DRIVE BACK TO LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Approximate time on the road: 5 hours

Tips for Successful and Enjoyable 7-Day Road Trip across the American Southwest

1. pack clothes for different seasons .

Skip this step if you go on a road trip across the American Southwest in summer. All other seasons treat each and every part of this vast region differently. While you might still wear shorts and tops while hiking in Joshua Tree National Park in early April, the Bryce Canyon area feels like a real winter wonderland during this time. 

2. Bring Plenty of Snacks and Water

The distances between the cities and communities in the American Southwest are normally long. Make sure you have enough snacks and water to sustain your energy before you reach the next destination.

3. Fill up a Gas Tank  

Don’t leave any city in the American Southwest with a half-empty tank. You chances of finding a gas station in a desert are almost equal to zero. Don’t ruin your road trip by sitting by the side of the road with your car ran out of gas. 

The national and state parks also don’t have gas stations. So prepare for the long day inside these secluded areas in advance. 

4. Keep a Spare Tire Handy

Just in case. Anything can happen on the road. So it’s better to be prepared than sorry. 

READ MORE: The 7 Biggest Road Trip Mistakes to Avoid

5. Download Offline Maps

Many secluded areas in the American Southwest don’t boast excellent service. Make sure to download all your maps before the trip. Bringing along a hardcopy map doesn’t hurt either. 

6. Get America the Beautiful Pass

The America the Beautiful Pass opens the doors to all national parks and the majority of the national monuments and recreation areas in the U.S. You’ll have more than enough of these during your road trip across the American Southwest. 

The pass costs $80 and is valid for one year. The annual national pass, however, doesn’t cover admission to state parks, such as Valley of Fire State Park.

7. Stay Flexible during Your American Southwest Road Trip

Let your American Southwest road trip be a fun experience. Allow some degree of spontaneity in it. Don’t be afraid to sway off the preplanned route and explore different sites and other best-kept secrets.

8. Slow down and Admire the Views

If a place looks interesting, stop and explore it. You may regret later on if you don’t do it. The best part of the road trip, especially the one through such a diverse region as the American Southwest, is that you can modify your itinerary as you go. 

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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.

The Perfect 10 Day California Road Trip Itinerary (2024 Guide)

• Last Updated: February 4, 2024

Plan the ultimate California road trip itinerary with our 10-day road trip itinerary, including all of the best national parks, cities and other attractions!

California is instantly captivating. Its major cities twinkle in the spotlight, from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco to the Hollywood Sign in Los Angeles. Its natural beauty is abundant as well, from the cliffs of Big Sur to the beaches of Santa Barbara.

However, California is ever-changing, and it changes fast. Rising snow-capped mountains soar out of lifeless deserts. Roads weave through conifer forests and giant redwoods, where alpine lakes mingle among hot springs and local towns that boomed with the growth of climbing.

Metropolises and epic nature are never far apart in this state. But it’s the California road trips between them that make it the perfect state to turn on the engine and put the car in drive.

This ultimate California road trip itinerary will include the highlights of this massive west coast state. From national parks to big cities, lazy beach towns, and more, here is our guide to planning the best California road trip!

Looking for the absolute best things to do in California? Check out our complete list here !

Table of Contents

Where To Stay In Los Angeles

Where to stay in san diego, where to stay in palm springs, where to stay in mammoth lakes, where to stay in lake tahoe, where to stay in sacramento, where to stay in san francisco, where to stay in santa monica, california road trip wrap up, the perfect california road trip itinerary.

The best way to travel from northern California to southern California , or vice versa, is via an epic California road trip. Sure you can take a quick flight, but the best way to absorb all the the Golden State has to offer is by exploring on land.

This 10-day California road trip itinerary gives you a nice introduction to this beautiful state. California is massive, and 10 days is not nearly enough for seeing all of it. But in these 10 days, you’ll get to see as much as possible. Let’s get into it!

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.

Day 1 – Los Angeles

World-famous Los Angeles makes for the perfect place to start your California road trip itinerary. With easy access from around the world, fly into LAX, rent a car, and start exploring. Here are a few of the best things to do in Los Angeles !

• The Griffith Observatory

Start your time in Los Angeles by getting your bearings. The Griffith Observatory offers amazing insight into the cosmos, but just as applicable are its far-reaching views across the city, the Hollywood Sign, and the Pacific Ocean.

Home to Lotus flower beds, floating swans, and paddle boats, Echo Park is a glimpse into LA’s past and current beauty. Book a paddle boat in advance to best enjoy the scenery. Afterward, pick from a smorgasbord of local food trucks.

• The Hollywood Bowl

As the sun sets on Los Angeles, take in a show at the beloved Hollywood Bowl. The airy amphitheater has consistent events from festivals to concerts featuring a whole range of genres. With the sky a burst of colors, it’s a captivating music space.

• Hop-on Hop-Off Bus

Getting around Los Angeles can be a nightmare. Lack of solid public transport and gridlocks can slow you down on what’s already a tight California road trip itinerary.

The Hop-on Hop-Off Bus delivers you to some of the city’s highlights, including the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Sunset Strip, and Beverly Hills. You can always wait to pick up your rental car until after you explore LA!

Have more time? Check out our 3 Days in Los Angeles itinerary !

Close to Rodeo Drive, The Peninsula has a world-class restaurant, a rooftop pool, a fitness center, and a full-service spa. It’s the best option for luxury in Los Angeles!

In Venice Beach, Stay Open brings one of the best beaches in Los Angeles. Enjoy free bike rentals and WiFi so you can explore LA with ease.

Close to Hollywood Boulevard, Banana Bungalow leaves you close to the action with cheap onsite dinners plus regular free BBQs. If you’re on a budget during your California road trip, there are some great cheap hostels around the state!

Day 2 – San Diego

This drive takes 2 hours from downtown Los Angeles

After a leisurely drive from Los Angeles, discover the lovable San Diego , where sprawling parks harbor dozens of museums, galleries, and world-class zoos.

Beaches offer more than just a quick surf, in fact, you can expect to find life-changing burgers. At night, the bay glistens alongside the Gaslamp Quarter, here you can reflect on a busy first few days.

San Diego is a must on any California road trip. Here is our list of the best things to do while visiting San Diego.

• Mission Beach and Hodad’s

Before you make it to downtown San Diego, stop for a swim and the best burgers in America. Big call, so I’ll let you decide. Hodad’s is a gastronomic and cultural gem. While Mission Beach is the perfect way to cool off after a big drive.

• San Diego Zoo

The extensive San Diego Zoo takes you on a journey through our natural world. Experience the Elephant Odyssey or the Polar Bear Plunge alongside 4,500 other endangered or rare animals from across the globe.

• Balboa Park

It takes days to explore the incredible Balboa Park with a fine-tooth comb. But in such a short time, pick your favorites among the 16 museums, impressive Spanish architecture, landscaped gardens, and galleries.

• USS Midway Museum

Covering 10 acres, the USS Midway Museum boasts 30 historic aircraft on board the famous carrier. Learn more about WWII and the Battle of Midway, and experience real cockpits alongside other interactive exhibits. Afterward, wander along the Embarcadero.

• The Gaslamp Quarter

Once the sun has set, the Gaslamp Quarter lights up and the streets’ cobblestones glimmer under the stars. Enjoy a fun night in San Diego while exploring this romantic district home to high-end restaurants and candle-lit cocktail bars.

With four outdoor pools, half a dozen restaurants, a golf course and a spa, the five-star Fairmont Grand Del Mar has all your needs covered.

In Downtown San Diego, Motel6 offers cable TV, free Wi-Fi, and close proximity to the top adventures around the city.

Set in the Gaslamp Quarter, HI San Diego is a refurbished urban hostel with a fun atmosphere, a game room, plus self-guided tours and adventures.

Have more time? Check out our 3 Days in San Diego Itinerary !

Day 3 – Palm Springs

This drive takes 2 hours and 15 minutes from San Diego.

In southern California, Palm Springs is a gateway to epic mountain ranges and mystical deserts. Your time here is packed with hiking trails delivering memorable views and guiding you through a unique national park. But the town itself has a charming culture, shopping, and regular enchanting events.

• Joshua Tree National Park

The main reason to visit Palm Springs is to explore Joshua Tree National Park. This intriguing national park showcases the beauty of the desert landscapes, its unique flora, which gave the park its name, plus the colors that make every use of an open canvas.

• Downtown Palm Springs

After visiting Joshua Tree National Park, shop, eat, and walk your way through downtown Palm Springs. Adorable boutiques whisper your name with handcrafted goods looking to find a home in your road trip vehicle. On Thursday evenings, the town comes to life for its weekly VillageFest.

• Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

With no time to hike, take a trip up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to the summit of San Jacinto Peak. The stunning rise provides views across the Coachella Valley along with the Chino Canyon.

• Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve

If you choose to avoid downtown Palm Springs, Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve is a great alternative. Walk among 150-year-old trees where the desert mixes with exotic landscapes to create a spectacularly colorful ecosystem.

• The San Jacinto Mountains

Another option is to explore the San Jacinto Mountains in greater detail. The Deer Springs Trail is a challenging, designated National Scenic trek that takes you to the San Jacinto peak for an ultimately rewarding experience through memorable desert landscapes.

Find more of the best things to do in Palm Springs here !

Close to downtown Palm Springs, The Paloma Resort is set in historic bungalows with mountain scenery and offers inspired Spanish cuisine in a former mission.

The Travelodge provides travelers with easy access to the town’s best restaurants and shopping while being a great base to explore beyond.

With free onsite parking and complimentary breakfast, the Crashpod Hostel is cozy, inexpensive, and a great place to recuperate.

Day 4 & 5 – Mammoth Lakes

This drive takes 8 hours and 15 minutes from Palm Springs, via Death Valley National Park

Today on your California road trip itinerary, drive from Palm Springs through the ethereal Death Valley. The drive along Route 395 will be unforgettable, delivering you first to Convict Lake and then to the beauty of Mammoth itself.

On the second day, explore the lakes, ride the gondola, and hit the hot springs.

Find more things to do in Southern California here !

• Death Valley National Park

Break up your journey to Mammoth Lakes with a drive through the otherworldly Death Valley National Park. Stop by Badwater Basin and stand almost 240 feet below sea level in the depths of Death Valley.

If you love unique natural scenery, Death Valley is a must on any California road trip!

• Convict Lake

Next, get a sneak peek at Convict Lake. The alpine lake is surrounded by fast-rising peaks and while it’s a sunrise hot spot, its serene beauty can be admired at any point. Just off the highway, you won’t even have to leave the car.

• The Village at Mammoth Lakes

After an enormous and beautiful day on the road, enjoy a relaxing evening in the Village at Mammoth Lakes . Shops, restaurants, and bars combine in this classic mountain village. Enjoy a nice meal before resting up for the day ahead.

• Stand-Up Paddleboarding

There’s no better way to enjoy the enchanting lakes than on a stand-up paddleboard. The handful of nearby bodies of water are often calm and glass-like, leading to ease of movement and the chance to feel small alongside the stunning Sierras.

• The Minaret Vista

On your way to Devil’s Postpile, stop at the Minaret Vista to admire the eternal beauty of the Sierra Nevada. Set in the Eastern Sierra Range, these craggy mountains fall down to vast valleys and feature two soaring spires, including Clyde Minaret.

• The Devils Postpile

A national monument, the Devils Postpile is a formation of giant basalt columns. These were created by lava which cooled over 80,000 years ago. The hexagonal columns can reach up to 60 feet in height.

• Rainbow Falls

A part of the Devils Postpile National Monument , don’t miss out on a trek to Rainbow Falls. Walk from the post pile to discover a 100 feet waterfall whose consistent rainbows gave the fall its name. You can also walk directly here by driving to the Rainbow Fall trailhead.

• Mammoth Mountain Gondola

It’s been a busy day of activity, so take it down a notch with a ride on the Mammoth Mountain Gondola . The ride up lands you at over 11,000 feet. The panoramic views span the Mammoth Lakes Basin.

• Wild Willy’s Hot Spring

End your day with a recuperating experience at Wild Willy’s Hot Spring. It’s been a busy trip so far, so put your legs up in one of the two springs whose temperatures range from 95 degrees up to 105.

From Westin Monache Resort , you can take the gondola to the top of Mammoth Mountain before returning to make use of your kitchenette as well as the onsite pool and hot tub.

The Tamarack Lodge dates back to the 1920s and, among the included kitchens and private fireplaces, the lodge hasn’t lost any of its charm.

The Moderne Hostel provides guests with large communal and cooking areas, including BBQ facilities, while being close to Mammoth Mountain.

Day 6 – Lake Tahoe

This drive takes 2 hours and 40 minutes from Mammoth Lakes

With one full day in Lake Tahoe, it’ll be up to you how much you explore. Do you choose to focus your day driving through Yosemite National Park on your way there or do you take the direct route to explore local hikes, parks, and lakeside towns? There’s no losing here.

• Yosemite National Park

An option along the drive from Mammoth Lakes is the world-famous Yosemite National Park. You’ll need to make it a priority to explore well, but views of El Capitan and Half Dome make any “detour” worth it. Yosemite National Park is so famous that you may even choose to solely focus today’s exploration on that! Luckily this ultimate California road trip is customizable, and you can easily change it to allow for more time in Yosemite National Park.

• Fallen Leaf Lake

A direct drive to Lake Tahoe leaves ample time to explore. Check out the nearby, charming Fallen Leaf Lake where you can SUP or kayak before enjoying some waterfront eats surrounded by epic mountains.

• Eagle Rock Trail

For rewarding views of Lake Tahoe without a lengthy hike, meander down the Eagle Rock Trail. The mile-long trek is family-friendly and ends with breathtaking views of the lake with enchanting nature along the way.

• Emerald Bay State Park

Along the west shoreline of Lake Tahoe, you’ll find the popular Emerald Bay State Park. Find hiking, swimming, and mountain biking throughout while you can also explore Vikingsholm, with its impressive Scandinavian design.

Visiting the charming mountain town of Tahoe City is a great way to ring in the evening. Along the lake’s edge, the town has elegant mountain architecture, local galleries, plenty of places to eat, and bars in which to toast to a great day.

If you need more ideas for exploring Lake Tahoe after your California road trip, here are the best things to do in Lake Tahoe !

Live in the lap of luxury at The Ritz-Carlton , complete with on-site restaurants, spas, and a pool with gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains.

A stay at the Mother Nature’s Inn comes with free onsite parking, along with inclusive WiFi and Smart TV, while being close to the beach.

The sprawling Mellow Mountain Hostel is close to Heavenly for skiing, summertime gondola rides, the beach, and some of the best action in South Lake Tahoe.

Day 7 – Sacramento

This drive takes 2 hours from Lake Tahoe

Next on your California road trip, enjoy the drive from Lake Tahoe through the Eldorado National Forest on your way to Sacramento.

Take the time to explore the underrated city where farm-to-table restaurants are much more than a niche. Take in the history and, if you have energy, try your hand at some fun outdoor sports.

• Downtown Sacramento

Culture, history, and food collide in downtown Sacramento. A surprising foodie haven and cocktail paradise, travelers will also be happy to see so many museums and galleries to visit as you’ll discover below.

• California State Railroad Museum

Within the Old Sacramento Historic Park, the California State Railroad Museum is an ode to westward expansion and the worker’s efforts. The latter particularly focuses on the prominent role of Chinese railroad workers. Explore 19 authentic trains before traveling on one yourself.

• The American River Trail

If you prefer to keep experiencing the state’s splendid nature, head to Discovery Park. It’s here you can explore one of America’s great bike trails, the American River Trail which spans 32 miles through brilliant scenery.

• White Water Rafting

Add some adrenaline to your California road trip with some white water rafting. With snow melting from the Sierra Nevada, this part of California is prime for some adrenaline-pumping rafting on the American River.

Looking for more incredible things to do in Sacramento? Check out our ultimate guide here !

In central Sacramento, the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel , evokes class and provides high-end amenities with a poolside bar and hotel restaurant.

With easy access to downtown, Wyndham Garden provides a great place to recuperate before with an onsite restaurant and bar, plus free WiFi.

Save money on your California road trip with this incredible hostel! Nestled in a former Victorian mansion, HI Sacramento provides guests with a social experience with a spacious patio and complimentary breakfasts.

Day 8 & 9 – San Francisco

This drive takes 1 hour and 40 minutes from downtown Sacramento

Start your day early and head towards the stunning California coast, where you should reach San Francisco by mid-morning. From there, head to the waterfront where you’ll enjoy delicious cuisine and epic bay views.

With two days of your California road trip, take your time in San Francisco, see all the attractions, and even take a day trip to Napa Valley.

• Embarcadero

Canvassing the waterfront of San Francisco, the Embarcadero is the perfect place to start your exploration. As you wander along the boulevard you’ll pass a number of historic piers with excellent views with many offering boat tours into the harbor and Alcatraz Island .

• Fisherman’s Wharf

With gorgeous views of San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf is a fantastic lunch spot. The early fishing boats have long gone and the Dungeness crab is ready.

Fisherman’s Wharf is also home to the Hyde Street Pier and its historic ships.

• Lombard Street

Take your mind away from the famed bridge and you’ll notice how undulating San Francisco is. We mean, it’s crazy steep. Lombard Street represents this best. Home to eight compact turns and beautiful landscaping, it’s a unique drive.

• Golden Gate Bridge

Ok, you’ve been patient. It’s time for the Golden Gate Bridge. The incredible site, of orange arches spread between two rising headlands, will be one of the most memorable parts of any California road trip. Admire it from the Presidio before walking along for amazing views of San Francisco.

• Napa Valley

Finding time for Napa Valley with just two days in San Francisco can be tricky. But lovers of wine and captivating landscapes should make time. An hour north of San Francisco, Napa Valley has over 400 wineries covering a range of budgets and styles.

Save time and energy during your visit to Napa Valley with this half-day wine tour .

If you want more ideas, check out our list of the best things to do in San Francisco !

Your second day in San Francisco is all about nature. Start with an early morning hike up to the Twin Peaks. This slice of untouched nature offers splendid from its summit, at 922 feet.

• Golden Gate Park

San Francisco’s own Central Park, Golden Gate Park combines historic architecture and eye-catching nature. Walk or ride along the miles of trails to discover the Dutch Windmill and Japanese Tea Garden to go alongside its Botanical Garden.

• Ocean Beach

After a busy morning of hiking and biking, take some time to relax at Ocean Beach. The three-mile beach spreads the crowds and allows ample room to take in the Pacific Ocean, rugged coastline, and the far horizon.

• Union Square & Chinatown

Having got enough exercise and sun on day 9 of your California road trip, take some time to indulge. Union Square is the city’s top shopping district and also home to the towering Dewy Monument. Afterward, enjoy some mouthwatering eats in SF’s famed Chinatown.

• Oracle Park

Leave room, of course, for a ballpark hot dog as you end your second day in San Francisco at the beautiful Oracle Park. Set right on the bay, it’s a great place to catch a game of baseball as the sun sets to the west.

The high-end Fairmont Heritage Place provides guests with luxurious apartments with full kitchens and a private terrace complete with a fire pit.

Set in Union Square, Club Donatello is a four-star hotel with an onsite restaurant, and a rooftop lounge, and is close to Oracle Park. Make the most of your California road trip itinerary by choosing mid-range accommodation right near all the best attractions!

Enjoy modern amenities and a lively atmosphere at ITH Pacific Tradewinds Hostel which is close to Chinatown and the San Francisco waterfront.

Take a look at our list of the 25 best things to do in Northern California if you need more inspiration!

Day 10 – Santa Monica

This drive takes around 9 hours from downtown San Francisco.

After departing San Francisco, you’ll start wrapping up your California road trip by looping around and heading back down to southern California.

Make your way south on a California coast road trip where you’ll soon meet Half Moon Bay and the splendid beauty of one of the most famous roads in America. We’ve saved the best for last!

The Pacific Coast Highway is packed with highlights and epic scenery like the famous Big Sur, making it the perfect way to end your California road trip.

• Pacific Coast Highway

One of the most iconic roads in America, no California road trip is complete without a journey down the famous Pacific Coast Highway. Yes, you can take this drive from the PNW, but the section between San Francisco and Santa Monica is highlight packed.

Read More: Plan your Pacific Coast Highway road trip with our ultimate guide !

• Carmel By the Sea

10 minutes from the famous Monterey, Carmel By the Sea is laden with adorable seaside cottages that lead to white sand beaches. However, the architecture combines with the art scene to be the true highlight. Explore a town once home to Jack London and now over 100 art galleries.

The section of Highway 1 through Big Sur is a shock to the senses, in all the best ways. From tunnels and Pfeiffer Beach to the unforgettable Bixby Bridge, Big Sur is maybe the most scenic spot on this drive. No California road trip is complete without driving through Big Sur!

• Santa Barbara

You’re almost done with your California road trip, so take a break in Santa Barbara ! The stunning town of Santa Barbara is known for seafood, powdery white sand beaches, and fascinating Spanish history. Though you could easily spend days in Santa Barbara, if you’re short on time you can just have a quick driving break here.

• Santa Monica Pier

There’s no better way to end your California road trip itinerary than with a sunset viewing at the Santa Monica Pier. This iconic landmark will appear around the corner as you caress the edge of Malibu along Pacific Coast Highway . Park the car and watch the sky become ablaze before enjoying some of the pier’s rides.

Check out all the best things to do in Santa Monica here .

Enjoy the beauty of the west coast at the charming Shutters On The Beach with an onsite restaurant along with surfboard and bike rentals.

Enjoy free parking, a simple breakfast, an onsite gym, and free WiFi at the Days Inn which is close to major routes into LA.

A block back from the famed local beaches HI LA – Santa Monica is prime for the last night of your California road trip. They offer lots of fun activities, like a pub crawl and group dinners.

This California road trip itinerary takes you around the state, through its major cities and best national parks. You’ll experience a mix of civilization, lush landscapes, and lifeless deserts, sometimes on the same day.

From the cliffs of Big Sur to the mountains of Yosemite to the beaches of Santa Barbara, there is so much to see in California! Even the best California road trips couldn’t really include it all, but we’ve done our best to give you a good introduction.

Ten days is short for a west coast road trip, but it’s better than nothing! As a quick and inspiring glimpse into the Golden State, it’s the perfect platter to decide what you’ll inevitably later explore in greater detail.

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!

Alesha and Jarryd

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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Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

A Two Week California Road Trip Itinerary

Last updated: April 19, 2024 . 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 recommend searching for your car rental on Discover Cars here . They compare a range of providers so you can find the best deal for your trip.

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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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

Dotted Globe contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full  Disclosure  here. Thank you!

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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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).

SCORE A RENTAL CAR DEAL

Make sure you get the best possible deal when renting a car. Compare across brands at Rentalcars.com . Or look for special member deals at Avis , Hertz , Budget or Enterprise .

• 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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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 Ultimate 18-day California Road Trip

A California Road Trip with Highway 1, the big cities and famous National Parks in it, it’s what lots of people dream of seeing once in their life. This road trip of California is technically a California and Nevada road trip, since it starts in Las Vegas. The whole Californian road trip stays in California after Las Vegas.

From Las Vegas to a string of stunning National Parks ending in San Francisco, from there on heading south on Highway 1 with mesmerizing ocean views ending all the way in San Diego. This is a perfect California Nevada road trip.

California Road Trip

Day 1: Arrive at Las Vegas

Day 2: Drive from Las Vegas to Lone Pine (228 miles, about 4 hours)

Day 3: Drive from Lone Pine to Three Rivers (257 miles, about 4 hours and 15 minutes)

Day 4: Seqouia National Park

Day 5: Drive from Three Rivers to Oakhurst (127 miles, about 3 hours)

Day 6: Yosemite National Park

Day 7: Drive from Oakhurst to San Francisco (288 miles, about 5 hours and 15 minutes, via toll roads)

Day 8 + 9: Explore San Francisco

Day 10: Drive from San Francisco to Monterey (127 miles, about 3 hours)

Day 11: Drive from Monterey to Gorda (67miles, about 2 hours)

Day 12: Drive from Gorda to Santa Barbara (164 miles, about 3 hours)

Day 13: Drive from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles (97 miles, about 2 hours)

Day 14 + 15: Explore Los Angeles

Day 16: Drive from Los Angeles to San Diego (124 miles, about 2 hours)

Day 17: Explore San Diego

Day 18: Going home

Day to day itinerary

This was such a beautiful road trip, a dream come true. We really wanted to drive Highway 1 and visit Yosemite and Death Valley. With this California Nevada road trip itinerary you can tick many of your bucket list items.

Day 1: Las Vegas

Las Vegas is a world on its own. You have to see to believe it. We arrived late, it was already dark, but that isn’t a problem, since Las Vegas comes to life in the evening/night. We only strolled around a short part with Yuri sleeping in the stroller. Paul and I had already been to Las Vegas on a South western road trip. It’s fun to walk up and down the whole Strip and walk into the hotels and admire their grandiosity. There are several free shows which you can watch, like the fountains at the Bellagio.

Day 2: Death Valley National Park

Leave Las Vegas early in the morning, not much show at that moment on the Strip. Drive to Death Valley National Park. This is the hottest, driest and lowest National Park in the USA. Drive the road through the park and walk on the Badwater Salt Flat, the lowest point in North America. Next to that take a hike at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. We only hiked a short bit at Badwater Basin, since it was too hot for our son. Since he was only one at the time, he couldn’t express properly yet if he was too warm.

Day 3 till 5: Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

Be mesmerized and astonished by the sequoia trees. They’re so high and beautiful. We took one day for each park. There was still lots of snow when we visited, a great difference in temperature with Death Valley a few days before.

Go on hikes in both parks to tunnel log, General Sherman Tree and General Grant Tree. Stop at the viewpoints. Take the whole 4 th day for Sequoia National Park and the morning of the 5 th day for Kings Canyon National Park. Then drive to Oakhurst.

Day 6 & 7: Yosemite National Park

You have a day and a half for this famous national park. We had some less time because it turned out that Yuri had the chickenpox. So we stayed at the hotel the first morning and only went to the park in the afternoon.

Go on one of the hikes. We explored the Valley, where most people go to. We did the Bridalveil Fall Trail. On the 7 th day we did the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad, a small steam train which we liked very much, especially our son. We drove again through the Valley, the views on El Capitan and Yosemite Falls are amazing and something you don’t get tired off.

Day 7 till 10: San Francisco

From Yosemite National Park drive all the way to San Francisco, it’s a long drive, a little bit longer than we expected, but we already had made a reservation for the hotel in San Francisco.

San Francisco has lots to offer and you can’t explore all of it in 2 days. We explored Chinatown, Fisherman’s Wharf, Lombard Street, Alcatraz, Golden Gate Bridge, Pier 39, Hyde Street Pier and the Cable Car. We didn’t venture far outside of the tourist area, since we still had a sick kid with us, so we took it slow.

Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 are very touristy, but watching the sea lions is fun and strolling around on the Wharf is great. As historians we just had to see Alcatraz. Driving over and walking on The Golden Gate Bridge is iconic. Visit the Golden Gate Bridge on day 10, just before starting on Highway 1.

Day 10 till 13: Highway 1

We drove Highway 1 along the coast from San Francisco south all the way to San Diego. From day 10 till 13 you’ll be driving the part from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

Be prepared to stop every few meters, since you see another splendid view on the ocean. Besides stopping at every view point, there are numerous attractions along the way. Naming here the ones we stopped for along the way or made a small detour for.

Monterey is worth a stop with its Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Cannery Row and Monterey State Historic Park. Get some history with the 17 buildings at the park, among them the first theatre in California and with the old sardine factories at Cannery Row. Sample seafood at the Old Fisherman’s Wharf.

Drive the 17 Mile route on the Monterey Peninsula, enjoy the views and stop at Spanish Bay, Point Joe, Cypress Point, the lone Cypress and Pebble Beach.

Close to Monterey is the town Carmel-by-the-Sea, a lovely and romantic seaside destination. Visit the Carmel Mission for some tranquility and history about the Spanish missions in California.

Then drive the famous Big Sur part of Highway 1, with the Bixby Creek Bridge. Big Sur is the part of Highway 1 between Carmel and San Simeon. Enjoy the really beautiful, mesmerizing views without interruptions. We sadly couldn’t drive all the way to San Simeon, since there was a road closure due to a landslide. Hearst Castle is worth a visit and one of the most beautiful fairytale castles in the world . We had to make a detour and entered Highway 1 at Harmony again. Luckily we got to drive this part of Highway 1 year later on our Orlando to San Francisco road trip . Hike to McWay Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in North America .

Visit Bubblegum alley at San Luis Obispo or one of the many wine orchards in the valley. Then head on over to Santa Barbara with the Moreton Bay Fig Tree and the beautiful center with its splendid architecture.

On the last part of Highway 1 till you reach Los Angeles, it’s beach time. Visit Ventura Pier, play on the beach at Malibu and go to Santa Monica Pier, where the end of route 66 is. Route 66 and Highway 1 are both iconic road trips in the US.

Day 13 till 15: Los Angeles

Upon arrival in LA we first went to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where we admired the stars on the boulevard. Visited the TCL Chinese Theatre and had dinner there.

The next day we went to Universal Hollywood and did a Star Houses tour. This was a package tour. They brought us to Universal and picked us up again and then we had a 2 hour tour through LA. Seeing the homes of stars and famous places from movies. It was fun. At Universal we did a tour of the sets, among them the set of Gilmore Girls.

For our last day in LA we went to Disneyland, which was our second Disney park then. We had already been to Disneyland Paris and a few years later to Disney World . Disney is always a good idea. It’s just magic!

Day 16: Highway 1

On this day, drive from Los Angeles to San Diego on Highway 1 along the coast.

Visit Oceanside for the historical, wooden pier, an iconic landmark. After that stop at La Jolla Cove for the seals.

Day 17 & 18: San Diego

We went to SeaWorld during the day and met up for dinner with a friend we had met at the Hurtigruten cruise back in 2009. On the last day we flew home. We liked SeaWorld, but if we would be visiting right now we probably would go to Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, Balboa Park or the USS Midway Museum.

Where to stay

We made this road trip back in 2011, so I couldn’t find all the hotels we stayed at anymore. Except for at Las Vegas, San Francisco and Gorda we stayed at Best Western. We booked them same day or just drove as far as we liked that day and stopped at a Best Western.

In Las Vegas we stayed at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino with a swimming park. At Lone Pine, past Death Valley National Park we stayed at Best Western Plus Frontier Motel. At Yosemite we opted for the Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn. In Gorda we couldn’t go further because of a road closure. Just before The Redwood House Gorda Springs Resort. We loved our stay here, with a view on the ocean from our cottage.  We had a luxurious last stay in the USA at the Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina in San Diego.

Where to eat

In San Francisco we enjoyed dinner at the Franciscan crab restaurant and lunch at the Sea Lion Cafe. From the last one you can look down on the sea lions at Pier 39.

When to visit

This is a route you can drive all year round. We drove it in April/May. We had beautiful, warm weather at Las Vegas, Death valley and along highway 1. In Sequoia and Kings Canyon there was still lots of snow in late April. At Yosemite National Park the Tioga Pass was still closed due to snow. But there’s plenty of other things to see at the park. The Tioga Pass is usually only open during the Summer months. During the Christmas season not everything may be open, but San Francisco and Solvang are among the best places to celebrate Christmas Around the World .

• Bring a coat, scarf, mittens and hat when visiting Sequoia and Kings Canyon, there can be lots of snow.
• Be prepared that a part of Highway 1 might not be open, due to a landslide.
• Buy a National Parks Pass, several National Parks are on this route.
• Bring protection against the sun for Death Valley and the coast.
• Read these US Travel Books before or during your trip.

Alternative itineraries

Make it a round trip, add a few days at the end.

Day 1 till 17: the same as above

Day 18: Drive from San Diego to Palm Springs

Day 19: Joshua Tree National Park

Day 20: Drive from Palm Springs to Las Vegas

Day 21: Going home

This ends the California road trip

It’s a beautiful road trip with a lot of highlights, such as Las Vegas, Death valley, Sequoia, Yosemite, San Francisco, Big Sur, Los Angeles and San Diego. Nature, coast and big cities. Hope you enjoy this wonderful road trip.  

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43 Comments

ANUKRATI DOSI

Wow! That’s such an amazing guide to the road trip in California. I am most definitely bookmarking this for my sister who lives there.

Hope she gets to go on this road trip. California is a beautiful state.

Cynthia | Adventuring Woman

What an epic California road trip. The views along the coast are just stunning. A trip along Highway 1 is definitely on my dream to-do list, and you hit all the highlights!

Hope you get to go on a road trip along highway 1. It’s really beautiful.

A Capone Connection

Those sequoia trees look AMAZING! You’ve convinced me to look into making this a priority to see. Thanks for all the great info! Saving for later.

Hope you can go soon. The sequoia trees are definitely amazing to see.

I would absolutely love to go on a road trip in this part of California! This is a great road trip outline you’ve made that touches on some fantastic points of interest.

Hope you can go on this road trip in the future. Southern California is really beautiful.

Elena Pappalardo

Love this comprehensive guide! I’ve been wanting to do a Cali road trip and you’ve included such great points of interest. I’d especially love to check out Big Sur!

Hope you can go on a California road trip in the near future. Big Sur is really beautiful. We’ve driven the part twice now and still can’t get enough of it.

Cindy Ladage

What a dream trip! I do want to see the Redwoods bucket list!

Hope you get to see the Redwoods, they’re just above San FRancisco, so doable from this road trip (but nit in it).

Wow, such a great detailed guide! I’m so excited to plan my west coast USA road trip and do all of these things 🥰 it all sounds like an incredible experience!

Hope you get to go soon on a west coast USA road trip. It’s a fantastic area.

I love this idea! This is a great itinerary too because it leaves a little space. Did yall stop in Orange County at all? That’s my favorite section of southern California. But this is a great trip nonetheless. Ill have to do something like this next time we are there! Thank you for putting this together! – Linzey @thefamilyfuntour

What a great road trip! There is soych to see in California!

There’s indeed a lot to see in California, it’s a beautiful state.

In orange County we stopped at Disneyland and drove the part of highway 1 that’s inside Orange County.

This California coast road trip sounds amazing. Thanks for including so many great points of interest! Hope to visit one day!

Hope you get to visit California one day.

This is perfect!!! Hits all the major spots.

I’ve lived in California for the majority of my life but sadly have yet to do anything like this yet! Sadly, I don’t think I’ll get to (boo on not enough vacation days) but definitely gonna try to break it up into multiple day trips so I can visit everything I haven’t seen yet! 😛

Too bad that you don’t have enough vacation days, you live in a beautiful state. Breaking it up into multiple day trip would also be perfect.

Tiffany Smith

I would love to do this road trip! So many awesome spots and a good mix of everything 🙂

Hope you get to go on this road trip in the future.

What a great itinerary for a California road trip!

Cassandra Trzebski

Excellent Itinerary! Looks like such a great trip.

Thank you! And it was.

Go Wander Wild

This road trip guide to California is incredibly helpful. You’ve really thought through everything you need to know before planning a trip. Thank you for this helpful resource. Saving this guide for later!

Thank you! Hope you get to go on this road trip in the future.

Tickets For Four

This road trip is epic! Can’t wait to visit Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. Saving this for later!

Hope you get to visit both those parks in the near future, they’re well worth your time.

What a great itinerary! It looks like you visited all of the best spots. California is such a breathtaking state! 🙂

Yes, it’s indeed a breathtaking state. We loved touring through California.

Sharyn McCullum

What a fabulous trip. You covered a lot of miles and packed so much in! Gave me lots of inspiration for a trip to the US I’m hoping to do in 2024.

I did the San Francisco to LA section of this road trip in a bus in my 20s. I do not recommend lol! But I really want to go back and repeat it in a convertible. California is beautiful.

Wow, that’s a fantastic itinerary. I will definitely save this one for my trip to California. Thanks for sharing this guide!

This is a bucket list California road trip! Really enjoyed reading about your experience 🙂

This article brought back so back memories of my time in the US! Though it seems I missed a few crucial spots, so I’ll have to come back <3

simplyjolayne

You visited so many amazing sites in one road trip. Did you have a favorite? I love Yosemite and Big Sur.

Jennifer Record

Perfect! I have just started a 2025 CA trip and this post has so many great recs..thanks!

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A road trip in California: A three week itinerary

Have you ever considered a US road trip for your family holiday? If so, California is the perfect destination.  With its wide open roads, stunning scenery and fantastic landmarks California is the ideal state for a family road trip.  Read our 3-week California itinerary to find out how to have a fun, family adventure on a road trip in California.

Although we call it our California road trip, we started in Las Vegas.  We include the states of Nevada and Arizona, as we wanted to visit the Grand Canyon.  This post will give you all the details of our itinerary for the 3-week California road trip, including our route, accommodation and the best places to go in California.

What’s more we’ll share out top travel tips, our California road trip map, stops and must-see places to visit with kids.

*contains affiliate links

Contents: click to jump to a section

Planning our family road trip in California

We started our road trip plan by choosing our must-see places in California; San Francisco, Yosemite and Monterey.  We then planned the route to avoid spending longer than three hours on the road for any one trip (apart from the drive to the Grand Canyon).  We also booked an internal flight so that we could save time and make the most of our 3-week itinerary.   If you’re on a budget, you could drive this stretch instead.

For each new destination, we aimed to have two or three days with a permanent base to explore the area.  This gave us a chance to wash our clothes and get to the supermarket every now and then.

If you aren’t careful you could find yourself on the road for exceptionally long periods of time, which isn’t ideal if you are doing a road trip with kids.

Overview of our California road trip itinerary

• 1 :           Fly from UK to Las Vegas
• 2-3:      Las Vegas, Nevada
• 4-5:      The Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon, Arizona
• 6-9:       San Francisco, California
• 10-13:   Point Reyes National Seashore (alternative plan to Yosemite)
• 14-17:   Monterey, Point Lobos, Carmel-by the-Sea
• 18:          Pismo Beach
• 19-21:   Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Hollywood

The full itinerary for our 3-week road trip in California:-

Day 1: uk to las vegas, nevada.

12.25 – To start our California road trip, we flew from London Heathrow to Las Vegas (10 hours) with British Airways .  We arrived in Las Vegas at 15:05 (8 hours’ time difference).

Top tip:  There was a long queue to get through customs, so be aware if you are travelling with small, tired children.

Days 2-3: Las Vegas

The first few days of our 3-week itinerary were spent in Las Vegas.

On arrival in Vegas, we headed to the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino , which we booked through Booking.com.  Located on the Las Vegas strip, this hotel has a massive pool complex (a lazy river, 4 pools and 3 whirlpools), which we thought would be perfect after the long flight.  After check in, we headed straight for the pool, which was full of weekend revellers!

Practical information for Las Vegas

• Consider a smaller hotel if you have younger children.
• The pool complex is quieter and more family-friendly in the mornings when party-goers are still in bed.
• If you are looking for breakfast, head to Coco’s , directly opposite the MGM.

Things to do in Las Vegas

As you’d imagine there’s non-stop entertainment in Las Vegas.  And it’s not just for adults.  We walked up the Strip and visited all the major hotels; New York New York , The Luxor , Caesar’s Palace , and the Venetian .

Check the timings of the daily free shows, such as the Bellagio’s Fountains and the Volcano Show at The Mirage.  We also booked a family show, the Tournament of Kings, for the evening.

Accommodation in Las Vegas

There’s such a fantastic choice of accommodation in Las Vegas, so just pick something to suit your budget.  The bigger, more luxurious hotels on the Strip will cost more money.

You also need to think about location.  Some people prefer to pay less and be Downtown.  Obviously for ease of going out, it’s better to be near the Strip.  As we were with children, we were influenced by the pool facilities, so chose the MGM Grand .

For more information on things to do in Las Vegas, read our post:

2 days in Las Vegas

Days 4-5: The Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon, Arizona

The hoover dam, nevada/arizona.

After 2 days in Las Vegas we started the road trip and headed for The Grand Canyon .  We hired a car with Avis, whose desk is conveniently at the MGM reception. After collecting the car, we stopped at a supermarket, so we could stock up on provisions for the next few days.

About 45 mins out of Las Vegas we stopped at the Hoover Dam, which lays on the border between the states of Nevada and Arizona.  This is one of the top 10 construction achievements of the 20th Century.  It is a totally awesome structure and far exceeded my expectations.

You can park up the hill and walk down to the Hoover Dam so you can really appreciate the Art Deco features on the lifts.  There is also a Visitors Centre if you want a tour of the power plant.

The weather was stifling at the dam, even after coming from Las Vegas.  Take your water bottle, which you can fill up at the fountains on the bridge.

The Grand Canyon, Arizona

After our visit to the Hoover Dam we continued by car for another 4 hours to the The Grand Canyon National Park  in Arizona.

Often considered to be one of the seven wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon is a 1-mile deep gorge formed by the Colorado River.  At 277 miles long and 18 miles wide, this natural wonder has formed over billions of years.

Today it is one of the oldest national parks in the USA and attracts millions of visitors.  It is a unique landscape and the views are breathtaking, so it really is worth a visit.

As you’d imagine, the Grand Canyon is full of opportunities to enjoy the views.  Whether it is hiking, cycling or horse-riding, you can get out and explore the park.  Once you are at the park you won’t need your car, as there are free shuttle buses to transport you around.

On day 1 in the Grand Canyon, we hiked the family-friendly Trail of Time, which is just under 3 miles long.  On the second day we escaped the crowds by cycling round the rim of the Grand Canyon,  which was an amazing day out.

Accommodation at the Grand Canyon

For the best location in the Grand Canyon, stay at one of the in-park lodges in the South Rim.  From here, you’ll be able to walk from your accommodation to the Grand Canyon view point and trails.

We stayed in the Yavapi Lodge East cabins, which were ideal for a family of four.  The accommodation was basic, but the location was excellent.  There are several other lodges and hotels, which you can book directly at Grand National Park Lodges .

Alternatively, you’ll find several hotels just outside the park, including the The Grand Hotel and the Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel .

Day 6: Fly to San Francisco, California

After 2 days at the Grand Canyon, we drove directly back to Las Vegas, which took about 5 hours.

From here we returned our car and flew to San Francisco, California.  This flight from Las Vegas to San Francisco takes 1 hr 40 mins, using Alaska Airlines .

Alternatively, you can drive to San Francisco in 8.5 hours.  However, with limited time we wanted to reduce the number of long car journeys.

From here is the official start of the California road trip!

Accommodation in San Francisco

Our California itinerary starts in San Francisco.

On arrival in San Francisco, we checked in at our hotel, The Courtyard by Marriott.  The Courtyard is a modern, family-friendly hotel in the heart of San Francisco.  The hotel is in a central location, within walking distance to restaurants, cafés and Fisherman’s Wharf.

Top Tip:  The hotel has a laundry room downstairs, which was great for refreshing our cases.

Click here for details and availability of other hotels in San Francisco .

Days 7-9: San Francisco, California

San Francisco is an amazing city, with plenty to do for all ages.  It has wonderful scenery with great wildlife, breath-taking views and plenty of family attractions .

We started our first day with breakfast at Boudin’s Café, one of the oldest bakeries in San Francisco.  From here we headed to Pier 33 to take the ferry to the notorious Alcatraz Island .  This is a fantastic trip, but is very popular, so worth booking in advance.  On our return we meandered to Fisherman’s Wharf.

One of San Francisco’s most popular spots for tourists, Fisherman’s Wharf is a vibrant area with street entertainment.  Make sure you head to Pier 39, where you can see the antics of the sea lions on the pontoons.

On day two we did an epic bike ride over San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and on to Tiburon.  What a fantastic ride.  There is an option to visit Muir Woods, but this is a really long way with kids.

Day three of our San Francisco itinerary is all about exploring the Golden Gate Park, which is immense.  Of course, we couldn’t leave San Francisco without a ride in a cable car down Lombard Street and a visit to China Town. We all loved San Francisco and we could have easily spent more time here.

Click here for our full itinerary in San Francisco .

Practical information for a visit to San Francisco

• You won’t need a car in San Francisco and parking can be expensive.  You can either walk, cycle, take a tram or taxi.
• San Francisco has a very different climate and was considerably colder.  This was especially noticeable, as we’d just come from the desert.  Bring a jumper! (or buy a San Francisco hoodie from the numerous ones for sale on the front)

Days 10-13: Point Reyes, California (alternative to Yosemite)

After San Francisco, the plan was to go to Yosemite National Park and stay at the Evergreen Lodge.    However, the trip was cancelled because of wild fires that that were ravaging the area.

Unfortunately, the rangers were forced to close the park because of the smoke. This was really upsetting because of the devastating damage to the natural habitat around this area.  We’d hoped Yosemite would be one of the highlights of our trip.

Luckily, Evergreen Lodge were great about refunding our accommodation.  Now we have a good excuse to return to California!

Our alternative plan was a visit to Point Reyes National Seashore .  Point Reyes is a vast expanse of protected coastline just North of San Francisco.  It is a haven for nature lovers and has plenty of opportunities for hiking.

We made a last-minute booking into The Hideaway in the Woods, a cabin in Inverness.  We picked up our new car and set off, stopping en-route for groceries.

Point Reyes National Seashore is only 30 miles North of San Francisco and makes an ideal break from the city.  We hired a new car and within  45 minutes we had arrived.

On arrival, you should visit the Visitor Centre at Bear Valley.  Here you can pick up lots of information on the best beaches, hikes and things to do at Point Reyes.  You can also sign your kids up for the Junior Rangers scheme.

Practical information for a visit to Point Reyes

• Try to stop at a supermarket before you get to Point Reyes, as it has a limited choice.
• The weather can be unpredictable.  It can be sunny, but turn cold when the fog comes in.
• We booked our car through Avis, using Avios   points that we had earned with our credit card
• If your children are not used to hiking, you could look at these simple tips to get them going

For more information on what to do in Point Reyes, read our post:-

4 days at Point Reyes

Days 14 - 17: monterey, california.

The next few days of our California road-trip itinerary were spent in Monterey.

Monterey is a popular destination on California’s rugged coast.  It is a charming, small town, offering stunning natural beauty and wildlife.

Monterey a great family-friendly town, with lots to so and do for children.  However, one of the must-see attractions should be a visit to Monterey Bay Aquarium.   This is  a world-class aquarium set over 2 levels and home to 35,000 marine creatures.  As well as being an interactive, child-friendly day out, Monterey Aquarium is a leader in research and conservation.

Whilst in Monterey, you can hike along the Monterey Coastal Trail to Pacific Grove and visit Cannery Row.  This area was former home to Monterey’s sardine canning industry, immortalised by novelist John Steinbeck.

Alternatively you could take some days out and head down to Point Lobos National Reserve , which is fantastic for nature lovers.  We also stopped at the stylish town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, with its boutique shops and beautiful sandy beach.

Continue further down this coastal road to see the dramatic scenery of the Big Sur. You can even cross the iconic bridge, seen in TV drama Big Little Lies.  Keep an eye out for the Lone Cyprus Tree on the 17-mile drive.

Accommodation and eating in Monterey

We stayed at the Monterey Bay View House, a large family home which we again booked through Airbnb . It was a short drive to the shops, beach and main family attractions and had a lovely sunny garden.

We all had our own room, which was relaxing after lots of time in shared hotel rooms.  Another bonus was its very large washing machine and dryer.  Once again our clothes were fresh and fragrant!

As we were now self-catering, we were able to stock up, make picnics and barbecue in the evening.  Obviously this is much more cost-effective for the budget than eating out every day.

Day 18: Pismo Beach, California

The next stop on our California Road trip was at Pismo Beach.   This was it an ideal midway stop, which breaks up the journey to Los Angeles.  It takes about 2.5 hours in the car from Monterey.

Accommodation and eating in Pismo Beach

We stayed at the SeaCrest Hotel , an oceanfront hotel looking out over Pismo Beach.   You can access the sandy beach, via a private set of wooden steps.

As well as its great ocean views,  the SeaCrest Oceanfront Hotel has an outdoor pool and three hot tubs. Our overnight stay included a buffet-style breakfast, which we ate in the outside dining area.

Pismo Beach is an ideal stopover, as it is halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco.  The hotel is comfortable and the ocean views are fantastic.

After some downtime at the pool, we took a stroll along Pismo Beach.  There is a large pier on the beach and a small town.  Pismo Beach has lots of beach shops selling arts and crafts and beach gear.

In the evening, we headed for Mo’s BBQ , a traditional smokehouse. We ordered a huge pile of slow-cooked ribs, which were very tasty.  (However, Kevin still claims his are better!)

After dinner, we returned to the hotel to watch an amazing sunset.

Days 19-21: Los Angeles and Hollywood, California

Santa barbara.

The drive from Pismo Beach to Los Angeles is about 2 hr 42 mins.  We stopped en-route at the stylish town of Santa Barbara.   Santa Barbara has a long golden beach, lined with palm trees, but we headed straight to the pier for more clam chowder and ice cream.

Accommodation in Los Angeles

The final days of our California itinerary were spent in Los Angeles.

On arrival in LA, we returned the car and checked into The Hilton Los Angeles-Universal City.     This is a brilliant hotel if you are planning a visit to Universal Studios, as it is walking distance.  The hotel also offers a shuttle service to Universal Park, which runs every 20 minutes.

The Hilton Los Angeles Hotel offers an impressive choice of buffet breakfast, though it is quite expensive.  However, we found this an easy option and the portions were substantial.  The hotel rooms are spacious and clean.

In the outdoor area, the pool is set in a pretty garden area.  You’ll find a small poolside bar, from which you can order food and drink.

Family things to do in Los Angeles

The biggest family attraction for families in Los Angeles is the theme park, Universal Studios .  We spent a full day here, enjoying all the rides and shows, especially the famous studio-tour.

In the evening we returned to the entertainment area, where you’ll find about 29 different eateries.  There’s loads of options for family-friendly dining, to suit all budgets. We opted for Mexican one night and Italian the next.

On day two of our 2 day itinerary in Los Angeles, we did a tour of the Hollywood Hills.  We travelled up through Beverley Hills, past the celebrities’ homes and to a viewpoint overlooking the city.

Later we returned to follow the stars on Hollywood’s famous Walk of Fame.  However, this was probably our least favourite day of our road trip.  The Walk of Fame was very crowded and not as glamorous as it appears on tv.

Top Tip:   We booked our theme park tickets in advance using Attractiontix, which gives great deals on tickets

Day 22: Los Angeles to UK

On the last day of our California road trip, we spent the morning lazing by the pool.  Then we took an overnight flight to London with British Airways .  We booked our transfer to Los Angeles Airport in advance with Supershuttle.

Practical information for your California road trip

Visa requirements.

If you are travelling from Europe, you will need an ESTA.  This is a digital authorisation which will permit you to travel without a visa.  You should arrange this in advance, using the official government site, rather than websites that will charge you

Don’t forget your customs form handed out on the plane, one per person.  Fill it in accurately or risk being sent to the back of the line!

Electricity

American appliances run on 110 volts, while European appliances are 220 volts, so you will need to take a travel adaptor if you’re travelling from outside the US.

Using Google Maps

Consider saving Google maps directions for offline use and travel. Google maps can really help if you’re lost or trying to find a unfamiliar place.  It doesn’t help you if you’re travelling abroad.  Or if you are trying to avoid roaming charges from your cellular provider. Fortunately, you can save Google Maps directions offline so you can access the info without using your data up.

Using the hotel’s free Wi-Fi, we set up directions offline on our phone before each leg of our California trip. Here’s how:-

• On your phone/tablet open the Google Maps App
• Search for your chosen route, like Las Vegas to Grand Canyon
• Tap on the ‘Download offline directions for spotty connections’
• To save battery and cell data, use ‘Wi-Fi only’ mode. In this mode when you’re not connected to Wi-Fi, Google maps will only use data from the offline areas you’ve downloaded.
• Use the Google maps app like you would normally.

This top tips will save you money on roaming fees, save data usage and is a great backup .

Travel Resources for California

Here are some of the websites we use when planning our trips.

Discover accommodation to suit all budgets at  Booking.com

Get some of the most affordable prices on flights with  Expedia

Look at some of the  best tours and trips in California

These posts will help if you are planning your own California road trip:-

US Road Trip Guide

We'd love to hear from you

Are you planning a road trip in California?  We’d love to hear your comments or questions below.

* Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission.  ( Read our full Disclosure Policy)

PIN FOR LATER: A three week road trip in California

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At Chimptrips we have a passion for travel and discovering new places. We love to explore and have adventures, both at home and abroad and want to inspire others.

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I liked the beach at Malibu a lot. And San Diego was so beautiful!

We didn’t have time to get down as far as San Diego, but would love to go.

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6 of the best road trips in Nevada

Nov 16, 2023 • 4 min read

Experience the wide open roads of Nevada with these top driving routes © Jordan Siemens / Getty Images

Those who enjoy wild and lonely places will love driving  Nevada 's scenic and remote back roads.

Whether you’re planning to add some scenic byways into a longer road trip in the USA or just want to squeeze in a bit more sightseeing, our pick of Nevada’s best drives are worth adding to your itinerary.

1. Highway 50  

Best for peace and quiet on the open road Distance: 320 miles

Stretching east from Fallon, Nevada, to Great Basin National Park and the state line, remote Hwy 50 follows some of America's most iconic routes – the Pony Express, the Overland Stagecoach and the Lincoln Highway – across the heart of the state. It was described by Life magazine in 1986 as the "Loneliest Road in America," and the name has stuck.

Planning tip:  You can pick up a Hwy 50 Survival Guide from most tourist information offices; expect mile after mile without another vehicle in sight and only austere basin expanses and rugged peaks to keep you company.

2. Las Vegas Strip Scenic Byway 

Best road trip for retro Vegas sights Distance: 5 miles

This five-mile route may be short but it’s the USA’s only night-time scenic byway and it’s an iconic drive. Here you can soak up some of the best of the Las Vegas ’ sights without diving into the craziness of the Strip (although it’s right there waiting for you when you're ready).

See the famous "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas"  sign and go "around the world" spotting the themed resorts, including Ancient Egyptian pyramids , medieval castles, the Eiffel Tower and more. It can take just thirty minutes to complete but many linger around the route for several hours exploring or taking snaps.

3. Wheeler Scenic Drive, Great Basin National Park 

Best for heart-stopping hairpin bends Distance: 12 miles

Ascending 3000ft, this out-and-back scenic drive will have your ears popping and jaw dropping at the staggering views of both Wheeler Peak and the basin floor. At each turn (these hairpins aren't for the fainthearted), the vistas just keep getting better. From the roundabout at the end of the drive, you can park up and climb the mountain (provided you're appropriately prepared). Other, shorter hikes are no less beautiful.

Local tip: Park rangers tell us the drive crosses the same number of eco-regions as exist between northern Nevada and Canada's frozen Yukon, thousands of miles north.

4. Mount Rose Highway

Best road trip for stunning alpine views Distance: 24 miles

The romantic name for State Route 431, this drive connects Lake Tahoe ’s Incline Village with Reno and includes an elevation of more than 8000ft above sea level at Mount Rose Summit. The scenic overlook three miles in is an essential stop to get the full impact of the sparkling alpine lake.

Planning tip:  If you’re undertaking this drive in the winter, always check the road conditions before you set off.

5. Pyramid Lake Scenic Byway 

Best for serene beaches Distance: 34 miles

A piercingly blue expanse in an otherwise barren landscape 25 miles north of Reno on the Paiute Indian Reservation, Pyramid Lake is a stunning standalone sight, with shores lined with beaches and eye-catching tufa (a kind of limestone) formations.

From Reno, drive north on NV-445 to descend on the lake, then back to the visitors’ center on the NV-446.

6. Red Rock Canyon

Best for dramatic landscapes Distance: 13 miles

Red Rock 's dramatic vistas are revered by Las Vegas locals and adored by visitors from around the world. Formed by extreme tectonic forces, it's thought the canyon was formed around 65 million years ago. A one-way scenic loop drive, starting from the visitors center, offers mesmerizing vistas of the canyon's most striking features.

Planning tip:  You’ll need to book a timed reservation to drive the route if visiting between October 1 and May 31. Hiking and rock-climbing trails are accessible from roadside parking areas.

Tips for driving in Nevada

• Most drivers get across Nevada on interstate highways I-80 or I-15. US 6 or US 50 are great, uncrowded alternatives.
• It takes less than two hours to drive 125 miles from Primm, on the California state line, to Mesquite near the Utah border via I-15; Las Vegas is the most popular overnight stop along this route.
• When driving across the state on I-80, Winnemucca and Elko are the most interesting places for a night's sleep.
• US Hwy 95 may be the quickest route between Las Vegas and Reno, but it's still a full day's drive without much to see or do along the way.
• Many scenic back roads are unsealed. Check with your car-rental provider to make sure you're permitted to drive off-road.
• For road conditions, especially in winter, visit Nevada Department of Transportation .

This article was first published January 2021 and updated November 2023

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Oct 8, 2021 • 6 min read

How to do the great American road trip: Nevada and Southern California

“You know the best thing about Nevada ? No mosquitoes!” The elderly assistant at the Mesquite Welcome Center was full of useful titbits as we exchanged experiences at this roadside rest stop.

His mosquito comment was offered after he learned we had driven all the way from Florida in our RV, a distance of 6,200 miles to date. Originally from the Sunshine State himself, he and his wife had settled in north-east Nevada and were thrilled at the lack of biting insects.

The absence of mosquitoes was definitely noticeable, but it wasn’t why we had taken I-15 south from Utah . This was our route to Nevada’s famous Sin City , but also a wealth of national parks and preserves.

It had started with a stunning landscape transformation through the challenging Virgin River Gorge across north-west Arizona . This 30-mile stretch of twisting, tortured highway featured a 1,500ft elevation drop and a series of switchbacks and bridges through limestone cliffs that loomed 1,000ft above our RV, Indefatigable (or Fati for short).

It was the most expensive highway ever built when completed in 1973, at a cost of $1.63 million per mile, after a 17-year construction process. Today it still provides a riveting 45-minute montage of geological wonders through the main gorge, emerging at the final bend into the dramatic Mojave Desert, complete with cactus, Joshua trees and tumbleweed.

• Read part one of Diaries from the Road here
• Read part two of Diaries from the Road here
• Read part three of Diaries from the Road here
• Read part four of Diaries from the Road here
• Read part five of Diaries from the Road here

Our minds were suitably boggled even before we reached Mesquite and its mosquito-less environment. We took a picnic lunch up to the Foothills Trailhead, affording a commanding view of the Virgin River Valley and convergence of three immense ecosystems – Utah’s Great Basin, the Colorado Plateau and the Mojave.

The classic desert panorama spread out to the southern horizon, a deceptively benign vista that was to be our constant companion for the next month. Utah had provided plenty of rugged, arid wilderness, but Nevada’s desert profile was on a different scale, an entire state composed of seemingly barren wasteland.

It’s easy to see why the Valley of Fire has been chosen by film crews looking for offworld backdrops

As we continued south on I-15, the impression of bleak emptiness was quickly dispelled, thanks to our commanding view from Fati ’s cab as, once again, our RV perspective proved invaluable.

Given the extra elevation, we could see definite signs of life amid the desolation. Different types of cactus afforded shelter and food to quail, lizards and jackrabbits, while the occasional coyote lurked with intent. There were also warnings to beware of rattlesnakes, scorpions and tarantulas, reminders of this other, more perilous, wildlife.

Anxious to avoid taking Fati into the city, we pulled into the Hitchin’ Post RV Park & Motel in North Las Vegas. It dated back to 1948 but there was nothing outmoded about its style or convenience, overlooking the famous Strip yet nicely insulated from the tourist frenzy. More importantly, it opened the door to the surrounding desert areas, where local accounts insisted the real treasure of Vegas could be found.

Sure enough, Valley of Fire State Park offered rich pickings, with 2,000-year-old petroglyphs left by the mysterious Anasazi people carved into the vivid red Aztec sandstone formations. The drive through the main valley – an official Nevada Scenic Byway – was utterly breathtaking; hiking the Elephant Rock Loop an exercise in close-quarters wonder.

It was easy to see why the valley had been chosen by a variety of film crews looking for offworld backdrops, notably for the planet Veridian III in 1994’s Star Trek: Generations and as Mars in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Total Recall .

The valley led on to Lake Mead National Recreation Area , a 1.5-million acre playground of hiking, biking and boating opportunities, all set amid a startling topography formed by billion-year-old volcanic upheavals that have been heavily eroded, leaving behind more alien planetscapes.

This image of Nevada as Hollywood’s sci-fi backyard was underlined further by Red Rock Canyon , where another compelling desertscape grabbed our attention with its jaw-dropping beauty. The 13-mile one-way drive provided multiple close-ups of more geological masterworks – scarlet sandstone and smooth grey Paleozoic limestone in contrasting bands, moulded into outlandish shapes and ravines.

For the next stage of our journey, we faced a conundrum. We wanted to see the sights of southern California, but the mileage looked prohibitive for Fati, especially with petrol at $6 a gallon in that state and an 80-gallon tank to fill. But we could manage much more in Nippy, our Ford Fiesta, so we set our sights on an RV camp in south-east Nevada from which we could reach Palm Springs, and all points in between, by car.

Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort & RV Park was perfectly situated a 100-mile drive south of Vegas on US 95. This allowed a quick detour to the engineering marvel of the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge for a superb overview of the colossal Hoover Dam.

The town of Laughlin proved a curious offshoot of Vegas, a community built on casinos and split from neighbouring Bullhead City by the Colorado River, which provided a non-stop array of water activities, from jet-skis to fishing. Behind Bullhead, the desolate, shattered shapes of the Black Mountains loomed like the menace of Mordor. It made for a stunning setting and magnificent sunsets.

From Laughlin, we planned some California dreaming. We would head south-west through the Mohave National Preserve , continue to Joshua Tree National Park , then spend a few days in the desert enclave of Palm Springs, returning via the historic Route 66 town of Needles, a round-trip of 450 miles.

We hit the jackpot. The Mohave Preserve gave us a landscape as diverse as the Golden State itself, from surprising woodlands to rugged cliffs and steep canyons, sprinkled with immense cactus fields, the surreal “booming” sands of the Kelso Dunes and the occasional – and endangered – desert tortoise.

Joshua Tree wowed us with extensive stands of its namesake plant, which, as it turned out, is not a tree but a variety of yucca that grows up to 50ft tall and sprouts offshoots, or branches, that are unique to each ‘tree.’ Joshua Tree also boasts a dazzling array of cactus, notably the prickly pear and barrel cactus, plus the cuddly-looking – but outrageously sharp – teddybear cholla, each of which thrive at different elevations.

Palm Springs opened the door to man-made delights. It was Susan’s first visit since her early twenties, and the intervening 35 years had seen an expansion of epic proportions, especially in the growth of the valley’s iconic wind turbine farm, the oldest in the US.

Surrounded by mountains but with the San Gorgonio Pass acting like a wind tunnel, Palm Springs has been the poster child for wind energy since the early 1980s. Today it continues to be at the forefront of renewable energy technology, with fewer but more powerful turbines.

For three days, we marvelled not just at the high-tech features but at the superb displays of the Palm Springs Air Museum , the Hopi-inspired Cabot Pueblo Museum and poignant Desert Holocaust Memorial in Civic Center Park, as well as a host of picture-perfect golf courses.

For somewhere to stay, the boutique charms of The Inn at Palm Springs were ideal, a dog-friendly hideaway close to the main attractions but just outside the main drag. The inn has sharp, bright rooms, neat grounds and a cute, secluded pool deck that we totally failed to relax on.

In truth, we were far too busy enjoying this urbane destination. Having spent most of our first five months on the road in small-town environments, we took full advantage of this more sophisticated setting, including elegant patio cocktails and dinner at Trio , a hearty breakfast at Grand Central (where the waffles were divine) and the upbeat California vibe of Lulu’s Bistro .

We also couldn’t ignore the signature local beverage. Shields Date Garden , with its 17-acre date grove and botanical garden, has been serving its delicious secret-recipe date shakes since 1924. Their luscious creaminess proved a tastebud-tantalising highlight.

But, after all the food and frolics, it was time to return to Fati and head east for the first time in almost six months.

Next stop: Arizona...

How to do it

• In addition to a proper RV GPS (like our Garmin 890 ), a copy of the Mountain Directory West is essential to route planning, highlighting mountain roads and passes that are best avoided.
• A tyre pressure monitor system is another vital adjunct to long-distance RV driving. We have the Eez RV 518C , which alerts us to any critical issues with our tyres.

RV Factfile

• For the best places to stay in Palm Springs, www.visitgreaterpalmsprings.com .
• Check out Nevada’s amazing outdoor recreation options at https://travelnevada.com/ .
• For nationwide RV campground choice, see https://koa.com/ .

Read more on the best USA hotel reviews

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• U.S. National Parks

The Ultimate California Road Trip

Travel from Las Vegas to San Francisco, stopping at National Parks and Napa Valley, on this epic California road trip!

Embark on an awe-inspiring journey that’ll take your breath away! Explore the picturesque beauty of California’s most celebrated national parks accompanied by the world-renowned Napa Valley, all in one spectacular road trip from Las Vegas to San Francisco.

On this 9 day road trip, witness the stunning transformation from scorching deserts to the verdant forests, passing by magnificent waterfalls and top-class vineyards on your way. We can’t wait to share with you the exquisite details of our California road trip!

The Perfect California Road Trip

This past June, David and I experienced a trip of a lifetime! We flew from Florida to Las Vegas and spent the next 9 days driving through gorgeous landmarks and scenery, finally ending in San Francisco. While we love traveling with our kids, this was an anniversary/birthday trip, so it was just us. You could also easily do the reverse of this trip and end in Las Vegas. We will share the route we took, what worked well (and what didn’t), where we stayed, and all the sights we saw along the way!

Day One: Las Vegas

Las Vegas is a great starting point for a California road trip because there are so many direct flights into the city from all over the country. Once you pick up a rental car the airport is just minutes from the Las Vegas strip, which is the perfect place to spend an afternoon and evening before heading off on your travels. Also, there are several supermarkets and stores right outside of the airport to get any gear you will need for your road trip! 

Even though we were only there for one night, it was enough to wear us out! Between the early morning flight and walking through the airport, walking up and down the strip, and exploring the different casinos, we walked over 7 miles. And this was just day one.

LEARN MORE: What to Do with One Day in Vegas

• Of course, number one is the Bellagio fountains . They play a large rotation of shows with music so stay for a few songs!
• Explore inside some of the other casino hotels to see how differently they are all decorated.
• Definitely check out the strip! Find one of the many rooftop bars and enjoy an evening of people-watching. We found a spot at Beer Park right across from the Bellagio.
• Take that iconic photo of the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign … who knows, you might run into Elvis!

Where we stayed

We got a great deal on TripAdvisor for Caesars Palace , believe it or not! This place was incredibly over the top, and we loved how it was right on the strip. There are seven pools to choose from , which we were pretty happy about since we were in the middle of the desert in June. Plus watching people gamble in the pool was pretty fun.

Day Two: Death Valley National Park

The drive from Las Vegas to Death Valley National Park the next morning was quick, just under two hours from the Vegas strip to the entrance of the park. We left our hotel about 7AM in order to get into the park before the day got too hot. We’ve detailed our day in the post linked below, we were able to see all the highlights with just one day in Death Valley.

LEARN MORE: An Epic Drive Through Death Valley National Park

• See Zabriskie Point , one of the most photographed spots in Death Valley.
• Drive up to Dantes View , 5,000 feet above sea level, to see the salt flats from above.
• Head down to Badwater Basin , the lowest point in North America.
• Walk on the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes , where several scenes of Star Wars were filmed!

After a long (and hot!) day in the car exploring Death Valley, we arrived at our hotel about two hours outside the park. We opted to stay in Tehachapi, California . This way we were well on our way to Sequoia and Kings Canyon parks the next day!

The town of Tehachapi is super cute. We asked around and found a local barbecue restaurant that all the locals recommended, Red House BBQ . Then we happened upon a place called Local Craft Beer , a tap house in a storage unit. It was the perfect end to a great day!

Tip : See our post about Driving Through Death Valley for tips about visiting in the summer, especially about how to get over the pass as you head west out of the park so your car doesn’t overheat!

On this trip especially, we were super excited to have our America the Beautiful National Park pass . We visited four national parks so the pass paid for itself right away! If you are planning on visiting more than two parks a year, the pass is definitely worth the investment. Plus it can even save you time waiting in lines to enter the parks!

Day Three: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Even though we stayed closer to Sequoia, it was still a 2½ hour drive to get into the park from Tehachapi. Thankfully, David likes to drive and I make a great co-pilot. 🙂

We stopped for gas, ice, and to restock the cooler at the small town of Three Rivers before entering Sequoia. The plan was to spend the first part of the day in Sequoia and then follow the General’s Highway into Kings Canyon. 

LEARN MORE: Spend One Day in Sequoia National Park

Sequoia National Park

What a difference Sequoia was from the day before in Death Valley! While the desert was hot, barren, quiet, and stark, the forest was shaded, lush, cool, and so green. And the trees were huuuuge. It is hard to comprehend until you are standing right underneath them just how large they really are. 

But what surprised us was the fact that the park is not just about big trees. There are forests of course, but also alpine landscapes over 14,000 feet high, and rivers, canyons, and caves. 95% of the park is wilderness, and if you drive through on the Generals Highway you can see both Sequoia and Kings Canyon in one day.

Kings Canyon National Park

Kings Canyon also has gigantic Sequoia trees, including the second largest tree in the world by volume. This park was much less crowded than Sequoia , without the long lines for hikes and to see the top sights. But the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway is really what sets this park apart from Sequoia National Park. 

LEARN MORE: Driving the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway

• Drive the Generals Highway from Three Rivers into Sequoia all the way through to Kings Canyon, and then continue on the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway. Be sure to stop at overlooks along the way. You will not be disappointed!  
• See the General Sherman and General Grant trees. They are both worth the short hikes out!
• Moro Rock in Sequoia gives you a panoramic view of the valley below, just get there early to avoid crowds.

We opted to stay in Fresno , just about halfway between Kings Canyon and Yosemite National Parks. We grabbed a burger on the road, relaxed in the hot tub at our hotel, and then went to bed early so we could get into Yosemite before the crowds the next morning!

Days Four & Five: Yosemite National Park

This part of our trip was, by far, the part we were most looking forward to. Up until now, Grand Teton National Park had been our favorite park to visit. But we had heard Yosemite was just as magnificent, and we were excited to see for ourselves!

We filled up our cooler with ice at the hotel before leaving, and we still had plenty of drinks and snacks. After a hot breakfast at the hotel in Fresno (thank you Best Western ) we drove about one and a half hours to the Yosemite National Park Wawona entrance. It took another 45 minutes or so to get into the park, apparently we arrived at the same time as everyone else!

Tip : At the entrance booth we were told between 7 and 9 AM were the busiest times to enter.

There are so many amazing sights for people of all ages and abilities in Yosemite National Park. See our post all about the best of Yosemite National Park here , and then read on for details on the rest of our California Road Trip!

LEARN MORE: How to See the Best of Yosemite National Park

• Explore Yosemite Valley . Be sure to pick a spot to watch the sunset either in the meadow by El Capitan or at Tunnel View. These sunsets are legendary!
• Hike up to Taft Point and Sentinel Dome . You get such an amazing view of the valley from up here!
• Hike to the bottom of Vernal Fall on the Mist Trail . 
• Stop at Glacier Point to relax and soak in the panoramic views of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Vernal and Nevada Fall.
• Make the short walk to Lower Yosemite Falls and cool your feet in the water below. 

We chose Yosemite View Lodge because it is the closest lodging without actually being inside the park . If you know your dates well in advance, we recommend staying at the Yosemite Valley Lodge or even in the one of the canvas tent cabins in Curry Village . If money is no option, the Ahwahnee hotel would definitely be a worthy splurge! These sites do book well in advance however.

We did enjoy the Yosemite View Lodge, although it needs some updating. There is a very large convenience store right where you check in, for groceries, gifts, beer and wine, and other local treats. Also on their property is a restaurant, and a pretty amazing pizza place! You don’t ever have to leave once you’ve come back to your hotel for the night. The lodge also has 3 pools and 6 outdoor spas, much needed after days of hiking in the parks. 

Needless to say, after just two days we fell in love with Yosemite and can’t wait to visit again. The only reason we were willing to leave is because the next day we would be sampling wines in Napa Valley! 

Days Six & Seven: Napa Valley

Driving from Yosemite View Lodge to Napa, California took less than 4 hours through Modesto and Stockton. We stayed in downtown Napa in a rented Airstream owned by an awesome couple who gave us recommendations of the best places to eat and drink, and great day trip ideas. 

LEARN MORE: How to Spend a Weekend in Napa Valley

The Sonoma Coast

On our second day in Napa, a heat wave came through and it was miserably hot. We decided to drive about an hour and a half to the Pacific Coast for the day, where the temperature was 30 degrees lower and much more refreshing.  We watched the Harbor seals, ate fresh sandwiches on the beach, and drank local wine. It was a heavenly break from the heat!

LEARN MORE: Top Sights on a California Coast Drive

• Plan a few wine tastings, but only 2 or 3 a day tops. Any more than that and you won’t remember your afternoon!
• Explore the 5 different towns in Napa Valley . Each one offers a different, and very tasty, type of wine.
• Prepare to eat, and eat well! There are tons of Michelin star restaurants all around Napa Valley. 
• If you have time, go to the coast for a day. There really is nothing like the Pacific coast!

Day Eight: San Francisco

San Francisco was our last stop on our California road trip. We’ve been before and seem to fall more in love with this beautiful city every time we come! It’s only about an hour drive from Napa to San Francisco.

Tip : Be sure to take the 101 and drive over the Golden Gate Bridge, the architecture of the bridge up close is just stunning. 

LEARN MORE: How to Spend a Day in San Francisco

Whether you start in Vegas and travel to San Francisco like we did, or if you reverse this whole trip, you will have a fantastic time. This road trip through California hits so many amazing sights, every day is different and that is what keeps things so interesting!

Our favorite memory of the trip was relaxing in the meadow in Yosemite, watching the sun set over El Capitan. It was so nice to take a moment to just reflect on the trip so far, knowing we were only halfway done! I can’t wait to do this same exact trip again some day, maybe in the fall to compare the seasons. 

Other epic road trip itineraries:

• Road trip through Utah’s five national parks
• South Florida road trip through the Florida Keys and Florida’s national parks
• Road trip to Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Telluride, Colorado

Happy Travels!

22 thoughts on “ The Ultimate California Road Trip ”

Sounds fun! I love that you travel from the manmade wonder of Las Vegas through the natural wonders of our national parks, quite the juxtaposition.

How funny Christina, that is the exact word I used to describe it: such a juxtaposition!

This was a fun read since I live between Napa and Yosemite, right below Lake Tahoe. The one place on your list I haven’t visited is Death Valley, which is definitely on my bucket list. What a fun trip you had.

I would highly recommend Death Valley, but I’ve heard it is even more beautiful (and enjoyable!) in the winter and spring!

What a fantastic trip! Thank you for all the highlights and places to stay which are extremely helpful. thank you for sharing

Looks like you had a great time here. I live in California and I just love it how many different landscapes and natural terrains can be found here. From the coast to the mountains, forests and deserts, it’s an amazing state to live in and to visit.

We would love to live in California! For now, we will just have to escape to the west coast whenever we can 🙂

What a cool trip. The photos look so stunning, especially those huge secoya trees!!!

The entire trip to California mesmerized me.

lovely photos! Im saving vegas and cali for my next visit. I just didnt have enough time before, thank you for this post

Sequoia National Park is a place I would love to see (not that I would refuse some wine tasting 😄). You have so much variety, and there is so much to see! California’s landscape looks incredible!

Looks like a wonderful trip!

It was absolutely amazing!

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How many nights did you stay at Yosemite lodge?

We were there for 3 nights, and I honestly can’t wait to go back!

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Ultimate California Arizona Nevada Road Trip Itinerary

By: Author Milijana

Posted on Published: March 18, 2021  - Last updated: January 25, 2024

Categories USA , ROAD TRIPS

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Looking for some great vacation ideas in the U.S.? What about California Arizona Nevada road trip? My California Arizona Nevada California r oad trip is on my list of the best road trips I have ever taken.

Want to find out more about a perfect California Arizona Nevada road trip ?! Read how to do the best California-Arizona Nevada road trip ever, where to go, what to see, what places to visit,  and how to plan your California Arizona Nevada road trip itinerary .

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED LINKS. PLEASE READ MY  DISCLAIMER  FOR MORE INFO. 

If you have never been to the American West and you want to visit Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and the world-famous USA southwest landmarks like Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Antelope Canyon , this California Arizona Nevada road trip is for you. The USA is one of the best countries to visit . And, California, Arizona, and Nevada have some of the most amazing sites in the USA! So, a California Arizona Nevada road trip is a must-take once in a lifetime!

Here’s a practical guide on how to do a California Arizona Nevada road trip with the guidelines: where to go, how to plan the trip route, how to see the main southwest attractions in one road trip, the top things to do, and what are must-have adventures on a California Arizona Nevada road trip.

Day 1-3 of CALIFORNIA ARIZONA NEVADA ROAD TRIP:  LOS ANGELES

Day 4-5 of california arizona nevada road trip: palm springs and sedona, day 6 of california arizona nevada road trip: page, horseshoe bend, and antelope canyon, day 7 of california arizona nevada road trip: grand canyon.

• Day 8-9 OF CALIFORNIA ARIZONA NEVADA ROAD TRIP: LAS VEGAS

Day 10 of ARIZONA NEVADA CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIP: DEATH VALLEY

Day 11-12 of nevada to california road trip: mariposa grove of giant sequoias and yosemite np, day 13-14 of arizona nevada california road trip: san francisco.

• USA SOUTHWEST ROAD TRIP ROUTE: CALIFORNIA ARIZONA NEVADA ROAD TRIP ROUTE

MAP OF USA SOUTHWEST ROAD TRIP

Usa southwest california arizona nevada trip itinerary.

This California Arizona Nevada trip goes from Los Angeles to Palm Springs in California and takes you through the desert to magical Sedona and the town of Page with spectacular Horseshoe Bend and surreal Antelope Canyon in Arizona . The trip continues to the unearthly Grand Canyon in Arizona and amusing Las Vegas in Nevada, to fascinating Death Valley , majestic Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoi a and breathtaking Yosemite NP , and utterly unique San Francisco in California.

This California Arizona Nevada trip starts in Los Angeles and ends in San Francisco. For this southwest USA road trip, you can hire a car at LAX Airport and return it at SFO Airport.  Or if you prefer to give back the car in LA, you need to know that the fastest route takes about 6 hours from SF to LA.

But you can also do this California Arizona Nevada road trip in the opposite direction too, starting in San Francisco and finishing in Los Angeles. You can hire a car at SFO Airport and return it to LAX Airport. Check out car rentals at LAX  , and car rentals at SFO 

California Arizona Nevada road trip : 

The first leg of this California Arizona Nevada trip goes from Los Angeles. The first leg is actually the California-Arizona road trip, the second leg is the Arizona-Nevada road trip , and the last leg is the Nevada-California road trip .

This California Arizona Nevada itinerary starts in Los Angeles. Rent a car at LAX airport and spend the first 3 days of your trip getting familiar with the City of Angeles. I would not recommend planning less than 3 days in Los Angeles. Most likely you will be jet-legged if you are flying to LA from a distant place, and in addition, LA is an extremely spread-out city. That’s why plan to stay 3 days in LA.

On your first day in LA, visit LA Downtown , Rodeo Drive , and Beverly Hills. And in the late afternoon visit Griffith Park and Griffith Observatory .

The next day head to Hollywood , walk on the Walk of Fame , and visit the Chinese Theatre . Drive to Hollywood Hills to see the iconic Hollywood Sign , and take a drive on Mulholland Driv e along the top of Hollywood Hills, and if you are taking this trip with your kids definitely visit Universal Studios . Visiting Universal Studios is one of the most fun things to do with kids in LA !

On the third-day visit old Culver City , J. Paul Getty Museum Centre , and Getty Villa in Malibu. Stroll Malibu beaches and try some Californian seafood in Malibu. Or simply, go to Santa Monica and visit the original Farmers Market and have some beach time on Venice Beach .

Take a fantastic Privately Customized Tour of Los Angeles to make the most of your time in LA in a short time span!

Book your stay in Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Athletic Club (downtown LA) Best Western Royal Palace Inn & Suites (west LA) Elaine’s Hollywood Bed, and Breakfast  (Hollywood) Sunset Marquis Hotel (West Holywood) Ramada Inn Marina Del Rey , Hotel Erwin (Venice Beach)

RELATED: 20 Absolutely Best Airbnbs in Los Angeles

On the 4th day, you are hitting the road on your California Arizona Nevada road trip. On the 4th day get up early in the morning and head to Palm Springs as early as possible to avoid crazy LA traffic. About a 2-hour drive takes from Los Angeles to Palm Springs.

Next stop: Palm Springs

The distance from Los Angeles to Palm Springs is 107 mi (172 km). About a 2-hour drive following the I-10 E route will take you from Los Angeles to Palm Springs.

The desert oasis of Palm Springs with the San Jacinto Mountains in the background is a perfect break before heading further to Arizona. Palm Springs has been a weekend getaway and retreat of many Holywood stars for centuries and it is famed for its mid-century architecture , hot springs, and gourmet restaurants . Make a quick stop in Palm Springs and refresh yourself in one of the fine restaurants in Palm Springs before you hit the road again. Besides that, The Legends & Icons Tour of Palm Springs could serve your sightseeing appetite in Palm Springs well. Take the fabulous The Golden Days Tour-the 40’s,50’s 60’s , if you admire the mid-century modern architecture,

RELATED: Best Vrbo Palm Springs Rentals

Next stop: SEDONA

The distance from Palm Springs to Sedona is about 380 mi (605 km). About 5 hours and a half drive following the I-10 E route across the desert will take you from Palm Springs to Sedona It means, on the 4th day when you reach Sedona, most likely it’s going to be late afternoon. You will be driving almost 8 hours from Los Angels to Sedona and you will drive through the desert the entire day. Therefore, plan 2 nights in Sedona to be able to enjoy the whole one day in Sedona to make the most of it.

Magical Sedona is famous for its sublime setting among r ed mountains with pine forests and steep canyons , but also for art galleries and spas . When in Sedona, don’t miss to check out the main sites to see in Sedona: Cathedral Rock , Bell Rock , Devil’s Bridge , and Chapel of Holly Cross . Or, if you are an outdoor lover like me, definitely check out some of the famous trails in Sedona like Red Rock Crossing , Cathedral & Bell Rock , and Boynton Canyon . In case you didn’t know, Sedona hikes are widely known as some of the best in the world!

I have to admit, I fell in love with Sedona. You might too! 😉

Check out the magical 2.5-hour Scenic Sedona Tour , or explore Sedona outback with a 1.5-hour Diamondback Gulch Jeep Tour from Sedona , or take an adventurous 3-hour Sedona Off-Road Jeep Tour to Ancient Ruins .

Book your stay in Sedona : Arabella Hotel Sedona , Cozy Cactus Bed and Breakfast , The Penrose Bed & Breakfast

On the 6th day early in the morning head to the town of Page in Arizona.

Next stop: Page. 

The distance between Sedona and Page is 163 mi (262 km). A non-stop 3-hour drive following the US-89 route will take you from Sedona to Page.

The town of Page is a small town in Arizona and there’s not much to see in it. Still, it is one of the best spring break destinations for families in the USA. On the outskirts of Page, you can find several most photographed sites in the U.S . and must-sees in the USA: Horseshoe Bend , Antelope Canyon , Glen Canyon Dam, and Lake Powel . Oh, yes, they will capture your heart and you will cherish the memory of those sites in your heart for the rest of your life. Remember, the American southwest holds the best nature spots in the USA. And, Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon are some of the best southwest nature spots!

Horseshoe Bend is only 4 mi southwest of Page. Just 5 5-minute drive south of Page following Route 89 you will see the sign ‘Horseshoe Bend Overlook’. Park your car in the parking lot and in a few minutes walk you will reach spectacular Horseshoe Bend. You will be in awe when you see the horseshoe-shaped mander of mighty Colorado!

Read more: Hiking Horseshoe Bend in Arizona

Antelope Canyon is only 5 mi southeast of Page, on US Highway 98, close to the border of Arizona and Utah. There are Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon and both of them are of striking beauty. They are on the Navajo Land, and visiting them is possible only by taking a guided tour. Whatever Antelope Canjoy you choose to see, you need to book a tour in advance. (Read: Antelope Canyon Tips – Things You Should Know Before Visiting Antelope Canyon )

Plan to sleep one night in Page Arizona. To visit Upper Antelope Canyon, buy Upper Antelope Canyon Ticket . And, for visiting Lower Antelope Canyon, buy Lower Antelope Canyon Admission Ticket . If you fancy bird eye views, this incredible 40 min Arizona Desert Helicopter Tour Including Tower Butte Landing from Page with stunning views of Navajo Land could suit your taste.

Book your stay in Page AZ:  Hyatt Place Page Lake Powell , Country Inn & Suites by Radisson ,

Next stop: Grand Canyon National Park

The distance from Page, Arizona to Grand Canyon is 137 mi (220 km). It takes 2 hours and a half drive following the US-89 route from Page to Grand Canyon.

Of course, no one wants to miss visiting Grand Canyon on their USA Southwest trip! Spectacular Grand Canyon is one of the most famous landmarks of the U.S. and a must-see in the US! Many people across the world dream to see Grand Canyon. The best way to see the magnificent Grand Canyon is to take a 45-minute Helicopter Flight Over the Grand Canyon . But if a helicopter ride is no option for you, simply check out some of the striking Grand Canyon viewpoints or do some hiking in the Grand Canyon . The 6-hour Bright Angel Trail Day Hike Tour will show you the other-worldly sights of the Grand Canyon!

If you head to Grand Canyon from Page early in the morning, you will have one day in Grand Canyon. I would recommend planning to sleep for one night in Grand Canyon, and on the next day going to Las Vegas.

Another option is to head forward from Page to Las Vegas and from McCarran Airport in Las Vegas to take a spectacular Grand Canyon All-American Helicopter Tour !

Book your stay in Grand Canyon: The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon (Tusayan) Arizona Luxury Expeditions – Grand Canyon  (Grand Canyon Village)

Next stop: Las Vegas

Day 8-9 OF CALIFORNIA ARIZONA NEVADA ROAD TRIP : LAS VEGAS

The distance from Grand Canyon to Las Vegas is 276 mi (445 km). It takes four hours and a half drive following the I-40 route from Grand Canyon to Las Vegas.

Plan to stay two nights in Las Vegas. Stroll the Las Vegas strip (Las Vegas Boulevard), watch the Bellagio Fountain show , enjoy Cirque d’ Soleil show at the Bellagio, go to the Top of the World Restaurant at the Stratosphere Hotel , Casino & SkyPod, try your luck in some of the world-famous Las Vegas casinos … have fun and keep in your mind: ‘Whatever happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas’.

Check out the one-hour-and-a-half-long Las Vegas Super Saver: Madame Tussauds with Gondola Boat Ride and Meal Upgrades tour that comes up with much fun in Las Vegas! And, Las Vegas Hot Air Balloon Ride provides lifelong memories of Las Vegas from the air.

Book your stay in Las Vegas: The Venetian® Resort Las Vegas , The Palazzo at The Venetian® , Trump International Hotel Las Vegas

The distance from Las Vegas to Death Valley is 123 mi (198 km).  Death Valley from Las Vegas is reachable in a pleasant 2 hours and half drive.

One someone mentions Death Valley, most likely you are horrified. But you know what?! Don’t be surprised if you get mesmerized by the surreal beauty of the landscapes of Death Valley.  The Death Valley Nation Park is characterized by incredible geological and biological diversit y, sand dune s, salt flats , mud, soil, volcanic craters,… and elevations going below sea level !

Plan to spend one day in Death Valley to see all of the main sites in Death Valley: Zabriskie Point, Badwater Basin , Artist’s Drive , Artist’s Palette , Devil’s Golf Course , and Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes . ( READ: Death Valley Must-See Places )

Take a night in Death Valley. A night sky full of stars in the desert landscape of Death Valley Nationa Park is something you will remember for the rest of your life.

Book your stay in Death Valley: The Inn at Death Valley , The Ranch At Death Valley

The next day a long drive awaits you. In the morning you are heading to one of the most incredible U.S. national parks: Yosemite NP with a quick stop in Mariposa Grove.

Next stop: Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.

‘The Big Tree (Sequoia gigantea) is Nature’s forest masterpiece, and, so far as I know, the greatest of living things.’ John Muir 

The distance from Death Valley National Park to Mariposa is about 325 mi (520 km). A 7-hour drive following the CA 120 route will take you from Death Valley National Park to Mariposa.

The next stop on my California Arizona Nevada itinerary was Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoia . I wanted to see giant sequoias on my trip, and the roads to Sequoia NP were closed. So, I chose Mariposa Grove as an alternative to Sequoia NP. Besides that, I was on my way to Yosemite, and visiting Mariposa Grove which is in the southernmost part of Yosemite National Park was a convenient choice. And, I wasn’t disappointed by my choice at all. On the contrary! So, I assure you, you won’t be disappointed either. Mariposa Grove is home to over 500 giant sequoias , among which probably is best known Grizzly Giant . The Grizzly Giant is a 1,880-year-old sequoia tree that stands almost 210ft.

If you prefer to visit nearby Sequoia National Park to Mariposa Grove, you should check out if the roads are open and the conditions of the roads depend on the time of year you are taking your California Arizona Nevada trip. In winter, the roads are often under snow and closed.

Next stop: Yosemite National Park

The distance from Mariposa Grove to Yosemite Valley is 33 mi (53 km). One hour’s drive following Wawona Road will take you to Yosemite Valley.

Yosemite NP is a UNESCO World Heritage site in the U.S .  covering more than 300,000 hectares of distinctive wilderness. It is especially appreciated for the biological diversity, untouched nature, thousands of lakes and ponds , valleys of unspoiled beauty, mind-blowing granite cliffs, heart-stopping waterfalls ( the five highest waterfalls in the World are in Yosemite NP !), and about 800 mi (1287 km) of thrilling hiking trails.

Yosemite Valley is the center of Yosemite NP and all roads in Yosemite lead to Yosemite Valley. Driving in Yosemite Valley is a 7-mile one-way loop along which you can see many viewpoints, waterfalls, camping areas, and tiny villages.

When in Yosemite every visitor undeniably wants to explore the main sites in Yosemite NP like Yosemite Valley , El Captain, Half Dome , Glacier Point , Yosemite Falls , Bridalveil Falls , Vernal Fall , Nevada Falls , and Tenaya Lake . There’s no doubt you want to see them all!

To see the best of Yosemite, take a marvelous Full-Day Small-Group Yosemite & Glacier Point Tour – with Hotel Pickup . And for unforgettable moments choose glamourous glamping in Yosemite .

Book your stay in Yosemite : Rush Creek Lodge at Yosemite , Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite Or check out The Best Yosemite Cabins For Rent

Next stop: San Francisco

The distance from Yosemite to San Francisco is 190 mi (307 km). A 3 hour and 40 min drive following the I-580 W route will take you to San Francisco from Yosemite NP.

Spend two or three days in SF to get insight into the town. There is much to love about San Francisco : from diverse cultures and interesting history to good food and excellent wine from the nearby Napa Valley and Sonoma County, exquisite architecture and amazing parks , and more.

If you are visiting SF for the first time, most likely you don’t want to miss visiting San Francisco landmarks like Golden Gate Bridge , SF Pier, Fisherman’s Wharf, Lombard Street , Alcatraz , The Castro neighborhood, Golden Gate Park and Promenade , Palace of Fine Arts Theatre , Filbert Steps , and China Town .

Book a 4-hour long San Francisco Grand City Tour Including Free Walking Tour to get the most out of your time in San Francisco. Book the 3-hour San Francisco Combo: Ferry Building Food Tour and Alcatraz to visit the iconic Alcatraz. And choose the 3-hour San Francisco Urban Hike: Castro and Twin Peaks tour to see some of the unique views of San Francisco.

Book your stay in San Francisco: Hotel Nikko San Francisco (5-min away from Union Square), Inn San Francisco (in the Mission), Courtyard by Marriot Fishermans Wharf (in Fisherman’s Wharf) Or check out the best Airbnbs in San Francisco

USA SOUTHWEST ROAD TRIP ROUTE : CALIFORNIA ARIZONA NEVADA ROAD TRIP ROUTE

Southwest road trip planner map

Please press button ‘+’ on the map to enlarge it

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Adonis Villanueva

Wednesday 7th of August 2019

Wow, you covered a lot on this road trip! I grew up in California so all of the California things you mentioned here are very familiar to me. I think I've driven only as far out to Utah and Las Vegas on one road trip. No arguments from me with your recommendations here :)

Wow! That is one epic road trip. I can't imagine doing all of this on one trip but certainly each destination is worth a visit on its own. I just recently went to Death Valley for the first time -- so amazing! Grand Canyon and Zion are also among my favorites.

Tuesday 6th of August 2019

This was a wonderful trip! You've been to some of the most astounding parts of the west. My favorite is Sequoia Park and Yosemite. I live in Los Angeles and did this itinerary many times before, but somehow I've always missed Antelope Valley. I've been told that place is always crowded, but somehow every picture I see the canyon seems deserted. Were you just lucky to find it empty?

Monday 5th of August 2019

This is so amazingly detailed!! I've done a version of this trip (SF to LA with a loop around big sur, sequoia, yosemite etc) but never made it as far as Arizona and Nevada. Planning on doing it in the fall though, but probably will start in Las Vegas - but I'll for sure modify parts of this itinerary as you hit a lot of the places I want to go. Thanks for sharing!!

Sunday 4th of August 2019

I absolutely love the southwestern part of the United States. All of the different colors of the desert and some of the oddest plants. I haven't been to Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon, but would really love to go sometime. Also Yosemite is on my list for sure. I want to hug a giant tree. Love your photos.

9 Most Scenic Road Trips to Take in California's Sierra Nevada

Long after the end of California's gold rush , people continue to flock to the  Sierra Nevada  mountains from across the world for its wondrous beauty. Sky-blue lakes, groves of giant sequoias, and geological wonders await those who climb the High Sierra for themselves. If you are looking for help planning an unforgettable road trip through this world-famous mountain range, here are nine of the most popular attractions for tourists in search of some of the rugged natural beauty that the Southwest is known for.

Highway 395

This scenic highway strikes through the heart of the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains, carving through desert brush and lush greenery in equal parts. At its peak of 10,000 feet and stretching over 1,300 miles, this highway offers a beautiful view of the mountain range and the state at large. Stop at the Arch Loop Trail and catch a glimpse of Mount Whitney , the tallest mountain in the contiguous  United States , before driving north to Mammoth Lakes, the site of California's biggest ski resort. Start this road trip from as far south as  Los Angeles  and end in Lake Tahoe a week later for the best results, and remember to bring your binoculars. There is always plenty to see in the Sierra Nevada.

Sierra Vista Scenic Byway

Called a "Hidden Gem" by visitcalifornia.com, this 90-minute circuit south of  Yosemite National Park  is perfect for those nature lovers who enjoy equal parts scenery and solitude. Though less frequented than some of the state's better-known sights, this full-day excursion delights with glacial peaks and rolling granite hills on a full sumptuous display. Start at Minarets Road two miles outside of North Fork, and prepare to be treated at every turn to thickly packed meadows, conifers, and the Bible-predating Bull Buck Tree. Make sure to stop at Mile High Vista, which grants a fantastic view of Mammoth Pool, an excellent place for fishing or just catching one's breath. Drive cautiously as parts of the byway may not be open early in the spring and can sometimes be closed due to road damage.

Formerly used in the 19th century to transport raw ore to refineries, Tioga Road is now open to the public and is considered one of the most scenic roads in the country due to its elevation and panoramic views of Yosemite National Park. Olmstead Point is popular with tourists nearly year-round thanks to its situation between mountainous granite folds, which roll far off into the distance. Itching for an alpine dip? Tioga Pass is also host to the splendid and picturesque Tenaya Lake. Next, stop in at the famed Mariposa Grove to see the most extensive collection of giant sequoias at Yosemite. To start this road trip, take Highway 120 toward Big Oak Flat Road until you reach Tioga for an unforgettable experience.

Gold Country Route

California's gold rush era was one of undeniable change for the state. Travelers from around the world raced to the Sierra Nevada foothills to make their fortunes panhandling for gold, and innumerable communities sprouted up to house, clothe and feed the influx of visitors to the region. Today, the Gold Rush Trail is over 300 miles of California history, beginning 14 miles south of Yosemite National Park in Oakhurst. Visit the 19th-century mining towns, which have been lovingly preserved for insight into life as a Californian settler. Head north to Jamestown's Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, where visitors can pan for gold in the pioneering tradition. Then knock back a delicious sarsaparilla and take in the scenery at Columbia State Historic Park, just like the pioneers did nearly 200 years ago.  

Ebbett's Pass

Snaking out from between Yosemite National Park and Lake Tahoe, Ebbett's Pass is equal parts rugged and secluded and has been called a must-see for those with a full tank of gas and an appetite for the sublime. From the byway, travelers can just as easily spot meadows and mineral pools as they can ancient basalt caused by contract lava thousands of years ago. The pass is part of both Highways 4 and 89 and stretches for over 60 miles. It can be found between the towns of Arnold and Markleeville of Calaveras and Alpine counties, respectively. Ebbett's Pass links two incredible California parks, Calaveras Big Trees and Grover Hot Springs. Between these two parks are wilderness areas, forests, and the Carson rivers of unmistakable beauty waiting to be enjoyed by first-time visitors and return customers alike.

Monitor Pass

Ten miles east of Ebbett's Pass is Another mountain roadway popular with motorcyclists due to its twisting turns and mild traffic. Nestled within Alpine County, Monitor Pass carves its way through the Sierra at 8,314 feet above sea level. The pass is found on California State Route 89 near the town of Markleeville from the west and south of Topaz Lake on the  Nevada  border from the east. Switchbacks cutting through aspen trees lead to the summit and views of the seemingly endless Great Basin Desert . Visitors have been known to miss the summit, so keep an eye out for a stone marker on the highway's southern edge. Sadly, Monitor Pass is usually closed for the winter, so be sure to plan this road trip during warmer seasons.

Echo Summit

Nearly 7,500 feet above sea level, this corridor of Highway 50 over Echo Summit can be as enjoyable for drivers as it is for outdoorsmen on their way to Lake Tahoe. Looking for something a little closer? Visitors to Echo Lake will find camping, fishing, hiking, and watersports are only a few of the activities on offer. Echo Summit is usually open in the winter, but do not expect the same easy riding and free-flowing traffic offered by some of the other mountain passes. Vacationers often frequent Echo Summit on their way to popular Lake Tahoe in the summer months, and it can be clogged with traffic during long weekends and holidays. Drivers can make use of the frequent starts and stops to take in the majestic views and natural beauty of the Sierra though.

Carson Pass

Leading from the humble town of Pine Grove to deep in the heart of the Sierra Nevada, the corridor of Highway 88 known as Carson Pass winds through some of the most incredible scenery on offer in the Southwest. From stunning mountain lakes which freeze solid in the winter to the titanic granite peaks cresting towards the sun in the distance, Carson Pass is a favorite among those in the know. Carson is also favored by drivers for its light traffic, especially when compared to I-80 over Donner Summit or US 50 over Echo Summit. Carson Pass is mostly open during the winter but has been known to close temporarily after storms or avalanches.

In short, the Sierra Nevada is an unforgettable natural wonder and a jewel of the American Southwest. Bursting with history, this mountain range is a bonafide national treasure nestled in the California heartland. A road trip through the High Sierra is bound to offer unbelievable world-class views and an awe-inspiring experience for young and old, regardless of which of these nine routes one chooses. Fishing, hiking, and every winter sport imaginable await visitors to the Sierra Nevada. Nature lovers looking to experience unmatched alpine beauty should definitely take a road trip through this storied Californian mountain range. 

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Pair these L.A. road trips with a hike and a lunch

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In April 2020 — only a month or so into the COVID-19 pandemic — my wife and I were running out of things to do. The novelty of Zoom calls with friends was wearing off. We’d watched lots of movies and TV. We were itching to get out of our apartment, but with the virus still raging, we couldn’t risk being around other people. Then we had an idea: Why not go for a drive?

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For our first trip, we drove the length of Little Tujunga Canyon Road in the Angeles National Forest. After that, we were hooked. In the ensuing months, we crisscrossed the Santa Monica Mountains and made trips into Los Padres National Forest and beyond.

My wife bought me a California road atlas, and it became part of our scenic drive ritual: We’d consult its pages for inspiration, looking for two-lane roads and state highways that squiggled through mountain ranges or meandered through deserts. After returning home, I’d highlight our route. Four years after our first drive, the atlas is full of highlights documenting our travels — and there’s still a lifetime’s worth of backroads we haven’t covered yet.

No matter where we go, each drive gives me a deeper appreciation for the incredible range of landscapes in Southern California. And these journeys have led to many rewarding discoveries, from out-of-the-way diners to new trailheads for hiking and biking.

If you’re tired of visiting the same places, it’s time to hit the road. These two trips — all within a three-hour drive of the city — will get you started.

Los Padres National Forest and Carrizo Plain National Monument This route traverses winding mountain roads through Los Padres and spits you out near the southern entrance to Carrizo Plain — a vast preserve of native grassland and a hotspot for wildflowers (at least on some years ) and birdwatching . From Interstate 5, take Exit 205 and head west on Frazier Mountain Park Road. This two-lane road changes names several times as it ascends into the San Emigdio Mountains, passing forested slopes and epic canyon views along the way.

After about 42 miles, you’ll meet California 166. Take a right here and then a left on Soda Lake Road to enter Carrizo Plain National Monument. Drive northwest for 35 miles to the parking lot for the Soda Lake Trail, a short boardwalk that gets you up close to the park’s salt-crusted lake. If you plan ahead, you can also book a guided tour of Painted Rock, a sandstone outcrop with Native American rock art.

Hungry? Head back the way you came, take a right on California 166, and drive west 15 miles to the Cuyama Buckhorn , a renovated ’50s motel, restaurant and bar. The eatery’s Santa Maria-style tri-tip is superb, and if you grab a room, you can turn this scenic drive into a full weekend escape .

Volcan Mountain and Julian This route will take you to Julian , a mountain town famous for its apple orchards and delicious pies. From Interstate 15, take Exit 58 for California 79. Take a right on Pechanga Parkway and head south. The road becomes Pala Temecula Road and emerges into a wide canyon with mountains towering on either side. Take a left at Pala Mission Road and continue east on California 76, which hugs the San Luis Rey River before ascending more than 1,000 feet up a chaparral-covered ridgeline.

After some hairpin turns, the road levels off and skirts Lake Henshaw, a picturesque reservoir. Take a right on California 79, and after 10 miles, take a left on Wynola Road. Follow that road for about 3.5 miles, then take a left on Farmer Road to arrive at Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve. Stretch your legs on the Five Oaks Trail , a 1.2-mile path that ascends the western flank of Volcan Mountain and offers sweeping views of the orchards below.

With your appetite revved up, head south on Farmer Road into Julian and make a stop at the Julian Pie Co . Grab a well-deserved slice of apple pie and some apple cider and rest your feet at a picnic table while you chow down.

3 things to do

1. Race plankton in Manhattan Beach In celebration of Earth Day, the Roundhouse Aquarium will hold a day full of educational activities inside and outside its facilities. Highlights include dolphin spotting, a fish feeding, crafts, games, a “shark shack” and, yes, plankton racing. The festivities kick off at 10:30 a.m. Saturday and go until 4 p.m. The event is free, but be sure to register ahead of time at roundhouseaquarium.org .

2. Go gardening in San Pedro Give back to the land by planting native species, removing weeds, mulching and watering the White Point Nature Preserve’s garden with the folks at Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy. You’ll also have the chance to enter a raffle and take a guided nature walk. As a bonus, refreshments will be provided by Starbucks to keep you cool and hydrated. The three-hour event begins at 9 a.m. Saturday. All volunteers under age 16 should be accompanied by an adult, and all volunteers under age 18 must have a parent or guardian sign a waiver at the event. Register at pvplc.com .

3. Stretch your legs on Venice Boulevard CicLAvia is back. And this time it’s shutting down a 5.75-mile stretch of Venice Boulevard that connects Palms, Mar Vista and Venice Beach for walkers, joggers, bikers, roller skaters, unicyclers, penny-farthings, pogo sticks — anything as long as it’s completely powered by humans. There will be three local hubs along the route where you’ll be able to partake in family-friendly activities, pump air into your bike’s tires, refill your water bottle and use the restroom. Be sure to reference CicLAvia’s digital map so you can scope out the local businesses you’d like to visit along the way. It all takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. For more information about the event and the area it covers, visit ciclavia.org .

The must-read

The Klamath River in Northern California has turned brown and muddy, but that’s a good thing. As Times writer Ian James reports , it’s a side effect of the largest dam removal project in history, which aims to restore the river to its natural state. Four dams are being removed along the Klamath, and the river is passing freely through tunnels in three of them, draining reservoirs and churning up an estimated 2.3 million tons of sediment that had settled along the bottom of those man-made lakes. Although the turbid water might look ugly, restoration advocates and tribal leaders see it as a sign of healing. The muck is passing out of the Klamath, and new life — everything from salmon heading upstream to native plant seedlings along the riverbanks — will soon take its place.

Happy adventuring,

Want to try birding but don’t have binoculars? Head to the Audubon Center in Ernest E. Debs Regional Park. The center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, and you can borrow a free pair of binoculars (as well as a birding guide, backpack and other gear) to help you spot the 140 species of birds that call the park home.

For more insider tips on Southern California’s beaches, trails and parks, check out past editions of The Wild . And to view this newsletter in your browser, click here .

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Michael Charboneau is a freelance writer covering gear and the outdoors, and he’s writing The Wild newsletter for a few months. He has written for a variety of publications, including Men’s Journal, Runner’s World and InsideHook, and he lives in West L.A. When he’s not writing, he can be found running, hiking and biking around Los Angeles and its mountains.

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April 22, 2024

Making history: brightline west breaks ground on america’s first high-speed rail project connecting las vegas to southern california  , officials hammer the first spike commemorating the groundbreaking for brightline west.

LAS VEGAS (April 22, 2024)  – Today, Brightline West officially broke ground on the nation's first true high-speed rail system which will connect Las Vegas to Southern California. The 218-mile system will be constructed in the middle of the I-15 and is based on Brightline’s vision to connect city pairs that are too short to fly and too far to drive. Hailed as the greenest form of transportation in the world, Brightline West will run zero emission, fully electric trains capable of speeds of 200 miles per hour. Brightline West is a watershed project for high-speed rail in America and will establish the foundation for the creation of a new industry and supply chain. The project was recently awarded $3 billion in funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill. The rest of the project will be privately funded and has received a total allocation of $3.5 billion in private activity bonds from USDOT.

The groundbreaking included remarks from U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Brightline Founder Wes Edens, Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, Sen. Jacky Rosen, Senior Advisor to President Biden Steve Benjamin and Vince Saavedra of the Southern Nevada Building Trades. In addition, Nevada Reps. Dina Titus, Susie Lee and Steve Horsford and California Reps. Pete Aguilar and Norma Torres made remarks and joined the celebration. More than 600 people, including union representatives, project supporters and other state and local officials from California and Nevada, attended the event.

“People have been dreaming of high-speed rail in America for decades – and now, with billions of dollars of support made possible by President Biden’s historic infrastructure law, it’s finally happening,” said Secretary Buttigieg. “Partnering with state leaders and Brightline West, we’re writing a new chapter in our country’s transportation story that includes thousands of union jobs, new connections to better economic opportunity, less congestion on the roads, and less pollution in the air.”

“This is a historic project and a proud moment where we break ground on America’s first high-speed rail system and lay the foundation for a new industry,” said Wes Edens, Brightline founder. “Today is long overdue, but the blueprint we’ve created with Brightline will allow us to repeat this model in other city pairs around the country.”

CONSTRUCTION OF BRIGHTLINE WEST

Brightline West's rail system will span 218 miles and reach speeds of 200 mph. The route, which has full environmental clearance, will run within the median of the I-15 highway with zero grade crossings. The system will have stops in Las Vegas, Nev., as well as Victor Valley, Hesperia and Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.

The privately led infrastructure project is one of the largest in the nation and will be constructed and operated by union labor. It will use 700,000 concrete rail ties, 2.2 million tons of ballast, and 63,000 tons of 100% American steel rail during construction. Upon completion, it will include 322 miles of overhead lines to power the trains and will include 3.4 million square feet of retaining walls. The project covers more than 160 structures including viaducts and bridges. Brightline West will be fully Buy America Compliant.

STATIONS AND FACILITIES

Brightline West will connect Southern California and Las Vegas in two hours or almost half the time as driving. The Las Vegas Station will be located near the iconic Las Vegas Strip, on a 110-acre property north of Blue Diamond Road between I-15 and Las Vegas Boulevard. The site provides convenient access to the Harry Reid International Airport, the Las Vegas Convention Center and the Raiders’ Allegiant Stadium. The station is approximately 80,000 square feet plus parking.

The Victor Valley Station in Apple Valley will be located on a 300-acre parcel southeast of Dale Evans Parkway and the I-15 interchange. The station is intended to offer a future connection to the High Desert Corridor and California High Speed Rail. The Victor Valley Station is approximately 20,000 square feet plus parking.

The Rancho Cucamonga Station will be located on a 5-acre property at the northwest corner of Milliken Avenue and Azusa Court near Ontario International Airport. The station will be co-located with existing multi-modal transportation options including California Metrolink, for seamless connectivity to Downtown Los Angeles and other locations in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. The Rancho Cucamonga Station is approximately 80,000 square feet plus parking.

The Hesperia Station will be located within the I-15 median at the I-15/Joshua Street interchange and will function primarily as a local rail service for residents in the High Desert on select southbound morning and northbound evening weekday trains.

The Vehicle Maintenance Facility (VMF) is a 200,000-square-foot building located on 238 acres in Sloan, Nev., and will be the base for daily maintenance and staging of trains. This site will also serve as one of two hubs for the maintenance of way operations and the operations control center. More than 100 permanent employees will report on a daily basis once operations begin and will serve as train crews, corridor maintenance crews, or operations control center teammates. A second maintenance of way facility will be located adjacent to the Apple Valley station.

The Las Vegas and Southern California travel market is one of the nation’s most attractive corridors with over 50 million trips between the region each year. Additionally, Las Vegas continues to attract visitors from around the world, with 4.7 million international travelers flying into the destination. The city dubs itself on being the world’s No. 1 meeting destination, welcoming nearly 6 million people to the Las Vegas Convention Center last year.

In California, approximately 17 million Southern California residents are within 25 miles of the Brightline West station sites. Studies show that one out of every three visits to Las Vegas come from Southern California.

ECONOMIC & ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Brightline West's $12 billion infrastructure investment will create over $10 billion in economic impact for Nevada and California and will generate more than 35,000 jobs, including 10,000 direct union construction roles and 1,000 permanent operations and maintenance positions. The investment also includes over $800 million in improvements to the I-15 corridor and involves agreements with several unions for skilled labor. The project supports Nevada and California's climate goals by offering a no-emission mobility option that reduces greenhouse gasses by over 400,000 tons of CO2 annually – reducing vehicle miles traveled by more than 700 million each year and the equivalent of 16,000 short-haul flights. The company will also construct three wildlife overpasses, in partnership with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Caltrans for the safe passage of native species, primarily the bighorn sheep.

BRIGHTLINE FLORIDA

Brightline’s first rail system in Florida connecting Miami to Orlando began initial service between its South Florida stations in 2018. In September 2023, Brightline’s Orlando station opened at Orlando International Airport, connecting South Florida to Central Florida. The company has plans to expand its system with future stops in Tampa, Florida’s Space Coast in Cocoa and the Treasure Coast in Stuart.

BRIGHTLINE WEST

ABOUT BRIGHTLINE WEST

Brightline is the only private provider of modern, eco-friendly, intercity passenger rail service in America – offering a guest-first experience designed to reinvent train travel and take cars off the road by connecting city pairs and congested corridors that are too short to fly and too long to drive. Brightline West will connect Las Vegas and Southern California with the first true high-speed passenger rail system in the nation. The 218-mile, all-electric rail service will include a flagship station in Las Vegas, with additional stations in Victor Valley and Rancho Cucamonga. At speeds up to 200 miles per hour, trains will take passengers from Las Vegas to Rancho Cucamonga in about two hours, twice as fast as the normal drive time.

Brightline is currently operating its first passenger rail system connecting Central and South Florida with stations in Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and Orlando, with future stations coming to Stuart and Cocoa. For more information, visit  www.brightlinewest.com  and follow on  LinkedIn ,  X ,  Instagram  and  Facebook .

QUOTE SHEET

“Through this visionary partnership, we are going to create thousands of jobs, bring critical transportation infrastructure to the West, and create an innovative, fast, and sustainable transportation solution. Nevada looks forward to partnering with Brightline on this historic project.”  - Governor Joe Lombardo, Nevada

“Today, not only are we breaking ground on a historic high-speed rail project here in Nevada, we are breaking ground on thousands of good paying American jobs, union jobs.”  - Steve Benjamin, Senior Advisor to the President and Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement

“For decades, Nevadans heard about the promise of high-speed rail in our state, and I’m proud to have led the charge to secure the funding to make it a reality. Today’s groundbreaking is the beginning of a new era for southern Nevada -- creating thousands of good-paying union jobs, bringing in billions of dollars of economic development, enhancing tourism to the state, reducing traffic, and creating a more efficient and cleaner way to travel. This is a monumental step, and I’m glad to have worked across the aisle to make this project come true.”  - Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

“Having high-speed rail in Las Vegas will electrify our economy in Southern Nevada, and I’m thrilled to celebrate this milestone today. This project is on track to create tens of thousands of good-paying union jobs while cutting down traffic on I-15, and I’ll keep working with the Biden Administration to get this done as quickly as possible and continue delivering easier and cleaner transportation options for everyone in Nevada.”  - Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV)

“Today’s groundbreaking is a historic step in modernizing rail service in the United States. Californians driving between the Los Angeles region and Las Vegas often face heavy traffic, causing emissions that pollute the air in surrounding communities. The Brightline West Project will provide travelers with more options—helping Californians and visitors alike get to their final destination without facing gridlock on the road.”  - Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

"High-speed rail in the Southwest has been a dream as far back as the nineties when Governor Bob Miller appointed me to the California-Nevada Super Speed Train Commission. As a senior Member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, I am honored to have helped write the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and secure $3 billion to turn that dream into a reality which will generate millions of dollars in tax revenue, reduce carbon emissions by easing traffic on Interstate 15, and create thousands of good-paying union jobs. I am proud to stand with advocates and transportation leaders as we break ground on the Brightline West project and look forward to welcoming high-speed passenger rail to Southern Nevada."  - Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-1)

“For decades, high-speed rail was just a dream in southern Nevada – but now, I’m beyond proud that we finally made it a reality. I worked across the aisle to help negotiate, craft, and ultimately pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law because I knew it would kickstart transformative projects like Brightline West that will stand the test of time. Together, we’re cutting down on traffic, boosting our tourism economy, and creating thousands of good-paying union jobs.”  - Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-3)

“I am proud to join Brightline West for the groundbreaking of this monumental project for Southern Nevada and the southwestern United States. By connecting Las Vegas to Southern California via high-speed rail, we will boost tourism, reduce congestion on the I-15 corridor, and create jobs. The impact on our local economy and the people of the Silver State will be tremendous. In my conversations with Secretary Buttigieg, Brightline West, and our Nevada labor leaders, I know that local workers and our Nevada small businesses will benefit from this transformational investment. This will be the nation's first true high-speed rail system, blazing a new path forward for our nation’s rail infrastructure, and we hope it will serve as a blueprint for fostering greater regional connections for many other cities across the country.  - Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-4)

“Brightline West’s groundbreaking today marks the construction of a dynamic high-speed rail system that will link Las Vegas, Hesperia, and Apple Valley to Rancho Cucamonga’s Metrolink Station, creating new jobs and fostering economic growth in California’s 23rd Congressional District. This convenient alternative to driving will reduce the number of cars on the road, decreasing emissions and reducing congestion in our High Desert communities. This is an exciting step and I look forward to the completion of this project.”  - Congressman Jay Obernolte (CA-23)

"Today's groundbreaking on the Brightline West high-speed rail project marks an incredible milestone in the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to fulfilling the promise of high-speed rail and emissions-free transportation across the country. As a longtime supporter of this project, I helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has already invested over $3 billion to support the completion of this project. By increasing transportation options, spurring job creation and new economic opportunities, and improving our environment through cutting over 400,000 tons of carbon pollution each year, this project will be transformative to my district and all of Southern California for generations—particularly in and around the last stop in Rancho Cucamonga. With the goal of being operational in time for Los Angeles to host the Summer Olympic Games in 2028, I look forward to Brightline West facilitating travel for the millions visiting our region and elevating our 21st-century connectivity on the global stage."  - Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-28)

"As the Member of Congress that represents the City of Rancho Cucamonga and a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, it is my honor to participate in breaking ground on one of the most highly anticipated high-speed rail projects in the country. We gathered today thanks to the Biden Administration's leadership, which enacted the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act to fund vital projects like this and transform our economy. The Brightline project is a stellar illustration of the power of successful public-private partnerships. Thanks to all the labor unions, Tribes, and wildlife advocates for their hard work, which brought this project to life. The bright line is fully electric and has zero emissions, which is excellent for our environment. I am eagerly anticipating the completion of this project in my district and look forward to seeing everyone there."  - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35)

Media Contact

Vanessa Alfonso [email protected]