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3 Weeks in California – An Epic Road Trip Itinerary

October 16 |  3 comments

Have you been dying to take an epic California road trip but don’t want to deal with all that planning? I’ve done the hard work for you!

Last September me and hubby took a road trip taking in the best California has to offer. Below is our exact itinerary with slight tweaks to make it even better for you. If I had the chance to do it again this would be it!

Itinerary – Breakdown

• 2 nights – Los Angeles
• 2 nights –  Santa Barbara
• 1 night – Solvang
• 1 night – Cambria
• 2 nights – Carmel & Monterey
• 3 nights – San Francisco
• 2 nights – Napa Valley
• 3 nights – Yosemite
• 1 night – Lone Pine incl. Death Valley
• 3 nights – Las Vegas

Itinerary – Day by Day

Day 1 – los angeles.

Today you arrive in sunny Los Angeles for the start of an epic road trip! If you don’t have your own car collect your rental and drive to your hotel. Let me warm you, you will get stuck in traffic! Check in to your room for a 2 night stay then head out to explore the area. I’d recommend booking a hotel close to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, then you can spend the evening exploring nearby before tomorrows busy day.

Day 2 – Los Angeles

Get up early as it’s a busy day! Head to Venice beach and take a stroll along the boardwalk. If you are here early it won’t be busy. You can enjoy a peaceful walk on the beach dipping your toes in the ocean. Jump back in the car and head for Santa Monica pier. Enjoy the rides, people watch or grab a bite to eat. Don’t get too comfy though as you are off to the Griffith observatory. Make sure you arrive before sunset to catch an amazing view over the city.

Day 3 – Santa Barbara

Today begins the road trip! You will be heading off on Highway 1 towards Santa Barbara. Drive through star studded Malibu admiring the houses lining the beach. After a brief drive on Highway 101 you arrive in beautiful Santa Barbara. Check into your hotel before heading into town to do some shopping and grabbing some dinner.

Day 4 – Santa Barbara

Today is a relaxing day! Enjoy what Santa Barbara has to offer. Visit the pier, stroll along the beach or visit the marina. If your hotel has a pool why not spend some time lounging around it.

Day 5 – Solvang

Before heading off along the coast again, today you will drive a short while inland. There is a little gem that you don’t want to miss called Solvang, a Danish town in California. Check in to your hotel for your overnight stay before heading out and exploring this quaint little town.

Day 6 – Cambria

Today you rejoin Highway 1 and head for Cambria. Enjoy the coastal scenery along the drive. You might want to stop at Morro Bay to stretch your legs. Don’t forget to admire the giant rock! Once you reach Cambria check into your hotel before heading out for dinner. I’d recommend staying at one of the Inns lining the seafront on Moonstone Beach Drive. Firstly, so you can enjoy the view from your bedroom and secondly so you can take an early morning stroll on the beach.

Day 7 – Carmel

Today you should be excited because you get to experience the beauty of Big Sur! After your early morning stroll on the beach head back onto Highway 1 towards Carmel. You could at this point visit Hearst castle. Personally I’d rather spend more time enjoying the coastal road. Make sure you stop often to take photos and enjoy the views. Must see stops are Elephant Seal Beach, Ragged Point, Mcway Falls and the Bixby Bridge. Today’s journey ends in Carmel so check into your hotel for a 2-night stay.

Day 8 – Carmel

It’s an early start again today as there is a lot to see. Start off by doing the 17 mile drive for some gorgeous scenery. Next head over to Carmel by the Sea to visit this cute little beach town. You can either head to the beach and relax or wander around the shops. Finish off the day with a quick trip to Monterey to see Cannery Row and the aquarium.

Day 9 – San Francisco

Hit the road again today as we are heading to San Francisco. A nice stop along the way is Pigeon Point lighthouse. If you are lucky you will get to experience the thick fog rolling in and clearing just as quickly! A surreal experience. Once you reach the city be prepared for traffic and lots of it. I’d recommend staying in Fisherman’s Wharf as its nice and close to the Piers. Check in to your hotel and head out to get your first taste of San Fran and grab some dinner.

Day 10 – San Francisco

Make sure you have booked onto the first tour to Alcatraz today so you arrive before the crowds. Spend some time exploring the island before heading back to the mainland on the ferry. If you are feeling energetic hire a bike from Blazing Saddles and head towards the iconic Golden Gate bridge. Cycle across to the pretty little village of Sausalito, then head back over on the ferry.

Day 11 – San Francisco

Today grab an early ride on the cable cars before it gets too busy. Hop off at Lombard Street to take a look at the worlds most crooked street. Make sure to take some photos before hopping back on the cable car to Union Square. Spend some time in the shopping district and grab a bite to eat. Once you are all shopped out take a walk up to Coit Tower. Make sure you have your comfy shoes on and remember how steep those streets are! If walking isn’t your thing there is a bus which stops at the tower. Spend some time at the top for amazing views over the city. If you get lucky tonight you might be able to catch a baseball game, be sure to check this out and book before you begin your road trip.

Day 12 – Napa Valley

Say goodbye to San Francisco today and drive over the iconic Golden Gate Bridge towards Napa Valley. On the way take a detour to Muir Woods National Monument to take a walk among the giant redwoods. Make sure you get here early as the car park is small and it gets busy. Check in to your hotel in Napa for a 2-night stay.

Day 13 – Napa Valley

Today why not go on some wine tasting tours? Take a trip on the Napa Valley wine train or if you prefer to be more active you can even take bike tours of Napa’s wineries.

Day 14 – Yosemite National Park

You will want an early start today as the drive to Yosemite is a long one. Make sure to stay within the park as it is right in the heart of it all. Once you check in make sure to empty EVERYTHING out of your car! You don’t want the bears breaking in looking for food during the night. Spend the afternoon/evening having dinner and relaxing in the bar.

Day 15 – Yosemite National Park

Head over to the information center early today and book on to an afternoon coach tour up to Glacier Point. Spend the morning doing the super easy hike to the bottom of Yosemite falls. If you visit in September time the falls is going to be completely dry but it’s still worth a walk. Grab some lunch before your afternoon tour starts. You will be driven up tiny windy roads on the cliff edge on a full sized coach so make sure you aren’t scared of heights! You only get a set amount of time up at Glacier Point if you are taking the coach back down, so take lots of photos and enjoy the view. If you are feeling adventurous however you can hike back down to the valley floor.

Day 16 – Yosemite National Park

Jump on the shuttle bus this morning outside the information center. Get off at stop 16 – the start of the hike for Vernal and Nevada Falls. Take the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls and grab a breather at the bottom to enjoy the view. Continue up the steep rocky staircase to the top and celebrate because you made it! Head towards Nevada Falls and enjoy the view from the bottom. Now you can either continue on to the top of Nevada Falls or backtrack and hike back down the John Muir Trail to the valley. ( Please note – some parts of the trails are closed in winter )

Day 17 – Lone Pine

It’s a long drive today to the overnight stop off point in Lone Pine so get an early start. Head further into the park and drive through the scenic Tuolumne Meadows and along the Tioga Pass road ( closed in winter ). Don’t forget to make frequent stop offs at scenic points along the route. You will want to come back again and stay in the Meadows as Yosemite has so much more to offer. Once you arrive in Lone Pine take a dip in your motel pool if you have one or explore this cute little town.

Day 18 – Las Vegas via Death Valley

Another long drive today but before you arrive at the final destination on this epic road trip you get to spend some time in Death Valley National Park. Some points along the route towards Las Vegas are the Sand Dunes, Artists Drive and Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America. Once you arrive in Las Vegas if you have a hire car head straight to the airport to drop it off as you will no longer be needing it. Jump in a taxi to your hotel on the strip and spend the evening relaxing.

Day 19 – Las Vegas

So much to do and so little time! If this is your first visit to Vegas today spend the day wandering along the strip exploring the extraordinary hotels. If it isn’t, why not have a pool day to relax after all that driving. Spend the evening in the Casinos having some (responsible) fun!

Day 20 – Las Vegas

This is your last day so make the most of it. You could visit a shooting range, do some shopping or even take a day trip to the Grand Canyon. In the evening take a taxi over to Freemont Street and experience downtown Las Vegas. Have a go on the Slotzilla zip lines which take you flying right from one end to the other.

Day 21 – Home Time

Time to pack up and head home today. I hope your road trip was epic!

Phew what a fun filled & scenic California road trip! It can easily be extended or shortened as required. Let me know if you plan on taking this trip or similar in the comments below!

If you have any questions feel free to ask away 🙂

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[…] may like my California Road Trip Itinerary or my California Road Trip Travel […]

[…] Our epic 24-night honeymoon road trip around California started in Los Angeles. We drove up the Pacific Coast Highway to San Francisco, hiked in Yosemite, and gambled in Las Vegas. I am super excited to share this journey with you and I hope it inspires you to go on your own amazing road trips. If you are looking for a more condensed California road trip itinerary without any fluff check out my epic road trip itinerary. […]

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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.

Two days in Las Vegas

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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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California Road Trip: A 21-Day Suggested Itinerary

California is the third-largest state in the country and home to over 40 million people, as well as a range of environments and landscapes: dense forests in the north, rugged mountains in the east, majestic deserts in the south, world-class beaches on the coast, and the fabulous wine regions in the west and in the Central Valley.

And it’s perfect for road trips.

I’ve already outlined an awesome seven-day itinerary for Southern California , but today I wanted to share a longer, more comprehensive route for anyone who has a few weeks to explore more of the state’s cities and landscapes.

Even with three weeks, you’ll still miss a lot of great spots in this state (I mean, you could spend months traveling California), but this suggested itinerary hits some of my favorite major — and not so major — places.

Table of Contents

Days 1–3: San Francisco

Day 4: big sur, days 5–7: los angeles, days 8–9: san diego, days 10–12: joshua tree national park, days 13–15: sequoia national park & kings canyon national park, days 16–18: yosemite national park, days 19–20: napa valley, day 21: back to san francisco.

• Walk the Golden Gate Bridge – When it opened, the Golden Gate Bridge was the world’s longest and tallest suspension bridge, stretching some 4,200 feet. It offers incredible views of the bay and the ships coming and going. You can walk across it too.
• Tour Alcatraz – Alcatraz is one of the country’s most infamous former prisons. It housed some of the worst criminals, such as Al Capone. Today, it’s a national landmark in which you can take tours of the prison, step foot in the cells, and learn about its history. Admission is $53.25 USD (this includes round-trip transportation by boat, entrance fees, and an audio guide).
• Visit the Beat Museum – Dedicated to the 1950s Beat Generation, this unique museum houses original manuscripts, rare books, letters, and more from authors like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. It also holds regular events, so check the website to see if anything is happening during your visit. Admission is $8 USD.
• Take a food tour – San Francisco is known for its foodie culture. If you want to cast a wide culinary net and try a lot of different cuisines and dishes, consider taking a food tour. Some companies to check out are SF Native Tours and Secret Food Tours . Tours are generally around $79 USD.
• Explore Chinatown – When immigrants from China first came to America, many set up shop in San Francisco. Today, in the biggest Chinatown in the US, you’ll find some of the best Chinese food in the country, as well as wonderful teahouses, bars, souvenir stalls, and fortune cookie makers.
• Relax at Golden Gate Park – This gigantic park is a great place to walk or relax. It features a Japanese garden, museums, an arboretum, a carousel, and many hiking and walking trails. It’s 20% bigger than New York’s Central Park, so you easily could spend an entire day here!

For more suggestions, here’s a detailed list of things to see and do in San Francisco .

Where to Stay

• HI San Francisco – Downtown – HI Downtown has some standard perks, like free breakfast and free towels, but the staff also organize a lot of events, including pub crawls, trips to Muir Woods and Yosemite, and bike tours across the Golden Gate Bridge.
• Green Tortoise Hostel – This lively hostel is my favorite in the city. It offers free breakfast, free dinners multiple times per week, and even a free sauna! It’s a party hostel, so be sure to stay here only if you’re looking to meet people and get rowdy.

For more suggestions, here’s a full list of my favorite hostels in San Francisco!

And if you need a rental car to kick-start your trip, check out Discover Cars . They search rental agencies big and small to find the best deals.  

Where to Stay I suggest staying at least one night around Big Sur (or just south of the region) to split up the drive to LA. If you don’t have camping gear, Airbnb has a lot of places around the area. You can also just pop into any of the numerous cheap motels nearby too.  

Here are some suggestions on how to fill your days:

• Hit the beach – Venice Beach is an iconic LA hot spot where you’ll encounter all kinds of street performers, surfers, roller skaters, and locals and tourists alike soaking up the sun. Other beaches worth checking out are Carbon Beach, Santa Monica State Beach, Huntington City Beach, and El Matador.
• See the Le Brea Tar Pits – Located in Hancock Park, these natural asphalt pits have existed for over 50,000 years. Tons of fossils preserved for centuries have been found in them, and there’s a museum nearby that has lots of interesting information about them and how they came to be. Adult admission is $15 USD.
• See the Hollywood Sign – You can snap pictures of the sign from pretty much anywhere in Hollywood. However, it’s also possible to hike up to the sign itself to take in the view. The three trails that you can take (from easiest to hardest) are the Mt. Hollywood Trail, the Brush Canyon Trail, and the Cahuenga Peak Trail. Bring water, because the hike will take a few hours.
• Visit LACMA – Home to some 150,000 works, the LA County Museum of Art is the largest art museum in the western USA. It has collections from pretty much every era throughout history and every region of the world. Admission is $25 USD.
• See The Last Bookstore – This is one of my favorite bookstores in the world. It also sells records, has art displays, and features a cool upstairs area with cheap used books. Browse the shelves, grab a coffee, and buy a book for your journey.
• Stroll down Hollywood Boulevard – Don’t miss the Walk of Fame (where celebrities have their names engraved in the sidewalk) and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre (featuring stars’ handprints and footprints).
• Tour the Getty Museum – This art museum opened in 1997 and boasts a diverse collection of paintings, manuscripts, drawings, and other artwork. The collection runs from the 8th century to the present day, so there is something for everyone. Admission is free.
• Go hiking – Get out and stretch your legs on the city’s hiking trails. Some worth checking out are the Charlie Turner Trail (90 minutes), Baldwin Hills (30 minutes), Runyon Canyon (45 minutes), Portuguese Bend Reserve (3 hours), and Echo Mountain (3-3.5 hours).
• Visit The Broad – This contemporary art museum is one of the city’s newest. Opened in 2015, it has over 2,000 pieces of art. It also has a rotating series of temporary exhibitions too (check the website to see what’s on during your visit). Admission is free, though you must reserve a timed entry slot in advance.

For a much longer list on what to see and do in LA, check out my Los Angeles travel guide .

Moreover, the city also has innumerable world-class food options. Some places I really like are Musso & Frank Grill, Dan Tana’s, Meals by Genet, The Butcher’s Daughter, and Sugarfish.

• Banana Bungalow Hollywood – A laid-back but social hostel that organizes lots of activities and makes it easy to meet people. If you want to party and have fun, this is the place for you!
• Freehand Los Angeles – This hostel/hotel features designer rooms with comfortable beds, a rooftop pool and bar with amazing views of the city, a lobby bar, a restaurant, and even a fitness center.

For more suggestions, here’s a list of my favorite hostels in Los Angeles.  

Here are some suggestions for things to see and do during your visit:

• Visit the USS Midway Museum – This aircraft carrier, commissioned right after World War II, was the largest ship in the world until 1955 and saw action in numerous conflicts, including Vietnam. It was decommissioned in 1992 and became a museum. You can explore the flight deck as well as many of the rooms below. Admission is $32 USD and you can get them in advance here .
• Hike Point Loma – Walk out to the tip of the peninsula where Europeans first arrived in California and enjoy the serene views, visit the lighthouse (built in 1855), and watch locals climb the rocks and cliffs of Osprey Point.
• Explore the San Diego Zoo – This is one of the best zoos in the country. Located in Balboa Park (see below), it has over 3,500 animals and 700,000 plant species. It’s a massive, 1,800-acre park where you could easily spend an entire day. If you’re traveling with kids, don’t miss it. A one-day adult pass is $72 USD.
• Admire Balboa Park – In addition to the zoo, Balboa Park also offers dozens of museums, as well as walking paths, sports fields, gardens, greenhouses, stadiums, theaters, and much more. It’s one of the oldest recreational parks in the country.
• Enjoy Pacific Beach – If you want to soak up the sun, swim, or surf, head to Pacific Beach. If you’re a night owl, the area also has lots of bars, clubs, and restaurants.
• Go whale-watching – California gray whales, which can grow up to 49 feet and live for over 70 years, migrate from Alaska to Mexico each year between December and April. They are incredible to see up close, and tours are quite affordable (usually around $39 USD).
• Relax in Belmont Park – This is a kitschy amusement park right next to the ocean. It has a few classic rides, as well as games and lots of greasy (and delicious) snacks. It’s cheesy but fun!
• Go surfing – Whether you’re a veteran or a newbie, grab a board and hit the waves. There’s some awesome surfing here. You can usually rent a board for around $60 USD a day. Lessons cost around $130-150 USD and last 90 minutes.
• HI San Diego – HI San Diego organizes lots of events and tours that make it easy to meet other travelers. Breakfast is included, and there’s also a big kitchen so you can cook your own food to save money.
• ITH Adventure Hostel – This is an eco-friendly hostel with a vegetable garden (guests get free veggies), a recycling and compost program, and even backyard chickens. There is lots of outdoor common space to relax in too.

If you’re on a budget, here’s a list of the best hostels in San Diego for you.  

The park was declared a national monument in 1936 and designated a national park in 1994. There are a lot of trails here, so consult the trail map when you visit. Some of my favorites are:

• Barker Dam Trail – A quick 1.1-mile loop on which you can see wildlife such as rabbits, bighorn sheep, and all kinds of birds.
• Wall Street Mill – An easy 2.8-mile hike that leads to an old mill used to refine ore from nearby gold mines.
• Ryan Mountain – A steep 3-mile hike offering some incredible views.
• Split Rock Loop – A quiet 2-mile hike with lots of neat rock formations.

A seven-day vehicle pass for the park is $30 USD (it allows multiple entries in case you stay in one of the nearby towns).

Where to Stay Airbnb is the best option if you don’t have your own camping gear, although there are also glamping and more rustic options.  

Start your visit at the Giant Forest Museum to learn about the history, geography, and importance of the park and its flora and fauna. Afterward, walk the Big Trees Trail, a short loop that will get you in and among the trees so you can see them up close.

For a sweeping view of the forest and surrounding landscape, hike up Moro Rock, a massive 250-foot granite dome that juts out of the surrounding hills and forest. Stairs and a concrete viewpoint were built into the rock itself, so you can safely climb to the top and enjoy the magnificent vista.

And for more hiking options and beautiful scenery, visit nearby Kings Canyon National Park. Here you’ll find “General Grant” (the third largest tree in the world). For a scenic drive, cruise along the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway.

Both parks are around 4-6 hours from Joshua Tree. Combined admission for both parks is $35 USD. If you plan on visiting a lot of national parks and federal lands on your road trip, you might want to get an America the Beautiful parks pass ($80 for a one-year pass).

Where to Stay There are tons of places to camp here (both inside and outside of the parks). However, there are also lots of lodges and hotels if camping is not for you. Booking.com is the best place to search for affordable options.  

Yosemite is also where you’ll find El Capitán, the towering granite cliff you’ve likely seen on social media (it was also featured in the documentary, Free Solo , where elite rock climber Alex Honnold ascended the cliff face without ropes or other protective gear).

Here are a few hiking suggestions to help you get started:

• Mirror Lake – An easy 2-mile hike to the lake. Takes 1-2 hours.
• Nevada Falls Trail – A challenging 5.8-mile hike to the top of the Nevada Falls waterfall. Takes 5–6 hours.
• Tuolumne Grove Nature Trail – An easy 2.5-mile hike around a grove filled with massive giant sequoia trees. Takes 1–2 hours.
• Elizabeth Lake Trail – A moderate 4.8-mile hike that leads to a glacier-carved lake at the base of Unicorn Peak. Takes 4–5 hours.
• Eagle Peak Trail – A difficult 6.9-mile hike to the top of the peak and back. Takes 8 hours.

Be sure to visit the visitors’ center on arrival to get information on activities, prices, and the latest weather. Admission is $35 USD and reservations to enter the park are required for peak hours and seasons.

Where to Stay If you aren’t planning to camp, there are actually many other options here. Lodges, resorts, and hotels can be found both inside the park and all around it. Use Airbnb or Booking.com to find a place to stay.  

While it’s a particularly expensive region of the state, it is possible to visit Napa Valley on a budget if you plan ahead and share costs with other people.

If you’re on a budget, stick to the markets and sandwich shops. Gott’s Roadside has locations in both Napa and St. Helena and serves yummy burgers for $10-15 USD , while Ad Hoc runs a lunch-only food truck called Addendum offering delicious fried chicken made by a Michelin-star chef (only open Friday & Saturday).

Where to Stay While some vineyards offer accommodation, they are usually super expensive. Unless you’re looking to splurge, use Airbnb . I find the best value accommodation in the area on that site.  

It’s time to head back to San Francisco. The drive is around 90 minutes, so you’ll have plenty of time to make stops along the way if you see anything that piques your interest.

This three-week itinerary will help you cover a lot of ground without being too rushed. Adjust the route as you go (or based on the amount of time you have). But no matter the route you pick, the diversity and beauty of California will ensure you’ll have a wonderful road trip.

Book Your Trip to the USA: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe, so you always know no stone is being left unturned!

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Need an Affordable Rental Car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip!

And if you need an RV, RVshare lets you rent RVs from private individuals all around the country, saving you tons of money in the process. It’s like Airbnb for RVs, making road trips fun and affordable!

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on the United States? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide to the US for even more planning tips!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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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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Visit California

3 Week Itinerary – Things to do in California

If you have three weeks for a vacation in California you can see most of the major cities and national parks! This is a sample 3 week Itinerary for things to do in California.  We suggest arriving and departing from San Francisco,  then loop east to Yosemite, then south all the way to San Diego and then back north to San Francisco via Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and the Big Sur.

I’ve included the daily driving mileage and driving time to give you an idea of how much driving is involved in this three week California itinerary.

Total mileage for this 3 week California itinerary – 1560 miles (2510 kilometers)

Total driving time for this 3 week California itinerary – approx. 28 hours

1. San Francisco

Stay 2 days

Things to see include Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz (make sure you get your tickets in advance), Golden Gate Park, & Pier 59.

2. Drive to Yosemite National Park (170 miles, approx. 3 hour drive depending on traffic in San Francisco)

Stay 3 days

Things to see include the fabulous Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Glacier Point , and El Capitan!

Possible lodging – Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite (book early as Yosemite will sell out far in advance!)

3. Death Valley – (in the winter this is a long drive from Yosemite because the fastest route via Tioga Pass is closed, so approx 7 hours, 390 miles.  It is a much shorter drive in the summer)

Things to see – Catch Sunrise at Zabriskie Point,  Furnace Creek Visitor Center , Badwater Salt Flats.  For more information see this article on Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Parks

Possible lodging – Furnace Creek Inn and Ranch

4. Las Vegas – (approx. 2 hour drive from Death Valley, 140 miles)

Things to see –  the Strip, the Venetian Casino and Grand Canal, the Bellagio Fountains

Possible lodging – The Bellagio (where you can catch the best Cirque du Soleil show ‘O’)

5. Palm Springs – (approx. 4 hour drive from Las Vegas, 250 miles)

Things to see – Palm Springs Aerial Tramway , Joshua Tree National Park

Possible Lodging – Palm Mountain Resort and Spa

6. San Diego – (approx. 2.5 hour drive from Palm Springs, 140 miles)

Things to see – San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park , Mission Beach, Torrey Pines State Reserve.  For more details on what to do in San Diego see the One Week in San Diego Itinerary .

Possible Lodging – Paradise Point Resort

7. Orange County   – (approx 1.5 hour drive from San Diego, 100 miles)

Things to see – Disneyland, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach , Knott’s Berry Farm

3 WAYS TO GET DISCOUNTS ON CALIFORNIA THEME PARKS AND ATTRACTIONS

Possible Lodging – Disney Grand Californian Resort

8. Los Angeles – (approx. 1 hour and fifteen minute drive if traffic is good from Disneyland to Santa Monica, 40 miles)

Things to see – Santa Monica beach, Hollywood, Universal Studios, Griffith Observatory

Possible Lodging – Loews Santa Monica Beach

10. Santa Barbara -(approx. two hour drive from LA, 90 miles from Santa Monica)

Things to see – Stearns Wharf, Urban Wine Trails , Santa Barbara County Courthouse

Possible Lodging – Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront

11. Monterey – (approx. 4 hour drive, 240 miles)

Things to see – Big Sur , Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey Bay Aquarium

Possible Lodging – Monterey Hilton Garden Inn.  If you have more time consider staying in Carmel which is a beautiful and walkable small town with a beautiful beach.

For more information on the Big Sur, check out our San Francisco to LA along the Big Sur itinerary,

12. San Francisco

Time to head home!

Tip – To quickly find more details on any of the attractions in this itinerary see the clickable attractions on our California map

Tip – If you are in San Francisco and want to travel to wine country see our One Week San Francisco to Sonoma and Napa itinerary.

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One thought on “ 3 Week Itinerary – Things to do in California ”

You did not add the rich history of Northern California. The gold mines , the pioneer history and the beauty. You included Yosemite but there is so much more .

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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.

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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California 3 Week Family Road Trip

A family road trip in California was high on our bucket list and in February 2020 we finally managed to get out to L.A. and explore this amazing part of the world. In a nutshell, we started in L.A, drove up the Pacific Coast Highway including Santa Barbara, Big Sur, Carmel by the sea, Monterey Bay to San Francisco, then headed inland to ski Heavenly Lake Tahoe, then on to Yosemite National Park and ended the trip back in L.A at Hermosa Beach.

Los Angeles > Venice Beach > Santa Monica > Malibu > Paradise Cove > Santa Barbara > Carpinteria > Morro Bay > Big Sur > Monterey Bay > Carmel By The Sea > Pacific Grove > San Francisco > Heavenly Ski Resort Lake Tahoe > Yosemite National Park > Bakersfield > Hermosa Beach

We had 21 days in total, 2 of these days were flying so 19 full days to explore California, not long considering how much ground we wanted to cover. We knew we had to be sensible so things like the Mojave desert and Las Vegas would have to be on the “next time” list.

We were one of the lucky ones who managed to bag 4 of the 100 golden tickets in the Black Friday sale in December 2019. 4 return flights (2 adults and 2 children) from London Heathrow to Los Angeles for under £500 total!

We arrived in L.A. late afternoon US time and our first night was booked at Su Casa on Venice Beach located close to the airport and a good starting point for our trip. Once we were out of the airport we picked up the hire car from Hertz and headed straight to Venice Beach.

Our two sons aged 10 and 8 were pretty jet-lagged so we had a good night sleep and at the crack of dawn we headed out to explore our first day at Venice beach and Santa Monica.

Day 1: Venice Beach, Santa Monica & Malibu

Having travelled to Los Angeles when I was a backpacker aged 18, I knew that Venice Beach had mixed reports but there was something about the Venice area and the fact that it’s so close to the airport that I wanted to go back and see if it had changed. It’s still got its sleazy side for sure, but it’s also got a lot of character. For my two boys aged 8 and 10 from a quiet village in Cornwall, England, it was a little shock to witness the amount of homeless in the area and I talk more about this and about travel broadening the mind in our family stay in Los Angeles post.

If we were to do the same trip again, i’d most likely book our first night in Santa Monica or Marina Del Rey. Santa Monica has lots of nice bars and eateries to choose from and we walked the famous pier with the boys. The piers in California are great to wonder along and our boys loved watching the waves break underneath the pier and get a different perspective.

On the way to our overnight hotel, we stopped in the celebrity hotspot of Malibu for some lunch. We had a little mooch around and picked up some sandwiches from Malibu Kitchen which were amazing. We headed across the road to Malibu beach and admired some of the multi-million dollar homes that line this stretch of beach. The beach was beautiful and a cool little place to stop off and dream on the way out of L.A.

On the way we stopped to check out Paradise Cove as my husband is a big Beach Boys fans – this was location of the photoshoot in August 1962 supplying album covers for ‘Surfin’ Safari’ (1962) and ‘Surfer Girl’ (1963).

Map journey – Venice Beach L.A. to Carpinteria

Day 2: Santa Barbara, Morro Bay, Big Sur, Monterey Bay

After overnighting in the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Carpinteria (highly recommend Holiday Inn’s across California for a family stay) we drove to Santa Barbara. As we drove into the city we were flanked on one side by the Santa Ynez mountains and the pacific coast on the other.

Santa Barbara has a very mediterranean feel to it, streets lined with hundreds of palm trees and upscale restaurants and shops. We parked the car and walked from the beach to the marina where we had a coffee and watched the boats and busy working harbour and marina.

We had arrived pretty early so we could take our 5 hour drive up the famous Pacific coast highway for our next stay at the Embassy Suites Monterey Bay Hotel in Seaside.

Half way we stopped at Morro Bay for some lunch, a lovely coastal city in California known for Morro Rock, an ancient volcanic mound at the end of Morro Rock Beach.

We had not intended on doing Big Sur this day but we struggled to find accommodation as it fell on the Presidents weekend, which meant an earlier than planned arrival to Monterey Bay.

Big Sur is one of the most memorable places i’ve driven along, this section of coastline has amazing scenery.

5,000 Santa Lucia mountains flank you on one side and the raw and powerful pacific ocean on the other. The beauty of this drive was enjoyed by my husband and boys, but not so much for me with a fear of heights; this stretch of road is not for the faint hearted. Its narrow and twisting roads take you high up the mountain sides and Big Sur itself feels wild. It has no phone reception and there are few services along the way so be prepared if you have kids.

I would highly recommend the stops we made along this stretch of coastline which include Brixby Bridge.

A visit to see the elephant seals at Piedras Blancas is a great thing to do with the kids which is just south of Big Sur near San Simeon.

Map journey – Carpinteria to Monterey Bay

Day 3, 4 & 5: Monterey Bay

We stayed fairly central to Monterey Bay centre and on our first morning we headed to the beach to have a coffee and run about in the sunshine before heading into town to explore.

The main area in town is Cannery Row; here there are lots of shops, restaurants and bars. We spent the day here just relaxing, taking in the sights and the beach.

The following day we spent at the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium which is a fantastic place to visit for a family. Our boys got to stroke a stingray, see hammerhead sharks and green turtles, giant jellyfish and learn about all the marine life surrounding the bay – the setup of this place is brilliant and why it’s voted one of the best aquariums in the World.

For lunch we tried the famous local “clam chowder” which was very good and the boys had two of the largest ice creams of their lives.

Day 6 & 7: Carmel by the Sea

We moved on from Monterey Bay to Carmel by the sea and booked accommodation at the lovely The Coachman’s Inn which is located right in the centre and within walking distance to the beach. Carmel by the sea is a small beach town on the Monterey peninsula and it’s unlike anywhere we’ve ever been, known for its museums, galleries and library of the historic Carmel Mission. Carmel by the sea is also famous for its whimsical fairy tale cottages which look like something straight out of a Disney movie. Our first impression was how clean and beautifully kept everything was here.

We arrived at The Coachman’s Inn, parked the car (car parking is included) and immediately it felt like a home from home. My boys were offered cookies as soon as we arrived. Our room was cosy and homely with a lovely fireplace, large comfortable beds, coffee making facilities, everything we needed. We felt like we’d arrived at a private little gem. It is so peaceful here and for the first time on our road trip I felt really relaxed.

The next morning after booking the Treehouse Cafe located across the road on the recommendation of the friendly staff, we enjoyed a lovely home cooked breakfast which was perfect for us as a family.

We headed straight for Carmel Bay for some beach time as the weather was beautiful, mid 70’s – not bad for mid February. As we made our way through the pristine streets admiring the beautiful houses, we arrived at Carmel Bay beach which is stunning with pure white sand, clear blue and turquoise ocean. On this Californian road trip, this was easily the most beautiful beach we found. We explored the shops and the boys loved the famous Cottage of Sweets sweetshop and the toy stores.

The next day we ventured out in the car to explore Point Lobos State park . as we’d heard from various sources it was a must-see. Before we made our way here, we went via the famous ‘ scenic road walkway ‘ aptly named! We realised very quickly that we had stumbled into a ‘Big Little Lies’ filmset. The houses along this road fronting the Pacific Ocean are jaw-dropping. So after a little dreaming of where we’d live if we won the lottery, we came back to reality and drove about 20 minutes from Carmel to Point Lobos State park. The $10 entry fee was well worth it and the Trip Advisor reviews were all justified, it’s a must visit for sure!

This beautiful coastal park feels a million miles away from anything touristy. We walked along poppy-trimmed pathways to the tip of the park’s dramatic limestone point to look down into turquoise-blue water. You can see all around long bands of kelp swaying in the waves and cheeky little sea otters chilling out in the sunshine much to the delight of our boys. We came across a park ranger and kindly let the boys have a look through his binoculars at the sea otters, harbour seals and sea lions all congregated on a rocky outcrop, a great experience. This is a great place to burn off some energy too.

Watch a highlights video of our lovely family stay in Carmel by the Sea:

Map journey – Monterey Bay to Carmel by the sea

For more information read our family stay at Carmel by the sea

Day 7 & 8: Lighthouse Point & Pacific Grove

We enjoyed relaxing in the Monterey Bay area so much that we decided to stay another couple of days so we booked into the Lighthouse Lodge & Cottages . This was the ideal location to explore Pacific Grove and Lovers Point which had a great little beach and look out point with crystal clear water. The rest of our time we spent on Asilomar State Beach where we relaxed, played and watched some surfing. All around this headland there are lovely boardwalks for running, walking and bike riding.

One morning on a run, I passed deers just roaming the streets and headland. We did also attempt to drive down the famous “ 17 mile drive ” which this leads to Pebble Beach Golf Links – but at $30 dollars for the entry toll, we didn’t think it was worth it and spent some more time on the beach.

Map journey – Carmel by the sea to Pacific Grove

Day 9, 10 & 11: San Francisco

Next on our road trip was a city we’d been longing to visit, San Francisco!

We stopped half way at Gilroy Premium Outlets for some clothes shopping, picked up some bargains from the Vans Store and headed on to San Francisco. Our first glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge was amazing having seen it in so many films and photographs over the years, it was surreal to see it in real life and it’s very impressive. It’s not just the bridge but the whole of the bay area is a beautiful sight.

You have Alcatraz Island ‘The Rock’ right in the middle of the bay, a place again featured in many movies and steeped in history; the most famous prisoner, Mr. Al Capone, lived there for four and a half years.

I was surprised just how close Alcatraz Island seems from the shoreline given that 36 people have tried (and failed) to escape – 3 prisoners called Frank Morris, Clarence Anglin and John Anglin remain the only people who have escaped Alcatraz and never been found, a disappearance that is one of the country’s most notorious unsolved mysteries.

The three nights accommodation we booked in San Francisco was at Hotel Zoe located in Fishermans Wharf which we choose due to it’s a great location and being a hotel that offered car parking (not many do) as we wanted to ditch the hire car for a few days and explore on foot and use the famous trams.

The first day we were up early and headed out to Fisherman’s Wharf. As anyone with boys can vouch for, they are always hungry, so we came across Boudin Bakery known for its sourdough bread. The bakery is recognised as the “oldest continually operating business in San Francisco.” Everything here looks delicious, we enjoyed some pastries and great coffee overlooking the bay. Once we had eaten, we walked the Wharf, checked out Pier 39 and the noisy sea lions. Pier 39 is full of the usual stuff you’d expect in America, a Bubba Shrimp restaurant and lots of souvenir shops.

The next day we decided we wanted something a bit more authentic, so we got up early and went to Lombard Street (also known as the Crooked Street) famous for a steep, one-block section with eight hairpin turns. We arrived early to avoid the crowds and it was well worth it but be warned! walking the steep roads in this part of San Francisco on foot is a workout! We caught a tram down to the other end of Fisherman’s Wharf which was great fun.

The next day we hired some bikes from Basically Free Bike Rentals which we’d highly recommend to anyone – you get your rental bikes from their hire location near Fisherman’s Wharf, you get the value of your rental in store credit at Sports Basement which is San Francisco’s number one sporting goods store. This was perfect as we needed some ski gear for our next part of our road trip.

We cycled to the Golden Gate Bridge which is a brilliant bike trail, mostly nice and flat so it’s perfect thing to do as a family and of course, great scenery.

Watch a little video from our three night family stay in San Francisco:

Map journey – Pacific Grove to San Fran

Day 12, 13 & 14: Lake Tahoe & Heavenly Ski Resort

We left San Francisco early on day twelve via another cheeky stop at Boudin’s Bakery for one last fix of pastries and coffee and we hit the road headed for Lake Tahoe. It’s a great scenic drive, especially as you climb up into the mountains and get closer to Lake Tahoe (see in the video below).

We had three nights booked in the centrally located Forest Inn and Suites – this is the perfect location for a family ski break located within a 2 minute walk of the centre of the village, the main gondola and all the shops and supermarkets.

The shore of the Lake Tahoe itself was a ten minute walk. Once we arrived we caught the golden hour down at the lake. The views of the snow capped mountains reflecting in the lake is a sight I’ll never forget. It was so peaceful and the boys loved the play park on the beach and we watched the sunset over the mountain range. I imagine this place during summer is just a brilliant playground for paddle-boarding and kayaking.

The next day we woke early and geared up for our first day of skiing. The boys were so excited! having skied Canada and La Rosiere in France before, this was their first time hitting the slopes in US. We walked to Heavenly village, picked up our ski rental and ski passes and boarded the gondola for the ten minute ride to the top base station. You can’t fail to enjoy the stunning scenic views of the lake on the way up.

Ski time and the boys found their ski feet quickly – we mainly stuck to the green runs. Heavenly ski resort is more of an intermediate/advanced level ski resort than beginner. If you’ve got kids that are seasoned skiers, the amount of terrain available is fantastic and the views of Lake Tahoe are literally ‘heavenly’. My husband and I took it in turns to explore the area whilst one of us stayed with the little guys. You can even ski into Nevada!

We spent two days skiing here and loved every minute of it, the Forest Suites was the perfect family accommodation and Heavenly ski resort in general is a fantastic ski resort. We had some great food from local restaurants – we highly recommend the food at Tamarack Lodge & Bar on the mountain and at basecamppizzaco.com in the village. All the bars, restaurants and apres ski is brilliant and all very child friendly.

This is a little video from our family stay at Heavenly ski resort.

You can read more about our family ski stay at Heavenly ski resort here

Map journey – San Fran to Lake Tahoe

Day 15 & 16: Yosemite

We left Lake Tahoe to take the five hour drive to Yosemite. This part of the trip my husband was most excited about. The drive took us through pristine wilderness and frontier towns. We stopped along time way at a creek where we watched a gentleman panning for gold and he told us a few gold mining tales and gave the boys a few bits of gold he’d found, what a lovely man!

We arrived at the Evergreen Lodge mid-afternoon, secluded and nestled in the woods approx 20 minute drive from the entrance of Yosemite National Park. This place is truly magical and would recommend to anyone looking to stay and explore Yosemite. The general store here is lovely and sells souvenirs, fresh deli sandwiches, drinks, toiletries etc. We opened the door to our little wooden lodge and it felt like we were miles away from civilisation and was perfect for a family of four, cozy, rustic with a private deck. Nature surrounded us, our boys were in awe, staring up at the huge trees and watching deer roam outside the bedroom window is an experience they’ll never forget. After such a long drive, we relaxed in the hot tub and swimming pool underneath the canopy of trees as the sunset and enjoyed some great food in the main lodge. The playgrounds of the children here are also fantastic. It’s a shame that due to forest fires, a lot of the surrounding area is burned, as it is on your way into Yosemite, but it’s still a magical place.

The next day we were up and ready to go. We drove in through the main gates into Yosemite. A park pass costs $35/vehicle at the Yosemite National Park entrance stations and is valid for seven days.

As we made our way through the winding roads, we were greeted with spectacular scenery, huge granite cliff faces, panoramic views of meadowlands, forests and mountain ranges as far as we could see. We made our way down into the valley where you are faced first with thundering falls on one side and the grand El Capitan on the other. What a sight! you can’t truly explain or capture the beauty of this place in a photo or video until you’ve stood at the bottom of one of its falls with the spray in your face or stood in the shadow of the almighty El Capitan and its towering peaks. This place is immensely beautiful.

The Ansel Adams Gallery here in Yosemite is a must see – browse in awe at stunning photographs from this famous American landscape photographer and environmentalist known for his black-and-white images of the American West.

We spent two days exploring this amazing national park and we stuck to all the easy trails as we had the boys, but you could easily spend weeks in the park and never get bored of its natural beauty and wonder.

Watch highlights of our stay in Yosemite

Map journey – Lake Tahoe to Yosemite

Day 17: Bakersfield

Sad to leave Yosemite, leaving the park from the opposite end gave us a completely different perspective of Yosemite, giant sequoia trees flanking us as we left nature and peace behind for our long drive back to Los Angeles via an overnighter at Bakersfield.

This is the only part of our entire California road trip that I would change but logistically unless we were going to do a 9 hour journey from Yosemite to Los Angeles (with young children that’s not viable!) we decided to stop midway at Bakersfield and stayed at a Hilton hotel for the night. It was interesting to say the least – busy, loud (lots of police noise) and basically had a freeway next to it. We spent as little time as we did here. You can use a more cheaper and alternative mode of transport for the last leg of the road trip using the Bakersfield to Los Angeles Bus

Map journey – Yosemite to Bakersfield

Day 18 & 19: Hermosa Beach

And breathe…after the last 24 hours of freeways and Bakersfield, we arrived at the welcomed site of Los Angeles and headed to our accommodation booked at Hermosa Beach. Our plan was to chill out, relax and enjoy the beach. As it was the end of our trip, we wanted some luxury and the accommodation we booked absolutely delivered! We arrived at Beach House Hotel at Hermosa Beach and the valet parking team looked after our car and took care of our luggage taken to our room.

We entered our ocean front suite and the view of the white beach and pacific ocean in front of us was jaw-dropping. The suite had our bed higher up on a mezzanine level so when you lay in bed you could see and hear the ocean. The boys had a comfy bed with the same view from the lounge and kitchen area. On the first morning we sat in bed with a coffee and watched a pod of dolphins swim past the end of the pier, spell binding.

Whilst in L.A you have to go see some live sports if you can – we got some tickets to watch NBA basketball team LA Clippers vs Philadelphia 49’s in the Staples Stadium, the boys were in their element – America sure know how to put on a show! it’s a must do for any family trip to L.A.

Our eldest son Dylan decided to try out the skyscraper slide located on the outside of the QUE skyspace in LA just a short walk from The Staples Centre. Now i’m not a fan of heights but you can see all the way from the Pacific Ocean to the Hollywood Hills from up there, amazing views!

Our final day we spent having some relaxation and fun on Hermosa Beach. The final night was finished with a beautiful sunset, the perfect Californian ending to an amazing family road trip. The sunsets here are special, full of oranges, reds and glorious palm trees to frame it all. This side of L.A. is by far our favourite, much more chilled, surf shops, cool coffee bars, smoothie places and a relaxed surfing vibe to it.

Here is a short video of our stay at Hermosa Beach

Read more about our family stay at Beach House Hermosa Beach

Map journey – Bakersfield to Hermosa Beach

Overall our Californian family road trip was amazing with so many highlights – my favourite was Carmel by the sea, what a beautiful place. My husband loved Yosemite being a photographer. Harry’s favourite was Monterey Bay Aquarium and Dylan’s was watching the NBA basketball game .

We arrived back in Cornwall just in time before the UK went into Covid-19 lockdown so we felt extremely lucky and privileged we got to travel before the world changed. Hopefully sometime soon we can travel again, enjoy new experiences and make new memories as a family.

Watch our California road trip highlights video here:

For anyone looking to embark on a family road trip around California, we hope this article and itinerary proves helpful. Safe travels.

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The Ultimate 3 week California road trip: Part 1

In 3 weeks we drove over 2000 miles across California, Nevada and Arizona. From the bustling city of LA to the vast desert surrounding Death Valley, the cool vibes and excellent Mexican food of San Diego to the dizzying heights of Yosemite. This is the ultimate 3 week California road trip.

It really does not matter what your travel style is. Whether you loving camping and sleeping under the stars or prefer 5* luxury, or even want to embrace the motel scene, California has a little something for everyone.

If you’re an adventure lover like me, then you may never want to leave. You simply cannot run out of things to do, lakes to swim across or trails to hike. We packed in so many activities and adventures into 3 weeks I’m not even sure how we managed it.

So here it is, our itinerary, all of our stops, my top picks and what you simply cannot miss when you visit the incredible West coast.

The itinerary

• LA & Malibu
• Santa Barbara
• Pismo beach & San Luis Obispo
• Lockwood area & Big Sur (Pacific Coast Highway)
• Carmel & Monterey
• San Francisco
• South Lake Tahoe
• Lone Pine & Death Valley
• LV & Grand Canyon
• Laguna beach & Santa Monica

You could easily add additional days to each location listed above, we simply had 3 weeks and wanted to squeeze in as much as possible. There are of course additional stops you could add in such as Napa Valley and Joshua Tree but I see those as a brilliant excuse to go back.

Miles driven

Starbucks visits

PART 1: LA - Carmel

Los Angeles

This route starts with a bang in LA, the city of angels. Wander along the sandy beaches, drink colourful cocktails, explore Hollywood and maybe even spot a celebrity. Our first experience of the city, however, involved a car crash and a dodgy airbnb but that’s a story for another time.

MY TOP PICKS: Rooftop cocktails in Downtown LA at Mama shelter, hiking up to the Hollywood sign (predictable, but great) and good old fashioned people watching in Venice beach.

Where we stayed: airbnb

Leaving LA you’ll first come across Malibu, an extremely expensive location full of celebrity beach houses, over-priced restaurants and gorgeous beaches. We made a quick stop here for some brunch at Malibu Farm Cafe at the end of Malibu pier. Go here if you’re in need of healthy food and are happy to pay almost $60 for two breakfasts and coffees. Just beware if they ask if you’d like to add avocado as that will be another $7.

Santa Barbara & Pismo beach

Just over an hour up the coast from Malibu you’ll stumble across Santa Barbara, a sweet little town lined with wine bars and cute little shops, perfect for a sunny afternoon of wandering around. We only spent one night here but you could easily spend a few days here. Your next stop is San Luis Obispo, but don’t forget to pause for a few hours at Pismo beach. Driving along the beach turned out to be one of my highlights of the whole trip, so it’s definitely worth the slight detour!

MY TOP PICK: Drive along Pismo beach. You can hire ATVs and explore the sand dunes but if you’re on a budget you can still have an amazing time driving along in your own car. It’ll cost you only a few dollars compared to well over $100 for ATV hire.

San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo was a place I knew very little about before going there, it was more out of necessity than anything else as we were trying to even out the driving and avoid any huge stints where possible. It actually turned out to be a great town with lovely shops, restaurants and a rather unusual alleyway completely covered in bubblegum. Why? I honestly don’t know, but it’s pretty cool nevertheless.

MY TOP PICK: Go for tacos on taco Tuesday (obviously) at Luna Red in Downtown near the Mission plaza for fabulous cocktails, good value tacos and a great vibe.

Where we stayed: America’s Best Value Inn , £50/night

The back roads to Big Sur

From SLO, the usual route north is along the Pacific Coast Highway, an iconic section of road stretching all the way through Big Sur and up to Carmel. It’s one for the bucket list and I’m a little sad to say that it is still on mine. Due to bad landslides earlier in the year, huge sections of the PCH were impassible at the time we were there. But as they say, every cloud has a silver lining and the back roads between the 101 and the 1 really were just that.

After watching a video on alternative routes, we decided to try our very best to avoid the main motorways. Instead, we drove for hours along winding roads through the gorgeous countryside and tiny towns with only a couple hundred of inhabitants each. It turned out to be an incredible experience and one of the most beautiful parts of the trip.

Further north along the PCH you will hit Big Sur, a beautifully scenic and rugged stretch of the coast that quite frankly, makes you want to live in a tent in the bushes just to have the privilege of saying you live there. Even on a cloudy day this part of the coastline dazzles with the help of the Saint Lucia mountains rising up from the east and the Pacific to the West.

MY TOP PICKS: Drive along the famous Bixby bridge and hunt out a little spot for the perfect photo op. Stay a night or two in Big Sur if you have the time, there are plenty of options for camping.

After driving for what felt like an eternity, we finally arrived in Carmel late in the afternoon. Despite the fact that the light would soon be gone we decided to go and do the ‘17 mile drive’. This beautiful scenic route takes you around Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove, past gorgeous mansions and manicured golf courses.

Forget the fact that this is a really popular thing to do here, go late in the afternoon and experience the most beautiful and peaceful sunset of your life. In that moment, I could have stayed on Pebble Beach forever just staring out into the distance. Even though it may be dark by the time you reach the end of the 17 miles, it is worth it just for that sunset.

Carmel itself is a picture perfect seaside town with fairytale-like cottages and an adorable sweet shop. I’d also recommend a fantastic Mediterranean restaurant called Dametra Cafe. Order the ‘gyro sandwich’ for a Greek dish that will leave you full for hours.

A very short drive further North is Monterey, a city associated with John Steinbeck, a rather large aquarium and excellent seafood. We didn’t actually get a chance to visit the aquarium but I have heard that it is well worth the visit.

MY TOP PICK: Exploring Pebble Beach along the 17 mile drive at sunset.

Where we stayed: Del Monte Pines (motel) , £55/night

That’s it for part 1 of this epic 3 week California road trip. We managed to squeeze in an awful lot in just under a week and I would recommend a little longer if you have the time. In particular, I’d add a day or two in Big Sur and another day just to really soak up everything the coastline has to offer. Check out part 2 now!

Have you done a Pacific Coast Highway road trip? Let me know in the comments!

Happy adventuring,

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Destinations | NORTH America

West coast road trip itinerary – 3 weeks.

13 Jul 2021 | California , Destinations , North America

Planning a West Coast road trip itinerary can be overwhelming. You’re spoilt for choice when visiting this part of the United States – natural beauty, poetic endless roads, and stunning romantic sunsets are sure to make your heart beat faster (or even skip a beat once in a while!). 

A trip along the West Coast of the United States will constantly impress you – more often than not at moments, you don’t expect. This guide will help so you can simply look forward to exploring all of these breathtaking locations without the stress of planning a route. 

Our suggested West Coast USA itinerary begins in San Francisco , travels through several National Parks in the most beautiful state in the USA , winds through Las Vegas, and ends in Los Angeles. We have also included some additional information to extend your trip!

** Disclaimer: This post contains affiliated links which means that purchases made through these links reward Bey of Travel a small commission without any additional charge for the purchaser.** 

West Coast Road Trip Itinerary: Planning your trip

The US West Coast comprises California, Oregon, and Washington. In this post, we will dive deeper into the California destinations along the Pacific Coast, and also explore Nevada along the way. 

• If flying from overseas, you can fly to cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, or Las Vegas and then pick up a car rental to start your road trip
• Don’t forget your passport and tourist visa (if it applies to you)

This West Coast road trip is beautiful throughout the year. However, try to figure out in advance which parks you definitely want to visit. The weather can sometimes cause trouble, and not all parks are (completely) open all four seasons. 

From May to September good weather is more or less guaranteed – but winter, when the national parks are hidden under a beautiful blanket of snow, also has its advantages.

Packing Tips for West Coast or the Pacific Coast Highway Trip

Here are some packing tips for your west coast USA road trip

• Don’t forget your universal adapter!
• Ensure there’s a high enough limit on your credit card(s). More often than not, hotels will ask for a deposit.
• You need a universal driver’s license in America. Also, gas up wherever you can. Sometimes you won’t come across a gas station for hours!
• There are water fountains in the National Parks, so be sure to bring your reusable water bottle.
• Invest in an Annual National Park Pass . Valid for 12 months from the month of purchase, this pass covers admission to all 59 U.S. National Parks. At just $80 USD for the whole year, the pass practically pays for itself.

It is important to note that renting a car is unavoidable. Try to select the comfiest and trustworthy car your budget allows. 

You’ll often find yourself on the road for hours on end without coming across another living soul, let alone a train or bus station.

read next | 7 things you need to know before planning a west usa road trip

How much time to spend on the pacific coast highway road trip.

We did our West Coast USA tour in three weeks. We crossed three state lines, drove just under 3200 kilometers, and walked on average 18,000 steps per day. Honestly, our schedule was firm but remained doable. 

We could easily have stayed a few weeks longer, though! Being blown off your socks every single day certainly helps to keep the trip enjoyable.

Ultimate 3 weeks in West Coast Road Trip itinerary

In order to kick start your Pacific Coast Highway road trip, fly or travel to San Francisco in Northern California. You can pick up a car rental from the airport and then buy road trip essentials. 

• Day 1-3 : San Francisco
• Day 4-5 : Yosemite National Park
• Day 6 : Sequoia National Park 
• Day 7-8: Death Valley National Park
• Day 9-12 : Las Vegas
• Day 13-14 : Zion National Park
• Day 15-17 : Palm Springs
• Day 18 : Day trip to Joshua Tree National Park
• Day 19-20 : Los Angeles
• Day 21 : Flyout

Stop 1: Arrive in San Francisco, and explore the diverse city (Day 1-3)

San Francisco should be the first stop on your West Coast road trip. The land of the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, fantastic food, and diverse population, this marvelous city earns a blogpost for itself – read everything about the City by the Bay here . 

We stayed at Palihotel San Francisco .

There’s something for everyone with intriguing islands, plenty of hiking trails, fascinating museums, and famous landmarks in San Francisco.

It’s impossible to explore all that San Francisco has to offer in one trip – so plan a stay of 3 nights, and I guarantee you won’t get bored for a second.

Things to do in San Francisco

• Check off the iconic Golden Gate Bridge park : Visit the landmark bridge in San Francisco on your 3-day trip. Although it is completely free to view the bridge, you can opt for a sightseeing tour or bike across the bridge for a unique experience. Note that this is also an amazing photo location.
• Crissy Field, Palace of Fine Arts and Japanese Gardens: Spend an afternoon exploring Crissy Field and sit down with a picnic spread.   Explore the Palace of Arts which was originally built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition – it is a stunning piece of art. In the late afternoon, explore the Japanese Gardens!
• Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz: Spend a day at the Fisherman’s Wharf, where you can check out Pier 39, eat and admire the lovely marina. This area is super touristy, so expect food and souvenirs to be expensive. From the Pier, take a cruise to Alcatraz Island to explore one of the toughest military prisons. It is no longer functioning, but there are guided day tours where you can learn about the prison’s history and prisoner stories.
• Visit SFMOMA: San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is a great stop for art lovers. The complex is home to a vast collection of modern and contemporary artworks from most renowned artists all over the world.  Here is an entry ticket .
• Half Moon Bay and/or Sausalito: You can take a day trip to Half Moon Bay or spend half a day in Sausalito, followed by a sunset cruise in the evening (from the Angel Island State Park).

Mist trail : This hike is the signature trail of Yosemite, and it’s the perfect walk to do with children. Not only will you spot beautiful waterfalls, you’re also treated to an astonishing view over the Nevada Fall, Liberty Cap, and The Half Dome.

Depending on how far you’re willing to go, the average hike takes between 2 and 5 hours, with a distance of between 4.8 and 11 kilometers.

If you want to make it a round trip, you need to add on 2.4 kilometers

Yosemite Falls Trail: This is one of Yosemite’s oldest historic trails, built-in 1873 to 1877. The Yosemite Falls Trail winds its way up to the top of the highest waterfall in North America. 

With a distance of 11.6 kilometers, the hike will take around 7 hours. When there’s been a heatwave, almost no water nor waterfall will be seen – so always double-check at the information point so you aren’t disappointed when hiking this trail.

North Dome Hike : If you’re in a bit of a rush and you haven’t got the time or courage to attempt the Half Dome hike, the North Dome hike is the perfect alternative! 

The starting point of the route is an hour’s drive from the park entrance. The hike is 14.2 kilometers and takes about 4 hours. 

During this trail you get a mind-blowing close-up view of the Half Dome – make sure you walk to the very edge of the rocks at the end of the path. 

Try to start the trail early in the morning. You’ll end up walking under the naked sun for quite some while, so take enough water and sunscreen with you. 

The track itself is not that challenging, with the exception of some sturdy and steep parts in the middle.

Best Viewpoints in Yosemite National Park

Glacier Point is the most popular viewpoint in Yosemite National Park. From here, you can see incredible views of Yosemite Valley, Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and other impressive Yosemite landmarks. 

Though you can actually hike up to Glacier Point, it’s easily accessible by car as long as the Glacier Point Road is open. 

The road is open from late May to sometime in October or November, depending on the weather conditions.

Tunnel View is another popular viewpoint known for its spectacular views of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall. The scene is truly amazing; the views of Yosemite look like a dream.

You’ll find this viewpoint at the east end of the Wawona Tunnel – make sure you bring your camera!

Yosemite is full of spectacular waterfalls – and Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil Fall are two of the best.

There are many different places throughout the park where you can view Yosemite Falls, but if you’re looking for an up-close look you can follow a one-mile loop that will take you to the Lower Fall. 

The Upper Falls is accessible but only via a strenuous hike.

El Capitan is one of the most iconic landmarks in Yosemite National Park. As rock climbing is a popular activity in Yosemite, El Capitan Meadow is a great place for watching climbers.

When driving out of Yosemite National Park, tears rolled down my cheeks. I was overwhelmed by the great hikes in this beautiful park. 

Nature always triggers something in me, but I have to admit that this park left an unprecedented impression.

Stop 5: Travel to Las Vegas and explore (Day 9-12)

While approaching the Nevada border during our USA West Coast road trip itinerary, our excitement level rose. Especially when out of the barren desert, we see Las Vegas appear in the distance out of nowhere.

All the skyscraper hotels, limousines, advertising signs, naked women, the world-famous strip… we’ve never been bombarded with so much instant chaos upon arriving somewhere new.

We stayed for four nights at the Virgin hotels Las Vegas . 

We also stayed in Sin City a little longer because we’d set aside a day for our Las Vegas wedding.  Read everything about our wedding here ! 

With two nights in Las Vegas, you’ll have more than enough time. We weren’t the biggest fan of this artificial Gambling Capital of the World, but you simply have to check it out for yourselves.

Things to do in Las Vegas

There are so many interesting things to do in Las Vegas. It’s the largest city in Nevada and unsurprisingly receives millions of visitors every year. 

With a wide variety of leisure options – like music, theater, circus, magic, gambling, betting, weddings, family fun, excursions, and much more – it’s one of the largest entertainment centers in the world. 

As for the nightlife, you can enjoy it with the discreet complicity of those who are willing to offer you anything you want. I’m sure you know the saying – ‘what happens in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas.

Gambling: Have a gamble, no matter how cliché it may sound. You can’t escape the gambling madness here. 

Every hotel is full of slot machines and poker tables that just scream for your attention… and your money!

Las Vegas Strip : The Las Vegas Strip is without a doubt one of the main places to visit in Vegas. 

On this boulevard, you’ll find the best-known hotels and casinos in the city, in addition to the famous Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign (one of the most photographed places in the city). 

As it is bloody hot in the city, it’s better to avoid the main strip during the day. It’s also much more impressive at night with all the lights on… Try to visit the old strip as well, as gambling here is much cheaper among the locals.

Visit Red Canyon State Park: If you don’t know what to visit near Vegas, the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is a beautiful place where you can appreciate the splendor of the desert. 

This beautiful natural space is made up of impressive peaks and reddish walls, and it’s much appreciated by hikers and climbers. 

Red Rock Canyon State Park is a nice day trip idea from Las Vegas. Set aside 4-5 hours for this trip so that you can explore the state, and also head out for some day hikes. 

This is also the location where we shot our wedding pictures!

Fly over the Grand Canyon: The best way to see the Grand Canyon is by flying over and through it by helicopter or airplane . That way, you can get the best views of the Canyon and the Colorado River from up above – an experience that you absolutely cannot miss out on during your West Coast road trip. The beauty and majesty of the place will leave you speechless. 

READ NEXT | HOW TO GET MARRIED IN LAS VEGAS

Stop 6: hike your way through zion national park (day 13-14).

Zion National Park is a 2.5-hour drive from Las Vegas, and we stayed at La Quinta by Wyndham La Verkin – Gateway to Zion . Zion is a haven of trails with incredible, jaw-dropping views. This park simply must be on your West Coast road trip itinerary – get ready to be blown away. 

Try to stay here at least for two nights. Since Zion gets extremely crowded in the spring and summer, and the most popular trails are very busy in the middle of the day, we recommend hitting the trail as early as you can.

Most hiking points in the park can only be reached by the shuttle bus. There are several parking places in the park at the shuttle stop – but come early if you want to ensure your spot. During summer the shuttle runs from 6 am to 10 pm, and from 7 am to 8 pm in the winter.

READ NEXT |  BEST HIKES IN THE EVERGLADES

Check out the best stops for your day trip to Joshua Tree below – and remember to pack plenty of food and water, as there won’t be anywhere to stock up on supplies once you’re in the park.

• Barker Dam Trail: An easy 1.8-kilometer walking loop with the most interesting rock formations.
• Keys View: The second stop on your one-day trip to Joshua Tree National Park is Keys View. At this overlook, you’ll be able to admire the Coachella Valley and spot the San Andreas Fault. The elevation is over 1500 meters, so this is one of the first places to get snow each season.
• Cholla Cactus Garden: The best place to watch the sunset during your day trip in Joshua Tree National Park is the Cholla Cactus Garden.  The cholla cactus fills this 10-acre garden near the park’s north entrance. There’s a parking lot located at the trailhead, so make a quick stop and walk along the trail through the garden.  Remember that you’re in the desert, so these hikes are not recommended during the summer months. Temperatures drop significantly when the sun goes down in the desert. Be prepared.

More West Coast Road Trips 

You can tweak this West Coast road trip route and instead add the following places:

San Juan Islands: The San Juan Islands are an archipelago in the state of Washington. These islands are known for orca sightseeing, and it is home to the Lime Kiln Point State Park which is an orca-whale lookout. If traveling from Las Vegas you will have to fly there to make good use of time. 

Oregon Coast Highway: Another epic West Coast Road trip idea is from travel from California to the Washington state and Oregon aka Oregon Coast Highway (US Route 101). It runs through the state along the coastline near the Pacific Ocean. You can stop at amazing areas such as coastal towns in California, Cannon Beach and explore parks such as Olympic National Park and Crater Lake National Park. 

San Diego: Speaking of the coast, San Diego is a great place to stop. Located in southern California San Diego has nice warm weather, great beaches, and parks, which is a nice destination for art, shopping, and nature lovers. 

There is a deep harbor with a large naval fleet, with a museum. You can visit San Diego from Los Angeles. San Diego to Los Angeles about 2-3 hours away along with a few stops (and moderate traffic). 

Bryce Canyon National Park : Bryce Canyon National Park is a stunning park in Utah with crimson-colored hoodoos and rock formations. 

There are amazing hiking trails and overlook points located inside the park such as Sunrise Point and Bryce Point. You can visit Bryce Canyon from Las Vegas. 

Bryce Canyon National Park is about 265 miles from Vegas and it will take you about four hours. You can cut a day from Palm Springs and instead visit this park from Vegas.

During our road trip, unfortunately, we did not have time to visit Bryce Canyon, my friends from ‘Along came an elephant’ wrote a nice blog about it. You can read it here .

We hope you enjoyed this post on the West Coast Road Trip guide useful in planning yours! Have more questions, let us know in the comments below.

Pin: 3 weeks in West Coast America Road trip

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Even though I am from the US, I’ve never been farther west than Colorado. I would love to see more of the south west part especially. Thanks for all the of the useful tips!

Tank you so much Maria! I hope you will have the opportunity to travel to the West Coast one day, you will love it!

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Complete 3 Week California National Park Road Trip Itinerary

If you’re a family that loves the outdoors, a California national park road trip would be the ultimate west coast family vacation .

There are 63 National Parks in total across the United States (including overseas territories), and California hosts the highest number of National Parks compared to any other state in the US, coming in at nine official national parks. Each park is a great experience worth stopping on your road trip. 

If hitting all 63 National Parks is on your traveling bucket list, this road trip around the Golden State is a great way to cross nine off that list. California is a big state (the largest in the lower 48 contiguous states of the US), so a road trip traveling across the whole state may seem a bit daunting, but no need to worry!

We’ve mapped out the perfect route to visit all nine California national parks in a way that makes the most sense. We estimate between travel time and the time taken to enjoy each destination, you will need at least 2.5 to 3 weeks to complete this epic California road trip. 

California’s National Parks at a Glance

Ideal california national park road trip route, san francisco to pinnacles national park, pinnacles national park to channel islands national park, channel islands national park to joshua tree national park, joshua tree national park to death valley national park, death valley national park to sequoia & kings canyon national parks, sequoia and kings canyon national park to yosemite national park, yosemite national park to lassen volcanic national park, lassen volcanic national park to redwood national park, more tips for road tripping california.

• It makes a lot of sense before undertaking this road trip to get yourself an America the Beautiful Annual Pass – or see if your family might be eligible for the Every Kid Outdoors (a.k.a 4th Grader Pass)
• There are numerous possibilities for visiting California’s state parks on this road trip too, which come with day parking fees; consider investing in an annual pass for California’s state parks – it could pay itself off fast!

On this California Itinerary, San Francisco will be our starting point. We will be traveling in an anti-clockwise direction, hitting the west coast national parks first – but you can, of course, choose a different starting point or take this road trip in the reverse direction. 

• Before you set off, you may also like to spend a few days exploring San Francisco and the Bay Area with these 15 Fun Things to Do in San Francisco
• Distance: 128 miles
• Travel Time: 2 hours and 20 mins

Our first National Park stop is Pinnacles National Park . Pinnacles was established as a national park in 2013 and got its name from the towering rock structures throughout the park. Pinnacles is the smallest National Park in California, but despite its size, it has plenty to offer. 

How Long Should I Stay at Pinnacles National Park?

Being so small (relative to other California giants!), you don’t need a lot of time to make the most of visiting Pinnacles National Park . With it being just a short drive from San Francisco, you can make it there in plenty of time to enjoy the park for the day and rest for the night before heading to your next destination. 

Where to Stay at Pinnacles National Park

Pinnacles only has one campground , accessible only from the east entrance to the park. It is available for reservations all year round. The campground offers space for campers, RVs, and standard vehicles and a limited number of permanent tent cabins . Each campsite will have a picnic table and a fire ring to ensure there are accommodations to fit all of your needs. 

Inn at the Pinnacles is the next closest option outside the parks west entrance, or you can look for cheap motel accommodation in the small nearby town of Soledad .

Things to Do in Pinnacles National Park 

Rock climbing.

One of the most popular activities at Pinnacles is rock climbing. If you have never been rock climbing before there are a number of routes available on the west side of the park.

Pro tip: The rock climbing routes at the Pinnacles are pretty advanced so if you do not have experience it is recommended that you book with a tour guide to ensure you remain safe during your trek. 

Hiking Trails

There are a number of hiking trails ranging from simple to advanced making it a great spot for people of all ages and capabilities.

Hiking trails include the Bear Gulch Cave via the East Entrance (1.5 miles, 275 feet in elevation), the Balconies Cave Trail via the West Entrance (2.4 miles, 200 feet in elevation), and the High Peaks Trail which can be accessed via both the east and west entrances (4.3-6.5 miles, 1,259-1,800 feet in elevation).

Bird Watching

There are more than 200 bird species that reside within Pinnacles National Park including turkey vultures, golden eagles, and the park’s signature bird, the California Condor. 

The Pinnacles National Park is home to fascinating talus caves. These caves are divided into two main areas: the Bear Gulch Caves situated in the East District and the Balconies Caves located near the Chaparral Picnic Area in the West District.

When to go: Pinnacles National Park is open year-round and being in the state of California, the weather is suitable for travel year-round. Keep in mind, even in California temperatures can get pretty chilly when the sun goes down so be sure to pack layers and blankets for warmth. 

• Distance: 234 miles
• Travel Time: 4 hours

At the Channel Islands National Park you get the best of both worlds with it being both a national park with an island feel. The Channel Islands are made up of five islands out in the beautiful North Pacific Ocean which must be accessed by ferry. The islands include Anacapa, Santa Barbara, San Miguel, Santa Rosa, and Santa Cruz. 

How Long Should I Stay at Channel Islands National Park?

Because there are five separate islands to visit, we recommend taking 2-3 days to fully enjoy the whole area. You can travel from island to island with a number of fun outdoor activities at each destination. 

Where to Stay at Channel Islands National Park

Campgrounds are available on all five channel islands; to use these campsites, you must make an advanced reservation and secure overnight transportation service to ensure you have all the supplies and items necessary for your overnight stay. 

It is possible to only take a day trip to the islands and stay in the nearest large city, Santa Barbara.

Things to Do at Channel Islands National Park

For most, simply traveling out to the island is enough of an experience without any added activities, but if you are one that likes to stay busy and have plenty to do during your stay, the islands offer many outdoor and water-recreational activities.

Some popular activities include whale and dolphin watching, snorkeling, kayaking, and hiking. 

When to go: The Island Packers offer transportation to all five islands. There is year-round transportation available to Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands while Santa Rosa and San Miguel Island trips are available from April through early November, and Santa Barbara Island trips are available from the Spring through Fall seasons.

All islands are available year-round via private transportation services if you choose. 

• Distance: 199 miles
• Travel Time:  3 hours, 45 minutes

Leaving the Channel Islands completes the western coast leg of our road trip, and we are moving into the Southern California national parks by heading to Joshua Tree National Park .

Joshua Tree is located in Southern California and is the meeting point of two well-known deserts, the Mojave and the Colorado deserts. The park gets its name from a type of yucca that grows in the desert, known as Joshua Trees. 

Bonus Tip: On the way to Joshua Tree, you can make a stop at Mount San Jacinto State Park to add another beautiful park to your road trip. 

How Long Should I Stay in Joshua Tree National Park?

While you can see the main points of Joshua Tree in just one day, we recommend spending at least two days to provide enough time to take your time and see everything the park offers.

Where to Stay at Joshua Tree National Park

There are 500 campsites across 8 campgrounds located on Joshua Tree National Park grounds, so as you can imagine, there are plenty of options to choose from.

While there are so many campsite options available, the park sees about 2.8 million visitors per year, so it is highly recommended that you make a reservation prior to visiting, particularly if you will be visiting during a peak or holiday season.

If you have a camper or RV , the best campgrounds include the Cottonwood Campground, Ryan Campground, and the Jumbo Rocks Campground.  

Things to Do in Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree offers 300 miles of hiking trails varying from short 15-20 minute walks up to 6-hour trails. Some of the most popular trails include Barker Dam (1.1 miles, 1 hour), Discovery Trail (0.7 mil, 30-45 minutes), Skull Rock (1.7 miles, 1-2 hours), Split Rock Loop (2.5 miles, 1.5-2.5 hours), and the Lost Horse Loop (6.5 miles, 3-4 hours).

Other popular activities in Joshua Tree include Ranger-led programs, biking, and horseback riding. 

When to go: Joshua Tree is open and available for visitors all year round, and the San Diego weather offers a great experience during any season. Some campgrounds close during particular times, be sure to check reservation availability before going. 

• Distance: 228 miles

As you enter Death Valley National Park we are getting into the first of the Sierra Nevada Mountain national parks. Death Valley is the largest national park not just in the state of California but also in the continental U.S.

Death Valley is the hottest and driest place in America, filled with huge sand dunes and colorful sandstone canyons, making it quite a sight to see.

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How Long Should I Stay in Death Valley National Park?

We have found that the sweet spot for a time at Death Valley seems to be around 2-3 days, depending on how quickly you move through the trails and activities offered in the area.

Where to Stay at Death Valley National Park

If you’re looking for lodging within the park, the Furnace Creek area has several options to choose from. One of them is the historic Furnace Creek Inn and Ranch Resort, which offers comfortable amenities and is conveniently located near key attractions. Another popular choice is Stovepipe Wells Village, where you can enjoy a rustic desert experience with a hotel, restaurant, and campground.

Outside the park, the town of Beatty, Nevada, provides convenient access and a range of accommodations, including hotels and motels suitable for families.

Things to Do in Death Valley National Park 

Death Valley is over three million acres giving plenty of room for a variety of fun activities and experiences to enjoy. Some of the most popular activities include: 

• Sightseeing – A lot of sightseeing points can be accessed via car, some of the most popular including the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and the lowest point in North America, the Badwater Basin. 
• Hiking – Death Valley is a hiker’s dream. There are a number of incredible trails to enjoy ranging from easy to advanced. Hiking is best during the months of November through March as the temperatures can become quite extreme through the Spring and Summer months. 
• Backcountry Driving – If you prefer to skip hiking and stay in your vehicle, there are hundreds of miles of backcountry roads to enjoy. Spending the day driving around is a great way to take in the sights around you. 
• Self-guided Star Wars Driving Tour – If you’re a fan of Star Wars, visiting some of the sites where some of the famous Star Wars movies were filmed will be sure to fulfill your dream. Some of the Star Wars filming locations include Dantes View, the Golden Canyon, and the Twenty-mule Team Canyon. 

When to go: In the spring and summer, the weather can be quite harsh. Thus, it might be more preferable to plan a visit during the fall or winter months.

• Distance: 104 miles
• Travel Time: 2 hours

The Sequoia National Forest gets its name from the world’s largest trees, Sequoias, and the park has the largest number of sequoia groves in the world. The Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are two adjoining National Parks that offer some of the most incredible sights in the U.S. 

How Long Should I Stay in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks?

We have found that because this stop is technically two parks it is best to spend around 3-4 days in order to cover everything that both parks have to offer. You can choose to split your time between two days at each park, or if you find that you prefer one park over the other, you can spend more time there and just hit the highlights of the other park. 

Where to Stay in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

The Sequoia & Kings Canyon area offers a number of lodging accommodations to its guests, including camping sites, log cabins, motels, as well as hotels.

Some popular options include Grant Grove, the John Muir Lodge , the Wuksachi Lodge , the Lodgepole Campground , and the Sequoia High Sierra Camp.

Things to Do in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

Both parks offer beautiful sights to see, and there are plenty of great outdoor activities to enjoy, including horseback rides, cave tours, hiking, and more. Some popular park highlights include: 

• The Giant Sequoia National Monument (The world’s largest tree encompassing 328,315 acres)
• Mount Whitney (The highest peak in the Lower 48, standing at 14,494 feet)
• General Sherman Tree (The largest tree in the world by volume, standing at 275 feet tall and a 36-foot diameter).
• Crystal Cave  

When to go: The parks are open 24/7 all year round, but you will find the best weather and conditions during the months of June through September.

• Distance: 111 miles
• Travel Time: 2.5 hours

Yosemite National Park is probably the most well-known national park in California, and it is the most visited park as well, typically coming in at more than 4 million visitors per year and is the first stop to kick off our road to the northern California National parks. During your time at Yosemite, you will see a number of beautiful sights of nature.

How Long Should I Stay at Yosemite National Park?

Yosemite Park is huge; for a size comparison, it is about the size of Rhode Island , so as I’m sure you can imagine, ideally, you will need a good amount of time to see the park. We recommend spending 3-4 days at Yosemite.

Where to Stay at Yosemite National Park

There are a variety of lodging options at Yosemite National Park, ranging from tent campsites to traditional cabins, as well as full hotel accommodations. Popular choices include The Ahwahnee, a luxury hotel, the White Wolf Lodge, the Tuolumne Meadows Lodge, and the High Sierra Camps.

Things to Do in Yosemite National Park

You will find plenty of activities throughout the park, including hiking trails, rock climbing, and water-based activities. Yosemite has so many highlights to see that it is hard to narrow it down to just a few choices, but the following are some of the most popular can’t-miss experiences: 

• Yosemite Falls – Yosemite Falls is the highest waterfall in North America, coming in at 2,425 feet. You can access the lower falls with a simple walk through the trail, while a more difficult trail will lead you to the upper fall’s crest. Bonus tip: Make sure you bring your rain gear if you want to avoid getting soaked!
• Half Dome – The half dome is one of the most awe-inspiring sights to see at Yosemite. There is a hiking trail that will lead you to the top of Half Dome, but it is extremely important to note that this hike is NOT easy, and you should not attempt it if you have not trained for such a vigorous trek. Permits are required in order to participate. 
• Glacier Point – Glacier Point is a can’t-miss stop at Yosemite as it is the opportunity to see many of the sights within Yosemite from just one point, including Yosemite Valley, the High Sierra Crest, the Merced River Canyon, and the Half Dome. 

When to go: Yosemite is a great visit all year round, with beautiful weather during the spring and summer months and a breathtaking snow-capped wonderland during the winter months. Camping is limited, though, in the winter and some trails are closed.

• Distance: 321 miles
• Travel Time: 5 hours, 40 minutes

The Lassen Peak volcano erupted in 1914 and continued for three years while it has now become dormant, allowing visitors of Lassen Volcanic National Park to explore what still stands today, as well as many other beautiful sights. 

How Long Should I Stay at Lassen Volcanic National Park?

While you can have a fulfilling experience with just one full day at Lassen Volcanic, if you have the extra day to spare, we recommend spending the full two days to really get the most out of your visit.

Where to Stay at Lassen Volcanic National Park

There are a variety of accommodations within the park to fit whatever style you are looking for. If you would like to stick with traditional camping, there are seven campgrounds on the property, camping cabins at Manzanita Lake, and hotel-style lodging at Drakesbad Guest Ranch .

Things to Do at Lassen Volcanic National Park 

Lassen offers plenty of fun outdoor activities and some of the most beautiful sights your family will surely love. Some popular things to do include: 

• Manzanita Lake – This lake is absolutely beautiful and provides plenty of fun water activities to enjoy, including swimming, kayaking, and a 1.6-mile hiking trail that circle around the lake. 
• Lassen Peak – One of the coolest experiences that you won’t want to miss out on is hiking up to Lassen Peak. The hike is not described as easy, but it isn’t particularly challenging either; it is suitable for your older kids. When you reach the peak, you will see the Lassen Peak crater and how the rock has evolved over time. 
• Bumpass Hell – If you choose to visit Bumpass Hell, you will take a three-mile round-trip trail that will lead you to the geothermal site that features 16 acres of boiling springs, mud pots, steam vents, and fumaroles, one of the absolute unique highlights of visiting Lassen and the Ring of Fire.

When to go: Lassen Volcanic National Park gets an extreme amount of snow during the winter months, making it a challenging visit, the best time to visit is during the months of July through October while the mountainous through-road is open.

• Distance: 214 miles

Finally, we round out our tour of California National Parks with Redwood National Park and some of the most utterly beautiful scenic driving in northern California . The forest is home to nearly half of the world’s old-growth redwood trees. Simply walking through the forest and seeing the redwoods standing so tall is an experience you don’t want to miss out on. 

How Long Should I Stay at Redwood National Park?

The Redwood National Park is one that you can easily experience within just one day, provided that you have the full day to immerse yourself in its nature. However, if you have additional time to spare, don’t hesitate to stay for an extra day or two!

Where to Stay at the Redwood National Park

There is not much lodging available at Redwood National Park, so if you choose to stay within the park, be sure that you make reservations and check availability before you go.

The park offers eight campground cabins split between the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park and the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. 

If you prefer hotel or motor inn accommodation, Crescent City on the border with Oregon or Eureka make your closest small city stopping points.

Things to Do in Redwood National Park

The best part (in our opinion) about visiting Redwood National Park is that your time there is spent just truly immersing yourself in the nature surrounding you. Some can’t-miss sites include: 

• Driving the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway – This drive is a 10-mile adventure that takes you right through the heart of the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. As you drive, you get the chance to enjoy the beautiful nature around you, including the wildlife that lives within the forest.
• Fern Canyon – If you are up for a long hike, you can embark on the James Irvine Trail, a 9-mile round-trip hiking trail that will take you to Fern Canyon. As you walk through the forest, you can admire that you are walking through the very filming location used in many of the scenes in the hit film Jurassic Park 2. This is a very cool experience for a movie buff or fan of the Jurassic Park franchise. 
• Trees of Mystery – The Redwood National Park is one of the few parks that actually have a ride within its grounds. The Trees of Mystery attraction will take you through a .08-mile trail where you will see beautiful sculptures, and you will get the chance to ride in the SkyTrail gondola ride in order to see the beautiful views from 130 feet above the ground. 

When to go: The best time to visit is between the months of April through September, as these months provide the most life and color within the trees and greenery throughout the forest. Additionally, the weather is the most cooperative and enjoyable during these months. As you head into late fall-winter, the weather tends to become cooler and more rainy, making it difficult to navigate through hiking trails. 

Bonus Tip: As you circle back around to San Francisco, there are several State Parks in the San Francisco area that you can add to your itinerary if you have time. These parks include Sonoma Coast State Park, Point Reyes National Seashore, Muir Woods National Monument, and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. 

As we mentioned at the outset, you need at least 2.5 to 3 weeks to do this California National Parks Road Trip justice. If you have less time and would like to tackle smaller parts of the state and some shorter scenic drives in California , then we suggest you read next:

• San Francisco to the Redwoods – via Highway 1, Sonoma, and the Valley of the Giants
• Scenic journey from San Francisco to Yosemite
• You can extend this journey with a road trip between Yosemite to Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
• Alternatively, take in the majesty of Yosemite and Death Valley on one fascinating family road trip
• From San Diego , try this Joshua Tree road trip itinerary , which is ideal for a long weekend
• You may want to tackle just one half of the state, here we weigh up the pros and cons of Southern California vs Northern California

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3-Week West Coast USA Road Trip Itinerary: Cities and Parks

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Why Choose This Itinerary?

If you have 3 weeks and want to explore all the most famous destinations on the West Coast , then this itinerary is for you . In fact, we have selected all the classic attractions of California , Arizona , and Utah , including both the must-see parks (the Grand Canyon , Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon , etc…) and the main cities ( San Francisco , Las Vegas , Los Angeles , and San Diego ). This is a winning combination that will result in an unforgettable road trip!

Travel Info

• Best period : Spring and Summer
• Duration : 20 days
• Distance to cover : About 1,990 miles
• Total driving hours : Approximately 32 hours
• Average daily driving time : About 90 minutes
• Start : San Francisco
• End : Los Angeles

How do you book this tour?

This is a “do-it-yourself” road trip, and you can plan it step-by-step by following all the directions and resources entered for each stop.

* Please Note: Some parts of this route are not accessible at certain times of the year due to weather conditions in certain seasons ( Tioga Road is usually closed from November to April making it impossible to cross Yosemite in the winter ). In such cases, we recommend modifying the route by including Morro Bay (via Big Sur ) and Sequoia National Park (and from there return to Death Valley following the original route).

If you’re looking for a shorter “do-it-yourself trip”, you can check out our 2 Week National Park Road Trip , which is suitable for all seasons and passes through cities in California , national parks, Indian reservations, Route 66 and a ghost town.

• Road Trip Map
• Travel stops
• Travel calendar and resources

3 Weeks West Coast USA Road Trip: Map

Here is a list of the individual stops and tips and resources to make the most of them.

How to use this list?

Each place represents a stop on the trip. To better understand the order of the stops, see the list below. For every single destination, there are various links that refer to tips for organizing the visit, resources for booking various activities or hotels, and other recommendations. The overview of days and distances of the entire itinerary can be found under “Travel Calendar”. Have a great trip!

Travel Stops

San Francisco

Stop in the most fascinating city in California . You will have a few days to visit it and you will soon realize that San Francisco is a city full of surprises and activities.

• Things to do
• Where to stay
• Where to eat
• San Francisco passes: Which one to choose?
• San Francisco Guided Tours

Resources :

• Cheap hotels in San Francisco
• All the activities to do in the city
• All the articles on our website about San Francisco

Yosemite National Park

The beautiful Yosemite National Park is characterized by imposing monoliths, vertical cliffs, and roaring waterfalls. We will explore it by entering from the west (Arch Rock Entrance) and exiting from the opposite end (Tioga Pass). It’s really worth exploring this natural wonder by driving through the park or perhaps by going on some hikes!

• Points of interest in Yosemite National Park
• Where to stay in Yosemite National Park
• Tours, excursions, and activities at Yosemite Park
• The page on our website dedicated to Yosemite

Death Valley National Park

Visiting Death Valley’s arid and desert landscape that seems like another planet is a unique experience. There you will see ancient lakes that have evaporated in which there are reflections of iridescent rainbows, as well as undulating mountains with unusual shapes, stunning rock formations, and so much more.

• Points of interest in Death Valley National Park
• Where to stay in Death Valley

Sin City, the city of gambling and unbridled excess. You should stop here at least for one day!

• Attractions in Las Vegas
• Where to stay in Las Vegas
• Recommended hotels in town
• Luxury hotels
• Las Vegas City Passes

Excursions and tours:

• Tours of parks departing from Las Vegas
• Helicopter tour to the Grand Canyon
• All articles about Las Vegas
• All the activities to do in Las Vegas

Bryce Canyon National Park

An impressive natural amphitheater, with unique rocky pinnacles known as hoodoos, that offers breathtaking views.

• Points of interest at Bryce Canyon
• Where to stay at Bryce Canyon
• Tours from Las Vegas

Antelope Canyon

The most famous slot canyon in the world. You can enter the winding canyon and see wonderful light effects. It is the ideal place to take unforgettable photos!

• Antelope Canyon Guide
• Where to stay in Page

Monument Valley

The three large red sand monoliths that stand out on the horizon have now become one of the most representative symbols of the American Far West. This wonderful valley is one of the must-see destinations for a Southwest road trip!

• How to visit Monument Valley
• Where to stay in Monument Valley

Grand Canyon

This is the largest and most famous canyon in the world. A vacation in the Southwest is not complete without visiting the Grand Canyon. Here are our tips to make the most of your visit!

• How to visit the Grand Canyon in 1 day
• Where to find accommodations in the area
• Excursions and activities at the Grand Canyon
• The page on our website dedicated to the Grand Canyon

A strategic stop between the Grand Canyon and California, located right on the legendary Route 66 , America’s most famous road.

• Where to stay and what to do in Kingman

Palm Springs

Palm Springs is an oasis in an unlikely place in the desert. It is dotted with palm trees and full of charm and it is the ideal base to visit the nearby Joshua Tree National Park (a 40-minute drive away).

• Tips for visiting Joshua Tree National Park
• Tips for visiting Palm Springs
• Where to stay in Palm Springs
• All the activities to do in Palm Springs and in the surrounding area

Welcome to one of the most beautiful and vibrant cities in all of California. There are beautiful beaches, charming parks, many events, and elegant neighborhoods … in short, it is a city where it is really hard to get bored!

• Things to do in San Diego
• Where to stay in San Diego
• Cheap hotels in San Diego
• All the activities to do in San Diego
• San Diego Pass and Card: Free access to 45 activities or tours :

Los Angeles

It is one of the great American cities and is known worldwide for Hollywood, beautiful beaches, and events. Below you’ll find some tips to make the most of the time spent in Los Angeles.

• Things to do in Los Angeles
• Guided Tours
• Los Angeles Passes: The best passes to visit the city

Theme Parks:

• Universal Studios
• Search for a hotel in Los Angeles
• Los Angeles travel guide

Travel Calendar and Resources

• Day 1 : Arrival in San Francisco
• Days 2-3 : Visit San Francisco
• Day 4 : San Francisco – Yosemite Park (Arch Rock Entrance) (3 1/2 hours)
• Day 5 : Yosemite (Tioga Pass) – Death Valley (4 hours)
• Day 6 : Death Valley – Las Vegas (2 hours 20)
• Days 7-8 : Las Vegas – Bryce Canyon (4 hours)
• Day 9 : Bryce Canyon – Antelope Canyon (2 1/2 hours)
• Day 10 : Antelope Canyon – Monument Valley (2 hours)
• Day 11 : Monument Valley – Grand Canyon (3 hours)
• Day 12 : Grand Canyon – Kingman (2 hours 40)
• Day 13 : Kingman – Palm Springs (3 hours 40)
• Day 14 : Palm Springs – San Diego (2 hours)
• Days 15-16 : San Diego
• Day 17 : San Diego – Los Angeles (2 hours)
• Days 18-20 : Visit Los Angeles

Recommended Accommodations

Argonaut Hotels

Located in the Fisherman’s Wharf area, this hotel allows you to experience life at the harbor firsthand and has charming nautical-style decor.

Yosemite Park

Double Eagle Resort & Spa, June Lake

Located in a strategic area, just 35 minutes from the Tioga Pass, you can have a comfortable stay here after crossing the park from West to East, just as it was outlined in the itinerary above. It is a mountain resort set in nature. While it is rustic, it offers guests all amenities, including a spa, a restaurant, a gym, and a conference center.

Death Valley

The Inn at Death Valley

This is the most beautiful hotel in Death Valley. It is made of adobe and is built in a 1920’s retro style with palm trees, springs, gardens, and much more. The Inn has a truly unique atmosphere.

The Venetian

There are some unique hotels in Las Vegas, but how about a magnificent structure where you can relive the splendor of the Republic of Venice? Here, in addition to providing all kinds of amenities, you will also find reconstructions of the most important monuments in Venice.

Bryce Canyon

A hotel with a Southwest atmosphere. Excellent for the proximity to the park (about 10 minutes), amenities (with many rooms with Jacuzzi attached), and the many Far West attractions nearby that can be kitsch but still fun.

Lake Powell Resort

This hotel is the ideal choice for those who love to be in nature and want to stay at a hotel overlooking one of the most famous lakes in the Southwest. Guests will enjoy the view of the lake from their rooms or from the beautiful restaurant.

Just like in the case of the Lake Powell Resort, it’s the view that makes all the difference. Have you always wanted to spend the night right in front of the famous red monoliths of Monument Valley? Then this is the hotel you’re looking for.

Another hotel where you can enjoy a unique panorama, in this case, that of the Grand Canyon. This lodge has rustic and elegant rooms and is the ideal place to stay in the area.

Best Western Plus King’s Inn and Suites

Kingman is best known for being on Route 66 and, in fact, in this beautiful hotel, you will see many references to the legendary road in the main rooms.

L’Horizon Resort & Spa

This resort is characterized by a refined interior design, a luxurious spa, and all the services and amenities you may need during  your stay in this quirky oasis.

The Pearl Hotel

A lively hotel with a sea-inspired theme. Its design is inspired by the 1950s and contemporary influences. At the Pearl Hotel, there are 2 swimming pools, a restaurant, and many other amenities.

Oceana Santa Monica

A high-class hotel in Santa Monica. Some suites have  ocean views: the best way to rest at the end of an on the road like this!

Recommended Activities

• Disneyland in Los Angeles
• Universal Studios in Los Angeles
• Grand Canyon helicopter tour
• SeaWorld San Diego
• Car rental from San Francisco to Los Angeles

Warning: Operating hours can change and closures for extraordinary events can occur, so we strongly suggest to check the venues official websites.

Bernardo Pacini

I am an enthusiastic traveler. I have also published some poetry. Besides traveling, my interests include literature, prog music and good food,.

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Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

A Two Week California Road Trip Itinerary

Last updated: June 3, 2022 . Written by Laurence Norah - 114 Comments

The United States is pretty much the perfect country to road trip in, with great roads, cheap gas and hundreds of gorgeous destinations to choose from. It’s no wonder that a California road trip is on many visitors to-do lists!

We’ve taken a number of fantastic US road trips , including Route 66 , the Pacific Coast Highway , the Oregon Trail and a route through the Deep South , and have never failed to have an amazing time.

One of our favourite states to explore though has to be California. With a mix of an excellent climate, some of the best National Parks in the country, and world-famous cities to explore, you’re never going to run short of things to do in California.

With this in mind, I wanted to put together a classic two week California road trip itinerary, taking in some of the best that the sunshine state has to offer. I did a trip almost exactly the same as this a few years back, so I know that it’s a good one.

Two weeks is also a good amount of time for a trip like this, although you could of course extend it by a few days if you wanted to see a bit more, or wanted to go a bit slower.

California Road Trip Itinerary

This California road trip itinerary has you starting and finishing in San Francisco. As it’s a loop, you could also start and finish at any other point. If you would prefer another starting location, LA would be the most logical.

The route runs anti-clockwise, but you are welcome to drive it in whichever direction you prefer!

San Francisco – 3 Days

We’re going to start our California road trip with three days in San Francisco. San Francisco is home to the second largest airport in California, so there are plenty of opportunities for getting here for both domestic and international travellers.

San Francisco, and the surrounding San Francisco Bay Area is also an excellent city to base yourself for your first three days.

If you’re arriving internationally, you’re going to want a few days to adjust to the time zone difference before hopping into a car. For this reason, I’m going to recommend spending three nights in San Francisco, and picking up your hire car as you leave. You won’t want (or need!) a car while you’re in the city – parking is expensive and there are plenty of other options to get around.

You won’t be short on things to do in San Francisco, and in fact, might feel a little overwhelmed by all the choices!

Our suggestions would be to take in the Golden Gate bridge (hire a bike to get here easily), explore Chinatown, pop across to Alcatraz , revel in the tourist trap that is Fisherman’s Wharf, don’t miss golden gate park , head to the top of Nob Hill for cocktails at The Mark, hop on a cable car and, if you still have time, take a stroll at Lands End.

To get yourself oriented, we can also recommend taking a walking tour with the excellent SFNative folks, they know the city backwards. Finally, if you’re looking for some great photo opportunities, check out our guide to the best photography locations in San Francisco .

Accommodation wise, there are plenty of options in San Francisco. Here are some of our favourite picks for your stay, across a range of budgets.

• HI San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf Hotel – found right on Fisherman’s Wharf, this budget hostel offers both dormitory and private accommodation options. There’s free breakfast and free parking, making this an excellent option for the location.
• Marines’ Memorial Club & Hotel – found in the popular Union Square district, this great value 3-star hotel has a rooftop restaurant, library, and on-site theatre. Rooms have private bathrooms and coffee makers, and breakfast is included. A paid parking garage is available nearby.
• Parker Guest House – found in the old Mission district just behind the San Francisco mission building, this is a well reviewed and good value guesthouse offering private rooms. Free breakfast is available, and parking is available on site for a reasonable (by San Francisco standards) fee.
• Columbus Inn – Just a few hundred yards from Lombardy Street and Fisherman’s Wharf in the North Beach district,  this 3* inn offers great value for the location. Private rooms offer en-suite and tea/coffee making facilities. There’s also free parking on site.
• Golden Gate Hotel – a very well reviewed 3* hotel just minutes from Union Square. Continental breakfast and afternoon tea are included. Rooms are definitely on the cosy side, and some have shared bathrooms, but the price is great for the location. Paid parking available nearby.
• Staypineapple Union Square – we stayed at this restored historic 4* 1913 hotel on a recent trip to San Francisco, and loved the mix of the old and the new. We loved the rooms, the colorful pineapple theme, and the free pineapple flavoured cupcakes certainly helped! Parking is available nearby for a fee.
• Four Seasons Hotel – if you are after five star luxury, then consider the Four Seasons hotel. Also found in Union Square, rooms are huge, there’s an on-site restaurant, fitness centre, and many rooms have city views.

See more options for hotels in San Francisco here, as well vacation rentals on Plum Guide here and Vrbo here .

Pacific Coast Highway – 2 Days

The drive down the section of the Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco to Los Angeles is definitely one of the best road trips in the world. So it’s really a no-brainer that this would be your first destination after you pick up your hire car and head out of the city.

There are numerous highlights along the way, from cute seaside towns to gorgeous wilderness areas. Don’t miss Santa Cruz , Monterey , Big Sur and the Julia Pfeffer Burns State Park (camp here if you can!).

The latter is particularly famous for the waterfall that cascades onto the beach, a gorgeous photo opportunity.

From Big Sur head further south and take in highlights like the seals at Cambria , tasty food at San Luis Obispo, the gorgeous Pismo beach, Hearst Castle and more.

For loads more information on this stretch of highway and to help you plan the perfect coastal road trip, check out our super detailed guide to planning a  Pacific Coast Highway road trip .

For the 2 days you’ll spend on this part of your California road trip, we recommend stopping overnight around Monterey or Carmel on your first night, and San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay or Cambria on your second night.

There are plenty of accommodation options all the way down this stretch of highway, from campsites and B&B’s to luxury hotels – it all depends on your budget and what you’re aiming for. Here are a few options to consider in our recommended towns along the way.

For your first night, we recommend one of the following:

• If you like to camp, then there are camping options in the national parks along the route here, including the Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground . I’ve camped here and it’s lovely to be surrounded by the massive redwoods. Just be aware that it is popular, and booking in advance is a must.
• Sandpiper Inn , Carmel – we stayed here when we visited Carmel. We enjoyed the comfortable rooms, inclusive breakfast, and proximity to the beach. Free parking is available.
• Coachman’s Inn , Carmel – we’ve stayed at a number of the boutique hotels which are in the Four Sisters Inn collection, and they’ve all been excellent. This inn, found in the heart of Carmel Village, gets good reviews. Rooms include coffee makers and free popcorn, wine with hors d’oeuvres is served in the evenings, and breakfast is included.
• The Inn at 1252 , Monterey – a good value inn on the way into Monterey. Rooms feature coffee makers, and a heated pool is available year round. There’s also a fitness room, free parking and free coffee.
• The Jabberwock B&B , Monterey – just a few blocks from Cannery Row, this very well reviewed B&B offers seven lovely guest rooms, some of which have fireplaces and hot tubs. Free parking, and breakfast is included.

For your second night, we recommend one of the following:

• Apple Farm Inn , San Luis Obispo – we really enjoyed our stay here on one of our Pacific Coast Highway road trips. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, the breakfast was fantastic, and the on-site bakery has some delicious food. There are also two pools on site, and free parking.
• Madonna Inn , San Luis Obispo – this four star family-owned motel just to the south of SLO is a truly quirky destination, and a landmark of the central coast. Each of the 110 rooms is uniquely decorated, with pink being a key theme throughout. We didn’t stay here, but we did have dinner at the Gold Rush steak house on-site, which was fantastic.
• Seaside Inn , Morro Bay – this 2* budget inn is one block from the waterfront. Rooms have a microwave and refrigerator, and there’s free on site parking and coffee.
• Beach Bungalow Inn and Suites , Morro Bay – five minutes walk from the aquarium, this three star inn is very well reviewed. Comfortable rooms have fireplaces, refrigerators and coffee machines, and a hot breakfast is included as is parking.
• Cambria Palms Motel , Cambria – this 2* motel is a couple of blocks from downtown, and offers comfortable rooms at a good price. Rooms have refrigerator and coffee machine, and free parking is available on site.
• El Colibri Hotel & Spa , Cambria – on one of our visits to Cambria we stayed here for a couple of nights and really enjoyed it. The rooms are lovely, with fireplaces, and some have spa tubs. There’s an on-site spa, outdoor hot tub, and breakfast is available. Free parking on-site.
• J Patrick House B&B , Cambria – this five star Irish themed inn was Cambria’s first B&B. There’s a a free wine hour, evening cookies and a full breakfast included with your stay. Each room is individually designed, and there’s free parking on site. A great pick in Cambria.

Santa Monica, LA – 2 Days

Los Angeles can be a big, confusing place, particularly after your trip down the Pacific Coast Highway. That’s why I suggest you head to Santa Monica and make that your LA base.

On the coast, and technically a separate city (it’s kind of hard to tell as LA and its surrounds are part of a fairly vast urban sprawl), you’ll have access to the wonderful beach and pier, as well as nearby Venice, most famous for its beach and people watching opportunities.

Again, there’s no shortage of things to do in LA. If you’re interested in film, you can visit the Hollywood sign, walk the Hollywood walk of fame or go on a tour of the backlot at Universal Studios .

Art lovers will find their thrills at the Getty Center , which also offers gorgeous panoramic views of the surrounding city. Other highlights include Sunset Boulevard, and of course, you can hop on one of those tours of the stars homes if you’re so inclined.

LA also has plentiful accommodation options to suit all budget. Here are some of our recommended options:

• Santa Monica Motel – we enjoyed our stay at this basic 2* motel, which is around a 10 minute walk from Santa Monica Pier. There’s free morning coffee and free parking, and rooms come with coffee makers and in-room refrigerators. It’s definitely a value option.
• Banana Bungalow – this hostel offers shared and private accommodation, around a mile from the downtown Hollywood area. There’s free parking on-site, and reviews are positive.
• Magic Castle Hotel – this 3* hotel is a short walk from the Hollywood walk of fame, and you get a pool, unlimited free snacks, free continental breakfast and reasonably priced parking. It’s also a short walk to the Hollywood Bowl, and only three miles from Universal Studios. We really enjoyed staying here.
• Villa Delle Stelle – this boutique hotel in central Hollywood gets excellent reviews and will make you feel like a celebrity. Each suite is designed after a specific old Hollywood Celebrity, and guests can avail of celebrity style services such as in-room massages, private chefs and a personal trainer. Free parking is also included.
• The Georgian Hotel – this beautiful 1933 4* Art Deco hotel is a short walk from Santa Monica pier, and offers ocean views and on-site dining. Breakfast is available, and parking is available on-site for a fee.

See more LA listings here for inspiration , as well as LA listings on Vrbo here . For a more curated apartment rental option, check out Plum Guide. You can see their LA listings here .

If you’re not excited about Los Angeles, you could also choose to skip it and head down the coast to San Diego County and the city of San Diego itself. This is a more laid back (and easily navigable!) experience compared to LA, and there’s a great deal to do here as well.

For more reading on San Diego, check out this guide to things to do in San Diego we put together.

Joshua Tree National Park – 1 Day

Time to head out of the city, and the remainder of this itinerary is going to focus on exploring some of California’s unbelievable wilderness areas and National Parks. We’re going to start this off with a trip to the Joshua Tree National Park , home to those iconic shaped trees that the park is named for.

It’s a wonderful place, the meeting point of two deserts, and offers good opportunities for camping, hiking and star-gazing.

The best way to experience the park is to camp overnight in one of its many campgrounds (you should definitely reserve a spot well in advance if this is your plan), otherwise, there are various lodging opportunities outside the park if you’re not big into camping. You should also be aware that there is very limited water availability in the park (and no hookups for RV’s), so make sure you bring plenty of water and food – this is a remote desert environment after all!

Here are some suggested accommodation options in nearby Twentynine Palms.

• 9 Palms Inn – this budget 2* property gets good reviews, and rooms come with a coffee machine, microwave and refrigerator. There’s also free parking on site.
• El Rancho Dolores – this is a great value 3* property with a seasonal pool. Rooms have microwaves and refrigerator, and free parking is included.
• Sunnyvale Garden Suites – a very well rated 2* hotel offering a range of suites, each of which comes with a BBQ as well as a full kitchen. There’s a hot tub and gym on site, and free parking is available.
• Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites – this 3* chain hotel offers comfortable and well reviewed accommodation, with an outdoor heated pool and fitness centre. Rooms have coffee making facilities, microwave and small fridge, and there are BBQ facilities available for guest use.
• Flying Point Homestead – if you want something a little bit different, check out this property. It’s actually a holiday home rather than a hotel, but one of the options is a beautiful silver streak trailer!

See more listings for Twentynine Palms and this general region on  Plum Guide here .

Note, if you want to include a detour to Las Vegas, this would be the moment to do just that. We’d suggest adding a couple of days to your trip if you want to experience the city and its surrounds as there’s a lot to see and do here. Then you can rejoin the trip at the next stop.

For more on that sort of trip, check out our two week USA road trip itinerary , which include Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon.

Death Valley National Park – 1 Day

Moving on from one desert environment to another desert environment – and the largest national park in the contiguous United States. Death Valley (the name was given by gold rush travellers who nearly perished here) is the hottest and driest place in North America, and has recorded the hottest ambient air temperature in the world.

So, overall, a hot place.

Other than making you want to crank up the AC then, what does Death Valley offer? Well, there’s that sense of remoteness. The vast, unforgiving wilderness. The knowledge that you’d probably die fairly quickly if you happen to wander off and get lost (don’t wander off and get lost folks).

Truth be told, there’s plenty to do here. You can visit Badwater Basin, the lowest point in the entire North America, which actually sits 86 metres below sea level. Then there are sand dunes, salt flats, craters, colourful canyons and hiking opportunities galore.

Just be aware that this is a seriously inhospitable, and, in the summer months, unbearably hot, destination, so plan and pack accordingly . If you’re looking for more ideas on spending a day in Death Valley, check out this excellent post .

Mammoth Lakes – 1 Day

From Death Valley we’re going to head further north, up to Mammoth Lakes . This drive is quite incredible, along the Sierra Nevada mountains, and the scenery (and temperatures) will change dramatically as you ascend into this gorgeous part of the world.

Mammoth Lakes are an adventure lovers playground. You can go hiking, camping, cycling, rock climbing, horseback riding, fishing – the list goes on! There’s also a ghost town , craft beer companies, shopping opportunities – basically, pretty much everything you could imagine.

Whilst you’re here, you should also take the opportunity to visit Lake Mono . Now a state nature reserve, Lake Mono is a million year old lake notable for the “tufa” towers, calcium carbonate structures that stand above the lake like strange modern art installations. Definitely worth a visit, and particularly photogenic at sunrise and sunset.

Yosemite National Park – 3 Days

Finally on our awesome California road trip, I’m going to suggest you spend three days exploring Yosemite National Park before heading back to San Francisco to return your hire vehicle and head home.

Yosemite is without doubt one of my favourite places in the entire United States. It’s a wonder of nature, a photographer’s paradise, and somewhere I dare anyone to visit without falling instantly in love.

There’s a lot to see and do here, which is why I’m going to suggest taking three days to get the most out of your visit. This will let you see all the highlights, as well as go for some longer hikes (or drives), and not feel too rushed.

I’ve got a full guide to the best photography locations in Yosemite , but in brief, don’t miss Yosemite Falls, the hike up to Nevada and Vernal Falls, the drive (or hike) to Glacier Point, Tunnel View, Valley View and Bridalveil Falls.

If you love longer, more challenging day hikes, then Half Dome is a seriously challenging walk (permit required), as is the walk up to the top of Yosemite Falls .

There are a range of accommodation options in Yosemite National Park, ranging from campsites to canvas-sided tent cabins, through to luxury hotels.

There are 13 campsites available in the park , with a number of these available for reservation, and the rest operated on a first come first serve basis. If you want to camp, we highly recommend booking well in advance, which you can do here .

There are also nine lodging options operated by Yosemite Hospitality inside the park, which are the only other accommodation options available in the park itself. These can be reserved up to a year in advance, and range from simple canvas cabins through to a high-end luxury hotel. These can all be reserved online in advance here .

Important –  As of 2022, Yosemite has introduced a reservation system for park entry. If you are visiting between late May and the end of September and planning on driving into or through the park between 6am and 4pm you will need to have a reservation. You can find out more and make your reservations online here .

California Road Trip Map

We’ve put together a map of our suggested California road trip itinerary, which you can see below, and also on Google Maps here . Note that depending on the time of year, access to Yosemite can be restricted due to snow, so you have to take the longer way round.

In addition, parts of the Pacific Coast Highway are often closed due to damage caused by landslides. As such, the map should be seen as an overview rather than a definitive route. You’ll want to plan your own California road trip route that matches any current road conditions and closures.

You can check the status of the coast route (state highway 1), as well as all the other roads in the state, on the Caltrans website here .

California Road Trip Itinerary Overview

• Days 1 – 3: San Francisco
• Days 4 – 5: Pacific Coast Highway
• Days 6 & 7: Los Angeles
• Day 8: Joshua Tree
• Day 9: Death Valley
• Day 10: Mammoth Lakes
• Days 11 – 13: Yosemite National Park
• Day 14: Return to San Francisco

When to Take a California Road Trip

California is a fairly good year round destination, but there are a few things to be aware of when planning your trip. In the Winter months, places like Yosemite can become accessible particularly from the east side, due to snow, as you can see in the map above.

The main road in to Yosemite is the Tioga Road, and this is usually closed from November through to May or even June. In addition, parts of the park, including Glacier Point road, are often closed for a similar timeframe.

If this happens to you, you’ll have to take a serious detour to get in based on this itinerary. A better option might be to embrace the snow, and head up to Lake Tahoe for some fantastic skiing opportunities. Or, you can head east, out to Nevada and the pleasure city of Las Vegas.

In summertime, the heat can be quite intense, in particular in places like Death Valley, where in the summer months temperatures can exceed 100F, and it’s not recommended to spend much time outside.

Where to Stay in California

California has a serious range of accommodation options to meet pretty much every budget, although larger cities and busier months do tend to increase the prices. We’d always recommend booking in advance for your trip if possible – in particular for national park campsites and hotels, and to get the best deals on city centre hotels.

For two people travelling together, you’re looking at a budget range of $60 – $150 per night for comfortable private en-suite accommodation, although you can obviously spend far more than that!

Our preferred option for hotel booking is booking.com, as they usually have the best prices, regularly run deals, and many properties offer good last minute cancellation policies. See their listings for California , San Francisco and Los Angeles to get you started.

We also use and recommend Plum Guide and Vrbo for vacation rentals.

For more ideas, take a look at our travel resources page for helpful hints and tips on getting the best deal on accommodation when you travel.

How to Get Around California

This is a road trip, so obviously you’re going to want a hire a car! We nearly always hire cars for our US road trips through Enterprise . We generally find they have the most competitive prices and widest choice of locations, plus if you’re thinking of a one way trip they have reasonable fees for doing that.

If you’d prefer to compare prices across a range of providers, then we recommend Rentalcars.com .

Drivers with foreign licenses are allowed to drive, if your license is in a language other than English then you would be best with either an international drivers license, or a certified translation.

Another option of course is to hire a camper van or RV, which will let you stay in campgrounds and other, more out of the way areas. This can be a fun way to travel in a more self sufficient style. If this sounds like you, we recommend comparing RV rental prices at Motorhome Republic . They list all RVs from many of the major suppliers to help you find the right one for you. See their USA listings here .

We can also recommend checking out  RVShare , who offer peer to peer campervan rental – a bit like the AirBnB of RV rental! Similar options include Outdoorsy and RVEzy .

If this is your first time in the USA, or you just want a reminder of what it’s like to drive in the USA, check out our guide to driving in the USA for lots of tips!

Practicalities for a California Road trip

Travelling in the USA is relatively easy, but we wanted to share a few things to help make planning your California road trip a little easier.

Electricity

The USA uses a 110v electrical system, with plugs that are either two pin or three pin. The holes are flat, and sometimes the two pin plug holes will be different sizes, so the plug will only go in one way.

If you’re coming from much of the rest of the world, including Europe, the UK or Asia, you will definitely need a travel adaptor like this . You will also need to check that your equipment supports the 110v supply, as much of the rest of the world uses a 220v supply.

In our experience, most electronics like laptops and phone chargers accept a universal voltage, whilst higher power devices like hairdryers do not. Always check the device itself, the voltage rating should be on your plug or adaptor somewhere.

Internet Access

Internet access is widely available across the USA in the form of WiFi, which can be found for free at most hotels, cafes, bars and restaurants. There are also a number of free WiFi hotspots in some of the cities on our list.

If your phone is unlocked you can pick up a pay as you go SIM in the USA. One of the better options is from Straight Talk , which you can buy in Walmart stores.

For more options on getting online when travelling, check out our guide to getting online when travelling to help you figure out the best options.

The USA uses the US dollar, and there are ATM’s available throughout. In our experience though, you can pay for nearly everything with a credit card, so you will rarely need cash. Whilst it is worth having a few bills on you, for the most part you won’t need them.

Instead, just make sure you have a credit or debit card that doesn’t charge you any foreign transaction fees and uses a fair price for currency conversions, and you should be good to go.

Water across the USA is safe to drink, unless otherwise indicated. There are drinking fountains in the majority of public locations, and we recommend you travel with a re-usable water bottle so you can just fill it up as you go.

One thing we always love about travelling in the USA is how drinking water is always brought to your table at a restaurant – something we wish was standard around the world!

For the most part, the USA is a safe destination to travel in, and we have never had any problems. Of course, every country has crime, and areas where you would be wiser to avoid, however if you practice basic safety precautions, keep your valuables out of sight and behave as you would at home, you should be fine!

Further Reading and Resources for a California Road Trip

California is a very popular destination, so there’s no shortage of research material to help you plan your trip! Here are some of my favourite resources:

• We have a guide to things to do in San Diego
• I’ve written a guide featuring some of my top tips for driving in the USA to help get you going on the road!
• Wondering how much a California road trip will cost? Check out our  guide to how much it costs to travel in the USA to help you plan your trip budget.
• Jess has a guide to driving the Pacific Coast Highway , which will give you lots of ideas for that section of the road
• If you’re interested in California’s wine country, see our guide to visiting Napa Valley
• Route 66 ends in California, so take a look at our guide to planning a route 66 trip , as well as our detailed 2 week Route 66 itinerary and 1 week Route 66 itinerary
• Fodor’s Guide to California , which also includes details on a number of fantastic road trips
• The Lonely Planet California Guide , which is great for finding things to do, places to eat and places to stay
• A US road atlas , because sometimes you don’t want to rely on GPS!
• If you’re planning on hiring an RV or camping, this guide to free and super cheap campgrounds will quickly pay for itself
• The official Visit California page, which will give you more advice on what to see and when to visit
• For more in California, see this awesome guide to places to visit in California , from fellow bloggers at yTravelBlog
• My guide to things to do in Redding California , if you decide to head to northern California
• Getting online when travelling in a foreign country can be daunting – check out our guide to getting online when travelling to help you figure out the best options for your trip
• And if you’re looking for inspiration for the rest of the USA, check out our USA section , which includes a Deep south itinerary , tips for New Orleans during Mardi Gras – and lots more!

And that sums up my perfect two week California road trip itinerary! If you’ve got any comments, suggestions or additions, do pop them in the comments below. Plus, if you liked this post, do check out the rest of my itinerary series , which will help you plan the perfect trips all around the world!

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robert feinberg says

16th December 2023 at 4:48 pm

Hello, we are planning a road trip to California in July, and using your template, but adding a few different options. we are traveling with 2 15 year olds, and they want to surf. any recommendations you can make on that, as well as stops that will be good for them? much appreciated.

Laurence Norah says

16th December 2023 at 8:26 pm

So there are a lot of surfing options all along the coast from San Francisco to San Diego. A lot will depend on the experience of your children and whether or not they are experienced surfers or are looking to learn. Also, some locations will have surfboard rentals wheras others are more remote. So it will depend what you need in that regard. However, there are good options all along the California coast, including Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, Pismo, Morro Bay, Ricon Point and Surfrider beach (Malibu). I’d just recommend doing some research to ensure you match the breaks to the skill level required 🙂

Have an awesome trip!

Kim Dawtrey says

7th October 2023 at 9:39 pm

Hi Lawrence We are just home after nearly three weeks in the US on a route based on your California Road Trip, although we also went to the a Grand Canyon and Las Vegas. The information within your blog was a great help in planning our trip. Unfortunately we were unable to drive down the whole Pacific Highway due to landslide near Big Sur, but we loved the 17 mile drive and would recommend staying in Pacific Grove (we stayed in Bide-A-Wee hotel which was great). We were also unable to drive across Death Valley as the NP was closed due to the damage to the roads, we did however visit Death Valley Junction and throughly recommend a visit to Amargosa Opera House. The board outside says tours at 9.00am and 6.00pm, but the young lady in the hotel reception was more than happy to give us a tour for a donation, fascinating place and history. If you haven’t visited I can send you some photos. Another side trip we did was to Bristlecone Ancient Pine Forest, amazing place, great drive up to 10,000 feet, with fresh snow at the top! The Grand Canyon and Yosemite were certainly the highlights for us. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip, thank you for all your valuable information, if we were 40 years younger, we would love to be doing what you and Jess are doing!

8th October 2023 at 12:33 pm

Thank you so much, I’m happy to hear you had a great trip in California and beyond! Unfortunately the Pacific Coast Highway does get blocked quite regularly due to landslides, and it also sounds like unfortunate timing with Death Valley. However I am glad to hear you still had a good time overall! We haven’t visited the Amargosa Opera House, we will definitely have to add that to the list!

Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences, and safe onward travels 🙂 Jess and I love to hear from fellow adventurers who have been out exploring!

All the best,

erika liaci says

3rd July 2023 at 2:54 pm

Hi we are finalising our US Road trip to/from LAX in mid August. Would you recommend still going to the Death valley? I am a bit scared of the temperature which might be 50C? Thanks erika

4th July 2023 at 9:26 am

So I would personally probably skip Death Valley in August. It’s going to be too hot to do very much, and you would likely be able to better spend your time elsewhere. An extra day in Yosemite for example!

Have a great trip!

17th April 2023 at 11:43 am

Hi – this 2 week California road trip looks amazing. Your blog is really helpful for planning our own trip. Would it be possible to know the driving distances between each of the places please. Thanks Sam

18th April 2023 at 8:09 am

Hi Sam, thanks very much! So I didn’t put distances because in my experience they tend to change with side trips etc. Also, the Pacific Coast Highway is regularly affected by landslips so stretches of the route can be closed.

That said, as a rough guide:

From San Francisco to Santa Monica is around 500 miles From Santa Monica to Joshua Tree is around 150 miles From Joshua Tree to Death Valley is around 260 miles From Death Valley to Mammoth Lakes is around 200 miles From Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite is normally around 75 miles but this depends on the pass being open From Yosemite back to San Francisco is around 170 miles.

I hope this helps! Have a great time in California 🙂

28th January 2023 at 2:46 pm

Hi. Would you recommend Zion National Park or Bryce Canyon? We will be driving back from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas and are thinking of an extended detour north rather than going back via Kingman. Thanks

29th January 2023 at 9:07 am

It is with some dismay that I’m not able to accurately answer your question as both parks are still on my to-do list and I haven’t visited either. So rather than inaccurately answer your question I would have to say I don’t know. I definitely want to visit them both, and from the photos I have seen I don’t think you would be disappointed with either, but that’s about as much as I can say for now until I have visited both!

Sorry not to be of more help but I hope you have an amazing trip nonetheless!

Maxine says

4th August 2022 at 8:16 am

This post has been super helpful and given us great ideas for a trip we are planning with our two teenagers next summer. We want to include vegas, therefore, would you recommend that we head there after San Diego before heading back to Yosemite? Thank you

4th August 2022 at 6:06 pm

Thanks very much, glad you found the post useful! So yes, heading from San Diego or Death Valley to Las Vegas would make the most sense. I’ve actually written a trip out that is similar to this one but include Vegas (and the Grand Canyon if you wanted to also include that). That’s here:

https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/2-week-usa-road-trip-itinerary/

You can save time of course by skipping the Grand Canyon 🙂 Let me know if you have any more questions, I’m happy to help. Otherwise, have a great trip!

William D Villont says

6th January 2022 at 9:03 pm

My wife and I took a California trip similar to this one except we went south to San Diego as our final destination. I really enjoyed the trip and can fully understand why you highlight this trip as one someone should surely take. We agree. My only disappointment of the trip is that, at the time, I was doing videography and that is all I took on the trip, my video camera. Now that I have gotten back into photography I wish I had taken my camera as well. We rarely get out the old video (VHS tape) and watch and I have not taken the time to transfer the VHS to DVD yet. I just gave it away, that this trip was sometime ago because I was shooting VHS. Anyway I would love to take this trip again and if this Covid thing ever goes away, maybe I will. Thanks for sharing this trip.

7th January 2022 at 11:29 am

Hi William,

I’m glad to bring back positive memories of your California trip! Interesting to hear you mostly took video. I have a similar reverse quandry when I travel, I usually only find myself able to concentrate on one medium of story telling as we go, so I focus on photos. But I often think it might be nice to have more videos. I hope you get to watch your video soon and also to take the trip again one day!

Have a lovely and safe 2022,

Delaney Blute says

1st July 2021 at 3:18 am

Hi! Thank you so much for the wonderful travel recommendations. I’m planning on taking this trip with my mother and sister, possibly leaving next late summer. Do you have a ball park recommendation for price for the entire trip for 3 people? We plan on budgeting it, but just wanted to know if you had any estimate of what this trip would cost for 3 people. Thanks so much!

1st July 2021 at 12:47 pm

Hi Delaney,

This is a great question. So it’s really hard to give a price estimate because everyone has a different travel style, and it will depend on what type of accommodation you are thinking of booking, whether you are happy to share a room for the three of you vs have individual rooms, whether you are ok with budget dining vs more expensive options and so on. I’m also not sure if you’re from the US or not, so car rental if you need to rent a car would also be a cost to consider.

I do have a guide which has a ballpark idea of costs for travel in the UK, which you can see here: https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-travel-in-usa/

That should give you an idea of how much each element of the trip should cost you, to help you come up with a rough figure. The main costs are going to be your accommodation, gas / car rental / car parking in cities, food, and any attraction entry.

I hope this helps! Let me know if I can provide any further input, and have a great trip 🙂

Chantelle says

7th March 2020 at 2:06 pm

We have a trip booked for just short of a month in September! Your blog was really helpful, thank you!

I was wondering if you had some advice on Car vrs Camper. Is it easy to find places to stay in a camper or would you recommend a car and motels. We are happy either way just want our trip to be as stress free as possible!

7th March 2020 at 5:07 pm

Hi Chantelle!

So we have done both, and honestly, we prefer motels / B&Bs to campsites.

In the USA, campsites are a bit different to the UK in my experience. They tend to have more formal “sites” for each visitor, which means they can’t just squeeze another person in. When they are full they’re full. For National Parks especially, this means that they can book out and then you can be stuck trying to find somewhere to stay. You can of course book them in advance, so that’s an option. The other good news is that if you have a campervan all is not lost as there are places you can camp for free. However these tend not to be totally exciting, Walmart carparks for example let folks stay overnight, but this might not be the dream option.

The other thing is that if you do the math, you will find that the cost of renting a campervan + the cost of paying campsite fees will probably be a lot more than the cost of a cheap car and economy lodging. Plus if you plan on visiting a few of the cities in this itinerary a camper will be more effort than it’s worth. You didn’t mention budget so this might not be a huge factor, but I just wanted to highlight it.

I think you can see where my preference lies for this itinerary. Obviously if you love camping and want to spend more time out in the backcountry and national parks, it’s a great option. But you might find that buying a cheap tent and a couple of sleeping bags for a few nights is a better option than renting a camper 🙂

Have a great trip – let me know how it goes and what you decide to do! We have a facebook group you’re welcome to share your experiences in here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelloversandphotography/

chantelle sims says

14th March 2020 at 2:44 pm

This has been so incredibly helpful thankyou!!

My pleasure Chantelle – have a great trip!

Sharon says

16th February 2020 at 7:40 pm

Great inspiration and ideas, thanks

16th February 2020 at 9:34 pm

Our pleasure Sharon, thanks for stopping by and commenting!

Thiago says

12th February 2020 at 7:45 pm

Just want to thank you for these super detailed guides, guys;

13th February 2020 at 10:48 am

Our pleasure Thiago, if you have any questions we’re happy to help 🙂 Safe travels!

Kathy Reed says

26th January 2020 at 5:51 pm

Hi – this was an amazing find! Loved all of your recommendations. Do you have any recommendations for anything just a little further north into the Redwoods. Perhaps starting in Santa Monica and going north? Though i do love the loop feature of this itinerary. Makes it so hard to decide. Thanks!

28th January 2020 at 9:19 am

We have travelled north of this itinerary as well, with our highlights including Napa Valley, Point Reyes National Park and Redding, however we’ve not put together a detailed itinerary for this sort of trip as we’ve not covered the area in enough detail. If redwoods are what you are after particularly, then on this itinerary you can see them near Santa Cruz, if you did want to follow it.

Let me know if I can offer any more advice for your trip!

4th January 2020 at 4:39 pm

Hi Great site for info ? Just would like to know what time of year would you recommend doing this road trip ive just read on here ,we’re coming from the UK so any info will help us plan Many thanks Barry

5th January 2020 at 11:25 am

It can definitely be done at any time of year, but I might avoid the depths of winter as snow can make the roads into Yosemite a challenge, plus it will be quite cold. So if you are looking for more of a summery California road trip, I might suggest May through September. We just toured California in August, and it was definitely very hot inland, as well as being busy so perhaps May/June or September would be the best time for a good combination of weather and fewer people 🙂

Debbie says

4th January 2020 at 3:03 pm

Hi We are planning this trip in April 2020! We will skip LA (Not interested) & Yosemite (We’ve already been) & we will only spend 1 day in San Francisco (we’ve already been) my question is do you think we can do the rest in 7 days?? We definitely want to do the scenic drive from San Francisco to San Diego & back to San Fran an thank you for all the wonderful information!!

5th January 2020 at 11:32 am

Hey Debbie!

Awesome 😀 So you can do the Pacific Coast Highway from SF to San Diego in a couple of days if you don’t mind going at a bit of a pace. I’d probably slow it down to 3 days though. I’m not sure if you still plan on seeing Joshua Tree and Death Valley – if you plan on going up and down the Pacific Coast Highway both ways, then you’re actually going to end up driving much more than this itinerary if you do visit Death Valley, as you’ll do about 2/3rds of the route and then turn around.

I’m not sure if you wanted to go to Las Vegas instead, but what you could do instead of going all the way back is finish in Vegas. I have noticed that many car hire firms don’t charge one way fees for trips between SF and Las Vegas, and flights out of Las Vegas are also very inexpensive. Even if you don’t want to do the whole Las Vegas thing, there are some lovely outdoor attractions in the area including the Hoover Dam and the spectacular valley of fire state park.

Anyway, just a thought. To answer your question – yes, you could do the rest in 7 days but I fear it might be a bit rushed,

30th December 2019 at 1:24 am

How many miles is this trip in total?

30th December 2019 at 3:28 pm

Around 1400 miles, but you’ll want to add on detours, side trips etc. So I’d say 1500 – 2000 to be on the safe side 🙂

Mallikarjun says

19th December 2019 at 8:51 pm

Can you please let me know the “Public Transport” options, it may be Bus, Metro or any other services in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego. I am planning for a trip in end of Jan 2020 for about 6 to 7 days to cover these cities. Or is there any travel packages you suggest for these cities. Please let me know.

Thanks, Malli

22nd December 2019 at 5:29 pm

My pleasure, and apologies for the slow response, I’ve had some site issues I’ve been working on.

For your question, are you looking for public transport between the cities, or in the cities? If the former, then I’d generally recommend the long distance bus as the best way to get between the cities in California, although you will struggle to get to more remote locations this way.

For each city you mention, there are different options. San Francisco is the easiest to get around, as there’s a great bus system as well as bikes, e-bikes and scooters. LA is a bit trickier – there are both buses and a metro, but just be aware that the distances can be quite far as the city is very spread out. So the best option is to figure out what you want to see and make sure the accommodation you pick is as close to the sights as possible.

San Diego is also easy to get around for the most part, with buses, trolleys and trains.

I hope this helps 🙂

Samantha says

28th October 2019 at 1:20 pm

Hi! this sounds amazing and I am literally looking at booking this for June next year! From looking about the only area that I am a bit unsure of is Death Valley – where is best to stay around there and if only doing a day – what would be the best suggestion of something to do? I am also thinking that we will add 1 day on to do a Vegas stay since its so close!

29th October 2019 at 8:31 am

Hi Samantha,

So when we visited we stayed just outside the valley at Panamint Springs – specifically we stayed here .

A day is enough to see the highlights of Death Valley. You’ll want to visit Badwater Basin of course, the lowest point in North America. Other highlights including the Mesquite Sand dunes, Zabriskie Point, the Devil’s Golf Course, the Artists Drive and Palette and Mosaic Canyon.

We can definitely recommend tacking on a trip to Vegas as well. We’re actually thinking of publishing a new itinerary in the coming months which includes Vegas, as it’s a popular addition 🙂

Gisele leduc says

13th October 2019 at 3:38 pm

Would like to know w ymt is there a bus trip to 14 days in calif. Where does the bus leave from in the US. And approx how much is the cost

14th October 2019 at 8:36 pm

Sorry, could you clarify? Are you looking for a tour of California?

15th October 2019 at 3:32 pm

Looking for next year we live in Ottawa Canada and would like to take a 14 day bus tour especially san Francesco and pacific route. Are there bus tours leaving let’s say from Buffalo, New York we can easily drive to these destinations. I meant leaving from New York City and Buffalo. What would be the cost and does it include meals. Thank u

Gisele Leduv says

15th October 2019 at 7:37 pm

Hi I would like to know if there are Any bus tours leaving from New York City or buffalo 14 day road trip to California especially the pacific coastland. What would be the cost for such a trip.

16th October 2019 at 8:08 pm

Hey Gisele,

I have looked but most tours that depart from New York and go to California are much longer, because the distance is so great from the east coast to the west coast. If you want a tour that focuses more on California, it would definitely be easier to get one that departs from San Francisco or Las Vegas rather than New York – is that a possibility?

vivianchoo says

5th October 2019 at 4:44 am

Good articles and good photos, Helps a lot. Thank you!

5th October 2019 at 10:16 am

My pleasure – have a great trip!

Jason Parsons says

19th August 2019 at 3:23 pm

This is a super inspiring blog. Which area did you stay in Yosemite? We are planning to complete our road trip with 3 nights in Yosemite. We will have a car and plan on day trip walks within the park.using a hotel or lodge as our base.

19th August 2019 at 4:09 pm

Thanks very much! In Yosemite we’ve stayed in a few places. On the trip with the photos in this post, we stayed in Curry Village, which were canvas tents ( https://www.nationalparkreservations.com/lodge/yosemite-curry-village/ ).

Jess has also stayed at the Wawona hotel, and the other lodge options are The Ahwahnee Hotel and the Yosemite Valley Lodge. I would definitely recommend staying with the park if you can as it makes it a lot easier to see everything within a short distance. The various options are at different price points though, so you’ll have to figure out which is best for you 🙂

Have an amazing trip!

julie morton says

15th June 2019 at 4:36 pm

Great article, thank you. I will be doing a similar route with my husband in September. Do you have any further guides on the Mammoth Lakes area or could you suggest somewhere to base ourselves there for a couple of nights please? We will be coming from Death Valley and then heading on to Yosemite.

15th June 2019 at 8:31 pm

Hi Julie! We don’t have anything else about Mammoth Lakes unfortunately on our blogs. We have guides to other parts of California, including Yosemite, but Mammoth Lakes is still on the to do list.

Have a great trip, sorry we couldn’t help this time!

Tara West says

2nd June 2019 at 6:30 pm

Hi there, Just found your blog. Really helpful. Thank you. We are thinking of doing a Californian road trip with our 5 month old baby in Sept. How long are the drives between the places you mention? I wouldnt want to do LA so would probably do San Diego instead. Is there anywhere you advise missing out with a baby? Thanks so much. Tara

3rd June 2019 at 6:26 pm

Our pleasure, we’re delighted to be able to help 🙂

So the drives will obviously vary depending on what you stop and see, but none of the days on the itinerary should have more than four hours driving. We’ve also not got any personal experience with traveling with a baby, however, just bear in mind that even in September Death Valley is going to be very hot. Other than that I don’t see a reason not to go to any of the locations on the list, and Death Valley will be manageable, just take care with the heat 🙂

Priya Singh says

30th April 2019 at 6:40 am

I really appreciate the work you have done, you explained everything in such an amazing and simple way.Good post. I was searched for this topic. Finally, I got the information on this blog. Thanks for the effective information.

30th April 2019 at 5:38 pm

Thanks Priya – pleased we were able to help! Have a great trip 🙂

Rafael says

5th March 2019 at 1:45 pm

Hi guys, great post. I found it really handy now as i’m planning a 3 week road trip through California (and Nevada) in a month (apr 6 to 27). We are starting in LA, just a few days and then planning to go to Joshua Tree (Mojave, is it worth it?), Las vegas, Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Yosemite, San Francisco, and Route 1 back to LA. It’s quite a lot of days, and i find hard to plan where to sleep every night, as i’m not sure how long would it take me to visit every national park, and even cities. So my question is, should i book in advance all different accomodation? In that case how many days should we give to the different national parks and places. As the trip gets so long, we are being really careful with our budget, and that takes me to the second question, what are the best places to stay on a budget in the different stops?

By the way, we are a group of four, planning to rent a car.

Thanks again for your post. Looking forward to read your answer!

Rafael from Uruguay

5th March 2019 at 2:50 pm

Thanks very much 🙂

So to answer your questions. I think Mojave is worth it if you like deserts and wide open spaces.

In terms of accommodation, you are not travelling at a very busy time of year, although it is easter towards the end of April. However there are no Federal holiday, so it should not be too busy. So this means you should be able to book quite last minute. The only places I would advise maybe booking in advance would be any national parks you want to stay in, which can be busy year round. So Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Death Valley, if you plan on staying inside the park, you will want to plan your accommodation in advance.

In terms of budget accommodation, the parks all have campsites, so that would likely be the cheapest option if you don’t mind camping. Some have existing tents you can hire if you don’t want to bring your own tent – Yosemite for example has some nice fixed tents which are not too expensive. For other cities, I’d advise looking at the budget motel chains like Motel 6, Red Roof Inn and so on. These can be very cheap, but do be aware they are not always very central. So you might find something like AirBnB to be more cost effective.

As you are visiting a number of parks you will probably want to buy a national parks pass, which will save you money on parks entry.

I’d also advise taking a look at my guide to how much it costs to travel in the USA, which should give you some more budgeting ideas 🙂

https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-travel-in-usa/

Let me know if you have any more questions!

c. m. crawford says

17th February 2019 at 3:22 pm

I would take extra care with possessions in the big cities in California. I left my purse in the back of my rental car, parked in a highly visible location on a beach in San Francisco, and even though there were people walking up and down the beach, the window was smashed and the purse stolen. Luckily wallet & phone were on me and the purse was even found and turned in to the police, but I had to exchange the rental car. Other than that California is awesome.

17th February 2019 at 4:34 pm

Sorry to hear that Cris! This is definitely an issue around the world, we always recommend not leaving any valuables in sight in a car as it makes for a tempting option for a thief 🙁 Glad to hear you got your purse back though!

Matthias says

9th February 2019 at 6:57 pm

Hey you guys! You have a great blog and this post inspired the route for my first trip to California with a buddy (we’re planning on doing pretty much the same route). But our plan is doing it the other way around: Also starting end ending in SF but heading to Yosemite from there and doing the trip clockwise. Would love to hear your thoughts on that idea 🙂

10th February 2019 at 6:06 pm

Hi Matthias!

The route would work either way. The only thing is that many people prefer to drive the PCH from north to south as you are on the right hand side of the road, so you get clearer views. But it’s stunning either way to be honest 🙂

Catherine Smithfield says

18th January 2019 at 4:12 pm

Hi Laurence,

Fabulous site guys… I would love some tips please my husband and I are planning a once in a lifetime trip to the USA, we fly into and out of Los Angeles , arriving 16th October and leaving 5th December. We will be spending thanksgiving with friends in Washington state . We would like to drive the Pacific highway, see some of LA, San Fran , Yosemite,Death Valley Las Vegas,- just very quick as we feel we should see it and the Grand Canyon . We love nature, beautiful landscapes, we are also foodies . Any suggestions would be very welcome , hire car v Rv , obviously due to the length of our trip I would like to be sensible on accommodation costs…is there a reliable decent hotel/motel chain you would recommend, or Airbnb. I have also been looking a5 the trusted Housesitters website but have recently come across a few very negative reviews . Many thanks catherine(UK)

18th January 2019 at 6:33 pm

Hi Catherine!

Thanks so much! We’ll do our best to help out.

So first of all, if you haven’t already, we can definitely recommend checking out the USA sections of both our websites:

https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/category/destinations/north-america/usa/ https://independenttravelcats.com/category/travel-destinations/united-states/

Where we have loads of posts that you will find useful. Most particularly, I’d advise reading our driving in the USA , and our guide to how much it costs to travel in the USA . That latter one in particular will help you in terms of costing out the trip.

For a hire car, a normal car rental is going to be a lot cheaper than an RV, especially as you will most likely still have to rent campsite space to stay at. A standard hire car in the US will usually start at around $200 a week. Our US travel budget post has a lot more on how to find the best deal and things to watch out for.

In terms of accommodation, the US has a wide range of options. The cheaper chains include: Red Roof Inn, Motel 6, Super 8, America’s Best Value Inn, Travelodge. The next step up would be Comfort Inn and Holiday Inn.

Note that the cheaper hotels are often found a little way outside of towns, often at interstate exit ramps. It’s also worth being aware that they are nearly all franchises, and so as a result the quality can vary dramatically, so it’s always worth reading reviews before visiting.

For booking and reviews, we highly recommend Booking.com . We have nearly always found this to be the cheapest option, even compared to turning up at the property, and the reviews can be a helpful guide. However, just bear in mind that cheaper hotels tend to rate worse, as folks can have high expectations!

Hopefully all this helps, let us know if you have any more specific questions we can help with!

Natasha says

9th January 2019 at 10:22 am

PS We are also planning to visit family in LA and have possible access to accommodation in Pacific Grove so should we be considering finding snow at Big Sur instead of north of San Fran? PPS Budget is going to be very tight!

9th January 2019 at 10:38 am

Hey Natasha!

So I’ll answer the Big Sur question first 🙂 Snow isn’t very common at Big Sur as it’s right by the sea, and it doesn’t usually get much except at higher elevations. The most reliable option is to head east to Tahoe or Yosemite, although that is going to be quite a drive and won’t fall into the definition of a short drive I’m afraid 🙁 The other option is to head up towards Auburn, as you get closer to the Sierra Nevada Mountains you will definitely find snow, but again, this isn’t going to be a short drive.

Whilst there is always a possibility of snow elsewhere, I wouldn’t want to guarantee it!

In terms of house swaps, the closest option we have for you is TrustedHousesitters , but that’s more of a house sitting opportunity than a home swap. I know there are home swapping platforms, but we’re not familiar with them, so I wouldn’t want to give a recommendation!

I hope you have a wonderful trip!

9th January 2019 at 2:44 pm

Thanks for the super-prompt response! Very helpful to know Big Sur is unlikely to tick the box and we hadn’t considered Auburn so I’ll find out more about that instead. Otherwise we’ll stick to Yosemite or Tahoe, which we’ve heard lots about.

9th January 2019 at 2:50 pm

My pleasure! Those two will definitely be fantastic, Yosemite in winter in particular is stunning. We have a guide to visiting Yosemite here 🙂

Also, I know real snow is ideally preferable, but there are a number of locations that generate snow that are going to be closer to San Francisco. If you google “snow in san francisco” or something similar, you should find some options!

9th January 2019 at 10:17 am

Thrilled to find your fascinating and helpful site! We live in Cape Town, and are planning a month in California between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, focussed around spending time with family in San Fran.

But my 14- and 16-year-olds have never experienced snow so we’re looking for guaranteed on-the-ground snow in early/mid December, as short a drive from SF as possible. Skiing not required, but snowman-building and perhaps some sledging would be great.

Also, can you recommend a site we might arrange a house swap through?

20th November 2018 at 8:30 pm

Hi, I’d like to know if February os a good time to make this travel. And what do you think about Sequoia National park?

27th November 2018 at 11:22 am

February would be good, just be aware that there might still be snow in Yosemite and so you’ll need to keep an eye on road closures around that area. We haven’t visited Sequoia National Park, but we have heard it is a great park, well worth visiting 🙂

12th November 2018 at 10:53 am

Hi there! This post has been really helpful as my partner and I are planning our honeymoon for April 2019 and we would love to roadtrip in the US. We have about 12 nights and would love to spend good chunks of time in San Francisco, LA or Santa Monica and some national parks. We would also love to do the Pacific Coast. We were originally thinking of flying into San Francisco and out of LA, but your post has me wondering if a roundtrip is better. Would you suggest we amend your suggested route? Which of the the national parks would be the best to visit?

12th November 2018 at 4:15 pm

Hey Neely! There are so many great National Parks, but Yosemite is definitely up there as one of my favourites. I would say a round trip is better – the route I have outlined makes a nice loop, and car hire is nearly always better value if you return the car where you picked it up 🙂

Chiara says

2nd October 2018 at 5:21 pm

Hi! I love your blog guys! We are thinking about a road trip in California next summer, and this post is a perfect inspiration! We will travel with our kids, they will be 3 and 6 and we have 3 weeks instead of 2. Do you have suggestions on how/where to use the extra days? Considering we can’t plan super long tiring car journeys and have to incorporate some activities they would enjoy too like some beach life, aquariums… Any suggestion is very welcomed! Thank you very much in advance!

4th October 2018 at 4:20 am

Hey Chiara!

So my suggestion would be to follow this itinerary, but just to go a bit slower and spend a bit more time in each place. I’d definitely suggest the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the San Diego Zoo as two great options along the way, and Universal Studios in LA is also sure to be a hit 🙂 Along the PCH you’ll also find loads of lovely beaches, so I think you’ll easily be able to stretch this two week road trip into a three week California itinerary! Have an awesome time!

4th October 2018 at 2:09 pm

Thank you very much!

ANGELINE MONTIJO says

19th August 2018 at 3:48 pm

Hi Im planning a road trip with my family to California from Orlando,Fl on June 2019. I want some advice where should we start.

19th August 2018 at 5:41 pm

Hi Angeline! Do you mean where to start in terms of planning? If you could let me know how long you are travelling for and what your interests are, then we can try to help. In the meantime, we can help out with some tips on driving in the USA:

https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/tips-for-driving-in-usa/

And some tips on budgeting for your trip:

The overall route you take will also take you through part of our Deep South USA itinerary:

https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/usa-deep-south-road-trip-itinerary/

As well as parts of our Route 66 itinerary:

https://independenttravelcats.com/2-week-route-66-itinerary-ultimate-american-road-trip/

Which should both serve to help inform your planning on your route 🙂

Lisa Stark says

16th August 2018 at 1:20 pm

Hi, my partner and me are planning to do a road trip next September 2019, starting from San Fran and heading south, eventually arriving in San Diego over a 2 week period. Can you recommend a good car hire company, how long before we should book and some nice places to stop with boutique hotels, This will be out first time in America and I’m completely at a loss where to start planning. Many thanks. Lisa

16th August 2018 at 7:05 pm

Hey Lisa! Well, that’s a great question. There are a number of hire car companies that we recommend, you can see our list here: https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/travel-resources/#Car-Rental

It looks like you are doing a one-way trip, so just bear in mind that sometimes the “meta-search” tools that search a variety of providers don’t always account for that. So it might be easier to go direct. We’ve found that it really varies, but we’ve often had success with Enterprise and Hertz. It’s also worth bearing in mind that pick up from an airport location is nearly always more expensive than a city location, so if you can be flexible in that regard you will likely save a bit of money. Especially somewhere like San Francisco, as you don’t really need the car for the city and it will just end up costing you in car parking fees and wasted rental fees for a car you aren’t using.

For hotel and car bookings, I’d usually say the further in advance the better so you have everything sorted and don’t have to worry about it. In terms of stops, your route pretty much follows the Pacific Coast Highway, and we have a super comprehensive guide to all the towns along the route which you can see here:

https://independenttravelcats.com/planning-a-california-pacific-coast-highway-road-trip-from-san-francisco-to-los-angeles/

That also has planning tips and suggestions. I’d also advise reading our tips for driving in the USA: https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/tips-for-driving-in-usa/

And our guide to how much it costs to travel in the USA: https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-travel-in-usa/

In terms of other things to think about, I’m not sure which country you are coming from, but definitely consider getting a travel credit card that won’t charge you for foreign transaction fees, and maybe a SIM card that offers roaming in the USA. Three in the UK has a pretty good deal for SIM cards that offer free data in the USA.

Hopefully this helps a bit, let me know if you have other questions. It gives me an idea to put together a first timers guide to travelling in the USA 🙂

6th August 2018 at 12:24 pm

This is a great read, thank you for sharing. My partner and I are looking to do a similar trip in October this year. However, we are slightly confused on the route (and in what order) to do it all in. We want to do 14 nights and start in San Francisco and either end in San Diego or Vegas. (Everyone says Vegas is a must see at least once and although not on the top of our list, we thought we could add it on the end).

Our initial thoughts are 3 nights in San Fran, 2 in Yosemite, 1 in Monterey, 1 in Santa Barbara. 3 in la, 2 in San Diego and 2 in Vegas. Does this sound too ambitious? And any thoughts on in what order we would do this? I would appreciate anyones input on this. Thank you in advance!

6th August 2018 at 12:58 pm

My pleasure. So the only slight niggle in your itinerary is that Yosemite is the opposite direction to the Pacific Coast Highway, so that will add a bit of driving time to your route (it’s about 3 – 4 hours each way from San Francisco). I definitely recommend Yosemite, it’s just going to take a bit of time to do it on this trip. Overall your route is certainly do-able, as long as you don’t mind a fair bit of driving. I like that you are scheduling multiple nights in the various locations, that will give you more time to enjoy without rushing. I’d say that your order is pretty good, I can’t think of a better way to do it.

6th August 2018 at 1:27 pm

Thank you for taking the time reply! I am glad it sounds doable. I think the multiple stops should help to break up the drive (I won’t be doing it my other half has that pleasurable job =) ). Yes Yosemite is the one we are are a bit confused about as when to add it. Before or after San Fran and at what point as you say it is out of the way, but is a must for us, and we don’t want to miss anything on the drive down from San Fran to La, so a tricky one. Thank you for your input, much appreciated!

Tim Shakespeare says

24th July 2018 at 9:42 am

Hi there, my wife and I are coming mid October to California for a road trip celebrating my 50th. We start in SF, only for 2 days, then have 3 days before we get to Yosemite. Have you any recommendations of where to visit in that time, we don’t mind going in any direction before heading towards Yosemite? We then head to Las Vegas for my actual birthday for 3 days then onto LA for a further 4 days, any suggestions of where to spend time between the cities?

24th July 2018 at 9:42 pm

Hey Tim! Well, it really depends on what you are interested in! Obviously you’re not too far from Napa Valley if it’s wine you’re after, or you could head north to Redding, where there’s some beautiful scenery. A sojourn along the Pacific Coast Highway, or at least part of it, is also an option – there are so many cute towns along that route to check out (see our guide here: https://independenttravelcats.com/planning-a-california-pacific-coast-highway-road-trip-from-san-francisco-to-los-angeles/

Between Vegas and LA, the obvious choices are Joshua Tree National Park, and the whole Mojave Desert is pretty impressive. I’m assuming you’ll stop at Death Valley from Yosemite, but if not, you could head up that way. Another option is to head south from Vegas and find Route 66, and follow then into LA, which is a fun option. You can see more on Route 66 here: https://independenttravelcats.com/2-week-route-66-itinerary-ultimate-american-road-trip/

Hope this helps a bit! Have a great trip and happy birthday!

tim shakespeare says

27th July 2018 at 2:56 pm

Thanks Laurance, that info is really useful

28th July 2018 at 4:08 pm

My pleasure 🙂

Paula Lambie says

20th July 2018 at 2:35 pm

Hi Laurence, Absolutely loved your article. We are a group of 6 friends that are coming from Trinidad and want to stay about 7-8 days on a road trip starting in LA and possibly leaving from San Fran. We are coming around the end of Feb 2019 and leaving around March 6 or 7th. Still in the planning stages and would appreciate any advice or recommendations. I want to include Yosemite and Sequoia but don”t know if it is feasible with the time period we are looking at. Any advice would greatly be appreciated. Take care.

22nd July 2018 at 9:09 pm

Thanks very much. So Yosemite would be feasible, but you have to bear in mind that in February and March it can still be quite snowy in the park, and it’s also a four hour drive each way from San Francisco, so that’s going to eat up a lot of your time. My suggestion would be to definitely do the Pacific Coast Highway over two or three days, and then depending on your interests, either some time in places like the Joshua Tree, or the cities like LA, San Francisco or San Diego. Another option is to go further north of San Francisco, although Yosemite is a really incredible place and well worth the effort to get out there!

Hope this helps, have a great trip!

Louisa says

12th June 2018 at 6:03 pm

Hi Laurence, We are a family of 5 holidaying in California in August and staying San Francisco (3 nights) -Yosemite (3 nights)-Monterey (2 nights)-Santa Barbara (1 night) and at the moment San Diego (2 nights) and LA (3 nights). I am wondering if we are being over ambitious at the end of the holiday and should just stay in LA rather than driving down to San Diego and back to LA for our flight back? Is San Diego a must see? I am torn between wanting to see it all while we are in California but not overdoing it and rushing too much. What are the travel times likely to be realistically between Santa Barbara, LA and San Diego at that time of year? Thank you for any advice.

13th June 2018 at 11:07 am

Hey Louisa!

I think San Diego is worth visiting, and as you have 3 nights already in LA I don’t think you’ll have too much rush. I will be honest and say that I don’t know exactly what the travel times at that time of year will be, but I find that Google usually estimates travel times pretty well – just avoid the peak rush hours and you should generally be fine 🙂

Shelley says

14th May 2018 at 9:00 am

Hi Laurence, Great website! We are booking a 3 week trip over Christmas. LA to San Francisco, via Vegas/Death Valley etc. Weather wise, what should we expect, particularly with Yosemite? Is there anywhere along the coast which is worth stopping off between LA and San Francisco for a night? Many thanks Shelley from Sydney

14th May 2018 at 2:53 pm

Hi Shelley!

Thanks for your comment – sounds like you have a wonderful trip planned. So, Yosemite in particular can be tricky in winter. It can be accessed, but you need to be aware that it will obviously be quite snowy, and access isn’t possible from all sides – the route I have laid out for example you would have to alter a bit in order to access Yosemite in winter, as the Tioga Road is closed. You also usually can’t get up to Glacier point in winter. But the major attractions in the valley are accessible. For more on visiting Yosemite in Winter, you can check out this guide to Yosemite in a day that Jess wrote: https://independenttravelcats.com/planning-day-yosemite-national-park-introduction-yosemite-valley/

There is a lot to see and do on the Pacific Coast Highway, certainly enough to fill a day or two. There are lots of towns to stop at, and which you choose really depends what you are into. Cambria is a favourite of ours, but there’s a lot to see and do. This post breaks down all the highlights, so you can make an informed decision 🙂

Have a fabulous trip!

Lis Brown says

1st May 2018 at 11:15 pm

Hi Laurence, great post and photos! My husband and I are planing to do 2 weeks driving trip in California, i love all your suggested destinations, I may do the same trip as yours. However, I will be 4 months pregnant (planning to go in May) during the trip, may I know if the in-land route/parks and lake visits are suitable for me and accessible by car or light walking/ light hiking? your trip is start from san francisco and end there too, am i right? thanks in advance!

2nd May 2018 at 8:24 pm

Hi Lis! Thanks very much 😀 The trip does start and end in San Francisco yep.

For your question – I have to admit to not being an expert as we’ve not had any kids, however there is definitely light hiking in the majority of places. Just be aware it can get very hot in some parts of California, so do take plenty of water along. My advice would be to check the websites for the national parks you want to visit and see what hiking routes they have – I think you should be fine, but it’s always best to check as one persons “light hike” is another persons marathon 😉

Theresa says

10th April 2018 at 1:59 am

This looks like a great route, but I was really hoping to see Sequoia National Park. Any advice?

13th April 2018 at 6:16 pm

Hi Theresa! Thanks very much! As that’s in the north, you’d want to add it on near San Francisco. So you could either spend less time in the city, or lose a day somewhere else on the route. It’s hard to give specific advice without knowing your exact interests, but as you sound like you prefer nature to cities, perhaps spending less time in the cities might work better for you? Have a great trip!

15th April 2018 at 5:51 pm

Thanks for your reply. Sequoia National Park is south of Yosemite on the map (Redwood National Park is north of San Francisco). It doesn’t appear that there is road access to Sequoia NP on your route which heads north on 395. I did more research and verified that is the case.

18th April 2018 at 6:22 am

Hi! My apologies, I was thinking of the redwoods to the north of San Francisco and got a bit confused – but that is another option if you can’t make it to Sequoia. Road access can be a challenge due the mountains, and also in winter some of the roads into Yosemite are closed due to snow. So you might have to alter the route a fair bit to make it to Sequoia if that’s a priority 🙂

Jacques says

5th April 2018 at 10:41 pm

Hi Lawrence , we are also considering tyis roadtrip this month. Were from Canada. Assuming we are on the road a giving day with no reservations for a room the same night , by what time do we need to confirm a room or is there plenty of options once arriving early evening. Thank for everything.

6th April 2018 at 5:09 pm

Hi Jacques! At this time of year for the most part you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a room at the last minute. It does depend a little on what level of accommodation you are after, but for quick and easy motels we found they had lots of availability in general. We do definitely advise always checking prices online somewhere like booking.com though, as we nearly always got better deals that way compared to turning up – often the person at the desk didn’t have the power to actually match a price. So do keep that in mind 🙂 Have a great trip, and let me know how it goes!

Jacques Gauthier says

20th May 2018 at 1:13 am

Hi Lawrence ! We decided to take two weeks to travel from San Francisco to LA (Manhattan Beach) . We travel along the coast for these 14 days and enjoyed it tremendously. Next trip will be the National Parks .

Thank you .

20th May 2018 at 2:36 pm

13th March 2018 at 1:27 pm

We are hoping to do everything in your itinerary plus San Diego, we will only have 15 nights and would like to spend at least 2 full days in San Diego and 2 full days in SF, do you think this is reasonable without spending too long out of the 15 days in the car?

13th March 2018 at 8:34 pm

I think that should be do-able yes, if you are focused and don’t get too distracted 😉 Have an awesome trip!

Jacqueline says

19th February 2018 at 4:25 pm

Hi! I am planning a trip with my 10 year old son and love the looks of your itinerary. What would you suggest budget wise for this trip (minus flights) for the two of us?

Thanks, Jacqueline

19th February 2018 at 6:03 pm

Hi Jacqueline! It’s quite tricky to put a budget together on a case by case basis because everyone has different styles and standards of travelling. I’d suggest taking a look at my guide to how much it costs to travel in the USA, which covers pretty much all the areas you need to consider, and should give you some ballpark figures 🙂

Let me know if you still have questions after checking that out 😀

Gai Pendlebury says

12th October 2017 at 11:04 pm

Thank you — what a great and helpful site you have made.We are flying into San francisco from Australia in April.We only have 10 nights.Your suggestions are great — we will miss the LA part.Happy for anyone hear to put in their opinions for an itinerary!We will spent 4 or 5 nights in San fran and 3 in yosemite but the 3 nights are up for grabs –we have done Big Sir before so probs wont go south on the coast.I am thinking maybe Lake tahoe,gold rush towns …love to walk,history, beautiful scenery and quaint American towns.Happy to drive long distances– thank you –your photos are wonderful!

Laurence says

13th October 2017 at 10:33 am

Our pleasure – thanks for commenting to let us know, it’s always appreciated. Sounds like you have some good plans already – one idea might be to head north for Shasta Cascade region and see the caves / redwoods. I have a post about that region on the site too 🙂 Have a fabulous trip!

14th October 2017 at 5:09 am

Thank for that .I will look into it a bit more — I am really impressed with your links for such like 12 best spots for photographing San Fran or Yosemite. So helpful to know where to go to get those great shots!

Jules Selby says

28th August 2017 at 10:24 pm

We are planning two weeks but thinking of hiring an RV instead of hotels, what do you think?

28th August 2017 at 10:43 pm

An RV is definitely a good idea, but do be aware that they can be pricey, and you often have to pay for camping on top of that as well – although there are a lot of places you can camp for free in the US! So really it’s up to you – we’ve done both, and RV’ing is definitely a lot of fun!

Bob Steiner, Jr says

25th June 2017 at 4:07 am

You can’t drive a highway 1 through Big Sur. The highest us closed and detours long and winding over dirt roads

25th June 2017 at 1:32 pm

Thanks for pointing this out. Do you know how long the road will be closed? I’ll put a note in the post.

Erica Landry Napolitano says

16th April 2017 at 7:52 pm

This is some great advice for our upcoming trip. We have almost three weeks out in CA and these will be some great spots! Traveling with an 8 and 10 year old this still seems doable! Thanks.

16th April 2017 at 7:54 pm

My pleasure, have an awesome trip!

Jenna Francisco says

17th September 2016 at 5:18 am

So many good ideas here, and I agree that visitors should plan at least 3 days in San Francisco and Yosemite. One suggestion I’d make related to the “when to visit CA” section–SF and much of the coast are cold and foggy in the summer, so it’s a good idea for visitors to dress in layers and expect lots of fog in summer, that way they won’t be disappointed!

Sarah @ Endless Distances says

14th August 2016 at 1:16 pm

Wow this is so exhaustive!! I’ve don’t the pch before and it’s a dream. I would also definitely recommend staying in Santa Barbara – and the Mexican street food!!!

20th August 2016 at 8:28 pm

Thanks Sarah! It’s a fun place to road trip for sure – thanks for the recommendation!

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

last Updated: January 19, 2024 california Northern California

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Northern California Road Trip Itinerary Overview

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

Why take a Northern California road trip?!

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

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

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

How Long Will this Road Trip in Northern California take?

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

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

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

Things to Know Before Driving Around Northern California

Getting to San Francisco

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

Renting a Car

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

Filling up on Gas

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

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

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

Traffic in Northern California

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

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

Toll Roads in Northern California

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

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

What to Pack for a Northern California Road Trip

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

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

When to Take this NorCal road trip 

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

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

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

Where to Stay in Northern California

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

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

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

Northern California Road Trip Map

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

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

Other road trip posts you may enjoy:

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

The Complete Northern California Road Trip Itinerary

Start: san francisco (1-3 days).

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

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

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

Top things to do in San Francisco:

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

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

What/Where to Eat:

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

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

Where to Stay:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Top Things To Do in Yosemite:

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

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

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

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

I recommend planning a picnic instead though!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Top Things To Do at Lake Tahoe:

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

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

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

Where to Stay: 

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

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

Stop #3: Sacramento (1-2 Days)

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

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

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

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

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

Top Things To Do in Sacramento:

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

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

What/Where To Eat:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Top Things to Do in Lassen Volcanic National Park:

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

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

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

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

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

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

MORE INFO: 

• The Complete Guide to Lassen Volcanic National Park 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Top Things to Do in Redding and Mount Shasta:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Top Things To Do in Eureka and Trinidad:

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

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

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

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

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

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

More Resources: 

• Weekend Getaway to Scenic Trinidad and Eureka 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Top Things to Do in Redwood National and State Parks:

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

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

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

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

Read Next: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Top Things To Do in Mendocino and Fort Bragg:

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

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

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

Where To Stay:

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

More resources: 

• The Weekend Guide to Mendocino and Fort Bragg 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Top Things To Do in Napa

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

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

Top Things To Do in Sonoma

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

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

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

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

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

Where to stay:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Top Things To Do in Point Reyes

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

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

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

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

End: San Francisco

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

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

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

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

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June 2, 2023 at 5:11 pm

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

July 19, 2023 at 9:36 am

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

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The top 5 road trips in California

Sep 10, 2023 • 4 min read

The ultimate California road trips take you from sea to mountains and through desert and redwoods © Oleksandr Telesniuk / 500px

Road-tripping is the ultimate way to experience California , so fill the gas tank and buckle up for unforgettable drives through scenery that tugs at your heart and soul.

Get ready for memory-making encounters as you wheel through sensuous wine country, humbling redwood forests, epic desert expanses, endless miles of coastal highway and sky-touching Sierra Nevada peaks. Just make sure that rental car has unlimited miles – you'll need 'em all.

California is the third-largest state in the US , and you could easily spend weeks navigating its rural byways, safely distant from the nerve-jangling, often-jammed interstate system. These five classic road-tripping routes are soaked in enough epic scenery to make each deliciously slow, winding mile worthwhile.

1. Pacific Coast Highway

Best road trip for world-class ocean views & autumn trips Dana Point at Interstate 5–Hwy 101 in Leggett; 656 miles

No matter if you follow the entire 656 miles or just a short stretch of coast-hugging Hwy 1 , you'll hit the Insta jackpot. Posing options include dramatic sea cliffs, sun-soaked surfing towns, playful harbor seals and the Golden Gate Bridge .

Our top pick for classic California dreamin’ snakes along the Pacific coast, although officially, only the short, sun-loving stretch of Hwy 1 through Orange and Los Angeles Counties can legally call itself Pacific Coast Hwy (PCH). Never mind those technicalities, because equally bewitching ribbons of Hwy 1 and Hwy 101 await all along this route.

Local tip: For best results, avoid driving the PCH in the spring and summer months, when the central and northern coastline can be socked in by fog and the rainy season can initiate landslides. Instead, September and October will yield the sunniest skies and some of the best weather as you spend a week checking this beaut off your bucket list.

2. Route 66

Best for iconic drives & weekend drives Arizona border near Needles–Santa Monica; 315 miles

Get your kicks on America's “ Mother Road ,” which brought Dust Bowl refugees, Hollywood starlets and hippies to California. Cruise from the desert to the Pacific Ocean, pulling up alongside retro relics, sleeping in a tipi hotel and fueling up in neon-lit diners.

The Golden State was the promised land at the end of a long and sometimes lonesome road. Today you motor across the Mojave Desert – a relative breeze compared to times of yore – through famous western towns, like Barstow and Daggett, into the San Bernardino National Forest. Emerge in Pasadena and Los Angeles before dead ending into Hwy 1 in Santa Monica for a grand coastal-view payoff.

3. Gold Country and California Highway 49

Best for historic hills & family road trips Oakhurst–Nevada City; 200 miles

Follow Hwy 49 through the rough-and-tumble Sierra Nevada foothills, a stronghold of gold-rush history with thrilling, mostly true tales of banditry, bordellos and bloodlust.

That highway number is significant: it commemorates the ’49ers who came seeking fame and fortune in California’s original Gold Rush. Today the route winds through Gold Country towns such as Placerville and Nevada City, past ghostly Old West mines and Victorian buildings housing inns, restaurants and museums.

You won't want to miss the blend of western history and charming wineries strung along stunning views of the Sierra Nevada. Give yourself three to four days to enjoy this outdoorsy, family-friendly road trip. Summer and early fall are ideal times to go.

Detour: Hwy 49 comes mighty close to Yosemite National Park (15 miles) and Lake Tahoe (75 miles), both wonderful jumping-off points for family camping and natural majesty.

4. Avenue of the Giants

Best for road trips with kids & raw redwood brilliance Stafford–Highway 101 junction; 32 miles

The incredible 32-mile road at Humboldt Redwoods State Park is canopied by the world's tallest trees, some of which were seedlings during the Roman Empire. It’s one of the most justifiably celebrated drives in California, a place where travelers stand with jaws agape and necks craned upward. The best time is in the morning when sunlight glints off dew-drenched ferns.

The route connects a number of small towns with mid-20th-century motels, diners serving “lumberjack” meals and pull-offs packed with Harleys.

Among the majestic groves along the Avenue, like the rightly famous Rockefeller Grove and the Founders’ Grove, the California Federation of Women’s Clubs Grove is home to an interesting four-sided hearth, designed by renowned architect Julia Morgan. Walking trails wind through all the groves for proper tree-hugging.

5. Desert Solitaire in Death Valley

Best road trip for moody moonscapes & winter or spring driving Palm Springs–Death Valley; 290 miles

Tank up and load the water onboard as you road-trip from Palm Springs through Palm Desert and Joshua Tree up to Death Valley . You’ll drive where California pioneers and gold miners once rolled their wagons. 

In Death Valley National Park the magnum forces of natural and human history collide. Artists Drive is nine miles of vividly variegated desert hills, a taster of the area’s sensuous sand dunes, water-sculpted canyons, rocks moving across the desert floor, extinct volcanic craters, palm-shaded oases, soaring mountains and endemic flora.

Local tip: Go between February and April for spring wildflower blooms and cooler temperatures. Give yourself three days to soak up sites like Badwater Basin (the lowest elevation in the US), Mesquite Flat and Emigrant & Wildrose Canyons .

This article was first published January 2011 and updated September 2023

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The ultimate California road trip: from San Francisco to Santa Monica

Where to stay, drink and dine along the Pacific Coast Highway

Of all the scenic drives in the world, the Pacific Coast Highway is undoubtedly top of many a road-trip bucket-list. A romantic, winding route taking you along the California coastline, you'll take in everything from dizzying, dense redwood forests to spectacular clifftop vistas and bohemian seaside resorts. It's no exaggeration to say that it often feels like being on a film set – and this is quite literally the case at many of the destinations, whether you pass over the Bixby Bridge made famous in Big Little Lies , or end up at the beaches in Santa Monica and Malibu, which were used for the filming of Baywatch .

If you're considering a PCH trip, one thing to note is the direction: travelling north to south is preferable, as it offers views uninterrupted by oncoming traffic. An entirely obvious statement but also an important one to consider: it's long (the second-longest highway in the US, in fact, taking approximately 10 hours of uninterrupted driving to complete) and there is a lot to see. In fact, there are so many recommended stops along the way that it's almost impossible to decide what to prioritise. We recommend the portion of the drive from San Francisco to Santa Monica, which includes what is widely agreed to be one of the most beautiful stretches of road in the world: the rugged, mountainous section of coastline known as Big Sur. Buckle up...

SAN FRANCISCO

Where to stay: 1 hotel san francisco.

But, eco excellence aside, the rooms are comfortable, the service highly commendable and the atmosphere calming; you can see why it describes itself as a "sustainable sanctuary". Even if you aren't actively looking for a hotel that ranks best in class on the responsibility scale (although let's face, it, we all should be), then there is much to love – not least the soothing Bamford Wellness Spa, which offers a variety of holistic treatments designed to nurture the mind, body and spirit.

The hotel's location is also hard to beat: situated on the Embarcadero, it's ideally stationed adjacent to the city's famous Ferry Building, which features a bustling selection of shops, restaurants and a farmer's market offering all manner of fare (don't miss the Hog Island Oyster Co for delicious, fresh seafood). Many of the rooms also offer views over the bay, so it's worth requesting this when you book. It's true that you're spoilt for choice with hotels in the Golden City, but 1 Hotel San Francisco is a stylish, sustainable option with thoughtful design, welcoming staff, and a fantastic location.

Where to eat: Terrene

Like the hotel in which it's situated, Terrene also takes influence from its surroundings and is respectful to the planet, with a menu featuring local, organic and sustainably sourced produce. The hotel's rooftop garden provides many of the ingredients used in both cooking and cocktails, while on-site beehives allow for the property's own honey production. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the restaurant operates under the watchful eye of executive chef Scott Koranda, who conceived a tempting menu inspired by both the San Francisco landscape and his own upbringing in the agricultural hotspot of Iowa. On it you'll find a selection of healthy bowls and salads alongside woodfire oven flatbreads, skewers and sliders. With a buzzy atmosphere and friendly staff, you'll want to grab a table outside on the terrace on a balmy North Californian evening.

Where to stay: Post Ranch Inn

There are special hotels, and then there's the Post Ranch Inn . This beloved Big Sur retreat tops many 'best hotel' lists, so renowned is it for its spectacular cliff-edge location and exclusive, hideaway feel. The 100-acre site is surrounded by towering redwoods, majestic mountains and wild meadows, and every single room – whether a rustic coastal cabin or a cosy treehouse suite perched on stilts – comes compete with incomparable views. It's little wonder that it's attracted the Hollywood set; Taylor Swift, Natalie Portman and George Clooney have all reportedly checked in in recent years.

Our Pacific-facing ocean house included a fireplace, spa-tub and curving wooden deck with loungers, on which we sipped wine while gazing, mesmerised, out to the horizon. The ranch also has a series of heated pools and hot tubs (ideal for those cooler California evenings), all of which have similarly awe-inspiring vistas.

While the amenities are generally faultless, there are two things you won't find in your room: a television or an alarm clock. Post Ranch is dedicated to helping guests switch off from the real world, and this means unwinding away from screens and sleeping in until you wake naturally (to a memorable sunrise over the ocean, ideally). The adults-only hotel promotes relaxation and reconnection – describing itself as "a sanctuary for the soul" – and is therefore unsurprisingly popular with couples looking for a romantic escape.

While you may well want to spend your entire time lounging in comfort, there's also plenty on offer in the way of activities, many of which have a wellness slant, including morning yoga, forest bathing and guided nature walks. There's even falconry, where you can get up-close with birds of prey and learn about local conservation efforts. Also, don't miss the Post Gallery, which showcases a selection of photography, sculptures and fine jewellery created by talented members of the local community, with regularly changing exhibits.

Given that the property's location is so integral to its success, it makes sense that Post Ranch operates at the forefront of environmental responsibility; their mantra is that "what is good for the planet is also good for your guests", and it's a sentiment that holds true. Aesthetically, the resort was designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape – with the aim of allowing guests to feel part of nature, rather than observers of it – with buildings constructed using natural materials and designed to fit around the trees, rather than having to remove them, as much as possible. But appearance aside, the sustainability efforts run deep, and environmental impact has been considered with every element: guestroom walls were created from reclaimed wine casks; the stilted tree houses were designed to protect the fragile roots of nearby redwoods and oaks; all water used is sourced and treated via seven wells located on site; a vast solar-panel installation helps to power the resort and reduce carbon emissions; 90 per cent of the ranch's 100 acres is maintained as a protected area – the list goes on...

POST RANCH INN – BOOK NOW

Where to eat: Sierra Mar

Dining at Sierra Mar is an experience like no other. Before you even get to the menu, you're dazzled by the location – a glass box perched on the edge of the cliff, suspended over the Pacific ocean, the mist rolling in around you.

In keeping with the Post Ranch ethos, the restaurant operates a farm-driven dining experience, with dishes celebrating the "coastal bounty" of the region and designed with balance and sustainability in mind. If you're staying on site, then do take the opportunity to explore the chef's garden, which produces much of the fruit, vegetables and herbs used at Sierra Mar and throughout the ranch (plus a variety of medicinal plants, which are incorporated into spa treatments). Other produce is sourced from local businesses, allowing for menus that are a true reflection of the Big Sur surroundings.

Perhaps because diners are hypnotised by the view, the atmosphere at Sierra Mar is positively serene (it's arguably here that Post Ranch's adults-only rule is most noticeable), and each table has its own air purifier, to create an invigorating 'bubble' of fresh, filtered air for each party. The menus are seasonal, designed for sharing, and change daily. We feasted on yellowfin tuna tartare with puffed rice; a warming coconut and curry soup; pan-seared salmon; roasted king trumpet mushrooms; and duck breast with glazed apricots; finished with a mocha, mascarpone and cardamom Opéra Gâteau. The restaurant also has an award-winning wine selection, with more than 3,200 labels on offer. If you need help whittling it down, the Sommelier Selection list features a curated edit of house favourites.

SIERRA MAR – BOOK NOW

Where to stay: The Rosewood Miramar Beach

As soon as I set foot in Montecito I could understand exactly why Prince Harry and Meghan chose to make it their home; this charming slice of the 'American Riviera' has a quiet, small-town appeal with understated glamour that attracts big Hollywood names. Hidden among the homes of the rich and famous is the Rosewood Miramar Beach , an elegant, estate-like property with immaculate lawns, luxurious lodgings and access to its own private stretch of beach.

We stayed in one of the Garden Bungalows, a light and airy single-storey suite that overlooked lush greenery, vibrant pink gardenia and red maple trees. The spacious guestroom featured a comfortable lounge with a roaring fire, a separate dressing area, a marble-tiled bathroom and an elegant bedroom with double doors opening up onto a patio and outdoor seating area. It was hard to decide whether I preferred sitting curled up here with a book, reclining by the pool with a cocktail, or soaking up the atmosphere at the beach club (in the end I opted to divide my time between all three).

While relaxation is encouraged, there’s much to entertain, with six bars and restaurants, two pools and a variety of upscale boutiques – including one dedicated to Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle brand, Goop (this is California, after all). The bar staff were knowledgable and friendly, and the cocktail list varied and interesting – particularly in The Manor Bar, where all the drinks are inspired by literature; an enjoyably lethal combination as I discovered one night. Here, the wooden-panelled walls are lined with shelves stacked with novels, and the intimate space is peppered with cosy vintage-style seating; little wonder that it's popular with guests and locals alike (truly, you never know who you might bump into...).

If you got a little overexcited in the bar one evening, then the rejuvenating Sense spa offers indulgent treatments and head-clearing activities such as sunrise yoga and guided sunset walks along the water’s edge. They've truly thought of everything: the resort even has its own ice-cream parlour to help you cool off in the Santa Barbara sunshine.

ROSEWOOD MIRAMAR BEACH – BOOK NOW

Where to eat: AMA Sushi

While yes, the Rosewood Miramar Beach has multiple dining options, its Japanese restaurant, AMA Sushi , is arguably its most spoiling. And don't just take my word for it: it was recommended in the Michelin guide in both 2022 and 2023.

The restaurant focuses on Japan's Edomae tradition, which celebrates sushi in its purest form, and is inspired by the legacy of Japanese free divers. Showcasing always-fresh ingredients, two dining options are available. The first is an omakase tasting menu (omakase translates literally as "I leave it up to you"), encouraging an open-minded, spontaneous experience between the chef and diner, taking place at an intimate 13-seater sushi bar with a front-row seat to watch the masters at work. The second is the prix fixe menu, which offers a self-guided journey through traditional Japanese flavours. An advantage of the latter is that you're able to enjoy it in the restaurant's charming garden, alongside the coy pond, surrounded by floating lanterns. But whichever you opt for, you won't be disappointed. Expect to find classic sashimi, nigiri and cut rolls – featuring bluefin tuna, amberjack, dungeness crab and more – alongside black cod, braised pork belly, and wagyu striploin. Naturally, this is complemented by an extensive selection of wine, sake, and cocktails.

The restaurant's sustainability credentials are also commendable: AMA Sushi is endorsed by both SmartCatch and Ocean Wise – two bodies that are dedicated to protecting our oceans and supporting responsible practices.

AMA SUSHI – BOOK NOW

SANTA MONICA

Where to stay: the georgian.

In 2023, one of Los Angeles' oldest hotels, The Georgian , reopened with a chic and stylish new look – one inspired by the resplendent Art Deco interiors of the original that first opened its doors in 1933. The property has been painstakingly restored in all its Wes Anderson-esque glory, complete with eye-catching turquoise façade, original arched ceilings, and bell boys dressed in retro baby-blue uniforms. This is all about storytelling; as soon as I set foot inside it was as if being transported back in time to the golden age of Hollywood. Indeed, the attention to detail is second to none, from the gold tasselled room keys hanging behind reception, to the old-timey record players in each guestroom with a curated selection of vinyls. Lift the receiver of the vintage rotary phone in the lobby and you'll hear a selection of voice messages from 'guests' who stayed in the hotel's 1930s' heyday. Press the golden 'champagne' button in your room, and a drinks trolley appears outside.

When The Georgian first opened its doors, it became known as the First Lady of Santa Monica, attracting guests such as Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin and Clark Gable, and acting as a discreet respite from the glare of the LA spotlight. Today, the property stands out among its Ocean Avenue neighbours; the jewel in the crown of the beachfront line-up. Of course, when it comes to the location, it's hard to beat; the property is situated along the beach boardwalk, a stone's throw from the Santa Monica Pier. There's nothing quite like having breakfast while gazing out to sea, and we were lucky enough to witness one of the legendary technicolour LA sunsets from our ocean-view suite one evening.

To say that the hotel is aesthetically pleasing would be an understatement. The rooms are spacious, with chic, carefully curated, candy-coloured interiors, plenty of luxurious finishing touches, and Slim Aarons-style photography adorning the walls. For a boutique hotel (with 28 suites and 56 rooms) the amenities are impressive; there's a library and games room with an honesty bar, a small gym, a co-working space, and even an art gallery, which previously hosted an exhibition of work by the actress Sharon Stone. An outdoor pool and sundeck is coming soon.

THE GEORGIAN – BOOK NOW

Where to eat: Sunset Bar, Terrace and Dining Room at The Georgian

The Georgian's restaurant is spread across three spaces: the Dining Room, the Sunset Bar and the Sunset Terrace , which offers simple, elegant beachfront dining. Here you'll find a mixture of hotel guests, locals and international visitors – with a limited number of daily walk-ups available – gathering for either brunch, dinner or spuntini ('snacks' in Italian).

The menu was crafted by chef David Almany and inspired by the "vibrant cuisine of coastal Italy", interspersed with global favourites. Don't miss the grilled jumbo prawns, the Georgian chopped salad, the garganelli oxtail ragu, or the free-range Chicken Milanese. There's also a caviar service if you're looking for that extra special something. New for 2024 are 'Spaghetti Sundays', with a heartwarming menu influenced by family-style Italian dinners (think home-made garlic bread, spaghetti with 'red sauce', and Italian meatballs). And, in keeping with the hotel's aesthetic, the cocktail menu features 1930s classics alongside more modern iterations.

Also, don't miss The Georgian Room, the hotel's speak-easy-style basement space – one of Santa Monica's most exclusive drinking and dining establishments, where privacy is protected and photography strictly banned. The menu is inspired by the hotel's history in the '30s and '50s, and the intimate space attracts a regular rotation of surprise musical guests. Legend has it that early patrons of The Georgian Room described frequent sightings of a mythical creature on the Santa Monica shoreline, holding a martini glass up high. Whether or not the fable is true, or simply an indication of how good the cocktails really are, remains to be seen...

DINING AT THE GEORGIAN – BOOK NOW

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The Complete Southern California Road Trip Route

Post Summary: The Ultimate Southern California Road Trip Itinerary

Craving a little sunshine?

Go where people play in the sun all year long – Southern California!

There are so many gorgeous places to see in Southern California, where do you even begin planning your Southern California itinerary? 

This is where we come in. We’ve escaped the gloomy PNW plenty of times and driven through this part of the west coast plenty of times! Why choose a few stops when you can see everything in one epic Southern California road trip?

In this post, we’re sharing exactly how to plan the best Southern California itinerary , and all the best stops to have the most memorable trip ever. 

Let’s hop in the car!

The Ultimate Southern California Road Trip Itinerary

Where is southern california.

Southern California is located in the southwest contiguous United States. Its rough borders are generally as north as San Luis Obispo, as east as Death Valley National Park, and as south as the Californian USA/Mexican Border.

Its general geography consists of a desert landscape, dry climate, and often sunny conditions . 

Where Do I Start My Southern California Road Trip?

There are many different places to start your Southern California road trip itinerary. The easiest way to reach southern California is by flying into one of its main cities. Here are the easiest and most convenient starting cities below:

• San Diego (San Diego International Airport – SAN)
• Los Angeles (Los Angeles International Airport -LAX, Ontario International Airport – ONT, John Wayne Airport – SNA, Hollywood Burbank Airport – BUR, Long Beach Airport – LGB)
• San Francisco (San Francisco International Airport – SFO, Oakland International Airport – OAK)

What do we recommend? We recommend flying into San Diego! It’s the most southwest point you can reach, which makes it easy to plan your road trip in a nice, neat loop.

How To Rent a Car In Southern California

Now, what you want to do during your Southern California road trip will depend on what kind of car you should rent for the journey. Here are a few tips to know when trying to rent a car in Southern California:

Staying in B&B’s, resorts, and hotels? Rent a regular car. This kind of car fits easily in tight parking spaces (believe us, you’ll encounter those) and allows you to zip around town without a problem. 

We recommend booking from RentalCars.com . They have the biggest selection of cars and prices, to fit your exact type of road trip!

Want to go camping and do outdoorsy things? Reserve an epic campervan with Outdoorsy . They’ve got a huge selection of vintage VW vans, sprinter vans, and RVs for your perfect outdoor trip. It will be a bit more of a challenge parking this kind of vehicle in the city, but this minor inconvenience is nothing when you think about all the money you’ll save sleeping in your car!

How Many Days Should I Plan for My Southern California Road Trip?

If you want to try and visit all the stops we will list in this post, we suggest planning a one-week Southern California road trip .

This will allow you to break up the trip into bite-sized pieces (aka not spending all day in the car!) and experience areas a little bit deeper than just passing through.

Read More: Use These Road Trip Planner Tools and Apps to Mark Your Route!

When Is The Best Time To Plan A Southern California Road Trip?

The best time to plan a Southern California road trip is during the spring and fall season .

This is because the wintertime can bring quite frigid temperatures in the desert, and then oppositely the summer can bring unbearable hot temperatures during the day.

Spring and Fall bring milder temperatures, which makes for a more comfortable southwest road trip !

The Best Stops On A Mega Southern California Road Trip

(Scroll all the way down for our downloadable google map route!)

1. San Diego

Following the route in our blog post, San Diego is going to be an easy place to begin your Southern California itinerary. San Diego is a large city, with easy access to grocery stores, bulk food places, outdoor gear stores, and any other place you may need to pick up last-minute items. 

Make sure to stop by Balboa Park , La Jolla Cove , and a quick jaunt around Old Town before heading out on your adventure. For a fun trip to the beach, try driving out to Coronado Beach for some sunny, secluded waves!

2. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Often referred to as “the Badlands of Southern California” the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is a geographical wonder with deep slot canyons, cactus-covered terrain , and gorgeous oases covering this area of the state. Flash-floods and earthquakes constantly change the geography here, so you can come back time and time again to discover new things about the area. 

Hike the Palm Canyon trail near the water, watch the sunset at Font’s Point , visit the Pumpkin Patch (they look like rock bowling balls!), and stay up late to view the starts from this amazing Southern California state park. 

Read More: 10 Amazing American Southwest Destinations You Have To See To Believe

3. Joshua Tree National Park

Located 30 minutes from Palm Springs, this relatively small national park is surprisingly full of amazing attractions, natural and historical alike! Located close to Southern California cities like San Diego and Los Angeles, this is a popular place for people to come for a quick weekend trip, especially if you love rock climbing!

Make sure to stop by famous landmarks like Arch Rock , the Cholla Cactus Garden , the Keys View , and the Skull Rock Nature Trail . We liked visiting these spots during dawn and dusk – this is when the temperature was comfortable and there were few visitors as well!

Looking for a camping spot near the park? There are actually tons of free camping around the park – click here to read all about how to find free camping spots near your favorite places!

4. Palm Springs, California

If you are looking for a fun break from driving your Southern California road trip route, Palm Springs is absolutely worth a stop! It’s known for its mid-century architecture and bright pastel colors . You’ll find a lot of incredible photo opportunities and fun antique stores here! 

Not only can you resupply and do laundry here, but you can also spend some time relaxing resort pools and indulging in fancy brunch spots. It’s not really an outdoor destination (as far as hiking and exploring go), but it’s a great spot to stay and experience this Coachella-hosting desert escape.

Want to stay overnight? The Korakia Pensione is a swanky, bucket-list hotel perfect for a dreamy few nights. Stay awhile, enjoy the scenery, and rest up from your road trip!

5. Mojave National Preserve

The Mojave National Preserve spans 1.6-MILLION acres of rolling sand dunes, secret mines, and gorgeous fields of wildflowers. This is the perfect Southern California destination if you are seeking solitude and quiet. This place is big enough for you to spread out and not see anyone else…if you choose!

Stop by the Kelso Depot Visitor Center  to get more information about the area. You can also discover what events are happening during the season you visit.

Some of the most popular things to do in the Mojave Desert is camping ( Hole-In-The-Wall Campground and Mid-Hills campground are the most popular). You can also take easy hiking trails like Lake Tuendae Nature trail and T eutonia Peak trail .

SoCal Road Trip Tip: This place rarely gets cell service, so make sure you have the right road trip planner apps to navigate offline. Download offline maps on Google to help you navigate around the desert. 

6. Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park is a must-see destination on your Southern California road trip.

While the name isn’t actually that fitting (there’s actually an abundance of life here!) , living beings like kangaroo rats, coyotes, and bats can be found mostly at night!

Many of these attractions can be seen in Death Valley in one day (let’s say 24 hours), making it a perfect overnight stop. Arrive in the evening to catch the sunset at Dante’s View , camp in the backcountry spots nearby. 

In the morning, watch the sunrise at Zabriskie Point . Afterwards, hurry down to check out Badwater Basin before it gets too hot outside! On the way out of the park, make quick stops at the Devil’s Golf Course, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes , and Father Crowley Overlook.

 Have a little extra time? Take a super long detour to the Racetrack or Ubehebe Crater for less-visited Death Valley attractions. 

Read More: How The Plan The Perfect Trip To See Death Valley In One Day

7. Kings Canyon National Park

Boasting dramatically huge sequoia trees, epic views of the Sierra-Nevada Mountains and its 14ers, and tons of wildlife, Kings Canyon National Park is a must-see stop on your SoCal road trip.

Kings Canyon National Park was named after its rugged, glacier-carved canyon . It is a land of giants and “a rival to Yosemite,” according to the national park entrepreneur and preservation advocate, John Muir.

Much of the park is designated wilderness . This means that the park is a choose-your-own-adventure type of stop on your Southern California road trip. With tons of summer and winter activities, you and the family can stay in Kings Canyon National Park for as long or as little as you’d like!

Best Camping Spots In Kings Canyon National Park:

• Atwell Mill Campground (Three Rivers, CA)
• Sentinel Campground (Kings Canyon National Park, CA)
• Moraine Campground (Dunlap, CA)
• Canyon View Group Sites (Hume, CA)
• Meadow Campground (Fresno, CA)
• Big Meadows Cabin (Sequoia National Park, CA)

8. Sequoia National Park

While on your Southern California road trip, you must stop at Sequoia National Park .

Sequoia National Park was established in 1890. This was to protect the giant sequoia trees that cover the southern Sierra-Nevada Mountains! It is enjoyed by over 1 million visitors each year!

Within Sequoia National Park, you can find the largest tree in the world (the General Sherman Tree). Visitors can also drive the scenic General’s Highway , which shows off a group of some of the largest trees in the world, climb Moro Rock , and more.

Some other must-see stops in Sequoia National Park include any of the park’s visitor centers and museums , and hiking any of the Cedar Grove trails .

Best Camping In Sequoia National Park:

• Azalea Campground (Grant Grove, CA)
• Crystal Springs Campground (Hume, CA)
• Sunset Campground (Hume, CA)
• Potwisha Campground (off of Generals Highway)
• Buckeye Flat Campground (Sequoia National Park, CA)

9. San Luis Obispo

Located near the coast of California, San Luis Obispo (or, “SLO,” or simply “San Luis” as the locals say) is a cute SoCal town with big adventures.

During this Southern California stop, do some relaxing! Sunbathe at Pismo Beach , go wine tasting in SLO’s wine country , or explore Montaña de Oro State Park .

Within the huge oceanside Montaña de Oro State Park, you can enjoy the solitude of the beach. For a more active time, hike popular trails like the Montaña de Oro Bluff Trail (easy, 4.1-mile trek with 229’ elevation gain), or go on a scenic drive throughout the park.

Don’t forget to walk through downtown San Luis Obispo and grab a bite to eat and a souvenir!

10. Big Sur

Exploring this iconic drive down Highway 1 is a must-add to your Southern California road trip itinerary.

While driving Big Sur , you’re guaranteed epic views of the incredible California coastline and numerous jaw-dropping places to stop along the way.

Malibu , McWay Falls ( park pass required ), and Pfeiffer Beach are among the many amazing stops along Big Sur that you simply must explore.

If you have time for more, check out Bixby Creek (Canyon) Bridge , stay at the luxury Alila Ventana Big Sur Hotel , or camp at Limekiln Campground .

11. Santa Barbara

Just north of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara is another great stop on your Southern California road trip.

Some of the best things to do in Santa Barbara include visiting the Old Mission Santa Barbara , relaxing at East Beach (free!), exploring the Santa Barbara Zoo , walking the State Street Promenade , and meandering through the Ganna Walska Lotusland .

With easy mountain access and beachside views, Santa Barbara is a wonderful stop while driving through SoCal.

12. Los Angeles

Los Angeles is not only a bustling city of entrepreneurs and movie stars , but it’s also a unique stop on your next Southern California road trip with tons to discover for yourself.

While in Los Angeles, Santa Monica , Hollywood , Getty Villa Museum , and Venice Beach are among some of the most popular attractions.

Up for a longer visit? Camp at Chino Hills State Park and take a few days exploring the nearby Disneyland Park and Universal Studios !

Read More: How To Spend a Fun Weekend In West, Hollywood California

13. Orange County

This is the perfect stop on your Southern California road trip. There are so many free things to do in Orange County !

Huntington Beach , Newport Beach , and Crystal Cove State Park are just a few of the best free things to do in Orange County. However, exploring art galleries in Laguna Beach and visiting the Muckenthaler Cultural Center are also fun free things to do on your road trip.

Looking for Southern California hikes? Try the East Ridge View Trail (moderate, 4 miles with 482’ elevation gain) or walk around the Fullerton Arboretum !

If you’re up for spending a few bucks, check out Disneyland Park and Universal Studios .

Read More: Gorgeous Places To See In Orange County This Weekend

14. Encinitas, California

For great restaurants and beaches, visit Encinitas, California during your SoCal road trip!

Here, you’ll find the lovely Moonlight Beach , excellent surfing at Leucadia State Beach (Beacon’s) , and epic tidepooling at Swami’s Beach .

You can also visit the regular farmer’s market in Encinitas (every Sunday, 2-10PM). If you have time, check out the Butterfly Farms , go wine tasting at Solterra Winery , or go shopping in downtown Encinitas.

This fun little part of Southern California is meant for you to explore!

15. San Diego, California

San Diego, California is downright gorgeous . With fantastic plants and succulents that will make you say, “That’s real?!” and jaw-dropping scenery, San Diego is a must-see stop on your SoCal road trip.

While in San Diego, be sure to explore La Jolla . Here, you can walk along the La Jolla Coast Walk Trail near the La Jolla Cove . Check out Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve , visit the San Diego Zoo , walk through Balboa Park , and stop at any of the city’s unique beaches.

For top-notch bread and baked goods, visit Izola Bakery in downtown San Diego. If you go, be sure to make a reservation to get a loaf of bread, as they sell out FAST each day!

Another fun attraction near San Diego is Coronado Island , which has cute shops, delicious restaurants, the relaxing Coronado Beach , and the famous Hotel del Coronado (or “Hotel del,” as the locals say).

Read More: How To Drive The Pacific Coast Highway From San Diego To Seattle

Southern California Road Trip Map

Below, you’ll find our complete Southern California road trip map, with all the major stops to plan along your way. Click on the icon in the far left corner to open it in a new browser. Save in on your own google maps for reference!

Have you ever taken a Southern California road trip? Did we miss any of your favorite spots? Tell us all about it in the comments below!

More california adventures.

The 24-Hour Guide To Yosemite National Park

Amazing Outdoor Activities To Do In San Francisco

An Epic Day Trip To Big Sur, California

What To Expect at Shark Fin Cove

The Ultimate California Coast Road Trip Itinerary

The Perfect Pacific Coast Road Trip Itinerary (Washington to California)

How to Plan a Perfect California Road Trip with Teens

Welcome to our best ever California Road Trip itinerary for families with teens and kids. If you’re planning a trip to California with the family, then we are here for you!

As of this summer, we’ll be taking our fifth California road trip as a family. If you want to know the best places to visit, what to eat, where the great beaches are..? Read on!

Don’t miss all our California Road Trip Guides:

• 20 Amazing Things to do on a California Road Trip with Kids
• Top Tips for Planning a California Road Trip
• 12 Things to do on a California Road Trip
• California Road Trip with Kids: San Francisco
• Top Tips for Disneyland California & California Adventure
• California Road Trip: San Diego and La Jolla
• California Road Trip: Tips for visiting Santa Monica and LA
• California Road Trip: Big Sur
• California Road Trip: Things to do in Santa Cruz

But you’re here because you’re planning a road trip through California with your family. I love the thrill of a new destination but for me, a California road trip is the perfect holiday. There’s something about ending each day slightly frazzled by sunshine, with sand between your toes. Not to mention spending long evenings with vintage fairground rides, drive in movies and amazing food.

A two week California road trip with teens is also just really easy – a massive consideration for me, as a single parent. There’s no language barrier and it’s so easy to find affordable places to stay, eat and play. The scenery is fantastic and there are so many outdoor activities, you’ll be spoiled for choice.  Here are some highlights from our most recent trip to California

California Road Trip Highlights and Top Tips

Ready? Let’s crack on with our 100% tried and tested route for the best ever California road trip with kids!

The Best Ever California Road Trip Itinerary!

This itinerary is based on a trip of two to four weeks based on flying into San Francisco and out of LAX. However, it’s completely doable from either airport. This itinerary covers 1,300 miles so is around 24 hours of driving. If you want to include Grand Canyon, it’s another 400 miles and 7 hours drive from Los Angeles.

Best Two Week California Road Trip Itinerary:

This itinerary is great if you fly into San Francisco and want to head South down the coast. At the end of two weeks you can drive back from San Diego to San Francisco, which will take about eight hours.

Your trip starts with some city time in San Francisco, then a couple of days of laid back vintage surf charm in Santa Cruz. From here, it’s an easy drive South to Big Sur, where you can spend some time in the redwood forests, and exploring the beautiful beaches around Carmel. A few more hours and you’ll hit Malibu, Santa Monica and LA, and finally a few more hours to the Southern California hot spot of San Diego. If you want to stay more central, try heading inland from LA to Grand Canyon instead – it’s a 7 hour trip each way.

• San Francisco: 2 days
• Santa Cruz: 2 days
• Carmel/Big Sur: 3 days
• LA/Santa Monica: 2 daysThen either: San Diego or Grand Canyon: 3 days

Four Week California Road Trip Itinerary:

If you have a month for a California road trip, my recommendation would be to start North of San Francisco and see the forests and national parks around Mendocino, which are wild and spectacular. From there you can head inland to Yosemite, to round out a great first week in California.

I would also add a trip to Santa Barbara in between Carmel and LA, so you can explore the city, which has a really lovely Spanish charm. South of LA, you could also add a couple of days South of LA exploring Orange County and Huntingdo

Driving Highway One

The key attraction in California is the coastline along Highway One. For the best views, you should aim to travel North to South – so consider flying in to San Francisco. This isn’t essential but means it’s really easy to pull into the many view spots on the waterside. It’s a little trickier if you’re on the other side of the road.

If you can’t arrive/depart from different airports, then I would recommend flying into San Francisco OR if you fly to LAX, immediately drive North to start your journey from the top end of Highway One. It will take about 5 hours to drive the highway route from LAX to San Francisco, but it’s definitely worth it to get the most out of the experience. If you’re tired, you can break the journey from LA to San Francisco in Fresno or Modesto.

Read on to find out more about the destinations on our itinerary and our recommendations for each of the stops!

San Francisco (Suggested : 2 Days)

Our California road trip itinerary kicks off in the fabulous city of San Francisco. I recommend allowing a couple of days in the city to adjust to the time zone. Don’t pick up your hire car until you leave San Francisco. Traffic in the city is chaotic, and it’s much easier to walk around or use the famous street cars.

On your first day, we definitely recommend checking out the Pier, and seeing the famous seals on the waterfront. A short walk from Pier 39 is Pier 15 and the Exploratorium , a fantastic hands-on science museum for kids.

Consider breakfast at Mama’s in Washington Square. It’ll give you the fuel you need to stomp up the city’s hills while you’re exploring and walking up the famous Lombard St.

Don’t miss Golden Gate Park – but here’s a tip. Go in the afternoon. In the mornings, the bay can be really misty. So you might actually not be able to see the famous bridge through the cloud!

Check out our post for more recommendations of things to do in San Francisco .

Mendocino (Suggested: 2 Days)

If you have time, then we recommend adding a drive to Northern California to your road trip. Further North, you’ll see enormous redwood forests, lakes and rugged coastline, with traditional small towns dotting the highway. We drove three hours North to Mendocino, a coastal town that’s surrounded by state parks that have awesome coastal hiking paths and redwood forests.

Mendocino is an upscale little town with a thriving theatre community, and independent stores. We recommend spending the morning rafting on one of the local rivers, picking up a picnic in town and heading into the state park.

Check out this post for more ideas of what to do in Mendocino .

Yosemite (Suggested: 3 Days)

While you’re in the Northern half of California, one of the best things to do with kids is visit the world-famous Yosemite National Park.

We’re currently planning a trip for this summer. One of my favourite options is the camping packages you can buy online. For around £50 a night, you can hire all the kid you need to camp at Yosemite. That includes all the permits, which will be sent to you ahead of your trip.

When you arrive, go to a pre-agreed location to collect your packs, tents, stoves and maps. The camping company will provide you with personalised maps and itinerary. All you need to do is set off!

If you want to stay at one of Yosemite’s campsites, you’ll need to plan ahead – bookings open up online for specific dates around 8 months in advance. They typically sell out within minutes, so you’ll need to be fast on the button.

We booked last-minute so we’ve reserved an Air BnB around 30 minutes from Yosemite, and have made reservations on the YART . This is a bus service that shuttles tourists into Yosemite from the surrounding towns.

Santa Cruz (Suggested: 3 days)

Santa Cruz is one of my favourite California cities and is a must-see on any California road trip itinerary. It’s got a quirky, retro charm with a fabulous beach boardwalk , open air movies and great surf.

Most of the entertainment in Santa Cruz centres on the boardwalk. There are old-fashioned roller coasters and ridiculous food stalls (deep-fried cheesecake? Ugh). Kids will love the open-air movies that run on the beach each week during the summer.

During the day, Santa Cruz main beach can be a bit hectic. We suggest walking for 10 minutes over the headland, to Seabright State Beach (above). This stretch of beach is quieter, and beautiful.

There are barbecue pits provided by the local state, and amazing waves for body boarding. We’ve also seen whales and dolphins swimming just off this beach.

Check out this post for loads more ideas of things to do in Santa Cruz .

Carmel and Monterey (Suggested: 2 Days)

As your California road trip takes you down the coast from Santa Cruz towards LA, you’ll hit the towns of Carmel and Monterey. These two towns sit at the top of a stretch of less developed coastline that’s packed with forests and huge, sweeping views around the continually curving coastal road.

Of the two destinations, Carmel is smaller and more upscale. This means – naturally – it can be expensive. But if you want great restaurants, swanky shops and some of the world’s prettiest beaches then Carmel is for you.

For my money, the best thing to do in Carmel is 17-mile-drive. This is a scenic part of Highway One that’s closed to regular traffic. The only way to go down 17-mile drive is to pay. This is the government’s attempt to limit traffic, and it mostly works.

For $10, you can drive along the coastal road, enjoying the views. Don’t miss the chance to watch the sunset at Pebble Beach – it’s nothing short of spectacular. Top tip – if you book accommodation on 17-mile-drive, you will get to drive the route for free! (Just swing into the “residents” lane when you approach the entrance gate.

Carmel is a short drive from Monterey – and you’ll cross the famous Bixby Bridge (above), as seen in Pretty Little Lies. Our favourite things to do here are visit the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium , and the gorgeous beach at Lovers Point Park. Check out this post for more ideas of things to do with kids in this area.

Big Sur and Highway One (Suggested: 3 Days)

No California Road Trip itinerary with kids is complete without Big Sur. South of Carmel is a 90-minute stretch of coastal California that will take your breath away. Big Sur is a place that forces you to slow down. The winding roads take you along steep coastal cliffs, through redwood forests and several state parks and national forests. It’s truly an epic landscape.

We recommend stopping off here for a few nights if your itinerary allows. There are plenty of cabins to rent, giving you the chance to experience the ancient redwoods. If you want to camp in Big Sur, be ready early – camping slots open 9 months in advance and tend to sell out in days.

The obvious thing to do is explore the state parks here. Pfeiffer Beach is stunning, but don’t miss Pfeiffer State Park. There’s a family-friendly hike up to the waterfalls, and afterwards, you can settle by the river for a picnic and some swimming. On the day we visited, we found a rope swing and have the sort of day memories are made of.

I’d also suggest stopping for lunch at Nepenthe , a famous restaurant perched on the cliff-top with stunning views. It’s just off Highway One to the Southern end of Big Sur. For more ideas of things to do in Big Sur , don’t miss this post!

Santa Barbara (Suggested: 2 Days)

From Big Sur, it’s nice to have a stopping point before you get to the full-on Los Angeles area, and we love Santa Barbara.

It’s a slightly old-fashioned Spanish town, with pretty courtyards and one of America’s oldest piers, which is packed with tiny stores and restaurants. Don’t miss the cinema on Main Street, which is a beautiful old building.

Our favourite things to do in Santa Barbara revolve around the water. It’s a great spot to jet ski, and you can also hire kayaks and paddle boards on the waterfront. It’s never too busy here, so it’s a lovely place for kids to learn. To the southern end of Santa Barbara is the adjoining town of Carpinteria, where you’ll find great surfing beaches, loads of indie cafes and an amazing campsite with horses and old Airstream caravans.

In terms of beaches, our favourites are Santa Claus beach (above) and Summerland, which is a great spot for picnics and swimming. There are showers and free parking, and you can head into dinner afterwards in Summerland town.

Here’s a post on things to do in Santa Barbara with Kids .

Santa Monica/Los Angeles (Suggested: 5 Days)

If I can give you one piece of advice about visiting LA during your California road trip with kids, it’s this. Don’t stay in LA.

Seriously. Do not stay in Los Angeles. You’ll hate the traffic, it takes forever to get anywhere and the smog is horrible.

Stay in the beachfront town of Santa Monica instead. It’s a short 20 minute drive from downtown LA and is just the most perfect base for exploring the city. Rather than being stuck in a skyscraper hotel or anonymous midtown hotel, here you’re right on the beach. In Santa Monica, you can hire a bike and ride down to Venice Beach. You can spend a fun afternoon playing vintage arcade games and riding rollercoasters on the Santa Monica Pier. There’s swimming, surfing and loads of restaurants.

Oh, and there’s amazing shopping on the Third Street promenade.

After spending a day in Santa Monica, give yourself time to head into LA. Drive or Uber into town and you can explore all the sights. Our recommendations are shopping at the Farmers Market and The Grove, taking a helicopter tour over the city, and hiking up to the Griffiths Observatory for amazing views over the city.

There’s so much to do in the wider LA area that you’ll need another day just to explore Malibu. We fell in love with Paradise Cove , a picture perfect beach. You can spend the day at Zuma Beach and then drive to Paradise Cove to watch the sun set. There’s a fabulous restaurant here and a beach club. You can reserve private sun loungers here including your own private mini beach club with double loungers and fridges. Plan ahead though, as they’re booked out months ahead.

On day four of your itinerary, try spending a day (or two) getting your theme park fix. We’ve tried both Universal Studios Hollywood, and Disneyland California and they’re both great. If I had to pick, then I think Disney has the edge! If you have time, the Warner Bros Studio Tour is amazing, and you’re also close to Knott’s Berry Farm.

If you’re more of a beach family, then you can also take day trips just South of LA to Huntington Beach and Newport Beach. If you do visit, then don’t miss Balboa Island, which is a fabulous spot for kids.

Check out this post for our recommendations for trips to Santa Monica and LA .

San Diego (3 Days)

The final stop on our California road trip itinerary is San Diego in Southern California.

Heading South from LA on a California road trip, it’s a couple of hours drive to get to San Diego. From here you can do a day trip to Mexico, or drive up towards Laguna for more surfing.

At first glance, San Diego can seem a bit like any other American city. But head to the La Jolla neighbourhood for some quality beach time.

La Jolla has a series of beaches. At La Jolla Cove, there are rock pools galore for little ones to explore. Meanwhile La Jolla Shores (above) is perfect for novice surfers, and there are a couple of great surf schools you can try here.

You’ll find amazing tacos and tex-mex food in this part of town, and you can hire paddle boards and kayaks to explore the sea caves just off the beach. Check out this post for all our top recommendations in San Diego.

California Road Trip Itinerary Bonus Edition: Grand Canyon (2 Days)

Okay, it’s not strictly part of a California road trip with kids. But if your West Coast adventure is a once in a lifetime thing, then this is your best chance to go and see a true natural wonder.

It’s around a 7-9 hour drive from LA to Grand Canyon. Google will tell you less, but Google is overly kind about LA traffic.

We stopped off overnight en route in Palm Springs, which made it a bit more manageable. It’s a long drive and exceptionally boring.  Think endless hours of dead straight desert roads with hours between seeing any other human. Getting out of the car’s AC can feel like a trial in itself! But it will all be worth it when you get there, I promise!

The best accommodation at Grand Canyon is inside the National Park. It’s not luxurious, but it’s very close to the scenery. I felt like it was worth a couple of nights without AC and WiFi for a room that’s 30 feet from the edge of the Grand Canyon. Besides, you’ll need that cash to pay for your helicopter ride over the canyon. As with other popular sites, book WAY earlier for your accommodation than you think you’ll need.

You can read more about what we got up to at Grand Canyon here .

I hope you found our California road trip itinerary for families useful. If you’ve got any questions or suggestions about the sort of things you’d recommend doing in California with kids, then let me know in the comments. 

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7 thoughts on “how to plan a perfect california road trip with teens”.

If you’ve never planned a family road trip, pulling together your first adventure behind the wheel can feel a little overwhelming; this is especially true in California with kids, where there’s often a good reason to stop the car every few miles.

Hi. This itinerary is great! I’m thinking of taking the plunge and booking for summer 2021 as this summer could be a complete write off. Would you have any more hints and tips re the Yosemite leg of the journey. I think that would suit me and my boys. The adventure of camping sounds very exciting!

You can hire complete camping kits which is the way to go – if you look on booking sites like Air BnB they are listed as accommodation but will basically give you a tent and ALL the kit you need for 2, 3 or 4 nights. It takes a lot of hassle out of it.

Don’t stay outside the park and drive in – you’ll waste half the day on travel. But you CAN take the bus which goes from surrounding towns into the park, this means you don’t need to worry about car parks, and can explore more freely. Top tip is to book the transit before you go, because the buses get booked up and there are only a certain number each day. Hope that helps! You’ll have an amazing time, I hope we’ll be there too next summer 🙂

That sounds like so much fun!

I stumbled on your blog and immediately clicked on the travel section. Excellent post, by the way. I read it because I was intrigued by how travelers from outside of the US must experience our country. If five visitors (one to New York City, one to the California coast, one to the Midwest, one to the deep South, and one to Alaska) sat down to compare notes they may argue that they hadn’t visited the same country at all! I appreciate your perspective and will look for your future US travels. If you ever decide to explore the Midwest, send me an email, I’ll send you to my Ohio travel blog, but also give you additional info!

Thank you so much for sharing. This has given me inspiration for a trip we plan to do. Please would you share details of where you stayed during your trip?

Hi – we used Airbnb stays for all of our road trips, I find them much easier than hotels when travelling with little ones because you can cook their favourite foods, have a lazy TV morning once in a while, and watch TV when they’re in bed in the evening, which can hard (and costly) in a hotel! If you want specific Airbnb recommendations, let me know, we have stayed in a bunch over the years.

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