Without a doubt, one of the world’s best destinations for a road trip is California. It is the third-largest state in the United States, with 164,000 square miles of diverse landscape highlighted by 66 picturesque byways. No wonder road trips in California are popular and a favorite among many people. We’ve curated a list of road trip ideas in California, so you have nothing to worry about!
There’s plenty to see; you could spend a whole weekend touring the California desert or start at the seaside and finish up in the mountains. All you need to get out of your routine and hit the road is a good playlist, a road trip checklist, snacks and foods, and a little planning. So get ready for one of the most memorable experiences as we show you the best road trip ideas in California; let’s go!
1. Highway 1
The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), commonly called Highway 1, winds its way along the California coast. It offers about 656 miles of ocean views, as well as an abundance of wildlife. It also has some of the most fascinating attractions in the state. It’s among the best road trip ideas in California and a popular destination worldwide.
Although the official route goes from Leggett to Dana Point, south of Los Angeles, many choose to start in San Francisco and shorten the 656 miles of travel. If you’re departing from Golden City, stop by Snowbird Coffee for a quick coffee before heading up Highway 1.
From there, head gently south, stopping in Santa Cruz to take in the scenery or go surfing. Take your time, as you will want to enjoy the breathtaking views along the road stretch connecting Carmel-by-the-Sea to Big Sur. Suggested accommodations include the adults-only Alila Ventana Big Sur and the sprawling Carmel Valley Ranch.
Resuming your journey, you can visit Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park for the afternoon or proceed to San Simeon to witness the elephant seal rookery. It is advisable to verify the road conditions before you travel in case there are any potential detours. This is because landslides have cut off portions of Highway 1 in this area. Take a few days to explore the local vineyards or unwind on Santa Barbara’s beaches before concluding your tour in Los Angeles.
2. San Diego to Malibu (Beaches Trip)
Southern California has some of the most fantastic sandy beaches and the perfect warm weather in the nation. So if you’re itching for a beach getaway, go there. It’s a bucket list destination for many people.
Read and people-watch in La Jolla Cove in the morning when you’re in San Diego. Then, head over to the nearby Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. Proceed northward from La Jolla to experience all of Orange County’s coastal communities. These include Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, and Huntington Beach.
Surf the waves with a surfboard, or stroll along the pier and observe the stunning views of marine life. Reserve a few nights in Malibu to make the most of your last beach excursion. This will provide ample time to discover Leo Carrillo State Park, Zuma Beach, and the Point Dume cliffs. If you’re tired of beautiful beaches, satisfy your desire for seafood at Neptune’s Net before heading to Corral Canyon.
3. Avenue of the Giants
Passing beneath the tallest trees on Earth, some of which were saplings during the Roman Empire, is the fantastic 32-mile road at Humboldt Redwoods State Park. It’s one of the best road trip ideas in California and a bucket list destination. Travelers stand with their jaws open, and necks craned upwards as they take in the stunning views of one of California’s most deservedly scenic roads.
Dawn, when sunlight plays with the dew on the ferns, is the greatest moment. Along the way are several cute towns, pull-offs brimming with Harleys, and motels from the mid-1900s that serve “lumberjack” dinners.
The California Federation of Women’s Clubs Grove is home to an intriguing four-sided hearth created by architect Julia Morgan. There are other magnificent groves along the Avenue including the Founders’ Grove and the rightfully famous Rockefeller Grove. All the groves are lined with walking routes ideal for tree-hugging. Don’t forget your playlist to avoid road trip boredom.
4. Route 66
Take a family trip down America’s “Mother Road,” leading hippies, Hollywood stars, and Dust Bowl refugees to California. Sail across the Pacific Ocean from the desert, stopping at relics from the past, staying in tipi hotels, and refueling in neon-lit diners.
You drive through well-known western cities like Barstow and Daggett and enter the San Bernardino National Forest after traversing the Mojave Desert, which is milder than it used to be. After going through the dense forest, come out in Los Angeles and Pasadena. Then dead-end onto Hwy 1 in Santa Monica for a breathtaking payout of a view of the coast.
5. The Eastern Sierras
The Eastern Sierras is among the road trip ideas in California. Highway 1 hugs the coast, whereas Highway 395, the sister route, traverses the Sierra Nevada range, which forms the core of central California. This route offers a range of geological characteristics, including ancient mining towns and ancient woodlands instead of beautiful beaches along the seashore. Even if you start in Los Angeles, the travel from Lone Pine to Lake Tahoe only takes approximately four hours. However, you should budget for a four- or five-day stay.
The former mining town of Lone Pine, positioned between Sequoia and Death Valley national parks, is the ideal place to start your adventure. Before continuing north, spend a day trip trekking among the craggy peaks, arches, and rocks of the Alabama Hills, the setting for several films, such as Gladiator, The Lone Ranger, and Django Unchained.
After enjoying some pulled pork and ribs at Copper Top BBQ in Big Pine, quickly detour Highway 168 to explore the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. This dense forest is home to some of the planet’s oldest living trees. Once you pass Bishop, a paradise for climbers, watch for hot springs.
It’s worth stopping at Wild Willy’s Hot Springs and Hot Creek Geologic Park, but farther north are lots of hidden gems that locals may share with you if you ask. Journey a little further on Highway 395, and you’ll come across the well-known ski resort Mammoth Mountain, followed by Mono Lake and its unique rock formations, which are formed by mud drips.
Now, travelers heading north might divert to investigate the ghost town of Bodie off Highway 270, while those heading westward to Yosemite National Park would continue westward.
6. Redding to Lassen Volcanic National Park
Many of California’s best-kept secrets can be found in the northeastern Shasta Cascade region. Beginning in Redding, go up Interstate 5 to Shasta Lake, California’s largest reservoir and a popular destination for anglers and water enthusiasts. Drive by the 14,162-foot Mount Shasta from there. You’ll enjoy the stunning views here.
Don’t miss Castle Crags State Park’s spires while you’re in the neighborhood. Next, proceed to McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park in the 500-mile Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway by heading south on Highway 89. Here, you will see the 129-foot Burney Falls, shrouded in ferns. Finish in the serene, picturesque Lake Almanor, close to the erupting geysers and bubbling mud pots of Lassen Volcanic National Park.
7. Carlsbad to The Lost Sierra
This California road trip idea will take you to some of the state’s top sights, with plenty of food and entertainment. It’s among the best international trips full of fun! Go north along the coast from Carlsbad’s sandy beaches to Malibu. Here, you can stay the night at the Malibu Beach Inn. Drink lots of water the following day as you travel to Solvang. This popular destination is a Danish village famous for its farm-to-table cuisine and abundant vineyards.
Proceed north from Solvang to the seaside town of Monterey, where you may spend a few days relaxing at the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa and seeing well-known Californian locations like Carmel-by-the-Sea, Big Sur, and Pebble Beach during the day. After Monterey, head to Napa Valley for more wine tastings or spend the day riding and hiking in Alston Park.
After passing through Sacramento, you will eventually reach the Lost Sierra. It is a hidden gem just north of Tahoe that boasts unspoiled forests, striking peaks, and clear lakes. You may spend your days exploring the dense forest at Plumas National Forest’s Lakes Basin Recreation Area while camping at Nakoma Resort.
8. Gold Country and California Highway 49
Travel along Highway 49 as you pass through the rugged foothills of the Sierra Nevada. It is a hotbed of gold-rush history where you may hear exciting, largely genuine stories of bordellos, banditry, and bloodlust.
The highway number is noteworthy because it honors the ’49ers, who flocked to central California during the first Gold Rush in search of fame and money. Currently, the road passes through haunting Old West mines, Victorian structures that house hotels, restaurants, museums, and Gold Country communities like Placerville and Nevada City.
You won’t want to miss the combination of Western history and quaint wineries arranged amid breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada. Allocate three to four days to relish this family-friendly, outdoor road vacation. The best seasons to visit are early autumn and summer.
Lake Tahoe (75 miles) and Yosemite National Park (15 miles) are very close to Highway 49. They make excellent starting sites for a camping trip and admire the grandeur of nature, especially the Yosemite valley.
9. Fresno Blossoms and Fruit Trails
The greatest time to take this California road trip is from February to September, when the lands outside Fresno burst into color from blossoming nut and fruit trees. It’s one of the best road trip for couples in the US. You can also make it a bucket list destination. Roll down your windows and enjoy the aroma of fresh peaches, plums, and cherries as you drive. Even though it’s not as long as most road trip ideas in California, make sure to stop often.
Arrive in Fresno early and sample the fresh fruit that will line the road by going to the Vineyard Farmers’ Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Next, see one of the area’s most distinctive attractions, the Forestiere Underground Gardens.
An Italian immigrant named Baldassare Forestiere designed and constructed this hand-dug labyrinth of courtyards and chambers in an attempt to stay cool in the summer. After touring this popular spot, get in your car and leave the city, stopping at Simonian Farms. It is a small fruit store run by the same family for five generations that also houses a model Old West village.
California is among the best wine countries, so you’ll also come upon the cute town of Sanger, which has wineries. Continue west toward Orange Cove, a town famous for its oranges, then make an optional detour to explore Reedley’s downtown.
Discover the region’s Swedish heritage by exploring Kingsburg’s Nordic architecture. This structure features a water tower fashioned after a Swedish coffee pot. Then, stop by the Sun-Maid raisin store, which has the largest raisin box in the world. Clovis, your final destination, is not far from your starting point. Antique lovers will love this popular destination and won’t miss touring the town’s 6,000-square-foot antique mall and souvenir shops.
10. Carmel-by-the-Sea to Paso Robles
Can’t decide what to include on your road trip itinerary—a food-filled excursion or a natural setting? Then, get in your vehicle and head toward the Central Coast and San Luis Obispo County, which include some of California’s top attractions: wineries, delicious cuisine, and breathtaking ocean views. This is one of the best road trip ideas in California.
Begin your journey at Carmel-by-the-Sea by visiting 17-Mile Drive, a picturesque coastal road between Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach. Then, head south on Highway 1 to Big Sur. A few of the many sights and landmarks in the region to see are Rocky Creek Bridge, McWay Falls, a cascade that empties into the Pacific Ocean, and Calla Lily Valley, where, if you visit between late January and April, hundreds of blooms can be seen overlooking the ocean.
Once you’ve taken in Big Sur’s natural beauty, head south to San Simeon. Make a stop along the way to the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery to see seals. Remember that California is among the top wine countries, so don’t forget to check out the neighboring Hearst Ranch Winery. Afterward, head toward Cambria to spend the night in the cute town; we suggest staying at Oceanpoint Ranch.
Travel further south and pause at Morro Bay to admire the coastal sand dunes before heading inland to San Luis Obispo for lunch. Then, head north for a wine tasting in Paso Robles. This is where growers, including Tablas Creek, Opolo, and Calcareous Vineyard, use chalky soil to great advantage.
Don’t miss Tin City, an assemblage of warehouses housing regional distilleries, breweries, and winemakers. The journey back to Los Angeles or San Francisco will be your last road trip destination. Just remember to plan for plenty of pauses along the way for food and to take in the scenery.
11. San Diego to Joshua Tree National Park
Although most people associate central California with beautiful beaches, a sizable portion of the state is covered with breathtaking deserts. Once you’ve had enough of the vast, dry terrain, begin in San Diego and travel northeast on State Route 78. Visit the cactus woods and slot canyons of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the site of the well-known springtime super bloom. This location is a popular destination among tourists.
Proceed towards the San Jacinto Mountains National Monument from there. This place offers miles upon miles of isolation, snow-capped peaks, and numerous backcountry paths. After you’ve had your fill of exploring some of California’s natural areas, take a trip south to the saltwater Sea.
See the famous Salvation Mountain, a hand-painted masterpiece that is well worth a visit if you head to the eastern side. Turn back and head north toward Palm Springs from there. After traveling to Palm Springs, get a room at Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs. Here, you may recuperate for one or two days before exploring the vast Joshua Tree National Park.
Conclusion
California’s scenic highways, beautiful coastline, and endless attractions have inspired unforgettable road trip ideas in California. With enough memories to last a lifetime, you’ll be drawn back to the Golden State’s open roads, eager to explore more of its natural beauty and endless adventure. Thank you for reading!
