California is one of the most popular road trip destinations in the United States, and rightfully so. Maybe I am a little biased toward my home state, but I don’t think there is another state with as much natural beauty and diversity as California.
From sandy beaches to rugged coastlines, lush green forests to deserts, and the deepest point to snow-covered mountains, California has it all. And a road trip is the perfect way to experience this stunning setting. I grew up road-tripping all over California every year and have come up with a list of my favorite California Road Trips for you, including must-see sights and places to stop, things to do, and what not to miss!
California National Parks Road Trip
I recently returned from a fun National Park road trip through Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Park with a campervan from Roadsurfer. If you want to read about this trip in detail, check out my California National Park Road Trip itinerary here.
Route:
San Diego – Los Angeles (RV rental pick up) – Tuolumne County – Yosemite National Park – Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Park – Lake Isabella (Sequoia National Forest) – Los Angeles (RV rental drop off) – San Diego
Recommended Duration:
5-10 nights; 5 nights will give you a first glimpse of the 3 National Parks, but if you want to do some serious hiking and exploring vs. just driving through and stopping at the viewpoints, I highly recommend at least 2-3 days for Yosemite and two nights for Sequoia and Kings Canyon.
Don’t forget to reserve some time to explore the rest of Tuolumne County. Yes, it is the gateway to Yosemite, but there are so many fun things to do as well that you could easily add 2-3 nights to your itinerary.
Must See Places:
Tuolumne County:
- Pinecrest Lake
- Sonora
- Don Pedro Reservoir
- Columbia
- Indigeny Reserve Cidery
- Around the Horn Brewing
- Jamestown
Yosemite:
- Chase Waterfalls
- El Capitan
- Half Dome
- Tuolumne Meadows
- Ahwahnee Hotel
- Tunnel View
Sequoia & Kings Canyon:
- General Sherman Tree Trail
- Big Trees Trail
- Congress Trail
- General Grant Tree Trail
- Cedar Grove
- Moro Rock
- Tunnel Log
Highway 1 from San Francisco to San Diego
Highway #1 is more than just a road. It is one of the most iconic roads in the United States and by far the most popular road trip in California. I have done this drive more than a dozen times and I still can’t get enough.
The ocean views, winding roads, golden fields, and rugged coastline will keep you in awe for days. I recommend driving North to South so you have the best views of the Pacific.
Important: Check for road closures, as landslides often cause road closures that lead to time-consuming detours.
Route:
The route is pretty straightforward, as you stay on Highway 1, aka Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), the whole time. Depending on the duration of your trip, you can add various stops along the way.
Recommended Duration:
1 to 6 nights is recommended, even though you can technically do the drive in one day. But what is the fun in that? Then you might as well take the 5 if you are in a rush! Highway 1 is a road to be savored, and each mile should be enjoyed. Turn out at the viewpoints, spend a night in a cute fishing village, and take a short detour to go wine tasting in Paso Robles. This is all part of the charm of Pacific Coast Highway.
Must See Places:
- 17 Mile Drive
- Monterey
- Solvang
- Santa Barbara
- Big Sur
- Santa Monica
- Pismo Beach
- Santa Cruz
- Morro Bay/Morro Rock
- Carmel
- Hearst Castle
Route 66
Most people associate Route 66 with the wide open spaces of the Mid-West, but did you know that Route 66 actually begins in Santa Monica, California?
Route:
Route 66 starts in Chicago, passes through the Mid-West down to the Southwestern states and ends right at the Pier in Santa Monica, California. About 85% of the historic Route 66 is still driveable and is often marked with the iconic “Historic Route 66” markers.
Recommended Duration:
Route 66 is about 1417 miles long, and to truly enjoy the trip, you should plan for at least 2-3 weeks. The best time to go is during shoulder season to avoid the blistering heat in the deserts and the cold and snow further up north.
Must See Places:
- Santa Monica
- Painted Desert
- St Louis Arch
- Mojave Desert
- Route 66 Hall of Fame Museum
- Petrified Forest
- Meramec Caverns
- Santa Fe
- Various roadside curiosities, like the blue whale, milk bottle grocery, or the Gemini Giant
Explore the Eastern Sierras on Historic Highway 395
If you love deserts and rugged mountains, then Highway 395 is your choice. I personally love the Eastern Sierras so much and spent a lot of time as a kid camping near Mount Whitney and Lone Pine. The smell of the pine trees, the rugged mountains, and the stunning (but oh so cold) lakes and streams are my happy place. Did you know that the 163, aka Cabrillo Highway, once was part of Highway 395? When you drive through downtown San Diego, near Balboa Park, you can still see the sign markers.
Route:
This more “off the beaten path” California Road trip take you from the Mojave Desert all the way to the Canadian Border. Along the way, the winding road takes you through the Eastern Sierras and you’ll see stunning lakes, Mount Whitney, and adorable mountain towns.
One of my favorite routes is this: San Diego – Mojave Desert – Mt Whitney/Lone Pine – Bishop – Mammoth Lakes – Lake Tahoe – Reno
Recommended Duration:
This depends on how far north you go. If you go all the way to Canada, you should probably plan 2-4 weeks. For my suggested route from San Diego to Reno, 8-10 days would be a good starting point.
Must See Places:
- Mojave Desert
- Mount Whitney/Eastern Sierras
- Bishop
- Mammoth Lakes
- Lake Tahoe
- Reno
Redwoods and Rugged Coastline in Northern California
This road trip takes you first along the rugged Northern California coast and then to deep lush Redwood forests before reaching Mount Shasta. I did this road trip as part of a longer road trip with my dad and it was one of my favorites. I love the lush and green Redwood forests and the remote Northern California coast.
Route:
San Francisco – Point Reyes – Fort Bragg/Glass Beach – Mendocino – Humboldt Redwoods – Eureka – Mt Shasta – Lassen National Park – San Francisco
Recommended Duration:
I recommend a minimum of 10-12 days, especially if you want to hike in the National Parks and explore the cute fishing villages and beaches along the way. To shorten your trip, I recommend driving back on the 5, at least part of the way. Yes, it is boring, but it will get. you back to San Francisco quicker if you are in a rush.
Must See Places:
- Point Reyes
- Napa & Sonoma
- Mendocino
- Eureka
- Lassen National Park
- Glass Beach
- Humboldt Redwoods State Park
- Redwood National Park
- Mt Shasta
I hope these 5 California Road Trip ideas have inspired to take a road trip in this stunning state and explore. Road trips are my favorite way to travel and explore. I feel like you get to see and experience so much more.
When I was a kid, we would do a big annual road trip, usually starting in Los Angeles and exploring the Western United States. We would always rent an RV and go on our adventures. As a big family with 3 kids (sometimes 4, if we brought my cousin along), it was the most convenient way to travel.
We had everything with us and didn’t have to worry about our accommodation, food, drinks, and restrooms. That made us much more flexible and less restricted. If you are thinking of doing a road trip in California, I would highly recommend looking into renting an RV or campervan.
Disclaimer: As customary in the travel writing industry, my campervan rental from RoadSurfer, as well as lodging, activities, and restaurants in Tuolumne County, were hosted by Roadsurfer and Visit Tuolumne County. This has not influenced my opinion of these experiences.
Last Updated on July 31, 2024 by Maria Haase
