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.
You May Like
Pacific Coast Highway: SF to LA
- 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.
Pacific Coast Highway: North Coast
- Start: San Francisco
- 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.)
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.
Napa/Sonoma Wine Country Drive
- Start/End: Loop from San Francisco
- Miles: 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.
The Central Coast Loop
- 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.
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.
North Coast Redwoods
- Start: San Francisco
- 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.
Highway 49 Gold Country Route
- 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. 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.
The Lassen/Shasta Volcanic Legacy Highway
- Start: Mount Shasta
- End: Lassen National Park
- Miles: 93
- # of Days: 2-4
- Route: Highway 89
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.
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.
Highway 395 Eastern Sierra Drive
- Start: Bridgeport
- End: Lone Pine
- Miles: 147
- # of Days: 4-6 days
- Route: Highway 395
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.
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.
California Deserts Loop: San Diego to Death Valley
- 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 Best of the Sierra Nevada Scenic Drive
- 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.
The Best California Road Trip Itinerary (in 2 Weeks)
- 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.
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.
FAQs
1. What are the best road trips to take in California?
California offers incredible road trips, including the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1), Route 66, Big Sur drive, Joshua Tree National Park route, and the iconic trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
2. What is the most scenic drive in California?
Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), also known as Highway 1, is considered the most scenic drive, offering breathtaking coastal views, cliffs, and iconic stops like Big Sur, Malibu, and Santa Barbara.
3. How many days do you need for a California road trip?
California road trip can range from a weekend getaway (2-3 days) to a full road trip experience (7-14 days) covering multiple cities, national parks, and scenic routes.
4. What is the best time of year for a road trip in California?
Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) are the best seasons for a California road trip, offering pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and beautiful landscapes. Summer is great for coastal routes but can be crowded, while winter is ideal for mountain destinations.
5. What are must-visit stops on a Pacific Coast Highway road trip?
Key stops include San Francisco, Monterey, Big Sur, San Simeon, Santa Barbara, Malibu, and Los Angeles. Each location offers stunning coastal scenery, beaches, and cultural attractions.
6. Are there any hidden gems for road trips in California?
Yes! Some underrated road trip destinations include Anza-Borrego Desert, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Avenue of the Giants (Redwood Forest), and the Eastern Sierra route along Highway 395.
7. What are the best national parks to visit on a California road trip?
Popular national parks include Yosemite, Joshua Tree, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Death Valley, and Redwood National Park. Each park offers unique landscapes, from towering redwoods to vast desert vistas.
8. What are some family-friendly road trip destinations in California?
Family-friendly road trips include Disneyland and Orange County beaches, Lake Tahoe, San Diego’s coastal attractions, and road trips to national parks like Yosemite and Joshua Tree.
9. How much does a California road trip cost?
The cost varies depending on accommodations, gas prices, and activities. On average, a budget trip may cost $50-$100 per day, while a mid-range road trip could be $150-$300 per day. Luxury trips may exceed $500 per day.
10. What essentials should I pack for a California road trip?
Essentials include a road map, travel apps, comfortable clothing, sunscreen, water bottles, snacks, a first-aid kit, a car charger, and an emergency roadside kit. If visiting national parks, bring hiking gear and a camera for scenic spots.
