california road trip family

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

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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.

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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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Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

A Two Week California Road Trip Itinerary

Last updated: April 19, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 114 Comments

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

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

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

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

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

California Road Trip Itinerary

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

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

San Francisco – 3 Days

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pacific Coast Highway – 2 Days

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Santa Monica, LA – 2 Days

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Joshua Tree National Park – 1 Day

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

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

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

Here are some suggested accommodation options in nearby Twentynine Palms.

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

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

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

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

Death Valley National Park – 1 Day

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

So, overall, a hot place.

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

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

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

Mammoth Lakes – 1 Day

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

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

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

Yosemite National Park – 3 Days

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

California Road Trip Map

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

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

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

California Road Trip Itinerary Overview

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

When to Take a California Road Trip

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

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

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

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

Where to Stay in California

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

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

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

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

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

How to Get Around California

This is a road trip, so obviously you’re going to want a hire a car! We recommend searching for your car rental on Discover Cars here . They compare a range of providers so you can find the best deal for your trip.

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

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

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

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

Practicalities for a California Road trip

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

Electricity

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

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

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

Internet Access

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Further Reading and Resources for a California Road Trip

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

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

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

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robert feinberg says

16th December 2023 at 4:48 pm

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

Laurence Norah says

16th December 2023 at 8:26 pm

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

Have an awesome trip!

Kim Dawtrey says

7th October 2023 at 9:39 pm

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

8th October 2023 at 12:33 pm

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

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

All the best,

erika liaci says

3rd July 2023 at 2:54 pm

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

4th July 2023 at 9:26 am

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

Have a great trip!

17th April 2023 at 11:43 am

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

18th April 2023 at 8:09 am

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

That said, as a rough guide:

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

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

28th January 2023 at 2:46 pm

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

29th January 2023 at 9:07 am

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

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

Maxine says

4th August 2022 at 8:16 am

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

4th August 2022 at 6:06 pm

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

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

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

William D Villont says

6th January 2022 at 9:03 pm

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

7th January 2022 at 11:29 am

Hi William,

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

Have a lovely and safe 2022,

Delaney Blute says

1st July 2021 at 3:18 am

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

1st July 2021 at 12:47 pm

Hi Delaney,

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

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

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

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

Chantelle says

7th March 2020 at 2:06 pm

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

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

7th March 2020 at 5:07 pm

Hi Chantelle!

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

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

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

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

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

chantelle sims says

14th March 2020 at 2:44 pm

This has been so incredibly helpful thankyou!!

My pleasure Chantelle – have a great trip!

Sharon says

16th February 2020 at 7:40 pm

Great inspiration and ideas, thanks

16th February 2020 at 9:34 pm

Our pleasure Sharon, thanks for stopping by and commenting!

Thiago says

12th February 2020 at 7:45 pm

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

13th February 2020 at 10:48 am

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

Kathy Reed says

26th January 2020 at 5:51 pm

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

28th January 2020 at 9:19 am

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

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

4th January 2020 at 4:39 pm

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

5th January 2020 at 11:25 am

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

Debbie says

4th January 2020 at 3:03 pm

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

5th January 2020 at 11:32 am

Hey Debbie!

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

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

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

30th December 2019 at 1:24 am

How many miles is this trip in total?

30th December 2019 at 3:28 pm

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

Mallikarjun says

19th December 2019 at 8:51 pm

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

Thanks, Malli

22nd December 2019 at 5:29 pm

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

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

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

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

I hope this helps 🙂

Samantha says

28th October 2019 at 1:20 pm

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

29th October 2019 at 8:31 am

Hi Samantha,

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

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

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

Gisele leduc says

13th October 2019 at 3:38 pm

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

14th October 2019 at 8:36 pm

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

15th October 2019 at 3:32 pm

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

Gisele Leduv says

15th October 2019 at 7:37 pm

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

16th October 2019 at 8:08 pm

Hey Gisele,

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

vivianchoo says

5th October 2019 at 4:44 am

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

5th October 2019 at 10:16 am

My pleasure – have a great trip!

Jason Parsons says

19th August 2019 at 3:23 pm

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

19th August 2019 at 4:09 pm

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

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

Have an amazing trip!

julie morton says

15th June 2019 at 4:36 pm

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

15th June 2019 at 8:31 pm

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

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

Tara West says

2nd June 2019 at 6:30 pm

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

3rd June 2019 at 6:26 pm

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

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

Priya Singh says

30th April 2019 at 6:40 am

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

30th April 2019 at 5:38 pm

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

Rafael says

5th March 2019 at 1:45 pm

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

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

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

Rafael from Uruguay

5th March 2019 at 2:50 pm

Thanks very much 🙂

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let me know if you have any more questions!

c. m. crawford says

17th February 2019 at 3:22 pm

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

17th February 2019 at 4:34 pm

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

Matthias says

9th February 2019 at 6:57 pm

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

10th February 2019 at 6:06 pm

Hi Matthias!

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

Catherine Smithfield says

18th January 2019 at 4:12 pm

Hi Laurence,

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

18th January 2019 at 6:33 pm

Hi Catherine!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Natasha says

9th January 2019 at 10:22 am

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

9th January 2019 at 10:38 am

Hey Natasha!

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

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

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

I hope you have a wonderful trip!

9th January 2019 at 2:44 pm

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

9th January 2019 at 2:50 pm

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

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

9th January 2019 at 10:17 am

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

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

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

20th November 2018 at 8:30 pm

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

27th November 2018 at 11:22 am

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

12th November 2018 at 10:53 am

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

12th November 2018 at 4:15 pm

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

Chiara says

2nd October 2018 at 5:21 pm

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

4th October 2018 at 4:20 am

Hey Chiara!

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

4th October 2018 at 2:09 pm

Thank you very much!

ANGELINE MONTIJO says

19th August 2018 at 3:48 pm

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

19th August 2018 at 5:41 pm

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

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

And some tips on budgeting for your trip:

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

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

As well as parts of our Route 66 itinerary:

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

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

Lisa Stark says

16th August 2018 at 1:20 pm

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

16th August 2018 at 7:05 pm

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6th August 2018 at 12:24 pm

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

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

6th August 2018 at 12:58 pm

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

6th August 2018 at 1:27 pm

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

Tim Shakespeare says

24th July 2018 at 9:42 am

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

24th July 2018 at 9:42 pm

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

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

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

tim shakespeare says

27th July 2018 at 2:56 pm

Thanks Laurance, that info is really useful

28th July 2018 at 4:08 pm

My pleasure 🙂

Paula Lambie says

20th July 2018 at 2:35 pm

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

22nd July 2018 at 9:09 pm

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

Hope this helps, have a great trip!

Louisa says

12th June 2018 at 6:03 pm

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

13th June 2018 at 11:07 am

Hey Louisa!

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

Shelley says

14th May 2018 at 9:00 am

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

14th May 2018 at 2:53 pm

Hi Shelley!

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

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

Have a fabulous trip!

Lis Brown says

1st May 2018 at 11:15 pm

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

2nd May 2018 at 8:24 pm

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

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

Theresa says

10th April 2018 at 1:59 am

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

13th April 2018 at 6:16 pm

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

15th April 2018 at 5:51 pm

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

18th April 2018 at 6:22 am

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

Jacques says

5th April 2018 at 10:41 pm

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

6th April 2018 at 5:09 pm

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

Jacques Gauthier says

20th May 2018 at 1:13 am

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

Thank you .

20th May 2018 at 2:36 pm

13th March 2018 at 1:27 pm

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

13th March 2018 at 8:34 pm

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

Jacqueline says

19th February 2018 at 4:25 pm

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

Thanks, Jacqueline

19th February 2018 at 6:03 pm

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

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

Gai Pendlebury says

12th October 2017 at 11:04 pm

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

Laurence says

13th October 2017 at 10:33 am

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

14th October 2017 at 5:09 am

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

Jules Selby says

28th August 2017 at 10:24 pm

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

28th August 2017 at 10:43 pm

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

Bob Steiner, Jr says

25th June 2017 at 4:07 am

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

25th June 2017 at 1:32 pm

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

Erica Landry Napolitano says

16th April 2017 at 7:52 pm

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

16th April 2017 at 7:54 pm

My pleasure, have an awesome trip!

Jenna Francisco says

17th September 2016 at 5:18 am

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

Sarah @ Endless Distances says

14th August 2016 at 1:16 pm

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

20th August 2016 at 8:28 pm

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

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The Family Vacation Guide

25 of the Best California Road Trips with Kids

posted by James Brockbank on December 3, 2021 // last updated on March 17, 2022

California is a big and beautiful place to have new experiences with your family any time of year. Since temperatures rarely go below freezing, you are free to choose which attractions seem the most exciting each season.

It’s time for your California road trip dreams to become a reality with so many good eats, national parks, and castles to experience, you’ll never run out of travel ideas. Be sure to check out some of our top tips at the end of this guide for your California road trips with your kids to keep them happy and entertained.

Searching for family activities that won’t break the bank during your family road trip? You’ll probably find our guide handy, exploring the best free things to do in California with kids !

Golden Gate Bridge

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Without further ado, here are 25 of the best spots to stop off at on a California road trip to add to your list of adventures!

The mighty Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most famous landmarks in California. Everyone has seen it on television. Seeing it in person is a surreal experience for everyone. Take it all in a way that works for you and your family.

They offer guided tours, as well as spaces to walk, bike, or sit to enjoy everything that the site has to offer. Visit the welcome center and see the unique exhibits on display there.

The walking tours are provided for free, which means you can spend more money on the best part of traveling, the food.

Alcatraz is a great California destination if you love the water. The island is a legendary civil war fort and houses the most notorious federal penitentiaries. At Pier 39, you can spot sea lions and have some of the best seafood that restaurants in Alcatraz have to offer.

Definitely look into the activities offered in Alcatraz as you might have to book some of them in advance. Booking in advance will save you time and ensure that you secure a spot in the activities on your to-do list. They offer family boat rides and a tour around the island prison.

You’ll find the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The park is well-known for its impressive 40-acres of redwood trees, and it’s a fantastic campsite for some time in nature. Visitors have a choice of swimming, horseback riding, hiking, and even picnicking.

The tallest tree in the park stands at a whopping 277 feet tall and is 16 feet wide. This tree, in particular, is 1,500 years old. The most remarkable experience at this park is the wildlife. It’s normal to spot bobcats and black-tailed deer during the visit.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a fun place to visit with the kiddos. There are many animals at the aquarium, and we particularly loved it because it’s not just a visual experience but an educational one.

Each animal has a story that gives you a better understanding of their needs and how they came to live at the aquarium. One notable story is of Rosa, the sea otter.

She was stranded by her family when she was a baby and adopted by the aquarium. Rosa is now 22 years old and one of the oldest sea otters, meaning that she needs extra care to ensure she remains healthy.

Pismo beach is on the central coast of California. It sits along Highway One in-between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Pismo beach is an excellent place to experience white beaches, ATV dune riding, golfing, surfing, and fishing. 

Let’s not forget the nearby Monarch butterfly grove, where you’ll get to see more than 20,000 butterflies resting in the trees. You can also shop at premium outlets and experience a weekend beachside vacation.

If you and your kids love seafood, Pismo Beach is the place to visit. Many of the restaurants offer coastal seafood dishes at a fair price which makes dining out during your trip less of an expense.

Lake Tahoe is one of those places that you can enjoy with your family in the warmer months and during the winter. During the summer, families can enjoy live music and bike rides. Tubbing, sledding, and hot chocolate fireside become options in the winter.

One notable thing about Lake Tahoe is the hotel lodging. The Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel is one of the best hotels in the area because it’s in the perfect location, giving you easy access to everything the lake has to offer.

The Ritz-Carlton is another fan favorite at Lake Tahoe. It offers luxurious family environments that have all the amenities in one place.

You can’t visit California without visiting San Francisco , as the city has so many fun things to do. Remember the Golden Gate Bridge, Pier 39, and Alcatraz mentioned earlier? They are all located in San Francisco!

You can also ride the cable cars to Chinatown and experience the best Chinese food you have ever had. San Francisco is home to the painted Victorian houses known as the “Painted Ladies” sitting in front of the downtown skyscrapers.

Then there’s Fisherman’s Wharf for those who love steamed crabs and French bread bakeries. Make sure to ride the Skystar Wheel to see a full view of the entire city.

San Diego is a great place to visit for those who love tex-mex food. Once you hit the La Jolla area, you have access to beautiful white sandy beaches. If you are into surfing, this is the place to be.

Paddleboard and kayak rental makes it easy to experience the beach without having to worry about buying or carrying your own equipment. It’s a safe place for kids to visit when the tides are low as well.

Then there is the world-famous Sea World, San Diego Zoo, and Safari Park. There’s something for everyone in San Diego, from the gardens, zoos, and museums to the beaches.

San Simeon makes for an exciting road trip with the kids not only because of all the beautiful beaches available along the Pacific Coast highway but because of the Hearst Castle. The Hearst Castle is an estate that William Randolph Hearst built in 1919.

Hurst was a newspaper magnate and designed the home to showcase his art collection. The house has 165 rooms and sits on 127 acres of gardens, walkways, and pools. It’s undoubtedly a sight to see and enjoy for both parents and children.

Another major attraction is the elephant seals. You can see them at Piedras Blanca’s Rookery, located seven miles North of Saint Simeon on Highway One, free of charge.

Sacramento is a great place to visit for families who love trains, airplanes, and fairies. Yes, I said fairies. Fairytale Town is the perfect attraction for more minor children as they get to have a fun slide down The Old Woman’s Shoe and sit on King Arthur’s throne.

You can relive a scene from Cinderella and ride in her pumpkin. It’s the space to let your imagination and memory of nursery rhymes create your experience. Petting the farm animals is the cherry on top.

You just got to love Sacramento and everything it offers to visitors. If you want to learn more about Sacramento’s history, take a tour through their history museum.

Gold Country in the fall is the perfect California destination to experience with the kids. It’s home to 30 orchards and farms. Grab a basket and get picking.

No matter what apple flavor is your favorite, from sour granny smiths to the sweet gala, you will never forget what it felt like to visit an orchard and pick your own apples.

It’s the perfect family activity and so much more exciting than picking up a bag of apples at the grocery store. And if that wasn’t enough, visit the High Hill Ranch and enjoy apple butter on biscuits or even fresh-baked apple fritters.

First off, the Disneyland Resort is in Anaheim and one of the top attractions for any family trip to the area. Since California is so big, chances are you won’t get to visit all these destinations in one trip. Anaheim is one of the California destinations that will probably take a weekend to enjoy.

It is also home to Knott’s Berry Farm and very close to Universal Studios in Hollywood. Entertainment at Universal Studios focuses on movies like Harry Potter and Shrek. In contrast, entertainment at Knotts Berry Farm focuses more on roller coasters and rides that the family can enjoy together.

Then there’s good old Disneyland that features all your favorite Disney characters and significant attractions that feature movies like Guardians of the Galaxy, Indiana Jones, and Star Wars.

Wondering what else you can get up to with the family in the area? We compiled a list of the best family things to do in Anaheim, California to prepare you for your trip!

Carlsbad is a great place to visit with the family if you are looking for an excellent outdoor experience.  You can choose from beaches, hiking trails, and even flower fields. The flower fields are so beautiful. Imagine standing in front of 50 acres of blooming flowers.

The only thing is that you will have to visit the area between March and May to enjoy this attraction. Did I forget to mention that Carlsbad is home to Legoland? Legoland has a waterpark and a sea life aquarium. It’s the perfect place to enjoy as a family while getting a new lifelong experience.

Mendocino is yet another great place to enjoy in California because of its attractions. When visiting Mendocino, you and your family can experience horseback riding or enjoy feeding the giraffes at the B. Bryan Preserve.

There are also beaches available to soak up the sun and meet new people. One thing to mention about Mendocino is Frankie’s Ice Cream and Pizza.

I know that eating mushroom pizza with a “candy cap mushroom ice cream cone” may sound like a weird meal combination. But while it was a bit odd, it was also delicious. Mendocino is where you go to “find your happy.”

Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of the places you just have to visit at some point when visiting California. Firstly, you get to learn about the volcanoes that have erupted in the past.

Next, you get to see the bubbling mud pots and experience the stink of sulfur. It’s one of those moments where everyone hates the smell and accuses someone in the pack of farting but won’t walk away from the mud pot because it’s so exciting.

The park also offers a program that gives fourth graders free access to the park.

Yosemite National Park is a great place to visit with the family. Our recommendation is to plan on spending at least a weekend there as they offer camping packages and customized itineraries. The only thing about this park is that stays are booked seven months in advance.

So, if you want to try it out, visit their site and schedule your booking now. If you are unsuccessful at getting reservations on the park grounds, you can still find accommodations that are 30 minutes away that provide shuttles to visit the park and surrounding cities throughout the day.

Mammoth Lakes is a great place to visit, no matter the time of year or the weather.  Families can take advantage of their helicopter air tours or enjoy a fun and relaxing hike on one of their available trails. Then there’s the Scenic Gondola ride that gives you a birds-eye view of the area.

And here’s the big perk, kids ride for free. One of the best features at Mammoth Lakes is their Westin hotel. The Westin is known to be one of the quietest and relaxing hotels with a clean and comfortable ambiance.

It’s the perfect hotel to wind down and rest after a long day of hiking with the kids.

Sequoia National Park is the place to go to reconnect to nature. They even offer lodging within the park at the Wuksachi Lodge to give you the perfect experience of waking up to nature and wildlife.

Nature is a place for adults and children to have fun, connect to quiet, and enjoy the Big Trees and the Tokopah Falls Trail. 

The Wuksachi Pizza Deck has some of the best pizza, served with organic salads to enjoy with the family. What Park experience can top that?

The Big Sur is a 90-minute stretch through Coastal California down Highway One. Highway One is one of those curvy roads that can cause car sickness in children.

But luckily, the views of the Big Sur will force you to slow down and take pictures as you twist and turn through several national forests and state parks. There are campgrounds in Big Sur, but they also need to be booked in advance.

Once the bookings open, they tend to sell out in less than a week.

Nevada City is a small town in Northern California. The city has maintained its Victorian roots and is a recognized historic district. The main attractions in this area are the Mountain Pastimes toy store and the local gift shop that houses many types of tea.

If you’re looking for a cozy place to feel like you never left home, Nevada City is the place to visit. There are many trails to enjoy, along with fantastic coffee.

One thing to pay attention to in this area is the artistry. The town is home to many artists, and you will likely see artwork wherever you go.

California Gold Country is an exciting place to visit, as it has plenty of old mining towns. In fact, Nevada City is one of those mining towns. The main attraction here is the abandoned mines. Visitors can tour the mines and even practice gold panning with the kids.

There are many gold rush adventures to enjoy with the kiddos. We were excited to visit the Moaning Caverns, only to discover that the sounds experienced some disruption after they widened the opening.

However, it is impressive that the Moaning Caverns holds the most extensive public cave chamber in California, which is big enough to fit the Statue of Liberty there!

I bet you were wondering when I would get to Los Angeles .  Well, Los Angeles is one of California’s best places to visit for several reasons. One, they have a lot of family-friendly museums.

They also have beautiful beaches and good eats, which is debatably the most important part of traveling. There is a catch 22 with visiting Los Angeles. It is one of the largest cities in the United States, with a population of almost four million.

While it is a great place to visit and enjoy a family road trip, there is a lot of traffic that can make the journey less desirable. We recommend that you stay in a hotel that is very close to all the attractions and restaurants you want to visit.

Los Angeles is definitely a place that will take days to take in.

The Grand Canyon is over an 8-hour drive from Los Angeles. It makes for a great road trip because you get to travel through desert roads for hours without seeing anything or anyone. In the summer months, it can be unbearably hot.

So that is something to keep in mind if you are visiting the Grand Canyon in the summer. They also offer helicopter rides over the canyon so that you can experience it in a new and fun way with your family.

The Grand Canyon is one of the few things I’m willing to go without air conditioning in the summer to experience. Once you do it, I’m sure you will think so too. If the Grand Canyon is something you are interested in, be sure to book as soon as possible as bookings fill up fast.

If you’re looking for a mountain destination, look no further than Lake Arrowhead , located in the San Bernardino National Forest. The lake truly is a hidden gem in California where families can enjoy bicycling, water skiing, fishing, and hiking.

The area is tranquil, and you will likely see wildlife that isn’t too bothered by humans. The environment at Lake Arrowhead is peaceful and relaxing. While it is suitable for a family road trip or vacation, it’s also the perfect place to have a romantic getaway with your partner.

Lake Arrowhead has hotels, cottages, and restaurants. So, you don’t have to stay outside of the area and drive in to visit. The Saddleback Inn is the most notable restaurant with extraordinary culinary delights. It also sits in the middle of the forest.

We’ve mentioned Highway One multiple times, but it deserves to be a destination on its own. It is the perfect road trip for families as it lets them experience a lot of what California offers over seven days.

Highway one is 587 miles long. It starts in San Diego and ends in Hilton San Francisco Union Square. If you visit the California site, you can check out this itinerary with 11 stops with the main attractions of each location listed.

Highway One is a curvy road with beautiful views of the California Coast. Even if you don’t make the 587-mile trip, you will still likely enjoy parts of it throughout your visit to California.

If you’ve never taken a road trip with the kiddos, it’s essential to understand the necessity of planning and preparation.

As crazy as it may sound, a road trip with the kids can be a fun and unforgettable experience, or it can be a stressful and draining trip that will make you ask yourself, “what was I thinking?”

So, before you take the road trip with your children, here are some tips to help you plan ahead and prepare for unforeseen circumstances that can pop up along the way.

While traveling, kids will either be sleeping, talking, crying, or bored out of their minds. One great distraction to keep them busy is their favorite snacks.

While there will be opportunities to stop for snacks along the way, it is best to pack snacks ahead of time so that you have them on deck when you need them.

Not to mention that if you pack ahead of time, you can prepare healthier snacks such as fruit, vegetables, whole-grain crackers, and cereal.

Sandwiches, protein bars, and even hard-boiled eggs are also great snack choices to help keep the children busy and sustain them along the way. It’s also a great idea to throw in some of their favorite snacks to make the trip more fun.

Let’s not forget that the adults will need snacks as well! Also, don’t forget to stop by and experience some of California’s local farmer’s markets.

Bathroom Breaks

It is a great practice to plan for bathroom breaks. The last thing you want to happen is that you or your child need to go to the bathroom in the middle of nowhere, and the next bathroom is more than 15 miles out.

Not to mention, you want to have a bathroom break in an area that’s clean and safe. What works for each family will be different.

However, setting a timer every couple of hours to remind you to take a bathroom break is an excellent idea to prevent stress and possible accidents. Using a map or GPS to track the nearest bathrooms is a great contingency plan in case the need for a bathroom break suddenly pops up.

Get a CityPass Ticket Booklet

You can purchase the CityPass booklet at a set price for a ticket booklet that is good for nine days. It gives you the ability to enjoy the best attractions of California at a significant discount. Booklets cost $89 for adults and $69 for children between the ages of five to eleven.

You can purchase the booklets at citypass.com or any of the city pass attraction sites. It takes the guesswork out of sightseeing in California while giving you unlimited cable car usage access. So definitely get a CityPass booklet to save you and your family money during your road trip to California.

Keeping the Children Entertained

Distracting the children with food will only go so far. It is vital to have multiple things in place to entertain your kids during the long ride. For example, music is another way to engage your children and keep them calm during the trip.

If your car is equipped with a DVD player, pop in their favorite cartoon movie. If those things don’t work, it may just be time to take a break outside of the car.

Going into a local store or shopping center not only helps keep the children entertained but gives everyone a chance to stretch their legs and pick up memorabilia.

Offline Car Games

Offline car games are another way to keep your children occupied. These games primarily work for teens. Playing these offline gives your children access to the game even if you are driving through a bad service area.

Some of the most noteworthy offline car games are the Asphalt Racing games and the Best Educational Racing games. Both of these options are free to access.

What I like the most about the Asphalt Racing game is that they are available on IOS, Android, and Windows devices. The Best Educational Racing game is available for download on all IOS devices. 

Choose Activities That Everyone Can Participate in

No matter what you choose to do, you can rev it up by making it an all-together activity. If you are playing an offline game, make it a competition. If your children are eating snacks, join them and conversate about it.

Creating an open and fun environment around as many aspects of your road trip is what will make it a more unforgettable experience. Ever tried the count the Hondas versus Toyotas game?

It’s way more interesting than it sounds. Everyone places a bet on which car brand has more cars on the road. Then we all have fun counting the cars we spot and determining which car brand wins. Ready set, Prius!

Prepare for Car Sickness

Car sickness can pop up in an instant. Depending on what part of California you are driving through, the twists and turns can turn that tasty apple and peanut butter snack into needing a new outfit and a clean-up on “aisle backseat.”

Truthfully, it’s way more normal than you might think. To prepare for car sickness or any other situation that can ruin a t-shirt and require clean-up, pack extra clothes. Also, pack trash bags, Lysol wipes, cleaning spray, disposable gloves, and paper towels.

If at all possible, when you first realize that your child is getting car sick, pull over and have them walk around or lie down until they’re feeling less queasy.

Stay on Course

The best way to stay on course on a road trip with children is to add pockets of time to everything you have planned. If visiting Golden State Park takes three hours, plan for it to take five hours.

That way, if you need to stop for extra bathroom breaks, deal with car sickness, or need to eat, you won’t miss out on what you had planned. The one thing that will definitely create unnecessary stress on a road trip is rushing or overspending when you can’t afford to.

Safety First

We have already touched on the supplies needed to prepare for a road trip. Combine that with car seat safety protocol and ensure that your rental or personal vehicle is ready for inclement weather, and you have created safe conditions for you and your family to travel.

Now you can focus on creating a new and fun experience with your family.

California is full of beautiful places to experience with your kids. There are so many to choose from. You likely won’t get to visit them all but be sure to try California out for size and see how it fits.

Great food, beautiful beaches, and peaceful parks are up for the taking. From Highway One to the Golden Gate Bridge, we hope this article has helped you discover a new family road trip idea for your next visit to California. Take care and happy road tripping.

With so much to do and see in California, we’ve created a handy list of attractions and fun things to do in California with kids that should help plan your road trip!

More about our TFVG Author

James Brockbank

A seasoned traveller, Dad, and avid sports tourist, James foundered The Family Vacation Guide to share his expert vacation experiences- especially when it comes to being a travelling family man.

Featured in Travel articles such as Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy and SFGate, you know you're reading some of the best vacation tips online.

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

• Last Updated: February 4, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

Table of Contents

Where To Stay In Los Angeles

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

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

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

The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rental Cars , which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market.

Day 1 – Los Angeles

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

• The Griffith Observatory

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

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

• The Hollywood Bowl

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

• Hop-on Hop-Off Bus

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 2 – San Diego

This drive takes 2 hours from downtown Los Angeles

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

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

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

• Mission Beach and Hodad’s

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

• San Diego Zoo

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

• Balboa Park

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

• USS Midway Museum

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

• The Gaslamp Quarter

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

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

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

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

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

Day 3 – Palm Springs

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

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

• Joshua Tree National Park

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

• Downtown Palm Springs

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

• Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

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

• Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve

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

• The San Jacinto Mountains

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

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

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

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

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

Day 4 & 5 – Mammoth Lakes

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

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

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

Find more things to do in Southern California here !

• Death Valley National Park

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

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

• Convict Lake

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

• The Village at Mammoth Lakes

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

• Stand-Up Paddleboarding

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

• The Minaret Vista

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

• The Devils Postpile

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

• Rainbow Falls

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

• Mammoth Mountain Gondola

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

• Wild Willy’s Hot Spring

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

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

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

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

Day 6 – Lake Tahoe

This drive takes 2 hours and 40 minutes from Mammoth Lakes

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

• Yosemite National Park

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

• Fallen Leaf Lake

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

• Eagle Rock Trail

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

• Emerald Bay State Park

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 7 – Sacramento

This drive takes 2 hours from Lake Tahoe

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

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

• Downtown Sacramento

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

• California State Railroad Museum

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

• The American River Trail

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

• White Water Rafting

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

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

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

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

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

Day 8 & 9 – San Francisco

This drive takes 1 hour and 40 minutes from downtown Sacramento

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

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

• Embarcadero

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

• Fisherman’s Wharf

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

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

• Lombard Street

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

• Golden Gate Bridge

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

• Napa Valley

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

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

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

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

• Golden Gate Park

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

• Ocean Beach

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

• Union Square & Chinatown

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

• Oracle Park

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

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

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

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

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

Day 10 – Santa Monica

This drive takes around 9 hours from downtown San Francisco.

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

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

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

• Pacific Coast Highway

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

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

• Carmel By the Sea

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

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

• Santa Barbara

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

• Santa Monica Pier

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DISCLAIMER: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you book accommodation, tours or buy a product, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products that ourselves or our fantastic editorial team have personally experienced, and regularly review these. Thanks for your support, kind friend!

Alesha and Jarryd

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

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12 stops to make on your Southern California family road trip

We're all California dreamin' once in a while. So when the Golden State calls you, bring along this handy list of hot spots for a family road trip that stretches from San Diego to Santa Barbara.

There is so much to do in Southern California that it can be overwhelming. Take it from a local: Don't make yourself crazy trying to hit everything in one trip. Plan for at least five nights, so your family can properly enjoy the sights and avoid being stuck in the car the whole time.

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Start with flying into the super easy San Diego International Airport (SAN), and hop the shuttle to its rental car facility. Once settled into your vehicle, you and your family will be ready to cruise to some of the great attractions San Diego has to offer.

La Jolla Shores Beach

Visit La Jolla Shores Beach for warm sand, clean beaches and family-friendly waters. You can bring a picnic lunch and spread out on the grass, or walk into the nearby village for sandwiches or tacos. Up the road a bit is the stunning Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Advance reservations are required for all guests. (Entrance to the aquarium is $24.95 for adults, $19.95 for kids ages 3-17 and free for kids two and under.)

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

San Diego is famous for its zoo, but if you have a car, consider visiting the San Diego Zoo Safari Park instead for a less crowded and equally exciting experience. (A one-day pass is $65 for adults and $55 for kids ages 3-11.) The safari park is about 32 miles from downtown San Diego, and it's well worth the drive to see wild animals in environments more similar to their natural habitats. Giraffes, gazelle, rhinos and more all graze on open acres of hilly grasslands. For an extra fee, consider the Wildlife Safari package, that allows families even closer views of the animals. (Tickets cost $89 and up per person; participants must be three or older.)

Legoland California

If your kids are younger, Legoland California is an all-time favorite Southern California amusement park . Exhibits and characters made entirely of Lego bricks dot the park landscape. Rides and shows are geared to an audience of 12 and under, but parents and older siblings will have a pretty great time here, too. For an amusement park, the food is good, and there's plenty to keep you busy for the whole day. Legoland is in Carlsbad, about a 40-minute drive from downtown San Diego. (If purchased online in advance, admission is $75 for kids and $81 for adults.)

Related: The best credit cards for entertainment spending

Just over an hour up the coast from San Diego, Anaheim is home to the Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks, among other attractions. It would be hard to drive past the Matterhorn and Space Mountain without stopping.

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park

Anaheim would be a sleepy orange grove without the dreams of Walt Disney. His Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park are magical legacies. The parks, just down the road from Disney Studios, are a little more quaint than Florida's Disney World . I recommend buying the two-day Park Hopper Pass, because you simply cannot do it all in one day (though three days might be too many unless this is your only destination). Admission to Disneyland parks varies, and you'll need a reservation to enter the parks , even after you purchase tickets.

Related: Here's where to stay at Disneyland

Knott's Berry Farm

Amusement park junkies should consider including a quick visit to Knott's Berry Farm . Just 10 minutes from Disneyland in Buena Park, Knott's is one of our kids' favorite spots for straight-up thrill rides. Without all the Disney hoopla, this park does a great job with crowd management and plenty of entertainment. Plus, it offers some stomach-dropping rides that had us all in laughing fits. Plus, the berry pie a la mode here is legendary. (Daily admission for ages three and up starts at $69 per person.)

Anaheim Packing District

When you grow weary of amusement park food, drive 10 minutes to the Anaheim Packing District for decent grub. A converted orange-packing warehouse, this collective is a group of interesting food vendors spread across two large floors. We love this place because the food is fresh, healthy and diverse, so we can all get different things and still sit together in the center court.

Los Angeles

Broadly known as "LA," the Los Angeles area is vast. It's comprised of many cities and neighborhoods that run together in a jumble. A car and much patience are necessary for getting around this area, and a good mapping app on your smartphone will help you gauge traffic flow. (Don't make these mistakes that travelers make in Los Angeles .)

Santa Monica Pier

The Santa Monica Pier and surrounding beach, often used for TV and movie scenes, are a must-see. On the sand near the pier, locals and visitors can show off their skills bouncing on a springy tightrope, rolling across the sand in giant inflatable "hamster balls" and swinging on giant monkey bars. On the pier, enjoy the rides at Pacific Park throughout the day and into the night. Restaurants and shops help entertain those who might be less ride-inclined. Rides are priced individually and range from $5–$12. Admission to the park itself is free.

Griffith Observatory

At the famous Griffith Observatory, our solar system and galaxy are on display in various entertaining and scientific ways. Exhibits feature discoveries about the planets, space and our views of them throughout human history. The huge telescope was not in operation when we visited, but good timing might allow guests a peep into the stars. Along with an excellent planetarium and various shows throughout the day, this is a different kind of star-struck Hollywood experience. By the way, the Hollywood sign is directly adjacent and looks enormous up close.

Santa Barbara

One of our favorite cities in California, Santa Barbara, is about two hours up the coast from LA. The view as you hit Ventura and drive up along the oceanfront is one of the most beautiful highway vistas on the West Coast. (You could plan to fly out of Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) or choose to drive back to Los Angeles and depart from LAX.)

Santa Barbara Mission

Built in 1786, the Santa Barbara Mission is the 10th of 21 missions constructed as part of Father Junipero Serra's sojourn from Mexico to Northern California. Every California fourth grader learns about the missions of California, which means our kids could recite interesting facts about how adobe bricks are made and the fine art of basket weaving. This stunning mission is so well preserved, it provides an authentic feel for mission life in early California. Time your spring visit to coincide with Santa Barbara's I Madonnari Italian street painting festival, during which renowned artists paint masterpieces on the pavement outside the mission steps.

Stearns Wharf

On the waterfront near Stearns Wharf, you can rent a variety of two- and four-wheeled cycles by the hour (prices vary). The ride along the paved boardwalk is one of the most beautiful in California, with wide beaches, waving palms and gorgeous ocean views. For families with younger kids, the four-wheel buggies might be the best bet. On our last visit, we left our kids asleep in the hotel room and rented bikes for an early morning view of the local fishing boats heading out for the day's catch.

Near the wharf, a once-blighted warehouse district has been reclaimed as the Funk Zone . Wine-tasting rooms, trendy restaurants and fun art exhibits have given this area a lot of character. We explored the Funk Zone by taking a great food tour called " Eat This, Shoot That!, " a combination of a walking eat-a-thon and food photo class. Our tour guide instructed us on how to take great pictures of food with our smartphones while we tasted and sipped our way through the streets. (The tour costs $135 for adults and $125 for non-drinkers and kids ages 6–21.)

Where to Stay

We've done this drive a few times now, discovering new things to do each time we visit. Along the way, we've stayed at some great hotels. If you're planning your own Southern California road trip with kids, you may want to choose one hotel group for the entire vacation to consolidate using elite status or earning points via various promotions. We chose Hilton, largely because of its extensive Hilton Honors program , that allowed our family to cash in points for some stays while amassing new points at other properties.

• Hilton San Diego Bayfront: Downtown on the waterfront, this high-rise hotel is centrally located with all the conveniences. Award rates from 60,000-409,000 points per night.
• Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines: Overlooking the famous Torrey Pines Golf Course and ocean beyond, this hotel is near beaches and a fun hang glider port. Award rates range from 50,000-353,000 points per night.
• Hilton Anaheim: Across the street from Disneyland, the Hilton Anaheim is in the midst of it all, and slightly removed from the bustle of Disneymania. (Here's some information if you're debating staying on-site at Disneyland or at an off-site property .) Award rates range from 44,000–120,000 points per night.
• Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City: Literally walking distance to Universal Studios and Universal Citywalk, this large hotel is also very close to Hollywood. Award rates range from 55,000-158,000 points per night.
• The Beverly Hilton: Steeped in Hollywood history, the Beverly Hilton is an original grand dame and host to the Golden Globe Awards each year. Award rates range from 155,000-200,000 points per night.

• Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort: This hotel is right across from the city's main beach and is a short walk to the wharf, Funk Zone and more. From 59,000–80,000 Hilton award points per night.

If you'd like to stay at Hilton properties on your Southern California road trip, there are some good welcome bonuses available for the hotel chain's co-branded credit cards .

*Based on TPG valuation and not provided by the issuer.

The information for the Hilton Aspire Amex card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

For rates and fees of the Hilton Aspire Card, click here . For rates and fees of the Hilton Surpass Card, click here . For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Business Card, click here . For rates and fees of the Hilton Amex Card, click here .

Jon Bailey covers LGBTQ+ family travel for TPG and blogs at 2DadsWithBaggage.com . Follow Jon and his family's adventures on Facebook and Instagram .

Italy Family Vacations

Spain family vacations, japan family vacations, australia family vacations, a grand california family road trip.

• By Dana Rebmann
• June 24, 2020

California offers a nearly infinite variety of fun for traveling families, from beaches and mountains to amusements parks and national parks. It’s the picking and choosing what to do and what not to do that gets hard. If you’re looking for your family’s best shot at doing it all, buckle up and think about hitting the highway for a Grand California Family Road Trip. We’ve outlined a family-friendly route that covers the highlights from San Francisco to San Diego . If you’re short on time, condense your trip to focus on Los Angeles and San Francisco only. Whatever you manage to see and do, one thing is certain: California with kids is sure to please!

Guide to a Grand California Family Road Trip

The phrase “family road trip” evokes a variety of reactions, ranging from freewheeling fun to outright fear. Loading the kids in the car and taking off is certainly easier and cheaper than schlepping from one airport to the next in the wee hours of the morning, all the while hoping the flight remains on time. But loading the kids in the car also means, well, the kids are in the car. Truth be told, family togetherness bliss only lasts so long. So when its time to plan a trip to California, be sure to do your research.

A successful road trip is a road trip that’s fun! The memories make you smile when it comes up in conversation, and the trip you’d do all over again if you could. But the best thing is that it’s really easily done. Good destinations are the foundation of the trip, with a balance of set activities and free time to do whatever you may or may not stumble upon along the way. Get one successful family road trip under your belt and more will follow — it doesn’t matter if the kids are five or 15.

Want help planning a vacation to California with kids?

We're ready when you are! Our Family Travel Advisors can help you book vetted accommodations, arrange private tours and excursions, and more. Click to get started!

Adventure Behind the Wheel: Guide to 9 Nights on the Road

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 and take in the view from the side of the road. We’ve put together the Grand California Family Road Trip. Short enough to fit into the school calendar’s definition of spring break, yet long enough to see what makes California such a great family destination.

Our itinerary plans for nine nights on the road. You could just print it out and go, but the best part about this road trip is the flexibility it offers for families to make it their own. It doesn’t matter whether you head up or down the coast, you won’t miss a memory. Family trips in California are flexible because there are so many options depending on ages and interests.

In each of these destinations, we’ve highlighted must-see and do activities, plus tried and tested gems with kids that are more off-path.

San Francisco: 2 Nights

What to do: You could spend two months in San Francisco with kids and do something new every day, but since you only have two nights to call it home, you need to use your time wisely. There is no denying Fisherman’s Wharf is touristy, but it’s something almost all first-time visitors to San Francisco want to see. Using it as a starting location, you can also cross off many of the city’s other must-dos, like Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge along with a cable car ride. Celebrate a perfect road trip day with ice cream at the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop.

Golden Gate Park sees 13 million visitors each year. It’s the third-most-visited park in the United States, and it’s easy to understand why. With options like the California Academy of Sciences, the de Young Museum, the Conservatory of Flowers and the Koret Children’s Quarter and Golden Gate Park Carousel, you can’t go wrong.

If you have the luxury of a few extra days in your road trip itinerary, San Francisco is a great launching point for exploring Yosemite or Lake Tahoe .

Must See and Do

• Golden Gate Bridge
• Fisherman’s Wharf
• Golden Gate Park
• Cable Car Ride

Gems to Add

• California Academy of Sciences
• de Young Museum
• Conservatory of Flowers
• Koret Children’s Quarter and Golden Gate Park Carousel
• Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop

Monterey Peninsula: 1 Night

California’s Highway 1 offers some of the most stunning stretches of coastline you’ll ever see. While there are a number of vistas where you can look but not touch, the Monterey Peninsula offers plenty of beaches where families can get out of the car and play in the sand. Lovers Point Park and Beach is only about a mile from the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

If your kids are wiggly and just need to be outside, the Dennis the Menace Playground may be a good fit. Created in 1956 with the help of the comic strip creator Hank Ketcham, it has slides, climbing walls, tunnels and even a real locomotive for kids to climb on. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve nearby may be one of the best state parks you’ll ever visit. There are numerous trails offering views of the coast; the stroller-friendly Carmelo Meadow Trail can be done in less than 10 minutes.

With a walking labyrinth, an alphabet garden and a cut-your-own herb garden, organic grower Earthbound Farm runs a one-of-a-kind farm stand in Carmel Valley. The organic frozen yogurt is pretty darn tasty too!

• Monterey Bay Aquarium
• Dennis the Menace Park
• Earthbound Farm
• Lovers Point Park and Beach
• Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Santa Barbara: 2 Nights

As you travel from Monterey to Santa Barbara , consider quick stops at Big Sur , Hearst Castle or San Luis Obispo. Although you could easily fill an entire trip along this stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway, press on toward Santa Barbara this time around.

On paper, your time in Santa Barbara with kids  looks deceptively long, but chances are you’ll arrive later in the evening and pull out of town in the morning, so you’ve really only got one full day to play here. Don’t underestimate the power of State Street. Shopping (especially if you’ve got tween and/or teenage girls) and tasty extras like ice cream take time.

Speed up your trip to California’s oldest working wharf by jumping on Santa Barbara’s Downtown Shuttle. The open-air, trolley-like electric vehicle runs every 15 to 30 minutes and drops you directly in front of Stearns Wharf. Walk the wharf and maybe check out the Ty Warner Sea Center or hit the beach and the water. A kayaking trip out of Santa Barbara Harbor to what’s affectionately known as Sea Lion Buoy is a great activity for school-age kids and up.

• State Street
• Stearns Wharf
• Santa Barbara’s Downtown Shuttle
• Ty Warner Sea Center
• Kayaking Santa Barbara Harbor

Los Angeles Area: 2 Nights

Time for a celebration: You’ve made it from San Francisco to Los Angeles!

If seeing Disney tops your list during your visit to the  Los Angeles area with kids , dedicate your stay in town to just that. It takes time to do Disneyland right. Even if you sneak in and out of town without meeting the mouse known ’round the world, you can still get your amusement ride fix and snap photos of some California icons.

Get your feet sandy on Santa Monica Beach and walk to the food- and ride-loaded Santa Monica Pier. There are plenty of places to catch sight of the Hollywood Sign, including on the drive to Hollywood Boulevard. It’s a touristy spot, and different than most first-timers expect, but it’s one of those locations that is hard for folks to go home without seeing. But the newest star to call Hollywood home can claim real stars as former neighbors: Space Shuttle Endeavour is a must-visit at the California Science Center.

• Disneyland & California Adventure
• Santa Monica Beach and Pier
• Hollywood Sign and Hollywood Boulevard
• Amusement rides on Santa Monica Pier
• Space Shuttle Endeavour at the California Science Center

San Diego: 2 Nights

After traveling down the California coast, San Diego is your last stop, and relaxing on the shore may be just what your family needs. The beach at Coronado Island offers a great tidepool and there are lifeguards on duty. Take time to recharge, then head to Balboa Park. Along with being home to a whopping 15 museums, the nation’s largest urban cultural park is also home to the city’s wilder side, the San Diego Zoo. If you are in need of gifts to take home for family and friends, Seaport Village is a fun place to do some shopping and is a safe spot to give teens freedom to wander a bit.

TIP: If you have less than a week, consider combining the Los Angeles and San Diego portion of this itinerary and focus your time on southern California.

• San Diego Zoo
• Balboa Park
• Coronado Island
• Seaport Village
• Kids’ surf lessons at Menehune Surf School

Relevant Links:

Browse our best vacation ideas and accommodations for California with kids

5 best museums in San Francisco for kids

How to make the most of a San Francisco CityPASS with kids

72 hours in Los Angeles with kids

10 fun things to do in San Diego with kids

A perfect Northern California road trip itinerary

Best kid-friendly wineries in Northern California Wine Country

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Start a Discussion

Could this trip work backwards? If you started in San Diego and ended in San Francisco? Also, we are thinking of adding San Luis Obispo so would that go before or after Santa Barbara?

Hi Munira, you absolutely can do the reverse! San Luis Obispo is north of Santa Barbara, so you could stop en route to San Francisco as you drive north. Happy travels!

Hi I am planning a trip for my daughter and I, she will be 15. I grew up in northern California and have some spots I know I want to show her and do with her. I love the suggestions in this article, they are a great jumping off point. I want to make sure our trip has several great hikes, maybe surfing lessons, bike rides, and possibly kayaking. I’d like to start in the redwoods and end in SoCal

Hi April, we’d be happy to help with your trip plans! One of our expert Family Travel Advisors will reach out in email. Happy travels!

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Hi Kristi We are are a family of four including two kids, 8 and 5. We travel in mid July from out of the US and want to spend 8 days in California including Disneyland San Francisco , Grand Canyon, San Diego, others? We can arrive in San Francisco airport and leave from Lax . Would you be able to provide recommendations as far as a road trip that includes a good mix of activities . One concern I have is whether we could rent a car in one city and return it on another ? Thank you!

Hi Harvey, Thank you for using Ciao Bambino! One of our Family Vacation Advisors specializing in California will reach out to you on email to see if we can help with your road trip. Thanks! -Amie

Hello, Our family of four are planning to travel California in the beginning of April. I am desperate to find some help with planning. Would you please help me out? Thank you!!

Hi HeeSun, absolutely, we can help. One of our Family Travel Advisors specializing in California will reach out in email. Happy planning!

We are planning a trip in May for our family. Two adults and 3 boys ages 11,10 and 6 would love someone to contact me Thanks!

Hi Jill, thanks for using Ciao Bambino! One of our Family Travel Advisors who specializes in California will reach out in email to tell you about our service and how we can help. Happy planning.

This is an awesome comprehensive list of California destinations…great roundup! I would emphasize Yosemite National Park. There’s really nothing like it anywhere else in the world.

We’re a family of 5, 2 adults and children aged 13, 11 and 1. We’re planning a road trip from San Fran to San Diego in early July over 18-19 days. This route looks perfect but we’d like to take a more leisurely pace. Can you please help?

Hi Siobhan, absolutely, we can custom-design an itinerary for your family’s preferences. One of our Family Travel Advisors specializing in California will reach out in email. Happy travels!

Hi There, We are a family of 5 with three kids planning a trip to LA in Mar (23rd) next year. Kids ages are Boy 12, girl 7 and boy 2. We would like to cover the theme parks, san fran, grand canyon, Yosemite and any beaches. Can you please advice where to stay if we are on a budget and a plan. Leaving on the 16th Apr

Hi Gayani – Thanks for using Ciao Bambino! Happy to hear that one of our advisors has been in touch already. Enjoy the planning!

HI! we are a family of 4 , (kids aged 11 and 9) , travelling from Italy, we are planning a trip to Califormia this summer 3 -4 weeks in august starting from LA , we would then like to do the national parks, San Francisco and the Grand Canyon. Can you suggest an itinerary?

Hi Francesca, thanks for using Ciao Bambino! A Family Vacation Advisor specializing in California will reach out in email to talk about how we can help. Happy travels!

Please have someone contact me.

Hi Lisa, we’ll be glad to have a Family Travel Advisor specializing in California reach out in email. Thanks for using our site!

Hello! In which place on the Highway 1 would you spend more time on a future trip?

Hi Bruno! All the stops along the way are very different, but the Central Coast near Cambria is a wonderful part of the state for families who want to settle into one spot for a week. If you’d like help planning your full road trip, let us know and one of our Family Travel Advisors will reach out in email. Thanks!

Hello! I am trying to plan this for my Moms 60th birthday. I am a family of 2 adults and 3 children (3,6,12) from NJ and my brother, his wife and three kids, (7,8,2) from Hawaii are looking to meet my Mom and sister (22) could you have Kristi contact me please Id love to see if something like this could work for all of us. Thank you!

Hi Aimee – Thanks for using Ciao Bambino! We’ll have one of our Family Travel Advisors specializing in California reach out in email. Happy planning!

Hi there. We are a family of 4 (1 tween girl and one teen girl? We are looking to come to CA the first week of July for 9 nights and 8 days. We have to stay in Hollywood or Santa Monica for at least 3 nights as my brother lives there. We would like to see beaches, surfers, maybe whales, and other tourist places. What would you suggest. We are coming from Atlanta and have not booked flights yet so we can fly into one area and sly out of another. We want some beach time but not everyday. I would love to go to a winery but the kids would hate it. Would love to hear your suggestions,

Thank you for your travel request. A Family Travel Advisor will contact you shortly.

A great place to stay for the weekend in Newport is the Newport Dunes. There is RV slots if you are traveling with one or beach cottages to rent if not. So much fun there, we go multiple times a year.

Planning a California trip in June. Can a travel agent reach out to me. Unsure of things to do. We are coming for a graduation but plan on staying extra days to see California

Hi Sinobia, absolutely! One of our Family Travel Advisors specializing in California will reach out in email. Happy planning!

We’re a family of four (14 yr.girl & 9 yr.boy). We booked a 10 days California trip March 5 to 15 from Toronto to LA. Booked hotel in Fairmont Santa Monica for our first night, the rest still on planning stage were to stay. The kids looking forward to have fun at Universal Studio and Disneyland. My husband and I, bucket list is to see San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge(booked Fairmont San Francisco, check in March 8 and check out March 10) and if possible if we still have time to go a Tour bus trip to Las Vegas and Grand Canyon/Hoover Dam. We’re planning to ride the sightseeing tour bus in Hollywood and San Francisco. Checking on taking bus from LA to San Francisco or driving (insurance/cost). Any suggestions and advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Lisa

Hi Lisa, It sounds like you have a great start planned. I’ll have one of our Family Vacation Advisors specializing in California to reach out to you in email to set up time to chat about how we can help with the itinerary. Happy Planning! Best, -Amie

Interested in a trip similar to this in mid June. 2 adults and one child age 17. We have 5-6 nights. Any suggestions would be great

Hi Kate, Thank you for using Ciao Bambino! One of our Family Vacation Advisors specializing in California will follow up in email regarding next steps to use our service. Happy Planning!

Hi, we are a family of five planning to do a CA roadtrip in April 8-18 with our kids who are 7, 6 and 18 months. How is the weather then? What would you suggest? We’d like to do some of Highway 1. and then up from San Fran to Portland. Please advise.

Hi Corinne – Sounds wonderful! I’ll have one of our Family Travel Advisors reach out to you in email to see how we can help. Thanks!

We are a family of five coming to California in April for 8-10 days, kids 8-12. I would like to do San Fran to Carlsbad, but my husband thinks it’s too much time into the car. Suggestions?

Hi Maria! Our California expert will be happy to advise you – I’ll have her reach out. Thanks!

Hi, Thinking about planning a summer trip to Cali with 2 adults/2 kids(7,12). We live in FL so the beaches, and Disney are nice, but we do have them here. We love San Fran area so we can start there. What is North of San Fran,anything to see? or should we head south instead?? How far is Yosemite/Lake Tahoe? What is there for kids in Carmel and Santa Barbara? Thanks

Hi Jennifer! Please excuse the delay – your comment didn’t show up in our feed immediately. Our California expert will reach out to you about your trip plans. Thank you!

Hello, we are planning a trip to California probably sometime in May. I could use some help with this process. Any additional information or suggestions are welcome! Thank you!

Hi Haley, Wonderful! Our Family Vacation Advisor specializing in California will follow up with you in email shortly. Happy New Year! Best, -Amie

Hi! We are planning a California trip in march. Just me hubs and our lil man age 2. Could you please email me an itinerary please. Thanks!

Hi Liyana – Everything we do is customized per family taking into the consideration of the ages of the kids. I’ll have one of our Family Travel Advisors who specializes in California reach out to you in email. Thanks! -Amie

Hi, We are a family of 6, we have 4 children aged 10-5 and would love to do a 10/14 day trip in California in May/June 2017. Could give us some ideas on price and anything you would recommend? Thanks, Joanne

Hi Joanne – I’ll have one of our Advisors specializing in this itinerary email you. Thanks! -Amie

Im planning the ultimate 50th birthday trip for myself and my BFF. She’s from England and Im a Texan but California Coast is my destination choice! Now to find the things both of us will enjoy- that sand castle school is on the list for sure! Im excited!

Hi! We are planning a road tripping Southern California in August. I know it’s hot but we only have this window of time. We either will fly into San Diego airport or John Waybe and drive towards the other. Will 4-5nights be enough time? We’d love at least 2 nights in San Diego and may see the Zoo, balboa park and lots of resting and relaxing. Also legoland, San Clemente, Laguna beach and Newport Beach. We love beaches, good food, coffees, parks etc! Two kids 8 and 6. Any advice of timing and what to definitely see?? Thanks so much!!

Hi Jane – In addition to the articles on the website, we run a full family-focused vacation planning service. I’ll have our Advisor specializing in California reach out to you in email. Thanks! -Amie

Hi, We’re planning an 8 day trip San Francisco-LA. We’ll be travelling two adults and two kids (ages 7 and 12). However, we want to spend at least 2 nights in Napa Valley. How would you modify your proposed itinerary? Thanks, Aida

Hi Aida – We provide a service where we do custom itineraries for families traveling through California. I’ll have our Family Travel Advisor specializing in this itinerary reach out to you! -Amie

Hi Jo- I’ve just sent you an email. The whale watching is fantastic around Monterey with blue whales and humpbacks common during summer. Not to mention the otters and sea lions – you’ve chosen a fun trip. Thanks, -kristi

Hi. Great info! We are a family of 2 adults, 4 children aged 5-11 from Denmark. We are doing the Cali road trip in July, but would like to add a whale watching trip around Monterey Bay, among other things. Any suggestions, or would you put me in touch with one of your experts. Also, we are having trouble picking hotels/resorts…. Thanks. Jo

Hi Jo, Our Family Travel Advisor for California will reach out soon in email to help. Best, -Amie

Hi this is a fantastic read as we are doing this trip in Aug/Sep- we want to stop for 5 nights in SoCal, do you think that’s too long in Santa Barbara? We want beach, kids stuff, relax, restaurants, coffee! Also do you think Yosemite in August is worth 2 nights in an RV or will we roast?! Do you guys have advice on RV parks for that stretch of coast, if so it would be great to speak to someone? Kiri

Hi Kiri- I’m Ciao Bambino’s California road trip expert. 5 nights in Santa Barbara is not too long as there are fun day trips nearby. Yosemite is always worth a stop! It’s hot during the day and cool at night. I’m not an expert on RV Parks but if you need assistance with routing and activities that is something I can help you with. Feel free to reach out at [email protected] Thanks, -kristi

Could you please put me in touch with an advisor to assist with planning a California coast trip for our family?

Hi Shani, I’ve sent this to our California Family Vacation Advisor Kristi. She will be in touch shortly! -Amie

Hi, Could you please have Kristi contact me regarding a CA coast trip? I spoke with her last year, and we had to postpone our trip, but would like to go ahead and plan now.

Hi Shani – Glad to hear that you’re ready to move forward with your plans again! I’ll pass along your request to Kristi. Happy planning!

Hello, I am in the UK and looking to book a holiday in January. Our girls are 3 and 4. What would you recommend for a road trip given the weather?

Hi Becky – We can help! One of our Family Vactation Advisors will reach out to you in email. Thanks! -Amie

We are a family of 6. Kids age 12-19 and 2 adults. We want to go to Cali and west coast in August. We have 8 days. What do suggest??

Hi Jill – I’ll have one of our Family Vacation Advisors who specializes in California reach out in email. Thanks! -Amie

Hi, we are planning a trip to California with a 19 month old in September, planning to fly into either LA or San Diego( 6 hours) then either work our way north or south along big sur but also depending on where we fly into. Any recommendations on that and where we should go?

Hi Cara – Our in house travel agency specializing in crafting a California Road Trip for families. I’ll have one of our Advisor reach out in email. Happy Planning! Best, -Amie

We are planning a similar trip for August with kids in the same range. Would love to hear any suggestions as well.

Hi Amy – Thanks for reaching out to us! I’ll have a Family Travel Advisor specializing in California get in touch via email to talk about how we can help with your plans.

Hi we’re planning on a California trip in May this year. We have a 3 and a 1 year old. We want to see the obvious sights in California. Disney, Hollywood Blvd etc. and spend abit of time on a nice beach somewhere. Can anyone recommend family places to stay and where to start. Planning on spending a week to 10 days Thank you

Hi Anna – I’ll have our Family Travel Advisor who is a California specialist reach out to you. Thanks! -Amie

This itinerary looks great. Would it be appropriate for a family trip in early-mid November?

Hi Janine. California is a year round destination for travel. In November, the locals won’t be sunbathing at the beaches but they will be surfing and boogie boarding with wet suits so there is still beach activity. I specialize in California road trip planning and will reach out in case you need additional help planning your family vacation. Thanks! -kristi

Hi cyclops- Feel free to leave your email or email us at [email protected] if we can help you plan your trip. Thanks, -kristi

Hi – That’s a great start to your road trip, especially the Monterey Peninsula which offers beautiful drives , beaches and wildlife viewing opportunities hiking, kayaking or even on a pontoon boat. Depending on your interests and the ages of the kids there are other less touristy areas along the coast that you might like as well. I specialize in California road trip planning for Ciao Bambino and will reach out in case you would like help planning your trip. Thanks, Kristi Marcelle

We are a family of 8 (6 adults and two small children) and are planning a road trip during the Christmas week (Dec 19-27). We will be starting from San Francisco. Can you give us some ideas of places to visit during that time? We are thinking of Monterey, Carlsbad/San Diego and Santa Barbara. Any other spots that will be good during that time especially with Christmas? Any places to avoid? We don’t need to see San Francisco and Los Angeles, Disney, Universal Studios.

Approximately how long are the drives in the above itinerary.

Hi Matt, Each stop is more or less 2-3 hours from one another. Thanks! -Amie

Hi Anne, the weather is usually fine in March, always a bit chillier in Northern California than Southern California which hovers in the 70s midday. In SoCal, it’s flip flop weather all year round though in March the locals aren’t sunbathing and swimming in the ocean though they are surfing and boogie boarding with wetsuits. If you’d like any help planning your trip, we offer full itinerary planning with hotel booking and activities recommendations. California is my specialty so let us know if we can help. -kristi

Thanks for the great article. I am from deep south, so like warm weather, so I am planning a September trip (also like less crowds). San Francisco (2 nights) to Monterrey (1 night) to Santa Barbara (1 night) to San Diego (2 nights) is our plan. We can’t decide whether to skip LA or do 1 night. We won’t have kids with us but our real question is whether September would change anything in your recommendations or thoughts?

I wanted to see if the weather over early March is good for this trip with kids along the coastline of California or if it is cold still

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Must-See Stops On Your California Family Road Trips

Whether you want to explore Northern California, the Central Coast, or SoCal, here are the best family road trips to take in the state.

June 26, 2020

The Golden State is home to seemingly endless coastlines, a wide variety of terrains, and plenty of incredible routes that make family road trips feel even more spectacular. From the scenic, winding road of Highway 1 , to the remote desert oasis of Route 66 , to the historic mining pathway of Highway 49, the most difficult part of planning a California road trip with kids is figuring out where to go first. 

Between the Southern California beaches, national parks nestled by the Golden State’s mountain ranges, and forests tucked in the north, there’s no end to adventure here. And thanks to the plethora of family-friendly amusement parks, museums, parks, and attractions, there’s no need to leave the kids at home. 

Tips for Planning a Successful Road Trip with Kids

Traveling as a family can be stressful, but these family road trip ideas can ease the pressure by providing affordable and fun solutions. 

• Pack your own healthy snacks before hitting the road. From protein bars and chips for the kids to supplements and kombucha for you, having all the necessities on hand will help you avoid unnecessary stops on the road.
• Eat local and organic foods for an eco-friendly road trip that will make you feel good. Stop by the farmers markets along the way to feel more like a local, experience the local cuisines, and eat healthier without breaking the bank.
• Bring multiple types of entertainment. From California-made movies and television shows to classic books and games, there are plenty of ways to stay entertained and off your phones as you explore the Golden State’s gems.
• Take your time. There’s no need to rush through a road trip and drive for hours on end without stopping, so plan to spend several days on vacation. The best road trips with kids involve beaches, ice cream, and experiences you can’t get at home, so leave enough room in your schedule for some flexibility. 
• Bring a camera. Along with all of California’s stunning sights, you won’t want to miss the opportunity for a good photo op, so do yourself a favor and pack a camera. 

Best Family Road Trip Stops

Since there’s so much to see throughout the state, it’s easy to find the right road trip route for you and your family. So pack your suitcases , decide on your road trip soundtrack , and get ready to make memories together on these unforgettable road trips. Whether you want to explore Northern California, the Central Coast, or SoCal, these are the can’t-miss places to visit when you’re passing through. 

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As one of California’s largest cities, San Diego is a destination your family will want to spend some time exploring. Wander around downtown and put your fear of heights to the test at the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge for an unusual experience in this temperate paradise. Then, drive over to Balboa Park to visit one of the Golden State’s best zoos , see the museums, and listen to the organ (if you’re around on Sunday at 2 p.m.). Next, try the local cuisine—including the famous California burritos , foodie flights , and vegan fare —that will satisfy even your pickiest eaters. 

Make your way to the beach, too, and if the kids are old enough, add a few San Diego surf spots to your to-do list. While you’re near the coastline, drive across the bridge to Coronado to view the pristine sands, peruse the quaint boutiques, and have wholesome family fun. Finally, you’ll want to take a trip up to Legoland, one of California’s best amusement parks , before you even think about leaving San Diego County.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is packed with things to do . From catching a concert in Hollywood, to visiting Griffith Observatory, to seeing L.A. County’s best museums , it’s hard to be bored here. Walk around downtown , munch on the best vegan pizza , snag your family brunch reservations , and catch a film at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery for a trip you’ll all remember for years to come.

Then, attend a live TV taping to enjoy cost-free entertainment , or take a two-hour road trip inland to Palm Springs or Joshua Tree before continuing north to Santa Monica, Venice, and Malibu. Spend time rock climbing for a challenging bit of exercise that’s as thrilling as it is fun, and try to work in visits to some of the area’s popular film locations before you leave.

When it comes to Southern California road trip ideas for kids, it’s nearly impossible to ignore the magic of Disneyland. Between the delicious food , out-of-this-world attractions , and character meet-and-greets, there’s simply no replacing this iconic theme park. (If you’re on a budget, make sure to check out our tips for cheap trips to Disneyland , too.)

Afterward, head to the Anaheim Packing District and baseball stadium to make the most of your trip to Orange County . If you’re planning a truly epic family road trip, add Knott’s Berry Farm to your itinerary, too—your kids will thank you.

Central Coast

The Golden State’s Central Coast is all about relaxation, so try to unwind and enjoy the time away from the big cities. While this family road trip is best saved for older kids and nature enthusiasts, it’s a great reset for those looking for a new beginning. Take advantage of the incredible panoramic views in Big Sur by spending a night camping and hiking in the wilderness, or check in to a luxurious hotel for an indulgent stay.

Continue north, stopping by Carmel-by-the-Sea on your way to Monterey. Once you’ve arrived, head to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, one of the best aquariums in California , for an educational adventure your whole family can appreciate. Then drive north to explore Santa Cruz , making sure to walk along the famous Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and enjoy the rides together. 

San Francisco

There are endless opportunities for fun in San Francisco , so it’s easy to spend a week seeing all of the Bay Area’s most prominent sights. The Exploratorium is one of California’s can’t-miss attractions , so it’s a great place to start your S.F. excursions . Next, make your way to the Ferry Building and to Ghirardelli Square for culinary delights and unique experiences, or venture over to the Mission District to admire the vibrant murals and indulge in scrumptious dishes.

Then, head across the Golden Gate Bridge to go stand-up paddleboarding in Sausalito before savoring a bounty of fresh seafood from the local eateries, or drive east to hike Mount Diablo before continuing on. Then, visit Muir Woods National Monument , Point Reyes , and Bodega Bay as you cruise north along the coast.

To continue your journey, cruise inland to Sacramento , drive southeast to Yosemite National Park , keep heading north toward Eureka , or travel northeast to Lassen Volcanic National Park . With so many destinations in the Golden State, your adventures never have to end.

Where do you want to take your family on your next California road trip? Share your plans in the comments below.

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• Activities for Kids
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Epic California Road Trips You Need to Take with Your Kids

Kate Loweth

Summer travel season is here and it’s time to turn your California Dreams into weekend warrior reality! We have a massive list of California road trip ideas that will have you exploring National Parks , castles, wine country, the gorgeous Highway 1 coastline, the redwoods, desert delights and more. Read on for our top picks for California family road trips you’ve simply got to take with your kids NOW.

Northern California

Miles of gorgeous coastline, redwood forests galore and even some wine tasting for the grown ups make Mendocino the ideal spot for your next long weekend. Ride a horse along the shore or feed some giraffes at B. Bryan Preserve . Beaches like Bowling Ball Beach and Glass Beach are unlike anything you've seen before. Be sure to stop by Frankie's Ice Cream and Pizza for a slice of mushroom pizza followed by a cone topped with candy cap mushroom ice cream when you are in downtown Mendocino. Reserve a cottage at the Point Arena Lighthouse to hear the waves crashing or go for glamping at Mendocino Grove . 

Read all about this gorgeous area of CA coastline here . 

Mammoth Lakes

The Eastern Sierra is an epic family destination any time of year. Get a bird's eye view of this gorgeous area via SkyTime Helicopter Air Tours . Or, pack the snacks and hike one of these trails (Heart Lake is particularly kid-friendly). Ride the scenic gondola to the top and enjoy lunch on the summit (bonus: kids ride free!). The Sierra Nevada Resort offers a quintessential mountain town lodging experience or stay in the Village at the Westin where you can easily access all the shops and restaurants in the area. 

For more area information you can read our winter guide to Mammoth or head here: visitmammoth.com

If visiting the state capital was on your bucket list, now you have good reason to go. Sacramento offers lots of family friendly adventures for folks who’ve got train lovers, plane flyers and fairy catchers in the family. The  Sacramento History Museum walking tour takes you back in time to the mid 1800s when gold was plentiful and women were scarce. Fairytale Town is the ideal stop for toddlers where they can run the crooked mile, slide down the Old Woman’s shoe, sit on King Arthur’s throne and pet the farm animals. And the perfect way to end the day? At one of the many confectioner’s shops. Aww, sweet Sacramento.

For more information on what to do and where to stay, click here .

Nevada City, CA

Our Managing Editor grew up in this quaint little town in the foothills of Northern California, located only about an hour and a half from Sacramento. A true Gold Rush town, Nevada City still maintains its Victorian-era charm thanks to the entire downtown being zoned a historic district. This keeps chain restaurants and shops away creating a diverse array of food, sweets and artisanal wares. Don't miss Mountain Pastimes , just off the main drag, a toy store that has been in operation since our editor was a kid, and the gift shop at Bonanza , the local market's gift shop stocked with colorful Chinese merchandise including tea, lanterns and more. Wander up one side of Broad St. and down the other, sampling wares along the way.

Nevada CIty hosts scores of events, including the annual Victorian Christmas and the Nevada City Classic Bicycle Race —closing off the streets for cars and allowing pedestrians a European-worthy promenade. In the summer, you'll find purple skies full of stars, farmers markets, camping spots and swimming. Autumn brings radiant colors and countless trails to explore. All year round, you'll find a town full of artists, aging hippies rubbing elbows with conservatives, great coffee and a new generation of forward-thinking artisans and entrepreneurs. 

Learn more at: nevadacitychamber

Whether you live in the Bay Area and are looking for some time in the snow, or you head there in summer for some gorgeous hikes and lake time, Lake Tahoe is definitely a destination that all CA kids need to check out. Summer brings bike rides along the East Short Trail at Incline Village that just opened last year, as well as loads of live music opportunities on both the North and South Shore. When winter is here it's all about snow sports with Tahoe Donner a favorite for tubing and sledding. The Ritz-Carlton and Resort at Squaw Creek are some of our North Shore favorites for lodging, while the Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel provides a prime location on the South Shore. 

Check out our Tahoe summer guide here and winter guide here . 

The Redwood Forest

From the Redwood Forest. . . this land was made for you and me! Kids must see our most famous tree sometime before you head off to college. Muir Woods National Monument is one of the last old-growth redwood forests on the planet and one of the only native salmon runs in California. Plus, there’s more than a few opportunities for your tiny treehugger to duck into a massive tree hollow and ham it up for your Instagram feed. Sequoia Sempervirens are the tallest—and one of the oldest—living things on earth. Fun fact: the tallest tree in Muir Woods is over 250 feet and most trees are between 600 to 800 years old. The oldest tree is thought to be about 1,200 years young, which is merely middle-age for redwoods. This outing may inspire your family to take your next trip to the Gulf Stream waters and really explore our whole country.

Find out more about visiting the redwoods with your kids in our family guide.

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Gorgeous views, hikes galore, dark skies for stargazing and tons of interesting history await your visit to Lassen Volcanic National Park. Stop at the Visitor Center when you enter the park to watch the short video about the area's volcanic history and to learn what trails are open for business. Then make your way farther into the park to stop at the bubbling mud pots with the very distinct (and horrible) smell of sulfur. Don't forget that all fourth graders get free access to the national parks for a whole year through the Every Kid Outdoors program .

If you want a cabin camping experience inside the park, book a spot at Drakesbad Guest Ranch . Here you can go horseback riding, hiking and swimming in the hot spring-fed swimming pool as the sun goes down. 

Read our guide to Drakesbad and Lassen here . 

Siskiyou County

Head north past Redding and you'll make your way to the tranquil county of Siskiyou that extends to the California-Oregon border. Here you'll find gorgeous hikes like the Hedge Creek Falls Trail in Dunsmuir and the McCloud Falls Trail. Spend some time fishing for trout and exploring all of the outdoor adventure that the area has to offer. When you want to stay the night, we love the vintage cabooses turned into sleeping compartments at Railroad Park in Dunsmuir. 

Read all our Siskiyou area recs here . 

San Francisco

San Francisco is unlike any other California city you'll come across. You'll find a densely-populated metropolis full of amazing dining experiences , parks around every turn, the epic Golden Gate Bridges, beaches for exploring and so much more. Head to PIER 39 to see the sea lions and eat some chowder, ride the Cable Cars to Chinatown for dim sum and then cross the bridge to the Marin Headlands to see the city from the other side. 

Find more San Francisco ideas here . 

Wine Country

Wine Country may sound like romantic parent getaway, but it also has loads to offer families. TrainTown in Sonoma and the Epicenter Sports and Entertainment Complex in Santa Rosa are two kid destinations that you can't miss in between the sips. Sign up for a safari and stay the night at Safari West . Grab some delicious grub at  Boon Fly Café in Napa. And oh, yeah, there are plenty of wineries that are ready with some grape juice, crayons and lawn games to keep their smallest patrons entertained. There are even kid-friendly eateries and lodging if you are looking to make it a long weekend or even a week-long getaway. In other words, you don't have to wait until the wee ones are otherwise occupied for a wine getaway.

For kid-friendly winery options and other must-do activities, read our guide.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is one of the oldest nature preserves in the US, and also one of the most majestic. If you’ve never been, it may be hard to know where to start your visit, but we know where to find the best trails for small hikers, which activities will thrill the most and which lodging is best for tired little toes. There are miles of valley to explore but the most kid-friendly paths are near the bottom. We recommend starting with the Sentinel Meadow Loop for amazing views of Half Dome reflected in the Merced River. It’s a 2.25-mile walk, great for strollers and offering lots of bathrooms, and a snap to stop off at Yosemite Valley Store for snacks before or after the trek. Looking for a little more of a challenge with a huge payoff? The Bridal Veil Falls hike may only be ½ mile out and back and stroller accessible but it is a little steep. A huge bonus is that the waterfall runs year-round, unlike many others which dry out in mid to late summer months.

When you’re ready to rest your head, there are options for every price point and rugged-loving level. Evergreen Lodge is pretty much our favorite spot (ever) as it has all of the kid-perks you look for and tons of relaxation opportunities for the parents. The splurge-worthy Ahwahnee Hotel is a world-renowned, four-diamond hotel, but for families, we love Tenaya Lodge , located just outside the park's Mariposa Grove South Entrance. Get rustic at Curry Village with a tent or enjoy a cabin or private room equipped with electricity, bathrooms and maid service.

Get the scoop on a family adventure to Yosemite National Park, here.

Central California

This mesmerizing stretch of the California coast is the perfect addition to your California road trip. Camping spots along here have epic views and you can wake to the sounds of the crashing waves without having to turn on your sound machine. Julia Pheiffer Burns State Park is a great destination for a picnic and some hiking to waterfalls. As long as you don't have any car sickness-prone kids, Highway 1 is a gorgeous drive and an excellent choice for CA road trips. 

Online: visitcalifornia.com

The Central Coast

A Central Coast adventure has many animals to delight young nature lovers. Start at the Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery , which covers over six miles of beach near Point Piedras Blancas. The viewing areas are open daily, are wheelchair and stroller accessible and are free. You can see elephant seals mating and pupping and then see the (relatively) tiny babies. Don’t forget jackets, as the best time to see babies is January & February, and if you’re warm enough, you can spend all day here.

Nearby is Hearst Castle with 165 rooms and 127 acres of gardens, terraces, pools and walkways. On the tram up to the castle, keep an eye out the window for zebras! Last stop is down to Pismo Beach (a great little beach town with many family and budget friendly hotels, not to mention amazing cinnamon buns ) and the largest Monarch Butterfly Grove in the state. Docents are available for talks, as are telescopes to better spot the insects chilling in clusters in Eucalyptus trees. Look closely. At first glance, the butterfly tree clusters look like dried leaves, but then they start to move and you realize the trees are actually made of butterfly wings!

For more Central Coast adventures check out our guide .

Dubbed the ‘Danish Capital of America,’ Solvang (which means sunny field in Danish) is in the lush wine country of Santa Ynez Valley. Located just 125 miles north of Los Angeles, this quaint town has a vibe and aesthetic reminiscent of a European fairy tale. Kids will love the whimsical Danish heritage that infuses downtown—which is complete with Danish style architecture, thatched roofs, and windmills.

While the town still has plenty of kitschy charm worth checking out (like Paula's Pancake House and a Viking-themed playground ), there are also plenty of top-notch restaurants, boutique hotels, tucked-away tasting rooms and carefully curated shops to explore. On your way in or out of town, you'll also want to squeeze in a stop at Ostrichland USA , where kids can feed the big birds.

Learn more about the top spots to visit in Solvang with kids  and other nearby spots in the Santa Ynez Valley . 

Southern California

Santa barbara.

Santa Barbara, also known as 'The American Riviera,' is a gorgeous locale that makes you feel like you're a world away in paradise. From the pristine beaches to the serene mountains and lush vineyards, there's plenty to explore. Families can have the best of both worlds relaxing and unwinding as well as taking in city life. Book a stay at the oceanfront Four Seasons The Biltmore Santa Barbara for first class accommodations. Visit MOXI,: The Wolf Museum of Exploration and Innovation to inspire and educate kids. Don't miss the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center and the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden to delve deeper into the flora and fauna that make Santa Barbara so special. You'll also find plenty of delicious dining options throughout the city. We like Helena Avenue Bakery for lunch and Monkeyshine for a delightful dessert. Save time to bask in the sun at Butterfly Beach and to enjoy some water activities like whale watching or kayaking.

Check out our story on taking an epic car-free train trip to Santa Barbara and our story on treating your family to a luxurious stay at Four Seasons The Biltmore Santa Barbara .

Online: santabarbaraca.com

Lake Arrowhead

Called the 'Alps' of Southern California, Lake Arrowhead is perfectly poised in the mountains of the San Bernardino National Forest. This idyllic mountain locale offers families respite from big city life, via a return to nature complete with adventures like water and snow skiing, hiking, biking and fishing amidst glorious scenery. Stay at Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa for the best Lake access. It's the perfect retreat in any weather. You'll find Lake Arrowhead to be a wonderful escape during all seasons, depending on your preference of snow skiing or enjoying water activities.

Check out our family guide on where to eat, stay and play with your kids in Lake Arrowhead .

Online: lakearrowhead.com

Carlsbad has it all when it comes to a family-friendly vacation destination. LEGOLAND is poised to open LEGO Movie World this spring, which will make the beloved theme park even more awesome! You can't beat South Carlsbad State Beach for swimming, surfing, picnicking and picturesque views. The Flower Fields come alive with rainbow blooms as far as the eye can see from Mar. 1-May 10 and Carlsbad Village offers local shopping and dining experiences the whole fam will love.

Read our family guide on where to eat and play in Carlsbad Village and about why we think Carlsbad is a dream family getaway .

Online: visitcarlsbad.com

Sequoia National Park

There's nothing like roaming among sky high, towering trees to give you a new perspective on life. And isn't that what traveling is all about? Take your little sprouts to explore Sequoia National Park for the ultimate immersion into nature. Book a stay at Wuksachi Lodge in the heart of the Park and you'll enjoy easy access to all of the area's attractions including the Giant Forest Grove of the Big Trees and Giant Forest Museum, Big Trees Trail and Wolverton Recreation Area. Walk among the world's largest trees and spy the creatures that call this forest home. You can also opt to camp among them at Bearpaw High Sierra Camp ®.

Online: visitsequoia.com

Ojai is a quaint and charming town set in a valley in the Topatopa Mountains 75 miles north of Los Angeles. It's just a quick car trip, but you'll feel you've left city life far behind. Unplug and bask in nature with all the creature comforts by staying in one of the modern bohemian Airstreams at Caravan Outpost. Grab lunch at Hip Vegan Cafe and bike along the car-free Ojai Valley Trail. Let kids be kids at Libbey Park located in the center of town, and then browse the cute local boutiques and galleries. You can also visit Ojai for the day and go a little further north to stay in Santa Barbara.

Read our guide on how to go off-grid in Ojai for a family getaway in nature .

Online: ojaivisitors.com

From the world famous San Diego Zoo and Safari Park to the iconic Hotel Del Coronado, USS Midway , miles of gorgeous beaches dotting the coastline, Balboa Park , amazing restaurants , LEGOLAND , Old Town , Birch Aquarium , and endless activities for kids , San Diego, a.k.a. America's Finest City is one of the best places on earth for a family vacation. Visit anytime to enjoy the city's year-round pristine weather––just be sure to plan your itinerary, because there are so many wonderful things to do, you'll want to make the most of your stay!

Online: sandiego.org

Renowned for being a righteous skiing & snowboarding destination in the winter, Big Bear is also beautiful (and a lot less crowded) during the fall , spring and summer. Nature fans and lovers of the great outdoors will be spoiled for choice in this scenic locale. Ride the Alpine Slide , or hop on the Miss Liberty for a boat tour of Big Bear Lake, get up close and personal with animals at the Big Bear Alpine Zoo or go ziplining or mountain biking . This small town has a ton to offer in way of adventurous fun.

More details on a fabulous family itinerary may be found here .

Online: bigbear.com

Joshua Tree

The twisty tree shapes, Cholla cactus forests, and blobby boulders in Joshua Tree make wonderful Dr. Seuss-style memories for your kiddos on this desert adventure. For a quick day trip from the incredibly kid-friendly Palm Springs , stick to exhibitions along the main roads; for a hike, the one-mile loop trail through Hidden Valley is a good introduction for little ones. Start your adventure at the West entrance, then work your way along the road exiting the park at the South. The most scenic sections will be located close to the road at the beginning of the trip. If you really want to immerse yourself in the beauty of the place for several days, think about staying at these little private pods at the Bonita Domes .

Learn more about staying and playing in Palm Springs and Joshua Tree here.

Online: joshuatree.org

This quaint, old-fashioned mountain town and historical district is as American as apple pie––which it's famous for too. Julian was put on the map during the gold rush in the 1870's and the nostalgic vibe is what continues to make this locale a charming throwback to the simpler times of yesteryear. Families can pan for gold at Julian Mining Company , sip apple cider while exploring the many bakeries and shops that line Main St., or go off the beaten path to hike or go fishing. If you're in town during apple picking season , head to Apple Starr Orchard for bushels of fun. There are year-round festivities and festivals in this bucolic locale, from Grape Stomps and Apple Days to Country Christmas and Gold Rush Days––as well as impromptu entertainment that crops on Main St. like gunfight skits on Sundays ! Don't leave without an apple pie or two to-go from Julian Pie Company and some candied or caramel apples from Candied Apple Pastry .

Get even more details on what to do in Julian here .

The Channel Islands

Cruise across the sunny sea through a shroud of fog to emerge on your own Galapagos-like sanctuary; one of the pristine Channel Islands. Santa Cruz is probably the best island for a first visit, as it’s the largest and offers the most amenities. But if you’re traveling with bigger kids, Anacapa is a beautiful and wild adventure. Either island turns into a pristine nature visit for kids of all ages where on the boat over you can see dolphins and whales and when you get to the island you can see the mice and dwarf fox that call the island home. When you get to Santa Cruz, which is the only island with running water and a visitor center, you can take a hike with the naturalist volunteer who takes the boat ride over with you, and learn all about the history of the island from the Chumash settlers to the ranchers who raised cattle here as well as the island’s new life as a National Park. If your family is adventurous or has been to the islands before, consider booking a kayak tour or camping on the island.

Learn more about visiting Ventura County, with trips to Santa Cruz and Anacapa Island .

Word is getting out about all the good things this up and coming sleepy town nestled in the San Jacinto Mountains has to offer, so plan a trip before the crowds get 'wild.' A go-to destination for hikers and rock climbers, visit the Idyllwild Nature Center to find the excursion that's best for your family. Idyllwild also offers great glamping and bed and breakfast options and respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. Be sure to dine amongst the trees at Gastrognome or head to Cafe Aroma for a sophisticated and comforting meal made with local ingredients and play a game of checkers on the checkerboard tables while fueling up at Higher Grounds Coffee . The town also boasts charming shops including Sky Island Organics local marketplace and Candy Cupboard .

Online: idyllwild.com

Los Angeles

With its slew awesome kid-friendly museums (including favorites like Kidspace, The California Science Center, LACMA and Getty), plus miles of beaches , iconic restaurants , and can't-miss tourist spots (we're looking at you Rodeo Dr. ), Los Angeles is the kind of city you could spend a few days in and still only scratch the surface. It's a city you can keep coming back to again and agin—which is why we've got a long list of things to do with kids in LA that you can start making your way through, one unforgettable experience at a time!

Palm Springs

A true oasis in the desert, the celebrity playground of the '60s has become a popular destination for families seeking sunshine and stunning hotel pools, plus natural beauty (hello, Joshua Tree and the can't-miss  Living Desert Zoo and Gardens ), and a dose of mid-century style. During the winter months, you can also experience snow by way of the Palm Spring Aerial Tram that climbs 2.5 miles up into the San Jacinto Mountains. Throughout the year, you can also visit the Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert and the Palm Springs Air Museum . These air-conditioned spots are the perfect place to beat the heat in the afternoon.  

Looking for more ideas on where to play, eat and stay in Palm Springs? Get the full kid-friendly Palm Spring guide .

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The Ultimate California Family Road Trip

No other state offers more geographical diversity than sun-kissed California and this family road trip covers the full range, from the plunging waterfalls of Yosemite to the jaw-dropping coastal landscapes of Big Sur. Full of family-friendly experiences; you’ll fly-fish in alpine lakes, kayak crystal clear coves, encounter LA’s skateboarding culture and cruise the city’s boulevards in a classic convertible. By night, you’ll rest your head in authentic, luxury hotels and lodges, where you’ll get a true taste of the relaxed California lifestyle.

San Francisco

Day 1 – 3

San Francisco’s steep hills and bay-front location offer incredible views at every turn. It can easily be explored on foot, by cable car or ferry. Its history and being on the forefront of all things technology creates a great mix of old and new, tradition and innovation. Great cultural diversity and being home to the largest Chinese enclave outside of Asia, makes San Francisco a dynamic, exciting, multi faceted and welcoming city.

Arriving in the Bay area, you will head north towards the Presidio. Your stay in a historic boutique hotel will plant you firmly in the heart of the park and offers rare views of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay, and city skyline.

Get your bearings with some family-friendly fun as you zip along the waterfront in nippy two-seater tricycles and later hop on and off the cable car, exploring the hills, neighborhoods and streets of San Francisco, or cycle across the bridge under your own steam.

Don’t miss the family must-sees: The Exploratorium offers experiences for children of all ages and the Golden Gate Park is home to the striking De Young Museum and the terrific California Academy of Sciences, where the rainforest exhibit is one of the undisputed highlights. 

That afternoon up the adrenaline levels as you set out on the San Francisco Bay aboard a high-powered private RIB. With your captain narrating the route, you’ll cruise along the waterfront and cross under the Golden Gate Bridge, returning to the dock as the sun dips behind the skyline setting the city aglow.  

Yosemite National Park

Leaving the coast for the peaks of the Sierras, you’ll cross California’s vast agricultural Central Valley.  As you start climbing the foothills, you’ll pass small towns offering a window into California’s Gold Rush past.  

Start your family adventures in Yosemite Valley , the heart of the park, with a private naturalist guide. Marvel at the sheer faces of Half Dome and El Capitan, hike to waterfalls dropping over valley walls and take in the panoramic vistas from Glacier Point. Get off the beaten path the following day and head to the high country, spending the day hiking to alpine lakes, fly-fishing and swimming in crystal clear waters. Your guide will teach you how to tie a fly and provide instructions and gear for the whole family. Back at the lodge, end your day roasting s’mores around the campfire and scanning the starry skies through a telescope.

Carmel & Monterey Bay

Day 7 & 8

This morning your California coast road trip moves from the Sierra Nevada to the Pacific. Life in these parts revolves around the ocean and its diverse sea life, whether it’s fresh seafood to be consumed, scientific research at the incredible Monterey Aquarium or marine biologists studying the species of the bay. Luckily, you’ll get to experience it all –  you’ll go behind the scenes, feeding the fish and tending to animals at the Aquarium, before spending time out on the water with your captain and marine biologist, observing whales, dolphins and sea life in the Monterey Bay.

Day 9 & 10

Your road trip in California will continue south along Highway 1, one of the most beautiful drives in the country. The Santa Lucia Mountains rise precipitously from the Pacific Ocean as the road twists its way around verdant headlands and pretty bays. Each corner reveals another breathtaking view and, with a little help, you’ll know the hidden spots to pull over and soak it all up.  

Approaching Morro Bay, you’ll notice the prominent  Morro Rock in the middle of the bay. The remnant of an extinct volcano is a protected State Preserve, connected to the shore by a causeway. Watch seals linger and play at the base, and birds nesting in the rock cavities. You’ll spend the night at a family-run inn right on the water and will literally be ‘sitting on the dock on the bay’. The next morning you’ll rise early and together with your guide you’ll explore the bay and shores in kayaks. While gliding across the calm waters, be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife, birds and seals.

Santa Barbara

Turning inland, you’ll travel through small farm towns with historic ‘Main Streets’ and chef-driven eateries , taking advantage of the region’s bountiful agriculture.  You’ll summit the San Marcos Pass before descending towards Santa Barbara and the glistening Pacific beyond. Take a late afternoon stroll on the beach or cool off with a dip in the ocean front pool.

Early the next morning, a ferry will take you to one of California’s best kept secrets, the Channel Islands National Park. This group of unpopulated and highly protected islands are a National Marine Sanctuary and home to an incredible diversity of marine life. Keep your eyes peeled on the ride over, as the Santa Barbara Channel is a summer feeding ground for blue and humpback whales. When you land, you’ll meet your naturalist paddle guide and together you’ll navigate the crystal clear waters, exploring sea caves and observing the incredible diversity of marine life. For the bird enthusiast,  the archipelago is also home to cormorants, gulls and dive-bombing California brown pelicans, as well as the peregrine falcon – the world’s fastest flying bird. These magical islands sit a mere 30 miles off the coast – yet feel like a world away.

Los Angeles

Surfing is one of Southern California’s favorite pastimes and there is no better start to a summer’s morning in California. Your private instructor will teach you the basics on land, before moving into the water trying to catch and ride some waves. 

The last stop on your ultimate California road trip itinerary is L.A., the quintessential Californian city of sun, fun and convertibles. Home to glitz and glamour, Hollywood stars and fancy boulevards. Cruise this sunny movie capitol in style, driving an open-top classic car of a bygone era, taking you back in time while taking in the sights along the famed Sunset Strip and Mulholland Drive. 

Later, you’ll take a deep dive into a very different side of LA culture as you spend time with a local skateboarder and professional instructor. Learn about L.A.’s role as a backdrop to the sport’s defining moments; from its birth here in the 50s to the Z-Boys and Tony Hawk. Beginners will give the board a try and pros in the family can drop-in at a local ramp.

No trip to Los Angeles is complete without a studio visit. Experience Universal Studios with a guide, granting VIP perks, express access, front row seats and avoiding the crowds.

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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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California road trip with kids – a 10-day Pacific Coast Highway itinerary

I’ve wanted to do a road trip along California’s Pacific Coast Highway – aka Highway 1 – for years. And once my daughter was old enough for it to be a pleasure rather than a punishment (for us), I started planning our route for a California road trip with kids.

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And that’s where it got tricky. I could have spent a month or more exploring here, and we had around 10 days including two transatlantic flights for our whole California family road trip. I also didn’t want to be rushing from place to place without time to stop and admire the views or discover little coves – and a tired cross preschooler was not on the list.

So regretfully, Los Angeles and San Diego were both out (for that trip) as was any thought of detouring far inland. But for a taste of the incredible scenery and some of the city and towns along the coast, here’s my 10-day itinerary for a California road trip with kids along the Pacific Coast.

For more tips on packing for a road trip with kids , check out my essential list

Day 1: UK to San Francisco

Allow most of the first day for the 11-hour flight from the UK to San Francisco, picking up your hire car and checking in to your accommodation. We stayed in AirBNB all the way (unsurprisingly San Francisco has a lot of choice!) picking Noe Valley as a quiet residential area near a few parks and with good transport links to get around the city.

There’s no reason you can’t look at hotels or motels as well, but it worked out cheaper for us and meant we had a base to relax in the evenings when my daughter was asleep.

If you’re looking for car hire in San Francisco, I’m a big fan of Zest Car Rental

Days 2-4: San Francisco

It goes without saying that you could spend far longer in the city by the bay without getting bored, but I think this is the minimum you need to allow in your California family holiday itinerary to see some highlights.

There are dozens of things you could do in San Francisco with kids – as you can see from my list of the top 63. There are a few not to miss though.

We spent our first full day getting a first (misty) sight of the Golden Gate Bridge, heading over to the viewpoints at Crissy Field and out to the Wave Organ, taking a drive around some of the city’s main districts and the ultra-twisty Lombard street before lunch at the Ferry Building and a quieter afternoon in one of the parks (and a few shops!).

The second full day was another fairly low-key one, heading to Ocean Beach and then into Golden Gate Park (which could eat a day on its own) to spot the windmills, explore the play area, see the buffalo and have lunch at the De Young museum.

Our afternoon fitted in a brief visit to the more touristy Fisherman’s Wharf before taking a vintage fire truck tour of the city.

This was hugely fun, and you get to go over the Golden Gate Bridge as well as stopping at a few viewpoints. Ideally, I’d have liked to do that earlier in the trip, as I think it would make a good starting point to see the city but it was booked up.

Our final full day was spent mostly on Alcatraz , with a wander around Pier 39 before and after to spot sea lions and guzzle seafood in one of the many restaurants. Alcatraz itself is fantastic and definitely worth booking in advance, with a great short boat ride over from a neighbouring pier, then the chance to wander around the famous prison.

For a few more shots inside the notorious island jail, as well as some more family California road trip highlights, check out this photo post .

San Francisco itinerary with kids: Want some more?

Even keeping those three days in San Francisco with kids pretty full of attractions, we didn’t have time to do everything we would have liked to – Sausalito would have been great to visit, and while we did ride on one or two of the trolley cars, we didn’t have chance to go in a cable car.

The city has plenty of museums, lots more parks and some great walking tours to explore the historic areas too. The vineyards of Sonoma and Napa Valley (among others) are also close enough for a day trip. 

Check out my top 63 things to do in San Francisco with kids as well as some great days out from San Francisco with kids

Day  5: Drive to Monterey

One thing I learned from our drive along the coast is always always to leave plenty of time.

For more advice on planning a road trip with kids , check out my top tips

There are too many stopping points to skip them all, the winding roads mean you won’t be speeding from A to B anyway, and if you have a three-year-old, they will want to get out at every stopping place along the way. The same goes if you’re taking a toddler on a California road trip, with baby needing an equally flexible Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary.

And while guide books are great for suggesting specific spots, there’s no real need to tie yourself to that – simply cruise along and pull over whenever the fancy or the views take you.

After a brief stop in San Francisco to see the mosaic tiled steps on 16th Avenue, we headed straight out of the city passing through Half Moon Bay and regretfully missing some of the elephant seal sites, such as Ano Nuevo Park in order to get to Santa Cruz for lunch.

For more ideas of great road trips snacks for kids , check out my top tips

The boardwalk is famous (especially if you’re a fan of The Lost Boys) and the bright colours are fantastic against the blue sky, not to mention more great fish and seafood to eat before finishing the drive to Monterey.

California family holiday itinerary: Want some more?

While California’s biggest and most impressive redwoods are north of San Francisco, there are several state parks along here with more of the huge trees. Big Basin is one option but we went to Henry Cowell Redwoods state park , not far from Santa Cruz which has a great short trail through one of the groves that’s the perfect length for younger kids.

For various complicated practical reasons to do with friends staying nearby, we actually drove back up from Monterey later in the trip but you could squeeze in a short visit on the route south during a West Coast road trip with kids.

Days 6-7: Monterey

Monterey’s biggest claim to fame for literature fans is its links to John Steinbeck – but if you’re travelling with a child, it’s all about the aquarium.

Monterey Aquarium is just huge, so allow a whole day to explore and see all the sea creatures and hear some of the talks – check out my full review of this fantastic Pacific Coast kids attraction.

You can get a stamp on your hand which allows you to pop out for lunch as well, and take a wander along Cannery Row for something to eat, drink and a quick stop on the beach.

On your second day, follow the scenic 17-mile drive (or part of it) through Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach along to Carmel. You’ll crawl through the fancy residential streets and want to stop over and over again at the scenic coast, so this isn’t one to rush.

Then see how the other half live in chi chi Carmel before hitting the powdery white sand beach here with a gigantic and fabulous ice cream.

For 55 of the best road trip activities for kids to keep everyone entertained, check out my top picks

Day 8: Big Sur

There’s something incredibly evocative about the words ‘Big Sur’ and this coastline definitely doesn’t disappoint – when you’re planning a family road trip, California comes up precisely because of this amazing and dramatic stretch of highway.

We had had plans to reach Pismo Beach by lunchtime… our detours and stops meant we had to abandon that for a late lunch in Cambria along the way.

Our first unscheduled stop was to Pfeiffer Beach, intrigued as to where all these cars were detouring too – down a narrow wooded approach, you find the famous purple sands created by minerals in the hills above and some crashing waves among the rock formations.

Then after refuelling in laid-back Cambria we reached the pier and sands of Pismo Beach by late afternoon in time for the sunset.

Pacific Coast Highway with kids: Want some more?

The drive also passes Hearst Castle, just off the highway near San Simeon (better with older kids or a more relaxed itinerary), Morro Bay with the famous Morro Rock formation and the ‘happiest town in America’ of San Luis Obispo.

You can also stop to see sea lions at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve or head in to the wineries at Edna Valley.

If you visit at the right time of year, from October to February, don’t miss the Monarch butterfly grove near Pismo Beach with around 25,000 butterflies clustering in the trees. Outside that time, it’s distinctly less spectacular so check before you add it to your California road trip with family!

Day 9: Pismo Beach

The last morning of the trip demanded a classic American breakfast – we found a slightly random little place which was perfect, with pancakes, eggs and bottomless coffee.

Then a last look round Pismo Beach itself with its classic American Main Street and colourful buildings before heading back to San Francisco.

Although it took around a week to amble gently south, exploring the Pacific Coast Highway with kids, you can head back to the Interstate towards the airport which speeds you north in around four hours, depending on traffic, in time for an overnight flight back to the UK.

If you do keep going south as far as Los Angeles, check out my pick of the best things to do in Los Angeles with kids , as well as these 100 ideas for things to do in LA

Day 10: Arrive UK

Touch down – depending which flight you pick home, you’ll be back some time after lunch… at which point, you’ll probably start plotting the next California road trip with kids to fit in all the things you didn’t have chance to do the first time round.

People can and do write entire guidebooks solely about California’s coast and the many things there are to do – I’m pretty sure we could go back for the same length of time, retrace the same route and not have to repeat anything from trip 1! There’s just so much to do on California road trips for families that 10 days really only scratched the surface.

But this was a great introduction to the amazing scenery and the number of attractions here, while still keeping a California family road trip relaxed enough for the attention span of a three-year-old. If you’re wondering whether you really can make a California road trip kid-friendly, here’s the proof!

For ideas of the best things to do in Northern California with kids , check out my pick to extend your road trip north of San Francisco , as well as things to do in San Diego with kids if you head south

* First published in 2016, last updated 2020*

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All images copyright MummyTravels

Award-winning family travel blogger and mum to the mini traveller, aka Minnie. Together we've visited Europe, America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia, tried a cruise and a road trip, and survived countless long-haul trips. London (UK) based. Serious beach habit.

64 Comments

So glad you got to explore my home state! I hope you loved it! This post really makes me miss home! I still need to take my fiance to San Diego where I grew up! #CityTripping

I really did – we had such a great trip. I was dying to go to San Diego as well, I keep reading great things about it, but there was just too much geography in the way to fit it in this time. Next time perhaps!

I drove this route with a friend pre-kids – I’d love to go back there on a family trip now. I’m looking forward to reading more about your trip.

Thanks – I think it’s one you could revisit and revisit with or without kids, such a great area to explore (maybe a convertible and those vineyards in 15 years for me!)

Wow beautiful photographs and they really paint a lovely picture of the area. There seems to be loads to do for kids – my three would love a vintage fire truck tour. I have a feeling you may be returning to the Pacific coast sooner rather than later…….

Thank you! The fire truck tour was brilliant – so fun. And yes, already wishing I could go back.

What an amazing road trip ! I really want to explore California after cancelling our previous trip. Reading this, it felt like it whizzed by and suddenly you were back in the UK…hope it didn’t feel like that when you were there. You certainly packed a fair bit in (considering you were with a 3 year old)! I love your pictures! #citytripping

We did pack quite a bit in in the end – it oddly felt like the whole trip flew pasts but also that we were out there for much longer. Usually the sign of a good holiday!

such a fantastic location for a road trip. I loved visiting San Francisco a few years back – feels very unAmerican haha! Lovely pictures #citytripping

I’m so glad we picked this for our first family road trip – definitely a classic for a good reason! And I agree about San Francisco, really enjoyed it there too.

Sounds like a lovely road trip. Love your amazing scenic photos, especially that of the Golden Gate bridge.

Thank you – I was a bit disappointed that the famous fog seemed to be out every time we went near the bridge, but actually love the atmospheric misty views.

I’d LOVE to do this road trip, being an obsessive planner I have actually planned it out a few times, you’ve given me some great ideas #citytripping

Half the fun is the planning – all those potential routes and itineraries and things to do. I hope you get to visit in reality too.

Lovely trip! And I agree, unscheduled stops can be one of the best things about road trips. #citytripping

Thanks! It would be lovely to have longer and be even more spontaneous but I think we got a nice balance of planning and stopping along the way.

Wow! Great itinerary! And busy schedule! But such beautiful views! I’ve heard that the west coast of the US is prettier than the east, but I think this post proves it. I’d love to take a drive down the California coast. Maybe one day I’ll actually get to use your itinerary rather than just reading it! 🙂

Thanks! It is such a stunning place – and we did seem to pack a lot in, although it didn’t seem too busy at the time.

What a great trip Cathy. I did it with my family as a teenager and sulked in the back of the car. Such an ungrateful terror and I am sure sadly for me I missed a lot of the wonderful views you have shown. Just goes to show timing is everything with family travel! Looking forward to returning to California soon with your tips and better attitude in hand!

Oh hindsight is wonderful! I’d have thought it would be a great trip for teens too – still, that’s a good motivator to go back again.

You’ve really whetted my appetite for a road trip now – this sounds wonderful. What was the driving like and the traffic? #citytripping

It’s got us thinking about doing another family road trip next year – maybe Canada this time… I admit, I got my husband to do the driving (he actively enjoys it) but the roads are good: the coast is relatively quiet (or was in June) so the only drawback is not being able to see as much as the passengers.

Wow! What a beautiful part of the world! A few years ago I did a camping road trip along the Washington & Oregon coast and was absolutely blown away. I stopped compulsively to photograph every view, frolick on every beach and hike every trail – or at least that’s what it felt like! I only made it as far south as the very northern tip of California but I’ve wanted to go back and keep going south ever since. Don’t you just love it when a trip is so lovely there is always reason to go back? I’m so happy you guys had a lovely time!

Yes – exactly that! I did see part of the Washington coast a few years back and it was stunning too – so wild and unspoiled, I can imagine it would have been wonderful to keep going into Oregon.

How fun! I love that area! Hearst Castle is amazing if you ever get a chance to check it out. I’m headed to San Francisco in September for the first time and I can’t wait! We already have our tickets for Alcatraz!

Hearst Castle did sound fascinating but a few people who’d been with kids gave it mixed reports – I think it sounds better with older children, so I have a good excuse to go back in a few years. Enjoy Alcatraz, it was fascinating.

Oh you just reminded me of my own roadtrip of the California Coast. We did it from LA to San Francisco, we missed Pismo beach though but stopped instead in Santa Barbara. Loved it! 🙂

I’d have loved to get down to Santa Barbara – I think that was originally my southernmost point until I realised we’d have to skip through a few places too quickly unfortunately. Next time!

Good itinerary. Something for everyone. I fancy the idea of a Steinbeck tour, re-reading all the books!

I haven’t read much Steinbeck – should have taken the opportunity while we were there, but I love the idea of a trip to tie in with the books.

Beautiful pics! I’m craving a trip to the West Coast now (among many others!) ;)) xx Umberta http://thesecretlifeofanactress.blogspot.fr/

Thanks! It’s a very tempting place…

This is such a great itinerary, and so much put into 10 days! Looking forward to reading more on this trip and I may well be cribbing it! #citytripping

Thanks! I hope it’s useful and plenty of inspiration too – I have so many posts to get started on…

I went to San Francisco last winter and loved the Alcatraz tour, definitely one of the best tours I have done. Looks like you had a wonderful trip!

It’s a fascinating spot, isn’t it – I’m not quite sure what I’d expected but in some ways it was quite different.

Oh my! Road Trips are really nice. The closest to home for me is a Malaysian Road Trip and but it doesn’t sport such beautiful coastal scenery! We have never been to the Americas and I wonder when we will make its there. It is really a long long flight away from Singapore. Travelling to Europe is still a lot more feasible! #citytripping

There are some great road trips in Europe too – the Italian coast or some of the mountains would be amazing. But this is fabulous if you ever try the long flight.

I have never done this stretch of road – a reminder that I definitely need to! We were on PCH a little lower this summer between Santa Monica and Malibu and Santa Barbara. Such a beautiful road if you have the time! Thanks for sharing and the Lost Boys reference! Yes! #CityTripping

I’d love to keep travelling further south as well, it would be great to explore a bit more – so much to see! And I do love a good 80s film reference 🙂

Awesome itinerary – how old was your little one if you don’t mind me asking? Thinking this would be something we could do in the future with kids for sure 🙂 #citytripping

Thanks! And she was three, almost four (it was about a month before her birthday) and that worked pretty well – she couldn’t see much from her car seat unfortunately, but was able to amuse herself by this age and join in exploring the coves when we stopped.

I love this trip and did it with my husband, before we had kids, when we lived in California. I would love to do it again with the boys when we are back in The States. It looks like you had a lovely time visiting a beautiful part of the country.

We had a wonderful trip – it is such a gorgeous area, isn’t it, I’d love to go back again as I don’t think I could get tired of exploring and this coast.

Loving this! And reading it with a bit of envy, as this is something far up on the list to show my girls. I lived in SF in my 20’s and had friends and relatives in L.A., and this is one of the most spectacular road trips in the U.S., if not the most. The scenery is sublime, as your photos so well show. I love reading others’ perspectives from a family point of view..definately taking notes for when we do it some day soon. Sounds like you hit up all the right places! #citytripping

Thanks! It really is an incredible stretch of coast, isn’t it – and definitely doable with kids. How fun to relive it with your family one day.

I did a very similar drive many years back before I had kids. I loved San Francisco and Hearst Castle. I would love to bring my boys back here and visit Monterey Bay Aquarium. #CityTripping

Monterey Aquarium is just amazing with kids, would definitely recommend a stop there. I would have loved to stop at Hearst Castle (and some of the vineyards!) but there wasn’t time for it all, so the less child-friendly bits got dropped sadly… Another time.

What a useful itinerary Cathy. I went to San Francisco in my teens and absolutely loved it. I’d love to go back to the US one day…

Thanks! I would love to go back to San Francisco and spend more time there too – a few days only scratches the surface.

Never been to the US, but a road trip on the Pacific Coast is high on my wishlist. Will definitely copy your itinerary when I do, sounds like you had a great time. 😀

It’s amazing – you’d love the photo opportunities! We had such a great time.

What a fantastic road trip. One of my dreams is to hire an RV and drive across the US. We can add a bit of the Califorian coast to that too now!

It was great, especially for a first proper road trip with my daughter – a coast-to-coast one would be amazing, but definitely add this on as well.

I was so engrossed I forgot #citytripping

Excellent! Love that 🙂

This I so wanna do!! Thanks!

I hope you get there!

Wow this sounds spectacular! I would love to do a road trip. Hubby has never been to San Fran so we will be definately going there at some point. I think I may suggest a road trip too! Thanks for hosting – just catching up on comments after the Summer sorry! Xx #citytripping

It was such an amazing stretch of coast – if you’re going to San Francisco, I can highly recommend a bit of a drive along the road, even if you just went as far as Monterey. Thanks again for linking.

Oh wow, this sounds like such a fantastic trip, I’d love to do this one day x

It was such a fantastic way to explore – definitely made me want to do even more family road trips.

Looks fantastic! I am planning for a road trip, after reading this blog I am more excited now. <3

Have a fantastic time! 🙂 It is such a great road trip.

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

last Updated: May 7, 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 , The Ritz Carlton 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

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 .

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! 
• Nicholson House : at the tippy top of my bucket list!

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 and Meritage Resort are both 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 retro hotel and get a mud bath at Dr Wilkinsons Backyard Resort — 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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15 Family Road Trip Ideas from Los Angeles To California

Posted: May 10, 2024 | Last updated: May 10, 2024

California is a paradise for road trip enthusiasts, with endless ways to create memorable experiences. The whole family can enjoy stunning coastal drives and epic national parks. To help make your trip planning easier, we’ve listed 15 road trip ideas from Los Angeles so you and your family can have an unforgettable journey through the Golden State.

Disneyland Resort

Experience the magic of Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, just a short distance from Los Angeles. Enjoy thrilling rides, live entertainment, and beloved Disney characters for a fun-filled day that the whole family will cherish.

Santa Monica Pier

The Santa Monica Pier, an iconic landmark in Southern California, has a rich history and vibrant atmosphere. Opened in 1909, it offers attractions like the Pacific Park amusement park, featuring a Ferris wheel and roller coaster. The pier is also home to shops and street performers, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood is where you can explore thrilling attractions, immersive shows, and behind-the-scenes tours of your favorite blockbuster films. Take advantage of iconic rides like Jurassic World or The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Getty Center

Immerse yourself in art, culture, and architecture at the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Witness stunning exhibitions, lush gardens, and panoramic views of the city skyline. Admission is free, making it affordable and enriching for the whole family.

Griffith Observatory

Griffith Observatory offers a family-friendly experience with panoramic views of Los Angeles, interactive astronomy exhibits, and engaging planetarium shows. It provides educational opportunities for all ages and inspires curiosity and wonder about the universe. With free admission and scenic hiking trails in Griffith Park, it’s an ideal stop for road-tripping families.

La Brea Tar Pits

Step back into the dinosaur age at the La Brea Tar Pits, where you can witness ongoing fossil excavations and learn about prehistoric Los Angeles. Children will enjoy the interactive exhibits and can watch paleontologists at work. Little ones will marvel at life-sized replicas of extinct animals.

Malibu Beach

Visit Malibu Beach on your California road trip for a scenic escape. Enjoy sun-soaked shores, gentle waves for swimming, and golden sands perfect for building sandcastles. Malibu Beach offers a relaxing and memorable experience for the whole family because of its stunning coastal views and opportunities for beach volleyball and picnics. 

Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

Walk through lush gardens, exquisite art collections, and educational exhibitions at the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino. The museum has diverse attractions appealing to all interests. Moreover, it’s an enriching destination for families, offering a glimpse into history and nature.

San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo has over 3000 animals representing more than 650 species. You and the family can learn about diverse habitats, participate in interactive exhibits, and see animal encounters that delight visitors of all ages.

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is a captivating desert wilderness characterized by iconic Joshua trees, towering rock formations, and star-filled skies. Furthermore, it has diverse flora and fauna, which makes it a haven for nature lovers seeking adventure and serenity.

Legoland California Resort

Let your imagination run wild when you visit Legoland California Resort in Carlsbad. You can explore themed rides, interactive attractions, and intricate Lego sculptures here. Kids can also go on thrilling roller coasters and participate in creative building challenges. 

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

The Aerial Tramway in Palm Springs is one of the world’s largest rotating tramcar, ascending 2.5 miles from the desert floor and up to Mount San Jacinto. It offers breathtaking views of the Coachella Valley and access to hiking trails, dining options, and a pristine wilderness playground.

Pacific Coast Highway

Did you know The Pacific Coast Highway, also known as Highway 1, stretches approximately 656 miles along California’s scenic coastline, from Dana Point in the south to Leggett in the north? Stop along the way to explore quaint shops, sample fresh seafood, and capture stunning ocean views.

Catalina Island

Take a ferry to Catalina Island for a day of island adventure and relaxation. Journey through scenic hiking trails, snorkel in crystal-clear waters or enjoy a glass-bottom boat tour to glimpse the island’s vibrant marine life.

Solvang is a charming Danish-inspired village located in California’s Santa Ynez Valley. Founded in 1911 by Danish immigrants, it features picturesque windmills, half-timbered buildings, and cobblestone streets. Known for its Danish pastries, wine-tasting rooms, and boutique shops, Solvang offers a unique blend of Old World charm and California hospitality.

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