10 California Road Trip Ideas For Every Adventurer
California is a road tripper’s paradise, offering everything from dramatic coastlines and redwood forests to desert landscapes and iconic cities. If you’re looking for inspiration, these 10 California road trip ideas will help you plan an unforgettable adventure. Whether you want a quick weekend getaway or a two-week journey, there’s a route here for you.
1) Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip
One of the most classic California coast road trip ideas, the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) takes you from Southern California all the way up the rugged coastline to Northern California. Highlights include Malibu, Big Sur, Monterey, Santa Cruz, and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. If you plan to explore further up into northern California, and visit states like Oregon and Washington, then see a complete guide to the best stops on a Pacific Coast highway road trip.
- Highlights: Epic ocean views, charming beach towns, and endless photo opportunities.
- Ideal Trip Length: 4-7 days
2) Northern California Redwoods Adventure
For a journey through towering trees and misty landscapes, this is one of the most unique California road trip ideas. Start in San Francisco, then drive north to Mendocino, Humboldt Redwoods State Park, and Redwood National and State Parks.
- Highlights: Avenue of the Giants and Fern Canyon, some of the best places to see Redwoods in California.
- Ideal Trip Length: 3-4 days.
3) California Desert Road Trip
If you love otherworldly landscapes, put a desert adventure on your list of 10 California road trip ideas. Begin in Palm Springs, drive through Joshua Tree National Park, and finish in Death Valley.
- Must see: Joshua Tree’s boulders, Badwater Basin, and spring wildflowers in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
- Ideal Trip Length: 4–6 days
4) Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada Loop
This route takes you into the heart of the High Sierra and is a must for any list of California road trip ideas. Explore Yosemite National Park, then head to Mammoth Lakes, Lake Tahoe, and finish in Sacramento or San Francisco.
- Highlights: Amazing park views, and diverse landscapes.
- Ideal Trip Length: 5-7 days
- Tip: Book Yosemite lodging early, especially in summer.
5) Central Coast Wine Country Tour
Wine lovers will appreciate this delicious entry on our 10 California road trip ideas list. Start in Santa Barbara, visit the Santa Ynez Valley, explore Paso Robles, and end your trip in San Luis Obispo.
- Highlights: Winery tours, vineyard picnics, and the charming town of Solvang.
- Ideal Trip Length: 3-4 days
6) Southern California Beaches Escape
For sun and sand, the Southern California coast is essential when considering California road trip ideas. Drive from San Diego through Orange County, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, and finish in Santa Monica or Malibu.
- Highlights: Surf spots, pier strolls, and oceanfront dining.
- Ideal Trip Length: 3–5 days
7) Gold Country And Lake Tahoe Route
Discover history and natural beauty on this California road trip idea. Start in Sacramento, follow Highway 49 through Gold Rush towns, and continue to Lake Tahoe for mountain vistas and lake activities. Lake Tahoe is where you’ll want to spend most of your time in due to all the fun activities you can do there.
- Highlights: Old mining towns like Nevada City and Placerville, plus the crystal-clear waters of Tahoe.
- Ideal Trip Length: 4–7 days
8) Highway 395 Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway
For a quieter, awe inspiring drive, I recommend driving through Highway 395 as it is in my opinion one of the best kept secrets among road trip ideas in Cali. See Mono Lake, Mammoth Lakes, ancient bristlecone pines, and even detour to Bodie Ghost Town. The Sierra Nevada Mountains are a sight to behold, especially by car.
- Highlights: Hiking, hot springs, and endless mountain views.
- Ideal Trip Length: 4–6 days
9) Los Angeles to San Francisco via the Inland Route
This inland journey deserves a spot on any list of California road trip ideas. Start in LA, head north through Bakersfield and Fresno, stop at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and finish in San Francisco.
- Highlights: Giant sequoias, farm-fresh food, and less crowded roads.
- Ideal Trip Length: 4–5 days
10) California National Parks Grand Tour
If you want to see as much variety as possible, this is the ultimate pick among 10 California road trip ideas. Plan a loop that hits Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Joshua Tree, Channel Islands, Death Valley, and Lassen Volcanic National Park.
- Highlights: Visit as many national parks as you can in one trip! Obviously you’ll need to plan for at least a week long trip to do this, and 2 weeks or longer if you want to visit all of the above places.
- Ideal Trip Length: 10-14 days
Personal Travel Tips:
-
Plan ahead: Some roads (like Tioga Pass) close in winter (check before going).
-
Book early: Especially for national park lodges and popular coastal towns!
-
Mix it up: Combine a couple of these California road trip ideas to create your dream adventure.
