Road trips in California offer everything from snow-capped mountain vistas to salt flats and coastal cliffs, all located within one state. The Golden State has 13 distinct ecoregions according to the United States Geological Survey and they’re best explored by car, where a slower pace lets travelers take in the state's unmatched scenery.
These six road trips are more than destinations; they are scenic journeys with panoramic views and sweeping landscapes. Choose the one that best fits your travel style or combine a few for an extended tour through California’s natural treasures.
1. Pacific Coast Highway
- Distance: ~460 miles, starting in San Francisco and driving Highway 1 to Los Angeles
- When to go: Late fall and spring for fewer crowds and fair weather, summer for sunny days and seasonal activities
- What to stop for: Golden Gate Bridge, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Big Sur, Hearst Castle
The most iconic California road trip follows the Pacific Coast Highway, which stretches 655 miles and is the longest route in the state. A coast-hugging drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles covers many of its main attractions and makes for a perfect three- to four-day trip.
The Golden Gate Bridge gives way to sweeping bay views against metropolitan architecture, with opportunities to explore redwood preserves and grab any road trip supplies you may need while in town. In two hours, you’ll reach the Monterey Peninsula, where you can explore the Monterey Bay Aquarium and hike at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.
Stay overnight at the Monterey Beach Hotel or drive two hours further to marvel at the Bixby Bridge and enjoy Big Sur’s rugged coastal curves (check Caltrans for closure updates due to mudslides before your trip). Then, settle into the Ventana Big Sur, an eco-friendly California property steeped in luxury.
The final four- to five-hour stint to LA rewards roadtrippers with the rolling Santa Lucia Mountains and the Mediterranean-inspired town of Santa Monica, perfect for a lunch break. Then pass through the glitzy city of Malibu before arriving in L.A. and settling into a hotel like the Conrad Los Angeles.
2. National Parks Loop
- Distance: ~450 miles, looping Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and Lake Tahoe.
- When to go: Late spring, summer, early fall, to avoid excessive snowfall
- What to stop for: Tioga Pass, General Sherman Tree, Moro Rock, Lake Tahoe
The National Parks Loop offers nonstop adventure for nature lovers and serves as a rewarding family road trip filled with educational stops. Take five to seven days to fully explore national parks and landmarks along the route, since the parks themselves require hours of driving.
Start in Lake Tahoe and explore shorelines like Sand Harbor and Emerald Bay. Next, drive about two and a half hours along California's Highway 395 to reach Highway 120, known as Tioga Pass Road. This leads to Yosemite National Park and the Yosemite Valley Lodge and there are many scenic stops along the hour drive. Take two days to enjoy Yosemite Falls, El Capitan and Tuolumne Meadows.
From here, drive approximately three hours to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks to explore ancient forests and scenic byways. Some of the trees are over 2,000 years old and more than 250 feet tall, forming some of the oldest and grandest forest canopies in the country.
Loop back to Lake Tahoe and reward yourself with a night at the Inn By the Lake, enjoying front-row water views. Keep in mind that Tioga Pass Road is frequently closed when it isn’t plowed. You can drive down the western side of the Sierras into Yosemite as an alternative and make sure to carry tire chains either way.
3. Desert Parks Loop
- Distance: ~320 miles, Joshua Tree National Park to Death Valley National Park
- When to go: Early spring, late fall, to avoid extreme heat
- What to stop for: The Cholla Cactus Garden, Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point, Dante’s View
For California tourist attractions featuring desert landscapes and impressive night skies, the Desert Parks Loop delivers. The trip takes about three to four days to complete comfortably; add more time if you plan to do extensive hiking in the parks.
Start in Joshua Tree, the meeting point of the Colorado and Mojave deserts. Explore the 10-acre Cholla Cactus Garden, a unique desert habitat within the Pinto Basin that features a quarter-mile trail where visitors can walk among dense clusters of cholla cactus. Spend a night in an RV at AutoCamp Joshua Tree for a night of comfortable camping under the stars.
Next, drive five hours to Death Valley’s west entrance and head to Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America. It sits 282 feet below sea level and you can hike across the surreal salt flats early in the morning when temperatures are cooler. Then enjoy a scenic drive through Zabriskie Point, a cluster of colorful badlands, finishing with a sunset at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.
Stay at the Inn at Death Valley, a standout property featuring 1920s architecture, surrounded by lush date palms. Keep in mind that services within the park are limited, so download offline maps, pack water and bring extra snacks in case of a delay.
4. Eastern Sierra Scenic
- Distance: ~135 miles, Highway 395 from Bishop to Lone Pine.
- When to go: Late spring, summer, early fall, for the best weather
- What to stop for: Mono Lake, June Lake Loop, Bodie State Historic Park, Mammoth Lakes, Mt. Whitney.
The whole Eastern Sierra road trip spans 761.8 miles, but the drive from Bishop to Lone Pine along California's Highway 395 shortens the trip without skipping the best views. This inland drive offers alpine scenery and ghost towns and remains among the most peaceful road trips in California. Take three or four days to explore this eastern section of the Sierra Nevada without rushing.
Start in the small town of Bishop and visit local bakeries for delicacies and stop by a few art galleries before getting on the road. Your first stop is Mono Lake, a body of water filled with limestone towers. Next, take a slight detour to the alpine June Lake Loop. The Bodie ghost town is just north of the lakes and offers a glimpse into the state’s gold-rush era.
Head an hour south to Mammoth Lakes and consider an overnight stay at The Village at Mammoth. The next day, your drive takes you into the Owens Valley, the deepest valley in North America, with views of California’s highest mountain peaks.
Before arriving in the town of Lone Pine, take a scenic drive up the Whitney Portal Road, which leads to Mt. Whitney, the tallest peak in the United States. This rugged road trip has fewer fuel stops than others, so make sure to fill up whenever you can and keep emergency supplies in the car.
5. Wine Country to Redwoods
- Distance: ~250–300 miles, Start in the Napa/Sonoma wine country and head north on 101, ending at Eureka.
- When to go: Late spring, summer, early fall, for clear sunny days
- What to stop for: Wine tastings, Avenue of the Giants, Humboldt Redwoods State Park
Northern California road trips trade deserts for lush evergreen forests and wine tourism, perfect for those who want to balance relaxation with exploration. Give yourself three to four days for this road trip so you can enjoy tastings without having to drive afterward.
Start in either Napa Valley or Sonoma, two famed wine regions with rolling hills and endless vineyards. Enjoy a Napa Valley wine trolley tour or a private limo tasting experience through Sonoma for a break before the big drive.
The following morning, head north on Highway 101, visiting lively towns like Healdsburg and Cloverdale before heading to Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Here, you’ll find the Avenue of the Giants, a 31-mile drive winding through ancient redwood growth, especially impressive when fall colors arrive.
Drive an hour further north to visit Eureka, a historic harbor city nestled between the coast and redwood forests. Take a walk along the Eureka boardwalk to sample crabs, oysters and local clam chowder. Drivers can return to wine country or extend their trip by heading further north up Highway 101 into Oregon’s rugged coast.
6. Gold Country Historic Route
- Distance: ~200 miles, Highway 49 from Oakhurst to Nevada City
- When to go: Late spring and early fall to avoid excessive heat and crowds
- What to stop for: Mining ruins, gold-rush towns, historic city centers
This historic route follows Highway 49, the Golden Chain Highway, with lore from the California Gold Rush peppered along the way. Learn about the gold mining towns that rose overnight in 1849 and see their remnants, transporting you over a century back into the past. The trip takes two to three days for even pacing and with plenty of time to dive into history lessons.
The journey begins just south of Yosemite National Park in Oakhurst. Head an hour north to Mariposa, one of the oldest gold-mining towns in the area. The Mariposa Museum & History Center houses hundreds of pioneer artifacts that bring the region's Gold Rush history to life.
Then drive an hour to Jamestown to visit the Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, featuring a working steam train tour for guests. The nearby town of Sonora is home to historic saloons and antique shops, making it a perfect place for a car break.
Three hours further, stop at Columbia State Historic Park to witness a complete recreation of an 1850s mining town and pan for gold —a fun activity for kids. From here, Highway 49 lifts into pine forests toward Colma, home to Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. This is the site of Sutter’s Mill which triggered the California Gold Rush.
Tips for Road Tripping in California
Road tripping through California is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and to make it as safe and enjoyable as possible, follow these tips:
- Book National Parks Early: Campsites and entry sites for parks like Yosemite and Death Valley often require reservations through Recreation.gov, which must be made six months in advance and tend to fill up fast.
- Check Highway 1 (PCH) Conditions: The Big Sur section of the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) is prone to landslides, especially during the rainy season. Always check Caltrans, the California Department of Transportation, for updates before you go.
- Drive North-to-South on the Pacific Coast Highway: For the best coastal views, drive south to access the most scenic pull-offs along the way.
- Factor in "California Traffic Time": Actual travel time can be double what a map estimates during rush hour, especially near major cities. Start early and build in extra time to keep your road trip on track.
- Keep Your Gas Tank Full: Gas stations are rare in Big Sur, Death Valley and the vast Eastern Sierra California's Highway 395. Fill up whenever you see a station to make sure you never run out on the road.
- Know Mountain Road Rules: If traveling in the mountains during winter, carry snow chains and check for chain controls, even if you have four-wheel drive.
FAQ
Here are the most common questions about road tripping across the Golden State to help you best prepare for your adventure.
What is the most scenic drive in California?
One of the most popular and scenic drives in California is the Pacific Coast Highway Route. Visitors specifically enjoy the Big Sur coast for its ocean cliffs and forested surroundings.
What are some hidden gems in California?
For fewer crowds, visit hidden gems like ghost and mining towns in Northern California. These destinations see fewer visitors but provide a glimpse into the state’s past.
What are some good short road trips in California?
For a shorter road trip, drive the 50-mile route from the Sierra foothills into the scenic Highway 180. If you have more time, drive through Mendocino County for coveted wineries and towering redwoods.
How far is San Francisco from LA?
When traveling by car, San Francisco is about 380 miles from Los Angeles. If you drive nonstop in light traffic, the total commute takes about seven hours.
Hit the Road with AAA
Road trips in California are even more enjoyable with an AAA Membership. Membership includes 24/7 roadside assistance, travel concierge support and discounts on hotels and tours.
Book through AAA Travel for seamless trip planning and access to the best accommodations and tours along the way. From budget-friendly stops to luxurious bucket-list experiences, AAA has the insider information you need for an unforgettable California road trip.