The 10 best California road trips

There’s a reason why California is the home of stars and the topic of countless songs: there’s nowhere in the world quite like it. From beach towns to wild ancient forests to striking deserts, a road trip around California is bound to impress. Rent a car, pick your route and make your California road trip dreams come true.

Start: Nevada City
Suggested stops: Empire Mine State Historic Park and Columbia State Historic Park
End: Sonora
Distance: 207 km

Travel back in time with a road trip along the Golden Chain. Explore the roots of the wild west, where hundreds of thousands of people flocked in the 1800s to mine for gold – and changed California forever. Travel from Nevada City to Sonora along Highway 49 (which some call the Golden Chain) to find gold rush landmarks and scenic views of the Sierra Nevada foothills. Be sure to stop in at the Empire Mine State Historic Park for a mineyard tour and visit the Columbia State Historic Park to experience a gold rush-era town.

Stay in a cabin at the Lazy Z Resort just half an hour’s drive from Columbia State Park to enjoy rustic decor, as well as an outdoor swimming pool and barbecue facilities.

Start: Santa Rosa
Suggested stops: Sonoma, Napa and Calistoga
End: Geyserville
Distance: 140 km

California’s famous sunshine also makes it a hot spot for world-class wine. To taste the best of the state, pick a designated driver and plan a road trip through the heart of wine country: Sonoma and Napa Valleys. Start in Santa Rosa, head down to Sonoma, then make your way over to Napa and up to Geyserville. You’ll find plenty of sips to sample, as well as parks, museums and Californian history along the way. While you won’t need long to drive the route, plan some overnight stays so you can taste responsibly.

The Setting Inn in Napa Valley is a 100-year-old bed and breakfast featuring cosy countryside comfort. There are several vineyards just a short bike away, so you can swap your car for two wheels and spend a day exploring.

Start: Fresno
Suggested stops: Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Park
End: Visalia
Distance: 516 km

There’s stunning natural beauty throughout California, but it’s hard to beat the awe-inspiring experiences of the national parks. For some bonus nature in a memorable setting, check out the Forestiere Underground Gardens in Fresno. Then hit the road to Yosemite National Park, where you can catch majestic views and hikes for every experience level. Backtrack south towards Visalia, making stops in Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks to see unique wildlife and groves of towering ancient trees – including General Sherman, the world’s largest living tree.

Located near the south gate of Yosemite, the Apple Belle Cabin Mountain Escape is a three-bedroom holiday home in the middle of the forest. With plenty of space for family and friends, it’s the perfect spot to rest after a long day of driving or hiking.

Start: San Francisco
Suggested stops: Point Reyes National Seashore, Bodega Bay and Point Arena
End: Crescent City
Distance: 645 km

The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) along Highway 1 is one of California’s most famous drives, but the section north of San Francisco is filled with under-discovered gems. Start your north coast journey in iconic San Francisco, where you pay a visit to famous sites like Fisherman’s Wharf and Alcatraz before continuing onwards. There are countless seaside stops to make: visit historic lighthouses, wander charming towns, grab a fresh seafood feast and watch the sunset over the Pacific.

For the perfect balance of local history and wild ocean views, stay at the Point Arena Lighthouse. These unique cabins are part of the former lighthouse keeper’s quarters and include entry and private tours of the lighthouse.

Start: Santa Monica
Suggested stops: Los Angeles, Pasadena
End: Barstow
Distance: 214 km

Before it became a pop culture icon, Route 66 was the entryway to the West – and it’s still one of the best ways to experience California. Start your adventure on the coast in laid-back Santa Monica before stopping in Los Angeles. Whether you want to see the handprints of the stars at TCL Chinese Theatre, take a picnic to the Hollywood Bowl or dive deep into the city’s eclectic food scene, LA has endless entertainment for all. Continue along the highway all the way to Barstow, a small city that’s home to the Route 66 ‘Mother Road’ Museum and a great jumping-off point to explore the Mojave National Preserve.

Get a taste of life in LA’s Beverly Hills at AKA Beverly Hills, a boutique hotel with panoramic views within walking distance of the famous Rodeo Drive.

Start: San Francisco
Suggested stops: Big Sur, Solvang and Los Angeles
End: San Diego
Distance: 1005 km

The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) just might be the ultimate way to road trip California. San Francisco is a great spot to start your journey – grab lunch in Chinatown and then check out Golden Gate Park before heading south. Take in viewpoints along Big Sur, a stretch of the PCH considered to be one of the most beautiful drives in the world. For a quirkier stop, visit Solvang, dubbed ‘the Danish Capital of America’ for its blend of Danish and Californian cultures. The PCH also provides the perfect route to stop by star-studded LA before ending your trip in relaxing San Diego.

Enjoy your own little slice of oceanfront Americana at the Moonlight Beach Motel in Encinitas, a surf town just outside of San Diego.

Start: Los Angeles
Suggested stops: Red Rock Canyon State Park, Trona Pinnacles and Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
End: Furnace Creek (Death Valley)
Distance: 465 km

Take a road trip to see sprawling deserts and otherworldly landscapes. Launch from LA to get in all the glitzy city sights before heading east. Make a stop at Red Rock Canyon State Park to see rust-hued rock formations and catch a spectacular sunrise or sunset. There are plenty of sights to see along the way but give yourself plenty of time to explore Death Valley National Park. Death Valley is over 3 million acres of desert wilderness with sweeping views and incredible star gazing – to get the full picture, go to the Visitor Centre in Furnace Creek.

A stay at the Grand Pine Cabins is well worth the detour on the drive between LA and Red Rock Canyon State Park. The cabins have plenty of activities for the whole family and their playful design will make you feel like you’re at the chicest summer camp ever.

Start: San Diego
Suggested stops: Carlsbad, Borrego Springs and Salvation Mountain
End: Palm Springs
Distance: 442 km

Adventure through Southern California (or SoCal, to some locals) to experience both laid-back beach towns and desert oases. Start your trip in San Diego and head north, stopping along the way to take in the ocean views – be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the seals and sea lion colonies that sun themselves along the coastline. From Carlsbad, head inwards and visit Borrego Springs for stargazing and fantastical roadside art. End your journey in Palm Springs, a verdant oasis with plenty of pools to lounge beside after your long journey.

If you want to live it up in Palm Springs, splurge on a stay at this Midcentury Cool home. With mountain views, a barbecue, a pool and space for friends and family, you’ve got everything you need to unwind.

Start: San Bernardino
Suggested stops: Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake
End: Yucca Valley
Distance: 182 km

You don’t need a long trip to see the diversity of California’s natural beauty. It’s only an hour’s drive from San Bernardino to Yucca Valley, just outside of Joshua Tree – but it’s worth taking a few detours to get there. Head to Lake Arrowhead in the San Bernardino Mountains first for a quaint getaway that’s gorgeous at any time of the year. Continue through the mountains to Big Bear Mountain, a haven for outdoor recreation from skiing to mountain biking. End your road trip with a visit to Joshua Tree National Park, the place where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet.

Sleep in the rustic 018 - Bearly Home, a well-equipped log cabin that’s perfect for a cosy mountain escape.

Start: Kingsburg
Suggested stops: Orange Cove and Fresno
End: Clovis
Distance: 104 km

Fresno County is one of the biggest agricultural producers in the USA, which means it’s the place to taste delicious fresh produce and take in views of rolling green farmland. Start your tour in Kingsburg, a town dubbed ‘Little Sweden’ due to the influence of Swedish immigrants and the perfect spot to sample local berries. Visit Orange Cove to see their Orange Blossom Trail and eat fresh citrus fruits or pay a visit to Fresno, the area’s major city. End your tour in Clovis, a former frontier town that still boasts a thriving historic district.

The Sonesta ES Suites Fresno are a central point to explore the region – use it as a hub to explore the nearby towns and farms, before coming back and relaxing by their outdoor pool.