The 10 best California road trips

There’s a reason California is home to the stars and the topic of countless songs – there’s nowhere in the world quite like it. From beach towns to 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: 129 mi

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 mine yard 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, an outdoor swimming pool, and barbecue facilities.

Start: Santa Rosa

Suggested stops: Sonoma, Napa, and Calistoga

End: Geyserville

Distance: 87 mi

California’s famous sunshine 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 California 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 cozy countryside comfort. Several vineyards are just a short bike ride 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: 320 mi

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 toward 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 vacation 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: 400 mi

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 and pay a visit to famous sites like Fisherman’s Wharf and Alcatraz before continuing on. 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: 133 mi

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, picnic at 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: 624 mi

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 check out Golden Gate Park before heading south. Take in views 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: 289 mi

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 Center 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: 275 mi

Adventure through Southern California to experience 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 inward and visit Borrego Springs for stargazing and creative roadside art. End your journey in Palm Springs, an 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: 113 mi

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 for a quaint getaway that’s gorgeous any time of 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 perfect for a cozy mountain escape.

Start: Kingsburg

Suggested stops: Orange Cove and Fresno

End: Clovis

Distance: 65 mi

Fresno County is one of the biggest agricultural producers in the US, 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 is 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 the outdoor pool.