road trip: california
⏱︎ Recommended trip duration 18 – 22 days
Last Updated: December 2025
I’m so excited for you to dive into this California road trip guide. I’ll admit—I’m a little biased having grown up in California. With some time in Northern California and most of my life in San Diego I’ve seen quite a bit of what the regions have to offer.
California is one of the largest states in the country (second only to Alaska and Texas) and easily one of the most diverse. From national parks and dramatically different landscapes to some of the most iconic cities in the U.S., no two regions feel the same.
In this guide, I’ve pulled together my favorite stops across the state. You’ll find a mix of California staples along with a few personal, slightly off-the-beaten-path favorites that deserve your attention. The goal of this itinerary is so you’ll experience California in a way that shows the diversity of the state off. Maybe you realize what makes it so unique, so that you keep coming back for more.
Los Angeles (2-3 days)
Ohhhh, L.A. — a city people dream about long before they ever set foot in California. It’s massive, fast-paced, and not always easy to love, especially on a road trip where time and patience matter. To be honest, It’s my least favorite stop on this itinerary, but it’s a must-see if you’ve never been.
This super city is a collection of wildly different neighborhoods stitched together by freeways, culture, and creativity. One moment you’re by the ocean, the next you’re eating some of the best food you’ll find anywhere in the country, surrounded by people from every background imaginable. The diversity is what makes L.A. interesting. Two days is enough to see the highlights and get a real feel for the city if you plan intentionally and keep expectations realistic. Focus on a few areas, expect traffic, and don’t try to chase everything. This isn’t the most relaxing stop on this road trip, but it’s a cultural heavyweight and an essential stop on a California road trip.
San Diego (3 days)
As my hometown, I might be biased, but it’s genuinely the best city in Southern California. The city is effortlessly relaxing. The sunny skies, miles of unique beaches catered to what you’re looking for, and a laid-back energy make it easy to fill your days with a variety of things to do.
Similar to Los Angeles, San Diego is home to many diverse backgrounds and its neighborhoods greatly reflect that. You really have the freedom to choose what vibe you’re going for and plan your stay accordingly. San Diego has it all: two incredible zoos, vibrant food scenes in neighborhoods like Little Italy and North Park, and endless options for outdoor adventure like hiking Torrey Pines, kayaking in La Jolla, or simply soaking up the sun on one of the many beaches. Whether you’re after active days exploring or slow, quiet moments watching the waves, San Diego makes it easy to enjoy your time exactly how you want.
Palm Springs + Joshua Tree (2 days)
Palm Springs and Joshua Tree are often paired together, which makes perfect sense. They’re close in distance but offer two completely different desert experiences. Joshua Tree is adventurous and has a vast, rugged landscape filled with funky trees and larger-than-life boulders. Palm Springs, on the other hand, is all about mid-century architecture, palm-lined streets, pools, and mountain backdrops give it an easy, laid-back energy. It’s the perfect place to recharge, grab a good meal, float in a pool, and enjoy the desert from a completely different angle. Honestly, it makes me feel boujee in the best way.
Like most deserts, timing matters — summer can be brutally hot, so visiting outside peak heat makes all the difference. Together, Joshua Tree and Palm Springs create one of the most unique desert pairings in California — grounding, relaxing, and endlessly special.
Death Valley National Park (1-2 days)
Massive viewpoints, colorful badlands, salt flats, and narrow canyons, Death Valley is more than just a desert. Having a 4WD vehicle opens up even more of the park, especially if you want to explore less-visited areas. Timing matters here more than almost anywhere else. Summer can be dangerously hot. Spring and fall are ideal, with cooler temperatures and better conditions for hiking and exploring.
Death Valley surprises a lot of people, myself included. It’s extreme, dramatic, and way more varied than you’d expect — there’s actually quite a bit to do here. I’d recommend two days to really take it in, though it can be done in one long day if the heat makes staying longer unrealistic. If you can, spending a night camping is absolutely worth it. Death Valley is one of the best places in the U.S. for stargazing, and the night skies alone make the extra time feel justified.
Yosemite National Park (3 days)
Ahhh, Yosemite — there aren’t enough words to describe how much I love this place. It’s one of those destinations that many international travelers haven’t even heard of before visiting the U.S., yet it often ends up being their favorite stop. It never feels like enough time — especially if you love hiking. The park is much larger than most people expect, and while Yosemite Valley gets most of the attention, there’s so much more beyond it worth exploring.
With three days, you can experience a large portion of the park without feeling rushed. Despite what many people think, you don’t have to rely on the shuttle — the valley is surprisingly walkable, and many of the main viewpoints and trails are close together. One day is ideal for the classic stops, waterfalls, and shorter hikes that give you that immediate “wow, I’m really here” feeling. A second day is perfect for higher elevation stops which offer a completely different perspective of the park, often with fewer crowds and bigger views. By the third day, you can immerse yourself in the park with a longer hikes, time by the river, and/or space to explore without constantly checking the time.
Yosemite is incredibly popular, and it rewards travelers who plan ahead and give themselves enough time. Rushing through it usually means traffic, crowds, and stress. Giving yourself three days lets you actually experience the park — and you’ll leave feeling like you truly spent time in one of the most beautiful natural places in the U.S.
Lake Tahoe (1-2 days)
Lake Tahoe is a place so many people absolutely love and the vibe here can change depending on which part of the lake you’re staying at. The lake itself is massive and incredibly clear, surrounded by mountains that make it feel scenic from almost every angle.
Tahoe works well as a flex stop on a California road trip. It’s a good place to slow down, stretch your legs, and enjoy being outdoors without a packed itinerary. In the summer, people come for swimming, paddleboarding, hiking, and beach time and in winter, it’s all about skiing and snow sports. If you’re someone who likes active adventures, Tahoe can easily fill a few days. If not, even a short stop to take in the views and reset before moving on still feels worthwhile.
Lassen Volcanic National Park (1 day)
Lassen Volcanic National Park is easily one of the most underrated national parks I’ve been to. It doesn’t get the attention of so many other parks, but maybe that’s what makes it so special. On a time crunch, you can experience Lassen as a drive-through park or stay a couple days. But even with only one day, this park is really impressive with all of its steaming vents, volcanic landscapes, and lakes all right off the road. Trails here are quiet, varied, and surprisingly dramatic, with bubbling geothermal areas, wildflower meadows, and panoramic views that feel all your own. Lassen is a unique national park that feels untouched and refreshingly uncrowded.
Redwood National + State Parks (1 day)
The Redwoods feel different from most places in California. Walking among the tallest trees in the world has a beautiful way of making everything else feel quieter, slower, and smaller. Although by this point you may have seen plenty of the world’s tallest trees, this part of California is cool, coastal, and often foggy, which only adds to the moody ancient forests. Visiting this region is less about packing your days with activities and more about just wandering through the windy roads and rocky coasts of Northern California.
Expect funky roadside stops, tiny offbeat attractions, and stretches that feel genuinely off the grid. If you’re drawn to places that feel grounding, mysterious, and a little removed from the modern rush, the Redwoods are absolutely worth the detour.
San Francisco (3 days)
San Francisco is one of my favorite cities due to its multitude of things to do. The hills, the fog, the Golden Gate, and the waterfront all make it feel cinematic, and there’s always something new to explore when I visit. Each neighborhood has a completely different personality — the Mission is colorful, artsy, and full of murals; North Beach is historic, cozy, and full of Italian cafés; the Embarcadero and Fisherman’s Wharf are touristy but worth a stroll for the views.
Three days really allows you to wander the city as well as spend time hitting the classics — Golden Gate, Alamo Square, Lombard Street etc. San Francisco also has an incredible food scene — tacos, dim sum, sourdough, seafood — and each neighborhood brings something different to the table. The city isn’t the easiest to get around (hello, hills and traffic), but if you give yourself time and walk a lot, it can be very rewarding. San Francisco has energy, personality, and quirks around every corner, and it’s exactly the kind of city that will leave you coming back for more.
The California Coast (1-2 day)
Driving the California coast is less about where you stop and more about the drive itself. This stretch of road is iconic for a reason — cliffs dropping into the ocean, fog rolling in and out, and views that constantly make you want to pull over. Where you stay is completely up to you, but the experience doesn’t require multiple nights unless you want to slow it way down.
The drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles (and vice versa) takes about 7.5 hours without long stops, and a full day or two at the most is enough to experience it in my opinion. The key is timing: this drive should always be done in daylight. The views are the whole point, and trying to rush it or do it in the dark completely misses the magic.
