Road trips are not just exciting but also offer a unique experience full of adventure and thrill. California, the state driven by technology and innovation, is also one of the best states for an ultimate road trip experience. Whether you live here or are visiting nearby, hitting the road will feel like a rollercoaster journey.
Let us start with a thought: What will be the experience of a road trip in California?
You will be passing through multiple landscapes and dimensions. You start from the city, packed in chaos and hustle, and next, you are coastal and carefree. The journey proceeds to be much quieter and more reflective in the mountains, and then you are back in the buzz of a city that never really slows down.
With just surprises and fun, we have the best California road trip plans you can sign up for. This is not just a guide on where to plan, but also on how to plan, what to take, where to stop, and how to experience this road trip at its best.
California Road Trip Maps for an Exciting Journey
From long highways, coastlines, and mountain passes, you will find it all in one state—California. Now, it's you who has to set the mood and plan which routes excite you the most. You want to trace the Pacific Ocean, climb into the Sierra Nevada, or cross wide-open desert highways; every route will make it unforgettable.
Start From San Francisco to Big Sur
- Route: Highway 1
- Distance:150 miles
San Francisco is a dramatic city, offering the perfect start for your California road trip. Pick up your car, cross the Golden Gate Bridge, and head south along Highway 1. This is one of the most scenic California coastal drive itineraries. You will see the city fade in the distance and the fog that hovers. Witness the cliff rise and follow the ocean stretch that seems endless.
The moment you see redwoods and the rugged coastline, you are in Big Sur. The peace of this city is something you won’t find in San Francisco.
What to Drive?
The highway 1 road trip itinerary will be a postcard experience. You can get a car on rent, preferring something convertible or a sporty coupe. A Mustang, Camaro, or even a Mazda Miata lets you soak in the ocean air and sweeping curves.
Big Sur to Santa Barbara Coastal Drive on Highway 1
- Route: Highway 1 / US-101
- Distance: 240 miles
Moving to Santa Barbara is like moving from one coastal city to another, but into a completely different cityscape. While Big Sur is raw and dramatic, Santa Barbara will let you soak in sun-kissed, soft sandy beaches and gentle ocean views.
Take Highway 1, passing through San Simeon, Morro Bay, and Pismo Beach, and you will reach Santa Barbara in 5 to 6 hours, a long journey but serene. Another route for this California travel itinerary is Highway 101, passing through Salinas and Paso Robles, which will take 4 to 5 hours approximately. The route has vineyards, rolling hills, and oak-studded valleys.
What to Drive?
Go for a comfortable sedan or luxury SUV. It is a long journey; therefore, look for a Lexus ES, BMW 5 Series, or Audi Q5 when it comes to car rentals for self-driving.
Santa Barbara to Joshua Tree National Park Road Trip
- Route: US-101 - I-10
- Distance: 230 miles
It’s time to say goodbye to the coast and the beaches and be around the wilderness. The I-10 East is the most preferred route, where you will pass en route to Palm Springs. It is faster with highway connectivity, but feels monotonous.
Alternatively, you can take Highway 246/33/247, passing through Lompoc, the Santa Ynez Valley, Route 33/247, and finally Joshua Tree. The vineyards, rolling hills, and San Bernardino Mountains make an alternate option for California scenic drives.
What to Drive?
The best car to rent for this stretch is an SUV or a crossover with good clearance. Something like a Toyota RAV4, Subaru Outback, or Jeep Grand Cherokee handles desert roads and park terrain.
From Joshua Tree to Los Angeles Drive
- Route: I-10
- Distance: 140 miles
Leave the wild nature behind and get ready for a city that is happening and lively. Los Angeles is one of the most entertaining cities in California, where you will find beaches, the entertainment industry, mountains, and sunshine.
So, when you start with the drive, you can either take Interstate 10 West or CA-62 / CA-247 / I-15 / I-10. Interstate 10 West is the main route, with mostly highways to reach quickly. It takes around 2 hours and 40 minutes, but be ready for freeway traffic near LA.
Taking the CA-62 / CA-247 / I-15 / I-10 route, you will pass through the Yucca Valley, Lucerne Valley, San Bernardino, and finally Los Angeles. While the route is scenic with desert and mountain towns, the pace will be slow with a few stops.
What to Drive?
Traffic is real in Los Angeles, which makes a Toyota Prius, Tesla Model 3, or compact sedan the best car to rent. It is convenient for parking and saves fuel while crawling through iconic congestion.
Where to Start and End: Airports in California
Why this California road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles works for the starting and ending cities. Both San Francisco and Los Angeles are well-connected to other cities in the USA. New York, Atlanta, Denver, or Houston, there is an active network of Flights to San Francisco International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport.
While this is just an idea to help you plan the California Road Trip, you can add more places to the route, such as Yosemite National Park, Napa Valley, Sacramento, Lake Tahoe, Monterey, and the list goes on. Just make sure you start and end at some popular cities where there is good flight connectivity.
You can create the best California road trips by theme:
- Coastal Drive: San Francisco - Monterey - Big Sur - Santa Barbara - Malibu - Los Angeles - San Diego
- Wine & Mountains: Napa - Sonoma - Lake Tahoe - Yosemite
- Desert Adventure: Palm Springs - Joshua Tree - Death Valley - Las Vegas (if you want to extend out-of-state)
- Northern California travel itinerary: Eureka - Mendocino - San Francisco - Napa - Lake Tahoe
So, pack your bags, get your license, and get ready to hit the road, passing through the most serene and diverse landscape of California.
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