California is an incredibly diverse state. With mountains, beaches, redwood forests, and cities with a melting pot of different cultures, you’ll want to explore as much as possible. To that end, a road trip in California is the best way to see everything the state has to offer at your own pace. Whether you’re looking for a city destination, a beach getaway or a weekend in the mountains, California truly has it all. So how will you choose a road trip route in this massive state? Here’s a list of the 10 best road trips to take in California.
- Pacific Coast Highway
- Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway
- Route 66
- Avenue of the Giants
- Rim of the World Scenic Byway
- The Desert Drive
- Northern California Wine Country
- The National Parks
- The Mission Trail
- Gold Country (Highway 49)
- Other road trips from California
1. Pacific Coast Highway
This is probably the most famous road trip in California. The Pacific Coast Highway, or Highway 1, stretches 656 miles down the entire coast of California. Start in southern California and give yourself a couple of weeks to leisurely make your way to the northern tip. Along the way, you’ll be treated to incredible views of the Pacific coastline as well as some of California’s most popular city destinations.
SIXT Pro Tip:
Highway 1 ends in Leggett, California, so you can either end your trip here or continue along Highway 101 further up the coast into Oregon.
SIXT Travel Facts:
DISTANCE FROM LOS ANGELES: 35 miles; a 45-minute drive
TOLLS: There are no tolls along this route.
2. Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway
This road trip in California is the mountain version of the Pacific Coast Highway. Following the Sierra Nevada Mountains from Lone Pine to South Lake Tahoe, Highway 395 is one of the best trips to take in California if you want to see mountain scenery. This 232-mile road trip will take you through historic gold mining towns, ancient forests and past other historical sites.
SIXT Pro Tip:
Lone Pine is right between Sequoia National Park and Death Valley National Park, so give yourself enough time at the beginning of your trip to explore the national parks and the surrounding areas.
SIXT Travel Facts:
DISTANCE FROM LOS ANGELES: 214 miles; a 3.5-hour drive
TOLLS: There are no tolls along this route.
3. Route 66
That’s right, the famous Route 66 ends in Santa Monica, so you can hop on here and head as far east as you’d like. The California portion of Route 66 will take you from Santa Monica into Pasadena before plunging you into the San Bernardino National Forest. When you come out the other side you’ll head through historic towns like Daggett and then on through the Mojave Desert. You can choose to end your route here or keep going into Arizona and beyond.
SIXT Pro Tip:
You’ll want to make this a leisurely road trip. There are tons of diners, motels and vintage relics that you’ll want to explore along the California portion of Route 66.
SIXT Travel Facts:
DISTANCE FROM LOS ANGELES: 13 miles; a 20-minute drive.
TOLLS: There are no tolls along this route.
4. Avenue of the Giants
This 32-mile road trip will take you through some of the most majestic scenery in Northern California. It might be a fairly short stretch of road, but take your time and be sure to get out of the car so you can gaze in awe at the massive redwood trees rising up around you. You’ll also encounter many small towns along the way, so take some time to stop and explore.
SIXT Pro Tip:
You’ll want to visit the California Federation of Women’s Club Groves, where you’ll find a unique fireplace designed by famous architect Julia Morgan.
SIXT Travel Facts:
DISTANCE FROM LOS ANGELES: 602 miles; 9.5-hour drive
TOLLS: There is a toll on I-580 W. The toll rate varies depending on the amount of traffic during the time you’re using the road.
5. Rim of the World Scenic Byway
This 117-mile scenic byway twists and turns in and around the San Bernardino Mountains in southern California. Starting in Los Angeles, you’ll travel inland towards the town of Big Bear Lake, passing other small towns along the way. You’ll be in awe at the panoramic views of the mountains during the entire trip.
SIXT Pro Tip:
Big Bear Lake might be the highlight of this trip, but you’ll want to make a few stops at some key viewpoints along the way. Make sure Silverwood Lake Overlook, Lake Arrowhead, and Keller Peak Fire Lookout are all on your list of pit stops to make during the drive.
SIXT Travel Facts:
DISTANCE FROM LOS ANGELES: 91 miles; a 2-hour drive
TOLLS: There are no tolls along this route.
6. The Desert Drive
This 290-mile road trip goes all the way from sunny San Diego to Joshua Tree National Park. This is one of the best ways to enjoy California’s desert landscape. You’ll pass through meadows of wildflowers, incredible rock formations, canyons, cactus forests, and more. You can explore the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the city of Palm Springs, and Salvation Mountain before heading to Joshua Tree.
SIXT Pro Tip:
It may not be the most scenic portion of the trip, but the Salton Sea is worth a visit as it’s one of the world’s biggest inland seas. It’s also drying up pretty quickly, making it a unique sight to see.
SIXT Travel Facts:
DISTANCE FROM LOS ANGELES: 124 miles; a 2-hour drive
TOLLS: CA-73 S is a toll road. Cars can expect to pay a little less than $10.
7. Northern California Wine Country
Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley are must-visits when it comes to Northern California. Starting and ending in San Francisco, this road trip will take you in a loop around some of California’s, and the country’s, best vineyards and wineries. Attend all the wine tasting your heart desires and sample the local delicacies that are paired with the wines.
SIXT Pro Tip:
Along the way you may want to stop and check out Vichy Springs, a hot springs resort located conveniently along the route.
SIXT Travel Facts:
DISTANCE FROM SAN FRANCISCO: 386 miles; 6-hour drive
TOLLS: A portion of I-80 W is a toll road. Cars will pay about $6.
8. The National Parks
California is home to Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon national parks – each worth a visit in its own right. Take a road trip to hit all three, tucked within the Sierra Nevada Mountains. You’ll follow scenic roads in between the parks, taking you by some of the most majestic waterfalls you’ll ever see, as well as mountain peaks and giant redwood trees.
SIXT Pro Tip:
Be sure not to miss the stretch of road that is Kings Canyon Scenic Byway that’ll take you to Cedar Grove – it’s one of the most beautiful parts of this road trip.
SIXT Travel Facts:
DISTANCE FROM LOS ANGELES: 207 miles; 4-hour drive
TOLLS: Generals Highway is a toll road. Tolls can vary. You will also need to pay an entry to fee per car to get into the parks.
9. The California Missions Trail (El Camino Real)
This road trip will take you along the same path the Spanish explorers took after first stepping foot in present-day California. You’ll encounter a large number of California’s original missions, along with diners and cozy inns. There are 21 missions to visit in total, so take your time driving along the trail so you can explore each one in as much detail as you’d like.
SIXT Pro Tip:
The missions are all located a day’s ride on horseback away from each other, so now it’s fairly easy to drive the whole route in about a week.
SIXT Travel Facts:
DISTANCE FROM LOS ANGELES: 80 miles; 1.5-hour drive
TOLLS: There are no tolls along this route.
10. Gold Country (Highway 49)
Named after the “49ers” who came to California during the 1849 Gold Rush, this road trip will take you through a historic gold mining area. You’ll learn a lot about the state’s mining history and culture and get to explore some of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, as well. Starting in Oakhurst and ending in Chilcoot-Vinton, this 295-mile road trip takes you through Tahoe National Forest, Columbia State Historic Park, and more.
SIXT Pro Tip:
Try your hand at mining at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, one of the main attractions on this California road trip.
SIXT Travel Facts:
DISTANCE FROM LOS ANGELES: 268 miles; 4.5-hour drive
TOLLS: There are no tolls along this route.
11. Other road trips from California
