This Colorado to California road trip brings you from one major American city to another, with stops at resorts and towns along the way and plenty of things to see and do.
Start in the largest city in the Rocky Mountains and travel west through some amazing terrain on this Colorado to California road trip. The journey is going to include two stops in mountain resort towns that offer stunning scenery, plus several activities to take part in both indoors and out. The trip will also take you through two state capitals that offer plenty of history lessons for visitors.
Stops
1. Denver, CO
2. Park City, UT
3. Salt Lake City, UT
4. Lake Tahoe
5. Sacramento, CA
6. San Francisco, CA
Info at a glance
- A 2-week trip
- Type of route: Nature
- 6 stops along the route
- 1,288 miles of driving
Highlights
- Explore a hip city at the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains.
- Visit two breathtaking mountain resorts.
- See an amazing wonder of the world at the Great Salt Lake.
- Visit the capital of one the most diverse states in the United States.
- Wander through one of the most famous cities in the world.
Getting to the start
This road trip starts in Denver, CO. If you are traveling to Denver from outside of the region, there are direct flights from across the globe to Denver International Airport (DEN). There are also two Amtrak routes that travel from east to west through Denver and they include the California Zephyr and the Southwest Chief. By car, you can drive into Denver on I-70 from the east or west, I-76 from the north or I-25 from the north or south.
When to Visit
Spring, summer, and early fall are the best times to make this trip to avoid having to drive on wintry roads especially in mountain terrain. Because a great deal of this trip will be spent outdoors in a variety of climates it is essential that you pack accordingly. Your packing list should range from shorts and flip-flops all the way up to hiking boots and a very warm coat, as well as items you can layer.
Driving tips
The different types of roads you will drive on during your Colorado to California Road Trip could not be more varied. There will be plenty of time on major interstate highways as you travel through large cities but there will also be plenty of time spent on two- and four-lane highways in somewhat remote areas. During the trip, you will experience speed limits anywhere from 55 miles per hour up to 80 mph, depending on your point in the journey.
What to know about the route
You will begin this 1,288-mile road trip by exploring the metropolitan city of Denver. As you depart Denver you will drive to the west through the northern part of Colorado, the southern part of Wyoming, and then into the northern part of Utah. As you travel you will see amazing desert landscapes surrounded by mountain peaks all around you. As you begin your journey into the Wasatch Mountains you pass by beautiful Park City before traversing down the west side of the Wasatch Range where you will get a glimpse of the stunning Great Salt Lake that sits on the west side of the valley that Salt Lake City calls home. You will then continue westward through Nevada before reaching the high mountain Lake Tahoe area before descending the western side of the Sierra Nevada mountains into the cities of Sacramento and San Francisco. A great vehicle choice for the trip is a large SUV that will fit all your passengers and their gear for the road trip.
Denver, CO
Denver is the capital of Colorado and traces its roots back to the Old West era of the United States. The city’s oldest block is Larimer Square that features several 19th-century buildings. Denver is also a great starting point for many of the skiing and outdoor sports adventures you can find in this part of Colorado.
Points of interest
A unique place to visit when you travel to Denver is the Molly Brown House Museum, which pays homage to this American philanthropist. Red Rocks Amphitheatre is an amazing architectural creation and a truly great place to see a concert. If you have kids along on the trip, the Denver Zoo is a great place to take them for an afternoon.
Sixt Insider Tip
If you have time while you’re in Denver, be sure to take in a concert at the famous Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. Not only is this a magnificent location to behold, surrounded by red rocks and mountains, but the acoustics are second to none for concerts.
From Denver to Park City (498 miles)
This leg of the road trip is going to be one of the longest ones on the trip. As you depart Denver, you’ll head north on I-25 to join up with I-80 in southern Wyoming. This route will take you through towns such as Fort Collins, Colorado, and Laramie, Wyoming, before climbing the eastern slope of the Wasatch Mountains into Park City, Utah.
Park City, UT
Park City sits just to the east of Salt Lake City and has the craggy peaks of the Wasatch mountain range as a backdrop. Park City is home to three fantastic ski resorts that are popular with visitors year-round.
Points of interest
One destination that you won’t want to miss when you visit Park City is the bustling Main Street area. The Park City Museum has historical exhibits about the town as well as guided tours. If wandering in an amazing green space is more your thing, then make the trip to the McPolin Farm Nature Trail.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
Park City has several unique dining options for visitors. For example, you can actually have dinner inside a yurt, which is basically a very large tent, at a place called The Viking Yurt. While you’re here you can enjoy music performed on the baby grand piano that sits in the middle of the yurt.
Sixt Insider Tip
Many people think of outdoor fun in Park City only happening at the ski resorts in the wintertime. But during the spring and summer months, the Park City Alpine Slide lets riders shoot down the mountain on wheeled luge sleds.
From Park City to Salt Lake City (32 miles)
Your trip to your next destination is going to be a rather short one along Highway 224 and I-80 but you’ll get to enjoy some great scenery as you travel just north of Gobblers Knob. As you depart the mountains and head into the basin of Salt Lake City, you’ll get your first views of the Great Salt Lake.
Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City is the capital of Utah and is the largest city in the state. At an elevation of about 4,300 feet, many visitors use the city as a jumping-off point for a variety of outdoor activities available in the mountains that surround Salt Lake City.
Points of interest
One of the most iconic landmarks in Salt Lake City is the Salt Lake Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, sitting in the middle of the city in Temple Square. The Natural History Museum of Utah offers 10 different galleries highlighting various aspects of the region’s nature. Liberty Park offers visitors a large green space that is perfect for walks, bike rides and picnics.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind place to stay during your time in Salt Lake City, look no further than the Dream of Airstream. This is a 1976 airstream camper that has been fully restored with quirky and modern amenities and has a location right in the heart of Salt Lake City.
Sixt Insider Tip
Because the Great Salt Lake is such a focal point of this area, it is important to understand the best way to experience the lake. When you visit the Great Salt Lake Marina, you can rent either a boat or a kayak to go for a cruise on the very shallow waters of the lake. Doing this at sunset is an experience you will never forget.
From Salt Lake City to Lake Tahoe (552 miles)
The trip from Salt Lake City to Lake Tahoe is the other rather long leg of this journey. As you depart Salt Lake City on I-80 W you will get some amazing views of the Great Salt Lake just to your right. You’ll travel west through Nevada until you reach Reno, and then will take I-580 toward Carson City and then Highway 50 to Lake Tahoe. You will spend a lot of time going through rugged desert landscapes dotted with occasional mountain peaks.
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake that sits in the Sierra Nevada mountains and lies on the border between California and Nevada. During the summer people come here for the beaches and swimming, while in the winter there is great skiing in the mountain ranges surrounding the lake.
Points of interest
A great place to visit on your trip to Lake Tahoe is D. L. Bliss State Park. This well-maintained campsite with a great beach sits on the southwestern shore of the lake. This is a fun place to visit whether you are coming for an afternoon or plan on spending a few days.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
A fun place to have a drink in the afternoon in the town of South Lake Tahoe is the Tiki Bar at Beach Retreat and Lodge. This is a very basic bar with a Polynesian feel that sits right on the beach along the shore of Lake Tahoe, and it makes for a great place to view a lake sunset.
Sixt Insider Tip
If you want to see a spectacular view of Lake Tahoe, hop aboard the mountain gondola at Heavenly Resort. This gondola can take you to the observation deck at the top of the mountain where you will get panoramic views of the entire lake plus all the mountains that surround the lake.
From Lake Tahoe to Sacramento (118 miles)
As you leave Lake Tahoe you’ll continue west on Highway 50 through the Sierra Nevada mountains and into the northern end of the San Joaquin Valley. This part of your trip will also take you by the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area that contains Folsom Lake and makes a nice place to stop and take a break during the trip.
Sacramento, CA
Sacramento is the capital of California, and it sits at the confluence of the Sacramento and American rivers. The city has a district called Old Sacramento that gives visitors the feeling of living in town from the Gold Rush era of the Old West including having wooden sidewalks and wagon rides around the town.
Points of interest
An interesting place to visit while you are here is the California State Capitol Museum. The California State Railroad Museum offers visitors a look at antique locomotives as well as fun-filled rides for all ages. If you want to see what pioneer life was like in this area, head to Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park.
Sixt Insider Tip
Although cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco get most of the attention in California for all the entertainment they have to offer, the Midtown Neighborhood in Sacramento is the home to a burgeoning theater and nightlife district that visitors to the city will certainly appreciate.
From Sacramento to San Francisco (88 miles)
On the last leg of your journey, you will make the short drive to the southwest on I-80 to the San Francisco Bay area. You will cross over both Saint Pablo Bay and Suisan Bay. The very last part of your journey will take you across the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge that will give you amazing views of both cities plus the San Francisco Bay.
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco lies on a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay, giving visitors great water views from almost any point in the city. Two of the most prominent peaks in this very hilly city are often called the Twin Peaks made up of Mount Davidson and Mount Sutro.
Points of interest
One of the most iconic landmarks in San Francisco is the Golden Gate Bridge, which connects the northern part of the city to the peninsula across the Golden Gate waterway. The California Academy of Sciences is a museum filled with science exhibits that focus on research of all manner of scientific endeavors. A beautiful outdoor space where you can easily spend an afternoon exploring is the Muir Woods National Monument.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
There are tons of restaurants and food options to explore during your stay in San Francisco. The city is home to one of the oldest Chinatowns in the US, and you’ll still find a thriving community there with authentic restaurants. For some authentic Mexican food or a gigantic burrito, head to the Mission District.
Sixt Insider Tip
Plan ahead and buy tickets to visit Alcatraz Island, which is the home to a former maximum-security prison. You will start your trip by taking a ferry ride across the San Francisco Bay to the island. Once you arrive, there are self-guided tours that will give you an in-depth history of the prison and the island.
