There’s something almost spiritual about hitting the open road in California. Perhaps it’s the way the Pacific mist rolls over the coastal highway at dawn, or how the desert sun casts long shadows across the Mojave as you trace the legendary Route 66. In a state where life moves at whatever speed suits your wanderlust, a road trip offers the perfect rhythm – fast enough to chase the horizon, slow enough to soak up every magnificent mile.
California’s highways tell the story of the US itself: from the Mother Road’s promise of prosperity to the Pacific Coast’s siren call of endless summer. These aren’t just drives; they’re journeys through the heart of the American dream, where every mile marker holds a story and every roadside diner serves up a slice of nostalgia with your burger.
With that spirit of adventure in mind, here are our favourite California road trip routes that capture the essence of the Golden State’s most spectacular drives. Buckle up for the ride of a lifetime.
The Classic Route 66 Journey
Route: Needles to Santa Monica Pier
Distance: Approximately 315 miles
Duration: 3-5 days
IDEAL for: History buffs and Americana enthusiasts who relish the romance of the open road. This route offers the perfect blend of nostalgic roadside attractions, authentic diners, and desert landscapes that defined mid-20th century American culture.
The historic Mother Road’s California stretch takes you on a time-warping journey from the Arizona border to the Santa Monica Pier, where Route 66 officially ends.
Starting in Needles, this 315-mile adventure follows the original path that carried countless Dust Bowl migrants and dreamers westward between 1926 and 1984. Your first major stop should be the quirky trading post town of Amboy, home to Roy’s Motel and Café, a restored service station with Googie architecture features that epitomises Route 66’s heyday. The roadside attraction sits like a time capsule in the Mojave Desert, complete with vintage neon signage and that distinctly American roadside aesthetic.
Continue west to Barstow, where Elmer Long’s Bottle Tree Ranch offers a wacky but oddly beautiful display of welded metal ‘trees’ festooned with discarded bottles, vintage toys, and other scraps. It’s a colourful example of the region’s folk art tradition and makes for brilliant Instagram shots.
The route then winds through the Cajon Pass toward San Bernardino, where you’ll find one of Route 66’s most iconic lodging options: the Wigwam Village #7, featuring concrete teepee-shaped rooms that have welcomed road trippers since the 1950s. This is your chance to sleep in authentic roadside Americana.
As you approach Los Angeles, the historic highway cleverly disguises itself among famous streets like Sunset Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard. On New Year’s Day each year, the Tournament of Roses Parade actually follows Route 66’s path down Pasadena’s Colorado Boulevard.
Insider Tip: Download the Route 66 Navigation app for turn-by-turn directions along the original route. Many sections have been incorporated into modern roads, but the app helps you stay true to the historic path. Stop at the California Route 66 Museum in Victorville for fascinating photos, antiques, and vintage cars including a 1917 Model T Ford.
Must-Try Food: Visit the original McDonald’s site in San Bernardino (now a museum), then grab an authentic burger at one of the surviving roadside diners like the Summit Inn, a historic roadside diner at the summit of Cajon Pass.
The Golden Gate To Hollywood Highway
Route: San Francisco to Los Angeles via Highway 101 and Pacific Coast Highway
Distance: Approximately 380 miles
Duration: 4-6 days
IDEAL for: First-time California visitors wanting to experience the state’s greatest hits. Perfect for those who enjoy mixing city culture with natural beauty, wine country, and beachside relaxation.
This classic California road trip connects the state’s two most famous cities while showcasing diverse landscapes from rolling wine country to dramatic coastlines. Whether you hire campervans in San Francisco for the ultimate road trip experience or drive a conventional vehicle, this route offers California’s most varied scenery in one unforgettable journey.
Start with San Francisco’s iconic attractions: drive the winding curves of Lombard Street, walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, and explore Fisherman’s Wharf. From the city, head south on Highway 101 through Silicon Valley to the Santa Cruz Mountains, where towering redwoods create natural cathedrals along the roadside.
In Monterey, visit the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium before continuing to the fairy-tale village of Carmel-by-the-Sea, with its crescent of pale sand giving way to turquoise Pacific waters. The town’s storybook cottages and art galleries make for delightful wandering.
South of Carmel, join Highway 1 for the Big Sur section (see above), then continue through San Simeon, home to the opulent Hearst Castle with its twin towers easily visible from the roadway. Expert-guided tours of the castle grounds and famous Neptune Pool are available for those wanting a closer look.
As you approach Los Angeles, consider a detour through Santa Barbara, often called the ‘American Riviera’ for its Mediterranean-style architecture and beautiful beaches. Finally, arrive in Los Angeles via Malibu, where the Pacific Coast Highway cuts right through this famous beachfront community known for celebrity homes and excellent surf breaks.
Insider Tip: Book accommodation well in advance, especially in Big Sur and Carmel during peak season. Consider breaking the journey with a night in San Luis Obispo, a charming university town with a beautiful Spanish mission and the wonderfully eccentric Madonna Inn.
Must-Try Experience: Take the 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach, stopping at the famous Lone Cypress tree and watching golfers tackle the world-renowned courses. End your journey with fish tacos on the Santa Monica Pier, where Route 66 officially terminates.
The Epic Big Sur Coastal Drive
Route: Ragged Point to Carmel-by-the-Sea
Distance: Approximately 90 miles
Duration: 1-3 days
IDEAL for: Nature lovers and photographers seeking dramatic coastal scenery. This route suits those who appreciate winding mountain roads, pristine beaches, and the raw beauty of California’s rugged coastline.
Big Sur represents California’s most scenic drive, where Highway 1 connects small coastal towns across 90 miles of gorgeous, undeveloped coastline with incredible views of the Pacific Ocean. This isn’t just a drive; it’s an immersive experience through one of America’s most spectacular natural landscapes.
Begin your journey at Ragged Point, known as ‘The Gateway to Big Sur’, where you can hike down to Black Swift Beach with its purple sand and seasonal waterfall. The village offers excellent hiking trails and serves as the perfect introduction to Big Sur’s wild grandeur.
Your next major stop is Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, home to McWay Falls, a slender waterfall that drops directly into a nearly circular turquoise-blue cove – the only major waterfall in California that plunges straight into the Pacific. The half-mile Waterfall Overlook Trail offers flawless views with minimal effort.
The iconic Bixby Bridge, built in 1932, stands as Big Sur’s answer to the Golden Gate Bridge and is probably the most photographed bridge in California. This 279-foot-tall concrete arch connects rocky cliffs and offers spectacular photo opportunities, particularly at sunset.
Continue north to Nepenthe, a rustic bar and restaurant perched atop a rocky headland some thousand feet above the Pacific. Named for the mythical drug that causes one to forget all sorrows, this Big Sur institution serves excellent food with jaw-dropping views.
Insider Tip: Start your drive no later than 7am to avoid afternoon coastal fog and heavy traffic. The road can be narrow and winding, so take your time and only pull off at designated viewpoints. Many trails may be closed due to erosion, so check park websites before travelling.
Must-Try Food: Grab the famous Ambrosia Burger at Nepenthe; it’s a showstopper.
The Desert Explorer’s Loop
Route: Palm Springs to Joshua Tree to Mojave National Preserve
Distance: Approximately 200 miles
Duration: 2-3 days
IDEAL for: Desert enthusiasts and photographers seeking otherworldly landscapes. This route suits adventurous travellers who appreciate stark beauty, unique flora, and the profound silence of California’s desert wilderness.
California’s deserts offer some of the most alien and beautiful landscapes in North America. This circular route explores three distinct desert ecosystems, each with its own character and charm.
Begin in glamorous Palm Springs, where mid-century modern architecture meets desert sophistication. The town’s resort atmosphere and natural hot springs provide the perfect launch pad for desert exploration. Take the aerial tramway up to Mount San Jacinto State Park for panoramic desert views.
Joshua Tree National Park showcases the meeting place of two desert ecosystems: the Mojave and Colorado deserts. The park’s namesake trees create surreal sculptural landscapes, especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset. Don’t miss Skull Rock, the Cholla Cactus Garden, and Keys View for spectacular vistas stretching to Mexico on clear days.
Continue north to Mojave National Preserve, one of the driest places on the planet, featuring Kelso Dunes, the second largest dune system in California, covering 45 square miles and soaring to more than 600 feet. The preserve offers excellent hiking opportunities, including the three-mile round-trip trek to Teutonia Peak.
Insider Tip: Always carry more water than you think you’ll need – desert conditions can be deceptively dangerous. Spring (February-April) offers the best weather and potential wildflower blooms. Summer temperatures can exceed 110°F, making hiking dangerous during midday hours.
Must-Try Experience: Camp under some of the darkest skies in Southern California – Joshua Tree National Park is renowned for stargazing. The desert’s silence and star-filled nights offer a profound contrast to California’s bustling cities.
The Wine Country Wanderer
Route: Napa Valley to Russian River via Sonoma County
Distance: Approximately 80 miles
Duration: 2-4 days
IDEAL for: Wine enthusiasts and gourmands seeking California’s finest vintages and farm-to-table cuisine. Perfect for couples looking for romantic scenery and those who appreciate artisanal craftsmanship.
Northern California’s wine country offers rolling hillsides draped in vineyards, world-class restaurants, and some of America’s finest wines. This leisurely route explores two distinct wine regions, each with its own personality and specialities.
Start in prestigious Napa Valley, where legendary wineries like Castello di Amorosa and Schramsberg offer tours and tastings in stunning settings. The valley floor’s perfectly manicured vineyards create postcard-perfect scenery, while the surrounding hills provide panoramic views.
Drive the scenic Silverado Trail, stopping at boutique wineries and farm stands selling fresh local produce. Consider a hot air balloon ride over the valley for a bird’s-eye view of the vine-covered landscape.
Continue west through the Mayacamas Mountains to Sonoma County, where a more relaxed, less commercialised wine culture prevails. The Russian River Valley specialises in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with many family-owned wineries offering intimate tasting experiences.
Explore charming towns like Healdsburg and Guerneville, where redwood groves provide shade between vineyard visits. The Russian River itself offers canoeing and swimming opportunities during warmer months.
Insider Tip: Book winery visits in advance, especially during harvest season (August-October). Designate a driver or consider hiring a private tour service. Many wineries require appointments and charge tasting fees that are often waived with purchases.
Must-Try Experience: Dine at one of Napa’s Michelin-starred restaurants like The French Laundry (if you can get a reservation) or explore Sonoma’s farm-to-table scene at more casual establishments like Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant.
The Bottom Line
California’s highways offer more than transportation – they provide transformation. Whether you’re tracing Route 66’s historic path through desert landscapes, hugging the dramatic coastline of Big Sur, or meandering through world-famous wine country, each mile reveals new facets of the Golden State’s extraordinary diversity.
These routes represent starting points for your own California adventure. The beauty lies not just in the destinations, but in the freedom to stop wherever curiosity strikes – perhaps at a roadside fruit stand, a hidden beach access, or a vintage neon sign that captures the perfect light. California’s roads invite spontaneity while rewarding preparation, offering experiences that linger long after you’ve returned the rental car keys.
The key to any great California road trip is allowing enough time to truly absorb the landscapes, cultures, and experiences that make each region unique. Whether you’re seeking Instagram-worthy scenery, historical significance, or simply the therapeutic rhythm of miles rolling beneath your wheels, California’s highways deliver memories that define the very essence of the American road trip dream.
And if you do get sick of the road, why not stop in Sacramento for 48 hours? It’s a city with so much to reveal about itself.
