California road trip itineraries, scenic drives, route planning and realistic driving advice.
Plan a realistic seven-day Northern California road trip from San Francisco through Sonoma County, Mendocino and the redwood coast, with smart overnight bases and manageable drive days.
Drive California’s Eastern Sierra in five realistic days from Lone Pine to Mammoth Lakes and Mono Lake, with Alabama Hills, Manzanar, Bishop, seasonal mountain roads and smart overnight bases.
Plan 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach with the best scenic stops, realistic timing, gate information, a route from Pacific Grove to Carmel and advice for families and older travelers.
Drive a realistic seven-day California desert route through Palm Springs, Joshua Tree, Mojave National Preserve and Death Valley with seasonal safety, road checks and sensible overnight bases.
California has dozens of beautiful roads, but some deserve a full day while others work better as part of a larger itinerary. These 10 scenic drives are the ones most worth planning around.
California road trips go wrong less often because of one big problem than because of many small planning errors. These 15 mistakes are the ones that waste the most time, money and energy.
An RV can turn California into one continuous road trip, but it also changes parking, campground reservations, route choice and daily pace. This guide explains what first-time RV travelers should know before booking.
A realistic seven-day Central Coast road trip from Santa Barbara to Monterey, with Solvang, San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, Cambria, Big Sur and Carmel without changing hotels every night.
Plan two realistic days in Big Sur with Bixby Creek Bridge, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, McWay Falls, beaches, short walks, lodging strategy and current Highway 1 road-check advice.
Compare the best Los Angeles day trips by driving effort and payoff: Malibu, Santa Barbara, Catalina Island, Palm Springs, Joshua Tree, Laguna Beach, Pasadena, Ojai, Ventura and Orange County.