The Perfect California Road Trip Itinerary!
If cabin fever has set in and you're looking to get away for awhile, then consider doing a road trip. And nothing screams “road trip” quite like California! It has long winding highways, rugged coastlines, spectacular natural beauty, and almost-perfect weather year-round. So read on for some tips on how to have an epic but safe road trip in the Golden State.
Los Angeles
(2-5 Days)
Pack your bag, you’re going to Hollywood, baby!!! I recommend kicking off your adventure in Los Angeles and starting with a hike to the iconic Hollywood Sign. You’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the City of Angels. You can also hike to the Griffith Observatory to take a photo of the sign from there. And of course, you CANNOT visit Hollywood without taking a stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Hollywood Blvd. If you’re lucky, you might bump into a star or two!
If you’re a foodie, then exploring Downtown LA (DTLA) is not to be missed. You’ll find amazing restaurants and cafes there. Also, make sure to check out the Walt Disney Concert Hall by Frank Gehry in DTLA. Top off your trip with a visit to Venice Beach. There you’ll find everything from hippies, to gym rats working out along muscle-beach.
If you’re eager to capture some sick photos for the ‘gram - Los Angeles has no shortage of fun walls, artsy cafes, and iconic sites. Here’s a nice article that lists out Los Angeles’s most instrammable spots - including maps for your ease!
Honestly, there’s so much to see and do in Los Angeles you might find yourself staying longer or coming back for a future visit!
Palm Springs
(1-2 Days)
After a couple of days of taking in all the dizzying sights and sounds of LA, it's time to head out to Palm Springs which is about an hour and a half from LA. It's a little slice of heaven in the desert and you could laze your days away by the pool with a cocktail in hand.
One of the best Palm Springs hotels with pools is Infusion Beach Club by OYO. It's also considered one of the best budget hotels in Palm Springs and is close to shopping and restaurants and to the Palm Springs Air Museum. In case you aren’t familiar with OYO, they are a chain of affordable hotels with locations all across the US (and globe) - I highly recommend checking them out when searching for convenient, comfy hotels (at a great price)!
If you do decide to drag yourself away from the pool (it will be soooo hard!), then you can tee off at one of the many 100+ golf courses in Palm Springs which are open. Just make sure to check in advance with the golf clubs about their coronavirus policies and guidelines.
If you’re a fan of old Hollywood, then drive through the old neighborhoods and take in the classic architecture of homes that used to belong to celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis Presley.
Bonus tip: The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway— has the world's largest rotating tramcar which unfortunately is closed right now due to the Coronavirus. But if you do manage to make it to Palm Springs when the tram car reopens, then I highly recommend that you hop on for a ride! In just 10 mins, you´ll go from desert to mountain and you can explore the wilderness of Mt. San Jacinto State Park for some pretty epic hikes or perfect selfie opps.
Joshua Tree
(2-3 Days)
Less than an hour’s drive from Palm Springs, is Joshua Tree, a quirky desert town known for the thousands of Joshua trees dotted across the vast landscape. I spent the weekend there this summer, and had so much fun! Some of my trip highlights included:
A visit to Cholla Gardens, which is a cactus farm. The best time to go is at sunset and once the sun goes down, you´ll get to see billions of stars lighting up the night sky. It's absolutely stunning!
A full day of hiking and exploring among the thousands of trees. Some of the things you shouldn’t miss include: Ryan Mountain Trail, Hidden Valley Nature Trail, Split Rock Loop, Arch Rock, Skull Rock, Barker Dam Nature Trail, and Lost Palms Oasis
Keys View – a lookout point with sweeping views at 5,000 feet elevation!
Pioneer Town. It looks like an old west town straight out of a cowboy film, and that’s because it actually is! Back in the 40s and 50s, it used to be a movie set for films and TV shows.
Yosemite
(1-3 Days)
Next stop is Yosemite, a nature lovers' dream! It’s also one of the most popular parks in the United States so expect some large crowds. The most famous landmarks are the El Capitan and Half Dome summits but another top pick is Yosemite Falls which at 2,425 feet, is the highest waterfall in North America.
For sweeping views of El Capitan and Half Dome, check out Glacier Point especially at sunset or sunrise, or the Tunnel Viewpoint (prepare to be blown away). And if you’re up for some hiking, then put on your walking shoes and try the Tuolumne Meadows, the Mirror Lake Trail, or the Nevada Falls trail. Make sure to check ahead as some trails are only open seasonally.
While you're in the park, don’t forget to social distance, not only from humans but from wild animals too, especially bears!
Big Sur
(2-3 Days)
And now onto Big Sur and one of the most scenic drives in the United States. The Big Sur coastline is defined by rugged coastline, crashing waves, and cliffside views. Once you cross the massive Bixby Bridge to reach the Big Sur coastline, you’ll be blown away like I was by the raw beauty there.
Not to miss is the impressive redwood forests in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, or the beach nearby (sadly this was closed during my trip because of COVID-19).
I also recommend driving to Carmel by the Sea and spending a night in this quaint and picturesque town. It has lots of great restaurants, shops, and a gorgeous beach.
San Francisco
(2-5 Days)
I can never quite explain why I love San Fran so much. Perhap it’s the vibrant culture, the carefree spirit, the quaint Victorian Homes, or the cable cars going up and down the hilly streets. Or maybe it’s the striking and iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Speaking of the Golden Gate Bridge, that’s where you should start when you arrive in San Francisco!
You can zip along the bridge on pedal bikes across the Golden Gate Bridge or if you´re looking for that perfect pic for the gram, then you´ll find the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge (IMHO) at Baker Beach, Crissy Field, or Battery Spencer.
Ride a cable car ride and go visit some Painted Ladies ( I challenge you to see if you can find the original house where Full House was filmed).
If you’re a fan of seafood, then make your way over to Fisherman’s Wharf where you’ll find seafood restaurants galore along with spectacular views across the bay. And if you’re in the mood for some Mexican food, then head over to the trendy Mission neighborhood for the best tacos in the city.
And of course, no trip to San Francisco is complete without visiting Alcatraz Island which is open right now but with some restrictions due to COVID-19.
SAFETY FIRST TIPS:
Traveling During Coronavirus
As much fun as a road trip in California is, unfortunately, we're also in the middle of a pandemic and so you’ll need to stay safe and take precautions all throughout your trip. So before you hit the open road, get up to speed with the CDC’s travel recommendations and review their basic safety measures like frequent hand washing, wearing face masks, and staying on the lookout for symptoms. Visit California is also chock full of resources including how to travel responsibly in California, visiting beaches, state and national parks, and information on dining, shopping, staying in hotels and renting a car during the pandemic.
Make sure to bring a stash of hand sanitizers, face masks, disinfecting wet wipes, disposable gloves, and some disinfectant sprays like Lysol to use. Also bring a lot of water and snacks and restock along the way so that you don’t have to stop frequently for refreshments
It's also worth noting that many public restrooms may be closed and restaurants and fast-food chains may not allow customers to use their bathrooms. That means you might have to rely on restrooms at gas stations or highway rest stops. So make sure to take all necessary precautions like sanitizing diligently
With that in mind, here are some free apps to help you plan your trip a little better and avoid unnecessary stops:
Finding Gas Stations: GasBuddy (iOS and Android)
Navigating Traffic: Waze (iOS and Android)
Finding the best highway exits for restrooms, cheap gas, food: iExit Interstate Exit Guide (iOS and Android)
Wildfires
I also highly recommend that you stay up to date with the situation regarding wildfires in California and how that might impact your trip. For the latest information on wildfires in the state, visit www.Calfire.ca.gov.
And that's it! I hope this helps you to build out a fun and safe road trip in California. But also don't forget to leave some room for those spur of the moment or last-minute decisions that will help make your trip even more epic.
Xo
Lauren