The Ultimate California Road Trip

This is the ultimate dream of freedom and adventure - a California road trip to the most beautiful destinations in the Golden State and beyond to other West Coast states. But what should you actually consider, and which route should you take to make this adventure truly unforgettable?

Are you one of those who have a California road trip at the top of your bucket list? Just follow the call of the road, go wherever you want, stop when you feel like it, today here, tomorrow there. Surfing in Santa Barbara, sightseeing in San Francisco, hiking in Yosemite National Park, gambling in Las Vegas, continuing along Route 66 to Los Angeles and so on - just the essential details of the upcoming trip make the heart of any fan of the diverse USA beat faster. Today we reveal our personal favorite route, which takes you not only to the most beautiful destinations in California but to many more highlights along the West Coast.

California

Los Angeles

Santa Barbara

Morro Bay

Monterey

San Francisco

Yosemite National Park

Nevada

Las Vegas

Arizona

Grand Canyon

Oatman

Return to Los Angeles

The following map shows you the possible route for your road trip.

Our California road trip starts in the City of Angels, Los Angeles. LA is not only home to almost four million people but also the chosen residence of many Hollywood stars. Names like Beverly Hills, the Walk of Fame, and Hollywood immediately conjure up the sparkling celebrity world we know from television.

However, before the trip, be sure to prepare well for the entry to the USA: For tourist stays, an ESTA authorization is usually required, which must be applied for online in advance. Upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), you will have your first impressions of this fascinating metropolis.

Vacation Guru Tips for Los Angeles

Find your rental car here

155 kilometers along the US-101 N to Santa Barbara

Current information on road closures

Enjoy hip street food in Downtown, stroll and chill at Venice Beach, take in the views from Griffith Park, and experience the legendary nightlife in West Hollywood; these are just some of the activities that should be on your LA agenda. We have summarized the best attractions in Los Angeles in another article. Excursions to the 25 kilometers away paradise of Hollywood stars, Santa Monica, famous from the series Baywatch, or to the city of Malibu, known to every 'Two and a Half Men' fan, are also possible with a rental car and can easily be integrated into the California road trip (on the way to Malibu, you will even drive a few miles on the famous Highway 1, which is of course a must on a California road trip). After two to three days in the City of Angels, you should grab your rental car and drive the 155 kilometers from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara.

After just a few kilometers on the US-101 N, you will escape the bustling hustle of the mega city Los Angeles, and for the first time, you can experience a real road trip feeling.

Hotels in Santa Barbara

Vacation Rentals in Santa Barbara

Experiences in Santa Barbara

175 kilometers along the US-101 N to Morro Bay

While the first part of the stretch to Santa Barbara takes you through the inland, after Ventura you will go another 50 kilometers along the coast until you finally arrive in the coastal town of Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara is perfect for resting for one to two days and kicking off your vacation. Beaches that are ideal for surfing and swimming, a promenade where you can walk or bike, and numerous restaurants where you can try the delicious and fresh seafood from the region - sounds like a vacation, right? Another highlight awaits you in Santa Barbara, as you can start a whale watching tour from here during the months of May to October, which takes you to spots off the coast where blue and humpback whales are often seen. Such a tour usually lasts 4-5 hours and costs about $100 per person.

After a few days, our California road trip takes us to the small coastal town of Morro Bay, located 175 kilometers away, where the Californian vacation feeling is waiting.

Arriving in Morro Bay, you can continue to enjoy the sweet vacation life and relax on one of the wide Pacific beaches with views of the iconic Morro Rock, or visit one of the parks where you can have a real American BBQ or simply take a nature hike.

Hotels in Morro Bay

Vacation Rentals in Morro Bay

230 kilometers along Highway 1 to Monterey

Various museums and galleries give Morro Bay an artistic flair that is particularly noticeable throughout the city during the summer months. During this time, various events and festivals take place in the heart of the city. Notably worth seeing is Hearst Castle, a magnificent castle that was converted into a museum. It is located about halfway between Morro Bay and the next destination of the road trip, Monterey.

Our route to Monterey continues along the coast on the legendary Highway 1. This road represents, more than any other, the freedom that a California road trip embodies. You will notice: 230 kilometers may initially sound like a lot, but the beautiful coastal landscape and the places that pass you along California State Route 1 make the time and distance fly by.

Hotels in Monterey

Vacation Rentals in Monterey

Experiences in Monterey

190 kilometers along the US-101 N to San Francisco

After a stop at the famous Hearst Castle and a drive over the spectacular 85-meter-high Bixby Creek Bridge, you will finally reach Monterey after another 200 kilometers. The city, where once fishing determined the daily lives of the people, is now a popular tourist destination. From Monterey, you can drive directly on the 17-Mile Drive, one of California's most famous coastal stretches. Golf courses, viewpoints, and vast fields characterize the landscapes that pass you along the 17-Mile Drive and will certainly make you stop for great photos every few kilometers. We particularly enjoyed just sitting at a viewpoint, listening to the screeching seagulls, and watching the enormous waves break.

'If you're going to San Francisco be sure to wear some flowers in your hair!' You should turn up this song from your road trip playlist because we are approaching San Francisco, the city of Silicon Valley, cable cars, and torn jeans.

San Francisco Tips

Hotels in San Francisco

Vacation Rentals in San Francisco

Experiences in San Francisco

310 kilometers via CA-120 E to Yosemite National Park

Whether on a sightseeing tour on foot or by bike - there are many sights in California's fourth-largest city that you simply must see! These landmarks include Lombard Street, which is one of the most spectacular streets in the world, the prison island Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Fisherman's Wharf, which, with its numerous restaurants and bars, is a true mecca for night owls. If you are also interested in Google and the likes, you can visit the legendary Silicon Valley, the birthplace of many famous global players, and catch a whiff of true start-up culture. Even today, the region and Stanford University are among the most innovative places in the world.

Vacation Guru Tip: Due to its proximity to Silicon Valley, prices in San Francisco are somewhat higher, but you can still find affordable hostels or Airbnbs here. Take advantage of free city tours to save money and get to know the city better. After two to three days in San Francisco, the road calls again; it's time to head into the wilderness!

The California road trip then takes you east to one of the most beautiful national parks in the USA. Yosemite National Park captivates its visitors with endless expanses, giant sequoias, breathtaking gorges, and a diverse range of species.

590 kilometers to Las Vegas

Entry to the park costs $35 per vehicle or $20 per person if you want to explore parts of the park on foot. You can visit the Yosemite National Park year-round, but some paths or areas may be closed in winter. Pack plenty of water and sturdy shoes so that your hike through the park's nature isn't a struggle! Also, remember to fill up your rental car beforehand, as there are no gas stations in the wilderness. If you're looking for the ultimate experience, we recommend staying at one of the campgrounds in the park. However, you will need a camping reservation on the official website. Be sure to take care of this early, as otherwise all spots may be booked up.

Vacation Guru Tip: If you plan to visit Yosemite National Park in winter, you can look forward to a special phenomenon: then the Horsetail Fall, one of the park's most famous waterfalls, shines in a unique golden light. Simply magical!

Entry without registration possible

Road closures are possible: You can find current information on the official website.

The Tioga Road, which runs through the national park, is usually closed from November to May. You can find detours on the official website.

Campground Overview

Tours in Yosemite

We hope you enjoyed your time in Yosemite National Park because now you have a bit of a longer stretch ahead of you on our California road trip. More specifically, the California road trip is now turning into a small Nevada road trip, as the destination of our journey is Las Vegas. Sin City must somehow be part of such a trip.

Las Vegas Tips

Hotels in Las Vegas

Vacation Rentals in Las Vegas

Tours and Experiences in Las Vegas

430 kilometers to Tusayan (Grand Canyon)

Almost 600 kilometers separate the national park from Las Vegas, and they meander through the famous Death Valley. It is advisable to split the trip into two stages and take a break in one of the small towns along the way. But the long road is worth it! If you think that Las Vegas is only for gamblers, you are mistaken. Here you can indulge in virtually any pleasure that comes to your mind: attend a magician's show, ride a roller coaster high above on the Stratosphere Towers, treat yourself to a ride on the world's largest ferris wheel, or, or, or. As you can see, the attractions in Las Vegas cater to many tastes. Of course, wild nights like those in Hangover are not uncommon here, thanks to the fantastic nightlife on the Strip!

Vacation Guru Tip: To avoid any nasty surprises at checkout, always keep in mind the additional resort fee that is charged on top in most Vegas hotels. You can find out what this fee is and why it is charged in our lexicon.

We hope you haven't gambled away your entire travel budget in Las Vegas because we are still far from the final stop of our road trips.

In Las Vegas, you now have two options: Either you head to the Grand Canyon Skywalk, which is the part of the Grand Canyon in Nevada that is easiest to reach from Vegas, about 200 kilometers away, or you take the longer route of 430 kilometers to see the most beautiful part of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. We recommend driving to Arizona because what you'll see here is simply unique! The small town of Tusayan is located very close to the Grand Canyon Village at the South Rim of the vast canyon, so you can plan one or more day trips from here.

Info about the Grand Canyon

Hotels in Tusayan

Tours in the Grand Canyon

340 kilometers to Oatman via Route 66

In Grand Canyon Village, you can inform yourself about the possible hiking routes and viewpoints, join a guided ranger tour, or learn about the Grand Canyon and its history. Our tip: Definitely watch the sunrises and sunsets in the canyon! We have rarely experienced anything more beautiful. At this point, you will realize that the longer drive to Arizona was definitely worth it. And since the next stop on the way back to Los Angeles is also in Arizona, you haven't taken too much of a detour.

Vacation Guru Tip: Near the Native American village of Supai in the Grand Canyon are the Havasu Falls. After being closed during the pandemic and the subsequent closure in 2022, Havasu Falls can now only be visited with a valid advance reservation. A reservation for a campsite or lodge is required. You can find more info about the reservation here.

The famous waterfall can only be reached by a 10-mile strenuous hike, but in the end, you are rewarded with a refreshing swim under the waterfall. Near Havasu Falls, there is also a campground where you can set up your camp before hiking back the 10 miles the next day. It sounds exhausting, and it is, but the trip is worth it!

After already driving along Highway 1 in California, Arizona awaits us with another legendary road trip highway: Route 66, which you will encounter on your way to Oatman in the town of Seligman. Although you will take a slight detour of about 30 kilometers if you choose Route 66 instead of Highway 40, it's definitely manageable when you can drive along this road of freedom, right?

Info about Oatman

87 kilometers to Lake Havasu

On your right and left, the vastness of Arizona stretches out; every now and then a house stands by the roadside, otherwise, you see nothing but desert and the heat-fluttering asphalt. After about 180 kilometers on Route 66, you will reach the gold rush town of Oatman, where the Wild West still seems to be alive today. Small burros cross the dusty street, begging tourists for something to eat. A cowboy sits in a squeaky rocking chair, grumpily observing the newcomers as if guarding the door to the saloon. You should still go inside and have a cold, freshly tapped beer. After the drive through the desert, you've earned it! Here, in the rustic saloon, you can better plan the final stretch of your road trip.

Before heading back to Los Angeles, which is 550 kilometers away, we also recommend two more worthwhile detours: Lake Havasu City in Arizona and Joshua Tree National Park in California.

240 kilometers to Joshua Tree National Park

Campgrounds in the National Park

210 kilometers to Los Angeles

At Lake Havasu, the mighty Colorado River is dammed, over which the old London Bridge leads. The bridge was transported from London halfway around the world to Arizona and looks a bit odd in the middle of the Arizona desert - but it's definitely worth seeing! Make a stop at the popular Lake Havasu, which is especially popular among 'spring breakers'. There you can relax for a few days, swim, and engage in other water sports before heading to Joshua Tree National Park, the final stop on our California road trip. After about 210 kilometers, you will reach the impressive desert landscape of California, where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet and where the namesake Joshua trees grow. You can explore the national park by car for a fee of $30 and then set up your camp at the scattered campgrounds in the park for an additional fee. The national park is open year-round. In the four visitor centers, you can learn about guided hikes and other events.

Slowly but surely, our California road trip comes to the last miles, as you are now only 210 kilometers away from Los Angeles, the city where the adventure began. For the suggested route, you should take at least three weeks. Of course, you can also shorten the road trip or change it according to your preferences.

Have you been able to fulfill the dream of a California road trip and do you have more tips for other USA travelers? We look forward to your experiences and reports!

For those of you who are unsure whether California is the right travel destination, it is worth taking a look at our travel magazine. There you will find the 5 most important reasons to travel to America's Golden State.