Ready for an adventure of your life? Check out these 3 California road trips that will take you from its southern beaches to giant forests in the north.
Last updated: July 21, 2025
Take a California Road Trip, Explore the Entire State
California is one of the most beautiful and diverse states in the USA. From abundant beaches and never-ending deserts in the south to northern ice-capped mountains and pristine lakes, the place never ceases to astound you.
Swimming in the ocean in the morning and skiing in the mountains a few hours later is not an unusual thing to do in the Golden State. Add to this list afternoon trips to charming California cities, and you have some thrilling adventures on your hands.
Some people, however, insist that only California road trips that run across the entire state can give you a full grasp of all the local treasures. With flexibility and spontaneity these adventures normally give, I find it impossible to disagree. While we can argue endlessly about the best routes and drives, here are 3 of the best California road trips that show the cultural and natural jewels of the entire start to start off.
3 OF THE BEST ROAD TRIPS ACROSS ENTIRE CALIFORNIA
1. California Coast Road Trip from San Diego to Eureka
The California coastline is the first place that comes to your mind when talking about the best California road trips. In fact, the popular route along Pacific Coast Highway is considered one of the most scenic drives in the world.
Starting in San Diego and going all the way to Eureka, this road trip encompasses some of the most prominent areas of California. Moreover, the route provides the best way to experience California like a local. We are talking about innumerable beaches that spread for hundreds of miles.
Scenic waterfalls intrude in the rugged coastline terrain from time to time, adding extra charm to one of the most beautiful California road trips.
Highlights
Dozens of remarkable places dot the California Coast. You will need at least a few weeks to explore all of them. Sadly, this option doesn’t work for the majority of California roadtrippers. So, you may want to skip some of these places and stop only at those that are of particular interest to you.
With that said, while crossing California from San Diego to Eureka, make sure to add the following destinations to your itinerary.
San Diego – Eureka: Long Beach, Los Angeles, Malibu, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Pismo Beach, San Simeon, Big Sur, Carmel-By-The-Sea, Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, and Santa Rosa.
When road-tripping across the Big Sur area, McWay Falls, Pfeiffer Beach, and the Bixby Creek Bridge are the places you can’t miss.
2. Eastern California Road Trip from Los Angeles to Lassen Volcanic
You can call a California road trip from Los Angeles to Lassen Volcanic a national park drive. Three out of nine California national parks are located along this route. Moreover, an eastern California road trip includes iconic lakes, mountains, and national monuments with some of the best hikes in the state.
To explore all these natural wonders of California, start your road trip via U.S. Route 101 North and continue on along U.S. Route 395 North. If the excruciating heat of Death Valley doesn’t entice you, skip the national park during this trip.
In this case, follow only to U.S. Route 395 North. Even without Death Valley National Park, this road features many worthwhile places.
Highlights
Among all places that the eastern California road trip has to offer, be ready to pull over at the following destinations:
Los Angeles – Lassen Volcanic: Death Valley National Park, Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, Mono Lake, Yosemite National Park, the southern shore of Lake Tahoe, and Lassen Volcanic National Park.
3. Central California Road Trip from Los Angeles to Sacramento
One of the least popular California road trips, a drive from Los Angeles to Sacramento is wrongfully viewed as a route for truckers. While covering this distance via Interstate 5 can indeed save you time, Highway 99 is what you should aim for.
Running parallel to I-5, State Route 99 offers many California cities and towns to explore along the way. Take time to walk the streets of these places, explore their favorite and secluded corners, and dine at local eateries.
Highlights
The following places along State Route 99 will enhance your road trip experiences when driving across California from Los Angeles to Sacramento.
Los Angeles – Sacramento: Bakersfield, Delano, Tulare, Fresno, Madera, Chowchilla, Merced, Turlock, Modesto, Stockton, Lodi, and Elk Grove.
If you are planning a shorter California road trip, use the following guides as your reference points.
- CENTRAL AND NORTHERN CA: 3-Day Road Trip across Central and Northern California
- SNOW IN CALIFORNIA: The 10 Best Places to Experience Snow in California
- WEST COAST PARKS: The 19 National Parks to Include in Your West Coast Road Trip
- CENTRAL CALIFORNIA: 4-Day California Road Trip: Yosemite, Pinnacles, Big Sur
- BIG SUR ADVENTURE: Big Sur Drive: The Best of the Central Coast of California
