California Road Trip Stops: North to South
If you’re planning a road trip in California, this post will help you find the best California road trip stops for your trip. Discover where to go, what to do, and where to stay in these top California destinations.
Updated: 2023. Originally published: November 2015.
Our California Road Trips
With our home base in Oregon and many friends and family in California, we have made a good number of road trips through California from North to South and back.
Over the years, we’ve done this in a Prius as well as an electric car. We’ve also driven one direction and taken an overnight Amtrak train or a flight back (while family took the car onward).
California Road Trip Routes
The fastest route from North California to South California is usually on Interstate 5, a.k.a. I-5.
It takes over 12 hours to drive from the border of Oregon and Northern California to San Diego via I5, give or take.
Driving time depends mainly on what time you go through major cities like Sacramento and Los Angeles. Avoiding rush hour in these cities will minimize your driving time.
Of course, the Interstate isn’t the most scenic route.
The most scenic California driving route is probably Highway 1, which goes along the California Coast. This scenic drive can add at least 7 hours if you’re driving the State top to bottom.
Table of Contents
California Road Trip Map
Where to stop on a California driving trip
In this post, we’re more concerned with the sights and treats along the way than the route you choose to take. Not all of these road trip stops are on the main highways, but they are listed here from North to South.
If you’re planning your own trip, our hope is you’ll find some ideas in this post for where to stop on your California road trip.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. That means if you book through one of our links, we may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you.
Mount Shasta, California
Starting from the North on I5, Mount Shasta is often our first stop in California after crossing the border from Oregon.
Note that Mt. Shasta, Lake Shasta, and the town of Shasta are all in different places and not as close to each other as you might think! The nearest big city to Shasta is Redding, California.
You can stop for lunch at Black Bear Diner in Mt. Shasta, which serves generous portions of classic American fare. They have franchise locations all over the West but it always feels like a nice family place, reminiscent of summer trips to National Parks.
Mt. Shasta is a tiny town but has natural food shops and a bit of a hippie artist vibe.
Exceptional places to stay around Shasta:
Mount Shasta Resort – Top rated resort rooms and chalets on 126 scenic acres.
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Mount Shasta Ranch Bed and Breakfast – Historic B&B with excellent reviews.
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Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park
Though not actually his namesake, Jedd likes to stop at Jedidiah State Park for the name. But the California Redwoods make a great road trip destination.
Located close to the North California Coast, outside of Crescent City, it is a great place to witness these epic evergreen sequoia forests.
We have enjoyed hiking and camping in Jedidiah State Park. And we hear the nearby Florence Keller County Park campground is also good.
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Photo creditIn California’s Northeast corner is an off-the-beaten-path National Park that boasts four different types of volcanoes.
Bubbling mud pots, wilderness, lakes, and trails (including part of the Pacific Crest Trail) make this a great destination to get away from it all.
Exceptional stay near Lassen Volcanic National Park:
Highlands Ranch Resort – Gorgeous chalets and suites near the park.
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Williams & Corning, California
Williams, California and Corning, California are both small towns with popular places to stop along the I5 corridor between Redding and Sacramento.
In Corning, the Olive Pit‘s tall sign towers above the shop, advertising olive tasting. Their shelves are stocked with all kinds of flavored olives and other edible gifts and souvenirs.
You can also taste olive oils, balsamic vinegars, wine, and craft beer; or grab a sandwich and milkshake from the adjoining cafe.
Granzella’s in Williams has a similar, well-stocked gift shop feel as the Olive Pit. They also have a restaurant, sports lounge, deli, ice-cream bar, and bakery. There are plenty of tempting treats there to please any palate.
Lake Tahoe, California
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A year-round vacation destination, Lake Tahoe is known for its beaches as well as ski resorts. The lake sits on the border of California and Nevada, in the Sierra Mountains, about two hours East of Sacramento.
Here, you’ll find a contrast of outdoor and water sports as well as shopping, night life, and even casinos (in Nevada).
Exceptional place to stay in Tahoe:
The Landing Tahoe Resort and Spa – High end rooms and suites with exceptional lake views.
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San Francisco, California
San Francisco is a popular California destination and one of the most populated cities in the United States. It’s considered the cultural and commercial capital of Northern California.
You could spend a whole vacation in San Francisco, or hit the highlights in a day or two.
Take the BART into the city to the Ferry Building Farmer’s Market along the Embarcadero. Then ride a trolley car to Ghirardelli Square and Fisherman’s Warf. Grab the popular clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl at Boudin Bakery and walk it off exploring the iconic, steep streets of San Francisco.
San Francisco is also home to one of USA’s oldest Chinatown districts. This is a fun area to order sim sum and shop for souvenirs.
Exceptional stay in San Francisco:
Hyatt Centric Fisherman’s Wharf San Francisco – A modern hotel within walking distance to San Francisco’s main attractions.
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Yosemite National Park
The most famous and most visited National Park in California, Yosemite offers hiking, rock climbing, river rafting, camping, and more.
The epic valley of granite, waterfalls, and giant sequoia is one of America’s best nature destinations.
Exceptional stay in Yosemite National Park:
Rush Creek Lodge – Great views and amenities on the way into the park.
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Santa Cruz, California
Unlike other parts of California, there is still plenty of green to be found in Santa Cruz. It reminded us a lot of Portland on several levels – except with surfing.
Our friend and host took us hiking nearby in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and Pogonip park, where we came across a labyrinth, a goldfish pond, and a landing full of carefully stacked rock formations with little paper notes tucked into them!
Watch talented surfers up close from the cliffs at Steamer’s Lane, then explore Natural Bridge’s State Park where thousands of monarch butterflies gather in the trees for the winter.
We had the pleasure of sampling many tasty treats in Santa Cruz.
The hot chocolate perfectionists at Mutari Chocolate House serve up organic gourmet chocolate drinks in a beautiful, artsy cafe setting. And Penny Ice Creamery delights the tastebuds with home-made, seasonal ice cream concoctions from locally sourced ingredients. The gluten-free crust at Pleasure Pizza was so good, we didn’t even want to try the regular kind.
Where to Stay in Santa Cruz:
Beach Street Inn and Suites – Centrally located and steps from the sand.
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Pacific Blue Inn – Brightly-colored, eco-friendly hotel not far from the boardwalk.
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Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey Bay, California
Carmel and Monterey are neighboring beach cities with high-end shops, galleries, beachfront walkways, and beautiful scenery. Carmel-by-the-Sea is a bit more quaint, with fairytale cottages.
The Point Lobos State Nature Reserve is great for scenic hiking. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is great. And you can stop by Cannery Row and the Old Fisherman’s Warf to find touristy boutiques and restaurants, whale-watching tours, and kayak rentals.
Top stays in Carmel or Monterey:
Spindrift Inn, Monterey – Elegant accommodations, right on the beach.
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The Normandy Inn, Carmel – Quaint, well-located French country-style inn.
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California’s Highway 1
The winding drive along Highway 1 from Monterey Bay down to Morro Bay is slower going but wonderfully scenic.
The route is littered with scenic stops overlooking the ocean. Just pull over and enjoy the views!
For an indoor stop on your Highway 1 road trip, pull over to Hearst Castle. You can tour the art, architecture, and grounds of this 20th century mansion overlooking the sea.
There are also several dining options at the visitor center there.
King’s Canyon and Sequoia National Parks
Taking a break from the coast for a minute, two more popular California’s National Parks are found in Central California about half a day’s drive South of Yosemite.
King’s Canyon is a scenic outdoor adventure haven. Sequoia is, of course, known for its expansive giant sequoia forests. These are great places for hiking and spotting wildlife, like bears!
Death Valley National Park to the East is also nearby, as the crow flies.
California is a great area to visit multiple National Parks of the West in a short time.
Be sure to grab an America the Beautiful National Parks pass to save on park entry fees.
Solvang, California
The small town of Solvang was founded by Danes in the early 1900’s so its buildings reflect the traditional Danish style. You’ll find a couple of windmills, some thatch-roofs, and plenty of Danish restaurants and bakeries.
It’s a fun place to walk around and explore, just off the 101 between Santa Maria and Santa Barbara.
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is another cool, coastal town with Spanish architecture, a pretty marina, and the Santa Ynez mountains in the background.
Explore from Stearns Wharf and all along State Street for trendy shopping, wine tasting, and restaurants. Old Mission Santa Barbara is an 18th Century historic site with gardens and nearby parks.
Where to stay in Santa Barbara:
West Beach Inn – Highly-rated, harbor-front inn with complimentary bike and paddle board rental.
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Joshua Tree National Park
This unique California National Park, East of Palm Springs, is known for its geological formations and signature trees – found in no other region of the world. Joshua Tree is a great addition to any Southern Califiornia road trip.
In addition to scenic drives through the desert, hiking and rock climbing are also popular activities here. And you can stop by Pioneer Town, an Old West film set used by motion pictures and television shows since the 1940’s.
San Diego, California
We spend the majority of our California trips in San Diego since we have family there.
Some highlights in San Diego include: Balboa Park (home to the San Diego Zoo, among other things), the lively Gaslamp Quarter downtown, oceanside parks and walkways, and the Little Italy district.
Coronado is a neat area, technically a peninsula, across a bridge from downtown San Diego. Explore the famous Hotel Del Coronado, Centennial Park, and the Ferry Landing Marketplace.
Further afield, there are plenty of outdoor recreation and water sport opportunities around San Diego, from Stand Up Paddle Boarding to hiking. Ocean Beach is where my brother enjoys surfing. The weather is usually warm in San Diego year round, although a wet suit is still recommended.
San Diego has a lot of great options for restaurants. Some of our top picks are:
- Great Maple serves up some unique and generous breakfasts, like two huge slabs of brioche french toast topped with maple syrup and bacon. Or their maple bacon donuts. Don’t be afraid to split a dish or take some home.
- Cafe 21 is great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. We snagged a bunch of small plates during happy hour and every single one was amazing. Sampling their flight of six sangrias was also fun. My brother and sister-in-law love the food so much, they had Cafe 21 cater the rehearsal dinner before their wedding.
- Con Pane Rustic Breads & Cafe has some of the best cinnamon rolls we’ve ever tried – and that’s saying a lot. The bread is a light, sweet brioche and the frosting balances really nicely.
Exceptional stays in San Diego:
Humphrey’s Half Moon Inn – Tranquil, tropical hotel with views of the ocean and marina.
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Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina – 4 star downtown hotel overlooking the bay.
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We hope this round up of some of California’s best road trip stops will help you plan the perfect road trip.
Have you visited any of these places? What recommendations do you have for road trip stops in California?
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