Ultimate California Road Trip Itinerary

[{"selector":"#anim-f4eb04a9-ebe0-4138-904f-364f0c17fded","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cea7f179-f1c8-47bc-a657-acbfef577119","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(99.45355%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b83c6ad4-b0da-4931-a2d4-70ae9c4a9ab3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cb0b8aa3-15aa-4ba5-b2b8-effdf10f6040","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(181.99999%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] READ MORE

Looking for the best California road trip itinerary to explore the most beautiful places in the Golden State?

[{"selector":"#anim-7893000c-4dee-4f55-91a6-e855deccb8a3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":250,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d893d6a3-d997-468a-b38a-c72cbdb58674","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-178.33334%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":250,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ddfda94d-64cb-4c51-93ac-4cad0f19be2e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-493c7c0e-a114-483c-9ed8-075d5185b5d7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(116.19048%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Our California 10 day road trip itinerary is perfect for driving around dreamy landscapes of yellow poppies, orange orchards, purple foliage, and lush green vineyards.

We have divided this California roadtrip itinerary into 4 essential stretches as per the geographic features of the state and you can customize it as you want. Check them out now!

[{"selector":"#anim-0f765e2c-ba79-4e86-bdee-3ae8086bf241","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-63aa7de2-a35e-472d-888a-d3800efd1c5b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-121.81819%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Down The Pacific Coast

[{"selector":"#anim-f12c86a1-73a7-4a51-876e-f6caecd8442a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fca56ddf-c4d4-4dcb-92c2-464cab1bf744","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.82278%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

San Francisco

[{"selector":"#anim-3020a871-839e-40af-bc90-7912fa4e3e5a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(24.990257300081474%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] There are quite a few things to do in San Francisco: unsurprisingly most of them begin at or near the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco’s gigantic urban park.

Napa & Sonoma

[{"selector":"#anim-83b8f65a-9234-47ea-b073-dd045d7ab684 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.26831043321183%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-95424e09-efa9-414c-984d-557308757131","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Tour the many vineyards, taste local wines, dine at Michelin starred restaurants, and visit famous tasting rooms.

Through The Arid Californian Desert

[{"selector":"#anim-d2ccba41-3fda-4888-88af-a391da324ae0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d85afbfd-3f39-4e6e-b36c-d8d578c69470","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.18987%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Joshua Tree National Park

[{"selector":"#anim-7b3e2d40-2968-461d-a057-f509555bbc4f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.500000012742717%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The national park is one of the most underrated California road trip destinations. Its unique vistas have drawn photographers and artists to the park for decades.

Death Valley National Park

[{"selector":"#anim-129069b7-d2eb-4d88-b5d3-ca456f6a3632 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(2.0744680923376677%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Death Valley National Park has many scenic drives that are perfect for exploring around the park.

Up Through The Sierra Nevada

[{"selector":"#anim-b8100269-7ec2-4f71-b00e-b045a951bd0d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-673ae63c-982b-433b-a4cd-709cee456510","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.18987%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Mammoth Lakes And Mono Lake

[{"selector":"#anim-2efeca11-f1b1-4f65-b27b-b359a08e6f49 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(3.552713678800501e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The area has beautiful alpine meadows with wildflowers in spring and natural hot springs for some R&R.

Yosemite National Park

[{"selector":"#anim-404a92a4-c66d-4907-b361-02ef23b51277 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Best known for its giant sequoia trees, bald granite cliffs, and spectacular waterfalls, Yosemite National Park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Along The Wild North Coast

[{"selector":"#anim-da0b4100-1f9f-4e25-a31d-2da2dc965094","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bdf97077-43d9-40ef-ab75-6e7fd517c39a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.18987%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Redwoods National and State Park

[{"selector":"#anim-b214d1af-cb4c-4a29-b7f7-9ab357cb4ba8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Seeing the Redwoods covered in fog during winter or spring is a surreal experience.

Fort Bragg

[{"selector":"#anim-9c49966c-8772-4716-af1b-7bf2640b8736 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The famous ‘Glass Beach’ of which I’m sure you have seen pics floating around on social media is in Fort Bragg.

get the full itinerary at Dotted Globe

More Stories

[{"selector":"#anim-083afa65-ca31-4f91-88e4-7bb661da4b51","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-253.12501%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9b1dd41e-8981-4e65-968c-8d2a25448e6e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-051faa30-1a62-4755-b280-1a8550257c49","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-addddb12-9e51-4da3-a868-bbe28a1cd9ec","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-253.75001%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":900,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c2fa7105-7504-4598-9bbc-f4dd2382c787","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":900,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8a55cae9-d374-4c64-bcd2-46daea00eef4","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":900,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3f7dd70e-8131-49a5-94d2-df45bd0335ba","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-404.54548%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f850d3f6-1545-4e8a-8922-f86dafef7c99","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-67e62d9c-dd05-4c57-a56a-b5213f2a9d79","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7934af42-43e4-4082-8412-4524a3135000","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-400.00005%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":700,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dd42620b-a8c4-4e40-a82b-04275a5f0423","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":700,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-39f2e30a-c8ed-427c-b4ac-647ad01a7fbb","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":700,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-eb11dc0b-db57-449e-9458-d22147fb5a91","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-345.87155%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":900,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bc6bad86-3d8b-468d-9bbb-e67d7e372c22","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":900,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c6aa023a-2d4a-406d-8ff7-8eedd6bb5ebd","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":900,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cf2c0c75-b12e-4f1a-a7e8-b9200a87363b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1e0dadc3-d08e-4fb8-82ba-b09bd5700f40","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-129.23076%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a9286a4a-72b1-4e00-838d-aae60d0087b4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-828b397a-e351-4032-9428-9d9dd124d20c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-396131c9-7a4d-4b3d-a6ee-4556afdc55c6","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-54bb3f83-32ee-4ab6-82ae-ad841e1ff718","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":700,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c302c34d-3d71-4d4f-b942-8e3c9264eb7a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":700,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1c157a2c-be31-46bb-bcf9-cb6e230b3812","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":700,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-aafba305-e4e1-4f51-a9a6-156aeed3c97c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":900,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c1b8ec08-36a9-4088-bf07-558109a81d76","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":900,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-95b02e27-83d3-4bd7-b19b-1c094584d092","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":900,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Pacific coast Itinerary Grand circle itinerary Northern california itinerary