Are you ready to hit the open road and embark on unforgettable adventures? Discover the best road trips from Southern California that will take you through breathtaking landscapes, beach towns, National Parks, vibrant cities, and hidden treasures waiting to be uncovered. We have done our fair share of road trips from San Diego over the years and these have all been kid tested.

We love road trips for their opportunities to see sceneries up close and discover interesting things along the way. The mileage references are one way from our home in North San Diego so can vary depending on where you live in Southern California. Whether you have a day or a long weekend, we hope these trips inspire you to hit the road soon.

San Francisco

Distance: 465 miles

The City By the Bay is accessible via the fast route through the I-5 freeway inland or the scenic Pacific Coast Highway which almost doubles your drive time but so worth it.

There are so many places to see once you’re in the Bay Area that include iconic attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz Island, Chinatown, Pier 39 and Lombard Street. There are numerous museums, parks and gardens for families to enjoy. Also, check out these free attractions in San Francisco.

You can combine the following destinations in Central California to create various road trip itineraries depending on your timeframe. We grouped these cities according to how we traveled to them and arranged them from north to south.

The Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip

The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) spans over 600 miles along the California coastline between San Francisco and San Diego. It will take about 10 hours of non-stop driving through PCH but some of the country’s best scenic drives are through here.

These are some of the best areas to explore either as destinations or grouped together for a really long road trip. Each city along the way makes for a wonderful pit stop.

Carmel/Monterey Bay/ Big Sur

Distance: 400 miles

This area is one of California’s most scenic spots. The highlight in this area for us is usually going on the private 17-mile drive on Pebble Beach.

Pay the entrance fee and get ready to drive on one of the country’s most picturesque roads dotted with many scenic spots. The popular spot here is the Lone Cypress which has been around for over 250 years and has almost become Pebble Beach and Monterey’s symbol.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is full of charming shops and galleries within this one-square mile village. Carmel also offers a beautiful mission, serene beaches and Point Lobos State Reserve which is known as the “crown jewel of the State Park system.” Monterey is also a wonderful city to explore with the unique shops at Cannery Row and all the marine wildlife at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Further south is Highway 1 which is one of the world’s most beautiful coastline drives. This drive, a designated American National Scenic Byway, takes road trippers through Big Sur with nine state parks and some fantastic scenic trails. Bixby Creek Bridge is an iconic attraction along the rugged cliffs and coastline.

Hearst Castle – San Simeon, CA/Cambria

Distance: 315 miles

California’s castle on the hill and its surrounding areas is a wonderful road trip destination. I think visiting Hearst Castle started my love affair with opulent homes especially European castles and palaces. It’s easy to spend a day exploring this former home of publishing mogul, William Randolph Hearst in San Simeon.

This extravagant home is now a state historical monument. Several tours are available to see the 165-room castle, its cottages, pools and gardens. Don’t miss seeing the zebras grazing along the road leading up to the castle.

My kids’ favorite spot in this area is the Piedras Blancas Friends of the Elephant Seal rookery, near the castle, to see groups of elephant seals laze around under the sun.

They are a delight to observe. San Simeon also has a state beach for swimming, kayaking, boating and picnicking plus a pier for fishing.

Cambria is one of the central coast’s charming gems. Located about 15 minutes south of San Simeon, this seaside village has a quaint historic downtown with unique shops, art galleries and cafes.

Explore over 400 acres at the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve for hiking, biking or horseback riding. Relax at scenic Moonstone Beach nearby.

California Central Coast

Distance: 275 miles

Combine these three cities as a long weekend getaway or as a stopover on the way to other central coast cities.

Morro Bay

Morro Bay earned the nickname “Gibraltar of the Pacific” due to the presence of a massive rock outcropping in the ocean, which is designated as a bird sanctuary.

The wide beach at the rock’s base is a wonderful place to relax and explore the nearby sand dunes. We always enjoy eating at one of the seaside restaurants with a view of Morro Rock.

Pismo Beach

Pismo Beach is a quintessential California beach town. Long white sand beaches line the coast, anchored by Morro Bay’s historic pier and adjacent boardwalk.

Explore its downtown district for charming stores and eateries with delicious seafood. Visit one of several parks with panoramic ocean views particularly Dinosaur Caves Park which is an 11-acre public park.

My kids’ favorite part is riding on ATVs and off-road vehicles at Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA). It is one of the best places to go off-roading on sand dunes with spectacular ocean views. If you’re visiting from late October to February, you can see the thousands of black and orange Monarch butterflies migrate here amidst the Eucalyptus trees at Pismo State Beach.

San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo has earned the title of the “Happiest City in America” due to its small town feel, characterized by friendly locals and a bustling population of college students.

One of its main attractions is the beautiful 18^th century Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. The historic downtown surrounds the mission with the flowing San Luis Obispo Creek, tree-lined streets and Spanish style buildings.

Its downtown is filled with numerous shops and restaurants, making it a fantastic place to explore. However, one particular attraction that draws many visitors is Bubblegum Alley, a 70-foot long passageway adorned with countless used chewing gum on both walls.

You’re free to leave your own there too which my kids have done.

If you’re lucky enough to be here on a Thursday night, do not miss the downtown farmer’s market which is touted as one of the best in the state. If you need to venture out some more, try hiking some of the trails along Bishop Peak.

Santa Barbara/Solvang/Santa Ynez Valley

Distance: 214 miles

A road trip to these towns makes for a great weekend getaway or to go up the California central coast farther. We love Santa Barbara for its mission, Stearns Wharf, Spanish-style architecture and to stroll along the many shops and restaurants along State Street. Its beauty and atmosphere certainly earned its nickname of the “American Riviera”.

Head about 50 miles north and combine Santa Barbara with group of towns in the Santa Ynez Valley. The charming town of Solvang is known as the ‘Danish Capital of America’. Danish Americans moved here and settled from the Midwest and founded it in 1911. They named it Solvang which is Danish for “sunny fields”.

Solvang is filled with “Danish farm-style architecture”, several windmills and delicious pastries plus some replica of recognizable attractions from Copenhagen like the Little Mermaid. The towns of Santa Ynez and Los Olivos offer plenty of small wineries and farms set amidst rolling golden hills. There are some family-friendly wineries like Fess Parker or Koehler Winery.

Check out this post for more detailed attractions in the Central California coast.

Yosemite/Sequoia/ Kings Canyon National Parks

Distance: 360 miles

A road trip to California’s most popular national parks is one of the best sightseeing getaways to enjoy some natural wonders. We’ve taken several road trips to these three national parks over the years combining all of them or visiting them individually.

Yosemite National Park

There are many reasons Yosemite is one of the country’s most popular parks. We’re lucky enough that it is a reasonable distance from Southern California for a long weekend getaway.

One look at this picturesque valley with its seven-mile wide canyon surrounded by amazing rock formations, impressive cliffs and waterfalls will entice visitors to see what lies inside this beautiful park.

It has El Capitan, which is the world’s tallest granite monolith, making it an ideal spot for rock climbers. There are hundreds of miles of hiking trails with scenic backdrops including Yosemite Falls which is North America’s largest waterfall and even giant sequoia. It is an outdoor paradise that offers something for every season including skiing at Badger Pass inside the park (which we’ve done).

Sequoia/King’s Canyon National Parks

Venture to the “Land of the Giants” to see the giant sequoias which are known as the world’s largest trees. Pictures can’t truly capture the immense size of these trees. You really need to visit to fully appreciate their enormity and then feel infinitely small in their presence.

Don’t miss the General Sherman tree which is considered the world’s largest tree by volume. Beyond the giant sequoias, the park also offers a Giant Forest Museum, many hiking trails along the trees, Crystal Cave, wildlife viewing and a climb to Moro Rock for some panoramic vistas.

Kings Canyon National Park is adjacent to Sequoia National Park. We love the36-mile Kings Canyon Scenic Byway drive that leads to Zumwalt Meadow. There are scenic overlooks, mountain views, waterfalls, trails, Boyden Cavern and a glimpse into the deepest canyon in North America along the way.

Pit Stop: Bravo Farms in Traver is one of our favorite rest stops. Kids can climb an awesome tree house, explore the mini town, play miniature golf or feed the animals. There are some interesting items and delicious food items and ice cream at the store. We always enjoy watching them make cheese here too.

Mountain Getaways

Mammoth Mountain and Mount Whitney

Distance: 390 miles

The scenic Route 395 leads to Mount Whitney (the highest point in the “lower 48” United States) and the Mammoth Lakes area. Mount Whitney has many long trails on the way to the summit. Mammoth Mountain Resort is a year round destination that makes for a great road trip depending on what activity you’re looking for. It is a premiere winter resort with a large mountain for riding gondolas, skiing, snowboarding and sledding.

But, summertime also brings a load of activities from mountain biking, hiking, zip lining, biking and many other activities in the Mammoth Adventure Center especially for the kids. Nearby is Devils Postpile Monument which has towering columnar basalt rock formations. The short hike nearby also leads to beautiful Rainbow Falls.

There are also several lakes, like Lake Mary, Twin Lakes or Lake George, nearby for kayaking, boating or camping. Don’t miss Mono Lake on the way to see the unusual rock formations known as tufa.

Pit Stops:

Get some bread and pastries at Erick Schat’s Bakery in Bishop.
If you’ve got some time, check out Alabama Hills for some scenic rock formations.
For film enthusiasts, visit the Lone Pine film Museum to see favorite scenes from many movies filmed in the area over the years.

Big Bear/Lake Arrowhead

Distance: 115 miles

Known as the “Rim of the World Scenic Byway”, State Highway 19 may be narrow and seem daunting but it leads to Southern California’s popular mountain getaways all year. Boasting over 300 days of sunshine, Big Bear Resort offers great winter activities and hiking and mountain biking during the summer.

The lake is a hub of water sports and activities to keep the whole family busy. The Village is wonderful place to stroll around for shopping and dining after a day of activities

Big Bear Lake from the sky chair with trails

Lake Arrowhead, often referred to as “The Alps of Southern California,” offers a fantastic getaway with a plethora of wintertime and summer activities. The lake itself is always bustling with various recreational options, while nearby small ski resorts provide entertainment for the whole family. The one-hour Lake Arrowhead Queen Paddleboat operates year round and is a great way to see the area.

Head to The Desert

Palm Springs /Joshua Tree National Park

Distance: 110 miles

The Southern California desert offers plenty of adventures and family fun. Road tripping brings interesting things along the way like the giant windmills and dinosaur sculptures among cacti. The best time to travel is during the winter but hotels are discounted during the summer heat.

One of the best desert destinations and definitely worthy of a road trip is Joshua Tree National Park. Filled with large boulders and whimsical trees, this park is great for hiking, camping and stargazing. Pick up a Junior Ranger booklet for kids at the visitors center to learn more about the trees and desert plants and animals.

The cities of Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, Indian Wells and Palm Desert have many resorts with countless amenities to enjoy the desert. Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway on a rotating car to the San Jacinto Mountains summit for beautiful panoramic views or to go on some scenic hiking trails.

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens offers plenty of animal exhibits and interactive displays to learn more about the desert plants and animals. There are also opportunities to feed giraffes or participate in animal encounters.

Salton Sea is the state’s largest lake and makes for another good destination along this route. It is 45 miles long and 20 miles wide with 130 miles of shoreline. The Salton Sea State Recreation Area is popular for fishing, boating, kayaking, hiking, water skiing and camping. Many diverse birds stop here annually during their migration which also makes this a wonderful place for bird watching.

Pit Stop: Visit the Cabazon Dinosaurs Roadside attraction to go inside one of the giant dinosaur sculptures

Death Valley National Park

Distance: 260 miles

This California park is undeniably one of the hidden gems of the National Park system. Its name may not be appealing but this park offers so much for nature lovers.

We love visiting the Badwater Basin which are miles of salt flats and is North America’s lowest point at 282 feet below sea level. It’s easily accessible and is a surreal background for photos.

My kids’ favorite area is the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. It almost feels like we’ve been transported to the Sahara every time we visit.

Other places not to miss are the amazing views from Zabrieskie Point, Ubehebe Crater and the colorful rock formations at the Artist’s Palette. Spend a weekend inside the park at one of its campgrounds or at historic Inn at Death Valley or at family-friendly Ranch at Death Valley.

We’ve taken this road trip from Las Vegas as a day trip but this is a better weekend getaway and great road trip from Southern California.

Explore Neighboring States

Las Vegas , Nevada

Distance: 305 miles

We have done this road trip many times over the years. This is a favorite and familiar trip for many Southern Californians. The majority of the route entails an uneventful ride along the I-15 freeway, with rugged mountains, desert landscapes, and Joshua trees surrounding the area. This road trip is definitely more about the destination than the journey.

Las Vegas offers plenty of activities for families despite its reputation. We never miss visiting the Bellagio Hotel and see the display at the atrium. While some of the casinos have some forms of entertainment for families from pools, rollercoasters to family-friendly shows, we’ve always preferred the attractions outside the strip.

Don’t miss the engineering marvel of Hoover Dam and the natural attractions and great trails of Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire State Park.

Pit Stops:

Barstow offers plenty of restaurants and makes for a great pit stop and restroom break along the route. For the cheapest gas, exit Ghost Town Road.
Baker also makes for a great pit stop to see the world’s tallest thermometer. Don’t miss a stop at the Alien Fresh Jerky to see some very unique alien memorabilia and merchandise and taste test some delicious beef jerky.

Sedona /Flagstaff, Arizona

Distance: 480 miles

Known as “Red Rock Country”, Sedona is an amazing getaway whether for a long weekend or an extended time. It is worth the 6+ hours of driving through busy Interstate 10. The 7.5-mile Red Rock Scenic Byway leading to Sedona offers some of the most views and is a spectacular drive past large red rock formations with many viewpoints.

Sedona has plenty of activities to keep everyone busy. Hiking through the stunning scenery is unforgettable especially along Bell Rock, Cathedral Rocks and the Devil’s Bridge Trail. One of the best ways to get to know Sedona is by doing one of the Pink Jeep Tours that takes visitors to see some inaccessible parts.

Don’t miss Chapel of the Holy Cross built into the red rocks, Slide Rock State Park for cooling off and sliding into the water, Montezuma Castle National Monument (one of North America’s best preserved cliff dwellings and other activities like hiking, horseback riding or going on a hot air balloon ride.

Flagstaff, in Northern Arizona and about 45 minutes away from Sedona, is a great destination or side tri. It boasts four seasons and is a hub of outdoor activities from hiking in the world’s largest ponderosa pine forest or the San Francisco Peaks or skiing in the alpine ski resort of Arizona Snowbowl.

Flagstaff also has the Arboretum, Lowell Observatory, interesting museums, Meteor Crater and historic sites like Walnut Canyon National Monument and Wupatki National Monument.

This trip can be combined with Phoenix/Scottsdale or the Grand Canyon, both about two hours away, if you have more time.

Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona

Distance: 385 miles

Phoenix is a major metropolitan area that makes for an easy road trip from Southern California. It offers a variety of indoor and outdoor attractions around the Sonoran desert. Winter is the best time to visit. Don’t miss visiting the Desert Botanical Garden, hiking up Camelback Mountain, exploring the diverse museums, shopping or swimming at many of the resort pools.

Scottsdale, about 20 minutes from Phoenix, is a great area to explore especially the historic old town area. It is filled with galleries, shops, cafes and restaurants in walkable neighborhoods. Use the free Scottsdale trolley to get around. The urban McDowell Sonoran Reserve has over 200 miles of scenic trails. If you’re a fan of cool buildings, check out and tour Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home and architectural school, Taliesin West.

Pit Stop: Yuma has plenty of restaurants and a main street to stroll. If you want to stretch your legs, you can also go along the riverwalk.

If you have some time, this trip can be combined with Sedona/Flagstaff which is two hours away or the Grand Canyon which is four hours away.

Grand Canyon National Park

Distance: 425 miles

It’s easy to understand why the Grand Canyon is a national park bucket list for many people. Photos can’t truly convey how this magnificent park looks in person. It’s amazing to think this was the result of the Colorado River carving this canyon for thousands of years. It is massive at 18 miles wide and 277 miles long.

The South Rim is open all year and one most visited by tourists. There are many hiking trails and even an option to go down the canyon riding in mules. The views are spectacular. Our favorite time to visit is usually during the winter when the weather is more favorable and there are lesser crowds.

Pit Stop: Kingman, Arizona is a wonderful pit stop to break off the road trip. While you can eat at the several restaurants here, there are also some interesting attractions like the Route 66 museum, Hualapai Mountain Park or Lake Mohave.

Lake Powell

Distance: 615 miles

One of America’s most scenic areas also happens to have many attractions to keep families busy and entertained. Lake Powell is America’s second largest man-made lake created and filled by a nearby dam. The lake and surrounding area was incorporated into establishing the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

Lake Powell is 186 miles (299 km) long with over 1,900 miles (3,058 km) of shoreline. It has several marinas and filled with many houseboats (which you can rent and can occupy 1-2 families) and is a hub for water sports, fishing and hiking.

Scenic sandstone arches, buttes, spires, cliffs and canyons surround this area that spans between Arizona and Utah. The lake’s blue waters is a sparkling contrast to the surrounding red rock formations.

Don’t miss these other main attractions in the area:

Rainbow Bridge. This is known as “the world’s largest natural bridge” spanning over 200 feet over a canyon.

Antelope Canyon

We’ve visited many places over the years and this is one of the most picturesque areas. Divided into Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon, visitors must be with tour guides to protect and preserve this sacred land. We visited Lower Antelope Canyon (which locals told us was better) and it was incredible.

Light permeating through the narrow slots was very dramatic. You may have seen photos of these formations over the years but there is no comparison to seeing the textures, shapes and color in person. Book your tours early especially during the busy season.

Horseshoe Bend

The Horseshoe Bend area is another popular photography spot that shouldn’t be missed in the area. The horseshoe shaped natural formation winding around the Colorado River at a 270-degree angle is an amazing sight.

Its sheer size, colors and panoramic views were extraordinary. But, the viewpoint is from a cliff drop-off with no guardrails. It is a nerve-wracking site to visit on a windy day with kids so just be cautious and be warned prior to visiting.

Pit Stop:

We started this road trip from Las Vegas which was about 4.5 hours away. If you have more time, you can combine this trip by spending a few days in Sin City.
St. George, Utah is a scenic road trip stop surrounded by beautiful red rocks. It has many hotels, shops and restaurants, outdoor activities and conveniently located off the Interstate 15.

Laughlin/Bullhead City/Lake Havasu City

Distance: 300 miles

Lake Havasu City is widely known in this part of the country as Spring Break central especially between the Southern California and Arizona college students. But, visit another time and you’ll find out why it’s called ‘Arizona’s Playground’. There are a variety of attractions and activities on and off the water,

The city is also known as “The Personal Watercraft (PWC or jetskis) Hub of the World.” It’s easy to explore the city’s coves and beaches. Activities like kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, boating and fishing are very popular or even just laying out in pontoons.

The area has 1,800 miles of trails perfect for hiking, cycling or off-roading. It is also a great place for birders with about 355 bird species in the area especially at the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge and Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge. Another wonderful way to see the area is through riding hot air balloons. And don’t forget to visit the famous London Bridge here.

Laughlin, Nevada

Combine this trip with Laughlin, Nevada which looks a lot like Las Vegas of yesteryear with less than 10 casinos. Located in the Colorado River Valley, it sits in the intersection of Nevada, California and Arizona. There are plenty of activities of the river including cruises. Visit Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area for fishing, swimming and boating, Black Mountains, Grapevine Canyon and Spirit Mountain for hiking and to see interesting rock formations and Indian petroglyph.

Cross the river from Laughlin to Oatman, Arizona to see its gold mining history and interesting shops. But, the star attractions here are the semi wild burros roaming around.

Tucson, Arizona

Distance: 435 miles

The Interstate 8 route to Tucson can be uneventful except for the few times you can catch a glimpse of Mexico. Tucson is a great destination especially during the wintertime. It has “great/fantastic” resorts with many amenities.

Saguaro National Park is filled with various cacti plants and of course, the unique and giant saguaro plants. The park has plenty of hiking trails and offers many educational opportunities to learn about the saguaro and its harsh environment.

The park has two sections: Tucson Mountain District (West) and the Rincon Mountain District (East). The West side is more scenic and has more Saguaro forest while the East side has more hiking trails.

Other things not to miss are Biosphere 2 (where Science lives) and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum with desert plants, Mission San Xavier del Bac and Old Tucson for its western attractions.

Pit Stop: Yuma, Arizona is a great pit stop to break up the road trip which lies on the border of California and Arizona. There are several hotels and restaurants here along with a riverwalk.

Travel to Utah

Brian Head Ski Resort/Cedar Breaks National Monument

Distance: 510 miles

We have made a road trip to this ski resort for many winters. We love Brian Head for its small town feel, lesser crowds and affordable ski lift ticket prices. My kids learned to ski and snowboard here and it is one of our family’s favorite ski places.

But, there are other wintertime activities here beyond the slopes. The resort also offers snow-tubing, sledding, snowmobile tours and snowshoeing through the adjacent Cedar Breaks National Monument. The red rocks at the monument are beautiful during winter with the contrasting surrounding snow.

Summer at Brian Head also offers many activities from mountain biking, hiking, tubing, scenic chairlift rides to the summit and 12 hole disc golf. Cedar Breaks National Monument is a fantastic place for stargazing and wildflower viewing during the summer. We have always wanted to return during the summer but have yet to make it.

Pit Stop: Las Vegas, Nevada is called ‘Entertainment Capital of the World’ for the various activities it offers no matter what age group you belong to. We have always stopped in Las Vegas as our halfway point to stay overnight on the way home and for lunch going there.

Zion National Park/Bryce Canyon National Park

Distance: 560 miles

Two of Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks can be visited together in an epic road trip or visited individually. Zion National Park is the state’s most visited park. It is a park filled with canyon walls, boulders and monoliths. You’ll be doing a lot of looking up to these rock formations but also see views of narrow canyons, clear water and rock arches.

The park has a myriad of scenic hiking trails especially The Narrows and Emerald Pools and if you’re brave and patient enough, Angel’s Landing. Zion also has a variety of other outdoor activities like canyoneering, horseback riding, stargazing, scenic driving and wildlife watching.

Bryce Canyon National Park and its amphitheater of red and orange rocks is a spectacular sight. The hoodoos, tall and multi-colored limestone rock formations, make up most of the park.

The 20-mile long park has many scenic overlooks. But, one of the best ways to get up close to the hoodoos is going on one of the hiking trails for various skill levels or depending on your time constraints.