Skip to content

Northern California

Central California

Monterey Peninsula

Southern California

FOODIE FRIDAY CHECK-IN

California Road Trips

California Road Trips

Featured Photo: Joonyeop Baek via Unsplash

From San Diego to the Redwoods in Humboldt County, we can help you figure out where to stay, eat and what to do on your next California road trip. Local Getaways offers local knowledge, including ways to volunteer, take your EV on the road and what we consider some of the most scenic road trips in the most beautiful state. Traveling with Fido? We have loads of dog-friendly options, too.

Love getting in — or just being near — the water? We’ll get you there with articles on Big Sur, the Mendocino Coast and Santa Barbara.

Nature lovers, we’ve got you covered from Death Valley to Lassen National Park and plenty of other scenic spots in between.

History buffs — Bodie, California’s iconic bridges and historic train rides and museums, as well as a rundown of all California Missions — are just a few options for those who enjoy California history.

Foodies — we didn’t forget you — we’ve researched under the radar food towns in the Bay Area, the Sonoma artisan food scene and did the hard job of going on a food-focused, Wine Country girls trip.

You can also visit out What to Do in Northern California and Southern California pages for all the latest activities, or to figure out which annual events to plan your trip around.

Road Trips to the Ocean, Lakes and Rivers

A lone cypress tree stands on a rocky outcrop overlooking a vast, calm ocean. The coastline stretches in the background, with misty hills visible in the distance. Green foliage is in the foreground, adding depth to this iconic scene—a must-see among Monterey things to do.

Best Road Trip Sights in Monterey Not to Miss

A scenic ocean view at sunset features waves crashing against dark rocks. The shoreline curves gently, with white foam from the waves spreading across the beach. Rolling hills and a mountain range are visible in the distance under a sky with scattered clouds—perfect for a road trip along the Lost Coast.

How to Road Trip the Lost Coast

A gray whale breaches the surface of a calm, blue ocean, its body partially visible above the water. The sky is clear and blue, and there are waves surrounding the whale, indicating its movement. The horizon is faintly visible in the background.

6 Perfect Spots Along the NorCal Coast for Watching Gray Whales

A humpback whale, partially covered in barnacles, breaches out of the ocean water in Monterey Bay. The massive whale's body is arched, with its flippers extended. The splash creates a dynamic scene, showcasing the mesmerizing wildlife with a distant coastline visible in the background.

Monterey Bay Brims With Whales and Other Memorable Wildlife

A winding coastal road curves along a rugged cliffside of the Mendocino Coast, bordered by a pristine turquoise ocean on the left and a lush, forested hillside on the right. The sky is bright blue with scattered clouds, adding to the scenic beauty of this tranquil landscape.

Mendocino Coast: Unexplored Wilderness and Small-Town Charm

An aerial view of a long bridge spanning a wide body of water, surrounded by hilly terrain and dense forests in what could be part of a California road trip near Lake Shasta. Mountains rise in the background under a lightly overcast sky, and a white truck is seen crossing the bridge.

California Road Trip: Lake Shasta

A group of three cyclists rides mountain bikes on a rocky trail surrounded by wildflowers and greenery, as outlined in the Tahoe summer guide. The path winds through mountainous terrain with patches of snow visible in the background under a clear blue sky.

Time for Tahoe: A Guide to a Great End of Summer Getaway

A straight road leads towards distant, rugged mountains under a clear blue sky. The landscape features dry, grassy terrain on either side of the road, with tall, snow-capped peaks dominating the horizon—a perfect scene for a California road trip to Mammoth Mountain.

California Road Trip: Mammoth Mountain

A bright orange scallop rests on a rocky seabed in Monterey. Its rough textured shell blends with the surrounding gray and white pebbles, while the vibrant orange inner part contrasts against the muted background. Small pieces of debris are scattered around, making it a hidden gem for Best Scuba Diving Central Coast.

Best Places to Scuba Dive on the Central Coast

A scenic beach in southern California with white waves crashing against the shore and cliffs in the background. People are scattered along the sandy beach and swimming in the ocean. There are umbrellas and beach towels on the sand. The sky is partly cloudy—perfect timing for some of the Best Snorkeling Southern California offers.

Best Places to Go Snorkeling in Southern California

Road Trips to Nature's Hidden Gems

Two wooden lounge chairs with cushions are positioned on a wooden deck, facing an expansive view of the calm ocean. A small side table between the chairs holds a glass of water, with a tree and lush greenery nearby under a clear blue sky—a scene reminiscent of tranquil California spa retreats.

California Roadtrips: Seaside Spa Retreats

A serene coastal scene with clear blue skies and calm ocean waves washing over a rocky shoreline. The foreground features lush green palm trees and foliage, contrasting with the rugged, rocky beach extending into the distance—it's one of the best scuba diving spots in Southern California.

Best Places to Scuba Dive in Southern California

Road Trips for Foodies

A wooden plate contains sliced scallion pancakes arranged around a divided dish, which holds three compartments of dipping sauces: soy-based sauce, avocado salad with sesame seeds, and a spicy mayo mixture. Perfect for the best dinner in Wine Country, the colorful presentation enhances the appetizing look.

Best Tasting Rooms in Sonoma County

A picturesque vineyard with neat rows of grapevines stretches across the gently rolling hills of Anderson Valley under a clear blue sky. In the background, forests and trees frame the lush green landscape, while a wooden trellis supports the vines in the foreground.

California Roadtrips: Anderson Valley

A spread of Sonoma County artisanal food on a wooden table features sliced bread, a bunch of grapes, crackers, bowls of dip, cheese, olives, yellow bell pepper, and some lemons. The background includes a green potted plant.

Cheese, Bread, Honey, Olive Oil: Sonoma County Artisanal Food Scene Has It All

1 2 3 Next »

Road Trips for History Buffs

A picturesque view of a Spanish colonial-style building, evocative of Southern California Missions, surrounded by palm trees and reflected in a clear, lily-pad-covered pond in the foreground. People walk and gather near the building, enjoying the sunny day.

Southern California Missions: From Old Mission Santa Barbara to Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá

A historic mission-style building reminiscent of the central California missions, featuring a central bell tower and two smaller towers on each side. The facade includes ornate details, a large wooden door, and a cross at the top. Palm trees and lush greenery surround it, with a pathway leading to the entrance.

Central California Missions: From Mission Carmel to Mission Santa Inez

A small white mission-style church with a bell tower topped by a cross. The front entrance is an arched wooden door. Nearby is a tall tree and a signpost that reads "Historic Mission Santa Cruz," one of the iconic Northern California Missions. The sky is clear and blue.

Northern California Missions: From San Juan Bautista to San Francisco Solano de Sonoma

A vintage steam locomotive with the number X-45 on its front leads a red passenger car through a lush forest in Northern California. The train engine has a shiny brown and black exterior and is enveloped by tall green trees. Smoke is billowing from the chimney as the train moves forward, creating a scene like those featured in trains and museums.

Historic Train Rides and Museums in Northern California

A nighttime view of the Tower Bridge, one of the iconic California bridges, illuminated with golden lights in Sacramento. The bridge features two prominent towers connected by a central span reflecting on the calm river below. The sky is a dusky blue with a hint of dusk's last light.

The Bridges of California Counties

Two towering sequoia trees stretch upwards against a bright blue sky, framed by other trees and leafy branches. The thick trunks and dense foliage create an awe-inspiring perspective, evoking the grandeur of California Gold Country's historic mining towns.

California’s Gold Country: Giant Sequoias and Historical Mining Towns

1 2 Next »

Did we miss your favorite road trip?
Let us know — email us at connect@localgetaways.com or tag us @localgetaways.

415.462.6100
connect@localgetaways.com
2330 Marinship Way, Ste 300
Sausalito, CA 94965

Company

About Us
Subscribe
Download Our App
Our Partners
Newsletter Archive
Work With Us
Terms
Privacy

CONNECT WITH US

Instagram Facebook Twitter Linkedin Pinterest Youtube Tiktok

Scroll to Top