Best Road Trips From Los Angeles

🚗 460 miles ⏱️ 10 hours

With its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, historic cable cars, and eclectic neighborhoods, there's always something to explore in San Francisco. Here, you can visit amazing museums, enjoy waterfront dining, and take a trip to Alcatraz.

Driving on the Pacific Coast Highway, you will pass through many beautiful coastal towns on this drive, such as Santa Barbara and Pismo Beach.

🚗 330 miles ⏱️ 7 hours, 10 minutes

Monterey is the ultimate coastal escape. Imagine driving along the stunning 17-Mile Drive, visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and wandering through historic Cannery Row. Don't forget to treat yourself to some of the freshest seafood in the country!

This coastal drive will take you through Pismo Beach, Morro Bay and Big Sur before you settle in to explore Monterey.

🚗 110 miles ⏱️ 2 hours, 40 minutes

Palm Springs is a chic desert oasis with luxurious resorts. Here, you can soak up the sun by the pool, explore mid-century modern architecture, and treat yourself to a pampering spa treatment.

Before you reach Palm Springs, you can also visit Lake Perris State Recreation Area and San Bernardino if you have some extra time.

🚗 320 miles ⏱️ 5 hours, 35 minutes

Visiting Death Valley National Park will feel like stepping onto another planet with its dramatic landscapes and desert extremes. Wander through salt flats, marvel at colorful rock formations, and soak in the otherworldly scenery.

On your way, you can also spend some time in Bakersfield and see the movie-like landscape of Searles Lake.

🚗 640 miles ⏱️ 14 hours, 30 minutes

Lake Tahoe is a year-round playground for outdoor enthusiasts. With its crystal-clear waters, ski resorts, and hiking trails, it's perfect for adventure. In summer, you can also enjoy boating and relaxing at the beach.

Some of the unforgettable places you can visit on this drive are Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, as well as stunning Yosemite.

🚗 480 miles ⏱️ 7 hours, 15 minutes

Sedona is a mystical destination surrounded by stunning red rock formations. In addition to its postcard-perfect scenery, Sedona is also known for its mysterious spiritual vortex sites and wellness retreats.

On the way, you can add Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park and the urban metropolis of Phoenix to your itinerary.

🚗 35 miles ⏱️ 50 minutes

Malibu is a luxurious beach getaway with its stunning coastline, upscale homes, and chances of celebrity sightings. Relax on its sandy beaches, enjoy some retail therapy and treat yourself to a gourmet meal.

This drive is perfect for a day trip and you can extend your journey to visit Tuna Canyon Park and Topanga State Park en route.

🚗 270 miles ⏱️ 4 hours

For an unforgettable experience, Las Vegas is the place to be. Dazzling lights, neon-lit casinos, and spectacular shows all in one city, you can also indulge in fine dining and dance the night away in Sin City.

As you drive towards Las Vegas, you can learn more about the Route 66 legacy of Barstow and visit Mojave National Preserve.

🚗 140 miles ⏱️ 3 hours

Visit Solvang to experience a touch of Denmark in California. This charming town is filled with Danish-style architecture, windmills, and lovely bakeries. As you stroll through the European-style streets don't forget to treat yourself to a delicious pastry!

On the way, you can spend some time on the beautiful coastline and visit Malibu and Santa Barbara as you drive to Solvang.

🚗 900 miles ⏱️ 14 hours, 45 minutes

Santa Fe is a cultural gem you won't want to miss. History buffs will love exploring and learning about the Pueblo-style architecture. Here, you can wander through art galleries, visit historic churches, and discover the delicious Southwestern cuisine.

On this sizeable drive, you can visit Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park and will also pass through Phoenix and Albuquerque.

🚗 60 miles ⏱️ 1 hour

Santa Catalina Island is a popular getaway thanks to its clear waters, charming Avalon village, and fun watersports opportunities such as snorkeling. You can also visit the cute boutiques and enjoy a meal at the restaurants downtown.

This drive is a beach lover's dream with the beautiful coastal towns of Long Beach, Huntington Beach and Newport Beach right en route.

🚗 380 miles ⏱️ 6 hours, 30 minutes

If you haven't visited Yosemite National Park before, now is the time. Even if it is your second (or tenth) visit, you will be awe-struck by the majestic waterfalls, towering granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome and giant sequoias.

You might be in a hurry to reach Yosemite, but we recommend taking the time to also visit Owens Lake and Mammoth Lakes on the way.

🚗 100 miles ⏱️ 2 hours

With its Mediterranean-style architecture, beautiful beaches, and renowned wineries, Santa Barbara the perfect place to relax and unwind. Here, you can explore boutique shops and treat yourself to fine dining by the ocean.

If you'd like to go beach-hopping on this drive, you can also visit Santa Monica and glamorous Malibu on your way to Santa Barbara.

🚗 500 miles ⏱️ 9 hours, 30 minutes

For wine connoisseurs, Napa Valley and Sonoma are dream destinations. Picture rolling vineyards, award-winning wineries, and incredible meals, and you will have an idea of what awaits you in California's Wine Country.

On the way, we highly recommend also visiting Big Sur, Carmel-on-the-Sea, Monterey and San Francisco if you have some extra time.

🚗 510 miles ⏱️ 8 hours

The Grand Canyon is one of the world's natural wonders that you simply must see. Its vast size, stunning vistas, and stunning landscape in general will leave you speechless. You can hike its trails to see these landscapes or take a helicopter ride to see them from up top.

You can also visit Mojave National Preserve and learn about the Route 66 history of Kingman and Williams en route.

🚗 220 miles ⏱️ 4 hours, 30 minutes

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park offer a chance to see some of the world's largest trees. These national parks are magical landscapes where you can wander through groves of giant sequoias and camp under starry skies.

On this inland drive, you can also stop and explore Santa Clarita and Bakersfield if you'd like to extend your road trip.

🚗 840 miles ⏱️ 17 hours

Step into a world of giants at Redwood National Park. These towering trees will make you feel like you've entered an ancient forest kingdom. In these parks, you can hike through green forest trails and drive along scenic routes.

On the way, you can also visit Monterey, San Francisco, make a stop at Mendocino and see the Glass Beach in Fort Bragg.

🚗 295 miles ⏱️ 5 hours, 40 minutes

If you are looking for a postcard-perfect coastal landscape, Big Sur is the place to visit. Picture rugged cliffs, breathtaking ocean views and hikes through stunning landscapes, and you will have an idea of what awaits you at this stunning destination.

If you have time, we recommend also visiting Santa Barbara, Pismo Beach and Morro Bay en route.

🚗 130 miles ⏱️ 2 hours

Joshua Tree National Park is a surreal desert wonderland. Known for its unique Joshua trees and striking rock formations, it's perfect for hiking, rock climbing, and stargazing.

This is a relatively short drive, so you can also stop at Lake Perris State Recreation Area and Palm Springs to extend your road trip.

🚗 140 miles ⏱️ 2 hours

San Diego has a laid-back coastal lifestyle that's hard to resist. With its beautiful beaches, world-famous zoo, and lively Gaslamp Quarter, there's always something to do in this beautiful city.

On the way, you can stop at San Clemente and visit its beautiful beach, and visit LEGOLAND California in Carlsbad, which is a great stop for families.

🚗 50 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 20 minutes

Laguna Beach is a beautiful coastal town with beautiful beaches, art galleries, and festivals. Here, you will enjoy beautiful ocean views, spend some time under the Californian sun and enjoy meals at the charming oceanside cafes.

This relatively short road trip is perfect to do as a day trip, and it will also take you through Huntington Beach and Newport Beach.

🚗 610 miles ⏱️ 11 hours, 10 minutes

Sacramento is the perfect spot for an urban adventure. Discover the stories of the Gold Rush, visit the busy streets downtown, and treat yourself to the city's renowned farm-to-fork dining options.

The incredible destinations you will get to tick off your bucket list on this drive include Death Valley, Yosemite and Lake Tahoe.

🚗 370 miles ⏱️ 5 hours, 30 minutes

Phoenix is a sunny desert metropolis famous for its luxury resorts, amazing golf courses, and plenty of outdoor activities. You will also find local museums, which make Phoenix a top destination.

Don't miss out on visiting glitzy Palm Springs and the desert oasis of Joshua Tree National Park on your way to Phoenix.

🚗 430 miles ⏱️ 6 hours

If you are looking to spend some time in the great outdoors, Zion National Park is one of the best places to visit. Here you can explore stunning trails leading you through narrow canyons, enjoy rock climbing on its towering cliffs, and simply soak in the beauty.

En route, you can also visit the expansive and beautiful Mojave National Preserve and try your luck in the glittering casinos of Las Vegas.

🚗 960 miles ⏱️ 15 hours

Portland is a quirky and eco-friendly city with a lot of heart. Known for its food trucks, craft breweries, and pretty parks, you'll feel right at home in Portland with its friendly community and laid-back atmosphere.

There are many amazing places you can spend time in on this drive to Oregon, including Sacramento, Mouth Shasta, Eugene and Salem.

🚗 90 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 30 minutes

Carlsbad is a family-friendly beach town. With beautiful beaches, LEGOLAND California, and colorful flower fields, there's something for everyone here. You can enjoy surfing, visit family attractions, or simply enjoy some shopping downtown.

This road trip is a great one for families, because you can visit the world-famous Disneyland in Anaheim en route to Carlsbad.

🚗 90 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 20 minutes

Ventura and Channel Islands National Park are amazing places to visit if you are looking for a quiet coastal adventure. On Channel Islands, you can enjoy beautiful hiking trails, and can spend time kayaking, snorkeling, and exploring.

On the way, why not take some time to enjoy the boardwalk in Santa Monica, walk on the sandy beaches of Malibu?

🚗 440 miles ⏱️ 7 hours, 40 minutes

Scottsdale is the perfect destination for a sun-soaked desert retreat. In Scottsdale, you can relax and pamper yourself in luxurious resorts or enjoy playing golf on world-class courses; there is something for everyone here.

We recommend planning some additional time to make detours to Palm Springs and the beautiful Joshua Tree National Park en route.

🚗 160 miles ⏱️ 2 hours, 30 minutes

For an offbeat adventure, you can visit Salton Sea. This surreal landscape is perfect for exploring abandoned shores, quirky art installations, and birdwatching. The unique beauty and artistic spirit of this place will make it a truly fascinating visit.

Some of the iconic Californian destinations you can visit on this road trip are Palm Springs, Palm Desert and Joshua Tree National Park.

🚗 100 miles ⏱️ 2 hours, 20 minutes

For a mountain retreat, Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake are perfect. At these lakes, you can enjoy boating on crystal-clear waters, hiking through scenic trails, and cozying up in beautiful and homely cabins.

To make the best of this drive, you can spend some time in Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area and San Bernardino National Forest.