USD 
Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Sierra Nevada mountains, California on the open road is a spectacle. Dotted along the drive are small towns with movie-worthy backdrops, deserts, redwood forests, vineyards, beaches and mountains all at once.
Here’s how to get the most out of your California road trip.
The best length for a California road trip
It’s best to plan a California road trip with time to stop and enjoy the highlights. A drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco nears seven hours, so set aside two nights in Los Angeles, two nights in Pismo Beach and two nights in San Francisco.
The best time of year for a California road trip
California is exceptional year-round, with consistent sunny days and blue skies. Fall (September to November) is a magical time to visit, with its orange and russet colours and Halloween and Thanksgiving celebrations. Winter (November to March) brings fewer crowds and still has consistent warm days. Spring (April to June) promises mild weather and blooming wildflowers. Summer (June to August) is hot, ideal for beach dips.
The best itinerary for a California road trip
Stop 1: Santa Barbara
1.5 hours up the Pacific Coast Highway from Los Angeles is Santa Barbara. Dotted with red-tiled roofs, it has a Mediterranean feel with small world charm. At Santa Barbara Harbour, join a whale-watching excursion, rent a sailboat or go kayaking.
Stop 2: Solvang
Just 40 minutes north from Santa Barbara is Solvang. The Danish Capital of America, it’s a must-stop destination with windmills, cobblestone streets, gift shops and endless Danish bakeries. It feels nothing like California, but more a sun-drenched corner of Denmark.
Perfect for lunch, peasants FEAST is full of heart, with farm-to-table comfort food including butternut squash soup and freshly squeezed lemonade. The mac-and-cheese is satisfyingly crunchy, covered in herbed breadcrumbs.
The butter cookies from Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery are a perfect road trip snack. There are six different melt-in-your-mouth varieties: coconut, chocolate chip, cinnamon, almond, oatmeal and marble cookies.
Stop 3: San Luis Obispo & Paso Robles
Drive an hour through mountains and vineyards to a treasure of California: San Luis Obispo. This town is incredibly unique; with smoking outlawed and no drive-through establishments, it feels like a step back in time, where slow-paced living is encouraged. The neighbouring Paso Robles is home to more than 200 wineries.
15 minutes from San Luis Obispo, unpack your bags in Pismo Beach, where fresh salt air soothes the soul. Overlooking the ocean and steps from the promenade, Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach, Autograph Collection boasts a sparkling pool and hot tub and beach-view dining at Pequín Coastal Cocina. Here, enjoy everything from great morning coffee to Mexican-inspired dishes like mezcal-butter oysters and shrimp suiza enchiladas. End the day toasting s’mores over your private fire pit at Starlight Lawn, relaxing at Star Bar & Pool, or enjoying tequila-forward cocktails at Blend Bar. This is a stay that encourages you to slow down and relax when off the road.
Over-the-top, eccentric charm and quirkiness are celebrated at Madonna Inn. Amid extravagant vibrant chandeliers and pink velvet seats, a must-try is a large slice of the famous fluffy pink champagne cake.
Find eclectic American-Italian fare just outside downtown San Luis Obispo at Nate’s on Marsh. Here the food is homely and unfussy, like the spicy vodka rigatoni with fennel sausage through each bite. A California-focused wine list makes for a perfect dinner out.
Sextant Wines is a top tier winery with service to match. Patio tastings accompanied by large, fresh salads feel like you’re in a family backyard, but among acres of vineyards. The highly regarded Kamal Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is inventive, with complex layers of fruit and earthy flavours.
Every Thursday night, more than 100 stalls at San Luis Obispo Farmers’ Market fills five blocks with food, gifts, palm readings, crafts, baked goods and more. Humble Oven’s woodfired pizza on fresh focaccia with homemade ranch is a highlight.
Stop 4: Monterey
Once you’ve enjoyed two nights in Pismo Beach, pack the car and head 2.5 hours north to the rugged coastal town, Monterey, where fresh seafood, whale-watching and laid-back charm await.
Perfect for a fresh seafood lunch, Paluca Trattoria on Old Fisherman’s Wharf, featured in Big Little Lies, serves standout dishes like hand-breaded Monterey Bay calamari fritti and wild-caught Calabrian prawns in butter, lemon, and garlic.
From here, a two-hour picturesque drive between redwood trees and mountains leads to San Francisco. Entering is windy and steep, but this iconic city provides the grand finale for an unforgettable California road trip.
Want to extend your California road trip?
Yosemite National Park is a three-hour drive east from San Francisco, through the heart of California’s Central Valley. Small towns like Oakdale and Mariposa are perfect stops to stretch your legs and grab a bite. Journey towards Yosemite’s granite peaks, towering cliffs, winding rivers, pine forests and waterfalls to experience one of the most beautiful national parks in the world.
Feature image: California. Source: Shutterstock / Strikernia.
