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California is the third-largest state in the country and home to over 40 million people, as well as a range of environments and landscapes: dense forests in the north, rugged mountains in the east, majestic deserts in the south, world-class beaches on the coast, and the fabulous wine regions in the west and in the Central Valley. <\/p>\n
And it’s perfect for road trips. <\/p>\n
I\u2019ve already outlined an awesome seven-day itinerary for Southern California<\/a>, but today I wanted to share a longer, more comprehensive route for anyone who has a few weeks to explore more of the state\u2019s cities and landscapes.<\/p>\n Even with three weeks, you\u2019ll still miss a lot of great spots in this state (I mean, you could spend months traveling California), but this suggested itinerary hits some of my favorite major \u2014 and not so major \u2014 places.<\/p>\n For more suggestions, here\u2019s a detailed list of things to see and do in San Francisco<\/a>.<\/p>\n Where to Stay<\/strong><\/p>\n For more suggestions, here\u2019s a full list of my favorite hostels in San Francisco!<\/a> <\/p>\n And if you need a rental car to kick-start your trip, check out Discover Cars<\/a>. They search rental agencies big and small to find the best deals. Where to Stay<\/strong> Here are some suggestions on how to fill your days:<\/p>\n For a much longer list on what to see and do in LA, check out my Los Angeles travel guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n Moreover, the city also has innumerable world-class food options. Some places I really like are Musso & Frank Grill, Dan Tana\u2019s, Meals by Genet, The Butcher\u2019s Daughter, and Sugarfish. <\/p>\n Where to Stay<\/strong><\/p>\n For more suggestions, here\u2019s a list of my favorite hostels in Los Angeles.<\/a> Here are some suggestions for things to see and do during your visit:<\/p>\n Where to Stay<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re on a budget, here\u2019s a list of the best hostels in San Diego for you.<\/a> The park was declared a national monument in 1936 and designated a national park in 1994. There are a lot of trails here, so consult the trail map when you visit. Some of my favorites are:<\/p>\n A seven-day vehicle pass for the park is $30 USD (it allows multiple entries in case you stay in one of the nearby towns).<\/p>\n Where to Stay<\/strong> Start your visit at the Giant Forest Museum to learn about the history, geography, and importance of the park and its flora and fauna. Afterward, walk the Big Trees Trail, a short loop that will get you in and among the trees so you can see them up close. <\/p>\n For a sweeping view of the forest and surrounding landscape, hike up Moro Rock, a massive 250-foot granite dome that juts out of the surrounding hills and forest. Stairs and a concrete viewpoint were built into the rock itself, so you can safely climb to the top and enjoy the magnificent vista.<\/p>\n And for more hiking options and beautiful scenery, visit nearby Kings Canyon National Park. Here you\u2019ll find \u201cGeneral Grant\u201d (the third largest tree in the world). For a scenic drive, cruise along the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway. <\/p>\n Both parks are around 4-6 hours from Joshua Tree. Combined admission for both parks is $35 USD. If you plan on visiting a lot of national parks and federal lands on your road trip, you might want to get an America the Beautiful parks pass ($80 for a one-year pass). <\/p>\n Where to Stay<\/strong> Yosemite is also where you\u2019ll find El Capit\u00e1n, the towering granite cliff you\u2019ve likely seen on social media (it was also featured in the documentary, Free Solo<\/em>, where elite rock climber Alex Honnold ascended the cliff face without ropes or other protective gear). <\/p>\n Here are a few hiking suggestions to help you get started:<\/p>\n Be sure to visit the visitors\u2019 center on arrival to get information on activities, prices, and the latest weather. Admission is $35 USD and reservations to enter the park are required for peak hours and seasons. <\/p>\n Where to Stay<\/strong> While it\u2019s a particularly expensive region of the state, it is possible to visit Napa Valley on a budget<\/a> if you plan ahead and share costs with other people. <\/p>\n If you\u2019re on a budget, stick to the markets and sandwich shops. Gott\u2019s Roadside has locations in both Napa and St. Helena and serves yummy burgers for $10-15 USD , while Ad Hoc runs a lunch-only food truck called Addendum offering delicious fried chicken made by a Michelin-star chef (only open Friday & Saturday). <\/p>\n Where to Stay<\/strong> It\u2019s time to head back to San Francisco. The drive is around 90 minutes, so you\u2019ll have plenty of time to make stops along the way if you see anything that piques your interest.<\/p>\n This three-week itinerary will help you cover a lot of ground without being too rushed. Adjust the route as you go (or based on the amount of time you have). But no matter the route you pick, the diversity and beauty of California will ensure you’ll have a wonderful road trip.<\/p>\n Need a car for your trip? Use the widget below to find the best deals with Discover Cars<\/a><\/strong>:
\n <\/p>\nDays 1\u20133: San Francisco <\/h3>\n
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\nSan Francisco<\/a> is one of the most recognizable cities in the US. Home to hippies, yuppies, techies, students, and a sizable immigrant community, it\u2019s vibrant and diverse. Here\u2019s a list of a few of my favorite things to see and do there:<\/p>\n\n
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\n <\/p>\nDay 4: Big Sur<\/h3>\n
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\nOn the coast, just over two hours south of San Francisco is a 90-mile expanse of stunning views and massive redwoods known as Big Sur. There are plenty of beautiful beaches, hiking trails, viewpoints, and campgrounds in case you want to stay overnight (which I recommend). It\u2019s one of the most beautiful stretches of craggy, unspoiled coastline in the state, so take your time exploring as you head south.<\/p>\n
\nI suggest staying at least one night around Big Sur (or just south of the region) to split up the drive to LA. If you don\u2019t have camping gear, Airbnb<\/a> has a lot of places around the area. You can also just pop into any of the numerous cheap motels nearby too.
\n <\/p>\nDays 5\u20137: Los Angeles<\/h3>\n
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\nThough I hated it when I first visited, I\u2019ve come to love Los Angeles<\/a>. It\u2019s not a \u201ctourist\u201d city: everything is spread out and there are not as many attractions as you\u2019d expect. But if you come to LA and go with the flow like a local, you\u2019ll see why people love it so much. This is a city where you eat, drink, hike the area’s many trails, and linger in a coffee shop. <\/p>\n\n
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\n <\/p>\nDays 8\u20139: San Diego<\/h3>\n
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\nSan Diego, just two hours down the coast, has just as much to offer as LA or SF. Plus, it\u2019s easier to navigate (since it\u2019s smaller), the weather is always perfect, the beaches are better, and it\u2019s cheaper too. After LA, it\u2019s my favorite city in the state. Spend a day or two soaking it in. <\/p>\n\n
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\n <\/p>\nDays 10\u201312: Joshua Tree National Park<\/h3>\n
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\nLocated just under three hours from San Diego and sandwiched between the Mojave and Colorado Deserts, this is where you\u2019ll find the iconic Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia<\/em>), twisted multi-branched trees. Towering boulders dot the arid landscape and swaths of cacti poke up from the hard dirt. It\u2019s an otherworldly place perfect for hiking, camping, and escaping the busy cities along California\u2019s coast.<\/p>\n\n
\nAirbnb<\/a> is the best option if you don\u2019t have your own camping gear, although there are also glamping and more rustic options.
\n <\/p>\nDays 13\u201315: Sequoia National Park & Kings Canyon National Park<\/h3>\n
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\nSequoia National Park, established in 1890, is where you\u2019ll find the largest single-stem tree in the entire world. Named \u201cGeneral Sherman,\u201d this giant sequoia tree stands a whopping 275 feet tall and has a diameter of 25 feet (that\u2019s a 103-foot circumference). It\u2019s so big that one of its branches is bigger than almost every single tree east of the Mississippi.<\/p>\n
\nThere are tons of places to camp here (both inside and outside of the parks). However, there are also lots of lodges and hotels if camping is not for you. Booking.com<\/a> is the best place to search for affordable options.
\n <\/p>\nDays 16\u201318: Yosemite National Park<\/h3>\n
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\nLocated in the Sierra Nevada mountain range two hours from Sequoia National Park and encompassing nearly 750,000 acres, Yosemite is one of the most iconic national parks in the country. It is one of the most popular parks in the US, seeing over four million visitors each year who enjoy hiking, biking, climbing, camping, rafting, canoeing, and kayaking here. <\/p>\n\n
\nIf you aren\u2019t planning to camp, there are actually many other options here. Lodges, resorts, and hotels can be found both inside the park and all around it. Use Airbnb<\/a> or Booking.com<\/a> to find a place to stay.
\n <\/p>\nDays 19\u201320: Napa Valley<\/h3>\n
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\nFinally, head northwest to Napa Valley, one of the world\u2019s premier wine regions, and end your trip relaxing at a vineyard. Napa is just over three hours from Yosemite and offers a plethora of world-class wine and food to indulge in.<\/p>\n
\nWhile some vineyards offer accommodation, they are usually super expensive. Unless you\u2019re looking to splurge, use Airbnb<\/a>. I find the best value accommodation in the area on that site.
\n <\/p>\nDay 21: Back to San Francisco<\/h3>\n
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