What are the best road trips in California and why?
CA-1 from Los Angeles to Monterey, or vice versa (1 long day, including stops, preferably 2).You drive right alongside the coast and see it change from the sandy LA beaches to the majestic Big Sur mountains to the rocky Monterey shores. There are also plenty of amazing stops on the way--beaches with breeding elephant seals, Mcway Falls, and Point Lobos are just a few.Make sure you'll have enough daylight to appreciate the end portion! I recommend camping in Big Sur halfway if you have the chance. Joshua Tree National Park, Park Blvd. (1/2-1 day).This is the main road through JTNP, and it's amazing, especially if you're interested in desert habitats. Not only do you get to see gorgeous landscapes, fantastical Joshua trees, and crazy rock climbers, but there are also many turnouts with educational signs. At the end of the day, you can catch the sunset at Key's View looking out over the Coachella Valley. Many people road-trip to Joshua Tree from Los Angeles, passing through Palm Springs for some golf or shopping.Sequoia National Park, Generals Highway. (1/2-1 day).The Generals Highway was specifically built to encourage people to come see the famous California sequoias, the biggest trees in the world. It's great for the laziest of road-trippers--you'll drive just a few feet away from some gigantic trees! And if you get inspired, there are trails ranging from 15 minute strolls to multi-day treks into the great Sierra wilderness.As a note: summer is extremely crowded! This is a good trip to save for slightly off-season...I've been in fall and it was basically empty.US-101 from LA to SF (1/2 day)This is LA-SF trip that's much shorter than #1's CA-1, but much less mind-numbingly flat and depressing than I-5. You don't get the beautiful ocean views, but there are nice mountains and you get to drive on the historic El Camino Real. There are definitely historic stops en route, although I've only done this as a fast half-day trip home.
Road trip from California to Toronto?
My friend and I are planning a road trip from California to Toronto. We are planning to follow I-80 E running through Nevada, Utah (planing to head south and stop at Zion national park) Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, and then cut through Michigan. I was just wondering if you all know some cant miss things that we should stop at or see. Looks like its the top of Nevada, Utah we are starting up north and ending south on our diversionary trip. Mid north Nebraska, we are probably going to cut through Colorado as well getting back on track. Middle of Iowa and Illinois then middle and bottom Michigan. So I'd love to here of any cool, interesting, must see and weird things out there! Thanks
Road trip ideas in or around California?
I live in Los Angeles and take an annual road trip with my Mom every summer. Last year, we drove up to San Francisco. What is a cool place to spend a weekend, or maybe 3 days within a reasonable driving distance from Los Angeles? The destination should not be aimed towards gambling or drinking, as I am a minor. Thanks!
What are good three day trips to take from Davis, California?
Three good day trips:The easternmost natural redwood forest can be found in a state park near Calistoga, California - Wikipedia . And there are wineries nearby also - Napa Valley. About 1.1 hours from Davis.Point Reyes - Wikipedia Hike on the beach. Watch for sea mammals. Eat dinner in Point Reyes Station. About 1.5 hours from Davis.Castle Peak (California) - Wikipedia Hike on the ridge or look at meadow flowers near the Peter Grubb hut. About 1.9 hours from Davis.Telegraph Avenue - Wikipedia in Berkeley and Oakland. Go to Moe’s used bookstore. Check out the handmade jewelry on the street. Visit the Botanical Garden in the hills. About 1.1 hours from Davis.Good Three Day trips:Too numerous to list. Yosemite Valley, Big Sur, Jughandle Creek in Mendocino County, Desolation Wilderness, Lake Tahoe, Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay, Crystal Basin, Mokolumne Wilderness, Ventana Wilderness … . I have even done a three day trip to Anza Borrego Desert, but its two long days of driving — 5 days is much better.
How much for a ROAD TRIP from Pennsylvania to California?
You don't say where in Pennsylvania to where in California. So, I assumed Philadelphia to San Diego - which is approx 2650 miles one way. Let's assume you go back from San Francisco, 2880 miles one way, SD to SF is 500 miles (shortest route) = 6030 miles round trip. Let's round it up to 6300 miles just to give a little buffer for side trips, getting lost etc.. Let's assume your car gets 25MPG - you will need 252 gallons of gasoline. Since we can only assume the price of gasoline, let's assume worst case and say it's $5.00 gallon. (If more Middle East countries implode politically, in particular Saudi Arabia - $5/gallon is not unrealistic). You will need $1260.00 for gasoline. By the way gasoline in California is the most expensive in the country, if you pay $3.50 in Penn, they are paying $4.25 in Cal today. Hotels - roadside hotels, i,e, Motel 8 type places range from $50ish to $150ish a night. All depends on where in the country. If you and your friends are under 21, forget about renting motel rooms. I would plan on the drive alone requiring 2 overnights each way. It's possible to rotate drivers and not stop at all, but let's assume you stop. 4 nights roadside motel, 1 room @ $100/night = $400. Without knowing where or how long you will be in Cal it's difficult to estimate hotels there. I would just plan on rooms in Cal being $150/night on average. For discussion lets assume your spend 7 nights in motels in Cal = $1050. Gas and lodging = $1260 + 1450 = $2710. Divided by 4 = 678 each, let's round up to $680. Food, just give yourself a daily budget. Assume $10/breakfast, $15/lunch, $20/dinner per person = $45/person/day. X10 days = $450/person. Spending money.........who knows, give yourself a budget for spending. This is the place that could cost some $. Entry fees into National Parks, tourist stuff (Alcatraz tour), mechanical breakdown, T-shirts, etc.... Say you budget $1000/person total for "extras"? Per person total = $680 + $450 + $1000 = $2130. How to cut cost - take turns driving so on the way across country you don't need a motel room. Down side is that you will won't see much at night and you really should stop for an extended rest. Don't eat extravagantly, Buy food in grocery stores vs restaurants. Take a high MPG car, bring back pictures and little else.
What is your idea of a good solo trip within California?
Depending where you wanna begin and end, all along the Pacific Coast Hwy (State Route 1), which goes thru San Diego, Los Angeles and all the beach cities, Hearst Castle, Big Sur, SF & the Golden Gate, and on up to the scenic "Lost Coast". Then head inland and tour in the opposite direction via I-5 and Hwy 99, from which you can make all sorts of side excurisons into the great deserts, ghost towns, the Sierra Foothills and Gold Rush country, Yosemite, Mt. Shasta, the Lassen Volcano, etc.! BTW, California is a very big state, so you can always 'abbreviate' that route, by cutting across sooner depending on your mood and pace. Happy Trails!!
Which direction would you advise taking a California road trip from?
Being a nature and photography buff I consider the following (I've done rt1, 5 many times than i can count, though 30 years ago). This is for rt-1If I'm starting my drive early morning i prefer to go South to North. This way the rising sun gradually lights up the landscape from darkness to lighting up the tip of approaching hills n trees. It also doesn't cause a glare. There is a sense of solitude, and if u are lucky you will see pods of dolphins with new bornIf I'm starting my drive in the afternoon, i prefer North to South. The setting sun just beautifully lights up the waves, the trees and hills. There is a lot of human activity both in water (surfers) n towns(tourists n general activity). It also doesn't cause a glare.You do loose a bit of the landscape if you are driving North as you are a shy distance away from the cliff n waterI avoid night drive on rt1. I always drive rt 5 during night.I have driven from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Vancouver, Canada down to Tijuana, Mexico. Except for some parts, it is breath takingly beautiful. I plan to one day drive the full length of the Pan American Highway (i understand that parts of it are unfinished, and pathetically dangerous)