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12 Day California Road Trip

Who doesn’t love a road trip?
12 days
California, Road Trips
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Trip Summary

A California road trip promises an unforgettable adventure, where you can traverse iconic coastal highways, explore breathtaking national parks, and bask in the vibrant energy of cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco. From the golden beaches of Southern California to the majestic redwood forests of the north, every mile offers a kaleidoscope of landscapes and experiences, making it the ultimate road trip destination. You can add you hotels, flights, car rental, activities and transfers to your liking. The itinerary is just a suggestion based on our experience.

Itinerary

DAY 1
Day 1 :
  • Arrival in Los Angeles (Santa Monica) - Arrive in Los Angeles and head straight to Santa Monica. Spend your day exploring the iconic Santa Monica Pier, taking a ride on the Ferris wheel, and enjoying the lively atmosphere. Walk along the beach, take in the ocean views, and enjoy dinner at one of the oceanfront restaurants. Stay overnight in a cozy hotel near the beach.
DAY 2
Day 2 :
  • Santa Monica - On your second day in Santa Monica, rent a bike and ride along the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, also known as The Strand, which offers scenic views of the coastline. Visit the Getty Villa for a cultural experience, then spend the afternoon shopping and dining at the Third Street Promenade. Relax and enjoy your evening with a sunset stroll on the beach.
DAY 3
Day 3 :
  • Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo - Depart Santa Monica and drive north to San Luis Obispo. After checking into your hotel, explore the historic Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. Wander through the unique and quirky Bubblegum Alley and enjoy dinner at a local farm-to-table restaurant. Spend the evening exploring the town's vibrant downtown area and its charming atmosphere.
DAY 4
Day 4 :
  • San Luis Obispo to Carmel - Continue your journey along the picturesque Pacific Coast Highway to Carmel-by-the-Sea. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and explore the town's art galleries, boutiques, and beautiful beaches. Take a scenic walk along Scenic Road, which offers breathtaking coastal views. In the evening, dine at one of Carmel's intimate and renowned restaurants.
DAY 5
Day 5 :
  • Carmel to San Francisco - Head north to San Francisco and settle in for two nights. Spend your first day exploring Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39, where you can watch the sea lions and browse the shops. Take a ferry to Alcatraz Island for a tour of the historic prison. Return to the city for dinner in North Beach, San Francisco's Little Italy, and enjoy the lively atmosphere.
DAY 6
Day 6 :
  • San Francisco - On your second day in San Francisco, visit the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and take a stroll through Golden Gate Park. Explore the eclectic neighborhoods of Haight-Ashbury and the Mission District, known for their vibrant culture and street art. End your day with a ride on the city's famous cable cars and a delicious meal at a local restaurant.
DAY 7
Day 7 :
  • San Francisco to Mendocino - Drive north from San Francisco to the picturesque town of Mendocino for a two-night stay. Check into your hotel and spend the afternoon exploring Mendocino’s historic district. Visit the Mendocino Headlands State Park for stunning ocean views, then enjoy a relaxing evening in this quaint coastal town.
DAY 8
Day 8 :
  • Mendocino - Spend a full day exploring the natural beauty of Mendocino. Visit the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, where you can stroll through beautiful gardens with ocean views. Head to Russian Gulch State Park for a scenic hike and explore the tide pools and coastal trails. Enjoy a fresh seafood dinner at a local restaurant in the evening.
DAY 9
Day 9 :
  • Mendocino to Napa Valley - Depart Mendocino and drive to the renowned Napa Valley for a two-night stay. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and begin your wine-tasting journey at some of the region’s world-famous wineries. Enjoy a gourmet dinner paired with local wines and take in the picturesque vineyard views.
DAY 10
Day 10 :
  • Napa Valley - Dedicate this day to further exploring Napa Valley’s vineyards and wineries. Consider taking a guided wine tour or a hot air balloon ride over the vineyards for a unique perspective. Relax at a luxurious spa in the afternoon and enjoy another gourmet meal paired with excellent wines at one of Napa’s finest restaurants.
DAY 11
Day 11 :
  • Napa Valley to Los Angeles (Hollywood) - Drive back to Los Angeles, this time staying in the vibrant Hollywood area for your final night. Explore the Hollywood Walk of Fame, visit the TCL Chinese Theatre, and take a stroll down Hollywood Boulevard. Enjoy dinner at one of Hollywood’s trendy restaurants and experience the energetic nightlife.
DAY 12
Day 12 :
  • Departure from Los Angeles - On your final day, take some time to visit the Griffith Observatory for panoramic views of the city and the Hollywood Sign. If time permits, explore the nearby Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) before heading to the airport for your departure, bringing your memorable California road trip to a close.
DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 4
DAY 5
DAY 6
DAY 7
DAY 8
DAY 9
DAY 10
DAY 11
DAY 12
Day 1 :
  • Arrival in Los Angeles (Santa Monica) - Arrive in Los Angeles and head straight to Santa Monica. Spend your day exploring the iconic Santa Monica Pier, taking a ride on the Ferris wheel, and enjoying the lively atmosphere. Walk along the beach, take in the ocean views, and enjoy dinner at one of the oceanfront restaurants. Stay overnight in a cozy hotel near the beach.
Day 2 :
  • Santa Monica - On your second day in Santa Monica, rent a bike and ride along the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, also known as The Strand, which offers scenic views of the coastline. Visit the Getty Villa for a cultural experience, then spend the afternoon shopping and dining at the Third Street Promenade. Relax and enjoy your evening with a sunset stroll on the beach.
Day 3 :
  • Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo - Depart Santa Monica and drive north to San Luis Obispo. After checking into your hotel, explore the historic Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. Wander through the unique and quirky Bubblegum Alley and enjoy dinner at a local farm-to-table restaurant. Spend the evening exploring the town's vibrant downtown area and its charming atmosphere.
Day 4 :
  • San Luis Obispo to Carmel - Continue your journey along the picturesque Pacific Coast Highway to Carmel-by-the-Sea. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and explore the town's art galleries, boutiques, and beautiful beaches. Take a scenic walk along Scenic Road, which offers breathtaking coastal views. In the evening, dine at one of Carmel's intimate and renowned restaurants.
Day 5 :
  • Carmel to San Francisco - Head north to San Francisco and settle in for two nights. Spend your first day exploring Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39, where you can watch the sea lions and browse the shops. Take a ferry to Alcatraz Island for a tour of the historic prison. Return to the city for dinner in North Beach, San Francisco's Little Italy, and enjoy the lively atmosphere.
Day 6 :
  • San Francisco - On your second day in San Francisco, visit the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and take a stroll through Golden Gate Park. Explore the eclectic neighborhoods of Haight-Ashbury and the Mission District, known for their vibrant culture and street art. End your day with a ride on the city's famous cable cars and a delicious meal at a local restaurant.
Day 7 :
  • San Francisco to Mendocino - Drive north from San Francisco to the picturesque town of Mendocino for a two-night stay. Check into your hotel and spend the afternoon exploring Mendocino’s historic district. Visit the Mendocino Headlands State Park for stunning ocean views, then enjoy a relaxing evening in this quaint coastal town.
Day 8 :
  • Mendocino - Spend a full day exploring the natural beauty of Mendocino. Visit the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, where you can stroll through beautiful gardens with ocean views. Head to Russian Gulch State Park for a scenic hike and explore the tide pools and coastal trails. Enjoy a fresh seafood dinner at a local restaurant in the evening.
Day 9 :
  • Mendocino to Napa Valley - Depart Mendocino and drive to the renowned Napa Valley for a two-night stay. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and begin your wine-tasting journey at some of the region’s world-famous wineries. Enjoy a gourmet dinner paired with local wines and take in the picturesque vineyard views.
Day 10 :
  • Napa Valley - Dedicate this day to further exploring Napa Valley’s vineyards and wineries. Consider taking a guided wine tour or a hot air balloon ride over the vineyards for a unique perspective. Relax at a luxurious spa in the afternoon and enjoy another gourmet meal paired with excellent wines at one of Napa’s finest restaurants.
Day 11 :
  • Napa Valley to Los Angeles (Hollywood) - Drive back to Los Angeles, this time staying in the vibrant Hollywood area for your final night. Explore the Hollywood Walk of Fame, visit the TCL Chinese Theatre, and take a stroll down Hollywood Boulevard. Enjoy dinner at one of Hollywood’s trendy restaurants and experience the energetic nightlife.
Day 12 :
  • Departure from Los Angeles - On your final day, take some time to visit the Griffith Observatory for panoramic views of the city and the Hollywood Sign. If time permits, explore the nearby Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) before heading to the airport for your departure, bringing your memorable California road trip to a close.

FAQs

Q: Do I have to stick to the itinerary?
A: You're free to do what you want and go at your own pace, however your hotel reservations will be strict and hard to shuffle around. These itineraries have you seeing and doing a lot. If you prefer to take your time a little more. Contact us to custom build this trip. These itineraries are for the active and adventurous traveler.
Q: How do I book activities?
A: Some of them you will be able to book with us and others are first come, first serve as they are smaller vendors. After you book Your detailed itinerary will have all that information.
Q: How much driving each day will I do?
A: We estimate 3-5 hours of straight driving as you head to a new destination. Assuming you'll stop along the way and see things it could be longer. We suggest getting an early start each day. After you book, your detailed itinerary will have all that information, including times to start your day etc.
Q: What is the best time of year to do these trips?
A: April - October is best. Many of the destinations are at higher elevations so there might be snow along the mountain passes. July and August can be very hot in some parts of these trips so keep that in mind as well.
Q: What sort of clothing do we need?
A: Because you are going to high and low elevations it would be good to pack for both warm and cold weather. Good hiking shoes for sure and an extra pair in case they get wet. Comfortable clothing and layers is best. Maybe bring one nice outfit if you're going to go somewhere nice in one of the locations.
Q: What else might we need to think about bringing?
A: Bring extra water containers to keep in the car, bug spray and sunscreen. Also a good pair of sunglasses.
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Santa Monica Proper Hotel

Hotel Cerro – San Luis Obispo

The Hotel Carmel

Hotel Zetta San Francisco

Timber Cove Resort

Napa River Inn

The Roosevelt Hotel

Activities

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