Your Guide To The Perfect Northern California Road Trip

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Thinking about taking a Northern California Road Trip? You have come to the right place! From the unreal forests in the Redwoods, to the majestic granite cliffs of Yosemite National Park, I have explored some absolutely stunning areas here, and I cannot wait to share them with you!

Below you will find some of my top tips on road-tripping through Northern California as well as my must-see stops and a few sample itineraries! Let’s go!

Table of Contents:

1. Road Tripping Northern California FAQ: When To Go, Why, Best Route

2. Northern California Road Trip Map

3. Road Trip Tips

4. Must See Stops On A Northern California Road Trip

5. Sample Itineraries

Disclaimer: This blog post does have affiliate links in it- if you buy through any of the links I get a little kickback- at no extra cost to you!

Road Tripping Northern California: FAQ

Why Take A Northern California Road Trip

Northern California is full of stunning locations to visit, it is one of my very favorite places to road trip- just for the utter diversity of landscapes and views!

You can explore stunning coastal roads, insane valleys and mountains, gorgeous forests and an iconic city. I personally think every traveler should take a Northern California road trip once in their life! 

What Is The Best Month To Take A Northern California Road Trip?

The best time for a Northern California road trip is typically from late spring to early fall, roughly May through October.

In saying that, I have actually done most of my Northern California road trips in Winter time around February and have gotten some gorgeous weather.

Here is a breakdown by season:

Spring in Northern California

Pros: Wildflowers, lush green coastal areas, mild temperatures and fewer crowds.

Cons: Higher elevation areas like the Sierra Nevada’s still have snow and weather can be unpredictable.

Summer in Northern California

Pros: Warm weather, all roads and parks are typically open and it is beautiful in all locations!

Cons: More crowds- areas like Tahoe, Yosemite and Napa can be a lot more crowded and accommodation will be in higher demand.

Fall in Northern California

Pros: Pleasant, warm weather with cool nights. Fewer crowds and you can see beautiful fall foliage!

Cons: Wildfire risk is high in September.

Winter in Northern California

Pros: Coastal areas are lush, you can catch Firefall in Yosemite National Park and weather can be beautiful and moody in areas like the Redwoods.

Cons: Many mountain passes are closed for the season and weather can be rainy and bipolar.

How Many Days Do You Need For A Northern California Road Trip?

A Northern California road trip can be as quick as 5 days and as long as two weeks depending on how much you want to see!

I would personally recommend at least a week- 10 days if you can to get the most out of your trip!

What Is The Best Route For A Northern California Road Trip?

This really depends on where you are starting your road trip, as well as your interests and main spots you want to hit!

In general though I would say you will either want to start North and then head South, South then North or make a loop from San Francisco. 

Personally, I would take a look at the top suggested spots, pin your must hit spots to your google maps and then map out how long you will need to get from one place to another + how long you want to stay there and compare that with the time you actually have.

In the locations below I will give a general suggestion on the amount of time needed in each location and I am also including my suggested itineraries below.

Where To Start Your Northern California Road Trip?

If you are coming from out of state your best bet will be to fly into San Francisco as it’s centrally located, has a major international airport, and is close to many iconic destinations.

Starting here offers flexibility whether you want to travel up the coast, inland to the mountains, or through wine country.

Otherwise, you can road trip in from where you live and start in the areas that are closest to you!

If you have some time and want to extend your trip you can begin in Southern California (San Diego or LA) and road trip North or begin in Portland and take the coastal route South!

Northern California Road Trip Map

Road Trip Tips

Road Trip Essentials

There are a few things that will make a road trip extra comfortable.

My Road trip Favs:

Insulated Mug: I love having a warm coffee or tea each morning, this one is perfect!

Camp Stove or Backpacking Stove: Having the ability to make tea, lunch or dinner while on the road is one of my favorite things! Pick a backpacking stove for a small version or level up with a cute camp stove!

Hammock: Give yourself the ability to just hangout and relax in this double nest hammock!

Lantern: Having access to light is essential! I personally love this inflatable lantern or this pro lantern!

Compressible Pillow: Car ride naps anyone?! Bring along a pillow to stay comfy.

Camp Chair: Collapse these cute little chairs and hangout under the stars or watch the sunset!

Down Booties: Stay warm with camp slippers.

Apps To Download For Your Road Trip

For a Northern California road trip, certain apps can make your journey smoother, safer, and more enjoyable by helping you navigate, find sights, locate campsites, and discover the best spots for food and fuel!

Here’s a list of must-have apps:

Navigation Apps

Google Maps- My go to maps app for reliable navigation

Roadtrippers- Great for planning your route with recommended stops along the way!

Gas Buddy– Finds the cheapest gas stations nearby!

Camping & Accomodation

The Dyrt– Helps you find and book campgrounds & RV Sites

Hipcamp- The Airbnb for camping, offering access to unique campsites, private lands, and glamping options in scenic spots.

Booking.com or AirBNB– Great for booking hotels and cabins

Nature and Outdoor Activities

All Trails- My go to app for trail information and offline maps

iNaturalist– For nature lovers this app helps you identify plants, animals and birds along the way.

Food & Attractions

Yelp- Helps you find top places to eat and drink!

Must- See Stops On A Northern California Road Trip

San Francisco

San Francisco is a gorgeous city that has incredible spots for photography and exploration! There is a wonderful mix of great food, iconic landmarks and scenic viewpoints here and it makes for a great few days of exploring.

I would recommend spending two days exploring San Francisco! Although, if you are on a time crunch you can hit a good amount of the top spots in just one day.

Here are a few of my top things to do while in San Francisco:

Photograph The Golden Gate Bridge

Photographing the Golden Gate Bridge had been on my list for years!

Some of the best spots to take photos include Battery Spencer observation deck for a high vantage point, Battery Godfrey for that shot between the trees and Fort Point for a cool vantage point under the bridge.

Safety Note: There has been an increase in car break in’s and robberies in San Francisco- I know a few photographers who have been robbed while shooting here. Just make sure your aware of your surroundings!

Explore Chinatown

Chinatown in San Francisco is a gorgeous area- with colorful lanterns, ornate temples, yummy street food and bustling streets. I loved strolling around this area in the afternoon.

Have lunch at Alamo Square Park in front of the Full House Painted Ladies

Grab a coffee and head to Alamo Square Park!

This adorable park is perfect for hanging around on a beautiful morning and you can see the famous “Painted Ladies” Victorian houses with a beautiful scene of the skyline in the background!

Watch Sunset or Sunrise at Bakers Beach

If your looking to get away from the city, Bakers Beach is a gorgeous area to explore. This mile long beach has a stunning view of the Golden Gate Bridge! It is the perfect place to watch sunset after a long day of exploring the city.

Explore Mt. Tamalpais (Mt. Tam)

One of my favorite areas we explored near San Francisco is Mt. Tam. This gorgeous area offers stunning views and rolling hills. It has some beautiful hiking trails and is a gorgeous place to shoot for sunset or sunrise!

Where To Stay

Big Sur: Monterey & Carmel By The Sea

One of my absolute favorite parts about road tripping Northern California is exploring Big Sur. Each time I drive this road I feel like I have been transported to my own personal heaven. It offers rugged coastline views, iconic photography spots and beautiful parks!

Below you will find some of my top spots to stop:

Bixby Creek Bridge

This iconic location was the first place I wanted to stop and photograph- I mean how couldn’t you, it’s stunning! You can find pull off spots right before the bridge where you can walk down in front or behind the bridge to take some amazing photos!

McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

This stunning waterfall spills directly into the ocean! It is a beautiful place to take photos.

Pfieiffer Big Sur State Park

Here you can find the keyhole rock- a gorgeous rock formation with an arch through it that creates a beautiful sunbeam effect at sunset- great for photographers!

Andrew Molera State Park

This gorgeous area is known for beautiful beaches, rolling hills and accessible hiking! Try hiking the Beach Trail for a short 1 mile hike to a lovely beach.

Explore the Coastal Towns of Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea

Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea are two beautiful coastal towns in California that offer a lovely blend of natural beauty, outdoor activities and yummy food!

Some top spots to check out here:

– Monterey Bay Aquarium– One of the top aquariums in the entire world! You can see sea otters and jellyfish!

– 17 Mile Drive– A gorgeous scenic drive through Pebble beach! Offers gorgeous views.

–Carmel Beach– A lovely sand beach, perfect for a morning stroll!

– Carmel’s Downtown- Fall in love with this cute coastal town that has some of the loveliest design around.

Where To Stay

Check Out My California Wall Art!

Redwoods National Park

Seeing the Redwoods in person is truly unlike any other forest experience I have ever had, the majesty and grandness of the forest here is unbelievable and even just driving through the parks makes you feel like you are in another world completely.

There are a few different areas around California that have gorgeous Redwoods. You really can’t go wrong but some of the very best spots are in the National and State Parks!

Below are some top spots to check out:

Jedediah Smith State Park

This State Park is known for its stunning old-growth redwoods, lush forests, and scenic river views!

Here are some of the best things to do in the park:

Explore Stout Grove: This area features some of the tallest and oldest redwoods and you can take a leisurely walk through the trees.

Hike Boy Scout Tree Trail: This was my favorite trail when we explored the Redwoods. It is a gorgeous 3.5 mile round trip hike around the redwood grove.

Drive the Howland Hill Road: This unpaved road takes you through the heart of the park and offers stunning views of the Redwoods!

Drive-Thru Tree Park

This park is unique and charming destination located in Leggett, California! It is known for its iconic coastal redwood trees that have been carved to allow vehicles to pass through.

This park is home to several famous drive-through trees, including the Chandelier Tree, which stands at 276 feet tall and is estimated to be around 2,400 years old. This is the perfect spot for a photo op!

Avenue of Giants in Humboldt Redwoods State Park

My favorite thing we did while exploring the Redwoods was drive the Avenue of Giants. This is a stunning scenic road that stretches around 31 miles along Highway 254.

This road winds it’s way through some of the tallest and oldest coast redwoods in the world (!!!) You can find the Drive Thru Tree Park near here as well as the Founders Grove.

Fern Canyon

Fern Canyon known as a stunning natural wonder located within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. It is a lush canyon covered in ferns (hence the name!) and is beautiful for photography and a walk in the woods. It was also featured in Jurassic Park 2!

Unfortunately for me I did not get to experience Fern Canyon, but not for a lack of trying! The road was shut down when we got there so make sure to check ahead of time.

Where To Stay

Yosemite National Park

We have come to the crown jewel of Northern California- Yosemite National Park. If you have not seen or heard of Yosemite, there is a high chance you have been hiding under a rock.

Yosemite is by far one of the most iconic and breathtaking places on this list, and quite possibly in the United States! Located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains this area is renowned for it’s stunning views, picturesque valley, gorgeous hiking trails, and insane rock climbing.

Here are the best things to do while visiting Yosemite National Park:

Drive Through Yosemite Valley

When visiting Yosemite you can’t miss exploring Yosemite Valley. This short 7 mile loop drive is surrounded by towering granite cliffs, gorgeous waterfalls and lovely meadows.

You can decide to buy a souvenir at the Visitors Center, hike the Mist trail past two lovely waterfalls, set up a hammock and have a picnic in the valley, visit Yosemite Falls or get up close and personal with El Capitan.

Photograph Tunnel View at Sunrise

The most iconic view of Yosemite Valley comes from Tunnel View lookout. This scenic viewpoint gives you a full look at the majesty of the area with views of El Capitan, Half Dome and some of the waterfalls.

The best time to photograph this view is at sunrise, but beware, there will be many other photographers with the same idea! Get there even earlier and plant your tripod just to make sure you get a spot!

Explore Glacier Point & Taft Point

High up on the side of the valley is an area called Glacier Point. From this vantage point you get sweeping, breathtaking views of the valley! Here you will be able to see Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls.

It is a perfect spot for photography and is best photographed at sunset or sunrise!

Some of the best photography spots are at Sentinel Dome and Taft Point!

Visit Mariposa Grove

Mariposa Grove, located in the southern part of Yosemite National Park, is home to over 500 giant sequoias, some of the largest and oldest trees on Earth!

Among its iconic trees are the Grizzly Giant, estimated to be over 1,800 years old, and the California Tunnel Tree, which visitors can walk through.

The grove offers several scenic hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to more challenging routes, allowing visitors to experience the majestic beauty of these ancient trees up close.

If you have an extra day to fill this is a wonderful way to spend it.

Hike to Yosemite Falls

If you are looking to get out and stretch your legs, then a hike to Yosemite Falls is a great trail that takes you to the top of North America’s tallest waterfall (2,425 ft.)

This trail is 7.2 miles round trip and offers gorgeous views of the valley! If you don’t want to do the entire thing you can hike up Columbia Rock which offers a gorgeous overlook about halfway up!

Experience Firefall

Each February a stunning natural phenomenon occurs in Yosemite Valley- the Firefall. During sunset on a clear evening, the angle of the sun aligns just right to illuminate Horsetail Falls making it look like a streaming flow of lava.

It only happens for around 30 minutes and a brief and magical moment that draws photographers from around the world!

If you happen to be road tripping Northern California around this time I would HIGHLY recommend it- it is an amazing experience, unlike anything else I have experienced!

Where To Stay

Napa Valley

Another iconic spot on this Northern California road trip is the Napa Valley. Known worldwide for it’s world-class vineyards, picturesque rolling hills and charming little towns! It is a wonderful place to experience the luxury of wine country.

Here you can find many wineries where you can find wine tastings, hot air balloon rides and even luxurious spa resorts!

I unfortunately have not gotten to visit Napa yet, but it is high up on my list!

Where To Stay

Point Reyes National Seashore

Point Reyes National Seashore, located along California’s rugged northern coastline, is a protected area known for its stunning ocean views, diverse wildlife, and dramatic cliffs.

It is home to scenic beaches, historic lighthouses, coastal trails, and abundant wildlife!

Point Reyes offers a serene retreat for outdoor enthusiasts and photographers. The area is also renowned for its seasonal whale watching and spring wildflower blooms, making it a year-round destination for nature lovers.

Some of the best spots to experience in Point Reyes are:

Point Reyes Lighthouse

The historic lighthouse perched atop a cliff provides sweeping views of the Pacific and is especially beautiful at sunset! Here you can get the iconic shot of the beach below (pictured above!)

Cypress Tree Tunnel

This enchanting tunnel of Monterey cypress trees is one of the most iconic photography spots in Point Reyes! If you come early morning, on a sunny day, you can get gorgeous light rays through the trees- I unfortunately was there on a foggy day so I was not able to see these magnificent rays.

Point Reyes Shipwreck

If you are interested in photography this old fishing boat, stranded on the mudflats near Inverness, has become a popular photography subject and may be worth a visit!

Drakes Beach

Drakes Beach, in Point Reyes National Seashore, is a serene, sandy beach surrounded by striking white sandstone cliffs. It’s perfect for relaxing, exploring tide pools, and capturing scenic coastal views, especially at sunset!

Where To Stay

Photo From Unsplash- Artur Westergren & Philippe Gauthier

Lake Tahoe

Another gorgeous area that I would be remiss if I did not recommend. Lake Tahoe is a stunning alpine lake on the California- Nevada border. It has crystal clear water and is surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery!

Lake Tahoe is a year round destination as you can ski, hike and go boating.

I visited once in the Summer with my family and the main thing I remember is damn- this lake is COLD!

Here are some wonderful things to do while in Tahoe:

Rent a Kayak, SUP or Boat

If you are visiting in the Summer, one of the best things you can do is get out on the water! If you are lucky you will find the water perfectly still and be able to see the beautiful rounded boulders beneath you!

Go Hiking

Get out and explore scenic trails like Eagle Lake Trail or Mount Tallac!

Take a Scenic Drive

If you want to quickly see the area, take a scenic drive on Lake Tahoe Scenic drive and enjoy the beautiful views! Stop at locations like Emerald Bay State Park and Bliss State Park.

Where To Stay

Photo From Unsplash – Clay Elliot

Mt Shasta

Mount Shasta is a striking stratovolcano in northern California, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and outdoor adventure opportunities.

It stands at 14,179 feet, and has some gorgeous areas to explore- including alpine meadows, glacial lakes, waterfalls and lush forests!

Unfortunately this is another area that I have never fully gotten to explore- the more I learn about it though the higher up my list it climbs.

Here are some wonderful things to do in Shasta according to my research:

Photograph Mccloud Falls

This series of three waterfalls (lower, upper and middle) is a beautiful place to enjoy and take photos!

Enjoy Lake Siskiyou

With a stunning view of Mt. Shasta this lake looks like the perfect place to spend an afternoon or take photos at sunset!

Hike from Castle Lake to Heart Lake

Get out an hike from one alpine lake to another with stunning views of Shasta in the background!

Where To Stay

Photo From Unsplash – Patrick Bosiger

Lassen Volcanic National Park

This is another destination that I have unfortunately not explored yet- and honestly only found out it existed while researching this blog post! I am kinda floored there is a whole volcanic landscape that I did not know about.

According to the inter-webs, Lassen Volcanic National Park is known for its diverse volcanic landscapes and geothermal features.

The park features active volcanic sites, such as steaming fumaroles and bubbling mud pots, as well as serene lakes and lush meadows!

Some of the best things to do in Lassen Volcanic National Park include:

Summit Lassen Peak

This 5 mile RT hike takes you to the summit of Lassen Peak where you can find stunning panoramic views!

Explore Bumpass Hell

This is the parks largest hydrothermal area where you can find fumaroles, boiling mud pots and sulfor deposits all while walking on a 1 mile RT boardwalk! It’s like a mini Yellowstone!

Drive The Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway

Drive through the heart of the park and get great views and photo ops!

Enjoy Manzanita Lake

Get a different view of Lassen Peak! This gorgeous lake would be stunning for photography.

Where To Stay

Sample Itineraries

Northern California 5 Day Road Trip: The Essentials

If I had 5 days to explore Northern California I would want to make sure I got to see some of the top destinations, to me that means Yosemite National Park, Big Sur and San Francisco.

This plan is designed for a round trip starting from San Francisco, though it can be easily adapted based on your starting location.

Day 1: Land in San Francisco and explore the city.

Day 2: Drive 4 hours to Yosemite National Park.

Day 3: Spend the day exploring the best parts of Yosemite National Park.

Day 4: Drive the 4 hours from Yosemite to Monterey and drive the Big Sur Road.

Day 5: Wake up and explore Monterey then make the drive back to San Francisco.

Northern California 7 Day Road Trip: The Highlights

If you have a few extra days to explore Northern California I would highly recommend squeezing in a trip to the Redwoods! This 7 day itinerary includes the first 4 days from the previous itinerary and then some additional days.

Day 5: Spend a day exploring Big Sur

Day 6: Drive 5 hours North to the Avenue of Giants

Day 7: Spend the morning exploring Humboldt Redwoods State Park then make the 5 hour drive to San Francisco

Northern California 14 Day Road Trip: See it all!

If you have two weeks, you can hit almost all of the spots on this list! I personally think 10-14 days is the perfect amount of time to explore this area.

This 14-day Northern California road trip hits all the key highlights, including Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, Mount Shasta, Jedediah Smith Redwoods, Big Sur, Point Reyes, and San Francisco. Each destination is planned for optimal sightseeing and exploration while keeping travel times manageable.

Day 1: Explore San Francisco- sunset at Mt. Tam or Golden Gate Bridge

Day 2: San Francisco to Point Reyes (1.5 hours) Spend the day exploring Point Reyes.

Day 3: Point Reyes to Lake Tahoe (4 hours)

Day 4: Explore Lake Tahoe

Day 5: Lake Tahoe to Lassen National Park (3.5 hrs)

Day 6: Lassen to Mt. Shasta (1.5 hrs)

Day 7: Mt Shasta to Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park (4 hrs)

Day 8: Explore Jedediah Smith State Park

Day 9: Jedediah Smith to Mendocino- drive the coast for 4 hrs South

Day 10: Mendocino to Big Sur- Drive the gorgeous Pacific Coast Highway 5 hours South

Day 11: Explore Big Sur

Day 12: Big Sur to Yosemite (4 hrs)

Day 13: Explore Yosemite National Park

Day 14: Drive from Yosemite to San Francisco

Conclusion: Embracing The Northern California Road Trip Experience

Road tripping through Northern California is an adventure filled with stunning landscapes, diverse attractions, and unforgettable experiences!

From the towering redwoods of the coast to the breathtaking vistas of Yosemite, this region offers something for every traveler.

As you (hopefully!) embark on your journey, remember to take your time, soak in the natural beauty, and embrace the spirit of adventure that comes with road tripping.

This road trip promises to create lasting memories, so pack your bags, fuel up your vehicle, and get ready to explore the wonders of Northern California—it’s a journey you won’t want to miss! Safe travels!

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