6 Best Road Trips in Southern California

Hey there travelers and welcome to my post where we will check out my 6 best road trips in Southern California to roll the window down on this year. With its stunning coastline, rugged mountains, and bustling cities, Southern California offers a diverse range of experiences for the adventurous traveler.

Whether you’re a seasoned road tripper or a first-time traveler, a Southern California road trip is sure to be an unforgettable experience. So pack your bags, hit the road, and get ready to discover the best that Southern California has to offer.

Best Road Trips in Southern California

Planning your road trip in Southern California can be an exciting yet daunting task. With so many options for destinations, activities and accommodations, it can be overwhelming to decide where to start.

The first step then is to decide on your itinerary. So let’s start then with some good starting points and destinations to consider.

Check out these: Best Road Trips in Northern California

1. Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a sprawling metropolis with more than enough to allow you to keep your road trip in the same city. There are plenty of must-see sights here and keeping in line with the subject of this post, a car trip is often the best way to see them. So, for your road trip in LA you can:

1. Start in Hollywood with the Hollywood Sign, a symbol of the city that’s visible from all over. You can hike up to it for a closer look or snap a photo from afar.
2. Next, head to Hollywood Boulevard for the Walk of Fame, where you’ll find stars dedicated to your favorite actors and musicians. For book lovers, check out The Last Bookstore, a massive independent bookstore that’s a feast for the eyes.
3. Then, for art enthusiasts check out the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), which has an extensive collection of modern and contemporary art.
4. Once you have finished in this area, head west along Santa Monica Blvd (yep, route 66) where you can take a stop in Beverley Hills and Rodeo Drive.
5. Then it is onwards to Santa Monica for more shopping on the 3rd Street Promenade vefore a wander along the Santa Monica Pier.

Check out these: 10 Ways to Spend one Day in Los Angeles

2. Los Angeles to San Diego

If you are in Los Angeles, then a road trip down the I5 to San Diego is well worth the effort – trust me – it is a trip I have undertaken a number of times myself. Just avoid doing it on a Friday afternoon if you want it to take less than 7 hours – but anyway, I digress.

Here are some good options for a La to SD road trip:

1. Huntington Beach / Laguna Beach

• Driving Time: About an hour from Downtown Los Angeles to Huntington Beach.
• Activities: Visit the city’s pier, enjoy the beach culture, bike along the coast, and explore Main Street with its restaurants, shops, and the International Surfing Museum.
• Dining: Breakfast at Mama’s on 39

2. Encinitas / Torrey Pines

• Driving Time: Around 55 miles from Laguna Beach to Encinitas.
• Activities: Visit Moonlight Beach, the Self-Realization Fellowship Garden, and Swami’s in Encinitas. Spend the afternoon at Torrey Pines State Reserve with its trails and stunning views.
• Dining: lunch at The Taco Stand

3. La Jolla / Beaches

• Driving Time: 13 mins – 5.5 miles
• Activities: Explore La Jolla Cove, the Children’s Pool and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Consider kayaking around the sea caves.
• Dining: Early dinner at a place like Board & Brew before heading back to Los Angeles.

Alternate Itinerary Options:

• Newport Beach: Visit the Balboa Peninsula, take a ferry to Balboa Island, and enjoy the local cuisine.
• Carlsbad / Solana Beach: Explore the Carlsbad village, visit the flower fields, and check out the Cedros Design District in Solana Beach.

If you have more time, then maybe hang around for dinner at Old Town, a historic district that’s worth a visit for a taste of San Diego’s past and the best Mexican food you will ever eat (in my humble experience anyway). And of course, no trip to San Diego is complete without a visit to the famous San Diego Zoo.

Book your road trip accommodation here!

3. Los Angeles to Santa Barbara

Should a trip north be more your style, then a road trip from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara is a fantastic journey along the California coast, and there are several beautiful and interesting stops you can make along the way.

From A to B along the 101, the trip is just under two hours meaning you have plenty of time to take the scenic route and check out the sites. So, my advice is to take the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) which is slower but offers stunning views and direct access to many of the stops listed below:

1. Santa Monica: Start with the iconic Santa Monica Pier and enjoy the beach, shops, and cafes.
2. Getty Villa: In Pacific Palisades, visit this museum with its Greek, Roman and Etruscan antiquities and beautiful gardens.
3. Malibu: Famous for its beaches and celebrity homes, stop at Zuma Beach or explore the coastline.
4. Oxnard: Enjoy the beaches and consider a detour to the Channel Islands National Park.
5. Ventura: A classic surf city with a laid-back vibe, historic pier, and vibrant main street.
6. Ojai: An inland artist’s haven with Spanish history, art galleries and local wine-tasting rooms.
7. Carpinteria: A small beach city with a relaxed atmosphere, just before reaching Santa Barbara.

And once you are there – in Santa Barbara that is – take a stroll down State Street for shopping and dining, or visit the Santa Barbara County Courthouse for a stunning view of the city.

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art has a collection of over 27,000 works including pieces by Monet and Van Gogh. And for a bit of history, check out the Santa Barbara Mission, founded in 1786.

Check out these: 10 Ways to Spend one Day in San Diego

4. Los Angeles to Joshua Tree National Park

The deserts of Southern California are some of the most unique and beautiful in the world and Joshua Tree National Park is a must-see destination with its iconic Joshua trees and stunning rock formations.

A road trip from Los Angeles to Joshua Tree National Park is a journey through diverse Southern California landscapes, offering a mix of urban and natural attractions. Here’s a suggested itinerary for a day road trip from LA.

• Distance: Approximately 130 miles
• Driving Time: Around 2 hours non-stop, but longer with suggested stops
• Best Route: Interstate 10 East, with possible detours to explore additional attractions

Key Landmarks and Stops

As with Santa Barbara above, with such a short drive distance, you have plenty of time to stop and smell the desert roses with the following stops:

1. Los Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests: Begin your trip with the lush landscapes of these two national forests.
2. Chino Hills and Mt San Jacinto State Parks: Enjoy the natural beauty and outdoor activities available at these state parks.
3. Riverside: A city known for its Mission Revival architecture, Riverside is a great place to explore California’s history and culture.
4. Palm Springs: This iconic desert city is a must-visit for its mid-century modern architecture, hot springs and vibrant arts scene. There are some pretty decent golf courses here too!
5. Cabazon Dinosaurs: A fun and quirky roadside attraction, perfect for a photo op.
6. Integratron: For those interested in architecture and sound therapy, this is a unique stop.
7. Indian Canyons: If time allows, the hiking trails here are excellent for experiencing the local desert flora and fauna.

If you have time, Death Valley National Park is another incredible desert landscape with its vast salt flats, sand dunes and colorful badlands. Additionally, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is the largest state park in California and is home to many desert animals and plants.

Check out these: Best National Parks in California

5. Los Angeles to Sequoia National Park

Ok, for this next road trip we are getting dangerously close to Northern California however the Sequoia National Park is famous for its giant sequoia trees and stunning mountain vistas.

A road trip then from Los Angeles to Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park is a beautiful journey that takes you from the bustling city to the serene and majestic Sierra Nevada mountains. Travel time (200 miles and 4.5 hours non stop) probably make this a two or three day road trip however once you get there, it is certainly worth it – that’s me below at the General Sherman Tree.

So, as part of your road trip you can stop at:

1. Santa Clarita: Just outside of LA, you can visit Six Flags Magic Mountain for some thrills.
2. Castaic Lake: A great spot for a picnic or a quick hike.
3. Bakersfield: A larger city on the route where you can stop for lunch and stretch your legs.
4. Fresno: If you take a detour, Fresno offers a variety of dining and accommodation options.

If you have more time, then Yosemite National Park is another popular destination with its iconic granite cliffs and waterfalls. The San Bernardino Mountains and San Gabriel Mountains offer plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities as well including hiking, skiing and mountain biking.

Check out these: Best Mountain Biking Trails in California

6. Pacific Coast Highway

And finally, if you are looking to simply drive and take in the sights, the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) offers some of the most scenic coastal drives in the world. If you go south, you will end up in San Diego which we pretty much covered above. So let’s look at this from a northward pound point of view.

Depending on your timeframe – I mean you can easily take a week to travel this road depending on how far north you plan to go – we did this trip in 3 days from San Fran to LA and it was quite comfortable and obviously the longer you take, the more you can see.

Here are some options to check out:

• Malibu – Just north of Santa Monica, Malibu stretches along the PCH with its beautiful beaches and luxury homes. Stop at the Malibu Pier for a walk and enjoy a meal with ocean views.
• Oxnard and Ventura – Continue to Oxnard for a taste of California’s agricultural heartland, and then on to Ventura, where you can explore the historic downtown and maybe catch a glimpse of the Channel Islands off the coast.
• Santa Barbara – Known as the “American Riviera,” Santa Barbara is a great place to enjoy beautiful beaches, Spanish architecture and the local wine scene.
• Solvang – Take a slight detour inland to visit Solvang, a charming Danish-style town with unique architecture, bakeries and shops.
• Pismo Beach and San Luis Obispo – Back on the coast, Pismo Beach offers classic California beach town vibes, and nearby San Luis Obispo is a lively college town with a historic mission.
• Morro Bay and Hearst Castle – Morro Bay is known for Morro Rock, a volcanic plug that dominates the landscape. Further up the coast, you can visit the opulent Hearst Castle in San Simeon.
• Big Sur – Perhaps the most iconic stretch of the PCH, Big Sur offers dramatic coastlines, towering redwoods and the famous Bixby Creek Bridge.
• Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea – Monterey is famous for its aquarium and historic Cannery Row, while Carmel-by-the-Sea is a picturesque small town with a stunning beach and artistic community. Check out the famous Pebble Beach golf Course here as well.
• Santa Cruz to San Francisco – The final stretch takes you through Santa Cruz, with its classic boardwalk, up to the cultural hub of San Francisco.

Book your road trip accommodation here!

FAQs

Conclusion

There you have it, my 6 best road trips in Southern California. I hope it has been helpful and as usual, please let me know of your experiences here. Or of course if there are any other road trips you can recommend.

Also, please do not hesitate to comment below if you have any questions, concerns, or corrections or would like me to check anything else out for you.

Until next time.

Have fun

Paul