Road Trip from Los Angeles

Adventures stemming from Los Angeles

Whether you're planning a brief weekend getaway or an extended vacation, explore our curated selection of top road trips departing from Los Angeles

One of our favourite things about Los Angeles is how, only a few miles outside of the city, you may suddenly find yourself surrounded by nature after leaving the urban sprawl of the city. This list includes destinations for all types of travellers, whether you're looking for a long weekend escape (hello, Vegas or Big Sur) or just a quick day trip to breathe some fresh air (maybe Joshua Tree?).

For some of the larger destinations, such as the cities in the surrounding desert and the Bay Area, we've concentrated more on the journey and have included links to comprehensive guides to each location for when you've finished your road trip. We've included some recommendations for things to see and do at each location. Thus, get inside the

Palm Springs

Definitely achievable in a weekend, Palm Springs is a short and simple travel from Los Angeles. Travel east across miles and miles of wind farms, where the towering shadows of the turbines give life to otherwise lifeless scenery. Keep an eye out for ancient animals beside the road; two of the most well-liked roadside attractions are the 50-foot Cabazon Dinosaurs, a Brontosaurus and a T. Rex, respectively. You can browse the gift shop (located in the bront's belly), but if you want to scale the T. Rex and sit inside his jaws (just like Pee-wee did on his epic expedition), you'll need to shell up $15 and navigate a fascinating, if rather inaccurate, dino park.

Joshua Tree

One of the most enchanted locations in California, if not the entire nation, is Joshua Tree. During leisurely drives, the different and alien landscapes of the national park are fascinating, primarily because of the big boulders scattered randomly and the ancient, twisted Joshua Trees. This is a great place to stargaze, and if you decide to go camping for the night, you might hear howling coyotes. On the way, have lunch at Pappy & Harriet's and stay for live music and a tour of the ghost town. Get yourself a new houseplant at the Cactus Mart, or make appointments for a sound bath and a shaded hammock snooze at the Integratron. Additionally, there are other entertaining attractions in Joshua Tree proper, like the World Famous Crochet Museum.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Visit the enormous redwoods at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks if you have a strong affinity for trees. There's nothing like driving through and beneath such gentle giants on the approach to and within these parks. More of a drive-and-look destination, Sequoia offers interesting sights including the world's tallest living tree, General Sherman Tree; Tunnel Log, a fallen, hollowed-out Sequoia that you may drive through; and Moro Rock, a dome-shaped peak reached by a couple of hundred stairs. In the meantime, every hiker's dream are the twisting roads and backcountry trails in Kings Canyon (even if you don't intend to strain yourself on them, the drive to the end of Highway 180 is worthwhile).

Los vegas

Our recommendation? Never take a plane to Vegas; aside from the gridlock on the way home, the drive is just too much fun to miss. Visit Calico Ghost Town first. Although it's not the most genuine ghost town, it's still a fun side trip to learn about the history of the Wild West. On the 15, keep an eye out for exit 23 to reach the remnants of the former Zzyzx Mineral Springs and Health Spa. It's a rather unusual destination. Constructed in 1944 by quack radio evangelist and felon Curtis Howe Springer, the resort misled guests into believing they were immersed in therapeutic natural hot springs, but in actuality, every pool was heated by a boiler. (The FBI eventually closed this small operation.) Seven miles down the road in Baker, visit Alien Jerky, a quirky, alien-themed tack store offering flavoured jerky, olives, almonds, and candies, to have an even stranger encounter. The Mad Greek is a surprisingly good Greek fast food restaurant, so don't miss it if you're in the mood for something more substantial. The Parthenon patio and life-size plaster statues make it impossible to overlook. Grab a gyro plate to keep you going till you reach Sin City. Once you're in Vegas and itching to hit the open road, make a circuit of Red Rock Canyon. There's a 13-mile picturesque circle that follows the walls of the canyon.

Mammoth Lakes

For the majority of this breathtaking drive, if you take the scenic Route 395, you will be able to see the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountain range. Stop at Copper Top BBQ, a brilliant red smokehouse serving sizzling ribs and tri-tips, when you get to Big Pine. A hungry group of alpine climbers travelling to or from Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States at 14,505 feet, might become your friends. Make a brief diversion to the east and see the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, which is home to some of the world's oldest trees—some of which date back more than 4,000 years. Go even further north and visit Erick Schat's Bakery in Bishop to get some freshly baked pastries or breads. Travel up the road to Mahogany Smoked Meats and pick out some delicious jerkies made of beef, turkey, elk, buffalo, boar, and fish to munch on while on the road. If you're determined (or willing to ask a local), you can find a set of easily accessible hot springs right off the 395, just south of Mammoth Yosemite Airport, even though there's no official address.

San Francisco

There are two ways to get to the top of the Bay: the gorgeous path up the Pacific Coast Highway or the expedient, less glamorous route up the 5. (Yes, we do mean dirty; miles of citrus plantations are more aesthetically beautiful, but your car will be coated in bug guts.) Miles of cow farms emit an awful stink. Highway 1 is our recommendation for a relaxing road vacation. Visit the Madonna Inn for a glimpse into one of the themed guest rooms or a massive slice of cake. Hearst Castle, a vast house with 56 beds, numerous pools, 127 acres of grounds, and even grazing zebras, is a must-see if you have more time. Keep an eye out for signs—as well as smells—of Gilroy, the global centre for garlic as you head north. Take a diversion just outside of San Jose to see some more unusual architecture at the Winchester Mystery House. Sarah Winchester allegedly built additional extensions to the house nonstop until her death in an attempt to disorient the ghosts of those slain by Winchester rifles.

Nepa and Sonoma

Wine Country has a plethora of things to discover. Take in a stunning drive up the coast before turning inland to explore miles and miles of rolling, green hills filled with farms and wineries. As you approach, you'll need to choose between heading east or west to reach Sonoma or Napa. You can't go wrong, but driving between the two is difficult, so if you don't have time for both, pick between the more crowded and touristy Napa or the more expansive and rustic Sonoma. If you can, try taking a hot air balloon ride or just watching them from the road early in the morning. Naturally, the main attraction here is the wineries; nonetheless, please drive carefully or use Lyft to the day. There's so much to explore in Wine Country. Enjoy a breathtaking drive up the coast, then head inland to discover endless stretches of verdant, rolling hills dotted with vineyards and farms. To go to Sonoma or Napa, you'll have to decide whether to go east or west as you get closer. You can't go wrong, but getting from one to the other by car is challenging, so if you don't have time for both, choose between the larger, more rural Sonoma and the busier, touristier Napa. Try going on a hot air balloon ride if you can, or just observe them early in the morning from the road. 

Lake Taheo

One of California's most picturesque routes is the picturesque Route 395. Travel across the Eastern Sierras, making stops in the charming small towns of Bishop, Big Pine, and Lone Pine for delightful side trips and quaint strolls (don't miss the renowned Schat's Bakery in Bishop and Copper Top BBQ in Big Pine). Driving through the region is a great way to explore; choose any road that leads west to ascend into the mountains, where you can see tiny settlements, pine forests, and lakes that have melted snow. Discover the location of numerous natural hot springs by asking the locals. Alternatively, stop in the Happys, Sads, or Owens River Gorge, which are renowned bouldering and climbing locations, to engage in some rock scrambling after a tiring day of driving. See the "tufas" of Mono Lake, which are slender towers of limestone accumulation that mirror the salty waters across them, for surreal views of waterscapes. If you have time, you should definitely make a stop at Yosemite National Park and spend a day hiking, strolling, or skiing in Mammoth. Bodie is one of the most authentic and well-preserved ghost towns in America and is well worth the long drive.

Salton Sea

Driving south down a desolate stretch of the 111, you’d never guess that the lake was a popular vacation spot in the 1950s, with resorts dotting its eastern shore. But increasing salinity and pollution due to agricutlural runoff have turned what was once a luxury retreat into a destination appealing only to those with an affinity for the forgotten and decaying. Explore abandoned structures along the shoreline as sun-bleached fish bones crunch underfoot. When you get hungry, the Ski Inn is your best option—and one of the only remaining establishments in the area. Make sure to visit late local Leonard Knight’s gigantic folk art sculpture, Salvation Mountain, a rainbow-hued hill emblazoned with the words “God is Love.”