California is one my favourite places in the USA and my number one choice for an American road trip.

This beautiful state on the West Coast of the USA has mountains, deserts, lakes, epic coastline and more national parks than any other state. With so much diversity in the landscape it’s a perfect place to get out on the open road.

Here you’ll find my ultimate two week California road trip itinerary, and the one I would recommend for first-timers to the Golden State.

If you have more than two weeks I’ve given you some options below to extend the trip. You could easily spend three or four weeks in California and not run out of things to do.

I’ve chosen to start and end in San Francisco on this loop itinerary, but you could switch this and start from Los Angeles or reverse the direction of the loop.

1. Fly Into San Francisco

Spend 2-3 nights in San Francisco. Recover from your journey and your jet-lag.

San Francisco is a city in Northern California known for its iconic bridge, diverse population and Victorian architecture.

In San Francisco you’ll want to see:

• The Golden Gate Bridge
• Alcatraz
• Sea lions at Fisherman’s Wharf
• Historic cable cars
• The Painted Ladies houses

As you’d expect from such a large city, San Francisco has a wealth of accommodation to choose from. Union Square, Fisherman’s Wharf and Nob Hill are all good areas to stay. For accommodation options try these.

After you’ve spent a few days in San Francisco, pick up your rental car. San Francisco airport is an easy place to do this as the cars are onsite with no extra shuttles to get. For some great deals on rental cars have a look at these.

Extend your trip: Napa wine region or Lake Tahoe a bit further afield would be great options to extend your trip from San Francisco.

Otherwise from San Francisco we’re going to drive east towards Yosemite.

2. Yosemite

Spend 2-3 nights in Yosemite National Park staying in Yosemite Valley.

Explore this beautiful national park in the Sierra Nevada mountains with its granite domes and stunning scenery. As the sun sets and the crowds disperse, play cards in the lodge and listen to the evening ranger talks.

In Yosemite you’ll want to check these items off your list:

• Glacier Point
• Tunnel View
• The waterfalls
• Hiking trails through the valley

For a great national park experience stay in Curry Village right in the heart of Yosemite Valley. With accommodation options ranging from hotel rooms and ensuite cabins to basic tented cabins, book early to secure your preferred accommodation at Curry Village. Check out the Curry Village accommodation here.

Yosemite Valley does get very busy in summer so take advantage of the shuttle bus loop around the main sights of the valley to avoid fighting over parking spaces.

For something a little different, try renting a bike. The valley is flat and the scenery around you beautiful. This is a great way to interact with the park.

3. Drive The Tioga Pass

Driving east out of Yosemite over the high country of the Sierra Nevadas, the Tioga Pass road will take you through Tuolomne Meadows, more granite domes and high-country lakes. Allow enough time to stop and enjoy the beautiful vistas on this drive.

You’ll leave Yosemite National Park at its eastern entrance at Highway 395 near the town of Lee Vining.

Extend your trip: If you have enough time, there are a couple of side trip options around Lee Vining:

• Mono Lake is an ancient saline soda lake with some very unusual limestone formations.
• Bodie ghost town is the best preserved ghost town I have ever seen. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped right into the Wild West. Good to know: access to Bodie involves a 10 mile drive down an unpaved road.

Tioga Pass is generally open late May – November. If you’re coming out of season you won’t be able to continue the itinerary as written. Instead go back out of Yosemite at the western entrances and drive down to Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, enjoying these parks before heading on to LA and continuing the trip from there.

Otherwise from Lee Vining keep driving down Highway 395 until you reach the small town of Lone Pine.

4. Lone Pine

Spend 1 night in Lone Pine, known for its natural beauty and movie history.

Rest up from your long day of driving, but make sure to check out the Whitney Portal Road and Alabama Hills while you’re in town. These have been the filming locations of many movies which is the big claim to fame of this small town.

Have dinner in the Mt Whitney Restaurant, a long-standing easygoing diner chock-full of movie memorabilia.

The historic Dow Villa Motel is the place to stay in Lone Pine. The older hotel building has basic rooms with shared baths, so choose the modern motel rooms. Book your stay in the Dow Villa Motel here.

5. Death Valley National Park

Unmissable desert landscape and the hottest place on earth. Death Valley can be brutal in the summer but is starkly beautiful at any time of year.

In Death Valley don’t miss:

• The salt flats of Badwater Basin
• Artists Palette scenic loop drive
• Dante’s View

With summer temperatures regularly in the high 40s (120°F) take care if visiting in the summer. If you’re coming in the winter the weather will be much better for hiking.

There are accommodation options if you’d like to stay in Death Valley National Park including the recently refurbished Oasis Inn. Otherwise keep driving to your next stop.

6. Las Vegas

Ok Las Vegas is in Nevada and this is supposed to be a California road trip itinerary, but Vegas is the perfect place to stop after your drive through Death Valley.

I accept that Vegas isn’t for everyone, so feel free to skip if it’s not your cup of tea. But it’s such a glitzy spectacle to behold, I think everyone should experience it at least once. Where else can you see the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty and an Egyptian pyramid in the same street?

2 nights in Las Vegas would be ideal to break up the natural scenery and indulge in a bit of civilisation.

In Las Vegas you’ll want to check these things off your list:

• Walk the Strip
• Have a buffet
• Catch a show

Las Vegas has an overwhelming choice of accommodation. Be sure to choose a hotel on the Strip so you are right in the heart of the action. Click here for the full listing of hotels to choose from.

7. Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park

From Las Vegas (or Death Valley if you have chosen to skip Las Vegas) your next stop will be Palm Springs, a desert resort city 100 miles east of Los Angeles.

Stay 2 nights in Palm Springs and have some chill out time in a nice resort, but do visit Joshua Tree National Park during your stay or on the drive into the area.

In Joshua Tree National Park you’ll want to cover:

• The quirky and distinctive Joshua trees
• Cholla cactus garden
• Hiking through the rocky desert landscape

8. Santa Barbara

From Palm Springs you can drive through northern Los Angeles to Santa Barbara.

Stay 1-2 nights in Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara is a coastal city known for its beaches, surfing, Spanish architecture and Mediterranean climate. While you’re in town check out Mission Santa Barbara, walk the pretty neighbourhood streets, enjoy the boardwalk and have some excellent Mexican food.

For Santa Barbara accommodation options take a look at these.

Extend your trip: I am skipping Los Angeles on this itinerary, but you could easily stop for a couple of days to see the sights of LA on the way to Santa Barbara. Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Santa Monica and Disneyland – there’s plenty to keep you busy.

9. Drive Highway One

No California road trip would be complete without driving the epic Highway One. The Pacific coastal scenery is incredible here so take your time and enjoy it, pulling in at the many viewpoints along the way for some perfect photo ops.

Some highlights of Highway One are:

• Elephant seals at San Simeon
• Hearst Castle
• Big Sur
• Carmel-By-The-Sea

Side trip: Stop in Monterey and do the aquarium. This is a world class aquarium situated right on Monterey Bay. Monterey Bay is also an excellent place for whale watching, and the town of Monterey has a lot of seaside charm.

10. Santa Cruz

A hippy University of California college town with a fabulous beach and boardwalk, Santa Cruz is classic coastal California and a great place to stop after the long drive of Highway One.

Stay 2 nights in Santa Cruz.

As a UC Santa Cruz alumni myself (go banana slugs!) I can tell you there’s a lot to see in this laid-back town. Your highlights will be:

• The boardwalk and pier for rides and amusements
• The sea lions that hang out under the pier
• Mystery Point for something a little quirky and different
• The pretty downtown area with its unique shops. Don’t miss Pacific Cookie Company!
• The giant redwoods at Henry Cowell State Park

For an upmarket dining option which involves a cable car ride down into the restaurant check out local favourite Shadowbrook.

For accommodation in Santa Cruz have a look at these options.

11. Back to San Francisco

From Santa Cruz you are only 60 miles south of San Francisco airport so you can easily head back to the airport to finish off your California road trip.

So there you have it, a perfect two week California road trip itinerary with several options to extend the trip further.

If you have even more time it’s a short hop into Arizona and Utah for a classic American West road trip.