Along for the ride: California road trips you’ll love

There’s no better way to experience California’s diversity than by hitting the road. Whether you’re looking for coastal beauty, outdoor adventure or a slice of history, you’ll find it all and more on these routes, including day-long explorations and trips you can spread out across a week or more. Rent your ride with us at Hertz and earn some miles while you’re at it, and buckle up for an unforgettable journey through the Golden State.  

Highway 1 

There’s no better way to experience California’s diverse natural landscapes than on the breath-taking Pacific Coast Highway – a well-documented route that takes you vertically on the map, from one end of the state to another. While the whole route takes about 12 hours to whizz through without stops, road trippers often opt to spread out their drive across multiple days with overnight stays for ample time to take in all the attractions.  

Starting from San Francisco, you can admire famous landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, take a cruise to the fascinating Alcatraz Island and savour steaming clam chowder at Fisherman's Wharf. Travelling south for about three hours, you'll reach the coastal town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, known for its idyllic beaches and vibrant artistic community. Here, you can take a leisurely stroll along the scenic Carmel Beach or browse through art galleries and boutiques along Ocean Avenue.  

Another 45 minutes away, you’ll reach the rugged cliffs and soft sandy beaches of Big Sur, where those with more time can add a hike at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park to their itinerary. Continuing south, you'll be captivated by the Spanish-inspired architecture of Santa Barbara – the Santa Barbara County Courthouse being one of the grandest examples.  

Then it’s time for a change of pace as the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles beckon, offering must-see highlights like the Griffith Observatory and Hollywood Walk of Fame. Finally, conclude your Highway 1 adventure in sunny San Diego, where you can't miss out on the world-renowned San Diego Zoo.  

Note: Parts of Highway 1 have been under construction due to a rockslide in early 2023. Check the Caltrans site ahead of time to make sure where you’re heading is accessible 

Total distance: 1,100 km 

Recommended drive time: seven to 10 days 

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Highway 49 

Embark on a road trip along the historic Golden Chain Highway through California's Gold Country, where characterful mining towns and rich history await. The route begins in Oakhurst, just south of Yosemite National Park, and winds northwards through incredible pine and redwood forests. Stop in Mariposa and pay a visit to the California State Mining and Mineral Museum to learn about the history of the Gold Rush.  

After 45 minutes on the road, make another pit stop at the Hotel Jeffery, whose famous past guests include John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt. Finally, in the perfectly preserved Jamestown, you can travel back in time by panning for gold or hopping aboard an antique steam locomotive at the Railtown 1897 State Historic Park.  

Total distance: 125 km 

Recommended drive time: one to two days 

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Avenue of the Giants 

The Avenue of the Giants is a 50km route through the glorious Humboldt Redwoods State Park, where redwood trees can grow as tall as a 30-story building. Start your journey just south of where the road begins, in Leggett. The first redwood attraction you’ll come across is the 84-metre Chandelier Tree in Drive-Thru Tree Park, famed for its hole in the trunk – just big enough for a car to pass through.  

Next, stop by the South Fork of Eel River, where you can try catch-and-release fishing for salmon, steelhead trout and the eel-like Pacific lamprey. If you’ve still got time to spare before heading back, pay a visit to the popular Founders’ Grove, which is only a 30-minute drive away located off the Avenue of the Giants. Until 1991, it was home to the tallest tree in the world – the 110-metre Dyerville Giant. Follow the Dyerville Loop to view this fallen giant and admire its massive root system and round out your journey at the Grieg-French-Bell Grove, where lush sorrel plants cover the forest floor, making for a charming photo opportunity or a place to lie back and relax.  

Total distance: 50 km  

Recommended drive time: one day return 

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Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway 

Start your journey through stunning volcanic landscapes at the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge, a sanctuary for migratory birds and wildlife. Drive on for around half an hour to the Lava Beds National Monument, a desert park home to a network of lava tubes and volcanic formations and then make your way to the Medicine Lake Volcano, an ancient shield volcano surrounded by picturesque forests and shimmering lakes.  

As you continue southwards on your route, the majestic outline of Mount Shasta will emerge on the horizon. The second-highest peak in the Cascades offers opportunities for hiking, skiing and fishing. Further south is the McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, home to the majestic 40-metre Burney Falls, which cascades into a crystal-clear pool below. Lastly, your adventure wouldn’t be complete without exploring Lassen Volcanic National Park’s geothermal features – think steaming fumaroles, boiling mud pots and hot springs. 

Total distance: 390 km 

Recommended drive time: three to five days 

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Yosemite, Kings Canyon, Sequoia and Death Valley National Parks 

To tick off several iconic national parks in one road trip, start in the city of Fresno. From there, it takes around two hours to reach Yosemite National Park. Spend a day trekking to Yosemite Falls, one of the world’s tallest waterfalls, and Tuolumne Meadows, which is adorned with wildflowers in the summer months.  

From Yosemite, head south again towards Fresno and then turn east to Kings Canyon National Park where you’ll want to spend a day or two enjoying the park’s deep canyons, granite cliffs and pristine rivers. Then, continue to Sequoia National Park and be sure to snap pics of the General Sherman Tree, the largest living single-stem tree on Earth – that just keeps growing. Finally, complete the long home stretch via Bakersfield to Death Valley National Park to see Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, and Artist's Palette, a colourful mineral-rich formation. 

Total distance: 690 km 

Recommended drive time: at least eight days

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