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Drive the Pacific coast highway with stops along the way in CA (Hearst castle, Monterrey, Big Sur, pebble beach, etc) and also drop in Sonoma. You could also do Joshua tree for a day or two and the mountains north of LA. Additionally you could drive in OR and go to places like Crater Lake and Bend OR.
Have fun!
Rising Star
You can spend any amount of time on PCH!
Lake Tahoe is beautiful.
Rising Star
I’d go north to Oregon that time of year. Go up the coast, then over the Columbia river, then down central Oregon through (Redmond, Sisters, Bend), then Crater Lake. Spend a few days in the Bend area for hiking, waterfalls, Smith Rock, craft beer.
Rising Star
Yup! And unless you are tied to CA for some reason, you could consider Washington and Oregon instead. The WA mountains, national Parks, and State Parks are amazing that time of year including Olympic and Rainier. Tons of great state parks and waterfall hikes too. Plus the Puget Sound including Lopez and San Juan islands.
Chief
In addition to lake Tahoe, I would go see some of the national parks: Joshua Tree, Death Valley, Sequoia, Yosemite, Redwood, Lassen, and the Channel Islands - you'll cover most of the state if you see each of these. I did a road trip up from San Diego to San Francisco and back in 8 days and saw several of these, so it's definitely doable in 14 if you don't spend too much time in the cities. Also, if you are going to go to at least 3 national parks, get a park pass - it'll pay for itself if you go to 3 or more parks, plus you get access to national monuments. You can buy it online or at the entrance to any of the parks.
I’m in San Diego and there’s not much between us and LA. If you do PCH start around Santa Monica or south of LA (like Newport) and just keep driving until Bend. It’s gorgeous. And if you golf go to Bandon
Pro
My wife and I did a 8 day one from San Diego to San Francisco, stopping by at more uncommon spots in 2019.
It's great but planning this far ahead is tough in current conditions with wild fires. So plan For some detours possibly.
Happy to answer any specific questions.
Also definitely drive North to south and not the other way around. I made that mistake 😔
Rising Star
Wine country, Yosemite, Sequoia National Park, San Francisco, Carmel / Monterey Penninsula, Santa Cruz, (both for kayaking, hang gliding outdoorsy stuff), Big Sur, Hearst Castle, Catalina Islands, Universal City, Venice Beach, Hermosa / Manhattan Beach, San Diego.
Aside from Yosemite and Sequoia, you can stick within 50 miles of the coast and have a blast.
Lots of sunscreen.
Pro
+ camping at Joshua Tree national park
Crater lake in oregon is phenomenal
Only thing to add
Go see the redwood forest. Great educational trip for the kids. Those trees are only in the US.
Muir Woods has redwoods and is super close to San Fran. Perfect for a drive like this
Great idea! Even though I’m not a huge road trip fan, I’ve done the California coast drive as a trip and it was wonderful
If you make it up to Washington, would also drive up to whistler if possible. Beautiful drive
Pro
Yosemite is a amazing. I’ve visited almost every nation park in the western US and it’s top 3 (Yellowstone and Glacier 1-2). Spend at least 3 days there. Getting lodge reservations is difficult. The best lodges are The Awhahnee and Yosemite Valley Lodge unless you are camping. Lodge reservation open 366 days in advance and are booked immediately.
Pro
The Pacific Coast Highway 101 is probably the grand daddy of west coast road trip.
https://www.roadtripusa.com/pacific-coast/
Chief
Thank you, these are all great suggestions. Also are there any quieter charming beaches along the Pacific coast? We're not fans of big tourist trap city beaches.
Yes, try the Lost Coast. Moonstone Beach is beautiful and isolated - and many near there are as well
Yosemite, Redwoods National Park, Sequoia and Big Sur are absolute musts. I’d do 2 days in each of those - but you could do more if you want to relax more. Also, Oregon and Washington are beautiful. I much prefer Northern CA coast to Southern CA coast but that’s just me!