If you’re looking for the best California road trips, you’ve come to the right place. While the Pacific Coast Highway is a stunning drive, it doesn’t fully showcase the incredible diversity of California’s landscapes, wildlife, and—most notably—its climate. To truly experience the Golden State, you need to head inland and explore the majestic High Sierra.
What to Expect on Your Road Trips to the High Sierra
When it comes to the best California road trips, all roads eventually lead to the High Sierra. Within a few hundred miles, you can travel from lush rainforests to the hottest desert in the United States, encountering ancient trees and granite peaks that scrape the sky.
Each itinerary below makes up a complete loop, starting and ending at the same point. However, they can easily be adapted based on your starting location.
Majestic Mountain Loop – California’s National Park Sampler
Tour the Majestic Mountain Loop Itinerary
If you’re short on time or unsure where to begin, the Majestic Mountain Loop is the perfect introduction to some of California’s most iconic national parks. This short but stunning itinerary highlights the best of the High Sierra, with a few scenic detours along the way.
The 3-day adventure begins at Fresno-Yosemite Airport and quickly climbs into the rugged Sierra Nevada, guiding you through the highlights of Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite National Parks—where towering granite monoliths, thundering waterfalls, and sweeping vistas culminate in the breathtaking Yosemite Valley.
Summer Itinerary for First Time Visitor to the High Sierra & Yosemite
Sip, Savor, and Explore: The Ultimate California Summer Itinerary
When many first-time visitors think of California, they picture sandy beaches and Hollywood. But that’s just a small part of what the state has to offer. In reality, California boasts one of the most diverse landscapes, cultures, and ranges of experiences in the U.S.—and arguably, the world.
This seven-day itinerary gives you a true sense of what California is all about. By heading east from the coast into the foothills and mountains of the Sierra Nevada, you’ll experience the full spectrum of the Golden State. The journey takes you through all the must-see sights in and around Yosemite National Park, while also offering the chance to sample California’s world-renowned wines, explore Gold Rush history, and marvel at the state’s natural wonders.
US 395 – The Sierra’s Version of the “Highway 1” Road Trip
Highway 395 Itinerary: Gateway to the Land of -Ests
Highway 395 is one of the best California road trips—and arguably one of the top routes in the country. Running along the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada, this scenic stretch of highway offers access to what we like to call “the Land of -Est.” Think: the Tall-EST peak in the lower 48, the Low-EST point on the continent, and even one of the Old-EST lakes on the planet.
But that’s just the beginning. Along the way, you’ll also discover steamy hot springs, endless hiking trails, and a rich collection of historic mining and railroad towns waiting to be explored.
Touring Yosemite via the Eastern Sierra
Itinerary for California’s Greatest Hits Through Yosemite + Eastern Sierra
This 7-day tour through the Eastern Sierra into Yosemite unveils a breathtaking side of California that many travelers have yet to discover. But once you experience it, you’ll want to return again and again. As highlighted in our US 395 road trip, this stretch of the Sierra Nevada boasts some of the region’s most dramatic and awe-inspiring landscapes.
The route winds along scenic byways, through historic Gold Rush towns, and deep into the heart of the Eastern Sierra. And, of course, it all culminates with the legendary Yosemite National Park. It’s a truly unforgettable way to experience the wild beauty of the Golden State.
Itinerary to Take in Yosemite AND Lake Tahoe
All-season itineraries to visit Yosemite & Lake Tahoe
There’s a reason Greatest Hits albums often outsell an artist’s individual studio records—they bring together the very best, all in one place. Similarly, this itinerary lets visitors experience what Mark Twain called “…the fairest picture the whole earth affords” and what Sierra mountain poet John Muir described as “Nature’s landscape garden, at once beautiful and sublime.”
This road trip highlights the best of the High Sierra between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite, including iconic spots like Emerald Bay, the towering Giant Sequoias of Yosemite, charming historic towns such as Truckee, and lesser known gems like Bodie—the largest ghost town in America.
Because of the dramatic landscape, high elevation and harsh climate, many mountain passes can remain closed until June or later. This itinerary offers options for every season and includes tips on how to check on seasonal route updates including when roads are openif the route is open—and what to do if it’s not.
Author: Alex Silgalis
Alex founded Local Freshies® in 2014 to be the #1 website providing the “local scoop” on where to eat, drink & play in mountain towns throughout North America. When he’s not writing and executing marketing strategies for small businesses & agencies, he’s in search of the deepest snow in the winter and tackiest dirt in the summer.
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