Road trips may not have been invented in California, but we’re sure they were mastered here.
True, being a California-based publication, we’re 200% biased, but our massive freeways, miles upon miles of coastline, and range of topography (after all, on opposite sides of the state, we have the lowest and highest elevations in the continental U.S.) scream exploration.
Because we have a case of chronic wanderlust, we end up traveling even when we don’t mean to, and our weekends fill up with impromptu road trips.
Among our concierge clients traveling to California, one of the most common requests is for help with itinerary planning for road trips, so we’re clearly not alone!
How We Roam California
So you can’t blame me that when Blundstone wanted to know #HowIRoam, a California road trip came to mind. To us, there’s something super refreshing and invigorating about heading off at a moment’s notice, and there’s no place quite like California to do that.
When I head off on an adventure, I try to pack as light (always following our essential travel packing tips, of course!) and practical as possible. This time of year in California, the weather can go from sunny to rainy in 5 seconds flat, so it’s full-on boot weather. Because the day could bring anything from hikes in the Muir Woods to a food crawl in downtown Los Angeles, I always pack something walkable and versatile like these lace-up Blundstone boots.
And, because I’m on the road most of the time, my shopping usually happens online at odd hours. Enter Zappos, where there’s fast, free shipping, a 365-day return policy, and some of the best customer service around. That way, when I get home, my shipment has arrived, and I can turn around and head off on another travel without any stress.
The Best California Weekend Road Trips (According To Us)!
In case you can’t tell, we’re on a constant mission to get out and explore California. Once you’ve brushed up on our essential road trip tips, the only question is where to go! Arrange here from north to south. We’re listing some of the most delicious reasons and best places to roam in the Golden State:
- San Diego’s Little Italy
Around here, road tripping or taking the Surfliner train to San Diego has become a pretty regular weekend trip. And, because the train station is right next to Little Italy, we always schedule a few hours to roam around and see what’s new. - San Diego’s North County
Make like a local and hideaway in one of Northern San Diego county’s beachside towns where the laidback vibes and indie spirit of San Diego are more apparent than ever! - Boho Beach Vibes in Venice Beach
When we can’t get away on those weekends, we try to travel our town and explore a new side of Los Angeles. And when the weather’s good, it’s hard to get better than a day of wandering around Venice Beach. - Big Sur via California Highway 1. The most classic of California road trips, we try to drive up to Big Sur once a year because we like it that much.
- Santa Barbara’s Food Lover’s Weekend
Yes, Santa Barbara is a total gem of a place where you can get in the water, hike, or hang out and explore. But, being the food fiend I am, I always make time to check out the food scene. - Wine Country Chic in Healdsburg
When I lived in San Francisco, I made it a point to go up to wine country at least once monthly, and my local friends introduced me to Healdsburg. This once sleepy town has now become ground zero for wine country chic. - Savor Sonoma County
Of course, the historic town of Sonoma is adorable, too — here are our picks of where to shop, eat, and sip!
- Bay Area Oyster Crawl
But to truly make like a Bay Area local, make time to do an oyster crawl through Marin County. Some of the best oysters on the West Coast come from this region of NorCal, so it’s hard to go wrong. - San Francisco To Palm Springs
The longest itinerary on this list, you could do this in a weekend, but we’d recommend blocking off at least four days to do this right! - Skiing In Squaw Valley
You’ve probably picked up on the fact that one of my favorite hobbies out there is skiing! I grew up skiing Mammoth Mountain, but another spot I adore here in California is Squaw Valley, one of my favorite places to do Spring skiing here in the Golden State!
How about you? What are your favorite ways to travel to California? Let us know in the comments below!
Have Us Plan Your California Trip
Looking to travel to the Golden State? Our travel planning services are here to help you achieve the ideal vacation. After discussing your preferences during a short consultation, we’ll plan your perfect itinerary. Whether you’re looking for custom travel planning or a small group trip, the Salt & Wind team is here to help. Contact us today to learn more.
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Sponsored Post: This post was brought to you by Blundstone and Zappos, but all content, ideas, and words are our own. Thanks for supporting these sponsors who allow us to keep Salt & Wind up and running.
Photo Credit: Christopher Kalima and Robin Jolin
