Ultimate Playground Tour

Kick off your odyssey at what could be California’s most recognizable landmark: the 1.7-mile-long, 746-foot-high Golden Gate Bridge. Certainly, you can drive across the bridge soaking up the views of the city, the bay, and Marin County, but this is also prime place to start playing.

Take a bike ride across the bridge (rent from Blazing Saddles or San Francisco Bicycle Rentals) or do one of the guided walking tours. Keep exploring the neighboring Golden Gate Recreation Area, such as the play spaces at Presidio Tunnel Tops and the beach activities at Crissy Field. San Francisco beckons with more ways to play, such as riding cable cars, exploring Alcatraz, or getting interactive at The Exploratorium.

Breathe deep, look up, and soak up the energy that emanates from California’s redwoods. Take Highway 128 into Mendocino County, where the scenery is worthy of fairy tales. Hike the trails in Hendy Woods State Park, home of two redwood groves and 25 picnic sites as well as a lovely, wheelchair-friendly trail through the tall trees. Or head to Navarro River Redwoods State Park where the 11-mile-long canopied drive known as the “redwood tunnel to the sea” features a campground that sits where the Navarro River meets the Pacific Ocean. While you’re in the area, taste Anderson Valley wines Goldeneye Winery, enjoy an epic burger or salad at Jumbo’s Win Win, or browse the farmstand at Philo Apple Farm and stock up on heirloom apples, ciders, and chutneys.

Cruise along Highway 49 and you'll soon find yourself crossing the Foresthill Bridge—an engineering marvel towering 730 feet over the North Fork of the American River. It’s a jaw-dropping view, perfect for a quick road-trip photo op. After soaking in the scenery, take a short detour into Auburn’s historic Old Town, complete with cobblestone streets and charming shops. Make your way to Restaurant Josephine’s colorful dining room, where a weekly rotating menu features seasonal French dishes. Stop in for a fruity Northeast-style IPA from Moonraker Brewing Co. before sinking into the Park Victorian, a stately six-room bed-and-breakfast overlooking downtown. 

With its crystal-clear waters framed by towering pines, Emerald Bay State Park is the kind of place that makes you want to pull over and just stare. As you drive south along Highway 89, marvel at the surreal blue-green waters, a result of Lake Tahoe’s tremendous clarity and depth. For a taste of Norse drama, tour Vikingsholm, a Scandinavian-inspired castle perched on the water’s edge. A short jaunt to Eagle Falls offers cascading waterfalls, granite peaks, and scores of lush evergreen trees. Cap off the stop with a boat ride to Fannette Island, home to a stone structure that once served as a tea house.

The Central Coast is famous for the sweeping ocean views and this blissful spot—sometimes called the Gateway to Big Sur—offers up a uniquely spectacular view from its 400-foot cliffs. You have two options for a hike: the easy, quarter-mile Salmon Creek Falls hike to see a waterfall (part of the longer Salmon Creek Trail) or the steep 1.2-mile round-trip Ragged Point Cliffside Trail, which ends at a scenic black-sand beach. Make a day of it by dining here: Go casual at the Plaza with its gourmet snack bar and patio picnic tables, or enjoy fine dining at the Ragged Point Restaurant with its California cuisine, local wines, and huge views flanked by Monterey cypress trees. You can stay overnight too: The Ragged Point Inn offers a range of low-key luxury rooms, many with ocean views.

Ed. note: If you plan to continue heading north, be aware that as of January 2025, portions of northbound Highway 1 40 miles south of Carmel are closed. See this page for details.

You’ll find two compelling reasons to pull over in San Simeon, located on the northern coastal side of San Luis Obispo County. First, there is Hearst Castle, the 165-room, must-be-seen-to-be-believed mansion built by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, now a state historical monument. Designed in 1919 by pioneering architect Julia Morgan, the castle features 127 acres of gardens, elaborate decor, fountains, and two pools. Choose from one of the many tours and prepare to be dazzled. Afterward, say hi to the enormous, walrus-like elephant seals at the beach known as Piedras Blancas. During peak season (November–March), there could be up to 17,000 of the giants bellowing, lounging, and otherwise going about their business.

The undisputed entertainment capital of the world, Los Angeles is also a vibrant city for foodies, shoppers, art lovers, architecture nerds, and more. You could easily spend days dining your way through its world-class culinary scene, exploring its museums, or set-jetting around town—including sitting in the audience of television shows.

Los Angeles County is also a collection of great little towns that radiate from its heart. Soak up the beach scene in Santa Monica, or rent a bicycle to pedal your way down the coast to explore the waterfront of Marina del Rey. Browse boutiques and do some A-list people-watching in Beverly Hills or West Hollywood, then explore the historic areas of Pasadena and Santa Clarita. L.A. County offers a trifecta of amazing theme park experiences too: the old-school fun of Pacific Park in Santa Monica, the working studio-plus-rides at Universal Studios Hollywood, and the thrill coaster capital of the world at Six Flags Magic Mountain.

For more information on current conditions in L.A., check out our FAQs: Traveling to Los Angeles Right Now.

For nearly as long as people have been getting their kicks on Route 66, they’ve been making a pit stop at this nostalgic landmark. Located in Amboy, Roy’s Motel and Café takes you back to the golden age of road trips, when neon signs and vintage gas stations lit up the highway. Though the motel and café are no longer in business, their retro appeal is still in full force. The iconic Googie-style neon sign practically demands a photo. While you're refueling, don’t forget to pop into the gift shop to grab a souvenir.

Feel like breaking up the drive with a dose of roadside charm? The Cabazon Dinosaurs are a must-see (and unmissable) stop on any SoCal desert journey, especially for fans of quirky roadside attractions. These towering, neon-painted giants—T. rex, an apatosaurus, and their prehistoric pals—have been standing guard over Interstate 10 for more than 40 years now. They even made an appearance in the 1985 cult classic Pee-wee's Big Adventure. While you're in Cabazon, stroll the nearby Cabazon Outlets for some top-tier shopping and then leave on a sweet note with a tasty date shake at Hadley Fruit Orchards.

Newport Beach boasts luxury boutiques and one of the gnarliest shore-breaks in the Pacific, but it also offers delightfully simple pleasures. Start on the Balboa Peninsula, which runs parallel to the mainland, to enjoy kid-friendly rides and arcade games at the Balboa Fun Zone. Take the Balboa Island Ferry over to Balboa Island to sample the local delicacies—including the frozen bananas beloved by generations of beachgoers as well as fans of Arrested Development. For a thrill, watch experts navigate the explosive surf at The Wedge, which generates 20-foot waves on a regular basis. Want to get on the water yourself? Rent a boat (like the user-friendly Duffy boats) to captain your own cruise out on the harbor, or take a whale-watching excursion with City Experiences.

The little beach town of San Clemente, located at the southern edge of Orange County, has serious surfing street cred. It’s just up the road from Trestles, one of the most famous surfing spots in the world. For beginnings or looky-loos, however, San Clemente State Beach offers a prime place to catch a wave. Take a lesson from San Clemente Surf School or walk or bike the 2.3-mile Beach Trail that passes by San Clemente Pier. To soak up beach culture, shop the beach fashion at Icons of Surf and Rainbow Sandals or ogle the vintage boards at the Surfing Heritage & Culture Center. While you’re in a shopping mood, head to the Outlets at San Clemente which has branches of Hurley and Vans, then pop into the California Welcome Center; like the 22 other official welcome centers around the state, this friendly outpost offers local tips and easy-access discounts for tours, theme parks, and more.

Finish your California odyssey by embracing a charming bit of yesteryear: The 872-foot-long Crystal Pier has been a landmark here since the 1920s, when it was an amusement park and dance hall perched over the water. Today, you even stay overnight on the pier at the Crystal Pier Hotel, comprised of updated cottages outfitted with kitchenettes, sundecks, and endless ocean views. Crystal Pier is part of Pacific Beach, a buzzing hub for San Diego dining and nightlife. Walk the three-mile boardwalk along the beach or head over to neighboring Mission Bay for kayaking or SUP. For a bit of retro fun, go to Belmont Park and squeal your way through carnival rides such as the Giant Dipper. Need more motivation? Mission Bay Park celebrates its 100th birthday in 2025.