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Many see the ultimate US Road Trip as journeying Route 66, but what about a California road trip on the US Route 101 from San Francisco to Los Angeles? Here’s a quick guide on where to go following my own coastal adventure.
The USA is well-known for its love of a great road trip and is the perfect place to head out on the vast open roads. Many people see the ultimate American Road Trip as journeying along Route 66, but for me, it was a road trip in California from San Francisco to Los Angeles (LA) on Route 101, stopping off at some scenic towns in between.
Filled with iconic cities, a breathtaking coastline and amazing national parks, California has everything a traveller could want from their road trip. We pre-arranged our accommodation in larger, more popular cities like San Francisco and organised car hire a couple of weeks before I landed in the ‘Golden State’, where I spent two glorious weeks exploring. Californians are not walkers, nor will many take the bus; with views like these, you can see why cars provide the ultimate freedom.
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San Francisco to Los Angeles California Roadtrip Route
Starting in San Francisco
An ideal base to start your road trip from is San Francisco. This iconic city is synonymous with the hippy movement that shook America during the 1960s and is home to iconic sights including the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Spend some time exploring the wildlife of San Francisco, including the Farallon Islands – home to Great White Sharks and whales – and Angel Island State Park. Immerse yourself in the Godfather of the Road Trip, Jack Kerouac, by treating yourself to a copy of his novel ‘On the Road’ from the City Lights Bookstore where he and his ‘Beat’ friends once hung out and visit the Beat Museum.
San Francisco to San Jose
Directions: Follow Highway 101/Route 101 south for around 47 miles; you’ll reach San Jose within an hour.
San Jose is the third-largest city in the state and is at the heart of Silicon Valley. Despite its modern art and tech status, including the San Jose Museum of Modern Art and Tech Museum of Innovation to support its new-age growth, the city’s Downtown Historic District preserves some of its colonial-era architecture.
San Jose to Monterey
Directions: You’ll be following Route 101 slightly inland for around 50 miles. At exit 336 on the US-101, continue southwest back towards the coastline on the CA-156 W and later the CA-1/Highway One in the direction of Monterey.
From San Jose, the road to Monterey widens into a scenic one-hour drive as you cruise along Highway One. Monterey is a gorgeous little town with a classic, decades-old aura and crystal-blue waters. Carmel-By-The-Sea is the Peninsula’s historic village centrepiece.
Monterey to Santa Barbara
Directions: Pick up the CA-68 E/ California Route 68 road eastward and back inland, which eventually merges with Highway 101, which you will follow south to Santa Barbara. The drive takes approximately 4 hours. Highway 1 from Monterrey to Santa Barbara offers better scenery, as it follows the coast.
Along the way to Santa Barbara, there are several small coastal towns to stop off at for a night’s stay, grab a bite to eat or even just stop-offs to take in the scenery. Big Sur, with its smatter of yellow sand beaches, rugged coves, Slates Hot Springs and nature reserves, is the most beautiful stretch.
My friend and I always tried to stop at the quirkiest restaurant, including one dedicated to pea soup (Pea Soup Anderson’s on Highway 101), or you can opt for the state’s famous In ‘N’ Out Burger chain.
Santa Barbara to Los Angeles
Directions: Pick up Highway 101 and continue southeast to Los Angeles for 95 miles, a two-hour drive that crosses the coastline and skims national parks.
Enjoy Santa Barbara, which is seen as the American Riviera, before taking the steady road into Los Angeles, passing through Malibu and Venice Beach on the way. Arriving in Los Angeles is a unique experience and oozes glamour (in parts). No stay here is complete without heading into the Hollywood Hills and seeing the famous sign, checking out the embedded celebrity stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and splashing your cash on Rodeo Drive.
Beyond Los Angeles
LA to San Diego
The road south from LA takes you to San Diego, where you can make your way along the beaches that make up surfers paradise, taking in Long Beach and San Clemente. Once you arrive in here, ensure you visit San Diego Zoo as it is seen as one of the finest zoos in the world and enjoy some culture in Balboa Park.
San Diego to Kings Canyon
From here, head back onto Highway 5 in the direction of Los Angeles and head north into Kings Canyon – just follow the signs to Bakersfield. Situated on the eastern state border, Kings Canyon is home to an impressive array of canyons and forests, including the third-tallest tree in the world, the General Grant Tree. Carry on north through the park to move into the Yogi Bear-famed Yosemite National Park. There’s a good chance that you’ll see some of his furry friends within the mountains.
Yosemite National Park to Sacramento
Once you’ve finished exploring the park, head west again to Sacramento. Those wanting to track back to San Francisco can follow Route 80 southwest for round 90 minutes.
Why I Chose to Roadtrip California
A road trip through California gives you the freedom to explore at your leisure and your own pace. I loved not having to use the dreaded Greyhound buses and travelling on my own time. The real addicition is spontaneity, like pulling over to watch the sunset or randomly driving into a small town because it’s on the way and looks intriguing. Nothing beats an open itinerary on an open road.
Coastal US Road Trips
Looking for more US road trip inspiration? Switch the Pacific coastline for the Atlantic, and drive the scenic US Route 1 on a Maine road trip – a scenic route through history that starts in Fort Kent, Maine and ends in Florida’s Key West. Or if you do end up driving Route 66, here’s what to do on a trip to Las Vegas.
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