Northern California Road Trip Itinerary
- Mount Tamalpais
- Point Reyes National Seashore
- Avenue Of The Giants
- Fern Canyon
- Mount Shasta
- McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park
- Lassen Volcanic National Park
I had an amazing time on my North California trip with my friend and want to share all the cool places I visited plus some tips.
For this California road trip itinerary, I am not describing an amount of time so you can make the drive as time allows for you. Also, feel free to modify it to focus on your top interests.
Let’s dive into the best places to visit in Northern California!
You may have to modify your road trip in California based on weather, road closures, and time!
Bucket-List Northern California Road Trip Itinerary
Stop 1: Start Your Northern California Road Trip in San Francisco
Begin your road trip in the classic Northern California city: San Francisco!
I Recommend flying in here and then exploring either By Walk or by utilizing the city’s public transit. Rent your vehicle when you are prepared to leave city. So you don’t have to drive in the traffic.
Spend anywhere from an afternoon to a couple of days exploring San Francisco depending on what interests you. There are so many things to see in San Francisco !
Of course, you need to drive across the Golden Gate Bridge and explore some of the many overlook points.
I love the viewpoint from Marin Headlands as you get a view of the bridge and the city. The waterfront close the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center makes for great views as well!
When you are in San Francisco, move to Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 to see hundreds of cute sea lions barking and sunbathing on the wharfs. This is honestly a highlight of visiting San Francisco!
You can also eat at one of the many Mouth-Watering restaurants at Fisherman’s Wharf or take the boat to Alcatraz.
You must take time for a old cable car ride up and down the steep streets of San Francisco. Make sure to purchase a ticket and start at either end if you want to hang from the outside of the cable car.
Finally, make sure to pop over to Chinatown, one of the finest in the world, to feel authentic Chinese cuisine and shopping.
Where to Stay in San Francisco:
As a main city, there are a lot of places to stay in San Francisco Whether you are on a budget or want to enjoy a luxury hotel, there is something for you.
Stop 2: Hike Mount Tamalpais
On your route out of San Francisco, be sure to stop at Mount Tamalpais State Park. It is situated on Highway 1 just north of the Bay Area.
You can drive almost to the top of Mount Tamalpais and I found simple driving directions here.
Once you drive as far as you can, you will have a half-mile hike to the top which, all things considered, is pretty short to get to the top of a mountain!
At the top, you will be honored with epic views and, if you are lucky, a lot of fog below you!
Mount Tamalpais is a favorite for photographers and nature lovers because you are actually above the clouds that covers the San Francisco Bay Area.
The view from above makes you feel like you are in another world and it is a exceptional place to capture a sunrise or sunset!
Where to Stay Near Mount Tamalpais:
Mount Tamalpais is remote and there are not many hotels near by. There are also some campgrounds in the area if you want to try camping.
Stop 3: Point Reyes National Seashore
Situated less than an hour and a half north of San Francisco, Point Reyes National Seashore is an absolute must-see in Northern California!
You can make it a quick stop, but I highly recommend spending 1 to 2 days exploring the area. There are enormous things to do in Point Reyes!
A great beginning point is the S.S Point Reyes Shipwreck. It is simply visible from the road behind a shop in the small town of Inverness. You can also walk to the shipwreck to see it up near and personal.
Next, head to the spooky Cypress Tree Tunnel. This is a renowned Instagram spot on a road leading to the historic Point Reyes Receiving Station.
No matter whatever time of day you visit, you will be stunned at the beauty of these trees. stop your car in the parking lot at the Comcast building and walk to both the start and the finish of a driveway
From the tree tunnel, drive south to the end point of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Here you will find some of the finest scenic overlooks on this Northern California coast drive.
Enjoy epic vistas of wildlife, crashing waves, and stretches of sand from the Sea Lion Overlook and South Beach Overlook. You will also want to halt to snap a picture of the renowned Leaning Tree.
At the end of the peninsula Point Reyes Lighthouse is located which provides a scenic coastal walk. As well as visitor’s center open on the weekend days.
There are also multiple hikes in Point Reyes which is why I suggest making it a couple of days stop when planning a trip to the northern California coast.
Exploring this chunk of nature is one of the finest things to do in the USA!
Where to Stay Near Point Reyes National Seashore:
There are enormous hotels and vacation homes dotted along the outskirts of Point Reyes.
Stop 4: Wineries in Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa and the whole of Sonoma County are popular for wineries and the making of wine. If you have never been to a vineyard, now it’s the time to make the stop!
The Santa Rosa nearby area is amazing and the vineyards are charming. The wine drinking is a addition too!
Some of the top wineries in Sonoma County are:
- Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery
- St. Francis Winery & Vineyards
- Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards
- Iron Horse Vineyards
Santa Rosa is the urban center of Sonoma County and provides many toothsome places to eat featuring locally sourced ingredients and, of course, wine!
If you are a Charlie Brown or Snoopy follower, visit the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa. It is the biggest collection of authentic Peanuts comics in the world and pays admiration to Charles M. Schulz.
When you plan a road trip from San Francisco, Santa Rosa is a mandatory before moving onto the wilderness that overshadow the northern half of the state.
Where to Stay in Santa Rosa:
As one of the largest cities on this North California trip, you have enormous options for locations to stay in Santa Rosa.
Stop 5: Drive Avenue Of The Giants
Officially known State Road 254, the Avenue Of The Giants is a 31-mile stretch of road running adjoining to Highway 101 in Northern California. The drive from San Francisco to the Redwoods is so beautiful.
During your California road trip, you won’t miss the Avenue Of The Giants as many signs will guide you in the direction of where to kick off the drive.
Whereas it is 31 miles long, you don’t have to do the total thing if you have time constraints. There are ton of options to just drive 5 miles or so and then get back on Highway 101.
I prefer to drive the entire thing because the route is fascinating! The towering trees are a sight to view!
This is situated in and around Humboldt Redwoods State Park. It meander through the park and on the two sides of Highway 101.
As well as to driving Avenue Of The Giants, Humboldt Redwoods State Park is a amazing stop for camping.
This is one of the finest stops on a Northern California road trip for nature enthusiasts!
Stop 6: Fern Canyon and Redwoods National Park
Fern Canyon will simply be one of the finest places to visit in Northern California. It is wonderful!
Situated in Redwoods National and State Parks on the coast of California, the whole canyon is dripping with dreamy ferns. Interestingly, it was a Jurassic Park filmed location!
Please note that the drive from Highway 101 to Fern Canyon is bit arduous and I don’t suggest doing it with a big vehicle!
There are rivers to drive through, mammoth potholes, and very narrow and meandering mountain roads.
After the exciting drive, the hike to Fern Canyon is just 0.1 miles long. You will be transported from a dusty parking lot to a fern-blanketed wonderland in just few moments!
I mostly recommend wearing waterproof boots to avoid getting your foot wet.
Slice of the fun of visiting Fern Canyon is forging the shoal about ankle deep and spending time among the ferns and fallen logs.
This might turn out to be your preferred stop on this itinerary!
Where to Stay Near Redwoods National and State Parks:
There are a small number of campgrounds, hotels, and vacation dwellings to the north and south of Redwoods National and State Parks.
Stop 7: Pacific Coast In Northern California
When your time in Northern California road trip, make certain to drive up through Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park and through Crescent City to visit the far North California coast.
The coast will be a enhancement from all the forests and wineries you have been looking. In addition to, the sea stacks are beyond magnificent.
Ensure to take some time to walk around the sea stacks and rocks, mainly when the tide is low. This will allow you to find tidepools where assortment of sea creatures live.
This is a tranquil activity, but ensure to never touch or step in tide pools to save the wildlife.
This is also the best time in your road trip itinerary to stop and take a breather and enjoy the ocean breezes and the amazing Pacific sunsets before continuing.
As you road trip the North California coast, you will love your time on the water since it is just a stunning area!
Where to Stay in Crescent City:
Crescent City is one of the larger towns you’ll come to after leaving the Santa Rosa area. There are a good amount of hotels and vacation homes to choose from.
Stop 8: Mount Shasta
For the upcoming stop on your road trip in North California, move inland to Mount Shasta.
At the earliest drive up through Grant’s Pass, Oregon, and then down I5 to Mount Shasta. This volcano, adjoining by many mini volcanoes, is situated in the southern Cascade Mountain range.
When I arrived at Mount Shasta, I was SURPRISED by how gigantic and spectacular it is! While seen from many kilometers away, it only gets more magnificent as you get near!
Take the hike up to Heart Lake for amazing alpine views! Drive your vehicle to Castle Lake and then follow the Heart Lake Trail which repeats dextrorotary around Castle Lake from the parking lot.
The hike is approximately 1 mile and when you uphill the entire time, so ensure to rest along the way. Take is slow and it is very possible.
The view from Heart Lake exhibits the lake itself and also offers a view of Castle Lake below and Mount Shasta in the background.
The towns to stay in either Weed or the town of Mount Shasta. As well as enormous campsites in the area and camping is famous when exploring here.
Where to Stay in Mount Shasta:
Mount Shasta is a lovely small town with tons of great hotel options for your road trip.
Stop 9: Burney Falls
McArthur-Burney Falls, or more generally just Burney Falls, will be one of the most breathtaking waterfalls you ever visit! I have seen epic waterfalls around the country, and I was still impressed!
Burney Falls is situated just over 1.5 hours east of Mount Shasta.
While visiting McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, you felt like you are on an island in the South Pacific instead of a remote portion of Northern California!
The water is crystal clear and blue. The waterfall cascade is a style that isn’t generally found in North America with many streams on a mossy cliff.
Pictures of Burney Falls don’t give satisfaction! Until unless you visit to see how massive this waterfall is!
This Falls can be viewed from above, but I Suggest taking the 0.3-mile paved walk down to the base of the falls. From here, you can understand the size and scale of the falls.
I Explored Burney Falls as only day trip . However, I spent nearly four hours hanging out around the waterfall so allocate your time here.
Whatever you do, don’t ignore Burney Fall on your driving itinerary for Northern California!
Where to Stay Near Burney Falls:
If you want to stay the night a McArthur- Burney Falls Memorial State Park, there is a mammoth campsite. There are less hotel options nearby.
Stop 10: Lassen Volcanic National Park
The final stop along this Northern California road trip itinerary is Lassen Volcanic National Park. It is just less than hour’s drive south of Burney Falls.
This is one of the not widely known national parks in the United States but quite splendid to visit. If you want to see volcanoes, crystal clear pools, mud pots, and boiling water, then this national park is absolute for you!
There are over 150 miles of trails in this National Park. Explore steam outlets and charming pastures.
The official national park drive is quite a best way to experience This National Park as well if you don’t want to hike. Exploring by car is one of my preferred ways to enjoy national parks.
Fortunately, there are bunch of pullouts and easy hikes and walks to experience the charming of this remote wilderness.
If you want to tick off all the U.S. national parks, this is one of the best things to do in Northern California!
Where to Stay Near Lassen Volcanic National Park:
You have the various options to stay like lodge, tent, or cabin if you want to stay on-site in the national park. The closest hotels are south of the park in Mill Creek.
Stop 11: Fly Out Of San Francisco
From Lassen Volcanic National Park, it’s a four-hour driving back to San Francisco, finishing the loop of this California itinerary.
You can fly home right away or allow yourself to exploring the city.
With so lot of things to do in California, you can do a San Francisco to Los Angels road trip next time!
How Long to Spend on This Northern California Road Trip Itinerary
I Recommend a minimum of 7 to 10 days for Northern California road trips.
However, I am an advocate of slow travel so if you have the opportunity to add more time, you should. If you can schedule more than 10 days, you will not be hurried and have time to explore every location entirely.
If you prefer to stick to nature, you can also simply skip over San Francisco and head to the road right away to save a day as well.
Best Time to Visit Northern California
Personally, I Recommend you plan a road trip of Northern California in either spring or fall. As the transitional season, this time of the year has less crowds than summer seasons In addition to great weather for outdoor adventures.
Spring indicates wildflowers while fall is pretty with crimson foliage. The temperature during both seasons reaches highs in the 80s F.
Summer season is the peak time with tourists flocking to the national parks and other popular spots. Expect more traffic and higher prices for car rentals and accommodations. Temps average in the 90s F.
Winter in Northern California is cold, rainy, and snowy sometimes leading to poor road conditions. It is not the best time for hiking or visiting vineyards, but winter sports are popular.
There are so many things to do and see during a Northern California road trip! I hope you have as much fun as we did!