10-Day California Road Trip Itinerary: Coast, Mountains & Wine Country 

Disclaimer: I can’t really claim this destination is off the beaten track or under the radar. However, it’s simply too good not to write about.

If you’re planning a California road trip, chances are you’ve already come across countless itineraries focused on Highway 1. And while cruising along dramatic coastal roads is undoubtedly spectacular, California has so much more to offer than its famous coastline alone.

This is a state that really doesn’t like to make things easy for travellers. One minute you’re strolling along palm-lined beaches, the next you’re standing beneath giant sequoias wondering how something that tall can possibly exist. Throw in crystal-clear lakes, rolling vineyards and some seriously charming coastal towns, and suddenly planning a 10-day itinerary becomes quite the challenge.

Rather than sticking solely to the classic Highway 1 route, this road trip combines coast, mountains and wine country to create a California adventure packed with variety. From Los Angeles and Santa Barbara to Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe and Napa Valley, this itinerary is designed for travellers who want to experience as many sides of California as possible without feeling like they’re constantly rushing from one destination to the next.

So if you’re short on annual leave but big on adventure, I’ve got you covered. In this 10 day California itinerary, I’ll share our exact route, where we stayed, the experiences I’d recommend booking and the stops that made this one of my favourite road trips to date.

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My Alternative 10 Day Road Trip Itinerary at a glance: 

Day	Destination
1	Los Angeles
2-3	Santa Barbara
3	Morro Bay
3-5	Yosemite
6	Lake Tahoe
7-8	Napa Valley
9-10	San Francisco

This route combines some of California’s most iconic experiences with a few lesser-discussed gems, making it perfect for travellers who want variety without spending half their holiday behind the wheel. 

Where We Stayed in California at a Glance: 

Destination	Hotel
LA	SIXTY in Beverly Hills
Santa Barbara	Motel
Yosemite	Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort
Napa	Airbnb
San Francisco	Parc 55 San Francisco – A Hilton Hotel

Where to start your California Roadtrip

So where to start? That may be one of the most difficult parts! 

If you are travelling from the UK/Europe, your best bets would be to start north in San Francisco and work your way down OR start from LA or further South in San Diego (depending on how much time you have) and work your way up. 

In an ideal world, I’d allow 2 weeks plus for this trip to make sure you don’t have to sacrifice any of the major spots. However, it’s not always an ideal world and when my husband and I took on this adventure back in 2017, we had only 10 days to see as much of California as we possibly could. So in this 10 day California guide, I’ll walk you through the places we visited, as well as point out the stops we reluctantly had to cut out in order to cram everything in. 

First Stop: LA (Day 0-1)

As much as we would have loved to have visited San Diageo (and this remains a firm destination on our must travel list), with our time restriction, we opted to start slightly further north in LA. A city well worth visiting, even just to experience the vastness of the city, with all its contrasting neighbourhoods and undeniable energy. Venice beach, Santa Monica, Hollywood are some of the obvious stops and if this is your first time in LA, you will likely want to experience. 

We picked up our car hire from the airport and got on our merry way (and yes, we did blow half our budget on the Ford Mustang…like everyone else arriving at the airport). 

I’d recommend parking up in Santa Monica, meandering down the famous pier full with its carousel, shops & restaurants before taking the circa one hour walk to Venice Beach along the beachfront. You’ll get to people watch every type of person imaginable along the way…skateboarders, rollerbladers, bodybuilders working out in the on beach gym. The closer you get to Venice beach, the funkier things get and when you eventually reach Venice beach, it’s a great place to stop for coffee and/or brunch to take stock of all the bizarre and wonderful things you’ve witnessed on your beach venture (we liked the vegetarian Butcher’s Daughter on Abbot Kinney Blvd).  

Aside from the many, many (many) beaches in LA, inland, I’d prioritise the hike up to the observatory where you can spot the famous Hollywood sign (just don’t be surprised that it’s not the gigantic monument that you were expecting…still pretty cool though). It’s a really great hike with incredible views over the city and a nice respite from the wild happenings of the city below. 

Speaking of Hollywood signs, you may want to take the time to go star spotting down the Hollywood walk of fame on the Hollywood Boulevard. In my view, a little overrated and respectfully not the nicest part of town…but on the other hand, where else can you see the names of over 2,700 superstars engraved into the ground? 

I’ve only really scratched the surface here and there is a lot more to see and do in LA…the Film Studio tours, strutting down Rodeo Drive like Pretty Woman, Cycling around Marina Del Ray….the list goes on. I do hope though, that this at least provides a flavour! Of course, if you are really strapped for time, you may decide simply to land and leave LA for your first stop….

Where to Stay in LA 

We opted to stay in Malibu, a quieter beach area which was pretty down to earth. We went the Airbnb route and actually ended up staying in the outhouse of a family home which was a pretty unique experience. During a later trip on our honeymoon, we went more upmarket, staying in SIXTY in Beverly Hills (just a few doors down from the one and only Beverly Wilshire). If not for the fun, quirky bedrooms, it’s well worth staying here for their amazing brunches and most importantly, stunning rooftop pool and bar with views over the whole city (not to mention round the corner from the best restaurant I’ve ever eaten…Mirame, a high-end Mexican restaurant, that cleverly merges contemporary Mexican cuisine with California sensibilities…and they even source their ingredients from Mexico).  

Second Stop: Santa Barbara (Day 2-3)

If you are going to miss anywhere, I’d strongly recommend it isn’t Santa Barbara. Santa Barbra is your picturesque, sophisticated yet laid back, coastal town only one and a half hours drive from LA. 

First off, the beaches at Santa Barbara are dreamy. Beaches, plural I hear you ask…yes, Santa Barbara boasts several out of this world beaches, all with their unique charm. So whether you want an active dog friendly spot (Arroyo Burro Beach), a relaxing oasis not too far from the action of the town (Butterfly Beach), somewhere to flex your surf muscles (Leadbetter Beach)

or a romantic sunset beach walk and/or horse ride (Summerland Beach), you will have more than enough options. You may even get your first glance of California’s friendly Seals at Stearns Wharf off West Beach. 

Once you are all beached out, get yourself down to Santa Barbara Downtown. This is where all the action is. Packed with amazing bars, restaurants, ice cream parlors, boutique shopping and everything in between. A class above most towns, the charm of Santa Barbara is in the historic features, beautiful buildings and buzzy atmosphere, made even more beautiful by its iconic palm tree lined streets. Mooching around downtown equals hours of fun. 

2017 was a time when our travel budget was slightly more scarce, so we decided this was the right time for our first Motel experience. I can’t in all my good conscience recommend the one we stayed in, but what I can say is, it was an experience. 

Third Stop: Morro Bay (Day 3)

If you can bear to tear yourself away from Santa Barbara, next I’d recommend heading up to Morro Bay, maybe with a couple of cheeky short stops along the way (eg. Pismo beach and/or the famous (but in my view slightly creepy) Madonna Inn. This part of the trip will take just short of 2 hours so you may want to just power right on through if time is tight. 

Morro Bay is a big open bay (funnily enough) perfect for paddle boarders, kayakers and sailors. Even if you don’t fit this description, it’s a lovely spot with a change in pace from the busier LA & Santa Barbara. If you took a shine to the Seals in Santa Barbara, you are going to be in your element here as this is a hot spot for the lovely creatures, with the bonus of hundreds of iconic Otters, which float and bob around in the water. 

In the interest of time, we decided not to stay in Morro Bay. We spent a glorious few hours there before heading straight to Yosemite (my personal highlight of the trip).  

Forth Stop: Yosemite (Day 3-5) 

This part was the hardest of all our decisions…continue north to the stunning Big Sur, or head inland for the magical Yosemite National Park. After hours of endless debates, Yosemite won it for us, and although we were sad to miss out on Monterey, Carmel & the Big Sur, if you are lucky enough to visit Yosemite in your lifetime, you will be hard pressed to ever regret it. Our rationale came down to wanting to mix our coastal experience with the incredible diversity that the inland of California has to offer. Of course if you do have an extra few days, I would do both. But if not, the good news is there isn’t really a bad decision. 

So, Yosemite, where do I even start?! Obviously I haven’t visited everywhere on earth so I can’t fully testify to this…but this has to be one of the most incredible, natural, awe inspiring places in existence. If you like trees and nature, you are going to the right palace. Home to some of the world’s most impressive trees you will ever see, including the 3,000 year old Grizzly Giant, not to mention the thousands of giant and rather magical red sequoias that surround the area.  

One of your main objectives will likely be to get a sight of the Half Dome rock which is a must. There are many trails you can achieve incredible glances up at this unbelievable formation. But the Half Dome isn’t the only marvel in this stunning wilderness…you’ll be spoiled with waterfalls, meadows, forests, even small lakes and much more. Firstly you’ll need to choose the ‘area(s)’ you want to visit…among the most popular are Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point Road and Hetch Hechy. Within each are several trails to choose from, ranging in difficulty, length etc. The national park website has a comprehensive guide of these trails to help you choose which to prioritise. 

But hiking isn’t the only thing to do in Yosemite. Camping with bears might not be the first thing that springs to mind, but what a way to truly experience the enchanting park (and I’m pretty sure the campsites are kept safe from bears…but not 100% sure)?! There are campsites scattered all around the area, but do make sure you book far in advance to get a spot. 

If you want to cover more ground than you can achieve on foot, why not hire some bikes (I’d recommend booking ahead to save time when you get there – you can book reasonable hire on Get Your Guide)? Or if cycling doesn’t tickle your pickle, what about trying your hand at Horseback riding?

Top tip: watch out for the bears! Do not leave food hanging around in your car…you might just come back to a bear shaped hole in your vehicle (an amusing tale to tell, but maybe not the easiest to explain to your car hire company). 

Where to Stay in Yosemite

Although pricey, you are better off staying inside the park for proximity and maximising your exploration if you are short on time. 

We opted for Yosemite Bug Mountain Resort which was low end price wise and had a fun, authentically foresty vibe about it in addition to a great location. However, if I was visiting now, I’d be booking a slightly more high end place with a similar rustic vibe. Mountain House caught my eye – a private accommodation with lots of space, buried right in the forest. There are also some great unique stays on offer like glamping and modern campervans under the stars. 

Fifth Stop: Lake Tahoe (Day 6)

Not many of your searches will yield a “California road trip with Lake Tahoe”; but that only added to its appeal.

This was arguably our most rogue stop given the distance and time available to do it, but we just could not resist. It might have taken us 5 hours to drive north from Yosemite, but I have to say, the drive itself was worth it alone. Prepare yourself for WOW type views at every bend as you drive through tree lined roads that make even Yosemite’s trees look less impressive. 

Of course you could spend days upon days exploring the vast area of Lake Tahoe but if your priority is to see stunning crystal blue lakes, look no further than Emerald Bay located at the West of Lake Tahoe. It’s large enough to give you an incredible perspective of the lake and plenty of activities, but small enough to make you feel as though you’ve uncovered your own little corner of paradise.

Start by making your way by car to the vantage point called ‘Inspiration point’ (from Highway 89) to get the snapshot of all snapshots of this magnificent marvel of natural beauty. Once you’ve caught the view from up high, there is plenty to explore down on the lake itself; why not get right up and personal with the lake itself by hiring SUP/Paddle board or kayaks (which you can hire at Emerald beach)? What about a simple but lovely hike across the beach, or if you are feeling more adventurous, there are many many hiking trails leading you up to breathtaking views across the lake. OR, if like us, you are tired from all the travel, you may simply opt for a blissful nap on the beach. If you can, it’s well worth sticking around for the sun set which brings the bay alive with the stunning glistening light. If you really wanted to push the boat out (literally), you could try a romantic dinner cruise to see Emerald Bay from a different light

We didn’t stay in Lake Tahoe, but ploughed straight on to Napa/Samoa (this was a longest driving day) so if you do the same – brace yourself for a lot of long straight roads!   

Sixth Stop: Napa Valley (via Sonoma) (Day 7-8)

After the wilderness adventures of Yosemite and the jaw-dropping lakes of Tahoe, it was time for a slight change of pace…enter wine country. Napa Valley had been firmly on our list from the beginning, but as anyone who has looked into staying there will know, Napa itself can come with a fairly hefty price tag.

Where to Stay in Napa Valley/Sonoma

Our solution? Staying just outside the main valley in Sonoma. It’s a great value option with plenty of accommodation choices and still within easy reach of the famous Napa wineries (20-30 mins by car). Sonoma is being touted by many as the best option for those looking less for the high end wine estates, more for a chilled vibe which actually offers more diversity of grape! 

This also happened to be where we tried our very first Airbnb house share experience. Let’s just say…it was memorable. But in fairness to our host, it did come with a major perk: a wealth of brilliant local tips on where to go, which vineyards were worth prioritising, and which ones were perhaps a little too touristy.

What to do in Napa Valley/Sonoma

Once in Napa Valley itself, the main order of the day is fairly obvious…vineyard hopping. There are hundreds of wineries scattered across the valley, many offering tastings, tours, picnics or simply a beautiful spot to sit and sip a glass while soaking up the surroundings. Even if wine isn’t your main passion, the scenery alone makes the trip worthwhile. Rolling green hills stretch out in every direction, dotted with elegant vineyards and charming estates that feel almost too picturesque to be real.

The joy of Napa is that you really don’t need a strict itinerary. Pick a few wineries, take your time between stops, and enjoy the drive as much as the destination. After days of hiking, exploring and road-tripping, Napa felt like the perfect excuse to slow down slightly.

If you are planning to go all out on sampling the wine (and why not?), you can either book onto a tour or uber would be your best bet (but afraid it isn’t cheap). If you don’t fancy guiding yourself, there are no end to great tours, here are just a few highlights: 

• Napa Valley Guided Wine Tour with Picnic lunch  (7 Hours and Circa $150) The perfect balance of info, wine drinking and soaking up the beauty of Napa 
• Napa Valley & Sonoma Full Day Wine Tour & Tasting (9 Hours and Circa $140) A great way to experience both Napa & Sonoma all in one day 
• Napa Valley wine tasting by open air trolley with lunch Visit 3 wineries in style with the open air bus (6 Hours and Circa $140)
• Private wine class with Sommelier (1 hour and Circa $160). If you are really into your wine, go all out with this private wine class where you’ll learn everything you need to know about the region, the wine styles and more, all whilst having your paired charcuterie board. 

If you are less fussed about wine and wondering if Napa is for you, take it from a non-alcohol drinker, Napa will not disappoint. There are heaps of things to see and do besides 

• What better way to experience Napa Valley than in Hot air Balloon ride – incredible views over the Valley and Mount Saint Helena (4.5 Hours and Circa $290)
• We also spent some time in the beautiful Sonoma town…out for dinner and drinks in the glorious sunshine which I’d highly recommend checking out. 

Final Stop: San Francisco (Day 9-10)

And just like that, the final stop on our Californian road trip…San Francisco. A city that somehow manages to feel both laid back and electric at the same time. With its colourful houses, steep hills and ocean views, it actually reminded me a little of Lisbon with its giant bridges, historic trams and a slightly rebellious edge.

This is one of the most vibrant, characterful cities in the US and absolutely worth exploring.

What to do in San Francisco

There is plenty to pack into your time here. Start with the iconic Lombard Street — famously known as the “crookedest street in the world”. Watching cars zig-zag their way down the flower-lined bends is oddly entertaining, and walking down it gives you some great views across the city.

Next up, you simply have to ride one of San Francisco’s historic cable cars. It’s touristy, yes, but also ridiculously fun. Cling onto the side, channel your inner Mrs Doubtfire and enjoy rattling your way through the city streets like you’re starring in your own slightly chaotic movie scene.

A visit to Alcatraz prison is another must. The infamous island prison sits just out in the bay and the tour itself is genuinely fascinating, offering a glimpse into the lives of the prisoners who once lived there — including the legendary Al Capone. It’s eerie, atmospheric and surprisingly one of the highlights of the city.  This is one I’d highly recommend pre-booking to avoid the queues – you can book the ferry, entry & audio for a reasonable c. $50 on Get Your Guide with the official Alcatraz City Cruises 

Food lovers will also be very happy here. Head down to Fisherman’s Wharf to try San Francisco’s famous clam chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl — the ultimate comfort food after a long day of exploring. And if you’re looking for something a little more boutique and local, there are countless small restaurants tucked throughout neighbourhoods like North Beach and the Mission District that are well worth seeking out.

Last but not least, don’t forget to locate a few viewpoints of the Golden Gate Bridge. Whether it’s from Crissy Field, Battery Spencer or simply catching a glimpse as you drive across it, it’s one of those landmarks that somehow still feels impressive no matter how many photos you’ve seen beforehand.

Top tip: bring comfortable shoes…and maybe a bit of pre-trip leg strength training. San Francisco’s hills are no joke.

Where to Stay in San Francisco

By the time you reach San Francisco, you’ll probably be ready to swap long driving days for somewhere comfortable to unwind before heading home. We stayed at Parc 55 San Francisco – A Hilton Hotel, right in the heart of Downtown, and for a road trip, I honestly thought it was a great base.

The location made exploring the city incredibly easy. We could walk to Union Square, hop on the famous cable cars just a few minutes away, and it was only a short ride to Fisherman’s Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge viewpoints. After spending much of the trip surrounded by mountains, lakes and vineyards, being back in the buzz of a city with everything on your doorstep was the perfect way to round off the adventure.

The rooms were spacious (always appreciated after living out of a suitcase for 10 days), the beds were ridiculously comfortable and, if you’re lucky enough to bag a room on one of the higher floors, you’ll be treated to some brilliant views across the San Francisco skyline. There’s also a gym, restaurant and coffee shop downstairs, making those early starts or late-night arrivals that little bit easier.

One thing worth mentioning is that, like many large American cities, the area immediately surrounding the hotel can feel a little gritty in places. We never felt unsafe, but it’s worth doing a little research into neighbourhoods before booking if that’s something you’re concerned about. Personally, I found the convenience far outweighed this, especially as we spent most of our time exploring different parts of the city rather than hanging around the hotel itself.

If you’re looking for a comfortable, well-located hotel to finish your California road trip, I’d happily recommend Parc 55 as a practical base for discovering everything San Francisco has to offer.

Ready to book? Check out prices on Booking.com

To Sum Up my 10 Day California Itinerary 

And there you have it — my ultimate 10-day California road trip itinerary, the perfect road trip for couples. While California could easily fill several weeks (or even months) of travel, this route proves that you can experience an incredible variety of landscapes, cities and experiences in just 10 days. From the beaches of Los Angeles and Santa Barbara to the towering sequoias of Yosemite, the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tahoe, the vineyards of Napa Valley and the iconic sights of San Francisco, this itinerary showcases some of the very best California has to offer.

If you’re planning your own trip, don’t forget to book accommodation and popular tours well in advance, particularly for Yosemite, Napa Valley and Alcatraz, as these are some of the most sought-after experiences in the state.

Of course, if you have more time, I’d absolutely recommend adding Big Sur, Monterey and Carmel to your route. But for travellers with limited annual leave who want the perfect balance of coast, mountains and wine country, this California road trip delivers an unforgettable adventure.