Turn California dreaming into reality with a picture-perfect family road trip
Discover vast cities, diverse culinary experiences, fantastic family adventures and unforgettable outdoor wonders in The Golden State
Canadian families have been dreaming of travel these past 18 months and are ready to explore the world again, but now they want to do it differently. They want to travel more sustainably, enjoy authentic local experiences and embrace the power of possibility. There’s no better place to do those things than California, a land where all dreamers and all dreams are welcome.
From iconic drives like the coastal beauty of Highway 1 to more unexpected thoroughfares like a culinary adventure down Highway 99, cruising the remnants of Route 66 or a ride of superlatives across Route 395, one of the best ways to explore the Golden State is on a road trip.
The Golden State is vast and filled with many exciting experiences and attractions. To help you plan an epic journey based on your interests, Visit California’s Road Trip Hub includes dozens of itineraries and resources to make it easy.
Here are some themes to consider while planning your visit.
CITIES OF DREAMS
Draw a line down the coast of California and you’ll connect San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego, three vibrant cities which were all built on dreams.
The San Francisco Bay Area is home to Apple, Google and countless tech companies that turn imagination into reality, while Los Angeles is home to Hollywood, the dream factory that has entertained us for generations. And don’t forget sundrenched San Diego, the epitome of California dreaming.
The experiences in any one of these cities would offer enough for an entire vacation, so consider basing yourself in just one and explore the regions around it or plot a road trip between two of them and discover the hidden gems that lie in between.
WHERE FAMILY MEMORIES ARE MADE
California is the ultimate playground for kids of all ages and is where treasured family memories are made. Whether it’s an adventurous hike in the High Sierra, zipping down the snowy peaks of Lake Tahoe, discovering the magic of Disneyland Resort, or taking in a movie studio tour in Hollywood, there are endless opportunities for kids and adults alike to dream big in the Golden State.
New theme park attractions like ‘Avengers Campus’ at California Adventure, ‘LEGO MOVIE WORLD’ at LEGOLAND and ‘Secret Life of Pets’ and ‘Jurassic World – The Ride’ at Universal Studios Hollywood are just a few of the new attractions that have come online since your last visit.
And beyond the theme parks, there’s the Redwood Skywalk in Eureka, Exploratorium in San Francisco, the new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Fleet Science Center and the San Diego Zoo in San Diego, Lake Shasta Caverns in Redding and so much more.
WINE AND DINE ON CALIFORNIA TIME
It’s no secret In-and-out Burger is a guilty pleasure for many Canadian visitors. But for those looking for something more elevated, California’s food scene boasts 90 Michelin-starred restaurants, more than any other state.
Many of them are in Los Angeles and San Francisco, but you’ll find equally fabulous eateries at every turn, whether Anaheim, Sacramento or even smaller destinations like Marshall or Stockton, which boasts a tantalizing Taco Trail.
California is such an agricultural powerhouse; it’s no wonder the state’s gastronomic scene is so extraordinary. You can experience this bounty first-hand with visits along farm trails across the state or while exploring the sensory delights of farmers’ markets like the one in San Luis Obispo.
If you’re a wine lover, you’re already familiar with California’s
vintages which is why visiting oenophiles have flocked to Napa Valley for ages, but be sure to discover the lesser-known vineyards of Livermore Valley and the Socal wine region of Temecula Valley.
THE LAND OF OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
Beyond California’s cities, you’ll discover vast and varied wild spaces that span an incredible range of terrains, from rugged mountains and towering forests to stunning coastal scenery and flowing desert dunes.
Along the North Coast, discover the forests and cliffs of Point Reyes and don’t miss the jaw-dropping 50-kilometre drive along the Avenue of the Giants through a prehistoric forest of 2,000-plus-year-old trees. More giant conifers can also be found in the emerald-green habitat of Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
Further south, enjoy one of the most iconic road trips in the world: the dramatic coastal drive along Highway 1 in Big Sur and into San Luis Obispo County, with plenty of quaint beach towns to stop in along the way.
For something more adventurous, journey to the southeastern reaches of the state to experience the stark beauty of the desert and the unique and fragile ecosystems that thrive in Joshua Tree and Death Valley National Parks or Mojave National Preserve.
No matter where you decide to explore, Visit California continues to inspire safe and responsible tourism across the state with its Responsible Travel Code.