California dreaming: How to pack 6 holidays into one ultimate road trip

Who says you have to choose just one kind of holiday? California is the ultimate playground.

Usually, we have to choose one type of holiday: beach break, city escape, wellness retreat. But a California road trip refuses to be boxed in. Travellers don’t need to choose between indulgence and adventure, relaxation and thrill. In the Golden State, every day offers a new experience — from surfing at sunrise to skiing at sunset, cheering in a roaring stadium at an NBA game to serene stillness under desert skies, wandering through giant ancient Redwoods to an adrenaline rush in theme parks.

It’s a choose-your-own-adventure state, where you can live out six wildly different holidays in just one trip.

From California beach days to ski seasons

With sun-drenched beaches and the longest ski season in the United States, it’s the only place where bikinis and beanies can co-exist in a single day.

Hit the slopes at Big Bear, then take a barefoot sunset stroll at Santa Monica beach. This is the ultimate playground for travellers who don’t want to choose between salt and snow, and the best way to access both is by road.

Hit the Californian slopes between beach days. (Image: Getty/ V A Wiley)

California culture, from the city to the regions

Urban edge and country ease live side by side in the Golden State. Start in a city where skyscrapers, street art, and stadium lights keep the energy high. Los Angeles and San Francisco set the pace with galleries, live‑music venues and year‑round pro sport from courtside Lakers games to electric Giants baseball nights.

Then put the skyline in your rear‑view mirror and trade freeway noise for birdsong. A short drive lands you in wine valleys like Calistoga or small coastal towns such as Cambria, where tasting rooms, farm stands, and starlit silence reset the tempo. The contrast adds value: you might cheer with 50,000 fans one night, then swirl Shiraz in a vineyard courtyard the next.

Plan your trip around blockbuster events like the FIFA World Cup 2026, Super Bowl 2026, or the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic in LA, and you’ll feel the state’s spirit of play everywhere you go.

Wander the beachside towns in Cambria. (Image: Getty/ Ben Edek)

California’s theme parks and nature

California brings childhood dreams and grown-up awe into the same itinerary. Feel the rush of rollercoasters in Anaheim, or trade theme park thrills for towering redwoods in Big Sur or the quiet wonder of Yosemite (be sure to book ahead).

There’s as much magic in the stillness of Joshua Tree’s desert rock formations as there is in the colourful streets of Disneyland. Seeing both is what makes the experience unforgettable.

Visit the happiest place on earth. (Image: Getty/ Frozen Shutter)

California’s wellness scene

Here, wellness is less about sacrifice and more about harmony. California lets you slow down or turn up, sometimes in the same hour. It doesn’t believe in either/or.

Start your day with a sunrise hike or sound bath, then book in a spa treatment that ends with champagne. It’s a state where wellness doesn’t mean giving anything up; it means tuning in to what feels good. Whether you’re soaking in hot springs, eating locally grown food, or meditating on a cliffside, there’s a generous spirit behind it all.

With Indigenous-led tours, LGBTQ+ friendly spaces and minority-owned businesses woven through every region, travellers are invited to feel welcome, seen and safe.

Soak your troubles away in a hot spring. (Image: Getty/ Camp Photo)

Now have it all

Each of these experiences is incredible on its own, but they’re even better together. California makes it easy to build an itinerary that lets you have it all. You can really make a road trip here your own, but this is one of our top road trip itinerary picks:

Stop 1: Los Angeles

Head to Venice Beach and wander Abbot Kinney Boulevard, a stretch known for its blend of bohemian flair and upscale edge, where designer boutiques, mural-covered walls, and taco trucks coexist with ease.  Make your way downtown to catch a Lakers game or a concert at LA Live, the city’s buzzing entertainment precinct that anchors the energy of downtown nights.

Optional sun detour: Head southeast from Los Angeles to Palm Springs. Known for its desert modernism and laid-back glamour, it’s a place to soak in mineral-rich hot springs, wander art-filled streets and enjoy breezy poolside afternoons.

Optional snow detour: From Los Angeles, head northeast for a day or overnight trip to the San Bernardino Mountains, home to ski spots like Big Bear and Snow Summit. Just two hours from the city, these mountain towns offer powder-filled runs, pine forest views and cozy alpine vibes. It’s a winter escape that pairs perfectly with a beachside start.

Experience the buzz of LA. (Image: Getty/ Leo Patrizi)

Stop 2: Santa Barbara

Wander the palm-lined waterfront and visit Funk Zone’s walkable enclave of converted warehouses, graffiti‑lined streets, boutique tasting rooms, and street‑level creative studios. Soak in the ocean views with a seafood lunch before sampling boutique wines in the hills just outside town.

Don’t miss the chance to spot dolphins from Shoreline Park or take a detour into the nearby Santa Ynez Valley for rolling vineyards and ranch-style charm.

Optional midway stop: About halfway along the route from Santa Barbara to Big Sur, take a break in the coastal village of Cambria. Framed by Monterey pines and rugged cliffs, this laid-back town is a great place to stretch your legs, explore small galleries, and sample local olallieberry treats that have become a regional favourite.

Spot dolphins in Santa Barbara. (Image: Getty/ Cristian Lourenço)

Stop 3: Big Sur

Continue north to McWay Falls to see an 80-foot waterfall spilling into the Pacific, hike through Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park’s redwood groves, and end the day with sweeping sunset views.

Spot McWay Falls at Big Sur. (Image: Getty/ Ivan Lukac)

Stop 4: Head inland to Yosemite National Park

In the cooler months, this iconic wilderness transforms into a snow-dusted retreat. Try snowshoeing through the quiet forest trails or head up the only ski resort inside a national park, Badger Pass Ski Area, for some relaxed downhill runs.

Beyond the snow, explore granite cliffs, waterfalls and Indigenous cultural tours.

Explore Yosemite in all seasons. (Image: Getty/ Wirestock)

Stop 5: Travel through the Sierra Foothills to Ukiah Valley

Spend time in the laid-back Ukiah Valley. A little less touristy than California’s other wine regions, Ukiah is renowned for sustainable, organic, and small-batch wine production. Be sure to try the varietals that make it especially popular with the locals: pinot noir, zinfandel and chardonnay.

Raise a glass. (Image: Getty/ Courtney K)

Final Stop: San Francisco

Finish in a city where culture meets coastline. Explore Chinatown’s hidden tea shops, ride the historic cable cars, and take a ferry to Alcatraz for stories and views. In the Mission District, mural art and mezcal bars bring the trip to a colourful close.

Explore San Francisco. (Image: Getty/ Eye Em Mobile GmbH)

Whatever type of holiday you’re craving, there’s no better canvas than the open roads of the Golden State. Head to VisitCalifornia.com/road-trips to build your dream route.