Boasting over 3,400 miles of shoreline and plenty of inland treasures to discover, California ranks easily as one of the best states in the country for an RV road trip. There are so many quality road trip routes, in fact, that the only difficulty you’ll have when planning your RV trip is figuring out where to head first.
Lucky for you, we’ve done all of the heavy lifting. From Yosemite National Park to Santa Barbara and, of course, all the way over to Disneyland in Anaheim, we’ve compiled a list of the best road trips to take in RV. Start your engines; you’re going to want to go on every single one of these trips.
Your RV Road Trip Guide to California
1. Highway 1
You don’t need an RV trip planner to tell you just how magical a drive up Highway 1, or the Pacific Coast Highway, is. Prepare yourself to dramatic coastal views and some of the best sunsets on the West Coast as you start your journey in Orange County and end up just north of San Francisco. Along the way, you can stop in Santa Barbara, Carmel, and Big Sur (take as many days as you want to explore each location) and pristine campgrounds where you can shower, rest, and recharge.
🎬 Start: Capistrano Beach (Orange County)
🏞 End: Leggett (Mendocino County)
2. Redwood National Parks
No RV trip in California is complete without paying a visit to the towering, iconic Redwood State Park. Home to wild rivers, oak woodlands, and the tallest trees on Earth. Standing tall, these magnificent giants grow up to well over 300 feet and provide a breathtaking landscape to explore and delight in. And while this is a sight to see, getting to the park is actually half the fun. Start out in your hometown and plan to reach the park by RV in order to stay at one of the many surrounding campgrounds. You’ll be able to hike the California Coastal Trail, go ziplining, and even enjoy a ranger-led kayak tour.
🎬 Start: Anywhere!
🏞 End: Crescent City
3. Disneyland
If you have a few little ones in the house then they’ll likely love the idea of traveling to see Mickey Mouse for the first time. Seeing as air travel isn’t totally safe just yet, you can do away with the hassle of long security lines, fidgety kids, and luggage and simply drive to Disneyland. Be sure to purchase a park hopper pass so the whole family can dive deep into the magic of Disney at both Disneyland and California Adventure. The best part? If you arrive in RV, you can stay at the nearby Anaheim RV Park, which offers a shuttle straight to the park. It doesn’t get much easier than that.
🎬 Start: Anywhere!
🏞 End: Anaheim
4. Death Valley
As the lowest point in North America, Death Valley is a (very hot) destination that you simply can’t miss out on if you’re traveling through California. Marvel at the colorful rocks at Artist’s Palette or visit in the springtime to watch the wildflowers bloom. However you decide to visit, be sure to explore by RV in order to enjoy the sights from inside an air-conditioned vehicle. Our pro tip? Bring a fully-charged camera and lots of memory cards as there are numerous spots for photo ops not only in Death Valley but along the way. We suggest starting in Los Angeles, heading up to Saddleback Butte, going through the Red Rock Canyon State Park, and then making your way to Death Valley.
🎬 Start: Los Angeles
🏞 End: Death Valley
5. Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara boasts award-winning wineries, jaw-dropping coastal views, and a perfect climate that makes outdoor exploring quite the delight. Known as the American Riviera, the name itself pretty much sums up how luxurious and enchanting this destination is. And, the beauty of this road trip is that you can make a large loop so you’re able to start and end in Santa Barbara after stopping to take in the sights and cultural wonders at places such as the Santa Barbara Mission, all over the Santa Ynez Valley, and through the citrus grove-lined Ojai Valley.
🎬 Start: Santa Barbara
🏞 End: Santa Barbara
6. Yosemite National Park
We’ve saved one of the best for last as it’s no list of the best RV trips to take in California without mentioning Yosemite National Park. From the famous Half Dome to the iconic El Capitan, this park is overflowing with natural wonders that take your breath away at every turn. In terms of road trip itineraries to Yosemite National Park, we recommend touring the California Gold Country starting in Sacramento. Discover California’s rich history as it relates to the Gold Rush and end the trip exploring Yosemite.
🎬 Start: Sacramento
🏞 End: Yosemite National Park
Saving Money for an RV Road Trip
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