Unique Things to Do on a California Roadtrip

You’re looking for adventure in beautiful, sunny California. What places should you visit for a unique and memorable experience? And how do you optimize your trip for success? This article has you covered with several unique California road trip itineraries and how an affordable class B RV rental in San Francisco can make it more convenient. Stick around for all the details. 

What Are Some Must-See Destinations on a California Road Trip? 

When looking for California road trip destinations or the best coastal road in California with unique experiences in the area, a good place to start is the must-see spots that most visitors love. Some top spots to visit during a California road trip are: 

• Big Sur to take in its wonderful sights while relaxing along Pfeiffer Beach, looking out at McWay Falls or taking popular hikes like the trail up to Valley View Overlook. 
• Yosemite National Park for great hiking and sightseeing around attractions like Yosemite Falls, Glacier Point, Half Dome, and Tunnel View. 
• Napa Valley for wine tastings and fine dining at places like Domain Carneros or La Toque. 
• Los Angeles and Hollywood to explore the city while visiting top attractions like Griffith Observatory, Universal Studios, or the Grand Central Market. 
• San Francisco to drive across or look out over the Golden Gate Bridge, visit the Palace of Fine Arts, or explore Golden Gate Park. 

What Is the Best 10-day Itinerary for Visiting California’s National Parks?

When you need a 10-day California itinerary, visiting California’s national parks is a terrific option that is full of adventure. Here’s a full itinerary for a 10-day California National Park road trip full of great camping, hiking, sightseeing, and more. 

Day 1-2: Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park offers some fantastic sights, trails, and waterfalls that make for great exploration. 

Some of the best waterfalls in Yosemite include Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Falls, Nevada Falls, and Vernal Falls. The top trails you should take along the way that will bring you right to many of these waterfalls are the Mist Trail, Upper Yosemite Falls Trail, and the John Muir Trail. 

Plus, you can take in some of Yosemite’s best views from Tunnel View, Glacier Point, and El Capitan. 

Once you’ve wrapped up the day, you can spend a relaxing evening at one of Yosemite’s RV-friendly campsites, such as the North Pines, Upper Pines, or Lower Pines campgrounds. 

Day 3-4: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Exploring Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park right in a row makes sense since they’re just 17 minutes apart. 

Some top things to do in Sequoia National Park are:

• Go on popular hikes like the Sunrise Hike to Moro Rock, the Big Tree Trail, or hike to Tharp’s Log and Chimney Tree. 
• Visit the Giant Forest Museum and General Sherman Tree. 
• Have lunch or dinner at the popular Wuksachi Pizza Deck. 

Kings Canyon National Park offers great activities like: 

• Exploring the Zumwalt Meadow Trail. 
• Viewing popular attractions like Muir Rock, Roaring River Falls, and the General Grant Tree. 
• Having a meal at the delicious Cedar Grove Grill. 

Day 5-6: Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park is a terrific natural escape with many unique activities. 

For one, a popular reason visitors come here is because scenes from the Star Wars Movies Episode IV – A New Hope and Episode VI – Return of the Jedi were filmed here. You can even take a unique Star Wars driving tour that provides more information on its history. 

Other fun activities include night exploration and stargazing, great trails for mountain biking, backcountry driving trails around mountainous landscapes, and RV-friendly camping. 

Day 7-8: Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is a favorite for nature lovers. It’s especially a top spot for birding since you have the potential to see over 250 recorded species here. 

Plus, you can partake in other unique experiences like a horseback tour across the park, go rock climbing, or drive along some of its popular backcountry roads. 

Day 9-10: Channel Islands National Park

Take a boat off the California Coast to Channel Islands National Park. Here you’ll find a relaxing oasis to rest along the beach, camp, and hike some wonderful trails. 

Plus, you can participate in unique activities like snorkeling, whale watching, or exploring sea caves on a kayak.   

How Can I Spend a Weekend Road Trip in California? 

If you don’t have as much time, you can still have a great time on weekend road trips in California. Some great 2-day California road trips are: 

• Go to Napa Valley for luxurious wine tastings and fine dining. Click here for more Napa Valley roadtrip ideas.
• Relax at some of the best beaches in Santa Barbara, like Arroyo Burro Beach, West Beach, or Leadbetter Beach. 
• Go hiking in Big Sur on top trails like the Pine Ridge Trail or Pfeiffer Falls Trail. 
• Tour the historic town of Sonoma, which is full of great wineries, historic parks, and museums. 
• Relax on the beaches in Palm Springs or take a scenic drive through South Palm Canyon. 

What Unique Experiences Can I Have on a California Road Trip? 

For those looking for even more California road trips with unique experiences, here are a few more California road trip adventures to consider: 

• Take a hot-air balloon ride over Napa Valley. Most tours include wine tastings and gourmet meals. 
• Take a cable car ride in San Franciso while seeing top attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge. 
• Go stargazing in Joshua Tree National Park with its wonderful open skylines. 
• Visit Hearst Castle, an early 1900’s estate full of history. 
• Drive along the Pacific Coast Highway, which takes you to many of California’s most popular cities, like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Santa Cruz. 

Rent from Escape Camper Vans for a Great California Road Trip

When you want a unique California adventure, there’s nothing like packing up a camper van with all your essentials and hitting the road. Escape Camper Vans has pickup and dropoff locations in San Francisco or Los Angeles, where you can conveniently start or end your trip. We also have nine other locations across the U.S. 

Our camper vans come equipped with: 

• Propane stove
• Refrigerator
• Foldaway tables and benches
• Sink with a water tank
• Extra storage
• Queen size beds
• And more

Reserve yours today, or contact us with any other questions.