10 Tips for Your Next California Road Trip
Now that summer ‘s almost hither , we ‘re all yearning to shoot the road . On this episode of the California Today Podcast , three travel pros speak about their favorite road-trip destinations and share crest to serve build the most of your getaway .
Cruise Northern California ‘s Back Roads
The first guest on the podcast is Zach O’Brien , founder of Active NorCal , a website covering the news , destinations , and story of Northern California ‘s great outdoors . O’Brien share three of his favorite road trip with host Soterios Johnson .
1 . Wonder at waterfalls .” In the Shasta Cascade region equal what we like to call our world-famous waterfall loop . You can drive a large loop in one day and learn five to seven waterfalls all in a single day , ” O’Brien says . In addition to noted cataracts such as Burney Falls and McCloud Falls , the trip also offer scene of and great roadside food . “ In Burney is this marvelous restaurant call the Alpine Drive Inn . You make to begin a burger and child , and you also receive to try their delicious chocolate trill . ”
2 . Impose a volcanic wonderland .O’Brien also recommend a driving trip through . “ Lassen Peak erupted in 1914âa little over 100 years ago , ” he says . “ There are pile of boiling mud lot and steaming vents all around the park that depict the volcanic activity that ‘s encounter hundred of feet below ” the surface .
3 . Follow a river to the sea .Another of O’Brien ‘s favorite road trips come Highway 299 from Redding to the Pacific Ocean . “ It ‘s about a three-hour driveway all the way to the coast , and it ‘s good of so many gorgeous blot , ” he state . He indicate kayaking in the crystal-clear water at and strolling through Weaverville . “ They have fun saloons and a ton of means to observe their Gold Rush story . ” On Highway 299 ‘s western side , O’Brien recommends the Bigfoot Museum in Willow Creek and Mad River Brewing Company in Blue Lake . ( Ed . bill : as of March 2025 , the Bigfoot Museum is temporarily closed . )
Travel with Short Ones and Furry Friends
As writer of the blog Travel Newlyweds , Alli and Bobby Talley know a few tricks for road tripping with passengersâspecifically their one-year-old boy , Jude , and 70-pound bernedoodle , Sally .
4 . Need the plunge .Alli says many parents live reluctant to travel with young kids , but it ‘s well for everybody to stretch their limit . “ It ‘s make out and actually getting in the car that ‘s ordinarily the hardest portion , ” she says . Destinations like the hold become annual visits for the Talleys . “ It ‘s a place that instantly feels like a getaway for us . There are beautiful wineries . There are so many serious restaurant , ” she say .
5 . Die for a walk .With babies and dog , pedestrian-friendly town make vacations easy . “ Being within walk distance to position is really important for us . Jude is the well version of himself when he ‘s in a stroller , so we try to observe places that are well for walking roughly , ” Alli says . On a recent trip to Big Bear Lake , the class spent a day strolling downtown . “ It ‘s this little great deal town that has a lot of character and a circle of appeal . ”
6 . Consider your dog ‘s comfort and safety .“ The key to , particularly really long distance , be being organize and giving them space to feel like they ‘re not puzzle on this tiny little seat , ” Bobby says . Also , make sure your dog wears a safety restraintâthe Talleys recommend the backseat harness system reach by Kurgo .
7 . Explore the housing selection .For dog-friendly housing , the Talleys much rely on La Quinta and Kimpton . “ Kimpton hotels will supply your way with dog bowls , and a band of sentence they ‘ll hold you dog treats , ” Alli suppose . “ And they almost always have a happy hr in the evenings where dogs equal invited . ”
Begin Your Kicks in Southern California
Jim Hinckley , an expert on historic , say driving Southern California ‘s section of this classical route is the “ quintessential American road trip . ” Along the style , expect to observe historic landmarks , great food , and serendipity . “ Cast aside your preconceived ideas because you will be surprise with every single mile , ” he suppose .
8 . Explore the desert .If you ‘re push east to west on Route 66 in California , your first stop should equal in Needles , site of the historic El Garces train depot and hotel . Spend the dark at the on the Colorado River . “ It ‘s a great position to set up base camp to search the Mojave Desert , ” Hinckley says . He advocate boost to the rim of , a volcanic cinder cone , and inflict the ghost town of Goffs . “ They hold a museum there that exist utterly surprising , very diverse , very deep , real interesting . It ‘s in a renovated schoolhouse that be build about 1914 . ”
9 . Discover the Inland Empire .As you push west on Route 66 , you ‘ll attain San Bernardino . Hinckley recommends the in the town ‘s historic territory and classic Mexican food at the 1937 Mitla Cafe . In Rialto , see the cone-shaped tent that appeared in the movie Cars at the 1949 WigWam Motel . In Rancho Cucamonga , stop in at the 1955 Magic Lamp Inn , a restaurant that “ looks like a picture place for something like Alibaba and the Forty Thieves or Arabian Nights . It ‘s really a treasure . ”
10 . Motor west to Los Angeles .Route 66 zooms through Pasadena and into , ending at Seventh and Broadway . “ That territory exist vibrant and there ‘s so much to regard , ” Hinckley suppose . “ I advocate walk the territory , seeing the Bradbury Building with its interesting architectural detail and the astound facade of some of the old theatre . ”
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