Southern California Road Trip Itineraries: Map, Routes and Ideas

Those who want to plan a Southern California road trip will have the opportunity to explore the 2 great deserts, Mojave Desert and Colorado Desert, where you will also find the main parks in the area, namely, Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley and Mojave National Preserve.

On the southern coast, you can visit 2 of California’s most important cities, Los Angeles and San Diego, and explore the fascinating points of interest in the surroundings. But there is much more to discover. Here are our itineraries that you can use to organize your road trip in Southern California.

California Desert Road Trip Itineraries

Visit Palm Springs, a Charming Oasis in the California Desert

As you travel along the vast desert highways of California, you might be surprised to suddenly catch a glimpse of a true oasis, abundant with palm trees, swimming pools, and …

Calico Ghost Town: A Place for Those Who Love the Old West!

If you’re a fan of stories of the Wild West, you won’t be able to resist the temptation to visit at least one of America’s ghost towns. These towns in …

Vasquez Rocks: Discover the Rocky Desert Where Star Trek was Filmed!

When you enter Los Angeles, which is a massive city, you can immediately feel the atmosphere of the movie set and may be eager to meet some Hollywood stars on …

Trona Pinnacles: A Science Fiction Landscape in the California Desert

Trona Pinnacles are an authentic hidden natural wonder of the Mojave Desert, in California. This place is often overlooked by most classic West Coast itineraries, but in my opinion, they’re …

Star Wars in California: Visit the Locations where the Star Wars Saga Was Filmed

If you’re planning a travel to California, and you also happen to be a Star Wars fan, you’re very lucky because you’re in the right state to visit some of …

Salvation Mountain: The Mountain from Into the Wild in the California Desert

God is Love. These are the three words written on the top of Salvation Mountain, an artificial mountain built with recycled materials, hay and adobe over 25 years by the …

Pioneertown, California: An Old West Town near Joshua Tree National Park

Pioneertown was first conceived as a movie set in 1940 with the special feature that all the buildings had to be functional and not just for show. That’s why the …

California Deserts region: Discovering the Mojave and Colorado Deserts

Many people, when they refer to the California desert, use the singular form, not realizing, however, that there are at least two main deserts in California, the Mojave and Colorado …

Los Angeles to Death Valley: Recommended Itinerary and Possible Stops along the Way

Death Valley is one of the most intriguing national parks in the American Southwest, as well as the largest in the contiguous United States. Although it is located in California, …

Indian Canyons: Head on an Adventure among the Palm Trees in the Desert Around Palm Springs

When you hear the word “canyon”,  you probably immediately imagine the meandering course of the Colorado River that cuts through the steep walls of the Grand Canyon. If you’ve never …

The Incredibile History of Zzyzx, California

Anyone who has traveled on Interstate 15 between Barstow and Las Vegas has surely noticed with enormous astonishment (and a moment of bewilderment) the sign for “Zzyzx Road,” which has …

Galleta Meadows: How to Visit the Metal Sculptures in the California Desert

Hidden among the arid plains of the Southern California desert, you’ll find a captivating and unique place called Galleta Meadows. Here, hundreds of metal sculptures are scattered throughout the Borrego …

Things to Do in Salton Sea, the Largest Lake in California

The Salton Sea is the largest lake in California, and its origins are astonishing. Accidentally created in 1905 due to the breach of a drainage canal, it has gone from …

Discover the Main Filming Locations of Top Gun and Maverick!

Today we are going to explore the locations of one of Hollywood’s most popular movies. We are talking about Top Gun and its sequel Maverick. Find out how to plan …

Joshua Tree National Park: Tips for Planning Your Visit

Among the many incredible US national parks, the desert landscape of Joshua Tree National Park has its own unique, almost surreal charm, with its cactus-like trees and their twisted and …

Mojave National Preserve: Kelso Dunes, Joshua Trees and other must-see attraction

Singing dunes, the largest Joshua Tree forest in the world, ancient volcanoes and expanses of petrified lava. You’ll find all this and more in the Mojave National Preserve. Its location …

Mojave Desert: Places to Visit in the Vast American Desert

The Mojave Desert occupies a vast area on the West Coast and extends across California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. It is home to many parks ranging from the most famous …

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California: Visitor’s Guide

The Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is a hidden gem in California due to its somewhat unfortunate location, which places it outside the paths of mainstream tourism. As a result, it’s …

Southern California Coast Road Trip Itineraries

Laguna Beach: Visit the Most Beautiful Beaches in California

Once again we’re in sunny California! This time, we’re driving from L.A. to San Diego and we have finally arrived in the Orange County, more precisely, in Laguna Beach, a …

Best 9 Things to Do in Orange County for a Day Trip

Located between Los Angeles and San Diego and bordered by the Santa Ana Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Orange County, the smallest county in California, has no real defined center; …

From Los Angeles to San Diego: Drive Time, Best Route and Stops

The route between Los Angeles and San Diego is not as popular as the classic long road trip between Los Angeles and San Francisco on Highway 1. San Francisco is one …

Discover the Main Filming Locations of Top Gun and Maverick!

Today we are going to explore the locations of one of Hollywood’s most popular movies. We are talking about Top Gun and its sequel Maverick. Find out how to plan …

Southern California Road Trip Map