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

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Visit Palm Springs, a Charming Oasis in the California Desert

If you are driving along the long highways of the desert region in California, you might be surprised at some point to catch a glimpse of a real oasis, full…

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…

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…

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…

Death Valley National Park: Travel Guide and Road Trip Tips

Death Valley National Park: Travel Guide and Road Trip Tips Death Valley National Park is one of the most unforgettable places you will visit on a road trip. As you traverse the incredible landscapes of the park, you will have the impression of having landed on another planet. Here is…

Southern California Coast Road Trip Itineraries

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…

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;…

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…

Southern California Road Trip Map