Eight Must-Do Road and Rail Trips in California to Experience this Summer

Wednesday, Apr 22, 2026 0

California’s diverse landscapes are best experienced on the open road and by the extensive rail network, where iconic journeys reveal everything from dramatic coastlines to spectacular national parks. From legendary routes to lesser-known byways, rich farmlands to luscious alpine lakes, the Golden State has something to impress all tastes. Read on to discover eight road and rail adventures to explore in California this summer.

Road Trip Icons of the Golden State

Cruise along the newly reopened Highway 1

Start: Leggett, Mendocino County

End: Dana Point, Orange County

Stretching roughly 650 miles from Leggett in California’s North Coast to Dana Point in Orange County, the full length of Highway 1 is now fully accessible following the reopening in Big Sur. Starting in Mendocino County, explore the region’s redwoods before heading for San Francisco over the Golden Gate Bridge. Heading south, the route hugs the coast past Half Moon Bay towards the dramatic cliffs of Big Sur. Spot elephant seals in San Simeon, before heading further south through SLO CAL. Stop in the laidback coastal town of Oxnard or the upscale coastal communities in Los Angeles before reaching Orange County to explore gems like Huntington Beach and Dana Point – the end of Highway 1 – for surfing and whale watching. Whether driven north to south or vice versa, the route offers the very best of California’s coastline.

Celebrate the 100-year legacy of Route 66

Start: Needles, Deserts Region

End: Santa Monica, Los Angeles County

Honour the centenary of Route 66 in 2026, spanning eight states from Illinois to California. California is home to 314 miles of the iconic route and holds the official end of the route in Santa Monica. Enter California at Needles on the California-Arizona border and enjoy a pitstop at Amboy to refuel at the mid-century modern gas station and diner, Roy’s Motel & Café. From here, explore classic Americana in Victorville at the California Route 66 Museum to discover memorabilia from the highway. The route continues on via San Bernardino and then through the heart of Los Angeles. Finish at Santa Monica Pier and be sure to snap a photo at the “End of the Trail” sign to commemorate the historic route.

Off-the-Beaten-Path Scenic Drives

Explore epic landscapes along the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway in Northern California

Start: Lassen Volcanic National Park, Shasta Cascade

End: Lava Beds National Monument, Shasta Cascade

The Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway offers striking landscapes, starting in Lassen Volcanic National Park, one of the only places where all four volcano types – plug dome, shield, cinder cone and composite – can be found. Travel southbound around the edge of the National Park before reaching Lake Almanor which offers a great trail around its shores and views of Lassen Peak. Continue via Susanville and make a stop at Lassen Historical Museum and Roop’s Fort for a fascinating insight into local and Native history. Journey northbound to the scenic McCloud Falls before reaching the spectacular Mount Shasta (over 14,000 ft). For the final part of the journey, head towards the Oregon-California border to Lava Beds National Monument and explore the hundreds of caves which were formed thanks to lava which flowed there half a million years ago.

Get swept away to the ‘Rim of the World’ in the San Bernardino Mountains

Start and end: Big Bear Lake, Inland Empire

Southern California provides impressive mountain landscapes with the 110-mile long Rim of the World Scenic Byway offering breathtaking forest and mountainous terrain. Best explored during summer, begin at Big Bear Lake which in itself is a great spot with watersports on the lake and plenty of trails. Continue on Highway 18 which follows the crest of the San Bernardino Mountains, inspiring the route’s ‘Rim of the World’ name. Take a short detour to Keller Peak Lookout Tower to witness far-reaching views of the Inland Empire and Catalina Island in the distance. Continue onward to Lake Arrowhead, which connects with a section of the Pacific Crest Trail, eventually looping back to Big Bear Lake on Highway 18.

Experience the lesser-visited side of Yosemite National Park Start: San Francisco, San Francisco Bay Area

End: Tuolumne Meadows, Gold Country
Pair San Francisco with a quieter side of Yosemite National Park in Tuolumne County. Spend time exploring the unique neighbourhoods of San Francisco, before heading east via Highway 120 through Manteca. Take Highway 49 – the Golden Chain Highway – for a pitstop in Jamestown, a preserved Gold Rush town where you can still try gold panning and explore its history. Rejoin Highway 120 into Yosemite National Park via Tioga Pass, with access to the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias with impressive trees and far fewer crowds than other areas of the park. Staying in Tuolumne County offers a calmer base with easy access to the park, while also connecting you to the region’s Gold Rush past and less-visited natural scenery.

Rail Adventures

Embrace southern California flavours and art via rail on the Pacific Surfliner

Start: Los Angeles, Los Angeles County

End: San Diego, San Diego County

Fly into Los Angeles and spend a few days in the city before boarding Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner for a scenic, car-free coastal journey which travels through the coastal towns and communities of Orange County and San Diego County. Stop in Santa Ana in Orange County, known for its vibrant arts scene with over 200 murals and sculptures, or the Grand Central Art Center. Journey onwards past the relaxed coastal city of Oceanside and continue south to San Diego to finish the trip, where highlights include the expansive Balboa Park with its gardens, museums and Spanish Art Village Center, as well as waterfront dining and shopping at Seaport Village.

Discover the Golden State’s abundant Central Valley via the Gold Runner

Start: Sacramento, Gold Country

End: Modesto, Central Valley

Hop aboard Amtrak’s Gold Runner in Sacramento, where visitors can tuck into fresh produce sourced from the Central Valley, a region known for its fertile land, which has helped to make the city America’s Farm-to-Fork capital. Travel on to Lodi and be sure to stop by Calivines Winery and Olive Mill to sample local wine and olives before continuing to Modesto. Those visiting in spring will get the chance to see almond blossoms, which are best experienced wandering orchards like Rodin Farm. Marvel at the blossoms of which 80% of the world’s almonds are grown in California. In Modesto, make a stop at Sciabica, a long-running olive oil producer, offering a simple, direct connection to the region’s agriculture.

Uncover lesser-known gems on Amtrak’s Coast Starlight

Start: Santa Barbara, Central Coast

End: Oakland, San Francisco Bay Area

Soak up the beauty of California’s coast on Amtrak’s Coast Starlight. Begin in Santa Barbara, a laid-back seaside city with a strong local wine culture. Sample wine from over 20 tasting rooms downtown on the Urban Wine Trail before boarding. The journey north offers long stretches of coastal and country scenery in SLO CAL before arriving in Salinas, John Steinbeck’s birthplace in Monterey County. Visit The Steinbeck House for an insight into Steinbeck’s early life and the landscapes that shaped Of Mice and Men. Continue to the city of Oakland, across the Bay from San Francisco. Offering a lively nightlife, incredible craft beverages and some incredible local brands to shop, Oakland makes for the perfect final stop.