Road Trips

California; home to foggy San Francisco, sunny San Diego, and snowy Lake Tahoe; home to liberal vegans and In-N-Out’s minimalist meat-lovers menu; home to John Steinbeck, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and as of recent, funny guy Conan O’Brien… not to mention 36,756,666 residents that call California home because its terrestrial and cultural diversity make this coastal state a place of such immense opportunity, it doesn’t take long to find the Californian in you.

You can travel California by bus, train, or even rollerblades, but with the fine summer weather, the cheap gas, and the infinite destinations, California’s easiest to explore by wheel. So pack the car, open the sunroof, and let the Golden State in.

Heading from North to South, follow the 101 through the towering trees of the Redwood National Park, and if you’ve been driving for a while - or have never seen these giant, perennial beasts, you might want to reserve some lodging and spend a few days hiking the labyrinth of beach, prairie, and forest trails this 38,000 acre park covers.

Once you’ve spotted your share of elk, bald eagles, and star fish, head six hours south to wine-country Napa valley for a more palatable taste of nature. Trade your binoculars for crystal stemware, hiking boots for heels and immense redwoods for quaint grape vines; spend your mornings watching the hot air balloons float overhead (or find yourself in a basket high-above!) your afternoons horseback, and your evenings on wine tours sipping everything from aromatic cabernet sauvignon’s with a hint of toasted vanilla oak to a dry Riesling leaving you with a lingering taste of tangerine on your tongue and a smile on your lips. Despite being one of the premier travel destinations of the world, Napa Valley has remained a quaint (be it opulent) town, not to be missed.

From the expansive Napa vineyards, take a short hour and a half drive to the bustling, parabolic streets of San Francisco. Spend your day shopping in Union Square or head to the bohemian haven Haight & Ashbury and try on vintage clothing. If this is your first SF visit, you’ve got to see the sights: take a tour of the historic Alcatraz prison, grab a bowl of classic clam chowder on the Pier, skip across the Golden Gate Bridge, and take a drive down the most crooked road in America, the colorful, brick laid Lombard Street.

From San Francisco, the opportunities are seemingly infinite; find yourself surfing in Santa Cruz or head south to Hollywood and laugh along with Ellen Degeneres in real-time. Or, if you’re ready to stretch your legs and ditch the car, going on a walking tour from Inn to Inn experience California for every Golden Poppy it has to offer. Founded by Tom Courtney, Walkabout California encourages adventurers to pack light and experience the area with an intimacy that one can only get when traveling by foot. Combining the comfort of civilization with the transcendentalism of Nature, Courtney’s guidebook maps out various trails that take you from inn to inn, allowing you to explore the Mendocino Coast and the breathtaking Sierra Nevada by day, and relaxing in a sauna beside a unique cottage by evening.

But don’t take our word for it. Be inspired by Real Travelers travelbyrv who recently enjoyed their road trip across the Golden State:

“Not a huge travel day today - 100 miles or so. Left San Jose and arrived in San Fran around lunch time. On the way we passed a big jetty full of sea lions. Yesterday the elephant seals on the beach and this morning the sea lions… just awesome. We got out of the RV and took some pics and marvelled for a bit. What a great thing to see - hundreds of sea lions in their natural habitat.. what a noise they made.. and what a smell!” (more…)

Whatever you’re seeking, be it towering mountains, energetic cities, a gentle countryside, or just a really great burrito, you’re sure to find it- and probably quite a bit more - in California.

Plan your trip
Walkabout California
San Francisco Hotels

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New England is the perfect place to go for an early summer road trip. The flowers have bloomed, humidity is still fairly tolerable and the hoards of tourists are still at bay for a few more weeks. Although this northeastern corner of the United States may seem small in size, it packs a lot in terms of culture, food, history and attractions. You can decide between stops at quaint beach towns to bustling cities all along the Atlantic coast.

Start out by visiting the resort town of Newport, Rhode Island, just 30 miles south of Providence. It offers marvelous sandy beaches, mansions, vineyards and a variety of ocean activities. This maritime city has one of the highest concentrations of colonial homes in the nation and a well-preserved and documented history at the Newport Historical Society. You can also find a strong naval influence due to it being a major U.S. Navy training center and home to the U.S. Naval War College and the Naval Undersea Warfare Center.

The harbors are teeming with crafts of all kind ranging from commercial fishing boats to fancy power boats. Newport is also known as the sailing capitol of the United States and has hosted many series of yacht races for the America’s Cup in the past. Choice walking and hiking trails can also be found throughout the city and its surrounding state parks.

After a few days of quiet R&R you might want to give your vacation a jumpstart by heading on up to beantown to get a dose of big city life. Boston is the largest city in New England and has been the location of many important events in our history such as some battles of the American Revolution, the Boston Tea Party and the Siege of Boston. The city also is home to numerous colleges and universities, including Harvard, which add to its intellectual reputation.

All you sports fans should take the time to head to Fenway Park for a Red Sox game and watch them defend their 2007 World Series title. If baseball isn’t your thing, then you can also watch the Boston Bruins tear it up on the ice or the Boston Celtics battle it out on the basketball court.

Finish up your trip with a stop in Portland, Maine whose Old Port districts have a high concentration of eating and drinking establishments. The 2007 Food Network Awards even nominated it as one of the three finalists for “Delicious Destination of the Year.” Wander down the streets and pop into any local restaurant to try some delicious seafood such as boiled Maine Lobster or a cup of savory clam chowder. Portland is also home to many parks, art museums and auditoriums so you can find a place to relax after a hearty meal.

The landscape of New England is breathtaking during any point of the year, and no matter where you decide to stop, you are sure to end up in a place rich with history, culture and natural beauty.

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