Most American states offer plenty of reasons to plan a short or long road trip solo, with family or friends. The places bewitch you with their natural beauty, mystical charm, countryside scenes, varied landscapes, wildlife, culture, history, and more. If you have three or at least two weeks to spare, target North California for a taste of diversity. The rugged coastlines and tall redwoods will greet you. Do you live in San Francisco? If not, fly to the city. The airport is well-connected to many other places. Because it’s a road trip, renting a vehicle will be best. If you want to drive around North California and experience its camping life, rent an RV.
There are plenty of RV rental services, so finding your preferred campervan or motorhome for a round trip will be easy. However, let’s focus on the destinations so you can decide what features your van should have.
- Yosemite National Park
Drive to the national park from San Francisco to relish the mesmerizing beauty of the waterfalls, valleys, old sequoia groves, cliffs, and granite structures. It’s a paradise for nature lovers. You can visit El Capitan, Half Dome, and other Yosemite landmarks. Hikers must also check the Four Mile Trail and the Mist Trail. The park has campsites, too.
- Lake Tahoe
Another popular destination is where the beautiful tapestry of sunsets, turquoise water, and mountain air welcomes you. It’s North America’s biggest alpine lake. Whether you stay here for two or four days, you can spend your time hiking, biking, boating, kayaking, etc. Please visit Emerald Bay State Park to explore a Scandinavian castle. Plenty of beaches and viewpoints are also easily accessible, such as Secret Cove, Zephyr Cove, Hidden Beach, etc.
- Redwood National and State Parks
You can soak in its old, mysterious vibe. The redwoods are the essence of North California, so this spot has to be covered in your road trip. You can spend a day or two hiking Tall Trees Grove Trail, exploring Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park’s most expansive Atlas tree and old redwood growth, a tiny forest in Fern Canyon, etc.
- Point Reyes National Seashore
You can drive to this area for the charming little town of Point Reyes Station. It also offers excellent oysters and cheese. The coastal landscapes always draw your attention to their Ireland-like vibe. However, this Bay Area location remains windy, foggy, and rainy. Carrying waterproof jackets and wearing layers can be a good idea here to survive the mood of the weather. Visitors explore the towering lighthouse here. It can be a strenuous walk, but it’s worth the effort. You will also discover the unstable and old Inverness Shipwreck, which is best viewed from a distance.
Add or remove places from your itinerary to suit your vacation timeframe, budget, and comfort. Point Reyes can be your last spot before returning to San Francisco. The distance is only about 60 miles and can be covered in less than two hours. Do you wonder when to plan your trip? While North California weather is unpredictable, some visitors find September to October the most comfortable. The days are sunny, the scene of fall leaves starts erupting, and crowds will be less.