Epic California Road Trip 12-Day Itinerary Waterfalls, Beaches & Mountains! #bucketlist #roadtrip

Bucket list road trip around California This route takes 12-14 days, and you can extend it as much as you want!

It’s great for first-time visitors and for locals who never found time to explore it all. The full route is great for fall or spring. Summer might be too hot in Death Valley National Park while in winter not all Mammoth Lakes places will be accessible. Still doable at any season with some adjustments!

If you’re visiting California for the first time, add 2-3 days to see Los Angeles as well.

Suggested places with easy access along the route:

Day 1 – 2: Death Valley National Park:
– Badwater Basin
– Zabriskie Point
– Artist’s Palette
– Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
– Devil’s Golf Course

Day 3 – 4: Mammoth Lakes
– Hot Creek Geological Site
– Mammoth Mountain
– Convict Lake
– Crowley Lake Columns (best in fall, 4×4 or a boat needed)
– Mono Lake (nearby)
– Devils Postpile National Monument
– Rainbow Falls (if you have time for a longer hike)

Day 5 – 6: Yosemite
– Yosemite Valley
– Yosemite Falls
– Bridalveil Fall
– Tunnel View
– Glacier Point

Day 7 – 8: Lake Tahoe
– Emerald Bay
– Vikingsholm
– Eagle Falls Trail
– Zephyr Cove Beach
– Sand Harbor
– Heavenly Gondola Ride

Day 9 – 10: San Francisco
– Golden Gate Bridge
– Helicopter flight above the city
– Painted Ladies
– Lombard Street
– Palace of Fine Arts
– Golden Gate Park

Day 11 – 12: Big Sur
– Bixby Creek Bridge
– McWay Falls
– Pfeiffer Beach
– Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

Note that Big Sur drive is partly closed so you’ll need to turn around and exit Big Sur from the north.

Please always remember to leave no trace: explore responsibly, pick up all waste, don’t disturb nature and be considerate of others

Check out my California map for more fun destinations in our beautiful state. It has over 600 pins and will show you even more beauty along this drive! Lіnk in bіо
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