Is California the best state for a road trip? There’s a solid case to be made. Its 163,000 square miles offer an abundance of natural beauty, from the vast forests of the north and the booming surf breaks of the Central Coast to the mystical deserts in the south. With often temperate weather and an extensive network of highways, driving in the state can be a pleasurable pastime, not just a means to an end.

“There’s a special kind of peace that starts as soon as you hit the road, turn on your favorite playlist and let the conversations flow. For me, road trips have always been about taking a break, feeling the warmth of the sun come through the windows, and watching California’s golden landscape stretch out in every direction,” says Natalia Molina, Distinguished Professor of American Studies and Ethnicity and Dean’s Professor of American Studies and Ethnicity.

“That’s the magic of a road trip: It transforms you, even if just for a moment, into someone free, fully alive in the beauty of California’s winding roads and endless horizons.”

Whether you’re embarking on a long trip or a quick getaway, experiencing California’s eclectic scenery means incorporating some “totally rad” stops along the way. Here are our recommendations for an unforgettable drive.

Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree

Leggett, CA

Travel south along the Avenue of the Giants Scenic Highway, winding through towering California Redwoods. Continue for 30 miles to the nearly 300-foot-tall Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree. Cut into the tree’s 16-foot diameter base is a 6-foot-wide tunnel that allows motorists to pass through its ancient trunk.

Mark’s Hot Dogs

San Jose, CA

In the 1920s, Giant Orange refreshment stands began popping up along California highways, tempting parched motorists with freshly squeezed OJ. By the 1950s, faster motoring and the advent of automobile air conditioning made these stops less popular, but a few iconic globes remain, including this San Jose classic.

Palm and Pine

Madera, CA

For nearly a century, travelers have marked the shift between Northern and Southern California by two celebrated trees, one palm and the other pine, planted in the median of Highway 99. Sadly, highway widening will uproot the beloved duo in 2025, but for now, they stand as a symbol of the state’s contrasting regional flora.

Blackwell’s Corner

Lost Hills, CA

California’s oil fields helped power the rise of the automobile, and gas stations abound across the state. One lonely stop, Blackwell’s Corner, marks a tragic moment in cinema history. It was here that actor and racing enthusiast James Dean made his final stop in 1955, reportedly purchasing an apple and a Coca-Cola, before his fatal car crash in nearby Cholame.

Point Mugu Missile Park

Port Hueneme, CA

California’s Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) is renowned for more than its astounding views. Just off PCH, visitors can explore the state’s military history at Point Mugu Missile Park, which displays a wide variety of the missiles and aircraft tested at the nearby naval base since World War II.

In-N-Out Burger Replica

Baldwin Park, CA

All road trips inevitably lead to a drive-through. California’s first was the original In-N-Out Burger in Baldwin Hills, where an innovative two-way speaker system allowed hungry drivers to order without leaving their cars. Today, a replica of that original burger stand is located just off the I-10 freeway.

Roy’s Motel & Café

Amboy, CA

Along a lonely stretch of U.S. Route 66, America’s iconic highway, travelers are still lured by the 50-foot tall neon sign for Roy’s. The motel and cafe’s futuristic Googie architecture originated in California, and continues to draw tourists to this desert outpost, now a ghost town.

Official Center of the World

Felicity, CA

If California sometimes feels like the center of the world, sky-diving pioneer Jacques-André Istel is surely owed a little credit. Since 1985, he has claimed this title for the tiny town of Felicity, even convincing Imperial County to legally recognize it as such. An eccentric granite pyramid marks the spot, right off I-8.