Northern California Road trip | Campervan Hire

Stop 1: Malibu

Highlights:

Leo Carrillo State Park: Beachside park with lots to do and natural wonders
Malibu Country Mart: Upmarket shopping district with plenty of boutiques, restaurants and varied architecture
Escondido Falls: Take the walk to the lovely, hidden 46-metre waterfall

Where to Eat:

Neptune’s Net ($): Long-established seafood and burger diner, featured in many films
Malibu Farm Restaurant and Cafe ($$$): Serves fresh, tasty food at either end of Malibu Pier

Where to Park for the Night:

Malibu Pier ($$): Easy access to the pier, but it can get busy quickly
Malibu Lagoon State Beach ($): Convenient car park next to the beach

Malibu, a Pacific Paradise

Bordered by soft, sandy beaches and laced with picturesque walking trails, Malibu is the perfect first stop on your California road trip. The town and its people are warm, comfortable and relaxed, just as you might expect from such a scenic spot. Surfers try their luck on the waves, hikers scramble across the dry, rocky landscape, families tuck into feasts at classic roadside diners, and couples enjoy sampling local wines under the dusky Californian sky.

Known for hosting the beach houses of many Hollywood stars, Malibu is an iconic Pacific paradise. There’s something for everyone in the town and the surrounding countryside. Beach lovers have a wide selection, from the rocky coves of Point Dume and El Matador to the powdery sands of Zuma Beach. Walkers can enjoy the stunning backdrop of Malibu Creek State Park, where famous films such as Planet of the Apes and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were filmed. Places like Malibu Pier or Surfrider Beach cater to those who enjoy watersports, like surfing, diving or fishing.

Your Southern California to Northern California road trip will be filled with awe-inspiring scenery, amazing destinations and lots and lots of driving, so take advantage of your Malibu stay to get yourself energised for an epic adventure.

Stop 2: Red Rock Canyon State Park

Highlights:

El Paso Petroglyphs: See prehistoric drawings by the early Kawaiisu people
Red Cliffs Trail: Dramatic cliff face with vibrant, layered red rock

Where to Eat:

Carolyn’s Kitchen (€): A Southern-style comfort-food spot about 16 miles (≈ 26 km) from the park
Voyager Restaurant (€): Friendly American-style diner with a view over an airfield
Picnic Spots, Red Rock Canyon (Free): Bring your own food to one of the many scenic spots

Where to Park for the Night:

Red Rock Canyon State Park

To the north of Malibu, through the hot Californian desert, lies the geological marvel that is Red Rock Canyon State Park. Dominated by colourful cliffs and incredible, jagged rock formations, the park is as historic as it is beautiful. Hundreds of years ago, the park was home to the indigenous Kawaiisu people. Their legacy now lives on in the many drawings and carvings that have been discovered in and along the mountains.

While Red Rock Canyon State Park is breathtakingly beautiful enough to justify the journey, many flock to the park to see the filming location of a range of Western classics, and other features such as Jurassic Park and Holes.

If you're travelling in the summer and leave Red Rock, driving through the Great Basin Desert to reach your next destination, you may feel as though you've left civilisation behind. While there are towns dotted along the Three Flags Highway, they are few and far between. A great place to visit, if you need a break from the long road, is the small, historic town of Lone Pine.

Stop 3: Yosemite National Park

Highlights:

Valley Floor Tour: Guided open-air tram tour of Yosemite Valley
Horsetail Fall: Visit at sunset in February to catch the amazing 'Firefall' illusion

Where to eat:

The Ahwahnee ($$$): A grand 1920s lodge serving quality American food
Meadow Grill, Curry Village ($): Cheap, easy lunch, roughly halfway between Half Dome and Yosemite Falls

Where to park for the night

Indian Flat Campground ($$): Around a 30-minute drive from Yosemite Valley Visitor Centre along Highway 140

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is a famous, state-protected valley in California, known as much for its natural beauty as for its diverse wildlife. A great stop-off on any road trip, Yosemite can be explored via a network of hiking trails on foot or by following the winding, scenic roads from the comfort of your campervan.

It’s hard to pick a favourite feature of Yosemite National Park — it’s full of natural wonders. Yosemite Falls is just one of many waterfalls in the park, but it’s the tallest, at nearly 762 m. Impressive mountains border Yosemite, like the iconic Half Dome or the roughly 914 m tall El Capitan. Discover the flatlands throughout the park, such as Tuolumne Meadows, which spreads from the Tuolumne River, and see if you can spot deer or bobcats. Take a step back in time as you wander among the impossibly tall, ancient giant sequoia trees.

Yosemite isn’t the only geological marvel in the area. While you’re travelling the Three Flags Highway in summer, be sure to visit the Hot Creek Geological Site, where natural springs bubble with geothermally heated, boiling water.

Stop 4: Napa

Highlights:

Silver Oak Vineyard ($$$): Enjoy tasting the finest wines in Napa Valley
Charles Krug Vineyard ($$$): Discover Napa Valley’s longest-standing vineyard
Hess Persson Estate ($$): A magnificent blend of vineyard and art gallery

Where to Eat:

Napa Valley Wine Train ($$$): Sophisticated meal aboard an antique train travelling through the wine region
Compline Restaurant and Wine Shop ($$): Terraced restaurant serving French-American cuisine

Where to Park for the Night:

Napa Valley, Exceptional Vineyards

This sunny Northern California region is the birthplace of some of the finest wines ever made. People come from all over the world just to visit Napa Valley’s top vineyards and wineries, so it’s well worth a visit when you’re in the area.

Stretching for miles across the beautiful countryside are vines bearing grapes of many different colours. From warm-weather Cabernet Sauvignon to cool-climate Chardonnay, wine is produced in Napa Valley year-round. While wine tasting here is always recommended, remember never to drink and drive. Only take part in the tasting if your campervan is in a Campervan park or one of the many free car parks, and you’re finished driving for the day.

Bodega Bay

Highlights:

Bodega Head: Rugged, beachside walking trail
Doran Beach: Peaceful county park popular with birdwatching enthusiasts
Potter Schoolhouse: 19th-century building used prominently in Hitchcock’s ‘The Birds’

Where to Eat:

The Marshall Store ($): A landmark eatery, known for its fresh, delicious seafood
Spud Point Crab Company ($): Freshly caught crabs and fish served along the seafront
Gourmet Au Bay ($$): Wine and nibbles on a waterfront terrace

Where to Park Overnight:

Bodega Bay: Sea, Sun and Serenity

You’ve made it all the way from Los Angeles to Bodega Bay on your epic Northern California road trip. Now’s the time to sit back, relax and enjoy yourself. Bodega Bay is famous for its natural beauty, with sandy beaches and picturesque walking trails. Explore the quaint harbour, with its fascinating boutiques, or stretch your legs as you venture through the various protected parks.

While you’re in town, make sure to sample some of the fresh seafood that’s caught and prepared for the numerous waterfront restaurants every day. Then pick up a pair of binoculars and walk out to the end of the Bodega Head peninsula for your chance to spot some grey whales.