Los Angeles is a great destination in and of itself. But it’s also the gateway to some of the best landscapes and attractions that the USA has to offer. Starkly beautiful deserts, bustling seaside towns, sweeping golden coasts, and California’s beautiful wine country are all within a day’s drive of LA.
Where should you start? What do you need to know about LA road trips? What’s good to see away from the tourist trails, and what should you really not miss? We’ll take you through all of this and more in this ultimate LA road trip guide.
Familiarise yourself with the freeways
LA’s freeways are what make it such a great area for road-tripping, but they are also heavily congested and sometimes hard to navigate. So, while LAX may be a great starting point for a road trip, if you don’t want to spend hours sitting in traffic, you might be better off avoiding central LA altogether. If you’re flying into LA, you can easily rent a car from LAX and veer towards the Pacific Coast Highway, or head inland to the desert without spending too much time in the dreaded LA traffic.
On the other hand, if you’re not averse to a bit of idling, downtown LA has plenty to offer the road tripper. Just be sure to familiarise yourself with the freeway layout and try to avoid peak times if you plan to drive within the city itself.
Focus on your direction, not on a precise schedule
The great thing about road trips is the freedom they offer. You’ll lose a lot of that freedom if your trip is too micromanaged. So, while it’s a good idea to understand your route and the sites you want to see along the way, don’t get too bogged down in the details. Instead, map a loose route with plenty of flexibility for spontaneous detours and time for stopping in interesting locations.
With the huge diversity of landscapes just hours away from LA, it’s often a good idea to pick the kind of climate and scenery you’re most interested in and plan a rough route in that direction. For example, you might feel like a coastal drive, or a desert experience, or to head into the mountains. If you want, and if you have the time, you can plot a route that takes in multiple landscapes, starting by the ocean, for example, and ending beneath starry desert skies.
Consider the time available
If you’ve got lots of time on your hands then the LA road trip possibilities are endless. But if you’re on a tighter schedule you’ll want to manage your distance a bit more carefully.
If you’ve got less than a week, the Pacific Coast Loop packs a lot into a relatively short amount of time. You start in LA, head through Santa Monica and Santa Barbara, then up through wine country and inland to Ojai before looping back to LA. The views are stunning, there’s plenty of history and culture to enjoy, and the food (and wine!) can’t be beaten.
For a longer route, try pushing north towards Big Sur, where you can find spectacular ocean views and spot some of California’s most iconic wildlife. Depending on the time of year, this part of the California coast hosts gray whales, sea lions, sea otters, and California condors.
Alternatively, head east towards the high desert, where you’ll find big skies and solitude. Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park have plenty to offer road trippers who love wilderness scenery, and there are lots of culture-rich towns along the way where you can stop and refresh.
Budget carefully
California isn’t cheap, but an LA road trip can be surprisingly cost-effective if you plan a good budget and stick to it. Here are some tips:
- Map fuel expenses to distance (and then add some): Gas prices fluctuate, but California averages about $5.30 per gallon. Figure out how many miles your chosen vehicle gets to the gallon, map that onto how many miles you expect to do per day, and work out your fuel budget from there. Then, once you’ve come up with a workable figure, add a bit more to cover emergencies, detours, and unusually expensive gas stations (which are an unfortunate fact of life in the Cali wilderness!)
- Accommodation: You can splash out on a luxury stay in every town, or be economical with lower-budget motels, or even sleep in your car or at campsites. It’s a good idea to book some accommodation in advance, but do leave some flex in your schedule for spontaneity.
- Supplies: If you pack well you can get away with quite a low supplies budget. Pack a cooler filled with snacks and drinks (especially drinks – you’ll need to stay well hydrated in the dry California heat). Alternatively, if you want to eat out every night, remember to factor tips into your restaurant budget.
- Clothing: Bring layers. Even warm Southern California temperatures can shift from from 80°F at the beach to 50°F in the mountains. To save yourself having to buy blankets and warmer clothes, pack clothing you can layer as you go.
Drive safely and responsibility
California doesn’t mess around when it comes to driving law enforcement. To stay on the right side of the law and to keep the roads safe for everyone, follow these basic protocols:
- Always wear a seatbelt.
- Respect the speed limits.
- Keep your eyes on the road. California is very strict about distracted driving.
- Don’t abuse the carpool lanes.
- Be aware of wildlife crossings.
Hidden gems within LA driving distance
If you’re not a fan of the more touristy spots, this part of California has plenty of hidden gems. Here are a few suggestions of detours or destinations worth the gas:
- El Matador Beach: Too small to be a big tourist draw, but well worth a visit. This cove north of Malibu has golden sands, fascinating sea caves, and spectacular sunsets.
- Los Olivos wine region: When people think of California’s Wine Country, they tend to think of Napa. But the lesser-known Los Olivos is arguably better. The vineyards and tasting rooms may be smaller, but the quality is fantastic and the boutique winery experience is hard to beat.
- Joshua Tree after dark: The landscapes of Joshua Tree National Park are spectacular during the hot desert day, but the skyscape takes center stage at night. The lack of light pollution means you have an unparalleled view of the stars. Just be sure to bring a blanket, as the desert gets chilly at night.
- The Angeles Crest Highway: If you’re looking for panoramic views of LA and the Pacific, this winding road through the San Gabriel mountains is hard to beat. It’s popular with driving enthusiasts, but otherwise it’s usually a lot less congested than more touristy routes.
Looping back to LA
You don’t have to make your LA road trip a loop. For example, you could drive inland to the red rocks of Sedona and end up in San Diego, taking in Yosemite along the way. But if you rented a car at LAX you’ll probably want to head back there to return the car and the keys. Luckily, many of the best LA road trip routes naturally loop back to the city.
If you have the time at the end of your trip, do venture into LA itself to catch some of the big sights, enjoy some of the most varied cuisine in the whole USA, and maybe start planning your next trip.
