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13 Blogs That Will Make You Want to Visit California

By: Author Leslie Harvey

Posted on Published: October 19, 2016

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The great state of California is on nearly every traveler’s bucket list and with good reason. Its massive size, however, makes it the ultimate travel challenge. There is so much to do and see that seeing it all nearly takes a lifetime. But this is what makes it a perfect place to call home for those of us with serious wanderlust.

Even though I’ve lived in the state for over a decade and have tried to visit as many nooks and crannies as I can, there is still a lot of California I haven’t seen. That means I’m often researching for our family’s next trip somewhere new, and I often call on the best of my fellow California travel bloggers when I need travel advice for a new destination in the state.

I thought I’d share my favorite California travel blogs to help you in your California travel planning as well. Many of the following writers are family-travel focused, but several of them are not, offering a wide range of perspectives and different geographical focuses all over the Golden State. Plus, nearly all of them take amazing pictures so I’ve featured some of their Instagram photos from around the state (be sure to follow them there too!).

Best California Travel Blogs

1. California Through My Lens

Every time I plan a road trip in California with my family, my first research stop is California Through My Lens. Josh travels all over the state with his wife, and his road trips to lesser-known destinations in the state are epic. Plus, he’s a professional photographer so the photos on his site are breathtaking and inspiring.

Starting the hike to Glen Aulin in Yosemite National Park with Lembert Dome in the background A photo posted by California Through My Lens (@californiathroughmylens) on Sep 13, 2016 at 5:07pm PDT

2. This Is My Happiness

Jenna Francisco of This is My Happiness is a Sacramento-based travel and lifestyle writer who seems to have explored every inch of Northern California, often with her kids in tow. She has a particular specialization in slow family travel, so you’ll find lots of unplugged outdoor adventures that are what make Northern California great. She’s also a wine lover, so I go to her site for Napa and Sonoma county information regularly.

#TBT to early this year and this view of Lake Tahoe from above when we took the Heavenly gondola. So excited to see this beautiful place when we go back to Tahoe this weekend!! A photo posted by Jenna of This Is My Happiness (@jennafrancisco) on Sep 7, 2016 at 10:54pm PDT

3. The World is a Book

Mary Solio of The World is a Book is a Guam native who calls the San Diego area home. Her world travels with her kids are impressive and awe-inspiring, but equally so is her curiosity for her home city and state. She has a particular interest and expertise in national parks, and her coverage of California’s national parks and monuments is extensive. Check out all her California posts here .

Not a bad view for dinner despite the sun hiding from us. Celebrating the kids’ last day of school on a work night! Let the summer adventures begin…#oceanside #oceansideca #socal #sandiego #california #familytravel #familytrip #travel #travelgram #travelwithkids #igtravel #igshots #instatravel #theworldisabook #wanderlust #traveling A photo posted by Mary {The World Is A Book} (@worldisabook) on Jun 2, 2016 at 7:01pm PDT

4. Ever in Transit

Cassie Kifer of Ever in Transit is a San Jose based travel and culinary blogger who travels with her husband. She covers California food (including lots of beer!) as well as outdoor adventures, with a particular focus on the northern part of the state. She also has many helpful tips for couples and solo female travel in the Golden State.

Did you know there are glaciers in California? Neither did I. Apparently there are seven (!) named glaciers right here on this volcanic peak just south of the California/Oregon border ???? #mountShasta #northerncalifornia #roadtrip #mountain #mountaintop #glacier #i5 #siskiyoucounty #cascades #volcano #landscapephotography #landscapelovers #shastacascade A photo posted by Cassie Kifer | Ever In Transit (@caskifer) on Sep 29, 2016 at 7:44am PDT

5. La Jolla Mom

La Jolla Mom is a luxury travel and lifestyle site published by Katie Dillon. In case you don’t know your California geography, La Jolla is a quietly luxurious and breathtakingly beautiful beachside community north of San Diego. Katie knows every inch of La Jolla and greater San Diego extensively. Her site is one of my first stops when I’m looking to travel to Southern California and travel well.

The surf is big today in #LaJolla. On the seawall under this wave are some tourists who were not expecting to get drenched. These are the things that happen on days like this. It’s pupping season so the babies seals were putting on quite a show. Some moms were trying to teach them how to hobble into the water and swim. I watched a baby play with a seagull. And what is cuter than a sunbathing seal try to itch its neck with a flipper? ❤️ Wish I had my good camera to catch their faces but sometimes #iphoneonly has to do. #visitSD #igerssandiego #luxwt #lifewelltravelled #beautifuldestinations #bestvacations A photo posted by Travel Writer • Katie Dillon (@lajollamom) on Mar 14, 2016 at 7:57pm PDT

6.  Travel Photo Discovery

Blogger and photographer Noel Morata calls both the San Francisco Bay Area and Hawaii home (yes, I’m green with envy). He covers urban outings in the city of San Francisco extensively, with lots of food, wine, art, and museum adventures along the way. And, of course, great photos are a integral part of the experience.

Goodbye San Francisco, it’s always fun to drop by for a short visit. A photo posted by Travel Photo Discovery (@nmorata) on Jul 6, 2016 at 6:01am PDT

7. Hej Doll

Northern California based lifestyle and travel blogger Jessica Doll travels the Golden State in style. She has two kids but always manages to dress for every occasion, whether she’s kayaking on Lake Tahoe or dining out in Napa. Her city guides and minimalist packing lists are a special highlight of her site, along with her professional photography of glorious California landscapes.

A February Spring in California means shorts at the beach. Well played, California. Well played. ???????? #westcoast #californialove #beachbum #outfitpost #california_igers #resort365 Shop via @liketoknow.it #liketkit A photo posted by Jessica Doll / Hej Doll (@hejdoll) on Feb 20, 2016 at 12:05am PST

8. No Back Home

Southern California based Karilyn of No Back Home travels with a little one in tow. She covers the LA local scene well and is a wealth of information for museums and events in Southern California. Her local adventures are bookended by epic international trips with her family as well as jaunts all over the West Coast.

Itchy feet led us to hop in the car today on a spontaneous road trip in search of fall colors! Haven’t found them yet, but we will! #mobiusarch #lonepine #visitcalifornia A photo posted by Karilyn | Family Travel Writer (@nobackhome) on Oct 8, 2016 at 7:30pm PDT

9. Travel Caffeine

You probably already know the author of Travel Caffeine, Tom Bricker, who is one of the best Disney bloggers in the business (he writes  Disney Tourist Blog ). Although he seems to spend 24/7 in a Disney park, the reality is that he does a lot of other travel as well. He now lives in the Greater Los Angeles area and travels extensively all over the state, from the island of Alcatraz to Death Valley to Yosemite. His photography is jaw-droppingly beautiful and will leave you inspired to come to the Golden State. Plus, all of his writing is infused with a touch of infectious self-deprecating snark that makes researching for travel especially enjoyable.

Cholla Cactus Garden in Joshua Tree National Park. People might tell you the little balls don’t actually jump at you, but obviously those people have never had to pull several of these little guys out of their legs… #joshuatree #cactus #california A photo posted by Tom Bricker (@tom_bricker) on May 13, 2016 at 3:58pm PDT

10. Some Day I’ll Learn

Chelsea and Nate are family, lifestyle, and travel writers based in rural Southern California. Their site is chock full of tips for everyday life with kids, but they also extensively cover California adventures and outings if you poke around for a minute or two. With three kids (and a fourth on the way), they are experts at seeing the state while taking on the impressive challenge of being outnumbered by little ones.

If you’re ever near Carlsbad Caverns, GO! Seriously. It’s a whole other world. The boys were a little scared at first, then became totally intrigued exploring 30 miles of hollow space left behind from sulfuric acid dissolving the limestone 755 feet underground. #wonderful_places #bestvacations #vacay #vacaystyle #scoutforth #lifewelltravelled #travelforth A photo posted by Family Blog • Nate+Chelsea Day (@somedayilllearn) on Aug 22, 2016 at 2:00pm PDT

11. Family Travel Guy

Randy, the guy behind the Family Travel Guy, is another California expert. He travels the state with the help of lots of frequent flyer miles and points, so his perspective as a West Coast travel hacking dad is refreshing and unique. Look for helpful hotel reviews of quite a few larger properties in the state as well as lots of Disneyland and theme park adventures.

Nice ambiance and great place for dinner #disneycaliforniaadventure #carthaycircle #disney #Disneyland #disneyland60 #kidfriendly #instagood #picoftheday A photo posted by Randy ???? The Family Travel Guy (@thefamilytravelguy) on Apr 11, 2016 at 10:06pm PDT

12. Flashes of Delight

Barb’s site is the newest blog to the list (it just launched this June), but it already has amazing California coverage. Her family’s outings in the San Francisco Bay Area to places like Sausalito and Half Moon Bay are inspiring for families with babies and toddlers and an excellent reminder of how travel can happen close to home. She’s a San Diego native, so she has the southernmost part of the state covered as well.

Happy Friday Y’all! We have a busy weekend ahead but tonight we’re relaxing with a movie ???? (Jungle Book), popcorn ???? and wine ???? for moi! As much as I love to be out and about, I enjoy lounging at home with my family just as much. What do you have going on this weekend? #friday #weekend #california A photo posted by Barb (@flashes.of.delight) on Sep 23, 2016 at 4:54pm PDT

13. Trips With Tykes

Ok, had to do it…. I saved lucky #13 for myself! My goal the past few years has really been to expand this site’s California coverage to help other families with little ones explore the Golden State sooner rather than later. So whether you want to visit Disneyland or hit the ski slopes of Lake Tahoe , I hope you’ll return and dig around my site for more tips and inspiration.

Are there other California travel blogs you enjoy? Share your ideas in the comments!

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Saturday 25th of March 2023

This post was very helpful and insightful, as I read through the blogs posted here and gained wisdom about life.

California local

Friday 18th of September 2020

I love your blog. You've made traveling with young kids a lot easier for me! Have fun exploring CA! I personally love this state. I traveled here several years ago, and never left. This resource is still good for local Californians. I haven't been to half of these places... yet!

The Quotely

Saturday 25th of January 2020

What a great list! Thanks for the inspiration. https://thequotely.com/

Tiffany Santarelli

Hello Leslie, My name is Tiffany and I came across your blog while researching Southern California. I live in Johannesburg, South Africa. My husband and I will be travelling to the San Diego area in April of this year and meeting up with family members (who live in Covina, CA and Naples, FL) for a family reunion. We haven't seen each other for over 10 years. We would like to rent a house in Southern California, but I don't know much about the area and was hoping you could give some guidance. We are looking for a house to rent near the Ocean - 3 couples (most of us over 60) that is walkable with great restaurants and relaxed vibe. Do you have any suggestions about areas we should look at to stay? Should we use Airbnb? We would like to stay in a coastal town somewhere between Long Beach and La Jolla. I'd welcome your recommendations! Thank you very much!

Kevin Gastron

Saturday 21st of December 2019

Beautiful Blog. One day I will visit the University of California to enjoy the holiday.

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23 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in California

From the mountaintops to the lowest point in North America, these are the best places to visit in California.

Adrian Rudd/Travel + Leisure

California has a reputation for being a surfer's paradise . And sure, its sandy beaches are something to marvel at and indeed a must-see on any visit. But as the third largest state in the nation, it’s so much more . From mountains to deserts to wine towns and the Mouse House, here are 23 most beautiful places to visit in California. 

Palm Springs

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Those seeking a chic, mid-century modern getaway should consider Palm Springs . The average high never falls below 69 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning no matter when you visit, you’ll get to enjoy some fun in the sun. Book a few nights at The Good House , a bungalow-style hotel that sits on its own natural hot springs, which will leave you feeling renewed. 

Joshua Tree

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Not far from Palm Springs, Joshua Tree offers more desert fun. However, you’ll want to trade in your poolside outfit for hiking gear. Explore the massive Joshua Tree National Park, then check out the plentiful vintage shops in downtown Joshua Tree to hunt for treasures. Stay a few nights at AutoCamp Joshua Tree for a glamping stay unlike any other.

James Marshall/Getty Images

It’s time to head to California’s wine country . And no, we aren’t talking about Napa. Head to the southern part of the state’s wine region, Temecula . Located in southwestern Riverside County, this destination is home to gorgeous vineyards growing some 50 varietals of wine, from cabernet sauvignon to chardonnay. Enjoy a boutique stay at The New Inn , which comes with just five stunning villas for ultimate privacy.  

Santa Monica Pier

Adrian Rudd/Travel + Leisure

The entire city of Santa Monica is worth a visit, but don't miss the iconic Santa Monica Pier while there. The 1,600-foot pier comes with a little amusement park featuring a roller coaster so you can get a bird’s-eye view of the beach below before taking a short, belly-flipping drop back down. Then, rest your head at the Shore Hotel , which provides views of the pier, too.

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For a dose of Southern California cool, head to Long Beach. As the name implies, the seaside community comes with plenty of beach frontage, but it also boasts its fair share of culture. That includes the RMS Queen Mary , docked at Queensway Bay; colorful pieces at the Museum of Latin American Art; and more than a few fish swimming at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Stay at The Cove Hotel , which is within walking distance of all the city’s best attractions.

Mammoth Lakes

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You'll want to trade your surfboard for a snowboard with a visit to Mammoth . The beloved ski resort is home to some of the best powder in the world, as well as one of the longest ski seasons in the nation. Don’t feel intimidated if you’re a newbie, as the mountain has a robust ski school available. Stay at the Sierra Nevada Resort , a revamped classic that’s equal parts rustic and charming, making for an ideal mountain getaway.

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Gulp in a breath of fresh air during a visit to Lake Tahoe . This lake destination, tucked in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, straddles the neighboring state of Nevada as well. It’s an all-season delight, with skiing in the winter , wildflowers in spring, warm days by the shore in summer, and fall foliage to round it out. Book a room at Edgewood for a luxurious stay with lakeside views to boot.

Santa Barbara

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Santa Barbara deserves a spot high on any must-see list of California. Its gorgeous beaches, quaint shops, stunning street art, and plenty of delicious seafood restaurants make it a place worth experiencing for more than a long weekend. Book a stay at the divine San Ysidro Ranch , a 500-acre private enclave tailor-made for total relaxation. 

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

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Take in the endless vistas at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park . Visitors here may find super blooms in the spring, but don’t skip over this destination in the summer, fall, or winter, either. The state park is a stellar place for hiking, admiring avant-garde art at Galleta Meadows, and even pitching a tent just about anywhere with a bit of backcountry camping.

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Looking for awe-inspiring views? Take a drive up Highway 1 to Big Sur . The cliffside community overlooks some of the most jaw-dropping coastline in the state, and it's home to some hiking trails worth exploring, too. Sleep at the Post Ranch Inn , which provides those epic ocean views out of every window.

Disneyland Resort/Christian Thompson

Sneak in a little magic by paying a visit to the Happiest Place on Earth:  Disneyland . Choose between visiting either one of its two parks, or snag a Park Hopper pass to see both in one go. Then, spend your nights at the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa , where you can view the park right out your window. 

Yosemite National Park

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Feel inspired by Mother Nature at every turn with a visit to Yosemite National Park . Here, you can gaze upon the breathtaking views of Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, and Half Dome while hiking to lookout points or taking a slow drive with the windows rolled down. Stay inside the park and camp at Curry Village , home to 14 tented cabins that sit under centuries-old trees.

Channel Islands

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Hop a boat to the Channel Islands , an archipelago that remains wild and free. Explore the eight islands, which are home to more than 2,000 species of plants and animals, by hopping from one to another or scuba diving off the coast. Again, it’s another perfect spot to pitch a tent, so you never have to leave the great outdoors. 

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Looking to paddle out with the best surfers in California? Then, it’s time to head to San Diego , the place to be for a surf lesson (or two) and lounge session on the warm, sandy shore. But the city also has plenty more to explore, from fantastic breweries to the world-class San Diego Zoo. Book a stay at Pendry San Diego , which features a rooftop pool so you can take a dip and enjoy the city skyline all in one.

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For more wine-centric fun, head to the small town of Healdsburg, where you’ll find plenty of wineries happy to pour you their best glass. Guests here can also live like a local by shopping, dining, and strolling through the Plaza, exploring the downtown area, or taking a hike through the pristine landscapes. Book a night or more at the Montage Healdsburg , which comes with so many luxuries, you may never want to leave.

San Francisco

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Get an urban escape in San Francisco . The NorCal city is home to plenty of delicious dining venues and shopping galore on Haight Street. While here, take some time to explore the outdoor spaces too, like The Presidio and Golden Gate Park, both of which offer fantastic views. Stay at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco , beloved by Travel + Leisure readers, as it was voted the best hotel in the city in our 2022 World’s Best Awards.

Death Valley

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Don’t let the name Death Valley fool you. Death Valley National Park is a place teeming with life — if you know where to look. Visit Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, and check out the endless salt flats, which happen to be home to an endemic snail only found here. It's also worth exploring Salt Creek, home to another endemic species — the pupfish, which have evolved to live in the salinated waters. Then, snag a room at the historic Inn at Death Valley , a recently revamped desert oasis that will cater to your every whim. 

Big Bear Lake

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Find smaller mountain magic at Big Bear Lake . In the winters, the community becomes a snow-filled heaven, much to the delight of skiers and snowboarders in Los Angeles, who can get there in under a three-hour drive. Come summer, Big Bear transforms into lakeside bliss, so no need to pick one or the other, as every season here is perfect. Book a stay at Noble + Proper , a gorgeous, high-design hotel.

Santa Catalina Island

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Grab a boat to Santa Catalina Island , where you can hop on a bike (we recommend an e-bike to help battle the massive hills) and pedal for as far as your legs will take you around the jagged coast. Stop in for a bite, a drink, or an ice cream in the city of Avalon, or head inland for a tour of the island’s wild buffalo herd. Lay your head at the Hotel Atwater , a more than 100-year-old gem in Avalon. 

Redwood National Park

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Located in the northern part of the state, Redwood National Park is home to some of the tallest trees in the world — some so large, you have to drive through them to get by. Again, it’s best to stay in the park, which is entirely possible, thanks to the delightfully charming little abodes at Elk Meadow Cabins . 

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Even though Hollywood is actually a relatively small neighborhood in Los Angeles, its larger-than-life reputation makes it a star. Come see the famed Hollywood sign , honor your favorite celebrities on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and tour icons like the TCL Chinese Theatre. Stay at ​ The West Hollywood Edition , a sleek property located in the center of the action.

Laguna Beach

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See one more surf mecca by visiting the Southern California gem of Laguna Beach. This coastal town is bursting with artistic talent, which you can check out in its numerous galleries or by taking a self-guided tour to admire its impressive outdoor public art. Like San Diego, it, too, is a great place for a surf lesson. Or, you can always just hang on your board long enough to watch a pod of dolphins swim by. Spend the night at the Surf & Sand Resort and leave the windows open all night to snooze to the sound of the crashing waves outside. 

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The charming community of Solvang is well-known for its Danish-style architecture that will make you feel like you've been transported to Europe. Here, visitors can indulge in more of California’s wine culture, too. Book a stay right in town at the Mirabelle Inn , home to First & Oak, a Michelin Plate-designated restaurant. 

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Ultimate California Road Trip Itinerary: From the Pacific to the Redwoods!

Are you looking for the best California road trip itinerary to explore the most beautiful places in the Golden State? Our 10 days in California itinerary will take you from the rugged coast and beautiful beaches to the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevadas. Hike the Mojave desert, sleep underneath a yucca tree, and visit the lowest place on the continent while you road trip in California. Read our 10 day California Road Trip guide now. You may also like our post on 20 Best Road Trips in the USA .

Welcome to our ultimate California road trip planner!

We created this planner to help you plan the perfect road trip around California and it contains all the essential information you need to plan your trip today including budget and costs, what to eat, where to stay, etc.

Here you will find recommendations for a variety of California itineraries as well as get more information on California road trip must-see attractions including the Golden Gate Bridge, Big Sur, Yosemite, and Los Angeles.

Our mission? To make sure you have a blast in California!

Also Read: Portland to San Francisco Road Trip Itinerary California To Texas road trip planner Best Things to do in Washington State

California is our favorite destination ever.

I have been enamored with California long before I visited it.

California, San Jose, and the West coast are randomly thrown around in conversations in India – because everyone knows someone working in Silicon Valley – and you can’t help but know about this slice of America.

Growing up, I knew more about Cisco, Apple, Google, and Yahoo (remember when everyone used Yahoo?!) than San Francisco, Yosemite, and Big Sur.

And Disney – because everyone knows Disney!

California has such a unique history.

The oldest, tallest, and widest trees live here and guess what, they have been around since prehistoric times – yes, even dinosaurs lived among the redwood trees!

One of the lowest, aridest, and hottest places on earth is right here in California in Badwater Basin.

And as for scenic places: California has so many of them!

We love Big Sur and its rocky coast, the wildflower super blooms, blue Lake Tahoe, Mono Lake and its tufas, unique shapes of Joshua trees!

There are so many things to see in California road trip that the list just goes on!

Also Read: 24 Best Places to Visit in California in winter

Dotted Globe contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full  Disclosure  here. Thank you!

And that’s why in our California road trip itinerary of 10 days, we take you around all these unique and beautiful places in the Golden State.

Our California 10 day road trip itinerary is perfect for driving around dreamy landscapes of yellow poppies, orange orchards, purple foliage, and lush green vineyards.

We have divided this California roadtrip itinerary into 4 essential stretches as per the geographic features of the state – yepp, we are that geeky – and you can customize it as you want. 

Best waterproof walking shoes for California beaches

If you are a beach person like me, then extend the Pacific Coast Highway Itinerary to 10 days.

If you are a mountain lover like my hubby, then take a 10 day road trip from San Francisco to Yosemite.

Pick your favorite area and stay there as long as you want. Or follow our California in 10 days itinerary exactly as described!

As always, we have also included suggestions for if you have more or less time.

Whatever you chose, you are going to have the time of your lives – because this is California!

“Every time I come, I’m still amazed at the breadth California has. Big Sur, Yosemite, the desert… I love it.” – Theo James, the English actor

Best of California Road Trip 10 Days Itinerary

We, like most people, have seen California in bits and pieces rather than in one go.

We first visited California almost a decade ago and did San Francisco, Los Angeles, and the theme parks.

Second time around, we visited Death Valley National Park on a road trip from Vegas.

Then I lived and worked in the Bay area in tech (oh, the irony!) and that’s when we explored the California National Parks, North Coast, and the Sierra Nevada side of the state.

Our most popular posts: 22 Best City Breaks in the USA The Best Things to do in New York on your first visit Ultimate List of Best Places to visit in the USA

Most recently, we did the San Francisco to Los Angeles road trip along the gorgeous Pacific Coast Highway – oh and also road-tripped Southern California and Disney with the kids.

On our next trip – we plan to do the North Coast and Redwoods Scenic Highway AGAIN.

Yeah – that’s how much we love California – have been to many destinations several times and still can’t have enough.

The best way to tour California is obviously by driving. The state is beautiful but huge and it’s not easy planning California trip that covers all the major attractions with limited time in hand.

And planning a California road trip with kids is even more difficult – how do you prioritize between theme parks and natural attractions?

And that’s where we rush in – your knights in shining armor – delivering the ultimate 10 day California road trip itinerary. 

Our California trip planner is more like going on a series of best California road trips – each more gorgeous than the previous.

Also, we follow this road trip along two of California’s most popular routes: south on the SR1 or Pacific Coast Highway and then back north along the scenic SR 395 through Eastern California .

That’s what makes our itinerary the absolute best California driving trip planner!

You can also call it the California National Parks road trip because we will be visiting the most popular of them on an epic road trip.

We hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Stretch 1: Down The Pacific Coast – 4 Days

Often enough, when someone talks about a California driving holiday, this stretch along the Pacific Coast Highway is the one they actually mean.

Constantly ranked among the top scenic drives in the world, the coastal drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles is the best of both worlds.

It combines the urban getaways of California’s two largest cities with the natural panoramas of Big Sur and the Pacific. 

If you have limited time, we would recommend spending 3 to 4 days along this route.

If you want to focus only on this coastal road trip, then just drive south on a road trip from San Francisco on SR1.

Take your own time to enjoy roadside stops like Carmel-By-The-Sea, Morro Bay, and the stunning Big Sur.

Hike or camp and explore nature.

Here’s our suggestion for this stretch of 10 day California itinerary planner.

San Francisco – 1 Day

Start with our San Francisco road trip planner.

San Francisco is our favorite city to start a 10 day California trip.

The city is quite easy to fly into; the 3 airports of San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland are located close by and many airlines have deals to the Bay area.

We would recommend spending a minimum of one day in San Francisco before picking up your rental car and driving south.

Or you can rent a car before, see SF, and then drive the PCH.

You can also start your 10 day road trip from Los Angeles, in that case, adjust your plans accordingly.

Read this now! Whatever you do – don’t casually park your car at an empty garage in San Francisco. Car Break-ins in San Francisco are very common, as we discovered to our ill-fortune . On our latest trip to San Francisco, we had parked in a garage two blocks away from Pier 39 and came back to find the rear glass broken and both our children’s suitcases gone!  We had to spend quite some time to sort the issue and it left a sad memory on an otherwise awesome road trip around California in 10 days. We would recommend parking at your hotel while taking a cab or the tram to explore the city. 

San Francisco has many names – SF, San Fran, Fog City, the City by the Bay, Frisco (though don’t say that in front of locals) or simply, the City – going back to the days of the Wild West when there was nothing much in Northern California but the city.

San Francisco is colorful, vibrant, and bohemian.

It’s amongst our favorite US cities – right there at the top along with New York , Chicago , and New Orleans.

There are quite a few things to do in San Francisco: unsurprisingly most of them begin at or near the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco’s gigantic urban park.

Begin your visit at the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center near the southern end of the bridge.

Learn interesting facts and see construction relics from the building of the Golden Gate Bridge before visiting the bridge itself.

Next walk across all 1.7 miles of this engineering marvel and icon of America.

The views of the bay from the bridge are beautiful and you feel an indescribable thrill while walking across it.

Definitely the highlight of your California travel itinerary!

Up for more adventure?

Bike the Golden Gate!

We have done it twice – most recently with our 3 yrs and 6 months old kids – it is a superb experience.

We love biking across to Sausalito, exploring the quaint town, and taking the ferry back to San Francisco.

You can also bike to the redwoods if you have more time.

Read our ultimate guide to biking the bridge here.

If not biking, then use the rest of your day to explore San Francisco’s highlights: Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39, Lombard Street, and Ghirardelli Square.

If you want to spend more time in San Francisco, see the Painted Ladies – those famous SF houses shown in Full House!

You can also check out the city from the Twin Peaks.

The Golden Gate Park is perfect for a stroll.

Ride the cable car to Chinatown and have some dumplings and noodles for lunch.

Spend an afternoon admiring the beautiful architecture of the Palace of Fine Arts or visit the prison of Alcatraz Island.

Visit the beautiful redwood trees at Muir Woods National Monument or whale watch and hike at Point Reyes.

San Francisco is a beautiful city and you can easily spend a couple of days there as a part of your 10 day trip to California.

Read our San Francisco posts now to plan this part of the trip: San Francisco 3 to 5-day itinerary ideas 17 Best Things to do in San Francisco on your first visit

The area around San Francisco is also full of activities and tourist attractions.

Here are some suggestions if you want to spend a few more days exploring around the Bay Area during your California itinerary of 10 days:

Napa & Sonoma 

Take a day trip from San Francisco to Napa Valley along the Silverado Trail.

Sonoma County is also a great place to visit for wine lovers.

You can tour the many vineyards, taste local wines, dine at Michelin starred restaurants, and visit famous tasting rooms.

If you happen to visit in the fall, you will see beautiful fall colors in the vineyards and be able to attend grape stomping. 

San Jose is popular with millennials and those working in Silicon Valley.

You will find plenty of trendy nightclubs and bars in San Jose.

If you enjoy shopping, check out the high fashion brands on Santana Row.

For outdoor lovers, a hike to Mission Peak is a must while families will love the Winchester Mystery House.

Silicon Valley

If you love tech then you need to visit Silicon Valley.

It boasts the largest concentration of geeks and nerds – and as a fellow geek, I say it quite fondly!

Start your visit at the Computer History Museum to know everything about the machine that changed our lives.

Then see Google’s Android lawn sculptures in Mountain View or the garage where Hewlett Packard began in Palo Alto.

Visit Stanford University’s sprawling campus as well as Facebook and Apple!

Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip – 2 Days

On to the next part of the 10 day road trip in California.

After seeing San Francisco, drive south along the SR1 or Pacific Coast Highway.

Over the next 2 days, you will follow the coastal route to Los Angeles while making plenty of stops along the way.

Check the coastal communities of Half Moon Bay and Davenport before reaching Santa Cruz.

If you have kids, spend some time at the Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk.

Next visit Monterey and Carmel by the Sea. Hike in Point Lobos or walk the coastal bluffs at Garrapata State Park.

On the way, you will see secret beaches, hidden coves, and beautiful views. 

As you begin driving PCH1 while following our 10 days in California itinerary, you understand why artists settle here, photographers and writers both wax lyrical about this region, and why the drive is called the most beautiful in the world.

We recommend staying somewhere in the vicinity of Carmel Highlands for the night.

The next day, rise early for the star attraction of the drive: the 90-mile long rugged, wild Big Sur.

Big Sur is 6 hours from Los Angeles and you have a big day ahead.

It is really hard to describe Big Sur.

Rocky cliffs, foaming waves, spring wildflowers, lighthouses, migrating whales, turquoise water, redwood trees: Big Sur has everything.

It is gorgeous in a wild way.

In Big Sur, you will find amazing state parks, some of California’s best hiking trails, iconic beaches, and tons of marine life, including otters, elephant seals, and dolphins.

Some areas of Big Sur can be closed at any given time of the year due to floods or landslides – so we recommend checking out the PCH status before your 10 days road trip California.

Read more about all the attractions including the beautiful McWay Falls in our post One day in Big Sur . 

Other attractions of the Pacific Coast Highway drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles include Monterey’s famous 17-mile drive, the seaside towns of Pismo Beach and Morro Bay, the famous Hearst Castle, Santa Barbara, and the beaches of Malibu.

For the purposes of this California Itinerary of 10 days, we would suggest 2 to 3 days on PCH.

However, if you have more time then the PCH is easily a 4 day to week-long road trip in itself.

To read more about all the awesome stops on PCH and planning a detailed itinerary, check out our article on Planning a road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway . 

Also Read: Top 10 Convertible drives in the USA

Los Angeles – 1 Day

While San Francisco and Silicon Valley are for tech lovers, Los Angeles is for Hollywood fans.

How long to stay in Los Angeles is a tricky question.

If you only have one day in Los Angeles, start by seeing the famous Hollywood sign and then visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame to take selfies with your favorite stars.

Also, see the Kodak Theatre (now Dolby Theatre) which hosts the Oscars and tour the movie star homes on Rodeo Drive.

If you have more time to explore Los Angeles, we suggest starting with lunch at the Santa Monica Pier.

Then visit the Griffith Observatory and see Los Angeles from above.

Or you can take a behind the scenes VIP studio tour at one of your favorite studios: pick from Warner Brothers, Paramount Pictures or Sony!

You can also check out the beautiful exhibits at the Getty Center or the beautiful modern art at the Broad.

LA also has many other top museums and a large number of attractions – read our post on Best Things to do in Los Angeles for more ideas.

For more help in planning your day, read our Los Angeles itinerary for first-time visitors .

Here are some suggestions to explore the area beyond Downtown Los Angeles:

No California family road trip is complete without a trip to Disney.

Both of California’s Disney Parks are located close to Los Angeles in Anaheim.

On the best California vacation itinerary, you have to meet Mickey, Goofy and other beloved cartoon characters!

Kids also get to meet Disney’s princesses in full attire at the parks.

To plan a California family vacation itinerary including a trip to Disney, read our Disney posts .

Universal Studios

To understand all about movie-making, see movie sets, and enjoy thrilling rides visit Universal Studios.

This theme park has really cool attractions and the Studio Tour will take you through sets based on Shutter Island, Jaws, King Kong, and more.

Harry Potter fans will love visiting Hogwarts and taking thrilling rides based on the books and movies – and is a must-visit if you are spending 10 days in California.

Channel Islands National Park

For a unique experience, customize our itinerary for California 10 days and visit the remote Channel Islands.

Comprised of 5 islands, the park has excellent wildlife, sea caves, and lots of natural beauty.

You can take a ferry to the park from Ventura.

Optional: San Diego – 1 Day

From Los Angeles, you can venture on the next part of California 10 day itinerary or extend your trip down the coast by visiting San Diego.

Not many people know that San Diego is the oldest city on the West Coast.

It has beautiful Spanish Colonial architecture and lots of history. 

Read our post 22 Best Things to do in San Diego now to know more about this beautiful city.

If you have one day, you can visit the Historic Old Town and understand the Mexican and Wild West roots of the city.

Next, visit the famous Balboa Park with its beautiful architecture, renowned museums, and the San Diego Zoo.

Round off your time in the city by exploring the historic Gaslamp Quarter and its Victorian architecture and trendy eateries, hotels, and pubs.

This area is perfect for ending the day with dinner and drinks.

If you have more than a day, visit the famous San Diego Sea World and see the dolphins in action.

San Diego is home to many beautiful beaches; the Mission Beach boardwalk is very popular.

Other things to see include Mission San Diego, Sunset Cliffs Park, and the bustling waterfront area of Seaport Village.

If you have more time on 10 day itinerary California, check out the dramatic sculptures in the desert city of Borrego Springs.

Related: For more California road trip ideas, check out our post on 12 Best California road trips

Stretch 2: Through The Arid Californian Desert – 2 Days

Continue on the California road trip route planner through deserts of southern California.

While most people associate California primarily with the coast and then with the dense redwood forests, the state is also renowned for its unique desert landscapes.

Most of these parts of southern California have a desolate beauty.

It is full of desert cities like Palm Springs which offer unique tourist attractions for visitors.

In this post, we focus our California 10 days itinerary on exploring two of the region’s national parks: Joshua Tree National Park and Death Valley National Park.

Joshua Tree National Park – 1 Day

Located partly over the Colorado desert and the Mojave desert, Joshua Tree National Park is named after the iconic Joshua tree.

This is a type of Yucca tree that is twisted, scraggly, and found only in the Mojave desert of California.

The easily recognizable tree looks even more dramatic in the desert landscape and bare rock formations of Joshua Tree National Park.

The national park is one of the most underrated California road trip destinations.

Its unique vistas have drawn photographers and artists to the park for decades.

Read our post on One Day in Joshua Tree to plan your trip.

There are many things to do in Joshua Tree and its otherworldly landscape.

One of the best ways to see Joshua Tree is by driving around the paved road in the park.

Campsites in Joshua Tree are spectacular and hikes through Yucca trees and cacti adventurous.

The Hidden Valley Trail is a short mile-long trail that offers great desert landscape views.

The park has many popular geological rock formations that are used for rock climbing.

The park also has a dark night sky and is good for stargazers, astronomy enthusiasts, and night sky photographers.

Wildlife and birding opportunities around the park are also numerous.

Read more in our post 24 Best Things to do in Joshua Tree National Park .

While deciding how to plan a trip to California, we recommend keeping more time aside to explore the many attractions surrounding Joshua Tree.

You can easily include them on a South California road trip from San Diego to Joshua Tree in this order: San Diego – Anza Borrego – Galleta Meadows – Salton Sea – Palm Springs – Joshua Tree.

Here’s some more information about these desert experiences that are worth adding to your itinerary if you have the time.

Salton Sea 

The Salton Sea is an inland lake created by flooding from an irrigation canal of the Colorado River that carries water to the Imperial Valley in 1905.

Several resort communities were built along the new lake.

However, the lake has no discharge and as a result, the water became unusually saline causing the death of marine life.

As a result, the communities were abandoned and are extremely popular with ruin photographers.

If you have teens, then definitely include Bombay Beach ruins in your California vacation itinerary – they will love to see random objects lying on the beach.

Today, the Salton Sea shoreline is filled with deteriorating structures and RV communities.

The Salton Sea is also located directly on top of the San Andreas fault and geothermal activity including mud pools are present along the coast.

The Salton Sea State Recreation Area is popular for birding, boating, picnicking, and camping. 

Palm Springs

Palm Springs, located in the Colorado desert region, is one of the biggest Californian desert cities.

If you want a relaxing vacation, then Palm Springs is one of the best California ideas.

One of its main attractions is the Palm Springs aerial tramway which takes you up Mount San Jacinto and offers great views of the surrounding area.

Palm Springs also has many great museums, boutique stores, restaurants, and resorts.

It is one of the most popular winter vacation destinations in the USA.

If you plan to visit Palm Springs, then check out our post on 30 Best Things to do in Palm Springs, California.

Anza Borrego and Galleta Meadows Sculptures in Borrego Springs

While California has many beautiful state parks, few know about its largest – Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

This park is at its most beautiful in the spring when the cacti flower and the desert landscape comes alive with colors.

Anza Borrego Desert State Park is just two hours away from San Diego and can be seen on a San Diego Joshua Valley road trip.

In nearby Borrego Springs, you can see the unusual Galleta Meadows Estate sculptures.

These sculptures created by artist Ricardo Breceda are free to visit and beautiful works of art.

By driving all over the land you can spot dragons, serpents, wooly mammoths, and other fantastic creatures.  

Also, read our post on Planning the ultimate Southern California itinerary.

Coachella Valley Preserve 

Coachella’s Thousand Palms Oasis is a unique chance to see the oasis environment in the middle of the desert.

The oases directly sit on fault lines and the water seeping through the faults has given life to California Fan Palms and other big palms in the arid desert.

Wildlife including sheep, goats, bobcats, etc, also can be spotted at the oasis.

Entry to the reserve is free and it has many hiking trails plus offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.

There are also other hiking areas close to Coachella Valley Preserve including Indian Canyons where you can hike through slot canyons. 

Death Valley National Park – 1 Day

Comprising of areas of the Mojave desert and the Great Basin desert, Death Valley is vastly different than Joshua Tree National Park.

For the most part, Death Valley is devoid of vegetation and is home to a variety of geological formations including the badlands, sand dunes, and the famous salt flats.

Death Valley also has the distinction of being the lowest point in North America and is also one of the hottest and driest places in the country.

No trip to Death Valley National Park is complete without visiting the Badwater Basin salt flats.

The salt flats, at 282 feet below sea level, are the lowest place in North America.

Death Valley National Park has many scenic drives that are perfect for exploring around the park.

Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes are good for taking a stroll, exploring the desert plants, viewing animal tracks, and sunrise/sunset photography.

The park has many interesting geological formations.

Death Valley also has a dark night sky and is great for stargazing and photographing the Milky Way.

Read our post on 14 Best Things to do in Death Valley National Park for more information.

We know you are planning to roadtrip California, but we can’t talk about Death Valley without mentioning Las Vegas.

Las Vegas is also a great city to begin your road trip to California.

The distance between Vegas and Death Valley is just over 2 hours and the route is quite scenic.

In fact, it is one of our favorite road trips from Las Vegas.

You can see the Sin City and then go on a road trip through California – an epic Las Vegas Los Angeles San Francisco trip, if you will!

Or you can also go on a memorable Las Vegas Grand Canyon road trip from California.

For Las Vegas travel inspiration, read our post on 52 Best Things to do in Las Vegas .

Stretch 3: Up Through The Sierra Nevada – 4 Days

After seeing Death Valley, take a road trip on California’s Scenic Highway 395.

This road trip is scenic whether you do it from north to south or like we recommend here, from south to north.

The best time to see the aspens turn yellow here is in fall.

The total distance from Death Valley to your final destination of Yosemite is 4 hours when the Lee Vining road to Yosemite is open in the summer.

However, we recommend keeping aside 4 days for this road trip as it has some of the most underrated road trip destinations in California including the Manzanar National Historic Site, Alabama Hills, Ancient Bristlecone pine forest, Bodie Ghost Town, etc.

For more information on these Route 395 stops, see this article .

For the purposes of this itinerary, we focus on the popular attractions of Mammoth Lakes, Yosemite, and Lake Tahoe. 

Route 395 will take you high up into the Sierra Nevada mountains, known for their spectacular beauty.

The Sierra Nevadas are home to many national and state parks including the mighty Yosemite and crystal clear high mountain lakes.

For the rest of your Californian road trip, you will be exploring the High Sierras and its many breathtaking attractions.

This is a welcome respite after the desert landscapes of Death Valley and Joshua Tree and depending on when you visit you will be able to see beautiful meadows, wildflowers, fall foliage, and even snow!

Mammoth Lakes And Mono Lake – 1 Day

Contrary to their name, Mammoth Lakes is not a lake but a winter ski town in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Mammoth Mountain is the main winter skiing area with a variety of ski runs.

In summer, it is a favorite with mountain bikers and hikers.

The town does have several beautiful lakes that are accessible only in the summer but none of them are named Mammoth.

The area has beautiful alpine meadows with wildflowers in spring and natural hot springs for some R&R.

In one day, we recommend taking the roughly one hour drive around the Lakes Basin and visiting all the lakes.

You can hike, picnic, kayak, and fish in whichever lake you like.

Or maybe just hang up a hammock and read a book by the lake.

Nearby Mono Lake is a saltwater lake surrounded by unique towering limestone formations called the tufa.

The lake visitor center has great information about the formation of the lake and the tufa while the short South Tufa trail is great for exploring the surrounding area.

The trail takes you along the lakeshore and among the tufas.

We suggest stopping here for an hour or so; Mono Lake accepts National Park Pass for entry.

On the way from Mammoth Lakes to Mono Lake, you will pass by June Lake and Devils Postpile Monument.

June Lake Loop Road is a great place to see the fall colors while the Devils Postpile National Monument is a unique geological formation of basalt columns.

Rainbow Falls, a 31m plunging waterfall, is another popular attraction of the monument.

Past Mono Lake, take the Lee Vining Road into Yosemite.

The official name of the road is Tioga Pass Road and it is closed in winter and spring (usually November to May) due to snow.

In that case, you can’t really visit Yosemite from the eastern side.

To know alternative routes in winter, check here . 

Yosemite National Park – 2 Days

Best known for its giant sequoia trees, bald granite cliffs, and spectacular waterfalls, Yosemite National Park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Yosemite along with Yellowstone National Park and Grand Canyon National Park is known as the ‘Big Three’ and receives over 4 million visitors each year.

Yosemite is a must-stop on any Ca road trip itinerary.

The best time to visit Yosemite National Park is from the summer to fall when Tioga Pass Road is open.

We suggest spending 2 days in Yosemite National Park to hike, drive along scenic roads, and see the major attractions. 

On your first day, start by taking a Yosemite Valley Tour.

The Yosemite Valley is surrounded by the bald granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome.

Most of the waterfalls including Yosemite Falls are also located in the valley.

The Valley is also where most of the park services including accommodations, shuttle buses, etc are located.

The Valley has hiking trails for all difficulty levels that lead to stunning views of Yosemite.

Lower Yosemite Falls hike is a short and easy trail that goes to the base of the falls.

Touring the Yosemite Valley via the free shuttle bus is the easiest way to see the national park.

However, if you are visiting in summer (especially long weekends) it can get very crowded – so plan to start early in the morning.

The Valley Visitor Center has great information and exhibits about the history and geology of Yosemite, plus it is a good place to get souvenirs, postcards, and magnets.

The aptly-named Mirror Lake reflects Half Dome peak and is beautiful to visit.

However, it dries up towards the end of summer and is best seen in spring/summer. 

Another must in the Valley if you’re visiting in summer is Glacier Point.

Located along the valley rim, it can be reached only by car or private tour.

The views from Glacier Point are stellar. It is also the base for many of Yosemite’s rim hikes.

We suggest spending one day exploring the valley. Yosemite also offers paid guided tours if you prefer them.

On the next day, you can go up the Tioga Pass road if it is clear of snow.

This is your chance to experience Yosemite devoid of the crowds.

The shuttle bus will take you up the Tioga Pass road to Tuolumne Meadows.

To see Yosemite’s giant sequoia trees, visit the Mariposa Grove.

This area is also accessible by the park shuttle.

End your day by visiting Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite Village.

Photographer Ansel Adams’s stunning black and white photos of Yosemite are a great reminder of how Yosemite looked over half a century ago.

Lake Tahoe And Emerald Bay – 1 Day

If you continue along Route 395 from Yosemite, you will reach lake Tahoe.

Note: Route 395 itself does not reach Lake Tahoe, so you will be following 207 from the Nevada side. 

The deep blue water of Lake Tahoe surrounded by snow-clad mountain peaks of the Sierra Nevadas is one of California’s iconic images.

Located on the California-Nevada border, Lake Tahoe is a popular travel destination for Californians throughout the year.

In winter it is popular for snowshoeing, skiing, and sledding.

Summer in Lake Tahoe is made for biking and camping.

In fall, the area around Lake Tahoe comes alive with spectacular fall foliage and is one of the top fall drives in the country .

South Lake Tahoe or the California side is best for enjoying the outdoors and nature with family while the Nevada side has lots of casinos and is more touristy.

Crystal clear waters of Lake Tahoe (CC 2.0 – Christian Abend )

The drive around Lake Tahoe is 72 miles long and takes about three hours.

It is highly scenic and one of the best road trips in California.

Much of the shoreline of Lake Tahoe is public and the views of the lake from the drive are stunning.

The lake looks a pretty shade of blue during the day and taking a beautiful picture of the water is a highlight of your visit.

An essential stop along the drive is the Emerald Bay State Park.

The drive here is spectacular and the views of the turquoise lake are lovely.

There are many other ways to enjoy Lake Tahoe.

You can take a helicopter tour or enjoy watersports on the lake.

The Sierra Nevada mountain ranges are an absolute delight for outdoor and nature lovers.

What you will see in these 4 days is just the tip of the iceberg.

The High Sierras have many beautiful alpine valleys, lakes, ghost towns, waterfalls, and hiking trails worth exploring.

If you can spend more time in the Sierra Nevada, then here are some other must attractions:

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks 

These are the two other national parks located in the High Sierras.

The giant sequoias surround you as you drive the park roads creating a surreal and unique experience.

The twisting and turning roads here are not for the faint-hearted (hint: carry some Dramamine!).

Both national parks have great hiking trails and lots of wildlife.

John Muir Trail

While it is not possible to hike in a short time, John Muir Trail deserves a special mention.

This is a long-distance trail in the Sierra Nevada and passes through Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks.

It is as renowned as the Appalachian or the Pacific Crest Trail. 

Bodie Ghost Town

The old mining ghost town of Bodie is an hour away from Mammoth Lakes.

Preserved as a state park, the town is full of historic saloons and deserted buildings.

While Sacramento is not in the Sierra Nevada mountain ranges, the city is on the way while returning to San Francisco from Lake Tahoe and makes for a great addition to our California road trip itinerary recommendations.

One of the top attractions in Sacramento is the California State Railroad Museum.

Stretch 4: Along The Wild North Coast

There are many things to do in Northern California including national parks, scenic drives, beautiful coastal towns, and more.

You will need another 5 days minimum to fully explore the Northern part of the state.

Hence, we do not recommend covering the North Coast if you are following this California Road Trip Itinerary for 10 Days – you simply won’t have time.

The best way to explore this region is to plan a separate road trip in the northern part of the state, the details of which you can read here in our post, Ultimate Northern California road trip itinerary .

California’s North Coast is less visited, unspoiled, and partially unexplored compared to the famous central Coast and the crowded southern coast.

The prehistoric coastal redwood trees grow in groves along the road all the way up to Oregon.

Hwy 1 ends at Leggett where it joins Hwy 101.

While the road follows the coast, for the most part, it turns inward in the area of the Lost Coast.

The remote Lost Coast as the name suggests is devoid of major highways and remains the ultimate adventure for a 10 day trip to California.

However, the coast is not the only unique thing about Northern California.

The northern part of the state is also home to geothermal activity.

You can climb lava tunnels at Lava Beds National Monument and see volcanic craters, domes, mud pools, etc at Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Here are a few attractions of the region:

Redwoods National and State Park

The Redwoods National and State Parks were created to preserve the old-growth redwood forests.

The Redwoods are the tallest living trees on Earth and also among the oldest.

The National Park and state parks are also home to a number of endangered animals including spotted owl, species of sea lions, etc.

The unique environment of the dense redwood forests by the coast has resulted in the park being designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Seeing the Redwoods covered in fog during winter or spring is a surreal experience.

Point Reyes

Point Reyes National Seashore, located in Marin County, preserves a large swath of northern California’s coastal wilderness.

Most popular attractions at Point Reyes include Alamere Falls on Wildcat Beach and Point Reyes Lighthouse.

Other attractions include the endangered tule elk herd that can be seen around Tomales Point, Native American redwood houses, earthquake trail, and dramatic cliffside beaches.

Avenue of the Giants

Avenue of the Giants is an over 30 miles long scenic highway that passes through the Humboldt Redwoods State Park and its mighty coastal redwood trees.

Roadside attractions include tunnels cut into redwood trees, giant groves, and unique roadside attractions like a house created from a single redwood log and a Redwood RV.

We suggest hiking in the Redwood groves to experience the truly gigantic trees.

The quaint seaside town of Mendocino is quite different from the coastal towns on the Central Coast.

It reminded me of Maine and the coastal upper East coast due to its Victorian mansions painted in pretty pastel colors.

The town is a historical landmark and very pretty to wander and explore.

Nearby Mendocino Headlands State Park and Russian Gulch State Park are worth a visit.

Nearby Fort Bragg is no fort but a lumber town on the North Coast.

The famous ‘Glass Beach’ of which I’m sure you have seen pics floating around on social media is in Fort Bragg.

The beach is a part of MacKerricher State Park, a state park with amazing views of the undeveloped headlands, beaches, and tide pools.

Another popular attraction in Fort Bragg is the Skunk Train – a railroad built to haul timber logs from the redwood forests.

Other attractions on the North Coast include the pretty Victorian towns of Ferndale and Eureka, Del Norte Redwood State Park, and the seaport community of Crescent City.

More 10 Day California itinerary ideas for slow travelers

You can use our California road trip planner to customize your itinerary based on your interests. 

If you can only spend 10 days in California, then seeing all the above attractions can be overwhelming; here are a few suggestions for those who like slow travel.

California coast road trip itinerary

One great option is to go on a 10 day pacific coast highway trip or 10 day west coast road trip.

That way you can spend more time in the cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles while seeing Big Sur at a leisurely pace. 

On this San Francisco to Los Angeles road trip in 10 days, you can tour the lighthouses, hike the trails, picnic on the beach, visit the wineries of the Central Coast, and enjoy nature – seriously the best road trip in California. 

You can even do the San Francisco to San Diego road trip in 10 days.

In that case, we would recommend keeping aside 2 days each for the 3 major cities and spending the rest of the time in the Big Sur region. 

This San Francisco 10 days trip lets you enjoy the beauty of the coast while visiting the Sierra Nevadas and the desert later.

California National Parks itinerary

California has 9 national parks – all of them are unique and make for an exciting California National park road trip. 

You can visit either the most popular ones or all of them, depending on how much time you want to spend in each park. 

We would suggest starting from Los Angeles, then seeing Joshua Tree and Death Valley before visiting Kings Canyon and Sequoia. 

Then see the beautiful Yosemite Valley. From Yosemite, head north to Lassen and then finally see Redwoods parks before returning to San Francisco. 

You can also see Pinnacles and Channel Islands if you have the time, to complete the national parks in California road trip. 

You can also use this route for creating your own California RV trip itinerary, since most national parks have RV campgrounds. 

Northern California road trip itinerary

Another great option for those who like slow travel is to plan a Northern California itinerary for 10 days. 

Start your road trip from San Francisco and drive along the less visited North Coast and see the majestic redwood trees. 

Drive along the Redwoods Scenic Byway before turning towards the mountains and exploring the caves at Lava Tubes National Monument. 

Visit Mount Shasta on your way to Lassen Volcanic National Park and end your trip in Sacramento, a couple of hours away from San Francisco. 

For more information on how to plan a California road trip focusing on the northern part of the state, read our in-depth post on Northern California road trip .

If you have less time: California itinerary 7 days

If you can’t spare 10 days, then we also have suggestions for 7 day California road trip routes. 

With only 7 days in california, we would recommend focusing on one region and exploring it at a leisurely pace. 

Of course, you can opt for a 7 day southern California itinerary or a 7 day California coast road trip along the PCH, but you can also consider some unique road trip ideas in California which explore its most popular attractions. 

Here are our favorites if you want to see the best of California in a week:

7 day road trip from San Francisco to Yosemite

If you are wondering how to spend a week in California but still see the most popular attractions, then this itinerary is for you. 

Start your road trip in San Francisco, see the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Mission District, Fisherman’s Wharf etc in two days. 

Then spend a day in Napa Valley and nearby Calistoga before seeing Sacramento.

In Sacramento, see the state capitol and the railroad museum then make your way to Yosemite National Park. 

Take a tour of the Yosemite Valley and see the famous El Capitan as well as the many waterfalls.

Enjoy the panoramic view from the Tunnel View Outlook. 

Then depending on the season, visit the Tuolumne Meadows area.

Return to San Francisco to complete 7 day road trip in California.

North California coast road trip

This California 1 week itinerary is perfect for slow travel. 

Land in San Francisco and take a day or two to explore it’s many attractions.

Then rent a car and drive north. 

Part of this road trip is on the Pacific Coast Highway 1 till Legett, after which you will be driving along the famous Redwood scenic byway. 

For your first stop, explore the beautiful Point Reyes.

See the lighthouse and the shipwreck, then eat oysters in Tomales Bay. 

Drive along the Avenue of the Giants and pass through the Redwood tunnels. 

Hike in the prehistoric Fern Canyon and visit the glass beach at Fort Bragg, then last stop at Eureka or Crescent City to finish the California coast 7 day itinerary.

7 Day Southern California trip itinerary

For this ca road trip planner, begin your trip with a day or two in San Diego or Los Angeles and then wind your way around Southern California’s desert attractions. 

See famous Joshua Tree and Palm Springs.

Enjoy the fantastic landscape of the Mojave desert and drink a delicious date shake.

See the sculptures in Borrego Springs. 

Then visit Anaheim and enjoy the theme parks.

There are also many things to do in Anaheim besides Disney. 

7 Day California Coast Road Trip

This is one of the most popular california driving holidays itineraries.

Follow this California road trip itinerary 7 days along the world famous Pacific Coast Highway. 

See the major cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Explore the charming mountain side towns of Pismo Beach and Morro Bay. Learn to surf and spot the elephant seals. 

Spend some time hiking and enjoying the wild, rugged vibe of Big Sur.

Take a tour of the Point Sur Lighthouse and hike down to Keyhole Rock. Go whale watching. 

If you have more time: California road trip itinerary 14 days

This two week california driving itinerary is perfect for long summer vacations, when most parts of the state including the High Sierras are completely accessible. 

Just use our main California trip planner, but add in all optional ideas including San Diego and the beautiful northern coast. 

Then see the Lassen Volcanic National Park area and visit the beautiful Burney Falls from Redding.

Spend some time in Mount Shasta and head back to San Francisco to complete California 2 week itinerary.

We hope you liked our California road trip blog.

Now you have everything ready to plan your perfect California trip itinerary, so make the most of it.

Did we miss any hidden gems in the Golden State?

Which part of the road trip did you enjoy the most? Let us know in the comments!

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3 Iconic California Road Trips

By Meghan Palmer

Since the start of the Gold Rush era, California has beckoned those curious souls seeking opportunity for expansion. More than any other state in the US, California feels like several vastly different destinations wrapped into one—not just because of its impressive sprawl, but because of the diverse terrain and populations it encompasses. While venturing around the Golden State, you can find yourself in a bustling city, an awe-inspiring forest, and a quaint beachside vista all within a single day.

For precisely that reason, the most compelling way to explore California is on the road. There are so many pockets of the state that can only be properly discovered on four wheels, and the variety of stops along the way offer a fuller picture of the sense of community ensconced in California's towns, cities, and coasts. Here are three of our favorite routes to get your next great adventure started.

Shasta Lake to Redwoods National Forest | 3 hours and 30 minutes

For those whose California dream evokes the image of lush forests and towering mountain ranges, the natural beauty found along this route is for you. It begins in Shasta Lake, a gorgeous, under-the-radar town located three hours north of Sacramento. Surrounded by the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and perched at the seat of the snow-capped Mount Shasta, the scenery of a still morning here will be enough to usher you into a state of tranquility. To truly embrace the zen vibe, start your day with a refreshing cold plunge in Shasta Lake, the largest reservoir in California. As bald eagles soar overhead and deer frolic in the nearby forest, you’ll be momentarily awestruck by the majesty of California’s landscape—and you haven’t even hit the road yet.

Shasta Lake

Post Cold-Plunge

After you’ve dried off, visit Heritage Coffeehouse , a quintessential coffee shop owned by a local husband and wife duo. Though you might be tempted to grab your coffee to go, sip it slowly in house to get better acquainted with the unrushed NorCal lifestyle.

In just under four hours on the road, you’ll notice a change in scenery—the trees will begin to loom impossibly large, while the vibrant Pacific will glitter just beyond the coastline. Make a quick stop to fuel up at LoCo Fish Co ., an outstanding food truck in Eureka. Order the blackened ahi tacos or the fish sandwich for a taste of California’s beloved food philosophy: fresh, local, and sustainably sourced ingredients served simply.

Now it’s time for the main event: a journey into the Redwood National and State Parks. This isn’t your average forest, but a look at living history and a case study of the sheer wonder of Mother Nature. Redwoods can live up to 2,000 years and are the largest trees on the planet; soon you’ll understand why visitors from around the world come here to encounter them. Take a drive along the world-famous Avenues of the Giants , a 31-mile-long pathway running alongside towering 300-foot trees. Keep an eye out for panoramic stop-offs and easy-to-navigate trail heads, for you’ll want to get out of the car to get a closer look at these gentle giants.

Albee Creek Campground in Redwoods State Park

When it’s time to set up shop for the night, you’ve got options. For those looking to become wholly immersed in the great outdoors, camp amongst the trees in Redwoods. There are nearly 30 campgrounds to choose from, each offering different scenery—river, beach, or forest. If hotels are more of your style, a stay at the Lost Whale Inn is sure to delight. Perched high on a cliff in Trinidad, each of the property’s eight rooms are distinctly outfitted and offer unbelievable ocean views. Guests enjoy a seven-course breakfast along with evening wine and appetizers, perfect for winding down after your big day.

San Francisco to Carmel-by-the-Sea | 2 hours and 30 minutes

If there were such a thing as a California sampler platter road trip, this route would be it. It begins in one of the Golden State’s most iconic cities, San Francisco. Beloved for its classic cable cars, bustling Chinatown, and picturesque sights like the Golden Gate Bridge, there is much to be discovered here. You’ll get a taste of the city's vitality at your first stop, breakfast at Mama’s on Washington Square . Get there early to beat the inevitable crowds, order the apple pan dore french toast, and prepare to hit the road.

San Francisco Hills

China Town, San Francisco

The drive is under three hours and happens to run along one of the most scenic stretches of coastline in America, Highway 1. Wind past rocky overhangs and coastal farming towns en route to your second stop, Trader’s Antique Emporium in Santa Cruz. Though you might not have considered hunting through a treasure trove of eclectic vintage pieces during a road trip, doing so is the ideal way to activate the curious part of your mind for the journey ahead.

When you arrive at the breathtaking beauty that is Carmel-by-the-Sea, located in Monterey County, the first thing you’ll want to do is get outside. Point Lobos Loop Trail is a crown jewel of the Central California coast, and that’s where you’ll be. A hike, trail run, or leisurely stroll along the six-and-a-half-mile route are all great ways to discover the area. However you choose to explore, expect emerald waters, windswept views, and plenty of wildlife sightings. You might come across sea lions, otters, pelicans, or even a whale in the distance.

Point Lobos Loop Trail in Monterey County

Garrapata Beach in Monterey County

After getting a taste of the region’s tantalizing scenery, you’ll begin to understand why it has had such a magnetic pull on artists and authors since the early 1900s. A visit to Tor House , the historic preserved home of the late poet Robinson Jeffers, offers an intimate glimpse into the town’s artistic roots. Stroll around the oceanfront enclave or partake in a guided poetry workshop to tap into the inspirational energy of the place.

End your day with dinner at La Bicyclette , an impossibly charming, family-run restaurant whose doors initially opened in 1974. You’ll be surprised what incredible dishes this tiny kitchen manages to churn out—with only six burners and a wooden stove, the weekly rotating menu spotlights in-season, local ingredients for a dining experience that is distinctly European. The steak au poivre and squash & spec wood-oven fired pizza are not to be missed, best accompanied by a good glass of wine.

Santa Barbara to Bakersfield | 2 hours and 25 minutes

Though California is full of well-loved cities and eye-catching drives, there are also a number of lesser-known gems for those seeking a little something out of the ordinary. Foodies and curious explorers alike will favor this route, which begins in the coastal gem of Santa Barbara. Its prime location—set squarely between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains—and the mild Mediterranean climate make growing conditions here near perfect. Farmers markets and world-class wineries make Santa Barbara a living testament to California’s bounty. That’s why your first stop should be at Santa Barbara Blueberries , one of the area's thriving local farms. Be sure to check when the berries are in season and grab a carton to snack on.

Solvang Farmers Market

After a short drive to the winery-filled, Danish-inspired city of Solvang, your foodie trip commences with lunch at Industrial Eats . Tucked away in a repurposed warehouse, the restaurant boasts a craft butcher counter and two wood-fired ovens that churn out seasonal dishes sourced from sustainable farms and food pioneers. The best way to dine here is to order a little of everything. Be sure to try the smoked duck and the miso cod, but don’t get too full because you still have a lot of eating to do today.

In just under three hours, you’ll arrive in Bakersfield. Once known exclusively for oil and agriculture, Bakersfield is well on its way to becoming a hub of thriving arts and culture. Explore the Bakersfield Arts District for proof, a neighborhood peppered with cool local art galleries and theaters. When you’re hungry again, opt for a late lunch or early dinner at Punjabi Dhaba . This no-frills food truck is as authentic as it gets, reminiscent of the dhaba’s found in India and Pakistan. One taste of the chole—chickpeas soaked in gingery tomato sauce—served with fresh parathas and you’ll be sold.

If you choose to stay overnight, the cowboy-chic Padre Hotel is the place to be. Grab a drink at the Prairie Fire’s rooftop lounge before retiring for the night and wake up to the hotel's signature brunch before hitting the road once again.

Punjabi Dhaba Food Truck, Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA

For the foodies and the adventurers, the art lovers and the beach goers, California is calling. No matter what sort of trip you’re looking for, you’ll find the very best of it on the road in California. Visit visitcalifornia.com/road-trips to get your planning started.

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20 Things to Do in Central California That You Can't Anywhere Else

Whether you’re exploring Big Sur or meandering through swoon-worthy beach towns, a trip to the Golden State’s heartland is long overdue.

March 05, 2024

Longing for the ultimate getaway? Head to Central California, where unspoiled coastlines and towering hills pop up at every corner. Whether you’re exploring Big Sur or meandering through swoon-worthy beach towns , a trip to the Golden State’s heartland is long overdue.

Spend your days swimming in the inviting sparkling blue waters of the Pacific. Drive inland from the water’s edge to discover mountainous peaks and desert-like landscapes. We can go on and on with all the things to do in Central California, so here’s a list of our favorites.

Unique Things to do in Central California

1. Cruise through Capitola Village in Santa Cruz County

Get a slice of pedestrian paradise in seaside Capitola, one of the most charming Central California getaway destinations. The colorful Santa Cruz County neighborhood brims with fabulous boutiques and galleries, making for the perfect opportunity to window-shop. Whether you hop aboard a vintage car shuttle or shop for new home decor, you’ll be cruising the area in style. 

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The Forestiere Underground Gardens consist of 65 rooms and three levels. Stroll through the many passageways that take you to different areas and feast your eyes on the many native and exotic fruit trees on the premises.

2. Visit Cannery Row in Monterey

Literary giant John Steinbeck was so enchanted by Cannery Row , he wrote a whole novel about how great it is. Don’t believe him? Check it out for yourself. Monterey’s legendary sardine-canning street is now filled with restaurants and turn-of-the-century buildings. Check out the boutiques, dine at the restaurants, and soak up the culture of Monterey at Cannery Row— Central Coast getaways don’t get any better than this. 

3. Have an Offshore Adventure at Old Fisherman’s Wharf 

When thinking of places to visit in Central California, a trip to the area’s fishing hub is a must. Lined with unique stores and restaurants, Old Fisherman’s Wharf is the best place for cruises and whale watching. Scout for the freshest seafood, then sign up for a whale watching tour with Monterey Bay Whale Watch —a typical Tuesday at Old Fisherman’s Wharf. 

4. Watch the Sea Lions at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Opt for a day trip in Central California and visit a beautiful coastal park miles away from tourist attractions. Scuba divers, hikers, and photographers flock to this place that’s been nicknamed the “Crown Jewel” of the State Park System. Walk the poppy-trimmed paths at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve to a limestone overlook. Bring your binoculars and scan the water for sea lions clumsily flopping about in the waves— only locals know about this spot in Monterey .

5. Tour Hearst Castle

Lavishly designed by Julia Morgan—California’s first female architect — Hearst Castle was the private residence of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst in 1947. Now, it’s an eye-popping extravaganza of opulence, towering palms, and wraparound views of the Central Coast. This 165-room castle is one of the top things to see in Central California—the terraced gardens and sparkling fountains are the cherries on top.

6. Visit the Tiny Town of Harmony

A perennial fixture of California’s Central Coast, the quirky town of Harmony is home to only 18 residents. What it lacks in population, it makes up in charm and rich heritage. Explore the local artisans and buy a scoop of Harmony’s signature ice cream from Harmony Valley Creamery . If you're a fan of glass art, head over to Harmony Glassworks , one of the most unique places in Central California .

Things to do on California’s Central Coast

7. Take a Helicopter Tour in Ventura

Soar through the skies on a luxurious helicopter ride with Channel Island Helicopter Tours . Fly over Ventura’s beautiful coast and watch the whales frolic from up above—not too shabby, we must say. This is one of the most memorable and fun things to do in Central California but, thanks to its affordable rates, it won’t break the bank.

8. Kayak in San Simeon Cove

San Simeon Cove is located in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary , the nation’s largest protected marine area. A popular spot for surfers, San Simeon Cove is covered with wildlife and natural beauty. Paddle a kayak and get closer to sea life than anywhere else in the region. For more water-related activities, check out the boogie board rentals and deep-sea fishing charters. 

9. Watch the Sunset at Pismo Beach

While a visit to Pismo Beach is one of the top things to do on California's Central Coast , the 60-acre sun-kissed showstopper never feels too crowded. With plenty of room to spread out and hit the waves, the beach serves as your refuge from the city buzz. Hang around to watch the sunset from the towering pier and observe the last bits of light as they disappear—it’s worth it, we promise.

10. Have a Picnic at Moonstone Beach

Moonstone Beach is home to a one-mile boardwalk brimming with sensational views—a must-see on your Central California vacation. The Moonstone Beach Boardwalk stretches all the way to Santa Rosa Creek Day Use Area. Pack a picnic and drive to the beach in Cambria, where brown sandy coves glisten under the scorching sun. Linger until the sun goes down and share a kiss with your loved one. 

11. Drive along Big Sur Coast Highway

Driving along Highway 1 through Big Sur is one of those road trips that never gets old . The two-hour drive quickly turns into a Central California day trip thanks to all the lookouts and hiking opportunities along the way. Drive past the scenic Bixby Creek Bridge and make a short detour to see the gorgeous McWay Falls. 

12. Walk along the California Coastal Trail 

Make your date swoon by taking them on an outdoor date on the California Coastal Trail. Spanning across the 1,200-mile California coastline, the trail is an unforgettable Central Coast adventure waiting to happen. Whether you spend a weekend in San Luis Obispo, Monterey, or Ventura, you can still find yourself walking hand-in-hand along a segment of this gorgeous trail.

13. Visit the Monarch Butterfly Grove 

As one of only five places in California that hosts over 10,000 butterflies, Monarch Butterfly Grove ought to be at the top of your list of things to see in Central California. The lively orange-and-black showstoppers make their way to Pismo Beach every year to escape the freezing winters of the north. They seek refuge at the grove from October to February—the best time of year for you to visit as well.

Things to do in California’s Central Valley 

14. learn about the animal kingdom at fresno chaffee zoo.

Spread across 39 acres, Fresno Chaffee Zoo is one of Central California’s best attractions. Traverse the countless winding trails to find yourself in the presence of elephants, cheetahs, and roaring lions. Take your kids back in time at the "Zoorassic Park'' exhibit to see how life was when dinosaurs roamed the earth.

15. Check out the Historic Silver City Ghost Town

Travel back in time to Bodfish and pay a visit to Silver City Ghost Town . This Central California attraction consists of old-mining-era buildings dating back to the 1850s. As you explore the grounds of Silver City, you’ll come across a number of artifacts and spooky mannequins that make your adventures even more memorable. Rumor has it that the town jail is haunted—see for yourself and experience the paranormal at this ghost town. 

16. Get a Sugar kick at Bravo Farms 

Founded in 1995, Bravo Farms is the family-friendly Central Valley attraction you’re looking for. With three locations across the state—Traver, Tulare, and Kettleman City— entertainment overflows wherever you go. Spend the day climbing treehouses, feeding animals, eating ice cream, and playing miniature golf because there’s no time like family time. 

17. Get a History Lesson at the Tulare County Museum

Tucked away in Mooney Grove Park, the Tulare County Museum is the best way to get to know the region’s farming history. Featuring an abundance of Native American agricultural displays, the museum offers the unique opportunity to travel back in time and learn about Central Valley’s cultivation. Examine artifacts from the pioneer era, marvel at the agriculture equipment, and explore the restored buildings that help you uncover Tulare County's history.

18. Hike the Revis Mountain Ridge Trail

A can’t miss among Central Valley's hiking trails , the Revis Mountain Ridge Trail is a nature lover’s paradise. Starting off steep, the trail continues swiftly downhill through fields, offering breathtaking vistas of Yosemite Lakes Park. The Revis Mountain Fire Road Trail signifies the end of your journey, providing a chance to change course for a new adventure.

19. Trek Aimee’s Loop Hiking Trail

A Tehachapi showstopper, Aimee’s Loop invites both beginners and advanced hikers to explore nature’s bounty. The hike is fun and easy—the path connects to the neighboring Mifflin and Jane’s Loops in case you want to extend your trek further. Get everyone to join you on this easy hike and spend quality time with your family and friends.

20. Watch The Trout at San Joaquin Hatchery

Nestled along the San Joaquin River, San Joaquin Hatchery is an excellent addition to your Central California road trip. This prime producer of trout and inland salmon offers you plenty of space to admire the fish. While you're here, enjoy a picnic on the hatchery’s grounds which are filled with California native plants. Don’t forget to take a picture in front of the colorful trout sculpture and practice your fishing skills at the nearby San Joaquin River.

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Welcome to forum posting Maryann,

For reliable discounts on attractions, you can also look at the Mousesavers website which is a good resource as they list current discounts ( they dont sell tickets). And you can compare various discounts and multi-attraction tickets to see what may work best for you.

http://www.mousesavers.com/california-discounts-deals/

Thank you. What about printing the tickets at home? Is that an option through aRes?

I believe for some of the attraction tickets they offer a print at home ticket is an option. For some its a print at home Voucher that you would exchange at the ticket window.

Be careful we bought tickets thinking they would be good because the tickets say they don't expire until the end of the year along with website. But on the email in one spot it gave us dates we had to pick up our tickets by. Our dates for our tickets were a month apart and weren't good for our trip. They refunded us minus a 15 percent fee. When I bought the tickets I was nervous and looked for dates all over the site and was given nothing but that they were good for a year. Bait and switch! Buyer beware!

Welcome to forum posting michellea707,

You do have to look carefully on the site, but it is listed when you actually click to purchase the tickets the actual date whatever that is. Their is no purposeful intent to defraud you, and that was not the case since they refunded your money.

The problem comes in with specific tickets, as some will expire the end of a certain year, and some have other dates that are different. Its not up to the company to decide what those dates are. General info is given on the site, and then when you check out specific info on tickets for expiration dates when you were purchasing, they are shown, but you must have missed. They are just not as good at showing you what they are, you have to hunt a little. But they are perfectly legitimate to use.

I just did a "mock" booking, and the specific date was listed when I clicked "buy".

You could also have just exchanged them for the tickets you wanted as well, as some people have reported doing that who didnt notice dates for the actual tickets they were purchasing.

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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I moved my family from California to Austin, Texas, and regretted it. Here are 10 things to consider before making an expensive mistake.

• Brett Alder moved to Austin, Texas, for work and regrets the choice. 
• He says there are negatives like pricey utilities, oppressive heat, and a lack of public space.
• Alder also says that Austinites are rude. 

A lot of people, including myself, move from California to Austin because of the hype and the perception that California and Austin are reasonably comparable in lifestyle. My family and I found that to be far from the case.

Here's what we learned, or 10 reasons that Austin is not the "California of Texas." But first, what does Austin have in common with California?

Austin, like California, is not affordable.

The thing that California and Austin definitely have in common is that they're both very expensive. Austin is not cheap. Let the words sink in. Austin is not cheap; it's actually quite expensive.

We moved from San Diego in 2015 (owning a 2,000-square-foot house on a one-third acre) looking for a boost in lifestyle. If you're looking for great schools, the southwest and northwest sectors of Austin are the main options. The only caveat is that NW Austin (Travis County) is some of the most expensive real estate in Texas.

So we bought a 4,000-square-foot house in Bee Cave (an affluent suburb of Austin) with "great schools." We heard Austin was extremely hot so we got a place with a pool. When you look at a 3D affordability map , these are the factors we discovered people are not taking into account:

• Taxes: We all know property taxes are high in Texas. They actually weren't that bad for us and ranged from 2% to 3% depending on the neighborhood. We bought a home at 2.1% and, with the homestead exception, were paying at 1.79% (vs. 1.25% in California). Don't buy at 3%; you won't be able to sell and your house won't appreciate.
• Power: Energy is incredibly expensive. You want a big house, and they're so cheap, but then it costs a fortune to heat and cool. We were paying $400 per month during the summer and winter and we were uncomfortable (our thermostat was set to 79 degrees F in the summer, and 65 degrees F in the winter). To be comfortable would have cost us $700 to $1,000 per month.
• Water: Water is also shockingly expensive. In NW Austin they pump water from Lake Travis, which is only a few miles away, but that doesn't stop greedy water collectives from shaking you down. We paid $89 per month just for the privilege of being connected to city water (using 0 gallons). And they just jacked that base rate to $97 . We had a well for landscape watering, but otherwise our water bill for a young family, watering about 10,000 square feet of grass would have easily been $300 to $400 per month. New sod? Try $1,200 per month, for water. Our water in San Diego (and now San Jose) was cheaper, during a drought, and we got it from like two states away.
• Services: We thought living in Texas, stuff would be cheap, but with so many people moving to Austin, the service industry is in red hot demand. Expensive pool maintenance, expensive landscaping services, expensive home repairs, expensive dining and movies.
• Travel: For reasons described below, most anyone who can leaves Austin for a month or two during the summer to escape the heat. That's expensive since to get anywhere interesting involves flying and hotel stays. Budget another several thousand dollars per year.
• Weather: Texas weather is hard on houses. Hail storms will ruin your roof, torrential rain and scorpions will get inside. We spent tens of thousands on unexpected home repairs and remediation, and talking to other people, it wasn't uncommon.
• Finally — key point — lifestyle: Although we doubled the size of our house (and kitchen and yard), we felt more cramped and cooped up in Austin than San Diego or San Jose due to the bad weather and lack of public spaces. A 2,000-square-foot house with a yard in Austin is cheap compared to the same house in San Diego, but offers nowhere close to the same lifestyle because your yard in San Diego is living space and in Austin it's not.

1. The weather

Sure, you've heard it's hot and humid, but how bad could it be? It's just weather, right?

Wrong. First of all, Austin is wet,  getting almost 90% as much rain as Portland, Oregon. That sounds great, and the greenery looks great, but it comes at a cost. Expect all of the problems that come with a wet climate: mold, allergies, mosquitoes, and water penetration. And the rain comes in a handful of days, often pouring inches in a single night. More on that later.

Humidity is great for your skin, but causes food to spoil fast, towels to get mildewy and drastically limits the temperature range where you feel comfortable. For me, 32 degrees in high deserts like Nevada or Utah is not that bad, just chipper. Fifty degrees in Austin is butt cold, not cozy, snuggle up cold, but annoyingly cold.

And Austin is hot. It's not California hot; it's Texas hot. California heat is weak by comparison. In much of California the temperature cools down at night. You can open windows, breathe fresh air, and drastically limit your utility bill. In Austin, it would only get down to a smothering 80 degrees at night during the summer. This means your AC will be running all day and all night. Evening walks are less than refreshing when it's 11 p.m. and you're sweating. It's hard to describe how oppressive it is.

Although we had a huge yard and our own half basketball court, we really only felt like going outside about three to four months of the year. The rest of the time it was too windy, too hot/cold, too mosquito/horse fly/fire ant ridden or pouring. Often the kids would go outside anyway and come back with heat rashes and bug bites.

Compare this to San Jose or San Diego where you can enjoy being outside pretty much every day (at least during some part of the day).

2. No public land

Think about public land much? Yeah, me neither. On the West Coast, we take public land for granted. Soaring Sierra Nevadas, sandy beaches, public space canyons, and even trails along creeks are standard fare in the West — not to mention Yosemite. Not so in Texas.

Because of Texas' history and lack of natural barriers (mountains, oceans) to settlement, most all of the land around is private and flat or rolling hills. Yes, there is a lot of land in Texas, but it all has barbed wire fences and no trespassing signs on it. Even creeks are parceled up as private property.

So even though Austin is supposed to be outdoorsy, there are very few places to go, and because there is a very limited number of public spaces serving such a large population, good luck getting in.

One example, we drove 90 minutes to visit Enchanted Rock , a granite rock outcropping that would largely go unnoticed on the West Coast. We visited on a Saturday and met a three-mile-long line of cars waiting to get in. Running out of gas, we grabbed lunch at a nearby town and tried again later. No dice, the parking lot was full and closed.

We've now christened the site Disenchanted Rock: three hours of driving and no hiking. What's even more annoying is when you consider how much land is in Texas and the state didn't build a big enough parking lot. We confirmed it was very common not to be able to get into other public attractions on weekends and holidays.

Even our neighborhood creek was divvied up as private property. So much for the kids exploring and catching crayfish.

3. Nowhere to go

Aside from the fact that everything is private, where are you going to go, anyway? There are no snowy mountains, no raging rivers, and no soaring arches. If you live in Austin, things don't change much in a huge seven-hour-drive radius. Since we love the outdoors — exploring, climbing, rafting — Austin was not our cup of tea.

4. Dishonesty

Think about integrity much? I didn't. I've worked with hundreds of companies and thousands of people in California. Sure, there are bad apples, but by and large integrity is a default way to treat people here. It's not even something we talk about. Not so in Austin.

First it was the people we bought the home from. They lied about the cause of a leak, failed to disclose well water quality issues that made us sick, lied about how much stuff cost to repair, etc. But it didn't stop there.

We hired a guy with a five-star rating on Yelp to pull up flooded carpet who completely and very obviously busted our closet doors while removing them and never said a word about the damage. Or whose carpet cleaner made a foot long burn mark upstairs and left without a word. Or the mover (also five stars on Yelp) we hired who offered to help sell our leather sectional and $600 ping pong table and split the proceeds with us.

We never heard back from him. We're not holding our breath.

Talking around we realized that our experience wasn't exceptional. People are used to it there and know to do extra due diligence — more inspections, more testing, more distrust. But for us coming from California, it was a big shock and disappointment, not to mention financial setback.

Yes, there is good food in Austin, but you can't trust Yelp to find it because it doesn't work in Austin.

We drove 40 minutes for good Southern Indian food at a four-and-a-half-star rated establishment. It was one of the worst service experiences of my life. Notice the tear drop stains on this post? In general you couldn't trust Yelp as much, which was so disconcerting, especially for a new person.

6. Rudeness

I'll probably take the most heat for this one, but Austinites are rude. We met some amazing people in Austin (like my work colleagues and church congregation) and even bumped into Matthew McConaughey at our kid's flag football game. There are some very wonderful, friendly people, but we also met more than our share of the others.

Exhibit A was the dad (also at a kids' flag football league) wearing the "Don't move to Austin" T-shirt, a play on "Don't mess with Texas." Let me get this straight: I uprooted my family, moved across four states, and that's the welcome I get? And the worst part of it all is that it's not even funny. There's a bumper sticker in the West: "Montana sucks. Tell your friends!" Same message, but with some humor.

And then there are the native Texans, usually older, who stick pretty closely to the stereotypes. I've never been told so often what to do and what not to do, and the delivery is in a "this is just the way it's done" tone that is completely oblivious to any other viewpoints on the matter.

Our friends from Tennessee also confirmed that Austin does not conform to the notion of Southern hospitality, but I will say that most younger Texans were really cool.

Austin drivers are also terrible, I mean, reptilian brain terrible. They don't yield to pedestrians on crosswalks unless forced, will inexplicably tailgate and illegally pass you on a double yellow just to drive 30 feet in front of you for the next 10 minutes on open roads, and they may be conservative, but not with their horns. I drive all over the country and hands down, Austin has the worst and most inexplicable driving I've experienced.

The service is also generally awful. Doesn't matter if it's a rental car company, a restaurant, you name it. We found a few exceptional waiters and hosts, but Austin is generally the worst service I've experienced nationwide. I mean, you're at the Austin airport with two pieces of luggage and you just ordered six items. They don't even ask if you want a bag, you have to initiate the request, and even then they just hand you the bag.

7. Not quite a conservative Utopia

If you ask people from other parts of Texas, they'll say that Austin is not representative ( despite that most people moving to Austin are from Texas ) of all of Texas. That is probably true, but here are a number of messed up things about Travis County/NW Austin:

• A lot of the newer developments are built on converted ranch land, which may be distant from other developments. Despite the fact that  Texas leads the nation in natural gas production , they don't mandate that modern utilities be run to these new developments. In one affluent neighborhood, Belterra, the residents are suing the developer for signing a 30 year, auto-renewing contract for captured propane that leaves residents with $600 per month heating bills in the winter. Is this a sick joke? Greed run amok.
• There's also little public school choice. In California there are charter schools, two day schools, public schools, cash/combo charter school/home schooling, you name it. In west Austin, just public schools. Don't know why, but I heard that the high school football industrial complex opposed charter schools.
• And then there's water, again. Austin will literally have water restrictions in place while it's flooding. "Can't you just take some of the water from here and … never mind." And your Texan neighbors will call you out for having a green lawn, even if you water from a well, which is a possibility they can't quite seem to imagine.

8. Monoculture

I love getting to know people from other cultures. In California we've had Vietnamese neighbors, Iranian neighbors, Filipinos, Palestinians, you name it. We love it.

In parts of Texas it's not just a monoculture, but a monoculture that doesn't seem to be aware of its own blandness. Think about it: Are you ready to have your son judged based on his suitability for a future career in football? Are you ready to network by attending the local high school football game with the guys? Because that's a thing in Texas.

And it's not just that. The lack of openness to diverse ideas leaves you with the feeling that you traveled 15 years back in time technologically moving there.  They voted out Uber and Lyft and think that's not a big deal because — wait for it — they have a ride-sharing Facebook group . Yeah, that should be great for out-of-town visitors.

They also don't have a lot of the options we enjoyed in San Diego like "game-only soccer leagues" for kids. The car washes were lame. You just couldn't trust things to be as well thought-out and executed as in California.

9. Punitive, militaristic schools and sports

We had three kids in the local elementary school, rated 9 out of 10. For sure, some of the teachers were excellent and very caring, but the school was run like a micromanaged military academy.

Our kids complained most about the PE and music teachers. (Aren't they supposed to be the fun ones?) We heard stories about kids running laps or missing recess just because they didn't sit "criss-cross applesauce." Who thought of taking away recess? And it seemed the more ignorant the coach or teacher, the more he insisted on being addressed as "Y'Sir" — which is still the norm, even in Austin.

There was a massive emphasis on conformity that was good for teachers, bad for kids. I went to read to my kindergartner's class and felt like I'd landed in a dictatorship. They had aides making sure all of the kindergartners faced forward while marching in line to the cafeteria. Kindergartners.

We withdrew our children. Our school may have been particularly bad, but it's something to look out for.

10. Cedar allergies

There's a good chance you'll be sick the whole first year in Austin being exposed to a new set of pathogens. We were, and it's not uncommon.

Then we heard that after a few years it is also common to develop cedar allergies, if you don't already have them.

They're so bad that we knew at least two professionals going through subcutaneous immunotherapy (shots over a period of years) because their allergies were ruining their lives. Allergy treatment centers are very common. There are really only two types of trees in Austin, cedar (really juniper) and oak, so no getting away from the cedar.

11. (I couldn't stop at 10) Big luxury home obsession

I'm guessing because of the lack of public land, terrible weather, etc., that Austinites get really into their houses. We saw some unbelievably ornate homes — castle-esque.

And there's pressure to keep your house immaculate. You can buy a home that is really nice by California standards (updated kitchen, crown moldings) only to find that everyone else's house is much nicer than yours, which we didn't care about until we found that no one wanted to buy our less-than-luxurious home.

Moral of the story

It would take a lot of money to buy a "California-like" lifestyle in Austin. If you're moving to Austin, make sure it's because of the things that it offers (downtown lifestyle, BBQ, football, live music, nice houses, professional opportunity) and that you won't miss the things you're leaving behind (good weather, public spaces, etc.).

It was an expensive mistake, but my family and I now see California in a completely new light. We feel very fortunate to be living in the Bay Area.

You're welcome.

Brett Alder is a sales executive working in the semiconductor industry based out of San Jose, CA.

This post was originally written in 2016 and published on Quora by Brett Alder .

What's your chance of seeing the northern lights tonight? A look at Saturday's forecast

Illuminating the night sky with pink, green and gray colors, the northern lights made its appearance in the United Kingdom and the northern half of the United States on Friday. The magical phenomena could happen again tonight.

The show fascinated many onlookers as they took out their phones to capture the beauty of the night sky. On Friday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued extreme (G5) conditions across the United States. A storm of this intensity has not been seen since October 2003. The storm gained the name "Halloween Storm" and caused many power outages in Sweden and damaged transformers in South Africa, according to Earth.com .

Meteorologists have predicted that the northern lights can be visible on Saturday as well as Sunday. If you are going outside to see the northern lights, forecasters want to remind the public that their solar eclipse glasses can be used for viewing the phenomenon.

Here's what you need to know to prepare for the next viewing of the northern lights.

The northern lights: Danced across the US last night. It could happen again Saturday.

What is the cloud forecast Saturday night? Will clouds block the northern lights?

If you missed the aurora borealis Friday night, you might still catch a glimpse on Saturday or Sunday, depending on where you live. But not if clouds get in the way.

The cloud forecast for Saturday night is generally good for most of America, but some of the people who missed their chance last night due to clouds may have a similar problem Saturday, said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines. Areas that are likely to be cloudy include New England and Mid-Atlantic regions, as well as parts of the Southern Plains, including Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado.

“Even just a few breaks in the clouds will allow the aurora to be visible,” Kines said. “There’s always hope.”

Peak visibility time Saturday night will be between 9 p.m. and midnight, with some chance until 2 a.m., Kines said. The best views will be in dark areas away from the light pollution of cities, he said, though some reported seeing the auroras Friday night from metro areas like Milwaukee and Detroit.

Sunday night, if there is any aurora to see, those in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic can rejoice, because Kines said the skies should be clearer.

Where can you see the northern lights tonight?

The Space and Weather Prediction Center  offers an experimental forecast map  that shows the aurora may be visible in a wide swath of the U.S. including Oregon, Nebraska, Indiana and Pennsylvania. Other states like California, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida could also see the sky light up again for an encore performance. But visibility will depend on shifting factors that include weather, pollution and cloud cover.

Below are forecast predictions for seeing the northern lights in New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio and Indiana on Saturday.

Rain and clouds are expected to damper expectations to see the aurora borealis around the Rochester, N.Y. area . Elsewhere in NY, the  Lower Hudson Valley could see the lights again, if weather permits. 

NWS maps predicting the intensity and location of the northern lights Saturday and Sunday show the aurora will be visible in mid to northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.

Saturday and Sunday are predicted to be mostly cloudy with some rain showers and isolated thunderstorms. The NWS predicted 48% to 58% sky cover in metro Detroit from 8 p.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday. The western portion of both peninsulas are expected to have a lower cloud cover.

In the Milwaukee area , the evening is expected to bring mostly clear skies and overnight will have scattered clouds, said Tim Halbach, local meteorologist with the National Weather Service. 

Those living around the Cincinnati region could be treated to the northern lights Saturday night with the NWS' Wilmington, Ohio , office forecasting dry, partly cloudy conditions. Clouds shouldn't be an issue as many Ohioans reported seeing the lights Friday despite some cloud cover.

 In a telephone interview, Mike Bettwy, operations chief of the NOAA's  Space Weather Prediction Center  in Boulder, Co, said Indianapolis and surrounding areas might have a better chance of seeing the aurora today and Sunday.

They can expect clear skies tonight, Bettwy said.

"The aurora itself might be actually a little bit less active than it was last night," he told IndyStar. "I think the ability for you to see it will be better because the skies will be clearing out — at least in the Indianapolis area and that immediate vicinity."

Northern lights forecast path

If you want to get a better idea of if you will be able to see the northern lights from your state, check NOAA's aurora forecast tool , which has a 30-minute forecast window. 

The auroras are a natural light display in Earth's sky that are famously best seen in high-latitude regions.

Scientist left amazed by the aurora

The aurora seen on May 10 amazed Antonella Fruscione, an astrophysicist at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. She sent photos of the lights and the April eclipse to her friends in Italy. The northern lights weren't as prominent in Italy as it was in other places.

"And I sent them the picture that I took at the solar eclipse and I said, 'Can you imagine how fortunate I was this year, one month apart, I see these two incredible spectacles of the universe,'" she recalled telling them.

The phenomena seen Friday and possibly Saturday night isn't usual, she said.

"It's a very rare occurrence, especially because last night it was really visible," Fruscione said.

That's because the Earth's magnetic activity was at a nine, the highest the index goes, coupled with the Sun being at an active peak, causing eruptions. She added the colors cannot be predicted either as it depends on how the solar energetic particles interact with oxygen and nitrogen atoms. Oxygen appears green, while nitrogen appears purple, blue or pink, she said.

"It just depends on which atoms in the atmosphere this particle interact with," Fruscione said.

She declined to predict how strong Saturday's aurora could be as it's not in her expertise, but said people make predictions all the time about space weather not just for the northern lights, but to ensure communications, space stations, astronauts and other matter in space doesn't get majorly disrupted.

Down on Earth, however, the activity is harmless to humans.

"It's completely harmless because the particles do not don't do not reach us," Fruscione said. "The reason why we see the colors is that the particle interacts with the atoms and they make these beautiful colors and that's it."

For Saturday, and any other day where chatter about the aurora borealis is high, Fruscione encouraged people to download an aurora forecasting app to their phones so they can see the colorful skies.

What are the northern lights?

The northern lights materialize when energized particles from the sun reach Earth's upper atmosphere at speeds of up to 45 million mph,  according to Space.com . Earth's magnetic field redirects the particles toward the poles through a process that produces a stunning display of rays, spirals and flickers that has fascinated humans for millennia.

Contributing: Eric Lagatta and Dinah Voyles Pulver , USA TODAY ; Tanya Wildt, Detroit Free Press ; Alex Groth, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ; Contributing: Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer ; Contributing: Steve Howe, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle; Rockland/Westchester Journal News ; Alexandria Burris, Indianapolis Star

Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjané covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy stories. Email her at  [email protected] . Follow her on  Instagram ,  Threads  and  X (Twitter)

Watch CBS News

"Extreme" G5 geomagnetic storm reaches Earth, NOAA says, following "unusual" solar event

By Li Cohen

Updated on: May 11, 2024 / 8:32 PM EDT / CBS News

An "extreme" G5 geomagnetic storm reached Earth on Friday, NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center said , after issuing a watch earlier in the day warning of the potential for a severe impact. 

The watch followed days of solar activity that sent several explosions of plasma and magnetic fields toward Earth. 

G5 is the strongest level of geomagnetic storm , on a scale from G1 to G5. 

"Widespread voltage control problems and protective system problems can occur," NOAA warns. "Some grid systems may experience complete collapse or blackouts. Transformers may experience damage." 

Radio transmissions and satellite navigation may also be disrupted.

The last G5 geomagnetic storm, in October 2003, caused power outages in Sweden and damaged transformers in South Africa.

A geomagnetic storm also means aurora borealis , otherwise known as the northern lights , could be seen as far south as Alabama and in Northern California. 

Earlier, NOAA had issued its first watch for a potential G4-level geomagnetic storm in almost 20 years. "If geomagnetic storms were hurricanes, 'severe' would be category 4," SpaceWeather.com says. 

In a press release on Thursday, NOAA said the most recent series of solar events started on May 8, when a large cluster of sunspots produced "several moderate to strong solar flares." Solar flares are bursts of radiation known to be the solar system's largest explosive events, according to NASA. The area where the flares are occurring is 16 times the diameter of Earth, the NOAA said, and more solar activity is expected. 

That sunspot is so big you may be able to see it with your own eyes  — with your solar eclipse glasses. The spot is known as AR3664 , and it was responsible for most of the geomagnetic activity Friday, the NOAA reported. According to Space.com, it measures about 124,000 miles across and is one of the "largest and most active sunspots seen this solar cycle." 

The NOAA reported that a strong solar flare was observed peaking from AR3664 at 9:23 p.m. Eastern Time Friday. 

"Flares of this magnitude are not frequent," the prediction center said . 

Still have your solar eclipse glasses? There's currently a sunspot so large you will be able to "spot" it while wearing them 15x wider than the earth! pic.twitter.com/XpQJEd4Qk0 — Eric Fisher (@ericfisher) May 9, 2024

There has also been a series of coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which are explosions of plasma  and magnetic fields that come out of the sun's corona, the outermost part of the sun's atmosphere. At least five CMEs appear directed toward Earth and could arrive as early as midday on Friday and persist through Sunday, the agency said. 

"This is an unusual event," NOAA said.

In a call with reporters on Friday, Shawn Dahl, service coordinator at the Space Weather Prediction Center, said that some CMEs "are catching up with other ones." He said officials are expecting a "big shock arrival" when they hit Earth. Dahl said at the time that while officials weren't predicting a G5 storm — the strongest of geomagnetic storms — they couldn't discount a "low-end G5 event."

"We're really buckling down here," Brent Gordon, chief of the space weather services branch, also said on the call.

G4 conditions were detected by Friday afternoon, marking a "major disturbance in Earth's magnetic field," NOAA said, adding that "the public should stay properly informed of storm progression."  

In a forecast discussion at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center said that solar activity is expected to continue at "high to very high levels" through the weekend, with additional solar flares expected, including X-class flares , the most powerful class of solar flares.

As of Friday afternoon, NOAA said it had observed a moderate solar radiation storm that could expose people in high-flying aircraft to "elevated radiation risk" and cause infrequent issues with satellite operations. 

Radio blackouts have also been detected with an R3 designation, meaning that the blackouts were "strong" on a scale from R1 (minor) to R5 (extreme). At this level, wide blackouts of HF radio communication is expected, as well as loss of radio contact, for about an hour on the sunlit side of Earth, as low-frequency navigation signals decline for roughly an hour. 

"Geomagnetic storms can impact infrastructure in near-Earth orbit and on Earth's surface, potentially disrupting communications, the electric power grid, navigation, radio and satellite operations," NOAA said. "[The Space Weather Prediction Center] has notified the operators of these systems so they can take protective action."

Dahl agreed Friday that the event is "pretty extraordinary" and said that it could impact infrastructure, including high-voltage transmission lines of the power grid. Dahl said that infrastructure operators have been notified to adequately prepare. 

This is the first time a storm watch has been issued for a G4 since January 2005. There is an average of 100 severe geomagnetic storms every solar cycle, but so far, there have only been three observed in the most recent cycle that began in December 2019. The most recent occurred on March 23. 

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Li Cohen is a social media producer and trending content writer for CBS News.

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2 dead in Louisiana as tornadoes hit the South, leaving thousands without power

At least two people died as severe weather hit Louisiana overnight, with storms and tornadoes bringing devastation to southern states and leaving tens of thousands with damaged homes or severed power lines.

One person died in unknown circumstances on the outskirts of the town of Henderson, while an unidentified woman was killed when a tree fell onto her trailer in West Baton Rouge, police said. A man and a 5-year-old boy were also in the trailer and were taken to a local hospital to be treated for their injuries, the local sheriff's office said.

Flash flooding and storms hit communities from Texas to Florida, with 186,000 energy customers without power as of 9:30 p.m. Monday.

Still more than 105,000 customers were without power across five states as of Tuesday morning, including 70,000 in Louisiana and 14,000 in Florida.

The National Weather Service warned that the severe weather threat may not be over Tuesday, with a chance of damaging winds and "very large hail" across the Gulf Coast and the Southeast, and possible tornadoes for central and southern Florida and southern Georgia.

Sheriff Becket Breaux of St. Martin Parish, east of Lafayette, confirmed in a video message posted on Facebook on Monday night that one person had died on the outskirts of Henderson and said damage across the county suggested there had been a tornado.

The weather service earlier confirmed one tornado in Calcasieu Parish near Sulphur and one in Lake Charles.

"We already have one confirmed fatality and we don't want no one else getting hurt," he said.

Henderson Mayor Sherbin Collette told the same news conference: "We have a lotta roads damaged, water across the roads, trees across the roads, debris all over the place, we're asking people to stay out" of the affected areas.

Footage from Henderson showed buildings lying in ruin. Pat's Fisherman's Wharf, a popular seafood restaurant founded in 1948, shared footage showing storm damage and piles of rubble. "We got hit real bad by the tornado," the restaurant's Facebook page said.

St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office also urged people in a Facebook message to not go out sightseeing amid the wreckage.

Elsewhere in Louisiana, footage uploaded to social media showed flash flooding making driving hazardous in Denham Springs, east of Baton Rouge, while water was surrounding houses in Zachary , to the northwest. In the city of Sulphur, strong winds had overturned at least one car and badly several damaged buildings, videos showed .

In Alabama there were 14 tornado warnings Monday alone, the weather service said

Texas was hit by hailstorms — featuring hailstones as large as golf balls in the city of Victoria, 30 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico — as well as lightning strikes.

Hobby Airport in Houston was closed after lightning damaged a runway. The airport later reopened but advised passengers to check with their airlines before traveling.

Florida was again hit by storms, while a huge rebuilding operation prompted by previous tornadoes was well underway. The city of Tallahassee said Sunday that almost 400 utility poles had been brought down, which is more than during Hurricanes Hermine, Irma and Michael combined. As many as five times the normal number of maintenance staff were working on getting power restored, City Hall said.

April and May are usually busy months for tornado activity, but this spring has been exceptional, from the Southeast and the Great Plains to the Midwest.

This year, there have been more than 6,000 reports of large hail and damaging winds , including 267 tornadoes across 19 states in just the last two weeks. This year has seen the second most-active April for tornadoes on record, behind only 2011.

Patrick Smith is a London-based editor and reporter for NBC News Digital.

Here’s every electric vehicle that currently qualifies for the US federal tax credit in 2024

As sales of electric vehicles continue to grow in 2024, many new and prospective customers have questions about qualifying for a federal tax credit on electric vehicles. Whether your vehicle qualifies or not is a simple yes or no question, but the amount you may qualify for varies by household due to a number of different factors. Luckily, we have compiled everything you need to know about tax credits for your new or current electric vehicle into one place.

Table of contents

How much is the federal tax credit, federal tax credits under the inflation reduction act, the irs’ latest electric vehicle tax credit guidance (may 2024), battery electric vehicles (bevs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (phevs) that currently qualify, find out where an ev is assembled using its vin, our complete breakdown of state tax incentives, sorted by state, electric vehicle (ev) tax credit faq, how does a federal tax credit work for my ev.

The idea in theory is quite simple, per the IRS – “You may qualify for a credit up to $7,500 under Internal Revenue Code Section 30D if you buy a new, qualified plug-in EV or fuel cell electric vehicle (FCV). The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 changed, but extended the terms for this credit for vehicles purchased between 2023 to 2032.

That said, you cannot simply go out and buy an electric vehicle and expect Uncle Sam to cut $7,500 off your taxes come April. In reality, the amount you qualify for is based on both your income tax as well as several specifications of the electric vehicle you purchase, including where it’s built. More on that below.

First, let’s take a second to truly understand how the Federal EV tax credit currently works.

First and foremost, it’s important to understand three little words the government slips in front of the $7,500 credit – “may” and “up to.” As in, you may qualify for up to $7,500 in federal tax credit for your electric vehicle. At first glance, this credit may sound like a simple flat rate, but that is unfortunately not the case.

For example, if you purchased a Tesla Model 3 and owed say, $3,500 in income tax for the year, then that is the federal tax credit you would receive. If you owed $10,000 in federal income tax, then you would qualify for the full $7,500 credit.

It’s important to note that any unused portion of the $7,500 is not available as a refund nor as a credit for next year’s taxes. Bummer.

The following terms were introduced by the Biden Administration in the summer of 2022 and went into effect on January 1, 2023:

• The timeline to qualify is extended a decade from January 2023 to December 2032
• Tax credit cap for automakers after they hit 200,000 EVs sold is eliminated, making GM, Tesla, and Toyota once again eligible
• That means you can get your credit up front at the dealer, but these terms may not kick in until 2024
• Two binary pieces separate the full $7,500 credit meaning the vehicle either qualifies for each piece of the credit or doesn’t
• $3,750 of the new credit is based upon the vehicle having at least 50% of its battery-critical minerals from North America or countries with a free trade agreement with the United States.  This is a list of countries with free trade agreements with the US .
• The other $3,750 of the new credit is based on at least 50% of the battery components of the vehicle coming from the United States or countries with a free trade agreement with the US
• Note – these battery requirements have been updated as of May, 2024. More below.
• The 50% critical minerals requirement increases to 60% in 2025, 70% in 2026, 80% from 2027 onward.
• The 60% battery components requirement now stays as such through 2025, then increases to 70% in 2026, 80% in 2027, 90% in 2028 and 100% from 2029 onward.
• Beginning in 2025, any vehicle with battery minerals or components from a foreign entity of concern is excluded from the tax credit
• Qualifying EVs must also have a battery size of at least 7 kWh and a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 14,000 pounds
• Subject to other requirements like lower annual income (see below)
• Revised credit applies to battery electric vehicles with an MSRP below $55,000
• Also includes zero-emission vans, SUVs, and trucks with MSRPs up to $80,000
• Includes separate qualifications and limits
• The federal EV tax credit will be available to individuals reporting adjusted gross incomes of $150,000 or less, $225,000 for heads of households, or $300,000 for joint filers
• The new credit will also continue to apply to Plug-in Hybrid EVs (PHEVs) as long as they meet the same requirements outlined above

Revamped used electric vehicle tax credit

Used EVs also got revised terms that now offer a credit equal to 30% percent of the sale price (up to $4,000). That should help consumers like yourselves get some change back in your pocket at the end of the fiscal year. As long as you stick to these terms as outlined by the IRS .

To qualify as a customer, you must:

• Be an individual who bought the vehicle for use and not for resale
• Not be the original owner
• Not be claimed as a dependent on another person’s tax return
• Not have claimed another used clean vehicle credit in the three years before the EV purchase date
• Modified adjusted gross income must not exceed $75k for individuals, $112,500 for heads of households, and $150k for joint returns

For the used EV to qualify for federal tax credits, it must:

• Have a sale price of $25,000 or less
• For example, a vehicle purchased in 2023 would need a model year of 2021 or older
• Not have already been transferred after August 16, 2022, to a qualified buyer
• Have a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 14,000 pounds
• Be an eligible FCV or plug-in EV with a battery capacity of at least 7 kilowatt hours (kWh)
• Be for use primarily in the United States
• For qualified used EVs, the dealer reports the required information to you at the time of sale and to the IRS
• Purchaser must be an individual (no businesses) to qualify for used credit
• A used vehicle qualifies for tax credit only once in its lifetime

In May 2024, the IRS shared its final rules for the federal tax credit program. The original rules required qualifying vehicles to be assembled in North America alongside gradually higher percentages of battery materials and components to be produced on the continent and in countries with free trade agreements with the US.

Following months of difficulties amongst automakers trying to become compliant to qualify, the US Treasury Department and IRS have relaxed some of those parameters, including the sourcing of graphite, electrolyte salts, binders, and additives… at least until 2027.

This latest news follows an October 2023 update that pertained to the transferring of credits. Per the IRS:

The Internal Revenue Service issued  proposed regulations ,  Revenue Procedure 2023-33  (PDF) and  frequently asked questions  today for the transfer of new and previously owned clean vehicle credits from the taxpayer to an eligible entity for vehicles placed in service after Dec. 31, 2023.

This “transfer” is essentially the ability of a new EV buyer to give the tax credit to the dealer selling them their shiny new EV. In exchange, the dealer can give the equivalent “in cash or in the form of a partial payment or down payment.”

However, all the same eligibility criteria still apply even with a transfer, including the buyer having a federal tax burden.

The buyer must give the dealer all their tax information, which will then be submitted to the IRS. The dealer is not required to verify the information, and therefore, the disclosure falls on the buyer. All the other previous vehicle requirements, like MSRP limits, and for the buyers, like income limit requirements, apply here.

The only requirement that this update allows you to avoid is your tax burden. If, for some reason, you can afford to buy a new car and yet you happen to have a tax burden smaller than the full amount of tax credit you are eligible for, the IRS says that it won’t “recapture” the difference.

Vehicles that qualify for federal tax credits (May 2024)

NOTE: Not every version of the models listed below will necessarily qualify. Please check with your local dealer/seller to determine the eligibility of your specific EV.

Top comment by betterbruce

Y'all keep reposting this article trying to keep up with the updates to the tax code and I appreciate the desire to be thorough and update old information but I find this format too cumbersome to be helpful. I think it would make more sense to post new articles each time such as "here are the BEVs that qualify AS OF <>".

1) It removes the need to have a section in current article about the old rules that have expired. People can refer to an old article if needed.

2) Because I know the article has been updated many times, I don't feel like I can trust any use of the word "current" in it. I see sentences that say "current" and I have to wonder if that is truly current or if it's an accidental leftover word from when the article was published months ago.

Even ignoring historical guidance, there's too much here. Fuel cell vehicles? BEVs under 7kWh or over 14k lbs? How many people are looking for those/ how useful is it to include this, particularly all lumped into a single article? Maybe that's useful detail but doesn't seem necessary for most consumers.

While I'm on that topic, you can probably split out BEV/ PHEV as separate articles too, because most people aren't cross-shopping them.

Last thought: if it is possible to make a flowchart or an "internet quiz" on whether a car qualifies, that could be very useful. "is it a BEV, PHEV, or fuel cell vehicle..." > "Does it have more than 7kWh battery?"... etc.

NOTE: Not every version of the models listed below will necessarily qualify. Please check with your local dealer/seller to determine the eligibility of your specific PHEV.

The US Department of Energy offers a VIN decoder tool to confirm where a given EV is assembled. Check it out here .

In addition to any federal credit you may or may not qualify for, there are a number of clean transportation laws, regulations, and funding opportunities available at the state level.

We’ve compiled every state rebate, tax credit, and exemption for you and sorted it by state. Whether it’s a purchase or lease of a new or used EV or the purchase and installation of an EV charger, you could get money back, depending upon where you live. Here are all those tax credits, rebates, and exemptions sorted by state.

At the federal level, the tax credits for EVs (electric cars, vans, trucks, etc) operate as money back at the end of the fiscal year you purchased or leased your vehicles based on a number of factors. The awarded credit is up to $7,500 per vehicle, but how much you may get back will depend on your annual income, whether you are filing with someone else like a spouse, and what electric vehicle you purchased. For example, if you purchased a Ford F-150 Lightning and owed $3,500 in income tax this year, then that is the federal tax credit you would receive. If you owed $10,000 in federal income tax, then you could qualify for the full $7,500 credit. It’s important to note that any unused portion of the $7,500 is not available as a refund nor as a credit for next year’s taxes. You may also be able to receive money back right away as a point-of-sale credit, but those terms probably won’t kick in until 2024 at the earliest.

As things currently stand, there is a lot up in the air right now. The first table above details all of the electric vehicles that qualify under the terms of the Inflation Reduction Act, including battery guidance. Be sure to check the date at the bottom of each table above to see when it was most recently updated.

As previously mentioned, qualifying terms for electric vehicles became more strict at the start of 2023, and EVs and their battery components must be assembled in North America to qualify. As you can see above, significantly fewer electric vehicles qualify under the new terms, but as time goes on, more and more automakers will adapt their production strategies to operate within North America and start selling vehicles that qualify. American companies like Ford , GM, and Tesla already have EVs that qualify to some extent, but others are sure to follow. We will continually update the list above as we learn more.

Excellent question. Since traditional hybrid vehicles rely primarily on combustion and do not use a plug to charge, they do not qualify for tax credits at the federal level. Credits apply to plug-in electric vehicles which include plug-in hybrid EVs and battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

Yes! Under revised terms in the Inflation Reduction Act. Used EVs will now qualify in addition to new vehicles as previously stated. As of January 1, 2023, qualifying used EVs priced below $25,000 can qualify for up to $4,000 in federal tax credits. There are some terms to note, however: – Used vehicle qualifies for tax credit only once in its lifetime. – Purchaser must be an individual (no businesses) to qualify for the used vehicle credit. – Purchaser may only claim one used vehicle credit per three years. – Used vehicle must be at least two model years old at the time of sale. – The original use of the vehicle must have occurred with an individual other than the one claiming the used tax credit. – Used vehicle must be purchased from a dealer. – Gross income cap of $75k for individuals, $112,500 for heads of households, and $150k for joint returns. – Credit may be applied at the time of sale by the dealer

Yes. Under the new terms in the Inflation Reduction Act, the MSRP of electric vehicles must be $80,000 or less for SUVs, vans, and trucks. MSRPs for all other electric vehicles must be $55,000 or less.

Modified adjusted gross income limits are $150,000 for individuals, $225,000 for heads of households, and $300,000 for joint returns. Any reported annual income below these thresholds should qualify you for some level of tax credit, as long as your new purchase is a qualifying electric vehicle.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Scooter Doll is a writer, designer and tech enthusiast born in Chicago and based on the West Coast. When he’s not offering the latest tech how tos or insights, he’s probably watching Chicago sports. Please send any tips or suggestions, or dog photos to him at [email protected]

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Strong geomagnetic storm reaches Earth, continues through weekend

NOAA space weather forecasters have observed at least seven coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the sun, with impacts expected to arrive on Earth as early as midday Friday, May 10, and persist through Sunday, May 12, 2024. 

NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has issued a Geomagnetic Storm Warning for Friday, May 10. Additional solar eruptions could cause geomagnetic storm conditions to persist through the weekend.

• The First of Several CMEs reached Earth on Friday, May 10 at 12:37 pm EDT.  The CME was very strong and SWPC quickly issued a series of geomagnetic storm warnings. SWPC observed G4 conditions at 1:39 pm EDT (G3 at 1:08 pm EDT).
• This storm is ongoing and SWPC will continue to monitor the situation and provide additional warnings as necessary.

This is an unusual and potentially historic event. Clinton Wallace , Director, NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center

CMEs are explosions of plasma and magnetic fields from the sun’s corona. They cause geomagnetic storms when they are directed at Earth. Geomagnetic storms can impact infrastructure in near-Earth orbit and on Earth’s surface , potentially disrupting communications, the electric power grid, navigation, radio and satellite operations. SWPC has notified the operators of these systems so they can take protective action.

Geomagnetic storms can also trigger spectacular displays of aurora on Earth . A severe geomagnetic storm includes the potential for aurora to be seen as far south as Alabama and Northern California.

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