The allure of California’s coastline is undeniable. Winding roads curving into mountainsides blanketed in canary yellow wildflowers, seals lazing about on rugged oceanside cliffs, valleys draped in sloping vineyards, chic lakeside lodges. It’s essentially a sprawling outdoor playground. And Los Angeles is a great starting point for any fabulous California road trip, with a variety of destinations that can be reached via car in just a few hours. The recent reopening of Highway 1 is all the more reason to get out on the road. Here’s where we would go.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
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What’s not to love about this gem, with its misted cypress trees and old storybook cottages turned into boutiques, hotels, and restaurants? A small downtown includes one square mile of galleries that open their doors during Carmel Art Walk every second Saturday, plus more than a dozen intimate wine tasting rooms where oenophiles can get their splashes of pinot noir and chardonnay.
Then there is the iconic stretch through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove called the 17-Mile Drive, a slice of peninsula known for its rocky inlets, forested pathways, and marine sanctuaries—plus all the multi-million dollar estates. It’s also the host of one of the most celebrated culinary weekends on the California coast: The Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival. This year, from April 9-12, the event will celebrate its 15th anniversary at the Inn at Spanish Bay, welcoming more than 125 acclaimed chefs like Shota Nakajima, Antonia Lofaso, Gastón Acurio, and Maneet Chauhan, and 150 wine and spirits producers from around the world. Elsewhere on the dining front: You’ll get all the vibes and flavors of a classic European bistro at La Bicyclette, a downtown Carmel institution that packs a full house nearly every night. For a casual Mediterranean fix, head to Dametra Cafe for kebabs, roasted vegetables, and moussaka in a lively patio setting.
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Bernardus Lodge.
While a number of charming boutique hotels line the streets in downtown Carmel, head for the verdant valleys and stay at Bernardus Lodge. The 28-acre retreat has 73 rooms, more than 8 acres of vineyards, and is one of only 15 properties in the U.S. to have a complimentary Mercedes Benz drive program for thrilling joy rides around the coast. Speaking of, the property recently launched its Pacific Coast Vineway road trip experience, which includes overnight stops in Santa Cruz and Sonoma, plus a cruise along Highway 1 to Big Sur in a Maybach—plenty of photo op sessions included.
How To Get Here: Approximately five hours via car from Los Angeles. Or you can fly into Monterey Regional Airport, located 15 minutes from downtown.
Ojai
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Those famous pink sunsets alone will put you in a meditative mood in what is often rightfully coined the Shangri-la of Southern California. There are many other reasons Ojai deserves this moniker, from the serenity of Meditation Mount (and its views of the Topatopa mountains) to the 264-acre gardens at Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve, home to rare Dr. Seuss-like bulbs, succulents, and shrubs. Ojai is also an artist’s enclave, with its array of galleries and museums, the historic and newly renovated Ojai Playhouse, and the world’s largest bookstore, Bart’s.
While you’re in town, the best (and freshest) seafood is at Rory’s Place, while pours of Burgundy- and Rhone Valley-influenced varietals can be found at Ojai Vineyard’s tasting room. Craving a stiffer drink? Head to Radio Roma, an intimate mezcal bar and listening room, for the best vibes. And save an afternoon to try the smattering of samples at the Ojai Olive Oil Tasting Co.’s bucolic farm, where you can hang out for a while in its 200-year-old heritage olive grove.
Gregory Goode
Hotel El Roblar.
As for where to stay, old California cool meets Mission revival at the Hotel El Roblar, recently opened and already a favorite celeb hangout. Outfitted with 39 guest rooms, 11 bungalows, and other amenities like a pool, gym, and two restaurants, the property exudes SoCal je ne sais quoi with moody lighting, Spanish architecture, and locally sourced artwork.
If you can time it right, try to visit Ojai during the annual Food + Wine Festival, which takes place every March at the sprawling and serene Ojai Valley Inn and brings together more than 100 icons that have helped define Californian cuisine and wine. This year’s roster included two-time James Beard Award winner Nancy Silverton and OG Santa Barbara vintner Greg Brewer, of the acclaimed Brewer-Clifton winery. No festival better showcases just how seriously this community takes their wining and dining.
How to Get Here: Just a 1.5-hour drive from Los Angeles via Highway 101.
Lake Tahoe
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As home to North America’s largest alpine lake and its highest concentration of alpine ski resorts, it’s no wonder Lake Tahoe is one of the country’s most visited outdoor destinations (drawing more than two million visitors annually). The list of al fresco pursuits is long, from kayaking or paddleboarding on the crystalline waters of Emerald Bay, to hiking the Eagle Trail, which is flanked by waterfalls and granite boulders. Squeeze in some culture, too: Learn more about the region’s indigenous Washoe Tribe at the Gatekeepers Museum, which houses one of the largest Native American basket collections in the country.
Where to stay depends on the vibe you want. South Tahoe has all the water activities, casinos, and nightlife, while North Tahoe, especially Truckee, is full of magnetic small town charm. If you’re going for the former, Edgewood Tahoe is a waterfront luxury resort with an 18-hole golf course, three fine dining restaurants, and immersive wellness experiences, like the Taholistic Signature Weekend that takes place in April.
Mikael Lundblad
Guesthouse Lake Tahoe.
Up north, Truckee is a worthy base thanks to a number of exciting openings this year, including the Old Lumberyard, a renovated historic industrial site turned social hub, and the new Guesthouse Lake Tahoe, a fully serviced private villa located just steps away from the historic downtown area. Its dedicated onsite team—which includes a private chef, house captain, and local guide—is available 24/7 to secure reservations, chauffeur rides, and get you those sought-after Gold Passes to ski the surrounding area.
Do venture out for an unforgettable dining experience at Smoke Door Lake Tahoe Sayro, a 10-course, wood-fired Japanese feast that includes seasonal sashimi flown in from Tokyo’s legendary Toyosu Market. And for a lively après scene, head to Alibi Ale Works, where locals and visitors alike nuzzle up to a bevy of beers, wines, and hearty dishes.
How To Get Here: You can take a 1.5-hour flight from L.A. into Reno-Tahoe International Airport, or consider a road trip along scenic Highway 395 that takes about seven hours.
Palm Springs
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Yes, there is its proximity to Coachella, but Palm Springs is a city that is constantly evolving. But first get lost in the history, namely the midcentury modern homes that sit on palm-lined streets: take a self-guided tour or, better yet, visit during Modernism Week (coming up in October 2026 and February 2027), so you can enjoy architecture tours, art shows, film premieres, and more. For a deeper dive into the art of the American West, visit the Palm Springs Art Museum, then head to Tahquitz Canyon and Indian Canyons, which are known for indigenous rock art, ancient irrigation systems, and hiking trails. The glass tram car along the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will take you up 8,516 feet with rewarding views of the arid valley below, plus two restaurants and more than 50 miles of hiking trails to explore.
Bravo Luxury Retreats
Bravo Luxury Retreats’ Villa 12.
There’s no shortage of nightlife downtown, from lively drag shows at Reforma or Oscar’s, to cocktail bars, like Bootlegger Tiki and the new After Hours, which are ideal for drinks after a show at the newly renovated Plaza Theatre or Dezart Playhouse. Enjoy Californian cuisine through a Mediterranean lens at Alice B., which also has an art gallery showcasing local female and LGBTQ+ artists, and hosts live entertainment. And try as you might, it’ll be hard to say no to a dirty martini and ribeye from the very sexy and very retro Mr. Lyons.
On the hotel front, the 31-room Casa Cody, splashed in a white stucco exterior set against the San Jacinto Mountains, is a favorite with its outdoor soaking tubs, sprawling casitas, and two pools. For larger groups headed to the valley in search of desert luxe, Bravo Luxury Retreats has a collection of 16 multimillion-dollar rental options (Paris Hilton recently called one home).
How to Get Here: Palm Springs can be reached in about 2.5 hours on the I-10 East.
San Diego County
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There are a number of worthy stops in the county—so why not turn it into a true road trip? From L.A., head first to Del Mar, a beach enclave known for its pristine shoreline and popular horse racing events. You can check into the nearby Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, a hilltop oasis dotted with olive and citrus trees—and easily one of the most beautiful resorts in southern California. Huge marbled walk-in showers are de rigueur in all the rooms, and most come with a private outdoor terrace. You will want to make full use of the property’s expansive spa and wellness program, and get your fill of the farm-to-table cuisine at the Pony Room, the hotel’s signature restaurant.
Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa
Rancho Valencia.
Next up, head about 25 minutes south to La Jolla, crown jewel of San Diego. Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean on three sides, it doesn’t get more picturesque than this. Hike the cliffside trails at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, visit an interactive oceanic museum at Birch Aquarium at Scripps, and get your blue chip fix at the Annabelle Selldorf-designed Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, which practically spills into the Pacific. There is, unsurprisingly, no shortage of incredible dining experiences in this tony town but we’re partial to Lucien, where chef Elijah Arizmendi keeps it interesting with dishes that change with the season.
Then there is Coronado Island, just 13 minutes from downtown San Diego and a great place to rent a sailboat or bike along the more than 15 miles of dedicated paths. The island will soon welcome the much-anticipated Baby Grand, an eclectic, 31-room hotel from CH Projects and award-winning Brooklyn design firm Post Company, that will be the first indie design hotel to open in Coronado in more than two decades. If it’s anything like its wildly popular sister property, LaFayette Hotel and Club, in San Diego proper, you can expect unabashed maximalism and out-of-the-ordinary decor. In the meantime, don’t count out the Del, the island’s resident 138-year-old grande dame, which unveiled a seven-year, $550 million facelift last year.
How to Get Here: About two hours from L.A. via I-45.
Montecito
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The Sussexes may have raised its profile a bit, but Montecito was never exactly demure. Still, to be fair, there is a quiet, laidback allure to this enclave, which explains why it has long attracted A-listers like Oprah and Gwyneth Paltrow (the multimillion-dollar real estate has helped too, of course).
Start your morning at Jeannine’s, a brunch institution worth waiting in line for just to get a taste of that decadent lobster benedict or coconut pineapple scone (ideally both). Walk it off with a post-prandial down Coast Village Road to Mad Dogs & Englishmen, where you can rent a bicycle and cruise along Cabrillo Bike Path or Butterfly Beach. Or burn off brunch with some retail therapy—Upper Village and Lower Village are sprinkled with plenty of antique shops, furniture studios, and designer boutiques to peruse. You can also get your steps in while appreciating the magic of Lotusland, the 37-acre Eden-esque retreat brimming with flourishing gardens and more than 3,000 plants—all the singular vision of Polish opera singer Madame Ganna Walska, who purchased the property in the ’40s and spent decades perfecting her botanical Xanadu.
The hottest reservation in town right now is Little Mountain, a restaurant inspired by chef Diego Moya’s time in kitchens at Astrid y Gastón (Lima), Nahm (Bangkok), and Le Comptoir (Paris), to name a few. Expect interesting takes on seasonal local produce, like pineapple guava aguachile, embered greens, and ceviche with kiwi and sweet peppers. For excellent sushi, AMA at the Rosewood Miramar Beach is worth it. For a nightcap, head to the Lion’s Tale, a dimly lit French-inspired bar with small bites.
Blake Bronstad
One of the homes in the new Paraiso Collection.
As for where to stay, San Ysidro Ranch, an exquisitely landscaped jewel of a property nestled in the hills among all the mega-manses, is hard to beat. But if you don’t mind the short drive to Santa Barbara, the Ritz-Carlton Bacara has recently unveiled a big renovation that is worth checking out. And rumor has it the Four Seasons is finally reopening this year after shuttering in 2020.
For something more residential, the new Paraiso Collection is a network of six intricately designed homes that emanate Mediterranean vibes with gurgling waterfalls, lemon trees, manicured vines, and expansive outdoor areas. Keys grant exclusive access to private tastings at the nearby Villa Sur Mare vineyard. Blink twice, and you’d swear you were in Tuscany,
How To Get Here: Can be reached from L.A. in under two hours via Highway 101.