The ultimate California road trip: where to head from San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego (2024)

Sun-drenched beaches. Dramatic coastal drives. Ruggedmountain ranges. Breathtaking National Parks. A feast of shopping, food anddrink. Diverse culture to savour. Iconic cities such as Los Angeles, SanFrancisco and San Diego. Legendary landmarks that are etched in our memoriesfrom classic movies, favourite TV shows, pop songs and much-loved novels.California is a huge state that offers so much to explore – and an epicroad trip is the perfect way to do it.

Getting to the west coast has never been easier, you'll bepleased to hear. With daily direct flights on British Airways from Heathrow youcould be in Los Angeles, San Francisco, or San Diego before you know it.Hit the road south from the Golden City. Get your motor running and head out onthe highway north from America’s Finest City. Go west, my friend, from the Cityof Angels. The choice is yours.

What's more, hiring a car allows you to enjoy the luxury ofdriving some of the most beautiful coastal routes, cover huge swathes of thismammoth state, and enjoy the glorious scale of California, all at yourown pace.

It’s important to remember the sheer size of California. Getyour head around this: the Golden State is even bigger than the UK, so you’llwant to plan your trip in advance to ensure you experience all your must-seeswhile still having time to chill and get into the carefree Californialifestyle.

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Darya Shnykina

Your reward will be incredible variety. One morning youcould be in a laid-back beach town where surfing is a way of life, and in theevening enjoying sundowners on a rooftop terrace overlooking the HollywoodHills.

You don't have to stick to the coast, either. From the winecountry of Napa and mountains of Yosemite, to the desert landscapes of theMojave and tranquillity of Lake Tahoe, there are so many diverse regions andbreathtaking scenes to explore all in one state.

Your holiday could tick off surfing, wine-tasting, whale-watching, hiking,Michelin-starred meals or street food tacos and amazing museums from your bucket list. TheAmerican Dream is out there – so what are you waiting for?

Read on for ideas of where your road trip could take you

When you fly into San Francisco, your priority will be tosee all the famous sites – such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Painted Ladies,cable cars and more – while getting to know the plethora of excitingneighbourhoods. The city is easy to get around, and day trips to Oakland and Berkeley are worthwhile too.

Ready to hit the open road? You're absolutely spoiled forchoice. Head out to Napa, heart of the California wine country, where you’llfind tasting tours and a thriving food scene, or on to nearby Sonoma for boutique wineries.

While you’re in Northern California, it would be remiss notto experience a National Park or two. Redwood is the eponymous home to some ofthe oldest and largest trees, while Yosemite boasts waterfalls, canyons, and ElCapitan. Whether you're camping onsite or staying in a nearby hotel, you’llexperience the Golden State's wonderfully varied landscape up-close.

With two direct British Airways flights a day from Heathrowto San Francisco International Airport, what are you waiting for?

Start planning your ultimate trip to San Francisco now at ba.com/sanfrancisco

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From Beverly Hills and Melrose Avenue to Santa Monica and Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles isabsolutely crammed with legendary places to visit – and then there are museums,art galleries and the theme parks to experience too. A week is a decent amountof time to see the city while allowing you time to adapt to the more relaxedpace of Angelinos.

When you’re ready to move on, you could head north along thecoast to Santa Barbara and then on to Monterey County. Famed for its whale-watching and the jagged cliffs ofBig Sur, this part of California starts to look and feel very different.

If old-school glamour is more your thing, follow the RatPack and head east to Palm Springs for a desert getaway that blends amid-century vibe with chic day-spas, world-class golfing, and fine dining. It'sthe perfect way to relax, California style.

With multiple direct British Airways flights a day fromHeathrow to Los Angeles International Airport, you could be landing in the Cityof Angels sooner than you think. It’s time to start planning.

Start your holiday of a lifetime with San Diego's own59-mile scenic drive. This signposted trip takes in panoramic views of thecoast, directs you through all the city’s must-sees, including the historic OldTown, and provides plenty of photo-ops along the way.

Then, keep hold of the beach-loving SoCal vibe and take USRoute 101, the Pacific Coast Highway, for a jaw-dropping drive along thewinding coastline up to Orange County's Huntington Beach – also known as SurfCity, and home to a range of pro-events.

When you’re this close, it makes sense to keep driving north to Los Angeles tosoak up the city’s intoxicating blend of Hollywood landmarks, theme parks andluxe shopping, cuisine and nightlife.

Ready to change gears? Head inland: the National Parks ofDeath Valley and Joshua Tree are both a few hours away and show you very differentsides to this majestic state.

With twice daily British Airways flights from Heathrow to SanDiego International Airport, it’s time you discovered the birthplace ofCalifornia.

Begin planning your ultimate trip to San Diego at ba.com/sandiego