North Coast Road Trip

The North Coast Road Trip is a 676 km journey of beauty and discovery that starts in San Francisco and ends in Crescent City. Along the way, you'll experience some of the best landscapes and beaches in the United States. From Point Reyes to Mendocino, you'll see stunning views of the Pacific Coast, the Redwood Forest, and the rolling hills of wine country. The best time of year to take this road trip is from April to October, when the weather is usually at its best. The road conditions are excellent all year round and there is plenty to do along the way. This road trip is suitable for everyone, from novice drivers to experienced road trippers. It will provide a very high level of experience and memories that will last a lifetime. However, it should be noted that this road trip can be managed with a high budget only. It is recommended to take at least 3 days to complete the journey, allowing plenty of time to explore the sights and attractions along the way.

San Francisco is an iconic city in the United States, a must-see destination for many travelers. Located in the northern part of California, it is the perfect starting point for the North Coast Road Trip. Those visiting the city will find a plethora of attractions, from iconic landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge, the Ferry Building and Alcatraz Island to the vibrant neighborhoods like Chinatown, Little Italy and Haight-Ashbury. Travelers arriving by air will find San Francisco International Airport (IATA: SFO) as the main international airport in the city. There are plenty of car rental companies available at the airport, which is great for those looking to embark on the North Coast Road Trip. Other great sights to explore in the city include the Exploratorium, a science museum and educational center located at Pier 15 on the Embarcadero, the Palace of Fine Arts, the Cable Cars and the Yerba Buena Gardens. San Francisco also has plenty of activities for those who love the outdoors, such as biking or hiking in the Presidio, or visiting the famous Twin Peaks for some of the best views of the city. All in all, San Francisco is a great starting point for the North Coast Road Trip, offering a wide variety of attractions and activities for visitors of all ages.

Embark on an unforgettable road trip from San Francisco to Point Reyes! This 63-mile journey should take you fewer than two hours, and there are plenty of attractions to see along the way. Start off in San Francisco, home to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, and the bustling Chinatown. Take in the sights and sounds of the city before setting off on the open road. As you make your way up Highway 1, you’ll be able to take in the stunning views of the California coast. Keep an eye out for wild deer and other wildlife as you drive through the picturesque hills and valleys of Marin County. Your journey ends at Point Reyes, a historic and beautiful area of California. Here, you can explore the Point Reyes National Seashore, the Point Reyes Shipwreck, and the Point Reyes Lighthouse. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please consult the Itinerary for this stage of the road trip. Enjoy your journey!

Are you ready to embark on an amazing road trip from Point Reyes to Point Arena? This 94 mile, 3-hour drive will take you through some of the most beautiful areas of California's coast. Your first stop should be the Point Reyes National Seashore, with its stunning beaches, dramatic cliffs, and lush forests. Take a hike and explore the many trails, or simply relax and enjoy the incredible views. Next, you'll be heading to the town of Bodega Bay, where you can take a boat tour and spot some wildlife. After that, you can visit the town of Jenner, located at the mouth of the Russian River, which is perfect for fishing and kayaking. Finally, you'll make it to your destination, Point Arena. Here, you can take a stroll along the pier and admire the lighthouse, which is the tallest on the West Coast. This is just one of the many stages of your tour, and more information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route is available in the "Itinerary" of this stage. So, don't wait any longer, and start your road trip adventure!

Welcome to the Point Arena - Mendocino road trip! This beautiful 35mi drive will take you less than an hour to get from Point Arena to Mendocino and you will be able to take in some of the most stunning views the California Coast has to offer. Start your journey in Point Arena, a small coastal town known for its stunning lighthouse and its picturesque pier. Take a stroll and enjoy the views of the ocean and the surrounding hills. As you make your way to Mendocino, be sure to keep an eye out for the historical sites and beautiful landscapes. The small town of Mendocino is known for its stunning architecture, its quaint shops, and its picturesque harbor. Make sure to take a walk around town and enjoy the views of the ocean and the surrounding hills. This is just one of the stops on your road trip, and more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route is available in the Itinerary for this stage. Enjoy your journey!

Welcome to the Mendocino-Eureka road trip stage! This 143mi journey takes no more than 3 hours, so you will have plenty of time to enjoy the sights and sounds of the beautiful Californian coast. Start your trip in Mendocino and visit its stunning coastline, the Point Cabrillo Light Station, and the Mendocino Headlands State Park. Then, make your way to Fort Bragg and explore its Glass Beach, the Skunk Train, and the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Next, head to the city of Eureka and visit its Old Town, the Carson Mansion, the Sequoia Park Zoo, and the Clarke Historical Museum. Don't forget to stop at the Six Rivers National Forest and admire the beauty of its old-growth redwood trees. This is one of the stages of a larger tour. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please check the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your trip!

Welcome to the Eureka-Crescent City road trip stage! This beautiful stretch of road is 85 mi long and takes less than 2 hours to drive, so you can make the most of your time. Start your journey in Eureka, the largest coastal city between San Francisco and Portland. Here you can visit the Carson Mansion, a Victorian-style house that's one of the most photographed buildings in California, and the Morris Graves Museum of Art. Then, take a stroll along the scenic Eureka Boardwalk and enjoy the views of Humboldt Bay. The next stop is Crescent City, a charming coastal town known for its stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and its redwood forests. Enjoy a walk along the Crescent City Harbor, visit the Battery Point Lighthouse and the Ocean World Aquarium, or explore the nearby Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. This is just one of the many stages of a larger tour, and more information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route is available in the "Itinerary" of this stage. So, pack your bags and get ready for a memorable road trip!

Crescent City, the perfect end to the North Coast Road Trip, is a charming coastal town in northern California. Located on the Pacific Coast, Crescent City is the largest city on the coast north of San Francisco. It is close to the border of Oregon, so you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of both states. The town is full of natural wonders, including the Redwood National and State Parks. The parks are known for their majestic old growth redwood trees, as well as their hiking trails and scenic drives. Crescent City is also home to many beautiful beaches, including the Pebble Beach State Park. Crescent City is also known for its many outdoor activities. This includes fishing, kayaking, and whale watching. You can also enjoy bird watching in the many wildlife areas. There is also the opportunity to explore the local culture and history in the museums and galleries. If you're looking for something to do in town, you can explore the Crescent City Harbor. Here, you can find seafood restaurants, a historic lighthouse, and excellent fishing spots. You can also visit the local Farmer's Market for fresh produce and locally made crafts. For those traveling by air, the closest international airport is the San Francisco International Airport (SFO). From there, you can rent a car and take the scenic drive up the coast to Crescent City. No matter how you get here, Crescent City is the perfect destination for a North Coast Road Trip. With its stunning scenery, outdoor activities, and cultural attractions, it's an ideal place to end your journey.

Hopefully, the presented journey idea has become a great inspiration for your future holidays.
The itinerary we’ve suggested can be used as a base that can be recreated in its entirety or only partially and that can be enriched with diverse highlights.
If car travel is a means of travel that you prefer, there are a number of essential road rules to follow and a number of elements to bear in mind to ensure safety. These tips will surely become useful for holidayers who are interested in vehicle rental or camper rental in California.
It is essential to be mindful of the local road rules when on a road trip around California. Alcohol is best to be avoided at any cost if California is your road trip destination. Drivers should remember that the amount of alcohol you can consume is not that high and cannot exceed 0.5‰. In order to avoid a speeding fine, it is best to never exceed 40km/h, which is the maximum speed inside the cities. When it comes to non-build-up areas, you cannot exceed the maximum allowed speed of 72km/h. On motorways, 129km/h is the allowed speed that you should stick to in California. It is best to equip your car with a fire extinguisher and first aid kit and drive with your headlights on at daytime to ensure proper safety.
One of the decisive factors when scheduling an itinerary is costs. Well, depending on the needs of the travellers, the money that you have to pay may vary. Below, you will find the budget possibilities.
We estimate that the budget option when it comes to fuel to cover the planned 676km across California will be roughly 88 EUR. Travel expenses connected with economy accommodation options will cost up to roughly 242 EUR. The travel expenses connected with restaurants and food within this option will cost up to about 216 EUR. Travellers will have to pay approximately 135 EUR if they go for the cheapest car hire offer as well. Thus, going for car rental will increase the costs of the road trip from more or less 546 EUR to more or less 681 EUR.
Tourists who are interested in greater comfort and the standard option will pay roughly 125 EUR for the fuel needed to cover the tour. Standard accommodation options will cost around 352 EUR. On food and restaurants within the standard range of services, you will have to spend approximately 324 EUR. Travellers who want to cover the tour in a standard rental vehicle should expect a cost of about 162 EUR. Drivers who would like to rent a car will pay roughly 963 EUR for the whole road trip, whereas those who are not interested in car hire will spend more or less 801 EUR.
The highest level of comfort of the premium option will come up to the expectations of the most demanding travellers. When it comes to this offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total about 1,459 EUR for drivers who are considering car hire and 801 EUR for those who do not need a hire car. Travellers who want to cover the trip in a premium rental vehicle should expect a cost of roughly 270 EUR. When it comes to the premium version of the tour, you have to spend the maximum of 163 EUR on the gasoline needed to cover the itinerary. Travellers who are considering top services in all aspects of their trip should expect to pay roughly 432 EUR for restaurants and food and approximately 594 EUR for accommodation.
North Coast Road Trip will also come up to the expectations of all camper lovers. If you choose this mode of transport, you will pay up to more or less 675 EUR. If you are wondering about the money that has to be spent on gasoline during the whole trip, it will amount to approximately 188 EUR. Holidayers who opt for camper rental should expect to pay around 165 EUR for accommodation and roughly 216 EUR for expenses connected with food.
All of the details can be easily followed in the Road Trip Costs section.
The mentioned 6 stages stages are perfect for exploration in a car or camper between January and December. There are countless intriguing road adventures that we offer on our website if North Coast Road Trip has inspired you. The great diversity of trips will definitely cater to the needs of the most demanding tourists.