One of the most popular journeys I design within the United States is the classic California road trip—reimagined with comfort, intention, and exceptional detail.

In this guide, I share my insider perspective on crafting a seamless and elevated California escape—drawn from years of personal exploration and extensive experience designing bespoke journeys in the Bay Area and beyond.

SAN FRANCISCO

San Francisco is often described as one of the most expensive cities in the United States—and for good reason. Its proximity to Silicon Valley has fueled remarkable growth, attracting world-class chefs, visionary hoteliers, and cultural innovators.

For luxury travelers, this translates into extraordinary opportunity: Michelin-starred dining, exclusive experiences, and intimate boutique hotels that capture the city’s character. San Francisco is not a city to “tick off” in a day—it’s a destination to savor.

How to get there

You can fly directly to SFO airport (most likely if you’re flying overseas) or check out flights to Oakland International Airport. Chances are that flights are cheaper to Oakland and this airport is well connected to San Francisco by BART (train).

Where to stay in San Francisco/Oakland?

Stay at Cavallo Point, a lovely and luxurious resort hotel offering stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco Bay. At Inn at the Presidio, located inside the Presidio, you enjoy direct access to scenic trails, waterfront vistas, and one of San Francisco’s most exclusive residential enclaves. Hotel VIA is a modern boutique hotel in SoMa with a fun rooftop terrace and an easy, walkable location near the Embarcadero.

What else?

If you have enough time, make sure to schedule a day trip to Napa which offers a beautiful contrast to the energy of San Francisco. A little over an hour’s drive, Napa is all about great wine, pretty countryside, and a slower pace.
I typically recommend arranging a private driver for the day, allowing you to enjoy curated tastings, vineyard lunches, and behind-the-scenes experiences at some of the valley’s most sought-after estates without having to watch the clock. It’s an effortless way to add a refined wine country interlude to your California road trip.

MORE THAN JUST THE CITY

California is much more than San Francisco! It has amazing national parks making it perfect for a short road trip – even with kids. Rent a car and discover California’s breathtaking nature!

Yosemite National Park is located at 3 hours by car from San Francisco and offers hikes for all fitness levels. Big Sur is a 2 hours and a half drive from the Bay Area and will blow you away with its seaside cliffs and views of the rocky coastline. Both Yosemite and Big Sur offer many luxury accommodation options (we absolutely love Bernardus Lodge) but also lots of inexpensive campgrounds for backpackers. It’s a must for nature and sport lovers!

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK:

A few days of camping in Yosemite? If you’re traveling by plane, it might be a bit more complicated to carry all necessary camping materials. No worries, LowerGear has everything you need and they can drop it off at any US postal office.

Note: 2026 Reservation Requirement: 

A reservation was required to drive into or through Yosemite National Park during peak travel times in 2025; on Memorial Day weekend, any day between June 15 and August 15, or Labor Day weekend (for those driving into the park between 6 am and 2 pm). We’re still waiting on updates for 2026, but please check the official website for any entrance requirements.

Where to stay in Yosemite?

Below you will find a mix of budget-friendly as well as more upscale accommodation options for you to enjoy the best of California’s nature:

Many campgrounds used to operate on a first-come, first-served basis but recently a reservation system has been set up which helps manage congestion and ultimately provides a quality visitor experience. 

Tamarack Flat Campground is located off the Tioga Road just east of Crane Flat and is open from mid-June until mid-October (dates vary depending on the opening of the Tioga Road). Reservation for the campsite is available on a two-week rolling window on recreation.gov. You pay $24/night (no showers or water, only basic toilets).

PS: It can be very cold in the early morning (even in high summer) so pack something warm! I absolutely love my warm and super cozy hoody from Kühl. It’s great for outdoor trips like this one! 

Near the Hetch Hetchy entrance, in the northwestern part of Yosemite National Park, you find Evergreen Lodge, a rustic mountain resort that welcomes families and couples in its charming cabins. Another great and comfortable accommodation option is Rusk Creek Lodge, very close to the west entrance. Families will love the resort facilities and tours. If you want to pamper yourself without sacrificing the ambiance of a rustic mountain getaway, then I warmly recommend Firefall Ranch (newly opened in 2024).

Remember to contact me well in advance to book your accommodation for one of the above mentioned lodging options as rooms get sold out months before the start of the peak season!

What are the best hikes?

Difficult to say but we definitely loved these:

• Mirror Lake, Lower Yosemite Fall, Bridalveil Fall and Cook’s Meadow are easy family hikes, even stroller friendly.
• Toulumne Grove Trail is a short and steadily downhill hike through thick woods all the way to the grove where you can discover the giant sequoias.
• A challenging day hike is the Clouds Rest Trail, where you can take in one of Yosemite’s most stunning and wide-ranging 360-degree panoramic views.

• Another recommended day hike is the John Muir Trail to the top of the Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall.

• The most wanted hike is definitely the Half Dome. Make sure to get an advance permit for this one.

What else?

Since we left San Francisco early we didn’t get to a supermarket to buy all food and drinks for our Yosemite stay. So we ended up visiting the supermarket located in Yosemite Village and as you can imagine, prices were twice as expensive (same for gasoline). So try to stop by a mall to make all necessary purchases before entering the park.

BIG SUR

Big Sur is certainly a national treasure and a must for a California vacation! Highway 1 offers stunning coastal views and is the perfect way to explore California’s coast from Carmel to San Simeon. A gentle uphill drive will take you to the first viewpoint of Big Sur – don’t forget to take a picture of the world famous Bixby Bridge.

UPDATE Feb 2026: Highway 1 has finally reopened after it had partially been closed due to a landslide affecting a stretch of Highway 1 through Big Sur.

Where to stay in Big Sur?

Kirk Creek Campground is a wonderful campground and is conveniently located next to Highway 1 with amazing views. This is also a very popular campground and making a reservation well in advance is recommended. The host, Daniel, will be happy to help you and show you around. You pay $45/night (no showers or water, just a basic toilet).

Along the coast you will also find many boutique lodges and luxury properties like Ventana Big Sur, an adult-only luxury resort situated on a hillside overlooking Big Sur’s beautiful Pacific coastline. A great couples getaway! More up north, Hyatt Carmel Highlands Resort offers charming accommodation among pine groves on a cliff facing the ocean. For excellent views of Monterey Bay you need to stay at the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa.

What are the must-see beaches?

First of all, at the end of the Kirk Creek Campground there’s a small downhill path that brings you to an exclusive breathtaking beach. Only the camping visitors have access to this beach!

Pfeiffer Beach is a spectacular beach that stretches out far and is a great spot to watch sunset.

Sand Dollar Beach is another relaxing beach and if you’re lucky, you might be the only one wandering around.

What are the best hikes?

We got there in summer and due to fires, many hikes were closed to public but we recommend you the following ones:

• The East Molera Trail in Andrew Molera Park
• Tan Bark Trail in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
• Rocky Ridge Trail in Garrapata State Park

What else?

Drive along Highway 1 and when you hit San Simeon, check out on the elephant seals. Especially if you’re traveling with kids, they will love it!

PS: Instead of traveling with a carry-on suitcase, take this Kühl backpack with you. There are many compartments that make it very functional for a short road trip! 

About me

Hey! My name is Sofie and I’m founder and travel planner at Sofie Travel. I create tailor-made travel itineraries, based on your needs and preferences. I’ve been planning trips for more than 9 years now and would love to help you as well! 🙂 You can contact me at sofie@sofietravel.com.