California Summer Road Trip

Summer road trips are very popular, and fun.  The nice sunny weather just entices everyone to go out and make the most of the sunshine the season has to offer.  California is among the best destinations for a road trip during the summer. The state is home to millions of people of different backgrounds, molding California into a truly unique place rich with incredible must-see attractions and interesting activities for those who want to discover the state's cultural diversity.

Kick off your California summer road trip in San Francisco. Drive across town through the Golden Gate National Recreation Area where you can find the Coastal Trail that will lead you to the Land's End and enjoy the breathtaking views.  Following the trail will lead you to the Palace of the Legion of Honor that houses the masterpieces of Rembrandt, El Greco and Rubens. Outside the so-called palace, you will find an interesting landmark of Rodin's The Thinker. Head off the world-famous Fisherman's Wharf to relax and breathe in the San Francisco air. While you are there, you can try out one of the many restaurants for lunch. Alioto's seafoods, Sicilian specialties and homemade pastas are highly recommended. Take a stroll around the Wharf and you will find interesting things to see and do that are worth stopping for such as the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park. Catch the city's eventful sunset before your oysters and Chardonnay dinner at the Hog Island Oyster Company, and tucking yourself in at the Argonaut Hotel.

No road trip through California is ever complete without a stop at the world-famous Napa Valley. Start early to continue your summer vacation and drive approximately forty six miles to the hundreds of wineries within the thirty five-mile range of the valley. Get acquainted with the food and wine culture at the Copia Center which offers wine processing demonstrations and wine tasting. Leave some room to have a taste of the meals served at Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen and Pere Jeanty. As you drive along the Silverado Trail, you will be tempted to stop at the Darioush winery for another round of wine tasting before retiring for the night at Napa Valley's Milliken Creek Inn and Spa.

From the luxurious Napa Valley, continue your summer road trip to the rustic and low-profile Gold Country, right in the foothills of Sierra Nevada, known for its gold mines that attracted the 1849 immigrants known as the 49ers. To explore Gold Country, it is best to follow the hilly State 49 that will link you to different towns like Amador City, Sutter Creek and Placerville, which are places you would want to check out. Take your last stop at Coloma and visit the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park and James Marshall's, the carpenter who first discovered gold in the area, cabin. The Gold Country Inn is a nice comfortable place for lodging surrounded with nature and offers outdoor activities like rafting and hiking.

Make your way to the Sierra Nevada through the US 50. The views of the seemingly endless ranges of mountains at 7,382-foot elevation alone is already a trip. Then, you will spot a jewel dazzling in crystal blue, the Lake Tahoe, boasting its 72-mile shoreline. The Tahoe Basin offers all sorts of activities you would want to do during the summer, such as swimming, fishing, waterskiing, sailing, hiking and more, making Sierra Nevada the perfect last leg for this California summer road trip.