California Road Trip Itinerary: 10 Days of Sun, Soul, and Coastal Magic

There’s something about California roads that makes time feel different. The light hits warmer, music sounds better, and suddenly you’re not rushing anywhere you’re moving through moments.

The Pacific glimmers on your left, the desert hums on your right, and your SIPLUSH bottle rests in the cup holder still cold, still ready. This trip isn’t just about seeing the state; it’s about feeling it. Every stop, a reminder to slow down, explore, and hydrate your soul as much as your body.

So, we mapped it all out 10 days, 7 unforgettable stops, endless moments. Let’s drive.

Day 1–2: San Diego — The Soft Start of Sunshine

Your trip begins with ocean air and city rhythm in San Diego, where the vibe is always “no worries, only waves.”

Wake up early for a walk on La Jolla Shores, where seals nap on the rocks and surfers chase perfect breaks. Wander through Balboa Park, a green maze of Spanish-style architecture and hidden gardens. End your day at Sunset Cliffs, watching the sky melt into gold as your SIPLUSH bottle beads with condensation beside you.

Don’t miss:

• Coronado Island — rent a beach cruiser, feel like you’re in a postcard.
• Gaslamp Quarter — palm-lit evenings, rooftop dinners, and live music.
• Ocean Beach Farmers Market — local eats, handmade art, and sea-salted air.

 Fill your SIPLUSH with coconut water + mint it matches the mood perfectly.

Day 3–4: Los Angeles — Creativity in Motion

LA isn’t a city, it’s a collage sun flares on concrete, rooftop sunsets, vintage shops that smell like stories.

Start your morning with a hike at Runyon Canyon or Griffith Park, where the city skyline shimmers under the haze. Grab a smoothie from Erewhon (because, of course) and people-watch on Melrose Avenue.

Afternoons belong to the ocean  Venice Beach is chaotic magic, full of skaters, drummers, and that raw “you only live once” energy. If you want calm, drive to Malibu and sip something cold while watching the surfers.

Don’t miss:

• Santa Monica Pier — cliché? Maybe. Worth it? Absolutely.
• LACMA’s Urban Light installation — yes, it’s worth the photo.
• Silver Lake — coffee, thrift, and indie bookstore heaven.

Check this refreshing  SIPLUSH recipe made for your California road trip.

Day 5: Santa Barbara — The California Exhale

Halfway through the trip, Santa Barbara feels like a breath out. The city is framed by mountains and sea  soft light, Spanish tiles, and gentle living.

Start at State Street with an oat latte and wander to Stearns Wharf. Later, explore Butterfly Beach, where locals read on blankets while the tide hums quietly. For lunch, check out The Funk Zone  an artsy stretch filled with tasting rooms, murals, and good vibes.

Don’t miss:

• Lotusland (if you can get tickets — surreal botanical garden magic)
• Mission Santa Barbara — pastel pink history meets peace.
• Wine tasting in the Santa Ynez Valley (short drive inland).

 Sunset here is soft and golden. Perfect moment for your SIPLUSH and a little journaling break.

Day 6: Big Sur — The Wild Heartbeat of the Coast

This is the stretch that makes you believe in poetry again.
The road hugs cliffs that drop straight into turquoise waves. Mist rolls in. The soundtrack? Just your breath and the ocean.

Drive slowly along Highway 1, stopping whenever your heart tells you to  especially at Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls, and Pfeiffer Beach (yes, the sand is purple).

For lunch, stop at Nepenthe a restaurant perched above the world, serving views with a side of fries.

Don’t miss:

• Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park — waterfalls + forest.
• Garrapata State Park — underrated, wild beauty.

 No signal, no stress. Offline maps + offline mindset. Fill your SIPLUSH before this leg  this part of the world deserves your full attention.

Day 7: Carmel-by-the-Sea & Monterey  Fairy Tales and Sea Foam

Carmel feels unreal  white cottages wrapped in flowers, streets named after dreams. Stroll through its tiny shops, then walk barefoot on Carmel Beach.

Drive north to Monterey, where Cannery Row offers oceanfront dining, and Monterey Bay Aquarium gives you a peek into the Pacific’s soul.

Don’t miss:

• 17-Mile Drive — scenic perfection between Carmel and Pebble Beach.
• Point Lobos State Reserve — seals, cypress trees, and golden light.

 Bring snacks, a playlist, and your SIPLUSH with something citrusy  this is your “main character drive.”

Day 8–9: Yosemite National Park — Mountains, Magic & Mindfulness

You’ll trade ocean breeze for pine-scented air as you head inland to Yosemite, California’s sacred heart.

From Tunnel View, the valley unfolds — granite cliffs, waterfalls, and sunlight spilling like liquid gold. Hike to Vernal Falls, or take it slow at Mirror Lake. If you’re feeling bold, catch sunrise at Glacier Point — the kind of view that rearranges your thoughts.

Don’t miss:

• El Capitan — it’s bigger than your imagination.
• Yosemite Falls — loud, misty, perfect.

Bring layers and your SIPLUSH with an electrolyte mix  hydration is the key to every adventure (and great photos).

Day 10: San Francisco — Where Stories End and Begin Again

Golden Gate fog. Cable cars clattering uphill. Street art, sea lions, and that feeling that anything’s possible.

Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, breathe in the bay air, and spend your last afternoon at Alamo Square watching the Painted Ladies glow under the sunset.

Don’t miss:

• Fisherman’s Wharf — yes, it’s touristy, but grab chowder anyway.
• Mission District murals — creativity lives on every wall.
• Chinatown — for color, history, and the best dumplings.

Pack a jacket (Karl the Fog is real). End your trip at Twin Peaks  one last panoramic memory.

10 days. 7 iconic stops. From San Diego’s surf to Yosemite’s stillness, this road trip is pure California  alive, soulful, sun-warmed.

And through it all, your SIPLUSH rides shotgun  keeping your drinks cold, your energy steady, and your vibe centered.