California Roadtripping

Day 1: ORLY/LA

• Departure From Orly with FrenchBee
• Arrival at LAX and pick up car rental at THRIFTY

Tip: The line at the car rental can be long so get the preferred status from the rental provider if available. It is usually free to become a “member”.

Day 2: LA Westside

• Tour the Venice Canals
• Enjoy Venice beach

Day 3: LA 

• Hollywood sign at the observatory + Hollywood Boulevard
• Celebrity hands and footprints at the Chinese theater
• Rodeo Drive and  Bel Air/ Beverly Hills neighborhood to check on the crazy mansions

Day 4: Universal Studio LA

• Full day at Universal Studio

Tips: Bring passports and download the app. Arrive at the opening and start with the most popular attractions of the moment. Avoid weekends.

Day 5: LA

• 2-hour whale and dolphin-watching cruise 
• Dine In cinema to enjoy the Barbie movie with the English speakers
• Enjoy Venice beach

Day 6: LA

• Santa Monica Pier and Route 66
• Enjoy Venice beach
• Pick up the road trip van for 8 people at Alamo in Burbank
• Return the rental car at LAX

Tip: booking the van at Burbank Airport from France was the cheapest option. Don’t forget your passports.

Day 7: LA/Las Vegas

• 5 hours drive to Las Vegas
• Checkin the Luxor Hotel
• Walk through the strip and hotels
• Night city tour of Las Vegas Strip (Stratosphere Tower, Caesars Palace, New York, Excalibur) 
• M&Ms store
• Outdoor shows: Bellagio Fountain

Tip: Luxor is the cheapest hotel on the strip and a fabulous option for first-timers in Vegas

Day 8: Las Vegas/Grand Canyon/Las Vegas

• 4 hours drive to Grand Canyon
• Explore Desert View to Grand Canyon Village on Route 64 (numerous viewpoints)
• Sunset at the Grand Canyon
• Return to the Luxor Hotel

Tip: It is a long day of driving so if you have the time I would recommend booking a hotel close to the Grand Canyon to have a full day there

Day 9: Las Vegas/Death Valley

• 2.5 hours drive to Death Valley
• Zabriskie Point
• Badwater – a very short walk onto the “salt lake” as it is mega hot in the middle of the summer
• Artist Drive with crazy hot temperature
• Stop at the visitor center to get the picture with the thermometer!
• Drive by the Sand Dunes on the way out of the park
• Drive 1.5 hours to the hotel in Ridgecrest
• Stay at Best Western China Lake Inn in Ridgecrest and enjoy the pool
• Dinner at a Mexican place down the road

Tip: If you want to spend more time in Death Valley avoid the summer months. 

Day 10: Death Valley/Sequoia

• Breakfast at the hotel
• 3.5 hours drive to next location
• Food shopping for dinners, breakfasts, and sandwiches
• Arrive AirBnB at Three Rivers

Day 11: Sequoia National Park

• Breakfast at the house
• Explore the park: Sherman Tree Trail, Moro Rock, Tunnel Log, Crescent Meadow Loop trail
• Drive back to Vacation Home Rental 

Tip: Leave as early as possible in the morning to avoid the crowds. It is well worth getting up for!

Day 12: Sequoia/Yosemite

• 2 hours drive to the next Airbnb
• Rental at Airbnb in Ahwahnee

Day 13: Yosemite National Park

• Explore the park- It was way too busy in the middle of summer with limited free buses running into the park. It made it hard to see a lot in a day. Mirror Lake trail, Yosemite fall, explored the valley, tunnel viewpoint
• Drive back to the Airbnb in Ahwahnee

Tip: Avoid the summer at all costs!

Day 14: Yosemite/San Francisco

• 4 hours drive to hotel in San Francisco
• Arrive at The Donatello Hotel 
• Explore the neighborhood streets
• Enjoy the Spa
• Pre-made Dinner from Target

Tip: Make sure the hotel has parking to leave your van and only take public transportation while in San Francisco

Day 15: San Francisco

• Breakfast in the room
• Explore the city: Chinatown
• Explore Filbert Street, Pier 39, Lombard Street, Ghirardelli Square, Fisherman’s Wharf
• Alcatraz boat tour (2H30)
• Walked back to The Donatello Hotel
• Enjoy the Spa at the hotel

Tip: Book your Alcatraz tour as early as possible as it fills up early.

Day 16: San Francisco

• Explore: Cable car, Golden Gate Bridge, Painted Ladies in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, Alamo Square, Castro, Clarion Alley
• Pizza slices from a small pizza place close to the hotel
• Head back to The Donatello Hotel
• Enjoy the Spa

Tip: buy a 24-hour transport card (or for the duration of your stay) and only take public transport

Day 17: San Francisco/Monterey

• 3 hours drive to Monterey
• Explore the coast with Bixby Creek Bridge and Big Sur
• Stay at Best Western De Anza Inn in Monterey, California
• Enjoy the pool
• Dinner next door for pastas and pizzas

Day 18: Monterey / San Simeon

• As HW1 was closed we took Highway 101 to San Simeon
• Picnic lunch in a park on the coast
• Sea lions in San Simeon
• Stay at Quality Inn Near Hearst Castle
• Enjoyed the pool and a few happy hour cocktails next door
• Ramen from the small shop next to the hotel

Day 19: San Simeon/Santa Barbara

• Visit Solvang- a Danish town
• Visit Santa Barbara shopping street all the way to the pier
• Enjoyed some Ramen/ sushi from the main street
• Stay at Hotel Lemon Tree Inn
• Enjoyed a cocktail (too late for the pool :))

Day 20: Santa Barbara/LA

• 4 hours drive
• Pass through and stop at Malibu
• Drive home in the Venice area
• Return the Van to Burbank

Day 21: LA

• Relax day at Venice Beach

Day 22/23: LA/Orly

• Departure for  LAX with FlyingBee
• Arrival Orly

The circuit we did is perfect for all California first-timers. During the road trip, more time to explore each location may be preferred for some. The trip was quite intense to plan for 8 people on a budget but was really enjoyable. 

Other tips to road-trip on a budget:

• Get a Costco card ($60) for cheaper gas at Costco and find cheap and tasty lunch options.
• Always prepare a packed lunch and when hotels provide free breakfast take an extra fruit or prepare a sandwich with what the breakfast buffet has to offer.
• We had 2 drivers an additional one would have been great.
• Buy America the Beautiful National Park annual pass if you visit more than one park
• Bring a cooler with ice packs to keep your water, drinks, and foods fresh

Enjoy your trip!