As we begin to look into traveling post-coronavirus quarantine, road trips are going to be where it’s at. Every travel expert and trend shows that traveling will begin locally and then move into state-wide and eventually country-wide travel. Road trips are the best way to maintain social distancing while getting some much needed post-quarantine exploring in! Here are 10 great road trip destinations in California!

1.BIG SUR/MONTEREY (320 MILES FROM LOS ANGELES)

Big Sur and Monterey are amazing weekend destinations for a road trip! Between McWay Falls cascading into the Pacific Ocean, to the dog friendly beaches of Monterey and neighboring Carmel, you’ll feel like you’ve left the country! Taking a bike (or e-bike) ride along the scenic 17-mile drive route is a great way to add some social distancing adventure to your vacation.

2. YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK (280 MILES FROM LOS ANGELES)

We’re all craving some nature and epic scenery after months of quarantine. What better place to take in the views than the iconic Yosemite National Park. Whether it’s the jaw-dropping tunnel view and driving around the valley, or getting onto the trail, this park offers endless vistas! Please note that this park gets EXTREMELY busy year-round so be sure to practice social distancing and/or remain inside of your vehicle for your safety. Another great option is choosing less busy trails or getting a backcountry permit to find quieter destinations within the park.

3. LANCASTER (70 MILES FROM LOS ANGELES)

Lancaster is an often overlooked destination and it’s so close to L.A.! Located in the Antelope Valley, it’s known for it’s Poppy fields, but is a great place to visit year-round. The Poppy Reserve offers some beautiful hiking trails (flowers or no flowers) and plenty of wide open space. An area also known for it’s aerospace accomplishments, you can walk around the Joe Davies Heritage Airpark to see some incredible airplanes. And don’t forget to take a drive down the Musical Road and hear the William Tell Overture from the comfort of your car!

4. BIG BEAR (100 MILES FROM LOS ANGELES)

While lots of Angelenos know Big Bear as the place to go for skiing and snowboarding in the winter months, Big Bear Lake can provide the perfect weekend getaway any time of year. The lake provides endless opportunities for adventure, the region is covered in gorgeous hiking trails, and the village is the perfect place for a stroll and some window shopping.

5. CARLSBAD (90 MILES FROM LOS ANGELES)

On the way from Los Angeles to San Diego is the city of Carlsbad. This surfing town is the ultimate ocean adventure getaway. If surfing isn’t your thing, head to the Aqua Hedionda Lagoon and try out stand-up paddle boarding or giant water bikes. The area is filled with hiking trails around lagoons and surrounded by wildflowers. I can’t recommend this place enough!

6. SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK (200 MILES FROM LOS ANGELES)

Sequoia National Park is one of my favorite road trip destinations in California. You can also enjoy the Giant Forest while never leaving your car. Simply driving through the majestic trees is enough to give you a post-quarantine boost of adventure! If you’re looking for even more seclusion and to hit a trail, check out the Kings Canyon side of the park and (with a permit) head into the backcountry for stunning glacial lakes!

7. PISMO BEACH (175 MILES FROM LOS ANGELES)

While Malibu and Big Sur get all the glory, right in between is the stunning Pismo Beach. This beach town is everything you could ask for; a beautiful pier, epic sunsets, and some killer clam chowder at the Splash Cafe! But the true gem of this area is the adventure!!! Cave kayaking at Dinosaur Caves is one of my favorite adrenaline adventures and driving dune buggies at Oceano Dunes will get your heart pumping. If you like to push out of your comfort zone and try something new, Pismo Beach is the place to go!

8. JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK (130 MILES FROM LOS ANGELES)

One thing Joshua Tree National Park offers is plenty of SPACE! This is a great park to head to for some social distancing! If you’re into rock climbing, this park offers some of the best climbing and bouldering spots. Looking for a hike? Try Barker Dam or Hidden Valley and for a longer, lesser crowded spot, head to 49 Palms Oasis trail. This park can get quite busy (especially post-quarantine), so be sure to follow all regulations and for extra safety, enjoy the park and the trees through the scenic park drive.

9. VENTURA (70 MILES FROM LOS ANGELES)

Ventura is a great day trip from Los Angeles and hits some of the most beautiful scenery along the famous Pacific Coast Highway. I like to hit the PCH (or highway 1) early in the day and enjoy stops along the way like Santa Monica and Malibu. My two favorite gems to stop at are El Matador Beach and Point Mugu. Ventura offers a quaint little town full of shops and eateries (again, depending on when you’re reading this, check to see what’s open and available).

10. ALABAMA HILLS (210 MILES FROM LOS ANGELES)

Maybe my favorite road trip is highway 395 up to the Alabama Hills and views of Mt. Whitney. It blows me away that the western town of Lone Pine sits at the base of the highest mountain in the continental U.S. and is only 2 hours from the lowest point (Death Valley). This region is full of surprises and follows along some epic scenery. In the summer months you can drive up the Mt. Whitney trailhead and see the runoff waterfall. For an extended getaway, continue up the 395 to Mammoth Lakes, or head East on the 190 to Death Valley.

California continues to blow my mind with its diversity of landscape. From beach towns, to mountain villages, to wide open desert, there’s something new at every turn! And I have yet to explore the northern half of the state! Let me know in the comment section some of your favorite California road trips and watch some of the highlights of these 10 destinations below!