Ask Californians what are the best scenic drives in California for a weekend trip and you’ll start an argument, because the state has an unfair number of them. I’ve driven most of the famous ones, and the truth is you can’t go wrong, but you can absolutely go wrong on timing, direction, and trying to cram too much into two days.
A weekend drive should feel like a vacation, not a commute with views. Here are the routes I’d actually recommend for a Friday-to-Sunday trip, with the practical details that make or break them.
Big Sur: the one everyone should drive once
Highway 1 through Big Sur is the most famous stretch of road in America for a reason. Cliffs dropping into the Pacific, Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls, it delivers constantly for about ninety miles. Drive it south to north so you’re on the ocean side, and start early to beat the tour buses.
The catch is closures. This road slides and gets repaired in long stretches, so check current conditions before you commit your weekend. When parts are closed, the workarounds add hours. I check the Caltrans updates the week of the trip, every time. Pair it with a night in Monterey or Cambria and you’ve got a perfect two-day loop.
What are the best scenic drives in California for a weekend trip beyond Big Sur
Highway 395 along the Eastern Sierra is my personal favorite and far less crowded. Lone Pine, the Alabama Hills, Mono Lake, and Tioga Pass into Yosemite if it’s open, it’s a desert-and-mountains dreamscape. Fall color along 395 in October rivals New England, which is saying something.
For something completely different, try the Death Valley loop in winter. Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point at sunrise, the Mesquite Dunes, it’s otherworldly and nearly empty on weekdays. Just never attempt it in summer unless you enjoy 120-degree risk. Timing is everything with the desert.
The redwoods and the lost coast
The Avenue of the Giants through Humboldt Redwoods State Park is thirty-one miles of driving through a cathedral. It’s humbling in a way photos can’t capture, and it’s an easy add to a north-coast weekend with Mendocino. Stop at Founder’s Grove and walk among trees older than the Roman Empire.
If you want remote, the Lost Coast’s Mattole Road is California’s wild edge, winding, narrow, and spectacular. It’s not for nervous drivers or big RVs, but the black-sand beaches at the end feel like the edge of the world. Fill your tank beforehand; services are basically nonexistent.
Making a weekend drive actually work
The biggest mistake is over-driving. Pick one route, drive it slowly, and stop constantly. A hundred miles of scenic road with ten stops beats three hundred miles of windshield time. I plan no more than three to four hours of driving per day on a scenic weekend.
Book lodging ahead in small towns, they have few rooms and they fill up. Pack layers, a real paper map as backup, snacks, and a full tank mentality: top up whenever you see gas in remote areas. And download offline maps, because cell service dies exactly where the views get good. The NHTSA reminds drivers that drowsy and distracted driving kills the vibe and worse, so switch drivers and take breaks.
Route-by-route quick picks
- Big Sur (Hwy 1): Best for: first-timers and ocean views. Go south to north, start early, check for closures first.
- Eastern Sierra (Hwy 395): Best for: mountain drama without crowds. October fall color is spectacular.
- Avenue of the Giants: Best for: redwood immersion. Pair with Mendocino for a perfect north-coast weekend.
- Death Valley loop: Best for: winter weirdness. Sunrise at Zabriskie Point is unforgettable.
- Lost Coast (Mattole Road): Best for: adventure. Remote, winding, and gloriously empty.
- Angeles Crest Highway: Best for: LA day-trippers. Ninety minutes from downtown to mountain vistas.
Scenic drive mistakes
- Driving it in the wrong direction: On coastal highways, the ocean-side lane matters. South-to-north on Highway 1 keeps you cliffside.
- Skipping the closure check: Big Sur closures can wreck a weekend. Check Caltrans road conditions before you leave.
- No fuel strategy: Remote routes have hundred-mile gaps between stations. Never pass gas in the desert or deep forest.
- Overpacking the itinerary: Two great stops beat six rushed ones. Scenic drives reward lingering.
- Forgetting sun position: West-facing viewpoints are best in afternoon light. Plan your direction around golden hour.
California scenic drives: your questions answered
What is the best direction to drive Big Sur?
South to north, so you’re on the ocean side of the road with unobstructed views and easy pullouts. Start early to beat tour buses. The direction genuinely matters; north-to-south puts you on the inland side craning across traffic.
Are there gas stations along these remote routes?
Sparse on remote stretches. The Lost Coast and desert routes can have hundred-mile gaps between stations. Never pass a gas station in remote areas with less than half a tank. This rule has saved more road trips than any other advice I give.
When is the best time of year for California road trips?
Spring for desert routes like Death Valley (wildflowers, bearable heat), fall for Highway 395’s aspen color, and nearly year-round for Big Sur and the coast. Summer brings crowds and fog on the coast; winter can close mountain passes. Match the route to the season.
Do I need a special car for these drives?
No, any reliable car handles the main scenic routes. The Lost Coast’s Mattole Road is the exception, where high clearance helps. Convertibles are glorious on the coast highways but miserable in desert heat. Prioritize reliability and AC over style.
How do I check if Big Sur’s Highway 1 is open?
Check Caltrans road conditions online before you leave and the morning of. Slides close sections for months, and closures reroute you hours inland. Never assume it’s open; this road’s status changes. Have a backup route in mind for the weekend.
The bottom line
For a classic weekend, drive Big Sur south to north with a Monterey overnight. For fewer crowds, take Highway 395 or the redwoods. Check road conditions, book small-town lodging early, keep driving days short, and stop more than you plan to. California’s best drives aren’t about the miles, they’re about the pullouts. For more on this, see small towns to visit in New England in the fall and seeing Niagara Falls without the crowds.
