California Road Trip

[The_Myth]

Hmm, not really. Middle of the San Joaquin valley, lots of agriculture and oil refineries.

[EmilyQ]

No one has mentioned Joshua Tree National Park - why? It’s one of the most interesting and beautiful places I’ve seen. (If you go, bring water!)

I’ve also adored Napa (do a bicycle tour of the wineries! so much fun!) and Monterey, where I had one of my all-time favorite runs, if you’re into that sort of thing.

I’m not much of a city person, but I second the trollies in San Francisco, just because how can you not. Fisherman’s Wharf - it’s overpriced and I saw a rat, which I can’t handle because I’m not much of a city person.

[magick]

@mikepleavin

Ok thanks magick, so if the weather isn’t ok it will be an ok drive when dark? I have looked at where there are food/fuel stops and there are a fair few along the way, any idea if they will be safe to stop at or it will be my last ever holiday? Haha over in the U.K. Most people seem to think if we go anywhere really out of the way and have to stop for fuel we won’t be catching our return flight home lol

The places that have been recommended in this thread so far + the areas you’ve described are all popular tourist destinations/fairly well traveled areas.

As long as you don’t go about offending everyone you meet and/or don’t go to really seedy areas intentionally, I’d say you’d have nothing to worry about.

And, no, Fresno and Modesto are not nice places. Avoid them.

[sufiandy]

Eat and fill up your gas tank prior to driving through.