California Desert Road Trip from San Francisco

Your adventure through the California desert begins in The Golden Gate City. Pick up your camper van at Traveller’s Autobarn before heading south on I-280 and CA-17. The trip from San Francisco to Santa Cruz takes less than an hour and a half.

If you have time, make a pit stop in San Jose at the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into the Sahara with the museum’s huge collection of ancient artifacts and replica of the Rosicrucian Peace Garden.

When you pull into Santa Cruz, park your camper van at one of the 114 campsites at New Brighton State Beach. Enjoy the outdoor activities nearby or check out popular attractions in the area, like the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk or West Cliff Drive.

The next leg of your journey takes you down US-101. If you don’t mind adding about an hour and a half to your drive, consider detouring onto CA-1 South, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway.

Pick the faster route if you want to visit Pinnacles National Park near Soledad. This one-of-a-kind park is situated on the remains of an ancient volcanic field. Explore caves and hike up the rock formations before continuing your trip.

In Pismo Beach, you’ll find another beachside campground to park for the night while you explore the local beaches and wineries. Other places to explore nearby include Morro Bay State Park and Montana de Oro State Park.

Hop back on US-101 S to leave Pismo Beach, and you’ll arrive in Santa Barbara in less than two hours. The trek will take you past ranches and through classic California farmlands, as well as multiple wineries to stop at along the way.

The stretch from Pismo Beach to Santa Barbara also features many historic missions. See a restored 1820s mission at La Purisima Mission State Historic Park or tour Old Mission Santa Ines, which is still active today.

If you don’t mind a commute to town, plan to camp at El Capitan Canyon. This scenic campground is situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains. You’ll have so much to do here that you may not even want to make the 15-minute trip to Santa Barbara!

There are two ways to get from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles. The fastest route will take you down US-101 S. Or take the scenic route down CA-1 if you don’t mind adding a few hours to your trip.

The Pacific Coast Highway will take you through famous beach towns like Ventura, Malibu, and Santa Monica. Of course, the main attraction is the stunning coastal views along the way.

If you take the shorter route to LA, you can still visit Malibu by camping at Malibu Creek State Park Campground or Sycamore Canyon Campground. Use one of these spots as your launching point to explore the local beaches and tourist attractions.

By now, you’re probably ready to exchange sandy beaches for desert dunes. You’re in luck because the next leg of your trip will take you to Palm Springs in the Sonoran Desert. Leave the coast behind, heading inland on CA-60 E.

When you’re almost to Palm Springs, consider taking a quick detour to Big Morongo Canyon Preserve. This desert oasis is a great place to learn about the Sonoran Desert’s native wildlife, hike scenic trails, and visit a butterfly garden.

Joshua Tree National Park is close by and the best place to camp near Palm Springs for the night. Joshua Tree KOA is only 10 minutes from town, where you can visit the tranquil hot springs or go horseback riding through the Coachella Valley.

If you stay the night at Joshua Tree KOA, you’re only 45 minutes from the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park. Palm Springs’s mid-century modern architecture and luxury resorts quickly give way to the rugged desert landscape.

Find a place to park your camper van first when you get to Joshua Tree. Cottonwood Campground is the best place to see the desert wildflowers, while Ryan Campground is quieter and more centrally located.

Indian Cove Campground is another smart choice. The area is close to rock climbing routes and several photo-worthy hiking trails, making it one of the more popular places to stay in Joshua Tree.

After exploring the Sonoran’s enchanting scenery, head north on CA-247 for another of California’s deserts: the Mojave. Death Valley National Park is the best way to see the northern section of this desert’s harsh, haunting landscape.

The drive is long, so plan for a few stops on the way. Red Rock Canyon State Park offers horseback tours of the 27,000-acre park, and the Maturongo Museum in Ridgecrest gives visitors a glimpse into the Mojave Desert’s history. Trona Pinnacles in the California Desert National Conservation area are also a must-see.

Death Valley offers multiple options for campers, from developed campgrounds with tons of amenities to primitive campgrounds offering a taste of the wild. No matter where you stay, make sure you visit Titus Canyon’s ghost town and the salt flats at Badwater Basin.

After exploring the wilderness, it’s time to return to urban life. Bakersfield is one of the closest cities to Death Valley, located about three hours west on CA-85. Bakersfield is uniquely situated in the shadow of the Tehachapi Mountain Range, dividing the San Joaquin Valley from the Mojave High Desert beyond.

If you didn’t get your chance to visit the Trona Pinnacles or Red Rock Canyon State Park on the way to Death Valley, now’s your chance. This route will also pass by the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve in Lancaster.

There’s a KOA campground in Bakersfield offering all the amenities your road-weary soul could want. You’ll also be close to the Bakersfield Brewery Trail, California Living Museum, and Bakersfield Art Trek.

Fresno is about an hour and a half away from Bakersfield, and the drive through the heart of the San Joaquin Valley offers the perfect opportunity to tour California’s agricultural regions.

You can make a multi-day trip out of it by staying at Colonel Allensworth Historic State Park in Earlimart and Sequoia National Park in Visalia. A drive through the Fresno County Blossom Trail should also be on your bucket list.

Just north of downtown Fresno is Millerton State Recreation Area. It has multiple lakefront campgrounds to choose from and is the perfect launching point to explore popular destinations like the Forestiere Underground Gardens and Shinzen Japanese Garden in Woodward Park.

From Fresno, head north on CA-41 for about an hour to get to Yosemite National Park. You’ll watch the landscape change from fertile farmlands to the glacial valleys of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

On the way, you’ll pass through Nelder Grove, home of the famous Bullbuck Tree. Mariposa Grove is another great place to see California’s Giant Sequoias before you enter Yosemite proper.

Entering the park from the south end will take you near the Wawona and Bridalveil Creek campgrounds. Wake up bright and head to Wawona Stable for a tour of Yosemite by horseback, or visit Mariposa Grove if you didn’t get the chance on the way up.

It’s time to turn your campervan around and return to San Francisco. The three-hour trip is your chance to say goodbye to California’s diverse geography before heading back home.

But don’t worry because Traveller’s Autobarn will be waiting for you next time you need a California camper van rental!

This road trip itinerary is the best way to see the best sites, national parks, and towns the California desert region has to offer. Plus, you’ll get a glimpse of the state’s famed beaches and lush agricultural regions as you journey from stop to stop.

If you’re searching for the best camper van rental in San Francisco, you’ll find it at Traveller’s Autobarn. With 24/7 roadside assistance, discounts on caravan parks across the country, and free unlimited miles, you get more than just a comfortable camper van- you get everything you need for the trip of a lifetime.

Get a quick quote from Traveller’s Autobarn, and book your rental today!

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