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Northern California Road Trip Itinerary


Gargantuan trees as tall as skyscrapers, crystal clear coastlines, and buzzing cultural centers? It’s all in Northern California and this road trip itinerary will ensure you see the best places. If you’re planning a trip for beautiful, towering trees, sipping delicious wine, and are looking to take a scenic drive, Northern California is the perfect destination.

While you might think of the glittering lights of LA or the hippie vibes at the beach, the northern part of California offers a more laid-back and untamed landscape that’s perfect for a road trip.

California is HUGE. I mean, how can you plan a trip to see and do and experience all the things? Globus is the answer! We chose a 9-day Northern California Dreaming tour starting in San Francisco and weaving our way through Sacramento, Lake Tahoe, Mammoth and Yosemite. This group tour ensured we saw absolutely everything without the stress of picking where to stay and when to go on tours. It’s all done for you.

Don’t want to do all the driving yourself?! You don’t have to. Globus provides all your transportation, accommodation, and you get to choose from a selection of tours along the way.

I’ve worked with Globus a number of times, and I keep going back for more. It’s travel without the stress.

This guide shares the best Northern California Road Trip Itinerary! Including everything from the ultimate photo stops, immersive tours and experiences, along with museums and tips along the way.

Itinerary at a Glance

The Golden state is full of surprises! Ride the rails in Sacramento, explore Yosemite’s trails, meander through a ghost town, or find epic wonders in Mammoth and Lake Tahoe. Here’s a look at our Northern California Itinerary.

Day 1: San Francisco

Day 2: San Francisco, Sausalito, Sonoma, Sacramento

Day 3: Sacramento

Day 4: Sacramento, Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Lakes

Day 5: Mammoth Lakes

Day 6: Mammoth Lakes, Yosemite National Park

Day 7: Yosemite National Park

Day 8: Yosemite National Park

Day 9: Yosemite National Park, San Francisco

Where to Start Your Northern California Trip

I suggest flying (or driving) in to San Francisco as there are 2 airports in the area. Both San Francisco Airport (the one we used) and Oakland Airport in the Bay area are international and offer great pricing. San Francisco is full of so much history, cuisine, and culture so this is your best bet!

How Long for Your Trip?

If you book with Globus the total tour is 9 days with an extra day for travel. This seems like the perfect amount of time to see everything. Of course, you can always add on extra days to explore.

What to Pack

California can get chilly! I suggest bringing layers and a rain coat. San Francisco is known to be foggy and rainy at times so be prepared. Don’t mind the weather though because this climate is good for wine! Northern California is typically pretty mild in temperature all year-round.

Day 1: San Francisco

“Everywhere you look, everywhere you go. There’s a heart (There’s a heart), a hand to hold onto.” I couldn’t help but sing the “Full House” theme song as we made our way around San Francisco and gazed at the “Painted Ladies,” the home used on the TV show.

San Francisco is the second most densely populated city, right after New York! So there are plenty of great restaurants, coffee shops, museums, and activities to fill your day.

The first day we got into San Francisco we grabbed a delectable sandwich and checked out the Ferry Building Market. The market is full of tasty food and unique shops like Olive and Cocoa for chocolate lovers, General Store for pottery and other treasures, as well as books you won’t find at Barnes & Noble!

Check out Fisherman’s Wharf, stroll China Town, take a ride on the San Francisco cable car, or investigate the truth at Alcatraz.

Day 2: San Francisco, Sausalito, Sonoma, Sacramento

Cross over the Golden Gate Bridge for a picturesque view of the famous red marvel.

The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most famous bridges in the world. Completed in 1937, it spans the San Francisco Bay and links San Francisco to Marin County, with tolls required for crossing. The bridge is 8,981 feet long and took about four years to build. About 4 million trips are made to the bridge per year.

The Golden Gate Bridge is also known for its vivid orange color which is visible during the fog- but it wasn’t intended that way! During World War II it was painted this shade of orange (officially called “International Orange”) to make it easier to see from afar and avoid collisions with ships.

Crossing the bridge we arrived at the sleepy and scenic town of Sausalito. It’s amazing how just crossing one bridge can give a totally different vibe.

It’s home to about 30,000 people who enjoy its laid-back, artistic, and affluent atmosphere. This quaint little city has many shops, restaurants, galleries, parks and markets for visitors to explore. It is also known as one of America’s most beautiful towns with its picturesque waterfront setting surrounded by hillsides covered in lush greenery.

There are plenty of things you can do while visiting Sausalito including walking up Bridgeway Street which offers great views of the bay.



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