This Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe road trip packs some of California’s biggest scenery into one seriously unforgettable drive.
You’ll leave the busy streets of Southern California behind and watch the landscape change from desert to towering mountains, clear lakes, and old Gold Rush country.
The direct drive covers roughly 440 miles and takes about eight hours, but giving yourself several days makes the journey much more rewarding.
This itinerary breaks the drive into easy stops, with the best things to do and plenty of places worth exploring along the way, so keep reading to plan your trip.
1. Los Angeles
Los Angeles is the starting point for your road trip to Lake Tahoe, so make time to explore the city before getting on the road.
Walk along Hollywood Boulevard, hike to the Hollywood Sign, take in the views from Griffith Observatory, or stop by Santa Monica Pier.
2. Red Rock Canyon State Park
From Los Angeles, drive 1 hour and 45 minutes along Highway 14 to Red Rock Canyon State Park, known for its striped sandstone cliffs and rock formations.
For a closer look, hike the 1.2-mile Hagen Canyon Nature Trail through scenery that has appeared in more than 100 movies, including Jurassic Park and Law and Order.
You can also explore Ricardo Campground, photograph the colorful cliffs, and watch for roadrunners, hawks, lizards, and tortoises among the Joshua trees and desert plants.
Covering roughly 27,000 acres, the park’s dramatic landscape makes it an interesting place to spend a few hours exploring and enjoying the outdoors.
3. Lone Pine
About 85 minutes from Red Rock Canyon along US 395 is Lone Pine, a small town near 14,505-foot Mount Whitney, the tallest mountain in the contiguous U.S.
Start at the Museum of Western Film History, where exhibits and memorabilia tell the story of the hundreds of movies filmed in the area since Hollywood arrived in 1920.
Afterward, spend some time exploring the small downtown along Main Street, stopping at local shops and taking in views of the Sierra Nevada rising beyond town.
When you’re ready to eat, stop at Alabama Hills Cafe & Bakery for breakfast or lunch, followed by a slice of deep-dish apple or cherry pie.
4. Bishop
Next up is Bishop, about an hour’s drive from Lone Pine, sitting at 4,150 feet on the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada along Bishop Creek.
Here, you can visit Erick Schat’s Bakkery for its famous Original Sheepherder Bread, then take the Mural Walk through town to see 15 murals that bring the area’s history to life.
If you’re into rock climbing, check out the Happy and Sad Boulders, with hundreds of routes featuring caves, crimps, jugs, and challenges for different skill levels.
Whether you stay for a few hours or longer, there’s plenty to keep you busy here, so give yourself time to explore at your own pace.
5. Convict Lake
Now drive 45 minutes to Convict Lake, a 170-acre alpine lake surrounded by dramatic Sierra Nevada peaks, including the 12,241-foot Mount Morrison.
Circle the shoreline on the easy 2.5-mile Convict Lake Loop, where you can take in calm water reflections, Jeffrey pines, and quaking aspens that turn golden in fall.
For a more relaxed afternoon, you can rent a boat, fish for rainbow and brown trout, or bring lunch and enjoy a picnic along the shore.
Fun fact: The lake’s unusual name comes from an 1871 shootout between escaped Nevada prisoners and a local posse, adding a bit of Wild West history to the scenery.
6. Mammoth Lakes
Just 15 minutes from Convict Lake is Mammoth Lakes, a mountain town at 7,880 feet that cranks up the adventure in the Eastern Sierra.
The highlight here is Mammoth Mountain, an 11,059-foot volcano with winter slopes for skiing and plenty of hiking, biking, and paddleboarding in warmer months.
If you do want to trek, try the 2.25-mile Heart Lake Trail, where colorful aspens lead to a gorgeous heart-shaped lake beneath Sherwin Ridge and Pyramid Peak.
For some indoor fun, hit the lanes at Mammoth Rock ‘n’ Bowl, browse fine art and antiques at the Gallery at Twin Lakes, then check out the shops around town.
7. Bodie State Historic Park
Then there’s Bodie State Historic Park, a former gold-mining town at 8,375 feet, about a 75-minute drive from Mammoth Lakes.
Gold was first discovered here in 1859, and by 1880, the area had grown to around 10,000 residents, with 65 saloons, shops, hotels, gambling halls, and brothels.
Today, much of what remains has been preserved in place, so you can wander the quiet streets and picture what daily life was like more than a century ago.
You can even peek inside the buildings, where old furniture, shelves, barrels, and everyday items remain scattered throughout the rooms.
8. South Lake Tahoe / Emerald Bay
Wrapping up the road trip is South Lake Tahoe, set along Lake Tahoe, a roughly 191-square-mile lake that plunges to 1,645 feet at its deepest point.
From the city, make your way to Emerald Bay State Park, where Highway 89 overlooks give you sweeping views of the blue-green bay and Fannette Island.
If you’re up for a hike, take the short one-mile trek to Eagle Falls, where you’ll find icy cascades and a beautiful backdrop of Emerald Bay and Lake Tahoe.
Afterward, head back to the city and try a local beer at South Lake Brewing Company, then finish the day with a meal at The Bistro at Edgewood.
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