If you’re dreaming about the perfect California road trip, this one seriously checks all the boxes.
This San Francisco to Lake Tahoe road trip has big city sights, tiny towns full of character, epic mountain views, and more photo ops than your phone can handle.
Along the way, there are quirky museums, plenty of places for roadside snacks, and one spot that’ll make you feel like you time-traveled to the 1800s.
We’re sure there’s something you weren’t expecting on this list.
1. San Francisco
Famous for its steep hills, sea views, and fog that rolls in like a blanket, San Francisco is where you’ll be starting.
Here, you can spot the bright red Golden Gate Bridge, ride old-school cable cars, and grab sourdough bread from Boudin Bakery that’s been baking since 1849.
This city also boasts cool spots like Alcatraz Island, the super-curvy Lombard Street, and the giant redwoods in Golden Gate Park.
It’s only about 200 miles from Lake Tahoe, making it the perfect starting point for one seriously epic road trip.
2. Berkeley
Just across the Bay Bridge from San Francisco, Berkeley keeps things a little funkier, a little brainier, and totally full of personality.
This is where you’ll find the University of California, Berkeley, with its leafy campus, iconic Sather Tower, and students zipping around on bikes.
Take a stroll down Telegraph Avenue, where you’ll find thrift shops, indie bookstores, and pizza joints that stay open way too late.
It’s a quick detour off I-80 and worth it if you’re into college-town beauty and amazing views from the Berkeley Hills.
3. Mount Diablo State Park
Next up is Mount Diablo State Park, about an hour east of Berkeley, and home to one of the best views in all of California.
At 3,849 feet, Mount Diablo offers stunning views on a clear day, reaching all the way to the Sierra Nevada and even Half Dome if you have binoculars.
You can drive the winding Summit Road to the top or hike the Summit Trail if you’re up for a 3,150-foot climb.
There’s also rock climbing at Rock City, fossils in the sandstone, and more lizards than you can count soaking up the sun along the trails.
4. Suisun Valley
California wine country isn’t all about Napa, and Suisun Valley is an unexpected gem that many people haven’t heard of.
Located just over an hour north of Mount Diablo, this tiny valley is packed with family-run wineries, farm stands, and some seriously good olive oil.
Stop by Wooden Valley Winery for a relaxed wine tasting session, or grab fresh peaches and corn at Larry’s Produce.
It’s low-key, super friendly, and the ideal spot to stretch your legs (and maybe stock up on road trip snacks) before heading toward the mountains.
5. Old Sacramento
After exploring Suisun Valley, head to Old Sacramento.
Old Sacaramento is a district within the city of Sacramento where it truly feels like stepping back into the 1800s.
This riverside district is full of wooden boardwalks, horse-drawn carriages, and Gold Rush-era buildings that now house candy shops, saloons, and museums.
Don’t miss the California State Railroad Museum, which features massive steam engines and a full-size mail train that you can walk through.
It’s walkable, kid-friendly, and a fun place to grab lunch before hitting the road again.
6. Auburn
The next stop is Auburn, where Gold Rush history, dramatic scenery, and a towering bridge all come together.
The highlight here is the Foresthill Bridge, which soars 730 feet above the American River, making it California’s tallest and a stunner from any angle.
Downtown adds to the charm, with antique shops, cozy cafés, and the quirky Joss House Museum.
It’s the kind of place where you can grab a scoop of homemade ice cream, learn a little history, and watch the sunset from a giant bridge.
7. Placerville
Next up is Placerville, a Gold Country town that wears its wild west past like a badge of honor.
Locals still call it “Old Hangtown” because of its rough-and-tumble vigilante history, and the town even had a noose on its logo until very recently.
While taking it all in, stop by the historic Cary House Hotel, check out the Placerville Hardware store, or grab baked goods at Sweetie Pie’s.
It has a nostalgic, old-school charm and makes for a great pit stop for that old-west feel.
8. Emerald Bay State Park
Once you’ve wound your way through the Sierra, Emerald Bay State Park is your next sparkling reward.
This spot on the southwest edge of Lake Tahoe is home to crazy-blue water, forested cliffs, and Fannette Island (the only island in the entire lake).
You can hike the 2-mile trail down to Vikingsholm (a stone castle built in 1929), or just post up at the overlook on Highway 89 and admire the view.
Sunrise here hits different, so if you’re up early, don’t forget your coffee and a hoodie.
9. South Lake Tahoe
Just a short drive from Emerald Bay, South Lake Tahoe brings the energy with ski resorts, beaches, and more things to do than you’ll ever fit into one trip.
This mountain town straddles the California–Nevada border, so you’ve got casinos and nightlife on one side and hiking trails and taco joints on the other.
You can rent a kayak at Pope Beach, hit the 1.8-mile Eagle Lake Trail, or ride the Heavenly Gondola for sky-high views of the lake and mountains.
This last stop has the perfect mix of adventurous and relaxing activities, whether you’re here for summer swims or snowy slopes.
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