The Best 7-Day California Road Trip Itinerary

It’s no secret that a road trip is the best way to fully appreciate the beauty and diversity that California has to offer! I’ve done a few different California road trips over the past few years that have taken me from the lowest point in North America (located in Death Valley National Park) to granite giants like Half Dome and El Capitan (located in Yosemite National Park). For me, the biggest struggle is always deciding where to go because there are so many options.

I still have several California road trips on my bucket list (cough cough the Pacific Coast Highway), but I loved every minute of my recent trip to California’s Sierra Nevada. In this post, I’m sharing everything you need to know to pull off a successful California road trip itinerary in 7 days. This Sierra Nevada itinerary includes stunning vineyards and delicious wine, unforgettable hikes, charming historic towns, scenic drives, unique experiences, and more!

Visit California sponsored this post. All opinions expressed here are my own.

7-Day California Road Trip Itinerary 

If you plan to fly into California for this trip, renting a car is your best option for getting around. I recommend booking your car rental in advance to streamline to process when you get to the airport so you can hit the road ASAP. I generally use KAYAK.com to find the best deals on car rentals regardless of where I’m going!

California Road Trip Map

When to Road Trip in California

There’s no wrong time to plan a 7-day road trip itinerary in California because the state is so diverse. That being said, the time of year is a big factor to take into consideration when planning a trip. This particular itinerary is best suited for a late spring or summer trip due to potential road closures in the winter months and even into early spring. 

If you’re trying to plan a California road trip during the cooler months, consider a Southern California road trip! Death Valley National Park is a great spot to visit during the off-season.

Day 1: Arrive in Sacramento & Head Toward the Sierra Foothills

Your California road trip starts at the Sacramento Airport, which is where I recommend flying into for this itinerary. From there, you can pick up your rental car and get going! There’s an REI (along with various other retailers) in Sacramento in case you need to pick up any last-minute items or rent gear like snowshoes and trekking poles.

To get to Murphys (your first stop), you’ll embark on a two-hour drive heading southeast from Sacramento toward the Sierra Foothills. Murphys is a charming little town located in Calaveras County that is known for its wine scene and gold rush history. 

Travel days can be exhausting, so I suggest taking it easy on your first afternoon in Murphys. If you’re up for it, go for a stroll around town (it’s not big!) and pop into some of the unique shops like The Spice Tin and the Marisolio Tasting Bar. Then, grab dinner and get some rest!

Where to eat

• Dinner: On your first night, stop by V Restaurant, Bistro & Bar for fresh yet creative cuisine, great drinks, and amazing service. I was a big fan of the calamari and shrimp appetizer as well as the pasta dish I ordered! The atmosphere on the patio combined with a glass of red wine was just what I needed after a long travel day.

Where to stay

I highly recommend staying at the Dunbar House while in Murphys! I’m a sucker for bed and breakfasts because they always have the best vibes. The Dunbar House feels luxurious yet cozy and is in an amazing location! It’s off the main street, which can get a little loud at night, but is still close enough to everything that you’re within walking distance.

Day 2: Explore Calaveras Big Trees State Park & Spend the Afternoon Wine Tasting

Start your first full day in California at Calaveras Big Trees State Park to see some of the largest trees in the world! FYI – There is an entry fee of $10 per vehicle. The state park is just 15 miles from Murphys, but the weather can change drastically due to the differences in elevation. Make sure you’re prepared! The trail was still covered in several feet of snow when I visited in late March despite there being no snow on the ground in Murphys.

At 1.7 miles roundtrip, the North Grove Trail is a great, easygoing option for marveling at the giant sequoia trees. If you’re up for more of a challenge or want to add more mileage, check out additional hiking options in Calaveras Big Trees State Park. 

After exploring, head back to Murphys for brunch and then spend the afternoon diving into Calaveras County’s wine scene. Make your way to Ironstone Vineyard and Newsome Harlow’s tasting room before grabbing sushi for dinner in downtown Murphys. 

P.S. – If you’re into small-batch spirits and creative cocktails, you must add Hinterhaus Distillery to your itinerary while in Calaveras County! I’m not usually big on spirits, but I really enjoyed stopping by the Hinterhaus tasting room. Everyone there was so kind and knowledgeable. I didn’t know what to order, but they were super helpful at making recommendations. I tried a gin and tonic, which was almost too pretty to drink, and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it!

Where to eat

• Brunch: I cannot recommend the breakfast burrito from Grounds Restaurant enough! Eggs, cheese, tomatillo sauce, sour cream, and fresh salsa… need I say more?!
• Dinner: To be completely honest, I didn’t have high standards for a sushi spot in a small town like Murphys, but a local recommended Doke Sushi to me, so I decided to give it a shot! And I am SO glad I went. Everything from the poke nachos to the sushi was absolutely delicious – and it’s right beside Newsome Harlow’s tasting room!

Where to stay

You can stay at the Dunbar House for an additional night or switch things up and try another lodging option in Murphys. The Victoria Inn and Murphys Historic Hotel are two popular spots right in the heart of downtown Murphys.

Day 3: Immerse Yourself in California’s Gold Rush History 

Wrap up your time in Murphys by grabbing breakfast at Aria and then head over to historic Columbia and spend some time exploring Columbia State Historic Park and immersing yourself in the area’s gold rush history. 

Columbia, which is in Tuolumne County, is just 20 minutes from Murphys. Tuolumne County is divided into three main regions – Yosemite (over half of Yosemite National Park is in Tuolumne County!), Gold County, and High Sierra. If you follow this 7-day California road trip itinerary, you’ll experience all three areas!

Columbia might be best known as a historic town, but it’s actually an excellent spot for bouldering! Go bouldering with Golden Chain Climbing Gear if you want to do something adventurous while in Columbia. I’d been rock climbing before but never bouldering and had the best time! It wasn’t as scary as I expected, and I really enjoyed trying something new.

Where to eat

• Breakfast: Start your day with coffee and a breakfast pastry from Aria before heading over to Columbia! 
• Lunch: While walking around Columbia State Historic Park, grab lunch at St Charles Saloon. They have delicious and unique specialty pizzas! The BBQ chicken pizza was SO good (10/10 would recommend)!
• Dinner: Located in downtown Sonora (within walking distance of Hotel Lumberjack) is one of Sonora’s best restaurants – Emberz! They have tons of options ranging from pizza and pasta dishes (the lobster mac & cheese was delicious!) to steak and seafood. Whatever you do, make sure you save room for dessert because their brownie sundae is amazing! 

Where to stay

Located in Sonora, Hotel Lumberjack is an excellent place to base your stay while adventuring in Tuolumne County! The hotel isn’t overly fancy, but the rooms are modern and clean. I loved the fact that it’s within walking distance of cute shops and restaurants in downtown Sonora.

Day 4: Ski or Snowboard at Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort

I suggest dedicating the fourth day of your California road trip to exploring Tuolumne County’s High Sierra region. I was there in March, which was an excellent time for skiing and snowboarding at Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort. 

Make sure to get to Dodge Ridge early as it can get crowded on weekends if you can’t make it to the resort on a weekday. Nonetheless, it’s an awesome resort with affordable prices and a variety of runs. I took a snowboarding lesson (this was only my second time snowboarding) and my instructor was great! I felt so much more confident after our time together.

If you visit Tuolumne County during the warmer months, there will be even more things to do in the High Sierras – mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, camping, and fishing are just a few examples! Within the Stanislaus National Forest are 78 lakes, 811 miles of streams and rivers, and over 1,000 miles of hiking trails. This area is an outdoor lover’s paradise! 

An ionic foot soak at Amala Detox Lounge in downtown Sonora will feel absolutely incredible after a long day of being outside. I had never done anything like this before but really enjoyed the experience. The entire process takes around 45 minutes to an hour, and I promise you’ll walk out feeling like a different person. Make sure to schedule an appointment online in advance if you want to give it a try!

Where to eat

• Breakfast: Walk from Hotel Lumberjack to Revive Coffee for a yummy breakfast and some coffee before heading out for a day full of adventures! 
• Lunch: If you’ll be out and about for the day doing outdoor activities, you may want to pack a lunch. Check out Diamondback Grill for a salad, sandwich, or burger if you’ll be in downtown Sonora around lunchtime. 
• Dinner: Right across the street from Hotel Lumberjack you’ll find an unassuming Mexican restaurant named El Arroyo. This might’ve been my favorite place we ate throughout the entire trip (although I will admit I am partial to Mexican food) – the tacos and service were excellent! 

Where to stay

Hotel options in downtown Sonora are pretty limited, so I recommend spending another evening at Hotel Lumberjack. I always like spending at least two nights at any given destination so I don’t feel super rushed. Alternatively, you could camp in Stanislaus National Forest if you want to be adventurous!

Day 5: Hetch Hetchy Reservoir with ECHO Cooperative (Yosemite National Park!)

If you want to explore Yosemite without the crowds, you need to visit the Yosemite region of Tuolumne County! Hetch Hetchy and Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias are two spots worth adding to your list. 

I’ve explored a sizable number of U.S. National Parks but still get intimidated when visiting new places sometimes. As a result, I’ve done guided hikes in national parks on multiple occasions. I highly recommend it, especially for solo travelers but it’s a great experience for groups too! ECHO Adventure Cooperative operates a variety of guided experiences in Yosemite ranging from day hikes to longer backpacking trips.

We were supposed to hike in the Hetch Hetchy area with our guide from ECHO Adventure Cooperative (who was super friendly and extremely knowledgeable about the area), however, the weather did not want to cooperate! Unfortunately, road closures prevented us from being able to hike in this part of Yosemite. No doubt I will be back to see the area in the future!

After exploring the Yosemite region of Tuolumne County, it’s time to head to Yosemite Valley! You’re in for a TREAT if you’ve never been before. I hadn’t been to Yosemite prior to this trip, but I had heard so much about it and seen countless videos. Driving into the valley was everything I imagined and more! It’s a really special experience.

Remember to grab an America the Beautiful Pass to cover your entrance fee to Yosemite National Park (and all other US national parks for one year from the date of purchase)! The annual pass for national parks is well worth the $80 because it saves you from paying $20-35 per vehicle to get into most parks. California alone has 9 national parks including Yosemite!

Where to eat

• Breakfast: I recommend grabbing breakfast in Sonora before heading out for Yosemite. Willow Wisp Café has a variety of delicious and affordable breakfast options ranging from omelettes to pancakes.
• Lunch: If you go on a guided hike with ECHO Adventure Cooperative, you can opt to have lunch included. Otherwise, I’d plan to pack your own lunch if you’re going to explore on your own! 
• Dinner: The Mountain Room is a great spot to have dinner in Yosemite Valley. It’s a bit more upscale (think steak, fish, etc.) and reservations are necessary. I tried both the filet and salmon since we ate here two nights in a row and was pleased with both dishes! 

Where to stay

Take full advantage of your time in the valley by staying inside the park! Yosemite Valley Lodge is in an amazing location and many of the rooms have incredible views from their balconies. The rooms are a bit rustic, but that’s to be expected in a national park. As I mentioned, the location is the main draw to this spot!

Day 6: Valley Floor Tour, Lower Yosemite Falls & Upper Yosemite Falls (Yosemite National Park!)

Your sixth day is a full day in Yosemite Valley – how exciting! I recommend spending the day hiking and sightseeing in the valley. After breakfast, start your day with a Valley Floor Tour (a guided bus tour) to learn helpful information such as the park’s history and significant landmarks. Your driver will narrate throughout the tour and stop at some key spots to let you off the bus to take photos! The Valley Floor tour lasts approximately two hours. 

You might want to grab lunch after your Valley Floor Tour before spending the afternoon hiking. Alternatively, you could swap things around and hike in the morning then do your Valley Floor Tour in the afternoon! Either way, there are some epic hikes in Yosemite Valley that you don’t want to miss. 

Lower Yosemite Falls (easy), Upper Yosemite Falls (moderate to strenuous), and Half Dome (strenuous) are some great options for hiking! If you decide to hike on one of the moderate to strenuous trails, make sure you’ve done extensive research so that you know what you’re getting yourself into (and whether you need a permit) and that you’re prepared with the Ten Essentials!

By the end of the day, you’ll probably be exhausted from all the exploring you’ve done! Grab a quick dinner, maybe spend some time on your balcony at the lodge, and then head to bed to prepare for a travel day tomorrow.

Where to eat

• Breakfast: Degnan’s Kitchen serves bagels and breakfast sandwiches and has a little coffee shop inside! Alternatively, you could grab breakfast items from the Village Store. 
• Lunch: If you’re not out on a hike, try Curry Village Pizza Deck for lunch! Otherwise, you might want to grab lunch stuff from the Village Store in the morning to take with you on your hike. 
• Dinner: For drinks and a burger or tacos, check out Bar 1899 in Curry Village. It’s a lot more low-key than The Mountain Room and a great place to grab a bite to eat after being out all day!

Where to stay

I highly recommend spending at least two nights at Yosemite Valley Lodge!

Day 7: Depart From Yosemite & Drive Back to Sacramento

On your last day, you’ll drive back to the Sacramento airport to drop off your rental car and head home! It’s quite a drive from Yosemite Valley to the airport (around 4 hours), so make sure you leave with plenty of time to spare to get there before your flight. 

If your flight is early, you may want to drive back to Sacramento the night before so you don’t have to wake up in the middle of the night to get back. There are plenty of lodging options in Sacramento!

Have you been to any of the destinations on this 7-day California road trip itinerary? If so, let me know in the comments! Finally crossing Yosemite off my bucket list was an amazing experience, but I also really enjoyed the time I spent exploring and trying new things in Calaveras County and Tuolumne County.