Discover 5 Off-the-Beaten-Path California Road Trips
Paso Robles
Opt for the relaxed vibe of Paso Robles wine country over the busier, pricier Napa and Sonoma. Enjoy exceptional wines amid stunning landscapes.
Home to over 200 boutique, family-owned wineries, it offers diverse tastings. Highlights include Eberle Winery (cave tours), Halter Ranch, Steinbeck Vineyards (vintage Jeep tours), Whalebone (whalebone fossil), Bianchi Winery (remote-controlled sailboats), and Viña Robles (amphitheater shows).
Beer lovers should visit Firestone Walker Brewery and BarrelHouse Brewing. Re:Find Distillery at Villacana Winery crafts vodka, gin, rye, and limoncello from wine grapes. Savor farm-to-table meals at Artisan, Thomas Hill Organics, and La Cosecha. Unwind at River Oaks Hot Springs Spa.
Visit during crush season with this Travelzoo-exclusive deal: Save over 35% at Allegretto Vineyard Resort, plus a $50 resort credit.
Lassen Volcanic National Park
This northeastern California park captivates with its surreal landscapes—even non-outdoorsy types will love it. One of the West's most spectacular yet least-visited parks, its 166 square miles feature hikes, alpine lakes, geothermal wonders, and all four volcano types. It marked its centennial recently.
Drive the Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway for key sights. Stop at Bumpass Hell for hydrothermal activity: bubbling springs, mud pots, and fumaroles—stick to boardwalks.
Hike Lassen Peak (3-5 hours, strenuous but rewarding) for panoramic views. Visit Manzanita Lake for swimming, kayaking, a museum on the 1914 eruption, camping, or cabins. Cinder Cone's 700-foot ash structure is striking.
Prime time: July to mid-October; winter for snowshoeing or skiing.
Eureka
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Nestled on Humboldt Bay, Eureka blends history and nature. Wander Old Town's ornate Victorian homes and shops from the 19th-century logging era, plus galleries.
Explore the Maritime Museum and cruise on the 1910 ferry Madaket with California's smallest licensed bar. Sample oysters and local wines, beers, cheeses, and chocolates at Taste oyster bar in the Humboldt Bay Tourism Center. Breakfast at historic Samoa Cookhouse (since 1890).
Extend north to Redwood National and State Parks or south to the Lost Coast wilderness.
Bodie Ghost Town
This preserved gold-mining ghost town, once home to 10,000, was among the West's wildest. With 60+ saloons, it declined after gold dried up, fires, and hardships. Abandoned by the 1950s in 'arrested decay.'
Explore abandoned buildings and left-behind artifacts. Join guided tours, including summer ghost walks. No services: pack picnic, water. Legend warns against taking souvenirs.
Point Reyes
North of San Francisco on Highway 1, Point Reyes delivers ocean views, hikes, and food stops. Drive to the historic lighthouse via the iconic Cypress Tree Tunnel.
Hikes suit all levels: rugged shores, forests, wildflowers, tule elk.
Taste award-winning cheese at Cowgirl Creamery. Grab picnic supplies and drinks at Palace Market. Feast on oysters at Tomales Bay or Hog Island Oyster Company.
Ready for the road? Travelzoo's hotel search finds exclusive deals with perks like free breakfast or upgrades.
Danny Jensen is a Los Angeles-based freelance travel writer with deep knowledge of California's hidden gems.
