3 California road trips ranked the best in US. Which ones made the list?
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- Travel + Leisure named three California road trips among the best in the US.
- 17-Mile Drive ranked for ocean views, wildlife and access to Pebble Beach.
- Silverado Trail and Pacific Coast route praised for food, wine and scenery.
California is home to three of the best road trips in the country, according to Travel + Leisure.
The travel magazine searched through thousands of miles of stunning landscapes, snow-capped vistas and human-made monuments to find the 23 best road trips in the United States.
“From the dramatic California coast to the history-lined thoroughfares of New England, the United States is brimming with scenic drives,” Travel + Leisure contributor Sarah Rose wrote.
Here’s which Golden State destinations landed on the magazine’s list:
Why is 17-Mile Drive one of best in the US?
The 17-mile scenic loop bending around California’s Monterey Peninsula landed on the list for its ocean views and spectacular sea life.
The famous route winds through Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach and Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Travelers can encounter up to seven championship golf courses along the roadway, Travel + Leisure said.
“In addition to surf-beaten cliffs, colonies of harbor seals, and lookout points galore, the route offers spectacular sunset views that make it worth the $12.25 entry fee to drive it,” the travel magazine said.
That fee can reimbursed if you purchase at least $35 of food from one of the restaurants at Pebble Beach Resorts, according to Travel + Leisure.
Nearby is another great getaway: the Monterey Bay Aquarium, where visitors can experience “ocean-view decks and a million-gallon tank with giant sharks and sea turtles,” Travel + Leisure said.
Napa Valley’s Silverado Trail named one of nation’s top drives
Travel + Leisure praised the two-lane country road cutting across Napa Valley as a heaven on earth for foodies and wine connoisseur’s alike.
The road was constructed in 1852 and stretches about 30 miles from Napa to Calistoga.
According to Visit California, the route “is quintessential Napa Valley” with old, shady oaks and some of the world’s best wineries on both sides of the road.
“Flanked by vineyards and wineries, Napa Valley’s Silverado Trail gives California road trippers endless vino options and perhaps some of the tastiest meals on the American culinary scene,” Travel + Leisure said.
On this road trip, the food and wine is just as good as the scenery, the travel magazine said.
The publication highlighted Yountville’s French Laundry restaurant, recipient of three Michelin Guide stars, and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars in Napa.
Why is Pacific Coast Paradise route worth driving?
This 1,400-mile road trip links Santa Barbara to Seattle, “snaking past major cities, picture-perfect vineyards and national parks and forests along the way,” Travel + Leisure said.
The travel magazine said the best California stop along the route is at the “underrated” Pinnacles National Park, where stunning spires and breathtaking canyons provide reminders of volcanic eruptions millions of years ago.
Further north on the route, Travel + Leisure recommended road trippers make a pit stop in Portland for some funky thrift shopping and take a trip to the coast to sample some Tillamook Creamery cheese.
This story was originally published July 28, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "3 California road trips ranked the best in US. Which ones made the list?."
