California Unfolded
A roadtrip Through Mountains, Deserts, and Coastlines
As a family, we have been exploring California and the American West since we moved here 12 years ago. Our travels have taken us through campgrounds, RV parks, dispersed camping, backpacking, and staying in inns or hotels. Over the years, we have gained a solid understanding of the best hikes, scenic viewpoints, swimming lakes, nice restaurants, hot springs, rope swings, and swimming holes. I invite you to join us on our most recent road trip with a group of friends from last summer.
We started and ended the tour in Oakland, CA. We went through mountains, forests, high desert, mountain lakes, desert again, and our last stop was by the ocean, with landscapes so diverse, mystic, and grandiose that every turn felt like stepping into a new world.
Mount Tamalpais
I am starting this blog post with just all time favorite spots and quick hike for a sunset picnic. You can park at Trojan Point, cross the road and hike up the hills. You will find the swing and the best sunset point at the top of those hills. In the summer you’ll probably end of above the infamous San Francisco fog which makes it both unique and surreal.
Yosemite National Park
The drive from Oakland to Yosemite is a breathtaking journey that shifts from bustling city streets to rolling foothills, winding mountain roads, and finally into the heart of dramatic granite peaks and wild beauty. We stayed in the tents at the Curry Village. The food is far from being the best at the Curry Village so we brought our own.
In Yosemite we alternated between hikes and swims in refreshing waters. The Half Dome view from the Sentinel Dome and Taft Point hike is phenomenal and less crowded than Glacier Point.
The kids played for hours in the Merced River. There are beaches and swim holes all along the river but our favorite were at Superintendent's Bridge and close to North Pines Campground.
Mist Falls is a stunning hike with cascading views and lush scenery, though its beauty also makes it one of the busier trails.
We drove across Yosemite and stopped at Tenaya Lake where we also had a great swim - also colder I have to admit. There is a parking lot and beach access at the end of the lake.
Bodie State Historic Park and Mono Lake
Across Yosemite on our way to the Eastern Sierra we stopped for a night at the Virginia Creek Settlement to visit the ghost town Bodie and Mono Lake. Virginia Creek Settlement is a cute little inn, the best option in the area if you ask me!
Mono Lake is a surreal, ancient body of water with striking limestone tufa towers rising from its salty, shimmering surface. Surrounded by desert and mountains, it feels otherworldly, like a landscape caught between earth and sky.
Bodie is a remarkably preserved ghost town where weathered wooden buildings and rusty relics tell stories of the Gold Rush.
Walking its silent streets feels like stepping back in time, with an atmosphere both haunting and captivating.
On our way to Mammoth Lakes, we were told about Gull Lake Rope Swing. After a hot day on the road it was the best thing that happened to us! At the end of dirt road and after a quick hike up and over big rock you will find this playful lakeside spot where you can launch yourself into the clear mountain water, surrounded by stunning alpine scenery. The kids and adults jumped at least 20 times in the lake!
Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth Lakes and the Eastern Sierra are a year-round playground, offering towering peaks, crystal-clear lakes, hot springs, and some of the most stunning alpine scenery in California. From skiing, hiking, and mountain biking to fishing, kayaking, and soaking in natural hot springs, the region is packed with adventures for every season.
Hot Creek is a surreal spot near Mammoth Lakes where steaming hot springs bubble up beside a rushing cold river, creating a dramatic and otherworldly landscape.
At Convict Lake, you can rent a boat and dive straight into the crystal-clear waters for a refreshing swim surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery. You can also hike all around it and take your time to take it all in.
Convict Lake
Twin Lakes
One of the big pleasures of the Eastern Sierra and the whole Mammoth area are the hot springs, where you can soak and relax while taking in the breathtaking mountain views.
And of course, sunrise is the perfect time to go—not just for the breathtaking light, but also for the peaceful serenity. This particular hot spring is called Hilltop but there are many others to explore in this area. Hilltop Hot Spring, formed by geothermal activity along the Long Valley Caldera, has long been a natural gathering spot where travelers and locals alike come to soak while taking in panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada.
Lake Sabrina and the Alabama Hills
Bishop - on the way to the Alabama Hills. The winding road from Bishop to Lake Sabrina climbs dramatically into the High Sierra, revealing alpine meadows, rushing creeks, and breathtaking mountain views at every turn.
Lake Sabrina - the starts of many beautiful hikes as well as another stunning lake for a picnic and a swim. One of my favorite time of the year to visit is the fall.
The road from Mammoth Lakes to the Alabama Hills takes you on a journey through the heart of the Eastern Sierra, with dramatic mountain peaks on one side and wide-open desert valleys on the other. Along the way, the changing landscapes showcase everything from alpine forests to stark granite formations, making the drive as memorable as the destinations.
The Alabama Hills, with their whimsical rock formations set against the jagged backdrop of the Sierra Nevada, feel like a natural movie set—and in fact, they’ve starred in countless Westerns and films. It’s a magical place to explore by hiking, climbing, or simply wandering among the arches and boulders at sunrise or sunset.
Our favorite little hike is the Mobius Arch Loop Trail. The best time to go is either at sunrise or sunset. The light is simply magical.
Mount Whitney at sunrise.
We stayed at the Trails Motel and had dinner at the Mt Whitney Restaurant in Lone Pine.
Death Valley
On the way to Death Valley our favorite stop is Keough Hot Springs. Just south of Bishop, it offers naturally heated pools where you can soak under big desert skies with the Sierra Nevada rising in the distance. It’s a historic spot dating back to the 1920s, still loved today for its rustic charm and relaxing mineral waters.
The water at Keough Hot Springs flows in at about 130°F before being cooled for soaking.
The pools are completely renewed with fresh mineral water every 5 hours.
Death Valley in the summer is one of the hottest places on Earth, with temperatures often soaring above 120°F and the landscape shimmering under the relentless sun. Despite the extreme heat, its otherworldly beauty—salt flats, sand dunes, and colorful canyons—creates an unforgettable, almost surreal experience.
The temperature at Dante’s view felt totally manageable so we visited the view point 2 times! Once during the day and once at sunset
Mojave Desert and Palm Springs
Then we did a lot of driving from Death Valley to Las Vegas, across Mojave Desert to Palm Springs.
A LOT of driving… until we came across by surprise to Roy’s Motel and Cafe on route 66.
Roy’s Motel and Café in Amboy is an iconic Route 66 landmark, famous for its retro neon sign and classic mid-century architecture.
It’s a nostalgic stop where travelers can snap photos, refuel, and soak in the spirit of the historic highway.
Pappy & Harriet’s BBQ in Pioneertown is a legendary desert spot where you can enjoy hearty barbecue and live music in a lively, rustic atmosphere.
In Palm Springs we like to stay at the Ace Hotel, and swim club and take family photos in their Photo Booth. We like to eat at Farm and Birba.
Los Angeles and Venice Beach
The ocean at Venice Beach stretches wide and endless, and everything we do is turned towards it. At sunset, the light turns golden and soft, casting long shadows and illuminating the sky in shades of pink, orange, and purple. The iconic bike path that winds from Venice to Santa Monica offers a perfect way to soak in the sea breeze, watch skate boarders and roller skaters, and enjoy the vibrant beachfront energy.
We usually stay in Venice Beach when visiting Los Angeles. We like to eat at Gjusta and Gjelina.
How I love California for its endless straight roads that invite adventure, and for the breathtaking beauty, grandeur, and incredible diversity of its landscapes.
If you are still here, thank you for reading and watching!
