Do you enjoy road trips? Fortunately, Northern California is one of the best places in the country for road trips. With our scenic byways and variety of attractions, there’s always something new to discover in this region. If you find yourself typing into Google, “day trips near me in Northern California,” then this is the list for you!

Below you’ll find 11 road trips through Northern California that we’ve designed to show you the best of the state. From haunted locations to delicious restaurants, here are 11 unforgettable road trips to take in Northern California before you die. To view the interactive Google Map of each trip in a separate tab or window, simply click on the link beneath each map photo.

1. The State Park Road Trip
Google Maps
Flickr/ ah zut
Luckily for us, where we live we don’t have to travel far to witness some pretty amazing destinations. A lot of these incredible places are state parks, so we decided to compile a list of destinations in this road trip, which is a one of a kind tour of Northern California. Grab all the necessary outdoor equipment, fill up the tank of gas, and hit the road! Be sure to stop in and stretch your legs at each of these parks. Hike, camp, skip rocks or beachcomb. Just get out and explore. Learn more here.
2. The Hidden Beaches Road Trip
Google Maps
Flickr/ Mark Stephenson
From Crescent City to the Mendocino Coast, the rugged coastline along the Pacific Ocean is nothing short of stunning. While there are plenty of well-known beaches scattered throughout the Golden State, nothing beats a lesser-known area when you just want to get away from it all— so we’ve compiled a road trip itinerary with 11 incredible hidden beaches that might just become your new favorite summer hangouts. This is one road trip you’ll never forget. Learn more here.
3. The Waterfall Road Trip
Google Maps
Flickr/ Steven Bratman
Northern California is a spectacular place for a lot of things, but when it comes to road trips and waterfalls, there’s no other place that can top it. In just about 4 hours of driving time, you can explore 9 different falls. Add in a few hours here and there for walking to the falls, stopping for breakfast and lunch, and you’ll have a grand old time on this trip! Learn more here.
4. The Taco Trail
Google Maps
Yelp/ Chuck M.
If you're wondering, "what are some day trips near me in Northern California?" and you happen to be hungry, we've got the perfect adventure in mind. There’s not much that’s better than a delicious taco! Hearty meat, fresh ingredients, and just the right amount of spice: is your mouth watering yet? Here in Northern California, we’ve got plenty of awesome taco restaurants, each with its own unique take on this culinary classic. While it would be impossible to list each and every great taco spot in the Northern California region, we’ve created a "mini road trip" that highlights a handful of the best taco eateries around. Learn more here.
5. The Lighthouse Road Trip
Google Maps
Flickr/ Albert de Bruijn
Did you know that Northern California is home to some of the most spectacular lighthouses in the country? With our rocky shorelines and dramatic coastal features, it was definitely necessary for these beacons to guide ships safely through the storms. A drive up or down gives you plenty of amazing views of these lighthouses. Some of them are open to the public for tours, others are seen only from a distance. No matter how close you get, seeing the Northern California lighthouses along the coastline is a trip that should be on everyone’s bucket list. Learn more here.
6. The Small Towns Road Trip
Google Maps
If you are looking for some fun towns to visit, the options are really endless and you can definitely find some really amazing towns in any of Northern California’s four corners. This road trip will take you through several historic towns in Northern California. You will see evidence of the logging and mining history that put this area on the map in the first place. Learn More Here.
Flickr/ Ralf Naegele
If you are looking for some fun towns to visit, the options are really endless and you can definitely find some really amazing towns in any of Northern California’s four corners. This road trip will take you through several historic towns in Northern California. You will see evidence of the logging and mining history that put this area on the map in the first place. Learn more here.
7. The Redwood Natural Wonders Road Trip
Google Maps
Flickr/ Paul Lovine
The North Coast of Humboldt County is one of the most beautiful and awe inspiring places in the country, let alone Northern California. Even if you live in this scenic location. you have to agree that a drive up Highway 101 is an absolute must see for anyone living in this state. This fun and scenic drive will be best in late spring when the crazy winter weather we are having calms down a bit. The ferns will be lush and vibrant, however, and the beaches remote and peaceful. Learn more here.
8. The Ice Cream Trail
Google Maps
Yelp/ Jude T.
Northern Californians love our ice cream, and almost every city or town has a great dessert parlor to call their own. We compiled a list of some top ice cream joints and organized them into a convenient little road trip for you! Now that the weather is finally getting warmer, there’s nothing that hits the spot like one of these delicious ice cream parlors. Your mouths will be watering just reading about them! Learn more here.
9. The Mountain Town Road Trip
Google Maps
Buckle up and have fun on the drive. Remember, it's not about the destination, it's about the journey. There are so many places to stop at in between these towns. Be sure to take your time! Learn More Here.
Flickr/ Jacob T. Meltzer
You don’t have to fly out to the Rocky Mountains or drive up to the Olympics, if you love being in the mountains, Northern California has plenty! There’s nothing quite like taking a break from it all and cruising along with the windows down and the cool mountain air blowing through your hair. This road trip through Northern California’s scenic alpine areas will have you loving this great state. Learn more here.
10. The Covered Bridges Road Trip
Google Maps
Flickr/ Jonathan Assink
There’s not much that can top a covered bridge when it comes to the juxtaposition of man made creations and nature. Luckily for us Northern Californians, we have several idyllic covered bridges in our own region to go explore and take photos of.Learn more here.
11. The Haunted Places Road Trip
Google Map
Wikipedia/Kathleen Franklin
Northern California has a heritage and history that’s as rich as its gold laden riverbanks. That means we have a few ghosts hiding in the attic, so to speak. There are haunted places all over Northern California, but to go on a fun and spooky road trip to some of the scariest, all you need to do is follow this itinerary. This coastal and spooky road trip is a fun way to see this part of Northern California. Learn more here.

We hope we’ve helped inspire some answers for the often-asked question, “what are some day trips near me in Northern California?” What did you think of these road trip ideas? Be sure to let us know if you embark on any of these fun adventures!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

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day trips near me in Northern California

Beth C. | July 20, 2021

What are some of the most beautiful places in Northern California?

The region of Northern California is positively abundant in natural beauty. In fact, you could easily devote an entire lifetime to exploring all that this area has to offer. From the coast to the stunning redwood forests, there's simply no shortage of beautiful places. Some destinations that you'll want to consider visiting include Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe, Bodega Bay, Sonoma Valley, Lake Helen, Point Reyes, Glacier Point at Yosemite National Park, Sausalito, and Burney Falls. How many of these beautiful places in Northern California have you experienced?

What belongs on my Northern California bucket list?

Whether you have just a limited time to experience Northern California or you're truly inspired to get the most out of your visit, there are certain things that belong on your Northern California bucket list. You might consider adding any of the following experiences: climbing Half Dome, staying at Yosemite Valley Lodge, exploring the Petrified Forest in Calistoga, visiting McArthur-Burney Falls, whitewater rafting on the American River, wine tasting in Napa Valley, exploring the Redwoods, walking across the Golden Gate Bridge, riding a cable car in San Francisco, spending the night at the Fairmont Hotel, kayaking on Lake Tahoe, and panning for gold in El Dorado County.

Where can I go in Northern California that only the locals know about?

While many of Northern California's destinations are known the world over, there are some places that still fly under the radar. These destinations include Downieville, Moaning Caverns Adventure Park, Mount Shasta Lavender Farms, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Calaveras Big Tree State Park, Devil's Slide Trail, Point Reyes National Seashore, Castle Lake, McCloud, and Calistoga Ranch. Have you experienced any of these hidden gems in Northern California?

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