My husband and I have driven to California four times over the past twenty-five years. Though the trip is long and arduous—it is worth the effort. One could fly or take a train, but driving puts you in the middle of everything—especially if you take some non-interstate roads. A cross-country trip gives you a deep connection to the changing topography, vegetation, buildings, and cultures.

He was born in California and lived there off and on before college. We traveled there in 2001 for a handbell convention in Palm Springs. For me, some of the highlights of that trip were seeing the Rio Grande, seeing landscapes like Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona for the first time—and experiencing the glamour of Palm Springs. On that trip, we also drove to Pasadena to tour the Gamble House and then to Santa Monica to dip our toes in the Pacific Ocean! 

[Read more about that trip here: A Simple, Humble Bungalow, Riordan Mansion State Historic Park]

Pacific Coast Highway

On our second trip in 2004, we drove up the Pacific Coast Highway. We took four days to drive out to California. We stayed in Santa Maria a few days and explored Ojai, Santa Barbara, Lompoc, Solvang, Morro Bay and Cambria. 

Usually, we had no itinerary. We simply stopped and stayed wherever it seemed convenient. Being on the road gives you a sense of freedom. We were able to stop at some of the charming roadside attractions and to experience the immensity of the United States. We marveled at the breathtaking landscapes all along the way.

Then over the course of six days, we drove from Santa Maria up to Bellingham, Washington. We skipped Big Sur after reading about how difficult it is to drive. We loved Monterey, Carmel, Pebble Beach, Mendocino and the redwoods in Northern California.

We stopped several times on the Oregon coast and then headed inland to drive up to Bellingham. When we reached Bellingham, we stayed with friends for several days. They drove us all around that area showing us the various sites.

On the trip back we took five days and traveled through Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Over the course of the entire trip, we traveled through fifteen states!

Our Third Trip to California

Our third trip was two years ago. I looked up and down the California coast (via the internet) for a hotel on the beach with a balcony so we could watch the sunset every evening. I gave Gary a list of possibilities. Pismo Beach seemed promising. Dinosaur Caves Park in Pismo with the trail along the bluffs and all the benches for resting or viewing the ocean and wildlife looked wonderful! And Pismo Beach is where we went. We took four and a half days to drive out, spent eight days there, and drove back in four and a half days.

[You can read more about that trip in these blog posts: California Calling, Route 66, Sunsets, Pismo Beach, California]   

Driving to California in 2026

We enjoyed the 2024 vacation so much that we went again this year! It was like coming back to an old friend. We took five and a half days to get there, spent nine days in Pismo Beach, and took four and a half days to get back home.

Times have changed in the last twenty-five years. It was hard to make the decision to go. Gas, food, and hotel prices are all up. Tension and strife are everywhere. The world feels so unstable. We did not go last year because we had desperately needed repairs done on our house.

When 2026 rolled around, the realization hit that we are getting older. We might not have another chance. It is better to enjoy life in the moment. So, we made the decision to go—to take another cross-country road trip!

From Birmingham, Alabama we drove to Longview, Texas, to Amarillo, Texas, to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Flagstaff, Arizona, to Barstow, California, and finally to Pismo Beach, California.

In my next several blog posts I will give more details about our trip! Stay tuned.