From Napa to Newport: California’s Most Scenic Drives for the Ultimate Car Lover’s Escape

Do you appreciate scenic drives?

You will find your paradise in California. You will see so many truly iconic sights when you climb behind the wheel of a luxury vehicle. You will wonder why you didn’t hit the open highway in the Golden State sooner.

Are you ready to plan a trip to the West Coast? We suggest starting in Napa, CA. You can then head south to Newport Beach, CA, exploring everything Cali’s gorgeous coastline has to offer along the way.

Sound like fun? Check out several routes you should consider taking to make lasting memories.

Silverado Trail

When you kickstart a California road trip in Napa, you won’t have to wait long to see incredible sights. In fact, you will be treated to them almost instantly.

The city of Napa is known as the gateway to California’s breathtaking Napa Valley wine region. It will serve as the perfect starting point for your driving adventure.

Still, we recommend being strategic about your approach to traveling through this area to ensure you’re treated to a first-class experience. You will want to start by taking the Silverado Trail. You will also want to keep your eyes open for all the sights it will have in store.

You should know these fun facts about this legendary trail:

• Built back in the 1850s as an alternative to Highway 29
• Runs about 30 miles from Napa to Calistoga
• Offers excellent access to wineries such as Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Not interested in making any stops along the way? You will discover that the views the Silverado Trail offers of local vineyards and giant oak trees are still worth the drive.

You just need to try not to take your eyes off the road for too long to minimize the chances of a car accident.

Pacific Coast Highway

You will not want to visit California without driving on the Pacific Coast Highway. It’s also known as Highway 1 to the locals.

The PCH is one of the most famous highways in the country. You will see why within seconds of getting on it.

The PCH is 650 miles long, and it’s one of the only highways that you will wish you could spend more time on. Its awe-inspiring views will take your breath away. You will also see first-hand why the rugged stretch between Carmel-by-the-Sea and San Simeon is arguably one of the world’s best highway stretches.

You will want to keep your head on a swivel while driving on the PCH to avoid missing any of its sights. A few of the most notable ones include:

• The 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach
• The amazing stretch filled with state parks between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay
• The beachy pathway from Santa Barbara to Malibu

You will quickly see why the PCH never gets old, no matter how many times you drive on it.

We recommend driving on it once on the way from Napa to Newport, then picking up a luxury car rental in Los Angeles to explore it further. You will gain an even deeper appreciation for it while driving a vehicle every bit as beautiful as the PCH.

State Route 33

You will never grow tired of driving on the PCH. You will love feeling the wind blow through your hair.

You will have other options to explore, though. How about taking State Route 33 instead?

You will find this route to be a little more inland than the PCH. You will not be able to spend hours staring at California’s awesome coastline as you travel south.

However, you will still be able to soak up picturesque views of the Central Valley. It’s an agricultural area covering about 20,000 square miles.

You will find this highway to be a nice change of pace if you take it before heading home.

Enjoy California’s Most Scenic Drives From Behind the Wheel of a Luxury Vehicle

If you’re a car lover, California is the place to be. These three scenic drives alone make it a must-visit state. And they are only the beginning.

You should start planning a trip to California ASAP. You will want to begin by deciding which scenic drives you wish to take. Then, you will need to reserve a luxury vehicle so you can have the driving experience of a lifetime upon your arrival. You will get the opportunity to go on a journey you won’t soon forget.

Check out the other articles published on our blog for more travel-related tips and tricks.