For decades, California has been synonymous with road trips when you want to explore the rich tapestry of the state’s breathtaking landscape. Balwin Ho takes us through the California road trip plan to take in some of the world’s most spectacular views.
Consider starting in Los Angeles and heading to the world-renowned hedonistic playground for the rich and famous, Palm Springs. From Palm Springs, which is at an altitude of 146 m, you can drive to the soaring heights of Mammoth Lakes, which is at an altitude of 2,402 m.
Without stopping, that would typically take under six hours. However, there are plenty of fascinating stops along the way for you to truly immerse yourself in the diversity of California’s stunning landscape.

A pit stop at The Original Farmers Market
The key to any successful road trip is being well-stocked with snacks. The place to stock up is at LA’s world-renowned Original Farmers Market.
The sprawling historic market has been around since 1934, and there are over 100 gourmet grocers and restaurants for your delectation. With Michelina Artisan Boulanger, you have the flakiest croissants and cinnamon rolls with perfect lamination. Charlie’s Coffee Shop is the go-to place for your caffeine top-up.

If you want to visit the oldest tenant in the market, you need to track down Magee’s, the nut roasting specialist. They’ve been in the market since 1934. Their rich and creamy peanut butter has attracted fans such as the Beatles. There is even a photo of President Dwight D. Eisenhower visiting the stall.
Hollywood’s desert playground
From the market, it is just over a two-hour drive to the first port of call in Palm Springs – Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. It is the world’s largest rotating tram car.
During the approximately 10-minute ride, you travel up the dramatic cliffs of Chino Canyon until you reach the immaculate wilderness of Mt. San Jacinto State Park. The viewing platform on top will offer an uninterrupted view of the Coachella Valley, including Palm Springs and the San Andreas Fault.

Palm Springs might be known as the “golf capital of the world,” with over 130 golf courses in the Palm Springs area, however, if you drive 20 minutes to Indian Wells, you will find one of the most popular tennis tournaments in the world.
Commonly known as the unofficial fifth major, the Indian Wells Open is much loved by players and visitors alike. If you book a behind-the-scenes guided tour, you will even get to visit the Champions Club lounge and player locker rooms.

Where to eat and stay in Greater Palm Springs
Staying with the tennis theme, La Quinta Resort & Club was voted one of the top tennis resorts in the world with stars such as Novak Djokovic, known to be a frequent guest at the hotel. There are 45 acres of perfectly manicured gardens, and with 41 pools, golf courses and a world-renowned spa, this is the ideal location to stay at whilst you explore the Greater Palm Springs region.

You can savour eclectic Californian cuisine at Navigator, the restaurant at the Palm Spring Surf Club. They offer relaxing alfresco dining whilst you can admire the adventurous swimmers and surfers perfecting their techniques.
Another restaurant offering contemporary Californian cuisine is Trio. They offer dishes such as ahi tuna tower and Aziz Farm dates, working with local producers where possible. Small-scale farmer Mark from Aziz Farms opened The Packhouse a few years ago as a stunning venue space for hosting events, but it is also a great location for school field trips.

Joshua Tree National Park and the City of Twentynine Palms
Whilst traversing the Californian countryside to Mammoth Lakes, you will come across the must-visit Joshua Tree National Park. It has a unique ecosystem that is in between the cactus-laden Colorado Desert and the more temperate and higher Mojave Desert.
You will notice dramatic boulder formations and the eponymous twisted tree-like evergreen plant. Bouldering is naturally a huge part of the national park, but for those less adventurous, they do offer numerous breathtaking hiking trails.

The nearest city to the national park is Twentynine Palms. The laidback atmosphere is in keeping with the stunning mountain and desert vistas. Independent businesses thrive in the city with the likes of 29 Palms Inn, which has been family-owned for five generations. Unsurprisingly, you will find dishes making great use of local food, such as their heart of palm cakes. The paintings on their walls are in keeping with the city’s general love of world-class murals.

Bishop and Mono Lake
The next stop on this California road adventure is Bishop. This spectacular city in the Eastern Sierra region of California is all about embracing the great outdoors. Whether you are into fishing, climbing, hunting, hiking or just admiring postcard-worthy scenery, this is just the place for you. The dams at Bishop Creek Hydroelectric Project are quite the sight to behold especially when it is surrounded by pure-white snowy hills.

However, the city also delivers for culture vultures with the Paiute Shoshone Cultural Center. It serves as a reminder of the traditional way of life for the indigenous people of the region long before European settlers arrived. You can observe beadwork, silverwork, and artwork from local artisans. Often they would have interactive classes for you to take part in.

Just over an hour’s drive away is the iconic Mono Lake. It is one of the oldest lakes in North America and is estimated to be over 1 million years old. The lake has no outlet and has accumulated salts and minerals over its long existence.
This makes the lake two and a half times saltier than the ocean, and the water is very alkaline. This has also caused the formation of the mystical “tufa towers”. Along with the wealth of migratory seabirds on show at the lake, this is a photographers’ paradise.

The untamed wilderness of Mammoth Lakes
This road trip is awe-inspiring because you start in the desert heat of Palm Springs and finish in the soaring heights of Mammoth Lakes. The town of Mammoth Lakes is 2,402m above sea level. Californians adore life in Mammoth Lakes because you can ski, snowboard in the winter, and mountain bike in the summer.
Their skiing season is particularly long and stretches from November to June. There are 3,500 skiable acres, typically you can expect 400 inches of snowfall and at least 300 days of sunshine per year. Even if you are a non-skier, a scenic gondola ride up Mammoth Mountain is quite the sight to behold. You will reach 3,369 in elevation. There is the Eleven53 Cafe as well as an Interpretive Center.

There is a diverse food and drink scene around Mammoth Lakes. Less than half an hour away by car, you will find June Lake Brewing. They are a small craft brewery with a fantastic atmosphere, often accompanied by live music and food trucks. Their beer flights are popular at any time of the season.

Whilst in Mammoth Lakes, you will find restaurants like Gomez restaurant. They have the largest and highest tequileria in the world, whilst serving food that combines the best of Mexican and Latin traditions.
Mammoth Brewing is another tasting room to consider. Their generously portioned flatbread pizzas are popular with both skiers and non-skiers. If you want to discover a local hidden gem, then make sure you head to Dos Alas for their thrilling fusion of Caribbean and Spanish cuisine.
Looking for more US content? Why not check out my article on why Hollywood is flocking to the American Riviera.