Spring break is almost here! With that in mind, I’ve compiled a list of road trip ideas for those of you that don’t have plans.

  1. Yosemite
Photo by Edward Stojakovic. Click image to view source. Image is unchanged.

If you haven’t visited Yosemite National Park, put this place on your bucket list right now. Yosemite is home to some of the world’s most stunning landscapes, including Half Dome (a giant rock formation), El Capitan (another gigantic rock formation) and a ton of natural waterfalls, rivers and meadows that take your breath away. The serene beauty of this place is unparalleled on Earth. One of the best times to visit Yosemite is in the late spring or early summer, because that is when the fresh snowmelt runs into rivers and creates enormous waterfalls that pour down the mountains. If you are looking for an active destination, Yosemite is the place for you. There are numerous trails that anyone can hike, bike, run or swim. In Yosemite you can just enjoy being immersed in nature.

2. Malibu

Photo by Paolo Gamba. Click image to view source. Photo unedited. License.

Looking for somewhere sunny and 75? Malibu is just the place for you. Malibu is home to some of the most beautiful beaches along the coast of Southern California. This place is truly a gem. Although the water gets pretty cold around the winter months, it starts to warm up around early April/ May, and by summer it’s ready to be enjoyed by all the beach goers. If you want to explore Malibu a bit more when you visit, you can also check out the hikes in the area (which have AMAZING ocean views), many trendy shops and yummy restaurants.

 

3) Santa Barbara

Photo by Damian Gadal. Click image to view source. Photo unchanged. License.

Santa Barbara is yet another beautiful coastal destination for a road trip. When visiting Santa Barbara, there are two approaches you can take: you can hit all the touristy spots including the pier and shops along State Street, or you can explore and venture north a little into Goleta, which has some beautiful lesser known sites. Some of my favorite spots are Hope Ranch Beach, the Goleta Butterfly Preserve and Lotusland.

 

Featured Image (red van) by heyesther. License.