Ultimate California Road Trip

Ultimate California Road Trip

Ma I'm Fine
Hey Babe! Thank you for choosing my shop to help you have a fantastic road trip around Cali - my home state! I always have so much fun adventuring around California, and with this guide, so will you! You can email me any feedback regarding my guides or if you want to connect! Please be safe on your travels and tag Ma I'm Fine in your adventures! xoxo lex Instagram| @ma.im.fine Email | contact@maimfine.com Recommended seasons -Winter - Fall - Spring Burney Falls South Lake Tahoe Mono Lake Mammoth Lone Pine Death Valley Mojave National Preserve Joshua Tree Joshua Tree Sequoia National Park Yosemite
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Burney Falls 📍

Burney Falls
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South Lake Tahoe 📍

South Lake Tahoe
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Recommended time 3-5 days
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Travertine Hot Spring 📍

Travertine Hot Springs
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There are a couple of different pools around the area, but the one with the four main pools has only one that gets warm/hot. It has the most significant water trickle, so it makes sense why that is the hottest. If you walk past it down the trail you’ll find other little pools as well. I personally haven't been in any other pool other than the main one but have seen people in others! The photo of me in the red bikini - the pool to the left is the warm one.
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Mono Lake 📍

Where to sleep

Lower Virginia Creek Primitive Campground
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Recommended time one night or just pass through
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 I personally didn't camp at Lower Virginia. I camped near Wild Willy's Hot Spring, but this was the spot I picked out if I wanted to stay there.  

Things to see

Bodie Ghost Town
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I recommend hitting Bodie Ghost Town on your way from South Lake Tahoe. During winter, getting to the ghost town can be dangerous, especially after snow. Ashely and I had to turn around because it wasn't safe. 

Mono Lake
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Mammoth 📍

Mammoth
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Recommended time 1-3 nights
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After spending the day at the hot springs, head to Benton Hot Springs. Where they have personal hot spring tubs at your campsite. 

Benton Hot Springs
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Recommended time 1-3 nights.
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Stops between Mammoth & DV

Convict Lake
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Crowley Lake Stone Columns
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Come here for sunset!
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Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
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Lone Pine 📍

Lone Pine
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Alabama Hills 

Where to sleep 

Camping permit 

Eat 

Things to do

Alabama Hills
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Movie Road
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Movie Road’s iconic spot To get there, from the Alabama Hills entrance, follow Movie Road for about 2.3 miles. Make sure to track how far you’ve gone and check the map to make sure it corresponds with where you are (there are no signs). When you start to go uphill, this is it! Park in the designated area on the right and the view is the road you just drove on.
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Arch Loop Trail
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Mount Whitney
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Maps

Photography 

Sunrise 7:15AM Sunset 5:57 PM

Movie Road For both 

Death Valley  📍

Death Valley National Park
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Recommended time 3-5 nights
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 Mojave National Preserve 📍

Mojave National Preserve
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Recommended time 1-3 nights.
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Take Route 66 to Roy’s Motel and Cafe | Get a Route 66 Beer

Roy's Motel & Cafe
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Joshua Tree 📍

Joshua Tree
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Recommended time 3 nights
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San Diego 📍

San Diego
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Sequoia National Park 📍

Where to sleep 

Potwisha Campground
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35 minutes from the main hub of the park. Reservations required.
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Dorst Creek Campground
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Was closed when I visited end of May but would love to stay here. It's huge and the Muir Grove trail starts here.
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Lodgepole Campground
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5 min from General Sherman Tree
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What to see | Do

Giant Forest
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Grant Grove Village
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Sequoia National Park's Tunnel Log
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Do early morning or sunset. As a photographer, I think the lighting would be better at Sunset, but I didn't want to battle the people.
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Tokopah Falls
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3.8-mile out-and-back trail
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Crescent Meadow
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1.5-mile - some of the best trees in the park. You can do the meadow loop or a 4-mile RT to General Sherman Tree. Honestly, you can do both. The trees here are so amazing!
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Moro Rock Trail
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.5 mile hike - Sunrise - 5:40 AM Hit this spot for sunrise! The hike up wasn't bad, and it was so amazing to experience it without all the crowds.
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Crystal Cave (Sequoia National Park)
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closed as of 2024
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Monterey  📍

Monterey
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Big Sur 📍

Big Sur
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Pinnacles National Park📍

Pinnacles National Park
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Yosemite 📍

Yosemite National Park
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Recommended time 3-5 nights
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Ma I'm Fine Resources

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ma I'm Fine
Ma I’m Fine ~ A podcast dedicated to inspiring adventure, empowering women, and protecting the earth!​ . Hi! I'm Alexis, but you can call me Lex! I am a California native who loves wildly epic adventures. Welcome to Ma I'm Fine's Thatch Shop! Here, you can save or buy all my travel guides. . Ma I’m Fine came to life after moving back home from Australia, thinking the knowledge and experience I gained would help others wanting to travel and become an au pair. I also wanted to remember my adventures and never lose the intimate details of my trips. There’s nothing like being able to relive your most cherished memories. As I’m no longer an au pair and currently work for a criminal defense attorney and non-profit, you can find me either on a road trip with my rooftop tent or living that backpacker hostel life. . I have always loved the outdoors and truly fell in love with our planet after getting certified in Scuba Diving. My passion for helping Mother Earth intensified after watching the Netflix documentaries Seaspircy, Our Universe, and Life On Our Planet. I believe change comes from knowledge and emotion; these documentaries changed my perspective. I want to use MIF to educate, bring awareness, and create change in order to leave Mother Earth a better place. I donate a portion of my profits to different non-profits depending on their location. Thanks for being here!
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