The northern half of the Golden State holds an incredible array of experiences—from rolling vineyards and glittering city skylines to a dramatic stretch of Pacific coastline. The region lends itself to scenic road trips, where an itinerary can easily be built around wine, culture, or breathtaking scenery.
Exploring these different facets of Northern California is both easy and affordable when you stay at Best Western hotels on the way. The 245 Best Westerns throughout California offer both convenience and great value: They’re typically found in central locations, have pools or hot tubs, and offer free perks such as a full hot breakfast. They’re all independently owned, too, so you’ll experience a hotel with deep local roots, as well as staffers with savvy tips on how to explore the area.
Set out on your own Northern California adventure by choosing from these road trips below, which all start and end near major or regional airports.
Big Cities and Deep Culture
5 days, 166 miles
Sacramento
Start your urban adventure in California’s capital city: Explore the rose garden on Capitol grounds, sample the farm-to-table scene, and dive into the region’s deep history. Stay at the Best Western Sandman Hotel, located right along the Sacramento River, which offers a full breakfast and is within walking distance to Old Sacramento.
San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley
Head west to one of the nation’s great college towns, Berkeley, which makes an easy launching pad for spending a few days exploring both Oakland next door and San Francisco across the bay.
First, explore the campus of the University of California, Berkeley, and browse the shops along Telegraph Ave. Next, hit up museums and eateries in neighboring Oakland, like the Oakland Museum of California. Then it’s a short drive or BART ride into San Francisco, where countless adventures await: Chinatown, the Presidio, Fisherman’s Wharf, and the foodie fun at the Ferry Building Marketplace.
Stay in the heart of Berkeley at Aiden by Best Western Berkeley. The boutique-style Best Western sits north of campus and offers loaner bikes, an easy walk to a BART station, and a rooftop terrace with views of both San Francisco and the Berkeley hills.
Silicon Valley
Cross the bay to the west and dive into Silicon Valley. Taste your way through the multicultural dining scene in San Jose, browse the shops at the city’s Santana Row, then explore the surrounding towns that make up the San Francisco Peninsula. A great home base: Best Western Plus Executive Suites, Redwood City, an easy drive from San Jose as well as colorful local sights like the lush gardens of Filoli.
Bay Area Wine Country
4 days, 88 miles
Tri-Valley
Begin your Bay Area wine country adventure in a hidden gem region east of San Francisco: the Tri-Valley, home to the Livermore American Viticultural Area (AVA), where wineries produce Cabernet, Pinot Grigio, and other Italian and Rhône varietals. Best Western Danville Sycamore Inn in Danville makes a mellow home base with a free breakfast, a pool, and a short commute to wineries such as Concannon Vineyard and Wente Vineyards.
Napa
Drive north to the wine country mothership of Napa, where you can immerse yourself in great California wine and cuisine while soaking up scenery along the Napa River. The Best Western Plus Inn at the Vines offers an affordable HQ for your Napa adventure with good proximity to downtown Napa as well as classic local experiences such as Oxbow Public Market and the Napa Valley Wine Train.
Petaluma
Head west to Sonoma County and taste what is known as the Petaluma Gap—the moist windy climate that has inspired its own AVA and can be tasted at wineries such as downtown Petaluma’s Barber Cellars and Brooks Note Winery. Relax between tastings by the pool at Best Western Petaluma Inn, where perks include a continental breakfast and EV charging.
Santa Rosa
Finish your wine country tour in Sonoma County’s biggest town: Santa Rosa has both a colorful history (check out the Railroad Square Historic District, once home to bootleggers) and popular non-wine attractions such as Safari West and the Charles M. Schulz Museum.
Located right off Highway 101, the Best Western Plus Wine Country Inn & Suites has a free hot breakfast plus an outdoor pool. It’s also a few minutes’ drive or ride from Sonoma winemakers such as St. Francis Winery or D’Argenzio Winery.
Small-Town Charm
4 days, 370 miles
Placerville
From the airport in Sacramento, it’s a short trip to the Gold Rush town of Placerville, where you can stroll a downtown lined with art galleries, antique stores, and a truly charming candy emporium. Make sure to explore the Fountain & Tallman Museum, the site of a 19th-century soda fountain. Best Western Plus Placerville Inn makes a nice base with its free full breakfast and pool—lounge here while you enjoy goodies that you picked up at nearby Apple Hill.
Davis
Head west and trade your car for a bike to explore Davis. The home of the UC Davis campus, the town is beloved for both its farm culture as well as its bicycle-friendly streets. The boutique-style Best Western Plus Palm Court Hotel is walking distance to the campus, the Davis Farmers’ Market, and the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts.
Fort Bragg
Set your sights next on the North Coast, with its rugged coastline and its own lineup of quaint towns. In Mendocino County, Fort Bragg offers a prime spot for whale watching and scenic walks, like at MacKerricher State Park and the glittering Glass Beach. Best Western Vista Manor Lodge makes a perfect launchpad for taking a ride on the Skunk Train, fishing in Noyo Harbor, or stopping to smell flowers at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens.
Eureka
Head north to Humboldt County, where seaside charm meets redwood forests. In Eureka, lined with Victorian architecture, the Best Western Plus Humboldt Bay Inn is walking distance from historic Old Town waterfront and the redwoods of Sequoia Park. Don’t miss the Sequoia Park Zoo and the Redwood Sky Walk, a fabulous network of suspended bridges amid a stand of redwoods.
Shasta Cascade: Volcanoes and Alpine Lakes
4 days, 280 miles
Lassen Volcanic National Park
With mountains, lakes, and lots of wide-open spaces, the Shasta Cascade region embodies the wild beauty of Northern California. Start by exploring Lassen Volcanic National Park, unique for its dormant volcano, bubbling mud pots, and steaming vents.
Stay nearby at the Best Western Rose Quartz Inn (150 miles from Sacramento, if you fly into the capital). Here you can start the day with a full breakfast and mountain views from the hotel. It’s also a short drive to Lake Almanor, with its 52-mile shoreline and towering pines.
Redding
The Shasta Cascade hub of Redding is a must-stop: Explore the Turtle Bay Exploration Park and cross its one-of-a-kind Sundial Bridge. Stay in town at a choice of Best Westerns—like the Best Western Plus Hilltop Inn or Best Western Plus Twin View Inn & Suites; enjoy a free breakfast each day, then go play at one of the area’s epic lakes, such as Shasta Lake or Whiskeytown Lake—or head underground to see the limestone wonder at Lake Shasta Caverns.
Mt. Shasta
The town of Mt. Shasta is full of charm, including hikes in the Shasta Trinity National Forest. Recharge at the Best Western Plus Tree House, with its stone-and-timber ambience plus a heated indoor pool and hot tub. The warm waters will come in handy if you choose to summit Mt. Shasta. The 14,179-foot peak is great for serious climbers and has inspired mystics and artists alike for centuries.
Chico
Finish your adventure in Chico, in the heart of Butte County: It’s a magnet for bird watchers (head to the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area) as well as beer nerds (raise your glass at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.). Best Western Heritage Inn provides easy access to downtown along with local gems such as Bidwell Park and Lake Oroville.
California is always a good idea. With more than 240 Best Western® Hotels & Resorts in the Golden State, set out to adventure from north to south. Explore the redwoods, sandy beaches, and top entertainment when you book with Best Western® Hotels & Resorts California now.