California road trips: 5 epic routes to explore in the Golden State of America

From north to south, east to west, and everywhere in between, California is full of beautiful landscapes, cool cities, and cute towns. Road trips are the best way to explore the state, as the journey itself is filled with must-see places, just like the destination you're heading to.
Here are five epic routes to explore in the Golden State of America:
1. Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip 
Length: 456 miles
Start point: San Francisco; end point: Los Angeles
Highway 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway or PCH, winds along the coast of California for almost 656 miles, giving drivers views of the ocean, lots of wildlife (like elephant seals), and some of the state's most interesting places.
2. Highway 395 Road Trip
Length: 453 miles
Start point: Los Angeles; end point: South Lake Tahoe
This part of the highway goes from the southern part of California to the Eastern Sierra Mountains in the north. Most people start this famous road trip in Los Angeles and make their way out of the city and into lakes, hikes, and strange roadside sites in the natural world. You won't want to miss the Alabama Hills, a group of round rocks at the base of the Sierra Nevada, or the famous Mobius Arch, which frames Mount Whitney in a beautiful way.
3. Carlsbad to the Lost Sierra
Length: 888 miles
Start point: Carlsbad; end point: Lost Sierra
This California road trip will take you to some of the best places in the state. Along the way, you'll get to eat and have fun. Take the coast north from Carlsbad's golden beaches to Malibu and stay at the Malibu Beach Inn.  To get to the Lost Sierra, which is just north of Tahoe and includes pristine forests, steep slopes, and clear lakes, you must pass through Sacramento.
4.  San Diego to Joshua Tree National Park
Length: 387 miles
Start point: San Diego; end point:  Joshua Tree National Park
Most people associate California with beaches, yet a large portion of the state is covered in breathtaking desert. Start in San Diego and proceed northeast toward State Route 78 to get your fill of the wide, dry countryside. When you arrive in Palm Springs, rent a hotel room and recuperate for a day or two before exploring the vast Joshua Tree National Park.
5. Rim of the World Scenic Byway
Length: 120 miles
Start point: Los Angeles; end point: Big Bear Lake
This California road trip is shorter than some of the others on this list, but it makes up for it with its beauty. From the Southern California coast, the Rim of the World Scenic Byway goes inland to the city of Big Bear Lake, which has ski areas and lots of lake-based fun.  When you get to Big Bear Lake, eat some food from California or Hawaii. Then, hike the Castle Rock Trail to see views of Big Bear Lake that can't be beat.
Unless you want to do things in the winter, plan your trip for the height of summer. Most roads will be open in the summer, and you can do a wide range of things.