A six-day California-to-Nevada drive through wine country, Los Angeles and the Mojave
Estimated cost
$3,618estimated total
Stays
$1,350
Fuel
$165
Food
$1,120
Other
$983
Estimates generated at planning time — your actual costs may vary.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
206 km2h 24mDepart 08:00
Start
CA, USA
Drive 206 km in ~2h 24min via US-101 S and CA-25 S from San Francisco
206 km2h 24m
1
Attraction
Pinnacles National Park
California, United States
10:24–12:542h 30m here$30
Volcanic crags, caves and possible condor sightings
Park at Bear Gulch before midday heat and carry water; hike the reservoir loop, watching overhead for California condors.
Day 2
463 km5h 34mDepart 08:00
2
Food
Cope's Knotty Pine Cafe
Bakersfield, United States
11:16–12:0145m here$90
3
Attraction
Griffith Observatory
Los Angeles, United States
13:57–15:421h 45m here$20
Iconic observatory overlooking Los Angeles and Hollywood
Use the paid roadside spaces near the observatory if available; arrive before rush hour for exhibits and city panoramas.
Drive 6.9 km in ~15 min via Franklin Avenue from Griffith Observatory
7 km15m
4
Attraction
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Los Angeles, United States
15:57–16:5255m here$15
Hollywood Boulevard landmarks and restored movie palaces
Park in the Ovation Hollywood garage with validation and focus on the TCL Chinese Theatre block rather than the full boulevard.
Walk 0.5 km in ~7min along Hollywood Boulevard
1 km2m
5
Food
Musso & Frank Grill
Los Angeles, United States
18:30–20:201h 50m here$190
Historic Hollywood dining room serving classic American dishes
Ask immediately about bar seating if no table remains; order a martini and one of the old-school steaks in Hollywood’s essential dining room.
Drive 2 km in ~10min via Hollywood Boulevard from Musso & Frank Grill
2 km5m
6
Overnight
The Hollywood Franklin Hotel
Los Angeles, United States
20:25–08:0011h here$250
Mid-range Hollywood hotel with an outdoor pool and parking
Use the on-site lot, confirm the SUV fits the assigned space and leave valuables out of sight; the location shortens cross-city drives.
Day 3
87 km1h 33mDepart 09:36
7
Attraction
The Getty
Los Angeles, United States
10:00–13:003h here$25
Major art collection amid landmark hilltop architecture
Reserve the free timed entry online and pay once for garage parking; prioritize the Central Garden and European paintings.
Drive 15 km in ~20 min via Sunset Boulevard from The Getty Center
15 km20m
8
Food
Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery
Santa Monica, United States
13:30–14:301h here$42
Landmark deli famous for substantial Italian sandwiches
Order the Godmother online if same-day ordering is available; otherwise take a number and browse the Italian grocery shelves.
Drive 3 km in ~10min via Lincoln Boulevard from Bay Cities Italian Deli
3 km8m
9
Attraction
Santa Monica State Beach
Los Angeles County, United States
14:38–16:181h 40m here$18
Wide Pacific beach beneath the landmark pier
Use the large beach lot south of the pier and bring swimwear; stay near staffed towers if entering the Pacific’s strong surf.
Walk 1.3 km in ~18min from Santa Monica State Beach
2 km7m
10
Attraction
3rd Street Promenade
Santa Monica, United States
16:25–17:351h 10m here$80
Pedestrian shopping district with boutiques and street performers
Leave the SUV in the beach lot and walk inland; browse independent shops before the promenade becomes busiest after dinner.
Walk 0.8 km in ~10min from Third Street Promenade
1 km3m
11
Food
Cassia
Santa Monica, United States
18:15–20:051h 50m here$190
Acclaimed Southeast Asian cooking in a stylish dining room
Request the earliest available table and share the kaya toast plus seafood dishes; the menu blends fine dining with bold street-food flavors.
◆
The Hollywood Franklin Hotel · Overnight
Day 4
45 km1h 18mDepart 08:00
Leave The Adler a Hollywood Hotel and drive 6.6 km in ~16 min via Santa Monica Boulevard
7 km16m
12
Food
République
Los Angeles, United States
08:16–09:261h 10m here$65
Celebrated bakery breakfast inside historic architecture
Arrive before the bakery line peaks and order shakshuka with a pastry; the tiled former bank is an architectural attraction itself.
Drive 2 km in ~8min via Wilshire Boulevard from République
2 km4m
13
Attraction
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Los Angeles, United States
10:00–12:152h 15m here$58
Major art museum beside the famous Urban Light installation
Use the Pritzker garage and confirm which galleries are open during construction; photograph Urban Light before museum crowds build.
Drive 16 km in ~25 min via Wilshire Boulevard from LACMA
16 km25m
14
Food
Grand Central Market
Los Angeles, United States
13:00–14:151h 15m here$55
Historic food hall showcasing diverse Los Angeles cooking
Park at Broadway Plaza and sample one focused lunch rather than grazing twice; Villa Moreliana’s carnitas are a strong local choice.
Walk 0.8 km in ~12min uphill from Grand Central Market
1 km3m
15
Attraction
The Broad
Los Angeles, United States
14:40–16:251h 45m here
Contemporary art museum in a striking honeycomb building
Check the same-day standby line and reserve Infinity Mirrored Room access on arrival; the permanent collection is free and substantial.
Walk 0.2 km in ~3min across Grand Avenue from The Broad
1 km3m
16
Attraction
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Los Angeles, United States
16:30–17:1545m here
Frank Gehry landmark with sculptural stainless-steel forms
Follow the exterior stairways and garden route rather than booking a full tour; late light emphasizes Gehry’s curving metal surfaces.
Drive 5.9 km in ~7 min via Alameda Street from Walt Disney Concert Hall
6 km7m
17
Food
Bestia
Los Angeles, United States
18:15–20:152h here$220
Acclaimed Arts District restaurant for handmade pasta and pizza
Check for same-day cancellations or bar seats; share roasted marrow, handmade pasta and a wood-fired pizza in the Arts District.
◆
The Hollywood Franklin Hotel · Overnight
Day 5
219 km2h 40mDepart 09:29
Check out after hotel breakfast, then drive 31 km in ~31 min via US-101 S and CA-110 N from Hollywood
31 km31m
18
Attraction
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
San Marino, United States
10:00–13:003h here$58
Art collections, rare books and extensive themed gardens
After hotel breakfast and checkout, use the surface visitor lot; start with the Desert Garden before temperatures rise.
Drive 4.7 km in ~13 min via Sierra Madre Boulevard from The Huntington
5 km13m
19
Food
The Hat
Pasadena, United States
13:15–14:0550m here$36
Classic Southern California stand known for pastrami dip
Order one pastrami dip to share with fries unless very hungry; portions are large and the casual stop suits the eastbound drive.
Drive 120 km in ~1h 12min via I-210 E and I-15 N from Pasadena
120 km1h 12m
20
Attraction
California Route 66 Museum
Victorville, United States
15:17–16:171h here$10
Volunteer-run collection of Mother Road memorabilia
Use the adjacent surface parking and check holiday hours before leaving Pasadena; exhibits explain the corridor’s migration history.
21
Food
DiNapoli's Firehouse
Barstow, United States
18:35–20:051h 30m here$90
Long-running local restaurant with hearty Italian cooking
Order a house pasta or baked specialty and ask about daily desserts; generous portions fit the final desert driving overnight.
Drive 11 km in ~11 min via Main Street and Lenwood Road from downtown Barstow
11 km11m
22
Overnight
Home2 Suites by Hilton Barstow
Barstow, United States
20:16–08:0011h here$160
Modern suite hotel with ample parking near the interstate
Park under lighting near the main entrance and top up fuel before morning; the open lot readily accommodates an SUV.
Day 6
400 km4h 37mDepart 08:00
Check out after hotel breakfast, then drive 165 km in ~1h 47min via I-40 E and Kelbaker Road from Barstow
165 km1h 47m
23
Attraction
Kelso Dunes
San Bernardino County, United States
09:47–11:271h 40m here
Towering desert dunes reached by an unpaved access road
After hotel breakfast and checkout, lower speed on the washboard road and carry ample water; hike only partway if heat is building.
Drive 19 km in ~22 min via Kelso Dunes Road from Kelso Dunes
19 km22m
24
Attraction
Kelso Depot Visitor Center
Kelso, United States
11:49–12:2940m here
Restored railroad depot interpreting Mojave history
Check current National Park Service opening status before leaving Barstow; shaded exhibits add context to this remote rail junction.
Drive 168 km in ~1h 45min via Kelso Cima Road, I-15 N and US-95 S from Kelso Depot
168 km1h 45m
25
Food
The Coffee Cup Cafe
Boulder City, United States
14:14–15:191h 5m here$45
Beloved diner serving hearty Southwestern breakfast and lunch
Order the chili verde or a diner special and expect a brief queue; this well-loved stop is livelier than an interstate lunch.
26
Food
Esther's Kitchen
Las Vegas, United States
18:45–20:301h 45m here$160
Arts District favorite for sourdough and seasonal Italian food
Check for same-day bar seating and order the house sourdough with seasonal pasta; it delivers quality away from Strip pricing.
3 km8m
Finish
NV, USA
Before you go
Local tips
- 1Download offline maps for Pinnacles and Mojave National Preserve before leaving cellular coverage.
- 2Check same-day timed-entry availability for The Getty Center, The Huntington, The Broad and The Neon Museum immediately.
- 3Leave Los Angeles drives outside weekday commuter peaks; traffic can double cross-city travel times.
- 4Refuel in Barstow before entering Mojave National Preserve, where services are sparse.
- 5Use hotel or large museum lots and explore dense Los Angeles clusters on foot rather than repeatedly moving the SUV.
Good to know
- 1Temperatures at Pinnacles, Barstow and Mojave can exceed 38°C in September; stop hiking if heat illness symptoms appear.
- 2Kelso Dunes Road may be washboarded or sandy; drive slowly and avoid soft shoulders despite SUV clearance.
- 3Mojave National Preserve facilities can close with little notice after storm or infrastructure damage; verify conditions that morning.
- 4Los Angeles garages vary in height and space width; remove roof-mounted cargo and prefer surface parking where noted.
- 5California and Nevada have no passenger-vehicle vignettes on this route, but express lanes may require a FasTrak transponder.
- 6Never leave luggage visible in the SUV at urban trailheads, beaches, Hollywood garages or roadside Route 66 stops.
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