A magnet for creatives and change-makers, San Francisco is home to world-leading arts institutions. Futuristic SFMOMA (San Francisco Museum of Modern Art) has works by 20th-century heavy hitters such as Georgia O'Keeffe, Frida Kahlo and Jackson Pollock, and innovative contemporary exhibitions. The Exploratorium lets creativity run free in the world of science and technology, with mind-bending experiments in light, sound and physics. Hungry? The Ferry Building Marketplace showcases artisan producers, from local coffee roaster Blue Bottle to handcrafted ceramics maker Heath. If you want to come home with a new skill, the building also offers a jam-packed program of events, including cooking demos with San Francisco’s leading chefs, guided wine tastings and free yoga classes. Keep the artistic vibe going with a stay at LUMA Hotel in the hip Mission Bay area, where large-scale installations include a twinkling LED waterfall in the lobby.

Tinseltown twinkles in popular imagination like no other city. Find your favourite star on the Walk of Fame (actress Jessica Chastain is one of the most recent inductees) or go behind the scenes at movie studios Paramount, Warner Bros and Universal – the latter also has an epic theme park that will keep the family entertained for a whole day. Discover the stars of tomorrow at famed improv and sketch theatre venue The Groundlings, where comedians Will Ferrell and Melissa McCarthy got their break. Checking in? Frequented by film stars including Marilyn Monroe and Errol Flynn, The Hollywood Roosevelt’s golden-era glamour encompasses a palm tree-shaded pool and plush cabana suites.

Palm Springs, the mountain-fringed desert oasis known for its mid-century design flair and Rat Pack groove, will occupy your days (and nights) fabulously. Take an architectural tour of the city’s modernist masterpieces before enjoying a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding area from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Gliding over four kilometres along the steep cliffs of Chino Canyon, the ride ends in the pristine wilderness of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park, where a network of trails offers hikes for all levels of fitness. Golf is another Palm Springs tradition; tee off at Pete Dye Stadium Course, considered one of the best in the US, or check into the luxe JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, which boasts two 18-hole championship courses and 26 tennis and pickleball courts.

Sleepy Newport Beach is the epitome of coastal California: upmarket yet laid-back and packed with activities to please all ages. The gentle waves at Newport Beach Pier are ideal for a surf lesson, while hiring a kayak or paddle board will allow you to explore Upper Newport Bay’s protected wetlands. Refuel the kids with classic American shakes and burgers at 1940s-style waterfront diner Ruby’s before setting them loose on the country fair-style Balboa Fun Zone, where classic rides include a Ferris wheel. Close to the beach and marina, boutique hotel Lido House channels retro Californian charm with a soothing blue-and-white colour palette and nautical-themed decor.

Just two hours’ drive east of LA, the wild Mojave Desert landscapes of Joshua Tree National Park are a playground of adventure. Lace up your boots for hikes of all lengths and grades – you’ll encounter eerie rock formations, sculptural cacti and dramatic slot canyons – or take the vertical challenge and sign up for a rock climbing lesson. Four dedicated stargazing areas offer unobstructed and low-light views of the night sky, considered one of North America’s best. The sleek architectural statement of The Kellogg Doolittle High Desert House makes for an impressive place to kick back after a day of outdoor fun – curl up in front of the sunken living room’s fireplace or watch the sunset from the west-facing patio.

The Napa and Sonoma Valleys are the big hitters of California’s acclaimed wine scene, but the Temecula Valley is nipping at their heels. This sun-drenched southern region 90 minutes south-east of Los Angeles retains a sense of nostalgia, as a horseback winery tour will show – for even more pioneer feels, try calling a horse-drawn carriage home. Soak up the sunrise from a hot air balloon and tread the historic streets of Old Town Temecula, which sprung up with the railway’s arrival in 1883. Experience the valley’s modern side with a stay at Pechanga Resort Casino, where 13 restaurants and bars have dinner and a nightcap covered. 

In the heart of mountainous central California, these two national parks are renowned for their natural wonders, including sky-grazing redwoods – at 85 metres tall and 11 metres in diameter, the majestic General Sherman Tree is the biggest on the planet by volume. The native trout swimming in dazzling clear mountain streams prove an irresistible lure for fly-fishing fans, while hikers will want to tackle Sierra Nevada’s trails such as the one leading to the mighty Mount Whitney, the tallest US peak outside Alaska – note, you will need to apply for a permit to take this trek. Crystal Cave is an underground cavern of water-polished marble populated with glistening stalactites and stalagmites. Surrounded by a sequoia forest, the local stone and cedar Wuksachi Lodge makes the ideal base camp.

There’s never a dull moment in California’s second largest city. Just 30 kilometres north of the Mexican border, its Hispanic influences are evident in the Barrio Logan cultural district, which buzzes with arty energy thanks to eclectic galleries like Bread & Salt and the monumental murals of Chicano Park. Sprawling almost 500 hectares near the city centre, lush Balboa Park is home to the world-famous San Diego Zoo, San Diego Air and Space Museum, Comic-Con Museum and more. Lively Mission Beach has a 3.2-kilometre boardwalk and penguin encounters, plus thrill-seeking rides at SeaWorld. At night, the historic downtown Gaslamp Quarter lights up with rooftop bars such as Techo Beso and glittering skyline views from luxury hotel Pendry San Diego.

15 of the Best Road Trips to Take in California