There are few things that signal the arrival of summer more clearly than the desire to hit the open road and see the vast expanse of territory that we call this great country. Think of it, summer is the only time where we have both the time and the resources to  pack up and set off. It certainly isn’t a new concept; many authors, including John Steinbeck, Paul Theroux and Jack Kerouac, have written about the glory of getting away both alone and with their loved ones (both human and otherwise), and setting off on the road in search of both self-discovery and discovery of the great beyond.

We are so fortunate to study in a country where it’s possible to undertake road trips; indeed, the concept of the American road trip is well-known worldwide, and there are tourists who come just to experience this piece of classic Americana. It is the journey, rather than the final destination, which makes the classic road trip so timeless.

 

 

As for me, I am a veteran of many road trips in my short life, both with my family and with my friends. Throughout these journeys, I have seen both the big city and endless cornfields throughout many different states, and have met people from many walks of life. The great thing about road trips is that there’s no set length for the perfect trip: Some of the trips I have taken have included weeklong drives through New England to weekend jaunts into the Sierras and beyond. So, for those of you who are searching for your version of Americana and have a burning desire to explore this vast country, I offer you some of my favorite routes.

 

For the weekend warrior or those of you who need a quick getaway:

One of my favorite short road trips is to head down the California coast. This trip is long enough to get considerably away from the hustle and the bustle of the Bay Area. Allow yourself at least three full days to fully enjoy this trip, but you can adjust it to fit your schedule.

From Berkeley, hop in your car and drive down State Route 24 (or Interstate 80, depending on from where you start) until it merges with Interstate 880. Once you reach San Jose, Interstate 880 becomes State Route 17, which takes you over the Santa Cruz Mountains and into a town of the same name. Stop in Santa Cruz for lunch or just for a breather along the majestic beachfront. If you’re into theme parks, then the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a nice diversion.

When you’re ready to continue, head south on State Route 1; unlike what Southern Californians will say, this road is not called “PCH.” In fact, this stretch of America’s most scenic road is officially known as the Cabrillo Highway, named after a Portuguese explorer who discovered the area in the 16^th century. Take in the view of NorCal’s other bay, Monterey Bay, as you continue southward. Drive through Monterey and head towards Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Carmel, where the buildings have no address numbers and Clint Eastwood once served as mayor, is a beachside resort town host to the world-famous Pebble Beach Golf Course. Don’t let the overpriced stores fool you: Carmel can be friendly to the college student’s wallet. You can embark on the 17-Mile Drive, which, for the price of a movie ticket, provides million-dollar views of the coast and a full overview of the course which plays host to the U.S. Open and other PGA events.

Within the city itself, a long white beach lays right below some of the links, which are easily accessible if you climb up some short cliffs. History aficionados should head over to Mission Carmel, one of 21 missions established during the 18^thcentury when California was a Spanish colony, and travel back into an era without cars, electricity and the Constitution.

As you follow Highway 1 south from Carmel, you’ll pass Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, which is well worth stopping for a hike among the redwood groves and waterfalls of “mini Yosemite”, as this park has been called. Soon afterwards, you’ll end up on the coast. Be careful as you drive the windy, two-lane road, but be sure to take in the view of the coast and the Pacific Ocean (from one of the many places for you to pull over along the side of the road).

Once you cross into San Luis Obispo County, about halfway down the coast, the road will straighten out and soon you’ll be in the tiny town of San Simeon, home to Hearst Castle, the home of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. If the name sounds familiar, the Hearst family gave millions to UC Berkeley, and is the namesake for Hearst Gym and the (Hearst) Greek Theatre. “The ranch,” as Hearst affectionately called it, is now run by the State Parks System, which offers fascinating tours of the buildings and the grounds.

You’ll notice that the outdoor pools bear a stark resemblance to Hearst Pool; the Greco-Roman architecture from here was copied on campus. After your tour of Hearst Castle, continue down Highway 1 until you reach San Luis Obispo. Return either the way you came or head back on the more-inland U.S. Highway 101.

For nature-lovers who want a scenic interstate trip:

About a year ago, I took a bus trip that did much of this route. We stopped at many of these parks for a day or two, which hardly did them justice, and did the entire loop in nine days. Needless to say, it might take a little longer for you in a car (the bus travelled at night while its passengers slept). To fully appreciate all of the scenery on this loop, give yourself at least two weeks for this one.

Start in Berkeley and drive south on Interstate 880 and then east on Interstate 580 until you reach Interstate 5. Drive south until you reach State Route 58, which will take you through Bakersfield and through the Tehachapi Mountains until you reach Interstate 15 in Barstow. The next city, Baker, (population 735) is worth stopping at to see the world’s tallest thermometer, located along Baker Boulevard, and to dine at the Greek restaurant down the street, The Mad Greek, which has been featured on the Food Network.

Once you’ve had your fill of gyros and souvlaki, hop back on the freeway, cross into Nevada, and completely ignore the lights of Las Vegas – don’t worry, you’ll be back. The one place worth stopping in this part of Nevada is Valley of Fire State Park, which is less than an hour away from the Strip but looks like Mars and feels about as far away. After Mesquite, you’ll enter Arizona through the Virgin River Gorge for 30 miles or so, and then cross into Utah, which, in my opinion, is the most scenic state in the Union.

First up is Zion National Park, which is accessible from State Route 9 and the town of Hurricane. Zion is easily worth a half-day if not more, and, depending on what time of year you head over, you’ll have a choice of trails depending on your level of adventure.

Take in the Zion Cliffs, which tower over you at Angels Landing: you’ll see why Mormon pioneers of the 19^th century considered this place to be heaven on earth. Just be aware, as in all desert parks, it is possible to encounter flash-flooding, which can be fatal to the unprepared traveler. The only part of Zion, however, where I personally found this to be a problem was in the Virgin River Narrows, which, unfortunately, was closed for this reason when I visited.

Next up is Bryce Canyon National Park, where you arrive after a short two-hour drive east from Zion on U.S. Highway 89 and Utah Highway 12. Bryce Canyon is, hands down, the most beautiful of the parks you’ll see on this trip. While there are many hiking trails in Bryce Canyon, a short trail with no shortage of gorgeous scenery is the Fairyland Trail, which allows for views like these.

Honestly, the beauty at Bryce Canyon took my breath away, and not just because of its elevation. Since Bryce Canyon is one of the higher parks on this trip, (the rim is at over 8,000 feet) make sure to have plenty of water. Trust me: I learned this the hard way.

While the scenery at Bryce Canyon is hard to beat, this next national park, Capitol Reef, in the eastern part of the state, is no slouch, either. Take State Route 12 until it intersects with State Route 24, and continue eastward past the town of Torrey. Capitol Reef is one of the most primitive parks on this trip. In fact, the Waterpocket Fold, which runs through the park, has only one paved road running through it. Its lack of human accessibility has made this park a paradise for nature lovers. Cohab Canyon is one of the best-known gems of this park, and is well worth exploring.

After Capitol Reef, you’ll head east on Highway 12, and then through Utah’s southeastern mountains on State Route 95, which becomes Utah Highway 261 not far from National Bridges National Monument. From there, turn south again, this time on U.S. Highway 163. If you see something like this on your horizon after crossing the San Juan River, you’re headed in the right direction.

If you’ve ever seen a Western movie, that image should be familiar. It’s Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, which straddles the Arizona-Utah state line at Oljato. You can’t hike here, but there are tours, both by jeep and on horseback, given by the Navajo Nation where you can explore the siltstone hulks. Believe it or not, Metallica once played on top of these stone pillars as part of a music video. (In case you’re wondering, they were airlifted on and off via helicopter.) While you’re here, try a Navajo Taco. They’re delicious, so much so that I learned how to prepare them and have made them for my roommates.

After you’ve had your fill of Indian Cornbread and Navajo Tacos, your next destination is the one that gave Arizona its nickname. You guessed it: the Grand Canyon. Take Highway 163 until Kayenta, and from there turn west onto U.S. Highway 160 and, after 80 miles or so, you’ll see U.S. Highway 89 again, and turn south until you reach Arizona Highway 64.

One of America’s natural wonders, the Grand Canyon was created by the flow of the Colorado River thousands of years ago, and is worth spending at least one full day. But you can’t just look over the edge: you must hike into it in order to fully appreciate the canyon’s true beauty. The Bright Angel trail is the most popular trail on the South Rim of the canyon, and there is plenty of water along it. The South Kaibab Trail offers some breathtaking views of the canyon as you descend, and if you’re scared of heights, this trail will make you lose that fear. Just remember:

After you finish your hike, head south on Highway 64 until you reach Williams on Interstate 40. Head west towards Kingman, Arizona, where you’ll reach U.S. Highway 93 that will take you back to Las Vegas. Take in the desert scenery and Hoover Dam, which straddles the Colorado River at the Nevada-Arizona state line. Return back to Berkeley the same way you came.

The destinations are nice, to be sure, but the best part of taking road trips is the journey. The bond you form with your fellow road-trippers is an unbreakable one as the adventure you share together is the cause of many fond stories and, perhaps, some crazy stories. No matter where you decide to pack up your car this summer, remember to have a great time and stay safe on the road.

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