Plan road trips with jaw-dropping vistas, from California's coast to alpine passes, featuring can't-miss overlooks, short hikes, and photo stops.

Coastal Curves: Few drives rival the thrill of tracing a rugged coastline, where the road clings to cliffs and the horizon dissolves into endless blue. Plan a route that strings together ocean vistas, cliffside pullouts, and sleepy harbors, leaving time for impromptu stops at tide pools and panoramic lookouts. Start early to catch soft light on sea stacks and keep a sweater handy for stubborn marine layers that roll in without warning. Park at lighthouse overlooks for gulls, surf, and photos that feel cinematic, then wander short paths to pocket beaches framed by wildflowers. Watch for whale spouts from signed viewpoints, and respect posted distances around nesting areas. The best coastal trips are unhurried: savor roadside shacks serving fresh catches, detour to dunes for barefoot walks, and linger for a golden-hour finale where cliffs glow and the water mirrors the sky. Pack layers, check tide charts, and practice Leave No Trace so these shores stay spectacular.

High Mountain Passes: Mountain byways deliver elevation, drama, and a string of summit overlooks that feel like balconies over the world. Build in time for switchbacks and scenic delays, because every turn reveals alpine meadows, waterfall spray, or a trail sign pointing to a short hike with outsized rewards. Pull over at glacier-fed lakes for reflections that double the peaks, and keep binoculars ready for marmots, eagles, and elusive goats. At altitude, pace yourself—sip water, snack often, and let the engine cool while you wander to trailheads marked for half-hour loops. Weather swings quickly; carry layers, a compact rain shell, and a warm hat even on sunny days. Practice safe descents by downshifting to spare the brakes, and pause at interpretive overlooks where geology and history add context to the panorama. For stargazers, high-elevation dark-sky pullouts turn the windshield into a planetarium, rewarding those who linger after sunset with constellations bright enough to navigate by.

Desert Horizons: Desert routes showcase vast painted mesas, labyrinths of slot canyons, and night skies that sparkle like spilled salt. Map a loop that connects butte viewpoints, roadside petroglyph panels, and dune fields where wind sculpts new patterns every hour. Begin drives in the cool morning, pausing at sunrise overlooks as shadows crawl across red rock. Midday, explore short shaded walks through narrow walls, always checking forecasts to avoid flash-flood danger. Keep a generous water cache, sun protection, and a bandana for dust; the open road here is beautiful but demanding. Pull into scenic turnouts for layered panoramas, and step quietly—delicate cryptobiotic soils and hardy desert blooms depend on careful footsteps. As temperatures ease, find golden-hour ridgelines where the landscape ignites, then settle at a dark-sky stop to watch planets rise. Respect cultural sites by observing from marked paths, pack out every crumb, and let the desert's silence become the soundtrack of your drive.

Forest and Lake Loops: Woodland routes trade grandeur for intimacy, inviting you to roll down the windows and breathe in cedar and rain. Stitch together fern-lined byways, covered bridges, and quiet lake overlooks where loons call and mist drifts. Waterfalls are the stars—watch for trail markers to short waterfall hikes that deliver cool spray and mossy amphitheaters. Bring a picnic for scenic pullouts beside mirror-still bays, or rent a canoe for an hour to see the shoreline from water level. In spring you'll find wildflower carpets; in summer, shaded campgrounds; and as leaves turn, corridors of autumn color that make every bend photo-worthy. Pack insect repellent, a lightweight layer, and a thermos for leisurely stops. Drive slowly—deer love dusk—and use wildlife crossings whenever posted. Keep voices low at bird blinds, step carefully on boardwalks over bogs, and let the rhythm of ripples, wind, and birdsong reset the pace of your trip.

Countryside Culture and Culinary Detours: Some of the most rewarding routes wind through farm country and heritage towns, where scenery pairs with flavor and story. Plot a lazy trail linking vineyard overlooks, orchard lanes, and heritage districts with brick facades and ornate courthouses. Pause for tastings at farm-to-roadside stands, sample regional cheeses, and collect picnic ingredients for a feast at a scenic meadow pullout. Wander artisan markets for pottery and textiles, photograph murals and restored depots, and seek out hilltop viewpoints that survey patchwork fields stitched with hedgerows. Respect private land—use signed agritourism stops and designated lay-bys—and ask before photographing people at work. Time your day so you reach golden-hour ridges when barns glow and long shadows stripe the road. Support local economies by choosing independent cafés and co-ops, carry cash for small producers, and travel gently: low music, slow speeds, careful parking. You'll leave with fuller memories, a few edible souvenirs, and a camera roll rich in texture.