Part 1 | SoCal
Your ultimate California road trip guide in four parts (or one epic loop - recommended - for the truly adventurous). From surf towns to the High Sierra, I’m sharing decades of exploration through images and hidden gems I’ve discovered along the way.
Lodging : For this series I’ll leave lodging to you. Whether you splurge on the Montage or sleep in a Jeep (highly recommended), it’s the journey that inspires.
Destination: Vegas to Southern California
Miles: 485 (From Vegas)
Days Needed: 3–4 Days
Best Time of Year: Spring or Fall
Adventure Factor 1-5: 2 or 5 (2 if just cruising. 5 if you try climbing in Joshua Tree NP - It's notoriously difficult)
Hidden Gem: Roy’s Motel & Café — iconic Americana, like stepping into a Ruscha painting + Pearl St. Beach, Laguna (Solitude and Serenity)
Bonus Stop: Communal Coffee in Oceanside — craft coffee and curated vibes
Shortcut - Fly Into: Palm Springs, San Diego, or Orange County (John Wayne) Airports.
Joshua Tree National Park (Stop B)
Across the High Desert
We head south from Vegas across the Mojave to our first stop outside of 29 Palms, California - Joshua Tree National Park. Catch a sunset and a sunrise and enjoy nearby Palm Springs before departing for the coast passing through up and coming wine town Temecula and on to San Diego.
Joshua’s Sunrise | Sunrise casts a glow over massive boulders near Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park.
Infinity Stones | The sun sets over a sandstone landscape in Joshua Tree National Park.
Ocean Beach, California (Stop C)
Our Pacific Journey Begins Here
An epic lineup of surf towns await us as we begin our Pacific journey just outside of San Diego and travel north. Begin your day with Communal Coffee and enjoy a day of ocean-front cruising in perfect weather with each small town making their own contribution to the SoCal state of mind.
Finding Center | A long exposure at dawn beneath the Ocean Beach Pier offers a visual journey beyond borders.
La Jolla, California (Stop D)
The Pleasantville of the West Coast
Few places on earth offer the charm that you’ll find in La Jolla. Spend a day shopping and catch an evening symphony on the lawn overlooking the coast.
Summer Blues | Dusk settles over the Southern California coast as the Scripps Pier provides a window into the infinite.
Encinitas + Carlsbad (Stop E + F)
Your First Sweeping Elevated Views of the Pacific Majesty
Up to this point we’ve been overwhelmed with the laid back lifestyle that SoCal has to offer. Encinitas and Carlsbad shift our attention to the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean with elevated views from coastal bluffs.
Horizon (Sold Out) | Late afternoon light radiates off of the Pacific viewed from the bluffs of Carlsbad, California.
San Onofre + San Clemente (Stop G + H)
The gateway to one of the only places on earth people name by County - Orange County
We begin our conclusion of our Southern California with a string of beach cities in the iconic “OC.”
San Onofre The Southern California sun sets over the gentle break at San Onofre State Beach, California
San Clemente Light lingers in the western sky well after sunset as the San Clemente Pier points to a distant Catalina Island on a classic summer evening.
Laguna Beach (Stop I)
The American Riviera (Sorry Santa Barbara, it's just the truth)
North of San Clemente we find Dana Point and then what I believe to be the true American Riviera. Laguna offers crystaline waters, miles of pristine beaches, and majestic views from coastal mountains lined with multi-million-dollar homes that each boast their own perspective of paradise along the Southern Coast.
Blue Dusk falls over Pearl Street Beach near the south end of Laguna Beach.
Genesis Turbulent winter surf breaks in afternoon light on the southern shores of Laguna Beach.
Newport Beach (Stop J)
Home Away from Home - Where Vegas goes when we aren't in Vegas.
Our final stop is the posh destination of Newport Beach with miles of bike and jogging paths past ocean front homes on white sandy beaches. It’s 3.5 hour travel time from Las Vegas makes it one of our favorite escapes.
Last Light The Balboa Pier offers a visual portal into the infinite as the summer sunset fades across the sky.
New Beginnings The winter sun sets over Catalina Island viewed from the shores of Newport Beach, California.
Newport Blues A long midday exposure offers a distant view of Catalina Island on the Horizon.
UP NEXT : PART 2
CALIFORNIA’S CENTRAL COAST
Bobby Wheat Gallery | Downtown Summerlin
1825 Festival Plaza Dr. Suite 160
Las Vegas, NV 89135
United States
T: 702.569.7080