State guide
The best driving roads in California
19 driving roads in California, including 3 world icons, each with its route, climb and best seasons.
Roads193 world icons
Combined627 mi1,009 km of driving
High point3,033 m9,951 ft
The roads
Mount Hamilton Road19 mi · 42 min · 7 hairpinsView the roadbook ›
Angeles Crest Highway
Pacific Coast Highway, Big Sur
Tioga Pass
Whitney Portal Road
Rim of the World Highway
Lassen Park Highway
Ebbetts Pass
Glacier Point Road
Avenue of the Giants
Death Valley Scenic Byway
Kings Canyon Scenic Byway
17-Mile Drive
Highway 1, Sonoma Coast
Sonora Pass
Highway 1, Mendocino Coast
Palms to Pines Scenic Byway
Emerald Bay and the West Shore
Ortega Highway
More states
Driving in California: common questions
What is the best driving road in California?
Mount Hamilton Road is the place to start. Endless switchbacks from San Jose up to Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton
How many great driving roads does California have?
19 roads in our catalogue, 627 miles of driving in all, every one traced from OpenStreetMap.
What is the highest road in California?
Tioga Pass is the highest, climbing to about 3,033 m (9,951 ft).