We share five US Summer Road Trips that are in and near Central California in this article. All of these destinations have an Outdoor Adventure flair to them and all are within six hours of driving from Paso Robles California! US Summer Road Trip Outdoor Adventure Destinations: Central California awaits you in this article!

WE WILL BE BREAKING APART THE US INTO REGIONS, AND FROM THE PLACES THAT WE HAVE LIVED AS NOMADS OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, AND WE WILL SHARE OUR SUMMER ROAD TRIP GUIDES WITHIN SIX HOURS OF THOSE LOCATIONS! IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A SUMMER ROAD TRIP DESTINATION IN THE Central CALIFORNIA REGION WITH OUTDOOR ADVENTURE ENERGY THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOU. Let’s head to paso robles first, maybe you won’t leave there after you watch the Wine Folly’s video below!

Our full list will feature the summer road trip guide from these destinations that we have lived in:
1. Columbus Ohio (Midwest)
2. Traverse City Michigan (Great Lakes)
3. Grand Junction Colorado (Mountain West)
4. Seattle Washington (PNW)
5. Malibu/Joshua Tree Halfway = San Bernardino (SoCal)
6. Paso Robles California (Central Cali)
7. Sedona Arizona (American Southwest)
8. Tamarindo Costa Rica (Lower Central America)

Here is your Summer Road Trip Central California Destinations List!

Pinnacles National Park, California.

One of the newer National Parks in the US (previously a National Monument) packs an outdoorsy punch in its offerings versus crowds/difficulty to visit and experience.
This park is split in two and divided by the “Pinnacles” that give the area its name. These jagged rocks weren’t interested in a paved road, so a visit to the East side and then a visit to the West side of the parks aren’t just as easy as going up and over on a road.
The High Peaks Trail is one of the best day hikes in the US and its California Condor population is protected and flourishing compared to what it used to be.
There are no in-park lodges and honestly not much nearby once out of the park. This is California farming land at its peak. Camping inside of the park is great when temperatures dip below 80F (which is only a few months a year.)
The area also boasts caves, rock climbing, and red eyed frogs! Compared to some of the other more popular California National Parks you’ll have this place to yourself and the frogs.
Distance from Paso Robles California: 1h 28m.
Road Trip Add On’s From Here: Lassen Volcanic National Park, Sutter Creek, California.

San Luis Obsispo, California

SLO as its referred to by the locals has a vibrant city scene with outstanding restaurants, museums, yoga studios in renovated barns (my friend Candice and I went weekly!), and yes event some hiking.
The hiking peaks in SLO are an outstanding 1-2 punch with a then visit to the ocean.
The distance is short to cover but the area is filled with hiking trails, state park, and national forests all butting right up to the Pacific Ocean!
Bishop Peak, Froom Canyon, Reservoir Canyon, and the Cerro are all lovely day hikes.
Head back to Paso along the coast and continue your treks with parks like Morro Rock and Harmony Headlands or if you decide to keep going South on the coast make sure you visit the new Pismo Preserve in Pismo Beach!
Distance from Paso Robles California: 0h 50m.
Road Trip Add On’s From Here: Santa Barbara California, Santa Ynez, California.

Death Valley National Park

Well more like a spring or fall visit…but it must not be omitted!
Death Valley is one of my favorite areas of the country and one of the coolest places in the entire world.
Massive Sand Dunes, High Peak Mountains, Painted Canyons, the lowest point in the lower 48 in a Salt Basin, and even a castle named after Scott and charcoal kilns.
It’s also home to the rocks that get moved by massive winds, a huge amount of flowers (contrary to belief due its name), and “The World’s Toughest Foot Race” known as Badwater.
It’s a can’t miss if you aren’t this way often even if it is the summer. (Extreme caution is advised to visit then.)
My favorite spot to stay is the Stovepipe Wells area for proximity to sunrise and sunsets at the Mesquite Sand Dunes.
Distance from Paso Robles California: 5h 28m.
Road Trip Add On’s From Here: Bishop, California. Mammoth Lakes, California.

Big Basin Redwood State Park

North of San Fran is where the redwoods have gained their fame, but south of the bay lies the most continuous stand of ancient coast Redwood Trees.
These are impossible to photograph well and a must see if you are able to do so on a road trip.
A walk amongst the giants is one of the more humbling and beautiful experiences of my life.
Distance from Paso Robles California: 2h 55m.
Road Trip Add On’s From Here: Santa Cruz CA Surfing, Half Moon Bay, California.

Lake Tahoe, California.

This is admittedly one of the two places I am surprised I have never visited in the US and really hope to someday.
(Kauai and the Big Island in Hawaii being the other one.)
But it looks every bit of wonderful beauty in the pictures that I would imagine visiting.
I barely want to promote it because of all the issues with affordable housing for its residents and the seasonal workers but I don’t think I am going to make or break the Tahoe tourism issues with having it on the list.
It’s an iconic slice of the Planet and a place I hope is preserved forever.
Hiking the Tahoe Rim Trail is a dream of mine that I hope one day will come true.
Distance from Paso Robles California: 5h 46m.
Road Trip Add On’s From Here: Tahoe National Forest, California. Great Basin National Park, Nevada.

That’s our Central California Summer Road Trip List, thanks for reading and comment below with an addition!

Because Adventure Feeds the Soul,
Mike R