Drive 190.9 miles • 3 hours, 56 minutes

Tour this collection of SoCal shores and discover what makes the Golden State such a tourist haven. Whether you’re walking on an uncrowded shore in Oxnard or a bustling Newport stretch of sand, take some time and savor the fresh sea air and compelling sights.

1. Oxnard

Starting Point • Nature, Outdoor Recreation

Just one-hour north of LA, the low-key beach town of Oxnard has to be one of the most authentic and charming of California’s coastal enclaves. For visitors, Oxnard is a place for old school beach fun, where children build sandcastles and young surfers bob on cresting waves at Hollywood Beach, Silver Strand Beach and Oxnard Shores. Rent a kayak in the harbor, or take a short drive to Ventura and embark on a tour boat to the rugged Channel Islands, just 11 miles off the coast.

2. Malibu

35.4 miles, 54 minutes • Entertainment, Food, Outdoor Recreation, Quirky

Along this beautiful 27-mile coastline, stunning homes cling impossibly to cliff faces above wide golden sands, where roller bladers, joggers and celebrity jet-setters preen below. The most inviting beaches are Westward Beach, Zuma Beach and El Matador State Beach (part of the Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach). For a more grounding experience, admire the coastal views with a beer and fish and chips on Malibu’s 780-foot fishing dock, where local fishermen cast their lines.

RECOMMENDED STOPOVERS

Dockweiler RV Park – Playa Del Rey, CA – (800) 950-7275

3. Newport

65.4 miles, 1 hour, 21 minutes • Food, Outdoor Recreation, Shopping

Newport is the star of a gorgeous 44-mile string of seaside towns where the hip SoCal vibe meets the poise of the French Riviera. Along with pristine stretches of sand, secluded coves and epic surf breaks, Newport has a folksy vibe and great shopping, not to mention year-round outdoor activities and events. Renowned for its inclusive vibe, you can join the Louis Vuitton-clad yachtsmen, surfer dudes and regular denizens who feast on excellent seafood and play beach volleyball.

RECOMMENDED STOPOVERS

Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina – Newport Beach, CA – (800) 765-7661

4. San Diego

90.1 miles, 1 hour, 41 minutes • Entertainment, History, Outdoor Recreation

It’s easy to fall for San Diego. More than just a family-friendly, Southern California beach town, San Diego these days is reaching for the stars. From the glorious Balboa Park—the nation’s largest urban cultural park and home to 15 stellar museums—to hipster communities, the world-famous San Diego Zoo and the Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego knows how to inhabit and grace the moment. And when it comes to Shores, Windansea Beach, Ocean Beach and Sunset Cliffs all hit the mark.

RECOMMENDED STOPOVERS

Olive Ave RV Resort – Vista, CA – (877) 633-3557

Mission Bay RV Resort – San Diego, CA – (877) 219-6900

Chula Vista RV Resort – Chula Vista, CA – (800) 770-2878

Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve – Santee, CA – (619) 596-3141