Arizona To California Road Trip: Top 16 Tips

Arizona to California road trip is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA. The 737 miles of Arizona to California drive takes around 12 hours and 28 mins without stops.

This article includes 16 top tips that turn your Arizona to California drive into an unforgettable journey. So if you’re looking for the best hotels, restaurants, and places to visit on the road trip from Arizona to California, take your coffee and keep reading!

6 Best Hotels On The Road Trip From Arizona To California

On Arizona to California road trip, you may want to stay at some points on the way. Here are the top six hotels on the Arizona – California route!

1. Best Western Copper Hills Inn: Best Western Copper Hills Inn is one of the best hotels where you can stay on an Arizona to California road trip. Driving from Arizona to Best Western Copper Hills Inn might take 2 hours. The room was clean and comfortable, the staff was helpful, and the breakfast was great. The owner of the hotel made sure everything ran smoothly. Check the Best Western Copper Hills Inn, one of the best hotels in the Globe, Arizona, on TripAdvisor and Booking.com for recent reviews, prices, and availability.
2. Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Happy Valley: Another top hotel where you can choose the stay on the road trip to California from Arizona is Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Happy Valley. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, the hotel is 167 miles away from Arizona, and it would take 3 hours and 38 mins to drive. The breakfast at the hotel was delicious. The room was large and clean, and the staff at check-in were beautiful and welcoming. The hotel has a great happy hour with three free drinks and appetizers. If you want to learn more about the Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Happy Valley, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
3. HOTEL PASEO, Autograph Collection: Didn’t our first two hotel suggestions interest you? So we would like to introduce you to the HOTEL PASEO Autograph Collection. HOTEL PASEO, Autograph Collection is located in Palm Desert, California, and it’s 405 miles away from Arizona. You can arrive there in 7 hours and 20 mins of non-stop driving. I had an excellent stay at the hotel. The room was beautiful and well-designed. I had easy access to everything I needed, and the staff was amiable. Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of HOTEL PASEO, Autograph Collection for more information.
4. The Prospect Hollywood: If you are taking a road trip from Arizona to California, Los Angeles, California, is must have a place you should visit. Plus, The Prospect Hollywood is one of the best hotels in town. It is The Prospect Hollywood, 526 miles from Arizona, and it would take 9 hours to drive. The Hollywood Bowl is just a short walk away from this hotel, making it an excellent choice for concert-goers. We stayed here after an evening at the Greek Theatre and were pleased with the clean and quiet rooms. The staff was friendly and helpful, making our stay even more enjoyable. If you need more info about the price and availability of The Prospect Hollywood, check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages.
5. Best Western Plus Hill House: Our next hotel is Best Western Plus Hill House, Bakersfield, California. It will take 10 hours, and 43 mins of car ride o reach this hotel from Arizona. The Hill House Best Western, situated close to many popular Bakersfield attractions such as Rabobank Arena, is a pet-friendly hotel with various thoughtful amenities. It is also a short drive to many areas and points of interest. In addition to a complimentary continental breakfast, the hotel offers on-site restaurant dining options, making it a convenient choice for travelers. Check the Best Western Plus Hill House on TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Best Western Plus Hill House for reviews, prices, and availability.
6. The Darling Hotel: Another hotel you can accommodate on the road trip from Arizona to California is The Darling Hotel. It’s possible to arrive at this hotel in Visalia, California, within 11 hours and 48 mins drive from Arizona. The hotel is just 45 minutes from Sequoia National Park and offers a great view of the Sierra Nevadas. The staff was accommodating during our stay, from check-in to check-out. Before making the reservation, we suggest you read the latest reviews on TripAdvisor and Booking.com.

In this part, we explained six different hotels you can stay at on the road trip from Arizona to California. You can pick one of them that suits your taste. Don’t forget to share your experience by writing a comment to this post. It will help people who will take same Arizona to California route.

Now, it’s time to discover the best restaurants from Arizona to California. We have six restaurant recommendations worth your attention.

6 Best Restaurants On Arizona To California Road Trip

If dining is a pleasure, some restaurants will please you on your Arizona to California road trip. This section lists the six restaurants to dine at on the road trip from Arizona to California. Stay hungry and enjoy!

1. Nurd Berger: We would like to start our restaurant recommendation list on Arizona to California road trip with Nurd Berger. Nurd Berger is located in Globe, Arizona, 67.3 miles from Arizona. It would take 2 hours of driving. The Arizona Burger was great. The size of the portion was just right. For more information about Nurd Berger, visit the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of Nurd Berger.
2. Rusconi’s American Kitchen: Another top restaurant you can choose to eat at on the road trip to California from Arizona is Rusconi’s American Kitchen. In Phoenix, Arizona, Rusconi’s American Kitchen is 152 miles from Arizona and would take 3 hours and 31 mins to drive. The food was delicious, and the service was excellent. We ordered braised short ribs and loved it. The bread pudding was also perfect. If you want to learn more about Rusconi’s American Kitchen, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
3. Grill-A-Burger – Palm Desert, CA: Another restaurant that can be preferred by those who are fond of food is Grill-A-Burger – Palm Desert, CA. It will take 7 hours and 15 mins of car drive to take 406 miles from Arizona to Grill-A-Burger – Palm Desert, CA, Palm Desert, California. The food is excellent, and the service is incredibly fast. You should try this place if you’re looking for great fast food near the Palm Desert. For more information, you can check Grill-A-Burger – Palm Desert, CA, on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
4. Brent’s Deli Northridge: Brent’s Deli Northridge deserves to be on our list. It is one of the most recommended restaurants in Los Angeles, California. Brent’s Deli, established in 1967, has earned acclaim for its mile-high Reuben sandwich. This deli offers a great atmosphere, with spacious and comfortable booths. Brent’s Deli Northridge is 546 miles away from Arizona, and it would take 9 hours and 28 mins of non-stop car driving. If you want to learn more about Brent’s Deli Northridge, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
5. 24th Street Cafe: If you enjoy dining, 24th Street Cafe would be an excellent choice in Bakersfield, California. It’s 631 miles from Arizona and would take 10 hours and 42 mins of car driving. If you’re in Bakersfield, be sure to stop by this restaurant. They offer a wide variety of food, and the atmosphere is reminiscent of an old-time diner. If you want to learn more about the 24th Street Cafe, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
6. Brewbakers Brewing Company and Restaurant: Another restaurant we recommend you visit on the road trip from Arizona to California is Brewbakers Brewing Company and Restaurant, Visalia, California. It will take 11 hours and 48 mins of driving to reach Brewbakers Brewing Company and Restaurant from Arizona. The restaurant offers a great selection of beers. I ordered the hamburger and pasta with pesto, and both were delicious. The service was quick. For more information about Brewbakers Brewing Company and Restaurant, you can check the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of the restaurant.

This section lists our six restaurant recommendations for you to eat on your road trip from Arizona to California. We hope these suggestions will help you turn your 737 miles journey into a feast of taste. Of course, you can choose a suitable restaurant from the list according to your preference. Remember, like you, people planning a California road trip need your opinion. Therefore, we kindly ask you to share your experience with us in the comment field at the end of the blog post.

In the next section, we list the destinations worth seeing along the route from Arizona to California. Keep reading.

4 Places To Visit On Arizona To California Drive

A unique experience awaits you in California. However, on your road trip, there are also some unique destinations, like Globe, Arizona. We want to explain the top four destinations we recommend on the California route.

• Desert Botanical Garden: Desert Botanical Garden will be the first destination we recommend you stop by on your Arizona to California road trip. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, Desert Botanical Garden is 143 miles away from Arizona, and it would take 3 hours and 21 mins to drive. The botanical garden is home to various plant species and stunning landscapes. If you are planning to visit, bring a power bank and charged phone so you can take plenty of photos. If you want to learn more about the Desert Botanical Garden, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• Universal Studios Hollywood: Universal Studios Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, is one of the destinations we recommend you stop by on the Arizona to California route. It’s 527 miles from Arizona and will take about 9 hours of driving. Action-packed entertainment awaits at CityWalk Hollywood! Thrill seekers can enjoy rides and shows at the theme park, while movie buffs can explore a real working studio. Shop, dine, and catch a flick at some of Los Angeles’ best businesses. If you want to learn more about Universal Studios Hollywood, you can check it on TripAdvisor or their website.
• Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace: Bakersfield, California, is one of the stops you should not neglect to stop by when you take the road trip from Arizona to California. And if you visit Bakersfield, California, we suggest you visit Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace. You can arrive at Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace after 10 hours and 39 mins of driving. The live music created a great ambiance while we dined. The service was good, and it was very family-friendly. The museum and memorabilia added charm to this very unique place. You can visit TripAdvisor and the official site of Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace for more information.
• Sequoia National Park: Do you also like to travel and experience new things? Then, it would be best to visit Sequoia National Park, Visalia, California, on Arizona to California road trip. Sequoia National Park is 722 miles from Arizona, and you can arrive there after the 12 hours and 22 mins of drive. The sequoia tree groves around the park are breathtaking and worth the drive. The road is windy, but the journey is worth it for the impressive views. In addition, you should check TripAdvisor and the official website of Sequoia National Park before going there.

FAQ of the Road Trip From Arizona to California

Here we are answering the frequently asked questions about Arizona to California drive.

How Long Is The Road Trip From Arizona To California?

• With ideal traffic and weather conditions, Arizona to California road trip takes approximately 12 hours and 28 minutes to drive. The driving distance between Arizona to California is 737 miles.
• If you want to make Arizona to California road trip by bike, the time you spend on the road will be two days and 14 hours.
• If you are crazy enough and plan to walk the Arizona-California route, then you will have to walk for nine days and 8 hours.

Where Do You Stop On Driving From Arizona To California?

There are many beautiful pit stops along the way to California. You can visit Globe, Arizona; Phoenix, Arizona; Palm Desert, California; Los Angeles, California; Bakersfield, California; Visalia, California on the road. Here we list four places to visit for you. For more information about the best places on Arizona to California journey, you can check the 4 Best Places To Visit On The Way From Arizona To California part.

1. Desert Botanical Garden: 143 miles / 3 hours and 21 mins to drive from Arizona | 597 miles / 9 hours and 18 mins of driving to California.
2. Universal Studios Hollywood: 527 miles / 9 hours to drive from Arizona | 210 miles / 3 hours and 28 mins of driving to California.
3. Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace: 630 miles / 10 hours and 39 mins to drive from Arizona | 107 miles / 1 hour and 52 mins of driving to California.
4. Sequoia National Park: 722 miles / 12 hours and 22 mins to drive from Arizona | 54.7 miles / 1 hour and 16 mins of driving to California.

Where Should You Stay On The Road Trip From Arizona To California?

There are many excellent hotels during your road trip from Arizona to California. We have selected six hotels for you. These hotels are listed below. Remember, you can find detailed information about these hotels in the 6 Best Hotels On The Way To California From Arizona section.

• Best Western Copper Hills Inn: 68.1 miles / 2 hours to drive from Arizona | 678 miles / 10 hours and 38 mins of driving to California.
• Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Happy Valley: 167 miles / 3 hours and 38 mins to drive from Arizona | 602 miles / 9 hours and 21 mins of driving to California.
• HOTEL PASEO, Autograph Collection: 405 miles / 7 hours and 20 mins to drive from Arizona | 340 miles / 5 hours and 35 mins of driving to California.
• The Prospect Hollywood: 526 miles / 9 hours to drive from Arizona | 212 miles / 3 hours and 31 mins of driving to California.
• Best Western Plus Hill House: 631 miles / 10 hours and 43 mins to drive from Arizona | 109 miles / 1 hour and 55 mins of driving to California.
• The Darling Hotel: 706 miles / 11 hours and 48 mins to drive from Arizona | 42.9 miles / 56 mins of driving to California.

Where To Eat Between Arizona to California?

If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your Arizona to California drive, you can consider the six restaurants we have chosen. In addition, you can read detailed information about the restaurants in the section titled 6 Best Restaurants On The Way From Arizona To California.

1. Nurd Berger: 67.3 miles / 2 hours to drive from Arizona | 678 miles / 10 hours and 36 mins of driving to California.
2. Rusconi’s American Kitchen: 152 miles / 3 hours and 31 mins to drive from Arizona | 602 miles / 9 hours and 23 mins of driving to California.
3. Grill-A-Burger – Palm Desert, CA: 406 miles / 7 hours and 15 mins to drive from Arizona | 337 miles / 5 hours and 28 mins of driving to California.
4. Brent’s Deli Northridge: 546 miles / 9 hours and 28 mins to drive from Arizona | 207 miles / 3 hours and 30 mins of driving to California.
5. 24th Street Cafe: 631 miles / 10 hours and 42 mins to drive from Arizona | 108 miles / 1 hour and 53 mins of driving to California.
6. Brewbakers Brewing Company and Restaurant: 706 miles / 11 hours and 48 mins to drive from Arizona | 44.0 miles / 58 mins of driving to California.

Conclusion

So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from Arizona to California. We have listed six hotels, six restaurants, and four places to visit on Arizona to California drive. We have also given you detailed information about each place so that you can make an informed choice about where to stay, eat, and what to see. We hope this guide has helped make your road trip from Arizona to California as enjoyable as possible.

Share Your Thoughts

Have you ever taken Arizona to California road trip? So, it would be perfect if you shared your experience with other travelers who want the same experience. You can share your thoughts about the road trip from Arizona to California and your recommendations about this route by using the comment field below.