San Diego to Yosemite NP road trip: 24 stops worth the detour

the third-oldest park — Chavez Ravine, the San Gabriels beyond the pavilions, and a Dodger Dog at sunset

Hidden Little Tokyo basement omakase from veteran chef Yoshiyuki Inoue, serving a nightly edomae tasting to just ten guests. Order: Edomae omakase.

A municipal course on the cliffs above the Pacific that has twice hosted the US Open, most famously Tiger's 2008 win. Anyone can play where champions have, ocean glittering off to the right.

Oakhurst's top-rated fine-dining destination plating seasonal French-inspired cuisine from local farms harvesting exclusively for its kitchen. Order: Tasting menu.

Restored 1854 Army post at the top of the Grapevine with original adobes and living-history days; the fort once hosted the Army's camel corps.

a long sandy beach under red bluffs and rare Torrey pine reserve views

Grand Central Market carnitas stall slow-cooking pork Michoacan-style, serving simple tacos heaped with chopped meat. Order: Carnitas taco.

A lush Arnold Palmer course at the Park Hyatt Aviara, threading wetlands and flowers near the coast and home to an LPGA major. North County's resort showpiece.

the Big A halo sign and the outfield rock-and-geyser waterfall, in OC sunshine

Family-run Mexican institution on Western Avenue since 1923, with a menu dated by decade showing how classic Cal-Mex dishes evolved. Order: Green corn tamales.

A Robert Trent Jones Jr. seaside course at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach, with two holes along the Pacific in Dana Point. Compact, breezy, and scenic.

A Tom Fazio canyon course at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, tucked into the Los Penasquitos preserve north of San Diego. Lush, secluded, and immaculate.

a bluff-backed Orange County surf beach below Monarch Beach

Late-night trompo al pastor carved to order, LA street-taco royalty. (Mid-City)

Twin-lake reservoir under a 425-foot dam: motorized upper lake, quiet lower lagoon, picnic coves.

clear, protected water with sea lions, leopard sharks, and reef snorkeling

Wrestling-themed Mission Hills taco shop known for oversized California and Surfin Cali burritos stuffed with steak, shrimp, fries and secret sauce. Order: Surfin Cali burrito.

at Cabrillo National Monument, high over the entrance to San Diego Bay

Homegrown Visalia counter spot that built a cult following on build-your-own quesadillas with fresh, simple fillings. Fast, cheap, and right on Main Street for the drive up Highway 198.

Simon Rodia’s 99-ft mosaic spires

historic beach cottages, tide pools, and coves between Newport and Laguna

A destination Italian restaurant that draws diners to Old Pasadena, making bread, butter, and pasta from scratch with local produce. Order: Squid ink lumache.

Granite cliffs, waterfalls & giant sequoias

coves, tide pools, and clear water in an artsy Orange County town