There’s something uniquely thrilling about embarking on a British Columbia to California road trip (or flipping the direction from California down to BC). One-way travel offers freedom to explore without circling back, and with reliable auto-transport services from US Canada Auto Transport, you can ship your vehicle across the border and continue your trip unencumbered.
Whether you’re driving southbound from Canada into the U.S., or northbound from California up into the wild Pacific Northwest, you’ll be moving through iconic landscapes, tasting local fare, and discovering hidden gems. If your journey starts in BC and ends in California—or vice versa—be sure to check out our dedicated province page for details on shipping logistics: Ship a car to California from British Columbia.
In this guide, we’ll map out a delicious corridor of coast, forest, wine country and seaside towns—perfect for anyone craving a road trip that pairs scenery with flavor.
The Route Overview: From Sea to Mountains and Back
This route spans hundreds of miles of coastline, forest canopy and vineyard-lined valleys. Traveling from British Columbia to California or vice versa encompasses dramatic changes—in scenery, cuisine and culture. According to travel guides, the trip between Vancouver and San Francisco can take 16–18 hours of driving, or much longer when you factor in scenic detours and food stops.
To make the most of the drive, plan for 5–10 days, focus on local flavors along the way, and allow your car to be shipped if you’d prefer an easy finish rather than a return drive.
Highlighted Foodie Stops & Scenic Segments
Here are the major sections of travel where both flavor and landscape shine:
British Columbia & the Pacific Northwest
Begin (or end) your trip in Vancouver or neighbouring towns in BC, where the coast meets forested mountains and local cuisine reflects the Pacific. Wander through Granville Island’s market stalls, enjoy sushi by the waterfront, or stop for smoked salmon and craft beer. The provincial highway network—like the Sea-to-Sky corridor on Highway 99—makes for memorable drives.
When you depart Canada for the U.S., you’ll cross the border (typically at Blaine/Peace Arch) and enter Washington. Seattle is a natural food stop—fresh crab, chowder, coffee roasts and seafood markets. Don’t rush the transition; savour the first tastes of the journey.
Oregon Coast: Seafood, Sand & Cliffs
Heading south along Highway 101 or detouring from I-5 delivers one of the most delicious coastal experiences in North America. Small seaside towns dot the route and each offers its signature meal: chowder, oysters, crab, clam fritters. The Oregon coast’s dramatic cliffs and dunes add to the flavor of the drive.
Northern California & the Redwoods
Enter California and you’ll find the redwood groves, wine country pockets and coastline all rolled into one. In Humboldt County, Joe’s crab shack or a seaside tavern becomes the perfect lunch pit-stop after driving through ancient trees. Further south, vineyard-connected meals offer wine pairings with local cheeses, charcuterie and fresh produce.
Central Coast & Big Sur to Southern California
The stretch from Monterey/Carmel through Big Sur and down to Santa Barbara combines the glamorous with the rugged. For lunch, choose a cliff-facing café in Big Sur; for dinner, enjoy seaside dining in Santa Barbara. This area is perfect for mixing gourmet meals with sunset views, ocean breeze and vineyard detours.
Food-Focused Travel Tips
- Local seafood is king. From Dungeness crab in the Northwest to river-fresh trout in BC and sea urchin on California’s shore, eat what the region catches.
- Visit markets when you arrive. Granville Island in Vancouver, Pike Place in Seattle, farmers’ markets in Santa Barbara—all deliver fresh produce, local cheese and snacks perfect for the road.
- Pair food with scenery. A picnic under redwoods, a lunch overlooking the Pacific, or a post-hike brunch at a mountain lodge—all elevate the meal into a memory.
- Customs & logistics matter. If you’re transporting your car one-way and flying in/out, ensure you book your vehicle shipping ahead of time. US Canada Auto Transport simplifies cross-border auto transport so you don’t need to backtrack your drive.
Using the Road Trip Planner
To tailor your trip to your time-frame, tastes and rate of travel, use our handy Road Trip Planner. It helps you build your route, pick food stops, plot scenic detours and estimate driving times between towns. As you plug in your starting point (BC or California) and end point, you’ll see options for coastal drives, forest routes, vineyard stops and mountain loops.
Border & Vehicle Shipping Tips
- One-way car transport is easier than you think. With US Canada Auto Transport, you can conclude your drive in one country and have your vehicle shipped back across the border without you driving it back.
- Border crossing note: Carry proper ID (passport), ensure your vehicle paperwork is in order, and double-check duty/tax regulations if you plan to cross with specialty items or carry food.
- Fuel & routing: If you prefer slower scenic drives, choose coastal routes (US 101 & CA 1) and plan extra days. For a quicker drive, core highways like I-5 offer speed but fewer scenic food stops.
Sample Seven-Day Foodie Road Trip Itinerary
Here’s a sample layout (you can adapt it north- or south-bound) that mixes dining, scenery and one-way driving ease:
Day 1: Vancouver (BC) → Seattle
- Pike Place chowder: Lunch
- Waterfront seafood in Seattle: Dinner
- Seattle region: Overnight
Day 2: Seattle → Cannon Beach (Oregon coast)
- Clam chowder + ocean view: Lunch
- Coastal bistro near the dunes: Dinner
- Beach-town resort: Overnight
Day 3: Oregon coast → Humboldt County, CA
- Oyster bar in Oregon: Lunch
- Crab + local wine near redwoods: Dinner
- Lodge near Eureka or redwoods: Overnight
Day 4: Humboldt → Monterey / Carmel
- Farm-to-table near Mendocino: Lunch
- Mediterranean-style seafood in Carmel-by-the-Sea: Dinner
- Resort in Monterey Peninsula: Overnight
Day 5: Monterey → Big Sur → Santa Barbara
- Cliff-facing café in Big Sur: Lunch
- Dinner in Santa Barbara near the sea: Dinner
- Seaside resort in Santa Barbara: Overnight
Day 6: Explore Santa Barbara
- Beachfront café: Luch
- Wine-paired fine dining: Dinner
- Same resort or similar: Overnight
Day 7: Wrap-up drive & vehicle shipping
- Scenic stop en route: Lunch
- Final meal at your endpoint: Dinner
- Arrange one-way auto transport: after relaxing, hand off your car to US Canada Auto Transport and exit at ease.
Why This One-Way Road Trip Works
- Freedom & flexibility – Drive one direction, ship your car back, skip the return leg.
- Scenic diversity – Mountain peaks in BC, Pacific waves in Oregon, redwoods in California, vineyards in Santa Barbara.
- Food experiences – Each region adds its own culinary chapter: salmon & coffee in BC/WA, chowder & oysters on the Oregon coast, wine & cheese in California.
- Cross-border ease – You’re not just crossing states—you’re travelling between countries. With US Canada Auto Transport handling your vehicle, you focus on the drive.
Whether you’re heading southbound from British Columbia to California, or driving northbound from California into the Pacific Northwest and Canada, this route offers unforgettable scenery and flavour-rich stops. Use our Road Trip Planner to refine your adventure, and consider our services to manage your car shipping seamlessly.
Google Maps Link for the Itinerary
Here’s a Google Maps route you can use as a starting point: View the Foodie Road Trip Map on Google Maps.
