AMERICAN ROAD TRIP IN 2025? HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO!
If you’re dreaming of the perfect American road trip in 2025, California’s heartland and mountain corridors are calling your name.
With festivals that honor heritage and pop culture, new wineries and distilleries, national park adventures, and culinary experiences like no other, the Golden State is offering more than just sunny skies. Whether you’re retracing movie scenes, sipping local wine, or glamping under starlit skies, here are the must-visit events and destinations that will make your road trip unforgettable.
Taste the World at Terra Madre Americas
Mark your calendars for September 26–28, when Sacramento hosts the debut of Terra Madre Americas, a food-focused celebration of the Slow Food movement. Held for the first time in the U.S., this global gathering will feature food, drink, and discussion from across the Americas. Sample artisanal products from the Arctic to Argentina, enjoy international cocktails, and dive into workshops with coffee growers and ethical sourcing experts.
Wine in Yosemite: A Vintner’s Dream
Back for the first time since the pandemic, Vintners Holidays at The Ahwahnee in Yosemite National Park is an immersive wine-lover’s getaway. Enjoy tastings from top California wineries, fireside chats with vintners, and a showstopping five-course dinner in one of the most iconic lodges in the West.
MLB Hits Sacramento
Baseball fans, take note: Major League Baseball has landed in Sacramento! The Oakland A’s are now playing home games at Sutter Health Park, just a short walk from the Tower Bridge and State Capitol. It’s a rare opportunity to see big-league action in a more intimate venue.
Relive Your Favorite Shows & Movies
In Columbia State Historic Park, fans of Little House on the Prairie can meet original cast members during the 50th Anniversary Reunion this June, complete with a steam train wine excursion and prairie costume contests. Later in September, nearby Tuolumne County transforms into Hill Valley to celebrate Back to the Future Part III’s 35th anniversary. Expect DeLoreans, cast appearances, film tours, and proceeds supporting the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
Yosemite Celtic Festival: Music, Tradition & Whiskey
New for 2025, the Yosemite Celtic Festival debuts on November 1–2 in Oakhurst. Set against the stunning Sierra Nevada backdrop, enjoy Celtic music, traditional games, whiskey tastings, and shopping from artisans celebrating the cultures of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and beyond.
Explore the Great Outdoors
For a slow-paced, scenic adventure, Rail Explorers lets you pedal along vintage rail lines in Gold Country, offering panoramic vineyard views. Nature lovers should also stop at Cosumnes River Preserve, a 50,000-acre wildlife haven with hiking trails, paddling, and an audio-guided wetlands tour. Or, visit Soil Born Farms in Rancho Cordova, where farm-to-fork meets hands-on wellness—think yoga in the orchard, bird watching, and cooking classes.
Science & Spirits
Families can explore innovation and sustainability at the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity (MOSAC)in Sacramento. This riverfront gem features interactive STEAM exhibits and a cutting-edge planetarium. Meanwhile, adults can enjoy craft tasting at Rancho Cordova’s Barrel District, home to breweries, meaderies, and California’s first producer of Vietnamese rice whiskey at the newly opened Dao Distillery.
Gold Rush History Comes Alive
Celebrate logging heritage at the 65th Mid-Sierra Loggers Jamboree in North Fork on July 6–7, complete with axe throwing, chainsaw competitions, and swimming nearby. Or honor Tuolumne County’s 175th anniversary with events like the 49er Festival and Taste of Tuolumne on September 20 in Groveland.
Where to Stay: New & Iconic Lodging Near Yosemite
From luxury resorts to historic inns, Yosemite’s lodging options have never been more exciting:
- Wildhaven Yosemite offers glamping with comfort-first tents and mountain views.
- Under Canvas Yosemite, opening this summer, features luxe tent suites near the park’s Big Oak Flat entrance.
- Tenaya at Yosemite celebrates 35 years with newly renovated rooms and new outdoor amenities.
- The Inelle in Oakhurst brings boutique charm after a two-year renovation.
- Firefall Ranch offers a serene retreat with upscale cottages, a tavern, and vineyard views.
- Coming soon: The Outbound Yosemite Resort, debuting winter 2025, will blend nature with wellness-focused design.
More Lodging Gems
- Camino Hotel charms with themed rooms and a soon-to-open local wine lounge.
- Noma Resort near North Fork combines sustainability with elegance.
- Hotel Vista Sierra in Auburn connects guests to both adventure and local culture.
- Chicken Ranch Casino Resort and the upcoming North Fork Mono Casino & Resort offer gaming with luxury stays.
- Miller’s Landing and The Forks Resort at Bass Lake serve up lakefront charm and decades of hospitality.
The Adventure Awaits
From sipping wine in Yosemite to watching MLB in Sacramento, from pedaling through the foothills to dressing up for a prairie reunion—2025 is the year to rediscover the thrill of the American road trip. California’s Gold Country and Yosemite region have the events, the eats, and the accommodations to keep you inspired every mile of the way.
So, fuel up, grab your calendar, and start planning. The road to unforgettable starts here.
Sorin Dutoiu, Managing Partner of YOLO Media company
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