Looking for the best songs for a California road trip? I have curated the perfect California road trip playlist with the best music to listen to on your next California travel adventure.
(And make sure to check out my essential road trip packing list (with free printable pdf) to make sure you have all your road trip essentials before you hit the road!)
California Road Trip Songs (For Your Road Trip Music Playlist)
These are my favorite songs about California perfect for a California road trip. They are perfect sing along songs, whether on a long road trip like driving the Pacific Coast Highway or just heading on day trip from Los Angeles.
I have also created a California road trip playlist on Spotify that you can find at the end of the post.
Best California Road Trip Songs
- “California” by Phantom Planet (the theme song from The O.C. TV show)
- “Californication” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
- “Dani California” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
- “California Gurls” by Katy Perry (featuring Snoop Dogg)
- “California Love” by 2Pac featuring Dr. Dre & Roger Troutman
- “California Girls” by The Beach Boys
- “Hotel California” by Eagles
- “San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers In Your Hair)” by Scott McKenzie (Check out this San Francisco 2 day itinerary from a local)
- “California Dreamin” by The Mamas & The Papas
- “(Sittin on) The Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding
- “Ventura Highway” by America
- “Going to California” by Led Zeppelin
- “Free Fallin’” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
- “101” by WALLA
- “Bixby Canyon Bridge” by Death Cab for Cutie
- “Big Sur” by Jack Johnson (perfect for a Big Sur roadtrip)
- “Santa Monica” by Everclear
- “Beverly Hills” by Weezer
- “LA Woman” by The Doors
- “Going Back to Cali” by LL Cool J
- “I Love L.A.” by Randy Newman (a bit cheesy but it is used by Los Angeles sports teams and I associate it with watching Lakers games on TV)
California Road Trip Playlist on Spotify
To make it easier for you to listen to these songs on your next road trip, I have created the ultimate California road trip playlist on Spotify (1 hr 20 min playtime). You can play this playlist from this post or download the free Spotify app to save it for later.
More Great California Road Trip Songs
Want more music suggestions for your California road trip? Here is my ultimate road trip Spotify playlist with 50 of the best road trip songs of all time.
What are your favorite California road trip songs?
Need some more California road trip inspiration?
- Best Road Trip Quotes
- Best Quotes About California & California Instagram Captions
- Best Places to Visit in California
- Best USA Road Trips