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If your family has already ventured up and down Route 1, there is much more to explore in the Golden State’s endless shoreline and sweeping landscapes.

Whether you want to coast the scenic mountains and valleys of the Inland Empire or to follow celebrities to chic Los Angeles, to visit the wineries and Gold Rush towns of the Central regoin or to enjoy the nature of the North Coast, you can plan your perfect trip with the California Road Trip Guide (877/225-4367), a great resource for the West Coast traveler.  If you are looking to enjoy a traditional American road trip with your family, their website has detailed maps and plenty of links to explore. They also offer sample itineraries, to help you make the most of your vacation.  Here are four exciting sample driving itineraries, each highlighting a few fun stops, and each paired with a conveniently located hotel.

Inland Empire: San Bernardino Mountains to Redlands

What the state tourism promotion calls the Inland Empire is also called the San Bernardino Valley, and it has a lot to offer the adventurous traveler.  You'll be able to enjoy magnificent mountain and valley views from the driver's seat as you weave your way across Southern California's largest region. 

Make sure your drive takes you through the Rim of the World Scenic Byway (800/429-9297 or 202-366-1929), an approximately 107-mile, four-hour drive over the crest of Southern California's San Bernardino Mountains, where gorgeous panoramas will greet the family at every turn.  Whatever the season, you'll get an experience unique to the Byway's high altitude. In the winter, drivers can enjoy snowy scenery impossible in the surrounding lower elevations. In the spring, the vegetation is uniquely lush, and in the fall, leaves turn bright autumnal colors.

Why not make your trip a long weekend, and start on Thursday?  Not far from the southern end of the byway is Redlands; you won't want to miss the Thursday Night Farmers Market (909/798-7548), a delicious and delightful experience.  On Thursday nights from 6-9pm, locals and visitors gather in crowds of thousands to wander the 150 food and merchandise booths set up along State Street in Downtown Redlands.  The market exudes a delicious aroma, as the smells of fresh fruits and vegetables, breads, nuts, seafood, ethnic cuisine and more waft down the street.  The pleasant stroll is completed with lighted trees, historic buildings and great entertainment.  Your kids will love the clowns, horse-drawn carriages, face-painters and magicians. Each week a different band performs, entertaining visitors with jazz, country, blues or rock.  Make sure, however, to stick with your kids in all the crowds -- the throngs can get thick, and those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult after 8pm.

Afterwards, spend the night at the Good Nite Inn Redlands (909/793-3723), outside Riverside, California, just 20 minutes down CA-91 from Redlands. With rooms starting from just $43 per night, the Inn will help assuage your guilt about the treats you indulged in at the market.  With a unique Southwestern feel, the Inn has cozy rooms that surround an outdoor pool and Jacuzzi. A night's stay includes a complimentary continental breakfast, as well as free parking and guest laundry. Nonsmoking rooms are available on request. 

Wake up refreshed and head to Lake Perris State Recreation Area (800-777-0369 or 916-653-6995).  Swim, water-ski, sail or fish in this sparkling former reservoir.  There are also extensive bike, horseback riding, and hiking trails around the water, as well as campsites that you can reserve by calling 800/444-7275.  Plus, in this region, rainy weather is limited almost completely to November through April; if you visit in the summer, you're nearly guaranteed a sunny day, perfect for water fun.