How to conquer California's I-5 like a true road warrior

Yreka is a perfect example of a cute little Northern California town. Learn all about the history that makes this area so special at the Siskiyou County Museum. You'll find a bounty of information on local indigenous tribes, trappers and miners, early Chinese immigrants, and pioneers who settled in this paradise. Among the displays are a recreated general store and pioneer kitchen, as well as artifacts and photos. The museum also has an outdoor display of historical mining and logging equipment, along with historical buildings. A stop here is a great way to stretch your legs before hitting the road again.

Lake Shasta Caverns is one of the more adventurous and mystical stops along I-5. The ancient caves (which are 200 million years old) are now a National Natural Landmark, and touring them requires a scenic boat ride and then a bus trip to the cave's entrance. From there, you get to explore the various rooms in the cavern. Admire striking cave formations like cave coral, helictites, stalactites and stalagmites, cave drapery and flowstone as you wander through the passageways. Be on the lookout for the name and date of the first recorded explorer, James A. Richardson. He wrote on the wall using carbide from his miner's lamp on November 11, 1878, and it's still clearly visible in the Discovery Room. You'll also learn about the Native American history here, which predates Richardson's discovery.

Another great local museum on the route is the Sacramento Valley Museum. Located in a hundred-year-old former high school building, it tells and interprets the history of the Sacramento Valley through mid-19th to mid-20th century artifacts, textiles, and documents and more. You'll learn about fashion, medicine, industry, home life, and tons more through the ages as you peruse the exhibits. Pro tip: Make sure to leave time to browse the old books for sale in the basement. They're a total bargain at $1 apiece.

The crown jewel of the city of Lodi is Micke Grove Park. It's not hard to spend a full day exploring here, since the park contains tons to see and do. There's the Micke Grove Zoo, home to snow leopards, bobcats, marmosets, tamarins, and more; the three-acre Wortley Lake, with its 40-foot water fountain; a beautifully landscaped and incredibly detailed Japanese Garden featuring cherry trees, a pagoda, a tea house and a koi pond; the San Joaquin County Historical Museum, made up of four historic buildings to explore; and Fun Town at Micke Grove, a theme park with carnival rides, treats, and more. Whether you just stop at one attraction, or visit as many as you can, this beloved park has something for everyone.

Another spot where you can appreciate the natural beauty and wildlife in the area is the Kern National Wildlife Refuge. If you look closely, you might spot coyotes, lizards, snakes, and of course, tons of birds, as the wetland habitat is ideal for waterfowl. While the refuge is mostly for hunters, there's a 6-mile gravel auto tour scenic route that makes for a good break from the endless ribbon of highway. There are a few parking lots along the way with trails. Note that the auto tour road closes on Wednesdays and Saturdays between October and January for waterfowl hunting during the season.

If you've only got time for one stop in Los Angeles, make it Griffith Observatory. During the day, the free museum offers a look at the history of the gorgeous old building and park and a nice overview of the science of astronomy. At night, the big telescope is turned on for visitors to use, and smaller (but still powerful) telescopes are set up around the observatory. For even more space-themed fun, you can buy a ticket to a show in the planetarium. And make sure to admire the views of the city and the Hollywood sign from the various viewpoints around the building. The park where the observatory is located has plenty of hiking, an abandoned zoo, and much more to see and do. Plus, the observatory will scratch any itches you might have for Hollywood history: Countless TV shows and movies have been filmed here, including (and most famously) Rebel Without a Cause starring James Dean.