Day 14 takes you from the stunning beauty of Lake Tahoe, over the Sierra Nevada, and into California’s Central Valley before reaching the Bay Area. Along the way, you’ll pass through gold rush history, iconic bridges, and classic roadside stops before wrapping up in Oakland near the final stretch of the Lincoln Highway.
Morning
Freebird Chai
📍 South Lake Tahoe, CA
Start the morning with a warm cup of chai from this cozy café, a local favorite.
Echo Summit
📍 Highway 50, CA
A breathtaking mountain pass with stunning views of the Sierra Nevada, once a crucial route for early travelers heading west.
Strawberry Lodge
📍 Strawberry, CA
A historic lodge dating back to the 1850s, offering a great place for a quick stop or a scenic break. it has burned and been rebuilt many times since the 1800s.
Hangman’s Tree
📍 Placerville, CA
A dark piece of Old West history—this area was once used for public executions in the Gold Rush era.
BJ Cinnamon – Raspberry Twist
📍 Folsom, CA
A must-stop for donut lovers! This bakery is famous for its raspberry twists, a perfect road trip treat.
Midday
Folsom Historic Truss Bridge
📍 Folsom, CA
A classic iron bridge that once carried early travelers across the American River along the Lincoln Highway. Now a pedestrian bridge.
California State Capitol
📍 Sacramento, CA
Explore the grand Capitol building and grounds, a major historic landmark in the state’s political history.
Tower Bridge & Old Sacramento
📍 Sacramento, CA
Walk along the iconic yellow bridge and explore Old Sacramento’s cobblestone streets, lined with Gold Rush-era buildings.
SMUD Park
📍 Galt, CA
A nice park for a quick stop and stretch break on the way south, with a small Lincoln Highway Plaque in the center.
A&W Root Beer – Lodi
📍 Lodi, CA
Visit one of the original A&W locations and enjoy a classic root beer float, along with the vintage ground sign marking its history and starting point.
Afternoon
Hotel Stockton
📍 133 E Weber Ave, Stockton, CA
A grand historic hotel from the early 1900s that once served as a major stop for Lincoln Highway travelers.
Mossdale Crossing Regional Park – Final Link in the Transcontinental Railroad
📍 Lathrop, CA
A historically significant site where the final link of the first Transcontinental Railroad was completed in 1869.
Duarte Garage & Lincoln Highway Museum
📍 Portola Ave & 926 N L St, Livermore, CA
A fantastic stop for Lincoln Highway history, featuring a restored early 1900s garage and museum dedicated to the highway’s legacy. it is only open a few hours a week though.
Meadowlark Dairy
📍 Pleasanton, CA
A classic dairy known for its amazing soft-serve ice cream, a great treat as you near the Bay Area.
Evening
Jack London Square
📍 Oakland, CA
Named after the famous author, this waterfront district is full of history, restaurants, and great views of the Bay.
Jack London’s Cabin
📍 Jack London Square, Oakland, CA
A preserved cabin from the famed author’s adventures in the Klondike Gold Rush.
Heinold’s First and Last Chance Saloon
📍 Oakland, CA
A historic bar from 1883 that was a favorite of Jack London and early West Coast travelers.
Day 14 blends mountain scenery, Gold Rush history, and classic Lincoln Highway stops as the journey nears its final leg. From iconic bridges to historic saloons, this stretch captures the spirit of early road travel and California’s pioneering past.
