Welcome to Los Angeles Magazine’s 1st annual “Road to the Super Bowl”. We will take you on a journey up the coast, starting at SoFi Stadium and ending at Levi’s Stadium. Although our beloved Rams lost to the Seahawks this past Sunday doesn’t mean that we still can’t celebrate the fact that the big game is being played in our home state of California. One of Los Angeles Magazine’s most trusted contributors, Madison Brodsky, and I set out on a road trip up the California coast, mapping a series of essential stops along the way. Think of this as a definitive guide for your own coastal adventure through the Golden State. California remains one of the most aesthetically pleasing states in the country, and experiencing it, road mile by road mile, is a privilege.
Whether you begin your journey in San Diego or Orange County, there are countless worthwhile stops along the way, an extraordinary opportunity to support local businesses, explore new towns, and meet the people who shape California’s fabric. It is also a good time to try that car that you always wanted if you do not want to take your own wheels. Beverly Hills Car Rental came through with a beautiful 2025 Porsche Cayenne, which you will read about here, too!
Follow our FOOTBALL PASS across social platforms, and don’t forget a well-packed cooler, Maison Perrier and Essentia Water, along with road-ready snacks like my Doughbrik’s Original Wafers, which I never leave home without and are essentials for the journey.
Credit: Artwork by Guerin Swing
First Stop: Inglewood, Where the Journey Begins
The journey begins in Inglewood, home of the Los Angeles Rams and the first stop on our football-forward itinerary. SoFi Stadium opened its doors in 2020 and has since become an iconic destination for sports and entertainment.
This football season marks the 10th year of the Rams’ return to Los Angeles after a two-decade detour in St. Louis. For a team with such deep roots, the Rams were L.A.’s first major professional sports franchise, moving from Cleveland to the Coliseum in 1946, the homecoming was about far more than football. It was about reconnecting with history and reigniting a bond with Angelenos.
Owner Stan Kroenke’s bold vision for a new era took shape quickly, beginning with the groundbreaking of SoFi Stadium in November 2016. Just two months later, the Rams made another transformative move by hiring 30-year-old Sean McVay, making him the youngest head coach in NFL history.
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“When I first got here, I felt the energy of L.A. right away,” McVay recalls. “This city has a passion for sports and culture like no other. We wanted to build something that matched that energy.” So what better spot to create the same energy as L.A. than starting at SoFi Stadium?
Credit: Courtesy Sofi Stadium
Stop 2: Santa Monica, End of the Trail
The Santa Monica Pier/Pacific Park
The Santa Monica Visitor’s Center
As Route 66 approaches its 100-year anniversary, the Santa Monica Pier, known as the official “End of the Trail,” is the perfect place to celebrate this iconic milestone. While you’re here, take a spin on the Ferris wheel, play a few arcade games, or grab a quick bite.
For a more relaxed pace, walk over to The Georgian Hotel, a 1933 Art Deco landmark that pays homage to old Hollywood glamour. Sit on the porch with a cup of tea and let the day drift by before continuing your journey.
Nearby, legacy hotels rise like sentinels of memory: The Georgian with its Art Deco elegance, the Fairmont Miramar welcoming generations of road trippers, and Hotel Casa del Mar shimmering above the Pacific with reborn old-world luxury. At Chez Jay, free peanuts crunch underfoot as stories swirl, Frank Sinatra, astronauts, and everyday adventurers once crowded the bar. Just inland, neon glows at Mel’s Drive-In, where milkshakes and chrome stools feel frozen in time. If these don’t tickle your fancy, Santa Monica has so many other restaurant choices, so take your pick!
Spend the afternoon at the Annenberg Community Beach House, where history invites a swim. Before you leave, collect a Route 66 Certificate of Completion, proof that the journey was real. As centennial celebrations roll into 2026 with music and vintage cars, Santa Monica reminds us that while the road may end here, the story never does.
Stop 3: Malibu, Coastal Reset
Next, it’s time to slow down in Malibu with breakfast at Carbon Beach Café, a waterfront gem. Indulge in classic favorites like eggs Benedict and avocado toast, and don’t miss their legendary donuts, which conveniently double as perfect road-trip snacks.
If you choose to stay the night, every room offers sweeping views of the Pacific, complete with wide-open balconies ideal for a glass of wine or a quiet moment in the sun.
Stop 4: Santa Ynez, Wine Country Detour and Slots
Chumash Casino Resort is the perfect place to recharge. Try your luck at the slots, enjoy a great burger, or take a dip in the new rooftop pool. Opened in 1994, the resort first gained popularity for its bingo hall, which remains lively and thriving today.
Stop 5: Solvang, A European Interlude
This charming Danish village feels like something straight out of a Hallmark movie, with European flair and small-town warmth. We spent the afternoon strolling through town, taking in the sights, and stopping by one of Solvang’s most beloved bakeries, Olsen’s.
Founded more than 60 years ago by Dennis Olsen, grandson of Bent and Michelle Olsen, this iconic bakery is well worth the wait. Be sure to try their signature Kringle.
Stop 6: Big Sur, California at Its Most Cinematic
Why put miles on your own car? One of the best ways to road trip is behind the wheel of a vehicle you might not otherwise drive. Our friends at Beverly Hills Car Rental made it possible with a 2025 Porsche Cayenne.
A road trip through Big Sur is an exercise in wonder. The highway hugs the edge of the continent, where rugged cliffs tumble into the Pacific and mist weaves through ancient redwoods. Every curve reveals a postcard-worthy view, turquoise waves crashing below, wildflowers clinging to hillsides, and an endless horizon stretching west. With the windows down and salt air filling the car, time slows to the rhythm of the road. Big Sur isn’t meant to be rushed; it’s a journey of reflection, freedom, and raw California beauty.
Stop 7: Palo Alto, A Culinary Timeout
Innovative Dining Group co-founders Lee Maen and Philip Cummins are excited to expand Sushi Roku within Palo Alto’s growing tech scene and local community. This season, stop in for special Super Bowl–inspired offerings:
The Touchdown Pack
The Safety Pack
The Field Goal Pack
The Extra Point Pack
Enjoy an elevated spread featuring nigiri, sea bass sliders, braised short rib sliders, American Wagyu with chimichurri, and a signature cocktail or mocktail before heading to the stadium.
Stop 8: San Jose, A Toast to the Finish
What’s a road trip without experiencing some of the best wines in the world? After checking into your hotel, set aside time for wine tasting at J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines. Founded in 1974, this family-owned California winery is celebrating more than 50 years of winegrowing across Monterey, Paso Robles, and Napa Valley.
Located in downtown San Jose, the J. Lohr San Jose Wine Center is the winery’s original home and offers a relaxed yet refined tasting experience. Guests can enjoy a winery-exclusive tasting that highlights small-batch, limited-production wines often unavailable at retail.
This curated experience showcases:
Single-vineyard or small-lot wines
Site-driven character and meticulous winemaking
Bottlings that reveal the depth of the J. Lohr portfolio
Knowledgeable staff guide guests through vineyard origins, style, and craftsmanship for an immersive tasting experience.
Final Stop: Santa Clara, Game Day
Enjoy the game, this is the ultimate final stop on your Road to the Super Bowl. Who are you rooting for? The New England Patriots or the Seattle Seahawks? Believe it or not, I am going with the Patriots!
Special thanks to my co-pilot, Madison Brodsky, and video and photo virtuoso Saul Padilla for joining us on the road trip with a camera, drone, and good attitude. I also want to thank acclaimed L.A. artist, Guerin Swing, whose custom map brings this journey to life for our readers. Guerin created our Fire covers from last February, along with our “Best of LA” cover. I also want to thank Beverly Hills Car Rental for providing us with a beautiful vehicle to use. Follow us on our Instagram: @LAMAG over the next two weeks as we share our stories on our stops along the way. We will also be showcasing a final static video on Super Bowl Sunday. Join us for many more Road series adventures, coming this year from Los Angeles Magazine.