Drive California your way with GPS-driven audio tours that steer you through Tahoe’s shores, Yosemite’s granite, Death Valley’s salt flats and Joshua Tree’s boulders. Download offline guides, follow turn-by-turn narration, and customize stops across eight national and state parks.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You pull off a two-lane highway at dawn, the phone chime swapping narration into your ear while pine-scented air pushes against the windshield. The GPS audio cues slide you from alpine switchbacks above Lake Tahoe into the hush of a sequoia grove, then later the desert rocks of Joshua Tree heat and shimmer like a living atlas. Rivers dare you to linger; salt flats push the horizon wide and strange.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
Variable — multi-day (up to 8 days)
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; primarily driving with optional short to moderate hikes that require standard hiking fitness
Wildlife
History
The routes trace Indigenous homelands and later mining, logging, and conservation histories that shaped the park system and California’s modern road network.
Conservation
Download maps to reduce data use, follow Leave No Trace, and avoid off‑trail travel in fragile habitats; many parks use permit systems or timed entries to limit impacts.
Reserve your spot on the California Adventure Bundle: 8 Self-Guided Audio Tours today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Download before you go
Redeem your code in the Shaka Guide app and download tours and offline maps on Wi‑Fi—cell service is spotty in many parks.
Start at first light
Begin drives early to avoid midday heat in deserts and crowds at Yosemite viewpoints; sunrise light also makes photos cleaner.
Carry extra power
Bring a high-capacity power bank and car charger—audio narration and GPS drain batteries fast on long drives.
Respect seasonal road closures
Check park alerts for Tioga Pass, Tioga Road, and high-elevation trail access; alternatives are offered when passes are closed.
Smartphone with Shaka Guide app
Runs the GPS audio tour and stores offline maps—mandatory for the experience.
Portable power bank & car charger
Keeps your phone and devices charged during long driving days and remote stops.
Hydration system (2–3L)
Essential for desert and alpine hikes where water sources are scarce or seasonal.
summer
Layered clothing and sun protection
Temperatures swing widely between deserts, coasts, and mountains—pack sun protection and insulating layers.