How much does a 7-day Star Wars road trip in California cost per person?

Plan on roughly 150 to 300 USD per person per day for a group sharing a rental and rooms. Disneyland tickets and extras like building a lightsaber at Savi's Workshop, roughly 250 USD each, push the final day up.

What vehicle does a group need for this road trip?

A crew of four fits an SUV, while six or more needs a minivan or two cars. The full loop covers around 1,000 miles, so rotate drivers.

What needs to be booked ahead?

Book Rancho Obi-Wan first, since visits are by advance reservation only. Disneyland tickets are date-based, so buy them for the whole group at once, and reserve a Savi's Workshop slot if anyone wants to build a lightsaber.

When is the best time to visit Death Valley as a group?

Spring and late autumn are best, because summer heat in Death Valley can be dangerous. The park charges an entrance fee per vehicle that covers everyone in the car, and you should carry plenty of water.

How should friends split costs on a California road trip?

Keep one shared tally for gas, park fees and snacks, and log the car, rooms and park tickets in one place so everyone settles up once at the end.

Some links in this guide are affiliate links. If your crew books through them, Crewcation may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

May the Fourth Road Trip: A Crew Guide to Star Wars Locations in California

Let’s be real: trying to organize a "May the Fourth" trip with your friends is a special kind of chaos. It starts with a shared love for the franchise and ends with a six-way argument over whether a "detour" to a specific rock in Death Valley is worth two hours of driving in 110-degree heat.

The biggest challenge isn't finding the locations—it’s the logistics. It’s trying to fit four adults, their luggage, and three "just in case" lightsabers into a mid-sized SUV. It’s the constant battle of the aux cord. And most importantly, it’s keeping the crew energized when the "Endor" redwoods are 800 miles away from the "Tatooine" dunes.

If you’re planning a Star Wars pilgrimage in California, stop the spreadsheet madness. We’ve done the heavy lifting for your crew.

The Route: From the Forest Moon to the Outer Rim

California is the only place on Earth where you can see the home of the Ewoks and the Jawas in the same weekend (if your driver is fast enough).

1. The Forest Moon of Endor (Redwood National & State Parks)

Start in the north. This is where the speeder bike chases from Return of the Jedi were filmed.

The Spot: Head to Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park (specifically Cheatham Grove). It feels exactly like the movie.

Vibe Check: It’s quiet, majestic, and a bit eerie. If you don't feel like a Scout Trooper is about to zip past you, you're doing it wrong.

Crew Tip: Pack moisture-wicking gear. The Redwoods are damp, and nothing kills the "Jedi" vibe faster than a cold, soggy crew.

2. The Galactic HQ (San Francisco & Petaluma)

Heading south, you have to hit the "civilized" parts of the galaxy.

The Yoda Fountain: Located at the Letterman Digital Arts Center (Lucasfilm HQ) in the Presidio. It’s a quick win for the group photo.

Rancho Obi-Wan: This is in Petaluma and it’s the world’s largest private Star Wars collection.

Logistics: You need to book Rancho Obi-Wan weeks (sometimes months) in advance. Don't be the friend who forgets the booking.

3. Tatooine’s Twin Suns (Death Valley National Park)

This is the grit. Death Valley stood in for Tunisia for several key scenes in A New Hope.

Dante’s View: This is where Obi-Wan and Luke looked down on Mos Eisley.

Artist’s Palette: Where R2-D2 got lost.

Vibe Check: Brutal and beautiful. The heat is no joke.

Crew Logistics: Do not—we repeat, do not—attempt this in the middle of summer without a serious water plan. One person in the crew needs to be the "Hydration Officer."

California, USA in pictures

4. The Grand Finale (Galaxy's Edge, Anaheim)

Finish at Disneyland. It’s the modern-day immersion.

The Move: Walk straight to Oga’s Cantina. It’s the only place where the "vibe check" actually matches the movies, complete with droid-themed music.

Crew Logistics: How to Survive 1,000 Miles

The "Saber" Storage: If you’re bringing lightsabers (and let's be honest, someone will), don't just toss them in the trunk. Get a dedicated bag. They will rattle, and they will annoy the driver after hour four.

The Digital Detox: Large stretches of the Redwoods and Death Valley have zero cell service. Download your maps offline. If the Crew loses the GPS, the "Chaos Phase" officially begins.

Transport Size: For a crew of 4, an SUV is mandatory. For 6+, you need a minivan or two cars. Don't try to cram into a sedan; you'll be at each other's throats by the time you hit the Central Valley.

Crew budget calculator

What will this trip cost your crew?

Crew size6 people

Trip days7 days

Per person

$1,050–$2,100

Whole crew

$6,300–$12,600

Estimate only, based on $150–$300 per person per day for food, local transport, activities and a shared stay. Flights not included; real prices vary by season.

Crew-Ready Home Bases

Finding a place that fits the vibe (and the group size) is key to keeping the peace. Here are our top "Crew-First" picks for this route:

The Redwoods (Crescent City)

Quality Inn & Suites Redwood Coast: It’s a 7.5/10 on the "Solid Crew Choice" scale. Why? Because they offer suites with actual space. After 6 hours in a car, you need to be able to spread out.

Super 8 by Wyndham Crescent City: The budget play. If your crew spent all their credits on lightsabers, this is your spot. It’s clean, functional, and close to the trails.

Death Valley (The Desert Vibe)

The Ranch at Death Valley (7.3 Rating): This is the classic. It’s inside the park, meaning you can hit Dante’s View at sunrise without a 2-hour commute. The outdoor pool is a literal lifesaver after a day of "Tatooine" heat.

The Inn at Death Valley (8.2 Rating): The "Selective Splurge." If your crew wants to feel like Imperial Senators, this is it. It’s pricey, but the gardens and the history are unmatched.

Anaheim (Galaxy's Edge)

Embassy Suites by Hilton Anaheim South (8.3 Rating): Two-room suites are standard here. You get a door between the "snorers" and the "early risers." The garden atrium also feels weirdly like a luxury hotel on Naboo.

Home2 Suites By Hilton Anaheim Resort (9.1 Rating): This is the high-value winner. It’s newer, incredibly clean, and has a layout that actually makes sense for groups. Plus, it’s walking distance to the parks.

The Selective Splurge

Don't go cheap on the highlight of the trip.

The Pick: Rancho Obi-Wan Guided Tour. It requires an appointment and it’s not cheap, but it’s a private experience that your crew will talk about for years. It’s 10x better than any "immersive" exhibit in a mall.

Ready to gather your rebels?

Start your Star Wars itinerary on Crewcation and invite the Jedi.