Extreme weather is changing California. These road trips show how

In a year of historic storms, drought and the aftermath of wildfires, a Guardian reporter hit the road to see how three popular routes are faring

The romance of the American road trip has lured travelers into their cars over the last century, offering a break from itineraries and access to wild landscapes across the west. These adventures also provide one of the only ways I can visit the far-flung places I love most.

They are places that are rapidly changing. From the coast to the mountains, the forest to the desert, California's long drives offer a frontline view of the climate crisis.