i have done the drive. if you go from california you would actually have to drive west to get to the alcan (alaska/canadian highway), the only paved road into alaska. unless you drive to Seattle and take a ferry with your car underneath. those ferries,also called the poor man's cruise, are still quite expensive. if you drive on the alcan, you drive into haines. take a ferry into Juneau. to drive from there to anchorage or denali is another 12 hours. haines and juneau are magnificent. lots to do with kids. lots of hiking, boating etc... we camped out during the week, hotels very expensive.........