Despite its large population, California has lots of open space. Along Interstate 5, the main route between Los Angeles and the Bay Area, there's a 300-mile stretch where you won't pass through any cities or towns save Kettleman City and Santa Nella, which are essentially wide spots on the road. Highway 101 between Santa Barbara and San Jose, Rte. 166 between Santa Maria and Taft, Rte. 395 from Adelanto to Carson City, and other highways in California will also take you through miles and miles of empty, uninhabited countryside.
I used to work in Santa Nella. We had bumper stickers that said “Where the Hell is Santa Nella”.