Sequoia to Yosemite: An Epic Six-Day Road Trip
Did you know there are nine national parks in California?! Known for its sunny weather and beautiful beaches, California also stands out for its many national parks. Our focus will be on adventures in Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. This guide serves as an ideal escape for those eager to witness the enchanting beauty of two of the nation's most remarkable parks. Below is an itinerary I created based on my road trip California campervan rental, it made for one exceptional journey, so enjoy!
How many days do you need for your trip?
Six days is a good amount of time to experience both parks in an RV rental, but you can spend more or less time depending on your timeframe. Given 3-days at each park, this allows you to experience some of the must-see sights, have time to do different activities, as well as sit back and relax at camp!
What time of year is the best visit?
For a balance between good weather and fewer crowds, late spring (May-June) or early fall (September-October) are often considered the best times to visit both Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. However, busy season is busy for a reason! These parks can be visited in all their glory if you plan ahead to avoid crowds. Consider your options for activities, weather, and crowd tolerance when planning your trip. Always check for park alerts and road conditions, especially during winter months.
What should I bring on my trip?
National Parks Pass
Sequoia National Park Pass - $35 covers one vehicle for 7 days
Yosemite National Park Pass - $35 covers one vehicle for 7 days
Outdoor hiking gear: daypack, trekking poles, water bottle, hiking shoes, etc.
Camping equipment (I took my WanderVan which came with virtually all of the camping gear I needed!)
Appropriate seasonal clothes
Download maps for offline use
AllTrails to plan and download your hikes
Where should I begin my trip?
I started in San Francisco, where I picked up my WanderVan rental and immediately hit the road. Alternatively, you could start in Los Angeles but there are no WanderVans to rent there, and the drive to both parks is longer.
Los Angeles to Sequoia is 4.5 hours. Los Angeles to Yosemite is 6 hours.
From San Francisco, it’s up to you which national park you go to first, but I recommend Sequoia National Park. By doing this, you’ll have more time in the park on your first travel day and a shorter last day of driving.
Sequoia to Yosemite is about a 2.5-hour drive. Yosemite National Park is about a 3.5-hour drive to San Francisco.
Day 1: San Francisco to Sequoia National Park
You’ll want to get an early start on the drive to reach Sequoia National Park by early afternoon. I recommend staying at the Lodgepole Campground. All campsites require advanced reservations and can be made on recreation.gov. Traveling in a Campervan Rental allows for an easy camp setup, and it took only a few minutes to get settled in. Once camp is set up, walk on over to the Giant Forest area to visit the General Sherman Tree, which is the largest tree by volume on Earth! The parking here tends to get overwhelming as it is a top highlight of the national park, but accessing this trailhead is just a short walk from the campground. This 1-mile hike offers a great opportunity to stretch your legs after a long drive and get acquainted with the area.
Points of Interest: Giant Forest area
Day 2: Sequoia National Park
Access to some of the best hiking trails in Sequoia National Park is just a short 15-minute drive from the Lodgepole Campground. After making breakfast at camp, visit Moro Rock for incredible panoramic views of the park. A few other hiking options include Hanging Rock Trail Buttress Tree and Parker Group Sequoias. Afterwards, enjoy a nice lunch near one of the beautiful meadows at any one of the several picnic areas. Before sunset, plan to visit the Tunnel Log, where you can drive through a fallen sequoia!
Points of Interest: Tunnel Log, Buttress Tree, Parker Group Sequoias
Hikes: Moro Rock, 0.5-miles roundtrip, Moderate. Hanging Rock Trail, 0.3-miles roundtrip, Easy.
Day 3: Sequoia to Yosemite
It’s the last day in Sequoia National Park! Before driving out, pack a lunch and head up to Crescent Meadow and take a short stroll among the Sequoias! This route is mostly flat and has some significant Giant Sequoia clusters. If you want to leave early and get to Yosemite (I can’t blame you there), you can skip this and spend your afternoon in Yosemite instead. If you are entering the park from the south, I highly recommend making a stop at the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias for an enjoyable hike amidst these majestic trees. If you’re in a van or tent, I recommend staying at Upper Pines Campground. Upperpines has toilets, but no showers, you can always look for campgrounds with hot running water , but they get booked fast! Advanced reservations are required. It’s set right in the heart of Yosemite, so you can take in its beauty right from your campground!
Hike (Sequoia): Crescent Meadow Loop, 1.3-mile loop, Easy.
Points of Interest (Yosemite): Mariposa Grove
Day 4: Yosemite National Park
Start your day enjoying picturesque views of Yosemite Valley at Tunnel View. This is one of many popular viewpoints, so I recommend an early start if possible. Upon arrival in the Valley, make a pit stop and hike up to Bridalveil Fall. If you want an alternative to taking a hike, check out Yosemite's rich history at the Yosemite Museum and Indian Village.
Tip: Navigating Yosemite Valley by car and finding parking spots can be challenging (though it is nice to have a van rental nearby for a midday nap). While a complimentary shuttle service is available for major attractions, I suggest renting bikes from the Yosemite Lodge Bike Stand. Exploring the area on a bicycle allows you to witness more than you would from a vehicle and cover more ground than on foot. Alternatively, you can bring your own bikes in a Wandervan Rental, just ask for the hitch-mounted bike rack!
Points of Interest: Tunnel View, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite Museum and Indian Village.
Day 5: Yosemite National Park
There’s nothing short of adventure in Yosemite National Park. To begin your day, embark on the Mist Trail adventure leading to Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls. You might want to pack a lunch for this afternoon hike, as one can easily spend all day exploring this trail. You’ll want to pack a raincoat or poncho, it’s called Mist Trail for a reason! Consider a day excursion to the Glacier Point region, where you can explore Glacier Point and breathtaking views. Alternatively, you can opt for a quieter experience by heading over to Sentinel Dome. Both locations provide enchanting panoramas of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, distant waterfalls, and the captivating High Country. When the weather is nice and warm in the summer, take a leisurely float down the Merced River, winding its way through the picturesque Yosemite Valley. Tip: Check out Sierra Mac River Trips if you’re wanting a guided float trip
Points of Interest: Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point, Sentinel Dome
Hikes: Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls, 6.4 miles roundtrip, Moderate
Day 6: Return to San Francisco
As you leave Yosemite National Park, drive towards Mariposa- the views will be gorgeous as you pass through the Sierra National Forest. I recommend stopping in Mariposa for lunch and walking around the historic downtown.
Some places I recommend to check out for lunch:
Sal’s Taco Truck or Castillo’s Mexican Food
Janet Bakery for yummy baked goods
1850 Restaurant and Brewery for burgers and steaks
High Country Health Foods has delicious veggie options and juices
As all good trips must come to an end, upon returning to San Francisco, return your campervan or RV rental and continue on your journey home. I hope this itinerary gives you many options to fully experience the beauty of Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. Remember it is impossible to see everything, so make sure to do the research before your trip so you’re not missing out on what’s important, and take time and enjoy what you do see. Have fun and be safe!