tour national parks california

How to visit all of California's national parks in one epic road trip

Mar 14, 2022 • 11 min read

A road trip to California’s national parks will show you the best of the state’s stunningly diverse landscapes Albert Pego / Shutterstock

California is romanticized for its sparkly Pacific oceanfronts, thickets of palm trees and glass-walled high-rise buildings in the big coastal cities. But the state consists of so much more than its famed southern coast.

If you go north, inland or even offshore, you’ll be treated to dazzlingly unique terrain, insanely diverse ecosystems and eyebrow-raising history lessons — all of which you can experience through the nine (yes, nine!) US national parks in the Golden State.

Each of these parks represents a distinct piece of California’s beautiful, multifaceted puzzle. Here's how to visit them all in a single trip that you’ll talk about — to anyone and everyone who will listen — for the rest of your life.

Breaking down the itinerary

• Total parks visited: nine
• The parks: Joshua Tree National Park, Sequoia National Park, Death Valley National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, Pinnacles National Park, Yosemite National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Redwood National and State Parks, Channel Islands National Park
• Total trip time: 17 days, starting from Los Angeles
• Total mileage: 2,003 (may vary depending on your exact route and road closures)  

Day one: Los Angeles to Joshua Tree  National Park

Leave LA in the morning, and travel 131 miles to Joshua Tree, where you’ll camp.

Day two: Hang out in Joshua Tree 

Spend the day in Joshua Tree National Park; camp here for a second night.

Where to stay

Joshua Tree National Park has several campgrounds. Take your pick, but book far in advance if your trip will take place between October and May — the cooler months are busy in the desert parks. If you want to lodge, check for availability in the nearby towns of Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms.

Need-to-know

Desert weather can change suddenly. It’s not uncommon for dampened fires to reignite when nighttime winds fan the embers. Make sure to fully put out your fire, and secure any items that may fly away in strong winds. 

How to get around

Joshua Tree is a relatively small park and easy to navigate. Park Blvd runs through the entirety of the park, with offshoots to get to attractions. You can drive your vehicle to almost all of them, and trailheads too.

What to do while you’re here

Joshua Tree has several hikes ranging from easy to hard, and ample rock-climbing and bouldering opportunities. One fun thing to do in Joshua Tree is drive down Park Blvd to see the flora shift from Joshua Tree groves to thickets of yucca cacti.

Day 3: Joshua Tree to Death Valley  National Park

Leave Joshua Tree in the morning and drive 228 miles to Death Valley, where you’ll camp or lodge.

Day 4: Take in the scenery in Death Valley 

Spend the day in Death Valley National Park; camp or lodge here again.

Death Valley National Park has primitive and full-hookup campgrounds, and lodges  ranging from basic to luxurious. All but one of the campgrounds are first-come, first-serve, but you need reservations for a lodge.

Camping is probably not the best option if you visit Death Valley in the summer months — temperatures can remain high, up to 100ºF (38ºC) throughout the night, and spike as early as 9am. It's not a great idea in the middle of winter either, when temperatures can drop below freezing at night.

The best way to get around Death Valley is by car. Highways stretch far and wide throughout the park, along with offshoot roads to get to attractions and trailheads. The National Park Service recommends keeping hiking to a minimum in the summer, due to extreme temperatures.

Walk out to the biggest, sparkliest dunes at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes ; drive Artists Drive to see mountains in shades of seafoam and mauve; visit Badwater Basin (the lowest place on earth at 282ft below sea level); and check out Ubehebe Crater on the north side of the park.

Day 5: Death Valley to Sequoia National Park

Leave Death Valley in the morning, and travel 268 miles to Sequoia National Park, where you’ll camp or lodge.

Sequoia offers incredible camping opportunities, with both primitive and developed campgrounds. There is one developed lodge in Sequoia National Park, Wuksachi Lodge , as well as a primitive lodge maintained by an NPS partner.

The road between Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park can close during the winter due to snow. If you plan to visit during the winter months, check for road closures and adjust your route as needed.

Generals Highway traverses the entire park; you’ll drive your vehicle to and from all trailheads and attractions. There are parking areas along the way, though parking can be tough to find in the summer.

You’ll never be able to do everything in Sequoia National Park in just a day or two, but you can get a good idea of what the park has to offer. Spend some time romping around Giant Forest to understand the sheer size of Sequoia's trees; hike to Little Baldy for a relatively quick trek with a fantastic payoff; and see the huge  General Sherman Tree (the world’s largest tree by volume).

Day 6: Sequoia to Kings Canyon  National Park

Spend the day in Sequoia; move on to Kings Canyon National Park (48 miles) in the evening, where you’ll camp or lodge.

Day 7: Spend time in Kings Canyon

Spend the day in Kings Canyon National Park, then drive 112 miles to Yosemite National Park, where you’ll camp or lodge.

Like Sequoia, Kings Canyon National Park has both camping and lodging options . Make reservations in advance and check to ensure your vehicle isn’t too large for the campground you book.

It seems like Sequoia and Kings Canyon are one and the same, but the parks do have defined borders — they are connected by Generals Highway, but closures can occur. Check the driving guidelines from the NPS to make sure your route and vehicle are appropriate. Depending on your vehicle and the season, you may have to exit Sequoia and drive around the park to get to Kings Canyon.

You’ll get around mainly by vehicle in Kings Canyon National Park, hopping out to travel on foot for hikes and attractions.

See General Grant , the second-largest tree in the world; walk up 172 steps to Buck Rock’s dizzying 8205-foot lookout; and enjoy the view at Kings Canyon Overlook off Generals Highway.

Day 8: Explore Yosemite  National Park

Spend the day in Yosemite; camp or lodge here.

For quieter camping, camp on the east side of Yosemite near or in Tuolumne Meadows . If you want to lodge, you can choose one of the many options within the park .

Two main roads in Yosemite, Tioga Road (Hwy 120) and Glacier Point Road, close in the winter due to snow. They usually reopen in May or June — plan your trip accordingly. If you want to see wildlife, spend more time in the Tuolumne Meadows area, rather than the valley.

Yosemite is well-developed, with many roads, paved walking trails, boardwalks and unpaved trails. There is also a shuttle system in the valley area. If you visit during the summer, be prepared for congested traffic and trouble with parking. Getting around by bike or foot is typically easier during the summer months.

Yosemite has so many attractions that it can be tough to choose which ones to see. With limited time, see  El Capitan and Half Dome from the valley floor, hike Tuolumne Meadows Trail to Soda Springs , or raft down the Merced River (summer or spring). For an expansive view of the famous granite structures, drive to Tunnel View on Wawona Road.

Day 9: Yosemite to Lassen  Volcanic National Park

Leave Yosemite by early afternoon and travel 301 miles to Lassen, where you’ll camp or lodge.

Day 10: Stay overnight in  Lassen

Spend the day in Lassen Volcanic National Park; camp or lodge here.

There is only one lodge in Lassen Volcanic National Park , Drakesbad Guest Ranch , but there are many campgrounds . Most campgrounds require advance reservations, and some are first-come, first-served.

Park Highway (Hwy 89) closes past the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center during the winter months. The visitor center itself can also close during winter storms. While in the park, stay on established trails and boardwalks. Hydrothermal areas can be disguised and dangerous, and visitors who travel off-trail can suffer severe burns.

Lassen Volcanic National Park has several roads running through the park, but they can all close due to snowfall. The NPS highly encourages checking road conditions before you visit, or simply visiting after roads are cleared in April.

Lassen Volcanic National Park is quintessential northern California: It shows off with glistening mountain lakes, snowy peaks, and lush meadows. But the park’s real claim to fame are the boiling hydrothermal areas and volcanoes. Backpacking, hiking, biking and auto-touring are popular activities for seeing the attractions.

Day 11: Lassen to Redwood National Park

Leave Lassen Volcanic National Park by mid-morning; travel 177 miles to Redwood National Park, where you’ll camp or lodge.

Day 12: Mess around in the Redwoods

Spend the day in Redwood National Park; camp or lodge here again.

Redwood National Park — technically known as Redwood National and State Parks — has eight basic campground cabins but very limited lodging. If you want a real roof over your head, consider staying outside of the park in nearby communities.

The campground cabins tend to book up several months in advance, so if you're keen to stay in them, be sure to plan well ahead of your trip. 

The park is mostly oriented around US Highway 101, the corridor that runs north and south along most of California. Many other roads, including designated scenic drives, run throughout the park. 

Marvel at some of the tallest known trees in the world, obviously! Aside from craning your neck to attempt to see the tops of coastal redwoods, biking, hiking, horseback riding and kayaking the Smith River (summer only) are popular activities.

Day 13: Redwoods to Pinnacles National Park

Leave the Redwoods by early morning and travel 437 miles to Pinnacles National Park, where you’ll camp or lodge.

Day 14: Escape the crowds at Pinnacles

Spend the day in Pinnacles; camp or lodge here again.

There is only one campground at Pinnacles National Park , and it’s on the east side of the park. The east and west sides of Pinnacles are not connected by road — only by hiking trails. If you plan to camp, make sure you enter on the east side through Hollister, California. You can lodge in Soledad, California, if you plan to enter on the west side.

On this trip, you only have time to enjoy one side of the park. Plan accordingly. Both the east and west side offer great hiking trails and California condor viewing, though the cave attractions differ.  

Highway 146 takes you into the west side, while highway 25 takes you into the east side. Both highways weave through the park for a few miles, and then it’s mainly foot traffic from there.

Pinnacles is one of the smaller national parks in California and has very limited facilities. Its lack of development makes for quiet hiking and uninterrupted wildlife-viewing. Make sure you shimmy through Bear Gulch Cave (east side) or Balconies Cave (west side), and look into the sky to see some condors (the largest land birds in North America!).

Day 15: Pinnacles to Ventura

Leave Pinnacles National Park and travel 233 miles to Ventura, California.

Day 16: Ventura to Channel Islands National Park

Make a reservation for an Island Packers tour to Channel Islands National Park. Head back to Los Angeles after the day tour, or stay in Ventura for another night.

Ditch your car or camper van for a night (it'll be safe in Ventura Harbor, or you can pay to park in a nearby garage) and take a park concessionaire boat to the island. Pitch a tent in one of the park's lush campgrounds or venture into the backcountry — but watch for ticks, and seal your food in rodent-proof containers. You can also opt to return to the mainland on the same day and lodge in the beachside town of Ventura.

There are no remedies for poor planning at Channel Islands National Park , so make sure you bring enough food, water, clothing and other supplies. You must reserve your Island Packers tour in advance — it’s likely that you’ll have to plan your entire trip around this day, because tours are limited and fill up fast.

You'll need fresh legs for a visit to the Channel Islands, as there's no transportation service on the islands. Everything must be accessed by foot or kayak, unless you have a private boat.

Island Packers boats most commonly go to Santa Cruz Island , the largest island in California at over 96 sq miles. On Santa Cruz, you can go hiking, bird-watching, snorkeling, kayaking and whale-watching. You can also peruse old Chumash Native American residences and ranching quarters from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Day 17 (optional): Return to LA

Travel back to Los Angeles (68 miles).

You might also like:   15 unforgettable experiences in US national parks    Why you should drive California's scenic Highway 395 The best free things to do in the US national parks   

This article was first published Feb 28, 2020 and updated Mar 14, 2022.

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Best of California's National Parks

6 days | get among the grandeur of the golden state’s best national parks.

Bookended by stops in two bustling cities, this 6-day adventure takes you through some of the incredibly diverse landscapes California’s national parks have to offer. There’ll be soaring Sequoias that’ll make your jaw drop and dramatic waterfalls that’ll leave you awe-inspired – all within the same state! As you take in the big sites, you’ll have a local leader filling you in on all the small details, with no story going untold as you leave no stone unturned on this naturally epic escapade.

Trip overview

• Experience the world-famous Yosemite National Park, taking in the breathtaking scenery as well as the pristine night sky as you go on leader-led walks both day and night.
• Walk among the towering timber of Sequoia National Park and see General Sherman, the world’s largest tree by volume, along with the other soaring sequoias that make up the Giant Forest.
• Cap off your Yosemite National Park experience with a pizza picnic in the park, breaking bread and sharing stories with your fellow travellers as the sun begins to set.
• Where better to end your adventure than in San Francisco, the eclectic and multicultural 'City by the Bay', swapping natural wonders for one that’s man-made as you walk across the Golden Gate Bridge.
• By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, the Grand Canyon Conservancy. Donations help them protect Grand Canyon National Park and support trail restoration, conservation of native plants and wildlife, and educational programs.
• Some of the best scenery in Yosemite and Sequoia is found on hikes. So, while this trip doesn't require a high level of fitness, it’s essential to be at least moderately fit if you want to partake in all activities. You’ll also need to be prepared with hiking shoes, a water bottle and a day pack.
• You’ll be travelling to desert and mountainous regions where the temperature can vary greatly from day to night. Make sure you pack the appropriate clothing for all weather.
• This trip includes time spent travelling in a vehicle with your group. Extra space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped. It’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
• You may also want to check out our Best of Western USA if you have a longer time to explore the region:
• https://www.intrepidtravel.com/united-states/best-western-usa-152105

Welcome to Nevada! Las Vegas will be your gateway to the grandeur of the Golden State. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, giving you plenty of time to bathe in Vegas’ neon glow. It’s recommended that you arrive a day or two early to really experience the city, allowing time to do the classics (think casinos, drive-through weddings and live shows) as well as scratching below the surface by seeing the diverse neighbourhoods, thriving arts scene and many museums that tell the story of the Entertainment Capital of the World.

• Hotel (1 night)

There are no meals included on this day.

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Leaving Sin City in your dust, you’ll road trip across state lines and through the Mojave Desert today, then around the southern Sierras to Sequoia National Park. Settle into your accommodation near the park and head out for an included dinner at a local restaurant.

Your travel time today will be approximately 8 hours.

Today is simply about seeing the best of the USA’s Sequoia National Park. You’ll embark on leader-led walks around Sequoia, driving from stop to stop as you get to feel small next to the staggering size of General Sherman, the Giant Forest and other specimens of Sequoia’s towering timber. You may even drive through a tree at Tunnel Log, peer into Tharp’s Log and spot marmots, black bears and recently re-introduced bighorn sheep.

• Sequoia National Park

After breakfast, you’ll hit the highway headed for the world-famous Yosemite National Park. To start, get acquainted with the awe-inspiring Yosemite Valley during a guided hike. Strewn with dramatic waterfalls, gigantic granite outcrops and lush meadows, this is one of the most spectacular spots in the country. Your leader will also teach you about the ecologically diverse landscape along the way. After sunset, you’ll join a Naturalist from the Yosemite Conservancy for a guided stargazing program. The park’s minimal light pollution makes it an excellent place to see the stars while learning about astronomy, constellations and local lore.

• Yosemite National Park - Stargazing with Yosemite Conservancy Naturalist
• Yosemite National Park - Entrance Fee
• Yosemite National Park - Leader-led hike

Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.

Today, Yosemite is all yours to explore! In the morning there’ll be leader-led walks around some of the park’s best trails. If it’s a clear day you may also drive up to Glacier Point for a view you won’t soon forget, looking down over the valley and across to the iconic Half Dome. The afternoon is yours to fill how you’d like. You might choose to hike along the breathtaking Mist Trail with its many fabulous views, hire a bicycle and pedal along some of the 12 miles of designated (and flat) path or immerse yourself in the park’s history at the Ahwahnee Hotel. Once you’ve seen the sights, the day will be capped off with a pizza picnic in the park for dinner.

• Yosemite - Pizza Picnic Dinner

After saying fond farewells to Yosemite, you’ll head west to vibrant San Francisco. After stopping to do a walk over the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, your adventure finishes in San Francisco. No accommodation is provided for tonight, but if you do wish to spend extra time in the City by the Bay, just speak to your booking agent. There’s plenty to keep you busy, whether it’s shopping along the funky Haight Street or making your own escape over to Alcatraz Island.

• San Francisco - Golden Gate Bridge walk

Your travel time today will be approximately 4.5 hours.

This trip doesn't allow time to visit Alcatraz, so you'll need to make your own arrangements if you want to see the island prison. Tickets must be booked in advance, as they sell out quickly and numbers are limited.

Private vehicle

Hotel (5 nights)

Dates and availability

Important notes.

1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1 in Las Vegas. Please make your own way to the Joining Point listed in the Essential Trip Information for this itinerary. 2. On the final day, this trip finishes at approximately 3 pm on arrival in San Francisco. You will be dropped at the location listed in the Essential Trip Information. If departing this day, please do not book any flights before 8 pm. 3. There is no accommodation included in San Francisco on this trip. If you wish to spend more time in San Francisco, we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). Speak to an Intrepid booking agent for more information. 4. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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California and National Parks

• Drive over the Golden Gate Bridge and visit the iconic Pier 39 in San Francisco
• See the massive sequoias and redwoods of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
• Visit the Giant Forest, home to General Sherman, the world’s largest tree
• Explore Yosemite National Park, where you will see the towering and world-famous Half Dome
• Visit the Santa Barbara Mission and the Getty Center
• Visit Hollywood and Santa Monica while on a panoramic city tour of Los Angeles

Get to know the real California on this scenic guided tour. Soak in magnificent vistas, sunny beaches, the culture of San Francisco, the glamour of Los Angeles, and the awe-inspiring majesty of the most popular national parks in California.

You can’t help falling in love with  San Francisco . You’ll understand why people consider it one of California’s most scenic and culturally vibrant cities when you see the Golden Gate Bridge and Coit Tower.

To experience the majesty of nature, you can’t do better than  Yosemite . Granite rock formations like Half Dome, and the pristine Yosemite Valley, are so beautiful they’ll take your breath away. Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks are next door neighbors with matching sets of towering redwood groves. The  world’s tallest trees  are surrounded by over 1,000 miles of stunning wilderness.

If you’re a beach person, Santa Barbara is a dream come true. Southern California’s easygoing charm is at its brightest in this sunny retreat. Los Angeles, the hometown of the entertainment industry and a capital of glitz and glamour, truly needs no introduction. From the Sunset Strip and the Hollywood Walk of Fame to the world-famous Santa Monica Pier, the City of Angels is more than ready for its closeup. Experience it all on this tour of California and its most popular national parks.

What Guests are Saying

Alcatraz Island Tour & Pier 39 Dinner

Explore the island of Alcatraz.

Santa Maria Wine Tasting

Sample some of the finest California wines on this guided tour.

Activity level

• Very Active

Tour Includes

Sightseeing

• San Francisco
• 17-Mile Drive
• Yosemite National Park
• Kings Canyon National Park
• Sequoia National Park
• Pismo Beach
• Santa Maria
• Santa Barbara
• Los Angeles

Hotel Accommodations

• Moderate hotels based on twin/double occupancy
• 9 Breakfasts
• A professionally trained tour director who is knowledgeable about the area will provide you with a wealth of information. Their friendly service will make your trip a memorable experience.

Baggage Handling

• To and from your hotel room throughout your land tour for one piece of Checked Baggage per person.

San Francisco, California

Los Angeles, California

Welcome to San Francisco! Guests who have purchased airline tickets from YMT Vacations will be welcomed in the baggage claim area by a friendly YMT representative who will arrange your transfer to the hotel.

Spend the day at your leisure in one of California’s most beautiful and culturally rich cities. Enjoy diverse cuisine, incredible museums, parks, and dazzling architecture. The city is also home to historical landmarks including the colorful Victorian Painted Ladies, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the island prison of Alcatraz.

Hotel Caza or similar

Add-On : Alcatraz Island Tour & Pier 39 Dinner

This morning, head down the breathtaking 17-Mile Drive. Enjoy views of Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove, taking the opportunity to snap a picture of the Lone Cypress on a quick stop before arriving in Monterey. Enjoy a city tour of the once-gritty waterfront town immortalized by John Steinbeck’s classic novel, Cannery Row. (B)

Holiday Inn Express Monterey Bay Seaside or similar

Make your way to Oakhurst, a three-hour drive from Monterey. With scenic views of rolling hills, verdant forests and the rugged coastline, this promises to be an enjoyable drive. (B)

Hampton Inn Oakhurst-Yosemite or similar

Visit the awe-inspiring Yosemite National Park. This magnificent and diverse land with elevations ranging from 2,000 to over 13,000 feet abounds with spectacular granite cliffs, thundering waterfalls, lush meadows, and towering trees. Discover Yosemite Valley, where you will find Half Dome, the park’s most recognizable feature. The iconic granite formation rises more than 4,700 feet above the valley floor. (B)

Wyndham Visalia or similar

Head west to the coast, stopping in Pismo Beach for lunch on your own. Spend the afternoon in Santa Maria, a city famous for its distinctive redoak smoked barbecue! (B)

Best Western Plus Big America or similar

Add-On : Santa Maria Wine Tasting

Visit Santa Barbara—the American Riviera—and enjoy its Spanish mission style architecture, mild Mediterranean climate, and stunning ocean views.

Take a self-guided tour of the lovely Santa Barbara Mission, where you can enjoy some of the best views in town. The “Queen of the Missions” is known for its magnificent twin bell towers, sprawling gardens, and the ocean views it enjoys from its position on a hill overlooking downtown Santa Barbara.

Continue to Los Angeles, where you will stop at the Getty Center. Enjoy amazing city views from this architecturally stunning art museum before a late afternoon arrival at your hotel. (B)

Holiday Inn LAX or similar

Today we take a guided tour of Los Angeles and Hollywood, seeing many of the highlights of the City of Angels. See Beverly Hills, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the ornate TCL Chinese Theatre, and more. Enjoy a farewell dinner (included) on the Santa Monica Pier, which has endless views and its very own amusement park. (B, D)

Add-On : Paramount Pictures Studio Tour

Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Hotels may differ depending on date. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations. By their nature, all tour vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights. Please ask your Travel Consultant for more information.

YMT Vacations itineraries may contain suggestions for activities for your leisure time; these suggestions do not constitute a recommendation nor an endorsement of any specific service provider and the decision to participate in any such activities should be made independently.

Request A Quote

Per person, double occupancy, excludes roundtrip airfare. Passport required.

Add airfare?

We’ll get back to you soon. To secure an exclusive limited-time offer for your trip, call 888-860-1969 now to uncover our best-kept secret deals!

Excellent service and reliability

Ymt always delivers great travel experiences.

Unfortunately, additional nights are not available from YMT Vacations for this tour. Your YMT Sales Consultant will confirm the specific hotel related to your departure date, and you can then contact the hotel directly to arrange an extended stay.

Yes, triples are permitted (depending on availability) in 2 beds.

You should arrive in San Francisco no later than 4pm.

No, none are required.

You will visit locations that are higher elevations (6,000-7,000 ft).

For tips on managing altitude sickness, please read our blog .

Make your vacation extra special by adding optional excursions to your tour. It’s a great opportunity to enhance your trip, these experiences slot seamlessly into your package, and we’ll take care of all the logistics for you. Remember that adding an optional experience might increase the overall activity level of the tour, so always keep that in mind when planning your trip.

Explore one of the most infamous maximum-security prisons in the world, Alcatraz. Visit the Cell House and see where criminals such as Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly and “Birdman” Robert Shroud were held. Tonight’s dinner will be at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. on Pier 39. You’ll enjoy a delicious meal and one of the best views in San Francisco.

• Alcatraz Island Tour
• 3-course dinner at Bubba Gump featuring a choice of entrées: Captain’s Fish & Chips, Coconut Shrimp,Half Rack of Ribs and Chicken Combo followed by Chef’s Choice of Dessert. Tax & gratuity included.

Note: The distance from the dock on Alcatraz to the Cell House which is located at the top of the island is about 1/4 of a mile and the elevation change is 130 feet . In the Cell House, there is an elevator to provide access to the second story. There is an uphill walk to visit the prison on Alcatraz Island. At the dock will be the accessible tram (S.E.A.T), which transports visitors with mobility impairments to the Cell House. This is provided on a first come first serve basis only, not guaranteed.

Duration : Approx. 6 hours (evening)

Activity Level: Active

Price: $115 USD

Famous for its wine industry, Santa Maria is a beautiful small city located in California’s Central Coast region. Enjoy learning about and sampling California wines.

• Wine tasting – 5, one ounce pours of their 5 most popular wines: Pinot Noir Rosé, Estate Chardonnay, Estate Pinot Noir, GSM, and Cabernet Sauvignon (subject to change)

Note: This is only available for 2024 tours

Duration: 1.5-2 hours (evening)

Activity Level: Easy

Price: $29 USD

Explore over a century of Hollywood history and witness more in the making. During your visit, you’ll see where some of the most celebrated motion pictures and TV shows are made. Enjoy a classic Hollywood studio cart tours of historic and active backlot sets and prop warehouse.

• Paramount Studio Tour entrance and guided golf cart tour

Duration: 3 hours (Morning)

Price: $99 USD

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Crimson Canyons & Mesas National Parks Tour

Per person, double occupancy, excludes roundtrip airfare

Enjoy natural wonder after natural wonder on this unforgettable journey through the rugged beauty of six of America’s most spectacular national parks.

Sights of The Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest is as famous for its natural beauty as its sophisticated yet quirky cities-experience the best of both worlds on this journey from Seattle to San Francisco.

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All 33 California National Parks: Full Guide and Map

California has more national parks than any other state or territory. But of course that’s not surprising. Our huge geography and natural beauty showcases a wide variety of terrain, encompassing redwood forest, volcanic hotspots, coastal islands, deep canyons, basalt columns, sand dunes, crazy geology and strange Joshua trees (which bytheway, aren’t actually trees). And then there are historic sites dedicated to civil war history, worker’s rights, gold rush settlement, internment, poetry and even John Muir (the patron saint of California National Parks).

There are 9 official national parks in California, but a total of 33 national park sites. And this guide will help you learn more about all of them. We’ve got blurbs describing each park with links out to some relevant trip planning resources. And we’ve also got a visual compilation of the sites in one handy California national park map.

Tips for Visiting California National Parks

• If you’re planning to visit three or more of the major California parks, you’ll save money by getting an annual $80  America the Beautiful Pass . We also have a useful resource for determining whether a CA park pass is right for you.
• Book your campgrounds early, because they fill up fast. You can do that at Recreation.gov .
• The same goes for any kind of lodging in Yosemite, Kings Canyon/Sequoia and Death Valley National Parks.
• Some of the parks are located in/near urban areas, but many are in the boondocks. So, just assume that you’ll have rotten mobile service in most of the parks.
• Different parks are busier or have more on offer in different seasons. Check out our guide for when to visit California for advice on which locations are best for which season.

5 Road Trip Itineraries that Feature National Parks in California

If you starting in San Francisco, we have a ton of great road trip resources for you. One itinerary will take you from SF to the North Coast Redwoods . This trip offers kooky roadside attractions and key stops at 11(!) redwood groves.

Or get from San Francisco to Yosemite . This trip has key stops within the park, but also suggests some cool spots outside of the park, like wine tasting and gold country history.

If you want to get to Death Valley from SF , this guide gives you three different routing options, each with unique historic and natural sites. One option on that trip is to go through Yosemite over Tioga pass and then explore Highway 395 before getting to Death Valley.

Or you can just focus on the southern parks and do a routing between Joshua Tree and Death Valley . This one has some quirky art installations, an extra large crater and key spots for sunrises and sunsets.

Or just hang out in the Bay Area and check out some of these National Park sites near SF .

The 8 Primary National Parks

This list of California national parks is very thorough, and we hope you scroll through the whole thing, because there are some surprising finds in our park system. But If you are looking for something in particular, we want to make it easy for you to find it.

Our 33 national park sites are a mix of official “national parks”, historic sites, monuments and historic trails. If you are simply interested in visiting the “official” or most famous California national parks, the eight of them are listed below. Just click on the link and it will jump you down for more information on that particular park.

Redwood National and State Parks

Lassen volcanic national park, pinnacles national park, yosemite national park.

• Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

Channel Islands National Park

Death valley national park, joshua tree national park.

But, we do hope that you’ll explore some of the 25 other national park sites in CA. We’ve divided them up between Northern California, Southern California and the historic trails, which tend to cover a larger region.

National Park Sites in Northern California

National park sites in southern california.

• Pan regional National Historic Trails

California National Park Map

If you are planning a road trip, identify your key stops with this handy map for California national parks.

Full List of National Parks in California

Get ready to add to your bucket, because all of these park sites have something really interesting to offer, and some of them are bucket-list worthy.

(This article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase, I’ll make a small commission.)

Redwood National & Sate Parks is an unusual multi-jurisdictional reserve that is co-managed by the National Park Service and California State Parks . The area is notable for the unique California Coast Redwoods, which are some of the tallest trees in the world (plus, they smell amazing). The full territory includes The Redwood National Park, Jedediah Smith State Park, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park and Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Use our Redwoods itinerary to see the best of it.

Key stops on the route include the Avenue of the Giants scenic drive (Humboldt, SP), The Drury Parkway scenic drive and fern canyon (Prairie Creek, SP), the Lady Bird Johnson Grove (Redwoods, NP) and the Boy Scout Trail and Templeton and Stout Memorial Groves (Jedediah Smith).

• Getting There : It’s a straight shot up Highway 101 on the “Redwood Highway.”
• Where to Stay : Best Western (Garberville),  Emerald Forest cabins (Trinidad) The Lighthouse Inn  (Crescent City). There is also camping available in the state parks.
• Entrance Fee : None for the scenic drives and groves. Fees for camping apply.
• More info on Redwood National and State Park .

Tule Lake National Monument

It’s important for us to remember that during WWII, our fear of the Japanese threat caused us to incarcerate our own citizens. Both Tule Lake and Manzanar (noted below) are important sites for keeping those historical events from being forgotten. The Tule Lake National Monument includes the Tule Lake Segregation Center, the largest and most controversial sites where Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II, and Camp Tulelake, which was first a Civilian Conservation Corps camp, then an additional facility to detain Japanese Americans, and finally a prisoner of war camp.

Ranger led tours are offered on Saturdays and you can always do the self-guided exhibits.

• Getting There : It’s in far northeastern California on Highway 139, 30 miles south of Klamath Falls, Oregon. It’s also located just 12 miles from Lava Beds and you can do both in one trip.
• Where to Stay : Holiday Inn Express or Best Western Plus Olympic Inn in Klamath Falls.
• Entrance Fee : Free.
• More info on Tule Lake .

Lava Beds National Monument

Lava Beds has some pretty funky volcanic geology going on, when it was created by the Medicine Lake shield volcano. Medicine Lake had gentle eruptions which coated the area with basaltic flow. The result is a cool system of caves and lava tubes.

There are developed cave sites (with lights), which you can visit along the 2 mile Cave Loop road. During the summer, there are ranger-led guided cave tours on Saturdays (which must be reserved in advance.) The park also has 14 hiking trails of varying distances which feature lava tubes, overlooks of the basin and Native American petroglyph sites.

• Getting There : It’s in far northeastern California on Highway 139, 45 miles south of Klamath Falls, Oregon and just 12 miles from Tule Lake.
• Where to Stay : Holiday Inn Express or Best Western Plus Olympic Inn in Klamath Falls. Or in the on-site campground.
• Entrance Fee : $25 per vehicle.
• More info on Lava Beds .

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Whiskeytown is a cool mix of history and lots and lots of lovely nature.

For the nature, you can visit the Whiskeytown and Crystal Creek water falls. The park has 28 hiking trails that vary from 1-7 miles (including the popular Buck Hollow and James K. Carr trails.) The lake is huge and there is also a ton of water fun at Whiskeytown. You can rent kayaks, boats and hang at the one of several beaches. You can also explore history at nearby Shasta State Park and the Weaverville Joss House.

• Getting There : It’s located 9 miles west of Redding on Highway 299.
• Where to Stay : For fancier digs, try the Hope Inn or stick with the basics at the Comfort Suites . The park also has quite a bit of camping capacity with 4 campgrounds.
• More info on Whiskeytown National Recreation Area .

Lassen is an amazing volcano that last erupted in 1915. And it’s still fuming. There is a lot of hissing, burbling landscape in Lassen (noted in the image above). But you can also find alpine lakes, forest hikes and lovely spring flowers.

There is a 30-mile scenic highway that cuts through the park, which is actually part of the longer 500 mile Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway. The longer byway includes Crater Lake National Park, Lava Beds, Mount Shasta, Burney Falls and Lassen. The park also has 150 miles of hiking trails, including the popular Bumpass Hell trail (to a hydrothermal spot) and the Manzanita Lake Loop.

Please note that Lassen got nailed HARD by the huge Dixie Fire. So be sure to check the NPS current conditions page for what is open for visitors.

• Getting There : It’s located 90 miles east of Redding via Highway 36 or 44.
• Where to Stay : The Best Western Quartz Rose Inn (Chester) or The Manzanita Camping Cabins . The park has 4 campgrounds, including one that’s just for RVs.
• More info on Lassen National park .

Point Reyes National Seashore

How would you like some crashing waves, rocky headlands, lonely lighthouses, a cypress tunnel and some massive Tule Elk? Then be sure to visit Point Reyes National Seashore. This park offers up some of California’s most stunning coastal scenery.

For wildlife, one of the top things to do in the park is to visit the Tule Elk preserve at Tomales Point. You can find elephant seals on the beaches at Chimney Rock. And also migratory gray whales from December to May. For hiking, you have your choice of 150 miles of trails, including the popular Bear Valley trail (10 miles), Muddy Hollow/Coast trail (12 miles) and the Mount Whittenberg trail (4 miles).

• Getting There : It’s located 40 miles north of San Francisco on Highway 1. On the way, you can also stop at Muir Woods (noted below).
• Where to Stay : Even if you aren’t a fan of Hostels, consider the HI Hostel , it’s located in the heart of the park. Also in nearby Olema is the stylish Olema House . Point Reyes has 5 small-ish campgrounds, but there are also spots in nearby Samuel P Taylor State Park.
• More info on Point Reyes National Seashore .

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

The Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) isn’t an official national park, and yet, it’s the most visited “park” in the US, receiving 13 million visits in 2021.

The GGNRA manages a huge recreation area, which includes not only 5 sites that are on the official National Park list, like the Presidio, Maritime Museum, Fort Point, Muir Woods and Alcatraz (all noted below). But the GGNRA also manages nature and historic sites stretching 40 miles north into Marin County and 20 south into San Mateo County. Top spots include: the Marin Headlands, Ocean Beach, Fort Funston, Sweeny Ridge, Phleger Estate, the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, Fort Mason and Lands End (which is worth hiking ).

And the crown jewel is the Golden Gate Bridge, which is one of the most popular tourist spots in San Francisco. We have a whole guide for visiting the Golden Gate bridge which offers practical advice on where to park, how to walk it and some fun facts.

• Getting There : Here is a map showing all of the GGNRA sites.
• Where to Stay : SF accommodation guide to figure out where to stay for all budgets.
• Entrance Fee : Free for everything but the Maritime Museum, Muir Woods and Alacatraz.
• More info on the Golden Gate National Recreation Area .

Alcatraz Island Historic Site

Alcatraz Island was at times a fort, military prison and a maximum security federal prison. In 1969, it was also occupied for 19 months by Native American groups who were advocating for civil rights. Touring the island provides a fascinating look into the history of incarceration in the United States.

In addition, the island occupies a lovely patch of the San Francisco bay and the ferry ride to and from the island always provide great views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge.

They run daily tours to the island. It’s very popular, so be sure to book ahead .

• Getting There : Located in the San Francisco Bay, a short ferry ride from Pier 39.
• Entrance Fee : $41.
• More info on Alcatraz .

Muir Woods National Monument

As I mentioned above, John Muir was a passionate conservationist and he’s California’s patron saint of national parks in California (and all other US parks too). After he invited Teddy Roosevelt to go camping in what is now Yosemite, the President was inspired to set aside 230 million acres of public land for our first national parks.

Muir loved a walk in the woods and the coast redwoods in Muir woods are a lovely place to do it. The monument offers a great entry-level way to experience California’s coast redwoods. The park has 6 miles of trails that go from a 1/2 hour accessible loop to a 1.5 hour longer loop. The trails also extend out into nearby Mount Tam State Park.

• Getting There : It’s located 16 miles north of San Francisco. Parking is very limited and requires reservations. Or you can take the seasonal shuttle service from Mill Valley.
• Where to Stay : Most people visit Muir Woods as a day trip from San Francisco. Use our SF accommodation guide to figure out where to stay for all budgets.
• Entrance Fee : $15 per adult (kids free), $9 to park, $3.50 for the shuttle. If you don’t drive, you can also do Muir Woods on a guided 1/2 day tour .
• More info on Muir Woods .

“But in every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks.” – John Muir

Fort Point National Historic Site

Fort Point has been guarding the entrance through the Golden Gate since the Gold Rush. The building is functional, but also quite lovely with its arched casements and red brick. It really lights up at dawn, which is when the above picture was taken. It’s one of our favorite views of the Golden Gate Bridge . The fort was built for the civil war and was used throughout the 20th century as an active defense site and also a barracks.

You can visit the fort as a self-guided tour and then use the nearby stairs to walk up to and over the Golden Gate Bridge .

• Getting There : It’s located west of Crissy Field, right under the bridge.
• More info on Fort Point Historic Site .

San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park

This historic park is perfect fo anyone who’s nuts for ships.. The Maritime park is located near San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf. It offers visitors the sights, sounds, smells and stories of Pacific Coast maritime history. The Park includes a magnificent fleet of historic ships from a 1895 schooner to a 1914 paddlewheel tug.

You can walk on the decks of the ships, take a cell phone tour and also visit the Maritime museum. The museum has exhibits on ship-building, SF maritime history and they have some lovely WPA-era murals inside the art-deco building.

• Getting There : Located in San Francisco just west of Pier 39.
• Entrance Fee : $15 per person.
• More info on San Francisco Maritime Park .

Presidio of San Francisco Historic Site

When the Spanish colonized California, they set up a defense outpost at the entrance to the San Francisco Bay. Over time, the Presidio was expanded by the Mexicans and then the Americans. The military outpost served through the Spanish American War, the Civil War, the Philippine War, both World Wars and the Cold War. In 1989, the federal government decided to de-commission the base and it was transferred to the Parks Service.

But the Presidio is not your typical parks site. Yes, you can find old military batteries and historic buildings. But you’ll also get 25 miles of hiking trails, including on the prime Crissy Field waterfront. In addition, there is also a mix of private businesses and housing within the presidio. You can find the Disney Family Museum, art installations, and even Lucas Studios (including a really cool statue of Yoda, which is part of our offbeat San Francisco guide ).

• Getting There : Located in northwestern San Francisco. If you don’t want to drive, you get there using the PresidiGO shuttle .
• More info on the Presidio .

Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site

Eugene O’Neill is America’s only Nobel Prize winning playwright. He chose to live in Northern California at the height of his writing career, which is where he wrote his most memorable plays like, The Iceman Cometh , Long Day’s Journey Into Nigh t, and A Moon for the Misbegotten .

The Tao home is on a 128 acre ranch near Danville, in San Francisco’s East Bay. O’Neill and his wife were fans of Oriental art (hence the house’s name), but they married that ethic with a traditional Spanish-style architecture.

You can visit the home on a self-guided tour on Saturdays, or you can arrange a reserved tour on weekdays. Either way, you access the property via an NPS shuttle.

• Getting There : Located in Danville, CA, 23 miles southeast of Oakland.
• Entrance Fee : Free, but reservations required.
• More info on the Eugene O’Neill historic home .

Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historic Park

The Bay Area’s manufacturing capacity really booted up during WWII. Women were given job opportunities that had previously been out of reach. This small monument honors the efforts of the many women who stepped up and helped the US deliver on the war effort. The park includes a welcome center with exhibits and a series of sculpture installations with pictures and storytelling.

• Getting There : Located in Point Richmond, which is a few miles north of Berkeley. You could do an East Bay history tour and combine the visit with the John Muir and Eugene O’Neill sites.
• Where to Stay : Most people visit as as an excursion from San Francisco. Use our SF accommodation guide to figure out where to stay for all budgets.
• More info on Rosie the Riveter .

John Muir National Historic Site

John Muir loved nothing more than to put a few sandwiches into his pockets and take off into the wilderness. But when he wasn’t doing that, he was writing and raising his family in Martinez, California.

Muir and his wife Louisa Strentzel lived on her family’s 2,600 acre fruit ranch. The historic site includes the ranch grounds, a 10,000 square foot home, Muir’s gravesite and a historic adobe building. Self-guided cell phone tours are available.

• Getting There : Located in Martinez, CA, 22 miles northheast of Oakland.
• More info on the John Muir historic site and some inspirational quotes by John Muir .

Port Chicago National Memorial

We experienced our worst WWII homefront disaster at Port Chicago. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were instantly killed when two ships being loaded with ammunition for the Pacific theater troops blew up. The waterfront site acknowledges and memorialized the disaster.

• Getting There : Located in Concord, CA, 28 miles southeast of Oakland and not far from the John Muir house.
• More info on Port Chicago .

Pinnacles is another California national park that was formed by volcanic action. The magma fields and subsequent erosion have created a landscape with towering rock spires and caves. The park is home to nesting California condors, peregrine falcons, golden eagles and 13 species of bats.

Pinnacles is the least visited of California’s national parks, with only 177,000 visitor per year. More elbow room for you then!

There are 30 miles of hiking trails in the park. Most notable are the 5.3 mile Old Pinnacles to Balcony Cave trail or the more strenuous 6+ mile High Peaks loop trail. Please note that there isn’t a road that goes through the park. So you either park at the west entrance for limited day hikes. Or use the east entrance for camping and access to more trails.

• Getting There : Located 76 miles south of San Jose.
• Where to Stay : The closest motel is the Days Inn 30 miles away in King City. Your better bet is the the Pinnacles campground , which has tent sites, tent cabins and RV spots.
• Entrance Fee : $30 per car.
• More info on Pinnacles National Park .

Devil’s Postpile National Monument

These funky basalt columns are formed when cooling lava shrinks into uniform(ish) hexagons. Basalt Columns are found around the world (Russia, Iceland, Northern Ireland, the Golan Heights), but they are rare enough to be notable. The columns at the Devil’s Postpile are believed to have been formed about 100,000 years ago. You can find them in the Eastern Sierra high alpine setting and they are surrounded by pine forest and waterfalls.

Notable hikes include the 1.3 mile Devils Postpile loop and the 4 mile Rainbow falls trail. The monument is also located very close to Mammoth Lakes and all of the other amazing recreational opportunities available along the Highway 395 corridor . The park is only open in the summer and fall, and during busy times, you’ll need to take a shuttle.

• Getting There : Located 13 miles west of Mammoth Lakes.
• Where to Stay : There is plenty of lodging options in Mammoth Lakes, like the Mammoth Creek Inn and the Village Lodge . The NPS campground at Devil’s Postpile is closed, but there are 5 forest service campgrounds in and around Reds Meadow .
• Entrance Fee : The shuttle is $15 for adults and $7 for kids.
• More info on the Devil’s Postpile .

Manzanar National Historic Site

The attack on Pearl Harbor not only definitively drew us into WWII, but it gravely wounded the American psyche and triggered a lot of fear. One of our national responses to that fear included rounding up 110,000 Japanese-Americans citizens, and interring them in military-style prisoner camps. Manazanar was one such camp, housing 10,000 people during the war.

The historic site has a series of reconstructed buildings that show housing conditions, the school room and the mess hall. There is also a touching cemetery and memorial.

We recommend making time for it as one of the top sites to visit near Lone Pine in the Eastern Sierra.

• Getting There : Located 11 miles north of Lone Pine.
• Where to Stay : There is a range of basic motels in Lone Pine , or try the the well-rated  Mt. Williamson Motel & Basecamp in nearby Independence.
• More info on Manzanar National Historic Site .

Yosemite was first protected in 1864 and is one of our first national parks. It’s best known for its waterfalls, sheer granite cliffs, Giant Sequoia groves and 1,200 square miles of pine forest. After the Golden Gate Recreation Area, Yosemite is our most popular national park in California, with 4.4 million annual visits.

The Pacific Crest Trail and the John Muir trail both transit through Yosemite’s wilderness. But the most popular parts of the park are in Yosemite Valley. Popular things to do in the valley include the Yosemite Valley loop trail, the lower Yosemite falls hike, the Mirror Lake loop and the Glacier Point overlook. But there are also some fantastic hikes out of Tuolumne Meadows and the Mariposa Giant Sequoia grove in the south part of the park is also worth it.

• Getting There : Located 194 miles east of SF and 316 miles north of LA.
• Where to Stay : Try the Yosemite Plaisance B&B in Mariposa or the Yosemite Valley Lodge right in the park. Yosemite also has 7 campground, but they book up very quickly.
• Entrance Fee : $35 per car.
• More info on Yosemite National Park .

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park

Legally speaking, Sequoia and Kings Canyon are actually two separate national parks. But the NPS manages them as one unit, so we have combined them here.

The “Giant Forest” was designated a national park in 1890 and 50 years later, Kings Canyon was added to the mix. Sequoia National Park’s primary purpose is conservation of the massive Giant Sequoia redwood tree, which is the largest tree (by density) in the world. Kings Canyon also has sequoias but it is also home to an amazing glacial canyon along the San Joaquin river.

Popular sites in King’s Canyon include the General Grant Grove and the Redwood Canyon area. And for Sequoia it’s the Giant Forest with the General Sherman tree. Connecting both is the scenic Highway 180, which we have flagged as one of the most scenic drives in California .

Please note that Sequoia NP and the surrounding Sequoia National Monument were damaged in the recent KNP fire and some groves and trails may be inaccessible.

• Getting There : Located 240 miles east of SF and 247 miles north of LA.
• Where to Stay : Try the Sequoia Resort in Badger or the budget friendly Comfort Inn in Three Rivers. The two parks have 14 campgrounds (some only available seasonally) and there are many other forest service campgrounds in the surrounding area.
• More info on Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

There is something so beautiful about Death Valley’s landscape. Death Valley is hot and sandy and rocky and it’s most definitely not trying to be your best friend. The park presents a stark, sharp landscape that rewards visitors who are looking for something more edgy. Death Valley features sand dunes, ghost towns, salt flats and towering mountains.

Popular things to do include hiking Golden Canyon or Sidewinder Canyon , the Mesquite Dunes at sunrise (pictured above), the Artist’s Palette drive, Badwater Basin and the Zabriskie Point overlook.

• Getting There : Located 270 miles northeast of LA.
• Where to Stay : Both The Ranch and The Inn are right in the heart of the park. We also have a full accommodation guide , which has some budget friendly options. If you are camping, check out our full camping guide for Death Valley .
• More info on how to visit Death Valley National Park and also some fun facts .

César Chávez National Monument

Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, César E. Chávez led farm workers in the establishment of the country’s first permanent agricultural union, which helped the workers with higher wages and safer working conditions.

While on-site, you can take advantage of the Visitor Center, see the desert garden and visit the memorial garden where Chávez is buried.

• Getting There : Located just north of Tehachapi.
• More info on César Chavez National Monument .

The Channel Islands are like California’s Galapagos. These eight islands are just isolated enough from the California mainland to have evolved some unique plants and animals that you don’t see anywhere else (like the island fox). Visiting the islands are a treat for fans of snorkeling, kayaking, hiking and whale watching.

The most popular and accessible island is Santa Cruz. It’s just an hour from the port at Ventura and it has nearly 90 miles of hiking trails.

Plan your trip well in advance because the ferry service sells out quickly.

• Getting There : Located 1-4 hours offshore from Ventura.
• Where to Stay : Hotels close to the harbor include the Ventura Beach Marriott and the Holiday Inn Express Ventura Harbor . There are a limited number of camp spots on the island but you’ll need to bring in everything (including water).
• Entrance Fee : Ferry rides are $32 for adults and $22 for kids.
• More info on how to visit the Channel Islands .

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

The Santa Monica mountains are LA’s backyard playground. This recreation area is 158,000 acres with 500 miles of hiking and mountain trails and 41 miles of coastline. And that doesn’t even count the adjacent areas that include the Topanga and Point Mogu state parks and the Malibu and Zuma state beaches.

Popular hikes include the 3 mile Solstice Canyon loop, 6 miles sections of the Backbone trail and the 6 mile Sostomo and Deer Valley loop. Or do a multi-day hike on the more rigorous Backbone trail.

• Getting There : Located 45 miles north of downtown Los Angeles.
• Where to Stay : For southern access, try the Surfrider in Malibu. Or base yourself the east in Santa Monica and stay at the Channel Road Inn . The NPS hosts one campground in the recreation area but there are also 14 state campgrounds in the area.
• More info on how to visit the Santa Monica Mountains .

Castle Mountains National Monument

Castle Mountains is the newest offering in California’s national park portfolio. It was dedicated in 2016 and is attached to the Mohave National Preserve (noted below). The monument sits squarely in the Mohave desert. It houses the rare Joshua Tree and is also home for migratory desert bighorn sheep.

Castle Mountains is not a fully developed park. It does not have designated trails, nor a campground. However, you can access it on dirt roads via a 4×4.

• Getting There : 68 southeast of Baker or 82 miles southwest of Las Vegas.
• More info on how to visit Castle Mountains .

Mojave National Preserve

This 1.6 acre park is larger than Joshua Tree, but way off the radar. However, we do recommending visiting it if you are road tripping between Death Valley and Joshua Tree . The park features sand dunes, cindercone volcanoes, joshua trees, spring wildflowers and mining ruins.

There are 24 miles of established trails and a lot of opportunity for backcountry bushwacking. There are several paved roads that run through the park, but Mohave is really fun for people who like to go offroading. Popular features include the Kelso Dunes, the joshua tree forest and the Rings Loop.

• Getting There : 104 miles north of Joshua Tree or 148 miles south of Furnace Creek in Death Valley.
• Where to Stay : The park has two developed campsites but they also allow disbursed undeveloped camping, which are usually accessed via 4×4.
• More info on how to visit Mojave National Preserve .

After Yosemite, Joshua Tree National park is the most popular formal national park site in California. Of course, it features the iconic joshua tree. But there is also a lot of cool mining sites, day hikes, killer sunset views and clear skies for stargazing. And the nearby town of Joshua Tree also features some funky art installations.

Popular things to do in the park include the Barker Dam trail, the Wall Street Mill trail, the lost horse mine loop, the Cholla cactus garden and Key’s View.

• Getting There : 48 miles north of Palm Springs.
• Where to Stay : For some western kitsch, stay at the Joshua Tree Ranch House . There are also a ton of cool glamping options and cabins for rent . Inside the park, you’ll find 8 campgrounds.
• More info on how to visit Joshua Tree , a 1-day itinerary and some fun facts .

Cabrillo National Monument

Cabrillo National Monument commemorates the landing of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo at Ballast Point in 1542. It was the first European expedition to land in what is now the Western US. It sits on a lovely peninsula of land right in San Diego.

Popular things to do including touring the lighthouse, spotting migratory whales, hiking the bayside trail or tidepooling along the Point Loma trail.

• Getting There : 12 miles west of downtown San Diego.
• Where to Stay : Base yourself downtown at the funky Staypineapple Hotel Z or the bay front Springhill Suites . If you are camping, try to snag a spot at the Silver Strand state beach.
• Entrance Fee : $20 per car.
• More info on how to visit Cabrillo National Monument .

Pan Regional National Historic Trails

These historic trails aren’t in any one particular spot. But rather, they show historically significant routes which were critical in the colonization and settlement of California. These trails ultimately became some of our most important highway routes and they represent some of California’s most scenic byways . The key to getting the most out of any of these trails is to road trip them, taking the time to stop at historic markers and regional history museums along the way.

Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail

in 1775, Juan Bautista de Anza led 240 intrepid folks on an epic 1,200 mile journey to establish the first non-Native settlement at the San Francisco Bay. They followed the route of the Rio Sonora, transiting through what is now Nogales and worked their way west through Arizona, north through San Bernardino and then up what is now Highway 101 to SF.

Key stops would include Anza-Borrego State Park, Griffith Park, Pismo Beach, Fort Ord, Henry Coe State Park, Crystal Springs trail and Golden Gate Park. Missions of note for this journey include San Diego, San Gabriel, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obisbo, San Juan Bautista and Mission Dolores.

Old Spanish National Historic Trail

This trail represents the old pack mule trail that rode west west between Santa Fe, New Mexico and Los Angeles. A good chunk of it follows what became historic Route 66. Key stops on the California segment include the Mohave Preserve/Kelso and the Route 66 museum in Barstow.

California National Historic Trail

When the California Gold Rush started in 1848, it opened a floodgate of immigration to California. This historic routes are preserved by the California National Historic trail. It’s a constellation of routes that led to some of California’s key gold mining towns.

These trails came west from Nevada before splintering to Highway 139 (through Lava Beds), Highways 44 and 36 (through Lassen), Highway 70 (to Oroville), Interstate 80 (through North Lake Tahoe), Highway 50 (through South Lake Tahoe) and Highway 108 (over Sonora Pass).

Pony Express National Historic Trail

The Pony Express only ran for 18 months between 1860-61, but it helped to form a strong identity for the American West. This trail runs 1,000 miles from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California. The California section of the route starts in Carson City, Nevada and follows what is now Highway 50. Key stops include southern Lake Tahoe, Placerville and old town Sacramento.

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Yosemite and Sequoia: John Muir's California

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EXPERIENCE WITH TAUCK

TAUCK EXCLUSIVE – Filmed vignettes by filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan that tell the stories of the history and ideals of the people behind the creation and preservation of the national parks

Meet a naturalist from the Sequoia Field Institute to hear stories about John Muir's discovery of the Giant Forest before discovering it yourself on guided walks, drives and a hike to the top of Moro Rock

TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES

Explore the incredible landscapes of Muir Woods, Sequoia and Yosemite national parks, from the famed Giant Sequoias and redwoods to mountains, lush forests, amazing waterfalls...

Discover the night sky over Sequoia National Park as a naturalist guides you through the spectacular constellations that are visible in the absence of "light pollution"

SEE WHAT YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES

Guests should be able to easily walk one to two miles, which may include climbing one or two flights of stairs and walking over uneven pavement, groomed hiking trails or cobblestones. Standing up to one hour or more may be required.

Often robust – may include long days, active sightseeing, early starts, evening activities, significant travel times.

Legendary Journeys and Adventures

At his first breathtaking view of Yosemite in 1869, young John Muir had a life-changing moment – a surge of euphoria as he wandered, overwhelmed in the great natural beauty of a landscape unlike anything he had seen before…

Sequoia national park at night, observe the night sky over sequoia national park with a naturalist.

When John Muir first wandered into the Sierra Nevada in 1869, the power of the otherworldly landscape – cathedral-like groves of towering Sequoias, glacier-clad mountain peaks, plunging canyons, crystal lakes and torrential waterfalls – transformed him forever. The self-made naturalist and conservationist then made it his mission to explore and document every natural wonder in the region, including what he called the "Giant Forest" – today's Sequoia National Park. During your visit, a naturalist from the Sequoia Field Institute reveals how Muir found and documented his "Giant Forest" in 1875, and another guides you through the spectacular constellations that fill Sequoia's night skies in the absence of "light pollution."

Stay inside Sequoia and Yosemite national parks

Enjoy multiple-night stays at acclaimed lodgings in sequoia and yosemite national parks.

On Tauck's "Yosemite and Sequoia: John Muir's California," you'll experience these two great national parks of the West as a true insider, with multiple-night stays at sought-after lodgings situated right inside the parks – the contemporary cedar and stone Wuksachi Lodge® in the heart of Sequoia National Park; and the magnificent Majestic Yosemite Hotel (formerly The Ahwahnee®), a historic 1920s gem set amidst the treasures of Yosemite National Park.

Fairmont San Francisco

Grace and grandeur atop san francisco's nob hill.

With a panoramic view of the city and the Bay from high atop Nob Hill, Fairmont San Francisco presents an unmatched blend of an ideal location, luxurious accommodations and superb services in the heart of this extraordinary city… and has done so for over a century, since its opening in 1907… exactly one year after the great San Francisco earthquake.

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Where you stay is an important part of your journey – with Tauck, accommodations have been handpicked and carefully selected for their location and ambiance, enhancing the destinations you explore. Download accommodation details and your travel plans begin!

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Travel Documents

Yosemite & Sequoia: John Muir's California begins and ends in the U.S.

Real ID Act - Effective May 7, 2025

Beginning in May 2025, some state IDs will no longer permit you to board a domestic flight. Currently, some states are compliant, some have received extensions, and some are not compliant.  Click here  to see the status of your state. If your state license is not compliant, you can use a passport in lieu of a valid state ID. 

Please Note:  The federal government has extended the deadline to May 7, 2025 for domestic airline passengers to secure a Real ID driver's license for use as identification at the airport. Travelers without a verified license or ID card will also have the option of showing other identity documents, such as a passport or military ID to board a plane.

If you are traveling by air to join and/or depart from this tour within the U.S., please read the section entitled Airline Security Measures under Additional Information to determine what travel documentation is required.

If you are frequent traveler to the U.S. from Canada, you may benefit from the NEXUS program, which is a joint initiative between the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency and the Canada Border Services Agency that allows pre-screened and approved travelers faster processing at designated highway lanes in high-volume border crossing locations, at a NEXUS kiosk at several airports, and at certain marine reporting locations in the Great Lakes and Seattle regions. For further information, you may log on to the Nexus Internet website by clicking here .

If you are a citizen of another country traveling internationally,   you should contact an embassy or consulate of the U.S. to determine what travel documentation is necessary. You may also log on to the U.S. State Department's Internet site by clicking  here.

We strongly recommend that your passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of your tour. We also recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents or cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.

To facilitate Travel Requirements, destinations are increasingly utilizing online forms that require digital proof that you've successfully completed your submission (via an email, QR code, etc.) To ensure smooth travels and peace of mind, we strongly recommend all guests carry a personal smart phone and sign up for international data plans before traveling overseas.

TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN AS A GUARDIAN: If you are traveling as the guardian of a child/children, we strongly suggest that you carry a letter from both parents of the child authorizing emergency treatment in the event of illness or accident. For travel abroad, many foreign countries have specific entry requirements for children under 21 who are traveling internationally without BOTH parents. (These requirements are in response to the increased incidence of children being abducted and taken abroad.) PLEASE NOTE THAT TAUCK IS NOT RESPONSIBLE for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for children traveling without both parents.

How to Book a Tour

See your travel advisor, or call Tauck at 800-468-2825 to make a reservation.

At the time of booking, please have the following information ready for all members of your party:

• Tour Name and Departure Date
• Traveler's Name: First and last names as they appear on your passport or driver's license
• Traveler's Address(es)
• Email Address*
• Traveler's Phone Number(s)*
• Emergency Contact Information: Please provide the name and phone number  of a relative or friend (not travelling with you) whom we could contact during the tour in the unlikely event of an emergency
• Interest in purchasing a travel protection plan (US and Canada)
• Interest in extending your trip by staying in a Tauck recommended hotel before your trip begins or after it ends
• Interest in our specially negotiated airfares

* Required Fields

Deposit & Final Payment

The deposit and the fees for the optional Protection Plan or Cancel Fee Waiver [CFW] coverage are due at time of booking.

The deposit amount is $350 per person

Final Payment:

Final Payment is due to Tauck 90 days before departure for lands trips, and 120 days before departure for cruises and rail journeys. If your deposit was made by credit card, final payment will be automatic unless you opted out at time of booking. Bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice. Failure to make payment will be a considered a cancellation by the guest and all applicable cancellation fees will apply.

Travel Protection Plan

Effective for plans purchased as of July 1, 2021:

Cancellation Waiver – Provided by Tauck:

Under Tauck's Cancellation Fee Waiver you can cancel your tour for ANY REASON up to the day before departure and receive a money-back refund (except in Extreme Circumstances*) on the land tour cost, based on your original method of payment.

*Extreme Circumstances:  In the event of an act of God, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, accident, natural disaster, outbreak of disease, or other event or circumstance beyond our control that contributes to or results in cancellation rates above our historical cancellation rates in the absence of such event or occurrence, Tauck reserves the right to issue a credit to you in lieu of a money-back refund, applicable to a future Tauck journey.

Travel Insurance Benefits – Underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company.

• Trip Cancellation –  If you must cancel your tour due to a covered reason, the plan provides coverage for the amount you paid for your travel arrangements. Since the non-insurance cancellation waiver takes care of the land package cancellation fees already, this benefit reimburses the airfare cancellation charges up to the value of your original airfare purchase.
• Trip Interruption –  If you have to interrupt your tour for covered reasons, the plan provides reimbursement for up to $5,000 to catch up to your tour or return home.
• Travel Delay –  Provides reimbursement for missed, prepaid travel arrangements if you are delayed by a common carrier, natural disaster, unannounced strike, or other reasons as cited in the plan.
• Medical Expense –  Reimburses covered medical expenses incurred in the event you become injured or sick during your trip. 
• Baggage / Personal Effects Protection –  Provides reimbursement in the event your luggage or personal effects are, lost, stolen, damaged or delayed during your trip.

Worldwide Emergency Assistance Services –  Provided by Carefree Travel Assistance; 24-hour emergency telephone assistance hotline for medical and travel related problems.

The cost of Tauck's Guest Protection is: $349  per person

This protection provides insurance coverage that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker.

This optional Guest Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included with initial payment. Fees are based on costs as of July 1, 2021, and are subject to change. Details will be provided with written confirmation of your tour reservation. Guest Protection does not protect travel agent commissions. Reimbursements will be made according to original method of payment. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties.

The Guest Protection plan waives cancellation fees outlined below, provided we are notified of cancellation before your tour departs. Tour cancellation fees are waived regardless of reason, without written notice, and Tauck will refund land tour cost.

To obtain your state-specific Certificate of Insurance that contains the complete terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the certificate, visit  affinitytravelcert.com/docs/TACGPPDOM .

If You Have To Cancel

If you cancel within 10 days of initial deposit Within the first 10 days after you place your initial deposit, you may cancel your reservation for any reason with no cancellation fees. If you cancel more than 10 days after initial deposit Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. These fees vary from tour to tour. Therefore, the following fees apply.

Cancellation Fees with Tauck's Guest Protection Plan:

Loss of Guest Protection fee, per person

Cancellation Fees without Tauck's Guest Protection Plan :

90 days or more before departure = $350 per person

89-8 days before departure = $600 per person

7-1 days before departure = $900 per person

Time of cancellation  will be when notice is received in our Wilton Woods, CT office.

In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control,  Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation terms outlined herein.

Note:  All Guests, regardless of residency, who book a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing the Cancellation Fee Waiver provided by Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations. Tauck's Guest Protection, which includes both the Cancellation Fee Waiver and the Travel Insurance Benefits and Assistance Services described above, is not available to residents of Puerto Rico.

Travel Terms and Conditions

Click here  to find Tauck's Travel Terms & Conditions.

Travel Requirements For This Tour

Air Information and Luggage Restrictions

AIRFARE: Airfare to and from this destination is not included in the journey cost. If purchasing your air elsewhere, it is very important to provide us with your confirmed arriving and departing flight information no later than 3 weeks before your arrival date. Flight information can be submitted to Tauck (or verified, if you've already provided it) in the My Account section of Tauck.com.

TAUCK AIRPORT TRANSFERS are included at the start and end of the journey between the airport and the Tauck hotel. Airport transfers are available for any pre tour or post tour hotel stays immediately consecutive to the tour, providing flight information is received in the Tauck office no later than three weeks in advance. Details on locating your transfer upon arrival to the tour start city will be included in your final documents.

AIRLINES and CHECKED LUGGAGE: Due to space limitations during your Tauck journey, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one average-size suitcase per person. Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and are free to revise luggage policies without notice. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies. PLEASE NOTE that if you are booked on a tour that includes on-tour flights, the checked luggage weight restrictions for these flights may be lower than the weight restrictions for your international flights.

Checked Luggage – General

Due to space restrictions, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one suitcase per person weighing no more than 50 pounds (23 kg) and with overall dimensions (length + width + height) not exceeding 62 inches (158 cm).

Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and luggage exceeding airline standards for size or weight may result in expensive overage fees or other consequences.

Airlines are free to revise luggage policies without notice, and certain airlines have different baggage allowances for different classes of service. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies.

Tauck luggage tags will be provided by your Tauck Director on Day 1 of your itinerary. Please do not attach a Tauck luggage tag to any carry-on items, as the Tauck tags designate luggage that is to be handled and transferred by ground operators and hotel staff during your journey.

Carry-on Luggage - General

Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and that you bring only those items you need handy during the day such as make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or on the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.

Health, Safety and Mobility

HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify us as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.

VACCINATIONS

If you are a resident of another country traveling to or within the U.S., we suggest that contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to obtain information regarding vaccinations and medications for vaccine-preventable diseases and other diseases for which you might be at risk when you reach your destination in the U.S. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 800-232-4636 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on to the CDC website by clicking here .

To enjoy this tour, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surfaces. Some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. The amount of walking you do, however, is at your discretion.

Most decisions regarding your choice of sightseeing activities will be made at the beginning of your journey at an orientation meeting with your Tauck Director, who will explain procedures as well as provide guidance to make choices.

PLEASE NOTE: We regret that we're unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. The responsibility of the Tauck Director who accompanies your trip is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.

SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS

The restaurants, hotels, caterers and numerous other partners we work with all do their best to accommodate special dietary requests from Tauck guests. However, given the diverse nature of those food providers (from small wineries to grand hotels to world-famous restaurants in more than 70 countries worldwide), some of our partners are better able than others to accommodate such requests. We therefore cannot guarantee that all dietary requests can be accommodated at every meal. Also, please note that where dietary requests can be accommodated, choices will frequently be limited.

Reading List

We have compiled a reading list of recommended books to give you more information about the destinations you will be traveling to on your upcoming journey! You can view the reading list  here .

The coastal climate of San Francisco is cooler than the desert-like conditions of inland California where the heat of the day may drop 30 °F (17 °C) by evening. The average high temperature along the coast in summer is approximately 67 °F (19 °C); the average low temperature is 52 °F (11 °C). The average high temperature in Yosemite in summer is 87 °F (31 °C); the average low temperature is 52 °F (11 °C).

You may encounter occasional fog in San Francisco and along the coast; it can be quite breezy and a bit chilly in the summer months.

To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, noaa.gov , by clicking here .

What To Pack

Bringing the right clothing for your trip is important – we've partnered with Necessary Gear who provide an "easy-to-use, one-stop shop" for your Tauck travel needs, specifically selected for this trip. Click here to visit their site .

The coastal climate of San Francisco is cooler than the desert-like conditions of inland California where the heat of the day may drop 30 °F (17 °C) by evening. We suggest that you dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is flexible and allows for layering. Casual, cotton clothing is recommended. A light sweater and jacket will provide warmth on a chilly early morning walk or a late night stroll. For the welcome and farewell receptions, casual resort wear is appropriate; formal wear is never required. Most important are lightweight walking shoes with ankle support. You may even opt for hiking boots or all-weather shoes as temperatures can fluctuate from snowy to high heat even across the same dates due to the differences in elevation on this itinerary. You may come across muddy or even snowy conditions depending on time of year.

You will find a hair dryer located in your hotel guest room. Irons and ironing boards are available upon request. Valet laundry and dry cleaning services are available for a fee.

We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor's prescription or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.

We suggest that you pack the following items your journey:

• Casual daytime wear – shorts, slacks, long and short-sleeved shirts
• An optional jacket for men
• Casually elegant evening wear for ladies
• Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
• A light sweater or jacket for higher elevations or a breezy night
• Insect repellent
• Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and chargers
• Lightweight, comfortable, sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in
• Hiking boots or all-weather shoes
• Travel alarm clock/cell phone with alarm functions (many hotels do not have clocks in the rooms)
• Rain poncho and collapsible umbrella
• Reusable zipper-lock bags or other waterproof bags
• Daypack for camera equipment
• Sundries and toiletries that may be difficult to find en route
• Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while traveling

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Visit Every National Park In California On This Gorgeous Road Trip Of A Lifetime

California holds nine national parks, the most of any state and one-seventh of the 63 total parks in the U.S. From towering redwoods and volcanic vents to misty waterfalls and deserts dotted with cacti, the state is home to a diverse array of ecosystems. These rich landscapes go beyond the state's two most-frequented national parks, Yosemite and Joshua Tree, which also ranked among the country's 10 most-visited parks in 2022. They even go beyond the mainland since Channel Islands National Park is just off the coast.

While it might seem like a lot to take in all at once, there is a winding road trip route where you can hit up all nine of California's national parks in about 31 hours of driving time. It will probably work best if you can break it up with hotel or camping stays over two weeks or more. Arm yourself with an $80 U.S. Park Pass so you're not having to pay a separate entrance fee for each park. Though long, the journey could well be the trip of a lifetime as it covers some 1,700 miles and shows off the full range of natural beauty in the Golden State.

In the movie "Return of the Jedi," California represented two completely different worlds, a forest moon and a desert planet, the latter of which was filmed in a stunning sand dune field . You can see the forest moon part in Northern California, where this road trip begins with Redwood National and State Parks.

From redwoods to volcanoes and waterfalls

The tallest trees in the world stand in Redwood National and State Parks, including Jedediah Smith, Del Norte Coast, and Prairie Creek Redwoods. They all accept the U.S. Park Pass (a.k.a. the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass). There's a fee if you want to camp, but Redwood National Park itself is free to enter, and you can drive straight through it on Highway 101.

Veering off onto State Route 299 near the city of Arcata should provide the quickest way (just over 4 hours) to your next destination, Lassen Volcanic National Park. Here, you can hike the world's biggest plug dome volcano, Lassen Peak, along with the steaming hydrothermal area, Bumpass Hell, and the trails around other creatively named natural features like Boiling Springs Lake. Note that, from November to May, you can only venture one mile past the park's southwest entrance by car, as the rest of the highway running through it, SR 89, is closed for the winter.

From there, it's another 335 miles to Yosemite National Park via I-5. In Yosemite, you can see the majestic rock formation, El Capitan, from the road, or park and take a trail up to beautiful waterfall views along the picturesque Mist Trail. A combination of several state roads leads back out westward around 175 miles to Pinnacles National Park, where more impressive volcanic ruins and rock formations that are millions of years old await you.

Sequoias, deserts, Joshua trees, and coastal islands

Two of California's national parks, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, are under the same administration and relatively close to each other. It's about a 185-mile drive from Pinnacles to the Ash Mountain entrance of Sequoia, the second national park established in the U.S. (after Yellowstone). Along the way, you'll hit the halfway point in your road trip between the cities of Coalinga and Lemoore in Central California.

Your reward in Sequoia National Park will be the sight of General Sherman, the biggest tree on Earth in terms of volume. En route to Kings Canyon National Park, which has its own giant sequoia named General Grant, you can also drive through Sequoia's fallen Tunnel Log on Crescent Meadow Road. Enjoy the shade of these trees while you can because you're headed to Death Valley National Park next. It's the hottest place on the planet, and you'll want to have a good supply of water if you're there in the summer. The park also contains the salt flats of Badwater Basin, North America's lowest elevated point.

The desert landscape shifts to include more gnarled yucca plants in Joshua Tree National Park. Here, you can go bouldering and visit landmarks like Skull Rock. The final 200 miles of your journey will take you from Joshua Tree to Ventura Harbor on the coast of Southern California. Park the car, stretch your legs, and take the concessionaire boat to experience the peaceful, untouched splendor of Channel Islands National Park.

Epic California National Parks Road Trip: 2-Week Itinerary

* This article contains affiliate links, which help run this site at no extra cost to you.

The perfect two-week California national parks road trip to see the best highlights and experience the Golden State’s outdoor nature to the fullest.

I vividly remember my first introduction to each national park I’ve visited in California. 

The first time I saw a Joshua Tree up close and experienced the next-level nature of desert stargazing. 

Driving along El Portal Road on my way into Yosemite Valley, my skin prickling from the jaw-dropping scenery in front of me. 

That feeling of awe as a huge California Condor flew overhead while I was hiking through Pinnacles National Park. 

The national parks in California are memorable, to say the least, and all of them deserve a place on any California bucket list . 

That’s why I wanted to put together an epic road trip itinerary to hit the highlights of the California national park system in two weeks. 

In this itinerary, I take you through the heights of the Sierras to the lowest point in North America, as well as California’s most beautiful islands . 

Along the way, you’ll experience the best of California nature and what makes each of these parks so special. 

Here’s to having a national parks road trip of a lifetime, happy road tripping! 

Note: this post contains affiliate links, which help run this site at no extra cost to you so I can keep providing free travel advice and tips. 

Table of Contents

How Many National Parks Are in California?

There are a total of nine national parks in the Golden State. This is the full list of California national parks :

• Redwood National and State Parks
• Lassen Volcanic National Park
• Yosemite National Park
• Sequoia National Park & Kings Canyon National Park  
• Death Valley National Park
• Joshua Tree National Park
• Channel Islands National Park  
• Pinnacles National Park  

How Much Time Do You Need to Visit All of the National Parks in California?

California is a large state and its national parks are very spread out, so if you want to hit all nine I’d give yourself at least three weeks if not a full month. 

This two-week epic road trip itinerary takes you to 7 out of 9 of the national parks and is very doable, but if you want to add on more than that you should probably give yourself more time. 

If you don’t have two weeks and you just want to see the most popular national parks, such as Yosemite, Death Valley, and Joshua Tree, you could do a 5-day to one-week road trip instead. 

I have more road trip itinerary recommendations below for different lengths of time.

Get your FREE California Travel Planner – including printable checklists and my favorite two-week itinerary for the state. 

When’s the Best Time of Year to do a California National Parks Road Trip?

It depends on what you’re looking for, but my favorite time to do a California road trip around the national parks is either late spring or fall . 

Summer is the most popular time to visit the national parks, but it’s also when they’ll be at their busiest. And the ones in the deserts are impossibly hot at that time (Death Valley and Joshua Tree). 

Winter can be tricky if you’re visiting the national parks in the Sierras (Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, and Lassen Volcanic National Park) because road closures are common due to snow.

There’s also less open in the winter so you don’t get the same atmosphere at certain parks. 

Spring, on the other hand, can be an ideal time for wildflowers , waterfalls, and nice weather without too much rain (especially in late spring). 

The fall will usually be warmer in California than in spring. In the fall, you’ll also be treated to fall foliage around the Sierras and reasonable temperatures at most places (for the deserts you might want to go in late fall though). 

Overall, different parks are good for different times of the year but if you’re looking to hit the most national parks in one go, spring or fall are the best seasons to plan your California road trip. 

• America the Beautiful Pass

If you’re doing a national park road trip, it’s worthwhile to grab an America the Beautiful Pass to save on the cost of the parks. 

The entrance fee for most national parks in California is around $35 per vehicle, so as long as you hit three different national parks the pass will pay for itself. 

The pass is good for a year and can be used at any other US national parks as well if you’re planning other out-of-state adventures this year. 

You can grab an America the Beautiful Pass here  

PS – you might also want to grab a national park passport just for fun!

California National Parks Road Trip from San Francisco

Day 1-3: san francisco to yosemite national park.

Distance: 179 miles, 3.5-hour drive

Note: since we’re skipping Redwood National & State Parks on this California road trip itinerary, you might want to visit Muir Woods to see the California redwoods before you leave or once you get back to San Francisco. 

Starting from San Francisco , you’ll make the 3.5-hour drive to Yosemite National Park. 

Once you make a right at Yosemite Junction, prepare yourself for a winding road up to the Sierras until you get to the Big Oak Flat Information Center. 

This is the western entrance of Yosemite National Park and you’re going to either be staying near this entrance or within the park for the next couple of nights. 

For this first day, you’ll probably only have a half-day to see the park after driving from San Francisco. 

Once you arrive, spend the rest of the day doing a mini road trip around Yosemite Valley and its surrounding areas to get your bearings and take in those jaw-dropping vista points. 

Here are a few vista points to go see: Lower Yosemite Fall, El Capitan Meadow, Valley View, Tunnel View, Washburn Point, and Glacier Point. 

Since you’ve already been in the car for a few hours, you can choose to do as few or as many of these as you want. 

Maybe you just want to have a picnic at Lower Yosemite Fall and watch the sunset at Glacier Point and call it a day, it’s up to you! 

This is your day to get out of the car and start hiking Yosemite’s popular trails. You have two options for today – a challenging long hike or a self-guided waterfall hiking tour. 

If you want to go with a challenging hike, hike either Half Dome (16.3 miles) or Clouds Rest (11.9 miles). 

Half Dome is the most famous hike in Yosemite, but you’ll need to really plan ahead and snag a permit to do the full hike and climb the cables at the end. 

Permits are done by lottery (the best way to enter is by doing the pre-season lottery from March 1st-31st on Recreation.gov ) so you’ll want to book early and there’s no guarantee you’ll get one. 

If you’re not able to get a permit for Half Dome, tackle Clouds Rest instead, which is just as beautiful and not as crowded. 

If you’re not up for that strenuous of a hike, I’d recommend doing a tour of Yosemite’s waterfalls through 1-3 trails. These are your options: 

• Bridalveil Fall Trail (0.5-mile) 
• Lower Yosemite Fall Trail (1 mile) – Most family-friendly waterfall hike for those traveling with kids or with mobility issues. 
• Vernal Falls (2.4 miles) and Nevada Falls via the Mist Trail (5.4 miles) 
• Wapama Falls Trail (4.6 miles) – You can also see Hetch Hetchy Reservoir here too. 
• Upper Yosemite Falls Trail (7.2 miles) 

Note: The best time to do waterfall hikes in Yosemite is during peak runoff in May or June. If you’re traveling outside of this time, these are still stunning hikes to tackle. Otherwise, I’d recommend the Mirror Lake Trail (2-5 miles) at any time of the year besides winter. 

For your last day in Yosemite, it’s time to check out the eastern side of the park in the Tuolumne Meadows area. 

Head over to Olmstead Point to start your day with a stunning viewpoint. Then, drive to Tenaya Lake to relax and have breakfast or an early afternoon picnic. 

Next, stop by the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center to grab a map and learn more about the area. From here, you can do a short walk to Soda Springs and Parsons Lodge .

If you’re not too tired from hiking the previous day, you can also tackle one of the many hikes in the Tuolumne Meadows area. 

The hikes around here take you through the subalpine meadow, as well as craggy peaks and calm lakes. In other words, they’re gorgeous. 

A few you could do include: Gaylor Lakes (2 miles), Lembert Dome (2.8 miles), and Cathedral Lakes (7.7 miles).

Once you’re done hiking, continue enjoying the scenic drive along Tioga Pass , taking your time and stopping to check out the views along the way. 

If you have extra time, drive just outside the eastern side of Yosemite National Park to spend an hour or so at Mono Lake . 

This is one of the oldest and most unique lakes in North America, featuring alien-like tufa towers. 

Looking for more to do? Read our guides to the best things to do in Yosemite , two days in Yosemite itinerary , and how to see the Yosemite Firefall .

Where to Stay in Yosemite

• Camping: Lower Pines Campground , North Pines Campground , Upper Pines Campground
• Hotels: Yosemite Westgate Lodge , Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite , The Ahwahnee 

Read our guide to the best campgrounds in Northern California .

Day 4-5: Yosemite National Park to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

Distance: 147 miles, 3.5-hour drive

The drive from Yosemite National Park to Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Parks is another 3.5-hour journey, so I’d recommend starting early from Yosemite and arriving at Kings Canyon National Park (your first stop) by noon. 

Note: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are two separate California national parks. However, they’re often grouped together because they’re located next to each other and administered together by the National Park Service.

Leaving from Yosemite Valley, don’t miss Mariposa Grove where you’ll find the largest sequoia grove in Yosemite and some of the biggest sequoia trees in the world.  

At Kings Canyon National Park, you’ll have the chance to explore meadows, waterfalls, epic views, and Sequoia trees. Kings Canyon National Park is also home to the deepest canyon in the US (8,200 ft).  

Once you get to Kings Canyon, drive the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway that starts around Dunlap on Highway 180 and goes until Road Ends. 

Along the way, there are plenty of sights to check out, including the Kings Canyon Visitor Center, Panoramic Point, General Grant Grove, Hume Lake, Junction View, Grizzly Falls (a good picnic area), and Zumwalt Meadows.  

You have all of today to explore Sequoia National Park at your leisure and there’s a lot to pack in. 

Sequoia National Park is another place where you’ll find some of the biggest trees in the world, as well as interesting rock formations, caves, viewpoints, and plenty of hikes.  

If you have the energy, start your day off with 1-2 hikes inside the park. Here are a few options: 

• Big Trees Trail (1.5 miles) 
• Tokopah Falls (1.7 miles) 
• Crescent Meadow Trail (1.8 miles)
• The Congress Trail (3 miles) 

And then spend the rest of your day visiting Moro Rock, General Sherman, and the Giant Forest Museum. 

If you have extra time, you can also sign up for a 45-minute tour of Crystal Cave, just reserve your spot at least two days in advance.

Where to Stay in Sequoia and King Canyon National Parks

• Camping: Lodgepole Campground , Dorst Creek , Azalea Campground
• Hotels: Waksuchi Lodge , John Muir Lodge , Cedar Grove Lodge  

Day 6-7: Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks to Death Valley National Park

Distance: 311 miles, 5.5-hour drive

The next segment of your California national parks road trip itinerary will feel completely different from what you’ve done so far. 

You’re now entering the Southern California desert region and the first stop is Death Valley National Park – the most brutal and extreme California national park on this list. 

In fact, it’s the lowest and driest national park in the contiguous US. 

This is the longest driving day in terms of distance between parks, so make sure you budget enough time from Sequoia National Park to get to Death Valley while it’s still light out. 

Day 6 

On your way into the park, stop at Father Crowley Overlook where you can sometimes see fighter jets practicing overhead. 

If you want to pick up a map and learn more about the history of the area, your next stop should be the Death Valley National Park Information Center . 

Depending on what time of day it is and where the temperatures are at, you may just want to rest for the afternoon until it starts cooling off. 

Once it gets close to golden hour, head over to two of the park’s best viewpoints at Dante’s View and Zabriskie Point . 

Start your only full day in Death Valley as early as possible. 

Spend the morning at Badwater Basin , the park’s famous salt flats and the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level. 

Take your time walking around this massive area and snap some pictures while you’re there. 

Right next to Badwater Basin, you can do the two-mile hike to Natural Bridge to look at interesting rock formations. 

Next up, you can visit Devil’s Golf Course , which is another unique salt flat near Badwater Basin. 

Nearby there’s also the 9-mile Artist’s Palette Drive , which features two viewpoints looking out over a rainbow-colored mountain.

If it’s not too hot yet, you can also do a hike at Golden Canyon (there are a few different hikes of varying lengths at the trailhead). 

Spend your last evening in Death Valley making the journey to Mesquite Sand Dunes . You can hike to the top of them (it takes about 20 minutes) for prime golden hour views. 

Looking for a more detailed Death Valley bucket list? Read our full guide to the best things to do in Death Valley National Park .

Where to Stay in Death Valley National Park

• Camping:  Furnace Creek Campground , Wildrose Campground , Mahogany Flat Campground  [But I’d only recommend camping at Death Valley if you’re visiting during the cooler months (October-April)] 
• Hotels: The Inn at Death Valley , The Ranch at Death Valley , The Oasis at Death Valley  

Day 8-9: Death Valley National Park to Joshua Tree National Park

Distance: 228 miles, 3.75-hour drive

Continuing your California road trip itinerary, it’s now time to introduce you to my favorite California national park – Joshua Tree! 

There’s really no other place like Joshua Tree. It spans two deserts (the Mojave and Colorado) and features alien-like landscapes and funky-looking cacti. 

It was the first place I realized how beautiful the desert can be. 

There’s a lot to see in and even on your way to Joshua Tree, so you’ll want to be on the road early for the four-hour drive through the desert. 

Make sure to fill up on gas when you can and enjoy the many unique sights the California desert has to offer. 

There are a few stops you can make on your way into the west entrance of the park. 

Make a stop at Pioneertown to see what was once a Wild West movie set turned live town, grab a coffee from Joshua Tree Coffee Company , and walk around the Noah Purifoy Outdoor Art Museum to see the beauty of “junk art.”

Once you get into Joshua Tree, you’ll probably have a few hours left to sneak in some sights before calling it a day. 

For your first introduction to just how beautiful the Joshua Tree landscape can be, head over to the Arch Rock Nature Trail .

This 1.2-mile trail takes you to an interesting rock formation in the middle of the desert shaped, as you probably guessed, in the form of an arch. 

Afterward, you can head over to Skull Rock and the Jumbo Rocks Campground to immerse yourself in the massive boulders and weird rock formations that make Joshua Tree such a fun place to visit. 

Next, head over to another one-mile loop at the Hidden Valley Nature Trail to take in even more desert scenery. 

Finally, end your day with a sunset at Keys View – a panoramic viewpoint that looks out over the Coachella Valley. 

Start your day early today to beat the heat of the desert and get in some hikes. 

You have a few options today for hiking around the park.

If you’re up for the challenge I’d recommend starting with the more difficult Ryan Mountain Hike (3 miles). It’s a steady uphill climb to get to the summit but the views at the top are worth the effort. 

Note: If you’d rather explore the other side of the park that features a slightly different landscape, head south instead of doing the Ryan Mountain Hike. In the southern part of the park, you can hike the Mastodon Peak Loop Trail (2.6 miles) or the Lost Palms Oasis Trail (7.2 miles) to get a different perspective of Joshua Tree. 

After the views at Ryan Mountain or doing a hike in the south, it’s time to tackle one or two of Joshua Tree’s most popular (and easier) trails – the Barker Dam Nature Trail (1.3 miles) or the Wall Street Mill Trail (2.4 miles). 

The Barker Dam Nature Trail gives you the highlights of the Mojave Desert and guides you through the landscape with interpretive displays. 

This is a good one to do if you want to learn more about the local flora and fauna or you’re traveling with young kids. 

However, if you’re a history buff interested in looking into Joshua Tree’s past, head to the Wall Street Mill Trail. 

Along the trail, you’ll find leftover remnants of another time in the form of rusted-out cars and a mill that’s in disrepair. There are also signs along the trail that teach you about the history of the area. 

This is actually my favorite hike in Joshua Tree if only for the interesting juxtaposition of abandoned cars in the middle of the desert.  

After you’re done hiking for the day, head over to the Cholla Cactus Garden to see the cute and fuzzy teddy bear cacti (just don’t give it a hug!).

These are also nicknamed “jumping cholla” cacti because they “jump” when you get too close, so please be careful and keep your distance from the cacti. 

If you have time, you can round out your day by touring Keys Ranch , which is a historic ranch and homestead that was once lived in from 1910 to 1969 by William F. Keys and his family. Just note that tours are only offered from October to May. 

Before hitting the hay, finish off the night with a warm cup of hot chocolate (or a hot toddy depending on your preference) and do some stargazing.

Where to Stay in Joshua Tree National Park

• Camping: Belle Campground , Hidden Valley Campground , Jumbo Rocks Campground  
• Hotels: Pioneertown Motel , Joshua Tree Inn , Sacred Sands

Read my full guide to the best hotels near Joshua Tree  

Day 10-12: Joshua Tree National Park to Ventura & Channel Islands National Park

Distance to Ventura: 200 miles, 3.5-hour drive

Ventura to Santa Cruz Island: 1-hour ferry ride 

Oxnard to Anacapa Island: 1.5-hour ferry ride 

You’ve made it to the last leg of your national parks road trip, congrats! It’s finally time to head to the coast to check out California’s famous Channel Islands. 

Since ferries to the islands leave early from Ventura and Oxnard, I’d recommend using your road trip from Joshua Tree to Ventura as an excuse to see some nearby Southern California sights instead of trying to rush to the ferry in time. 

Once you arrive in Ventura, you have the option of staying on Santa Cruz Island for two nights or doing two-day trips – one to Anacapa and the other to Santa Cruz – to see more of the islands. 

Today is the perfect day to add some detours into your California road trip itinerary, especially since you’ll need to cross through the Los Angeles area anyway. 

Here are a few detour options you can make on your way to Ventura. 

• Whitewater Preserve – a scenic park in the desert that’s not too far from Joshua Tree. 
• Disneyland – You’ll want to get here early if you plan to visit, but this can definitely be a fun stop to break up the long hiking days and time in nature. 
• Spend the day around Los Angeles – Read my full list of 100+ Things to do in the city .
• Enjoy a mini Pacific Coast Highway road trip – You can hightail it over to the California Coast from Joshua Tree, and then do a mini highway 1 road trip starting around Dana Point and ending in Ventura. Check out my guide to the Pacific Coast Highway to find out where to stop along the way. 

It’s time to choose your adventure. You can either head to Santa Cruz Island today for two nights of camping or just do a day trip to Santa Cruz Island. 

I recommend starting with Santa Cruz Island because it’s close to the mainland and there are the most things to do for first-time visitors. 

On the island, you can book a kayaking tour to explore the island’s sea caves, go snorkeling in clear waters, spend the day at the beach, or hike around the island.  

Today, you’ll either continue exploring Santa Cruz Island if you’re camping there or you’ll do a day trip to Anacapa Island. 

Anacapa Island is another Channel Island that’s close to the mainland and offers good views, a touch of history, and some short hikes. 

There aren’t any accessible beaches on Anacapa but it’s a nice spot for a picnic and some coastal hiking. 

Where to Stay in Ventura: Amanzi Hotel , Waypoint Ventura , Crystal Lodge Motel

Where to Stay on Santa Cruz Island: Santa Cruz Scorpion Campground , Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry Campground

Day 13: Ventura to Pinnacles National Park

Distance: 225 miles, 4-hour drive

You’ll end your California national parks road trip at the newest national park in the state – Pinnacles! 

Pinnacles is a small park so you can easily see a good chunk of its sights and viewpoints in one day. 

If you’re driving up from the south, I’d recommend hiking the 8.4-mile High Peaks to Balconies Cave Loop . 

This trail gives you the bulk of the park highlights and even lets you explore the Balconies Cave (if it’s open), just make sure to bring a headlamp! 

Also, keep your eyes peeled for California Condors flying overhead. They’re the park’s most famous residents and pretty incredible to see in person. 

If you don’t have time for an 8-mile trail, there are a number of shorter hikes you can do from the west side of the park as well. The best one is probably the 2.4-mile Balconies Cliffs to Balconies Cave Loop .  

Read my full guide to Pinnacles National Park

Where to Stay in Pinnacles National Park

• Camping: Pinnacles Campground
• Hotels: Inn at the Pinnacles , Valley Harvest Inn

Day 14: Pinnacles National Park to San Francisco

Distance: 145 miles, 2.5-hour drive

It’s time to head back to the starting point of your road trip today. 

Depending on your energy levels, you can just head back to San Francisco to rest up, grab some food, and maybe have a drink to cheers to an epic road trip. 

Or, if you want to squeeze in a few more sights, you can stop by Mission Soledad , the Steinbeck Museum in Salinas, and grab some garlic ice cream while driving through Gilroy. 

San Jose also has a lot of things to do if you’re looking for a more full day of sightseeing. 

Another alternative is heading to the coast and taking the longer but more scenic route back up to San Francisco along Highway 1. 

Where to Stay in San Francisco: Stanyan Park Hotel , Omni San Francisco , Argonaut Hotel  

California National Parks Road Trip from Los Angeles

If you want to do a national park road trip from Los Angeles, you can just reverse the above road trip itinerary and start from the bottom. 

I’d recommend the following order if you’re starting from Los Angeles: Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Yosemite National Park, Pinnacles National Park, and Channel Island National Park.

Other 14-Day National Park Road Trip Variations You Can Do

Winter: Redwood National & State Parks, Pinnacles National Park, Channel Islands National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley National Park, and Sequoia National Park (if you want to see red sequoias in the snow ).  

Summer: Redwood National & State Parks, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Yosemite National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, and Channel Islands National Park.

Shorter Road Trip Variations to see California’s National Parks

5-Day Itinerary

From San Francisco: Yosemite National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks.

From Los Angeles: Joshua Tree National Park & Death Valley National Park.

7-Day Itinerary

From San Francisco: Lassen Volcanic National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks.

From Los Angeles: Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley National Park, and Channel Islands National Park.

10-Day Itinerary

From San Francisco: Yosemite National Park, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, Death Valley National Park, and Joshua Tree National Park.

From Los Angeles: Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley National Park, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park, and Yosemite National Park.

Tips for Planning a National Park Road Trip in California

• Double-check the weather and air quality ahead of time – If you’re traveling in winter or early spring, check snow levels and make sure there aren’t any road closures (this is mostly for the Sierras). Wildfires are also always something to keep in mind when you’re doing a California road trip. They can, unfortunately, happen pretty much year-round these days, but it’s especially good to check air quality and any nearby fires in the summer and fall.
• Book things early – National parks are very popular in California, make sure to book your accommodation (especially if you’re staying at campsites or in the parks) at least three to six months in advance. 
• Fill up on gas and don’t always expect to have cell service – This is especially the case near the more remote parks like Death Valley, but make sure to fill up on gas when you can. Also, don’t expect a ton of cell service in a lot of the areas around or inside the parks. It’s good to download maps ahead of time so you can access directions even without service.
• The best parts of these parks are outside your car – Although some people visit national parks and barely get out of their cars, the parks in California are best experienced when you’re hitting the trails and immersed in the outdoors. Sure, you might be able to see some nice viewpoints from the road in parks like Yosemite, but it won’t beat getting out on the trail to really take in what these parks have to offer. 
• Leave no trace – This is just common courtesy when you’re visiting any place, but please pack out what you brought with you and leave no trace. We want to keep our national parks beautiful for years to come.

What to Pack for Your California Road Trip

• Driver’s license/registration
• Spotify/iTunes playlists
• Road trip snacks & extra water
• Hat that’s good for hiking
• Daypack for hiking
• Hiking shoes
• Lightweight and moisture-wicking hiking clothes
• Sandals or flip flops
• Good walking shoes
• Bathing suit
• Various tops , shorts , jeans/pants , dresses , underwear , socks , PJs (and at least one super comfy outfit for longer driving days) 
• Light sweater
• Windbreaker , puffy jacket , or backpacking poncho
• Beanie  
• First aid kit
• Reusable water bottle
• Microfiber towel
• Usual toiletries ( lip balm , hairbrush , hair ties , toothbrush , toothpaste , floss , deodorant , makeup , pads / tampons )
• Downloaded maps/paper maps
• Camera / phone
• Outdoor watch (like a Garmin watch )
• Portable charger / USB cord  
• Books or Kindle
• Camping gear (if you plan to camp)
• Travel insurance

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mimi McFadden Founder & Editor-In-Chief

Mimi McFadden initially started The Atlas Heart in 2013 to write about her adventures abroad. But since 2019, The Atlas Heart has become a love letter to the Golden State. Mimi enjoys sharing her first-hand knowledge and expertise with the places she knows so well and making the most comprehensive travel guides possible. When she’s not hiking and exploring new places in California, she loves to travel abroad, read in her cozy chaise lounge, play basketball, and connect with friends and family over board games. Over her 28 years in California, she has lived in Santa Cruz (18 years), San Diego (5 years), and the San Francisco Bay Area (5 years), where she currently resides.

Looking for more California travel inspiration? Check out these related posts below! 

The 30 Best California Breweries to Visit

California State Parks List

California Hot Springs Guide

Best Glamping Spots in California

Best Places to Spend Christmas in California

Most Beautiful Sunflower Fields in California

Most Romantic Getaways in California

Best Lavender Farms in California

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Hi, I'm Mimi! I'm an outdoorsy Californian who has spent over 28 years immersed in the incredible natural beauty that California has to offer. My goal is to inspire others to get out and find their next adventure in California. Whether it’s escaping to an alpine lake in the Sierras, finding peace among the giant redwoods, or road tripping down the PCH, there’s always more to explore in this beautiful state.

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The 14 Best National Parks in California

You won't regret adding one of these national parks to your California itinerary.

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Stunning views, fun hiking trails and more await in Yosemite National Park, one of many beautiful national parks in California.

California's geographical diversity is by far its greatest asset. It's rare that in one state you can hit up the beach, hike mountains, explore dense forests and wander through the desert. But in California, it's all possible. And often, you don't have to travel far to get from one landscape to the next. The Golden State has the most national parks of any state in the U.S. and that doesn't include its numerous other National Park Service-designated sites and monuments. To help you pick the best places to visit, U.S. News rounded up California's top national parks and sites most worthy of a trip or detour. (Note: Some of the following destinations may be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. New policies may be in place, including capacity restrictions, reservation requirements or mask mandates. Check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of State and local tourism boards before traveling.)

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is one of the most visited national parks in the U.S. Located about 140 miles southeast of Sacramento in northern California, Yosemite National Park welcomes millions of visitors per year thanks to its unique geology and bevy of adventure activities. The bucket list park stands out in particular for its striking granite rock formations and towering waterfalls: Half Dome and Vernal Fall are Yosemite's can't-miss landmarks. As for where to stay, campgrounds are abundant and cost anywhere from $10 to $36 per night depending on location and group size. Lodges and various hotels, including the national historic landmark lodge The Ahwahnee , are also available (nightly rates vary).

Joshua Tree National Park

For the quintessential California desert experience, there is no better place to visit than Joshua Tree National Park . Situated just 50 miles east of Palm Springs , Joshua Tree offers 800,000 acres of dreamy desert landscape complete with climbable boulders and rare Yucca brevifolia, or Joshua trees. Journey down the park's main roads, Pinto Basin and Park Boulevard, and you'll stumble upon photogenic rock formations, including Arch Rock and Skull Rock , as well as other must-see attractions like the scenic Cholla Cactus Garden and Keys View lookout. Plus, as an IDA International Dark Sky Park , Joshua Tree National Park is a great place to catch sight of the Milky Way. Note that the only lodging options in the park are campgrounds, which typically range from $15 to $25 per night.

Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park is dry, the land is barren and temperatures often soar past 120 degrees Fahrenheit. As such, this park may not be for everybody. However, the mysteries that lie within, including moving rocks, colorful wildflowers and singing sand dunes, will no doubt intrigue travelers. Situated about 130 miles west of Las Vegas on the border of Nevada, Death Valley boasts the distinction of being the hottest, driest and lowest place in the U.S. While here, admire the diverse desert terrain at top attractions, such as Zabriskie Point, Dante's View, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and Badwater Basin. Stretching across 3.4 million acres, this is California's largest national park, so you'll have no problems finding accommodations on-site; options include seasonal campgrounds, inns and motels.

Sequoia National Park

Sequoia National Park is likely the only national park in the U.S. where it would be wise to do some neck stretches before entering. This is because Sequoia National Park houses some of the largest trees by volume in the world. The General Sherman Tree , the park's biggest attraction, is the largest, measuring 275 feet tall and 36 feet in diameter. You can find this incredible tree and more giants in the aptly named Giant Forest , one of several giant sequoia groves in the park. However, accessing all this astonishing natural beauty will require a considerable effort. To get here, you will have to drive 80 miles southeast of Fresno, or nearly four hours from Los Angeles or San Jose , as these are the closest cities with international airports. The upside is that there are accommodations on-site, including the Wuksachi Lodge (rates hover around $295 per night) and campgrounds, which range from $22 to $70 per night, depending on your group size.

Kings Canyon National Park

Kings Canyon National Park is perfect for those who crave the landscapes and adventures Yosemite offers, but don't want to deal with massive crowds. Kings Canyon looks a lot like Yosemite, boasting rocky peaks and picturesque valleys awash with granite rock and lush forestry. Like its neighbor Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon is home to sequoia groves, but it's the park's sweeping valley vistas that steal the show. Visit Moro Rock for panoramic views of the Great Western Divide, drive along Kings Canyon Scenic Byway or work up a sweat hiking its many trails. You'll find Kings Canyon National Park in central California, about 240 miles north of Los Angeles. You can stay at one of the park's three lodges (rates vary by season and room type) or campgrounds, which run between $22 and $70 per night.

Cabrillo National Monument

This small national monument is located about 10 miles southwest of downtown San Diego on the Point Loma Peninsula, but it's worth a detour for the views alone. Cabrillo National Monument honors Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European explorer to reach the west coast in 1542. The top of the monument features a commemorative statue and offers incredible 360-degree views. From here, you'll get an eyeful of the Pacific Ocean to the right, downtown San Diego to the left and, on a clear day, Mexico to the south. If you can peel yourself away from the stunning southern California vistas, follow Cabrillo Road down to the coast, where you'll find a scenic waterfront pathway leading to a small beach (not safe for swimming) and tide pools. Between December and February, this is an ideal place to spot Pacific gray whales as they migrate south for the winter.

Point Reyes National Seashore

Point Reyes is the kind of place that takes your breath away. Located in northern California about 40 miles northwest of San Francisco , Point Reyes National Seashore brims with awe-inspiring coastal landscapes, captivating cliffside beaches, sprawling wilderness and diverse wildlife. Leisure travelers will relish the spectacular views at Point Reyes Lighthouse and the nearby Elephant Seal Overlook, while adventure travelers will enjoy traversing the equally stunning 9.7-mile out and back Tomales Point Trail and the 5-mile Laguna-Coast Loop. And you won't want to leave without driving through the enchanting Cypress Tree Tunnel, a quarter-mile-long driveway framed with Monterey cypress trees. Accommodations come in the form of backcountry campgrounds, which start at $30 per night, or the HI Point Reyes Hostel, the only non-camping lodging option within the national seashore.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Sprawling across nearly 81,000 acres, Golden Gate National Recreation Area offers a hearty mix of natural and historical landmarks that all lie within the greater Bay Area. There is so much to experience in San Francisco , as well as in neighboring Marin and San Mateo counties, that you'll definitely need days to see it all. Alcatraz and the redwood-filled Muir Woods National Monument are probably the most popular spots, though you should also budget time to visit Kirby Cove, Baker Beach or China Beach for photo-worthy views of the Golden Gate Bridge . The recreation area also features a bevy of hikes, including those at Lands End , the Marin Headlands and Rancho Corral de Tierra. What's more, accommodation options (from vacation rentals to hotels ) abound in San Francisco.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, which runs along the Malibu coastline, is impressive: It encompasses nine state parks and some of the most popular beaches in Los Angeles . Zuma Beach and El Matador State Beach earned high marks from recent visitors, but beachgoers should also check out Point Dume State Preserve and Leo Carrillo State Park for spectacular shorelines. Meanwhile, hikers should hit up Malibu Creek State Park, home to California redwoods, or Point Mugu State Park for scenic canyon trails. For a challenging climb (think: steep inclines and rugged terrain) head to the Rising Sun Trail in Solstice Canyon or the Los Liones Trail in Topanga State Park. Then, when you need a break from the California sun, learn about the history of the Chumash people at Newbury Park's Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center. When it's time to bed down, the recreation area also offers campgrounds, which start at $10 per person, per night.

Redwood National and State Parks

Among the many natural attractions California is known for, the state's towering redwood trees are its most distinctive. Redwoods are the tallest species of trees in the world, and California is one of only two states in the U.S. where they exist (you'll also find them in coastal Oregon). Redwood National Park is unique in that it encompasses multiple parks across the northwestern coast of California. Must-visit areas include Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California's oldest state park, and Humboldt Redwood State Park, where you'll find the world's largest remaining continuous old-growth forest of coastal redwoods. You'll find numerous camping options (starting at $35 per night); cabins are only available in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park and Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park (for $80 or $100 per night, depending on the season).

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of California's more unique national parks. Located in northern California about 50 miles east of Redding, Lassen Volcanic National Park is situated at the crossroads of two volcanic mountain ranges (Cascade Range and the Basin and Range Province), creating an incredibly diverse volcanic landscape for visitors to explore. This is one of the few spots in the world where all four types of volcanoes (cinder cone, composite, shield and plug dome) exist. While here, marvel at the park's hydrothermal areas, including the popular Bumpass Hell, and explore the park's other natural attributes, such as its many scenic lakes and tranquil meadows. As for on-site accommodations, you will find campgrounds (starting at $16 a night), as well as cabins (starting at $76 per night), and the Drakesbad Guest Ranch (prices vary).

Channel Islands National Park

Channel Islands National Park is probably California's most remote national park. Dubbed the "Galapagos of North America," these five islands off the coast of Ventura County are inhabited only by animal residents, some of which include bald eagles and elephant seals. While here, enjoy adventure activities galore, including hiking alongside scenic cliffs, snorkeling through sea caves, picnicking on the beach and whale watching. Just don't forget to bring your camera – the park is home to nearly 150 species of wildlife that can't be found anywhere else in the world. There are campgrounds on the islands (starting at $15 per night), however, you have to bring your own food and water: no food services are available and only two campgrounds have potable water.

Manzanar National Historic Site

History buffs, especially those with a penchant for World War II, should spend time exploring Manzanar National Historic Site. After an executive order by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1942, more than 110,000 Japanese-Americans were forced to leave their homes and live in isolated, military-like camps across the United States. Manzanar, located between Kings Canyon National Park and Death Valley off U.S. Highway 395, was one of 10 Japanese internment camps used during the war and detained more than 10,000 people. The historical park features reconstructed barracks, a mess hall and excavated gardens, among other sites. The visitor center is the best place to start, as it showcases a variety of exhibits and information on tours. There are no accommodations on-site, but considering its limited things to do, Manzanar National Historic Site is best for a daytrip.

Pinnacles National Park

Millions of years ago, shifting tectonic plates led to sizeable volcanic activity east of California's Salinas Valley, causing layers of magma to converge and form the unique rock structures known as "pinnacles." When movement along the San Andreas Fault split the Neenach Volcano, these pinnacles were transported north along the west side of the fault to where they sit today, just east of the Salinas Valley about 50 miles east of Monterey . In 2013, Pinnacles National Park was granted full national park status, making it the newest national park in the state of California. Home to the endangered California condor and more than 30 miles of trails, Pinnacles National Park is an ideal destination for birdwatching, hiking and rock climbing. Traditional campgrounds, RV sites and canvas tent cabins are available for $39 to $119 per night.

Are the California national parks open?

While all of California's national parks are currently open to visitors, some facilities, services and ranger-led programs may be temporarily unavailable due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Check out the park website before your trip to stay updated on COVID-19 policies and to see what closures may be in effect. Park visitors should also be prepared to wear a mask when visiting California's national parks. The National Park Service requires that all visitors, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask inside NPS buildings, on public transportation and in crowded outdoor spaces.

How many national parks are in California?

The National Park Service manages 423 protected sites across the U.S., an extensive list that includes national monuments, recreation areas, seashores, parks, preserves and more. Of these sites, 63 are designated as national parks. California is home to nine of them – more than any other state in the U.S. – and boasts 28 national park sites in total. With this wealth of natural beauty, visitors will have no problem finding a park to suit their interests.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best National Parks in the U.S.
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Complete California National Parks Road Trip Itinerary

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Do you want to take an epic California National Parks Road Trip? I’ve got you covered

If you’re planning a road trip to California’s national parks, you’re in for a treat. I’ve personally taken this trip, and let me tell you, it’s an experience of a lifetime.

As someone who loves exploring the great outdoors, California’s national parks are some of the most breathtaking and diverse in the country. From the towering sequoias of Yosemit e to the rugged coastline of Redwoods National Park , there’s something for everyone on this trip.

But before you hit the road, plan ahead and make sure you have everything you need for a safe and enjoyable journey. In this article, I’ll share some tips and insights based on my own experience, so you can make the most out of your California national parks road trip. So, let’s get started and start planning your adventure!

Did you know that California has the most National Parks out of any state ? It makes sense when you see just what parks are in the Golden State, as well as the size and geographic variety of the state. While Texas and Alaska may be bigger, California is by far the largest state if you’re measuring North to South . Which is what gives it the variation in climate and geology. I know, that’s getting a little nerdy! But if you want to see the variety, you can in this California National Parks Road Trip.

This itinerary covers the 8 National Parks in California . However, depending on the time of year you visit, it may not make sense to hit them all in one trip. Use this as a guide to determine when and how you want to visit California. I’ll include suggestions on how to break this into more than one trip.

I did build this as a round trip from San Francisco. You could easily do this trip out of Los Angeles and start at the Channel Islands or go west and start at Joshua Tree. It’s also easy to start in San Francisco and end in Los Angeles. However, I know a round trip from one destination is usually a cheaper flight, which is why I created this as a circle tour.

Table of Contents

How to Plan a California National Parks Road Trip

To start a road trip this massive, it’s helpful to have a route planner. This could be Google Maps, where you can input multiple stops along a trip. However, I prefer Roadtrippers . With Roadtrippers Pro, I can add as many waypoints (or stops) as I’d like, and it automatically inputs the stop in the best place along the route. And if I don’t like it there, I can easily move stops around.

I used Roadtrippers to create this itinerary here, with some small modifications. My goal is no more than five hours on the road. However, California is vast, so there is a six-hour day in here. Plus, keep in mind, road conditions and estimates can vary.

You can learn more on how to use Roadtrippers here .

Moon Guide’s USA National Parks is another essential to getting the details of every park. The NPS site is good as well, but Moon Guides will tell you the best hikes, the top 3 sites in the park, what to do if you have one day, etc. It was an essential guide for some of the hikes I did on my recent trip to California.

Finally, you’ll want to grab your National Parks Annual Pass, the America the Beautiful pass. This will get you into all the National Parks in California. At $80, for the whole family I might add, this pass will pay for itself with visits to two of these destinations.

How to get from park to park

We’re talking an epic road trip here. For this trip, I am mapping this out as if you have a car, RV, or plan to do some van camping in California .

I recommend camping, as it is a beautiful opportunity to connect with the natural beauty that is the National Parks. You could even rent something such as an Escape Campervan so you’re not pitching a tent or setting up an RV every night.

I realize camping is not for everyone, so I also have lodging recommendations in each location as well. These range from cabins in campgrounds, to home rentals , and park accommodations where possible.

Ready to hit the open road? Let’s go!

Download my Roadtrippers map for every California National Park here .

🤩 Save $5 off Roadtrippers Plus Membership with my code BTR5QTP

Day 1 – San Francisco

• Start: Home
• End: Sonoma Valley
• Miles: 80 miles

If you’re flying in, you’re likely not landing until the afternoon. By the time you get off the plane, get your rental vehicle, and load up on snacks or groceries, it doesn’t leave you with a lot of time to get to the Redwoods.

If you do get in early, head straight to Day 2.

Why not cross the Golden Gate Bridge and spend some time in Sonoma County instead? Visit wine country and grab a bottle or three for the road . Don’t drink and drive of course. This is for your evenings around a campfire.

Must See: Vineyards, everywhere. It’s lovely driving through this farmland and seeing every vineyard, even small homestead ones.

Where to Stay: Vintner’s Inn is everything you’d expect an inn to be in the middle of wine country. Located on a vineyard trail, guests receive a free bottle of wine upon arrival.

For camping in the area, we stayed at Bodega Dunes. There are a few different options here, with a boardwalk to the beach.

Alternate Stay: Stay in Point Reyes National Seashore at Samuel P Taylor State Park. Cabins and camping is available and it’s not too far to visit the seashore.

Where to eat: These amazing restaurants in Healdsburg are a hidden gem and are just a few miles from Santa Rosa.

Day 2 – Redwoods

• Start: Santa Rosa
• Miles: 259 miles

National Park: Redwood National Park and State Parks

On your way to the Redwood National Park, take a slight detour and drive through the Avenue of Giants. You won’t regret this scenic drive with plenty of stops to wander the giant Redwood trees. It’s about 40 miles long. Redwood trees are the tallest trees, while later in the trip you’ll view Sequoias, the biggest by volume.

The Redwoods National Park requires no entrance fee, however for some of the activities you do need a reservation. This ensures the area isn’t overcrowded. Highlights include visiting Elk Meadow and strolling the beach just inside the park.

Must See: Hiking through Fern Valley was one of my favorite things we did during our trip to Redwoods. During peak season it does require a reservation permit to visit. Also, keep in mind the drive is somewhat steep and narrow to climb. Four-hour permits are available at 8:00 am and 1:00 pm. From talking to the rangers, essentially you are allowed in at any time during your reserved time slot, so you could do this on the same day as you arrive. Alternatively, you could go first thing on day 3 and then use the remainder of the day to drive to Lassen.

Where to Stay: Sue Meg State Park was stunning and just outside the Redwoods area. The park is filled with tall pines and paths lead out to a rocky beach overlook area. Cabins are available if you’re not camping.

Day 3 – Lassen Volcanic National Park

• Start: Orick
• End: Manzanita Lake
• Miles: 223 miles

National Park: Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lassen Volcanic is a hidden gem on your national park road trip. Because it’s tucked away in Northern California, it often gets overlooked. The good news is it makes it a great place to get away and have some hikes to yourself, even in summer. A lot of this park does close for winter, and even one of the trails we wanted to do wasn’t open yet in June. Snow stays on the ground and we even hiked while it was snowing.

Lassen Peak is not the tallest mountain in California or even the US. But it does clock in at over 10,000 feet and makes for an impressive visit. It is an active volcano, but don’t expect molten lava pouring from the mountain. the US Geological Society believes the volcano is in a period of subsidence, or a less active period.

Must See: While the Bumpass Hell trail is most mentioned, for its hydrothermal and sulfur mud pool activity, it may remain closed until mid to late June. We enjoyed Kings Creek Falls Trail . This trail took us through a meadow, still dotted with snow, to a mountain climb. The trail circles around to a rocky and beautiful waterfall.

Note that this area was devastated by the Dixie fires in 2021. You can still see where many burnt trees are standing. Don’t let this deter your visit however as it’s a striking contrast from one side of the trail to the other.

Where to Stay: Manzanita Lake Campground, both camping, and cabins available. Manzanita also has showers, laundry, and a decent general store for stocking up.

Day 4 – Lake Tahoe

• Start: Manzanita Lake
• End: Lake Tahoe
• Miles: 216 miles

While technically this is not a national park, I included Lake Tahoe to break up the drive. Your California National Parks Road Trip has long drives these first few days. You could skip over Lake Tahoe and head straight to Yosemite. That would be about a 7-hour drive through the Sierra Nevada mountains. While Lake Tahoe isn’t a direct path between the two parks, it does break it up nicely and you still get extraordinary hikes and views.

Must See: Emerald Bay is part of Lake Tahoe and seemingly where a lot of the action happens. We hiked into the main area, but you can drive as well. During the summer it is busy with lots of activity. Our hike began at our campground, making it that much more convenient. We kayaked near Fannette island, toured the Vikingsholm grounds, and enjoyed the clear emerald water views.

Where to Stay: Emerald Bay State Park and Eagle Point campground was an absolutely perfect campground. Our site was steps from the hiking trail, allowing us to park the van and explore immediately. They do close in early September and fill up in the summer. be sure to book early.

For non-campers, I would look at any of the stunning home rentals here . Many cabins have extraordinary lake views.

Day 5 – Yosemite

• Start: Lake Tahoe
• End: Yosemite Valley
• Miles: 165 miles or 195 miles

National Park: Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park has 4 entrances. I would recommend the Big Oak Flat Entrance on the northwest side. if you map to the valley, however, it may take you through the Tioga pass entrance on the east side. Either works, but we’re all about maximizing our time in the parks and not on the road.

Since we’re only allowing 2 days on this itinerary, I’m focusing on the highlight of Yosemite National Park, in the Yosemite Valley.

Must See: If you feel up for squeezing in a hike after arriving at the park, head to the Lower Yosemite Falls. This flat easy 1-mile hike will give you a view of the lower falls and plenty of photo ops. You could also head over to the Mist Trail at Vernal Fall.

Take either today or the later part of tomorrow and visit the history of the Yosemite park in the museums located in the valley. See the valley Visitor Center, Yosemite Museum, Ansel Adams Gallery, and the Indian Village of the Ahwahnee, all steps from each other.

Where to Stay: You can’t go wrong with any of the accommodations within the valley. Choose from Yosemite Valley Lodge, The Ahwahnee, or Curry Village for luxury accommodations or cabins. Housekeeping Camp has tent cabins for a glamping experience. The valley also has tent and RV camping at Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, and Camp 4. Note Camp 4 used to be first come first serve, but during peak season is available by a daily lottery, one day in advance . If you’re willing to chance it, this is a perfect base camp for your hike to upper Yosemite Falls .

Day 6 – Yosemite

• Start: Yosemite Valley
• Miles: 0 miles

You need at least 2 days in this popular park, especially if you want to get a good hike or two in. Today, tackle all or half of Upper Yosemite Falls . It is a strenuous hike in the 2nd half with steep rocky inclines. If you do just the first half, you still get rewarded with stunning views of the falls. The full hike will take you to the top of the mountain with more once-in-a-lifetime views of El Capitan, but it’s not for everyone.

You could also check out these guided hikes in Yosemite .

If you didn’t get to Mist Falls yesterday, do that one today. Or hike an easier terrain at Mirror Lake.

Not up for a hike today? Take in views of Half Dome, Bridal Veil Falls, and Yosemite Falls, by riding the free bus transportation throughout the valley floor, stopping at various scenic points.

Where to Stay: Spend another night here and relax!

A note about the timing in this trip. Depending on the time of year, you may want to exclude Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Parks due to the extreme heat in the summer months. if you’re traveling in the later winter months, you may find sections of the northern parks closed. Do some research on the National Park Service website to find what is open and when. You could also split this trip into separate times of the year and start in Southern California for the following parks.

Day 7 – Yosemite

• End: Furnace Creek
• Miles: 303 miles

National Park: Yosemite National Park and Death Valley National park

While today you will end up in Death Valley, depending on the time of year and the heat, you may not want to arrive until the evening when the heat has abated. Plan to drive and explore more of Yosemite National Park and arrive late.

Today you’ll head out of the park towards the Tioga Pass entrance. This scenic drive passes Tuolumne Meadows , Tenaya Lake, and Olmsted point. Tuolumne Meadows is a popular place to spot wildlife and wildflowers. Tenaya lake as well as Cathedral Lakes, and Gaylor Lakes also make for scenic reflective views as well as easy to strenuous hikes.

Finally, you’ll head towards Death Valley, which is about a 4-hour drive from the Tioga pass Entrance Station.

Must See: Nighttime in Death Valley offers some of the best stargazing in America . Designated as a Gold Tier Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky association means you won’t miss a thing by arriving here at night. Death Valley has a Dark Sky Festival in the later winter or spring months. There are night ranger programs and even full moon night hiking at Mesquite flat Sand Dunes or Badwater Basin. Check out the park’s night explorations here .

Where to Stay: the oasis at Death Valley is a privately owned historic luxury property with pool views overlooking the desert. however, for more unobstructed night sky viewers, I’d recommend Furnace Creek Campground which is open year-round. Furnace Creek, as opposed to the other first-come-first-served campgrounds, accepts reservations.

Day 8 – Death Valley

• Start: Furnace Creek
• End: Twenty-Nine Palms
• Miles: 236 miles

National Park: Death Valley National Park & Joshua Tree National Park

Did you know that Death Valley is below sea level, making it the lowest point to visit in the national parks? Today explore what you can of Death Valley before driving your California National Parks road trip to Joshua Tree. By making your way south from Furnace Creek, you’ll hit the highs and lows of Death Valley.

Must see : Just south of Furnace Creek is Zabriskie Point, with an overlook of the badlands and unique erosion and winds that shape the desert. From there, keep traveling south to Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America. Badwater Basin is 282 feet below sea level. Badwater’s salt flats provide another highlight of what the variety in Death Valley offers.

Where to Stay : tonight stay in Twenty Nine Palms or Joshua Tree. Joshua Tree National park only has campgrounds. black Rock or Cottonwood Campgrounds are the most developed. Outside of the park check out the Desert Lily Lodge for more dark sky views.

If you can and have the time, this would be a great time to check out all the cool things to do in San Diego .

Day 9 – Joshua Tree

• Start: Joshua Tree
• End: Ventura
• Miles: 224 miles

National Park: Joshua Tree National Park

Wake up and explore Joshua Tree National Park from the north or west entrance stations. Either will take you along Park Boulevard for the more popular sections of the park. If you can enter through Oasis Visitor’s Center and exit through to the Joshua Tree Visitor’s center, you’ll explore all of Park Boulevard.

Must See: Hidden Valley has more than 400 places to climb and clamor over the various rock formations. With 8,000 climbing routes, it’s a rock climbers’ paradise. Even if you’re a beginner, you can join a beginner rock climbing course . And if you don’t want to climb, you can still pretend you are a rock climber by walking the Barker Dam Nature Trail.

After exploring Joshua Tree, head west towards the Channel Islands.

Where to Stay: Emma Wood State Beach is near the ferry that will take you to the Channel Islands National Park.

Day 10 – Channel Islands

• Start: Ventura
• End: Sequoia
• Miles: 221 miles

National Park: Channel Islands National Park

Wake up in Ventura and explore the Channel Islands National Park. You cannot drive to the Channel Islands and there are no cars on the islands. If you want to camp, you can pack in for primitive camping on the island. Otherwise, boats leave at 4 pm allowing you enough time to drive to Sequoia next.

There are five Channel Islands in total. The ferries take you to Anacapa or Santa Cruz Islands year-round, and to Santa Rosa during the summer months. A popular and easy hike is the one to Inspiration Point on Anacapa Island . This is where you’ll see the Anacapa Lighthouse and spectacular views and photo ops from the higher elevation.

Must See: The sea caves on Santa Cruz Island are a perfect place to explore by kayak. For kayak rentals and tours, check out the Channel Islands Kayak Center . Rates are very reasonable for a full day at $35 for a single kayak.

Where to Stay: You’re on your way to Sequoia once you depart the boat. Stay in one of the many campgrounds between Sequoia and Kings Canyon, or check out the Sequoia National Forest Campgrounds. The Silver City Mountain Resort is another perfect cabin getaway too.

Day 11 – Sequoia & Kings Canyon

• Start: Sequoia
• End: Kings Canyon
• Miles: 60 miles

National Park: Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park

Because they border each other, Sequoia and Kings Canyon are often lumped together as one park, but still operate separately. Today start out at the south end of the park and make your way to Moro rock for an overlook of the park. It is a strenuous hike, but only a 1/2 mile round trip and mostly stairs with guard rails. There are 380 steps up (and down).

Must see: The top sight in Sequoia National Park is the giant sequoia trees, and you won’t go wrong doing the largest tree, General Sherman tree and surrounding trails. You’ll find other tall trees along the Congress Trail. If you have time, stop into the Forest Museum to learn more about what makes these the largest by volume trees and the sturdiest.

From here, make your way north along the Generals’ Highway, through the Sequoia National Forest, and on to Kings Canyon National Park.

In Kings Canyon, do the short trail that leads to the General Grant tree . Take Kings Canyon Scenic byway and stop at Canyon View for amazing views of Kings Canyon.

Where to Stay: Grants Grove has campsites and cabins available.

If you want to do just Sequoia and Yosemite on a trip, follow the route here .

You can grab another national monument by visiting the Manzanar National Historic site . It’s west of Sequoia and northeast of Death Valley.

Day 12 – Pinnacles

• Start: Kings Canyon
• End: Pinnacles
• Miles: 190 miles

National Park: Pinnacles National Park

Get an early start and you can get to Pinnacles National Park by noon. Alternatively, you could leave the night before and wake up in Pinnacles. Pinnacles National Park is the home of the California Condor, an endangered species. If you are lucky, you’ll see them soaring above in on the high peaks trail. A strenuous, 7.2-mile trail if you complete the whole thing, you may want to start this in the morning when you’re fresh.

Pinnacles is also noted for its cathedral-like rocky spires. Many of the hikes here are moderate to strenuous. If you’re not a hiker, however, you can still drive from the east entrance to overlooks at Peaks View and the trailheads at Old Pinnacles and Bear Gulch to view the ancient and intricate geological formations.

Must See: Bear Gulch Cave has a self-guided path that weaves between the lodged boulders. These boulders create gulches, caves, and caverns. Be sure to bring some light beyond your cellphone flashlight. The trails from the Bear Gulch Day Use area is about a 2.2-mile moderate hike.

Where to Stay: Tonight stay in the Pinnacles campground if you’re van camping on your California National Parks road trip. Keep in mind this campground fills up fast so make your reservations early. Pinnacles has an east and a west entrance and they do not connect by road. If your activities are on the east side, and you want to avoid driving all the way around the park, you may want stay the night in Hollister, about 34 miles north. The good news is that puts you closer to your final destination.

Day 13 – San Francisco

• Start: Pinnacles
• End: San Francisco
• Miles: 134 miles

If you’re doing some of the more strenuous hikes and arrived mid-day yesterday, you’ll want an extra day in Pinnacles. If not, make your way to San Francisco for the final leg of your journey.

Many flights east leave late in the day in San Francisco so that you can have a red-eye home. If like us, you take a later flight, you’ll have time to explore the city.

Note, however, that if you’re renting a campervan for your California National Park road trip, you may need to return it early in the day. This can also play a factor in your overall driving and touring plans.

We returned our van early in the day and then took an Uber to the city to explore. We rented baggage space at a local hotel using the Bounce App . After exploring, we took an Uber to the airport for our 9 pm flight.

Must See: There are a lot of things to see and do in San Francisco if you want an extra day, to spend, go for it. These are just a few of our favorites.

• Ghiradelli sign
• Fisherman’s Wharf
• San Francisco Trolley
• The Painted Ladies
• Lombard Street

If you do decide to take a Day 14, an extra day on this trip, cruise up the California coast on the Pacific Coast Highway, Bixby Bridge, and Big Sur for a scenic route.

2 Week California National Parks Road Trip

There you have it. 2 weeks to see every California National Park on a road trip. It’s a lot and only covers the highlights of each park. But if you’re on a mission with limited time, this will do it!

On our California adventure, we did 11 days covering more days in the parks. Our trip looked like this:

• Day 1 – Bodega Dunes Campground
• Day 2 – Redwoods – Sue meg Campground
• Day 3 – Lassen – Manzanita Lakes Campground
• Day 4 – Overnight in Sierraville
• Day 5 – Lake Tahoe – Emerald Bay Campground
• Day 6 – Drive to Yosemite – Groveland, CA
• Day 7-8 – Yosemite
• Day 9-10 Sequoia & Kings Canyon
• Day 11 – Santa Cruz and depart San Francisco

We enjoyed a lot of scenery and hikes on this trip, as well as many bucket list destinations.

Alternate Itineraries

Here are a few other California National Parks Road Trip itineraries you could do in fewer days. or take these itineraries and spend extra time in places such as Yosemite, Sequoia, or the Channel Islands.

Northern California National Parks Round Trip Route:

• San Francisco
• Kings Canyon & Sequoia

Lost Angeles to San Francisco Route:

• Los Angeles
• Joshua Tree

Southern California National Parks Round Trip Route:

• Death Valley
• Channel Islands

When to go on a California National Parks Road Trip

With a trip this size, it’s hard to say when the right time to go to California would be. Too early in the spring, and some sites may still be closed due to snow. Some rentals will tell you not to visit Death Valley in the summer. And fall may see some of the campgrounds closed, although crowds will be fewer.

Personally, I think if you’re going to visit all the California National Parks on your road tri p, spring or fall would still be the best time to do it. You may sacrifice some trail and campground closures, but you’ll still see a majority of the highlights with fewer overall crowds.

What California National Parks Allow Dogs

Service animals are always allowed. Dogs are usually allowed in the campgrounds. However they will not be allowed on most of the hiking trails.

How much does it cost to visit California’s national parks?

The cost of visiting California’s national parks varies depending on the park and the activities you want to do. Entrance fees range from $10 to $35 per vehicle, and camping fees range from $15 to $35 per night. Some activities, such as guided tours or ranger-led programs, may also have additional fees.

Which national parks are worth visiting on a California road trip?

Some of the most popular national parks in California include Yosemite, Joshua Tree, Redwood, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Death Valley. Each park has its unique features and landscapes, so it’s worth researching each one to determine which ones are the best fit for your family.

When is the best time to visit California’s national parks?

The best time to visit California’s national parks depends on the park you’re planning to visit. Generally, spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) are the best seasons to visit as temperatures are mild, crowds are smaller, and there are fewer bugs.

How long does a California national parks road trip typically take?

The length of a California national parks road trip varies depending on the number of parks you want to visit and how much time you have. A typical itinerary can take between one and three weeks.

What should we pack for a California national parks road trip?

It’s important to pack for all weather conditions and activities, including comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, hats, layers, and waterproof gear. It’s also a good idea to bring a first aid kit , insect repellent, and plenty of water and snacks.

Are there guided tours available in the national parks?

Yes, many of the national parks offer guided tours led by park rangers or private tour companies. These tours can be a great way to learn more about the park’s history, geology, and wildlife.

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Hit Every National Park in California on this Epic Road Trip

“Road trips are overrated,” said no one, ever. If someone did, it’s probably because they were jam-packed into a Kia Rio with pillows shoved in the rear window and duffel bags between their knees. These California road trip tips are brought to you by our friends at Escape Campervan, who help you travel in comfort and style. You can pick up a van rental in San Francisco for this epic road trip, and use code DYRT15 to save 15%!

In 2017, Americans spent over 1.4 billion hours in 417 sites managed by the National Park Service. Those hours came from 331 million Americans who took time out of their busy lives to get back to nature and see the places we’ve long protected as a nation.

If you’re a national park fanatic (like me), you’ve maybe dreamt of linking a series of parks together as an epic road trip. While checking off all 59 parks in one trip isn’t feasible for most of us, this California road trip ticks all the National Parks in the Golden State, and only requires 39 hours in the car while camping in California along the way. Not too shabby. Plus, you can download offline maps and campgrounds before your trip with The Dyrt PRO to find camping without WiFi.

Visit 9 National Parks on this Epic California Road Trip

This trip starts in San Francisco (so you can pick up your unique camper van ), and ends in Los Angeles (so you can drop off your unique camper van). Our only recommendation would be to skip the fast route from San Francisco to Redwood National Park, and instead take the scenic drive on Highway 1 along the California Coast.

1. San Francisco to Redwood National Park–312 miles

National Park Service

Giant Sequoia trees, hundreds of years old, stand mightily among the Redwood Forest. Miles of trails sneak beneath the canopy, crawl through prairies, and stretch along the 40 miles of coastline. You can backpack or car camp in these breathtaking woods.

Take a hike: Lady Bird Grove Trail 1.3 miles Camp here: Elk Prairie Campgrounds

2. Redwood to Lassen Volcanic National Park–235 miles

If you like to geek out on geology, Lassen National Park has lots to offer. Multiple volcanoes are located inside the park boundaries, and to find them, hikers pass by wildflower filled meadows and clear mountain lakes.

Take a hike: Lassen Peak 4.2 miles Camp here: Lassen Volcanic National Park

3. Lassen to Yosemite National Park–346 miles

Photo by DAVID ILIFF. License: CC BY-SA 3.0

One of the West’s most iconic parks, Yosemite is home to massive granite walls, the 217-mile John Muir Trail, and over 700 miles of trails. If you’re looking for a Yosemite day hike , or a full blown backcountry adventure into the heart of the wilderness, it all awaits those who are curious.

Take a hike: Vernal and Nevada Falls via the Mist Trail 6.4 miles Camp here: Upper Pines Campground

4. Yosemite to Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Park–151 miles

Named after the glacier carved valley running through the park, Kings Canyon National Park is home to multiple 14’ers, alpine meadows, and the second largest tree in the world: General Grant . Visitors can check out Crystal Cave, a marble cavern, by purchasing tickets for a ranger-led tour.

Take a hike: Moro Rock Trail (Sequoia) .4 miles, Mist Falls Trail (Kings Canyon) 8.1 miles Camp here: Lodgepole Campground

Find free California National Parks campgrounds from your car without WiFi. The Dyrt PRO  lets you download maps and campgrounds without cell service. “My alternative to using pro would be to drive back out to cell service.”

6. Sequoia to Pinnacles National Park–210 miles

Bird watchers, rock climbers, and geologists all have something in common: a deep love of Pinnacles National Park. This area, a remnant of multiple Volcanic eruptions, is home to California Condors and chaparral. If you’re lucky, you can even catch a glimpse of a Red Legged Frog on your hike.

Take a hike: High Peaks Condor Gulch Trail  4.6 miles Camp here: Pinnacles Campground

7. Pinnacles to Death Valley National Park–395 miles

Some of the world’s hottest temperatures have been recorded at this bizarre and almost supernatural place. Here, rocks have a mind of their own , and depending on conditions, a rare “superbloom” can take place. There are loads of hikes in the valley, but hikers should always be careful to pack plenty of water through this desert landscape.

Take a hike: Badwater Basin Salt Flats Trail  1.8 miles Camp here: Texas Spring Campground

8. Death Valley to Joshua Tree National Park–266 miles

As the meeting place of the Mojave and Colorado desert ecosystems, Joshua Tree contains a fascinating array of different plant and wildlife including the Mojave Mound Cactus and Desert Tortoises. As a Certified Dark Sky Park, campers will want to stay up to the wee hours of the morning to watch the sky come to life.

Take a hike: Ryan Mountain Trail  2.7 miles Camp here: Jumbo Rocks Campground

9. Joshua Tree to Channel Islands National Park–227 miles

Accessing Channel Islands National Park isn’t cheap, but we guarantee it’s worth it. Chartered ferries take hikers and campers to the islands (you can also come to the islands by private plane, if that’s more your style), where a delicate ocean ecosystem awaits the curious-minded. Many say visiting the Channel Islands is like stepping back in time, with plants and animals preserved here that don’t exist anywhere else in the world.

Take a hike: Potato Harbor Trail  4 miles Camp here: Santa Cruz Scorpion Campground

Our recommendations are based on providing value to campers across the country. Some articles may contain affiliate links. By purchasing through our articles, you help support this camping magazine.

Related Campgrounds:

• Lodgepole Campground
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Grand Canyon National Park

One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the UNESCO-listed Grand Canyon National Park is a phenomenal feat of nature. You’ll walk the rim and learn from your Local Specialist how it formed over the past 40 million years. From sunrise to sunset, the Grand Canyon is truly mesmerising.

Mesa Verde National Park

Located in Colorado, this UNESCO-listed national park is filled with centuries-old history. You’ll drive the Mesa Top Loop Road past archaeological sites and lookouts, and see the ancient cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloan people, that are chiselled out of the sandstone canyon walls.

Arches National Park

We’ll take you on a journey through the spectacular sandstone arches of Arches National Park. There are more than 2,000 natural arches carved by the wind, including the long Landscape Arch. You can hike to the viewpoint of the iconic Delicate Arch and discover other formations such as Balanced Rock, soaring over the desert.

Yellowstone National Park

Discover the geothermal wonderland of Yellowstone National Park, one of the world’s oldest national parks. We’ll show you the steaming hot springs, alpine forests and rivers, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, mud paint pots, and the remarkable shooting waters of Old Faithful. Keep your eyes peeled for animals like bears, bison, elk and wolves.

Yosemite National Park

Wander in the shadows of Yosemite’s giant sequoia trees, as our Local Specialists reveal the ancient history of these incredible forests. You’ll see the Cathedral Rocks, the plunging Bridal Veil Falls, and the cliffs of El Capitan. We’ll also explore Tenaya Lake and Tuolumne Meadows, before taking a special tour of the Yosemite Valley floor.

Our top 5 things to do in US National Parks

When you visit US National Parks with Trafalgar, we’ll show you the top national parks in the country, from the giant Grand Canyon to the ancient trees of Yosemite.

Buffalo wings

Found across the country, buffalo wings are one of the most beloved dishes in the United States. An unbreaded chicken wing is deep-fried and coated in a vinegar cayenne hot sauce with melted butter. They’re best served hot and dipped in blue cheese or ranch dressing.

Cheesesteak

Hailing from Philadelphia, the cheesesteak is now a classic American dish found across the country. It’s a sandwich made from thin slices of beefsteak and melted cheese, stuffed in a long hoagie roll, and it’s a delicious meal after a long day of hiking through national parks.

Also known as the ‘Yankee pot roast’, this is a braised beef dish made from slow cooking a piece of beef with gravy and vegetables such as potatoes, onions and carrots. The cooking method produces a soft, succulent meat drenched in rich gravy, for a warm and hearty meal.

Best food in US National Parks

Exploring the trails of the national parks works up an appetite, and we’ll show you the best places to taste all the famous dishes of the United States.

What to pack for US National Parks

Pack for sustainable travel

Consider your environmental impact when you next take a trip and go single-use-plastic-free by packing a reusable water bottle, a steel straw, your own shopping bags and refillable toiletry bottles.

Hiking shoes

The National Parks of the US are filled with hiking trails, and you’ll need a sturdy pair of shoes to explore these spectacular landscapes.

Versatile clothing

From sun-drenched canyons to snowy peaks, the weather changes throughout the national parks. Come prepared for all climates with layered and versatile clothing.

Reusable water bottle

National parks are pristine protected areas, and whatever you take in, you must take out. Bring a reusable water bottle to avoid adding to waste with disposable plastic bottles.

A book to collect stamps

You can collect unique stamps at the ranger stations of each national park. Bring a notebook to keep them in, as a special memento of your journey.

The national parks are filled with incredible animals like bears and bison, and a pair of binoculars will help you spot wildlife safely from a distance.

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A full moon rises over Death Valley National Park.

National Parks Road Trip: California

Experience an unforgettable road trip through three of California's national parks.

Gateway Airport: McCarran International, Las Vegas, Nevada

This circle tour connects the best of the California desert with the high peaks and giant trees of the Sierra Nevada. Within these parks are all manner of extremes: the lowest and highest places in the continental U.S.—Badwater in Death Valley and Mount Whitney in Sequoia; the world’s largest tree— General Sherman in Sequoia; and one of the country’s tallest waterfalls, Yosemite Falls in Yosemite.

Death Valley National Park

Geology is laid bare in Death Valley, the hottest, driest, and lowest place in the Western Hemisphere. The human history is equally fascinating, and the park’s high country is a cooler alternative in the summer months. Paved roads link most of the major sites.

The Route: Las Vegas > US 95 > Nevada 373 > California 127 > California 190

On the Way: In Death Valley Junction just east of the park, the Amargosa Opera House and Hotel is a lavishly decorated performing arts center restored by dancer Marta Becket.

Stay: Furnace Creek Resort in the heart of the park has two units: Rooms in upscale Furnace Creek Inn start at $345, while rooms at Furnace Creek Ranch start at $139. Both have spring-fed swimming pools.

Eat: The Wrangler Buffet at Furnace Creek Ranch has reasonably priced, plentiful offerings.

Don’t Miss: Walk out on the salt-pan floor of the desert at Badwater, lowest spot in the Western Hemisphere (its elevation is -282 feet).

Tour: Scotty’s Castle , the most improbably sited mansion you’ll ever see. While there, check out the Underground Tour and marvel at the circa-1930 castle’s ahead-of-its-time innovations.

Take a night walk into the sand dunes near Stovepipe Wells to experience silence, an awesome star show, and/or moonlight glow on the sand. (But not in summer, when the dunes can still be over 100ºF at night.)

Jaw-Dropping Viewpoints: Catch sunrise from Zabriskie Point. It’s a quick drive from Furnace Creek. Watch the lambent glow of the early sun illuminate the badlands below. Dante’s View gives you an eagle’s-eye perspective over Badwater from more than 5,000 feet above the desert floor.

• Easy: The mineral-rich walls of Golden Canyon shimmer with color late in the afternoon, culminating at the fluted, 400-foot face of Red Cathedral, 1.25 miles from the trailhead.
• Moderate to Strenuous: In the cool high country, walk any portion of the 4.2-mile trail from the alien-looking Wildrose Charcoal Kilns to Wildrose Peak, 9,065 feet.

Side Drive: Artists Drive loops nine miles into the badlands and side canyons below Zabriskie Point.

Oddity: Ubehebe Crater, 600 feet deep, a half-mile in diameter, punctuates the Martian terrain west of Scotty’s Castle.

Before You Come: Read Death Valley and the Amargosa: A Land of Illusion by Richard E. Lingenfelter.

Park Website: nps.gov/deva

Seasonal Notes: Death Valley is very hot in summer, but still fascinating and surprisingly popular, especially as a brief road-trip stop. Be sure your car’s cooling system is in good shape. Furnace Creek Inn is closed in summer, but Furnace Creek Ranch is open year-round. High-country roads and trails can be snowy and icy in winter.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite’s famed valley is the natural nave of a granite cathedral—woods and meadows and the Merced River are framed by towering faces of granite over which tumble roaring waterfalls. Yet the valley is only about 5 percent of the park. The rest is high country, the Sierra Nevada, with peaks up to 13,000 feet. Parks roads are brilliantly designed to provide access to it all.

The Route: Death Valley > California 190 > California 136 > US 395 > California 120 > California 41

On the Way: Just west of Lone Pine off US 395 are the Alabama Hills, where dozens of cowboy Westerns have been filmed. Just north of Lone Pine off US 395 is Manzanar National Historic Site, where more than 10,000 Japanese-American citizens were interned during World War II. And see Mono Lake, with its tufa towers and amazing bird life, just west of the intersection of US 395 and California 120.

Stay: The Ahwahnee Hotel is the quintessence of national park lodging, with stone/timber construction and tall windows framing views of meadows and monoliths. Rooms begin at $471. The park has many less expensive options as well.

Eat: Splurge in the grand Ahwahnee Dining Room (resort casual attire) or partake of similar ambience and park views in the less expensive Ahwahnee Bar.

Don’t Miss: Make the easy walk to the base of Lower Yosemite Fall and gawk up at the lower and upper falls, tumbling a total of 2,425 feet. Stand in the middle of Yosemite Valley anywhere along the Merced River (Swinging Bridge, for example) and marvel at the towering monoliths all around, including Half Dome and El Capitan.

Jaw-Dropping Viewpoints: Tunnel View at the entrance to Yosemite Valley frames all of the valley’s granite formations and waterfalls at one of Ansel Adams’s favorite viewpoints. Glacier Point looks down to Yosemite Valley from 3,800 sheer vertical feet and reveals views of Half Dome and Vernal and Nevada Falls. Olmsted Point on Tioga Road looks across Yosemite high country and offers a perspective on Half Dome that many park visitors miss.

• Easy: Take the one-mile paved trail to Mirror Lake early in the morning or late in the day for a reflection of Half Dome in the placid water.
• Easy: See Yosemite’s giant sequoia trees in Mariposa Grove in the Wawona section of the park. Walk at least as far as the Grizzly Giant, 0.8 miles.
• Moderate: The short (three miles round-trip), steep hike on the Mist Trail to the top of 318-foot Vernal Fall has great views all the way up and a roaring, wet payoff at the finish.

Side Drive: The road to Glacier Point has great short hikes along the way—such as Taft Point and Sentinel Dome—and culminates at Glacier Point’s sheer overlook.

Oddity: In late spring and early summer, the prismatic effect of a near-full moon shining on the mist of Lower Yosemite Fall creates a moonbow.

Before You Come: Read The Yosemite by John Muir.

Park Website: nps.gov/yose

Seasonal Notes: California 120, Tioga Pass Road, generally closes in November and reopens in late May or early June. Because it is the only way into the park from the east, this road trip would need to be reversed in winter: Death Valley, then Sequoia, then Yosemite. Glacier Point Road is closed in winter beyond the Badger Pass ski area, which has downhill skiing. The rest of the park is open for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park

The contiguous parks of Sequoia and Kings Canyon, managed as a single unit, showcase some of the Sierra’s most majestic mountains and gigantic fauna. The park is home to Mount Whitney, tallest peak in the continental U.S., and the General Sherman Tree, the world’s largest tree by volume.

The Route: Yosemite > California 41 > California 180 > California 198

• Nat Geo Expeditions

To complete the loop to Las Vegas: Sequoia > California 198 > California 99 > California 58 > I-15 > Las Vegas

On the Way: The historic village of Coarsegold, set in the Sierra foothills on California 41 between Yosemite and Sequoia near the southern end of California’s gold country, has crafts shops and a historic museum.

Stay: Wuksachi Lodge in the heart of Sequoia is a modern lodge built in traditional lodge fashion, with stone-and-cedar construction and a lobby with a giant stone fireplace. Rooms begin at $205.

Eat: Wuksachi Lodge’s Peaks Restaurant showcases California ingredients and cuisine, and stages an all-you-can-eat barbecue in Wolverton Meadow, June through September.

Don’t Miss: The General Sherman Tree stands nearly 275 feet high and 36.5 feet in diameter—the giant sequoia is the world’s largest living tree by volume. It’s an easy walk in Giant Forest, and rangers conduct frequent talks at its base. Crystal Cave, with its ornate marble formations, is the park’s showcase cavern. Plan on a half day to visit it, including the drive, short hike, and 45-minute tour.

• Easy: The Congress Trail in Sequoia threads two miles amid some of the biggest of the park’s giant trees. Once you walk away from the General Sherman Tree, the Giant Forest trails are quiet and the atmosphere majestic.
• Easy: In Kings Canyon, visit the General Grant Tree and then take the quiet 1.5-mile North Grove Loop amid giant sequoias, mixed conifers, and meadows.

Side Drive: Drive into Kings Canyon itself by following California 180 (Kings Canyon Scenic Byway) from Grants Grove past Hume Lake to road’s end in the canyon. It’s a three-hour round-trip with numerous viewpoints overlooking waterfalls, the foaming Kings River, and the deep, U-shaped, glacially carved canyon.

Jaw-Dropping Viewpoint: Climb the 400 stone steps up Moro Rock (just off California 198 between Ash Mountain and Lodgepole in Sequoia) for a glorious view of the park’s meadows, giant forests, and 12,000-foot peaks.

Oddity: It’s not every day you can drive through a log. The park’s famous Tunnel Log, a fallen giant sequoia, is in Sequoia Park along Crescent Meadow Road in Giant Forest.

Before You Come: Read John Muir’s The Mountains of California .

Park Website: nps.gov/seki

Seasonal Notes: The park and Wuksachi Lodge are open in winter. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing amid giant sequoia trees are compelling experiences, but the road between the two units closes in winter, so to visit both units requires out-and-back trips via other roads.

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10 truly magnificent hikes in California’s state parks

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Other states may have high mountains, vast deserts and scenic shorelines. California? It has a park system that contains all of it.

Ancient redwoods grow along the mist-covered edge of the continent. The alpine beauty of the Sierra Nevada towers above Emerald Bay and Sugar Pine Point state parks on the shores of world-famous Lake Tahoe. Thirty warm, sandy state beaches from San Diego to Santa Barbara beckon visitors from across the Southland and around the world.

The California state parks system — widely regarded as the nation’s finest — showcases a fabulous array of nature’s handiwork: giant sequoias in Calaveras Big Trees State Park; the rare Torrey Pines making a last stand in a natural reserve near San Diego; palm oases in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park; some of the tallest trees on Earth in Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park.

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This multitude of intriguing environments, and the many fine paths that explore them, add up to some world-class hiking adventures.

I confess to being more than a little obsessed by California state parks and am likely the only one crazy enough to have hiked and written about all 280 of them . I love sharing my passion for them, but it’s often challenging to do because of the public’s poor name recognition of the parks. Over the last couple decades, I’ve asked several thousand Californians to “name five California State parks” and less than 5% can do so. Surprising to me, many of these baffled respondents are outdoorsy Californians, the kind of people who come to my talks or who I meet on the trail.

More than 100 parks offer great hikes — nature walks, family hikes, all-day adventures — on some 3,000 miles of trail. I’d love to share ‘em all with you, but let’s start out with 10 of my favorites — a representative and diverse sampling of parks from greater L.A. (Chino Hills State Park) to San Francisco Bay (Angel Island State Park), from the Gold Country (Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park) to the Wine Country (Sugarloaf Ridge State Park), from the bottom of the Central Valley (Great Valley Grasslands State Park) to the top of an alpine peak (Mt. San Jacinto State Park). If you want even more, check out my book “Hike California State Parks: A Day Hiker’s Guide.”

You’re sure to enjoy hiking in these parks — even if you’re like most Californians and can’t remember their names.

A few notes:

• State historic parks, state natural reserves, state recreation areas and state beaches are part of the system though we often refer to all 280 as “state parks.”
• Dogs are prohibited on state park trails.
• Entry fees vary. Typical day-use parking cost is $10, though it will cost you more at popular beach parks. At remote parks and from many trailheads, parking and entry is free.
• You can find detailed visitor information, including updates about closures and travel delays, at the official California State Parks website . To learn ways to protect and preserve the California state park system, visit the California State Parks Foundation.

Mt. San Jacinto State Park

Chino Hills State Park

Dockweiler State Beach

La Purísima Mission State Historic Park

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

Great Valley Grasslands State Park

Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park

Angel Island State Park

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

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