If you are taking a longer PCH drive, turn west out of Portland along Oregon Highways 99W and 18 to connect with U.S. 101 near Lincoln City. 3 days in Los Angeles — to check out Hollywood and Santa Monica. Sunset: Four Mile. Climb a staggering series of switchbacks to Glacier Point. California 7 Day Road Trip Itinerary: San Diego - Day 1; Anza Borrego State Park - Day 2; Joshua Tree National Park - Day 2 and Day 3; Horse Rescue Center and Antelope Valey - Day 4; Los Angeles - Day 5; Pacific Coast Highway and Santa Monica Pier - Day 6; San Diego - Day 7; If you have extra time to see more of California, you could also spend a few days going inland to see Yosemite National Park. Like way far in advance! You may even want an extra day or two to take on an activity like surfing! Sunset: Tuolumne Meadows. San Diego: 2 Nights. California Road Trip Map; California Road Trip Itinerary; When to Pick Up A Rental Car; An Extraordinary 10-Day California Road Trip Itinerary. Cooks Meadow Bike Riding. Here is one way to squish everything into a short trip. Take the trail to Yosemite Falls for an easy, postcard-worthy 30-minute hike. Day 7: Valley of Fire. Day 1 - Fly to L.A. Day 2 & 3 - L.A. Day 4 - Travel to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park. Ride the rails in Sacramento, explore Yosemite's trails, meander through a ghost town, or find epic wonders in Mammoth and Lake Tahoe. Columbia Rock or all the way to Yosemite Falls if you're up for the challenge. Road Trip out of the San Francisco Bay Area. 2 days on Pacific Coast Highway — to drive the most scenic route in the USA. Death Valley is one of the most astonishing places in the Golden State and really ought to make it onto your California national parks itinerary. Columbia Rock or all the way to Yosemite Falls if you're up for the challenge. This California Road Trip Route by Day. Driving time: 7 hours and 44 minutes. Ride the rails in Sacramento, explore Yosemite's trails, meander through a ghost town, or find epic wonders in Mammoth and Lake Tahoe. A road trip to see all of them will take you over 600 miles from San Diego to Sonoma, and it will provide a plethora of adventure, history, and fun for the whole family. Start in the town of Napa and work your way north . Here's a look at our Northern California Itinerary. Day 3: Sacramento. View profile ×. It's a detour from the Pacific Highway though, so you need to love driving. Day 1: San Francisco. Pending on where you've based yourself, it could be a good day to go for a walk on the Embarcadero and take in the view, or head to the Mission to dive straight into the food scene. Day 13-14: South Lake Tahoe. Recommended Tour Giant Trees and Ancient Forests Lake Tahoe, Yosemite and Lassen Volcanic National Parks road trip 6 days From £650 per person By Discover North America Day 1: San Francisco. Allow at least a half day on your Northern California roadtrip to visit Devils Postpile, a really cool and not-oft-touristed national monument near Mammoth Mountain. Day 1-3: San Diego. San Francisco to Begin. Day 9 - Travel to South Lake Tahoe. Day 3: Sacramento. After traveling down the California coast, San Diego is your last stop, and relaxing on the shore may be just what your family needs. This will serve as an overview if you are planning a trip to California where you would like to visit Yosemite, Big Sur and Disneyland. California road trip: day 4-5; Yosemite National Park (1 night) We love Yosemite. Best Spots for Bear Sightings. Victorian Eureka. The endless forest, open lakes, wildlife, and . Head to Yosemite National Park, one of the most iconic in the United States. Day 3 . What you do during your day and a half in Yosemite National Park will depend on where you end up staying. The superstar of California's National Parks, Yosemite National Park really does live up to all the hype. If waterfalls are a priority, Yosemite has more and much bigger ones, but they are at their maximum flow in the springtime. Day 5: Devils Postpile National Monument. Yosemite 2 Day Itinerary Overview. Yosemite Valley tourism. 8 Tips For Driving In Northern California. Then take a drive on Tioga Road, a 59-mile stretch through the high country that takes you over Tioga Pass (9,941 feet) and along the highest stretch of road in California. . Our accommodation prices varied a huge amount. Hopefully your return flight is late in the day! I did this entire drive in 7 days in 2016, and here is all of the information so you can do it yourself, or just read on to learn about a unique part of California's past. Between Santa Barbara and San Diego you can take an Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train that offers beautiful views of the coast. In the dry and sunny summers the adventures are endless, hit the hiking trails, scale a mountain, or cool off during the day rafting down the Merced River. Healdsburg for Wine Country. It's the BEST way to see the area's beauty. The trip from San Francisco south to Monterey is just under two hours, and, in this case, the journey is just as incredible as the destination. Then carry on to Tunnel View to look out over Yosemite Valley from up high. Day 6: Mojave Desert, Seven Magic Mountains and Las Vegas. The beach at Coronado Island offers a great tidepool and there are lifeguards on duty. Day 1: Arrive in San Francisco. This post is to give an overview of our California road trip 9-day itinerary. A 10-Day California Road Trip This guide starts from San Francisco and heads down the coast. Day 5: General Grant Tree and the King's Canyon Scenic Byway. Day 2: Coos Bay OR, to Redwood National Park, CA. In this one week itinerary, you get to experience the quirky culture of San Francisco, the jaw-dropping natural beauty of the California coast, quaint beach towns, and the most famous city on the west coast! A stop in Yosemite National Park was a must during our road trip in California. Day 2: San Francisco, Sausalito, Sonoma, Sacramento. 2 days in Joshua Tree — to explore the desert. day 1 - Drive to Yosemite day 2 - Yosemite day 3 - Leave Yosemite, drive towards oregon day 4 - visit crater lake state park, oregon caves, day 5 - go up to washington, visit Olympic national park,. If possible, I'd recommend doing this trip in the late summer or fall. The first day is perfect to settle into your hotel in SF. Take US-6 East to Coaldale, where it shares the road with US-95 South to Tonopah, which makes a good stopover. Entrance Fee: US$ 35 Vehicle 7 Day Pass (or free with America the Beautiful Pass) Campgrounds: Yes, spread across the park (see campgrounds) Accommodation: Notoriously challenging, some lodging in Yosemite Valley, more in surrounding areas. Then either: San Diego/Grand Canyon: 3 days. Sequoia - Yosemite (230km - 2hr. Map of this NorCal Road Trip. Day 14 - 15 - Proceed to Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite National Park Day 16 - Drive through Death Valley National park and reach Las Vegas Day 16 - 19 - Las Vegas city tour with nearby day trips like Grand Canyon National Park, Red Canyon National Park & Hoover Dam tour. This Pacific Coast Highway itinerary takes 7 days and starts in San Francisco, loops up a bit North to see some of the best sights north of San Francisco, then spends the rest of the time heading south and ends in San Diego. Golden Gate Recreation Area. Crowd Factor. OUR THREE-WEEK CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIP ITINERARY. This itinerary covers roughly 1125 miles of . For your third day, choose another hike! . It seemed like an ambitious itinerary, but I was up for the challenge. . Day 7: Valley of Fire. 4 Day 4: Lake Isabella ~ we discovered this magic place by pure chance. It was the highlight of our trip, and still is every time we go. Days 6 and 7 in the 7-day itinerary above follow this timeline, so just use those guides for your final two days! Day 3 - San Diego to Joshua Tree National Park to Ventura. Tour Type: Custom itinerary, Self-guided tour . Stop #2: Lake Tahoe. Tunnel View Viewpoint for Sunset. Stop #6: Eureka/Trinidad. 3 Day 3: West coast road trip planner must include Eldorado National Forest and Lake Tahoe. Crowd Factor. Day 4: Sacramento, Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Lakes. In the dry and sunny summers the adventures are endless, hit the hiking trails, scale a mountain, or cool off during the day rafting down the Merced River. Yosemite in the spring is a sight to see, the snow begins to melt and Yosemite's famous waterfalls begin to show off their force. It was the highlight of our trip, and still is every time we go. We'll be hiring a car for the duration. Yosemite Itinerary Day 3. Santa Cruz: 3 days. Day 4: Lake Tahoe. Day 6 - Travel to Yosemite National Park. It's the BEST way to see the area's beauty. One of the best 10 days California Road trip Itineraries, from San Diego to the Death Valley, Yosemite, San Francisco, Monterey, Los Angeles. Day 1: San Francisco. Refine your search. Day 7 & 8 - Yosemite National Park. Looking for more things to do while you plan your trip? Here's a look at our Northern California Itinerary. The byway begins at the General Grant Tree in Grant Grove and ends at the Copper Creek Trailhead; without stopping, the scenic byway takes . 5 Day 5: Death Valley ~ surviving unexpected incidents. Route: Next up in your California national Parks road trip itinerary is Sequoia National Park! Day 3: pick up rental car. Day 1 in Yosemite: Hike into the park | Yosemite Falls | Campfire Dinner. Day 1: Explore San Francisco; Day 2: San Francisco to Yosemite National Park; Day 3: Yosemite to Sequoias National Park; Day 4: Sequoias to Death Valley National Park Death Valley To Yosemite Road Trip. Recommended Tour Giant Trees and Ancient Forests Lake Tahoe, Yosemite and Lassen Volcanic National Parks road trip 6 days From £650 per person By Discover . A few months ago, I read something about the " Majestic Mountain Loop ," a California road trip itinerary that takes you through three national parks in three days-the jointly managed Sequoia & Kings Canyon, plus Yosemite National Park. Yosemite as Part of California National Park Road Trip Loops Given its location in the center of the state, Yosemite is also an essential part of any California National Park loop trip. Make sure to book your accommodations in advance. We'll initially have a few days in Seattle and Portland, which will be a mix of work and play, but everything. . If you didn't get to on a previous day, rent a bike and do the Valley Floor today for a more relaxed last day in the area. Here's a summary of our two-week itinerary in California: 3 Days in San Francisco — to experience all the iconic sights of the big city. (Illustration: Peter Sucheski) Explore fun road trip itineraries to Yosemite National Park originating in major travel hubs and stopping for adventures along the way. The drive through Sierra National Forest from Yosemite to Kings Canyon is about 2 hours and is equally as stunning as the parks themselves. We're. Day 10 - South Lake Tahoe. This itinerary covers roughly 1125 miles of . Don't forget how massive this state is, and don't underestimate your drive times. Day 4: Sacramento, Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Lakes. Road Trips - California - Seattle 7-days road trip - I'm planning a road trip from Palo Alto to Seattle and back, within 7-8 days in May. Read our ultimate 7 day Northern California road trip itinerary through the redwood forests, gigantic tree tunnels, pygmy forests, lighthouses, lava caves, & more. Answer 1 of 10: Hello, My husband and I are travelling to the US in September for 16 nights (flying in and out of SF), and we're trying to figure out the best route to take in all the above destinations. Stop #1: Yosemite National Park. Day 1: Fly to California, then drive to Yosemite. Yosemite Itinerary Day 3. Stop #5: Redding/Mount Shasta. You won't be able to enjoy the views of CA-1. Day 2: Full day in Death Valley National Park. Paso Robles (2 days) Solvang (1 day) Los Angeles (1 day) And if you only have time for a 1 week road trip in California, I recommend either choosing to explore the national parks and leaving from Fresno-Yosemite International Airport or flying into San Jose International Airport and doing Carmel-by-the-Sea, Big Sur, Paso Robles, Solvang, and Los Angeles and . When to Plan a San Francisco to San Diego Road Trip. 3 Days in Moab to visit Arches and Canyonlands 2 Days in Capitol Reef 2 Days in Bryce . 1) Coast Road Trip. Activity Level. I'd really appreciate any input on the suggested must-sees . If you have 2 weeks or more, and you're looking for some longer loops, check out these itineraries. Hike the Mojave desert, sleep underneath a yucca tree, and visit the lowest place on the continent while you road trip in California. Follow CA-120 East to US-6 in Benton. For your third day, choose another hike! A Northern California Road Trip's Greatest Treasures. Whether you plan to stop for 1 day on your road trip or spend 3 or 7 days exploring this HUGE National Park, we have an itinerary for you! Vernal Falls / Nevada Falls Hike. 1 Day 1 - San Francisco: What the American city life looks like. 41min.) Below are five itineraries that showcase the best 7-day long road trips in California. Today, the Silverado Trail runs parallel to the more bustling State Highway 29, with easy access to some of the best wineries in the Golden State. Most of the park . Northern California Road Trip Itinerary Overview. Give our friendly and knowledgable team a call on 01244 342099 or complete the form below. Day 5 - Yosemite National Park. Yosemite Valley is the best place to start your Yosemite trip. Stop #3: Sacramento. The cheapest was a night in an Airbnb in San Diego and the most expensive was a cabin in Big Sur. Here's a breakdown of the costs you can expect on a California road trip like ours. Experience the great city of San Francisco, stop for a drink in Napa Valley, spend time on the water in Lake Tahoe, and explore iconic Yosemite National Park. If you didn't get to on a previous day, rent a bike and do the Valley Floor today for a more relaxed last day in the area. It's then a 210-mile straight shot on US-95 South to Vegas. Five Day Pacific Coast Highway Itinerary. Day 2: Sausalito and Sonoma. Day 2: Full day in Death Valley National Park. Website: nps.gov/yose. Time: 5-6 hours drive. Answer 1 of 9: I have a rough itinerary for a 6-7 road trip from Portland OR to LA, and just wanted to see anyone has any don't-miss suggestions. Driving time: 5 hours. In the coming weeks, I will write more specific posts about the trip. Day 1 & 2 - San Diego. 1-3 Days in Yosemite Itinerary Overview. California Road Trip: The Most Popular Routes and Itineraries. Stop #7: Redwood National and State Parks. This will serve as an overview if you are planning a trip to California where you would like to visit Yosemite, Big Sur and Disneyland. Day 10-12: Yosemite National Park. Take time to recharge, then head to Balboa Park. Day 1: Red Rock Canyon and Death Valley. There's no bad time to do this road trip, but some seasons are a bit more favorable over the others. Here's the itinerary: Day 1 & 2 - San Francisco Day 3 - Big Sur Day 4 & 5 - Santa Barbara Day 6 & 7 -Los Angeles Day 8 - Joshua Tree Day 9 - Yosemite National Park Day 10 - Lake Tahoe Day 2: San Francisco, Sausalito, Sonoma, Sacramento. As the driest, lowest, and hottest national park—complete with record-breaking temperatures—Death Valley is not your typical vacation . California's Must-See Attractions. Either way, you can't go wrong. Day 4-5: Joshua Tree National Park. Driving to California from Out of State. The California route is more scenic. Phone: (209) 372-0200. Day 3: Alabama Hills and Manzanar National Historic Site. Fall in Yosemite offers many of the same activities as . The Nevada route is the most direct: the 415-mile drive to Las Vegas takes 7 hours, 45 minutes. Day 5 - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park. Best Itinerary for a Two Week California Road Trip Itinerary: San Francisco: 2 days.