California National Parks Road Trip Itinerary
In October 2023, we embarked on an epic road trip from San Francisco to Las Vegas, hitting 5 4 national parks along the way. We ran into some hiccups and had to pivot in a few places, but it was still an epic trip. Don’t come at me for our food choices 😂 we eat like toddlers and we’re okay with that!
Day 1-2 - san jose/san francisco
We’re not big city people, so we didn’t spend a ton of time in San Francisco proper. We stayed outside of San Jose to be near family so we only did about a half day in San Fran just to get a quick taste.
Golden Gate Bridge (Baker Beach)
Fisherman’s Wharf / Pier 39
Lombard Street
Oracle Park
Stanford
Downtown San Jose
Sunday Night Football at Levi Stadium - absolutely amazing atomosphere!
Where we stayed: Best Western Los Gatos
What we ate: Dio Deka, Willow Street (amazing pizza!), Salt & Straw (whacky ice cream flavors), Underdogs Cantina
Day 3 - Pinnacles National Park
Condor Gulch to High Peaks to Moses Spring to Bear Gulch Cave - great trail to get the full Pinnacles experience!
Where we stayed: Comfort Inn Sequoia/Kings Canyon
What we ate: Sandwiches from Pinnacles’ visitor’s center, Pizza Factory
Day 4 - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Tunnel Log
General Sherman Tree & Congress Trail
Tokopah Falls
General Grant Tree
Scenic Byway (Closed due to damage from last winter’s storm)
Where we stayed: Scenic Wonders Yosemite Condos
What we ate: Sandwiches from KC visitor’s center, Tenaya Lodge Restaurant
Day 5&6 - Yosemite national park
Mist Trail (Closed due to construction) John Muir Trail to Nevada Falls
Sunset at Glacier Point
Sunrise at Tunnel View
Cooks Meadow Loop + Lower Yosemite Falls
Tioga Pass to Bishop
Olmsted Point
Tenaya Lake
Obsidian Dome - wouldn’t recommend, unpaved road to get there and not much to see once you’re there.
Devil’s Postpile National Monument (road was closed)
Hot Springs (too tired!)
Crowley Lake Columns (didn’t think our car would make it)
Where we stayed: Scenic Wonders Yosemite Condos, Cielo Hotel Bishop
What we ate: Pizza from Curry Village, 1903 Taphouse & Co.
Day 7&8 - Death Valley (Closed due to flooding) Vegas
Big Pines Lake Hike (Too tired!)
Manzanar Concentration Camp
Alabama Hills
Mobius & Heart Arches
Whitney Portal Road
Randsburg General Store (Closed, also very sketchy town!)
Explore the Strip
Bellagio
Caesar’s Palace
Urban Necessities
Venetian
MGM Grand
Tom’s Watch Party for College Football
Where we stayed: Park MGM
What we ate: Erik Schak Bakery (huge selection, delicious!), Sbarro, Panda Express, Subway