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Welcome adventurers! Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey exploring six of California's most iconic national parks. In this itinerary we will land at San Francisco international airport, rent a car, and drive for 11 days to explore these six national parks. The journey ends at flying out from Los Angles international airport. The six park that we will explore are: Lassen volcanic national park, Yosemite national park, kings canyon national park, sequoia national park, death valley national park, and Joshua tree national park.
Overall we will travel around 1500 miles excluding any travel within the park. Further, we will also cover the top attractions in the park and preferred locations to stay for this itinerary. At the end of the video we will also show some alternate itineraries to shave off few days if you have limited time. So lets hit the road and dive into this unforgettable itinerary packed with must-visit attractions and tips.
Day 1- This is the day when you reach San Francisco and you drive about 4 hours towards Lassen Volcanic National Park. The recommended place to stay for Lassen is Red Bluff that is about 45 minutes from the parks entrance.
Day 2- Lassen Volcanic National Park, a hidden gem in Northern California, offers a unique blend of volcanic landscapes and serene natural beauty. Known for its geothermal wonders, the park is a paradise for adventurers, nature lovers, and those seeking a peaceful escape from crowded destinations. From steaming fumaroles to crystal-clear lakes, Lassen’s diverse terrain showcases the raw power and beauty of nature.
Day 3 - This is the driving day towards Yosemite National park and the drive is around 5 hrs. The recommended place to stay for Yosemite is El Portal that is about 30 minutes from the parks entrance.
Day 4 - Yosemite National Park, located in California’s Sierra Nevada, is a crown jewel of natural beauty and one of the most iconic destinations in the United States. Famous for its towering granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and ancient sequoias, Yosemite offers breathtaking scenery and diverse outdoor activities for all types of adventurers.
Day 5 - This is the driving day towards Kings Canyon park and the drive is around 3 hrs. The recommended place to stay for Kings Canyon and Sequoia is at one of the accommodations inside the park.
This one, Montecito sequoia lodge is a good one which is inside the park and also provides meals. The nearest city is close to an hour so it is best to stay within the park when visiting kings canyon and sequoia.
Day 6 - Kings Canyon National Park, a hidden gem in California’s Sierra Nevada, is a paradise of deep canyons, lush meadows, towering granite cliffs, and giant sequoias. Often overshadowed by its neighbor, Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon offers rugged wilderness and unparalleled tranquility, making it a favorite for adventurers seeking solitude and breathtaking landscapes.
Day 7 - Sequoia National Park, located in California’s southern Sierra Nevada, is a land of towering giants and breathtaking natural beauty. Famous for its groves of massive sequoia trees, including the world-renowned General Sherman Tree, this park offers visitors a chance to connect with ancient forests, explore dramatic landscapes, and marvel at the wonders of nature.
Day 8 - This is the driving day Death Valley National park and the drive is around 6 hrs. The recommended place to stay for Death Valley is Lone Pine or accommodations inside the park, if available
Day 9 and 10 - Since death valley National Park is very large it can take hours to go from one location to another, hence two days are recommended for this park. Death Valley National Park, spanning California and Nevada, is a land of extremes and contrasts. Known as the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in North America, its diverse landscapes include sprawling salt flats, colorful badlands, towering sand dunes, rugged mountains, and even hidden oases. Despite its harsh reputation, Death Valley is a place of stunning beauty and fascinating geological wonders, making it a must-visit destination for adventurous travelers.
Day 11 - This is the last day of this itinerary. On this day you can drive back towards Los Angeles airport via Joshua tree national park. Joshua tree is about 4 hours from Death Valley and Los Angeles airport is further 3 hrs away. Total travelling time on the last day will be about 7 hours, and you also have an option to split this into 2 days.
That is the end of the trip and back to the airport. If you have limited time these are the following three alternate itineraries and the corresponding time it will take. You can skip Lassen and shave off two days from the itinerary. Skip Death valley and shave off 3 days. Skip both Lassen and Death Valley and shave off 5 days.