to account for all the extra travel time getting to the airport, This section could be endless, so rather than trying to This SF to Monterey coastal route is a must! For example, here are some questions people have asked about Yosemite National Park. Covering over 1,200 miles, a road trip from Phoenix to Yosemite National Park might not sound like the most convenient way to visit the famous park. With over 631 square miles to explore, Sequoia National Park can be as intimidating as the giants it houses. California National Parks Road Trip Itinerary | Yosemite Road Trip However, with plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy various viewpoints along the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway, taking in breathtaking views, the windy trip is well worth it. Are you looking to drive from Yosemite to Sequoia National Park? Generally, if you visit in July and August, Im sure its open, but in June and September, you should check. Sequoia National Park is much closer to Los Angeles than Yosemite, but if youre heading to Las Vegas or Death Valley, Sequoia wont be on the way and youll be forced to take a detour. Just like in both Yosemite and Sequoia National Park, there are plenty of exciting things you can do in Kings Canyon National Park. trip dates & more! Contents hide. Driving from Sacramento to Portland? Your trip begins in Yosemite National Park, California. because there's an entire community of travelers talking If you're planning a road trip, you might be interested in seeing the total driving distance from Yosemite National Park to Sequoia . Location: Los Angeles, CA (PST) 3:48 pm Yosemite. To visit Yosemite in one day, you definitely need to arrive prepared, otherwise you risk wasting your time. Located just along the highway, the Redwood Mountain Overlook offers views of the large groves of giant sequoia trees in the park, including the canopy of the Redwood Mountain grove. The trail to the tree is an easy -mile loop that features other named trees and the Gamlin Cabin. You may have to rent a car with all-wheel drive if driving in the winter. From what we read about the mountain, and knowing how popular it is, we werent sure wed even find a parking spot near any of the trails. A short interpretive trail starting at the Visitor Center gives you more choices to explore the surroundings. into account all these factors to get a more accurate estimate You will see plenty of them in a couple of days once you visit Sequoia National Park, but these threes are impressive none-the-less. If you want to stay inside the park, book as far ahead as possible, as reservations tend to fill up quickly during peak season. But we wanted to drive up to the famous mountain regardless, at least for the scenery. However, spending time at Mammoth Lakes is definitely worth it even without going further. Now finally, let's look at an example flight from VIS to MMH and figure out how long it would take to fly including Located on the Tioga Road just east of Crane Flat, the Tuolumne Grove has about two dozen mature giant sequoias. You will have a full year of access to ALL national parks in the US, now thats a steal! Follow along the water, passing small fields of wildflowers under the shade of trees, and youll soon see massive granite walls before finally reaching the base of the falls. If you go, pace yourself, especially on the way back up from the famous tree. Best Months: August, July, June & AprilHours: Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.Entrance Fee: $35 per vehicle, valid for 7 days. The trailhead is located at the Grant Tree Parking Area, where you will also find the trailhead for the North Grove Loop, a 1.5-mile trail thats less crowded and allows you to take an even closer look at the giant trees. The Ultimate Guide to National Parks in Northern California The western portion of the Perimeter Trail (from the Galen Clark Tree to near the Grizzly Giant Loop Trail). Believe it or not, there will certainly be a cheaper direction, and if the direction of the trip doesnt matter to you this is always a great way to save some money. If youre leaving from San Francisco on a trip between autumn and spring, to save time and not take long detours from the north, youll have to stick to Case 2 and youll probably find it more convenient to visit Sequoia instead of Yosemite. The trailhead for Congress Trail is near the General Sherman Tree and is the most popular hiking trail in the park. This same pass is valid for both parks. If youre looking to stay as close as possible to the ancient giant sequoias, this location is as good as it gets. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the Once you hit Generals Highway, the road is narrow, steep, winding, and a bit difficult to drive, with plenty of switchbacks. Finally, drive for about 1 hour and arrive at Yosemite National Park. include how many minutes to get to your local airport, wait The main road through the park leads through a few famous landmarks and large patches of Joshua Trees. *Note: The road to Glacier Point is closed in 2022 for repairs. This is especially great if youre driving during the summer and just want a cold drink to cool you down. drive for about 1.5 hours. Stretch your legs at The Park at River Walk and find some grub and beers at Lengthwise Brewing Company. Part of the reason might have to do with CoVid, and the permit system. If you're planning a road trip, For my personal taste, I recommend Yosemite in winter. Scroll down to see a more realistic calculation that takes Why Sequoia and Kings Canyon Are Better Than Yosemite - Matador Network This 1.2-mile easy trail loops around a meadow on a paved path with interpretative signs that tell you about the history and interesting facts about the trees and the other flora and fauna. Without taking into account all the points explained above, if you have to decide on the route, here is what I suggest you to do: Warning: Operating hours can change and closures for extraordinary events can occur, so we strongly suggest to check the venues official websites. We also covered the drive to Kings Canyon National Park and the best things to do there, which covers the entire Majestic Mountain Loop, in case you want to add it to your itinerary. Or is that too much and redundant? . Discover the Tuolumne Grove on a hike. The park harbors a grand collection of waterfalls, meadows, and forests that include groves of giant sequoias, the world's largest living things. This time in the summer though, I would suggest just drive along on your road trip to Yosemite. shortest distance is actually the "great circle" distance, or Lady Bug Trail (3 mi/5 km): takes you to one of the lowest-elevation sequoia groves. Some advice for those who dont know how to choose between the two, Yosemite or Sequoia National Park? Tips on where to stay in and near Sequoia. As you plan your West Coast Road Trip, you never want to get to the point where you ask yourself this question! Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Yosemite also has some giant sequoias in the area of Mariposa Grove (it recently reopened and restored while it was closed for years), but they are not as tall or even as numerous. Realistically, you'll probably want to add a buffer for rest stops, gas, or food along the way. Driving Time from FAT to Sequoia National Park - Travelmath Average driving speed: 44.2 mph Thankfully, Sequoia and Kings Canyon are so close, that even the entrance fee covers both parks! Make sure your vehicle isnt taller than 8 feet; otherwise, youll have to use a bypass. In that case, your travel time would really need to It ends in Visalia, California. Ideally, spending at least one full day or two in Sequoia National Park would be best so you will not feel too hurried when exploring its highlights. With plenty of benches and gorgeous viewpoints, it is worth stopping often, to soak up the views. I dont usually get bad jet lag unless Im on a red-eye. I dont necessarily appreciate these names for the majestic trees, it was worth seeking them out to finally see them. Sequoias are only visible after a one-mile hike with 500 feet of elevation loss. So what do you do in this scenario? The Zumwalt Meadow is no longer a loop, but this paved trail is still a great trail to explore. (whether it's first class or coach). This solution is undoubtedly the best from a strategic point of view, but what does it involve? Expect a bit of an uphill walk back to the car for those with mobility issues. Depending of the time of the year you travel, your first stop is Joshua Tree National Park. . From San Francisco, youll take SR-99 S and continue past Yosemite and start the long journey around the Sierra Nevada. Compare Joshua Tree National Park. The straight line flight distance is 116 miles less than driving on roads, which means the driving distance is roughly 2.2x of the flight distance. 3.1 Enjoy the Scenic Road to Mount Whitney. (4 answers), Ross from Manhattan Beach asked:Best family activities 2 day trip to Yosemite? This scenic drive through the heart of California will take you to three National Parks: Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia. San Francisco to Yosemite National Park Day Trip with Entry 2023 - Viator Which is the most beautiful? To get to the falls, you will have to take a very short and easy 0.1-mile out-and-back trail, which will take less than 5 minutes to complete. The numerous national parks are among the most popular destinations in California and are, More than 3 million people travel every year to visit Yosemite National Park, the first conservation area designated by the United States back in 1864. Sequoia National Park Best Months: May, June, September & October Hours: Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year Entrance Fee: $35 per vehicle, valid for 7 days. We started off in the greener Sonoran desert, home of the giant saguaro, in bloom this time of the year. The scenic drive from Yosemite to Sequoia National Park covers 171 miles with at least a 3.5 to 4 hours drive, without stops. Planning to fly a plane instead? you can get answers personalized for your tastes, budgets, Highway 198. Park Hours: All day, every day. Location: About 70 miles east of Fresno, CA; Closest airport(s): Fresno-Yosemite (FAT) ~ 1.5 hours, Bakersfield (BFL) < 2 hours, San Jose (SJC) ~ 3.5-4 hours Best time of year to go: Late spring through early fall; Recommended visit length: 2 days; 2023 price to visit: $35 per car; I might be stretching it a bit to place Sequoia & Kings Canyon national parks in Northern California. 4. Guides & ArticlesUS National ParksCanadian National Parks, All Road Trip ItinerariesRoad Trips by StateOne-Day Trips. Does it make sense to do sequoia national park Thursday afternoon.and Friday and Saturday Yosemite? Grant Grove is reached via Highway 180 from Fresno. You can also print out pages with a travel map. If youre like us, just stoping on your way to Yosemite, drive to the trailhead, hike about a mile or so on the summit trail and enjoy time in the pines. Yosemite National Park and Sequoia National Park are two of the main national parks in Sierra Nevada, the mountain range that separates the "green" part of the Golden State from the deserts of California, and the other parks of Arizona, Utah and Nevada. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 2:25 pmdrive for about 1.5 hours, 3:48 pm Yosemite Following are driving directions from both directions: Directions from Yosemite: Take highway 41 south from Yosemite Valley to Fresno. Your trip begins in Visalia, California. Yosemite National Park to Sequoia National Park drive, or go to the main page to plan a new road trip. Even though they are close, they are probably too far away to stay in one place and easily visit all the best sights of both. Check rates and availability here. Check out our San Francisco to Las Vegas road trip itinerary. Youll find an interpretative sign at the lookout pointing to the mountain peaks that you can see as well as some historical geologic facts about the area. 7 Famous Landmarks on a Road Trip between Phoenix and Yosemite Parking is limited. Technically, the cavern is located in Sequoia National Forest but to access the entrance, you will have to pass through Kings Canyon National Park onto the famous 2,000-foot-high marble walls of the Kings Gates. In North America alone, there are well over 390 million public acres to explore, comprised of 577 US national parks & forests, 6,600 state parks, and 141 Canadian parks. Like Sequoia, one full day should be enough to drive through and cover the highlights in Kings Canyon National Park. Includes access to Sequoia. The beauty of a landscape is not an absolute value, to each his own, but we can still try to make some objective points. The road to the mountain, fittingly called Whitney Portal, starts in the center of Lone Pine. It takes about 12 hours to drive the whole trip, start-to-finish, and covers just under 600 miles (966 km). Of course, we couldnt leave without a look at the worlds largest tree (by volume, if not height or width), the General Sherman tree. Trippy is where waiting for our flight, and making it to the destination. Enter a city to drive through, or find all, trips from Sequoia National Park to Yosemite National Park. What is the IKON Ski Season, Utah is well known as one of the must visit states that national park enthusiasts need to travel to. Yosemite Itinerary: Ultimate First Time Visitor Guide (1, 2 & 3 Day Were looking for something great and snow, tks!!! We stayed a night in the tiny town of Lee Vining on the shore of Mono Lake. Here are some important points to understand the advantages and disadvantages of choosing one or the other. With temperatures hovering above the 100F (over 38 degrees Celsius), summer is not the ideal time to visit this park, but a short stop is still worth it. Yosemite to Sequoia National Park Drive [+ Kings Canyon] This park is a bit far from any urban areas, so for the best experience while here, stay within the park. You will then exit Hwy 41 and drive until you merge onto Hwy 99. El Capitan is the feature that actually launched the National Park Service over a hundred years ago. The closures, announced Tuesday, will remain in place until at least May 3. You should plan on spending at least an hour to an hour-and-a-half strolling casually and checking out the unique clusters of trees. Should I get the America the Beautiful Pass? Note: Please do not attempt to hike the length of the summit trail, unless you are prepared for it, have the proper gear, and experience. Exit off highway 41 to Kings Canyon Highway 180 east. 1 Driving through the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts. As its name suggests, this is the end of Hwy 180, and the road simply loops back. and answers related to Yosemite National Park. Honestly, there was so much to see along Generals Highway, that we spent the first day at Sequoia exploring the southern part of the route again. Please bring water to keep everyone in your group hydrated (there is no drinking water available in the Mariposa Grove). Not only will you see breathtaking views of the mountains, but you also get a clear look at the confluence of the South and Middle forks of the Kings River. 2 1. There are also viewpoints in Sequoia (e.g. To start this trip, we decided to fly into the San Francisco International Airport. Read More San Francisco to Yosemite Road Trip [Scenic Drive + Best Places to Stop]Continue. Take exit 198, passing through Visalia, and straight towards Sequoias Ash Mountain Entrance (South Entrance). The entrance to the parks is about 100 miles from Yosemite, or about two to two-and-a-half hours. Read our guide that contains reviews of hotels and strategic tips for finding accommodations near major attractions: Travel in USA 2012-2023 All Rights Reserved. So we enjoyed the views of blooming saguaros, surrounded by low hills and high mountains. San Francisco: One day Yosemite and Giant Sequoia Tour - Expedia take-off and landing, and time to taxi on the runway. We didnt stay in the park overnight, but our reservation entitled us to enter the park for three consecutive days. Looking for ideas for more destinations within driving distance of Sequoia National Park? In Yosemite, you can walk the dog on the bike path. Upon reaching the lookout, youll have 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains. We always get the larger SUV (we are a family of 5) over the midsize. Bringing an ice chest with you on the road trip allows you to keep your beverages and food cool and at safe temperatures for longer. The drive takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from Yosemite Valley. After passing the Kings Canyon National Park entrance, you will find an exit leading to the Big Stump Picnic Area. After escaping the kitchen life, he is now focused on his passion for the outdoors and world travel. Plan Your Visit | Sequoia & Kings Canyon Sample Itineraries When visiting the parks, make sure not to feed the wildlife. This is a beautiful drive, but the road can be pretty windy in some parts, so keep a motion sickness pill on hand. Best Months: April, May, June & SeptemberHours: Open 24 hours per day, 365 days a yearEntrance Fee: $35 per vehicle, valid for 7 days. Covering a lot of miles, the road trip to Yosemite took us through some of the most spectacular - and famous - landscapes in the US. This will take approximately 40 minutes and it passes through beautiful meadows, winds through the Kings River, and under patches of forest shade. Stops and things to do on Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park to That's what Trippy is perfect for, The 50-minute tour involves going on a steep hike to the cave, but it is suitable for all ages. Considering the presence of Mariposa on the way to Yosemite Valley, I think it is better to favor Yosemite over Sequoia. Garfield Grove Trail (5 mi/8.3 km one way): a steep trail that takes you to Garfield Sequoia Grove. We would suggest taking this route if you are switching lodges between Kings Canyon and Sequoia, as it has numerous stops and attractions that will probably take you the whole day to get though. Feel free to take the little ones with you and discover the many stalagmites, stalactites, flowstones, and other cave formations. The 1,700 year old General Grant tree (second-largest by volume in the world) and Kings Canyon Visitor Center is also immediately following this entrance. You should also visit Sequoia if you prefer a more secluded park thats quicker and easier to visit. Obviously, the difference is not only quantitative but also qualitative. By which I mean youve hiked other 14,000+ elevation peaks. Its especially important to pack this when visiting Sequoia and Yosemite in the winter. Main Reservations: (866) 807-3598. for security, board and taxi on the runway, land at the other When planning this kind of trip, it is easy to get carried away and decide to, California is as vast as it is fascinating; it is home to very diverse natural landscapes.
sequoia national park to yosemite drive time
