California National Parks Itinerary: How to Visit 5 in 16 Days
Planning a California National Parks itinerary? This 16-day road trip, essentially 2 weeks on the ground, covers five of California‘s most spectacular national parks in one sweeping loop through Central California: Pinnacles, Channel Islands, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite.
Add in wine country, Muir Woods, Alcatraz, and San Francisco, and you have one of the most varied and memorable road trips in the country.
We did this California National Parks road trip in mid-June, and it genuinely exceeded every expectation, though California had a few surprises in store for us along the way.
Rough seas canceled our Santa Cruz Island trip, wildfire smoke closed roads we’d just driven, and Bay Area traffic added hours we hadn’t planned for. We adapted, found alternatives, and had an incredible time.
The lesson? Always have a backup plan in California, and read this guide before you go. Plus, no tents required. Here’s exactly how to plan it.
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Best Time for a California National Parks Road Trip
The best time to visit the national parks in Central California is in the summer. Plan your trip to this area at the end of June into July for the best weather. That being said, this is one of the most popular times to visit the area.
If you plan too early, some roads in certain national parks might still be closed due to snow or cleanup from the prior winter. If you wait too long, wildfire season may put a damper on your plans. That being said, the autumn months are also a good time to visit, but beware of the possibility of snow in the higher elevations of the park.
We traveled here in mid to late June. The weather was amazing. Sunny and 70F-90F all week, depending on the elevation. As we returned from our trip, wildfires started popping up, and air quality alerts were issued for areas we had just visited.
The roads that we took daily had also been closed due to wildfire. When visiting California during this season, it’s best to always have a backup plan. More on this later!
Itinerary At A Glance
| Day 1 – Travel & Explore Monterey/Big Sur | Travel Day Rest in Salinas, CA |
| Day 2 – Pinnacles National Park | Rest in Ventura, CA |
| Day 3 – Channel Islands National Park | Rest in Ventura, CA |
| Day 4 – Channel Islands National Park | Rest in Three Rivers, CA |
| Day 5 – Sequoia National Park | Rest in Three Rivers, CA |
| Day 6 – Sequoia National Park | Rest in Squaw Valley, CA |
| Day 7 – Kings Canyon National Park | Rest in Squaw Valley, CA |
| Day 8 – Kings Canyon National Park | Rest in Midpines, CA |
| Day 9 – Yosemite National Park | Rest in Midpines, CA |
| Day 10 – Yosemite National Park | Rest in Midpines, CA |
| Day 11 – Yosemite National Park | Rest in Midpines, CA |
| Day 12 – Yosemite National Park | Rest in Novato, CA |
| Day 13 – California Wine Country | Rest in Novato, CA |
| Day 14 – Muir Woods & The Headlands | Rest in Novato, CA |
| Day 15 – Alcatraz & San Francisco | Rest in Novato, CA |
| Day 16 – Travel Day | Rest at your home Travel Day |
| Closest Airports | San Francisco International Airport Oakland International Airport Fresno Yosemite International Airport |
The map above outlines a numbered itinerary showcasing the order of stops, along with our top recommended hikes and activities across California’s National Parks. Each day or national park is color-coded to provide an easy-to-follow visual overview of your adventure.
How Much Does A 2 Week California Itinerary Cost?
16 total days, 14 days on the ground. Let’s talk about how much this could cost you. This cost breakdown is based on our trip here in 2024, so costs have probably increased a bit. Just like everything else, right? This section includes most of the major costs except for food and gas.
| Category | Budget Range (2 people) | Notes |
| Flights | $1,000 | Varies widely by departure city; book early |
| Rental Car | $730 | Book pay-later so you can reprice; see our rental car guide |
| Hotels/Accommodations | $2,800 | Each of our accommodations was between $150-$293 a night. 15 nights total. |
| America The Beautiful Pass | $80.00 | Covers all the parks plus Muir Woods & Headlands. Get it here! |
| Activities & Tours | $288.00 – Channel Islands $50-200.00 – Wine Country $200.00 – Alcatraz | Budget for tours at Channel Islands, Wine Country, and Alcatraz. |
| Estimated Total | $5,300 |
Flight costs and rental car prices can be variable. Check prices often. Make your trip a bit cheaper by only eating out for dinner and by staying outside of the national parks.
Planning Your California National Parks Road Trip
Getting There
This road trip begins near Monterey and ends in San Francisco, which makes the San Francisco Bay Area your natural flight hub for both arrival and departure. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Oakland International Airport are both excellent options.
Oakland is often cheaper and less congested, and it’s actually where we flew in. Either airport puts you about 2 hours from Monterey on Day 1, which is very manageable if you land in the morning.
Fresno Yosemite International Airport is worth checking if you can find a good fare. It’s a smaller regional airport, but it puts you significantly closer to Sequoia and Kings Canyon if you’d prefer to flip the itinerary and start in the parks rather than on the coast.
✈️ See what kind of fares are available on Booking.com or Expedia.
One thing worth knowing upfront: California traffic is no joke. We flew into Oakland, and what should have been a 2-hour drive to Big Sur turned into 3+ hours in stop-and-go highway traffic all the way to Monterey. Build buffer time into every driving day, especially Day 1 and any day that starts or ends near San Francisco.
Things to Know
- Visit our Gear page to purchase your America the Beautiful Pass online at REI’s website. In some cases, you can purchase an annual pass at the entrance of some parks.
- This itinerary visits multiple parks during one trip, so an interagency pass is the best bang for your buck. The pass expires after one year, but it usually pays for itself if you visit enough parks in one year.
- Some national parks and attractions on this trip may require reservations.
- Bring plenty of sunscreen! If you are swimming in the ocean, make sure it’s reef-safe!
- Bring bug spray and be prepared for mosquitoes.
- When you are enjoying our amazing open spaces throughout the parks, be sure to follow the principles of Leave No Trace.
Reservations Needed
Always verify current reservation requirements before your trip, as these policies may change seasonally.
- Pinnacles National Park: No reservations are needed; an entrance fee is required.
- Channel Islands National Park: Reservations on Island Packers Cruises are needed. Reserve 2 one-way tickets as a round-trip option. We recommend making these reservations early!
- Sequoia National Park: No reservations are needed; an entrance fee is required. Please utilize the free shuttles on your trip.
- Kings Canyon National Park: No reservations are needed; an entrance fee is required.
- Yosemite National Park: No vehicle entry reservations are required in 2026; an entrance fee is required.
- Muir Woods National Monument: Parking reservations are required for timed entry. These can be purchased here. Plan ahead to reserve early! Use your Interagency Pass here for park admission!
- Alcatraz: Reservations through City Cruises are required.
Rental Car
Expert tip: We usually book our rental car super early as a pay later option. If you do this, you can continuously check the prices before your trip. If the price is lower than when you booked, cancel for free and rebook for the lower price! Most major rental car companies have free cancellation on pay later bookings but always check the fine print.
Make sure to take a video of the outside AND inside of the car before you leave the rental car lot. This will save you from any damage claims made by the rental car company after your return. We know from a very bad experience on this!
🚗 Compare prices and options for a rental car on Expedia or at Booking.com!
Day 1 – Travel Day & Explore Monterey
First, Day 1 of your California National Parks itinerary is a travel day. This may look different for you depending on where you are located, but we always try to include travel days in our itineraries so you know exactly what you’ll need to plan for. Depending on when you arrive and which airport you fly into, there are many options for activities in and around the San Francisco Bay Area.
To make the most of your time, head south toward Monterey, California, and Big Sur. This will position you closer to Pinnacles National Park, where you’ll spend your second day. Monterey is a beautiful area, so don’t miss this location!
We planned to spend the day visiting and hiking around Big Sur, but California had other plans for us! Expect traffic, and expect lots of it. Travel from Oakland Airport to the Big Sur area should have taken about 2 hours, but ended up taking 3+! Getting off a plane and traveling the highways at 25-45 MPH is really fun when you just want to get out and explore!
➡️ Learn how we cut our time short here and visited the Bixby Bridge and Point Lobos State Nature Reserve. Don’t want to hike? Check out the options below from Viator.
Day 2 – Pinnacles National Park: Balconies & High Peaks Loop
Now, it’s time to do some hiking! From your accommodations in the Salinas area, Pinnacles is about 1 hour away. As of 2024, it was hard to find close, quality lodging near this park, but we stayed in an awesome Airbnb right outside Salinas.
Further, Pinnacles National Park is a little different from some of the other parks because there are no roads that go through the park. Most people head to the east entrance of the park, but not you. Today, head to the west entrance of the park near Soledad, CA. Plan to arrive in the early morning hours for prime parking and cooler weather.
Pinnacles National Park is very hot in the summer months, and if it’s too hot, you will need to plan for an alternative or take extra water. We recommend carrying a water bladder in your backpack, and you can find our favorite here! Finally, take a hike on the Balconies and High Peaks Loop. This is a 9-mile loop trail that visits some amazing areas of Pinnacles National Park.
🌵 Get the details on how to hike this trail and spend a day at Pinnacles.
Days 3 & 4 – Channel Islands National Park: Anacapa Island
Next, your California National Parks itinerary includes spending 2 days at Channel Islands National Park. To visit this park, take a 4-hour drive south from Pinnacles and get ready to spend some time out on the water. To make the most of your time, drive 4 hours after you visit Pinnacles National Park. This might seem like a long drive, but enjoy the scenery – you are on vacation after all!
In order to get to Channel Islands National Park, secure reservations on one of Island Packers Cruises ferries. These ferries depart from Ventura and Oxnard. During the summer months, Island Packers Cruises travels daily to Santa Cruz Island (the most popular spot).
Anacapa Island is another must-visit island, and trips are offered a few times a week. One thing to note when reserving a trip through Island Packers is to make sure you secure an inbound AND outbound ticket for the ferry. Additionally, make sure you are on time to return to the mainland, or they will actually leave you on the island!
Santa Cruz Island
Now, imagine waking up bright and early, excited to get to Santa Cruz Island. You turn off your alarm, and then you see it. A text stating “Trip Status 06.17.2024 – ROUGH SEAS. Day trips canceled. Please check email for details.” NO!!!!!!!! Talk about a bummer. Remember when I said to have a backup plan?
Well, here is where it will come in handy, and for those of you wondering, we had no backup plan. 😂 Thankfully, California has plenty of other options, and we chose to go on a hike in Ojai and explore Malibu, CA.
Anacapa Island
Anacapa Island is one of the closest of the Channel Islands to mainland California. Spend Day 4 here on the island with the seagulls. During nesting season in the summer, Anacapa is home to thousands of Western Gulls and their babies.
During this time, you might encounter angry birds (lol), babies, bird carcasses, and plenty of excrement. Just remember, you are not allowed to harass the birds, but they are allowed to harass you – and they probably will!
Upon arrival, you will be required to climb the stairs off the dock to get to the top of the island. There are no beaches on Anacapa Island. When you reach the top, there is an area to eat lunch and some nice pit toilet restrooms.
This island is small and offers a double figure 8 trail that will lead you to all of the picturesque areas on the island. The ferry leaves promptly, so be on time for your return trip! Once you reach the mainland, it’s time for another scenic 3.5-hour drive to Three Rivers, CA. This will put you in a great position for the next few days exploring Sequoia National Park.
🚢 Get the details on our spectacular trip to Anacapa Island!
Days 5 & 6 – Sequoia National Park: Giant Trees & Tokopah Falls
The next stop on your California National Parks itinerary is Sequoia National Park. Spending 2 days here is plenty of time to hit the highlights in the park and visit the main attractions. Staying in Three Rivers, CA is an amazing spot. This location is a short but steep drive from Sequoia National Park.
That being said, it does take a little longer when hairpin turns are involved. We recommend parking across from the Giant Forest Museum each day and using the free shuttles to get around – this is a great option and works really well.
Day 1 at Sequoia
Spend your first day at Sequoia hiking to Hanging Rock and Moro Rock. This first trail is mostly flat, and you will spend some time with giant sequoias. These trees are amazing and can’t be described – you must see them for yourself!
After hiking up steep Moro Rock, use the other trails in the park to reach the tree tunnel and loop back to the Giant Forest Museum. Then, use the shuttle to reach the Tokopah Falls trailhead and hike to the amazing waterfall.
🌲 Learn more and plan your first day at Sequoia here!
Day 2 at Sequoia
Your second day at Sequoia National Park includes more of the well-known locations in the park. Start by hiking the Big Trees Trail. Then, take the shuttle from the Giant Forest Museum to view General Sherman. The earlier you get there, the better!
Next, spend some time hiking to visit other popular areas of the park via an amazing loop trail. Finally, head north toward Kings Canyon. An optional hike here is the Buena Vista Trail, which offers a birds-eye view of Kings Canyon in the distance. Finally, settle in near Squaw Valley, CA.
🌲 Learn more about how to spend your second day at Sequoia National Park.
Days 7 & 8 – Kings Canyon National Park: Mist Falls & Grant Grove
Spend some time visiting Kings Canyon National Park. The next two days on your California National Parks itinerary include hiking in Kings Canyon. Let’s just say that pictures definitely do not do this place justice! It’s amazing. As always, plan on getting here early to beat the crowds and hot weather. That being said, you will never beat the mosquitoes here!
Day 1 at Kings Canyon
First up, drive to the “End of the Road”. It is quite literally the end of the road! Along this amazing scenic drive into the canyon, be sure to stop at one of the overlooks. It might be best to do this on the return trip when the sun is at your back.
Once you reach the end of the road, head out on the Mist Trail to visit Mist Falls. After you complete this hike, you can’t miss Zumwalt Meadows, Roaring River Falls, and Grizzly Falls. Be aware that Kings Canyon can also get very hot in the summer months, so plan ahead.
📖 Learn more about our first day at Kings Canyon here! Get the full details to plan a trip of your own.
Day 2 at Kings Canyon
Spend some time at Kings Canyon visiting the giant sequoias. Start your day at the General Giant Tree and hike a small loop to view these amazing trees in Kings Canyon. There are a few optional short trails around here as well if you are looking for more to do.
Then, take a trip to Hume Lake. Here, there are plenty of options! Swimming, hiking, boating, or relaxing are some of the options you have here. Hike around the entire lake for a nice, easy stroll with some amazing views. Lastly, pack up the car and head north in preparation for your visit to Yosemite National Park.
Days 9, 10, 11, & 12 – Yosemite National Park: 4 Days in the Crown Jewel
Next up is the crown jewel of California and our favorite – Yosemite National Park! A Central California National Parks itinerary is not complete without spending plenty of time here.
🏞️ Check out an overview of our 4-day itinerary here with all the need-to-know info and more!
Spend 4 days here enjoying the amazing scenery, waterfalls, and sweeping views. You will want to get there as early as possible. You guessed it – crowds and cooler weather. Yosemite has a shuttle system as well, and you will need to utilize it here to get around. Here are some ideas to spend 4 days:
Day 1 at Yosemite National Park
First, spend some time exploring Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls. Upper Yosemite Falls Trail is one of the oldest trails in the park and also one of the most strenuous. That being said, it’s well worth the climb and millions of switchbacks. Views from the top are breathtaking! After you complete this trail, head to the Visitor Center and then check out Lower Yosemite Falls on a quick and easy loop.
➡️ Learn more: Get the full details on day one and Upper Yosemite Falls here!
Day 2 at Yosemite National Park
Next up, spend a day in the higher elevations of the park visiting Upper and Lower Cathedral Lake, along with Tuolumne Meadows. This part of the park is north of the Yosemite Valley and is well worth the extra drive time.
Stop at Tenaya Lake and viewpoints along the route as you enjoy this scenic drive. Don’t forget your bug spray here, or those pesky mosquitoes will get you! Trust us, they were out in full force.
Day 3 at Yosemite National Park
Today, spend some time with many other tourists and hike the famous Mist and Nevada Falls Trails with a loop trail. This is one of the more popular areas in the park, and as you trek through the woods and up the mountains, you will see why!
Get to the park today as early as possible! We recommend hiking up the Mist Trail instead of down, as parts of this trail can get very slippery. After this, take a rest and visit Bridal Veil Falls. Finally, a trip to Yosemite isn’t complete without stopping at Tunnel View.
🏞️ Want to learn more about these epic waterfalls? Get the full details here.
Day 4 at Yosemite National Park
On the final day of your visit to Yosemite National Park, head to Hetch Hetchy for a nice morning hike along the edge of the reservoir. The hike to Wapama Falls and back is a perfect activity before driving back toward the San Francisco Bay Area. Next up on your California National Parks itinerary is a day in wine country, Muir Woods, and Alcatraz.
🌲 Final day in Yosemite: Learn more about visiting Hetch Hetchy here.
Day 13 – Sonoma Wine Country: A Rest Day After Yosemite
After all that hiking in Yosemite, it’s time to relax and spend some time in Wine Country. There are tons of options here in the Sonoma and Napa Valleys. We really wanted to relax, so we only spent time at one winery, and it did not disappoint!
For a unique mountaintop tasting, head to Kunde Family Winery in Kenwood, CA. Take a tour of the wine caves, vineyards, and enjoy a tasting and charcuterie board with a spectacular view from the Kunde Mountaintop.
🍷 Don’t miss California Wine Country: Learn more about taking a day trip here!
Day 14 – Visit Muir Woods National Monument and the Headlands
After a relaxing day in wine country, spend some time at Muir Woods National Monument and the Golden Gate Recreation Area’s Headlands. Parking reservations are required to bring your car to Muir Woods National Monument. Reservations can be purchased in advance here.
Start your morning off right with a hike in the moody redwood forest surrounded by towering trees. The Panoramic Loop, including Cathedral Grove, is an amazing way to spend some time here.
🌲 Get all the details for making the most of a day trip to Muir Woods!
Finally, head to the Golden Gate Recreation Area and explore the Headlands. With amazing views of the sea, the Golden Gate Bridge, and San Francisco, this location is a must-see! There are multiple viewpoints of the Golden Gate Bridge here, and each of them is unique. That, along with the “June Gloom” fog rolling in, made for some breathtaking scenery.
🌉 After visiting Muir Woods in the morning, check out the best Golden Gate Bridge picture spot and how to visit Marin Headlands.
Day 15 – Set Sail to Alcatraz and Explore San Francisco
On your final day of fun on this amazing California National Parks itinerary, sail to Alcatraz on City Cruises. Learn about the history of Alcatraz and take an audio tour of the main prison. Walk the grounds and enjoy the restored gardens with great views of the Bay Area.
After that, walk up to Pier 39 for some entertainment and amazing food options. Finally, explore the steep hills of San Francisco and discover what this great city has to offer. Explore an urban park, visit the Painted Ladies, or head to Chinatown.
🚨 Get all the details on what you can’t miss at Alcatraz on our post here.
🛏️ If you are still searching for great accommodations during your trip, check out Expedia for the best deals! Read reviews and find the right place to stay for your trip!
Day 16 – Travel Day & Final Tips for Your California Road Trip
It’s time to head back home after a great trip. If you have time to spare before heading out, visit a local park or have brunch at a local restaurant during your final hours in California.
Where To Stay On Your California National Park Itinerary
Accommodations on this road trip span multiple locations, from practical hubs near the parks to right between San Francisco and California wine country to save you some money.
Salinas area, CA — Night 1 (Monterey/Pinnacles) – Staying in a location near Pinnacles National Park on your arrival date in California makes the most sense. It’s important to start your hikes early at this location because it can be so hot. Check out the options in Salinas.
Ventura, CA — Nights 2-3 (Channel Islands) – This is a great spot with proximity to the marinas that will shuttle you to the Channel Islands. Be sure to stop by Ventura’s Pierpont for some great restaurants and public beach access. Find your hotel in Ventura.
Three Rivers, CA — Nights 4-5 (Sequoia) – Let’s be real here, there are not a whole lot of options near and in the park at Sequoia. With that being said, we recommend staying in nearby Three Rivers. There are some restaurants and other things you may need here. However, be prepared for the steep drive up the mountains to get to Sequoia. Book your spot in Three Rivers.
Squaw Valley, CA — Nights 6-7 (Kings Canyon) – This location is along the same line as Sequoia. Unless you are staying directly in the park, there are limited options nearby. We found a great spot down in the valley at Clingan’s Junction. Book it here, or check out Expedia for other options!
Midpines/Mariposa, CA — Nights 8-11 (Yosemite) – If you are looking to save some time and maximize your hiking, you will have to pay up and stay at one of the official park lodging options. If you can swing a nice scenic drive each morning and evening after visiting Yosemite, we loved our stay in Midpines/Mariposa. Lots of great local restaurants and other amenities. Book your stay here!
Novato, CA — Nights 12-14 (Wine Country/Muir Woods/SF) – Let’s be real here. If you are staying in San Francisco, it will be expensive! A perfect home base for everything in the area is Novato. Situated between California wine country and San Francisco, this is the perfect home base for accessing these can’t-miss areas in California. We recommend booking a VRBO here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many national parks are in California?
California has 9 national parks, more than any other state. This itinerary covers 5 of them in 16 days: Pinnacles, Channel Islands, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite. The remaining four: Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Redwood, and Lassen Volcanic, deserve their own road trips.
Is 2 weeks enough for a California National Parks road trip?
Two weeks, or 16 days including travel days, is the sweet spot for covering the five Central California parks on this itinerary without feeling rushed. You’ll give Yosemite 4 full days, Sequoia and Kings Canyon 2 days each, and still have time for Channel Islands, Pinnacles, wine country, Muir Woods, and San Francisco. Could you do it faster? Yes, but you’d have to cut something, and nothing on this list deserves to be cut.
What is the best base for visiting Yosemite National Park?
We stayed in Midpines, CA, for our four nights at Yosemite, and it was ideal. It’s close enough to the park entrance to avoid the worst of the early-morning traffic while still feeling removed from the crowds. Staying inside the park at Yosemite Valley Lodge is spectacular if you can get it, but those rooms book out 6-12 months in advance. El Portal and Groveland are also solid alternatives worth considering.
What should I do if Channel Islands ferries are canceled due to rough seas?
Have a backup plan, and we cannot stress this enough. We had our Santa Cruz Island trip canceled due to rough seas with zero warning the morning of our departure. California has incredible alternatives: Ojai is a beautiful town about 30 minutes from Ventura, Malibu is worth exploring, and Point Mugu State Park has excellent hiking right along the coast. Don’t let a cancellation derail your trip. It’s California, and there’s always something spectacular nearby.
How do you handle wildfires when planning a California road trip?
Check AirNow for air quality conditions before and during your trip. As we left California, wildfires broke out and closed roads we’d driven just days before. Save offline maps and alternative route options before entering areas with limited cell service. Most importantly, follow NPS and CalFire alerts and never drive toward a fire closure. The parks will still be there when conditions improve.
Is a 2-Week California National Parks Road Trip Worth It?
Our trip to visit California’s national parks was definitely jam-packed, but we loved every minute of it. By a large margin, our favorite park on this trip was Yosemite National Park. It really is a breathtaking destination with amazing hiking opportunities. Pictures and descriptions don’t do it justice. The entire park looked like a movie set.
That said, each national park on this trip was amazing and unique in its own way. Due to rough seas, we did not get to visit Santa Cruz Island at Channel Islands National Park, so we will have to return someday in hopes of visiting. California has something to offer for everyone!
This trip might look different for you, but we hope our California National Parks itinerary will give you a solid foundation to plan an amazing trip of your own.
🧭 Loving this itinerary? Get more ideas and itineraries for other national parks and international destinations here!
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