The Ultimate 10-Day California Road Trip You Need: Best Of Highway 1, Yosemite, Lake Tahoe

General Sherman Tree, Moro Rock, and Tunnel Log

Located about 4 hours away from Los Angeles, the entrance of the park leads you to a landscape with ancient trees that have been around for thousands of years.

Your first stop is the General Sherman Tree, the largest known tree! It will be obvious when you see it because there’s a sign in front of it.

You can also climb up to Moro Rock, a granite dome that offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding scenery.

For an extra unique photo opportunity, head to the Tunnel Log and have someone drive through it. It is a massive fallen sequoia that gives you a perspective of how big the trees are compared to cars.

Hiking trails and Crystal Cave

If you want to go hiking, you can also take on the Congress Trail and the Big Trees Trail. Both are excellent opportunities to get up close to the trees.

You can even check out Crystal Cave (closed in 2023), which is one of the marble caverns found within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. When it opens again, make sure you book a tour for the best experience!

Where to stay near Sequoia

If you’re looking to spend the night near Sequoia National Park, there are a few options. You can consider staying at the nearby town of Three Rivers. Lazy J Ranch Motel is one of the affordable options here, and there’s even a seasonal outdoor pool!

Alternatively you can consider staying somewhere along the route from Sequoia to Yosemite. For example, you could break up the journey by staying in Fresno, which is about an hour away from Sequoia.

Do I need a reservation to enter Yosemite National Park?

You might need to make reservations to enter Yosemite National Park if you don’t have a campsite or accommodations inside the park.

Each vehicle will need to make payment for a $2 non-refundable reservation online via the official booking system in order to enter the park between 5am to 4pm. Even if you’re just driving through the park, you will still need a reservation to get through to the Sierras.

This applies for the following dates in 2024, according to NPS:

• April 13 to June 30 (weekends)
• July 1 to August 16 (daily)
• August 17 to Oct 27 (weekends)

When can reservations be made?

The reservation slots are released on January 5, 2024 at 8am, and will be available until they sell out. There will be additional reservation slots released 7 days before each day as well, so better suit those who are making last-minute plans.

Firefall reservations for Yosemite in February

This is in addition to the usual Firefall reservations in February, though the concept is similar. During the second half of the month, reservations are required for 24 hours of entry into Yosemite.

• February 10 to 25 (weekends)
• February 19 – Washington’s Birthday

Tunnel View, El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls

One of the best experiences is seeing Yosemite Valley for the first time as you come out of the tunnel after the Arch Rock Entrance. This is also called Tunnel View, the same view that’s shown on your MacBook wallpaper. You can park here to stretch your legs and enjoy the iconic view.

After that, as you enter Yosemite Valley you’ll be greeted by the towering granite cliffs. El Capitan and Half Dome are some of the prominent sights you will see. You can also stop by at the roadside near El Capitan Meadow to enjoy a picnic.

As you head further, you will see Yosemite Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in North America. It is a popular hiking spot, and we’ll talk more about that later. For now, let’s start with an easy hike.

Hiking trails and must-see viewpoints in Yosemite

Yosemite is definitely a hiker’s paradise, with trails catering to varying skill levels. If you’re visiting in warmer seasons like summer and fall, almost all the trails will be open.

Easy hiking trails

For those who want to enjoy Yosemite at a more leisurely pace, here are some easy hikes – or should I say walks.

Mirror Lake is a short and pleasant stroll through a forest area, and you can see the reflection of Half Dome in the water. It’s best in the morning when the water is calm. Spring would be the best time to visit Mirror Lake as snow melts. On the other hand, depending on the year, summer and fall might see very little water in Mirror Lake, so it’s not as stunning.

For a view of Yosemite’s cliffs from the valley, you can follow the Valley Floor Loop. It takes you through meadows and you can start and stop at any part of the loop.

Cooks Meadow is also another great place to take a walk in the morning or afternoon, with Half Dome and Glacier Point as a backdrop.

If you like waterfalls, check out Bridalveil Fall (closed in 2023) where you can feel the refreshing mist as you stand near the base. This is one of the waterfalls that have decent flow even when Yosemite Falls dries up. Lower Yosemite Falls is also another easy view point that you can walk up to.

Mist Trail

One of the most popular but challenging hikes in Yosemite is Mist Trail past Vernal Falls to Nevada Falls. You will surely be rewarded by stunning views from the vistas, and feel the rush of the waterfalls.

However, you may not be able to do the full hike in winter and early spring due to the icy and slippery paths. Instead, you can hike up to the Vernal Falls footbridge and enjoy a view of the waterfall from there instead. It gives you a taste of this amazing trail without too much difficulty.

Upper Yosemite Falls Trail

Another popular hike is Upper Yosemite Falls Trail which is also a strenuous hike. It takes you from the valley floor to the top of Yosemite Falls, giving you amazing views of the valley along the way. If this is too difficult, you can also hike a shorter version of it to Columbus Rock.

Similar to the Mist Trail, there might be snowy conditions on the trail in winter to early spring. However, you can still hike to Upper Falls if the trail is open with the help of crampons/micro-spikes. I’ve also written an article about our experience hiking Upper Falls in winter, check it out!

Amazing viewpoints from Glacier Point Road

If road conditions allow, you can drive up to Glacier Point Road which is the top of the granite cliffs. The road is usually open in the warmer seasons from May to November, and provide a different perspective of the valley from these amazing viewpoints.

Glacier Point is probably the most popular spot as it gives you a view of the entire Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and the High Sierra peaks. There is a huge parking lot and it doesn’t require much of a hike to see the viewpoint. There’s also a rock that sticks out from the ground, and people like to take photos on it with the illusion of standing on top of the world. If you want to stay for sunset and stargazing, you will most likely have company here.

You will also pass by Washburn Point on the way to Glacier Point. If you want to avoid the crowds, consider stopping here for the iconic panoramic views instead.

Taft Point and Sentinel Dome are the underrated spots, and I’m actually thankful they’re less crowded. A short hike is required, and both trails start from the same trailhead where the small parking lot is. Watching the sunset on Sentinel Dome is probably the best experience out of all these places. That’s because you don’t have too many people there and you can enjoy a 360 degree panoramic view across the dome. Here’s an article about our sunset photography experience on Sentinel Dome, and some tips on how you can plan for it.

Mariposa Grove of Sequoia Giants

If you’re entering or leaving Yosemite via the South Entrance towards Highway 41, consider making a stop at Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. The grove offers both easy strolls and longer hikes, where you can experience the feeling of being dwarfed by these ancient giant trees. One of them would be the Grizzly Giant, one of the largest in the world.

Tips for Camping in Yosemite

There are a total of 13 campsites in Yosemite, of which 4 are located in the valley. If this is your first time to Yosemite, I recommend staying in the valley so that you can save time on driving and also wake up to the beautiful scenery of the granite cliffs.

Yosemite Valley campsites:

• Upper Pines (all year) – largest and most popular
• Lower Pines
• North Pines
• Camp 4 (all year)

However, camping in Yosemite is always in high demand, so it may not be easy to get a last minute campsite especially in summer. Do check when the campsites are available for booking on Recreation.gov so that you can make reservations in advance.

Given how popular Upper Pines is, I’ve only managed to book it twice, both during off-peak periods including December and March. Make sure to prepare cold-weather camping gear if you’re planning to camp outside of summer.

Alternatively if your trip is coming up soon and is during the summer months, you can try reserving Camp 4 which opens for booking 1 week before. Camp 4 is otherwise a first-come first-served campground in the off-peak season.

This article has more tips about camping at Camp 4 and I also share our experience with theft.

Where to stay near Yosemite

If camping is not your thing, you can consider other hotels and lodges within and around Yosemite. The most iconic place to stay in Yosemite Valley is The Ahwahnee Hotel. There’s also Yosemite Valley Lodge that’s near Yosemite Falls.

Staying outside Yosemite is also a reasonable option if you’re comfortable driving some distance in and out each day. Here are some of the nearby towns for each Yosemite entrance.

• South Entrance – Highway 41: Yosemite West, Fish Camp, Oakhurst
• Arch Rock Entrance – Highway 140: El Portal, Midpines, Mariposa
• Big Oak Flat Entrance – Highway 120 from west: Buck Meadows, Groveland
• Tioga Pass Entrance – Highway 120 from east: Lee Vining, June Lake, Mammoth Lake

You can also check out this detailed article to help you decide where to stay around Yosemite with hotel and lodging recommendations.

Emerald Bay State Park and nearby hiking trails

On day 5, you can explore this local gem in the Lake Tahoe area – Emerald Bay State Park. It is located on the southwestern shore and is known for its beautiful scenery.

If time permits you can visit Vikingsholm Castle, a Scandinavian-inspired mansion on the shore of Emerald Bay. It is only a short hike away from the trailhead, and is a great chance to explore the castle’s architecture and see a glimpse of Lake Tahoe’s past.

You can also explore nearby hiking trails like Eagle Falls and Eagle Lake. This hike is relatively short though it requires some effort, but will reward you with breathtaking views of Emerald Bay and the serene alpine Eagle Lake. If you hike or snowshoe to Eagle Lake from winter to early spring, Eagle Lake might be frozen and look stunning against the surrounding granite cliffs.

Another popular hike is the Rubicon Trail from Emerald Bay to D.L. Bliss State Park. The views of Lake Tahoe are amazing from here, and you can modify it however you like to hike shorter sections of this moderate to strenuous trail.

There aren’t too many peaks to hike in the Highway 1 portion of the itinerary, so you can do more of it here in Lake Tahoe or even in Yosemite.

If you prefer to take it chill, you can also enjoy the view of Emerald Bay from a turnout at the side of the road. This is also probably the best place to watch the sunrise as well. You can also see Fanette Island in the middle of the bay surrounded by the calm water.

Downtown South Lake Tahoe

There are a variety of quaint cafes and restaurants in downtown South Lake Tahoe, so you will have many dining options here.

During our 2-day trip to Lake Tahoe we got to try a burger place called Izzy’s Burger Spa which had outdoor seating. There was also a lovely book cafe called Cuppa Tahoe, I think you will love the cosy ambience there!

Where to stay in South Lake Tahoe

Another great way to enjoy Lake Tahoe’s scenery is to stay in a hotel or vacation rental with a lake view. Some hotels have private lake access and parking spaces so you don’t need to compete with the summer crowds.

The more affordable options seem to be in downtown South Lake Tahoe, while more exclusive and unique properties are in Lakeside Marina and along the shore in Stateline. If you’re going to Lake Tahoe for winter sports you can also stay in Heavenly Village ski resort. Overall, here’s how you can choose where to stay in South Lake Tahoe.

• Downtown South Lake Tahoe: Best for convenient amenities and affordability
• Heavenly Village ski resort: Best for winter sports and upscale shops
• Lakeside Marina: Best for quieter stay with lakeside views
• Stateline: Best for casinos and nightlife

In winter, you can enjoy the serenity and snow-covered landscape in the comfort and warmth of your room. If this sounds good to you, I have more suggestions here on where to stay in Lake Tahoe (both north and south shore) during winter! Wouldn’t it be fun to rent a cabin for Christmas?

Tips for camping in Point Reyes’ Coast Camp

I highly recommend camping in Point Reyes so that you can spend more time here over these 2 days. Coast Camp is one of a kind because it is located just a few minutes away from the beach. Although you’ll need to hike a short distance from the parking lot to get to your campsite, you can also see it as an introduction to backpacking. Don’t worry, you’ll still have the usual amenities like toilets, picnic tables and food boxes.

If this is your first time camping, check out my camping packing list along with some tips for a beginner camping trip.

There are a few ways of hiking into Coast Camp:

1. Laguna Trailhead to Coast Camp (1.8 miles) – Most direct but slightly uphill, sometimes wet terrain
2. Coast Trailhead to Coast Camp (2.7 miles) – Flatter but longer
3. Limountour Beach to Coast Camp (1.4 miles) – More scenic but requires walking on the beach

We tried option 1 but it got a little bit tiring because of the slight incline, and the terrain was a little wet from the rain which made it tougher. If you don’t mind a longer walk, try hiking in from coast trailhead where its mostly flat and probably a drier alternative.

The best sites in Coast camp are probably between 1-7 as they are more private and may have a sea view. After you’ve set up camp, head down to the beach and enjoy the calm view from Santa Maria Beach.

Hiking trails and viewpoints

Point Reyes is a huge area so we’ve picked a few of the best hikes and viewpoints to focus on. You can also check out this detailed article about things to do in Point Reyes for more ideas.

Point Reyes Lighthouse Trail and Cyprus Tree Tunnel

As you’re driving further into Point Reyes towards the lighthouse, you’ll pass by Cyprus Tree Tunnel. This is a scenic path that is great for photos, and you get the feeling of being completely surrounded by beautiful arched Cyprus trees. It’s also a popular place for wedding photography, so you know it’s good!

Located on the western-most end of this National Seashore, Point Reyes Lighthouse Trail is a short and easy scenic walk along a paved road. You can enjoy views of the coast that stretches for miles at the South Beach Overlook and the Leaning Tree before arriving at the Point Reyes Lighthouse. Try to see if you can spot any whales!

Elephant Seal Overlook and Chimney Rock Trail

You can also explore the Elephant Seal Overlook and Chimney Rock Trail which is not too far away from the Lighthouse, and is also near the west side of Point Reyes. This trail is easy to moderate, and you are treated to dramatic views of the coastal bluffs. As the name suggests, you can also expect to see and maybe hear elephant seals along the way.

Tomales Point Trail

Tomales Point Trail is another must-see stretch of Point Reyes if you have the time. It takes you all the way to the northern end of Point Reyes where you can see Tomales Bay, Bodega Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

This easy to moderate trail is also great for wildlife spotting. I’s an amazing feeling to see a herd of elk in the distance and they look very majestic. If you’re visiting in summer and fall, you may even see them in their mating season where they will be rutting. Spring is also great for wildflower blooms, though it can be foggy and cold when it rains.

Where to stay along Highway 1 while driving south

Santa Cruz, Monterey and Big Sur are all ideal places to stay while you make your way south. We decided to try camping in Big Sur so we made our way there after leaving Point Reyes. We only stopped by Monterey for a quick walk at Old Fisherman’s Wharf at sunset. After that, the next day will be a full day dedicated to exploring Point Lobos State Park and Big Sur.

Here are some ideas for places to stay along Highway 1:

• Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel
• Santa Cruz hotels
• Monterey hotels
• Carmel-by-the-Sea hotels
• Alila Ventana (Big Sur)
• Post Ranch Inn (Big Sur)
• Ventana Campground (Big Sur)

Read more: California Coastal Road Trip: Best Places You Need To Stop At

Point Lobos National State Natural Reserve

On Day 9 we backtrack a little to revisit the area near Carmel-by-the-Sea, to see the crown jewel of California’s state parks. Point Lobos is a serene and beautiful landscape with lots of hiking trails that meander along the rocky coast.

Let’s go on a hike along the Cypress Grove Trail to see the ancient cypress tress perched on the rocks. It’s a nice loop to walk in the morning and you can admire the Pacific Ocean along the way.

After that, you can hop over to downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea and have lunch in one of the many restaurants. The European-style architecture in this town is one of a kind, with boutique shops, art galleries and cafes to explore. It’s no wonder it’s a popular day trip from the Bay Area.

Check out this article for more ideas on things to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea. In addition, if you’re looking for a way to see Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur in 3 days, check out this itinerary.

Big Sur must-see viewpoints

Driving south along Highway 1, take your time to stop by scenic viewpoints. These include Bixby Creek Bridge and Pfeiffer Beach where you can take a walk along the beach to see the Keyhole Arch. My favourite spot would be McWay Falls, especially at sunset. You can also go on some short hikes, including the Partington Cove Trail. Do remember to check for any closures in case there is rain damage or maintenance works going on.

One of the best ways to end the day is to pack some dinner and enjoy a picnic at a scenic viewpoint or turnout. Alternatively, you could dine at Nepenthe, a popular upscale restaurant perched on the Big Sur cliffs.

After dinner, we’ll head to the last campsite of this road trip. Of course if you are tired of camping by now, you can just book an Airbnb/Vrbo somewhere on the central coast, such as in San Luis Obispo. Our campsite of choice was Islay Creek Campground in Montana de Oro State Park.

Hiking Montana de Oro Bluff Trail

We wanted to camp at Islay Creek Campground because of its proximity to the Bluff Trail. This hike is quite easy and brings you near the ocean where you can access the beach and explore tide pools. The trail is often lined with wildflowers such as brightly coloured poppies.

Exploring Santa Barbara

As our last stop of the 10-day California road trip, we arrive at Santa Barbara. This city exudes charm with its architecture and the palm-lined streets. Stearns Wharf has a lively atmosphere and you can walk along this historic pier that offers great views of the coastline. I love that you can see the hills in the distance as well.

If you’re craving some seafood, head over to Santa Barbara Shellfish Company for your oyster and clam chowder fix. Not to far away, you can also grab coffee at Santa Barbara Roasting Company.

Finally, we drive back to Los Angeles and that concludes our trip. Having seen Yosemite, Lake Tahoe in the Sierras and then driving down Highway 1, wouldn’t you say this would be the quintessential California road trip?