Forum Discussion

Bluebird8587's avatar
Bluebird8587
Explorer
Sep 09, 2015

Route help L.A.-Sequoia-Yosemite-Redwood-Death Valley

Heading to CA in 2 weeks from Alabama in our 25'B+ van with toad(Mini Cooper) and I'm questioning my route now. After visiting Disneyland then Los Angeles my plan was to go to Sequoia NP for a couple of days then to Yosemite for 4 days. Next to San Francisco for 2 days, up the coast to Redwood NP. Begin making trip home seeing Death Valley, Las Vegas and the Petrified Forest along the way. Looking closely at the map now and it seems there is no easy way to get to Death Valley without retracing our route. Would appreciate suggestions on whether we should change up the route. Maybe LA to San Francisco up to Redwood and hit Yosemite, Kings Canyon & Sequoia and Death Valley on the way back? We have considered driving Hway 1 from San F to Redwood, yes or no? I also can't seem to find many options for RV Parks in San F. We would want to do the usual tourist spots- Alcatraz, Painted Ladies, Golden Gate Bridge, etc since we've never been to CA but our main interests are the National Parks. Public transportation suggestions welcomed.
Roads and Routes
  • msmith1199's avatar
    msmith1199
    Explorer II
    Sep 12, 2015
    Bluebird8587 wrote:
    Thank you all for your suggestions, just the kind of input I was hoping for. I'm not sure if we'll go as far north as to visit the 3 state parks so if we don't, would leaving Redwood NP going south on 101 then hitting 299, 44, 395 be a viable option? It'll probably be around the 23rd when we begin the return trip. We are getting so excited to see the west coast. My husband has been dreaming of seeing the Redwoods and Sequoias since he was a child. The more I read the more I find that we'd like to see or do and 5 weeks is just not going to be enough time!


    299 to 44 is a great drive. Just keep in mind it's two lanes and very windy and loooooong. But that's the kind of roads that many of us like. 299 follows the Trinity River and is a great drive. It's been a while since I did it, but it looks real short between 101 and Redding, but I'm thinking it too us something like 6 hours to do that stretch. But that was with a lot of stops too.
  • JT's avatar
    JT
    Explorer
    Sep 12, 2015
    Be advised that the Rough Fire in Kings Canyon NP and surrounding areas is still very much in play and that there is a LOT of smoke; check this site for updates:

    http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4456/

    There are several active fires all over the western states, and all of them that may impact your visit may not be listed on Inciweb if they're managed by another agency, e.g., Cal Fire in California. Check the Cal Fire incident site for current information:

    http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_current

    This is a *terrible* fire year in many areas of the west, and it pays to stay aware of what's currently burning!
  • Travelon's avatar
    Travelon
    Explorer
    Sep 12, 2015
    If you are not going into Oregon then 299-44-395 is your best option.

    Enjoy the trip and remember to breathe...the scenery is breathtaking.:)

    Travelon
  • Bluebird8587's avatar
    Bluebird8587
    Explorer
    Sep 12, 2015
    Thank you all for your suggestions, just the kind of input I was hoping for. I'm not sure if we'll go as far north as to visit the 3 state parks so if we don't, would leaving Redwood NP going south on 101 then hitting 299, 44, 395 be a viable option? It'll probably be around the 23rd when we begin the return trip. We are getting so excited to see the west coast. My husband has been dreaming of seeing the Redwoods and Sequoias since he was a child. The more I read the more I find that we'd like to see or do and 5 weeks is just not going to be enough time!
  • msmith1199's avatar
    msmith1199
    Explorer II
    Sep 11, 2015
    Travelon wrote:
    Be advised, The Rough Fire has closed most of Kings Canyon/Sequoia NP campgrounds due to proximity and/or heavy smoke. Also, a new fire has started in Yosemite NP above the north rim of the park, HWY 120 at Tioga Pass could possibly be closed in the near future. Plan these 2 NP's for another trip.

    Stay at the San Francisco RV Resort in Pacifica, tour SF with public transportation from the bus stop at the resort. Don't drive in SF...not worth the aggravation. Take 101 north to Redwoods NP, forget HWY 1 north you will make better time and enjoy it just as much.

    Then...

    Follow korbe's routing from 101 to 395 to Death Valley NP, you will be rewarded with a spectacular scenic ride.

    Enjoy the trip and Welcome to Calfornia (there is much more here than people realize.)

    Travelon


    The OP's trip is in two weeks. Too soon to tell what roads may be open or closed by then. Also sounds like the way back may be three to four weeks away.
  • msmith1199's avatar
    msmith1199
    Explorer II
    Sep 11, 2015
    Bluebird8587 wrote:
    Heading to CA in 2 weeks from Alabama in our 25'B+ van with toad(Mini Cooper) and I'm questioning my route now. After visiting Disneyland then Los Angeles my plan was to go to Sequoia NP for a couple of days then to Yosemite for 4 days. Next to San Francisco for 2 days, up the coast to Redwood NP. Begin making trip home seeing Death Valley, Las Vegas and the Petrified Forest along the way. Looking closely at the map now and it seems there is no easy way to get to Death Valley without retracing our route. Would appreciate suggestions on whether we should change up the route. Maybe LA to San Francisco up to Redwood and hit Yosemite, Kings Canyon & Sequoia and Death Valley on the way back? We have considered driving Hway 1 from San F to Redwood, yes or no? I also can't seem to find many options for RV Parks in San F. We would want to do the usual tourist spots- Alcatraz, Painted Ladies, Golden Gate Bridge, etc since we've never been to CA but our main interests are the National Parks. Public transportation suggestions welcomed.


    No need to retrace your route. Just cut back east from the Redwoods and head over to 395. You've been given a couple of suggestions. If it were me I'd come back down 101 to 20 and take it to the east. You can stay on 20 all the way to 80 if you want to bypass the Sac Metro area, or cut through Sac. 80 will hook you up with 395 in Reno and 50 will hook you up with 395 near Carson City. On your way South on 395 there are all kinds of places to stop and things to see. You'll go through Mammoth Lakes which is home to Mammoth Mountain. You'll pass near Bodie which is a very cool old ghost town. You'll also pass Mt. Whitney (tallest mt in the lower 48) and the Alabama Hills which is where about 1000 movies have been filmed. And then just south of the Alabama Hills is Highway 190 that will take you right into Death Valley.

    Take a look at this video: Alabama Hills I shot this last weekend in the Alabama Hills and nearby mountains.
  • Travelon's avatar
    Travelon
    Explorer
    Sep 10, 2015
    Be advised, The Rough Fire has closed most of Kings Canyon/Sequoia NP campgrounds due to proximity and/or heavy smoke. Also, a new fire has started in Yosemite NP above the north rim of the park, HWY 120 at Tioga Pass could possibly be closed in the near future. Plan these 2 NP's for another trip.

    Stay at the San Francisco RV Resort in Pacifica, tour SF with public transportation from the bus stop at the resort. Don't drive in SF...not worth the aggravation. Take 101 north to Redwoods NP, forget HWY 1 north you will make better time and enjoy it just as much.

    Then...

    Follow korbe's routing from 101 to 395 to Death Valley NP, you will be rewarded with a spectacular scenic ride.

    Enjoy the trip and Welcome to Calfornia (there is much more here than people realize.)

    Travelon
  • Rug's avatar
    Rug
    Explorer II
    Sep 09, 2015
    Allow several days to see Death Valley. Be sure to see Scotty's Castel, the moving rocks.

    On your way out of Death Valley, Las Vegas be sure to stop in Kingman Az. Stay at Black Ranch RV Park. Take a day trip down to Oatman, AZ. to see the burros walk the streets.
  • paulj's avatar
    paulj
    Explorer II
    Sep 09, 2015
    Sequoia and Yosemite are on the west side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Death Valley is on the east side. There aren't many ways across those mountains.

    You can go around them to the south. You can take CA120 through Yosemite. Or you can take one of the highways to the north.

    Staying on the west side and then going up the coast makes sense. US101 is your best choice for going up the coast. If you want, drive CA1 (up through Fort Bragg) in your Cooper.

    The diagonal from Mt Shasta area to Reno, and then US395 is a good way of getting to the east side of the Sierras. North of I80 the mountains do not have the well defined ridge that makes crossing the Sierras challenging.

    People headed to the Redwoods often take CA20 from the Central Valley over to US101. But if you are coming from San Fran. you can catch 101 earlier.
  • korbe's avatar
    korbe
    Explorer
    Sep 09, 2015
    Once you get to the north edge of the Redwoods (near Oregon), you could take from 101, 199, I-5, 89, 44, 36, and 395 down the eastern side of the Sierras. That route will take you to the edge of Death Valley.

    That route will also take you through Burney Falls State Park, and near Lassen National Park.

About Bucket List Trips

13,487 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 18, 2025