Trip Itinerary from San Francisco to San Diego, via Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon Parks

♦ Routes (free): Detailed travel itineraries in USA

This itinerary combines a visit to the three largest and most famous cities in California, with a trip to its three most famous national parks.

Route Map: Heart of California (2)

Route map from San Francisco to San Diego via Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon parks

♦ Link to Google Map with the route

Destinations along the route

Destination		Days of Stay
San Francisco		2-3
Yosemite National Park		2
Sequoia and Kings Parks		1-2
Los Angeles		3-4
San Diego		3-4

Total trip duration: 11-15 days.

Route length: 1100 km. Total driving time without stops: approx. 16 hours.

Recommended destinations, accommodations, and articles for each destination:

Each destination has a link to my detailed article about it with photos, attractions, and important tourist information.

San Francisco

San Francisco is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is very different in appearance and character from other major cities in the USA. It is the third largest city in California. It is a very diverse and colorful city. In its center are modern skyscrapers alongside a completely Chinese city where the construction style is low. Its houses are painted in a variety of colors and its neighborhoods are very distinct from each other. The city has a large number of ethnic groups: Chinese, Japanese, Hispanic, Italian, Russian, etc. Thanks to this diversity, San Francisco is a very cosmopolitan city, known as "The Paris of the West".

♥ Recommended hotels in San Francisco

Articles: ◄Attractions and destinations for travelers in San Francisco ◄Guided tours in San Francisco

San Francisco

Near Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is a massive national park with forests of giant trees, alpine scenery, and a charming valley with impressive waterfalls, cliffs, and uniquely shaped rocks. The most visited and famous area in the park, which contains a high concentration of wonderful natural sights, is the Yosemite Valley. It attracts over 4 million visitors a year.

Article: ◄ Trip to Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park

Sequoia and Kings Canyon Parks

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are two beautiful nature reserves with a shared border that are usually seen as a single unit. Sequoia is the southern park of the two. Giant sequoia trees grow in Sequoia Park, including the "General Sherman Tree," which is the largest tree in the world. Sequoia is also home to the highest mountains in the USA outside of Alaska. In addition to the massive groves of trees, the park features many caves, rivers, lakes, and waterfalls.

Article: ◄ Trip to Sequoia and Kings National Parks

Giant trees in Sequoia Park

Los Angeles

Tourism is the largest source of income in Los Angeles. Every traveling family has plenty to do and see there. Aside from Orlando, it is the city with the largest number of amusement and entertainment sites in the USA. Additionally, it has interesting museums, beautiful beaches, and nearby snow-capped mountains (in winter). Los Angeles also serves as an excellent starting point for trips to many national parks in California.

♥ Hotels in the Universal or Anaheim area (near Disney)

Articles: ◄ The comprehensive guide for travelers in Los Angeles ◄Amusement parks in the Los Angeles area

◄Trip to the famous neighborhoods of Los Angeles: Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Downtown ◄Famous beaches and the port in Los Angeles
◄Parks, gardens, and museums in Los Angeles ◄Sports in Los Angeles ◄Travel destinations near Los Angeles
◄Big Bear Mountains ◄Catalina Island ◄Palm Springs

Los Angeles

Roller coaster at Universal

San Diego

San Diego is a lovely city whose residents claim it is the best place to live in the Americas. It is the second largest city in California and offers a recommended blend of a large modern city and a popular year-round resort. It is excellent for an enjoyable family trip, featuring a zoo, safari, SeaWorld, sprawling parks, many museums, pleasant shopping centers, and lovely beaches.

♥ Recommended hotels in San Diego

Articles: ◄ Trip to San Diego ◄ Day trips from San Diego

San Diego and SeaWorld