California has some incredible national parks, each with unique landscapes and attractions. Here’s a suggested itinerary.
California National Parks road trip
- Fly into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Channel Islands National Park
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Death Valley National Park
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
- Yosemite National Park
- Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Redwood National Park
- Fly home from Arcata-Eureka Airport (ACV)
Day 1: Arrival in Los Angeles
- Fly into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Pick up rental car
- Stay overnight in Los Angeles to prepare for your journey
Days 2-3: Channel Islands National Park
- Drive to Ventura Harbor (~1.5 hours from LA)
- Take a ferry to Channel Islands National Park (Santa Cruz or Anacapa Island)
- Activities: Hiking, kayaking, wildlife viewing (including whale watching), snorkeling
- Note: Reserve boat transportation in advance through Island Packers
- Overnight in Ventura or return to LA
Days 4-5: Joshua Tree National Park
- Drive to Joshua Tree (~2.5-3 hours from LA/Ventura)
- Explore unique desert landscapes with the iconic Joshua trees
- Highlights: Hidden Valley, Keys View, Cholla Cactus Garden, Arch Rock
- Activities: Hiking, rock climbing, stargazing
- Stay in Twentynine Palms or Joshua Tree town
Days 6-7: Death Valley National Park
- Drive to Death Valley (~4-5 hours from Joshua Tree)
- Experience the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in the USA
- Highlights: Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point, Artist’s Palette, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
- Stay in Furnace Creek or Stovepipe Wells
- Tip: Bring plenty of water and avoid summer months due to extreme heat
Days 8-9: Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
- Drive to Sequoia (~5-6 hours from Death Valley)
- Marvel at the world’s largest trees
- Highlights: General Sherman Tree, Congress Trail, Moro Rock, Grant Grove
- Activities: Hiking, scenic drives, cave tours
- Stay in lodging inside the parks or in Three Rivers
Days 10-12: Yosemite National Park
- Drive to Yosemite (~2.5 hours from Sequoia)
- Explore one of America’s most famous national parks
- Highlights: Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, El Capitan, Glacier Point, Mariposa Grove
- Activities: Hiking, rock climbing, photography, scenic drives
- Stay in Yosemite Valley or gateway communities like Mariposa or Oakhurst
Days 13-14: Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Drive to Lassen (~5-6 hours from Yosemite)
- Discover volcanic landscapes and hydrothermal areas
- Highlights: Bumpass Hell, Lassen Peak, Devils Kitchen, Manzanita Lake
- Activities: Hiking, stargazing, wildlife viewing
- Stay in Mineral or Redding
Days 15-16: Redwood National and State Parks
- Drive to Redwood National Park (~5-6 hours from Lassen)
- Walk among the world’s tallest trees
- Highlights: Lady Bird Johnson Grove, Fern Canyon, Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway
- Activities: Hiking, scenic drives, wildlife viewing (including elk)
- Stay in Crescent City, Klamath, or Eureka
Day 17: Drive to San Francisco
- Drive from Redwoods to San Francisco (~5-6 hours)
- Optional stop at Muir Woods National Monument to see more redwoods
- Stay overnight in San Francisco
Day 18: Departure
- Fly home from San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Return rental car before flight
So if you want to travel to national parks in California for 5, 7, or 10 days, you can shorten the itinerary and skip some national parks.
Travel Tips:
- Total driving distance: Approximately 1,500 miles
- Consider an SUV or vehicle with good clearance for some park roads
- Purchase an America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) for entry to all parks
- Make lodging reservations well in advance, especially for Yosemite
- Check weather conditions before visiting each park
- Download offline maps as cell service is limited in many parks
California National Parks Road Trip Map
Tag: 7 day california national park road trip, 10 day california national park road trip, 5 day california national park road trip