SF to Yosemite to Sequoia NP?

kkendle · Feb 14, 2016

Hello, we will be in San Francisco June 7-10 and head to Visalia the morning of the 10th so we can visit Sequoia National Park the next day. I was wondering if we would have time to do anything in Yosemite on the drive from SF? We will actually be staying in Oakland. Also, is there a scenic route you would recommend to get from Oakland to Visalia? I am not sure we have time for anything in Yosemite and was hoping someone who knows this area could help out.

Was going to drive down the coast and not see the trees but we have done that drive before and want to see the giant trees. My husband flies out of LAX around 6pm on Sunday the 12th so we have from the morning of the 10th (Friday leaving Oakland) until he flies out.

Thanks for any help!

WebmasterMaryJo · Mar 1, 2016

I don't think you'll have time to visit Yosemite.

But, if you really want to do so, Google shows a total travel time of 6.5 hours. So, if you leave at 6am, you'll get to Yosemite around 9:30/10:00 (depending on traffic) - plan on visiting for minimum 3 hours, and plan on about 3 hours from Yosemite Valley to Visalia (I'm rounding). So, since it really doesn't get dark until 8 or so in June, you might want to visit Yosemite until 4pm or so. You can visit the valley and Glacier Point during that time.... I love Yosemite, so this is something I'd probably do.

You might consider leaving Visalia to Sequoia (via 198) at 6/7am - that will get you up there early so you can visit General Sherman and Crescent Meadow (I highly recommend them). I spent 2 nights camping in July last year, and saw 11 bears in Sequoia, and about that many deer, too - it was great.

I live 15 minutes south of LAX... It's about a 5.5 hour drive from Giant Forest, Sequoia to Los Angeles (3 hours from Visalia to Los Angeles). Just note that in the afternoon there is traffic. I recommend using Waze to gauge the time it will take to LAX - you should plan on getting to LAX no later than 4pm in the afternoon.

Travel from Oakland to Yosemite = 3.5 hours

Travel from Yosemite to Visalia = 3 hours

kkendle · Mar 1, 2016

Thank you so much for the helpful information. It will be a Sunday when we are driving from Visalia to LA....do you think there will still be a traffic problem in the afternoon? I was hoping to either drive from Visalia to Malibu and have lunch at Duke's before LAX and or go to Santa Monica for a couple of hours before LAX.

Not sure I will do Yosemite that morning we leave Oakland area. Sounds pretty rushed. We are actually taking a tour on Saturday so my husband or I have to drive. This is our first and likely last visit so we don't want to have to worry about driving.

Thanks again...Kelly

AdamEfimoff · Mar 1, 2016

Why last?

kkendle · Mar 1, 2016

AdamEfimoff said:
Why last?

I don't know for sure that it would be out last trip there but we have so many other places we want to visit I am just not sure that area will be in the immediate future for us! Who knows though as we have had several wonderful trips to CA. Problem is...I always want to do too much. I want to visit DL and San Francisco, and San Diego, and we love driving up or down the coast. Hard to fit it all in! It takes an effort to make the few hour trip inland it seems.

Purrkins · Mar 3, 2016

kkendle said:
Thank you so much for the helpful information. It will be a Sunday when we are driving from Visalia to LA....do you think there will still be a traffic problem in the afternoon? I was hoping to either drive from Visalia to Malibu and have lunch at Duke's before LAX and or go to Santa Monica for a couple of hours before LAX.

Once it took me 7 hours to make it from Visalia to Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles. Another time it took me 6.5 hours. Both on a Sunday. (It should be a 3 hour, 15 minute drive) Now when I leave from Sequoia I either leave on a Monday morning, or very late Sunday evening so I make it down the mountain just as the sun is setting, have dinner in Visalia, and then head to LA (about 4 hours). So yes, you will most likely have a traffic problem driving from Visalia to LAX.

kkendle · Mar 3, 2016

That isn't good news. We are leaving Sunday morning and my husbands flight is around 6pm Sunday so can't leave that night. We are touring all day Saturday. Maybe it would be better to drive to the LA area after touring on Saturday? Probably would be be able to leave until 6pm or so. Would Saturday night be way better than Sunday morning?

Purrkins · Mar 4, 2016

kkendle said:
That isn't good news. We are leaving Sunday morning and my husbands flight is around 6pm Sunday so can't leave that night. We are touring all day Saturday. Maybe it would be better to drive to the LA area after touring on Saturday? Probably would be be able to leave until 6pm or so. Would Saturday night be way better than Sunday morning?

If it were me, I'd spend the day and evening touring and then drive into LA Saturday night. I'd give myself a tourist day in LA, maybe hit up the Natural History Museum or see the space shuttle. Too many variables for me to drive from Sequoia NP to LA on the day of a flight.

WebmasterMaryJo · Mar 4, 2016

Purrkins said:
If it were me, I'd spend the day and evening touring and then drive into LA Saturday night. I'd give myself a tourist day in LA, maybe hit up the Natural History Museum or see the space shuttle. Too many variables for me to drive from Sequoia NP to LA on the day of a flight.

I agree. To avoid traffic I usually leave for Sequoia from LA between 4 & 5am. When coming home, I try to hit LA around 8pm or later. When we get home in the afternoon there is always traffic going in to Los Angeles regardless of the day.

kkendle · Mar 4, 2016

Thanks for your help. I think we will do what you both suggested and drive to the LA area Saturday night. If we were in Santa Monica ...how long should I allow to get to LAX...this will be on a Sunday afternoon. His flight leaves at 6:25 pm so eed to get there before that.

Purrkins · Mar 4, 2016

If you take the 10 E to 405 S it should be a 45 minute drive even with weekend traffic. Since it is the weekend the freeways would be better than taking the 1/Lincoln Ave. route. Have fun!

kkendle · Mar 4, 2016

Purrkins said:
If you take the 10 E to 405 S it should be a 45 minute drive even with weekend traffic. Since it is the weekend the freeways would be better than taking the 1/Lincoln Ave. route. Have fun!

I really appreciate the help! So driving from Visalia Saturday evening around 6pm....maybe 4-5 hours to LA area? Not sure where we will stay yet.

WebmasterMaryJo · Mar 7, 2016

Visalia to Los Angeles is about a 3-hour drive. You should get in around 9pm/10pm. You might want to stay in a hotel off of the 405 when you get to LA since it will already be late when you get here. You might also consider staying in the San Fernando Valley, then getting up Sunday and driving to Santa Monica (the traffic is typically not bad Sunday morning), and most things open between 10 & 11. You can drive that way and grab breakfast. You'll have plenty of time to visit Santa Monica, and you might also consider the Grove/Farmers Market. They are not too far away. I recommend using Waze and set it to the quickest route (rather than most direct route). It's a good gauge on how long it will take to get anywhere.

kkendle · Mar 8, 2016

I have actually booked a hotel in Van Nuys and is right off of 405. I thought the same thing...stay a little out and drive in the morning. Thanks for your help.

Viviene Anthony · Mar 20, 2016

kkendle said:
Was going to drive down the coast and not see the trees but we have done that drive before and want to see the giant trees.

I'm more partial to Yosemite than I am to Sequoia because YNP is one of my and DH's favorite places (we were married in the Valley and visit at least once or twice a year). Since it's big trees you are looking for, it's unfortunate that the road to Mariposa Grove in Yosemite will be closed for restoration until Spring of next year as there are many Giant Sequoia trees in that area. If you are able to tweak your travel schedule and spend more time in Yosemite, you should do it. Lots to see and do and the drive in and throughout the park itself provides a very scenic route with so many beautiful and historical landmarks. Otherwise wait and plan a longer visit for 2017. Late Spring is a great time to go because the waterfalls should be going strong.

kkendle · Mar 21, 2016

Viviene Anthony said:
I'm more partial to Yosemite than I am to Sequoia because YNP is one of my and DH's favorite places (we were married in the Valley and visit at least once or twice a year). Since it's big trees you are looking for, it's unfortunate that the road to Mariposa Grove in Yosemite will be closed for restoration until Spring of next year as there are many Giant Sequoia trees in that area. If you are able to tweak your travel schedule and spend more time in Yosemite, you should do it. Lots to see and do and the drive in and throughout the park itself provides a very scenic route with so many beautiful and historical landmarks. Otherwise wait and plan a longer visit for 2017. Late Spring is a great time to go because the waterfalls should be going strong.

Thanks for the info....maybe one of these trips we will be able to spend more time there.

WebmasterMaryJo · Mar 22, 2016

Viviene Anthony said:
I'm more partial to Yosemite than I am to Sequoia because YNP is one of my and DH's favorite places (we were married in the Valley and visit at least once or twice a year). Since it's big trees you are looking for, it's unfortunate that the road to Mariposa Grove in Yosemite will be closed for restoration until Spring of next year as there are many Giant Sequoia trees in that area. If you are able to tweak your travel schedule and spend more time in Yosemite, you should do it. Lots to see and do and the drive in and throughout the park itself provides a very scenic route with so many beautiful and historical landmarks. Otherwise wait and plan a longer visit for 2017. Late Spring is a great time to go because the waterfalls should be going strong.

I can totally relate. In our vacation=camping years, we often camped at Sequoia. I always made a point of going to Yosemite, even if it were for a few hours, driving three hours north, then a seven-plus hour drive home. Made for a long day, but totally worth it in my mind.

bcla · Mar 22, 2016

WebmasterMaryJo said:
I can totally relate. In our vacation=camping years, we often camped at Sequoia. I always made a point of going to Yosemite, even if it were for a few hours, driving three hours north, then a seven-plus hour drive home. Made for a long day, but totally worth it in my mind.

If trees are the feature attraction, SEKI has Yosemite beat by a lot. I say that with Yosemite being my favorite place on earth. Also - Redwood Mountain Grove (which is strangely named since it has giant sequoia) was my favorite place to see giant sequoia because of its size and relatively unspoiled nature. No signs with the names of trees, only dirt trails, and legal off-trail travel.

WebmasterMaryJo · Mar 22, 2016

@bcla ~ We're staying in Housekeeping in early May, and Lodgepole mid-August. I might try that trail you outlined in the other thread. That would be a cool adventure.

Viviene Anthony · Mar 22, 2016

WebmasterMaryJo said:
I always made a point of going to Yosemite, even if it were for a few hours, driving three hours north, then a seven-plus hour drive home. Made for a long day, but totally worth it in my mind.

DH and I used to do day trips just to get our Yosemite fix. We're from LA/OC area, so it was a long drive there and back, but yes, VERY worth it. DH is there now for a couple of days. We'll be returning again in April for our Anniversary & I can't wait.

bcla said:
If trees are the feature attraction, SEKI has Yosemite beat by a lot. I say that with Yosemite being my favorite place on earth. Also - Redwood Mountain Grove (which is strangely named since it has giant sequoia) was my favorite place to see giant sequoia because of its size and relatively unspoiled nature. No signs with the names of trees, only dirt trails, and legal off-trail travel.

I mentioned YNP because the OP mentioned she wanted to pass through if there was time and was headed to Sequoia for the trees. For sure, SEKI is the place to go for the Giants. I really love the tall Coastal Reds, but the Sequoias in the Sierras have my heart. :love:

DH and I will have to visit Redwood Mountain Grove one of these days. The last time we were in that area, we were unable to visit Kings Canyon.

SF to Yosemite to Sequoia NP?

DIS Veteran

Techarita

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

Mouseketeer

DIS Veteran

Mouseketeer

Techarita

DIS Veteran

Mouseketeer

DIS Veteran

Techarita

DIS Veteran

Mouseketeer

DIS Veteran

Techarita

On our rugged Eastern foothills.....

Techarita

Mouseketeer

Share this page