Yosemite/Sequoia/disneyLand trip

Friend,

If you can convince the family to skip Disney, I would. I could spend the entire trip at Yosemite, one of the greatest natural settings in the world. If you cannot spend the 10 days in Yosemite, strongly reconsider spending more than two days there. There are so many great hikes in Yosemite which are good for your body and spirit and those of your family. My favorite Yosemite hikes are Half Dome, which is now done through a lottery system and Upper Yosemite Falls, both of which can be accessed easily if you are staying in housing in the valley. I recommend strongly the Ahwahnee Hotel, which is my favorite housing in the entire NPS.

If you choose to go to the northern part of the park, through which you will probably travel if driving from Lake Tahoe, you should definitely try Clouds Rest. It’s a twenty mile out and back, but it’s not terribly strenuous as it is only about a 2000 foot gain. It’s rarely busy, has several beautiful lakes on the trail, and gives a rare and spectacular view of the valley most do not see. I do not know how good at climbing your family is, but El Capitan is one of the premier wall faces in the world. I highly, highly recommend it. Even if you cannot climb it, get out the car and walk to its base and look up. It is stunning.

If you have a hiking disability, and the road is cleared of snow, which I think happens by early July, Glacier Point offers another breath taking view of the valley (Inspiration Point and Tunnel View are other vehicle accessible areas which provide postcard views). If you decide on Glacier Point, I recommend also doing the Sentinel Dome hike. It is very easy and a fun hike.

The sequoia in Mariposa Grove make going to Sequoia NPS low on the agenda for me. Just spend another day in Yosemite and soak it all in rather than trying to hit Kings and Sequoia. If you live in CA those are worth visiting, but I would not exchange a day in Yosemite if you only have two, three or four days there for a day split between Kings and Sequoia.

Spend a day in Monterrey and Carmel. It will be on your way from Yosemite to Big Sur. Big Sur is beautiful and that drive is beautiful. Not Going to the Sun beautiful, but what is? Make sure the coastal road is open because I know portions were washed out in this winter’s rains.

If you like golf, see about getting a tee time at Pebble Beach. If the price is too high, ask our friend, poster Super Saint if he could take you golfing at nearby Tehama. Anyway, there are some outstanding restaurants in Monterrey and Carmel. Right outside is the artichoke capital of the world, and you should stop at one of the artichoke restaurants in Castroville.

I have little positive to say about L.A., Santa Monica, or Anaheim. The only place I would stay while there is either Malibu or Beverly Hills. I’d also never sacrifice a day in Yosemite or along the coast near Big Sur for Joshua Tree, Palm Springs, or San Diego. If you’re in San Diego, I would make the quick trip to Tijuana.

In summary, more time in Yosemite and the coast between Monterrey and Big Sur. If you want town with your country, San Francisco is so much better than both L.A. and SD. Skip Disneyland. It’s not nearly as good as Disney World, even though the New Orleans section is nice. Don’t waste time in one of the most beautiful states in America to spend time in a fake amusement park.

Yours,
TulaneLSU

Thanks I will do my best but wife is big Disney fan and 6 year old is pumped about going. I appreciate advice

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Day2-3 Yosemite Day4 Kings Canyon and Sequoia

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This is a ride by schedule. You’ll get to Yosemite in the afternoon on the first day. Are you staying the entire day the next or trying to get down towards Kings?

From Tahoe you should head south on the Eastern side of the mtns then take Tioga Rd through the meadows, then check out some of the Valley. Next day check out all the stuff south of the Valley. You won’t have time to really do any hikes. I know you won’t be doing Half Dome with kids or any yuge hikes but you should try to work one more day in Yosemite. Who knows if you’ll ever get back there. Try to stay in the park if possible, it will cut drive time and waiting at the gate. You’ll regret not spending more time here.

Kings/Sequoia is a full day. We had our bicycles with us so we didn’t have to use the bus services and it was a full day.

Joshua Tree is half day to see and probably hot af.

Agree with the posts here. Spend more time in Yosemite. It’s just breathtakingly beautiful.

I would pick a route to LA that included either Big Sur/the coast or Inyo/Sequoia/Kings Canyon. Chose one or the other. Trying to wedge both in is too much imo and crams up the whole itenerary.

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Day 1 Spend it at South Lake Tahoe

Day2-3 Yosemite - Yes!!! Spend as much time here as possible. The hikes are not all easy, but there is so much to do. There was so much snow that things may not be open yet. I don't knw when you're going, but Tioga Pass will probably open late this year, possibly making your drive much longer.

Day4 Kings Canyon and Sequoia - I would choose one and basically drive through on the way to LA.

Day 5 drive to Big Sur - if you do Big Sur to Santa Monica, you will be driving like 4 hours just to get over there from the other parks through mostly CA farmland. To me, this is a different vacation from doing Yosemite and then LA/San Diego. Between the Tahoe/Yosemite drive and this drive, you're spending a LOT of time in the car.

Day6 drive the coast to Santa Monica - see above.
Day7,8,9 2 days at Disneyland Wife and oldest son going to concert at SOFI need something to do that evening with 6 year old

Day 10 Joshua Tree and Palm Springs - Palm Spring is mostly golf courses, spas, and rich people shopping. Joshua Tree is very unique, but it's a heck of a drive from Disney to Palm Springs. I bet you're looking at 3+ hours. I wouldn't be going to Palm Springs with kids unless I'm staying at a resort.

Day 11,12 San Diego son’s favorite team Padres so going to Padre game - spend less time at some of the other places and find activities near San Diego. The zoo is awesome.

Any recommendations or critiques would be appreciated. I know a lot in short period but all of are vacations are similar. We try to see as much as possible on vacation and relax at the camp back home.

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I agree. I relax when I get home!

I think part of PCH is still closed between Big Sur and San Simeon. If so that’s a lot of backtracking on day 6 because you would need to go back through Monterey to connect to the 101 and then get back on PCH. It will probably add another 2.5 hours to your driving that day.

Bus service is like Zion? You can drive king/Sequioa?
Going to south Tahoe but staying in pioneer,ca 1.5 drive pioneer to big oak flat entrance 2hr 15 minutes drive.
Staying at the oak hurst lodge for Yosemite. It’s in oakhurst. 30minute drive to South Gate.
Staying three rivers, ca for king/sequoia

Joshua Tree worth the drive? Might not ever have another chance.

Friend,

Oakhurst is a 90 minute drive to Yosemite Valley, without traffic or a line to enter the park. If you can’t get a room at The Ahwahnee, at least try to get accommodations at the Valley Lodge. If they are booked for your dates, check multiple times each day for new openings as people cancel all the time. To get the real Yosemite experience, camping is a must, but staying in the valley is a close second. It will not be the same to have a 90-120 drive than to wake up, go outside and hear and see the water rushing 2400 feet down from Yosemite Falls. An Ahwahnee suite at $1200 a night is a bargain, and normal rooms are usually $500-600. Like I previously said, it’s the crown jewel of the NPS lodging. Unfortunately, the main dining room, which is beautiful, will be closed for remodeling all summer.

Joshua Tree is not in my top 50 national parks. If you have visited Zion, you’ve seen plenty of Joshua trees on the drive from Vegas. Sequoia and Kings are also in a different league compared with Yosemite.

I pray you will have a safe and journey filled trip. Caution that you do not move in haste through an agenda as though it were a grocery list, checking off things you have done. Get deep into Yosemite and fully appreciate it.

Yours,
TulaneLSU

Friend,

I have never stayed outside the park. But I can assure you that if you check often enough, you will find an opening in the valley. That is especially true the day or two before your stay. People are frequently canceling. I have even been able to stay at Phantom Ranch in the Grand Canyon the day I arrived because someone could not make their reservation. Persist like the widow did with the unjust judge (Luke 18). The door will be opened.

Yours,
TulaneLSU