Los Angeles Circular 36 – A beautiful trip in Central California that includes the three national parks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains – Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, in addition to Route 1 and a visit to San Francisco and Los Angeles. During extreme weather (in the beginning of spring or the end of autumn) carrying chains may be required.
Day 1 – Land in Los Angeles and spend a few hours in Venice Beach and Santa Monica
Lodging location: Santa Monica or Venice Beach
Day 2 – Visit Six Flags north of Los Angeles, 1 hour drive
Lodging location: Santa Clarita or Valencia
Day 3 – Drive west to the coast, to southern Route 1, and visit sites along the way, 3 hours drive
Lodging location: Morro Bay or Cambria
Day 4 – Drive and travel north along Route 1, 3 hours drive
Lodging location: Monterey
Day 5 – Spend the day in beautiful Monterey
Lodging location: Monterey
Day 6 –Drive to San Francisco through HWY 1 and the coastal towns of Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz (which has a unique amusement park) and Capitola, 3 hours drive
Lodging location: San Francisco
Day 7 – Visit San Francisco
Lodging location: San Francisco
Day 8 – Enjoy one more day in San Francisco
Lodging location: San Francisco
Day 9 – Spend the morning in San Francisco and then drive to Yosemite National Park, 4 hours drive
(on the way you may go on a rafting trip here)
Lodging location: near Yosemite Valley
Day 10 – Travel and hike in Yosemite Valley, short drive
Lodging location: near Yosemite Valley
Day 11 – Visit south Yosemite National Park (Glacier Point and Mariposa Grove) and then drive south to Oakhurst, 2 hours drive
Lodging location: Oakhurst (or Fresno which is closer to Sequoia and Kings National Parks)
Day 12 – Visit Kings Canyon National Park and north Sequoia National Park, 2-3 hours drive depending on the lodging location
Lodging location: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park
Day 13 – Drive south through Sequoia National Park via route 198 (not suitable for RVs) and travel in the park, 1-2 hours drive depending on the lodging location
Lodging location: Three Rivers (or Visalia which has more lodging options)
Day 14 – Drive south to Los Angeles, 3.5 hours drive
Lodging location: Hollywood or Santa Monica or Venice Beach
Day 15 – Spend the day in Los Angeles or visit Universal Studios and drive south to Anaheim, 1 hour drive
Lodging location: Anaheim
Day 16 – Visit Disneyland
Lodging location: Anaheim
Day 17 – Visit Disney’s California Adventure Park or drive to Legoland Park (1 hour south of Anaheim)
Lodging location: Anaheim
Day 18 – Fly home
– In order to fill this route with content – see our California destinations pages, where you can find articles that include suggestions what to do in various locations along this route.
