San Francisco Circular 12 – 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. During extreme weather (in the beginning of spring or the end of autumn) carrying chains may be required.
Day 1 – Arrive to San Francisco and visit the city
Lodging location: San Francisco
Day 2 – Visit San Francisco
Lodging location: San Francisco
Day 3 – Drive to Monterey and enjoy the day in Monterey, 2 hours drive
Lodging location: Monterey
Day 4 – Drive and travel south along Route 1, 3 hours drive
Lodging location: Morro Bay or Cambria
Day 5 – Drive east to the Sierra Nevada Mountains and then north on Highway 198 and visit Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, 4-5 hours drive (depending on the lodging location)
Lodging location: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park
Day 6 – Visit Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park and then drive to Fresno, 1-3 hours drive (depending on the lodging location)
Lodging location: Fresno
Day 7 – Visit south Yosemite National Park (Glacier Point and Mariposa Grove – see opening dates here) and drive to the Yosemite Valley, 2.5 hours drive
Lodging location: near Yosemite Valley
Day 8 – Travel in Yosemite National Park’s valley and then drive to San Francisco, 4 hours drive
Lodging location: San Francisco
Day 9 – Fly home
– In order to fill this route with content – see our California destinations page, where you can find articles that include suggestions what to do in various locations along this route.
