Giant Sequoias & Yosemite & Highway 1 Loop Guide

Day 1: Arrival in Los Angeles 🛬 Relax and adjust to the time zone—get ready for an epic nature adventure! Day 2: Los Angeles → Sequoia National Park | Enter the Forest of Giants 🚗 4-hour drive from LA to Sequoia NP ⚠️ Note: Another 40+ minutes of winding mountain roads from the entrance to key sites—start early! 🥾 Recommended hikes: Giant Forest Museum Moro Rock (thrilling but not for those afraid of heights!) Parker Group Sequoias Big Trees Trail General Sherman Tree (largest tree on Earth) 🏠 Stay in Visalia—just 1.5 hours from the park. 💡 Optional add-on: Extend your trip with Kings Canyon National Park (+1 day needed). Day 3: Sequoia NP → Yosemite National Park 🚗 3-hour drive to Yosemite ⚠️ Weekend entry now requires reservations 7 days in advance. No reservation? Book any same-day campground inside ($30) for park access. 🥾 Introductory hikes (Day 1 highlights): Tunnel View (iconic overlook) Bridalveil Fall Trail (0.5 hours) Lower Yosemite Fall Trail (1 hour) El Capitan Meadow (perfect for photos) 🌅 If time allows: Taft Point + Glacier Point for sunset (⚠️ 1-hour drive from Valley) 🏠 Stay in Oakhurst or Mariposa (1.5 hours from Yosemite Valley). For a more immersive experience, book lodging inside the park. Day 4: Yosemite Deep Dive | Mist Trail Adventure 🥾 Challenging but rewarding hike: Start at Yosemite Valley Trailhead Parking 20-min walk to Mist & John Muir Trailhead Steady climb to Vernal Fall Footbridge Mist Trail opens at 4 PM—ascend next to the waterfall (30+ mins of stairs) Option: detour to Clark Point or continue to Nevada Fall (+2 hours) We returned via Clark Point (scenic gentle climb) Descend to trailhead (less scenic but efficient) ⏱️ Total time: ~4.5 hours with breaks 💡 Pro Tips: 🎒 Pack water, snacks, and layers—mountain weather changes fast 🚗 Book park entries and accommodations well in advance 📱 Download offline maps—limited signal in parks Perfect for nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts! #US #CA #Sonoma