7-Day California Itinerary

Fly into San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

Top Things to Do in San Francisco

• Walk or Bike Across the Golden Gate BridgeIconic views of the bay!
• Ride a Cable CarA must-do classic experience.
• Visit Alcatraz IslandTake a ferry to explore the historic prison.
• Dinner at Fisherman's Wharf or ChinatownFresh seafood or dim sum!

Overnight in San Francisco.

Drive from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park (4 hours).

Top Things to Do in Yosemite

• See El Capitan & Half DomeTwo of the park's most famous granite formations.
• Visit Bridalveil & Yosemite FallsStunning waterfalls, especially in spring!
• Hike to Glacier Point or Taft PointIncredible panoramic views of the valley.
• Sunset at Tunnel ViewThe most famous overlook in the park.

Overnight in Yosemite (if available) or nearby in Mariposa or Oakhurst.

Drive from Yosemite to Sequoia National Park (2.5 hours).

Top Things to Do in Sequoia & Kings Canyon

• See General Sherman TreeThe largest tree on Earth by volume!
• Drive through Kings CanyonOne of the deepest canyons in North America.
• Hike Moro RockClimb to the top for stunning mountain views.
• Stargazing in SequoiaSome of the darkest skies in California!

Overnight in or near Sequoia National Park.

Drive from Sequoia to Death Valley National Park (5 hours).

Top Things to Do in Death Valley

• See Zabriskie Point at SunriseA surreal, colorful desert landscape.
• Visit Badwater BasinThe lowest point in North America (-282 ft)!
• Drive Artist's PaletteA scenic route with multi-colored hills.
• Walk the Mesquite Flat Sand DunesA great place for sunset photos.

Overnight in Furnace Creek or Stovepipe Wells (inside the park) or in Pahrump.

Drive from Death Valley to Joshua Tree National Park (4 hours).

Top Things to Do in Joshua Tree

• Hike Hidden Valley TrailA short, scenic hike among boulders and Joshua trees.
• See Skull RockA famous rock formation that looks like a skull.
• Sunset at Keys ViewStunning views over Coachella Valley.
• StargazingOne of the best dark sky parks in the U.S.!

Overnight in Palm Springs.

Drive from Palm Springs to Los Angeles (2 hours).

Top Things to Do in LA

• Walk the Hollywood Walk of FameSpot your favorite stars!
• Visit Santa Monica Pier & Venice BeachClassic SoCal vibes.
• Hike to the Griffith ObservatoryAmazing views of LA & the Hollywood Sign.
• Eat at In-N-Out BurgerA California must!

Overnight in Los Angeles.

Drive from LA to Big Sur along Highway 1 (4.5 hours to Big Sur, then 3 hours to SF).

Top Stops Along the Pacific Coast Highway

• See Elephant Seals at San SimeonHundreds of seals on the beach!
• Bixby BridgeOne of the most scenic bridges in California.
• McWay Falls in Big SurA waterfall that drops into the ocean!
• Lunch in Carmel-by-the-SeaA charming coastal town.

Drive back to San Francisco for your flight home.

Fly out of San Francisco (SFO) or Los Angeles (LAX) if extending your stay.