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LA to San Francisco via Sequoia and Kings Canyon?

G31
Minden, Germany
Level Contributor
1,086 posts
14 reviews
13 helpful votes
LA to San Francisco via Sequoia and Kings Canyon?
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Hi. I have a fantastic 4 weeks road trip planned out, starting in San Francisco, moving down the coast to LA, the San Diego, over to the National Parks (GC, Bryce and Zion), Las Vegas, up to Yosemite and across to San Francisco. 2 minor issues: I need to leave the booking quite late (due to work) and now flight prices to San Francisco (from the UK) are crazy high. If I went to Los Angeles instead I could save at least £200 per person. So, as I am short of money but not time, I was wondering if it makes sense to fly into LA and then drive up to San Francisco via Sequoia and Kings Canyon? Say, arrive around 2pm, then drive to Bakersfield. Stay overnight and then drive to the park next day, spend a little time and overnight in Fresno. Then next day drive to San Francisco. What do you think, would that be an enjoyable trip or far too much driving for 3 days? Thanks for any comments. Oh, this would a trip in Mid May.

Edited: 12 years ago
Washington State
Destination Expert
for Yosemite National Park
Level Contributor
101,164 posts
233 reviews
194 helpful votes
1. Re: LA to San Francisco via Sequoia and Kings Canyon?
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I think it sounds reasonable. Here are a few other things to consider....

You might fly to LAX and take an internal flight to SFO with Southwest or one of the local airlines.

Renting a car away from an airport is usually cheaper. So flying to SFO, shuttling to SF, visiting the city, and then picking up the rental car is probably more cost effective. If you follow your new plan, you might need to pay to park a car in SF (or stay in a motor hotel in a less-fun neighborhood) and you'd be paying for a rental car you won't use.

Can you do your loop starting & ending in Los Angeles instead of San Francisco, or have you already made your lodging reservations?

Tioga Pass to Yosemite may not be open for your loop. Be sure to check before you drive from Las Vegas.

Buy an America the Beautiful Interagency Federal Lands Pass (Annual Pass) for $80 at your first National Park. Use it in San Francisco for the Maritime Historical Park as well as all the other National Parks & National Recreation Lands (even Lake Mead near Las Vegas!)

G31
Minden, Germany
Level Contributor
1,086 posts
14 reviews
13 helpful votes
2. Re: LA to San Francisco via Sequoia and Kings Canyon?
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Thanks for your comments.

Yes, the car in San Francisco is an issue ... It would be much better if I could just start the loop in LA but it doesn't work out properly, as I need to be in Las Vegas for a certain time (birthday) and also want to be in Yosemite as late in June as possible (towards the end of the loop rather than in Mid may) for better chances of the Tiogas pass being open.

I had considered a Southwest flight from LAX to SFO but I hate flying and the last thing I want to do after an 11 hour flight is face another flight, so that option is out.

3. Re: LA to San Francisco via Sequoia and Kings Canyon?

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