8 Day Northern California Road Trip

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8 Day Northern California Road Trip

My family and I embarked on an unforgettable road trip last summer (2023). This journey was a dream come true for me, as I had meticulously planned the itinerary several years in advance. One of the absolute highlights was experiencing the majesty of Avenue of The Giants, fulfilling a long-standing desire to behold the towering trees along this stunning route. Our road trip through northern California offered an abundance of awe-inspiring landscapes, from majestic mountains to picturesque beaches. We were able to cross off must-see destinations such as Yosemite, the Redwoods, Lake Tahoe, and Big Sur from our bucket list, and were pleasantly surprised by a few hidden gems along the way.

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Day 1 Arrival + Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is an amazing destination, but getting there can be a bit of a journey, especially if you don't live nearby.

The closest international airport is in Sacramento, about three and a half hours away, while San Francisco is the second closest, about four hours away.

We chose to fly into Las Vegas from the East Coast to save on costs, and although the drive to Yosemite was long—about eight hours—we didn't mind, as we're experienced road trippers. However, if you have littles or just find eight hours to be too much, this itinerary can be flexible for flying in and out of either Sacramento or San Francisco.

I always rely on Skyscanner to find the best flights and use the Hopper app on my phone.

Skyscanner

www.skyscanner.com

You'll want to stay as close to the park as possible on day one, so you can get the most out of day two. Below you'll find some accommodation suggestions. People have different levels of comfort, so I'm suggesting one hotel, campground, and vacation rental. All of which are just a short drive to the Yosemite National Park entrance.

Yosemite Westgate Lodge

@Caseysoutes

Yosemite Westgate Lodge is great for budget-minded travelers who want to stay near the park entrance. The lodge has everything you'll need for a comfortable stay, including a gift shop, restaurant, and swimming pool.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Casey's Routes

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Hey 👋 I'm Casey, a former van lifer hailing from Florida and now calling Portland, Maine my home. I live for road trips and firmly believe that the journey is just as important as the destination. If you're someone who craves the open road and has the stamina for long drives, my road trips are tailor-made for you. I've ventured through the East Coast, Utah, Arizona, California, and even completed the full length of Route 66, all from the cozy confines of my converted van. In my online store, you'll find carefully curated road trip itineraries, city guides, and invaluable van life tips based on my firsthand experiences. Every guide and trip featured in my store has been meticulously tried and tested by yours truly, so you can have full confidence in the recommendations. If you're gearing up for a road trip in the US, count on me to help make it an unforgettable journey!

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What's included

Digital Map

Fully interactive, digital map for finding places nearby

25 places

25 hand-picked places with notes from the creator

1 link

1 link from the creator to go even deeper with more info

DESTINATION(S) COVERED

Big Sur, CA, USA

Yosemite National Park, California, USA

Lake Tahoe, United States

Monterey, CA, USA

Avenue of the Giants, Redcrest, CA, USA

California, USA

FOCUSES AND THEMES

Family

Female Solo

Groups

Couples

Adventure

Camping

Budget

Outdoors

Relaxation

Van Life

Road Trip

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Format

Itinerary

Itineraries typically include day-by-day plans, with food, lodging and activity recommendations for each day.

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