Hop on This Epic California National Parks Road Trip

This post may contain affiliate links. This just means if you click through and make a purchase, you are supporting this small business run from my home. Thanks!  

California National Park Road Trip 2023

For me, the most epic time traveling with family was on a California road trip during the summer of 1982, when I was just 8 years old.

Money was tight, so this was a big ordeal for our family.  I'm still amazed my parents carved out time and money to treat us four kids to this to two week adventure through California.

Piling into our pick-up truck, my mom and dad rode shotgun while us four kids were conveniently separated by glass windows and a camper shell.  Sprawled out across the truck bed on top of foam mats and sleeping bags, when we needed a rest stop, we banged on the windows and flashed up a "BATHROOM PLEASE!" sign. 

Riding this way across I-70 was all perfectly legal back in the early 1980s.

My siblings and I blared our boom box or read or napped or fought or played games. Meanwhile, my parents had uninterrupted adult conversation. 

We drove to Denver, Colorado like this from our hometown in northeastern Missouri.  We visited family near Denver, and then hopped on my first plane ride ever to visit family in Oregon and to see the sights in San Francisco and down the coast of California.  

Good times.  Fantastic memories.  

That 1982 trip bound our family together through new shared experiences and showed us kids that rest, play, and family time away together were important.

View fullsize

CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIP ROUTE courtesy mapquest.com

Colorado to California

On a budget, driving all of the way, from Colorado to California, this is the plan we picked.

We chose five California national parks that our family really wanted to see: Joshua Tree, Channel Islands, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite.

RELATED: Orange County Beaches in California

National parks are one of our favorite ways to unplug and play. You could also add in Redwood, Lassen or Pinnacles National Park with kids, easily accessed from San Francisco or Monterey.

Besides 5 national parks in California, we planned to see two major cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco. Spending a day in San Diego is also an excellent alternative with kids.

your best way to Road Trip Across California

Learn about #1 RV Rentals

On the bucket list was also The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ | Universal Studios Hollywood or a snorkeling and kayaking excursion to the Channel Islands.

Before I share what our California road trip budget was (summer 2017), I thought I'd share our road trip itinerary so you can see how the expenses added up. We're a spontaneous bunch, and we are known to change plans, but here is the original itinerary.

Hit the road in one of these 5 Star Rated RV Rentals in California. Use PROMO CODE “RADFAMILY” for $50 off your next RV rental from Outdoorsy. Own your own RV? Make up to $50,000 / year listing your RV for rent.

California Road Trip Suggested itinerary

This is not a purely coastal California road trip. Our main goal is visiting five California national parks, with cities on the side.  

With friends in Los Angeles, we'll play a bit there. We've been to San Francisco before, so we'll explore the city a bit, and hang out more south of there with friends.

PRO TIP: Before you embark on any California national park itinerary with plans to visit more than one national park, you should buy the money-saving America the Beautiful Pass so you’re ready to enter each park smoothly with your pass in hand.

Day 1  Driving day

Leave 6 am and drive all the way towards Joshua Tree National Park. Lodge in a hotel in Twenty-nine Palms, California since it will be late and we'll be dog-tired.

The itinerary

Our main goal is visiting 5 California national parks, with cities on the side.  We have friends in Los Angeles, so we'll play a bit with them there.  We've been to San Francisco before, so we'll explore the city just a bit, and hang out more south of there with friends.  

Day 1: Driving day

Leave 6 am and drive all the way towards Joshua Tree National Park. Lodge in a hotel in Twenty-nine Palms, California since it will be late and you’ll be dog-tired.

A road trip through California national parks should definitely include Joshua Park.

Day 2: Joshua Tree National Park  

In Joshua Tree aim to camp one night inside the park at Hidden Valley Campground.  Hidden Valley is supposedly a favorite camp site for rock climbers, which my kids love!

Stop at Joshua Tree Visitor Center on the way in and inquire about junior ranger badges.

What's so great about Joshua Tree?*

Joshua Tree is know for rock climbing for all ability levels, simple peace and quiet, stargazing, gorgeous spring wildflowers and magical sunsets. Keep in mind it can be hot June through August.

Named for its namesake, the Joshua Tree, this high desert tree is reknown for more than just ta U2 album cover.

Joshua Tree National Park is an important part of the Mojave Desert ecosystem, providing habitat for numerous birds, mammals, insects, and lizards.

Hiking:  With kids, try Hidden Valley trail (easy).  The moderate Ryan Mountain Trail (moderate ) requires 2-3 hours for the 3 mile round trip, but worth it for the best panaromic view of the park. 

Rock climbing:  Try with a local outfitter, like Joshua Tree Rock Climbing School, for ages 10 and older.

No advance reservations are needed to enter Joshua Tree National Park.

Where to stay: Go for a dip and cool off at a vacation home with a pool after your day at Joshua Tree.

RELATED READING: Day Trip to Joshua Tree National Park

Day 3 - 5 : LA & Channel Islands National Park

From Joshua, we'll drive 2 hours to the Los Angeles area and aim to camp at Leo Carrillo State Park in Malibu, CA. 

What’s so great about Los Angeles area?  Hollywood, theme parks like Disney Land and Universal Studios, and of course gorgeous beaches.

Prefer to stay in LA? Stay by the beach.

Dive into this California city like a local with an unforgettable five day LA itinerary.

If your kids love Harry Potter, then a day at Universal Studios Hollywood's Wizarding World of Harry Potter would rock!

Don’t miss the Channels Islands on your California national park road trip.

What’s so great about the Channel Islands?*

Channel Islands is like a mini-Galapagos Island! 

With 145 species of unique terrestrial plants and animals, this group of 8 islands gives a picture of what California looked like 100 years ago.  

Keep you eyes peeled for the Island Fox.

The island fox is found on the three largest islands in the Channel Islands National Park (Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa and San Miguel islands).

Channel Islands is also one of the top diving and snorkeling spots on the planet.

Kelp forests, 30 species of seals, sea lions, whales, and more, making for unforgettable sea cave kayaking or stand up paddle boarding with your inflatable SUP.

No park reservations are required to enter the Channel Islands, but five Channel Islands can only be accessed by park concessionaire or private boats.

Isle Megalodon - Multi person inflatable paddle board

Carve out one day to explore Anacapa or Santa Cruz island, with Island Packers, the official concessionaire for the Channel Islands National Park.

See their route map and learn more.

A full day trip to one of the Channel Islands is the only way to do it, unless you want to camp there overnight as well.

Longer, more adventurous excursions exist with Channel Islands Adventure Company.

Where to stay: We loved staying in Ventura and exploring Channel Islands from there.

Spread out and splurge on a beachfront vacation rental.

RELATED READING: Learn how to take a day trip to Santa Cruz Island

Your California national park tour takes you through Sequoia Kings Canyon

Day 6: Sequoia / Kings Canyon National Park

Driving from Los Angeles area to Sequoia/Kings Canyon will take about 5 hours.

Make note, these also happen to be national parks near San Francisco, so lots of city folks come out here for the weekends.

For campers, aim to camp at Atwell Mill (first-come, first-serve spots).

What’s so great about Sequoia / Kings Canyon?* 

Sequoia and Kings Canyon is a must along this California national parks road trip.

Seeing the "Gentle giants," Mt. Whitney, driving Generals Highway or the twisting Kings Canyon Scenic Byway down into the Kings River Canyon should all be on your list to see. Pick a trailhead at Mineral King and hike.

There is so much to see in Sequoia and Kings Canyon, you could easily spend two days or more there if you can extend your trip.

While you don’t need a timed reservation to enter these national parks, know that most people who travel to these parks come in summer.

Temperatures in the sequoia groves are comfortable and offer a break from the heat in the foothills.

Thus, reservations are strongly recommended for summer camping and lodging in the park.

Where to stay: Lean towards romantic, rustic cabins great for families near Sequoia.

RELATED READING: How to see General Sherman up close in Sequoia National Park

Every California national park road trip itinerary must have Yosemite

Day 7 - 10: Yosemite National Park  

On to Yosemite, just a 4 hour drive north.

Aim to camp at Upper Pines or Lower Pines campgrounds, but don’t wait too long to make reservations. Ideally, make reservations at the first of the year.

These first-come, first-serve campsites are great as well: McCabe Flat, Railroad Flat, and Willow Placer.

What’s so great about Yosemite?*

This iconic national park near San Francisco is where the famous campfire talk happened between Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir, which sparked the idea of national parks in the United States.

Must-sees are El Capitan, Half Dome, Glacier Point, Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite Falls, Ahwahnee Hotel, and Tuolumne Meadows.  Unfortunately, Mariposa Grove of Trees is closed until Fall 2017 for restoration.

Take some misty selfies at Lower Yosemite Falls and drive Wawona Road straight through a mountain. Plan a family hike (or two or three) on any of Yosemite’s 800 miles of trails. Family friendly ones include the easy Yosemite Falls Trail or the moderate Mist Trail.

The Panorama Trail (8.5 mile) gives amazing views of Half Dome and 3 waterfalls up close and personal. The trailhead starts at Glacier Point, with a great view of Yosemite valley before you hop on the trail.

Where to stay: Not into camping? Check out this incredible cedar log home near Yosemite Valley.

Do I need an Entrance Reservation for Yosemite?

Reservations will not be required to visit Yosemite National Park during the summer of 2023, but reservations will be required for entry to Yosemite February 10–12, February 17–19, and February 24–26, 2023.

Reservations were required in the summers of 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic and in summer 2022 when numerous key visitor attractions were closed for critical infrastructure repairs.

RELATED READING:

• Exploring Yosemite Valley with Kids

• Camping in the famous Camp 4

• How to Hike the Mist Trail

Many of our ideas were taken and implemented from Fodor's Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West. We used this same worn book on our trips through Yellowstone, Arches, Zion, Bryce, and more.   

Day 11-14: San Francisco Bay area

Having just seen national parks near San Francisco, the final leg of an epic two week California road trip starts with a 4 hour drive to San Francisco.

Head to Pier 39, the Golden Gate bridge, Lombard Street, and the Metlife Stadium to watch the San Francisco Giants baseball team.

Check out 20 Free things to with kids in San Francisco.

Since we stayed with friends for four nights in the suburb of Morgan Hill, California, we were able to visit Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Carmel by the Sea.

Where to stay: These sweet neighborhood dwellings that aim to please in the San Francisco Bay area.

Day 15 - 16: Driving home

This epic California road trip was done on a budget

Speaking of budget, now that you know what we are doing, here's our trip cost projections...

Let’s Talk.

Need help deciding or planning your next family vacation? Book a one hour consultation call with me. Ask me questions and gather tailored advice and next steps for putting together your next adventure.

Send Tanya an email to learn more

California Road Trip budget

NOTE: We took this trip the summer of 2017, so these costs were estimated then.

$450  |  2-3 hotel nights while traveling (average $150/night)

$175  |  7-8 camping nights (approx. $12-$30 /night)

FREE |  4-5 nights crashing with friends (yay!)

$150-300  |  1-2 baseball games at MetLife Stadium in San Francisco

$900  |  Universal Studios Hollywood or Channel Islands kayaking & snorkeling excursion 

$400  |  Gasoline for the entire trip       

$600  |  Groceries while camping and traveling and picnicking 

$750  |  Meals out at restaurants - we love to try local flavors! (avg. $75 X 10 meals) 

$80|  America the Beautiful National Park pass 

$750  |  Misc fun money  (i.e. ice cream stops, small museum entrance fees, etc. )        

$4405  |  TOTAL 16 day trip cost for family of 6

It looks like this California road trip through 5 national parks and 2 cities will cost a family of 6 about $4400. This includes food, gas, lodging, fun excursions, everything. If we cut out the above mentioned Universal or Channel Islands excursion, that knocks off $900. 

Initially, $4400 may sound like a lot, but when you do the math for 6 people over 16 days, it breaks down to less than $46 per day per person for loads of fun and exploration in 5 national parks and 2 big cities.

In a nutshell, make a financial plan for your epic California road trip and stick with it.

View fullsize

Budgeted vs. actual cost report

Here is the link to our 2017 follow-up post:  The actual cost of our California road trip.

Think creatively when it comes to saving up for a road trip  

Open up a savings account just for travel purposes only.  Every time you get paid, sock money away into it.  

Planning on a big federal tax refund?  Designate that for your trip costs.  

For Christmas and birthdays, ask parents/grandparents for donations towards the big trip in lieu of gifts.  Make sure your kids are in on this!  These gifts could add up quick in a special savings account as well.

However you do it, have a plan!  

And let us know just how you did it!  

See you on the flip side.

Have you embarked on a California national parks road trips?  What is one thing you would add to our list of must-sees in the parks?  We would love to know, so please share below!

All pictures used in this post are courtesy of pixabay.com.  Thank you Pixabay!