As the perfect end point for a San Francisco-to-Sequoia National Park tour, Sequoia is best enjoyed over two or three days, so you have enough time to visit all the most essential spots. We highly recommend including nearby Kings Canyon National Park in your plans as well, as it’s only a few minutes away from Sequoia and features plenty of gorgeous vistas reminiscent of the more well-known Yosemite National Park. Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind when you’re putting together your own itinerary:
We recommend starting at Generals Highway and spending your first day in the southern half of the park. You can hit the trifecta of Tunnel Rock, Hospital Rock, and towering Moro Rock on the first day and do a little hiking in Crescent Meadow and Congress Trail. The latter is one of the most popular trails in the park, taking visitors through the towering giant sequoias and ending at General Sherman, the largest tree in the world. Finally, finish off your first day with a hike out to the aptly-named Sunset Rock to watch the skies turn a bright orange as the sun goes down.
Early risers should start their second day in Sequoia National Park by heading out to Beetle Rock, the best spot in the park to watch the sun rise. On the way back, stop by the Giant Forest Museum to learn about the park’s natural history before taking the Big Trees Trail through more enormous sequoias. Make sure you make the trek out to Tokopah Falls as well to take in the stunning, 1,200-foot waterfall. This requires an extra ticket, but if you don’t mind spending the money, we highly recommend visiting Crystal Cave before you leave. That should give you a full tour of the park’s most iconic attractions, leaving you a third day for exploration or a trip up to Kings Canyon.
For a full-length itinerary, check out our Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour, or subscribe to Action+ for access to over 100 tours at a single yearly price.
Essential Travel Guide:
