Compare USA Road Trip: Big Cities & West Coast Parks by G Adventures vs Road Trip: San Fran, Sonoma, Lake Tahoe & Yosemite by Great Value Vacations

Day 1 San Francisco/Yosemite National Park

The adventure begins this morning with the drive to Yosemite National Park. Along the way stop for some fresh produce at a farmer’s market in the central valley. Once in the park hike to Tuolumne Grove to see massive Giant Sequoias. Finish the day with a stop to see El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall en route to your camp for the night.

Day 2 Yosemite National Park

Enjoy free time to navigate the majestic Yosemite Valley at your own pace. Walk the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail or Swinging Bridge Loop Trail. Relax under the towering granite monoliths of Half Dome or El Capitan. Up for more of a challenge? Test your endurance on a more challenging hike like Upper Yosemite Falls or Four Mile. On the way back to camp, search for climbers on the sheer rock face of El Capitan.

Yosemite Village is a great starting point for launching into your adventure. Your CEO will help you get oriented to visit the Ansel Adams gallery, Ahwahnee Museum and the Yosemite Visitor Center. Here you can start a valley hike or catch a free shuttle around the park.

Day 3 Yosemite National Park

Today is all about getting active and exploring the landscapes of Yosemite. Head out on a hike to Vernal or Nevada Falls or opt to rent bikes and cruise around the valley. This park is a hiker’s paradise filled with different options for every skill level. From miles of trekking to short walks featuring amazing views, you won’t have a hard time finding a trail to set out on and enjoy. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and make sure to take plenty of pictures. In the evening relax around the fire and swap stories with your group.

Day 4 Yosemite National Park/Hermosa Beach

Bid farewell to Yosemite this morning and get ready for some ocean waves and sand between your toes as the group heads south to Hermosa Beach. Travel through the rolling hills and vastness of the Central Valley and arrive at the Pacific coast just in time to walk the beach during golden hour and grab some delicious dinner by the sea.

After the forests of Yosemite the beaches of southern California will be a welcome change for some time to relax and recharge. So suit up, grab a towel, find a volleyball, and live out those California beach fantasies with your friends.

Day 5 Hermosa Beach

Live the California dream as you wake up to the distant sound of waves crashing against the sand. Then, suit up and get ready for your surf lesson where you'll learn a thing or two about what it takes to make riding those waves look so easy. Afterwards, enjoy free time on Hermosa Beach to lounge in the sun, walk out to the pier, or find a beachfront cafe with a table outside for some people watching. Or choose to rent bikes or surf boards and continue the adventure. Your only dilemma today should be deciding which burrito place you want to eat at.

Day 6 Hermosa Beach/Joshua Tree National Park

Depart the coast for the desert today, travelling through Los Angeles on the journey eastward to explore Joshua Tree National Park. Climb through the park’s famous rock formations and make sure to get some photos of the park's namesake tree as the sun lights up this desolate landscape.

Day 7 Joshua Tree National Park/Grand Canyon National Park

Drive down the famed Route 66 today as we cruise further east to the Grand Canyon. Get ready to see breathtaking views with arguably the best sunset you have ever seen overlooking the Grand Canyon. Kick off those shoes, sit back, relax, and enjoy one of nature’s finest performances. Enjoy a cheesy slice of pizza or two overlooking the Grand Canyon during sunset.

Day 8 Grand Canyon

Get up close and personal with the Grand Canyon as you spend the day hiking from the South Rim. There are a variety of hikes to choose from that will take you deeper into the canyon where you can really appreciate the size and depth of this national park. Choose whichever trail you wish or do short bursts of multiple hikes, just make sure you bring plenty of water and take your time.

Opt to book the Grand Canyon helicopter ride for a bird's-eye view during a 45 to 50 minutes flight over the canyon.

Day 9 Grand Canyon/Page/Bryce Canyon

Journey onwards from the Grand Canyon to Page, Arizona, the site of Lake Powell. There will be free time here. Opt to join a local Navajo guide and explore Antelope Canyon; a stunning natural sandstone slot canyon located on tribal lands. Then, lace up those hiking boots for a visit to Horseshoe Bend, a geological masterpiece that has been sculpted by the Colorado River. Walk to the overlook where you can hike along the rim and stare down into the flowing river far below. Snap some photos with your friends and just enjoy the moment. Finish the day with a picturesque drive to your camp in Bryce Canyon.

Day 10 Bryce Canyon

After a camp breakfast head out for a short drive into Bryce Canyon National Park. Once in the park, take advantage of your free time to hike through the wild and weird rock formations known as hoodoos. Opt to visit Inspiration Point, hit the rim trail, horseback ride, or hike the Queen’s Garden and Navajo loop trails to see sites like Thor’s Hammer and Wall Street. At night stargaze in a park known for its night skies.

Day 11 Bryce Canyon/Zion National Park

We pack up early this morning and move on towards Zion and our Glamping tents! Located in a private canyon away from civilization, but close to Zion National Park this location is made for outdoor enthusiasts who also like to be pampered a little. On route to camp we will make a stop at the lesser-known Coral Pink Sand Dunes and enjoy a scenic overlook of Utah’s surrounding landscape on the Colorado Plateau. It’s a unique geological feature that you shouldn’t miss. You’ll have free time in the afternoon and evening to become acquainted with your surroundings. Maybe hike the Water Canyon trail or enjoy camp and put on a cornhole tournament as a group. The only rule is to have a good time!

Day 12 Zion National Park

It’s all about Zion today as you get a chance to wander this beautiful national park in Southwest Utah. Take the shuttle into the park and spend the day exploring and hiking with your fellow travelers. Admire the monumental sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red that tower into the sky and remember you can choose to turn around on these hikes at any point. In the evening enjoy leisure time back at our Glamping tents. Once it gets dark get ready to sit around the campfire and roast some marshmallows as a group.

Day 13 Zion National Park/Las Vegas

Today, take the short drive from Zion to Las Vegas. Upon arrival, enjoy free time in Las Vegas. Explore the strip, try your luck at a casino, or take in a glitzy show.

Day 14 Death Valley National Park

Drive from Las Vegas to Death Valley and visit the country's hottest, driest, and lowest national park. Death Valley is a land of extremes and you’ll get a sense of the striking contrast of this park’s landscapes with visits to Badwater Basin and Zabriskie Point. Then, transfer to the hotel in Ridgecrest and relax this evening.

Day 15 Ridgecrest/Los Angeles

Wake in Ridgecrest and drive southwest to Los Angeles. Tour ends on arrival to L.A.

Day 1 Welcome to San Francisco!

Congratulations! You've officially made it to the coolest place on Earth! Slide on your sunglasses and buckle up: this is going to be the road trip of a lifetime.

The Bay Area has a legendary culinary scene, so show up hungry! Dig into your adventure with an obligatory visit to In-N-Out for an Animal Style burger (a hot tip from the locals - don't waste time on the rest of the "secret menu." Animal Style or nothin').

While you're here, don't miss any other emblematic San Franciscan favorites: clam chowder in a sourdough bowl on Fisherman's Wharf, a Ghiradelli hot fudge sundae from N. Point Street's Ghirardelli Square, Dungeness crab from Swan Oyster Depot on Polk Street, or an IT'S-IT ice cream sandwich from just about anywhere equipped with a freezer!

Be sure to make your way to Coit Tower in time to enjoy 360-degree views of the city while the sun sets!

Day 2 San Francisco

Wake up early so you can fill your day with sightseeing! The City by the Bay is packed with things to enchant every traveler - the Painted Ladies on Steiner Street, the vintage clothing boutiques in Haight-Ashbury, the sea lions at Pier 39, cable cars, Alcatraz Island...the list goes on (and on and on and...).

For a true Northern California experience, set off across the Golden Gate for a scenic drive to Muir Woods. This 560-acre park is home to ancient groves of redwoods that can grow as tall as 380 feet! 

On your way back, be sure to stop at the Muir Beach Overlook for gorgeous views of the Pacific Coast and, if you travel at the right time of year, whales! 

Day 3 San Francisco - Sonoma

Only about 30 miles from San Francisco, Sonoma County never fails to impress. Boasting 50 miles of Pacific coastline, 40+ spas and wellness centers, and over 425 beautiful wineries, the Sonoma Valley abounds in relaxation and rejuvenation. For a scenic drive from SF, take the Pacific Coast Highway! 

Highway 1 (also known as CA State Route 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway) is one of the most stunning road trip experiences in the country. You'll get breathtaking ocean views as you wind your way along the coast. The drive north will keep the sun at your back and the Pacific to your left as you take in the marvelous scenery.

Day 4 Sonoma

Welcome to wine country! If you're looking for gourmet farm-to-table dining, state parks, and wine tastings galore, you're in the right place.

Sonoma County is speckled with farming towns and vineyards which belong to 5th generation growers. Here, 47 idyllic miles are packed with 16 wine regions, all growing a variety of grapes such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet, and Zinfandel. 

Day 5 Sonoma - South Lake Tahoe

The Sierra Nevadas are calling! The trip from Sonoma to Lake Tahoe is about 3 hours, so make the most of your drive with a stop at the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield. Treat yourself to a self-guided factory tour to see how the candy is made and snack on a few free samples.

Once you arrive in Tahoe, get ready for some fun! Whether you travel in the summer, spring, winter, or fall, there's plenty to do. Skiing, hiking, water sports, and more are yours to enjoy in this alpine wonderland.

Day 6 South Lake Tahoe

This mountain town is the perfect place to unwind outside. Spend your day in the sun on the lake, biking mountain trails, or hopping from boutique to boutique. When the sun goes down, move the party inside! Tahoe has a great live music scene, world-class casinos, and restaurants that will blow you away.

Day 7 South Lake Tahoe - Yosemite National Park

What can be said about Yosemite (pronounced yoh-sem-it-ee) except "wow?" This UNESCO-listed national park sits in a glacier-carved valley in the Sierra Nevadas. You'll find soaring sequoia trees, America's tallest waterfall, and dreamy hiking trails through thick forests.

Before you dash into the park, be sure you have a plan of attack. Hiking trails intersect and overlap, so be sure to bring a paper map. In the mountains, cell phone reception can be unreliable so make sure you know where you're going, how to get there, and most importantly, how to get back.

Day 8 Yosemite National Park

Start your day nice and early so you can pack adventure into every hour of daylight! 

There are five entrances to the park, so it's a great idea to plan your day before you arrive. There are trails for every hiker, so check out the features of each trail you're interested in and make sure it's the right one for you!

The loop to Lower Yosemite Falls offers an easy, 30-minute hike from shuttle stop 6. Those looking for a more moderate hike may enjoy a 3-hour trek on the Mirror Lake loop. Advanced hikers may enjoy the challenge of the 5ish-hour hike on the Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall Trails via shuttle stop 16's Mist Trail. 

Remember to bring plenty of water along as some trails do not have drinking water available. Be sure to carry out all of your trash and food waste (including fruit peels and shells), stay on the trails, and leave the wildlife alone - they're trying to enjoy the park, too! 

Day 9 Yosemite National Park - San Francisco

It's time to embark on the 3-hour trip back to San Francisco. If you want to do a little more SF sightseeing, Highway 120 is often the quickest route. Upon your return, consider treating yourself to an evening in the theatre district or a dinner cruise on the Bay!

Day 10 Depart San Francisco

It had to happen eventually: today, your Nothern California dreamin' comes to an end. Say "see ya next time!" to San Francisco and head home.