Arrive into San Francisco International airport, collect your bags and transfer to your hotel.

Home of the majestic Wine Country and the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco is well-known for its historic cable cars and bustling Union Square. Enjoy your first evening along the colourful waterfront.

Riu Plaza Fisherman’s Wharf or similar

Today, you are free to discover the many sights and sounds of San Francisco at your own pace. Perhaps take a historic cable car ride from Fisherman’s Wharf to Union Square, explore the colourful streets of Chinatown, or soak up the atmosphere of North Beach.

For those looking to see more of the city, why not enhance your day with one of our optional experiences:

Optional Experience – San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
See San Francisco from the top of an authentic English double-decker bus on this fully narrated sightseeing tour. Enjoy panoramic views of the city’s famous landmarks and, if you choose the Night Loop, experience the city lights and skyline after dark.

Optional Experience – Alcatraz Island Tour
Step back in time with a visit to legendary Alcatraz Island, once home to some of America’s most notorious criminals. Discover the island’s fascinating history and hear stories of the inmates, escape attempts and daily life inside the infamous prison.

This evening, dine in one of San Francisco’s many distinctive neighbourhoods. From the vibrant flavours of Chinatown to the very Italian atmosphere of North Beach, each offers its own distinctive culture, character and cuisine.

Riu Plaza Fisherman’s Wharf or similar

Gaze upon the mist over the Golden Gate Bridge before collecting your hire car and leaving the bustle of San Francisco behind. Head towards the natural beauty of Yosemite National Park, one of the most iconic stops on any California road trip itinerary.

The drive from San Francisco to Yosemite takes around four hours, depending on traffic and your chosen route, so it’s worth setting off early to make the most of the day. Take your time on the meandering drive into the park; the views get better with every turn.

There are photo opportunities aplenty as you make your way through Yosemite National Park. Capture the ancient Sequoia trees, the granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome, and the iconic vista of towering Bridalveil Fall from Tunnel View, widely regarded as one of the best viewpoints in Yosemite for a first glimpse of the valley.

Yosemite can get busy in the summer season so for less crowds and milder temperatures visit in the Spring and autumn which tend to offer the best conditions for exploring Yosemite

San Francisco > Yosemite National Park | 190 miles

Yosemite View Lodge or similar

Spend the day exploring Yosemite Valley itself, home to some of the park’s most celebrated attractions. Take a stroll along the valley floor to admire Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in North America, with the walk to the base offering a different perspective from the famous viewpoints seen the day before.

Call in at the Yosemite Valley Visitor Centre and the Yosemite Museum, where exhibits explore the park’s natural and cultural history, and rangers can provide details about talks and guided walks running that day. It’s a good spot to pick up route advice for the afternoon too.

Alternatively, take a scenic drive up to Glacier Point for stunning views over Half Dome and the surrounding high country, offering a completely different vantage point to Tunnel View.

Yosemite View Lodge or similar

If it’s open (Tioga Road typically closes with the first heavy snowfall and reopens late spring), take this seasonal route through Yosemite’s high country. Enjoy breathtaking views of alpine meadows, granite peaks, and glacial lakes as the road climbs towards Tioga Pass. Note that if you drove out to Tuolumne Meadows the previous afternoon, this stretch will be a familiar one, though it’s worth the drive regardless for the chance to continue east into new territory beyond the park boundary.

Make a stop at Mono Lake, a unique and ancient saline lake known for its otherworldly tufa towers. Explore the South Tufa Area, where you can walk among these remarkable limestone formations.

Continue on this scenic road past Topaz Lake and on to Lake Tahoe.

Alternatively, if Tioga Pass is closed, follow the road to Groveland, where you can stop at the quaint downtown and consider a visit to the Tuolumne County Museum and History Centre. Continue towards Sonora, where scenic views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains await as you approach Sonora Pass. Descending towards Bridgeport, take time to enjoy Twin Lakes, a great spot for a short hike.

Along the way to Lake Tahoe, pass through charming towns such as Markleeville and Woodfords, both good opportunities to stop for refreshments and explore local shops.

Yosemite National Park > Lake Tahoe | 207 miles

Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge & Spa or similar

Start exploring things to do in Lake Tahoe from the stunning beaches that line its shores, such as Sand Harbor, Emerald Bay, or Lester Beach, where you can swim, sunbathe, or enjoy water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding. Lake Tahoe straddles the border of California and Nevada and is the largest alpine lake in North America, known for its remarkably clear, cobalt-blue water.

Lake Tahoe offers numerous hiking trails with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and crystal-clear waters. Consider hiking to the top of Mount Tallac for panoramic vistas of the lake, or exploring the trails of Desolation Wilderness, one of the most popular wilderness areas in the Sierra Nevada.

You can also take a scenic drive around the lake to admire its beauty from various viewpoints, such as the Emerald Bay Overlook or the wider scenic byways of Highway 89, well worth the stop for a completely different perspective of the bay to the one at beach level. Don’t miss the chance to visit historic sites like Vikingsholm Castle or the Tallac Historic Site to learn more about the region’s rich history.

Finally, indulge in the vibrant culinary scene around Lake Tahoe, with numerous restaurants offering everything from casual lakeside dining to gourmet cuisine. Sample local specialities like fresh trout, or try international flavours at one of the many eateries around the lake.

Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge & Spa or similar

Along the route to Lassen Volcanic National Park, consider stopping at the charming town of Truckee, known for its historic downtown area and vibrant atmosphere. Take a stroll along the Truckee River, or visit one of the local art galleries or boutique shops. Truckee sits just a short drive from the north shore of Lake Tahoe, making it a natural stopping point on the way north.

Once you arrive at Lassen Volcanic National Park, explore its unique volcanic landscape and natural wonders. The park is one of the few places in the world where all four types of volcanoes, shield, composite, cinder cone, and plug dome, can be found within a single park. Highlights within the park include:

Bumpass Hell: Take a hike to this hydrothermal area featuring boiling mud pots, steam vents, and colourful hot springs. It’s the largest hydrothermal area in the park and one of the most popular things to do in Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Lassen Peak: Hike to the summit of Lassen Peak for panoramic views of the surrounding area. At over 10,000 feet, it’s one of the largest plug dome volcanoes in the world and last erupted in 1915.

Manzanita Lake: Enjoy a scenic walk around Manzanita Lake, or rent a kayak or canoe to explore its tranquil waters, with reflections of Lassen Peak often visible on a calm day.

Sulphur Works: Visit this hydrothermal area near the southwest entrance of the park to see mud pots and steam vents up close, one of the most accessible geothermal sites in the park for those short on time.

Lake Tahoe > Lassen Volcanic National Park | 140 miles

Best Western Rose Quartz Inn or similar

From Lassen Volcanic National Park, enjoy the scenic drive through Lassen National Forest. Take advantage of pullouts and scenic overlooks along the way to admire the natural beauty of the landscape and perhaps take some photographs.

If time permits, make a detour to McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park to see Burney Falls, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in California. The falls are fed year-round by underground springs, meaning the flow stays remarkably consistent even in the driest months.

Continue west and join the Redwood Highway (US-101) for incredible coastal views, as you approach Klamath enjoy views of the Klamath River and surrounding forests. Once in town, consider visiting the Trees of Mystery attraction, one of the most popular things to do in Klamath, where you can take a gondola ride through the redwood canopy and learn about local Native American culture and legends.

Lassen Volcanic National Park > Klamath | 234 miles

Holiday Inn Express Klamath or similar

Spend a day within Redwood National Park, home to some of the oldest and tallest trees in America; several redwoods here exceed 350 feet in height and are over 1,000 years old. Start your visit at one of the park’s visitor centres to learn about its ecology and history, and to check for any ranger-led activities running that day.

Take a scenic drive through the park to marvel at the towering redwoods and diverse landscapes. Don’t miss the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, one of the most popular things to do in Redwood National Park, offering stunning views and access to various trailheads along the way.

Visit one of the park’s beautiful beaches, such as Gold Bluffs Beach or Enderts Beach, for a peaceful stroll, beachcombing, or tidepooling. Some beaches also offer good opportunities for picnicking and wildlife viewing, including Roosevelt elk, often spotted grazing near Gold Bluffs Beach.

Explore the park’s extensive network of hiking trails, ranging from easy strolls to challenging treks. Highlights include the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail, Trillium Falls Trail, and Fern Canyon Trail, known for its lush greenery and towering vertical walls.

Then, if you return after dark, take advantage of the park’s remote, dark-sky locations for prime stargazing, with minimal light pollution making it one of the better spots in California to see the Milky Way.

Holiday Inn Express Klamath or similar

Begin today by visiting the Klamath River Overlook for stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the mouth of the Klamath River.

Next, make a detour to explore the charming town of Trinidad, known for its scenic harbour and beautiful beaches. Take a stroll along Trinidad State Beach, or hike the Trinidad Head Trail for panoramic views of the coastline, one of the best short coastal walks in this part of Northern California.

Continue south along US-101, and consider stopping at Patrick’s Point State Park, where you can hike scenic trails, explore tide pools, and visit Wedding Rock for sweeping ocean views.

Further south, the route joins Highway 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, as you approach Fort Bragg; marvel at the rugged coastline and dramatic cliffs along the way. Be sure to visit Glass Beach, a unique beach covered in colourful sea glass, a result of years of glass dumping in the early twentieth century that has since been smoothed by the tide. Take some time to explore the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, or browse the shops and art galleries in downtown Fort Bragg.

Klamath > Fort Bragg | 196 miles

Holiday Inn Express Fort Bragg or similar

Continue further south by exploring Mendocino, a picturesque coastal town known for its Victorian architecture, art galleries, and stunning coastal views. Mendocino’s headlands were designated a state park specifically to preserve the town’s dramatic bluffs from development, so it’s well worth taking a stroll along the Mendocino Headlands State Park trails, or visiting the Point Cabrillo Light Station, one of the most photographed lighthouses on the Northern California coast.

Enjoy breathtaking views of the rugged coastline as you drive through the quaint towns of Elk and Gualala. Consider stopping at Salt Point State Park to hike scenic trails, explore tide pools, or enjoy a picnic overlooking the ocean; it’s also one of the few spots on this stretch of coast where visitors can legally collect small amounts of tidepool life for observation under a designated marine reserve area.

As you reach Sonoma County, it is possible to detour to explore the charming town of Healdsburg, known for its wine tasting rooms, boutique shops, and farm-to-table dining experiences. Take some time to explore the historic Healdsburg Plaza, or visit a nearby winery to sample award-winning wines from the Russian River Valley and Dry Creek Valley appellations.

Finally, arrive in Napa Valley, one of the most famous wine regions in the world and home to over 400 wineries. Consider taking a wine tour or visiting one of the many wineries in the area to taste exquisite wines and enjoy beautiful vineyard views. Don’t miss the opportunity to dine at one of Napa Valley’s fine restaurants, or explore downtown Napa’s vibrant culinary scene.

Fort Bragg > Napa Valley | 135 miles

Hilton Garden Inn Napa or similar

Your holiday comes to an end today as you make your way back to San Francisco International Airport. The drive from Napa Valley to San Francisco takes around ninety minutes without traffic, though it’s worth allowing extra time, particularly if travelling during rush hour or over a weekend. Give yourself plenty of time to return your hire car and check in for your flight home.

Napa Valley > San Francisco | 70 miles