If you drove straight from San Francisco to Las Vegas, it would take you approximately 9 hours which can be accomplished in one, long day. But why rush through California when you can spend 7 days trekking through 4 national parks: Yosemite, Kings Canyon, Sequoia, and Death Valley. This San Francisco to Las Vegas road trip is the ultimate way to travel between the two cities. Make sure to add 2-3 days on each end of this trip to fully explore San Francisco and Las Vegas.
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San Fran to Las Vegas Road Trip Itinerary
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San Francisco to Las Vegas Road Trip Map and Itinerary
| Day 1 | Yosemite |
| Day 2 | Yosemite |
| Day 3 | Yosemite |
| Day 4 | Kings Canyon |
| Day 5 | Sequoia |
| Day 6 | Death Valley |
| Day 7 | Death Valley |
When to Do a San Francisco to Las Vegas Road Trip
The San Francisco to Las Vegas road trip timing can be a little tricky. Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are often closed in the winter due to heavy snowfall. So you should probably avoid traveling November through February. Summer is the busiest time to visit these three parks because the weather is warm. However, summer can be treacherous in Death Valley’s scorching hot temperatures. Late Spring and early Fall are likely your best bets to hit all parks with decent weather. Keep in mind, however, that the waterfalls in Yosemite will likely have dried up by the Fall.
Where to Stay on Your San Francisco to Las Vegas Road Trip
Yosemite
Yosemite offers several lodging and camping options inside the park including Yosemite Valley Lodge. However, reservations to these hotels must be made well in advance, and the room rates are pricey. If you are looking for a more cost-effective hotel, consider staying just outside the park. There are four entrances on the west side of Yosemite and one on the east side. The east entrance, Tioga Pass, is often closed in the fall, winter, and spring due to heavy snowfall making the road impassable. Therefore, I recommend staying outside one of the west entrances. One option is to stay at the Best Western in the town of Mariposa. However, we opted to stay in Oakhurst outside the South Entrance at the Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn. We chose this location as it is closer to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
Kings Canyon and Sequoia
There are likely some places to stay in small towns close to the parks, or you can camp inside the parks. I would recommend staying in Fresno though. It is a bit of a drive from the parks (about an hour), but the city will offer in the way of restaurants and evening activities. Each of the parks can be done in less than a full day, so you may want a larger city to spend your evenings. When you are done with Sequoia National Park, you may want to start the drive towards Death Valley. You can get a couple hours down the road and stay the night in Bakersfield.
Death Valley
You can camp inside the park, and there are also 3 hotels inside the park: The Inn at Death Valley, The Ranch at Death Valley (both at Furnace Creek), and the Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel in Stovepipe Wells, near Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.
There are also hotel options in the nearby towns of Pahrump, Amargosa Valley, Shoshone, and Tecopa. For this Death Valley Itinerary, we stayed at Longstreet Inn Casino & RV Resort right on the California-Nevada border, about an hour away from the park. Longstreet was about a third of the price of the hotels inside the park, and it has a really good restaurant with decent prices.
Entrance Fees
The entry pass into Yosemite is $35 and is good for 7 consecutive days. The entry fee for Sequoia and Kings Canyon is $35 for 7 consecutive days and $30 for Death Valley. For this San Francisco to Las Vegas road trip, you may want to consider purchasing an America the Beautiful park pass, which will allow you into all national parks services lands for a year. Also, if you have a 4th grader in your household, you can get a family pass to the national parks that is good for a year. Find out more about that benefit here.
Beginning 2024, Yosemite Park will require reservations on some days between Spring and Fall. Visit the Yosemite website for more details on specific dates that require a reservation and instructions on how to obtain your reservation.
What to Eat and Drink
As I do for many of my national park road trips, I carry a soft RTIC cooler to keep sandwich stuff and drinks cold. Many national parks do not have restaurants inside the park or nearby. I like to be prepared with lunches, water, and snacks because I do not like to go hungry!
What to Pack for this San Francisco to Las Vegas Road Trip
- Water!! Whether you use a hydration backpack or carry bottled water, make sure to pack plenty of water when outdoors!
- Sunscreen – Protect your skin from the sun, and do not forget to reapply.
- Hat – More sun protection to block the sun from your face
- Hiking shoes/boots – Some of the hikes are on steep, slick rock, and people wearing regular tennis shoes struggled to keep their footing. Here are the men‘s version of the hiking shoes I love.
- Hiking socks – The best way to prevent blisters is by keeping your feet dry. Moisture-wicking socks are the best way to do that.
- Backpack – A backpack is a necessity when hiking to carry your water, snacks, sunscreen, etc. that you may need on your longer hikes.
- RTIC Soft-Sided Cooler – Keep your drinks and sandwich stuff cool in this cooler.
- Jacket – Even in warmer months, the temps can be cool in the mornings and evening so pack a light men’s or women’s jacket.
- Printed Maps/Directions – Cell service is spotty, so I recommend you print maps/directions or download offline maps to all hiking trails and parks you plan to visit.
DAY 1: San Francisco to Las Vegas Road Trip
The drive from San Francisco to Las Vegas begins by making 3 hour, 15 minute (167 mile) drive to Yosemite National Park. If you are flying into San Francisco to begin this San Francisco to Las Vegas Road Trip, you can add a couple days to the beginning of this trip to explore the Bay Area.
Yosemite Valley Visitor Center
Take some time in the visitor center to talk to park rangers and get their opinion on the best hiking options. Park rangers are your best resource for the most current trail conditions. Also, the visitor center area has great shopping options for souvenirs and groceries.
Lower Yosemite Falls Trail
This easy, 1-mile hike takes you to the base of Lower Yosemite Falls in the Yosemite Valley. Unfortunately, I visited in autumn when the falls had dried up for the season, so I was not able to see this iconic waterfall. However, the hike was still beautiful and is a must-do no matter what time of year you visit.
El Capitan
Next, grab your packed lunches and have a picnic in the meadow across from El Capitan. This vertical mountain is popular for rock climbers. Watch groups of mountain climbers try to make their way to the top while we you eat your lunch. Make sure to pack your binoculars if you want to see the climbers up close. They look like little ants to the naked eye.
Glacier Point
Next, drive the scenic drive to Glacier Point. Stop at the Tunnel View pullout for elevated views of Yosemite Valley before continuing your drive. At the end of Glacier Point drive is a short, easy walk to the lookout point where you can see Half Dome and the canyon carved out by glaciers.
Taft Point and Sentinel Dome
On the way back from Glacier Point, stop at the Taft Point and Sentinel Dome parking area. When you get to the trailhead, turn left to start the Taft Point and the Fissures trail and turn right for the Sentinel Dome trail. Each trail is 2.2 miles, so you will walk a total of 4.4 miles if you hike both trails. If you only want to hike one, I recommend Taft Point over Sentinel Dome. When walking at the end of the Taft Point trail, watch out for the fissures. These drop-offs are not marked and can sneak up on you if you are not paying attention.
DAY 2: San Francisco to Las Vegas Road Trip
Tioga Road Scenic Drive
On the second day of our San Francisco to Las Vegas road trip, drive the Tioga Road scenic drive from Yosemite Valley to the East Entrance. Notable stops along the road include Tuolumne Grove, Olmsted Point, Tenaya Lake, and Tuolomne Meadows. At Olmsted Point, be sure to walk the 0.2-mile trail out to the point to get past the tree line for even better views of the valley. You can continue past the park entrance to Mono Lake, but we decided to turn back instead.
Mariposa Grove
At Mariposa Grove, we hiked the 2-mile Giant Grizzly Loop to see the giant sequoia trees. Along this hike, you will also see the California Tree Tunnel. From the parking area, there is a shuttle that will take you to the trailhead.
DAY 3: San Francisco to Las Vegas Road Trip
Plan on doing a long hike on the third day of your San Francisco to Las Vegas road trip in Yosemite. We opted for the Vernal and Nevada Falls trail. If you are super adventurous, hike 14-16 miles to the top of Half Dome. However, you will need to be prepared for this trail prior to your arrival as it requires a permit. Yosemite Falls (6.8 miles) and Chilnualna Falls (8.6 miles) are two other long hike options for this day.
Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls
Even though this hike is listed as strenuous, I knew I had to hike it. Too many people told me it was the best hike in Yosemite. Plus, these were some of the only waterfalls that were still flowing in the park in October.
There are several options on how to hike to these waterfalls. We chose to hike the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls and up to Nevada Falls. Then, we walked down via the John Muir trail, which is longer in distance than the Mist Trail, but is not quite as steep. The Mist Trail involves over 600 uneven, steep stone steps along Vernal Falls that can be slippery when spray from the falls covers the steps. The trail distance is 6.6 miles.
If you find the full trail is too strenuous, you could stop at the first footbridge where you can see Vernal Falls in the distance. The footbridge is approximately 0.8 miles into the hike. You can also go a little further for up close views of Vernal Falls at the base of the treacherous Mist Falls staircase before turning back. This is approximately 1 mile into the hike from the trailhead.
DAY 4: San Francisco to Las Vegas Road Trip
Kings Canyon is the next stop on this San Francisco to Las Vegas road trip. This park is located about 2.5 hours from Yosemite. Begin this drive in the early morning hours on Day 4.
General Grant Loop Trail
Start your day with a short, 0.5-mile walk among the giant sequoia trees. Here you will find General Grant, the second largest tree in the world by volume. President Coolidge proclaimed this tree to be the nation’s Christmas tree in 1926. Also on your walk, see the historic Gamlin Cabin and walk through a hollow, fallen tree.
Panoramic Point
One of the best parts of Panoramic Point is the drive to get there. Two-way traffic driving on a one-lane dirt road, up the side of a mountain with hairpin turns make this drive quite the adventure. Then, walk a short 0.5-mile loop to Panoramic Point for views of Kings Canyon and Hume Lake.
Kings Canyon Scenic Byway
From Panoramic Point, begin driving the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway for 50 miles of spectacular views of the canyon and Kings River below. Allow plenty of time for pullouts and marvel at the massiveness of this lesser known canyon. You will drive along this road to and from Zumwalt Meadows.
Zumwalt Meadows Loop
Zumwalt Meadows trail is an easy 0.8-mile loop near Road’s End on the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway. On this hike you will cross Kings River, climb granite walls, meander by lush meadows, and view tall granite mountains. This was my favorite hike of the day. After completing the hike, we ate an early packed lunch at the picnic area near the parking lot.
DAY 5: San Francisco to Las Vegas Road Trip
Sequoia National Park is next stop on the San Francisco to Las Vegas road trip. Even though this is technically a separate park from Kings Canyon, the two parks are next to each other. They share an entry pass because they are attached and should be considered one park, in my opinion.
General Sherman Tree
The General Sherman Tree is the world’s largest tree by volume. General Sherman stands at 275 feet tall and 36 feet in diameter at its base. Be sure to stay on the paved path to protect these iconic trees and their root systems from soil erosion.
From the main parking area, the General Sherman Tree trail is 1-mile roundtrip and is the pinnacle of your 1 day in Sequoia National Park. The walk to the tree is all downhill which means you will have an uphill climb to get back to your car. There is a closer parking area for people with disabilities that has a wheelchair accessible trail to the tree. During shuttle season, you can take a shuttle to this closer parking area to reduce your walking time.
Moro Rock
This popular granite dome offers great views of Sequoia National Park. Even though the walk is only 0.4 miles, it is not an easy hike. You will have to traverse over 350 stone and concrete steps to reach the top of Moro Rock.
Tunnel Log
The fallen Tunnel Log of Sequoia National Park fell across the Crescent Meadow Road in the 1930s due to natural causes. A tunnel was cut through the fallen tree as a tourist attraction, and visitors can drive their vehicle through the giant log. The tunnel is 17 feet wide and 8 feet tall. If your vehicle is too large to drive through, you can take the bypass road that loops around the tree.
Crescent Meadow Loop
Finish your Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park day trip with a nice 1.7-mile loop by Crescent Meadow and through giant trees. You will pass by Tharp’s Log, which is a log cabin built in a fallen Sequoia tree in 1861. For your safety, however, you cannot enter the cabin. You will also pass by Chimney Tree where you can sit inside the tree for great photo opportunities.
DAY 6: San Francisco to Las Vegas Road Trip
Death Valley is the final national park on this San Francisco to Las Vegas road trip. The drive from Sequoia to Death Valley is almost 5 hours in length. I would recommend driving part of the distance when you leave Sequoia the night before and finish the drive this morning to break up that long drive. Bakersfield is a large city that will have lots of hotel options.
You will begin the Death Valley adventures by driving along SR-190. All the stops for today are along this road. Take your time, and take in the views along the route. There are a lot of pullouts on the way, more than just the ones highlighted here. Along the drive, you can stop at the General Store and Nugget Gift Shop at the Stove Pipe Wells area.
Father Crowley Vista and Rainbow Canyon
Father Crowley Vista and Rainbow Canyon viewpoint is the farthest you will drive on SR-190 on this Death Valley itinerary. Take the short walk to the vista to get amazing views of Panamint Valley. From the parking area, you can also see Rainbow Canyon, also nicknamed Star Wars Canyon. Rainbow Canyon is appropriately named from its colorful striped hues formed by ancient volcanoes. The military uses this canyon as well as Panamint, Saline, and Eureka Valleys for low-level flight training. During our visit, we could hear the military jets flying about even though we couldn’t see them. Start heading back the way that you came on SR-190 to get to Darwin Falls.
Darwin Falls
Darwin Falls is one of the few year-round waterfalls in Death Valley. To get to the trailhead, you will need to turn right on an unmarked gravel road just before you reach Panamint Springs. If you get to the town, you have gone too far. The 1.9-mile trail starts off easy enough with an easy, flat walk between two canyon walls. At some point the trail washed out from a flash flood and you will have to continue the hike in the creek bed. Follow the arrow made of rocks to know when to enter the creek bed. The water in the creek bed flows like a small babbling brook, so we did not get our feet wet. You may want to wear waterproof hiking shoes or water shoes for this hike. Towards the end of the trail, you will have to rock scramble over slick rock (with now wet shoes), so take care. You are greeted at the end of the canyon with a waterfall oasis.
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are another unique sight to see in this Death Valley itinerary. The sand comes from the nearby eroding mountains. Winds blow the sands to this area but the surrounding mountains stop the sand from continuing their journey creating this sand dune field. There is no real trail here, but you can explore the dunes on your own.
Devil’s Corn Field
The arrowweed plants that grow near the sand dunes resemble bundled corn left to dry in rows. Hence, this area was named Devil’s Cornfield. The root system of this plant adapted to the area by binding the soil around it as a way to hold onto the soil so it doesn’t erode away. Appropriately named, Native Americans used the stems of the arrowweed as arrow shafts.
Harmony Borax Works
The remnants of the Harmony Borax Works, a borax processing facility built in the late 1800s after the discovery of borax, sits near the Furnace Creek area. To transport the processed borax out of Death Valley, employees used twenty mule teams and double wagons. This facility was only in operation for 5 years.
Explore The Ranch and The Inn Areas
The Ranch and The Inn at Death Valley are two of the lodging areas inside the park, but these areas also have other attractions. You can shop at the General Store or other gift shops. grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants, and treat yourself to a couple scoops at the ice cream parlor.
DAY 7: San Francisco to Las Vegas Road Trip
Your last day on the San Francisco to Las Vegas Road Trip will be spent in Death Valley. You will need to decide if you are driving to Las Vegas this night or waiting until the following morning. The drive takes around 2 hours.
Zabriskie Point
Your first stop on your Death Valley itinerary is Zabriskie Point which is a short but steep walk up to a viewpoint. From here, you can see the Death Valley badlands in the foreground with views of the salt flats and mountains in the background. This is a very popular spot for sunrise and sunset. After finishing here, stop at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center to grab a map and get up-to-date information from the park rangers.
Badwater Basin Salt Flats
Badwater Basin Salt Flats is a truly unique terrain in this Death Valley itinerary. After you park, look up on the mountain side behind you and you will see a Sea Level sign 242 feet above your head. That is right – You are now at the lowest elevation on Earth! This spot also carries the hottest temperature on record at a balmy 134 degrees Fahrenheit (56.7 Celsius). Walk the short distance to the salt flats where you can walk onto the flats as far and as long as you like.
For millions of years, rainwater flooded this valley from runoff from the surrounding 9,000 square miles bringing lots of minerals with it. As the water evaporates over years and years, enough salts have been left behind to form these salt crusts.
Natural Bridge Canyon Trail
The next stop on the Death Valley itinerary is the Natural Bridge Canyon. From the parking area, you will reach the natural bridge after walking 0.3 miles between the canyon walls. The bridge is about 35 feet in width and also 35 feet high. From the backside of the bridge, you can get a window picture of the mountains in the background. Walk a short jaunt past the natural bridge to see the remnants of a flash flood waterfall.
Devil’s Golf Course
Drive the short distance to Devil’s Golf Course and walk around at your own risk. The crystallized salt forms into sharp jagged edges, and the terrain has been sculpted by winds and rains into a bumpy and uneven surface.
Artist’s Drive and Artist’s Palette
This almost 10-mile scenic drive features the rainbow-colored painted hills of Death Valley. Ancient volcanoes spewed ash and minerals all over this area which were chemically altered by heat, water, oxygen and other elements. The makeup of these painted hills include iron, aluminum, magnesium, titanium, red hematite, and green chlorite, but not copper. Stop at the Artist’s Palette along the drive and explore the hills at your will.
Desolation Canyon Trail
This 3.6-mile trek through narrow canyons leads you to a 360-degree panoramic view of Death Valley. You will have to scramble up 3 rock walls along the way, and the last 0.5-mile gets fairly steep. The views at the top will reward you for all your hard work. If you are not a hiker or this seems too strenuous, skip this part of the Death Valley itinerary. It is also important to note this trailhead does not have pit toilets, so make sure to take care of business elsewhere before beginning this hike.
Twenty Mule Team Canyon Scenic Drive
The last stop on your 1-day Death Valley itinerary is the 2.7-mile Twenty Mule Canyon Scenic Drive. This one-way road takes you between white badlands and canyons. This drive is located just past Zabriskie Point on your way out of the park. If you wanted to take in one last view at Zabriskie Point before leaving the park, now is your chance.
How to Shorten your San Francisco to Las Vegas Road Trip
If you want to shorten your San Francisco to Las Vegas road trip, you can easily remove 2 days of this 7 day itinerary without missing out on too much. Maybe you only have 5 days for this trip, or perhaps you want to spend more time in San Francisco or Las Vegas. Whatever your reason, no worries, I have you covered. If you do not want to do a long hike, you should skip out on the third day in Yosemite National Park. You can easily remove a second day by combining Kings Canyon and Sequoia into one long, busy day. To accomplish this, see How to Hit the Highlights of Kings Canyon and Sequoia in One Day.
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