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California & Nevada National Parks Road Trip Itinerary (Sept 20 – Oct 3, 2025)

Viewed by 152 travelers

Day 1: Sep 20 – Arrival in San Francisco

Morning: Check‑in at The Barnes and settle into your room. Take a short walk along the Embarcadero to stretch after the flight.

Afternoon: Enjoy a relaxed lunch at Fisherman’s Wharf and explore the lively waterfront. Visit the historic Alcatraz Island on a guided tour.

Evening: Stroll across the illuminated Golden Gate Bridge on a scenic city tour, then dine in North Beach.

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Day 2: Sep 21 – San Francisco Highlights

Morning: Board a ferry to Alcatraz for the audio‑guided tour, then return to the city.

Afternoon: Wander the bustling stalls of Fisherman's Wharf, sampling clam chowder in a sourdough bowl.

Evening: Take a classic cable car ride up Nob Hill and enjoy dinner with views of the bay.

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Day 3: Sep 22 – Shopping & Cable Cars

Morning: Browse the boutiques and cafés at Marcy’s Shopping Center for souvenirs.

Afternoon: Ride the historic Cable Cars along the Powell‑Hyde line, stopping at Union Square.

Evening: Relax at your hotel or catch a show in the theater district.

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Day 4: Sep 23 – Yosemite National Park

Morning: Drive to Yosemite and check in at The Oakhurst Inn. Begin with a visit to the towering Mariposa Grove to see ancient giant sequoias.

Afternoon: Hike the Mariposa Grove trails, spotting massive Mammutbäume and wildlife.

Evening: Return to Oakhurst for a hearty dinner and early rest for the next day’s adventures.

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Day 5: Sep 24 – Yosemite Valley Sights

Morning: Drive to Tunnel View and Artist Point for iconic vistas of El Capitan and Half Dome.

Afternoon: Hike the Chilnualna Falls Trail, enjoying the waterfall and alpine meadow scenery.

Evening: Picnic at a meadow viewpoint before heading back to the inn.

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Day 6: Sep 25 – Sequoia National Park

Morning: Arrive at Comfort Inn near the park and head straight to the General Sherman Tree, the world’s largest tree by volume.

Afternoon: Walk the Congress Trail to see more giant sequoias, then marvel at the fallen Tunnel Log.

Evening: Climb up to Moro Rock for sunset panoramas over the Sierra Nevada.

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Day 7: Sep 26 – Kings Canyon National Park

Morning: Explore the General Grant Tree Trail, home to the “nation’s Christmas tree.”

Afternoon: Visit the scenic Fallen Monarch waterfall and enjoy a short hike along the Kings River.

Evening: Return to your lodging for a quiet night under the stars.

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Day 8: Sep 27 – Death Valley National Park

Morning: Drive to Zabriskie Point for sunrise over the colorful badlands.

Afternoon: Wander the dunes at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, feeling the desert wind on your skin.

Evening: Stay at the Stovepipe Wells lodge and enjoy a desert‑star gazing session.

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Day 9: Sep 28 – Kingman & Route 66

Morning: Depart Death Valley and stop at the historic BWA Wayfarer’s museum in Kingman.

Afternoon: Cruise the classic Route 66 corridor, then explore the mining town of Oatman and its famous wild burros.

Evening: Overnight in Kingman, perhaps sampling a retro diner dinner.

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Day 10: Sep 29 – Grand Canyon National Park

Morning: Check in at Yavapai Lodge** and drive to the South Rim for breathtaking views.

Afternoon: Walk the Hopi Point, Mohave Point, and The Abyss for dramatic cliff scenery; visit Pima Point for a glimpse of the Colorado River.

Evening: Explore historic Route 66 towns: Moai Statue (replica), Hackberry General Store, Seligman, then settle back at the lodge.

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Day 11: Sep 30 – Grand Canyon Continued

Morning: Sunrise at Hop i Point for the best panoramic vista.

Afternoon: Hike a portion of the Rim Trail to Mohave Point and descend briefly to The Abyss for a thrilling perspective.

Evening: Sunset at Pima Point**, followed by dinner at the lodge.

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Day 12: Oct 1 – Las Vegas

Morning: Travel to Las Vegas and check in at the Palazzo Resort. Visit the nearby Bearizona Wildlife Park for a quick wildlife encounter.

Afternoon: Tour the engineering marvel of the Hoover Dam with a guided visit.

Evening: Experience the glittering Strip and ride the High Roller observation wheel for city lights.

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Day 13: Oct 2 – Las Vegas City Tour

Morning: Join a comprehensive city tour covering the Bellagio fountains, Venetian canals, and downtown Fremont Street.

Afternoon: Free time for shopping, casino gaming, or a relaxing spa session.

Evening: Enjoy a final dinner and a show on the Strip before preparing for departure.

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Day 14: Oct 3 – Departure

Morning: Pack belongings and enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the resort.

Afternoon: Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Evening: End of the adventure.

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Time and Cost Estimates

  • Alcatraz Island – 3 hrs, $42 (ferry + audio tour)
  • Golden Gate Bridge (view & walk) – 2 hrs, $0
  • Fisherman's Wharf – 2 hrs, $0 (optional meals not included)
  • Cable Car ride – 1 hr, $8
  • Marcy’s Shopping Center – 2 hrs, $0
  • Mariposa Grove (Yosemite) – 3 hrs, $30 (park entry)
  • Tunnel View / Artist Point – 1.5 hrs, $0
  • Chilnualna Falls Trail – 3 hrs, $0
  • General Sherman Tree – 2 hrs, $35 (park entry)
  • Congress Trail & Tunnel Log – 2 hrs, $0
  • Moro Rock – 1 hr, $0
  • General Grant Tree Trail – 2 hrs, $35 (park entry)
  • Fallen Monarch – 1.5 hrs, $0
  • Zabriskie Point – 1 hr, $0
  • Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes – 2 hrs, $0
  • BWA Wayfarer’s (Kingman) – 1 hr, $5
  • Oatman – 2 hrs, $0
  • South Rim (Grand Canyon) – 4 hrs, $35 (park entry)
  • Hop i Point, Mohave Point, The Abyss, Pima Point – 3 hrs, $0
  • Moai Statue (replica) – 0.5 hr, $0
  • Hackberry General Store & Seligman – 1 hr, $0
  • Bearizona Wildlife Park – 2 hrs, $30
  • Hoover Dam tour – 2 hrs, $30
  • High Roller – 0.5 hr, $25
  • Las Vegas City Tour – 4 hrs, $60
  • Accommodation (average per night) – 13 nights, $150/night = $1,950
  • Meals (average $45/day) – 14 days = $630
  • Fuel & Transportation – $350
  • Total Estimated Cost$3,842

Tips

If you need to shorten the trip, consider skipping the Kings Canyon segment and compressing the Grand Canyon stay to one full day; this saves a night of lodging and a few hours of driving. To extend the adventure, add an extra day in Yosemite for a sunrise hike to Glacier Point and a day in Sequoia to explore the Giant Forest Museum and the scenic Kings River Canyon. Both options enhance wildlife viewing and allow more leisurely travel between park entrances.

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