After collecting your rental car or RV at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, aim to leave around 8:00 AM. Take WA-509/WA-104 toward the Kingston–Edmonds ferry or, if ferry lines are heavy, drive south around Puget Sound via Tacoma; the ferry route is usually about 3–3½ hours to Port Angeles, including boarding. Reserve a sailing if possible, arrive early with the vehicle, and keep snacks handy—spring sailings can fill quickly. Before entering Olympic National Park, make sure you have the required park pass; RV drivers should also check clearance, dump-station, and campground restrictions.
Make Madison Falls your first stop, reached by a short, easy walk from the Elwha Road parking area. Allow about 45 minutes, including time for photographs and the possibility of wet, slippery pavement. Then continue to the Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles—typically open during daytime hours, though exact late-April hours can vary seasonally—for current road, weather, and trail information. Port Angeles is the best place to top up fuel and supplies before heading west; Country Aire Natural Foods is a useful stop for picnic items, while Next Door Gastropub makes a convenient early lunch if you want something more substantial.
From Port Angeles, allow roughly 2½ hours to reach the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center, with the final stretch along winding US-101. Start the Hall of Mosses Trail, an easy 0.8-mile loop beneath enormous bigleaf maples, western hemlocks, and fern-covered forest floor; budget about two hours at an unhurried pace. Parking can become difficult even in spring, so arriving mid-afternoon is preferable to later; carry rain layers and shoes with good grip, since this is one of the wettest corners of the United States. Cell service is unreliable, and the visitor center’s seasonal hours and facilities may be limited, so bring water and food.
Continue south on US-101 for about 1½ hours to Kalaloch Campground, where you can set up the RV before sunset. Reserve a site ahead and verify that your selected loop is open for your dates; hookups may be limited or unavailable, and generator rules are enforced. After settling in, walk to the nearby Kalaloch Beaches for driftwood, crashing surf, and a particularly atmospheric sunset—stay well back from the water, as sneaker waves are a real hazard. For dinner, plan to cook at camp rather than rely on nearby services, which are sparse and may close early in April.
Leave Olympic National Park around 8:00 AM for Ruby Beach, allowing roughly 45–60 minutes from the Lake Crescent/Port Angeles side or longer if you are camped farther west. Park in the signed lot off US-101 and give yourself about an hour to wander the driftwood-strewn shore, where sea stacks and surf make this one of the peninsula’s best quick stops. Check the tide table before exploring the rocks—tide pools are only worthwhile at low tide, and sneaker waves are a real hazard. Continue south on US-101 to Lake Quinault Lodge, arriving around 10:30–11:00 AM for coffee or a light lunch; the historic lodge is a pleasant place to stretch your legs, though food service and nearby supplies can be limited in the shoulder season, so carry snacks and fuel.
Leave Lake Quinault Lodge by about 11:00 AM and follow US-101 south toward Astoria, then cross the Astoria–Megler Bridge and continue on US-26 to Cannon Beach. Allow 4½–5 hours including a fuel or restroom stop; this is a scenic but fairly committed driving leg, with patchy cell service and few large-vehicle-friendly options. Check ODOT and Washington road conditions before departing, and fill the RV before the longer coastal stretch. On arrival, park at your campground first—street parking in Cannon Beach is restricted and often tight for RVs—then drive or walk to Ecola State Park for about 90 minutes of viewpoints and an easy coastal walk. The park road can be narrow, wet, or temporarily closed after storms, and the day-use fee is generally around $5 per vehicle; verify current conditions at the entrance.
Head to The Wayfarer Restaurant & Lounge for dinner, ideally with a reservation or by joining the waitlist before leaving Ecola; expect roughly $35–60 per person for seafood, drinks, and a relaxed oceanfront meal. Afterward, walk into Cannon Beach and follow the shoreline toward Haystack Rock for sunset—about an hour is perfect, and the beach is especially atmospheric once the day-trippers leave. Keep clear of the rock’s base unless conditions are safe, and never turn your back on the incoming tide. Settle into a confirmed RV site in or near Cannon Beach; reserve well ahead for late April, and verify that the campground accepts your vehicle length, hookups, and any tow vehicle.
A direct Cannon Beach–to–Sequoia National Park drive is roughly 14–15 hours before stops, so do not try to reach the park tonight. Leave around 5:00 AM on US-101 and I-5 south, rotate drivers every couple of hours, and treat this as a transfer day rather than a sightseeing day. With an RV, allow extra time for fuel, slower grades, and parking; check Caltrans and Oregon road conditions before departing.
Plan a proper 45-minute lunch around midday rather than relying on snacks while driving. The In-N-Out Burger in Sacramento near Richards Boulevard is an easy, familiar stop with straightforward parking and meals generally around $10–15 per person; an RV may need to use the outer edge of the lot or a nearby fuel stop instead. If you are farther south by lunchtime, use a large travel plaza near Buttonwillow for fuel, bathrooms, and a quick meal, budgeting $15–30 per person.
Continue south on CA-99 and stop near Visalia, roughly 30–45 minutes from the park’s southern entrance. A practical overnight is Visalia/Sequoia National Park KOA Journey, where RV hookups, dump facilities, showers, and late-arrival procedures make an evening check-in much easier than navigating mountain roads after dark; reserve a site in advance and confirm the current 2027 opening dates. Aim to arrive by 7:00–8:00 PM, set up, refuel, and buy breakfast supplies in Visalia. Keep the next morning’s park entry early: roads into Sequoia National Park are winding, and larger RVs should check length restrictions and avoid arriving before they are rested.
Leave your Visalia-area campground around 6:30 AM and follow CA-198 through Three Rivers to the Foothills Entrance; allow roughly 1½–2 hours, longer for an RV or photo stops. This is a winding mountain road, so check the park alert page that morning for snow, tire-chain, or vehicle-length restrictions. Fill your fuel tank and buy breakfast before entering—services inside the park are limited—and expect to pay the national-park entrance fee, generally around $35 per private vehicle. Park in the Giant Forest area as early as possible; late-April parking is easier in the morning, while some roads, shuttles, and facilities may still operate on a seasonal schedule.
Start with General Sherman Tree, reached by the paved approach from the main Giant Forest parking area. Allow about 1½ hours, including the descent and return climb; even though the walk is short, the elevation and possible snow or ice can make it slower than expected. From there, continue directly onto Congress Trail, a gentle roughly 1½-hour loop among dense sequoia groves. Bring traction aids if the forecast is wintry, and stay on the trail—sequoia roots are shallow and easily damaged. There are no dependable food services at the trailheads, so carry water and a packed snack.
After the grove walks, drive toward Moro Rock for the stairway climb and broad Sierra views, allowing about an hour. In late April, access can be affected by snow, ice, or seasonal road and shuttle rules; do not bring an RV onto narrow roads unless specifically permitted, and confirm the day’s access before setting out. Continue to Lodgepole Market Center for a practical early lunch or picnic break—budget about $15–25 per person, though hours and inventory may be limited before summer. Finish by checking into Lodgepole Campground if its 2027 opening date, RV site availability, and vehicle-length limits work for your rig; otherwise, retain the Visalia-area campground as your backup. Expect a quiet evening, limited cell service, and nighttime temperatures near freezing, so keep food secured and have warm layers ready.
Leave Sequoia National Park around 7:00 AM for the southern approach to Yosemite National Park, allowing 4½–5½ hours including a fuel and coffee stop. Use CA-198, CA-99, and CA-41; do not rely on Tioga Pass, which is normally closed in late April. An RV will take longer on the winding final approach, and there are limited services once you enter the park, so top up fuel and buy lunch supplies near Fresno or Oakhurst. Have your park reservation or entrance information ready, and expect slow traffic on Wawona Road near midday.
Arrive at the Wawona Hotel around 12:30–1:00 PM for a relaxed lunch—roughly $20–40 per person—and a look at this graceful 19th-century lodge. Dining hours can be seasonal, so keep a packed lunch as backup. From there, drive a few minutes to the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza, where parking and the seasonal shuttle arrangements are explained; shuttle operation and hours vary in April, and a $10–20 parking or transit cost is possible depending on the current system. Plan about 30 minutes for the arrival logistics before setting out.
Spend roughly 2½ hours in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, following the route toward the Grizzly Giant and California Tunnel Tree. Early spring trails can be muddy or snow-dusted, so waterproof shoes and traction aids are sensible; the upper grove may be inaccessible even when the lower trails are open. Keep food secured and allow extra time if the shuttle is running infrequently.
Drive about 45 minutes along Wawona Road to Tunnel View, arriving in the late afternoon when the light often softens across El Capitan and Half Dome. The overlook is brief but busy; use the signed pullout, stay clear of traffic, and do not leave valuables in the vehicle. Continue approximately 20–30 minutes into Yosemite Valley to check into your reserved Yosemite Valley RV campground, such as Upper Pines, subject to 2027 availability, vehicle-length limits, and campground rules. Settle in before dark, since cell service is unreliable and evening temperatures can fall sharply; keep the first night simple with dinner at camp and an early start for tomorrow’s valley hikes.
Start early from your Yosemite-area campground and reach Yosemite Valley by about 7:00 AM; in late April, use the free valley shuttle once parked, since lots fill quickly and private-vehicle traffic is restricted on busy days. Begin with the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail, an easy paved walk of roughly one hour to the base of the falls. Spring runoff usually makes the waterfall especially impressive, but spray can make the rocks slick. Continue into the Yosemite Valley Loop Trail for about two hours, choosing a shorter out-and-back if the full loop feels too ambitious; the meadows are at their best in soft morning light, with excellent views of El Capitan and Half Dome. Bring breakfast or snacks, as cafés may not be fully open early.
Have lunch at The Ahwahnee, where the public areas and bar are a worthwhile warm-up even if you are not staying overnight. Allow about an hour and budget approximately $25–60 per person; reservations are sensible for a formal meal, while the bar and lighter options are more flexible. Afterward, drive or shuttle to Happy Isles for the Vernal Fall Footbridge hike, allowing around 2½ hours. Check the footbridge and Mist Trail status at the visitor center first: spring conditions can mean closures, icy sections, or high water. Wear sturdy shoes, carry traction devices if temperatures have been below freezing, and do not attempt wet stone steps near the river. If Glacier Point Road has officially opened, use the late afternoon for its viewpoint area; in most late-April years it remains closed, so do not waste time driving toward a locked gate—stay in the valley instead.
Finish at Sentinel Bridge, an easy walk or short shuttle ride from the valley floor, arriving roughly 30–45 minutes before sunset for the classic Half Dome reflection. Sunset time is around 7:45 PM in late April, but arrive earlier if parking near the bridge; the riverbank can be chilly after sundown. For dinner, use the Yosemite Valley Lodge food court or return to The Ahwahnee if you prefer a sit-down meal, then drive back to your campground carefully—deer are common on valley roads after dark. Check the National Park Service road and trail alerts before setting out, particularly for the Vernal Fall Footbridge and Glacier Point Road, and keep tomorrow’s airport transfer in mind: Yosemite to Monterey Bay Aquarium and Santa Cruz is a very long day, so prepare fuel, water, and an early departure tonight.
Leave Yosemite National Park around 5:30 AM for Monterey Bay Aquarium, allowing roughly 5½–6½ hours with a fuel and breakfast stop. Take the southern route via CA-41, then CA- Fresno, CA-156, and CA-1; late-April conditions can change quickly, so check Caltrans and the park road report before leaving. If you are driving an RV, confirm height restrictions and allow extra time on the winding mountain sections. Reserve a timed aquarium entry in advance—late morning is ideal—and use the public garage on Via del Monte or nearby paid lots rather than trying to find street parking on Cannery Row.
Spend about three hours at Monterey Bay Aquarium, especially the Kelp Forest, Open Sea, and sea-otter exhibits. Standard adult admission is generally around $65–$70, with discounts for children and seniors; your timed reservation controls entry, but you can usually remain inside as long as you like. Walk south along Cannery Row afterward to Old Fisherman’s Wharf, roughly 15–20 minutes away, for a relaxed harbor lunch—Old Fisherman’s Grotto or The Fish Hopper are dependable choices, while Crab House is convenient for a casual seafood meal. Allow about an hour here for the boats, sea lions, and bay views, but watch the clock: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is about 45 minutes north via CA-1, and traffic can make it longer.
Continue to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for roughly two hours of classic seaside atmosphere: stroll the wooden promenade, check which rides are operating, and take a quick look at Neptune’s Kingdom if the weather is cool or breezy. Ride tickets and wristbands vary by operating day, and some attractions may be limited in late April, so check the official calendar before committing. Paid lots near Beach Street are easiest; avoid leaving valuables in the car. When you are ready to leave, take CA-17 north toward Los Gatos, usually 45–75 minutes depending on traffic and roadwork.
Stop at Manresa Bread in Los Gatos for excellent pastries, sandwiches, and provisions—particularly useful if you are returning an RV and want something for the airport or the flight. Check the bakery’s current hours before relying on it for dinner, as closing times and inventory can vary; allow about 45 minutes. From Los Gatos, continue on CA-17 to US-101 and Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, typically 20–30 minutes without heavy traffic. Leave Santa Cruz at least three hours before your flight, adding time for the bakery stop, rental-car or RV return, refueling, and airport shuttle logistics; if your flight is before late evening, shorten the Boardwalk visit rather than risking the transfer.