California Trip From Exciting City Charm to Majestic Mountains

During our spring break trip to California, we enjoyed both the stunning natural landscapes and the bustling city vibes. As soon as we picked up or rental car at Oakland International Airport, our road trip began in the bay area. We hiked the peaceful trails at Muir Woods National Monument and stopped by Muir Beach Overlook for a relaxing coastal view. El Capitan, Bridal Veil Fall, and Yosemite Fall at Yosemite National Park were as majestic as they looked in pictures. Because we visited in early April, some of the trails were still a little icy. However, it did not stop us from hiking the Mist Trail and the Mirror Lake Trail. At the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, we hiked to the Fallen Monarch, the Grizzly Giant, the Bachelor and Three Graces, and the California Tunnel Tree. The General Sherman, the Senate, the President, and the House at Sequoia National Park were equally amazing. We ended our tripĀ  in San Francisco and might have left our hearts there. Biking around Fisherman’s Wharf and watching seals sunbathing at the dock were so much fun. Surely we could not miss other iconic sites like the Golden Gate Bridge, Palace of Fine Arts, and the Painted Ladies. We also drove through the winding Lombard Street and enjoyed delicious food in the area.

Trip Overview

Trip Length:
9 days/8 nights
See Itinerary

Locations:
San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park

Arrive:
San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport (OAK)

California Nature and Cityscapes 8-Day Spring Itinerary

Trip Highlights

Highlights of this park include El Capitan, Bridal Veil Fall, the Swinging Bridge, Yosemite Fall, Mirror Lake, and hiking the Mist Trail to the top of Vernal Fall. Read more >

Visiting Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias in Wawona to find iconic trees such as the Grizzly Giant, The Bachelor and Three Graces, The Fallen Monarch, and California Tunnel Tree. Read more >

Walking among the giant sequoias and hiking the icy trails to find famous trees such as the General Sherman Tree, The Senate, The President, and The House. Read more >

Hiking the quiet trails surrounded by towering Californian redwood trees, and stopping by Muir Beach Overlook for a peaceful coastal view. Read more >

Biking and sea lion watching at Fisherman’s Wharf. Checking out Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard St, Chinatown, Union Square, Alamo Square, and Palace of Fine Arts. Read more >

Rewarding ourselves after all the hiking by indulging in delicious culinary treats. From fresh seafood to authentic Asian cuisines, there were too many options to choose from. Read more >

Travel Tips

Car Safety

We were warned many times by staff at the airport and our hotels not to leave valuables in the car. There have been many instances of car break-ins in the area.

Do not leave food in the car while visiting national parks. Bears can recognize food even when they are in a cooler and can break your car windows to get to them.

The Right Shoes

There are a lot of walking and hiking required for this type of trip. Wear hiking shoes with good traction when you visit the parks especially during icy condition.

Wear Layers

The mountain air could be cold in the morning and night, but after a lot of walking, we were glad we dressed in layers so we could adjust accordingly.

We used our America the Beautiful Pass to enter Yosemite and Sequoia National Park, as well as Muir Woods. Such a good value especially since we used it for our trip to Arizona before.

Be Informed

Certain areas of the park and some shuttle services may be closed seasonally. During our trip, the Half Dome trail was closed but we expected it. Be sure to check the park websites for information.