California is a dream destination for road trips, with nine national parks, stunning coastlines, and exciting cities. If you only have one week to explore, this itinerary will help you make the most of your time. Traveling with my parents and two sisters, we experienced Los Angeles, hiked in the desert of Joshua Tree, marveled at giant trees in Sequoia, and took in the breathtaking views of Yosemite. Here’s our day-by-day California road trip itinerary, along with tips and activities to consider for your own trip!
Day 1: Arrival in Los Angeles
We flew from Pennsylvania to LAX, arriving around 8:00 PM. We stayed in Redondo Beach at the Sonesta Hotel, which offered a relaxing start to our adventure. After checking in, we grabbed a late dinner at Captain Kidd’s Fish Market & Restaurant, where the fish tacos hit the spot.
Day 2: Santa Monica & Redondo Beach
For our first full day in California, we enjoyed breakfast at Eat at Joe’s before heading to Santa Monica. We explored the boardwalk, did some shopping, and grabbed a quick pizza by the slice at Joe’s Pizza.
Later, we returned to Redondo Beach to meet family. While it was too cold to swim, the California sun felt amazing. After dinner with relatives, we took a sunset walk before calling it a night.
💡 Tip: If I had more time, I would have loved to hike to the Hollywood Sign!
Day 3: Joshua Tree National Park
The real adventure began on day 3! After grabbing breakfast at Wildflower Cafe (highly recommend the Matcha Green Tea Chai), we stocked up on hiking snacks before making the 2-hour, 45-minute drive to our first national park on our California road trip, Joshua Tree.
Midway through the drive, we took a break at Desert Hills Premium Outlets before arriving in the scorching desert heat. Instead of exploring the Cholla Cactus Garden, we opted for lunch at Joshua Tree Saloon Bar & Grill because of how hot it was.
By 5 PM it had cooled down. We entered the national park, hiking the Hidden Valley Trail, which is a fun one-mile loop with lots of big rocks to climb on and take in the scene. For sunset, we drove up to Key’s View, arriving early to secure a parking spot. The sunset was breathtaking and well worth it!
💡 Wish list: We had planned to stargaze, but clouds got in the way—I’ll have to visit again!
Day 4: Sequoia National Park
The next morning we grabbed coffee at Joshua Tree Coffee and got an early start on our long 6-hour drive to Sequoia National Park. It was the longest drive of our California road trip, but the stunning scenery kept us entertained. We stopped in Three Rivers for lunch at Sierra Subs & Salads—a great pre-hike meal!
Once inside the park, we made our way to Moro Rock Trail, a short 0.5-mile out-and-back hike with rewarding panoramic views. Next, we visited General Sherman Tree- the largest tree in the world by volume! After a peaceful walk along the Trail of 100 Giants, we took a break at Marble Fork Kaweah River—perfect for cooling our feet!
Crescent Meadow Loop was a perfect 1.3-mile loop for us to walk before sunset. The meadow is quiet and relaxing, and we saw a few deer! Luckily, no bears.
For sunset, we discovered Beetle Rock, a quiet spot near the Giant Forest Museum. The view was stunning and the area was not crowded at all, I highly recommend this spot! That night, we stayed in an Airbnb in Three Rivers, where we took advantage of the laundry machine after all our hiking. While planning your visit to Sequoia, be sure to check out The Best Sequoia National Park One-Day Itinerary!
💡 Wish list: I’d love to return for the Tokopah Falls hike and explore King’s Canyon National Park.
Day 5: Yosemite National Park (Day 1)
After grabbing coffee and some avocado toast at Sequoia Coffee Co., we hit the road to the final destination of our California road trip – Yosemite! Important: Many national parks require reservations—be sure to check before your visit! We missed this step but got lucky by booking a last-minute driving tour.
After checking into Tenaya Lodge and buying some turkey and cheese wraps for lunch, we drove to Glacier Point, where we took in spectacular views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls. It was a great first stop as we got to see such an iconic view right away.
Later in the afternoon, we cooled off in the Merced River at Wawona Swinging Bridge, which ended up being one of my favorite parts of the trip. After spending a few hours here, we went back to the lodge for dinner.
💡Tip: One thing I loved about Yosemite was the water fountains for filling your water bottle! They were easy to come by and kept us hydrated throughout the day- be sure to bring your reusable bottle.
Day 6: Yosemite National Park (Day 2)
As much as I love a good road trip, it was so nice to wake up and not hit the road for 3+ hours! After grabbing breakfast at the lodge, we started the day with a short walk at Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, which was nice and quiet with only a few people passing by in the early morning hours. Then we drove to Tunnel View, a must-see photo spot!
For our main hike of the day, we tackled the Vernal Falls Trail, a steep but rewarding climb with amazing waterfall views. The trail is steep but paved most of the way. My family didn’t go all the way to the top of the falls, but the views from halfway up are amazing! This is definitely a hike I would recommend if you’re looking to see a stunning waterfall in just an hour or two. Afterward, we cooled off at Mirror Lake, where the water was freezing but refreshing. Before leaving, we checked out Lower Yosemite Falls and admired El Capitan from Yosemite Valley.
💡 Wish list: I’d love to return for the Panorama Trail (9.1 miles with unbeatable views).
Day 7: Heading Home
We checked out of Tenaya Lodge and drove to Fresno for our flight home. Leaving was bittersweet after such an incredible road trip!
Final Tips for Planning Your California Road Trip
✔️ Plan ahead – Check for park reservations and road closures. ✔️ Pack layers – Weather varies drastically between parks. ✔️ Stay hydrated – Bring refillable water bottles. ✔️ Fuel up – Stock up on snacks and meals to save time. ✔️ Enjoy the journey – Some of the best memories happen on the road!
Even with a packed itinerary, we couldn’t do everything—but that just gives us a reason to return. I hope this itinerary helps you plan an unforgettable California road trip, happy adventuring!