Central California
Tuolumne Grove
Tenya Lake
Yellow-bellied Marmot
Notes
For this trip we flew into Oakland Airport (OAK) and out of San Francisco Airport (SFO).
We rented a vehicle through Dollar Car Rental.
Day 1: Yosemite National Park – High Country & Valley Highlights
Morning: Sequoias & Tioga Road
Enter Yosemite National Park via the Big Oak Flat Entrance.
Hike Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias (2.5 miles round-trip). Downhill on the way in, steady incline on the way out. Quiet grove with ~12 massive Sequoia trees.
Stop at Olmsted Point for views of Half Dome. Get out of the vehicle for the best perspective.
Short stop at Tenaya Lake to enjoy the alpine scenery.
Midday: Tuolumne Meadows & May Lake
Park at Tuolumne Meadows and walk toward Soda Springs.
See the footbridge, orange mineral springs, and open meadows.
This area is known for bear activity—scan meadow edges and tree lines.
Drive to the eastern end of Tioga Road, then turn back west.
Stop at May Lake and hike the May Lake Trail (2.5 miles round-trip, easy). Wildlife sightings here included marmots and mule deer.
Afternoon: Yosemite Valley
Take Big Oak Flat Road to Northside Drive.
Stop at El Capitan Meadow for valley-floor views and photos.
Drive Southside Drive and stop at Cathedral Beach. Optional swimming.
Visit Bridalveil Fall, a 620-foot waterfall accessible via a short walk.
Evening
El Capitan Meadow
Exit via El Portal Road and Arch Rock Entrance.
Overnight at Monarch Inn in Mariposa (2 nights).
Day 2: Yosemite National Park – Valley Trails & Giant Sequoias
Early Morning
Re-enter Yosemite via Arch Rock Entrance and take Northside Drive to park your car.
Optional hike: Yosemite Falls Trail (over 7 miles round-trip, strenuous, seasonal).
Vernal Fall
Late Morning: East Valley (Shuttle Required)
Park at Curry Village Parking Area to take the free East Valley Shuttle.
Exit at Stop 17 for Mirror Lake.
Hike to Mirror Lake and return via Mirror Lake Road walk for wildlife viewing.
Known cougar habitat—remain alert.
Tunnel View
American Black Bear
Midday: Mist Trail
Shuttle to Stop 16.
Walk to John Muir Trail, then connect to Mist Trail.
Hike up to Vernal Fall (2.5 miles round-trip, strenuous). Restrooms available approximately 1 mile in.
Back to shuttle to return to parking area.
Afternoon Scenic Drive
Drive Southside Drive and stop at Yosemite Chapel.
Picnic lunch at Swinging Bridge Picnic Area.
Continue onto Wawona Road.
Stop at Tunnel View for iconic Yosemite views of El Capitan.
Keep driving and go through the tunnel. Keep an eye out for wildlife always. It was this road where we had our own private viewing of a black bear walking right beside us.
Big Trees Loop - Tunnel Tree
High Peaks Trail
Late Afternoon: Mariposa Grove
Park at Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza.
Take the free Mariposa Grove Shuttle to Stop 1.
Hike Big Trees Loop to Grizzly Giant and Tunnel Tree. Easy, mostly flat hike with massive sequoias.
Evening
Return via Wawona Road and El Portal Road for dusk wildlife viewing.
Return to your hotel in Mariposa.
Day 3: Pinnacles National Park & Santa Cruz
Morning: Pinnacles National Park
Depart very early due to distance and heat.
Park at Bear Gulch Nature Center.
Hike High Peaks Trail, Moses Spring Trail, Bear Gulch Caves (seasonal), Rim Trail, and Condor Gulch Trail. Total loop: approximately 6 miles.
No shade on High Peaks or Condor Gulch
Bring as much water as possible.
Pit toilet available at the summit.
Best location in the park to see endangered California condors.
This is an incredibly strenuous hike with many switchbacks and steep inclines.
Afternoon & Evening
Cool off in the campground pool after the hike.
Optional walk on Bench Trail near the visitor center.
Drive toward San Francisco.
Stop at Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf to see resident sea lion colonies.
Overnight at a hotel near San Francisco Airport (1 night).
Alcatraz City Cruise
Day 4: San Francisco
Morning
8:45 a.m. Alcatraz Day Tour with Alcatraz City Cruises.
Approximately 3 hours including the ferry and self-guided audio tour.
Once you arrive you’ll pick up your audio headset and begin walking around this amazing piece of history, learning all about the criminals, the systems, the jailbreaks, and legends of Alcatraz. The nations most notorious retired prison.
Golden Gate Bridge
Late Morning & Afternoon
Golden Gate Bridge photo stop (parking is limited and crowded).
San Francisco Ferry Building for lunch and shopping.
Pier 39 to see a large sea lion colony.
Other iconic San Francisco Stops
Painted Ladies at Alamo Square Park.
Full House exterior home at 1709 Broderick Street (private residence).
Drive down Lombard Street.
Return rental car and depart from San Francisco.
Pier 39 Sea Lion Colony