It’s so crazy how many amazing sites there are to see in California. It’s hard planning a trip to California and only visiting one place. I love combining multiple cities and destinations in one trip when I travel to see as much as I can. Carl and I spent one week in California and took a road trip at the end of September from Lake Tahoe to Yosemite National Park. This scenic route goes through some of the state’s most iconic scenery, from the crystal clear waters of Lake Tahoe to the massive granite domes of Yosemite National Park. A road trip is the best way to see all these natural wonders. It was an amazing adventurous week! In this travel guide, I am sharing a week itinerary and all the details of how you can plan a road trip from Lake Tahoe to Yosemite National Park.
Itinerary
Days 1-3 – Lake Tahoe
Days 4-7 – Yosemite National Park
Lake Tahoe
Best Month to Visit Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is great to visit all year round so it depends on the activities you want to do. If you want to snow tube, ski, and snowboard, Lake Tahoe is a beautiful winter wonderland. November through March is the best time to visit for winter activities. If you want to visit Lake Tahoe to hang out at the beach and go swimming, the best time to visit is from June to August.
I visited Lake Tahoe in September and I personally think September is a great time to visit Lake Tahoe. It’s not as crowded as the summer months and the weather is a little cooler making it perfect for hiking and it can still be warm enough to go swimming.
I recommend doing this Lake Tahoe road trip in late spring, summer, or in the fall!
Day 1: Arrive in South Lake Tahoe
The first day of your Lake Tahoe to Yosemite National Park road trip will be in South Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe is absolutely beautiful. You will be surrounded with crystal clear waters, pine trees, and amazing mountain views. Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America and South Lake Tahoe is located on the border between California and Nevada.
What airports are closest to South Lake Tahoe?
The nearest major airports to South Lake Tahoe are Reno-Tahoe International Airport and Sacramento International Airport. Reno-Tahoe International Airport is about an hour drive. Sacramento International Airport is a two drive. Flying into San Francisco is also an option, but it is a long drive of about four hours. For this itinerary, San Francisco is a good option to fly home from because it is closer to Yosemite National Park.
Grab Lunch + Explore the Town
Once you arrive in South Lake Tahoe, I recommend grabbing lunch. You can get a burger at California Burger Company or pizza at Basecamp Pizza. A cool and unique pizza option they have is their Thai Chicken Curry pizza! It was so good!
After lunch, you can spend some time exploring the town and checking out the shops and boutiques.
Day 2: Hiking + Beach
On day two of your Lake Tahoe to Yosemite National Park road trip, I recommend getting an early start to your day! After a good breakfast, it is time to check out a few of Lake Tahoe’s awesome hiking trails! Two great hikes that you can combine together in one day is Granite Lake + Maggie’s Peak and Eagle Lake trail.
Granite Lake + Maggie’s Peak Hike
Granite Lake + Maggie’s Peak trail is a hard 4.1 mile hike and takes about 3-4 hours to complete. You gain about 1,000 feet in elevation so it is pretty steep. The trail begins at Bayview Trailhead and winds through a forested area where you get occasional glimpses of Lake Tahoe. After about 1.5 miles, you will reach Granite Lake. The lake is surrounded by granite rocks and it’s pretty serene!
From Granite Lake, continue on the trail towards Maggie’s Saddle. This part of the trail involves some elevation gain, but you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and Lake Tahoe.
From Maggie’s Saddle, you will continue with a short and steep scramble to the top of Maggie’s Peak. You will get breathtaking 360 degree views of Lake Tahoe, Desolation Wilderness, Emerald Bay, Granite Lake, Cascade Lake, and part of Fallen Leaf Lake. It was a rainy and foggy day when we did this hike, but the views were still amazing.
This trailhead for this hike is accessed from the Bayview Trailhead. You can park at the end of Bayview Campground on Highway 89. There are no signs that specifically say “Granite Lake” or “Maggie’s Peak”, but just follow the signs for “Desolation Wilderness” and you will be on the right trail. The trail is easy to follow and well marked.
Since you are hiking in the Desolation Wilderness, which is a protected area, a day permit is required. You can get a permit at one of the ranger stations or in the green box that is located at the start of the trailhead. Read all the regulations, fill it out, and sign the permit. Before starting the hike, tear off the bottom portion of the permit and deposit it in the box at the trailhead.
Emerald Bay State Park Lookout
Before starting on the next hike, take a break and drive to Emerald Bay State Park lookout and check out some of the great viewpoints. This lookout is located on the edge of Emerald Bay. There is a parking lot you can park at along Highway 89. The lookout is easily accessible from the parking area. From the lookout, you will get a stunning view overlooking Emerald Bay and Fannette Island, the only island in Lake Tahoe. This is also the perfect time and great place to relax and have a snack before the next hike!
Eagle Lake Trail
The second hike you will be doing for the day is Eagle Lake. This is a moderate 1.9 mile hike that takes about an hour to complete. It’s a beautiful trail that leads you to the stunning Eagle Lake.
The trailhead for Eagle Lake is accessed from the Eagle Falls Trailhead, which is located at Emerald Bay on Highway 89. A day permit for this hike is also required.
The trail begins with views of Eagle Falls and as you ascend, you will be treated to panoramic views of Emerald Bay and Lake Tahoe. The highlight of this hike is reaching the beautiful Eagle Lake.
After this hike, drive back into town to get some lunch!
Sand Harbor Beach
After a morning of hiking, I recommend spending the rest of the day relaxing at the beach. There are a bunch of beautiful beaches near South Lake Tahoe. Even if it is a chilly and not a good day for swimming, I would still make time to visit the beaches and coves. It’s magical to see how clear the water is and I love all the unique rock formations throughout the beaches.
One of the beaches I would visit is Sand Harbor Beach. It is a beautiful and popular beach to visit. Sand Harbor Beach is located on the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe, within Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park. It is easily accessible from Highway 28.
There is a designated parking area at Sand Harbor, but keep in mind that during peak times it can fill up quickly. There also is an entrance fee to access Sand Harbor. Entrance fees are $10 for Nevada vehicles and $15 for non-Nevada vehicles.
You can relax on the sand, go swimming, and even rent kayaks, paddle boards or canoes. There are also a few hiking trails. The Sand Harbor to Memorial Point Trail is a short half-mile hike that provides access to many secluded beaches and rock areas.
Day 3: Beach + Hiking + Biking
The third day of your Lake Tahoe to Yosemite National Park road trip will be another fun filled day of hiking trials, beautiful beaches, and scenic views.
Secret Cove Beach
I would start your morning visiting Secret Cove Beach so you can have it all to yourself. Secret Cove Beach is a hidden gem nestled along the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe. This is my favorite beach that I visited in Lake Tahoe. It’s surrounded by granite boulders making it a signature photo spot and a perfect place to relax.
It can be tricky to find since the trail to the beach starts at the side of the road on Highway 28. But – if you put “Secret Cove Beach” in Google Maps, it will take you to the exact spot. It is a 20 minute walk to the beach and totally worth it! There is no entrance fee to enter this beach.
I loved that this beach gives you a unique and off-the-beaten-path secluded experience. We got there early in the morning and there were only a few people there.
Rubicon Trail
My favorite hiking trail that I did in Lake Tahoe was the Rubicon Trail. This trail is filled with beautiful views of the crystal clear lake, mountains, and pine trees. The Rubicon Trail is located on the western shore of Lake Tahoe. It is a 16.4 mile trail that extends between the Vikingsholm Estate and D.L. Bliss State Park.
This trail can be accessed from various trailheads, including D.L. Bliss State Park and Emerald Bay State Park. You can choose your starting point based on the length and difficulty you would like. It is 4.5 miles between D.L. Bliss State Park and Emerald Bay State Park. I recommend starting your hike from D.L. Bliss State Park.
This trail is pretty cool because it covers a diverse range of terrain like rocky paths, forested sections, and open meadows. Portions of the trail hug the shoreline so you get stunning views of the lake.
Along the trail, there are also some landmarks you will come across like Vikingsholm, a Scandinavian-style mansion, and the Rubicon Point lighthouse.
Also, if you want to see a bear, this is the hike to do! The trail is in bear habitat so you have a very high chance of seeing one like we did!
Bike the Lake Tahoe East Shore Bike Path
For your final activity in Lake Tahoe, I highly recommend biking the Tahoe East Shore Trail. It is considered the most beautiful bike trail in America. This trail is three miles long and ten feet wide. Visitors can walk, run, or bike ride. Throughout the path, you get incredible views of the crystal clear waters and surrounding mountains.
The first mile is on the mountain side where you get an amazing view of Lake Tahoe and then you cross through a tunnel and get to enjoy two miles of the shoreline. The East Shore Trail has a bunch of beach access points and vista points where you can stop along the way to relax and enjoy the views.
There are parking spots at the northern end of the trail where you have to pay during the peak season. If the parking lot is full, you can take the East Shore Express shuttle at the old Incline Elementary School on Southwood or the Sand Harbor Visitor Center. The shuttle fee is $3 per person.
There are two bike rental shops in the area. You can rent a bike at Flume Trail Bikes or at Village Ski Loft.
Where to Eat in South Lake Tahoe
Basecamp Pizza – you have to try their Thai Chicken Curry pizza!
California Burger Company – serves gourmet burgers in a hip tavern with live bands
Sprouts Cafe – healthy cafe that serves juices, smoothies, and sandwiches
Izabella Ristorante Italiano – popular Italian restaurant
Cold Water Brewery and Grill – great brewery with a seasonal food menu
MacDuff’s Pub – you have to try their Shepherds Pie and Artichoke Spinach Dip!
A Cup of Cherries – perfect spot for breakfast – you have to try their Rum-Chai French Toast!
Black Cabin Coffee – great spot for coffee!\
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is one of the most beautiful places in the United States! It is located in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains and known for its iconic granite rock formations, amazing waterfalls, and scenic landscapes. It is every adventure seeker and nature lovers’ dream. Yosemite is filled with spectacular sights and incredible hikes.
Day 4: Drive to Yosemite National Park
On the fourth day of your Lake Tahoe to Yosemite National Park road trip, we will be leaving Lake Tahoe and driving to Yosemite National Park. The driving distance is about four hours.
When you arrive, I recommend stopping at a grocery store and getting water, snacks, and something to bring to eat on the hikes like sandwiches. There is limited dining around the park. The park is huge so depending on where you are, dining might not be convenient. For breakfast, Carl and I brought to-go oatmeal cups and milk to eat overnight oats right before our hikes and for lunch, we packed sandwiches.
You can spend the rest of the day settling into the hotel and go to dinner.
How Many Days to Spend in Yosemite National Park
Carl and I spent three days in Yosemite National Park and we thought it was the perfect amount of time to see all the highlights and different areas of the park. If you are interested in doing more challenging hikes, I recommend spending at least four days.
Best Lodging Near Yosemite National Park
If you are deciding where to stay, one of the best lodging near Yosemite National Park is Rush Creek Lodge and Spa. We loved our stay here! It has the perfect balance of sophisticated and “cabin in the woods” feel and the rooms are great and spacious! The drive from Rush Creek Lodge to Yosemite Valley is about 45 minutes.
There are not a lot of dining options around Yosemite National Park so we ate at the restaurant at Rush Creek Lodge and Spa every night for dinner and loved it. They had a good selection so we were able to have something different every night. I highly recommend their crispy fried cauliflower and the king salmon.
Rush Creek also has fun daily activities. You will find many things to do for both adults and children. They have nature trails, a heated pool and hot tubs with a pool bar. You will find a bunch of games like bocce ball, corn hole, ping pong, shuffleboard, foosball, kid zip lines and a kid playroom. Every night they have smores. They also offer fitness classes and various seasonal activities.
Our favorite part of Rush Creek Lodge was their spa. Their spa features incredible indoor and outdoor spa elements inspired by the natural beauty and power of Yosemite. They have an aromatherapy steam room, Himalayan salt block sauna, a cool mist room, sensory room and warm river rock beds. After two and a half days of hiking, it was so nice getting a massage and spending an afternoon relaxing at the spa.
Yosemite National Park Entrance Fees
There is an entrance fee to visit the park. If you are visiting in a non-commercial car, pickup truck, RV or van, it is $35 which is valid for seven days. If you are visiting in a different type of vehicle or are interested in an annual pass, check out this Fees & Passes page on their website.
Please note that from May 20th to September 30th, you must make a reservation to drive into Yosemite National Park. Driving through the park between 6am – 4pm requires a reservation. Each reservation costs $2 and counts for a three day period.
Day 5-7: Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is huge! It can take 5-6 hours to drive across the entire park. If you are planning on visiting different areas of the park, be prepared for it take 1-1.5 hours to get there. When planning your trip, I recommend exploring a specific area of the trip each day so you don’t spend a lot of time driving. Also, remember to get gas before entering the park – there are no gas stations inside the park!
Best Things to do in Yosemite National Park
Bike Riding
Biking is a fun way to explore Yosemite National Park. Yosemite Valley has over 12 miles of bike paths to explore between early spring and fall. If you need to rent bikes, there are three rental locations: Yosemite Valley Lodge, Curry Village, and Yosemite Village.
Challenging Hikes
Half Dome
Half Dome is one of the most challenging hikes in Yosemite National Park. It is an extremely steep and strenuous 14-16 mile hike. You gain almost 5k feet in elevation and it can take between 10-14 hours to complete. For the last 400 feet, you have to pull yourself up using steel cables to get to the top! The summit of Half Dome has panoramic views of Yosemite Valley, the High Sierra, and surrounding peaks. This is the ultimate bucket list hike!
If you are interested in doing this hike, you must have a permit for Half Dome. You can find out more information here!
Cloud’s Rest
Cloud’s Rest is another challenging hike in Yosemite. It is a 12.2 mile hike that takes about 7 hours to complete. This hike has very similar views to Half Dome. You will be rewarded with a 360 degree vista that includes Tenaya Canyon, the Cathedral Range, the High Sierra peaks and Half Dome. One of the highlights of Cloud’s Rest is the unique perspective it provides of Half Dome. You will also pass by beautiful alpine lakes along the trail. This hike isn’t as crowded as Half Dome so a permit isn’t required.
Upper Yosemite Falls
Upper Yosemite Falls is a challenging 7.6 mile hike near Yosemite Valley that takes a little over 5 hours to complete. The trail ascends to the top of North America’s tallest waterfall, Yosemite Falls. You will be rewarded with amazing panoramic views of Yosemite Valley. The best time to do this hike is spring and early summer when the waterfall is flowing.
Moderate Day Hikes
Mist Trail
The Mist Trail is one of the most popular trails in Yosemite National Park. You will find everything from waterfalls, rivers, picturesque mountain views and beautiful views of the Yosemite Valley. It is a challenging 7 mile hike that leads you to two of Yosemite’s most famous waterfalls: Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls.
The trail begins at Happy Isles and ascends along the Merced River. After about 1.5 miles, you will reach the base of Vernal Falls. The waterfall is 317 feet tall and in the spring and early summer, you will get a refreshing mist as you hike by. During that time of year, the waterfalls are at their peak flow so I recommend wearing waterproof gear and sturdy hiking shoes with good traction since the trail can be slippery. We hiked this trail in September so the waterfall only had a small flow.
Beyond Vernal Falls, the trail continues to climb to the top of Nevada Falls. Along the way, you will pass by Emerald Pool. This is a great spot to relax and have lunch or a snack.
Nevada Falls is the taller and larger of the two waterfalls along the trail. It drops 594 feet and has breathtaking views from the top.
It took us six hours to complete the trail, including stopping for a lunch break and photos.
Glacier Point
The hike to Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park has breathtaking panoramic views of the iconic landmarks of the park including Half Dome, Yosemite Valley, and the High Sierra peaks. There are different trail options to reach Glacier Point – the most popular route is via the Four Mile trail.
The Four Mile trail is approximately 4.8 miles one way, making it about 9.6 miles round trip. The trail has significant elevation gain where you climb 3,200 feet from the Yosemite Valley floor to Glacier Point. The trailhead is located near the Swinging Bridge Picnic Area in Yosemite Valley. You can also take the free Yosemite Valley Shuttle to the Four Mile trail.
This trail has one of the most breathtaking views in the park. You will get stunning views of Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, Sentinel Rock, and the Cathedral Rocks. At the top of Glacier Point, you can see Half Dome, Vernal and Nevada Falls, and the High Sierra peaks.
Easy Hikes
Lower Yosemite Falls
Lower Yosemite Falls is an easy 1.2 mile loop trail. It’s a beautiful scenic trail that is perfect to do after a long hike. This trail is a flat and paved pathway and great for a relaxing and leisurely stroll. When we did this hike in September, the waterfall was dried up, but it was still a great trail to explore.
Sentinel Dome Trail
The Sentinel Dome trail is a short but rewarding hike to the top of Sentinel Dome. It is 2.2 miles round trip. The summit provides breathtaking views of Yosemite Valley, including El Capitan, Cathedral Rocks, and Bridalveil Falls. One of the main attractions of Sentinel Dome is the unparalleled view of Half Dome. On clear days, you can also see the High Sierra peaks in the distance. This is also a great hike to do at sunset!
Taft Point
Taft Point is a spectacular viewpoint in Yosemite. It can be reached via the Taft Point Trail, which starts from the same trailhead as the Sentinel Dome trail. The Taft Point trail is approximately 2.2 miles round trip.
The main highlight of Taft Point is the dramatic overlook that provides a sheer drop-off with breathtaking views. It is also known for its distinctive fissures (cracks) in the granite rock. It’s such an incredible view!
Must See Sights in Yosemite National Park
Tunnel View
Tunnel View is one of the most famous views of the Yosemite Valley. The view is absolutely stunning. You will see El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Falls.
To get to this view, no hiking is required! You can find it just outside the Wawona Tunnel on State Highway 41. There is a parking lot right by the vista. During the summer, it can get pretty popular so I recommend coming here first thing in the morning.
El Capitan
El Capitan is one of the most iconic rock formations in Yosemite National Park. It is 3000 vertical feet of sheer rock granite. You can get an up-close and clear view of it in the El Capitan Meadow. You can find the meadow on the north side of Yosemite Valley. It makes such an awesome photo spot.
Hetch Hetchy Valley
If you want to get off the beaten path in Yosemite National Park, head to the peaceful northwest corner to explore Hetch Hetchy Valley. It is a reservoir that supplies water to the San Francisco Bay Area. The Valley is drained by the Tuolumne River. Trails around Hetch Hetchy offer great views of the water and granite cliffs.
Here is the list of hiking trails that you can explore in Hetch Hetchy Valley:
- Lookout Point (moderate) – 2 miles that takes about an hour. It involves moderate uphill climbing and takes you to a viewpoint overlooking Hetch Hetchy Valley
- Wapama Falls (moderate) – 5 miles that takes about two hours. This hike includes up and downhill hiking. You will see amazing views of Tueeulala and Wapama Falls.
- Rancheria Falls (moderate) – 13.4 miles that takes about 6-8 hours. This trail continues past Wapama Falls and you will see more beautiful views of the valley.
- Smith Peak (moderate to strenuous) – 13.5 miles that takes about 6-8 hours. This trail takes you through a forest and meadow to Smith Peak, which is the highest point in the area.
- Poopenaut Valley (strenuous) – 3 miles that takes about two hours. This trail leads you to the Tuolumne River below O’Shaughnessy Dam.
We did the Wapama Falls trail. It was a relaxing hike that had amazing views of the Valley. We loved seeing a different area of Yosemite National Park. Since this area is not as popular as Yosemite Valley, there were only a few people there and it felt like we had the entire place to ourselves.
Olmsted Point
Olmsted Point is a famous overlook off Tioga Pass Road in Yosemite National Park. From this viewpoint, you can see amazing views of Half Dome, Tenaya Lake, and Cloud’s Rest. The elevation at Olmsted Point is a little over 8,000 feet! When we were there, it was snowing!
Sequoia Trees in Yosemite
Did you know you can find Sequoia Trees in Yosemite National Park? You can find them in these three groves:
- Mariposa Grove – this is the largest grove in the park and home to over 500 mature giant sequoias. You can find a variety of trails to explore. It’s located an hour and 15 minutes from Yosemite Valley.
- Tuolumne Grove – this is where I went to visit and it’s home to about two dozen giant sequoias. They have a one mile hiking trail. The drive is 45 minutes away from Yosemite Valley.
- Merced Grove – they also have about two dozen sequoias that you can see on their 1.5 mile hiking trail. The drive is 45 minutes from Yosemite Valley.
Sample Three Day Itinerary
Here is a sample Yosemite National Park Itinerary to explore different areas of the park.
Day 1: Explore Yosemite Valley. Start the day by hiking the Mist Trail. Then, check out the famous sights in the Valley like Tunnel View and El Capitan. End the day with hiking the Lower Yosemite Falls trail.
Day 2: You can do a challenging hike like Half Dome or Cloud’s Rest. If you are not up for a challenging hike, you can drive through Tioga Pass Road, check out the view at Olmsted Point, and relax at Tenaya Lake.
Day 3: Check out the sequoia trees in Yosemite at Mariposa Grove in the first half of the day. For the second half, explore the hiking trails at Hetch Hetchy Valley.
What to Pack
We visited Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park in September. In the mornings and evenings, it was chilly and throughout the day, the weather was warm. It even rained one day while we were there. If you are deciding what to wear on your Lake Tahoe to Yosemite National Park road trip , I recommend packing layers so you can easily take off or put on a layer as it gets cooler or warmer. I also suggest packing a rain jacket just in case there is a chance of rain during a hike.
Here is some outfit inspiration on what to wear on your trip:
Hiking Shoes
Jackets
Hiking Outfits
Final Stop: San Francisco
One of the final stops that you can add on your Lake Tahoe to Yosemite National Park road trip is San Francisco. It makes a great final stop since you can also fly home from here. The drive from Yosemite National Park to San Francisco is three hours.
There is so much to see in San Francisco so I recommend spending a few days here. But if you only have one day like us, it is definitely possible to see a few highlights and get the vibe of the city.
One of the things I highly recommend is checking out one of the awesome viewpoints to see the Golden Gate Bridge. There are many great viewpoints, but the one that I went to was at Battery Spencer. You can find it on Google Maps by searching “Golden Gate View Point.”
Excited for this Lake Tahoe to Yosemite road trip!