These two unbelievable nationwide parks are a couple of three-hour drive from one another, however thereโs hundreds to see on the best wayโฆ highway journey!
When youโre up early, you may see a few of Yosemite Nationwide Park and Sequoia Nationwide Park in a day. However, Iโd suggest taking your time and hanging round at each. Even in the event you donโt wish to go mad on the mountaineering, you may simply absorb the ambiance and revel in your environment.
Yosemite Nationwide Park might be probably the most well-known within the area, buried within the Sierra Nevada mountains, and residential to waterfalls, canyons, cliffs and glacier factors. Sequoia then again is far more unfold out โ and usually quieter and calmer. In the end, theyโre each nicely price visiting, and Iโm very jealous youโre (pondering of?) going.
When you do a highway journey from Yosemite to Sequoia Nationwide Park youโll have the ability to see the true pure fantastic thing about California. I believe I managed to tick off a complete nature bucket checklist on this quick distance. Thereโs waterfalls, lakes, forests, and extra to discover โย donโt neglect these highway journey snacks both.
Iโve detailed the entire greatest locations to see on a highway journey from Yosemite to Sequoia Nationwide Park beneath!
11 Locations to See on a Highway Journey from Yosemite to Sequoia Nationwide Park
Profit from Californiaโs unbelievable and various nature as you drive from one park to a different โ the right option to feast your eyes on greenery, glaciers and glassy lakes.
See the map of the highway journey right here
1. Tunnel View, Yosemite
Begin your journey with the enduring Tunnel View. Itโs the right introduction to the majestic fantastic thing about Yosemite, providing a surprising panorama of the valley. The primary glimpse of Yosemite Valley with El Capitan and Half Dome is simply unbelievable. I felt like I used to be in a nature documentary, besidesโฆ it was all actual.
The view is iconic, and regardless of what number of images youโve seen, nothing beats seeing it in particular person. When you occur to be there at dawn then you definitelyโll actually see one thing particular.
2. Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite
Only a quick drive from Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall is one other cease it is advisable to make. The waterfall is particularly spectacular within the spring and early summer time. Itโs 188m excessive and will get its title from, nicely, wanting like a brideโs veil.
Getting sprayed by the mist was fairly refreshing after a little bit of a stroll up there. Itโs a must-see for its sheer magnificence and straightforward accessibility.
3. Mariposa Grove, Yosemite
Strolling among the many large sequoias in Mariposa Grove is like being a tiny creature in a largeโs world. The Grizzly Big and California Tunnel Tree are simply unbelievable and virtually a bit surreal. Itโs a staunch reminder of how magnificent nature actually is. In truth two timber listed here are among the many largest sequoias on the earth.
Anyway โ simply in case youโve had sufficient of me speaking timber โ thereโs numerous different issues to do at Mariposa Grove. You possibly can go mountaineering and even snowboarding throughout winter. Yeah, undecided how that works.
4. Fish Camp
Simply exterior Yosemite Nationwide Park is Fish Camp, a cute little city thatโs dwelling to the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad. This historic steam prepare, a remnant of the logging days of the early 1900s, promised an journey again in time, and it definitely delivered. As you board the vintage prepare, youโll little doubt really feel nostalgic with its wood benches and the conductors conventional clothes.
The prepare journey itself was nothing in need of wonderful. As we chugged alongside the narrow-gauge monitor, the landscapes of the Sierra Nationwide Forest enveloped us. You possibly can see sugar pines and cedars, which make it much more magical.
5. Bass Lake, Madera County
Roughly half an hour from Mariposa Grove is Bass Lake. Itโs 5 miles lengthy and the right spot in the event you take pleasure in watersports. It’s also possible to go swimming within the coves dotted round, which is a pleasant break in the event youโve been caught within the automotive for some time.
Even in the event youโve already completed a couple of hikes and treks on this highway journey from Yosemite to Sequoia Nationwide Park, the walks round Bass Lake are fairly wonderful. The Manner of the Mono Path (named after inhabitants of the realm) is simply over half a mile and ends with nice views from the highest.
6. Fresno Flats Historic Park, Oakhurst
Put together to step again in time to the nineteenth century at Fresno Flats, on the time of gold mining. The museum and park home buildings of the time, which you’ll be able to see by way of guided excursions. Relying on whenever you go to, youโll additionally have the ability to do workshops like cooking or sq. dancing.
7. Sierra Nationwide Forest
You is likely to be sick of seeing nationwide parks on this itinerary of stops to see on the highway journey from Yosemite to Sequoia Nationwide Park, however this one is unquestionably price it.
You possibly can cease off for a hike, or simply take within the drive by way of the park. Itโs obtained panoramic views of mountains, lakes and the forest, that are lovely. You might โ in the event youโre feeling courageous sufficient โ go for a swim too. Though, itโs fairly chilly so be ready
8. Fresno Metropolis
Fresno is kind of an essential metropolis in California, particularly with regards to agriculture. So that youโll discover numerous farms and orchards there. Ensure you cease off at a restaurant to attempt to scrumptious native meals. Itโs significantly recognized for citrus fruits, peaches, grapes, tomatoes, almonds and extra. Oh and itโs additionally dubbed โRaisin World Capitalโ.
Whereas in Fresno, ensure you go to the Forestiere Underground Gardens, that are underground passageways, grottos and courtyards constructed by a Sicilian residing there over the course of 40 years. Itโs fairly spectacular to see what one man was able to in his lifetime.
9. Blue Ridge Vista Level
The Blue Ridge Vista Level is a surprising spot alongside the freeway. The vista level, located at a excessive elevation, gives a sweeping panorama of the encircling Sierra Nevada vary. You possibly can attain it by automotive โย itโs particularly gorgeous within the autumn.
The sight of rolling hills, deep valleys, and rugged mountain peaks stretching so far as the attention may see is nicely well worth the picture cease.
10. Hume Lake
One other cease, one other lake. However once more, itโs one other pure magnificence spot that you just donโt wish to miss out on. Though technically, Hume Lake is a reservoir.
Itโs used so much for Christian camps, however thereโs additionally non-public cabins to lease in the event you fancy turning your highway journey from Yosemite to Sequoia Nationwide Park into an in a single day keep. Thereโs watersports and seashore actions that happen on and round Hume Lake, making it a cute little getaway between these two locations.
11. Sequoia Nationwide Park
Positioned within the southern Sierra Nevada mountains of California, this park is famend for its towering sequoia timber (if it wasnโt clear from the title), that are among the many largest and oldest residing organisms on Earth.
The center of my go to was the Big Forest, dwelling to 5 of the ten largest timber on the earth. Probably the most well-known amongst them, the Basic Sherman Tree, is taken into account the biggest residing tree by quantity. Standing on the base of Basic Sherman, you may see simply how enormous these timber really are.
A spotlight of my journey was the climb up Moro Rock, a big granite dome providing panoramic views of the park and the Nice Western Divide. The stairway to the highest is carved into the rock. Though itโs a bit tough-going, the vistas are well worth the effort. When you can time it proper, get to the highest of Moro Rock at sundown.
One other fascinating characteristic of Sequoia Nationwide Park is Crystal Cave, a marble karst cave adorned with stalactites, stalagmites, and circulation stones. The guided tour by way of the cave revealed a hidden underground world, with intricate formations and streams.