California road trip: Big Sur, Yosemite and the coast

Facts last checked October 27, 2026 against the official sources listed at the end of this page. Rules, fees and advisories change; confirm with the official source before you book. Not a government website.

A California road trip usually means one of three things: the coast (San Francisco to Los Angeles on Highway 1 and U.S. 101), the Sierra Nevada (Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon), or the desert (Joshua Tree, Death Valley, Palm Springs). You can combine them, but distances are bigger than they look on a map. Pick one or two regions for a one-week trip.

Documents for the trip

If you fly in from another state, TSA requires a REAL ID-compliant license or another accepted ID; a passport book or passport card both work. Rental companies require a valid driver's license and usually a credit card in the driver's name; check age rules and fees with your rental company. International visitors should check whether their home license is accepted or whether they need an International Driving Permit alongside it. If San Diego tempts you into Mexico, remember that re-entering the U.S. by land requires a passport book, a passport card, an enhanced driver's license or a trusted traveler card.

Route 1: San Francisco to Los Angeles via Big Sur

This is the classic drive. Without stops it is a long day; with stops, plan three to five days.

San Francisco and the Bay Area

• Alcatraz. The only way onto the island is Alcatraz City Cruises, the ferry operator the National Park Service authorizes to land passengers. Tickets sell out, especially in summer; buy directly from the operator well ahead.
• Muir Woods National Monument, north of the Golden Gate Bridge, requires a parking or shuttle reservation through GoMuirWoods.com. There is no first-come parking. NPS advises downloading or printing your reservation because cell service is limited near the park.
• The Golden Gate Bridge has a pedestrian walkway, and the Presidio and Lands End trails offer views of it. Fog is common in summer; plan bridge photos for clear mornings or the fall.

Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur

The stretch of Highway 1 through Big Sur, between Carmel and Cambria, is one of the most famous drives in the country and one of the most fragile. Landslides closed sections for long periods in recent years. Caltrans reopened the highway at Regent's Slide on January 14, 2026, restoring through travel along the coast.

Construction continues: in fall 2026 Caltrans listed one-way traffic control at the Rocky Creek and Torre Canyon bridges, so expect waits. Before you set out, check roads.dot.ca.gov (enter route 1) for the latest closures; Caltrans posts them there first.

Practical tips for Big Sur:

• Fill up before you leave Carmel or Cambria. Services in Big Sur are limited and fuel is expensive.
• Cell coverage is patchy. Download offline maps.
• Use the paved turnouts to pull over and let faster traffic pass. Do not stop in the traffic lane for photos.
• Many state park day-use areas along the coast have small lots that fill early in summer.
• Lodging inside Big Sur is limited and books up months ahead for summer and holiday weekends.

The Central Coast to Los Angeles

South of Big Sur, Highway 1 passes Hearst Castle (tours run by California State Parks), the elephant seal viewing area near San Simeon, and on through San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara before joining the freeways into Los Angeles. The pace changes completely here: expect heavy traffic around Los Angeles at rush hour.

Route 2: Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada

Yosemite National Park is about four hours by car from San Francisco, depending on traffic.

What the National Park Service says for 2026:

• No timed-entry reservations are required in 2026. Check the park's reservations page before you go, because this has changed from year to year.
• Entrance fee: $35 per private vehicle, valid for seven days. Yosemite is cashless; bring a card.
• Non-U.S. residents age 16 and older pay an additional $100 per person unless they enter with an annual or America the Beautiful pass. Yosemite is one of 11 national parks with this fee.
• All entrances except Hetch Hetchy are open 24 hours a day.
• Tioga Road (Highway 120 through the high country) and Glacier Point Road close for winter; opening and closing dates depend on snow.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, south of Yosemite, protect the giant sequoias, including the General Sherman Tree. They are also on the list of parks with the $100 non-resident fee. Roads into the parks are steep and winding; vehicle length limits apply on some routes.

Tips: Lodging inside Yosemite Valley books up far ahead. Arrive early in summer, when traffic and parking in the Valley are the main challenges. If you plan to hike Half Dome's cables, a separate permit is required; check Recreation.gov and the park website.

Route 3: The desert parks

• Joshua Tree National Park, about two to three hours east of Los Angeles, charges $30 per private vehicle and accepts cash or card. It is best from fall to spring. Summer heat is dangerous; carry far more water than you think you need, and there is little shade.
• Death Valley National Park is one of the hottest places on Earth in summer. Visit between late fall and early spring, and treat a breakdown in summer as a medical emergency waiting to happen: carry extra water and know that cell service is unavailable in much of the park.
• Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, near San Diego, is known for spring wildflowers in wet years.

Should you buy a national parks pass?

The America the Beautiful annual pass costs $80 for U.S. residents and covers entrance fees at national parks and other federal recreation sites for a year, for everyone in your vehicle at per-vehicle parks. Visiting Yosemite ($35) and Joshua Tree ($30) plus one more park roughly pays for it. Non-residents pay $250, which also covers the $100 non-resident fee. Seniors, military members, people with permanent disabilities and families with fourth-graders have discounted or free options. A pass covers entrance fees, not separate reservation or tour fees.

Driving tips for California

• Distances and traffic: Los Angeles and Bay Area traffic can double journey times at rush hour. Plan long drives for early morning.
• Mountain roads: some Sierra roads require or recommend chains in winter; check Caltrans conditions before you go.
• Wildfire season: fires can close roads and parks with little notice, usually in summer and fall. Check park alerts and Caltrans before setting out.
• Break-ins: do not leave bags or valuables visible in parked cars, especially at trailheads and city viewpoints.