California’s National Parks Campervan Adventure from San Francisco

Start your nature adventures at Traveller’s Autobarn in San Francisco and hit the road- I-580 East, to be exact. Once you reach Oakdale, turn onto CA-120 East for Yosemite National Park.

The trip will take about three and a half hours without stops. But we recommend breaking up the trip. De Valley Regional Park and Jamestown’s Railtown 1897 State Historic Park are on the way and offer places to camp for the night if you want to explore.

When you arrive at Yosemite, you can park your campervan at one of the many campgrounds in the national park. There is a small daily fee to camp, but some spots offer more affordable rates than others.

Use your camping spot as the launching point for exploring nature. Hiking up Glacier Point and seeing Yosemite Falls are a must. Plenty of guided tours are available to show you the park’s best-kept secrets.

On the next leg of your trip, you’ll make the two-hour and forty-minute trek to Sequoia National Park. Head south on CA-41 toward Tulare County, just east of Fresno.

When you get to Fresno, we recommend stretching your legs at the Forestiere Underground Gardens. This historical landmark features an underground network of mazes lined with citrus trees and bushes overflowing with roses in every shade.

Once you make it to Yosemite, park your campervan at the Lodgepole Campground in the heart of the groves. Or, if you plan on visiting the nearby Kings Canyon National Parks, stay at the Dorst Creek Campground. It is located at the perfect halfway point between the two national parks.

Depending on when you arrive, you can try a day hike through the sequoias or challenge yourself with an overnight backpacking trip up the Sierra Nevada. Moro Rock is also a must-see before you go.

Wake up bright and early to drive the nearly five-hour trip to Death Valley National Park. You’ll take CA-58 E the whole way. When you reach Bakersfield, you’re halfway there.

Take the exit toward Lancaster to see the breathtaking Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve in the Mojave Desert. Consider staying the night at Red Rock Canyon State Park in Cantil, CA, before finishing the drive to Death Valley.

Death Valley National Park is home to many campgrounds. Some are developed or privately owned and accessible from paved roads; others are located deep within the park for a taste of the desert wilderness.

Zabriskie Point, Unbehebe Crater, and the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are some of the most popular sights to see in Death Valley. Darwin Falls and Mosaic Canyon Trail are great places to find bodies of water to cool off in before continuing your Death Valley escapade.

Joshua Tree is a four-hour drive from Death Valley. You’ll head south on CA-247 toward Palm Springs- straight through the heart of the hauntingly beautiful Mojave Desert.

On the way, there will be plenty of opportunities to stop and appreciate this beauty up close and in person. Make a pitstop for a selfie with the Trona Pinnacles in the California Desert National Conservation Area, or stop in Big Bear Lake for a quick fishing trip.

When you reach the 1880s-themed Pioneertown, you’re minutes away from Joshua Tree. Black Rock Canyon Campground is convenient to your drive in the park’s northwest corner. Or try the Jumbo Rocks Campground if you want to stay somewhere more centrally located.

Once you’re unpacked, head straight for Keys View to glimpse the expansive park. Hidden Valley Nature Trail and the Cholla Cactus Garden Trail offer photo opportunities with Joshua Tree’s rugged landscape as your backdrop.

Next stop: Palm Springs! This famous resort town is only a few miles from Palm Springs on CA-62 West. The furthest you’ll drive is an hour if you stay deep within Joshua Tree National Park.

We recommend heading straight to Palm Springs and parking your campervan at the KOA Campground and RV Park. The campground is convenient for shopping, dining, and all Palm Springs offers.

If you are searching for an outdoor experience to remember, head to the Moorten Botanical Garden or see the local sights from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The Palm Springs Air and Art Museums, Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, and Walk of the Stars are also top tourist destinations to consider.

The longest leg of your journey will take you from Palm Springs to the coastal city of San Luis Obispo (SLO). Once you reach Los Angeles, you’ll drive the rest of the way on the scenic Pacific Coast Highway (US-101).

Break up this five-hour trip with a few stops along the way. Check out exotic flowers and wildlife at the Los Angeles County Arboretum or get a bird’s-eye view of the whole city from Griffith’s Observatory. Santa Barbara is halfway between LA and SLO and offers views of the stunning Santa Ynez Mountains.

San Luis Obispo is home to a range of places to park your campervan. Some top ones include the Lopez Lake Recreation Area, Oceano Campground, and Coastal Dunes RV Park and Campground.

After a good night’s sleep, watch the sunrise over Bishop Peak or catch an ocean breeze at the Montana de Oro State Park. The Hearst Castle and Museum is a bucket-list item for many, with its sprawling grounds featuring over 120 acres of gardens, pools, and walkways.

Getting to Pinnacles National Park from SLO takes less than two hours. The trip will guide you up US-101 N, but without the Pacific Coast Highway views since you’ll take the inland route.

Luckily, there are plenty of sights to see along the way, as the journey takes you straight through the Paso Robles wine region. You can’t miss the Eberle Winery, with its underground wine caves and rolling vineyards.

The sole camping spot at Pinnacles National Park, Pinnacles Campground, is accessible only through the east entrance. Park your campervan for the night to take advantage of the picnic tables, barbeque pits, and swimming pool.

Pinnacles is connected via 30 miles of hiking trails for all levels. Climb up Condor Gulch or High Peaks Trail for a full view of the park, or try the cave trails to explore what lay beneath the mountainous landscapes.

Getting to Big Sur from Pinnacles National Park requires a quick drive to the coast before you reach Monterey. From there, Big Sur is an hour away via the famous Pacific Coast Highway.

If you want to see the best of the PCH, take a quick detour north of Monterey for the 17-Mile Drive. When you arrive in Carmel, stop at Point Lobos State Reserve to see whales, otters, and sea lions at play.

When you arrive in Big Sur, drive to the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground for beachside camping. You’ll be within walking distance of Pfeiffer Beach and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.

For your last stop, retrace your steps north via CA-1 for Monterey. It’ll only take about forty-five minutes, but you’ll have plenty of gorgeous coastal views to enjoy on the drive.

We recommend parking at Moss Landing KOA near Monterey Bay for your stay. It is centrally located in Monterey and mere steps from the Moss Landing State Beach.

The best outdoor adventures in Monterey await you! There are impressive views at Jacks Peak Park, coastal magic at Lovers Point Park, and plenty of ways to spend a buck or two at Old Fisherman’s Wharf.

You’re probably exhausted from so many days on the road. The good news is that San Francisco is a quick two-hour drive up the coast via US-101 N. If you didn’t have time to visit the 17-mile Drive on your way to Big Sur, now’s your chance.

When you arrive in San Francisco, spend your last night at a campground like the San Francisco RV Resort. From there, you can explore local favorites like the Japanese Tea Garden or an obligatory visit to the Golden Gate Bridge.

The last thing to do is return your campervan to Traveller’s Autobarn before you can start planning your next California trip!

California is the best state for a national park road trip. From Yosemite to Pinnacles and the many parks in between, this itinerary offers the perfect way to see them all.

Planning a road trip to California’s National parks? There’s no better way to see them than in an affordable campervan from Traveller’s Autobarn. Get a quote for your journey today!

Check our more San Francisco road trips here!