San Francisco to Lake Tahoe Campervan Road Trip Itinerary

The first stop on your High Sierra adventure is Traveller’s Autobarn. Pick up your travel van rental at our San Francisco location before hitting I-80 for beautiful Sacramento- the City of Trees.

Taking a pit stop at Muir Woods National Monument just north of San Francisco will only add about an hour to your trip. You’ll be able to explore the magical redwood forests before hitting the open road.

During the drive, you’ll pass by the forested Grizzly Island Wildlife Area and Grasslands Regional Park. Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area marks the border between Davis and Sacramento. It’s a great place to stop and stretch your legs while checking out the wild animals and birds migrating over the Pacific Flyway.

If you’re itching to reach the Sierra Nevada region, pass right through Sacramento and head toward Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, which is about 25 miles away. The area has 69 campsites nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills.

Keep your eyes peeled when traveling to Lake Tahoe on US-50 East. The drive sends you straight through the heart of Eldorado National Forest, home to over a million acres of fragrant fir, pine, and cedar trees.

Your route is only a quick detour away from stunning Sierra Nevada landmarks, including White Pines Lake and Black Chasm Cavern National Natural Landmark.

There are many South Lake Tahoe campgrounds to choose from. The closest one to town is the historic Camp Richardson Resort. It’s convenient to the lake and local hiking trails, as well as Tallac Historic Site and Vikingsholm.

Camp Richardson is also a hop, skip, and a jump away from the Kirkwood Mountain Resort. Kirkwood Mountain is one of the best places for skiing if you visit in the winter.

When you’ve had your fill of Lake Tahoe’s recreational activities, head over the state line to Carson City, Nevada. It’s a quick half-hour drive if you don’t stop, but then you’d miss many of the nearby landmarks.

Sand Harbor is on Lake Tahoe’s northeastern corner and the perfect place for a quick swim during warmer months. It’s also one of the best places to see the Sierra Nevada and Carson mountain ranges peaking up over the horizon.

Chimney Beach is another beautiful spot. The trailhead located in the area takes you to a secreted-away lakefront beach. Kings Canyon Waterfalls is another perfect place for a photo op that’s nearby.

About eight miles north of Carson City sits the dignified Washoe Lake State Park. There are 49 sites overlooking the lake with a backdrop of the Sierra Nevada, Carson, and Virginia mountains.

As you leave Carson City, make sure to drive through the Kit Carson Trail. This historic street is lined with classic Victorian homes, all built in 1864. A self-guided walking tour is also available.

Next, head toward Virginia City, a small town sandwiched between the Virginia Range and Mount Davidson. On the way there, you’ll pass through the communities of Gold Hill and Silver City, both named for the area’s silver and gold mining history.

When you get to Virginia City, pull into the Virginia City RV Park. There’s a market on the campgrounds, but you’ll also be close to all this historic town has to offer.

Get into the Old West spirit with a visit to The Way It Was Museum. Grab a bite and a brew at the Delta Saloon before visiting the Washoe Club Museum and Saloon, which dates back to the 1860s. As one of the most haunted towns in the US, Virginia City also offers spooky landmarks and guided ghost tours.

Leave Virginia City via NV-341 W for Reno. The beginning of the drive will take you through the rural haven of the Virginia City Highlands before you reach Reno’s suburbs.

This route will take you past Washoe Lake again, so make sure to stop by if you don’t have a chance on the way from Lake Tahoe to Carson City. You’ll want to stay at the Gold Ranch Casino and RV Resort on the west side of town.

Reno is home to dozens of casinos and resorts. If that’s not your style, there’s still plenty to do. Take a stroll down the Truckee Riv Walk, browse the National Automobile Museum, or catch a ball game at the Greater Nevada Field.

In addition to being close to the best place to gamble outside of Las Vegas, your campground is about 40 minutes away from Lake Tahoe’s north shores. If you didn’t get enough of the Big Blue already, head down for a day trip to Kings Beach State Recreation Area for mountain views, kayaking, and more.

Next stop: Truckee, California, a national hub for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike. It’s a quick 35-minute drive down I-80 West and over the California-Nevada state line.

Boca Reservoir and Prosser Creek Reservoir are on the way. Or you can overshoot Truckee by a few miles to reach Donner Memorial State Park, a popular forested green space for hiking, fishing, and boating. It’s also the location of the Emigrant Trail Museum, a popular choice for history lovers.

Plan your trip in the wintertime if you want to visit nearby Boreal Mountain California. The destination is one of the best areas for skiing and snowboarding in California, offering trails for beginners and up.

Park your campervan at Coachland RV Park and Village Camp when you’re done exploring the area. Situated just east of Truckee proper, this site is a 6,000-foot climb into the Sierra Nevadas.

Though not technically part of Sierra Nevada, wine lovers can’t miss out on a quick visit to California’s most famous wine region. Napa Valley is less than three hours away from Truckee via I-80 West.

Drive straight through Sacramento and Davis unless you want to hit a few stops you missed on the way to Lake Tahoe. Napa Valley campgrounds offer proximity to the best local wineries, as well as some beautiful Central California views.

Pleasure Cove Campground offers lakeside views and proximity to Yountville and St. Helena. Drive a bit further north to camp in the hills of Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, which is convenient to Calistoga, Angwin, and Pope Valley.

Skyline Wilderness Park is the best spot to camp if you want to be closer to San Francisco. Located just east of the city of Napa, this campground also has hiking and biking trails, a disc golf course, and even an archery range.

After a successful High Sierra adventure, you’ll be glad to hear that the Golden Gate City is a little over an hour and a half away from Napa County. Staying in Napa (the city) will make your drive even shorter at only 52 miles.

Take CA 121 and US 101 to pass through Sausalito. You can drive by Richardson Bay to see the artsy houseboat enclaves or check out the 3D hydraulic model of the Bay Area at the Bay Model Visitor Center.

This route will allow you to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge. From there, head to the San Francisco RV Resort for the best beachside campsite in San Francisco. You can also explore the cliffs of Pacifica Esplanade Beach, a few steps away.

The following morning, drive down to Traveller’s Autobarn to return your campervan. Now, it’s time to start planning your next San Francisco road trip adventure!

The Sierra Nevadas offer stunning views and one of the largest recreational areas in the country. Explore the mountains and the local outdoor activities with this High Sierra road trip itinerary.

Looking for the best San Francisco campervan rental to get you there? Traveller’s Autobarn has locations across the country, including San Francisco. Get free unlimited miles and additional perks when you book with us.

Fill out this form for a quick quote, and start planning your Sierra Nevada adventure today!