A six-day road trip that starts in San Francisco, detours inland for three days of serious hiking in Yosemite, then drops you at a Venice Beach hostel for sun, surf, and boardwalk hangs.
This is a quick-hit California sampler, cramming mountain hikes and beach time into less than a week. The first half is all about Yosemite — think long hikes and nights spent camping under the stars. Then it’s one long travel day south to Venice Beach, where the agenda shifts to surfing, skate parks, and finding the best cheap tacos. It’s a route for people who want both experiences without committing to a longer trip, and don't mind a full day on the road to make it happen.
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Book USA Road Trip — Yosemite Hiking & Cali Surfing by G Adventures.
From $1,274 USD $1,699 · 6 days · max 13 travelers · camping + hostel stays + ground transport trip code NUYLPrices in USD. Your local currency is shown on G Adventures.
Each leg of the journey mapped out — where the day takes you, what's actually on the ground, and things to consider when planning this tour.
Day 1 of 6
Yosemite National Park
Into the Valley: Sequoias & Granite Giants
The trip kicks off with an early drive out of San Francisco, heading east into California's Central Valley. After a quick stop at a farmer's market for fresh produce, you'll climb into the Sierra Nevada mountains and get your first taste of Yosemite National Park. The main event is a hike through Tuolumne Grove, a 4km loop trail that gets you up close with a cluster of Giant Sequoias.
Before settling in for the night, the route passes through the park's most famous corridor for views of the granite monolith El Capitan and the spray of Bridalveil Fall. The day ends at a campsite just outside the main valley, setting up for a full day of exploring tomorrow.
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Day at a glance
Overland journey from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park (approx. 225km).
Hike the Tuolumne Grove trail to see Giant Sequoias.
Stop for views of El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall.
Camp at a wilderness site near the park.
Accommodation: Indian Flats Campground.
Meals: Dinner.
DIY Reality Check: As of 2026, entry into Yosemite for non-U.S. residents requires a mandatory $100 per-person surcharge for visitors aged 16 and over, in addition to the standard park entrance fee. Securing a place to stay presents its own logistical race; campsites within the park are notoriously competitive, often selling out on Recreation.gov within minutes of becoming available five months in advance. Even private campgrounds located just outside the park gates frequently book up a year ahead. A coordinated trip that manages the complex entry fees and has a campsite pre-arranged sidesteps these significant administrative and booking burdens.
Today is a free day to tackle Yosemite Valley on your own terms. The village is the main hub, where you can grab maps and get oriented before hopping on the free shuttle that loops the valley floor. From there, it's your call. The easy options are the paved, flat trails to the base of Lower Yosemite Fall or the Swinging Bridge Loop for classic river views.
If you're looking for a serious challenge, the steep switchbacks of the Upper Yosemite Falls or Four Mile trails will test your legs. Whatever you choose, you'll spend the day under the watch of the valley's massive granite walls.
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Day at a glance
Full free day to explore Yosemite Valley at your own pace.
Option for easy hikes like the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail.
Option for challenging hikes like the Upper Yosemite Falls trail.
Use the free park shuttle to navigate the valley.
Accommodation: Indian Flats Campground.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
DIY Reality Check: While the park's free shuttle is convenient, it doesn't solve the primary operational challenge: parking a personal vehicle to access it. During peak season, parking lots in Yosemite Valley frequently fill by mid-morning, with trailhead spots for hikes like the Four Mile Trail being extremely limited. This forces a DIY traveler to arrive before 8:00 AM to secure a spot or risk being turned away from the valley entirely. Furthermore, access to strenuous routes can be unpredictable; the Four Mile Trail, for example, often remains closed until May due to hazardous ice and snow conditions from the winter. A trip that provides coordinated transportation to trailheads and vets the viability of specific routes sidesteps these significant logistical and planning burdens.
Another day, another trail. The classic move today is the hike up the Mist Trail, a stone staircase that climbs alongside Vernal Fall. Expect to get wet from the spray. If you've got the energy, you can push farther up to the top of Nevada Fall for even bigger views. The full round-trip is a solid half-day effort.
If a strenuous climb isn't the plan, the alternative is renting a bike in the valley and cruising the 20km of paved paths on the valley floor. It's a relaxed way to see the meadows and Merced River. The day winds down back at camp around the fire.
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Day at a glance
Option to hike the popular Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls (3-6 hours).
Free time to rent a bike and explore the Yosemite Valley floor.
Look for rock climbers on the face of El Capitan.
Evening campfire at the campsite.
Accommodation: Indian Flats Campground.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
DIY Reality Check: Planning a weekday hike on the Mist Trail requires careful timing, as trail improvement projects have historically closed the main stone staircase section from Monday to Thursday, between 7:00 AM and 3:30 PM, from July through October. Arriving during these hours forces a DIY hiker onto a longer, less direct detour via the John Muir Trail. This is compounded by winter conditions, when the same iconic steps are closed entirely due to hazardous ice, again requiring a specific JMT bypass route. A guided excursion vets these shifting trail statuses and manages the transport logistics to the correct trailhead, sidestepping these operational hurdles.
