Self-Launched San Francisco to LA: National Parks Road Trip

Fly into San Francisco International Airport (SFO) or Oakland (OAK). Pick up your hire car — book in advance via Rentalcars.com or Kayak for the best rates (budget ~£30–40/day per car, split between travellers). Check into your hostel in the Mission or Tenderloin district. Spend the day exploring at your own pace: ride the iconic cable cars (~£5), walk across the Golden Gate Bridge (free on foot), visit the Palace of Fine Arts (free), and wander Haight-Ashbury's vintage shops. Head to the Ferry Building for dinner — great food hall with local vendors. Pro tip: book Alcatraz tickets well in advance if you want to visit (£35–40, via alcatrazcruises.com) — ideally arrive a day early for this.

🚌Hire car collected from SFO or downtown depot (~£30–40/day split between passengers). BART train from SFO airport to city centre ~£10.

🛏HI San Francisco City Center Hostel or Green Tortoise Hostel — dorm bed ~£35–45/night

• →Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge (free)
• →Ride a cable car (~£5 one way)
• →Explore Haight-Ashbury and the Mission District (free)
• →Visit the Palace of Fine Arts (free)
• →Grab dinner at the Ferry Building food hall

Set off early from San Francisco — the drive to Yosemite is around 3.5 hours via CA-120 (or Hwy 140 if Tioga Pass is closed in early season). Stop at a grocery store in Merced or Groveland to stock up on food for camping days. Enter the park and drive to Yosemite Valley — your first views of Half Dome and El Capitan are jaw-dropping. Buy your America the Beautiful Annual Pass (~£60/person) if you plan to visit 3+ national parks — it covers all park entrance fees on this trip and pays for itself immediately. Check into your campsite. Book campsites well in advance at recreation.gov — Housekeeping Camp or Upper Pines Campground are great options (~£15–20/person/night).

🚌Self-drive hire car from San Francisco (~3.5 hours). Free Yosemite Valley shuttle bus within the park.

🛏Upper Pines or Lower Pines Campground, Yosemite Valley — book via recreation.gov (~£18/night per site, split between campers)

• →Scenic drive through Sierra Nevada foothills
• →First views of Half Dome and El Capitan from Valley View
• →Set up camp and explore Yosemite Valley at dusk
• →Buy America the Beautiful Annual Pass at the gate (~£60) — covers all park entries on this trip

Start with the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias hike — a moderate 2.5-mile round trip (free, part of park entry). You'll walk through an old-growth forest and see the famous Dead Giant tunnel tree. Then drive or take the free shuttle to Yosemite Valley: visit Yosemite Falls (easy 0.5-mile walk to base), stop at Sentinel Bridge for the classic Half Dome reflection in the Merced River, and take in Valley View. In the afternoon, choose your own adventure: the Nevada Fall trail via the Mist Trail is stunning (4–5 hours, moderate-strenuous) or Mirror Lake is a gentler 5-mile loop. Keep food locked away — bears are active in the park!

🚌Free Yosemite Valley Shuttle Bus — eliminates need to drive within the valley.

🛏Upper Pines or Lower Pines Campground, Yosemite Valley (~£18/night per site)

• →Hike Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias (~2.5 miles round trip, free)
• →Visit Yosemite Falls — lower falls walk (free)
• →Half Dome & Merced River views from Sentinel Bridge (free)
• →Afternoon: Mist Trail to Nevada Fall (4–5 hrs) or Mirror Lake loop (free)

A full free day to explore Yosemite at your own pace. Consider hiring a bike from Yosemite Valley Lodge bike stand (~£12/hour or £35/day) to cruise around the valley floor — a fantastic way to cover ground. The Valley Visitor Center and Ansel Adams Gallery are free and worth a visit. On hot days, rent a raft from Curry Village (~£28/person, seasonal) for a lazy float along the Merced River. More ambitious hikers could tackle the famous Four Mile Trail to Glacier Point (strenuous, 4.8 miles one way) for panoramic views. Alternatively, the Valley Loop Trail is an easy, flat 13-mile circuit perfect for a relaxed full day.

🚌Free Valley Shuttle. Bike hire within the park.

🛏Upper Pines or Lower Pines Campground, Yosemite Valley (~£18/night per site)

• →Hire a bike and cycle Yosemite Valley Loop (~£12/hour)
• →Raft on the Merced River from Curry Village (~£28/person, seasonal)
• →Visit Valley Visitor Center and Ansel Adams Gallery (free)
• →Optional: Four Mile Trail to Glacier Point (strenuous, free with park entry)

Depart Yosemite early via Tioga Pass (CA-120 East — check road conditions at nps.gov/yose as the pass can close due to snow into June). Stop at the eerie Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve (~£9 entry) — the strange tufa towers rising from the alkaline lake are unlike anything else in the USA. Continue south through the Owens Valley to Bishop (~5 hours total driving). In Bishop, try Erick Schat's Bakery (a local institution — grab a sheepherder's bread). For a relaxing end to the day, head to Keough Hot Springs (~£12) for a soak under the stars. Camp at BLM land east of Bishop (free dispersed camping) or Bishop City Park Campground (~£20/night).

🚌Self-drive hire car (~5 hours driving). Tioga Pass alternate route via CA-99 and US-395 if pass is closed.

🛏Bishop City Park Campground or Tri-County Fairgrounds Campground (~£18–22/night per site)

• →Stop at Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve (~£9 entry)
• →Scenic drive through the Owens Valley
• →Visit Erick Schat's Bakery in Bishop
• →Optional: Keough Hot Springs evening soak (~£12)

Head south from Bishop through the Mojave Desert to Las Vegas — about 4.5–5 hours of driving. Check into a budget hotel on or near the Strip — rates vary wildly by day of week, so book midweek for best prices. The Linq, Excalibur, and Circus Circus frequently offer budget rates (~£50–80/room). Drop off your hire car at a Las Vegas depot or keep it parked at the hotel (check parking fees). Spend the afternoon exploring the Strip on foot — it's completely free to wander. Don't miss the Bellagio Fountains (free, runs every 15–30 mins), the Conservatory at Bellagio (free), and the Forum Shops at Caesars. For dinner, head to the Cosmopolitan's street food area or find a casino buffet. The ARIA and Wynn both have strong dining options.

🚌Self-drive hire car from Bishop (~4.5–5 hours). Free Las Vegas Monorail alternative: walk the Strip or use the free trams between Bellagio/Park MGM and Mandalay Bay.

🛏Excalibur Hotel & Casino, Circus Circus, or The Linq — budget rooms from £50–80/night (book midweek for best rates)

• →Bellagio Fountains show (free)
• →Walk the Strip and explore casino interiors (free)
• →Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden (free)
• →Optional: Las Vegas Sphere experience (~£30–50), Mob Museum (~£25), or Neon Museum (~£18)

Another day in Vegas — sleep in or start early depending on last night's activities! Free sights worth visiting: the High Roller observation wheel area (free to walk around), the Mirage volcano show (evenings, free), and the spectacular light canopy at the Fremont Street Experience (free, shows at night). Paid attractions worth considering: the Mob Museum (~£25 via mobmuseum.org), the Neon Museum (~£18, book in advance at neonmuseum.org), or the newly opened Las Vegas Sphere (~£30–50 depending on experience). For a show, book in advance via Vegas.com or directly with venues — comedy and magic shows can be reasonable (~£30–60). Stock up on snacks and supplies at a grocery store (Smith's or Albertsons) for the camping days ahead.

🚌Walk the Strip, use free casino trams, or Las Vegas Monorail day pass (~£14).

🛏Excalibur Hotel & Casino, Circus Circus, or The Linq (~£50–80/night)

• →Fremont Street Experience light show (free, evenings)
• →Mirage volcano eruption show (free, evenings)
• →Optional: Mob Museum (~£25), Neon Museum (~£18), or Las Vegas Sphere (~£30–50)
• →Stock up on camping groceries at Smith's or Albertsons

Leave Las Vegas and drive northeast to Zion National Park in Utah — about 2.5 hours. Note: private vehicles are NOT permitted on the main Zion Canyon Scenic Drive from March–November. Park at the Visitor Center and use the free Zion Canyon Shuttle (runs every 7 minutes in peak season). Enter the park with your America the Beautiful pass. Start with the easy Riverside Walk along the Virgin River (2 miles, flat) to get your bearings. Then tackle Angels Landing (strenuous, permit required — book at recreation.gov ~£3, often sells out months ahead) or the Narrows (wade through the Virgin River gorge — rent water-proof boots from Zion Outfitter for ~£40). The Pa'rus Trail (3.5 miles, paved) is great at sunset. Camp at Watchman or South Campground (~£20–22/site, book via recreation.gov).

🚌Self-drive hire car from Las Vegas (~2.5 hours). Free Zion Canyon Shuttle within the park.

🛏Watchman Campground or South Campground, Zion (~£20–22/night per site, book via recreation.gov)

• →Zion Canyon Scenic Drive via free shuttle bus
• →Riverside Walk along the Virgin River (easy, 2 miles, free with park entry)
• →Angels Landing hike if permit secured via recreation.gov (~£3 permit + park entry)
• →Optional: The Narrows hike — rent waterproof boots from Zion Outfitter (~£40)

Drive from Zion to Bryce Canyon — about 1.5–2 hours via UT-9 and US-89. Enter with your America the Beautiful pass. The park's free shuttle runs from late spring to early autumn (check nps.gov/brca for dates). Drive or shuttle the 18-mile Bryce Canyon Rim Road, stopping at Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, and Bryce Point — all spectacular overlooks of the crimson hoodoo landscape. For the best experience, descend into the canyon on the Navajo Loop Trail and Queen's Garden Trail combined (~3 miles, moderate) — walking among the hoodoos is far more impressive than viewing from the rim alone. Stay for sunset at Sunset Point — the changing light on the red rocks is unforgettable. Camp at North or Sunset Campground (~£20/site, book via recreation.gov).

🚌Self-drive hire car from Zion (~1.5–2 hours). Free Bryce Canyon Shuttle (seasonal).

🛏North Campground or Sunset Campground, Bryce Canyon (~£20/night per site, book via recreation.gov)

• →Drive Bryce Canyon Rim Road and all major overlooks (free with park entry)
• →Navajo Loop + Queen's Garden Trail combo hike (~3 miles, moderate, free)
• →Sunset at Sunset Point (free)
• →Optional: Fairyland Loop Trail (8 miles, strenuous, free)

Today's drive from Bryce Canyon to the Grand Canyon South Rim is around 5–5.5 hours — a long but spectacular journey through southern Utah and northern Arizona. Enter with your America the Beautiful pass. Arriving in the afternoon, head straight to Mather Point or Yavapai Geology Museum for your first views of the canyon — be prepared for your jaw to drop. The scale is genuinely hard to process: 450km long, up to 29km wide and 1.6km deep. Walk the Rim Trail east or west from here (flat, paved, free). Stay to watch the sunset from Hopi Point or Yavapai Point — among the best sunset views on Earth. Camp at Mather Campground in Grand Canyon Village (~£18–20/site, book early via recreation.gov — fills up months in advance).

🚌Self-drive hire car from Bryce Canyon (~5–5.5 hours). Free Grand Canyon Village Shuttle within the South Rim area.

🛏Mather Campground, Grand Canyon Village (~£18–20/night per site, book months in advance via recreation.gov)

• →First views from Mather Point (free with park entry)
• →Walk the South Rim Trail at leisure (flat, free)
• →Sunset from Hopi Point or Yavapai Point (free)
• →Yavapai Geology Museum (free with park entry)

A full free day at the Grand Canyon — make the most of it! Start early with the Hermit Road shuttle (free, March–November) — the bus stops at eight viewpoints including Pima Point, Mohave Point, and the stunning Hermits Rest designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. For hikers: the Bright Angel Trail descends into the canyon (do NOT attempt a rim-to-river hike in one day — it's dangerous and rangers strongly advise against it). A safe and rewarding option is to hike down to 1.5-Mile Resthouse (3 miles round trip, strenuous) or 3-Mile Resthouse (6 miles round trip). South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point (1.8 miles round trip) is another excellent short hike with fantastic views. In the afternoon, visit the Grand Canyon Visitor Center (free) and browse the gift shops in Grand Canyon Village. Optional: IMAX film at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center (~£13).

🚌Free Grand Canyon South Rim Shuttle buses.

🛏Mather Campground, Grand Canyon Village (~£18–20/night per site)

• →Hermit Road shuttle to all western viewpoints including Hermits Rest (free, seasonal)
• →Bright Angel Trail hike to 1.5-Mile or 3-Mile Resthouse (strenuous, free with park entry)
• →South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point (1.8 miles round trip, free)
• →Optional: IMAX film at Grand Canyon Visitor Center (~£13)

Leave the Grand Canyon and head west — join the legendary Route 66 for the stretch through Seligman, Arizona. Seligman is the town that inspired Radiator Springs in Pixar's Cars and is a perfectly preserved slice of retro Americana. Stop at Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-In for a milkshake and a laugh — the owners are famous for their pranks on customers. Browse the vintage signs, classic car memorabilia, and kitschy souvenir shops. Then head southwest across the Mojave Desert and into California to Joshua Tree National Park (enter with your America the Beautiful pass). The park is known for its otherworldly Joshua Trees, vast boulder formations, and stunning desert skies. Walk the Cholla Cactus Garden trail (0.25 miles), the Hall of Horns loop, and explore Skull Rock (1.7 mile loop). Stay at Jumbo Rocks or Sheep Pass Campground (~£15–20/site, book via recreation.gov).

🚌Self-drive hire car (~5.5 hours total driving with stops).

🛏Jumbo Rocks Campground or Sheep Pass Campground, Joshua Tree (~£15–20/night per site, book via recreation.gov)

• →Drive a section of Route 66 through Seligman (free)
• →Stop at Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-In in Seligman
• →Cholla Cactus Garden walk (~0.25 miles, free with park entry)
• →Skull Rock Trail loop (1.7 miles, free)
• →Sunset and stargazing at Joshua Tree (free — one of the best dark sky parks in the USA)

Rise early for a final sunrise walk in Joshua Tree — the morning light on the boulders and cacti is magical and a perfect way to close out the national parks chapter of the trip. Then drive west to Los Angeles (about 2.5–3 hours depending on traffic — check Google Maps for LA traffic and time your arrival carefully to avoid rush hour). Return the hire car at LAX or downtown LA. If extending your stay: check into a hostel in Venice Beach (Samesun Venice Beach or HI Los Angeles Santa Monica) and spend the evening on Venice Beach Boardwalk (free) or Santa Monica Pier (free). For food, Grand Central Market in Downtown LA is a must-visit for a final celebration meal.

🚌Self-drive hire car back to Los Angeles (~2.5–3 hours). Return car to LAX or downtown depot.

🛏Samesun Venice Beach Hostel or HI Los Angeles Santa Monica — dorm ~£35–50/night (if extending stay)

• →Sunrise walk in Joshua Tree National Park (free)
• →Drive to Los Angeles (~2.5–3 hours)
• →Return hire car at LAX or downtown depot
• →Optional: Venice Beach Boardwalk and street performers (free)
• →Optional: Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Park (~free to walk, rides extra)
• →Optional: Grand Central Market, Downtown LA for dinner