Los Angeles, CA to Yosemite National Park, CA Road Trip
A 3-day itinerary from Los Angeles to Yosemite National Park. Drive through the Central Valley, see towering sequoias in Mariposa Grove, and explore the iconic Yosemite Valley floor.
Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 Itinerary
Your Yosemite adventure begins at sunrise in Los Angeles. Departing at 7:30 AM lets you slip north on I-5 before the Grapevine corridor traffic builds up. You'll feel the city dissolve into open highway by the time you summit Tejon Pass, with sweeping views of the Central Valley stretching ahead of you. After a hearty lunch and grocery run in Fresno — your last chance for cheap gas and trail snacks — a quick stop in Oakhurst gives you a taste of mountain-town charm before you duck into the trees. Mariposa Grove is one of the most humbling places on Earth: walking beneath sequoias that were saplings before the Roman Empire puts the rest of your week in perspective. By the time you check into your Oakhurst hotel and settle in over craft beers at South Gate Brewing, the stress of the city will feel a world away.
- Tejon Pass & Grapevine - Tejon Pass, I-5, Lebec, CA 93243 - Rest stop at summit (elevation 4,144 ft) before the descent into the Central Valley. Stretch your legs and enjoy the mountain views.
- Heirloom Restaurant, Fresno - 7525 N Palm Ave Suite 101, Fresno, CA 93711 - Farm-to-table lunch at River Park. Afterwards stock up on trail snacks at Whole Foods nearby. Most importantly — fill your gas tank here. This is the last cheap, reliable fuel before the mountain region.
- Oakhurst Town Browse - Oakhurst, CA 93644 - Stretch your legs in this charming mountain gateway town. Browse local boutiques or peek at the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad. Breaks up the long Central Valley drive nicely.
- Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias - Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389 - Walk the Big Trees Loop Trail (2 miles, easy) to the Grizzly Giant (~3,000 years old) and California Tunnel Tree. The grove is at 5,600 ft elevation — take it easy if you feel any shortness of breath.
- South Gate Brewing Company - 40233 Enterprise Dr, Oakhurst, CA 93644 - Locally-brewed craft beers and hearty pub food. A great way to decompress after day one. Alternatively, splurge at the nearby Erna's Elderberry House for upscale fine dining.
- Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn - 40530 Hwy 41, Oakhurst, CA 93644 - Excellent base camp hotel in Oakhurst. Well-reviewed, breakfast included, and only 15 minutes from Yosemite's south entrance.
Day 2 Itinerary
This is the day you've been building toward. Waking early, you'll catch the south entrance gate before the summer queue builds. By the time you crest the ridge and roll into Tunnel View, the valley will be spread before you like a painting: El Capitan's sheer granite wall on your left, Half Dome's iconic silhouette dead ahead, and Bridalveil Fall threading white mist on your right. Today you're living inside that postcard. Park at Yosemite Village and use the free Valley shuttle for the rest of the day — driving between stops is restricted, and the shuttle is half the fun. A slow Yosemite Village lunch at Degnan's Kitchen sets you up for the Lower Yosemite Fall loop and a golden-hour walk along Sentinel Meadow. By the time you check into Yosemite Valley Lodge, you're sleeping at the foot of North America's tallest waterfall.
- Tunnel View - Tunnel View, Yosemite Valley, CA 95389 - The most photographed viewpoint in Yosemite. El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall all in one frame. Timed entry reservation required in peak season — check nps.gov/yose before departure.
- Bridalveil Fall - Bridalveil Fall Trailhead, Yosemite Valley, CA - Short paved walk (0.5 miles round-trip) to the base of the 617-ft waterfall. Bring a light rain jacket — mist can be heavy in spring and early summer.
- Yosemite Village — Park & Ride - Yosemite Village, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389 - Park your car here for the entire day. Use the Free Yosemite Valley Shuttle (Routes 1 & 2) to move between all Valley floor sights. In-Valley driving is restricted during peak season.
- Degnan's Kitchen - Yosemite Village, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389 - Wood-fired pizza, deli sandwiches, and fresh salads in the heart of Yosemite Village. Also visit the Yosemite Museum and Ansel Adams Gallery right next door.
- Lower Yosemite Fall Trail - Lower Yosemite Fall Trailhead, Yosemite Valley, CA - Easy 1-mile paved loop trail to the base of Lower Yosemite Fall — the tallest waterfall in North America (2,425 ft total). Take the shuttle from Yosemite Village.
- Sentinel Meadow & Merced River Walk - Sentinel Meadow, Yosemite Valley, CA - Stroll the boardwalks through the open meadow for the classic Half Dome reflection in the Merced River. The soft afternoon light here is ideal for photography.
- Mountain Room Restaurant - Yosemite Valley Lodge, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389 - Steaks, fresh fish, and California cuisine with floor-to-ceiling views of Yosemite Falls. Arrive before 6 PM to avoid waits.
- Yosemite Valley Lodge - 9006 Yosemite Valley Lodge Dr, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389 - The best in-park lodging in the Valley. Centrally located and walking distance from Yosemite Falls and the Valley shuttle stop.
Day 3 Itinerary
Your final morning in Yosemite opens with one last act of grandeur. Glacier Point sits 3,200 feet above the Valley floor — a place where Half Dome appears at eye level and the entire Sierra Nevada spreads to the horizon like a topographic map. After 90 minutes up top, you'll wind back down through the ancient Wawona forest, where the Pioneer Yosemite History Center brings the 1800s homesteading era to life. Lunch on the veranda of the historic Wawona Hotel is the ideal farewell to the park. The long valley drive back to Los Angeles is transformed by a stop at Bravo Farms in Traver — a quirky Central Valley roadside institution for snacks and a leg stretch. A Bakersfield dinner at the legendary Wool Growers Basque restaurant is the perfect way to close a trip that traded neon lights for starlight.
- Glacier Point Overlook - Glacier Point, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389 - The iconic 3,200-ft overlook with eye-level views of Half Dome and the full Sierra Nevada. Arrive by 9:30 AM before the main crowd surge (10:30 AM–1 PM). Elevation 7,214 ft.
- Pioneer Yosemite History Center - Wawona, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389 - Walk through historic covered bridges, 1800s homestead cabins, and stagecoaches. A charming 30–45 min stop before lunch at the Wawona Hotel next door.
- Wawona Hotel Dining Room - 8308 Wawona Rd, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389 - Lunch on the open veranda of the beautifully preserved 1880s Victorian lodge. One of the best dining experiences in the park.
- Bravo Farms, Traver - 36799 CA-99, Tulare, CA 93274 - The iconic Central Valley roadside stop. Buy local artisan cheeses, draft root beer, and snacks. Great spot to fill the gas tank before Bakersfield.
- Wool Growers Restaurant, Bakersfield - 620 E 19th St, Bakersfield, CA 93305 - A legendary Basque-style restaurant. Set-price, family-style dinner with multiple courses served communally. One of the most unique dining experiences in California.
