Sequoia National Park California, USA Travel Guide
Kings Canyon National Park is contiguous with Sequoia National Park. Generals Highway directly links the two park units. A full day is a recommendation to drive into Kings Canyon (Cedar Grove area) and explore its deep valley, scenic river, and surrounding trails. You can combine it with a visit to the General Grant Tree.
Transportation: Drive your own car or use the free summer shuttle service that links Giant Forest in Sequoia to Grant Grove in Kings Canyon.
Connect with local culture or larger city amenities nearby.
Visalia is a city closer to the Foothills entrance, about a 1-hour drive. It has more amenities than the small gateway towns and maintains a smaller-town feel. It is a good stop for groceries, supplies, or a wider choice of restaurants.
Fresno is the largest nearby city, located approximately a 2-hour drive from the park entrance. Fresno has more extensive dining, shopping, and cultural attractions if you need a break from the wilderness.
Consider adding extra days to your trip to explore other iconic California destinations.
Located north of Sequoia and Kings Canyon, Yosemite National Park features stunning granite cliffs, powerful waterfalls, and iconic valleys. Combine it with Sequoia for a multi-park California national park trip. Plan for a 3-4 hour drive via scenic Central Valley agricultural lands on Highway 99, then east on Highway 140 or 120 into Yosemite.
East of the Sierra Nevada, Death Valley has a stark contrast in landscape and climate to the high mountains. It features extreme desert environments and unique geological formations. Best visited in the cooler months (fall through spring) due to extreme summer temperatures. A significant drive (5-6 hours) around the southern Sierra Nevada mountains is part of the journey.
The Central Coast, including areas like San Luis Obispo or Morro Bay, or the beautiful Southern California beaches, are a 3-4 hour drive west of Sequoia National Park. These regions provide a complete change of scenery with ocean views, charming towns, and coastal recreation. Drive west on Highway 198 or 58 to reach the coast.
The Inyo National Forest, east of the Sierra Nevada, contains the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, where some of the oldest living trees on Earth reside. It also includes the eastern side of Mount Whitney, a popular hiking destination.
Situated north of Kings Canyon National Park, the Sierra National Forest has additional wilderness areas and diverse outdoor recreation opportunities. Activities include hiking, camping, and fishing in a vast natural setting.
