Travel questions

Hi, we have never been to California are traveling from San Jose to LA first of March. We were told by may people to check out Sequoia National park and hoping to do so on the day trip down to LA.
Anyone have suggestions on where to go exactly and how much time we should allow? The park seems to be massive, Id love to go see trees and stuff there myself.
Any input would help, thanks

 

@hikerduane might be familiar with Sequoia.

 

I've only backpacked in the Park, never visited from the west side, though did see the General Sherman tree and that area. Worth visiting the Park. The small group I went with also hiked in a couple miles to see some groves from the trail and lay on our back to look up.
Duane

 

Sequoia is a massive park (actually two parks, Kings Canyon is the other) but has very few roads. Those roads are also pretty narrow and in the summer time, congested. Personally, a day isn't enough if you want to get a good feel for the place. For example, off the main road, Moro Rock. A short but steep hike takes you to an overview that allows you to seem almost to the ocean on a clear day-it's a spectacular view and worth stopping. General Sherman Tree and the area is pretty amazing as well. There's also Crystal Cave-this is kinda cheesy. Again, a day is not enough time.

This map gives you an idea where you can drive. And this is the park's web page for other maps.

 

BTW, it's about a 4 hr drive to the park from SJC. There's no gas in the park either so...be sure you fill up before you get there. There are some services in the park tho they are very limited in winter. And if you're thinking of March, that's winter.

 

Thanks, all makes sense to me. We will be leaving really early in the AM to get there at a decent time. Maybe even go the night before and have the whole morning there. I know I wont get much done in less than a day but because I may never be back there in my life Id hate not to see some of it

 

You can see a lot from the road. Moro and some of the trees should be accessible.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon is one of the best parks in my opinion. The back country is amazing.

Because it's about the same distance to Yosemite, most go there instead. Meaning the number of visitors is lower. I think you'll be impressed.

 

Even if you can only spend a few hours there go and check it out. The giant sequoias will blow your mind.

 

Here's a hot take: If someone told you they had never been to CA, needed to drive from SJC to LAX in a day and wanted to see the best parts of California that they could on the way, would you send them:
1. Over to the central valley and down the 5 to Sequoia NP
2. Over the Santa Cruz mountains through Big Basin etc, then down the 1 through Big Sur etc all the way to LA?

...I would definitely say 2, but I haven't really spent time in Sequoia NP so I'm biased. The 1 drive is amazing.

 

I'm not sure I'd agree during the March timeframe. 1 can be closed for slides and there are no easy ways around some of them. At least after Carmel.
Sure, Big Basin has trees but not Giant Sequoias. The coast can be cold and rainy. Inland can be colder but usually not wet, just beautiful contrasting (against the trees) snow.

 

Fair points, though I'm not sure I'd call coastal redwoods just trees. They're taller than giant sequoias, if slimmer. Big Basin isn't as good an example of them as Redwood NP, but still.

Good point about the weather though. If it happens to be rainy and gross on the coast that does make the drive a lot less impressive.

 

I beg to differ. It’s my favorite time to drive the coast! You never know what’s your going to see/hear and feel!

 

Thinking about driving to Sequoia the night before or closer to at least. Going to be at the SJ/Toronto game the night before so it will be tricky to get in somewhere on time

 

Went to Sequoia today and it was amazing. Was going to wait till Wednesday but I wanted most of the day there so we went today.
Thanks for the info!

 

was King Canyon closed off?

 

Nope but we went to this side only. Didn't really have more than the part of the day to be there. Seen what I wanted and had a good day. Moro rock was fun. The trees were insane. Had to go rent tire chains to get into the park though, by law apparently. Kind of dumb but i guess nobody uses winter tires ever so makes a little sense. But there was no snow.

 

Did you get to drive into the tunnel tree? next to moro?

 

Yup. Did everything around there. Took a ton of pics and walked around. Great day

 

Driving to LA tomorrow. Still not sure where we are staying

 

Awesome man! Glad you stopped at Sequoia!!! I'm sad you didn't get to explore Kings Canyon that's my favorite part going to Sequoia! First time I was at Sequoia we saw 2 cubs with the mama playing 100meters away from the hiking trail. First time seeing a bear too!!!