The drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles is one of the best park-filled road trips in the U.S., with world-famous national parks, dramatic coastline, giant redwoods, waterfalls, and wildlife stops all within reach of Highway 1 and inland routes.
Whether you want scenic walks, iconic viewpoints, swimming spots, or serious hiking, the stretch between SF and LA delivers nonstop natural highlights. If you’d rather explore with a local expert, Incredible Adventures has a variety of tours to help you explore without planning logistics yourself, including Yosemite National Park tours and San Francisco tours.
If your schedule is tight, choose the parks that match your interests and route. If you have more flexibility, you can visit every destination on this California parks list.
Best California Parks to Visit Between San Francisco and Los Angeles
Short answer: These are the most popular and rewarding park stops on the SF to LA route, offering a mix of mountains, forests, coastline, and wildlife.
- Yosemite National Park
Famous for granite cliffs, giant sequoias, waterfalls, and Yosemite Valley viewpoints. - Sequoia National Park & Kings Canyon National Park
Home to the largest trees on Earth, deep canyons, and scenic mountain drives. - Big Sur Coast — Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park & Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Known for dramatic coastal cliffs, redwood groves, and McWay Falls. - Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
A top coastal stop for sea lions, sea otters, and easy scenic hiking. - Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
Offers Pacific Ocean viewpoints, hiking trails, and diverse ecosystems just outside LA.
Yosemite National Park
Why stop here? Yosemite is California’s most iconic national park, known for granite cliffs, giant sequoias, alpine meadows, and some of the tallest waterfalls in North America.
Just a few hours from San Francisco, Yosemite offers a dramatic change of scenery from city life. This UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Sierra Nevada draws over five million visitors annually for good reason.
What can you see in Yosemite?
- Towering sequoias in Mariposa Grove
- Wildflower-filled Tuolumne Meadows
- The thunderous drop of Yosemite Falls
- Scenic valley views, rivers, lakes, and bike paths
👉 Planning a visit? Explore Incredible Adventures’ Yosemite National Park tours for day and multi-day options that handle transportation, timing, and park highlights.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Why stop here? These neighboring parks protect the largest trees on Earth, deep canyons, alpine peaks, and vast wilderness landscapes. Jointly managed since 1943, they cover over 1,300 square miles of mountains, forests, caves, and river valleys.
What makes Sequoia special?
Sequoia is home to General Sherman, the largest known single-stem tree on Earth. Standing 275 feet tall and over 36 feet in diameter, this giant sequoia is one of California’s most awe-inspiring natural sights.
What can you do here?
- Wildlife viewing
- Hike forest and canyon trails
- Camp under massive sequoias
- Scenic mountain drives
Big Sur Coast
Why stop here? Big Sur is famous for dramatic cliffs, ocean panoramas, redwood groves, and one of California’s most photographed waterfalls.
Stretching along Highway 1 between Carmel and San Simeon, this coastal region is often considered the most beautiful drive in California.
What is the must-see spot?
McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, where a waterfall drops directly onto a beach cove.
What else can you do?
Family-friendly trails in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Coastal cliff hikes
- Redwood forest walks
- Scenic photography stops
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park has beautiful redwood forests to wander through, and also appears in Lonely Planet’s best hikes in Big Sur, under the ‘best for families’ heading. Grab the kids and head to Big Sur!
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Why stop here? Point Lobos is one of California’s best coastal nature reserves for wildlife, photography, and short scenic hikes.
Often called the “crown jewel” of the California State Park System, this reserve near Carmel-by-the-Sea offers easy access to rugged coastline and marine habitats. Scenic walking trails wind along cliffs and sheltered coves, making it easy to enjoy ocean views from multiple vantage points. Snorkeling and diving are also popular in designated areas.
What wildlife can you see?
- Sea lions
- Sea otters
- Coastal birds
- Rich marine ecosystems offshore
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
Why stop here? As you approach Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area offers plenty of hiking and biking trails with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. It is one of the largest protected areas of the Mediterranean-type ecosystem.
What can you do here?
- Hike ridge and canyon trails
- Bike scenic routes
- Birdwatch (380+ species recorded)
- Explore oak woodlands and coastal sage scrub
Make the Parks the Highlight of Your Road Trip
Bottom line: The drive between San Francisco and Los Angeles is more than a scenic route, it’s a journey through some of the most remarkable California parks and landscapes in the country. From dramatic coastlines and wildlife-rich reserves to towering forests and alpine valleys, these stops turn your road trip into a full outdoor experience.
If Yosemite is a priority, Incredible Adventures makes visiting easy. Just a few hours from San Francisco, Yosemite National Park is one of the most accessible world-class wilderness areas in the U.S. Choose from popular Yosemite day tours featuring El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Tunnel View, and Half Dome, or opt for multi-day trips with comfortable lodging and more time to explore. Private options are also available for families and small groups.
Incredible Adventures runs eco-conscious small group tours across California and beyond, combining expert planning with a commitment to protecting the environments they visit. Reach out to plan the California parks experience that fits your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best parks to visit between San Francisco and Los Angeles?
Top stops include Yosemite National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Big Sur’s coastal parks, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, and the Santa Monica Mountains near Los Angeles.
Is Yosemite National Park worth a detour from San Francisco?
Yes. Yosemite is one of the most famous national parks in the U.S., known for granite cliffs, waterfalls, giant sequoias, and alpine meadows. It’s one of the most popular inland stops on an SF to LA road trip.
How long does it take to drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles with park stops?
Without stops, the drive takes about 6–8 hours depending on the route. With park visits, most travelers spread the trip over 2–5 days to explore coastal and inland highlights.
Which coastal park is best between SF and LA?
Big Sur is the most iconic coastal stretch, especially Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, where you can see McWay Falls and dramatic ocean cliffs.
Are there good wildlife viewing spots on this route?
Yes. Point Lobos is known for sea lions and sea otters, Big Sur offers coastal birdlife, and the Santa Monica Mountains support hundreds of bird species.
