5 Nature Getaways from Los Angeles
Craving a weekend escape into nature? Here are the top 5 destinations for you to visit with 2-3 day itineraries (organized by mileage)!
1. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park via I-5 N and CA-65 N: 220 miles / approximately 4 hours 10 minutes
This destination has it all - the world's largest trees, mountains, waterfalls and a gorge deeper than the Grand Canyon!
Things to do in Sequoia National Park:
Moro Rock - 0.5-mile out-and-back
Big Tree Trail - 0.75-mile trail
General Sherman Tree Trail - 1.2-mile out-and-back trail
Tharp's log trail - 1.7-mile out-and-back
Scenic Drive through Tunnel Tree
Things to do in Kings Canyon National Park:
Zumwalt Meadow Trail - 1.5 mile loop
Roaring River Falls - 0.3 miles
Grizzly Falls - 0.1 mi miles
General Grant Tree - 0.7 miles loop
Panoramic Point - 0.5 miles
2. Pinnacles National Park via I-5 N: 268 miles / approximately 4 hours 20 minutes
Thirty miles of hiking trails ranging from easy to strenuous, diverse landscapes, interesting rock formations, caves and bird watching (keep an eye out for California Condors)!
Note: there are two entrances to the park that are not connected by the road (but it’s a 3 mile hike across the park). I’d recommend checking out the East side as the main highlight of the West side - Balconies Cave - is currently closed due to vandalism.
Things to do in Pinnacles National Park:
East entrance
Condor Gulch Overlook- 2-mile out-and-back
Condor Gulch/High Peaks Loop - 5.3-mile strenuous loop, that includes Condor Gulch Overlook and leads to the High Peaks area of the park.
Moses Spring and Rim Trail - 1.2-mile out-and-back
Bear Gulch Cave - 1.5 miles round trip (2.2 miles/3.5 km total including the connector trail from the parking lot to the Bear Gulch Cave Trail)
Bear Gulch Cave - 1.5 miles round trip (2.2 miles/3.5 km total including the connector trail from the parking lot to the Bear Gulch Cave Trail)
West entrance
Juniper Canyon Loop - 4.3-mile strenuous loop combines Juniper Canyon Trail, High Peaks Trail, and Tunnel Trail.
3. Yosemite National Park via CA-99 N 279 miles / approximately 4 hours 30 minutes
Here is a place that is worth visiting every season! Hiking trails, breathtaking views, wildlife, and the tallest waterfall in North America. Fall in Yosemite is especially charming + there are almost no crowds!
Things to do in Yosemite National Park:
Yosemite Valley
Tunnel View - Scenic view
Cathedral Beach Picnic Area - view of El Capitan
Sentinel Beach Picnic Area - view of Yosemite Falls
Swinging Bridge view of Yosemite Falls
Vernal Falls - 2.4 miles hike round trip to the top of the falls via Mist Trail.
Nevada Fall - continue on Vernal Falls trail to reach the top of Nevada Falls 2000 ft (610 m) elevation gain, 5.4 mi round trip (via Mist Trail)
Valley Loop - up to 13 miles for full loop
Four Mile Trail - the only way to access Glacier point as of right now (9.6 miles total)
Mariposa Grove
Big Trees Loop trail - easy 0.3 mile hike
Grizzly Giant Loop trail - moderate 2 mile hike
Guardian Loop trail - strenuous 6.5 mile hike
Mariposa Grove trail - strenuous hike, 7 mile round trip
4. Big Sur via I-5 N: 308 miles / approximately 5 hours 20 minutes
The coastline and surrounding areas are filled with incredible beaches, hiking trails, and even a waterfall that drops straight into the ocean.
Things to do in Big Sur:
Point Lobos State Park - Hidden Beach and Bird Island Trail.
Garrapata State Park - coastal trails, beach, and the Soberanes Canyon Trail
Bixby bridge
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park - Big Sur River Gorge (0.5 mile round trip), Valley View and Pfeiffer Falls trail (2 mile round trip)
Pfeiffer Beach and Keyhole Rock
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park - 1.2-mile loop to the McWay Falls
Limekiln State Park - even though all of the trails at this park are closed, the beach is worth checking out
Ragged Point - 0.8-mile out-and-back trail
Hearst Castle - is finally reopened! Take a tour of 160 lavishly decorated rooms and dozens of gardens abloom across the 120-plus acre property.
Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery - stop by to see Elephant seals
5. Santa Cruz via I-5 N and US-101 N: 341 miles / approximately 5 hours 30 minutes
Get excited for spectacular seaside scenery and interesting cultural attractions.
Things to do near Santa Cruz:
Seaside Town and Beach of Capitola - check out pastel-painted waterfront houses, reminiscent of a Mediterranean fishing village.
Wilder Ranch State Park - hike Old Landing Cove trail 2.4 miles
Natural Bridges State Beach - perfect spot for a picnic
Shark Fin - shot but steam hike down to a stunning beach
Roaring Camp Railroads - take a ride on a steam train
Mystery Spot -unique place where the normal effects of gravity do not apply.
Pro road tripper tip:
As someone who road trips a lot, I believe that pit stops are as important as the final destinations. I highly recommend planning your stops in advance for any trip you are taking. For any of these 5 destinations, you will be passing through The Oasis on I-5 and I highly recommend planning to stop here to fill up, and get some food and snacks for your adventure.
They have everything a traveler might need:
✔️30 restaurant and food options to choose from
✔️100+ gas pumps
✔️6 options for convenience stores
✔️Tesla EV Chargers
✔️3 hotels
✔️ Grassy areas for your pet
✔️The Outlets at Tejon with over 40 stores and brands (in case you forgot something for your trip)
Keep on roaming,
Polina
