Sequoia & Yosemite National Parks 2026

THIS TRIP IS IN 2026 BUT WE'RE PLANNING AHEAD!

During this event you will:

- Tour America's 2nd and 3rd National Parks
- Spend a day exploring among the largest trees on Earth
- Experience unmatched views of the Sierra-Nevada Mountain Range
- Stand below (and above) the highest waterfall in North America
- Humbly revere El Capitan

This is a short trip with a ginormous payout! You will see all the major points of interest in both Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks. We'll spend a full day touring Sequoia N.P., home to the largest trees (by volume) in the world, then have nearly three days to hike, bike, and gape at the towering landscape and sky-high waterfalls of Yosemite National Park. Spring is the optimum time to see the falls so let's hope for a wet, snowy winter in the Sierra's beforehand.

We'll spend our first two nights in Visalia and the following three nights right in Yosemite Valley. I'll take up to four others with me in my rental car, but everyone can make their own driving arrangements.

*Reservations*

Rooms at Yosemite Valley Lodge fill up very quickly and you can't book further out than 367 days before arrival, so if you want to get a waiting list, contact National Park Reservations at 866-875-8456 or see their website at nationalparkreservations.com. Be sure to book for three nights, May 11, 12, and 13, with checkout on the 14th.

Cost

Approximate cost of the trip for single-occupancy at the Lodge, excluding flight and meals, is $1900. Double-occupancy at the Lodge will be $1200.

A double Queen room at Fairfield Inn Fresno will likely cost $425 for two nights, and current flights from JFK, Newark, and ALB to Fresno are about $600, although it's too early to book so you can do that once we've secured lodging.

In the end, double-occupancy people should expect to pay at least $2000 for all lodging and flights, and singles around $2900

Accommodations

May 9 & 10 (Sat & Sun) - Comfort Suites Visalia - Convention Center

May 11 - 13 (Mon, Tue, Wed) - Yosemite Valley Lodge

Tentative Itinerary

Sat - Fly to Fresno, overnight at Comfort Suites Visalia - Convention Center
Sun - 7 AM - Depart for Sequoia N.P., overnight back in Visalia
Mon - 8 AM - Depart for Yosemite N.P., explore, overnight in Yosemite
Tue - Yosemite
Wed - Yosemite
Thu - 8:00 Depart for Fresno Airport, or tag on time to explore elsewhere

As you can see by the photo, I've done this trip before, although in less time, so our four-day itinerary will be enough to see all the good stuff. However, be aware that our day at Sequoia will be very active and we'll remain at the park until sunset.

Each of us should make the most of our time on this adventure, so we won't necessarily always be together as a group. It's your vacation so add your own special sauce.

Suggested relevant film: Free Solo