Hi,
working on an itinerary that begins with wedding in LA. Want to go to a park. First choice Yosemite, then SF to fly home. I'm afraid it's too much car time for 2 days in the park. Is Sequoia a better option, then fly out of LA?
Thanks!
CCF

You will spend less time driving to Sequoia, but more time between Sequoia and SF than if you went to Yosemite - probably less time overall enroute, but not a lot.

Sequoia is a really neat park and a very different experience than Yosemite. Sequoia is much more spread out, whereas Yosemite has lots of park highlights in the valley, which is about a mile wide and maybe 7 miles long. Yosemite has more visitors, so it is more crowded. There are a lot fewer people at Sequoia. Sequoia has more big trees, Yosemite has massive granite cliffs everywhere you look.

I also think that most of Sequoia is at a higher elevation than Yosemite valley, so depending on time of year, inclement weather and road closures due to snow might be a bigger issue at Sequoia than at Yosemite.

Hi,
Going in 3 weeks.We would be there 10/27-30. We wouldn't go to SF if we went to Sequoia. The web site didn't talk much about fall road closures.
How far is it from LA?
Thanks, need to book our air tix tonite!
CCF

Sequoia is roughly 5 hours from LA depending on traffic and where you are coming from. I wouldn't think there would be any road closures until we get farther into the winter, but anything is possible. However, if there is a road closure it would most likely be on highway 180. Coming from southern CA you would most likely be taking 198, which is typically open year round.

I've been to both parks, twice each. I recommend Yosemite over Sequoia, no question. If it's crowding you're afriad of, just go to the 93% of the park that's wilderness. Unless the cost of an open-jaw flight is much higher, go to Yosemite.

One problem you will have is finding a place to stay at Yosemite. As soon as you have your dates set, get your lodging reservations.

And, lest you are NOT concerned about winter weather in the Sierras in October, check this URL:

www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

You won't have a problem with weather. We went last year Jan. 1 and Sequoia has a really cool place for sledding and snow play. If you want to see the Biggest Tree (well the biggest living thing) on the planet head to Sequoia. Sequoia has some great hikes. Yosemite has big trees as well. Frankly, I can't tell the difference in the largest tree and the 7th largest. Big is Big. They are very impressive. Yosemite also has waterfalls and Granite Cliffs/Mountains to look at. I am not sure how good the waterfalls would be running this time of year. Yosemite has some great hikes as well. You really can't go wrong with either. We found the food at Wukashachi Lodge in Sequoia to be pretty good for National Park food.

If you haven't been to Yosemite, then go there. You will be there during the weekdays, off-season, so crowds won't be much of a factor.

Enjoy your trip.

MY

Thanks all! Had to book the air, so went with the into LAX out of SFO. Looking forward to seeing Yosemite!
CCF