I recently went on an epic California adventure road trip through the Majestic Mountain Loop with my friend. If you’re like me and have no idea what that is, well you’ve come to the right place! The Majestic Mountain Loop is a 3 day itinerary which will take you through three of California’s incredible national parks, Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Yosemite! Of course, if you have the time, I highly recommend you spend more time on this loop but if 3 days is all you have, well then follow along as I highlight the best activities to do on this Majestic Mountain California adventure road trip!

California Adventure Road Trip – Day 1

From my home base of San Francisco, we headed out around 6am toward Kings Canyon National Park. My favorite California adventure road trip food stops include Starbucks for some hot coffee, and their egg whites and roasted red pepper egg bites! I grabbed a to-go veggie bowl from Subway and 5.5 hours later pulled up into the parking lot for Boyden Cavern, our first stop! Tip: You must enter the national park to see this cavern, driving entrances are located at Grant Grove on HWY 180 and Lodgepole on HWY 198. The entrance fee for all national parks is $35, I highly recommend the annual park pass for $80 if you’re going to be visiting more national parks.

Kings Canyon National Park

Boyden Cavern

I’ll be honest. You don’t want to miss an opportunity to see this marble cavern. Located in the Sequoia National Forest, Boyden Cavern features stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, pendants, and shields! Tip: The hike can take anywhere from 5-15 minutes, it’s short but steep. There are railings if you need to hold on for support as you make your way up. You have to book a tour to see this cavern. Pets not allowed and take layers as it’s around 55 degrees inside the cavern.

Grizzly Falls

After the 45 minute tour, we walked back to the car and drove a few minutes to the 80 foot Grizzly Falls. There’s a small parking lot for these falls and this waterfall is literally minutes away from the parking lot. Tip: There’s a little picnic area so it might be a good stop for your lunch that you hopefully picked up on the way into the park as there aren’t too many options for food inside the park.

Roaring River Falls

The roaring river falls is just 15 minutes away from Grizzly Falls. There is an actual parking lot for these waterfalls as well so don’t get confused and stop earlier on the side of the road by the signage (Roaring River) otherwise you’ll have to walk a bit to find the trail and you could end up on some paths that aren’t really the trail (like I did)! It’s a super short walk to the falls from the parking lot (0.3-mile round trip hike).

Mist Falls Hike

If you have more than 3 days on your California adventure road trip, definitely add the 9 mile round trip hike to Mist Falls – the views alone are worth this hike. With around 800 feet of elevation, it’s a moderate hike alongside the South Fork of the Kings River to a powerful whitewater cascade.

Introduction to Visalia

We left Kings Canyon by around 5pm and headed to the city of Visalia, an hour and thirty minutes away, where we checked into the lovely Visalia Marriott. The Visalia Marriott is walking distance from all the bars and restaurants on Main Street so I highly recommend this if you can’t get accommodations inside the national parks or if you just want to sleep on a comfortable bed! Tip: This Marriott has a gym and a Starbucks on-site.

Upon first glance, Visalia might look like just a stopover. But spend some time on Main street in downtown Visalia and visit some of the places mentioned below and you’ll see why Visalia is special. This city is experiencing a revival of sorts, right from the arts to the cuisine.

Where to eat in Visalia

• Elderwood Rooftop: That evening we dined at the Elderwood rooftop in the Darling Hotel, just minutes away from the Visalia Marriott. I would never have expected to find such a spot in Visalia, not to mention the views from the rooftop of the surrounding city and Sierra mountains are breathtaking. Inspired by local, seasonal ingredients that highlight what Central California has to offer, the food is delicious. Tip: Get the Butternut Squash, the Slow Roasted Beet Tower, and if you’re into seafood, the seafood pasta was the best I’ve actually ever had in California!

• BarrelHouse Brewing Visalia: Post dinner we walked over to the BarrelHouse, largest family-owned and operated craft brewery in San Luis Obispo County. Okay I was a bit taken aback by the interiors. Super cool vibe, live music on one of two stages, massive outdoor, vintage pinball machines and twenty-six taps of BarrelHouse beers. What?! This is Visalia?! Incredible. Must visit. What an epic end to day 1 of our California adventure road trip!

• Component Coffee Lab: Skip the Starbucks at the Marriott for breakfast, because what’s waiting for you at Component Coffee Lab is beyond. First of all the space itself is adorable – the brick and mortar shop and roastery is on Main Street in the historic downtown. I was torn between sitting inside and outdoors. Tip: Sit outdoors on a warm day, get the Avo toast or the breakfast burrito (delicious). I grabbed a pastry to-go and it was SO good! We honestly need a branch in San Francisco!

• Cellar Door: Okay yet another spot right across from Component Coffee Lab that will blow you away by how cool the vibe is? The Cellar Door. Stop by for dinner on your second night and check out their calendar online for live music schedules. Bagels are their specialty for breakfast. Tip: This is the type of place that isn’t afraid to push the boundaries of collaboration in food, music, and art! You’ll see what I mean once you visit.

California Adventure Road Trip – Day 2

After a hot shower and a good night’s sleep, we were up by 7ish to grab breakfast at nearby Component Coffee Lab on Main Street and to begin day 2 of the California adventure road trip. After a delicious hour spent in their outdoor patio noshing on an avocado toast and some hot coffee, we drove out of Visalia to our next national park on the Majestic Mountain loop! As national parks go, Sequoia is THE place to see the largest tree in the world (by volume)!

Sequoia National Park

General Sherman Tree

Our first stop on day two of our California adventure road trip was the General Sherman Tree. Just enter the General Sherman Tree Trailhead in your car navigation. This will take you to the trailhead parking lot. Here we met Krista Simonic of Sequoia Guides for a private tour. While I’ve been to Sequoia National Park many times before, this was the first time I actually immersed myself in the park thanks to Krista’s fascinating stories about Sequoia trees. I highly recommend you start at the General Sherman Tree trailhead and walk down to the world’s largest tree by volume, you will be wowed. Plan for a 1.2mi hike. General Sherman stands 275 feet (83 m) tall, and is over 36 feet (11 m) in diameter. Know that there might be a line leading up to the tree (only if you want to take photos by the sign).Tip: You can walk around the tree to get a 360 degree view if you don’t want to wait in that line.

Congress Tree Trail

This trail is right off the General Sherman Tree trail. It’s a 2.9mi loop and considered an easy hike. Once you get past General Sherman you’ll start leaving the crowds behind. If you’re lucky you may even have patches of the Congress trail all to yourself to sit and just admire these giants. Keep walking until you get to the group of trees called the Senate and the House and of course the President tree. This is the place to see lots of giant Sequoias.

The Big Trees Trail

Parking is available at the Big Trees trailhead. In summer months, you may need to park at the Giant Forest Museum parking lot and then walk over to this trailhead. Big Trees Trail circles Round Meadow in a 0.7 mile loop. It is flat, paved, and has benches along the way. Informational displays offer insight into what you are experiencing. Watch for yellow-bellied marmots, bears, and other wildlife. After taking this trail, consider walking the Hazelwood Meadow Trail on the other side of the road. It leads through another part of the sequoia grove or you can drive onward to see Crescent Meadow!

Moro Rock

I highly recommend climbing the .5mi out and back trail – yes it’s super short. But you do have to climb up 350 steps to the top of Moro rock. It’s a large granite dome and the views of the surrounding valley and mountains are indeed spectacular. Tip: Get to the top for sunrise and have your cameras ready! Stay safe and make sure you have a headlamp for when you’re ready to come down.

Hanging Rock Overlook

If you don’t feel like climbing 350 steps, then definitely stop by nearby Hanging Rock. As the name states, it’s an overlook so not much to hike! The views are also beautiful! Tip: Get ready for beautiful sunset views without the Moro rock crowds!

If you have an extra day on your California adventure road trip, you can do both of the options below!

Crescent Meadow

If you have time, meander through the 1.5mi loop trail and explore the giant sequoias up-close, see wildflowers in bloom, and potentially spot wildlife grazing in the meadow.

Tokopah Falls

This is a 3.8mi round trip moderate hike to tallest waterfalls in Sequoia National Park. The 1,200 foot falls are formed as the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River slides down a huge granite headwall of the glacial Tokopah Valley.

Rawhide Professional Baseball

Depending on what time you get back to Visalia, if there’s a baseball game at the Rawhide, GO! You can have dinner and drinks on the lawn or take a seat at the bleachers and cheer the home team! Love dogs? Then stop by the dog park – dogs are welcome to come to the game in partnership with California Service Dog Academy. How cool is that! I felt like staying healthy so I stuck to a salad and fruit bowl but you’ll get all the regular foods to satisfy your cravings while you take in the game!

California Adventure Road Trip – Day 3

On day 3 of what was turning out to be an epic California adventure road trip, we checked out of the Visalia Marriott and grabbed bagels at the Cellar door for breakfast. By the way these aren’t just any old bagels! The savory bagels are made in-house daily and with delicious toppings so you’ll stay full for your next adventure! Post breakfast We drove on toward Madera County to spend the day at Yosemite National Park. First I’ll take you through Yosemite National Park and then through Madera County, the gateway to the southern entrance to this national park.

Yosemite National Park

There’s SO much to see at Yosemite National Park but if you’re there for the day then this is what I recommend below. Note: A reservation will be required to drive into or through Yosemite National Park from May 20 through September 30, 2022, for those driving into the park between 6 am and 4 pm. To make reservations go here.

Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias

The Mariposa Grove is currently closed due to the Washburn Fire as of July 28th, so be sure to check status here before you plan your trip to this grove. Located in the southern portion of Yosemite, the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is the largest sequoia grove in Yosemite and is home to over 500 mature giant sequoias. From April to November, you will need to take the shuttle to the grove. Only cars with disability placards can drive up the Mariposa grove road. Check shuttle timings and pickup location here. Tip: The Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza (near South Entrance) has flush toilets and drinking water. The Mariposa Grove Arrival Area has portable toilets and no drinking water. Choose from one of several beautiful trails below to experience this grove.

1. Big Trees Loop Trail (easy, .3mi loop) – this trail features the Fallen Monarch and interpretive panels on the life and ecology of giant sequoias
2. Grizzly giant Loop Trail (moderate, 2mi loop) – see the Bachelor and Three Graces, the 3,000-year-old Grizzly Giant, and California Tunnel Tree
3. Guardians Loop Trail (strenuous, 6.5mi round trip) – see the fallen Wawona Tunnel Tree, the Telescope Tree, and the Mariposa Grove Cabin.
4. Mariposa Grove Trail (strenuous, 7mi round trip) – See the Bachelor and Three Graces, the Faithful Couple, and the Clothespin Tree

Wawona

Look for dozens of Native American Mortars in the flat rocks overlooking the riparian meadows. Choose from one of the following trails below.

1. Wawona Meadow Loop Trail (3.5 miles (5.6 km) loop; 2 hours [leashed pets allowed]
2. Swinging Bridge Loop Trail (4.8 miles (7.6 km) loop; 2 hours
3. Alder Creek Trail (12 miles (18.7 km); 6 to 8 hours
4. Chilnualna Falls Trail (8.2 miles (13.1 km) round-trip; 5 hours. 2,400 feet (732 m) elevation gain

Tunnel View

Tunnel View at sunset is something else, so be sure to drive here for sunset. There is a parking lot. Tip: Tunnel View provides one of the most famous views of Yosemite Valley. From here you can see El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall rising from Yosemite Valley, with Half Dome in the background. Tip: This viewpoint is at the east end of the Wawona Tunnel along the Wawona Road (Highway 41)

El Capitan Meadow

El Capitan is a majestic rock wall extending far into the sky above a beautiful lush green meadow. Bring your binoculars you’ll enjoy laying in the meadow and watching the climbers on the rock wall.

Where to eat in the park:

If you’re spending the entire day in the park, here are some places where you can grab some food:

Curry Village Pizza Deck:

Hand-tossed pizza, fresh salads, and cold drinks are served on the outdoor deck, surrounded by great views of Glacier Point and Royal Arches. The Deck is open January through November and during holidays when Curry Village is open.

Yosemite Valley Lodge Lounge

Kick back, put a marshmallow on a stick, and roast it to a golden brown at The Mountain Room Lounge. In addition to the wonderful Swedish-style fireplace, you’ll enjoy the classic furnishings as a sip a cocktail and munch on delicious appetizers. During the warmer months, you can enjoy sitting outside on the patio, where you’ll take in the gorgeous surroundings. 

Wawona Hotel

Located near the Mariposa Grove, the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner!

Once you’re ready to leave, head out to the Sierra Sky Ranch for the night. Just 30 minutes outside the Southern entrance to Yosemite National Park, this hotel is the perfect end to day 3 of your California adventure road trip!

Where to stay

Sierra Sky Ranch, Ascend Hotel Collection

This place is absolutely an oasis right outside the park. Sierra Sky Ranch, Ascend Hotel Collection^® is in the Sierra Nevada mountains, in a town that still evokes the cowboy culture of the Old West. This hotel is unique because it’s built on what once was the area’s first working cattle ranch. The place has gone through many incarnations since 1875, the most recent being a ranch-themed hotel. You’re half an hour away tops from Yosemite National Park and Bass Lake. Honestly I looked forward to returning to the hotel in the evenings and waking up and opening my balcony doors and chilling out by the patio with a cup of coffee in the mornings. Definitely cozy, earthy, rustic and upscale all at once. Breakfast in the large, formal dining overlooking the mountains feels like an experience – the decor is on point.

California Adventure Road Trip – Day 4

If you can extend your California adventure road trip I would highly recommend you spend day four exploring Madera county. I recommend ALL the activities below, read on to see why.

Madera County

Madera, which means “wood” in Spanish, has a rich & colorful history around the gold rush. A logging industry relic, Madera County has transformed itself into a tourism gateway not just to Yosemite National Park but to adventure in the great outdoors. Here’s a small introduction to some of the Wild West experiences that can be had in Madera County on day four of your California adventure road trip.

What to do in Madera County

UTV into a Sequoia Grove

Just minutes away from the Sierra Sky Ranch is the Yosemite Adventure Company just half an hour outside the southern entrance to Yosemite. We signed up with Sabrina to ride a UTV into a Sequoia Grove in the Sierra National Forest. I am in the process of recovering from a spine injury and I discussed my lower back condition with Sabrina in length before she came up with creative solutions that could enable me to experience the UTV. Sabrina kindly got me a pillow I could use as a backrest while driving and we set off for the Nelder Grove. The guides will bring their own UTV vehicle while you can drive yours solo or with a friend (if you want the guide to ride with you, that’s also an option).

What’s a UTV?

A UTV stands for Utility Terrain Vehicles and they are able to seat passengers side by side, large and powerful to tackle off roading and pot holes. The front section (where the windshield would typically be in a car) is open so it makes for great views and a thrilling ride.

Is UTV riding for you?

My rating for this activity is an A. I drove this UTV over to a grove of Sequoias at my own pace. That’s the beauty of driving these vehicles. Go at your own pace depending on your comfort level! Nelder Grove is composed of beautiful giant sequoia trees, of which there are only scattered populations through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The area was super quiet when we arrived and is a perfect place to see the giant trees without the crowds. The entire trip is about 3 hours and while the UTV might LOOK intimidating, take it from me, it’s not at all scary, super stable, and SO MUCH FUN!!!

Rock Climb in the Sierra National Forest

Another must-try activity is the rock climbing near Nelder grove. If you’re a beginner like me and my friend are, you’ll appreciate the guides at Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides. They are super patient and nice and will assuage your fears and answer your questions patiently. Our guide met us at my hotel and we followed him in our car to the climbing area. We parked off the side of the road and once we were geared up, we set off on a quick, very short, steep hike up to the base of the rock we were climbing.

Gear Requirements

SYMG will provide you with all the gear you need, including climbing shoes, helmet and harness. I found the rock pretty doable and the surrounding views of the Sierra are breathtaking. I highly recommend this particular beginner’s session if you want an adventure, and are willing to step out of your comfort zone and step into the unknown. The rewards are high. Even though I didn’t make it to the top due to being cautious about my lower back injury, I walked away feeling empowered and proud of getting my feet off the ground and onto the rock! Tip: Ask for Nate, he’s super kind and patient!

Boating in Bass Lake

Spend the afternoon exploring Bass Lake, Madera County’s answer to very crowded summers in Lake Tahoe! We rented a Patio (half of the boat has a covering if you want shade) boat from Millers Landing and cruised around the beautiful lake. You can fish, pull a tube, jump in to the water or just relax on the boat. I never knew about Bass Lake before this trip, and I can honestly say this is a gem and a beautiful place to have fun either before or after spending time in Yosemite. Tip: 20% Early Bird discount on half day patio boat rentals from 8am to 1pm. We got back to the Sierra Sky Ranch after grabbing food and ice cream at the Millers Landing restaurant and ended day four of our California adventure road trip with some Chamomile tea at the ranch.

California Adventure Road Trip – Day 5

Ride the Steam Train on the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad

On day 5 we slept in, checked out of our oasis Sierra Sky Ranch and drove a few minutes to the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad. Now get ready for a treat like no other. We signed up for the daily narrated 1-hour scenic railroad ride along the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad. First of all I had no idea this was right outside the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park. Second I didn’t know I could ride such a steam train in a log carriage! The ride will show you where lumberjacks once felled mighty trees for the nearby town of Madera! If you don’t want to sit in the open air log carriages, you can always switch mid-way when the train stops and climb into one of the indoor carriages. Prices start at $28 and all ages can ride, 2 and under ride for free.

Gold Panning

Once you’re done with the train ride walk over to the Gold Panning area. For $10, you can dip your hands into history and relive the excitement of the California Gold Rush when you pan for gold in the authentic sluice boxes. The prospector will teach you the proper techniques just like the 49ers used so you, too, will be yelling, “Eureka!”  Tip: Stick around because once you finish your panning, you will actually walk away with some gold!

Wine Tasting

Post train ride, we drove over to a winery. Yes a winery. Just south of Yosemite, you’ll find a dozen low-key up and coming wineries on what is known as the historic Madera Wine Trail. Most of these wineries are small and that means you may even meet and relax with the winemaker! The first vines were planted well over 100 years ago, but few survived Prohibition in the 1920s. So wait how come we have wine growing here? This Central Valley region experiences warm summer temperatures but is cooled by two of its bordering features, the San Joaquin River and Sierra Nevada range; the resulting microclimate was designated an American Viticultural Area in 1985. Thanks to that warm climate and the resultant high sugar content in its grapes, vintners in Madera are known for producing Ports and dessert wines, so be sure to sip some of those during your wine trail tastings.

Idle Hour Winery

From this wine trail map you can choose which wineries you want to visit on the Madera Wine Trail or if you have extra days you can visit them all! We chose the Idle Hour and were blown away by the wines and the food! Yes they serve snacks and lunch.

Idle Hour Winery – The Wines

Their current releases include single vineyard designated Viognier, Pinot Noir, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Tempranillo and Petite Sirah. All of their wines are fermented using native yeasts, those which come from the vineyards with the fruit, also known as resident yeasts. The winemakers at Idle Hour believe that their single-vineyard designated wines stay true to the vineyards they come from…their winemaking style is non-interventive where they “do as little as possible…”.

Idle Hour Winery – Tastings

The first one I sampled was a Viognier which had an apple citrus taste (the grapes are from Madera County). The Rose of Grenache was my favorite, you can taste the strawberries and watermelon flavors with almost a tart cranberry finish. This was super light and refreshing. I also tried the Chenin Blanc Pet Nat, made in the Champagne method and fermented in the bottle (not as bubbly as champagne but a little fizzy) with green apple flavors! The Clone 667 is a Pinot Noir. In the 1920s/30s this clone was shipped from France and planted in Arroyo Seco outside of Monterey. I liked the earthy and plum tone of this wine. I also tried a Tempranillo, a Spanish varietal with dark cherry fruit flavors but my ultimate favorite was the Alicante Bouschet. A French varietal grown in Lodi and Madera you won’t find this in a lot of places. Pair it with the made in house Valhrona chocolate brownie and you’ll thank me later, I promise.

Idle Hour Winery – Food

The winery has everything you could want in terms of food pairings with their wines.

We were first treated to a charcuterie plate they assembled with some Brie cheese from France, a Dubliner from Ireland and a Gorgonzola blue blend from California. This was paired with an in house spiced honey drizzled around the plate, an in house Blueberry jam (to die for), in house Quince paste (fruit) to be paired with the crackers and some salami and prosciutto. If you’re having lunch, definitely get the Watermelon and Jalapeno Gazpacho (I have NEVER tried anything like this combination before in a cold soup and this was DELICIOUS). You can’t go wrong with the light and refreshing citrus and honey salad. We topped that off with a mushroom flatbread (they have some amazing flatbread options)!

Idle Hour Winery – River Walk

You can also walk by the river afterward or spend the night here on the property at the 12 room Queens Inn. Post lunch we took a stroll behind the patio and the Inn along the Fresno river. Idle Hour Winery also has a massive outdoors patio overlooking this river and is a brilliant space for celebrations!

Where to eat in Madera County

Ducey’s on the Lake (downstairs restaurant at The Pines Resort)

Hands down this became our favorite restaurant in the area while staying in Madera County! If you get a table with an expansive view of the lake, you will know what I mean. They also have outdoor seating (which was closed when we went). The food is top notch, their chef has a very farm-to-table approach to the California cuisine. The brussels sprouts, and the beetroot & goat cheese salad are standout starters while the scallops and blackened ahi shashimi were also good. For the mains, you can try the steak, the salmon or pasta or ravioli – they have options for whatever you may be in the mood for!

South Gate Brewing Company

A large welcoming space, you can also dine in the outside patio. A great lunch spot after riding the UTV/rock climbing, try the steak fries (soooo good), the fish tacos or their black bean burger (made with a veggie patty).

Forks Restaurant

If you’re over by Bass Lake, a great option post fun at the lake is Forks or Millers Landing. If you’re eating at Forks, they have a cute outdoors patio with views over the lake. Try their famous Forks burgers!

Millers Landing Restaurant

The other option on Bass Lake is Millers Landing, which also has a cute outdoors patio. The ice cream is the real star here especially on a super hot day!

Glow Cafe

If you’re in the mood for juices, healthy bowls, smoothies, then Glow Cafe is the place for you! I loved my protein bowl and a smoothie – it was perfect before my UTV adventure!

California Adventure Road Trip – Conclusion

In conclusion, the Majestic Mountain Loop has everything you could want in a California adventure road trip. Right from gorgeous hikes (for all ages and abilities), giant Sequoia trees, waterfalls, meadows filled with wildflowers, caves, to rock climbing, driving a UTV, riding a steam train, boating on the lake, and wine tasting, this road trip is filled with adventure, great cuisine and charming stays. So what are you waiting for?! Pack your bags, fuel up your car and get on the road! Questions? Looking forward to your comments!

Note: While this trip was sponsored by the Visit California tourism board, all opinions are my own.