California RV Trip with Kids: 2-weeks Family Itinerary (Yosemite, Sequoia & Joshua Tree)
- Dana Shik
- Aug 2, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Our two-week RV trip through California with our four kids was a truly unforgettable amazing experience.
We kicked things off in San Francisco, where we picked up the RV, loaded it with groceries, and waved goodbye to the city traffic as we made our way inland.
Yosemite with Kids: Campground Logistics, Shuttle & Biking
Our first destination was Yosemite National Park, and after winding mountain roads, we pulled into the federal Upper Pines Campground, within Yosemite valley, our home for the next 3 nights. To get a spot in this campground, I had a reminder on my calendar to log in to my recreation.gov account at exactly 10am EST, to be able to book the pre-selected spot. Five minutes later, there were no spots left in the campground. Yes, it is THAT popular, and so are the lower pines and north pines campgrounds, even though there are no hookups, and no showers. Still, it was very much worth it.
The forest was gorgeous and made the trails accessible. Every day we left our RV in our campsite, and hopped on a bus that is part of a shuttle system that drives tourists around the park. Close to Curry village there was a bike rentals place, that we used to explore the park a little differently. Take into account that the park, especially around the campgrounds, Curry village and the park lodge, is packed with tourists that came to enjoy this rare piece of nature just like you. Plan the trails you'd like to visit based on how further away from your campsite you'd like to go, and take into account there will be some (reasonable) wait time for the shuttle on your return.
As we did in other trips, we found all the information we needed about the optional trails through the app AllTrails, an excellent holistic tool that allows you to find the right trail for your family based on length, elevation, rating, whether its a loop or an out and back trail, and things to consider (compatibility for kids, strenuous level and more). We used it to plan our routes, viewed preview and pictures of the trails, and downloaded visual maps beforehand, since we knew reception is not always available when we're out there, especially in the heart of national parks.
Yosemite completely blew us away... The towering granite cliffs, waterfalls, and the sheer size of the valley were more breathtaking than any photo could ever show.
Among a few beautiful trails, we hiked the one that leads to the Grizzly Giant, a famous giant sequoia located in Mariposa Grove, near Wawona, in the southern part of Yosemite NP. Another favorite adventure was biking with the kids all the way up to Mirror Lake. The path was peaceful and beautiful, and once we arrived, we waded across the lake—freezing cold, but so much fun. The kids laughed and shrieked as they crossed. Back at Upper Pines, there was a little stream running near our campsite, and it quickly became our go-to spot for afternoon play. We spent hours skipping rocks, dipping our feet, and cooling off in the clear, icy water. After long days of hiking and biking, it was the perfect way to unwind.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon with Kids: Grove Walks & Easy Trails
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks sit side by side along California’s southern Sierra Nevada, protecting one of the largest remaining stretches of old-growth forest in the United States. The parks are best known for their giant sequoias—the largest trees on Earth by volume—including the General Grant Tree, which is designated as the Nation’s Christmas Tree. Together, the two parks span a dramatic elevation range, from deep river canyons to high mountain groves, which is why you can move between dense forest, open meadows, and alpine terrain within a relatively compact area.
When we made our way to Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park, we settled in at Azalea Campground for three nights. The moment we stepped out of the RV, we were greeted by the most incredible scent of pine trees—sharp and clean. The campground felt more secluded, surrounded by thick woods and shaded trails, which gave us a true sense of being tucked away in nature. This campground was even further unplugged to anything. We took the easy trail to see General Grant Tree, the second-largest living sequoia. The loop also shows off the surrounding Grant Grove and connects back to the campground via the North Grove or Sunset trails. Exploring the groves of giant sequoias, taking quiet walks through the forest, and just breathing in the stillness were pure magic. The size of the trees is hard to describe—ancient and enormous, they made us feel like tiny visitors in a much older world.
Sequoia National Forest
From there, we drove deeper into Sequoia National Forest, where we camped for 2 more nights. This part of the trip was slower-paced and more relaxing. With fewer crowds, it was easier to take things at our own rhythm.
One of the highlights was our visit to the Trail of 100 Giants, a family-friendly loop trail that winds through a grove of massive sequoias. The kids loved reading the interpretive signs along the way, and we all stood in awe beneath the towering trees. It was a peaceful and humbling experience, reminding us of the incredible natural history of the area.
Before heading to Joshua Tree, we also spent a relaxing afternoon at a small beach on Lake Isabella, not far from Frandy Park Campground. The kids splashed in the shallow water while we stretched out on blankets in the sun. After so many days of hiking, it felt great to slow down by the lake and enjoy the simple joy of a beach day surrounded by mountains.
Joshua Tree with Kids: Short Trails + KOA Recovery Days
Joshua Tree National Park sits where two distinct deserts meet—the Mojave and the Colorado—creating a landscape defined by stark contrasts, unusual vegetation, and exposed rock formations. The park takes its name from the Joshua trees themselves, which are actually a type of yucca and are native only to this region of the Mojave Desert.
We stayed for two nights at KOA Palm Springs which was approximately 50 minutes drive from Joshua Tree, and was well worth the drive. We explored the national park during the cooler early mornings and evenings, and even though it was only June, the heat was impactful, so during the day over at KOA, we enjoyed the pool, their outdoor hot tubs (they have 3 hot tubs with different temperatures!), and the indoor air-conditioned game room. We stayed at a premium site with a wooden pergola, gas-operated grill, and an outdoor dining set, where we had dinners and fire pits, and in one of the evenings there was even a rocket launch we were amazed to witness!
The desert was entirely different from the other places we’d seen—rugged, sun-baked, and full of weirdly wonderful rock formations.
I recommend hiking through Barker Dam - an easy 1.1 miles loop trail, the short 0.4 miles Cap Rock trail, as well as making a stop at the Cholla Cactus Garden. If you're planning to visit in the spring time, make sure to explore longer trails at the official NPS webpage or in the AllTrails app.
Los Angeles & San Diego with Kids: Warner Bros. Studio Tour & Legoland
To wrap up the trip, we made a quick stop in Los Angeles (for an unforgettable Warner Brothers studio tour and an amazing obstacle course on the water!) and then headed south for 3 days at LEGOLAND in San Diego (plan for more if you can!). After 10 days of hiking and dusty trail time, the kids were thrilled to hit the rides and water park. It was the perfect treat to finish off the adventure.
Looking back, we saw some of the most beautiful places in California, unplugged for two weeks, and made memories that I know will stick with us for a long time.
If you’re thinking about a big road trip with your kids, this is it!
Trip Info — 2 Weeks in California by RV
🗓️ Trip Length: 14 days
🚐 Route: San Francisco ➝ Yosemite ➝ Kings Canyon & Sequoia ➝ Sequoia National Forest ➝ Lake Isabella ➝ Joshua Tree ➝ Los Angeles ➝ San Diego
🌦️ Weather: June was warm to hot, especially in Joshua Tree. Yosemite and Sequoia were comfortable for hiking; the desert required early morning/late evening exploring.
⛺ Campgrounds:
Upper Pines Campground (Yosemite Valley) - book through recreation.gov.
Azalea Campground (Kings Canyon) - book through recreation.gov.
Frandy Park near Lake Isabella
Joshua Tree NP - KOA campground - in particular recommended for its fantastic amenities (shaded pool, indoor game room and outdoor games), as well as their premium sites!
👀 Highlights:
Yosemite: biking to Mirror Lake, Mariposa Grove & Grizzly Giant, streams by Upper Pines
Kings Canyon/Sequoia: General Grant Tree, shaded grove walks
Sequoia NF: Trail of 100 Giants
Lake Isabella: swimming & beach day
Joshua Tree: Barker Dam loop, Cap Rock, Cholla Cactus Garden
Los Angeles: Warner Brothers studio tour
San Diego: LEGOLAND rides + water park
🧒 Kid-Friendly? Yes. Short trails, bike rentals in Yosemite, shaded groves in Sequoia, water play at Lake Isabella, and theme parks at the end kept the kids engaged.
🥗Recipes I recommend you to try on this trip🥗
Also, visit our Vegan Pantry Checklist for Road Trips and RV Travel with Kids to be inspired how and what to pack for your next RV adventure!
FAQ
Is a 2-week California RV trip realistic with kids?
Yes, depends on how active your family is, and how much hiking you are used to do. For younger kids and average families, this is very manageable, especially if days are structured around short hikes, biking, and campground recovery time rather than long trail days.
How do you travel within Yosemite national park?
The shuttle system is free, and makes it possible to park once and explore without moving the RV daily.
Is Joshua Tree manageable with kids in summer?
It can be, but only with early-morning park visits and midday breaks back at a campground or pool. The RV must have a great insulation and air conditioning, as temperatures become brutal as early as 10am.
Is this itinerary doable without reservations?
Major campgrounds like Upper Pines, North Pines and Lower Pines require advance booking, often months ahead. Through Recreation.gov, all information is available separately for each campground, and lottery is running for some, but windows of opportunity are limited.
Nice itinerary! Was the KOA at Joshua Tree worth the drive from the NP?