Essentials

Tour Info

Summary of nights

15 days including return travel, 14 nights: Las Vegas 2, Death Valley 2, Palm Springs 1, Joshua Tree National Park 2, Bakersfield 1, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks 2, Yosemite National Park 2, San Francisco 2.

Guides

Certain tours and guided experiences are included with this holiday. Please see Included Excursions. Recommended excursions can be done independently or speak to your consultant to arrange optional guided experiences where possible.

Clothing & special equipment

Bring practical, comfortable clothing and a light-weight jumper or jacket. For the hiking, light and supportive walking boots with good grip are essential. Shorts and T-shirts are also a must when travelling in late spring, summer or early autumn, as are a sun hat and sunglasses. Protective clothing such as a fleece and/or waterproof outer shell are advisable at any time of the year, and if you plan on hiking throughout the duration of your trip then hiking poles are also an asset. Please get in touch before departure if you have any doubts as we can advise appropriately.

Weather

California’s National Parks cover a mind-boggling range of climates. From the desert landscapes of Death Valley to the peaks of Yosemite, it’s difficult to pinpoint a time of year that is best across the board. We would recommend travelling in late spring, early summer or early autumn for the best conditions. The months of May to early June and September to early October generally offer consistent temperatures ranging between 16°C and 30°C that are ideal for outdoor exploration. Summer is too hot for most people to visit Death Valley or Joshua Tree National Parks as temperatures regularly go up to 40°C. Conversely, summer is the best time to visit Yosemite, Sequoia and King’s Canyon National Parks are outside of the months of May to October the weather becomes unpredictable due to the range of elevations.