Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

California’s Wilderness: Enjoying the Outdoors In Less Than a Week

From the tallest peak in the Lower 48 (that’d be Mt. Whitney) to the lowest point in America (Death Valley, of course), the great state of California boasts a bounty of natural splendor. And if you’re willing to haul some serious ass, you can see a lot of it in just a few days! If you have a car, a pair of hiking boots, and a lot of caffeine, you can check a few of the world’s most famous natural wonders off the list in single business week.

Fair warning, though: this crash course in wilderness wonder will see you spending a lot more time in a car than in a pair of hiking boots. Sure, taking the scenic route is usually better, but sometimes you just want to cram things in.

Get Ready to See 5 Great Parks in 5 Days!

Recommended Videos

Get started by flying into Los Angeles International Airport and renting a car. Just make sure you can leave said vehicle at SFO a few days later (enlisting a friend to come along for the journey is also acceptable–nay!–preferable).

Related: Or Take Your Time Instead…

Leave the airport and head for…

Joshua Tree National Park (a mere 155 mile drive due east)

Joshua Tree 2
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you plan things properly (e.g. an early AM arrival), you should be able to get there with enough time to spend five or six hours roaming the stunning desert and perhaps musing as to why U2 named an album after these unique samples of florae. (Sure, Joshua Trees are lovely, but to a bunch of dudes from Ireland?)

Leave the park heading due north by the early evening and either make camp or get a hotel once you have logged about 130 miles. This will put you half way to your next destination, the peerless…

Sequoia National Forest (some 250 miles north of Joshua Tree)

Sequoia
Image used with permission by copyright holder

There is much to see and do among the Sequoias, but you’re on a mission, dammit! So let’s get right to it and head for General Sherman, the largest known (single stem) tree on the whole planet. General Sherman stands at 275 feet tall and weighs an estimated 4.12 million pounds. Yeah, it’s big. Take a few minutes to admire the grandeur and then… well… hit the road! We’re headed for…

Yosemite Falls (170 indirect miles; you might want to stop for the night in Fresno)

Yosemite Falls
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Yosemite Falls is but one of the many draws in Yosemite National Park, along with the stunning El Capitan and Half Dome rock formations popular among hikers/climbers, but we don’t have time for all the fancy footwork: you can enjoy the falls by walking just a few hundred yards from the main Yosemite Lodge, so that’s your destination. Just be aware it doesn’t flow as majestically when the snow’s not melting. Anyway, now it’s off for…

Lake Tahoe (can you make the 184 miles in the same day?)

Tahoe 3
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Lake Tahoe is a great ski spot in the winter, great for swimming and other water sports in the warmer months, and if you cross over to the LAs Vegas side, you can gamble. So in other words, there’s something for everyone. Yahoo. Depending on the season and your preferred hobbies, spend a night, then hit the road headed west for the beloved…

Napa Valley (another 150 miles, but there’s wine!)

Napa 2
Image used with permission by copyright holder

In Napa Valley (or neighboring Sonoma) you can enjoy hikes, bike riding, and other such recreation, but lets be honest: you just dragged yourself up and down and all around this massive state… you want to relax and drink wine now! Spend the afternoon and evening relaxing and tasting and then settle into a luxurious suite or some fleabag motel you passed earlier on the highway.

From most parts of Napa, it’s just under 70 miles to the San Francisco Airport, a short jaunt after what you’ve done. Head out in the morning and get back to that “real life” of yours!

(Of course, if you want to go nuts, it’s just over 275 miles north to the Redwood National Forest! But frankly, beautiful as the Coastal Redwoods are, save ’em for next time, you’ve seen big trees already.)

Steven John
Steven John is a writer and journalist living just outside New York City, by way of 12 years in Los Angeles, by way of…
Pickathon returns to Oregon with forest feasts and a killer music lineup
This Oregon fest mixes live music, DJs, and five epic forest dinners
Pickathon

One of Oregon’s most beloved festivals is back, and it’s bigger, tastier, and more immersive than ever. Pickathon, the independent music and arts festival held at Pendarvis Farm just outside Portland, returns July 31 to August 3 to celebrate its 25th anniversary with a weekend of performances, forested stages, and intimate chef-driven dining experiences.

This year’s lineup features more than 55 artists performing across nine art-filled stages tucked into the woods. But the magic of Pickathon doesn’t stop at the music, its Curation Series is making a much-anticipated return, offering a one-of-a-kind experience that combines world-class food and live music deep in the Oregon forest.

Read more
The best hidden gem in Europe for summer 2025 is this Portuguese town
Tomar, Portugal was named Europe’s best hidden summer gem for 2025
Tomar, Portugal

With travel to Europe booming and overtourism sparking protests in parts of Spain and other major European cities, many savvy travelers are turning their attention to lesser-known destinations. Enter Tomar, Portugal, a quiet town that’s just been named the top hidden gem in Europe for summer 2025, according to a new study by property rental platform HomeToGo.

HomeToGo ranked destinations that offer stunning scenery, fascinating history, delicious food, and cultural appeal, all without the overwhelming crowds or sky-high prices of Europe’s major cities. Topping the list is Tomar, a town of just 20,000 people located inland between Lisbon and Porto (and closer to Lisbon). Despite its small size, Tomar holds a huge piece of European history: it was once the headquarters of the Knights Templar, and today still boasts one of the best-preserved Templar castles and churches in the world.

Read more
This Hawaiian rum safari tour is the boozy adventure you didn’t know you needed
Exploring the 105-acre Kilohana Plantation
Kauai Rum tour

Kōloa Rum is undoubtedly a staple on Kauai, known for its full range of sustainable, single-batch, premium Hawaiian rums. If you love rum, you can visit their tasting room at the Kilohana Plantation in Lihue, Kauai. But if you want an even more interactive experience, head next door to the Kauai Safaris for a unique rum safari tour. This rum safari tour goes beyond just rum tastings, taking you on a stroll around the large 105-acre plantation where you'll learn about the past and present history of sugar cane and the importance of the island.

Before this tour, I had been on many safari tours but never a rum tour, making this experience more intriguing. Along this tour, the open-air vehicle stops at various outdoor bars, using fresh fruit from the plantation to make delicious farm-to-glass cocktails. Here's what you can see and expect along a Kauai rum safari tour, from exotic plants to fruit and vegetable orchards. You can't go wrong with this fun Hawaiian tour if you're looking for a unique experience while visiting Kauai (and love rum and cocktails).

Read more