30 Activities
A Trip to Lake Tahoe and San Francisco Through the Eastern Sierra Route
Starts from
Los Angeles
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
30
Duration
4 days
Length
754 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Los Angeles
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
4 days
Length
754 mi
- Natural Attractions
- History and Culture
- Family-Friendly
Elisa Parhad
Travel Expert
- Visit the factory where Jelly Bellies are made.
- Learn about life in early California history at a historic Golden State fort.
- See the treasures of Tahoe on the Lake Tahoe loop drive.
- Explore the Alabama Hills, a Western landscape that Hollywood loved to film.
- View the bizarre "tufa towers" of Mono Lake.
This four day trek to San Francisco through Lake Tahoe meanders through the Eastern Sierra range, covering historic film sites, beloved eateries, classic hikes, and majestic scenery. Highlights include the Alabama Hills, the fascinating natural formations of Lake Mono and the gems of Lake Tahoe.
After gazing into the lake's azure waters, the route takes you back through Sacramento to the delights of San Francisco and the under-the-radar wine regions that come before it.
After gazing into the lake's azure waters, the route takes you back through Sacramento to the delights of San Francisco and the under-the-radar wine regions that come before it.
Categories
- Natural Attractions
- History and Culture
- Family-Friendly
This four day trek to San Francisco through Lake Tahoe meanders through the Eastern Sierra range, covering historic film sites, beloved eateries, classic hikes, and majestic scenery. Highlights include the Alabama Hills, the fascinating natural formations of Lake Mono and the gems of Lake Tahoe.
After gazing into the lake's azure waters, the route takes you back through Sacramento to the delights of San Francisco and the under-the-radar wine regions that come before it.
After gazing into the lake's azure waters, the route takes you back through Sacramento to the delights of San Francisco and the under-the-radar wine regions that come before it.
Elisa Parhad
Travel Expert
- Visit the factory where Jelly Bellies are made.
- Learn about life in early California history at a historic Golden State fort.
- See the treasures of Tahoe on the Lake Tahoe loop drive.
- Explore the Alabama Hills, a Western landscape that Hollywood loved to film.
- View the bizarre "tufa towers" of Mono Lake.
Travel itinerary
8 Activities
Day 1
254 mi
Up Through the Eastern Sierras
Today's route bring you along the eastern side of California's Sierra range. On the way, you'll stop in at the Alabama Hills, where numerous Old Western Hollywood productions were filmed, past a WWII-era Japanese internment camp, and into the town of Bishop, a world class site for bouldering and rock climbing. It is a beautiful drive through a wide range of landscapes before tomorrow's drive to Lake Tahoe.
6 Activities
Day 2
210 mi
From a Salt Lake to a Freshwater Lake
Today you'll travel from a salty soda lake filled with strange formations to pristine teal blue waters in an alpine setting. The landscape will transition from wide open desert to forested views of mountains and lake. You'll end the day in South Lake Tahoe—a little less quaint than the North Lake scene, but still with the vibes of a laid-back mountain town.
10 Activities
Day 3
76 mi
The Lake Tahoe Loop
It's a full day of Lake Tahoe when you'll drive all around its perimeter to see why it is such a stunning destination at all times of the year. There are tons of things to do here, but the real star here is the lake itself, which deserves a full circumnavigation. If you were to drive through the 72 miles, it would take about 2.5 hours. But you'll want to stop—a lot—and savor the experience. Buckle up and get ready for beauty. Please note, if you are doing this drive in the winter, Emerald Pass may be closed due to snow and some beaches may be inaccessible. Check before you go!
6 Activities
Day 4
214 mi
From the Lake to the Bay
From Lake Tahoe, you'll make a straight shot into California's Central Valley to Sacramento, where you'll check out a historic fort and see the city's waterfront. From there, you'll head through the under-the-radar Suisun wine region and make a stop at the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield. Your final destination is the beautiful city of San Francisco.