🥾 ActiveLong weekend · from San Francisco, CA

Alpine Peaks, Granite Cliffs & Wilderness Trails

Escape to soaring granite cliffs and remote alpine peaks where epic wilderness trails connect California's most breathtaking mountain landscapes.

Day 1 — Yosemite National ParkDay 2 — Inyo National ForestDay 3 — Sierra National Forest
Day 1Yosemite National Park

Day 1Yosemite National Park

🚗 5 hr 15 min driving📍 4 stops
🌅
Morning
🚗
Drive
San Francisco, CAYosemite National Park
4 hr 44 min8:00 AM12:44 PM
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park
4.8
Experience some of Earth's most dramatic granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and pristine wilderness all within a few hours of San Francisco.
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Afternoon
🚗
Drive
Yosemite National ParkLower Yosemite Falls Trailhead
15 min1:44 PM1:59 PM
Lower Yosemite Falls Trailhead
Lower Yosemite Falls Trailhead
4.8
Hike a scenic 1.2-mile loop through pine forest to witness the thundering 320-foot cascade up close, feeling mist on your face as water crashes down granite cliffs.
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Evening
🚗
Drive
Lower Yosemite Falls TrailheadWhite Wolf Lodge Dining Room
16 min5:00 PM5:16 PM
White Wolf Lodge Dining Room
White Wolf Lodge Dining Room
Savor hearty mountain cuisine in a rustic setting nestled in Yosemite's high country with authentic lodge atmosphere.
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Tuolumne Meadows Lodge
Rated 4.5★ (107 reviews) — a well-rated base for your night near Yosemite National Park.
Day 2Inyo National Forest

Day 2Inyo National Forest

🚗 3 hr 9 min driving📍 4 stops
🌅
Morning
🚗
Drive
Yosemite National ParkInyo National Forest
2 hr 42 min8:00 AM10:42 AM
Inyo National Forest
Inyo National Forest
4.8
Discover alpine lakes, ancient bristlecone pines, and dramatic Sierra Nevada scenery in one of California's most unspoiled mountain ranges.
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Afternoon
🚗
Drive
Inyo National ForestBig Pine Creek Trailhead
21 min12:00 PM12:21 PM
Big Pine Creek Trailhead
Big Pine Creek Trailhead
4.9
Trek through alpine meadows and past pristine mountain lakes, ascending toward jagged Sierra peaks with panoramic views of the Inyo Range stretching across the horizon.
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Evening
🚗
Drive
Big Pine Creek TrailheadCopper Top BBQ
6 min5:00 PM5:06 PM
Copper Top BBQ
Copper Top BBQ
4.7
A legendary Eastern Sierra roadside smokehouse in Big Pine — tri-tip, pork ribs, and brisket smoked low-and-slow with a view of the White Mountains. It's consistently named the best BBQ on Highway 395 and the right end to a long day of Eastern Sierra alpine hiking.
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Mt Williamson Motel and Basecamp
Rated 4.9★ (189 reviews) — a well-rated base for your night near Inyo National Forest.
Day 3Sierra National Forest

Day 3Sierra National Forest

🚗 1 hr 55 min driving📍 4 stops
🌅
Morning
🚗
Drive
Inyo National ForestSierra National Forest
1 hr 39 min8:00 AM9:39 AM
Sierra National Forest
Sierra National Forest
4.8
Explore over 1.3 million acres of diverse wilderness featuring high alpine meadows, crystal-clear lakes, and towering giant sequoias.
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Afternoon
🚗
Drive
Sierra National ForestChina Peak Mountain Resort
14 min12:00 PM12:14 PM
China Peak Mountain Resort
China Peak Mountain Resort
4.4
Carve down groomed runs through pine forests or enjoy lift-served mountain biking, with views across the Eastern Sierra and access to terrain for all skill levels.
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Evening
🚗
Drive
China Peak Mountain ResortLakeshore Resort Restaurant/Saloon
2 min5:00 PM5:02 PM
Lakeshore Resort Restaurant/Saloon
Lakeshore Resort Restaurant/Saloon
4.3
Relax with fresh-caught seafood and cold drinks in a laid-back lakeside setting perfect for unwinding after outdoor adventures.
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Consider staying overnight
The drive back to San Francisco, CA is 5h 28m — consider booking a night near Sierra National Forest and heading home in the morning.
🔍 Search hotels near Sierra National Forest
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