Palm Springs to Tahoe to Sacramento - LA

Question

Hello,

We are New Englanders planning a 7 or 8 day trip in early March from Palm Springs (Indian Wells Tennis Tournement) - Yosemite - Lake Tahoe - Sacramento - Big Sur - Santa Barbara - flying out of LA. Can you recommend places to stop along the way for a day or two or three. We are a couple in our mid-sixties with our 21 year old daughter. We are fit and like to do some easy/moderate hiking, sightseeing/quaint places off the beaten path. We had thought about Joshua Tree Park but wanted to hit Sequoia National Forest instead, but just read it will be too snowy. Also read about Three Rivers but not sure if it's too far off our path. Our daughter wants to go to Tahoe, not sure it's feasible and worth it with the time we have. SF will be another trip, want to be efficient with our time. Thank you for any feedback!

Answer

Great trip idea — you’ve picked a lot of California highlights for a compact window. Early March is a beautiful time to travel (fewer crowds than summer, dramatic winter-to-spring scenery), but be prepared that mountain roads and high-country attractions can still be affected by winter weather. Below I’ll give a safe, flexible 7–8 day route with recommended stops, alternatives if snow or road closures get in the way, and practical driving/timing advice for a couple in their 60s plus an energetic 21-year-old.

Important travel realities for early March (short version)

Tioga Road (Yosemite’s high-country route) is usually closed for winter — Tioga (Highway 120 through the park) is typically closed November → late spring and often doesn’t reopen until April–May depending on snow removal. Plan Yosemite visits assuming Tioga will be closed.
Sequoia / Kings Canyon roads can require chains and be snowy — winter driving rules are in effect into spring; chains are often required and conditions can be icy. If you want reliable access to Giant Forest (high elevations) be prepared for winter driving or consider focusing on lower-elevation stops.
Big Sur / Highway 1 has long-term closures — parts of Highway 1 in the Big Sur/Regent’s Slide area have been closed for repairs and may limit continuous coastal driving; plan for detours or access from the north or south ends rather than expecting a seamless Highway 1 drive.

With those three facts in mind, here’s a realistic 7–8 day loop that balances driving time, scenic stops, and hiking/walking suited to a fit but not-extreme group.

Overview (7–8 day) — suggested order

Day 0–1: Palm Springs / Indian Wells (arrival and tennis)
Day 2: Drive from Palm Springs → Sequoia foothills (Three Rivers) — overnight
Day 3: Morning in Sequoia foothills / drive → Yosemite area (stay near Yosemite West / Oakhurst / Yosemite Valley Lodge depending on preference)
Day 4–5: Two days in Yosemite Valley (easy–moderate hikes / Valley highlights)
Day 6: Drive Yosemite → Lake Tahoe (option A) OR Yosemite → Sacramento → coastal route toward Big Sur (option B)
Day 7: Tahoe or Sacramento → Big Sur / Monterey area (depending on routing & closures)
Day 8: Big Sur → Santa Barbara → Los Angeles (fly out)

Detailed routing & stops with time estimates and why I recommend each

Days 0–1 — Palm Springs / Indian Wells

Enjoy the tournament; if you want a short excursion: Joshua Tree National Park is a 45–60 minute drive from Palm Springs and makes a lovely half-day option if you prefer desert landscapes rather than extra mountain driving.

Day 2 — Palm Springs → Three Rivers (gateway to Sequoia) (~4.5–5.5 hours driving depending on route and stops)

Three Rivers sits at the park’s foothills and is a sensible base for Sequoia access without staying at very high, snowy elevations. It’s closer to the park entrance and makes an easy stop to stretch, see river scenery, and sleep before exploring more. The town gives you restaurants and easier winter driving access than trying to stay inside the park at high altitude.
If roads are clear and you’re comfortable with chains, you can drive into Sequoia (Giant Forest) — but check conditions the morning you go. Chains are often required in winter/spring.

Day 3 — Three Rivers → Yosemite approach (Oakhurst / Yosemite West / Yosemite Valley)

Drive north toward Yosemite. There are multiple ways to approach; the central route via Highway 41 (Fresno → Yosemite Valley) is the usual winter-accessible route, and it avoids Tioga Road issues. Plan for several hours driving with scenic stops.
Overnight options: Oakhurst or Yosemite West if you want proximity to the Valley but quieter lodgings; Yosemite Valley Lodge if you prefer to be inside the park (book early).

Days 4–5 — Two full days in Yosemite Valley (recommended)

Focus on Yosemite Valley highlights that are accessible in March: Lower Yosemite Fall Trail, Mirror Lake, Cooks Meadow, Bridalveil Fall viewpoints, and short Valley strolls. Glacier Point Road and Tioga Road are usually closed in March, so plan Valley-focused activities and easy/moderate hikes. Start early, expect cool weather, and carry layers. (If Tioga unexpectedly opens, you can extend into Tuolumne Meadows, but don’t count on it.)
If you enjoy easy/moderate hikes, combine a family-friendly circuit (Mirror Lake out-and-back, Lower Falls loop) with a short uphill for views (if conditions allow).

Day 6 — Option A: Yosemite → Lake Tahoe (if you decide Tahoe is a must)

Feasibility: It’s doable but involves substantial driving. Yosemite Valley → South Lake Tahoe is roughly 4.5–6+ hours (depending on exact start point and conditions). March conditions in Tahoe are wintery; expect snow, possible chain controls, and winter driving. If you and your daughter want snowtime and ski-town atmosphere, Tahoe is rewarding — but be prepared for winter roads and potentially missed side stops.
If you take this option: Plan at least one full day in Tahoe (skiing/snowshoeing/easy lakeside walks), then drive from Tahoe to Sacramento (1–2 hours) and continue south from Sacramento toward Big Sur/Santa Barbara — this adds long drives and winter driving variables.

Day 6 — Option B (recommended for less stress): Yosemite → Sacramento → coastal route toward Big Sur / Monterey

Drive Yosemite → Sacramento (2.5–4 hours). Spend a short night or a few hours exploring Old Sacramento or the State Capitol if desired, then continue west/down the coast the next day. This avoids the higher-elevation winter conditions of Tahoe and keeps you on generally lower elevation roads.
From Sacramento you can head to Monterey/Big Sur area (3–4 hours), but note that Highway 1 Big Sur has partial long-term closures, so expect to approach Big Sur from the north (Monterey/Carmel) or be prepared to detour on inland highways if the coastal stretch is closed. Check Caltrans / local updates the day you travel.

Day 7 — Big Sur / Monterey / Cambria stops (choose based on closures)

If Highway 1 is passable where you need it, the Big Sur coast is spectacular. If the central Big Sur stretch is closed, explore Monterey/Carmel (Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, 17-Mile Drive) and northern coastal viewpoints, or stop in Cambria / San Simeon on the central coast (Hearst Castle area) which are reachable from the south. Check Caltrans for the day’s access.

Day 8 — Santa Barbara then to LA for departure

Drive down the coast from Monterey/Cambria → Santa Barbara (4–5+ hours depending on route). Santa Barbara is a lovely, walkable stop: State Street, Funk Zone, or a late afternoon stroll on the waterfront before continuing to LAX for departure. If your flight out of LA is late, consider an overnight in Santa Barbara or a final-night in LA depending on your flight time.

Practical tips, safety & alternate plans

Check road conditions daily. NPS pages and Caltrans are your authoritative sources for Yosemite, Sequoia, and Highway 1 closures. Have backup plans (lower elevation activities, town-based sightseeing) in case mountain roads are closed.
Carry or rent traction devices. Sequoia and Tahoe areas can require chains or traction devices well into spring; rental companies near park gateways can often supply them if needed.
Tahoe is worth it only if you want snow activities. If your primary goal is scenic travel and easy hikes, skipping Tahoe will save several hours of driving and reduce winter-driving risk. If your daughter specifically wants Tahoe (skiing/snow), then it’s doable but plan more driving time and winter prep.
If Sequoia is a high priority: Three Rivers is the best low-elevation base. But large groves (Giant Forest) will likely be snowy — be prepared or shift to accessible lower-elevation trailheads and scenic drives if chains/conditions are restrictive.
Big Sur routing: Don’t assume you can drive the entire coast uninterrupted — check Caltrans/Big Sur chamber updates the week of travel and be ready to approach Big Sur from Monterey or San Simeon depending on closures.

Sample trimmed itinerary (7 days) if you want fewer long drives — less Tahoe-focused

Day 1–2: Palm Springs / Indian Wells (tennis + Joshua Tree half-day optional)
Day 3: Drive to Three Rivers (Sequoia foothills) — short hikes, river views
Day 4–5: Yosemite Valley (2 full days of Valley highlights)
Day 6: Drive Yosemite → Sacramento (overnight)
Day 7: Sacramento → Monterey / Carmel (coastal sights) → Santa Barbara or directly to LA depending on flight

Palm Springs to Tahoe to Sacramento - LA

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