10 Day Road Trip in June - SF/Yosemite/Monterey/Big Sur

Question

Greetings! I'd like your suggestions for our trip!

Family of 5, kids 15/12/10. Like to hike, but not every day or anything either. We are compelled to visit more national parks, but want to have time to do the justice.

Ideas of Interest

Rafting trip

Giants game

Additional national parks?

Question 1: Is this a good division of our time generally? Any adjustments?

Question 2: I have debated prioritizing Sequoia NP over Monterey. I have seen some folks recommend doing Yosemite OR Sequoia in the same trip, but not both.

Question 2a: Is Monterey a must do? Pacific Coast Highway was on my bucket list, so definitely want that, but had not given Monterey too much thought before I started planning. I do have a positive image from the Steinbeck novels though.

Proposed Rough Itinerary

Day 1 - Flight lands 3:45 PM from East coast - Probably just want to find some yummy food and take it easy, but maybe some quick sight seeing? Golden Gate pics or something?

Day 2 - San Francisco - What are the must dos?

Day 3 - Drive to Monterey. Aquarium/Maybe whale watching?/Other must dos?

Day 4 - Drive down to Big Sur and back to Monterey

Day 5 - Drive to Yosemite - Probably lodging in Yosemite West

Day 6 - Yosemite

Day 7 - Yosemite

Day 8 - Yosemite

Day 9 - Back in SF. Giants afternoon game? Not a must for me if time better spent elsewhere

Day 10 - Fly out early morning

Answer

Your proposed 10-day itinerary offers a nice balance of city exploration, coastal scenery, and national parks. Here’s a detailed look at your questions and some suggestions for optimizing your trip.

General Itinerary Feedback:

The division of time generally looks reasonable, though Yosemite deserves at least 3 full days, which you have planned. Driving from Monterey to Yosemite can take around 4–5 hours, so plan for a leisurely morning or early departure to maximize your time in the park. Big Sur is spectacular, but doing a round-trip from Monterey in one day is ambitious; you might prefer a slower drive south with stops rather than rushing back the same day.

Day 1: San Francisco arrival – good to keep light. Golden Gate photos and a quick stroll at Fisherman’s Wharf or Crissy Field is ideal.
Day 2: San Francisco – focus on top sights: Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz (book in advance if interested), Lombard Street, Pier 39/Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, and maybe a cable car ride. If the kids enjoy interactive experiences, consider Exploratorium or California Academy of Sciences.
Day 3: Drive to Monterey – Monterey Bay Aquarium is a must-see for families; whale watching tours are seasonal but can be fantastic in June. Cannery Row has shops and casual dining.
Day 4: Big Sur – scenic drive along Highway 1 with stops at Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls, and Pfeiffer Beach. Returning to Monterey the same day is feasible but expect a long day.
Days 5–8: Yosemite – Yosemite West lodging is convenient. Recommended highlights include Yosemite Valley (Lower/Upper Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall), Glacier Point, Tuolumne Meadows (if roads are open), and optional hikes like Vernal/Nevada Falls or Mirror Lake. Allow at least one day for lighter activities/rest.
Day 9: San Francisco – Giants game is optional. If your family prefers national parks over sports, you could spend more time exploring SF neighborhoods or take a short coastal drive to Muir Woods.
Day 10: Early flight – leave time for airport transfer.

Sequoia NP vs Monterey:

Sequoia NP is amazing if your family loves giant trees and moderate hikes (e.g., Moro Rock, Crescent Meadow, General Sherman Tree). If you prioritize Yosemite + Big Sur, skipping Sequoia is acceptable. Including both Yosemite and Sequoia in a single trip is possible but adds significant driving.

If your bucket list prioritizes Pacific Coast Highway, Monterey and Big Sur are worthwhile. The Steinbeck connection and charming towns like Carmel-by-the-Sea make it memorable for families.
If hiking and national park immersion are your top priorities, swap Monterey for Sequoia, especially if you are okay skipping the coastal experience.

Additional National Parks:

Yosemite alone provides ample national park experience for this trip.
Adding Sequoia would be the only realistic other park given your timeframe, but it will require extra driving and likely a night near the park.

Other Activities:

Rafting – you could consider a half-day rafting trip on the Merced River in Yosemite Valley, suitable for families and not overly strenuous.
City exploration – SF has excellent food options and kid-friendly activities; schedule downtime to prevent travel fatigue.

Overall, your itinerary is workable. If you want to reduce long drives, consider:

Monterey and Big Sur as a 2-night stop instead of one day, for a more relaxed pace.
Keeping Yosemite 3–4 days as planned and skipping Sequoia for this trip.

This balance gives your family a combination of city, coast, and national park experiences without feeling too rushed.