SF to 3 or 4 National Parks

Question

Flying in and out of SF from the East Coast -

Planing to visit 3 or 4 National Parks in 7 nights to make the trip worthwhile.

Would you recommend visiting Yosemite (4 nights) Kings Valley (1 night) and Sequoia (2 nights) OR skip Yosemite and visit Pinnacles, Kings Canyon, Sequoia and possibly 1 more?

We are not big hikers and prefer shorter easy hikes.

Answer

Given your timeframe of 7 nights and preference for shorter, easier hikes, your decision really comes down to how much driving and sightseeing you want versus how much time you want to spend in each park. Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon all offer iconic scenery, but the drive times and logistics are important to consider.

Option 1: Yosemite (4 nights) → Kings Canyon (1 night) → Sequoia (2 nights)

This plan allows you to spend more time in Yosemite, which is large and has many iconic viewpoints accessible via short walks (e.g., Yosemite Valley, Bridalveil Fall, Lower Yosemite Fall, and Glacier Point viewpoint).
Kings Canyon is very close to Sequoia, so you could combine these two parks in 2 nights if you want more relaxed sightseeing.
The downside is that spending 4 nights in Yosemite means less time for other parks; the drive from SF to Yosemite is 4–5 hours, so you lose some flexibility for additional stops.
Good for seeing the “classic” Yosemite attractions without feeling rushed, especially if you enjoy scenic drives and short walks rather than strenuous hikes.

Option 2: Skip Yosemite → Pinnacles (1–2 nights) → Kings Canyon (2 nights) → Sequoia (2 nights) → optional 1 more park (Monterey/Carmel or Lassen depending on route)

This option reduces time in Yosemite but allows you to see a variety of landscapes, including Pinnacles, which is smaller, quieter, and good for short hikes and wildlife spotting (like California condors).
Kings Canyon and Sequoia still offer the giant tree experience, scenic drives, and accessible short trails.
You can potentially add another nearby park or coastal stop (Monterey, Big Sur) if you want variety without long drives.
This plan involves more moving around and slightly more driving, but you get diversity in landscapes and less crowding compared to Yosemite.

Additional considerations:

Since you prefer short, easy hikes, all parks have plenty of options. Yosemite has more famous viewpoints, but they may be more crowded, especially in September.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon can easily be explored in 2–3 nights with easy access to General Sherman Tree, Moro Rock, Crescent Meadow, and Roaring River Falls.
Pinnacles is smaller and less crowded, which may appeal if you want a quieter experience.

Recommendation: If this is your first trip and you want to experience iconic scenery, Option 1 with Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia is likely more satisfying. You can focus on scenic drives and short trails, minimizing time spent moving between parks. If you prefer variety and fewer crowds, Option 2 gives a broader mix of landscapes.

SF to 3 or 4 National Parks

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