The California Triangle: Yosemite, Tahoe and San Francisco by RV

Yosemite first, then north through Gold Country (Sonora) to Lake Tahoe, west to San Francisco, and home down Highway 1 past Monterey and Big Sur.

Photo: Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Suggested length
9 nights
Round trip
1134 mi
Driving
about 25 h 18 min (car, no traffic)
Best season
Jun–Oct

Sources last checked 2026-10-28.

Itinerary

Yosemite first, then north through Gold Country (Sonora) to Lake Tahoe, west to San Francisco, and home down Highway 1 past Monterey and Big Sur.

  1. Days 1–2 · Yosemite Valley

    Downtown LA → Yosemite Valley: 311 mi · 6 h 35 min by car

    Suggested area: Yosemite Valley · no campground chosen · choose one

  2. Days 3–4 · South Lake Tahoe

    Yosemite Valley → South Lake Tahoe: 194 mi · 5 h 14 min by car

    Suggested area: South Lake Tahoe · no campground chosen · choose one

  3. Days 5–6 · San Francisco

    South Lake Tahoe → San Francisco: 189 mi · 3 h 58 min by car

    Suggested area: San Francisco · no campground chosen · choose one

  4. Day 7 · Monterey

    San Francisco → Monterey: 113 mi · 2 h 20 min by car

    Suggested area: Monterey · no campground chosen · choose one

  5. Day 8 · Big Sur

    Monterey → Big Sur: 31 mi · 49 min by car

    Suggested area: Big Sur · no campground chosen · choose one

  6. Day 9 · Morro Bay

    Big Sur → Morro Bay: 94 mi · 2 h 13 min by car

    Suggested area: Morro Bay · no campground chosen · choose one

  7. Day 10 · Return

    Morro Bay → Downtown LA: 202 mi · 4 h 09 min by car

Dates, travelers and nights
  1. Downtown LA → Yosemite Valley: 311 mi · 6 h 35 min by carYosemite Valley (Upper Pines)2 nights
  2. Yosemite Valley → South Lake Tahoe: 194 mi · 5 h 14 min by carSouth Lake Tahoe2 nights
  3. South Lake Tahoe → San Francisco: 189 mi · 3 h 58 min by carSan Francisco2 nights
  4. San Francisco → Monterey: 113 mi · 2 h 20 min by carMonterey1 night
  5. Monterey → Big Sur: 31 mi · 49 min by carBig Sur (Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park)1 night
  6. Big Sur → Morro Bay: 94 mi · 2 h 13 min by carMorro Bay1 night
  7. Morro Bay → Downtown LA: 202 mi · 4 h 09 min by car
9 nights1134 mi round trip25 h 18 min driving (car time)

At this pace, LA → Yosemite Valley and Yosemite Valley → South Lake Tahoe are longer than 5 h by car; RVs drive slower, so consider an extra stop.

Drive times are OSRM road-routing estimates for a car, without traffic; an RV is usually slower. Changing nights updates the dates, campground sections, RV prices and search link on this page.

Find an RV for this trip

Numbered: overnight areas · ⛺ recommended campgrounds · select a stop to jump to its day.

Routing: OSRM route over OpenStreetMap data (car profile), 2026-10-28. Car times; allow more in an RV.

RVs for this trip

Priced for 9 nights. Shorter rigs fit more of this route's campgrounds.

  • 2019 Thor Four Winds 23U O2Class C motorhome · sleeps 7 · 24 ft$201/night listed · $1,809 for 9 nights before fees
  • Sunshine DaydreamClass C motorhome · sleeps 6 · 25 ft$195/night listed · $1,755 for 9 nights before fees
  • 2019 Thor Four Winds 23U O3Class C motorhome · sleeps 7 · 24 ft$201/night listed · $1,809 for 9 nights before fees
  • Cruise America: Compact (19')Sleeps 3Price by quote

See all 248 matching RVs with your dates

Full RV details and vehicle considerations
RV length limits on this trip

A 20 ft RV matches the published length guidance at 59 of 62 route campgrounds that post a maximum length. Posted limits don’t guarantee a site; confirm your selected campsite.

Camper van

Why
  • Shorter than most motorhomes, so easier to park at beach lots and in town; check posted length and height limits.

Class C motorhome

From a rental company

Cruise America Compact (19')

Cruise America Fleet class · Ford · unit assigned at pickup

Compact (19')

Sleeps 3 · 20 ft long · 2 beds · Generator

Check with Cruise America: Name says 19 ft; specs say 20 ft. We show both rather than pick one.

Tanks: Fresh 21 gal, grey 16 gal, black 17 gal, propane 11 gal · 40 gal gas fuel

Why this fits
  • Matches published length guidance at 59 of 62 route campgrounds that post one; confirm your campsite
  • Compact at 20 ft for tight campground loops
  • Sleeps 3

Pickup: not listed at a nearby depot; ask Cruise America

Ratenot shown; quoted by Cruise America for your dates
Mileage estimate≈ $442 for 1134 mi round trip at 39¢ per mile source
Unknownnightly rate, taxes, insurance, kits, fuel

Specs and photos: Cruise America: 19' Compact RV Rental, checked 2026-10-28.

Check rates on Cruise America
Cruise America Compact Plus (20')

Cruise America Fleet class · Ford · unit assigned at pickup

Compact Plus (20')

Sleeps 4 · 20.5 ft long · 2 beds · Generator

Tanks: Fresh 21 gal, grey 16 gal, black 17 gal, propane 11 gal · 40 gal gas fuel

Why this fits
  • Matches published length guidance at 56 of 62 route campgrounds that post one; confirm your campsite
  • Compact at 20.5 ft for tight campground loops
  • Sleeps 4

Pickup: Los Angeles (Carson) (26 min drive from downtown LA)

Ratenot shown; quoted by Cruise America for your dates
Mileage estimate≈ $442 for 1134 mi round trip at 39¢ per mile source
Unknownnightly rate, taxes, insurance, kits, fuel

Specs and photos: Cruise America: Compact Plus 20' RV Rental, checked 2026-10-28.

Check rates on Cruise America
Cruise America Standard (25')

Cruise America Fleet class · Ford · unit assigned at pickup

Standard (25')

Sleeps 5 · 25 ft long · 3 beds · Generator · Solar

Tanks: Fresh 40 gal, grey 25 gal, black 25 gal, propane 12 gal · 55 gal gas fuel

Why this fits
  • Matches published length guidance at 51 of 62 route campgrounds that post one; confirm your campsite
  • Sleeps 5

Pickup: Los Angeles (Downey) (15 min drive from downtown LA), Los Angeles (Carson) (26 min drive from downtown LA), Costa Mesa (49 min drive from downtown LA), Fillmore (1 h 11 min drive from downtown LA) +5 more

Ratenot shown; quoted by Cruise America for your dates
Mileage estimate≈ $442 for 1134 mi round trip at 39¢ per mile source
Unknownnightly rate, taxes, insurance, kits, fuel

Specs and photos: Cruise America: Standard 25' RV Rental, checked 2026-10-28.

Check rates on Cruise America

From a local owner

Class C motorhome: 2019 Thor Four Winds 23U O2

Outdoorsy Owner’s RV · this specific vehicle

Most popularTop rated

2019 Thor Four Winds 23U O2

Class C motorhome · Sleeps 7 · seatbelts not listed

24 ft long · 2019 · Generator · Pets allowed

Pickup: owner in Santa Ana, CA · delivers up to 100 mi★ 4.9 (32)

Why it fits California Triangle
  • Matches published length guidance at 53 of 62 route campgrounds that post one; confirm your campsite
  • Compact at 24 ft for tight campground loops
  • Sleeps 7
  • Pets allowed
Listed price$201/night listed · $1,809 for 9 nights before fees
Mileageset by the owner; not in our data
Unknownservice fees, taxes, protection, deposit

Also listed on RVshare.

Check availability on Outdoorsy
Class C motorhome: Solar-Powered, Pet Friendly, Ready-to-Go Sunshine Daydream

Outdoorsy Owner’s RV · this specific vehicle

Most popularTop rated

Solar-Powered, Pet Friendly, Ready-to-Go Sunshine Daydream

Class C motorhome · Sleeps 6 · 6 seatbelts (listed)

25 ft long · 2022 · Generator · Solar · Pets allowed

Pickup: owner in Long Beach, CA · delivers up to 25 mi★ 5.0 (22)

Why it fits California Triangle
  • Matches published length guidance at 51 of 62 route campgrounds that post one; confirm your campsite
  • Sleeps 6
  • Pets allowed
Listed price$195/night listed · $1,755 for 9 nights before fees
Mileageset by the owner; not in our data
Unknownservice fees, taxes, protection, deposit

Also listed on RVshare.

Check availability on Outdoorsy
Class C motorhome: 2019 Thor Four Winds 23U O3

Outdoorsy Owner’s RV · this specific vehicle

Most popularDelivers to you

2019 Thor Four Winds 23U O3

Class C motorhome · Sleeps 7 · seatbelts not listed

24 ft long · 2019 · Generator · Pets allowed

Pickup: owner in Santa Ana, CA · delivers up to 100 mi★ 4.7 (25)

Why it fits California Triangle
  • Matches published length guidance at 53 of 62 route campgrounds that post one; confirm your campsite
  • Compact at 24 ft for tight campground loops
  • Sleeps 7
  • Pets allowed
Listed price$201/night listed · $1,809 for 9 nights before fees
Mileageset by the owner; not in our data
Unknownservice fees, taxes, protection, deposit

Also listed on RVshare.

Check availability on Outdoorsy

Where to stay

Two or three options per overnight area. Hookups are not in our campground data, so check each listing for hookups or dry camping.

Yosemite Valley 2 nights · set a start date for exact nights

  • Upper Pines Campground, listing photo
    Photo: Recreation.gov listing
    Upper Pines CampgroundYosemite National Park · 0.2 mi · 1 min drive from the stop area · longest posted site 35 ft (listing data)Online availability on Recreation.gov
    • Posts sites up to 35 ft, which matches the published length guidance for a 20 ft RV; confirm your campsite
    • Takes online reservations on Recreation.gov
    • Closest of these to the stop area
    • Most reviewed of these (3431)
    Reserve on Recreation.gov ↗
  • Wawona Campground, listing photo
    Photo: Recreation.gov listing
    Wawona CampgroundYosemite National Park · 25.1 mi · 51 min drive from the stop area · longest posted site 35 ft (listing data)Online availability on Recreation.gov
    • Posts sites up to 35 ft, which matches the published length guidance for a 20 ft RV; confirm your campsite
    • Takes online reservations on Recreation.gov
    Reserve on Recreation.gov ↗
  • North Pines Campground, listing photo
    Photo: Recreation.gov listing
    North Pines CampgroundYosemite national Park · 0.4 mi · 2 min drive from the stop area · longest posted site 40 ft (listing data)Online availability on Recreation.gov
    • Posts sites up to 40 ft, which matches the published length guidance for a 20 ft RV; confirm your campsite
    • Takes online reservations on Recreation.gov
    Reserve on Recreation.gov ↗

13 more RV campgrounds within 20 miles in our data.

South Lake Tahoe 2 nights · set a start date for exact nights

  • Fallen Leaf Campground, listing photo
    Photo: Recreation.gov listing
    Fallen Leaf CampgroundSouth Lake Tahoe · 6.1 mi · 14 min drive from the stop area · longest posted site 50 ft (listing data)Online availability on Recreation.gov
    • Posts sites up to 50 ft, which matches the published length guidance for a 20 ft RV; confirm your campsite
    • Takes online reservations on Recreation.gov
    • Most reviewed of these (1363)
    Reserve on Recreation.gov ↗
  • William Kent Campground, listing photo
    Photo: Recreation.gov listing
    William Kent CampgroundTahoe City · 27.4 mi · 46 min drive from the stop area · longest posted site 57 ft (listing data)Online availability on Recreation.gov
    • Posts sites up to 57 ft, which matches the published length guidance for a 20 ft RV; confirm your campsite
    • Takes online reservations on Recreation.gov
    Reserve on Recreation.gov ↗
  • Nevada Beach Campground, listing photo
    Photo: Recreation.gov listing
    Nevada Beach CampgroundSouth Lake Tahoe · 5 mi · 11 min drive from the stop area · longest posted site 60 ft (listing data)Online availability on Recreation.gov
    • Posts sites up to 60 ft, which matches the published length guidance for a 20 ft RV; confirm your campsite
    • Takes online reservations on Recreation.gov
    • Closest of these to the stop area
    Reserve on Recreation.gov ↗

22 more RV campgrounds within 20 miles in our data.

San Francisco 2 nights · set a start date for exact nights

  • Marin Park, Greenbrae, California, listing photo
    Photo: Campspot listing
    Marin Park, Greenbrae, CaliforniaGreenbrae · 15.6 mi · 28 min drive from the stop area · longest posted site 45 ft (listing data)Availability not shown online
    • Posts sites up to 45 ft, which matches the published length guidance for a 20 ft RV; confirm your campsite
    • Closest of these to the stop area
    • Most reviewed of these (20)
    Reserve on Campspot ↗
  • China Camp SP, listing photo
    Photo: Park website listing
    China Camp SPSan Rafael · 23.3 mi · 44 min drive from the stop area · max length not postedAvailability not shown onlineReserve on Park website ↗

Monterey 1 night · set a start date for exact nights

  • Saddle Mountain Carmel, listing photo
    Photo: Hipcamp listing
    Saddle Mountain CarmelCarmel · 10.2 mi · 21 min drive from the stop area · longest posted site 30 ft (listing data)Availability not shown online
    • Posts sites up to 30 ft, which matches the published length guidance for a 20 ft RV; confirm your campsite
    • Closest of these to the stop area
    Reserve on Hipcamp ↗
  • Mountain Paradise, listing photo
    Photo: Hipcamp listing
    Mountain ParadiseCarmel Valley · 23.4 mi · 42 min drive from the stop area · longest posted site 35 ft (listing data)Availability not shown online
    • Posts sites up to 35 ft, which matches the published length guidance for a 20 ft RV; confirm your campsite
    Reserve on Hipcamp ↗
  • Elkhorn Ranch, listing photo
    Photo: Hipcamp listing
    Elkhorn Ranch20.3 mi · 27 min drive from the stop area · longest posted site 22 ft (listing data)Availability not shown online
    • Posts sites up to 22 ft, which matches the published length guidance for a 20 ft RV; confirm your campsite
    Reserve on Hipcamp ↗

1 more RV campgrounds within 20 miles in our data.

Big Sur 1 night · set a start date for exact nights

  • Arroyo Seco, listing photo
    Photo: Recreation.gov listing
    Arroyo SecoGreenfield · 71.4 mi · 132 min drive from the stop area · longest posted site 50 ft (listing data)Online availability on Recreation.gov
    • Posts sites up to 50 ft, which matches the published length guidance for a 20 ft RV; confirm your campsite
    • Takes online reservations on Recreation.gov
    • Most reviewed of these (205)
    Reserve on Recreation.gov ↗
  • Riverside Campground & Cabins, Big Sur, California, listing photo
    Photo: Campspot listing
    Riverside Campground & Cabins, Big Sur, CaliforniaBig Sur · 2 mi · 4 min drive from the stop area · longest posted site 34 ft (listing data)Availability not shown online
    • Posts sites up to 34 ft, which matches the published length guidance for a 20 ft RV; confirm your campsite
    Reserve on Campspot ↗
  • Pfeiffer Big Sur SP, listing photo
    Photo: Park website listing
    Pfeiffer Big Sur SPBig Sur · 0.4 mi · 2 min drive from the stop area · longest posted site 32 ft (listing data)Availability not shown online
    • Posts sites up to 32 ft, which matches the published length guidance for a 20 ft RV; confirm your campsite
    • Closest of these to the stop area
    Reserve on Park website ↗

2 more RV campgrounds within 20 miles in our data.

Morro Bay 1 night · set a start date for exact nights

  • Cerro Alto Campground, listing photo
    Photo: Recreation.gov listing
    Cerro Alto Campground10.5 mi · 19 min drive from the stop area · longest posted site 35 ft (listing data)Online availability on Recreation.gov
    • Posts sites up to 35 ft, which matches the published length guidance for a 20 ft RV; confirm your campsite
    • Takes online reservations on Recreation.gov
    • Most reviewed of these (266)
    Reserve on Recreation.gov ↗
  • Morro Strand RV Park, listing photo
    Photo: Campspot listing
    Morro Strand RV ParkMorro Bay · 2.6 mi · 5 min drive from the stop area · longest posted site 62 ft (listing data)Availability not shown online
    • Posts sites up to 62 ft, which matches the published length guidance for a 20 ft RV; confirm your campsite
    Reserve on Campspot ↗
  • Morro Bay SP, listing photo
    Photo: Park website listing
    Morro Bay SPMorro Bay · 0.3 mi · 1 min drive from the stop area · longest posted site 40 ft (listing data)Availability not shown online
    • Posts sites up to 40 ft, which matches the published length guidance for a 20 ft RV; confirm your campsite
    • Closest of these to the stop area
    Reserve on Park website ↗

19 more RV campgrounds within 20 miles in our data.

Costs

RV rentalFrom $981 base subtotal ($109/night × 9, lowest listed match: Cozy Affordable Family 2018 RV (Discount… on Outdoorsy)Estimate
Rental fees, insurance, mileageSet by the provider at checkout; not included above.Unpriced
Campgrounds (6 stops)Rates are shown on each booking site.Unpriced
Fuel1134 road miles round trip; fuel is not estimated here.Unpriced

There is no complete trip total: only the RV base rate is known before you get a quote.

Before you go

One-way options

  • Cruise America: one-way reservations are available between most rental centers by advance reservation only, subject to availability; drop fees vary by location, dates and vehicle availability. Cruise America: RV rental FAQs (one-way)
  • El Monte RV: offers one-way rentals (pick up in one city, drop off in another), with one-way specials listed on its site; a one-way surcharge can apply. El Monte RV: One-way RV rentals

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