From Pavement to Park: An Itinerary for Sequoia to Oregon

Hey everyone! So, you’re thinking about a road trip from the giant trees of Sequoia up to the wild, wonderful state of Oregon. Honestly, it’s one of the best drives you can do. You get a little bit of everything: massive trees, a rugged coastline that’ll blow your mind, incredible food, & that quintessential Pacific Northwest vibe. I’ve done variations of this trip a few times, & I’ve picked up a few things along the way. It’s more than just getting from point A to B; it’s about all the incredible stops in between.

This isn’t going to be a super-rushed, "see-it-all-in-a-weekend" kind of guide. This is for those who want to really soak it in. We’re talking about a good 10-day itinerary that gives you time to hike, explore, eat, & just… be. It’s a long one, but trust me, it’s worth it.

So, grab a coffee, and let's get into planning this epic journey from pavement to park.

A trip like this needs a little prep. First off, you’ll be covering a lot of ground, from national parks to busy cities. Booking accommodation in advance is a smart move, especially in popular spots like the Oregon Coast or near national parks, which can fill up months ahead.

Your car is your best friend on this trip. Give it a once-over before you leave – check the tires, oil, the whole nine yards. Cell service can be spotty in the national parks & along some coastal stretches, so downloading maps for offline use is a lifesaver. I learned that the hard way once.

Also, think about packing layers. The weather can change in a heartbeat. You can be basking in the sun in Southern Oregon & then shivering in the misty fog of the coast an hour later. A good rain jacket is non-negotiable.

Our journey starts in the land of giants. Sequoia & Kings Canyon are technically two separate parks, but they’re managed as one & you can easily explore both. You’ll want at least two full days here.

Start your adventure in Sequoia National Park. The main attraction? The General Sherman Tree. It’s the largest tree on Earth by volume, & standing next to it is a truly humbling experience. The walk to get there is a relatively short 1.2-mile loop, but it gives you a great introduction to the scale of this place.

From there, spend the rest of the day exploring the Giant Forest. The Big Trees Trail is a beautiful, easy 1.3-mile loop around a meadow that gives you some incredible views of the sequoias. For a bit of a challenge with a massive payoff, hike up Moro Rock. It’s a 0.5-mile climb up a series of stone steps, but the 360-degree view of the Great Western Divide from the top is absolutely breathtaking.

End your day by driving through Tunnel Log, a fallen sequoia that you can actually drive your car through. It’s a classic photo op for a reason.

On your second day, head over to the Kings Canyon side of the parks. The drive itself is stunning, winding down into one of the deepest canyons in North America. Your main stop here is Grant Grove, home to the General Grant Tree, the world's second-largest tree. It’s also known as the "Nation's Christmas Tree."

After paying your respects to General Grant, take a walk through the grove. It’s a bit less crowded than the General Sherman area & feels incredibly serene. If you have time, drive down into the canyon along the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway. It’s a beautiful drive with plenty of pull-offs for photos.

Accommodation: You can camp in the parks (book well in advance!) or stay in one of the nearby towns like Three Rivers or Visalia.

Okay, this is a big driving day, so get an early start. We’re heading north on I-5, making a detour to a lesser-known but equally fascinating national park: Lassen Volcanic. The drive from Sequoia to Lassen is about 6-7 hours.

Lassen is a land of bubbling mud pots, steaming fumaroles, & clear mountain lakes. It’s like a mini Yellowstone, but without the massive crowds. A must-do is the Bumpass Hell Trail, a 3-mile round trip hike that takes you to the park’s largest hydrothermal area. The boardwalk winds past turquoise pools & hissing steam vents – it’s an otherworldly experience.

If you’re up for another hike, the 2-mile trail to Plaikni Falls is a beautiful walk through an old-growth forest to a lovely waterfall.

Accommodation: You can camp in the park or stay in the nearby town of Redding for the night. Redding is a good place to rest up before the next leg of the journey.

From Lassen, it’s about a 4-hour drive to the coast and into the heart of Redwood National & State Parks. These parks are a string of protected lands, home to the tallest trees on Earth. You'll want to spend two days exploring this magical place.

Start with a scenic drive. The Newton B. Drury Parkway is a 10-mile alternative to Highway 101 that takes you through the heart of an old-growth redwood forest in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. It's an absolute must-do. Keep your eyes peeled for Roosevelt elk, which are often seen grazing in the meadows here.

In the afternoon, explore some of the trails. The Prairie Creek Trail is a great option for a longer hike, or you can do the short, family-friendly Big Tree Circle Trail. One of the most unique hikes in the park is Fern Canyon. It's a canyon with 50-foot walls covered in ferns. It feels like you’ve stepped into Jurassic Park (and parts of the movie were actually filmed here!). To get to the trailhead, you'll drive down Davison Road, which is mostly unpaved and crosses a few small streams.

On your second day in the redwoods, head north to explore Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. The Howland Hill Road is another incredible scenic drive, a narrow, unpaved road that puts you right in the middle of giant redwoods. It’s a truly immersive experience. From this road, you can access the Stout Grove Trail, a beautiful and easy loop through a grove of massive trees.

For a change of scenery, take the Enderts Beach Road for some stunning coastal views. The Coastal Drive Loop is another great option, with panoramic ocean vistas and a World War II radar station disguised as a farmhouse.

Accommodation: There are several small towns along this stretch of coast, like Eureka, Arcata, or Crescent City, that offer good lodging options. You can also camp in the parks.

Leaving the redwoods behind, you’ll cross into Oregon & begin what is arguably one of the most beautiful coastal drives in the world. The entire Oregon coast is public land, which is pretty amazing. We’ll take two days to meander our way up Highway 101.

Your first stop in Oregon should be the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. This 12-mile stretch of coastline is packed with dramatic sea stacks, hidden beaches, & stunning viewpoints. Don’t miss Natural Bridges & Whaleshead Beach.

As you continue north, you'll hit the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. This is a massive expanse of sand dunes, some reaching up to 500 feet high. You can hike on them, or for a real thrill, rent a dune buggy or try sandboarding. It’s a blast.

Further up the coast, stop at Cape Perpetua. Here you’ll find Thor's Well, a collapsed sea cave that puts on a spectacular show at high tide, and the Devil's Churn, a narrow inlet where the waves crash with incredible force.

Today, we head towards the iconic northern Oregon coast. Start your day in Newport, a charming fishing town with a historic bayfront. You can visit the Oregon Coast Aquarium or just watch the sea lions barking on the docks. A little north of Newport is the Devil's Punchbowl, another collapsed sea cave that's fun to see.

Next up is the Tillamook Creamery. Yes, it’s a tourist trap, but it’s a delicious one. You can see the cheese-making process & then sample all the amazing cheese & ice cream.

End your day in Cannon Beach, home to the famous Haystack Rock. This is a great place to watch the sunset. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can explore the tide pools around the rock at low tide.

Accommodation: There are tons of cute coastal towns to stay in along this route. Consider Florence, Newport, or Cannon Beach.

From Cannon Beach, it’s a short 1.5-hour drive inland to Portland. Portland is a city that prides itself on being weird, and it's a lot of fun to explore.

Start your day at Powell’s City of of Books, the largest independent bookstore in the world. You could easily spend hours getting lost in its many rooms. For lunch, you have to experience the food cart pods. Hawthorne Asylum is a great one with tons of options.

In the afternoon, explore some of the city’s unique neighborhoods. The Alberta Arts District has great street art & quirky shops, while the Pearl District is more upscale with galleries & boutiques. Don’t miss a visit to the International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park, which offers stunning views of the city on a clear day.

Parking in Portland can be a bit of a headache, especially downtown. This is where a service like Prked can be a real game-changer. You can find & book a private driveway or garage space in advance, so you don’t have to waste time circling the block looking for a spot. It’s super convenient & often more affordable than public garages.

Accommodation: Portland has a wide range of hotels & Airbnbs. Staying in one of the central neighborhoods will make it easy to explore on foot.

From Portland, it’s about a 4-hour drive south to Crater Lake National Park. Crater Lake was formed by the collapse of a volcano thousands of years ago, and it’s the deepest lake in the United States. The water is an unbelievably intense blue.

The best way to see the lake is by driving the 33-mile Rim Drive. There are over 30 pullouts, each offering a different perspective of the lake, Wizard Island, & the Phantom Ship.

For a great hike, try the Watchman Peak Trail. It’s a 1.6-mile round trip that leads to a fire lookout with panoramic views of the lake. If you want to get down to the water’s edge, the Cleetwood Cove Trail is the only legal access. It’s a steep & strenuous 2.2-mile round trip, but it’s worth it to be able to swim in that crystal-clear (and very cold!) water.

Accommodation: You can stay at the historic Crater Lake Lodge (book way in advance!), the Cabins at Mazama Village, or camp in the park. The nearby town of Klamath Falls also has options.

For our last day, we’re heading to Bend, about a 2-hour drive from Crater Lake. Bend is an outdoor lover’s paradise, with a vibrant downtown & an incredible craft beer scene.

Spend the morning exploring the Deschutes River, which flows right through town. You can rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard, or just walk along the river trail. For a great view of the city & the Cascade Mountains, hike to the top of Pilot Butte, an extinct volcano in the middle of town.

In the afternoon, it’s time to sample some of Bend’s famous breweries. The Bend Ale Trail is a self-guided tour of the city’s many breweries. Some popular spots include Deschutes Brewery, Crux Fermentation Project, & 10 Barrel Brewing.

If you're flying out of Bend and need a place to leave your car, or if you're a local with an extra car and want to make some passive income, Prked is a great solution. You can rent out your driveway or garage for long-term vehicle storage. It’s a smart way to make use of that extra space & earn some cash. It's also a great way for travelers to find a secure spot for their vehicle.

From Bend, you can either start the long drive back home or fly out of the nearby Redmond Municipal Airport. No matter how you get home, you’ll be filled with memories of giant trees, a rugged coastline, & the unique spirit of the Pacific Northwest.

This trip is a marathon, not a sprint. There are so many other amazing places to stop along the way, so feel free to customize this itinerary to your own interests. The most important thing is to get out there & explore.

Hope this was helpful! Let me know what you think in the comments. I’m always happy to talk about road trips.