When planning an on-the-road trip to the USA, the most common question is “What is the best route to take to get from point A to point B?“. Especially when talking about California, which has many things to see and has a complex network of roads, you may be wondering which is the best route between cities and national parks. This is also the case of the Los Angeles – Sequoia National Park route, 2 important destinations for a trip to California, which are often visited one after the other, to see both the beauty of the California coast and of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
Contents
Best Route, Distance, and Drive Time
The most direct route to get from Los Angeles to Sequoia and back is about 330 miles long and takes 3 1/2 hours by car. Starting from Los Angeles, you need to take I-5 north and at Wheeler Ridge, continue on the Golden State Hwy (the CA-99). As soon as you pass Bakersfield, take a right onto CA-65, which will take you almost all the way to your destination. You will only have to drive the last few miles on CA-198.
This is the best route to take, both in terms of travel time and because the alternative roads do not offer particularly beautiful views or other reasons to lengthen the trip. Although you can travel the route without stopping, if you are not in a hurry or if you prefer to make a few pit stops, I will point out some things to see along the way. These are not major attractions, but you may consider visiting them if you want to take some breaks from driving.
In this case, if you make all the proposed stops and detours, you will have to add 25 miles for a total of about 230 miles and 4 hours and 15 minutes of driving. It goes without saying that travel time will increase depending on how long you’ll be stopping at one or more of these places.
Things to Do between Los Angeles and Sequoia National Park
I’ll be honest, compared to other routes in California, such as the one between Sequoia and Death Valley or the one between Los Angeles and Death Valley, the Los Angeles – Sequoia route is as exciting for those who love road trips. These are mostly small stops to take pictures, special places, or curiosities suitable. Would you like to stretch your legs for a few minutes during this drive between Los Angeles and Sequoia National Park? Why not include some interesting stops? Here is a list of places you will find along the way, or by taking small detours.
Pyramid Lake – Angeles National Forest
After less than an hour of driving from Los Angeles, along I-5, you’ll find Pyramid Lake in the Angeles National Forest. It’s a pretty mountain lake and it’s a good place to have a picnic or to stop to take a picture of the view. If you want to make a longer stop, perhaps sleeping in the immediate area, know that the Angeles National Forest is a beautiful park with countless trails that nature lovers will surely enjoy. If you want to set aside time for a longer hike, you can hike the Slide Mountain Trail, a 17+ mile trail with 780 feet of elevation gain that will take you to a fire lookout tower (Slide Mountain Fire Lookout Tower) where there is a spectacular view (see photo above).
Fort Tejon Historic Site
If you keep driving another 20 minutes up I-5, also just off the highway, you have the opportunity to visit Fort Tejon, a historic fort. Located in Grapevine Canyon, this fort had a dual purpose. On the one hand, it was to control the Native Americans living on the Sebastian Reservation, and on the other hand, it was to protect both the Native Americans and the white settlers from raids by other groups of Native Americans from the desert regions to the Southeast. The fort was garrisoned for only ten years, from 1854 to 1864, but the restored buildings and museum show what army life was like inside and some detail about local history. A stop here can be of interest not only because of its history, but also because of the natural scenery. The fort is surrounded by a forest with secular oaks, which are over 400 years old.
Bakersfield
The only major city we encounter along the way is Bakersfield, which is often used as a stop on the way to other destinations. In article “Things to do in Bakersfield“, you will find all the information about what to see in the city and some tips for overnight stays.
Wonderful Halos: A Giant Orange Crate
It doesn’t really fit the description of an attraction. However, I’ll point it out as a curiosity you’ll find along the way if you decide to make a detour here. After Bakersfield, do not take CA-65. Instead, stay on CA-99. Less than 30 minutes past Bakersfield, you will notice a giant orange box on your right. If you find the road a bit dull, this colossal orange crate, advertising Wonderful Halos, will brighten your trip with its orange hue. As I have already said, the next attraction is the main reason to make the detour (nothing against the giant tangerines!).
Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park
In Delano, take Exit 57 off the Golden State Hwy and then turn left on Fremont St and left again on Cecil Ave. Once you are out of the residential area, you will end on CA-43. Turn right on CA-43 and after a while, you will find Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park (about 45 minutes from Bakersfield).
This is the only city in California to have been entirely founded, financed, and governed by African Americans. The name is taken from its founder, Colonel Allen Allensworth. Born a slave in Kentucky, he learned to read and write, despite the fact that education for slaves was prohibited, and escaped by becoming a sailor, then an army chaplain after converting and specializing in theology. In 1908, he founded with a group of people this small agricultural community, with the intent to improve the condition, both economic and social, of African Americans. It can be said that this small town, which is now a historical site, is evidence that the American Dream is possible.
Zalud House
After visiting Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, turn right on Avenue 56 and go back towards CA-65 and take a left on CA-65. In 45 minutes, you will arrive in the small town called Porterville. Skipping the previous two attractions, you’ll still get there by following the quick route. Here you have the chance to see the Zalud House, one of the few nineteenth-century houses that have retained their original appearance. Today it is a small museum with period furniture, utensils, and clothing on display.
John Muir Statue
Continue on CA-65 until you reach the junction with CA-198, where you will turn right. At Lemon Cove, you’ll find a rest area where you will see the wooden head of John Muir, engineer, naturalist, and author, which is carved from a log.
Slick Rock Recreation Area
After the statue, keep driving for a few minutes and you will find the beginning of the road that skirts around Kaweah Lake. Again, just like in the case of Pyramid Lake, there is a chance to stretch your legs and, in the summer, even take a dip in the lake. No detours are necessary because the rest area is just right off the road.
Abandoned Cow Shaped Kiosk
A little further down the road, at this point, you will see another rest area. Here you will find an old food stand, shaped like a cow. This is one of the many oddities you will encounter on a road trip.
Where to Stay between Los Angeles and Sequoia
As you may have guessed by reading this article, if you are traveling from Los Angeles to Sequoia National Park or vice versa, probably the best plan is to make short stops andto spend the night directly at your destination. For this reason, I suggest you read our articles on where to stay overnight in Los Angeles and where to stay overnight in Sequoia respectively. However, if you prefer to take it easy, you can also decide to find accommodations near the halfway point. Perhaps after your visit to the natural park, you want to get closer to Los Angeles, but you will arrive in the city too late at night. Or, you may want to enjoy the City of Angels until the late afternoon and head towards the park that you will visit the next day without driving too many hours in a row. Well, in this case, take a look at our tips on where to stay in Bakersfield, the ideal intermediate stop, where you can look for a hotel.
