Diamond and Sebastian's Wedding
Things To Do
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is the highest alpine lake in the US and the second deepest at over 500m depth, giving it a beautiful blue color. There are some great hiking and biking trails all around the lake, ranging from short and flat loop trails to 3000m+ Freel Peak. If you have not been to Lake Tahoe and have a few days to spend before or after the wedding, this is a must see! See a list of hike recommendations under the link. Of course there are also water activities such as kayaking and fishing, which are all great during August.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite is one of our favorite National Parks in the United States and we have been here together more times than we can count. Yosemite Valley is the undisputed highlight (check out hikes to Nevada Falls and Glacier Point!), but there are also beautiful hikes starting from the less crowded Tuolomne Meadows trailhead.
Lake Tahoe - Yosemite Loop Road Trip (3-5 days)
From Rainbow Lodge, take the quick drive to Lake Tahoe for a couple of days of hiking or swimming. Next stop is Mono Lake, where you can take in the unique Tufa formations on a short mid-day hike before driving across CA-120 into Yosemite Valley (be sure to book accommodations in advance!). From here you can drive back to the San Francisco area in a day.
Northern National Parks Loop (7-12 Days)
Our first escape from home after the COVID lockdowns of 2020! From Rainbow Lodge, head east on I-80 and check out Lake Tahoe. From there, go north on highway 395 or 89 and visit Lassen Volcanic National Park with its spectacular landscapes and geothermal activities. Head north next to Crater Lake National Park for its mesmerizing deep blue lake, the deepest in North America. Just a few hours southwest of here the tallest trees await at Redwood National Park. It's a beautiful drive along the Pacific Coastal Highway (or through wine country) to reach back to San Francisco.
Grand Californian Loop (10-14 Days)
We took this trip with Sebastian's parents in 2022 and it was their first camping excursion. Head east on I-80 for a visit to Lake Tahoe, before continuing on to highway 395S (one of our favorites!) to Mono Lake. The tufa formations are spectacular and if time allows, you can take a side trip to Yosemite National Park from here. As you continue south on 395, one attraction chases the next: Convict Lake, Devil's Postpile and the Alabama Hills, from which you can catch a glimpse of Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48 states. If your vehicle has all-terrain tires, you can cut across into Death Valley and see the Eureka Dunes and endless other attractions. From here, you can reach Los Angeles in a day and complete the loop by taking the pacific coastal highway back to San Francisco.