7-Day California Tour Packages

4.5 stars on(8,447 reviews)

Choose from 50+ California tours
50+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
24/7 customer support

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day California tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaCalifornia travel expert at TourRadar

6 Days in Baja California, incl. La Paz and Cabo San Lucas
View itinerary
- Day 1
  La Paz Arrival
  Plan to arrive in La Paz in the afternoon to skip rush hour traffic. The airport is just 20 minutes from most hotels. Take an evening walk along the malecón, the waterfront promenade that stretches 3.5 miles. This walk will help you get your bearings and spot good local restaurants for dinner.
- Day 2
  La Paz City & Beaches
  Start your morning at Playa Balandra before the crowds arrive around 11 AM. Take a quick 10-minute walk to see the famous mushroom rock but bring water shoes since the sand gets very hot. For lunch, head to Playa El Tecolote where local beach restaurants serve great fish tacos for about $3-4 each.
- Day 3
  Espíritu Santo Island
  Take a boat trip to Espíritu Santo Island, about 45 minutes from La Paz marina. If you're visiting between September and May, you can swim with sea lions. Bring a light jacket for the cool morning boat ride. Important: Only biodegradable sunscreen is allowed to protect the marine life.
- Day 4
  La Paz to Los Cabos
  The drive from La Paz to Cabo takes roughly 2.5 hours, but plan for 4-5 hours if you want to explore along the way. Stop in Todos Santos to browse art galleries and boutiques. Take a glass-bottom boat to The Arch in early afternoon for the best photos. As one visitor shared: "The boat ride to The Arch was smoother than expected, and the clarity of the water through the glass bottom was incredible – we could see tropical fish swimming right beneath us."
- Day 5
  Los Cabos Free Day
  Stay in the Corridor area between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo for good beach access. Médano Beach is one of the few safe swimming spots in Cabo San Lucas. Visit the fish market in San José del Cabo early morning to watch the local fishermen bring in their catch.
- Day 6
  Departure
  From Cabo San Lucas to San José del Cabo Airport (SJD), you'll need at least 45 minutes for the drive. Allow 2-3 hours for airport procedures. Security lines are usually shorter for morning flights. Some visitors prefer staying in San José del Cabo their last night to be closer to the airport.
View itinerary
7 Days in Yosemite National Park, incl. Glacier Point and Red Peak Pass
The pristine Yosemite backcountry unfolds on this $2,900 week-long trek. The route leads from Curry Village through Illilouette Canyon, crossing high-altitude passes and camping by alpine lakes. Dramatic elevation changes from 1,200 to 11,000 feet reveal remote wilderness vistas.
View itinerary
- Day 1
  Yosemite Valley Orientation
  Head to Curry Village by late afternoon. You'll find the meeting point at the Mountain Shop on the street-facing side of the pavilion near the parking lot. Spend your first night at the Backpackers Camp by Tenaya Creek, surrounded by Yosemite's granite walls. Pack your backpack tonight to make your morning departure smoother.
- Day 2
  Glacier Point to Illilouette Creek (7 miles)
  Take the morning shuttle to Glacier Point (7,214 ft). The trail drops along Illilouette Ridge. Bring trekking poles for the steep downhill section. You'll cross Illilouette Creek at the halfway point. Pack water shoes for the knee-deep crossing and plan to cross in the afternoon when water levels are lower. Set up camp along Clark Fork among the sugar pines.
- Day 3
  Ascent to Lower Ottaway Lake (9 miles)
  Get ready for 2,500 feet of elevation gain. Start early to avoid the hot sun on exposed sections. Look for pieces of a 1960s plane crash on the trail to Merced Pass Lakes. Lower Ottaway Lake sits in a stunning cirque beneath Red Peak, with colorful metamorphic rocks that light up at sunset.
- Day 4
  Red Peak Pass Crossing (9.5 miles)
  Today you'll cross Yosemite's highest trail pass at over 11,000 feet. Leave before dawn to beat afternoon thunderstorms. The thin air will slow you down, so take plenty of breaks and drink lots of water. After the pass, enjoy views of the Minarets to the south as you descend to Triple Peak Fork. Find a campsite on the granite slabs near the Merced River.
- Day 5
  Washburn Lake (6.7 miles)
  An easier day following the Merced River's west bank. The morning trail stays fairly flat through glacier-polished terrain. A gradual climb takes you to Washburn Lake in the afternoon. "The lake is breathtakingly cold even in August. Bring water shoes for the rocky entry points," one hiker warns.
- Day 6
  Merced Lake Area (7 miles)
  Walk along the Merced River past waterfalls and the historic ranger station. The trail gets crowded near Merced Lake High Sierra Camp but quiets down quickly. Camp near Bunnell Dome for great evening views of the Cathedral Range. If you're up for it, climb the dome's easier north side at sunset.
- Day 7
  Descend to Valley Floor (8 miles)
  Your final day features classic Yosemite views: Half Dome, Liberty Cap, Nevada Falls and Vernal Falls. You'll drop 2,900 feet, mostly on stone steps. Start early to avoid crowds on the Mist Trail. Shuttles run back to Curry Village every 20-30 minutes.
View itinerary
7 Days in Kings Canyon National Park, incl. Rae Lakes Loop and John Muir Trail
A challenging 40+ mile backpacking adventure through Kings Canyon National Park spans 7 days. The route leads from Road's End past Mist Falls through Paradise Valley to the Lakes District, culminating in an ascent of Glen Pass at 11,978 feet before following Bubbs Creek down.
View itinerary
- Day 1
  Fresno to Kings Canyon (7.5 miles)
  Drive 2.5 hours from Fresno to Roads End in Kings Canyon. The trail follows the South Fork Kings River and climbs 2,300 feet past Mist Falls. Pack extra water for the exposed sections before Paradise Valley. These spots get very hot in summer. Set up your first camp along the Kings River where you can see Goat and Kid Peaks.
- Days 2-3
  Woods Creek to Rae Lakes (13 miles)
  These two days are demanding with a total climb of 4,750 feet toward the Lakes District. You'll meet the John Muir Trail near Castle Domes. Fill your water here before the final climb. Camp near Dollar Lake on day 2 to adjust to the altitude (about 10,000 feet). On day 3, you'll reach Rae Lakes basin, where you'll see granite peaks mirrored in clear alpine waters.
- Day 4
  Rae Lakes Layover Day
  Take this day to rest and explore. You can do an optional hike to Sixty Lakes Basin (7.5 miles round trip) for great views. Start early to avoid afternoon thunderstorms, which often appear above treeline. Bring warm layers. The temperature can drop below freezing at night, even in August.
- Day 5
  Glen Pass Crossing (5.3 miles)
  Begin before dawn for the tough climb over Glen Pass (11,978 feet). The trail gets steep and exposed. Bring trekking poles. One hiker shared: "The switchbacks seem endless, but the panoramic views of Rae Lakes behind you make every step worthwhile." Camp at Charlotte Lake at 10,370 feet after descending.
- Day 6
  Bubbs Creek Descent (7.5 miles)
  Walk beneath Kearsarge Pinnacles and Charlotte Dome. The trail drops 3,590 feet. Take your time to protect your knees. Your last camp in the wooded meadow offers nice shelter after several nights at high altitude.
- Day 7
  Return to Roads End (7.1 miles)
  Finish the loop walking down along Bubbs Creek. Start early to beat the afternoon heat. You'll see Glacier Monument before reaching Roads End. Take time to cool your feet in the river before driving back to Fresno.
View itinerary