San Franciso - Lake Tahoe - Yosemite NP

[HG17]

Hi all, we're planning the first part of our RV trip for late September 2026.
Family of 5. We fly into SF and spend 3-4 days there and then hoping to collect a small-ish RV from San Leandro and heading towards Lake Tahoe, then Yosemite NP. We're planning to allow about 5-6 days once we collect the RV for Tahoe and YNP. We have never been to this part of the US and want to get the thoughts of locals & fellow travellers on a good route between San Leandro and Tahoe. Our kids will be 8, 11 & 14 years old. We're happy to get off the interstate and main highways if there are interesting towns or attractions to stop along the way, take our time to get there if it's worthwhile.
Also, are the cities of Sacramento and Reno worth a look?
From YNP, we'll head south or west but we'll work through that itinerary at a later date but will look at Death Valley, Zion and the Grand Canyon.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Cheers,
Hayden

 

[PortToPort]

Sounds like a fantastic trip, and late September is a great time for that part of California. Weather is usually stable, summer crowds have thinned out, and the RV roads are generally manageable.

From San Leandro to Lake Tahoe, you’ve got a few options. The most straightforward is taking I-580 to I-205 and then up through Sacramento on Highway 50. If you want something a bit more scenic, Highway 88 over Carson Pass is a really nice drive. It’s slower but very pretty, and there are plenty of spots to stop for short walks or photos. With kids, it can be a fun route since you can break it up easily.

As for towns along the way, Placerville is a good stop on Highway 50. It’s got an old Gold Rush main street and some good food options. If you take Highway 88, Jackson and Sutter Creek are worth a wander. Nothing huge, but they’re pleasant small towns with a bit of history.

Sacramento is worth a quick look if you like museums. Old Sacramento is touristy but fun for a wander, and the California State Railroad Museum is genuinely excellent for kids and adults. Reno is fine as a stop for food or a stretch, but I wouldn’t go out of the way to spend a whole day unless you’re into the casino scene or car museums.

For Yosemite, keep in mind that RV size rules and campground availability can be pretty strict. Late September is better than peak summer, but booking early makes a huge difference. Also check ahead for Tioga Road status if you ever consider heading east; some years it closes early.

Your plan to head toward Death Valley, Zion and the Grand Canyon later on makes sense, especially with cooler weather coming in by then. It’s a lot of incredible scenery in one trip.

Sounds like a great adventure for the kids. Enjoy planning it, and buen viaje when the time comes!

 

[HG17]

Hi PtP, thank you so much for taking the time to reply and for some excellent tips. A couple of things I didn't mention that might give more context to our trip are that we're from Australia, so decent stints of driving aren't an issue as we're used to reasonable long driving days to go places. We're also keen to take in some American sports such as basketball, baseball NFL etc. (all our kids play Basketball), and it doesn't have to be major leagues. It's NBA off season but would there be pre-season competitions for basketball colleges etc? Perhaps Sacramento would be a good place for this.
One last thing, we have about a month on the road to get the RV back to LA and yeah, we'll head south-east (not west, haha!) after YNP.
Thanks again.

 

[TravelLover1]

Hi Hayden

I think late September is a great time for this trip.

I’d stop briefly in Sacramento (Old Sacramento), then take Highway 50 up to Tahoe – it’s a really scenic drive.

I found Lake Tahoe great with kids and worth a couple of nights. I’d skip Reno if time is limited.

If open, I’d definitely take Tioga Pass to Yosemite. For me, Yosemite is the highlight, and even a couple of nights there is fantastic.

 

[Fareschoices]

Hi Hayden — that sounds like a fantastic trip, and late September is a charming time to do it (good weather, fewer crowds, and still plenty open).

You’ll get lots of solid RV routing advice here so that I won’t repeat too much of it. I just wanted to float one optional idea, in case it appeals — not instead of the RV, but as a way to mix things up a bit early on.

Since you’re already spending a few days in San Francisco, you could consider doing one leg by train before picking up the RV. It’s not something everyone does, but some families really enjoy it as a relaxed transition after the long flight.

The Amtrak California Zephyr runs from the Bay Area (Emeryville) through Sacramento and up into the Sierra Nevada. You wouldn’t go all the way to Tahoe by train, but getting off around Truckee or Reno and then continuing by RV or car is an option. That stretch through the mountains is genuinely scenic — rivers, forests, tunnels — and it gives the kids a different kind of travel experience before you’re back on the road.

Totally optional, of course, and the RV-from-San-Leandro plan works perfectly fine on its own. Just thought it was worth mentioning if you like the idea of breaking up the driving and doing something a bit different.

As for your other questions:

• Sacramento can be a nice short stop — Old Town, the railroad museum (great for kids), and some good food.
• Reno is more practical than charming. Handy for supplies, fuel, or an overnight, but I wouldn’t go out of my way for it unless it fits naturally.

For driving routes to Tahoe, many people prefer Highway 50 or 88 over I-80 if conditions are good — more relaxed and scenic. Late September is usually fine, but it’s worth keeping an eye on the weather as the higher passes can change quickly.

Overall, your plan looks solid. The RV will really shine once you’re around Tahoe and Yosemite — just wanted to share the train idea in case it adds something memorable for your family. The train to North Carolina is the fall around your trip, I guess.

Cheers, and enjoy the planning — that’s a fantastic part of the world to explore.

 

[HG17]

Hi Fareschoices,
Thanks for taking the time to give your insights, there are no right or wrong answers for us and we're looking to thoroughly research all options, so we'll definitely look at the train. I do have some trepidation about driving an RV in the US, but I have driven extensively in Europe in various size of vehicles so the train might be a good way to ease into it. We were thinking of taking 88 or 50 to Tahoe and just cruising along at a leisurely pace, stopping here and there for a break. We're hoping to watch the Sacramento River Cats whilst we're in the area.
One idea that we're canvassing is heading south to Phoenix after the GC and then onto LA (or possibly San Diego for a bit), perhaps stopping briefly in Joshua Tree NP. Is that a good option? Or would it be better to head S-W on route 66 from the GC towards Kingman and then onto LA?
We're keen to take in basketball and NFL somewhere! Thanks again for your help and suggestions.

 

[Fareschoices]

Hi Fareschoices,
Thanks for taking the time to give your insights, there are no right or wrong answers for us and we're looking to thoroughly research all options, so we'll definitely look at the train. I do have some trepidation about driving an RV in the US, but I have driven extensively in Europe in various size of vehicles so the train might be a good way to ease into it. We were thinking of taking 88 or 50 to Tahoe and just cruising along at a leisurely pace, stopping here and there for a break. We're hoping to watch the Sacramento River Cats whilst we're in the area.
One idea that we're canvassing is heading south to Phoenix after the GC and then onto LA (or possibly San Diego for a bit), perhaps stopping briefly in Joshua Tree NP. Is that a good option? Or would it be better to head S-W on route 66 from the GC towards Kingman and then onto LA?
We're keen to take in basketball and NFL somewhere! Thanks again for your help and suggestions.

Hey there,
I'm thrilled that you appreciated my suggestion and requested more details! Below, I've provided additional insights based on my knowledge. If I happen to have made any errors, I sincerely apologize. Thank you for your understanding! than exteremly sorry

Route 1: Grand Canyon to Phoenix, then to LA (via Joshua Tree)​

Grand Canyon to Phoenix: This is a good option if you're looking for a more relaxed drive. It’s about a 3.5-4 hour drive straight down (via I-17 S), but you can take your time and enjoy the scenery along the way. Phoenix has great attractions and is also close to the desert landscapes of places like Joshua Tree NP, so that would make for a nice stop.
Phoenix to LA: After Phoenix, LA is around a 5-6 hour drive on I-10 W. If you have time, there are plenty of things to see in LA, from the beaches to attractions like Universal Studios, museums, or iconic sports venues.

Route 2: Grand Canyon to Route 66, Kingman to LA​

Route 66 to Kingman: This route is more scenic and historic, especially if you’re interested in the nostalgia of the famous Route 66. It's a longer drive, but you can stop at quirky towns along the way like Seligman, which really brings the Route 66 vibe to life.
Kingman to LA: From Kingman, you would head south to LA via I-40 W and I-15 S, and it’s about a 5-6 hour drive. While this route has more history, it’s also a bit less “nature-centric” compared to the Phoenix route.

Basketball and NFL​

Basketball: Both Phoenix and LA are fantastic cities for basketball. If you’re in Phoenix during NBA season, the Phoenix Suns are a great team to watch. In LA, you’ve got both the Lakers and Clippers depending on when you're visiting.
NFL: If you're into football, both cities have professional teams. In LA, you can check out the Los Angeles Rams or Chargers (depending on when you're there). Phoenix has the Arizona Cardinals.

If you're looking for an exciting adventure, consider a train ride! I'm sharing a hyperlink of a page Train To San diego where you can find all the details about this wonderful experience and many more detail. Plus, if you're thinking about a cruise there is also a hyperlink Cruise in the future, that's also a fantastic option to explore! future that would be a good option

Either way, you’re in for a fantastic adventure! Enjoy the River Cats game in Sacramento and have a blast in the desert landscapes, whether it’s the Grand Canyon or Joshua Tree. Safe travels!

 

[davidrw]

Late September is a nice window for that loop and 50/88 to Tahoe fits your take it slow and stop a bit style. For the GC-to-SoCal leg, Route 66 through Seligman/Kingman feels more fun and memorable than Phoenix unless you specifically want a city break or a Suns/Cardinals angle.