Austin to Yosemite Road Trip?

We’re planning on taking a road trip from Austin, Tx to Yosemite National Park somewhere around mid-June. We wanna stop in White Sands National Park, Tucson, and Sequoia National Park on the way. Does anybody have any advice? Would it be way too hot to camp at white sands? What would the weather be like in Yosemite? Is the drive worth it or would it be better to fly? Is Yosemite crowded at that time of the year? Any advice would be appreciated especially if you have personal experience. Thanks!

Try to reach Yosemite as early as possible in June in order to catch the waterfalls in as much of their glory as possible.

http://www.yosemitefun.com/yosemite_best_time_to_visit.htm

The waterfalls and the valley views are what makes Yosemite so special IMO. As June progresses, the park’s waterfalls will become less spectacular, so I would consider flying to San Francisco and heading straight to the park.

If you’re going to Sequoia, you could skip the big trees at Yosemite.

Obviously, the drive to Yosemite could take you to great places like the Grand Canyon, the Navajo Bridge, Sedona, Bryce Canyon, Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, and one of my favorites — the San Jacinto Tramway at Palm Springs (the plateau at Mountain Station is among the most beautiful places that I’ve ever visited).

http://www.pigseye.com/mc/4corners/leesferry3.htm

http://www.pigseye.com/mc/4corners/index.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak_Creek_Canyon

http://www.pstramway.com/

If you do drive to Yosemite, again I would try to get there as soon as possible, then leisurely see things on the way back. You could stop at the Grand Canyon or one or two of the other attractions on your trip north, then Sequoia/King’s Valley before arriving at Yosemite to catch the waterfalls (I would call the park and see if it will matter as the snowpack might have been small this year and the falls may be relatively weak by even mid-June).

You then could head south on the Pacific Coast Highway, seeing the Monterey Bay Aquarium, San Simeon, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Malibu, etc., before heading west to Arizona.

Probably you should join AAA and get trip guides once you’ve sketched out your trip. If you drive, obviously you’ll spend at least four-five long days just driving, so the length of your vacation is an issue.

Reservations at Yosemite already may be difficult to obtain for June, unless you camp in the upper park….

BOL on a fun and memorable vacation.