July CA Trip Plan

California & Yosemite Road Trip

Travel Summary: This itinerary starts directly from Irvine, covering a 3-day road trip to the Bay Area for a Giants game, 3 days in Yosemite National Park, and your final relocation prep in Orange County before flying back to Santo Domingo.

Phase 1: NorCal Leg (3 Nights, 3 Days)

• 3:00 PM: 🚙 Travel Depart Irvine. Taking into account necessary Supercharger stops, a stretch break, and typical weekend highway volume, planning an 8-hour travel window puts your arrival around SFO right on time.

• 11:44 PM: ✈️ SFO Airport Pickup: Stop by the SFO terminals directly on your way into the city to pick up your company arriving on their flight.

• Late Night: Drive up into the city together. Park the car at the SpotHero lot (452 Beach Street - Wharf Central Parking Lot) and check into the Kimpton Alton Fisherman's Wharf to drop your bags and get some rest.

• Morning: Grab a lazy breakfast near the Wharf or a quick coffee at the hotel. Leave the car safely parked at the lot.

• 12:15 PM: 🚌 Transit Hop on the Muni bus right outside the hotel for a direct, hassle-free ride straight down the Embarcadero to the stadium.

• 1:05 PM: ⚾ Event Braves vs. Giants at Oracle Park.

• 6:30 PM: 🦪 Dinner Head over to Little Shucker in the Marina district for fresh oysters, low-ABV wine, and clean, coastal vibes.

• Night: Take a night stroll along the Marina Green or catch views of the Golden Gate Bridge under the stars.

• Morning: Grab picnic provisions (fresh sourdough, cheese, and charcuterie) from the Ferry Building or a local SF deli.

• 12:30 PM: 🧺 Lunch Enjoy a relaxing picnic in the park (Mission Dolores Park or the Presidio lawn are perfect options).

• 5:30 PM: 🍽️ Dinner Dine at Rich Table in Hayes Valley for an incredible, upscale yet casual, ingredient-driven NorCal meal (don't miss the porcini doughnuts).

Phase 2: Yosemite National Park (3 Days, 2 Nights)

• 7:00 AM: Grab breakfast near the hotel, check out, and begin the drive toward the mountains.

• 10:30 AM: 🛒 Grocery Stop Pull off the highway to stock up on food, trail snacks, large water jugs, and ice for your cooler before entering the mountain area. (If taking Hwy 120, stop at Save Mart or Raley's in Oakdale; if taking Hwy 140, stop at Raley's or Costco in Merced).

• 12:30 PM: 🌲 Lunch Tour Arrive at Yosemite National Park. Stop by Tunnel View on your way in for the iconic sweeping view of the valley. Grab a casual bite at the Yosemite Valley Lodge food court or Degnan's Deli, then focus your afternoon on the Yosemite Valley Floor spots (Lower Yosemite Fall, Cook's Meadow, and Sentinel Bridge).

• 4:30 PM: 🏨 Stay Drive down Highway 140 into El Portal and check into Cedar Lodge.

• Evening: Have dinner at the lodge's restaurant right alongside the Merced River and rest your legs.

• Full Yosemite Day: Dedicate the entire day to deeper exploration.

• Morning/Afternoon: Head into the park early to hike the Mist Trail up to Vernal or Nevada Fall. Afterward, make the scenic drive up to Glacier Point for incredible panoramic views looking directly across at Half Dome. Because you are staying just outside the gate at Cedar Lodge, you can easily swing back to the room to shower and change before heading back into the valley.

• Night: 🌌 Night Tour Head back into the valley for a guided Yosemite Conservancy Star Program or a nighttime stroll under the granite monoliths. Because Cedar Lodge is so close to the El Portal entrance, navigating back after dark is quick and straightforward.

• Morning: Check out of Cedar Lodge. Before heading back to Southern California, drive to the southern end of the park to tour Mariposa Grove. Walking among the Giant Sequoias is a perfect, relaxed morning activity that positions you directly at the South Exit (Highway 41) to start your journey home without backtracking.

• 1:00 PM: 🚙 Drive Say goodbye to the park and begin the drive back south toward Orange County.

• 8:30 PM: Arrive back home in Irvine to unwind.

Phase 3: Southern California & Relocation

• TBD

• Daytime: 📦 Moving Focus on packing up your remaining belongings, organizing your gear, and staging everything efficiently.

• Evening: Take a break from the boxes for a light 4th of July view—find a local spot to watch the fireworks displays across the OC skyline before getting a good night's rest.

• 5:00 AM: Drive to Buena Park, park the car safely at your friend's house, and rideshare to LAX.

• 8:00 AM: Flight departs LAX → MIA.

• 7:00 PM: Flight departs MIA → SDQ.

• 9:25 PM: Land in Santo Domingo.

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