California
Four Jewels: Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yosemite & Death Valley
Program No. 4352RJ
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Four Jewels: Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yosemite & Death Valley
Four Jewels: Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yosemite & Death Valley
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Participant Reviews
Based on 34 Reviews
SHOWING
This tour covers a lot of ground. Famous sites I wanted to see plus several wonderful sites I was not aware of. You see a lot and will be tired at the end of the day. So glad I took this tour.
— Review left October 24, 2025
Wonderful trip. We had an excellent leader, Jeff Crow, who added knowledge, context, and background to each amazing sight. Our great bus driver, Andrew, got us in and out of tight spaces with confidence and composure. I chose a trip that stayed two nights at the Ahwahnee, a bucket list item for me which did not disappoint. Although it is not featured much in the description of the trip, I found the visit to Manzanar interesting and moving, and the brief excursion into cowboy movie lore was fun.
The trip was a perfect way to visit these four amazing National Parks, each one more breathtaking than the last. They are not especially easy to get to (and on the other side of the country from me) so this was a stress-free way to see things I have always wanted to see.
— Review left October 12, 2025
The Four Jewels experience was amazing. Being exposed to the diversity of God's Creation was truly wonderful!
— Review left October 12, 2025
Outstanding program. The participants were delightful and the leadership outstanding. The natural beauty was breathtaking. My horizons were broadened on multiple levels.
— Review left October 2, 2025
What an incredible trip to the California National Parks. Our tour guide Jeff was so amazing. His knowledge of the parks, the earth and how it transformed, the plant life, and area history was extremely educational. He was kind, patience, professional and extremely helpful. Our bus driver, Andrew was kind, patient and a fantastic driver who kept us safe. The daily tours, lodging and food were wonderful. The hikes and the views were breathtaking. Already looking to book my next trip on Road Scholar.
— Review left September 29, 2025
Four Jewels is much more than magnificent trees and beautiful parks. Ensure you read the FULL content to see how diverse this learning experience can be - making western movies, Japanese internment camps, etc.
— Review left September 24, 2025
one of BEST vacations
— Review left June 19, 2025
AD wonderful experience in all ways and aspects
— Review left June 13, 2025
Attending the 4 Jewels program helped me reach a lifelong dream of visiting this part of the country. When chaos seems to be heightened in our country, the 4 Jewels program reignited pride and love for my homeland! The visit to Manzanar is a must for everyone so we never forget and our country cease any such actions forever.
— Review left June 8, 2025
Can anything be better than seeing the massive sequoias, beautiful waterfalls, and austere deserts? Yes, it can when you add Jeff Crow, guide extraordinaire, and Kevin, our personable driver. Add a trip back in time listening to John Muir personified by Frank Helling. So many Staying at the Ahwahnee and stepping into that massive dining room for breakfast was so luxurious. Waking up at the Wuksachi Lodge to see our first Stellar's Jay will not soon be forgotten! Walking through the desert to stand where movies were filmed was really neat! So many highlights that I can't begin to list them all. The biggest highlight: making friends on this trip that I hope to see again and again! Thank you, RS!
— Review left June 2, 2025
Wonderful trip! Great opportunity to see the variety of scenery in 4 of California's national parks. Our tour guide was wonderful, and our driver was very skillful and accomodating.
— Review left June 1, 2025
This was an outstanding trip, largely due to our truly skilled, affable, genuinely-concerned with making our trip flow well, driver: David and our excellent, on-top-of issues trip coordinator/leader: Amy Bowen. The added guides on the trip were also really good. I wouldn't change the itinerary nor the hotels. I particularly liked the addition of the night in Lone Pine and the excursion to enjoy the movie sights, plus the movie night at the film museum, and, seeing Manzanar. Meals were all quite good, and included the opportunity to enjoy venues with locals. The chosen walks were always informative and relatively easy. I liked the final day of travel through the Mohave, to see Trona and Palmdale. The final stop at LAX was convenient for me----I took a taxi home-----and others stayed overnight or had redeye flights from LAX. All in all----really worthwhile! Bill C
— Review left October 20, 2024
Fantastic trip!
Group leader Jeff Crow was so knowledgeable in numerous fields: geology, flora, fauna, climbing, etc.
— Review left October 17, 2024
Terrific trip for those who want to visit these parks but are not big hikers. Opened up a whole new world for me given that we are east coasters. Our guide was nothing less than terrific. Please go while you can!
— Review left October 14, 2024
Terrific introduction to these four national parks. Well-curated program that is worth the expense and time involved.
— Review left October 8, 2024
Our guide Jeff Crow was fantastic. can't imagine better. thx for everything
— Review left October 8, 2024
It was a great trip that checked off a few items on our bucket list. We would recommend this trip to anyone interested in going to these National Parks.
— Review left October 3, 2024
The road scholar program and our instructor increased my awareness of what it takes to preserve the beautiful landscapes of our country.
— Review left September 28, 2024
What really sells this experience are the experts. They are so enthusiastic and dedicated to what they do in protecting these precious jewels. One guide cried as he was describing how the General Sheman tree had to be wrapped to avoid being a wildfire victim. We also had John Muir tell us his story. Several other guides had to drive from out-of-state to be with us. Such dedication is to be admired.
Having said that, the one hiccup I experienced was at the Yosemite Valley Lodge dining room trying to get breakfast. If staff had signs posted for Road Scholars (or other tour groups) telling us where their voucher kiosk is located, that would be helpful.
Otherwise I'm hoping to book another Road Scholar experience in the near future.
— Review left June 19, 2024
Had A Great Time. Loved the info and the energy...
— Review left June 18, 2024
Aside from the enduring beauty we saw in the parks, we learned so much about the conservancy that's going on with regard to plants and animals. We left the parks with a renewed commitment for their restoration and preservation so our grandchildren can also experience their grandeur.
— Review left June 18, 2024
Four Jewels is a great way to sample 4 different, fabulous national parks in one visit.
— Review left June 8, 2024
This was the first Road Scholar trip my husband and I took and it was wonderful. We liked the fact that everything was scheduled and taken care of for us and if something wasn't suitable to attend because of the road conditions or another problem, another field trip was found and turned out to be better than the original one. We will go on more trips with Road Scholar and recommend them to our friends.
— Review left June 14, 2023
Four National Parks, Manzanar, Lone Pine Movie Museum, Alabama Hills filming locations(even "Gunga Din" !!) that rival Monument Valley and so much more put this RS program on the short list. Remember that everything seen from the window of the motor coach is part of the tour because there is so much to see in transit, making for a very full experience.
— Review left June 7, 2023
I have always wanted to experience seeing the Sequoias and Yosemite and finally got that opportunity. It did not disappoint! It was a dream fulfilled and I got to share it with my daughter.
— Review left May 31, 2023
A very special hello to Mary Ellen, Catherine, Nadine, Rex, Ruth, Doctor Frank, Sunnie and Dana; and many other participants that I genuinely enjoyed meeting and spending time with. Normally, I don't like people. Lol.
— Review left May 29, 2023
This was a great program involving 4 of our premier National Parks and lead by a very capable, energetic, and knowledgable host. The usual Road Scholar perks of great planning, lodging, and meals were always present. This was our second Road Scholar trip, we will almost certainly complete others.
— Review left October 19, 2022
I enjoyed visiting the four national parks as well as Manzanar Historic Site. Road Scholar makes it easy to visit national parks and learn about the parks in detail. Jeff Crow was an excellent leader. He taught us about rock climbing as well.
— Review left October 14, 2022
Very disappointing: original group leader “dropped out”, Death Valley was not open due to flooding ( which was totally foreseeable), and the main office was constantly feeding us misinformation concerning everything from meeting places to emergency medical pickups. Road Scholar does not seem to be ready to renew travel. :(
— Review left October 3, 2022
You have to see these parks to understand how beautiful and fragile they are in today's world. They cannot be lost!
— Review left September 29, 2022
Website is excellent
— Review left June 17, 2022
Jeff Crow was very knowledgeable and approachable. Some days ended at 8:30 pm. No group picture was taken.
— Review left June 6, 2022
COVID-19, heat and wildfires be darned! This was a great time to get out and about, and despite the hurdles, our Road Scholar team was adaptable, unshakable, and fun to travel with!
— Review left September 21, 2021
FANTASTIC SCENERY WITH GOOD LEADERS AND GUIDES. WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR?
— Review left May 14, 2019