California

Four Jewels: Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yosemite & Death Valley

Program No. 4352RJ
Witness awe-inspiring nature, grand artifacts of geography, ancient flora and unique fauna as you immerse yourself in four of California’s most stunning National Parks.

Enroll with Confidence

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more

Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone? 800-454-5768
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
May 17 - May 25, 2024
Starting at
4,199
Itinerary Note

This date includes two nights at The Ahwahnee, the historic grand hotel in Yosemite.

May 24 - Jun 1, 2024
Starting at
3,399
Filling Fast!
Jun 7 - Jun 15, 2024
Starting at
3,399
Sep 6 - Sep 14, 2024
Starting at
3,649
Filling Fast!
Sep 13 - Sep 21, 2024
Starting at
3,649
Sep 20 - Sep 28, 2024
Starting at
4,199
Itinerary Note

This date includes two nights at The Ahwahnee, the historic grand hotel in Yosemite.

Oct 4 - Oct 12, 2024
Starting at
4,199
Itinerary Note

This date includes two nights at The Ahwahnee, the historic grand hotel in Yosemite.

Oct 11 - Oct 19, 2024
Starting at
3,599
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
May 17 - May 25, 2024
Starting at
5,599
Itinerary Note

This date includes two nights at The Ahwahnee, the historic grand hotel in Yosemite.

May 24 - Jun 1, 2024
Starting at
4,269
Filling Fast!
Jun 7 - Jun 15, 2024
Starting at
4,269
Filling Fast!
Sep 6 - Sep 14, 2024
Starting at
4,569
Filling Fast!
Sep 13 - Sep 21, 2024
Starting at
4,569
Filling Fast!
Sep 20 - Sep 28, 2024
Starting at
5,599
Itinerary Note

This date includes two nights at The Ahwahnee, the historic grand hotel in Yosemite.

Filling Fast!
Oct 4 - Oct 12, 2024
Starting at
5,599
Itinerary Note

This date includes two nights at The Ahwahnee, the historic grand hotel in Yosemite.

Filling Fast!
Oct 11 - Oct 19, 2024
Starting at
4,469
9 days
8 nights
21 meals
8B 7L 6D
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Sierra Nevada Mountains - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park
2
Sequoia National Park, General Sherman Tree
Sierra Nevada Mountains - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park
3
Kings Canyon National Park, Roaring Falls, Zumwalt Meadows
Sierra Nevada Mountains - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park
4
Wawona, Yosemite History Center
Sierra Nevada Mountains - Yosemite National Park
5
Full-Day Yosemite National Park Field Trip
Sierra Nevada Mountains - Yosemite National Park
7
Manzanar Historic Site, Alabama Hills
Owens Valley - Death Valley National Park
8
Zabriskie Point, Badwater, Death Valley Visitor Center
Owens Valley - Death Valley National Park
View Full Itinerary

At a Glance

Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yosemite, Death Valley: four spectacular American National Parks. Explore them from the mighty Sierra Nevada range to the stark allure of the Mojave Desert as on-site presentations delve into their geologic, human and natural histories.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles on uneven terrain on paved and unpaved paths. Long distances by large motorcoach with 3-4 hours each day on the coach. Elevations range from 4,000-8,000 feet.

What You'll Learn

  • Study the magnificent forest ecosystem of Sequoia, named for giant trees that can live for more than 2,000 years.
  • Admire granite monuments like El Capitan, Half Dome and Bridalveil Fall as you learn how Pleistocene glaciers carved the wonders of Yosemite Valley.
  • Cross the Sierra Nevada to Mono Lake and Owens Valley and explore forbidding, dramatic, beautiful Death Valley.

General Notes

Includes long bus rides to reach rural site. Bus times can range from 3 to 4 hours each day.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Frank Helling
Frank Helling is an active adventurer and naturalist who has spent much of his life “sauntering” in the footsteps of the great mountaineer, philosopher, and nature writer John Muir. He has backpacked, hiked, and climbed in the Sierras, Rockies, Cascades, Alps, Alaska, Hawaii, and the deserts of the American Southwest. A former high school science teacher, Frank has also worked as a ranger and naturalist in Kings Canyon National Park and as a professional wilderness instructor.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Frank Helling
Frank Helling View biography
Frank Helling is an active adventurer and naturalist who has spent much of his life “sauntering” in the footsteps of the great mountaineer, philosopher, and nature writer John Muir. He has backpacked, hiked, and climbed in the Sierras, Rockies, Cascades, Alps, Alaska, Hawaii, and the deserts of the American Southwest. A former high school science teacher, Frank has also worked as a ranger and naturalist in Kings Canyon National Park and as a professional wilderness instructor.
Profile Image of Renee Rusler
Renee Rusler View biography
Renee Rusler was born in the Southwest. She earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in ecology from the University of Arizona. Renee spent 20 years as an interpretive park ranger for the National Park Service, working in arid land parks such as Joshua Tree, Grand Canyon and Death Valley. She is now the death valley field institute director for the Death Valley Natural History Association (DVNHA), which is the official non-profit partner of Death Valley National Park and Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.





Recommended For You

loading spinner