Roadtrip with RVshare San Francisco to Salt Lake City

If you're taking a road trip from San Francisco to Salt Lake City, get ready to travel through some incredible places. As you head out of San Francisco, you will want to visit the state capital in Sacramento and see buildings from the early days of the Gold Rush. Reno is another stop that should be on your itinerary; it has been dubbed "The Biggest Little City in the World" for its bonanza of entertainment options. Finally, you'll end your trip in majestic Salt Lake City at the base of the Wasatch Range. 

Nearby National Parks

If you are looking for a break from the long drive, you should check out some national parks. As you plan your road trip itinerary from San Francisco to Salt Lake City, you should add these spectacular spots to the list. RVshare also has a national parks guide to make planning a little easier for you. 

Redwood National Park

Redwood National Park is home to some of the tallest trees in the world. You can see other landscape features in the park, such as oak forests, prairie grasses, coastlines, and riverways. This park covers over 193,000 acres of land, and it includes about 45% of the world's coastal redwoods. This national park is home to some endangered animals, including Steller's sea lions and Northern spotted owls. If you want to enjoy a few outdoor activities, tide pool exploring, kayaking, hiking, and wildlife viewing are just some of the things to do there. 

Sequoia National Park

Sequoia National Park contains large groves of giant sequoias. This park is near the Sierra Nevadas, offering spectacular views of snowcapped mountain peaks. Throughout the year, visitors head here to explore the park's winding trails. The ranger-led talks and hikes are some of the most popular events in this national park. You can also rock climb and horseback ride in the summer. During the winter, skiing and snowshoeing are popular sports. 

Kings Canyon National Park

Kings Canyon National Park is adjacent to Sequoia National Park, and it's another place to get a great view of those sequoia groves. This national park is home to the General Grant Tree, which was proclaimed by President Coolidge in 1926 to be the nation's Christmas tree. Along with the majestic trees, you will be treated to impressive views of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Inside Kings Canyon, there are plenty of activities for the whole family. You can listen to one of the ranger-led presentations or join a guided hike throughout the park. Rock climbing, horseback riding, backpacking, and hiking are some popular activities in this park. 

Yosemite National Park

You'll see plenty of ancient sequoias, waterfalls, high cliffs, and wilderness areas at this park. Yosemite National Park has three groves of giant sequoias, and many of them are more than 1,000 years old. Within the park, you can see notable landmarks, such as the Yosemite Falls and Half Dome. You can hike or take the park's transit system for a closer view of those sights. This park is very popular, welcoming about 1 million visitors per year. It's a great place for hiking, horseback riding, and backcountry camping. In the winter, tubing, ice skating, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing are popular. 

Zion National Park

Zion National Park has been inhabited by humans for around 8,000 years. This park is the first designated park in the state of Utah. Today, you can visit Zion Canyon to explore its cliffs, canyons, and crags. One popular spot is called the Narrows; you have to wade through a shallow river to visit this area, but the magnificent views of the gorge are worth getting your feet wet. There are many types of recreational activities in the park, including biking, canyoneering, and climbing. In addition to that, rangers offer a wide range of interpretative and educational programs throughout the year.

Nearby State Parks

State parks are another way to get out of the rig and enjoy some of nature's wonders. As you travel on your road trip from San Francisco to Salt Lake City, there are a few parks that you won't want to miss. For a more detailed look at these parks, visit RVshare's state park guide.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park

California is known for its ancient redwood trees. Big Basin Redwoods State Park near Santa Cruz is home to some redwoods that are as tall as the Statue of Liberty. It's incredible to hike below treetops that soar above the dense forest floor. This old-growth forest has over 80 miles of trails for bikers, horseback riders, and hikers.

Colusa-Sacramento River State Park

The Colusa-Sacramento River State Park is located just outside of Sacramento. It's made up of over 63 acres of land. Many people head here to hit the water for boating or fishing. There are other recreational opportunities that you may enjoy, including wildlife viewing and hiking. 

Antelope Island State Park

Located in the Great Salt Lake, Antelope Island State Park is the largest of the 10 islands in the area. Since 1981, this park has attracted 300,000 visitors per year. From shorelines to mountains, a variety of landscapes await you in this part of Utah. For that reason, Antelope Island is an excellent place for hiking, boating, camping, swimming, and horseback riding. If you want to see the native wildlife, there are bison, coyotes, bobcats, sheep, and mule deer that roam throughout the park. 

Along the Way

Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge is an iconic part of San Francisco. This suspension bridge spans over the 1-mile strait that connects the Pacific Ocean to the city. The bridge has been declared one of the Wonders of the Modern World. At the time of completion, the Golden Gate Bridge was the tallest and longest suspension bridge in the world. 

California State Capitol

Sacramento is home to the California state capitol building. The building was built between 1861 and 1874, and it is home to the governor's office and the state legislature. While you are there, you can tour the building to learn about the history of California. 

Temple Square

Temple Square is located in the middle of Salt Lake City and is owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Within the area, you'll find the Salt Lake Tabernacle, Salt Lake Temple, the Seagull Monument, Salt Lake Assembly Hall, and a visitor center. Guests are allowed to tour some of the buildings at this location.

Main Cities You Will Pass Through

During your trip from San Francisco to Salt Lake City, you'll find several noteworthy cities along the route. You can also find many RV campgrounds and dump stations along the way to help you keep a safe and clean vehicle on the road. 

Sacramento

In 1848, John Sutter Sr. founded Sacramento, and it became the state capital in 1879. This city is located between the American and Sacramento rivers, and it is often called the Gateway to the Sierra Nevadas. You can check out the numerous historic buildings that date back to the Gold Rush days. When you're done, you'll find plenty of RV campgrounds where you can settle down for the night. 

Reno

Many people head to Reno for its casinos and entertainment venues. Others travel to Reno to relax in one of the many spas in the area. With its close location to Lake Tahoe, this city also provides spectacular views of the local landscape. Reno has many options for those who want to find a campground for their RV.

Provo

Provo is a suburb of Salt Lake City, and it is a popular destination for visitors. It has some world-renowned museums, and Brigham Young University is here. If you love to ski, you'll enjoy spending time at the many ski lodges and resorts in this city. If you need an RV campground near Provo, you can find several great options. 

Find Adventure from San Francisco to Salt Lake City

Find your One-Way Rental

On a San Francisco to Salt Lake City RV road trip, there's no shortage of places to stop. The trip will take you from the seaside cliffs of California to Utah's mountain terrain. You can find many RV rental options in San Francisco or Salt Lake City from RVshare. Whatever you need for your San Francisco to Salt Lake City road trip, you'll find a wide selection of vehicles at RVshare to keep you comfortable on your journey.