Roadtrip with RVshare Tucson to Sacramento

If you want to see some great Southwestern and West Coast attractions, then a Tucson to Sacramento road trip might be right up your alley. Some outstanding national and state parks are within driving distance of your route; multiple great tourist attractions await you as well. You'll also go through some awesome American cities, so you'll have an easy time making up a fun road trip itinerary from Tucson to Sacramento. 

Nearby National Parks

Saguaro National Park  

You don't even have to leave the Tucson area before visiting the first national park you'll encounter on your road trip from Tucson to Sacramento. Saguaro National Park is only five minutes from Interstate 10 as it goes through the outskirts of Tucson, so it's the easiest park on the list to reach. The star of the park is, of course, the bevy of Saguaro cacti on display. Multiple other types of cacti, wildflowers, and desert animals are also shown to their best advantage here. Rock formations, waterfalls, mountains, and Tucson itself combine to produce some gorgeous views of the Sonoran Desert and its inhabitants. 

Joshua Tree National Park  

Joshua Tree National Park is just two minutes off of your route as it travels through Indio, California, so how could you not stop by for a visit on your Tucson to Sacramento RV road trip? This park is known for its distinctive-looking Joshua trees, but it's also home to numerous other types of desert flora and fauna. There are some lovely mountain views here; you can also see some rugged desert vistas and rock formations. Plenty of awesome trails take you into this 1,200-mile portion of the Colorado and Mojave deserts. Favorite activities here include hiking, backcountry camping, stargazing, climbing, and bird-watching. 

Sequoia National Park  

Sequoia National Park is yet another national park on your road trip itinerary from Tucson to Sacramento that's known for a specific bit of flora. You can't take a trip through California's parks without stopping by to see these giant sequoias, so you should travel an hour and a half east of Coalinga, California, to view them. There are plenty of great sights to see besides majestic trees since this part of the Sierra Nevada Mountains is home to peaks, valleys, and more than 800 miles of trails. Rock climbing, skiing, snowshoeing, and horseback riding are all possible here.

Kings Canyon National Park  

You can reach Kings Canyon National Park by driving two hours east of Coalinga, but since the entrance to this park is only 15 minutes from Sequoia, you should simply visit this lovely national park after you're finished exploring Sequoia National Park. You'll get to see more giant sequoias, the most famous of which is the General Grant Tree. There are also some lovely mountain streams, meadows, and lakes. Fun activities here include horseback riding, rock climbing, camping, and backpacking. 

Yosemite National Park  

Yosemite National Park is two hours from Los Banos, California. Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Soda Springs, and other top-notch attractions await you at this beloved national park. Whether you want to climb Half Dome, stroll through giant sequoia forests, or hike through some gorgeous California wilderness, you'll easily be able to find an adventure at Yosemite. If you come in the winter, you'll be able to go ice skating, tubing, snowboarding, and skiing.

Nearby State Parks

Picacho Peak State Park  

Not too far up the road from the Tucson area and Saguaro National Park is Picacho Peak State Park. The entrance to this park is only five minutes from Picacho, Arizona, so it's a solid addition to your road trip itinerary from Tucson to Sacramento. The wildflowers are gorgeous here, so springtime is an excellent time to visit. No matter what time of year you come to Picacho Peak, you'll be able to walk on lovely trails through this desert environment. There's plenty of desert fauna here; you might be able to see desert cottontail rabbits, geckos, Gila woodpeckers, warblers, badgers, mules, and more.

Buckskin Mountain State Park  

Before you cross into California, you should drive 45 minutes north of Quartzite, Arizona, to visit beautiful Buckskin Mountain State Park. This lovely park in a bend of the Colorado River allows you to park your RV close to the river itself regardless of camper size. Multiple trails take you through the desert, along the river, and past some historic mines. The river itself is perfect for swimming, boating, and relaxing. 

Salton Sea State Recreation Area  

About 35 minutes from Joshua Tree National Park and 25 minutes from Coachella, California, is Salton Sea State Recreation Area State Park. This large lake is one of the lowest points in the world, but it'll be one of the high points of your road trip from Tucson to Sacramento. Kayaking, swimming, and fishing are favorite activities here; visitors also enjoy camping, bird-watching, and touring the visitor center. 

Malibu Creek State Park  

Before you leave LA in your rear-view mirror, you should head 45 minutes west of Glendale to Malibu Creek State Park. This lovely retreat in the Santa Monica Mountains is home to streams, rolling hills, canyons, and many forms of wildlife. The park also has a rich Hollywood history as "MASH" and parts of "Planet of the Apes" were filmed here. You can also visit the Reagan Ranch, kayak in Century Lake, and explore multiple captivating trails.

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park  

In order to reach Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, you'll have to drive an hour and 50 minutes west of Coalinga. A bit of extra driving is no big deal, however, when the beauty of the California coast awaits you. The spectacular vistas here have led some to call it a "mini Yosemite" for good reason. You can see these amazing views on numerous trails perfect for hiking; paved trails are also ideal for bikes and even scooters. The Big Sur River is a great place for swimming; there are plenty of places for picnicking and wildlife-watching as well. 

Along the Way

Castles N’ Coasters  

Castles N' Coasters is an exciting theme park and amusement park 10 minutes from Interstate 10 as it goes through Phoenix. Rides like Desert Storm, Free Fall, and Patriot call this park home. The park also has a traditional arcade, a virtual reality arcade, four mini-golf courses, a ropes course, a zip line, and more.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway  

See the beautiful cliffs of Chino Canyon while riding in a rotating tram car at Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which is only 20 minutes west of Cathedral City, California. The tramway will take you to Mountain Station, which is over 8,500 feet high and part of lovely Mt. San Jacinto State Park. Two nice restaurants, a natural history museum, a gift shop, and more await.

Universal Studios Hollywood  

Universal Studios Hollywood is only eight minutes from Glendale and is on the way to Malibu Creek State Park, so it's a convenient stop on your Tucson to Sacramento RV road trip. At this famous theme park, you can tour Hollywood movie sets, explore The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and check out some great shops, restaurants, and live entertainment venues.

Forestiere Underground Gardens  

Would you like to tour a network of beautiful grottoes, tunnels, and underground homes built by a Sicilian immigrant roughly a hundred years ago? If so, then all you have to do is travel an hour from Kettleman City, California. A guided tour will take you through the property of this artist so that you can learn more about the history of this fascinating piece of property.

Oakland Zoo  

The San Francisco Bay Area is less than an hour from your route, so why not stop by the Oakland Zoo? More than 850 animals make their home here, so you'll have plenty of interesting animals to see. Exhibits like Wild Australia, Tropical Rain Forest, and African Savanna are waiting for you to explore them.

Main Cities You Will Pass Through

Phoenix, Arizona  

When touring Phoenix, you can check out awesome places like Papago Park and Desert Botanical Garden. This area is so popular that there are tons of quality dump stations and campgrounds around.

Palm Springs, California

Palm Springs is close to some great parks on your list, but it's also home to interesting attractions like the Palm Springs Air Museum and the Coachella Valley Preserve. Plenty of pretty RV campgrounds are in the area.

San Bernardino, California  

This lovely city near LA has some great places to stop by like the Original McDonald’s Site and Museum and the Kelso Depot. Numerous excellent dump stations and campgrounds are close by.

Los Angeles, California  

The City of Angels is full of awesome attractions like the La Brea Tar Pits and Griffith Observatory. Unsurprisingly, there are tons of dump stations and campgrounds in this sprawling metropolitan area. 

Stockton, California  

The Haggin Museum and Historic Bob Hope Theater are two great places to visit in Stockton. Multiple good dump stations and campgrounds are nearby.

Find Adventure from Tucson to Sacramento

Find your One-Way Rental

When you follow this road trip itinerary from Tucson to Sacramento, you will enjoy historic locations and beautiful scenery along the way. If you want to travel in comfort and style, consider an RV rental from RVshare. From large motorhomes to compact campervans, there is a rig that will meet your travel and budget needs. Once you hit the road, you are protected by our renter guarantee and 24/7 roadside assistance. Find the perfect vehicle for your travel needs in Tucson or Sacramento.