No Car? No Problem: Visit Sequoia from Sacramento via Amtrak

If you’ve been dreaming of seeing the giant sequoias but don’t have a car—or simply prefer not to drive—good news: you can explore the stunning beauty of Sequoia National Park without getting behind the wheel. Here’s exactly how we did it, using Amtrak San Joaquins, a local shuttle, and a little bit of planning to pull off an unforgettable car-free weekend.

Saturday: Sacramento to Visalia via Amtrak San Joaquins

We kicked off our journey bright and early on Saturday morning, catching the 6:30 AM Amtrak San Joaquins train from Sacramento. The ride was smooth and scenic, winding through the Central Valley. After a few hours, we arrived in Hanford, where we transferred to a bus bound for Visalia—a connection that’s coordinated with Amtrak for a seamless experience.

Once in Visalia, we checked into our boutique hotel for the night, The Darling Hotel. Set in a beautifully restored Art Deco building, this stylish spot gave us major “Old Hollywood meets National Park” vibes. Plus, it’s ideally located for the next leg of the trip.

Sunday: Into Sequoia National Park via the Sequoia Shuttle

After a relaxing evening and a good night’s rest, we were up early to catch the Sequoia Shuttle, which runs from downtown Visalia straight into Sequoia National Park during the summer months. The shuttle dropped us off right at the Giant Forest Museum—the perfect starting point for a day among the giants.

Our Sequoia Itinerary:

10:30 AM – Arrival at Giant Forest Museum

• Picked up maps, took a quick walk to Beetle Rock for panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada.

11:15 AM – Shuttle to General Sherman Tree

• Boarded the Green Route shuttle and walked the 0.5-mile trail to see the world’s largest tree by volume.

12:30 PM – Lunch at Lodgepole Visitor Center

• Took the shuttle to Lodgepole, grabbed lunch at the market

2:00 PM – Hiked the Moro Rock trail

• Climbed the 0.25-mile stair trail for breathtaking views—well worth the effort!

3:30 PM – Return to Giant Forest Museum

• Caught the return shuttle back to Visalia from the museum.

Sunday Night: One More Stay at The Darling

Back in Visalia, we had one last relaxing night at The Darling Hotel. Whether you want to unwind in the rooftop lounge or explore downtown’s local food scene, Visalia is a great base for your park adventure.

Monday: Homeward Bound

On Monday morning, we made our way back to Hanford via local transit and hopped on the Amtrak San Joaquins train to Stockton, then transferred to an Amtrak Thruway Bus back to Sacramento. The entire return trip was comfortable and smooth, giving us time to reflect on a weekend well spent.

❤️ Why We Loved This Trip

• Eco-friendly and affordable: No car rental or gas required.
• Scenic and stress-free: Enjoy the views instead of worrying about driving.
• Well-connected: Transit and shuttle schedules aligned beautifully.
• Accessible adventure: Proves you can explore epic nature without a car.