Surviving Sequoia: Big Trees, Bigger Crowds, and Best Friends

The trip officially started at the light rail station in Bellevue—where Karthika and I debuted our newly matching backpacks, looking super cool, naturally—but the real tone of the weekend was set on the drive from San Jose to Three Rivers.

We were rolling in Michal and Magda's car with our good friends—and their very good boy, Simba the dog—along for the ride. It was a classic road trip rhythm: pulling over for fruit stands, sampling questionable garlic ice cream, and settling into that easy groove of catching up. Honestly, my favorite part of the drive was just watching Karthika seamlessly hit it off with my friends. Merging different worlds of people you love can always be a little nerve-wracking, but they clicked immediately.

Trip Overview

Our grand plan was to spend a relaxing weekend taking in the ancient giants of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. And while we definitely saw the trees, we also slammed face-first into the absolute madness of Memorial Day weekend. It was a trip of stark contrasts: the hot, dry desert vibe of our Airbnb versus the alpine forests; one slow, peaceful last morning on the patio versus every other morning being chaotic and busy. But a chaotic trip with the right people is still a great trip.

Most Memorable Moments

The Quiet Hike

Look, the giant Sequoias are obviously incredible, but honestly? I'm not entirely convinced the biggest, most famous trees are worth the crowds you have to fight to see them. The absolute peak of our tree-viewing experience was taking a random detour onto the Moro Rock Trail. It got us away from the masses and around some slightly smaller (but still massive) Sequoias. Getting to actually hear the silence of the forest and see the tree line stretching out into the distance was infinitely more breathtaking than elbowing for a view of the General Sherman.

Mama Bear & Two Cubs

One of the coolest moments of the whole weekend didn't even involve trees. Somewhere along one of our hikes, we spotted a mama bear with two cubs—close enough to feel the thrill, far enough to keep our cool. We didn't get a photo (some things you just put the phone down for), but it's the kind of sighting that sticks with you. You'll catch it in the video above.

Cabin Life & The Traeger

When the park got too crazy, the Airbnb was our sanctuary. Most mornings were a scramble—except our last one, when we finally got a slow breakfast on the patio. Evenings were spent playing games while Simba lounged around being a loving boy. But the true highlight for me was discovering a Traeger grill on the property. I had never used one before, and firing it up for a group BBQ was the perfect, relaxed way to end a chaotic day.

The "Shuttle, Shuttle" Delirium

Of course, not every plan works out, and our plan to easily navigate the park via shuttle was deeply flawed. The lines were insanely long. Eventually, survival just meant leaning into the absurdity. We descended into a delirious group chant of "shuttle, shuttle, shuttle, shuttle!!!!" to keep our sanity intact.

The Pre-Wedding Balloon

Since this trip fell right before our wedding, Michal and Magda surprised us with a massive ring balloon to celebrate. It was such a sweet, funny gesture to mark the final countdown weekend.

The Belly Button Cure

On the winding drive into the parks, Michal and Magda introduced us to a Polish old wives' tale for carsickness: put two band-aids over your belly button and hope for the best. The science is dubious. The comedy value is not. Karthika was a full participant, and we all spent the rest of the drive debating whether folklore or Dramamine deserved the credit.

Just Being Away Together

Brace yourselves, because I am going to say this every single time I write a post, and I have zero regrets about it: any time I get to go away with Karthika is the best time. Even when we're standing in a 45-minute line for a bus.

Logistics & Practical Information

ACCOMMODATION

Airbnb in Three Rivers: One thing to know—Three Rivers does not have the same lush, alpine vibe as the National Park. It's actually a pretty hot, dry, deserty area, so set your expectations accordingly. Also, it is highly worth stocking up on groceries on your way into town so you don't have to scramble later.

TRANSPORTATION

Flying in? If you are flying in from out of town, consider using the Fresno airport instead of the Bay Area—it is meaningfully more convenient. The roads winding up into the parks are intense, too. If anyone in your group is prone to carsickness, make sure they are well-prepared with Dramamine. Our Polish friends also swore by a folk remedy involving two band-aids over the belly button—the science is shaky, but the morale boost is real.

ACTIVITIES

Moro Rock Trail: Highly recommend for escaping the worst of the crowds and getting some actual peace and quiet among the trees.

Tips for Travelers

The Golden Rule

Do not go to a highly popular National Park on a holiday weekend. Just don't do it. We learned this lesson the hard way so you don't have to.

Reflections & Final Thoughts

We left California with a little less patience for shuttle lines, but a lot of gratitude for the weekend. The giant trees were beautiful, but the real takeaway was much simpler: good company always outweighs bad crowds. A perfectly relaxing way to end the trip.