California/Arizona 16 days - Yosemite & Mammoth timings

Question

Hello.

I am planning a South West roadtrip with my family - 2 adults and 4 big kids - 20,18,16 & 13 - at the end of July/beginning of August.

We fly into San Francisco on the 27 July and leave from LAX on the 12th of August.

So far I have only booked SF hotel and a hire car (to be collected as we leave SF and returned to LAX).

Plan is as follows:

27/28/29 July (3 nights) SF

30/31 July (2 nights) MONTEREY/PACIFIC GROVE

1,2 August (2 nights) YOSEMITE (or 1 night Yosemite then 1 night Mammoth) *** OR ONE MORE NIGHT HERE? (3 August)

4 August (1 night) DEATH VALLEY

5 & 6 August (2 nights) LAS VEGAS

7 August (1 night) GRAND CANYON SOUTH RIM

8 August (1 night) stopover en route to L.A. JOSHUA TREE/PIONEERTOWN/INDIO

9, 10, 11 August (3 nights) L.A.

12 August fly LAX- LHR midday

My questions for you fabulous experts are:

1) We have one night to account for - I have currently bracketed in Yosemite/Mammoth. Is this where you would put it? Maybe I should add one more day to the Pacific Coast?

2) Yosemite. I have park entrance reservation but no accomodation yet. There is nothing in the official lodging, of course. I am looking at staying in a cabin in West Yosemite. If we do this, would you spend two nights here, or one night and then move on in the morning, drive through the park and explore for one day, and then head out East that evening towards Mammoth. OR would you spend a second night in West Yosemite - which would mean looping back for the evening.

3) Mammoth. There is a music and beer festival that weekend. Will that matter? It looks fun, but tickets are expensive (when x6!) any idea how this will impact our time in Mammoth?

4) Suggestions on where to stay in or near Death Valley?

5) And any suggestions on where best to break the journey for the night between GCanyon and L.A - I am thinking Joshua Tree/Indio/Pioneertown - any ideas?

Thanks so much for reading. Really appreciate any input.

Answer

Hi! Your road trip plan looks exciting, and with 16 days, you have a nice balance of cities, coast, mountains, and desert. Here are some detailed thoughts and suggestions based on your questions:

1) One night to account for – Yosemite/Mammoth or extra Pacific Coast?

If you love scenic drives and relaxing coastal stops, an extra night on the Pacific Coast (Monterey → Big Sur → Carmel) is very worthwhile. It allows you to enjoy the coastal views, small towns, and beaches at a slower pace rather than feeling rushed.
Alternatively, adding the extra night around Yosemite or Mammoth lets you explore the park more fully without backtracking, which is valuable given the drive times and altitude changes.

2) Yosemite – 1 or 2 nights in West Yosemite vs. moving to Mammoth?

Staying two nights in West Yosemite gives you more flexibility for easy hikes, viewpoints, and potentially catching sunset/sunrise. You won’t need to rush, and you can fully enjoy Valley highlights like Yosemite Falls, Tunnel View, and Cook’s Meadow.
One night in Yosemite followed by an early morning drive through the park to Mammoth can work if you’re okay with an early start and a long day of driving (roughly 4–5 hours to Mammoth, plus stops). This option gives you less time for spontaneous hikes or sightseeing.
Recommendation: For a family with mixed ages and to minimize stress, two nights in West Yosemite is ideal. You can then drive to Mammoth on the morning of the third day and enjoy a relaxed afternoon there.

3) Mammoth – music and beer festival:

Such events can bring crowds, traffic, and limited accommodation availability. If you are not attending the festival, plan to stay slightly away from the main venue or book lodging early.
The festival may create congestion on main streets, restaurants, and parking areas, so factor in extra travel time when exploring Mammoth Lakes.
For sightseeing, focus on outdoor activities: lakes, easy hikes, and scenic drives such as June Lake Loop, Convict Lake, or Mammoth Mountain gondola rides.

4) Death Valley – accommodation suggestions:

Furnace Creek: Centrally located inside the park, good for visiting Badwater Basin, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, and Artist’s Palette. Lodging includes The Inn at Death Valley or Ranch.
Stovepipe Wells Village: Convenient for dunes and scenic drives, more budget-friendly than Furnace Creek.
Beatty or Shoshone (outside the park): Good if you want slightly cooler temperatures or more options; about 45–60 minutes drive to main park sights.

5) Stopover between Grand Canyon and L.A.:

Joshua Tree: Ideal for exploring the National Park, short hikes, rock formations, and stargazing. Lots of quirky towns and boutique accommodations.
Pioneertown: Charming small town with the Old Western vibe, could be combined with Joshua Tree exploration.
Indio/Palm Springs: Convenient for a comfortable night with hotels and amenities; good if you prefer minimizing driving on that day.
Recommendation: Joshua Tree area offers a unique desert experience and breaks up the drive nicely, but book lodging early as it can fill up quickly in summer.

Additional tips:

Ensure park reservations for Yosemite and possibly Death Valley if required for summer.
Allow extra travel time between parks, especially with family and varying ages.
Pack layers: high elevations like Yosemite and Mammoth can be cool, and desert areas can be extremely hot during the day.
Consider your energy levels: Long driving days (e.g., Yosemite → Mammoth or Grand Canyon → Joshua Tree) can be tiring for the family, so plan shorter sightseeing stops accordingly.

Summary recommendation: Two nights in Yosemite, one night in Mammoth, and a short stop along the coast could work if you prioritize coastal relaxation. For minimal stress and better family experience, I’d lean toward two nights Yosemite, one night Mammoth, and a quick coastal drive if you have flexibility on your SF to Monterey segment.