Hi neramai,
It usually takes me about 4-5 hours to go from
Giant Forest (Sequoia) to the Los Angeles area, and 45 minutes to an hour to get from
Grants Grove (Kings Canyon) to Giant Forest. I've done the drive from Yosemite through Sequoia (3-hour detour) to Los Angeles. It makes for a long day, but worth it in my opinion, since I don't mind the drive, and I love the mountains.
I recommend leaving early - between 5am-6am, and that should get you to Grants Grove by 10am/11am. You can walk among the trees there, as they have a nice little trail, and you'll see the
Fallen Monarch, big enough to have a cavalry of horses stand on it. From there, if you're interested, you might visit
Sandy Cove on
Hume Lake, where you can swim in the little lake there. There is a Christian camp that rents kayaks/rowboats to the public, as well as have a place to have lunch there. You can spend a couple of hours there (stop at a sandwich shop from San Luis Obispo to Kings Canyon). After visiting Hume Lake (or skip it), drive to Giant Forest. You'll pass a small grove of sequoias called
The Lost Grove. In Giant Forest, there are a few places to visit:
General Sherman - one of the largest living things on Earth,
Crescent Meadow, with a really nice little walk/hike (easy to moderate) around some meadows - you'll see
Tharpe's Log there, and
Moro Rock, where you can walk up some stone steps to the top, if you wish.
You'll get a full day of the sequoias by visiting these popular spots. Note that in Giant Forest you'll probably have to park at the Giant Forest museum, then take the shuttle to the General Sherman, Crescent Meadow, and Moro Rock. I've also done the little hike from General Sherman to Crescent Meadow, and really enjoyed it.
I recommend any or all of the above, which can be done in a long day. I would also call your lodgings in Hollywood and ask for a late arrival. If you are not traveling in an RV, but a normal car, you can take the 198 through Visalia, that will take you to the 99, and where you'll go south. Visalia is 3 hours from Los Angeles, and Bakersfield is 2 hours from LA. We usually get a bite to eat in Bakersfield on our way home.
Enjoy your trip!
PS ~ If you don't want to spend THAT much time, and just want a taste of the sequoias, you can do that by visiting Grant's Grove, then taking the 180 back down the mountain, and catch the 99 south towards Los Angeles. Plan on a 5-hour drive for contingencies.