The Big Oak Flat park entrance.
The Big Oak Flat park entrance is the closest to San Francisco, accessed via Highway 120 from the west. The drive to Big Oak Flat is about 170 miles from San Francisco and takes at least four hours; however, traffic, especially in summer and on weekends, has the potential to make it much longer.
Which entrance is better for Yosemite?
Arch Rock entrance is the closest to Yosemite Valley, making it a popular area to stay in. The nearest towns are El Portal and Mariposa.
What is the most scenic route from San Francisco to Yosemite?
Highway 140—as opposed to the most direct route, 120—is by far the most scenic drive into the park and the best way to go if you’re visiting for the first time. It’s open most of the time and passes through the towns of Mariposa and Fish Camp.
How far is Yosemite National Park from San Francisco?
about 170 miles
San Francisco to Yosemite Road Trip
Yosemite is about 170 miles away from San Francisco and about a 4-hour drive. So, we recommend starting your day as early as 5 AM or 6 AM to have full experience in the park. If you prefer to sleep in while on vacation, something we’re all guilty of, you can easily book a hotel.
What is the busiest entrance to Yosemite?
Hetch Hetchy is the most remote and least-popular way to visit Yosemite National Park. Most tourists use Hetch Hetchy as a starting point for secluded hikes, fishing or backpacking. While the entrance is open year round, the hours are limited during the winter to daylight only.
What is the most scenic route to Yosemite?
the Tioga Road
All of the roads in Yosemite National Park are scenic, but the most famous scenic drive is along the Tioga Road, a 46-mile (62 km) drive from Crane Flat to Tioga Pass. The road is typically open from late May or early June through sometime in November. (Check current road conditions.)
Where does the drive from San Francisco to Yosemite stop?
9 Best Stops on a San Francisco to Yosemite Road Trip
- Mill Valley Public Library.
- Berkeley.
- Lake Chabot Regional Park.
- San Francisco Premium Outlets.
- Wente Vineyards.
- Sons Farm Fresh Fruit Stand.
- Columbia State Historic Park.
- Priest Station Café
Can you do a day trip to Yosemite from San Francisco?
Yosemite is at least a four-hour drive from San Francisco (and can take longer with traffic), so it is not usually recommended as a day trip. However, organized tours make it possible to visit Yosemite from San Francisco in just one day.
What is the easiest drive into Yosemite?
Highway 120 will be the best way to approach Yosemite if you are coming from the big cities of San Francisco or Sacramento and their major airports. This scenic route skirts around the Northern edge of Mariposa County and passes through the lovely towns of Buck Meadows and Groveland.
What is between Yosemite and San Francisco?
The top cities between Yosemite National Park and San Francisco are San Jose, Oakland, Palo Alto, Berkeley, and Santa Clara. San Jose is the most popular city on the route — it’s 4 hours from Yosemite National Park and less than an hour from San Francisco.
How do I get from San Francisco to Yosemite without a car?
By Train or Bus
Unfortunately, there isn’t any public transport that goes the entire way to Yosemite from San Francisco. But you can take either an Amtrak train or a Greyhound bus to the town of Merced. From Merced, you transfer to the YARTS system to get to Yosemite.
How far are the giant sequoias from San Francisco?
Yosemite is home to the biggest trees in California, the Giant Sequoias. This massive National Park is also where you can find, Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in North America. The distance from San Francisco to the redwood forest and natural wonders of Yosemite is about 170 miles each way.
When should you avoid Yosemite?
The Worst Time to Visit Yosemite National Park
If crowds aren’t your cup of tea, avoid visiting during July and August, when the number of visitors can be five or six times as many as in the quiet winter months (except for the holidays, when numbers spike). June and September are the next busiest months for the park.
How long does it take to drive the loop at Yosemite?
Simply driving into the Valley and back out is around 14 miles (depending on the entrance route you choose) and takes approximately 30 minutes, but travelers can easily make an entire day out of their drive through Yosemite Valley, stopping at each of the lookouts and taking time to explore.
How many entrances are there into Yosemite?
There are four main entrances to the park: Tuolumne County’s entrance on the northwest boundary of the park, on the most direct route from the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento, is the Big Oak Flat Entrance on Highway 120 from Modesto and Manteca.
Can you just drive into Yosemite?
You can drive your own vehicle into and around Yosemite. Shuttle buses are not mandatory, but are recommended (except in 2021, when they are not available).
Is Tioga Pass road scary?
However, the Tioga Pass is far from scary. I could see if someone was deathly panicked of heights…then there might be an issue. But the Tioga Pass is a wide two-lane road with many turnout areas to pull off and soak in the absolutely spectacular scenery.
Is driving to Yosemite scary?
In general, the roads are fine – and worst thing you will find is being behind a super slow vacation recreational vehicle). If you are going to Sequoia as well this trip use 180 in and out of the park only (the road to 3 Rivers area is scary – and not worth driving.).
Where should I stop for lunch between San Francisco and Yosemite?
Oakdale. Oakdale, located in the heart of the Central Valley, is a convenient place to stop on your San Francisco to Yosemite road trip. It’s a great place to stop for lunch and stretch your legs. Oakdale is known for its rich history and provides that small-town feel that’s missing from places like SF.
Is Yosemite close to the redwood forest?
Yes, the driving distance between Yosemite National Park to Redwood National Park is 506 miles. It takes approximately 9h 40m to drive from Yosemite National Park to Redwood National Park.
How far apart are Sequoia and Yosemite?
The direct drive from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park to Yosemite National Park is 215 mi (346 km), and should have a drive time of 5 hrs 53 mins in normal traffic.