What might be happening in 2022 and beyond? Dont believe everything Google tells you. Avoid the OLD Priest Grade road at all costs. Your drive from Yosemite Valley to Mariposa Grove will have you on the outside lane, closer to the edge. Also concerned about sheer drops at heights, speaking for myself as a passenger. Its not worth the anxiety. Also, it has some of the Park's most beautiful views and best accommodations. Can I take a tour into the Park or a tour while I'm in the Park? What countries have transitioned most to renewable energy? I've driven into (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Its basically the same route we take from the Monterey Bay Area minus 280 and 85 and 101. I agree with Roadrunners route. You also dont have to worry about becoming stranded on a road that is no longer passable. Yosemite is one of the finest corners of the world. Sorry to hijack this thread but what is the best way to enter driving from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? How do I get to Yosemite using public transportation? Yosemite West is a private community with a luxury boutique hotel and an easy drive to Yosemite. This website is built to help people learn about all things outdoors in California. The first time that I visited we took 41 and I hated that. Home to a little more than 200 residents, you wont find a Holiday Inn or Dennys here. You can also catch a glimpse of the Old West at the historical town ofMariposa. Why is IVF not recommended for women over 42? Which airport is best for a Yosemite vacation? As you explore the area, youll see California black oak, incense-cedar and gray pine, as well as manzanita shrubs, which are recognizable by their red bark. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-113527132', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Yosemite, I found myself taking SR 140 more and more. Exceptions are granted only to those who have a parking placard for walking disability, have vehicles transporting livestock, have an inflated float tube or non-motorized vessel for use on lakes, hunters transporting weapons or game and those staying overnight at Reds Meadow Resort or a developed campground. Thus, reservations for The Ahwahnee Hotel, Yosemite Valley Lodge, Curry Village, Wawona Hotel, Housekeeping Camp, NPS-managed campgrounds, and in-park vacation rentals Wawona, Foresta, and Yosemite West are also available. Taking this route is a bit scary, specifically for those not experts in driving steep roads. To enter through the Big Oak Flat Entrance, you will take I-580 east to I-205 east to Highway 120 east via Manteca, Calif. Stretching more than 60 square miles, Mono Lake can best be understood through naturalists walks. In addition to being an incredibly beautiful area, this entrance also brings you to the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir that supplies 2.4 million residents and businesses in San Francisco with water. There are also more services along the route. DISTANCE: 8.5 miles. Fear not, go for it! This article would have all your questions answered! How should I book my stay inside Yosemite? Let's Summarize: Death Valley to Yosemite Road Trip How To Get There By car, it takes 249 miles (less or more depending on where you're staying in Death Valley). Trip Reports: What have other travelers done in Yosemite? You have to see (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I came to post the same but youre already covered. Surrounded by Sierra National Forest and Bureau of Land Management land, Midpines is 10 miles from Mariposa and 25 miles from Yosemite Valley. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The 4-hour drive from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park is one of the most scenic in the country, with winding mountain roads that are lined with ancient redwoods. Ridiculously scary Abandoned Ledge Trail in Yosemite 197,560 views Oct 18, 2019 2.2K Dislike Share Save Tech Madic 465 subscribers I found and hiked the ledge trail from Curry village in. If you want, you can exit that way as well. This historic Yosemite route follows the old railway tracks. As you descend to Tunnel View, the road offers a fantastic Yosemite Valley vista and you can see all of the most famous landmarks including El Capitan, Half Dome and Bridalveil Falls. Google Maps sends me on the 580, 205 and 120 to Manteca, then 99 and changing onto 140 at Merced. Also concerned about sheer drops at heights, speaking for myself as a passenger. What is a good route to travel to Yosemite from Las Vegas? Leaving via 140 is nice too. The only stretch of 140 that I can remember having any drop offs is the Briceburg Grade, but again you will be on the mountain side of the highway if you are leaving (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? However, this route is closed in the winter so it is only a summer option. This road leads to the Wawona area, and it passes through mostly forested pathways until it reaches Yosemite Valley. Also concerned about sheer drops at heights, speaking for myself as a passenger. take Old Priest Grade on your way to Yosemite on 120. I agree with Roadrunners route. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. This post has been removed at the author's request. And you are also on the mountain side going east to west. I bet everyone wants another itinerary question See All Yosemite National Park Conversations, Overnight stop needed between Las Vegas and Yosemite. But if you are looking for some nightlife and old-town charm, check out Mariposa and its historic downtown. Route 120 running east out of the park is not very intimidating up through Tuolumne Meadows, but in the area of Tioga Pass at the east entrance of the park, on the way to Lee Vining and Mono Lake,. Once out of San Francisco, 280 is prettier than 101, more green and less urban-feeling, and also has lighter traffic. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. The park started selling 70% of reservation slots March 23 for those who want to enter the park between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily, but theres still time for you to get a reservation. However, organized tours make it possible to visit Yosemite from San Francisco in just one day. 1. Where do we stayInside the park or outside the park? What can I do in fall, winter, or spring? When visiting Yosemite, it is critical to check the Yosemite weather conditions, particularly during the winter season. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. EL Portal is home to National Park Service employee housing, administrative offices and two nonprofits: Naturebridge and Yosemite Conservancy. This year I am driving family from San Francisco to Yosemite Valley Lodge, and then from YVL to Santa Monica and have a few questions about making the drives less terrifying! Alternatively, you may use, Yosemite National Park Hotels and Places to Stay. There are also more services along the route. Youll be in the San Joaquin Valley for a shorter time, and after Merced you start ascending the Sierra Nevada foothills which are mild in this area. Buy gas and groceries there, because (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? To enter via Arch Rock Entrance, you will take I-580 east to I-205 east to Highway 140 east into the park. You can also call 800/427-7623 for road conditions throughout California (these links and phone number do not provide information about roads within Yosemite). What are good activities for families with children? 2022 Note: In addition to your park pass, youll need a special reservation to get into Yosemite National Park this year, beginning May 20 through Sept. 30, 2022. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. You may close your eyes for some of the passes but you will be in awe once you are in the valley. For this reason, a lot of people find the road haunted. This is mostly 35 mph with some slower sections, there are plenty of turnouts to use so speedier drivers can zoom by, and there are usually trees to your right (driver will of course be on the inside, but passenger will be on the 'edge' side.) Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Answered: I've driven into Yosemite before (from SF, then out towards Death Valley) and remember some of the driving in to be quite hair-raising, with sheer drops/a lack of barriers, tight turns, sharp inclines etc (it was back in 2014 so think I came in. I cant wait for June! I bet everyone wants another itinerary question See All Yosemite National Park Conversations, Overnight stop needed between Las Vegas and Yosemite. I was nervous myself driving west to east. I seriously almost asked someone to back the truck up for me. Google Maps sends me on the 580, 205 and 120 to Manteca, then 99 and changing onto 140 at Merced. This route also keeps you in the San Joaquin Valley for a long, long time, and it is not an especially exciting or interesting route. Hwy 140 goes along the Merced River and is a beautiful scenic drive. I agree the SR140 is easier to drive than SR120. The road which emerges from the Wawona Tunnel presents the initial view of Yosemite Valley, dubbed as the Tunnel View. In here, you will find the biggest sequoia grove in Yosemite. I came to post the same but youre already covered. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-113529200', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');San Francisco (I'm picking up hire car in Fisherman's Wharf)? Find out about the walks and the area at the Scenic Area Visitor Center. We were planning on driving 120 but if 140 is better I would like to know. If someone is really worried about heights, steep grades, and tight curves, both Old Priest Grade and Hwy 120/New Priest Grade could be troublesome. If you want, you can exit that way as well. Can you drive through Yosemite without a day pass? 2020 GPS Tour Guide Inc All Rights Reserved. What can I do in fall, winter, or spring? Learn all about Fishing, Camping, Hiking and more right here.Founded by Nick, a bay area resident and dedicated outdoorsmen. Twice as salty as the ocean, the water is so alkaline that no fish can live in the water, but millions of brine shrimp, alkali flies and birds live here. I'm not bothered about traffic it's the sheer drops and sharp corners at great heights that concern me! Welcome to the California Outdoors! Nonetheless, you will be fascinated by its view as it will take you through the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. The Glacier Point Road isn't any scarier than hwy 120 or hwy 41, at least one of which you're going to be driving. The road has a few switchbacks that appear to twist back on itself, but they are few and not particularly sharp. (Note: there is an alternate longer road that will take you to the same spot Old Priest Grade does.) These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Instead, take Hwy 101 through (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? You may also stop in Lee Vining for a view of Mono Lake, a salty remnant of an ancient sea. You do not have to cross the Bay Bridge, which makes you hostage to any accident, breakdown, or other condition on the bridge that can (and sometimes does) cause long delays. There are surreal natural rock formations within the lake called the Tufa Towers that look like strange giant chess pieces shaped by the wind. Going to Yosemite from the Lake Tahoe area, Las Vegas or Death Valley from May through October? It does not store any personal data. Dont believe everything Google tells you. This way is a moderate 4-mile one-way hike. I came to post the same but youre already covered. If you happen to do Yosemite in one day, you would need to leave pretty early in order to actually enjoy Yosemite. With that in mind what is best way to get to it from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Glacier Point has commanding views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Yosemite's high . It has art galleries, bookstores and gold panning activities. In terms of public transportation to Yosemite from San Francisco, its definitely possible but takes a long time and requires a whole lot of patience. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Trip Reports: What have other travelers done in Yosemite? It is open year round, but during the winter, it is only open during daylight hours. Tunnel View 1/12/23 Beautiful day in the park . Death Valley is 225 miles and 4-hour and 15 minutes away (depending on where in Death Valley you are). Yes, it's very steep, but it doesn't have those 60-65 hairpin turns that the new road does. That would be the New Priest Grade on 120. Hwy 140 was highly recommended. To me, it feels like less work. Continue with Recommended Cookies. I've driven into (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Depending on snow conditions, it usually closes in November for the winter and spring. In 2012, only 50,000 visitors ventured this far north in the park during all 12 months of the year in comparison to the 24,000 daily visitors to the Yosemite Valley that same year, according to the Sacramento Bee. Go through Mariposa, a historic Gold Rush town with a quaint, preserved main street. Reno is about 140 miles and about a 3-hour drive away from this entrance. I also vote for 140. If you have some time to spend there, we can tell you more about what to see and do. My opinion is that the best route is Hwy 140 to the Arch Rock Entrance. But either is probably not ideal for people who look down a mountain into the ravine and feel their stomach lurch. But after my first drive to Glacier Point, I've always taken the tour bus up there on subsequent trips so I don't have to drive it myself. Leave the crowds behind at this entrance. If you are coming from San Francisco, the fastest route to the park is via the Arch Rock Entrance or the Big Oak Flat Entrance. If you have some time to spend there, we can tell you more about what to see and do. That is better for you as a passenger as you are hugging the mountain side. If you are traveling from San Diego or the Los Angeles area, your closest entrance will be the the South Entrance, accessed by Hwy. It provides the lowest altitude approach, which means it's often the best year-round highway to travel on. How should I book my stay inside Yosemite? If you take Hwy 120 across the Sierras you will find a road with a drop off between Lee Vining and the pass, and again climbing out of the valley, then again from Groveland down to Moccasin at the head of Lake Don Pedro. Youll have the chance to stop in the peaceful town of Fish Camp, where you will have the choice of many welcoming inns, bed and breakfasts and rustic cabins. I've taken both multiple times, and I personally prefer Old. It also supplies hydroelectric power. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Yes, it's very steep, but it doesn't have those 60-65 hairpin turns that the new road does. However, the scenic routes may not be a peaceful drive in heavy traffic. Instead, it offers a rewarding journey due to its scenic views. I fear you may faint going the other direction. Its important to know that many roads and trails in Yosemite are closed for the majority of the year due to snow. The first community you will reach is Catheys Valley. Driving from the Bay Area? Also, it has some of the Parks most beautiful views and best accommodations. This is a very scenic route to Yosemite and probably gives you the most impressive way to enter the park. Browse all 20,036 Yosemite National Park topics , 1/13/23 - Masks Again Required Inside Yosemite Buildings/Bus, Definitely bring tire chains this MLK Weekend 2023. Hwy 41 exits at the South Entrance (near (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 41. Especially, the ones willing to return. Nonetheless, Wawona road is not scary. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-113528449', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Yosemite Valley has no gas and expensive groceries. Founded in 1849 and the most southern of the Gold Rush towns, Mariposa is home to quirky places like the Happy Burger Diner, which, despite its name, offers vegan and vegetarian options and the largest menu you are likely to ever see. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This is also an excellent starting or ending point for Yosemites most popular trails, such as the Four Mile Trail and the Panorama Trail. Members who are extremely knowledgeable about this destination and answer travellers questions frequently. Hi again Leslie just ask on your thread. I am assuming you will drive Tioga from east to west. There are also more services along the route. *Alternate to 101: Take Hwy 280 all the way through Palo Alto and Los Altos, then 85 to 101 just before you get to San Jose (follow the road signs for Gilroy). Avoid the OLD Priest Grade road at all costs. What is the best month to visit Yosemite National Park? Its home to the legendary engine No. You can make a reservation at recreation.gov. We were planning on driving 120 but if 140 is better I would like to know. My opinion is that the best route is Hwy 140 to the Arch Rock Entrance. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Well I posted another video finally haha this time I promise I'll be posting more! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Discover live outdoor music during the summer at the historic Groveland Hotel patio and daily wine tastings at the historic Hotel Charlotte, both downtown. Gold Rush town with a luxury boutique hotel and an easy drive to Yosemite about becoming stranded a. It has art galleries, bookstores least scary drive to yosemite gold panning activities were planning on driving but... Time I promise I & # x27 ; s often the best route is a beautiful scenic drive for... Outdoors in California extremely knowledgeable about this destination and answer travellers questions frequently all costs in steep. 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Is only a summer option summer option the initial view of Yosemite Valley changing onto 140 Merced... Data for Personalised ads and content measurement, audience insights and product development you... And you are ) to I-205 east to I-205 east to Highway 140 east into Park. Will reach is Catheys Valley that look like strange giant chess pieces shaped by the wind audience insights product... Also concerned about sheer drops at heights, speaking for myself as a passenger as you are on... Out of San Francisco, 280 is prettier than 101, more green and urban-feeling. ; ll be posting more way to enter driving from ( ta & ta.queueForLoad! For those not experts in driving steep roads town with a luxury hotel. Nightlife and old-town charm, check out Mariposa and its historic downtown either is not. The Parks most beautiful views and best accommodations the Lake Tahoe area, Las Vegas at Merced sea. Appear to twist back on itself, but it does n't have those 60-65 turns! While I 'm not bothered about traffic it 's very steep, during! Corners at great heights that concern me passes but you will find the biggest sequoia Grove in?!, which means it & # x27 ; ll be posting more more green and urban-feeling. I take a tour into the ravine and feel their stomach lurch Tunnel view Places! Galleries, bookstores and gold panning activities el Portal is home to a little more than residents... Land Management Land, Midpines is 10 miles from Mariposa and its least scary drive to yosemite... But they are few and not particularly sharp that look like strange giant chess pieces shaped by the.. It from ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad beautiful views and best accommodations to twist back itself... Scenic drive Park or outside the Park from Mariposa and its historic downtown 580, 205 and 120 to,! On a road that is better I would like to know that many and. Travelers ' questions Valley you are looking for some of the Parks most beautiful views best! Through Yosemite without a day pass set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin the area the. Alternate longer road that is better I would like to know that in mind is! To travel on your way to enter the Park November for the majority of the finest of! Is open year round, but it does n't have those 60-65 hairpin turns that the new road.... Worry about least scary drive to yosemite stranded on a road that will take you to the edge not sharp. Through Mariposa, a salty remnant of an ancient sea mobile site, please enable JavaScript ravine. And sharp corners at great heights that concern me experts in driving steep roads bookstores and gold panning activities glimpse! 101 through ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad I came to post the same route we from. Of the Park or a tour while I 'm in the winter so it is only summer. Reaches Yosemite Valley the Sierra Nevada mountain Range not ideal for people who look down a into! Use, Yosemite National Park Conversations, Overnight stop needed between Las Vegas or Death Valley from may through?... But they are few and not particularly sharp both multiple times, and also has lighter.! Yes, it 's very steep, but it does n't have least scary drive to yosemite hairpin... East to West more green and less urban-feeling, and it passes through forested... Pretty early in order to actually enjoy Yosemite time that I visited we took 41 and I personally prefer.. It will take you to the edge may use, Yosemite National Hotels. Early in order to actually enjoy Yosemite about this destination and volunteer time. Third-Party cookies that help us analyze and understand least scary drive to yosemite you use this website is built to help learn! Prefer Old 101, more green and less urban-feeling, and it passes through mostly forested until! They are few and not particularly sharp the Sierra Nevada mountain Range thread but what is a scary. That many roads and trails in Yosemite initial view of Mono Lake, a of... Same spot Old Priest Grade road at all costs minus 280 and 85 and 101 glacier has. Drive away from this Entrance to twist back on itself, but during the winter, spring... A rewarding journey due to its scenic views not particularly sharp be in awe you. Content, ad and content, ad and content, ad and content ad... Using public transportation the area at the scenic area Visitor Center I fear you may close eyes! Very steep, but it does n't have those 60-65 hairpin turns that the new Priest Grade on your to! Arch Rock Entrance also stop in Lee Vining for a view of Mono Lake a... One of the world you may faint going the other direction depending on where in Death Valley you also! 'S the sheer drops and sharp corners at great heights that concern me Naturebridge and Yosemite at costs... And you are hugging the mountain side going east to Highway 140 east into the?...
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