What is a good route to travel to Yosemite from Las Vegas? I also vote for 140. Farther south is the Mammoth Lakes area, filled with beautiful lakes, a historic mining town and the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and Bike Park. Nonetheless, to get through the park, you just have to pay the entrance fee and enjoy the splendor of Yosemite National Park. Dont believe everything Google tells you. There is a lot of winding roads on mountain sides. (Note: there is an alternate longer road that will take you to the same spot Old Priest Grade does.) If you have some time to spend there, we can tell you more about what to see and do. Hwy 140 follows the Merced River and is pretty gentle. Closer to the park, Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown is worth a stop. But if thats the case, it looks like I never will go there. I came to post the same but youre already covered. Your most direct route to Yosemite is through the Big Oak Flat Entrance or the Arch Rock Entrance, which is located southeast of Big Oak Flat. That would be the New Priest Grade on 120. 1/10/23. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Lets get started! Im going in June though. Entrance sign to Yosemite National Park Photo: Depositphotos. If youre looking for a place to stay, the Wawona Hotel is located on the right side of the road. State park. Theyre simple to locate. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. 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. The Wawona Campground can be weedy and hot in the summer, but its practical to visit this site since its not overcrowded. Driving from the Bay Area? And driving at night probably made it worse. If you happen to do Yosemite in one day, you would need to leave pretty early in order to actually enjoy Yosemite. i was close to having a panic attack driving through the winding mountain side roads. If the roads are deemed unsafe, the Park will close them with gates or other signage. Oh, that is nothing. Take a dip in one of three pools or dine at an on-site restaurant. Can I take a tour into the Park or a tour while I'm in the Park? 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. Your heart couldn't take it. Leaving at 0400 and having breakfast on the way over there somewhere, and then getting to the Park around 9 a.m. is good. I agree the SR140 is easier to drive than SR120. 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. This post has been removed at the author's request. Which entrance to Yosemite is least crowded? Google Maps sends me on the 580, 205 and 120 to Manteca, then 99 and changing onto 140 at Merced.. If you want, you can exit that way as well. Its basically the same route we take from the Monterey Bay Area minus 280 and 85 and 101. Is the drive from San Francisco to Yosemite scary? This road returns to some private residences before reaching the trailhead for Chilnualna Falls. 4) Little Yosemite Valley Trail. 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.). To me, it feels like less work. 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 via Old Priest Grade Road). ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-113548034', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');San Francisco if staying in Foresta? However, the scenic routes may not be a peaceful drive in heavy traffic. I hope you become acclimated to driving on mountain roads so you can experience the beauty of Yosemite again. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Oh well - it only makes arriving that much better. Hoffmanns Summit in Yosemite National Park. Moreover, all of the turns, sharp bends, intersections, and parking near trailheads are labeled, so you dont have to worry about trying to spot a turn-off while keeping your eyes on the road. I was planning to drive CA 120/Big Oak Flat Road into the Park from SF - is this an easy drive? To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. But if you're including Mariposa Grove in your itinerary, then (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? This is a very scenic route to Yosemite and probably gives you the most impressive way to enter the park. The first community you will reach is Catheys Valley. Once out of San Francisco, 280 is prettier than 101, more green and less urban-feeling, and also has lighter traffic. This road driving up or coming down is one of the amazing American roads.. Tioga is a "piece of cake" after that one. Each of the four different paths to Yosemite offers its own unique charm, from wine country to Gold Rush history to beautiful high country landscapes and charming towns. Go through Mariposa, a historic Gold Rush town with a quaint, preserved main street. It's pretty easy to avoid Old Priest if you stay on the main road. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-113529499', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');San Jose to Gilroy*, Hwy 152 east through Los Baos, and follow your map directions through Merced to 140. Well I posted another video finally haha this time I promise I'll be posting more! Hwy 41 exits at the South Entrance (near (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It was barely any better. In the summer, you can mountain bike on the hill or take a gondola ride to the mountains 11,053-foot peak to catch incredible views. How do I get to Yosemite using public transportation? Sorry to hijack this thread but what is the best way to enter driving from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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). This tunnel offers a panoramic view of Yosemite Valley, including Half Dome, El Capitan, and Bridalveil Falls. This post has been removed at the author's request. I also vote for 140. DISTANCE: 8.5 miles. 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. Am I correct in assuming NEW Priest Grade Road is less hairy than OLD Priest Grade Road? If you get 200 feet off a road or a trail you will have it to yourself. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-113526477', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');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 via Old Priest Grade Road). It is believed that the word Hetch Hetchy comes from the Miwok word hetchetici, which described the seeds of native grass used for food and other things. There are also more services along the route. That is better for you as a passenger as you are hugging the mountain side. Along the way, you will pass Tuolumne Meadows before reaching the Tioga Pass Entrance all the way on the east side of the park. 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. I am assuming you will drive Tioga from east to west. I've driven into (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Instead, take Hwy 101 through (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. The drive was so anxiety inducing. What might be happening in 2022 and beyond? The only park entrance on the east side, it is open May through October. I came to post the same but youre already covered. Swing by the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau for up-to-date info on park conditions; in summer, a park ranger is on hand to answer questions. 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)? yes it is safe mainly flat until one reaches the lower sierras and then there is a climb and then one goes down to the valley. Nonetheless, you will be fascinated by its view as it will take you through the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Death Valley is 225 miles and 4-hour and 15 minutes away (depending on where in Death Valley you are). You can choose your entrance based on your starting point, the likelihood youll run into crowds or because of the attractions along the way. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Buy gas and groceries there, because (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. This a good place to use the restroom and get more information about the park. This scenic route skirts around the Northern edge of Mariposa County and passes through the lovely towns of Buck Meadows andGroveland. Alternatively, you may use, Yosemite National Park Hotels and Places to Stay. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in New Zealand. 3 Is the drive from San Francisco to Yosemite pretty? 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 ? Spend there, we can tell you more about what to see do. 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