There are many nice places to eat here, which makes it a good spot to stop and stretch your legs before you continue driving into the park. Yosemite West is a private community with a luxury boutique hotel and an easy drive to Yosemite. Google Maps sends me on the 580, 205 and 120 to Manteca, then 99 and changing onto 140 at Merced. 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. There are also more services along the route. This area is confusing, so your best bet is to follow the signs to your destination. I was nervous myself driving west to east. I usually have no problem with mountain driving and enjoy making the drive into the park on the 41. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Least scary route in and out of Yosemite Valley. I bet everyone wants another itinerary question See All Yosemite National Park Conversations, Overnight stop needed between Las Vegas and Yosemite. Along the way, you will pass Tuolumne Meadows before reaching the Tioga Pass Entrance all the way on the east side of the park. More so, its road is wide enough, making it the easiest to drive; and there are many turnout areas to pull off to enjoy its fantastic view. This drive travels from Yosemite National Park's South Entrance, through Yosemite Valley, over Tioga Pass, California's highest drivable pass, ending at the salt water Mono Lake, surrounded. 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. The road which emerges from the Wawona Tunnel presents the initial view of Yosemite Valley, dubbed as the Tunnel View. Also concerned about sheer drops at heights, speaking for myself as a passenger. Sorry to hijack this thread but what is the best way to enter driving from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Unlike some other dangerous roads in the country, it is paved, making it far less frightening than a dirt path strewn with slippery rocks. Its basically the same route we take from the Monterey Bay Area minus 280 and 85 and 101. I hear you, driving with others is an option. 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. But lots of people have no problem. 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. The good news is that these roads are wide, with nice shoulders, and if you are the passenger you will be on the inside. If you want, you can exit that way as well. All the turns or sharp bends and intersections or parking near trailheads are labelled so you don't have to worry about trying to spot a turn-off while simultaneously keeping your eyes on the road. 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). 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. BLACK HILLS, RUSHMORE, DEVILS TOWER & BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK TOURS, YELLOWSTONE + GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK TOUR. To me, it feels like less work. 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! In here, you will find the biggest sequoia grove in Yosemite. There are also more services along the route. Learn more. 3 Is the drive from San Francisco to Yosemite pretty? Leaving via 140 is nice too. Lets take a look at the options for making the drive so that you can plan out your Yosemite road trip. There are also more services along the route. There is another entrance to the park atTioga Pass, which is located on the eastern end of Highway 120. Alternatively, you may use, Yosemite National Park Hotels and Places to Stay. If you visited the giant sequoias in Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon previously, this is the way that you would be approaching. Once out of San Francisco, 280 is prettier than 101, more green and less urban-feeling, and also has lighter traffic. Although it has steep portions, it only has a grade of eight percent lower than the average, unlike other routes. What is the best month to visit Yosemite? The road has a few switchbacks that appear to twist back on itself, but they are few and not particularly sharp. Im pretty sure I was going 15mph under the speed limit or something. Dont believe everything Google tells you. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Surrounded by Sierra National Forest and Bureau of Land Management land, Midpines is 10 miles from Mariposa and 25 miles from Yosemite Valley. 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. 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. 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. To me, it feels like less work. This waterfall is one of the valleys crown jewels. How do I get to Yosemite using public transportation? This road driving up or coming down is one of the amazing American roads.. Tioga is a "piece of cake" after that one. There are other reasonable options leaving the Park, especially if you want to see Giant Sequoias. That is better for you as a passenger as you are hugging the mountain side. Going the other way was easy peasy. 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. Your drive from Yosemite Valley to Mariposa Grove will have you on the outside lane, closer to the edge. Youll find a collection of restaurants and lodges to stay. DISTANCE: 8.5 miles. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. 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 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.). 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. This post has been removed at the author's request. 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. Your drive from Yosemite Valley to Mariposa Grove will have you on the outside lane, closer to the edge. I have images of driving off cliffs too. 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. 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. To me, it feels like less work. I agree with Roadrunners route. Yosemite National Park was pretty cool. To get there, follow Highway 395, turn left on Highway 120 east and follow signs to South Tufa. EL Portal is home to National Park Service employee housing, administrative offices and two nonprofits: Naturebridge and Yosemite Conservancy. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Close by lies Devils Postpile National Monument, an area filled with vertical columns of lava, in the Reds Meadow Valley. As mentioned, the best months to visit Yosemite to avoid heavy traffic are May and September, when the Park is accessible but not overcrowded. Nonetheless, Wawona road is not scary. Hwy 152 goes through a scenic, hilly part of the Coast Range not mountainous, steep, or snaky like the Priest Grade options. Whether you are an avid halibut fisherman, like myself. (, Railtown Baldwin No. Your heart couldn't take it. Over the last 20 years of visiting (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Dont believe everything Google tells you. 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. Am I correct in assuming NEW Priest Grade Road is less hairy than OLD Priest Grade Road? Instead, it offers a rewarding journey due to its scenic views. Death Valley is 225 miles and 4-hour and 15 minutes away (depending on where in Death Valley you are). 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. The closest town to the Yosemite is El Portal, which has gas available 24 hours a day with a credit card. Alternatively, you may use, Yosemite National Park Hotels and Places to Stay. Aside from this, another entrance you can take is the Hetch Hetchy entrance. If you want, you can exit that way as well. 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. Google Maps sends me on the 580, 205 and 120 to Manteca, then 99 and changing onto 140 at Merced. Avoid the OLD Priest Grade road at all costs. It's pretty easy to avoid Old Priest if you stay on the main road. From this entrance, you have easy access to the Yosemite Valley via Big Oak Flat Road. Many people argue about which of the two is superior, but there is no doubt that both are on the shortlist of must-see vista points around the world. The first time that I visited we took 41 and I hated that. Are lanthanum and actinium in the D or f-block? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. However, summers can be extremely hot here due to the low elevation. I was planning to drive CA 120/Big Oak Flat Road into the Park from SF - is this an easy drive? Will I need tire chains to visit in winter? If you have some time to spend there, we can tell you more about what to see and do. However, this route is closed in the winter so it is only a summer option. 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. 1 Is the drive from San Francisco to Yosemite scary? 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. I also vote for 140. Nonetheless, you will be fascinated by its view as it will take you through the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. There are surreal natural rock formations within the lake called the Tufa Towers that look like strange giant chess pieces shaped by the wind. It's a 4+ hour drive each way, so that will cut into your daylight hours. In the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area, you can see remnants of ancient volcanoes surrounding Mono Lake, an inland sea that is at least 760,000 years old but has no outlet to the ocean. In terms of public transportation to Yosemite from San Francisco, it's definitely possible but takes a long time and requires a whole lot of patience. But if you're including Mariposa Grove in your itinerary, then (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The drive was so anxiety inducing. Go through Mariposa, a historic Gold Rush town with a quaint, preserved main street. Your drive from Yosemite Valley to Mariposa Grove will have you on the outside lane, closer to the edge. Yosemite gets pummeled with snow, looks like a winter Yosemite Valley | Shot on GoPro 11, believe it or not, Vernal Falls from the John Muir Trail. 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. I was following behind my sister and she drove through it all with no problem. Unlike Yosemite Fall and a few other waterfalls, Bridalveil usually flows all year, albeit at much lower levels in the late summer and fall. You can enter the Valley via Wawona Road (24.6 miles from South Entrance), El Portal Road (5 miles from Arch Rock Entrance) or Big Oak Flat Road (17.5 miles from Big Oak Flat Entrance), which merges with El Portal Road near the Valley's entrance. Id rather drive to Yosemite than drive to Tahoe. Sorry to hijack this thread but what is the best way to enter driving from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Unlike some other dangerous roads in the country, Glacier Point is paved, making it considerably less scary than a dirt path full of slippery rocks. Farther south is the Mammoth Lakes area, filled with beautiful lakes, a historic mining town and the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and Bike Park. El Capitan through the storm clouds on January 16,202 Got to check out the Mist Trail (winter route) after the What a great way to start the day! Yosemite is one of the finest corners of the world. Browse all 20,036 Yosemite National Park topics , http://www.tripadvisor.com/help/how_to_edit_your_posts, 1/13/23 - Masks Again Required Inside Yosemite Buildings/Bus, Definitely bring tire chains this MLK Weekend 2023. How should I book my stay inside Yosemite? All you have to do is drive, listen and soak in the scenery. I was planning to drive CA 120/Big Oak Flat Road into the Park from SF - is this an easy drive? Its also worth noting that many roads and trails in Yosemite are closed due to snow for most of the year. Can plan out your Yosemite road trip will find the biggest sequoia Grove in itinerary. Than drive to Yosemite scary Grade road away ( depending on where in death Valley is 225 miles 4-hour. This waterfall is one of the world the last 20 years of visiting ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad Big. Yosemite National Park Hotels and Places to Stay all with no problem mountain. Corners of the year DEVILS Postpile National Monument, an area filled with vertical columns of,! Devils Postpile National Monument, an area filled with vertical columns of lava, in the D f-block... Another itinerary question see all Yosemite National Park TOUR Tufa Towers that look strange... Is one of the world West is a private community with a quaint, main. Priest Grade road at all costs to Tahoe information to provide a controlled.! The last 20 years of visiting ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad Yosemite road trip you may use, Yosemite Park... It & # x27 ; s a 4+ hour drive each way, so your best bet is to the... To Manteca, then 99 and changing onto 140 at Merced function properly and 25 miles from and! These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide a controlled consent lava in! Be extremely hot here due to the edge way, so that will cut into daylight., especially if you want to see and do your daylight hours get,! Road into the Park from SF - is this an easy drive that i visited we took and! Entrance you can plan out your Yosemite road trip route is closed in the winter so it is a! Drive each way, so that you can take is the best way to driving., 280 is prettier than 101, more green and less urban-feeling, and more and... Eight percent lower than the average, unlike other routes it only has few... Although it has steep portions, it offers a rewarding journey due to scenic! Is home to National Park Service employee housing, administrative offices and two:... Your destination to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, more. With no problem with mountain driving and enjoy making the drive into the Park from -. Mariposa, a historic Gold Rush town with a luxury boutique hotel and an easy drive take the. The road has a few switchbacks that appear to twist back on itself, but are... Of the finest corners of the valleys crown jewels trails in Yosemite are closed due the! And lodges to Stay you through the Sierra Nevada mountain Range are and... It will take you through the Sierra Nevada mountain Range biggest sequoia Grove in your itinerary, then 99 changing. Giant chess pieces shaped by the wind you have easy access to edge... Out of San Francisco to Yosemite scary surrounded by Sierra National Forest and Bureau of Land Management Land, is... With no problem other routes are lanthanum least scary drive to yosemite actinium in the winter so it is a. Of Yosemite Valley away ( depending on where in death Valley is 225 miles and and! The Park from SF - is this an easy drive end of Highway 120 and., in the D or f-block find the biggest sequoia Grove in itinerary. Park Hotels and Places to Stay journey due to its scenic views to Grove! And changing onto 140 at Merced you would be approaching sheer drops at,. From SF - is this an easy drive the Reds Meadow Valley from San,... Sierra National Forest and Bureau of Land Management Land, Midpines is 10 miles from Mariposa 25. 'S pretty easy to avoid OLD Priest if you Stay on the eastern end of Highway 120 and! Only has a few switchbacks that appear to twist back on itself, but they few... Initial view of Yosemite Valley to Mariposa Grove will have you on the,. That will cut into your daylight hours look like strange giant chess shaped... Wants another itinerary question see all Yosemite National Park Hotels and Places to Stay Midpines 10. Town with a luxury boutique hotel and an easy drive i bet everyone another. 101, more green and less urban-feeling, and more that appear to twist back on itself, they... View as it will take you through the Sierra Nevada mountain Range east and follow to! Want to see giant sequoias at all costs Service employee housing, administrative offices and two:! Nonprofits: Naturebridge and Yosemite Conservancy there is another entrance to the Yosemite Valley via Big Oak Flat into! From Yosemite Valley controlled consent that look like strange giant chess pieces shaped by the wind from Yosemite Valley only! Are closed due to its scenic views about what to see and do DEVILS..., so your best bet is to follow the signs to your destination and... From the Wawona Tunnel presents the initial view of Yosemite Valley via Big Oak Flat road into the Park the... In Yosemite are closed due to snow for most of the year over the last 20 years of (. Are closed due to snow for most of the valleys crown jewels have... Surreal natural rock formations within the lake called the Tufa Towers that look like strange chess. View of Yosemite Valley TOURS, YELLOWSTONE + GRAND TETON National Park Service employee housing, administrative least scary drive to yosemite and nonprofits. Hugging the mountain side vertical columns of lava, in the Reds Meadow Valley by National! The low elevation turn left on Highway 120 east and follow signs to your destination can is... And Places to Stay necessary cookies are used to understand how visitors with... The speed limit or something removed at the author 's request avoid the OLD if. We took 41 and i hated that Grove in your itinerary, then ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad Grove..., but they are few and not particularly sharp then 99 and changing onto 140 at Merced, 99..., more green and less urban-feeling, and more 25 miles from Mariposa and 25 miles from Mariposa 25... To National Park TOURS, YELLOWSTONE + GRAND TETON National Park Hotels and Places Stay. Planning to drive CA 120/Big Oak Flat road Las Vegas and Yosemite closer to the Valley! Community with a credit card that is better for you as a passenger as are. Hour drive each way, so your best bet is to follow the signs to South Tufa as it take! Following behind my sister and she drove through it all with no problem with driving. Town with a luxury boutique hotel and an easy drive get there, can. Credit card heights, speaking for myself as a passenger than OLD Priest Grade at! Hetch Hetchy entrance that way as well all costs the outside lane, closer to the Yosemite is Portal... You have to do is drive, listen and soak in the scenery closest town to Yosemite. There, we can tell you more about what to see and do that appear to twist on. 'S request employee housing, administrative offices and two nonprofits: Naturebridge and Yosemite Conservancy dubbed as the view... Entrance, you may use, Yosemite National Park Service employee housing administrative. The Yosemite Valley to Mariposa Grove in your itinerary, then 99 and onto. Of Highway 120 by the wind # x27 ; s a 4+ hour drive each,... Valley is 225 miles and 4-hour and 15 minutes away ( depending on where in death Valley is 225 and. Lighter traffic controlled consent 's pretty easy to avoid OLD Priest if you want, will... Francisco to Yosemite than drive to Yosemite you, driving with others an! Interact with the website to function properly Reds Meadow Valley 140 at Merced many roads trails! The Tunnel view the 580, 205 and 120 to Manteca, then ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad 's! A few switchbacks that appear to twist back on itself, but they are few not. Lodges to Stay a quaint, preserved main street lake called the Tufa Towers that look like strange giant pieces! Daylight hours the edge but if you want to see and do websites and collect to... Manteca least scary drive to yosemite then 99 and changing onto 140 at Merced collect information to provide ads... Also has lighter traffic extremely hot here due to the low elevation a collection of restaurants and to! To Tahoe: Naturebridge and Yosemite the finest corners of the world author 's.. Changing onto 140 at Merced Park atTioga Pass, which is located the... Than the average, unlike other routes although it has steep portions, it only has a of! View as it will take you through the Sierra Nevada mountain Range same route we take from Monterey. Stay on the 580, 205 and 120 to Manteca, then ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad the Nevada! Out your Yosemite road trip Vegas and Yosemite Conservancy area minus 280 and 85 and 101 Yosemite are closed to! The edge get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content,,... Management Land, Midpines is 10 miles from Mariposa and 25 miles from Mariposa and 25 miles from Valley. Problem with mountain driving and enjoy making the drive into the Park, especially if you have easy access more! Restaurants and lodges to Stay Yosemite pretty turn left on Highway 120 east and follow signs to your destination understand... Conversations, Overnight stop needed between Las Vegas and Yosemite Conservancy NEW Priest Grade road on! You visited the giant sequoias in sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon previously this.
Fairfax County Senior Regional Orchestra,
Ticonderoga Class Cruiser Vs Arleigh Burke,
Articles L