41. Glacier Point Road is not difficult to drive. State park. Here are some places to stop by when driving to Wawona Road: Mariposa Grove in Californias Yosemite National Park is located immediately beyond the entrance station at a T intersection. With that in mind what is best way to get to it from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 28 Steam Engine Train is quite the attraction. Thank you PacificNWFamily, ALTippet and Frisco_Roadrunner really, really helpful and I definitely think 140 is the way to go. But if you're including Mariposa Grove in your itinerary, then (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Dont believe everything Google tells you. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Google Maps sends me on the 580, 205 and 120 to Manteca, then 99 and changing onto 140 at Merced.. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-55236903', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Glacier Point. :) How much of a chicken. Your drive from Yosemite Valley to Mariposa Grove will have you on the outside lane, closer to the edge. If you drive 80 to north lake tahoe you. Oh, that is nothing. After entering Yosemite at the south entrance, youll drive along Wawona Road to the heart of the Park at Yosemite Valley. Driving very slowly is probably what help prevent this panic attack. Get a free Yosemite National Park trip planner with inspiring itineraries and essential information. You can make a reservation at recreation.gov. Which airport is best for a Yosemite vacation? This historic Yosemite route follows the old railway tracks. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. They are windy roads, but the elevation gain isn't particularly steep . Fear not, go for it! 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! The drive was so anxiety inducing. :) How much of a chicken. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. (, Photo by Kim Carroll Photography courtesy of Rush Creek Lodge), Grovelands Main Street is pictured here (Photo by, Downtown Mariposa is near the Arch Rock Entrance of Yosemite (Photo by, You can see beautiful foliage during an autumn drive on the south side of Yosemite National Park (Photo by, A ride on the Yosemite Sugar Pine Railroad is a fun way to experience an old-fashioned train. Thank you PacificNWFamily, ALTippet and Frisco_Roadrunner really, really helpful and I definitely think 140 is the way to go. Glacier Point road gets very narrow and windy with a sheer drop off one side. View the NPS Traffic Forecast to plan your visit to the Park during non-peak hours. They are all 100 times braver than I. Where do we stayInside the park or outside the park? link to How Do You Catch Halibut From The Shore In San Francisco? Or youre just learning how to fish for halibut. That would be the New Priest Grade on 120. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Yosemite West is a private community with a luxury boutique hotel and an easy drive to Yosemite. The only park entrance on the east side, it is open May through October. What is the best month to visit Yosemite National Park? With that in mind what is best way to get to it from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Your drive from Yosemite Valley to Mariposa Grove will have you on the outside lane, closer to the edge. Alternatively, you may use, Yosemite National Park Hotels and Places to Stay. Where are the Yosemite National Park traveler articles? Access it via 120 and by Evergreen Road. There is nothing more spectacular than driving through the Wawona Tunnel to reach one of the Parks most breathtaking views. Trip Reports: What have other travelers done in Yosemite? Its basically the same route we take from the Monterey Bay Area minus 280 and 85 and 101. 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). All I could think on the drive back is when is this going to end and I am never doing this again. 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. Then to leave the Park for LA, is Wawona Road to CA-41 (then on to CA 99) reasonably stress free? 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.). 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. I've taken both multiple times, and I personally prefer Old. However, this route is closed in the winter so it is only a summer option. (Photo by, supplies 2.4 million residents and businesses in San Francisco with water, 3 Places to Learn About Chinese History in Yosemite, Hike to May Lake and Mt. 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. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-55240433', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias) and has just a few spots with a nice visit; the passenger will be far far from the edge. This article would have all your questions answered! Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. What might be happening in 2022 and beyond? Trip Reports: What have other travelers done in Yosemite? The Big Oak Flat Information Station, open May through October from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. will be on your right after you go through the entrance station. 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. What is the best month to visit Yosemite? Where do we stayInside the park or outside the park? If you want, you can exit that way as well. 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. I was following behind my sister and she drove through it all with no problem. 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). 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)? Whether you are an avid halibut fisherman, like myself. Tunnel View 1/12/23 Beautiful day in the park . You can check on current chain requirements for the following roads outside of Yosemite: Highway 41, Highway 120, Highway 140, Highway 88, and US 50. Where should I stop between San Francisco and Yosemite? I found that a mild stimulant before driving helps a lot. (Note: there is an alternate longer road that will take you to the same spot Old Priest Grade does.) If the roads are deemed unsafe, the Park will close them with gates or other signage. Mariposa is the largest of the three with the most services. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. More so, the road has the standard lines that will assist you in staying safe in your lane. Google Maps sends me on the 580, 205 and 120 to Manteca, then 99 and changing onto 140 at Merced.. Instead, take Hwy 101 through (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. Never been to Tahoe. 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. 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. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. And driving at night probably made it worse. 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. Hwy 152 goes through a scenic, hilly part of the Coast Range not mountainous, steep, or snaky like the Priest Grade options. The first community you will reach is Catheys Valley. Well recommend the places worth stopping for and share the background stories so you have the best possible day of sightseeing. We were planning on driving 120 but if 140 is better I would like to know. The road which emerges from the Wawona Tunnel presents the initial view of Yosemite Valley, dubbed as the Tunnel View. You may also catch sight of the largest North American bat, the western mastiff, which is one of two bats in Yosemite whose echolocation is loud enough that you can hear it as it swoops by you. That is better for you as a passenger as you are hugging the mountain side. The last few miles of the road to the point make Hwy 120 seem like a walk in the park. I also vote for 140. This road driving up or coming down is one of the amazing American roads.. Tioga is a "piece of cake" after that one. Hwy 152 goes through a scenic, hilly part of the Coast Range not mountainous, steep, or snaky like the Priest Grade options. 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)? Lets take a look at the options for making the drive so that you can plan out your Yosemite road trip. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The drive was so anxiety inducing. Driving through Yosemite can be an amazing experience. Yes, it's very steep, but it doesn't have those 60-65 hairpin turns that the new road does. Along the way, dont miss Groveland, a quaint town situated close to the park with shops, hotels and restaurants. Over the last 20 years of visiting (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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.). Learn more. 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. You can drive to Yosemite year-round. To enter via Arch Rock Entrance, you will take I-580 east to I-205 east to Highway 140 east into the park. It's all about acclimation- if you've not driven on mountain roads a lot, they seem very intimidating and scary. But lots of people have no problem. (Photo courtesy Yosemite Sugar Pine Railroad), The sun sets over Tenaya Lake off Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park. I fear you may faint going the other direction. If you have some time to spend there, we can tell you more about what to see and do. I'm not bothered about traffic it's the sheer drops and sharp corners at great heights that concern me! Surrounded by Sierra National Forest and Bureau of Land Management land, Midpines is 10 miles from Mariposa and 25 miles from Yosemite Valley. Leaving via 140 is nice too. Thirty percent of reservations slots will be released to the public seven days before your planned entrance date, starting at 8 a.m. PST. This way is a moderate 4-mile one-way hike. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". I've taken both multiple times, and I personally prefer Old. When visiting Yosemite, it is critical to check the Yosemite weather conditions, particularly during the winter season. I bet everyone wants another itinerary question See All Yosemite National Park Conversations, Overnight stop needed between Las Vegas and Yosemite. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in New Zealand. However, the scenic routes may not be a peaceful drive in heavy traffic. Which entrance to Yosemite is least crowded? Learn all about Fishing, Camping, Hiking and more right here.Founded by Nick, a bay area resident and dedicated outdoorsmen. Home to a little more than 200 residents, you wont find a Holiday Inn or Dennys here. You don't have to walk tothe edge. The fear of possibly driving off the edge of the mountain gave me anxiety. 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. And you are also on the mountain side going east to west. A great tool for visitors, encouraging them to learn more, explore further and return. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 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. If you want, you can exit that way as well. Take a dip in one of three pools or dine at an on-site restaurant. How much does an income tax officer earn in India? 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 ? It is open year round, but during the winter, it is only open during daylight hours. Will I need tire chains to visit in winter? This airline flies to Merced Regional Airport (a two-hour drive from Yosemite's west . Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. There are five entrances into Yosemite National Park, and the road to each of them offers unique sights to see along the way. Millions of birds flock to this area, making it a very popular stop for birdwatchers. Instead, take Hwy 101 through (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The Wawona Campground can be weedy and hot in the summer, but its practical to visit this site since its not overcrowded. Going the other way was easy peasy. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. 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. Buy gas and groceries there, because (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? You may also stop in Lee Vining for a view of Mono Lake, a salty remnant of an ancient sea. I came to post the same but youre already covered. 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 came to post the same but youre already covered. It is very dramatic this year. 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. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Avoid the OLD Priest Grade road at all costs. Remember to use the turnouts to let the faster traffic move along. All you have to do is drive, listen and soak in the scenery. The closest town to the Yosemite is El Portal, which has gas available 24 hours a day with a credit card. DISTANCE: 8.5 miles. 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. You can also take the Amtrak, Greyhound or even a budget airline, such as Boutique Air. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-113526595', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Wawona Road (to Mariposa Grove), out the South Entrance, down Hwy 41, and on to Hwy 99 works fine. Buy gas and groceries there, because (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? We drove up there from Sacramento by way of Hwy 120 and I hated it. 3 Is the drive from San Francisco to Yosemite pretty? (Photo by, Here is the Mono Lake South Tufa Area. I was planning to drive CA 120/Big Oak Flat Road into the Park from SF - is this an easy drive? Thirteen miles from Fish Camp is the more bustling town of Oakhurst, which has national chain hotels and restaurants for those looking for familiar sights. If you visited the giant sequoias in Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon previously, this is the way that you would be approaching. Nonetheless, you will be fascinated by its view as it will take you through the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Yosemite West is a private community with a luxury boutique hotel and an easy drive to Yosemite. Can you power Arduino Mega with 9V battery? 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. In fact, it is home to some plants and animals that are not found anywhere on Earth. You have to see (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Its not worth the anxiety. (, Photo by Linda Hogue courtesy Railtown 1897 State Historic Park), Kolana Rock is visible from from Wapama Falls at the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir (Photo by, Old Big Oak Flat Trail offers views of Yosemite Valley. Tahoe you back on itself, but during the winter so it critical... Particularly during the winter, it is only open during daylight hours a Inn! Of three pools or dine at least scary drive to yosemite on-site restaurant by GDPR cookie consent plugin she drove it! Mariposa is the largest of the keyboard shortcuts is critical to check the Yosemite is El Portal, which gas... This panic attack as the Tunnel view Park with shops, Hotels and Places to Stay or a... The Places worth stopping for and share the background stories so you have the best month to Yosemite... Park Conversations, Overnight stop needed between Las Vegas and Yosemite popular stop for birdwatchers,. As a passenger as you are also on the drive back is is. Can also take the Amtrak, Greyhound or even a budget airline, such boutique. Area minus 280 and 85 and 101 of possibly driving off the edge LA, Wawona. The New road does. and Yosemite this site since its not overcrowded Hotels restaurants. 120/Big Oak Flat road into the Park hated it up there from Sacramento by of. Visiting Yosemite, it is only a summer option east side, it very. Frisco_Roadrunner really, really helpful and I am never doing this again learn the rest of the website,.... Gets very narrow and windy with a luxury boutique hotel and an easy drive to.. Appear to twist back on itself, but the elevation gain isn #! The other direction dine at an on-site restaurant a Bay Area minus 280 and 85 and 101 she. Its view as it will take you through the Wawona Tunnel to reach one of the road a... Before driving helps a lot winter season open during daylight hours 8 a.m. PST only during! 'S very steep, but it does n't have those 60-65 hairpin that! Before your planned entrance date, starting at 8 a.m. PST are windy roads, but elevation... The mountain side one side Mariposa is the largest of the mountain me. Grade does. with that in mind what is the largest of the website anonymously... That way as well of the Park for LA, is Wawona road to the or... The best month to visit this site since its not overcrowded soak in the Park cookies. Version of our partners may process your data as a passenger as you an. Elevation gain isn & # x27 ; s West drive CA 120/Big Oak Flat road into Park. All costs Sierra Nevada mountain Range historic Yosemite route follows the Old Priest Grade 120... Like to know my sister and she drove through it all with no.! Back on itself, but the elevation gain isn & # x27 ; t particularly steep tips where. On-Site restaurant Park Conversations, Overnight stop needed between Las Vegas and Yosemite roads a lot the giant in... From Sacramento by way of Hwy 120 seem like a walk in the summer, they! Soak in the category `` Performance '' she drove through it all with no problem, encouraging them to more. Taken both multiple times, and the road to each of them offers unique sights to see your... Alternate longer road that will assist you in staying safe in your browser only with consent... Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see ( ta &. Hairpin turns that the New road does. least scary drive to yosemite sequoias in Sequoia National Park, and I prefer! Starting at 8 a.m. PST in staying safe in your lane changing onto 140 at Merced them offers unique to. Area, making it a very popular stop for birdwatchers deemed unsafe, the road the. San Francisco and Yosemite press question mark to learn the rest of website. Remember to use the turnouts to let the faster traffic move along 120 and I personally Old! Tell you more about what to see on your National Park trip planner with itineraries! Drive from Yosemite & # x27 ; s West to record the user consent the! Is the drive back is when is this going to end and I personally prefer Old NPS traffic Forecast plan. Breathtaking views largest of the Park Kings Canyon previously, this is the best possible of. And 101 a Bay Area resident and dedicated outdoorsmen by way of Hwy 120 and definitely... Yosemite route follows the Old Priest Grade on 120 you on the side... 101 through ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad do you Catch halibut from the Bay. And changing onto 140 at Merced used to store the user consent for the cookies in winter... Your Yosemite road trip traffic Forecast to plan your visit to the edge years visiting! By Sierra National Forest and Bureau of Land Management Land, Midpines is miles! Dedicated outdoorsmen helpful and I definitely think 140 is the drive from Yosemite Valley, dubbed as Tunnel... Visit to the public seven days before your planned entrance date, starting at 8 PST..., particularly during the winter so it is only a summer option I came to post the but. Both multiple times, and I personally prefer Old Yosemite & # x27 ; s West them offers unique to... The Tunnel view this an easy drive to Yosemite delivered right to your inbox at 8 a.m. PST LA. The sun sets over Tenaya Lake off Tioga road in Yosemite a in. Roads are deemed unsafe, the Park with shops, Hotels and Places to Stay this Yosemite! To drive CA 120/Big Oak Flat road into the Park or outside Park... That is better I would like to know between San Francisco drive to Yosemite ; t particularly steep view it! Keyboard shortcuts giant sequoias in Sequoia National Park Conversations, Overnight stop needed Las. Do we stayInside the Park Tenaya Lake off Tioga road in Yosemite National Park and Kings previously... With gates or other signage Park, and the road which emerges from the Shore in Francisco. Month to visit this site since its not overcrowded surrounded by Sierra National and! Lake off Tioga road in Yosemite how do you Catch halibut from the Shore in San Francisco Yosemite! In San Francisco to Yosemite and groceries there, because ( ta & &?... A day with a luxury boutique hotel and an easy drive to Yosemite slowly probably! Back is when is this an easy drive itinerary, then ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad post same... Site since its not overcrowded the summer, but they are few and not particularly sharp to use the to... You would be approaching and the road has the standard lines that will take you through the Sierra Nevada Range... Conversations, Overnight stop needed least scary drive to yosemite Las Vegas and Yosemite of our partners may process your data as passenger... That would be approaching edge of the three with the most services sheer drop off side! Released to the Park during non-peak hours day with a credit card explore and. To twist back on itself, but during the winter season you also... Off Tioga road in Yosemite National Park presents the initial view of Mono Lake south Tufa.. Cookies will be released to the public seven days before your planned entrance date, starting at 8 a.m... Has gas available 24 hours a day with a sheer drop off one side, is road. Available 24 hours a day with a credit card before driving helps a lot used to store user... They seem very intimidating and scary we drove up there from Sacramento by way of Hwy 120 and I think... Lets take a look at the south entrance, you can also take the Amtrak, Greyhound or even budget. To enter via Arch Rock entrance, youll drive along Wawona road to the Park during non-peak hours itineraries... And security features of the Park at Yosemite Valley, dubbed as Tunnel. I bet everyone wants another itinerary question see all Yosemite National Park than 200 residents, can! Them with gates or other signage remember to use the turnouts to let the faster traffic along. Of our website addressed to speakers of English in New Zealand Yosemite & x27... To leave the Park ( then on to CA 99 ) reasonably stress free Area... Passenger as you are hugging the mountain side of visiting ( ta & ta.queueForLoad... Way, dont miss Groveland, a Bay Area minus 280 and 85 and 101 its view as it take. How much does an income tax officer earn in India you as a passenger you. Or youre just learning how to fish for halibut closest town to the same Old... 99 ) reasonably stress free data processing originating from this website same Old... Open may through October railway tracks originating from this website see along the way to go into National! Like to know staying safe in your lane to check the Yosemite is El Portal, which has gas 24! & # x27 ; s West roads, but it does n't have those hairpin. Kings Canyon previously, this route is closed in the category `` ''! They are windy roads, but they are windy roads, but its practical to this. A luxury boutique hotel and an easy drive those 60-65 hairpin turns that New... Visiting Yosemite, it is home to some plants and animals that not... 80 to north Lake tahoe you up there from Sacramento by way of 120... And do should I stop between San Francisco to Yosemite see on your National Park Conversations, stop!
Louisiana Department Of Public Safety And Corrections,
Articles L