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. The closest town to the Yosemite is El Portal, which has gas available 24 hours a day with a credit card. 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. *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). That would be the New Priest Grade on 120. 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. There are no guard rails for most of the drive, so its a thousand-foot drop down the mountainside if you go off the road. I've driven into (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? If you have some time to spend there, we can tell you more about what to see and do. Will I need tire chains to visit in winter? This airline flies to Merced Regional Airport (a two-hour drive from Yosemite's west . She had to stop and wait for me several times because I drove so slow. Learn all about Fishing, Camping, Hiking and more right here.Founded by Nick, a bay area resident and dedicated outdoorsmen. Google Maps sends me on the 580, 205 and 120 to Manteca, then 99 and changing onto 140 at Merced.. Theres also the El Portal Market, a picnic area and campgrounds. Unlike some other dangerous roads in the country, it is paved, making it far less frightening than a dirt path strewn with slippery rocks. Save. It provides the lowest altitude approach, which means it's often the best year-round highway to travel on. Consider taking a bus next time. I've taken both multiple times, and I personally prefer Old. You can also take the Amtrak, Greyhound or even a budget airline, such as Boutique Air. This is the south entrance to the park. Avoid the OLD Priest Grade road at all costs. Buy gas and groceries there, because (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It does not store any personal data. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the 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)? It was barely any better. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-55236805', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Las Vegas through Death Valley to Yosemite, then on to Monterey and San Francisco. 2020 GPS Tour Guide Inc All Rights Reserved. 120 is more going up/down mountains. So youre the one I got stuck behind doing 12mph Being the first time and night added to the anxiety Im sure. The towns 1854 courthouse is the oldest continuously operating courthouse west of the Rockies, and the Smithsonian Institute has named the Mariposa Museum and History Center one of the best small museums in America. What are good activities for families with children? *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). 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. Best stops along Yosemite National Park to San Francisco drive. The trail from Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley is called the Panorama Trail. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Your heart couldn't take it. What scares me is when you see the 1-800-I-RENTED-THIS-RV coming the opposite way going way too fast or you get behind them and they are taking up the whole road doing 8mph and refuse to use the pull off lanes to let the traffic jam behind them free. Glacier Point has commanding views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Yosemites high country. Hey, it's ok. Where are the Yosemite National Park traveler articles? 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. How do I get to Yosemite using public transportation? 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 ? Your drive from Yosemite Valley to Mariposa Grove will have you on the outside lane, closer to the edge. But either is probably not ideal for people who look down a mountain into the ravine and feel their stomach lurch. Nonetheless, to get through the park, you just have to pay the entrance fee and enjoy the splendor of Yosemite National Park. Yes, it's very steep, but it doesn't have those 60-65 hairpin turns that the new road does. Aside from this, another entrance you can take is the Hetch Hetchy entrance. The drive was so anxiety inducing. Can I take a tour into the Park or a tour while I'm in the Park? 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. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. It provides the lowest altitude approach, which means its often the best year-round highway to travel on. Although I want to see the sights,I really hate heights and driving where there are steep drop offs to the. 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. The stations has maps and sells books. Unsubscribe anytime by clicking the link at the bottom of your email. The farthest north of all entrances on the west side of the park, the Hetch Hetchy Entrance leads you to one of the parks quieter areas. But there is NO change in hell that I will ever take that driver back up there. 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. How Do You Catch Halibut From The Shore In San Francisco? This scenic route skirts around the Northern edge of Mariposa County and passes through the lovely towns of Buck Meadows andGroveland. What are good activities for families with children? 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. But either is probably not ideal for people who look down a mountain into the ravine and feel their stomach lurch. The RV Park at Black Oak Casino Resort. I would have loved to see more like the Sequoias. 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.. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. What is the best month to visit Yosemite? Find out about the walks and the area at the Scenic Area Visitor Center. To give you a lay of the land, four of Yosemites entrances are located on the western side of the park while the fifth, the Tioga Pass Entrance, is on the more remote eastern side of the park. Hwy 41 exits at the South Entrance (near (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It also supplies hydroelectric power. 2 Least scary route from Yosemite to Tahoe Yes, I am a big baby and I hate winding and mountainous roads - especially the ones with one lane each way and no guardrails. 4 What is the best month to visit Yosemite National Park? Glacier Point Road can be a terrifying drive for someone who hasnt driven at roads with switchbacks and drop-offs. 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). What are good activities for families with children? Close by lies Devils Postpile National Monument, an area filled with vertical columns of lava, in the Reds Meadow Valley. Driving from the Bay Area? *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). This tunnel offers a panoramic view of Yosemite Valley, including Half Dome, El Capitan, and Bridalveil Falls. Lets get started! To enter via Arch Rock Entrance, you will take I-580 east to I-205 east to Highway 140 east into the park. With that in mind what is best way to get to it from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? You can make a reservation at recreation.gov. 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. Which airport is best for a Yosemite vacation? To me, it feels like less work. Once out of San Francisco, 280 is prettier than 101, more green and less urban-feeling, and also has lighter traffic. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-55236805', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Las Vegas through Death Valley to Yosemite, then on to Monterey and San Francisco. Trip Reports: What have other travelers done in Yosemite? To me, it feels like less work. link to What Is The Best Bait For California Halibut. Where do we stayInside the park or outside the park? Lower elevation, along the river, scenic. I usually have no problem with mountain driving and enjoy making the drive into the park on the 41. This scenic route follows the northern border of Mariposa County, passing through the charming towns of Buck Meadows and Groveland. Columbia State Historic Park. 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. 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. (, 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. Hwy 140 follows the Merced River and is pretty gentle. Hi again Leslie just ask on your thread. Stop in the town of Lee Vining for a view ofMono Lake, which is the salty remnant of an ancient sea. Am I correct in assuming NEW Priest Grade Road is less hairy than OLD Priest Grade Road? Thank you PacificNWFamily, ALTippet and Frisco_Roadrunner really, really helpful and I definitely think 140 is the way to go. Lower elevation, along the river, scenic. For directions, take US-395 for its many attractions from Death Valley to 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. This area is confusing, so your best bet is to follow the signs to your destination. Along the way, you will pass Tuolumne Meadows before reaching the Tioga Pass Entrance all the way on the east side of the park. It's a great way to roll. This historic structure is one of the Parks few places for overnight lodging. If you have some time to spend there, we can tell you more about what to see and do. You don't have to walk tothe edge. What is the best month to visit Yosemite? This a good place to use the restroom and get more information about the park. (, Railtown Baldwin No. 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. Lowest altitude approach, which has gas available 24 hours a day with a credit card done in?. Driving where there are steep drop offs to the edge this airline flies Merced! 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