SF to Yosemite

[alex.cicollo]

Hi - I’ll be driving from San Fran to Yosemite national park for the first time soon; I’m from the UK.

Any tips of where to go and what to see in Yosemite, and perhaps during the drive? I’ll be in a 911, so some good roads would be amazing too! I realised it’s a 3 hour drive.

There will be 2 of us driving. We will leave really early. I only have one day and perhaps one night. So this is about the drive and a couple of great places to see a bit of nature and eat. Maybe both together?

Thank you so much for any tips!!!

Alex

[AzPaul]

There's a small town called Sonora, a little more than an hour away from the park. I've been to Yosemite many times and that's where we go to eat. Decent selection of restaurants there. Nothing five-star but at least there's some variety.

It requires a little detour from the main road (120) but only about 10 miles.

[Cassian739]

Originally Posted by alex.cicollo

Hi - I’ll be driving from San Fran to Yosemite national park for the first time soon; I’m from the UK.

Any tips of where to go and what to see in Yosemite, and perhaps during the drive? I’ll be in a 911, so some good roads would be amazing too! I realised it’s a 3 hour drive.

There will be 2 of us driving. We will leave really early. I only have one day and perhaps one night. So this is about the drive and a couple of great places to see a bit of nature and eat. Maybe both together?

Thank you so much for any tips!!!

Alex

We are out of the Summer season, BUT, check to see if you still need a reservation to enter the park.

[Maleg]

Originally Posted by Cassian739

We are out of the Summer season, BUT, check to see if you still need a reservation to enter the park.

Second this. Check for seasonal and weather related closures before you go. There will be fewer people in the park but some of the iconic routes and views (like waterfalls) aren't active or available in November.

[GB-man]

Maybe bas can chime in he’s doing a California trip right now based on the amazing shots on his IG.

[boa2]

It isn't the most interesting route, in my opinion. It's a bit out of the way, but I would rather hit Napa-->Sacramento (on Interstate 50)-->Rancho Murrieta-->Plymouth (Taste Restaurant is excellent + Amador wine country + Amador Brewing)-->Amador City-->Sutter Creek-->Jackson-->Mokelumne Hill-->San Andreas-->Angels Camp-->San Andreas-->Sonora-->Chinese Camp-->Yosemite

It's a long day, but a much more scenic drive and fun drive in a 911 in my opinion.

[Stan Cooper]

In the park, dinner in the Ahwahnee dining room is always a great experience.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Maybe bas can chime in he’s doing a California trip right now based on the amazing shots on his IG.

[MrGoat]

I don’t have any advice other than to enjoy the ride!!


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[SearChart]

Tunnel view is a must, especially when you're driving into Yosemite, the view is so spectacular I've never seen anything like it.

[alex.cicollo]

What a place


Hired a yellow 911
Did the tunnels
Saw El Cap
Stayed overnight at the Ahwahnee hotel !!!
Driving roads were incredible!

Loved it !!!

Hopefully back one day!

Thank you all for the tips!

[boa2]

What an awesome trip, Alex.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by alex.cicollo

What a place


Hired a yellow 911
Did the tunnels
Saw El Cap
Stayed overnight at the Ahwahnee hotel !!!
Driving roads were incredible!

Loved it !!!

Hopefully back one day!

Thank you all for the tips!

]

Wow, looks like a great time, glad you got to experience it

[AzPaul]

Several decades back, took a road trip to see a number of the great western parks. Was on the road for more than a month, mostly sleeping in a tent or just under the stars, and one of the places on my route was Yosemite. Because of a vigorous spring thaw, the park was closed the week before my reservation dates, and I had to keep checking in to see if they had reopened. As it turned, they reopened the day before my camping dates began, and the falls were running like crazy. Just walking up to the base of one of them, the spray was so strong, it was like being in a rainstorm and trying to take a picture was a fool's errand. Glad I got to see it that way though because all the other times I've been back, the flows have always been much more benign.

[alex.cicollo]

[MrGoat]

Originally Posted by alex.cicollo

I was looking for a goat in that last picture and then realized I should have been looking for a person!!


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[alex.cicollo]

Originally Posted by MrGoat

I was looking for a goat in that last picture and then realized I should have been looking for a person!!


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Hahahhaha - exactly. Quite a few brave souls.

[MrGoat]

Originally Posted by alex.cicollo

Hahahhaha - exactly. Quite a few brave souls.

For the record, I am not the one in your last picture!!


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[SpeakWithMichael]

Originally Posted by boa2

It isn't the most interesting route, in my opinion. It's a bit out of the way, but I would rather hit Napa-->Sacramento (on Interstate 50)-->Rancho Murrieta-->Plymouth (Taste Restaurant is excellent + Amador wine country + Amador Brewing)-->Amador City-->Sutter Creek-->Jackson-->Mokelumne Hill-->San Andreas-->Angels Camp-->San Andreas-->Sonora-->Chinese Camp-->Yosemite

It's a long day, but a much more scenic drive and fun drive in a 911 in my opinion.

Thanks for the tip on the drive

[boa2]

Originally Posted by SpeakWithMichael

Thanks for the tip on the drive

Anytime.

[alex.cicollo]

Originally Posted by boa2

It isn't the most interesting route, in my opinion. It's a bit out of the way, but I would rather hit Napa-->Sacramento (on Interstate 50)-->Rancho Murrieta-->Plymouth (Taste Restaurant is excellent + Amador wine country + Amador Brewing)-->Amador City-->Sutter Creek-->Jackson-->Mokelumne Hill-->San Andreas-->Angels Camp-->San Andreas-->Sonora-->Chinese Camp-->Yosemite

It's a long day, but a much more scenic drive and fun drive in a 911 in my opinion.

Amazing drive for sure!

I’ve saved this - and will do this drive early next year for sure! Huge thanks!!

[Carguy87]

Awesome Alex thanks for sharing!! Looks like a blast!

[dba]

Great photos. Glad you enjoyed. I'll be there for three days starting on the 5th. Birthday trip.

[HL65]

Beautiful Alex! Looks like a great trip!

[1William]

Very nice. Thank you for sharing. I enjoy the pictures.

[alex.cicollo]

Thank you all! It’s a privilege to do certain things in life and I continue to be grateful.

[Stan Cooper]

It looks like you did the Full Monty, Alex!
Congratulations, and come back soon.

[SearChart]

Very cool! great pics!
I was there a week ago, also talked to some climbers who'd just came down from El Capitan. As a climber myself that is a dream wall for sure.

[boa2]

Originally Posted by alex.cicollo

Amazing drive for sure!

I’ve saved this - and will do this drive early next year for sure! Huge thanks!!

Absolutely! You'll enjoy it. If you can make it into a longer drive, definitely go to South Lake Tahoe (OPTIONS: Jackson up Highway 88 is stunning, I-50 to South Lake Tahoe, or through Reno up and over Mt Rose into Incline Village), through Markeleeville (amazing mountain passes), highway 4 (Calaveras Big Trees State Park is beautiful) and toward Sonora from that direction.

[alex.cicollo]

Originally Posted by boa2

Absolutely! You'll enjoy it. If you can make it into a longer drive, definitely go to South Lake Tahoe (OPTIONS: Jackson up Highway 88 is stunning, I-50 to South Lake Tahoe, or through Reno up and over Mt Rose into Incline Village), through Markeleeville (amazing mountain passes), highway 4 (Calaveras Big Trees State Park is beautiful) and toward Sonora from that direction.

You’re a star! Saved again. Thank you!!