Yosemite National Park is one of the great sights of North America: a glacier-carved valley with granite cliffs, giant waterfalls and groves of sequoias. From San Francisco it is close enough for a long weekend, and the drive itself crosses the whole of central California, from the Bay through the farm country of the Central Valley and up into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada.
The two main routes
Highway 120 to the Big Oak Flat entrance
The most direct route for most people leaving the Bay Area. Take Interstate 580 east over the Altamont Pass, then Interstate 205 and Highway 120 through Manteca and Oakdale, past the Gold Rush town of Groveland, to the Big Oak Flat entrance on the park's west side. From there it is about 45 minutes down into Yosemite Valley. Allow about four to five hours from San Francisco without long stops.
Highway 140 to the Arch Rock entrance
The other common route goes through Merced and the town of Mariposa, then follows the Merced River canyon to the Arch Rock entrance. It is a little longer for most Bay Area drivers but lower in elevation, and it is usually the most reliable route in winter. The final hour along the river is beautiful.
A good plan is to arrive one way and leave the other. A third option, Highway 41 from Fresno to the south entrance near Oakhurst, makes sense if you are coming from Southern California or want to start with the Mariposa Grove.
Breaking the drive
The Central Valley stretch is flat and fast, lined with orchards and farm stands selling fruit and nuts in season. Groveland, on Highway 120, and Mariposa, on Highway 140, both have historic main streets and make sensible places to stop for food, fuel and a stretch before the final climb.
What to see in the park
- Tunnel View, on the Wawona Road just east of the tunnel, the famous overlook of El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall and Half Dome.
- Yosemite Valley: El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Half Dome and the meadows along the Merced River. A free shuttle runs in the valley; park once and use it.
- Glacier Point, a high viewpoint looking straight across at Half Dome. The road to it closes in winter.
- Mariposa Grove, near the south entrance, with some of the largest giant sequoias.
- Tioga Road, the high road across the park to Tuolumne Meadows and the eastern Sierra, open only in the warmer months.
When to go and road conditions
Late spring and early summer bring the best waterfalls, fed by melting snow; by late summer some falls slow to a trickle or stop. Fall is quieter and pleasant. Winter is beautiful but cold, and some areas close.
Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road close for the winter, usually from sometime in fall until late spring or early summer; the dates depend on snow and vary a great deal from year to year. Snow chains may be required on park roads and approaches in winter, and rental car rules on chains vary, so ask when you book. In some recent years the park has used a reservation system for driving in during peak periods. Whether one applies, and when, has changed from year to year. Check the National Park Service website for current entry rules, road status and fire conditions before you set off.
Practical tips
- Fuel: there is no gas station in Yosemite Valley. Fill up in Groveland, Mariposa or Oakhurst on the way in.
- Traffic: leave San Francisco early. Bay Area traffic and the queue at the entrance on busy days can both add time.
- Parking: valley lots fill by mid-morning in summer. Arrive early and keep the car parked.
- Bears: never leave food, coolers or scented items in a parked car. Use the bear-proof lockers provided at trailheads and lodging.
- Lodging: rooms and campsites in the park book far ahead. Gateway towns have more options.
- Signal: cell coverage is patchy. Download maps before you lose it.
Pack layers whatever the season, using our road trip packing list. If you are hiring a car for the trip, see renting a car in the US, and for other big drives in the state, California's most scenic drives.
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit Yosemite as a day trip from San Francisco?
It is possible but tiring: eight hours or more of driving for a few hours in the valley. Stay at least one night if you can.
Do I need a reservation to enter?
Some years yes, for certain dates and hours; other years no. Check the park's current rules before you go.
Is Tioga Pass open?
Only in the warmer months, and the opening date changes every year with the snow. Check road status before planning a crossing.