Take the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) from San Francisco on the Richmond line. Be aware that the time of year makes a big difference in Yosemite. In Oakdale, explore Gold Rush history and a delicious culinary scene before continuing to towns like Pinecrest, where you can paddle on a peaceful, snowmelt-fed lake or Tuolumne where youll find apple orchards producing cider. 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. You climb through pine forest into the craggy granite tippy top of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This is one of the most dramatic scenic drives in California. $25 $20 $15 $10 $5 30 20 10 0. Find more about her work at www.auninditabhatia.com. They can either head north across the Golden Gate Bridge out of the city, or they can go first across the Bay Bridge to the east and then continue north. 13 From San Francisco: Napa & Sonoma Valley Full-Day Wine Trip. If you can snag a camp spot or lodge reservation inside Yosemite Valley, go for it. Please note that the Tioga Pass doesnt get plowed and is closed in the winter. Going to Napa Valley from San Francisco can be enjoyable from the trip to the destination if you do a little research, book your schedules, study the routes and traffic situations and plan your time. Wine taste in Napa & Sonoma with an excursion in the giant sequoias of Muir Woods, San Francisco's stunning Coastal Redwood Forest. Stanford University is recognized as one of the world's leading research and teaching institutions. Distance: 195 mi / 314 km Time:4-5 hours Take I-580 east to I-205 east to Highway 120 east (Manteca) or Highway 140 east (Merced) into Yosemite National Park. If you drive to Napa on your own, you may be able to see all of it in a single day or plan a longer trip. With the drive being as short as it is (at least, in California terms, where we don't call a drive long until . Highlights of San Francisco, Napa Valley and Yosemite. You can do that on the east or west side of the body of water, but many prefer the western route because it's more scenic, even if it does take a little longer: The easiest way to get from San Francisco to Napa using public transportation is to take the San Francisco Bay Ferry from the San Francisco Ferry Building or Fisherman's Wharf Pier 41 to Vallejo. Trade Wheels for Rails Take the Amtrak San Joaquins Train If you're in the mood for a little rest and relaxation, Napa Valley is also home to many of the best spas in California and it's here where you can get an authentic Calistoga mud bath. Post a request for finding a partner to share the tour! Tuolumnes Top 8 on the Edge of Yosemite Go on Thursday, not on the weekend. Tour bus will be fully sanitize after each day of service. It is branded as one of the best California tasting sites, with huge palm trees leading you to a magnificent building that overlooks the breathtaking vineyards. Can I adjust? We've been offering travelers a safe, eco-friendly, reliable way to connect with nature since 1993. Though the options in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? - The region is a popular daytrip from the Bay Area, but it doesn't have just one destination. Our San Francisco and Yosemite Vacation package includes five nights accommodations and multiple guided group tours. This morning youll drive south to Yosemite National Park. Read their Top Questions and any relevant threads (just 'lurk' on other threads; don't add your questions.) When you make it to Yosemite, be sure to visit the Hetch Hetchy area, where less than 1% of park visitors ever venture. Before you start planning for your itinerary, it would be good to do a little research about your destination. Pick Your Perfect Yosemite Activities Climb, Raft, Bike, Ski, Hike If you want to visit some wineries along the way, stick to the ones along Highway 29 and contact the winery directly to ask where the nearest bus stop is. Each section suggests four things to do. Expert guides. Tracy Barbutes/Special to The Chronicle Show More Show . Public transport like trains or buses have no routes for Napa Valley, and your only affordable option is to book a guided tour. Suggested Days: 4-6. Leave San Francisco at 8am to reach Yosemite by noon. From either location, you can avoid summer traffic hassle in Yosemite valley by catching theYarts busright from town. Consider these tips for making your Yosemite trip from San Francisco as smooth as possible. Travelers can choose from stopping at the Yosemite Valley Lodge or the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center. These days over 4.5 million people visit Napa Valley every year, making it one of the most popular destinations in California. The region houses one of the most important reservoirs storing and serving drinking water to northern California. Read More: If you are keen on mining history, check out this article onCalifornia ghost towns. One minute later, people will see a sign to Napa for Highway 29, where they should take a right and stay for around 10 minutes on Highway 29/12. Napa, as well as Oak Knoll and Yountville. The cheapest way to get from Napa to Yosemite National Park costs only $42, and the quickest way takes just 4 hours. The easiest way to get from San Francisco to Napa using public transportation is to take the San Francisco Bay Ferry from the San Francisco Ferry Building or Fisherman's Wharf Pier 41 to Vallejo. By 1853, it was one of the largest cities in California. Vernal & Nevada Falls trail: 4-10 miles. The Sunny Side of the Bay Theres a reason why so many songs have been written about San Francisco. On this road trip, youll trace the snowflakes route backwards. Discover a down-to-earth wine, beer, ice cream and caffeine tasting scene and sun you can count on, 45 minutes from San Franciscos Fishermans Wharf. If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 29 days ahead of time. Yosemite has deep snowfall in the winter with many roads closed for the season while summer sees blue skies and lots of tourists. V. Sattui is a family-owned winery, and its wines are only sold on-site, so it is not available anywhere else. Driving From San Francisco To Napa Valley. Wineries in Napa Valley open at 10 AM. Hot Tip: Do you need a rental car for your San Francisco to Yosemite road trip? Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, USA Today, Michelin Guides, Hemispheres, DuJour, and Forbes. The area is home to Ghirardelli Square, a wax museum, shopping centers, an aquarium, and much more. 5. Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity John Muir (get more Muir quotes here). Whether you're looking for private charter services, a fun family vacation . RELATED: The 10 Best Napa Wineries For First-Timers To Visit. In addition to being the tallest waterfall in North America, the Yosemite Falls are the seventh-tallest in the world. Day 4 from San Francisco to Sonoma and Napa. They have a down home friendly vibe, award winning wines and stunning views. Text Us. 1. Enjoy shopping and dining along the way in addition to taking in the vistas. Yosemite is one of the wonders of Nature. you have 7 days to see 4 places and you want to add more? The options are endless well (limited with time restrictions I suppose) we plan to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Prices vary, depending on where they go and how big the tour group is. 7 nights from 3,499 per person. Thanks for your input! The point offers a superb view . Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, California is one of the western United States' most famous and popular tourist spots. trip. Do this road trip in a rental RV to stay close to nature. Visitors can stroll through 300 feet of crystal clear tunnels featuring over 20,000 marine animals. Travelers will then start seeing vineyards and wineries on the rolling hills after passing the Sonoma Raceway. If you want to do this drive in the winter, then check out our Yosemite winter guide. After that, they will witness the sign for Highway 37, which is for Exit 33. What is best way to fit Yosemite into San Francisco to Las Vegas drive (i am planning to complete the 7 day trip on this site to get from SF to LV including Bridgeport and Death Valley but not sure best way to include Yosemite into the trip). Start your trip with a visit to the world-famous, Yosemite National Park. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Dont assume that youll have mobile coverage, so cache maps, trail maps and this article. is that all im gonna pay? Prices are subject to change without prior notice. What they loved, what they liked and If you want to visit some wineries . Hike up to Nevada Falls to get a sense of the wonderful hiking that you can experience here. south of San Francisco, around Santa Barbara, and lots more. Depending on what time your flight arrives you could get out and explore, so why not head to the harbour for a bowl of clam chowder as the sun goes down the perfect start to a Californian adventure! Yosemite has three giant sequoia groves within the park boundaries. United Airlines. Summer is awesome, but busy. You will receive a confirmation email (e-ticket) after your order is processed. If you're driving, it takes between four and seven hours, depending on the route you choose and the traffic intensity. Yosemites natural wonders make it a very popular park, for both Californians and visitors. Get answers to your questions about California, FAQ: What you need to know about California Before you Visit, FAQ: What you Need to Know Before you drive here, FAQ: California Itineraries and Trip Reports, Driving from SF to LA or vice Versa -- Please read this, FAQ: How to drive the Coastal Highway in Southern California. Day 5: Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea. Visit Yosemite National Park, Napa Valley, Cable Car, Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf & more! You may have to stay outside the park. If you take the US-101, the total distance will be around 200 miles and 4 hours of driving. But consider taking a beat and doing the San Francisco to Yosemite road trip at a slower pace. Dear irene, yes, the total fee is around $600 per person and it doesn't include your own air ticket, meals and any private expenses. 1 Hour 30 Minutes, Admission (Optional): Adult $28; Child (3-9 yrs) $18|Duration: Approx. www.outdoorsy.com. Today wineries of Napa Valley rival the Old World wine regions in France and Italy. However, Napa's true appeal is in exploring the vineyards along the way. The fastest way to get from SF to Yosemite is out I580 through Tracy, connecting with Highway 120 in Manteca. I recently published an extended guide to planning Redwoods road trips that includes this itinerary in greater detail. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-43239963', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Yosemite. The cheapest way to get from San Francisco to Yosemite is by a series of buses and a train. Stop #3: Bodega Bay. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46729650', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');the B&B industry seem to have F-I-N-A-L-L-Y gotten THAT fixed with TA. In addition to touring the castle interior, visitors can taste a wide selection of fine Napa Valley wine which is made on premises and not sold elsewhere. The National Weather Service says San Francisco's low of 39 degrees on Friday is a new record low for this day. Spend the afternoon uncovering the rest of the city - why not browse City Lights Bookstore for a glimpse into Beat Poetry history before strolling into Chinatown for some dumplings. This winery also requires reservations, so make sure you book ahead of time. If you take the train inland, youll pass through one of the countrys most productive agricultural regions. Call US 7 days a week from 8AM to Midnight ET 1-800-430-0484; You must print the e-tickets and take them along on your trip; they are your proof of purchase. Visit San Francisco and camp in Yosemite National Park. Check out some impressive numbers of Napa Valley: More than 400 wineries; Home to more than 150 restaurants; More Michelin stars per capita than any other wine region in the world FUN FACT: For all its (worthy) success, only 4% of California's wine comes from Napa Valley. We will mark (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? What is your budget? However, if you think that you have already had your fill of wine for the day, you can go to Oakville for your next stop and drop by the Oakville Grocery. (And the next one on this list about visiting the Giant Redwoods too). ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46696545', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');San Francisco, the maximum amount of time I would take for the Napa Valley is a day tour there an back. Yosemite National Park is enormous so with two days to explore youre never going to see all of it, which means you need to plan wisely. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46693958', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Napa valley, I think that would be fine. There is also an alternative wine trail called theYosemite Sierra trail. It is the home of Vista Point, the Marine Mammal Center, and beautiful views of San Francisco Bay. If you like how this itinerary adds the Sonora Gold Country, then do the itinerary in reverse and stay in Sonora or the cute town of Twain Harte a bit further east. Coastal breezes keep the city cool and huge fog drifts can sweep over the Golden Gate Bridge during the summer meaning winter is usually more reliable with clear days and moderate temperatures. Visitors to the park wont want to miss any ofthese following heart-stopping vistas, all easily accessible from paved roads throughout the park. The relatively low elevation of Hetch Hetchy means that it offers a long hiking season. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. There are numerous pull-outs on the southern side of the road. Now, if you think that you have had too much to drink and need to spend the night in Napa, you can visit Andaz Napa or Archer Hotel Napa, which are both located downtown. Re: San Francisco - Napa Valley - Yosemite? The direct drive from Napa to Yosemite National Park is 213 mi (343 km), and should have a drive time of 4 hrs 34 mins in normal traffic.. They will then follow the Interstate 80 - Berkeley/ Sacramento signs. I would cut one place out . Jillian Dara is a freelance journalist and fact-checker. Enquire Now. The park isnt large and you can make a quick cultural stop by visiting the traditional round house. Day 4: Big Sur. This is where they will find a sign on 101 on the highway that will tell them to take the route for both Napa and Sonoma. Our advice: dont try to do it all. The tour includes El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls in Yosemite Valley, Tunnel View, and Glacier Point. However, this is the slowest option. Excellent tour, the best way to know Napa valley. This is oneCalifornias most scenic drivesand our guide will help you find additional stops along the way from San Francisco to Yosemite which feature Californias Native American culture, gold rush history, cool hikes and culinary tourism. Hand sanitizer and sanitize wipes will be provided on tour bus. 4-Day San Francisco/Las Vegas to Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend and Grand Canyon East Rim/South Rim Tour (Airport Pickup) $498.00 $483.06. Spring is also an excellent time of year to visit neighboring wine country and sip some vino. This granite cliff on the north side of Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park is world-famous as a challenge for rock climbers.