Driving time is at least 6 hours and 17 minutes from San Francisco to Yosemite. The journey begins in San Francisco and ends at Yosemite National Park. Yosemite National Park in California is a well-known destination for visitors. The total driving distance between San Francisco, CA and Yosemite National Park is 267 miles. If you’re meeting a friend, you might want to select the city or rest break halfway between San Francisco, CA and Yosemite. In this situation, you should consider stopping at Glacier Point Road. In addition, you might be interested in organizing a flight instead. You may be more interested in calculating the flight time from San Francisco, CA, to Yosemite National Park, which you can find further down in this article.
San Francisco, CA
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The 49 Mile Scenic drive
The 49-mile beautiful trip is an excellent way to become acquainted with San Francisco. If you have one day in the area, a unique option to cram them all in is to take San Francisco’s 49-mile scenic drive. This drive teaches you about significant sections of San Francisco’s history while allowing you to enjoy the beautiful scenery and visit the city’s landmarks.
The Downtown Association was established in 1938 to highlight the city’s beauty and promote it as a tourist attraction. The path also allowed people to explore San Francisco while in town for the Golden Gate International Exposition, which lasted from 1939 to 1940. The way has changed numerous times over the years. Today, the route begins at City Hall and winds through many of San Francisco’s historic and iconic buildings.
Even if you have more time in the city (or even if you live there), it’s worth the drive at least once to see everything that San Francisco is known for, including a few hidden treasures like Mission Dolores. The Great Highway and City Hall are two attractions worth seeing by automobile. The former is one of the most stunning sections of the drive, taking you along the Great Highway alongside the Pacific Ocean.
The Cliff House, Sutro Baths, Seal Rock, and Ocean Beach can be seen. This section of the road will also take you past Lake Merced. On the other hand, the former is probably one of the most attractive buildings in the city. 49 Mile Scenic Drive begins and ends near here, so you’ll have a fantastic glimpse of it while driving.
From CA-41, take Glacier Point Road west for 15 miles for some of the best vistas in Yosemite National Park. Finally, have a picnic overlooking Half Dome and various waterfalls. You will cross Badger Pass on your route to the point. Note that the road closes shortly after the Pass in the winter.
Glacier Point Road
Glacier Point Road, located in Mariposa County, California, is the most picturesque route in Yosemite National Park. It’s one of the most wonderful drives in the world. You require about two hours to tour the area once you get onto Glacier Point Road. The winding path runs west-east from Wawona Road to Glacier Point and is 26 kilometers (16 miles) long. The current road in 1936 existed to replace the original wagon track established in 1882. The road has been closed until 2021, allowing for complete repaving, sharpening several curves, and parking area upgrades.
The route concludes at Glacier Point, a vista above Yosemite Valley at an elevation of 7,214 feet (2,199 m). The peak provides spectacular views of several of Yosemite National Park’s most picturesque locations. At the summit, it almost feels like you could leap into the clouds and fly among the jagged Sierra Nevada peaks. At this level, the road typically closes after the first significant winter storm in November and reopens in late May, but both dates are subject to change.
Yosemite Village, CA
Yosemite National Park is about 267 miles from San Francisco. Travel time will take an average of 6 hours 17 minutes, depending on how you choose to get there. Traveling on Yosemite roads in and around Yosemite National Park is worthwhile if you want to experience the most inspiring scenic drives and view the spectacular vistas of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The Yosemite Valley loop is the most famous Yosemite drive. The breathtaking scenery demonstrates why this park is renowned for its pictures. Even though the valley is generally busy, it is a must-see when visiting the park.
Of course, you can choose any Yosemite National Park road, but don’t overlook Tioga Road. Traveling across Tioga Pass is an experience, and there are numerous options for outdoor pleasure along the way. When visiting Yosemite National Park, you should always be aware of all vehicle regulations to ensure a safe and trouble-free experience.
The following are some of the travel alternatives available to you that you can pick from;
Air Travel
Of course, you can choose from any Yosemite National Park roads, but don’t overlook Tioga Road. Traveling over Tioga Pass is an unforgettable experience, with numerous outdoor recreation opportunities along the way. When visiting Yosemite National Park, you should know all vehicle regulations to ensure a safe and trouble-free experience. Yes, you may fly to Yosemite, but your plane will land nowhere near Yosemite Valley, the wonderful place you pay a premium to visit.
Instead, your flight will usually arrive around two hours away, and you will need to arrange for a private vehicle to take you the final two hours of your tour to the valley. The following are some of the travel alternatives available to you. The following are the nearest large commercial airports to Yosemite, with remote driving times to Yosemite Valley: Fresno-Yosemite Airport (FAT) (drive time to Yosemite Valley from Merced Airport is 2 hours). Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH) (drive time to Yosemite Valley from MMH is 3 hours).
Travel by Bus
You can travel via bus. Several tour companies offer day trips to Yosemite National Park from San Francisco. Ticket fees for a full-day expedition are often reasonable, although services get limited during the winter. City Sightseeing is one of the world’s most well-known bus tour companies, and they offer a fantastic day excursion to Yosemite National Park. This tour is present every day from April to October and Thursday through Sunday during the winter months.
The price includes round-trip transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off, park admission, and live commentary from a professional guide on the bus excursion; It also includes stops at popular attractions such as Half Dome, Bridal Veil Falls and Yosemite Falls. You will have a few hours to tour the park after you arrive. You can buy food and beverages inside the park if you like.
FAQs
What to do on the drive from san Francisco to Yosemite
There are plenty of things to do on the drive from San Francisco to Yosemite. You can take in the sights of the California countryside, listen to music or audiobooks, and stop for lunch at one of the many roadside restaurants.
Where to eat between San Francisco and Yosemite
There are plenty of places to eat between San Francisco and Yosemite. You can stop at one of the many roadside restaurants, picnic areas, or snack bars. We recommend stopping at Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience, 900 North Point St Ste F301, San Francisco, CA 94109. For a quick bite, you can also stop at Texas Roadhouse, 2422 Naglee Rd, Tracy, CA 95304.
Most scenic route to Yosemite
The most scenic route to Yosemite is via Highway 140, which takes you through Mariposa Grove and past El Capitan.
How to get to Yosemite from San Francisco without a car
You can take a bus from San Francisco to Yosemite. City Sightseeing offers a day trip to Yosemite National Park from San Francisco. The price includes round-trip transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off, park admission, and live commentary from a professional guide on the bus excursion; It also includes stops at popular attractions such as Half Dome, Bridal Veil Falls and Yosemite Falls. You will have a few hours to tour the park after you arrive.
Drive from San Francisco to Yosemite in winter
In winter, you can drive from San Francisco to Yosemite, but be aware that road conditions may be hazardous due to snow and ice. It is advisable to check the road conditions before you begin your journey.
San Francisco to Yosemite bus
You can take a bus from San Francisco to Yosemite. City Sightseeing offers a day trip to Yosemite National Park from San Francisco. The price includes round-trip transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off, park admission, and live commentary from a professional guide on the bus excursion; It also includes stops at popular attractions such as Half Dome, Bridal Veil Falls and Yosemite Falls. You will have a few hours to tour the park after you arrive.
Best day trip to Yosemite from San Francisco
The best day trip to Yosemite from San Francisco is via Highway 140, which takes you through Mariposa Grove and past El Capitan. This route is the most scenic and provides the best opportunity to see all of the major attractions in Yosemite National Park.
Best time to travel to Yosemite
The best time to travel to Yosemite is during the summer months of June, July, and August. The weather is warm and plenty of activities keep you busy. However, the park can be crowded during these months, so make your reservations early.