The South Bay consists of Silicon Valley cities like Santa Clara, San . San Jose is the central city in the Silicon Valley region of California's Bay Area, which is world-famous for its technological innovations and successful startups. Coming northwest out of Yosemite puts you smack into California gold rush country. Ten minutes in, they will turn right, where there will be a sign reading " State Route 121/Napa/Sonoma." Sausalito is north across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. Napa, as well as Oak Knoll and Yountville. Before saying goodbye to Napa, you can stop by numerous restaurants to have dinner. For the Gold Country part of the itinerary, we recommend the Historic National Hotel in Jamestown or the Lazy Z Resort in Twain Harte. From the Tunnel View vantage point, tourists can see some of the park's most famous areas in the Yosemite Valley, including El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall. Its best tobook aheadfor the train. 3 Day Yosemite Camping Adventure From San Francisco. (* Last name will not be published). It seems that options are all over the place. But the Parks Service also offers aguided bus tourto Glacier Point. There are many picnic spots, beaches and swimming holes dotting the river. 13 Gems in Mariposa Countys Gold Rush Towns 5. Day 10: Depart from San Francisco. The Madera area also grows wine grapes and its a secret spot that is far less crowded than Napa or Paso. My husband and I are planning a trip to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. In the winter, Tioga Pass and other high elevation sites are closed. Another option is to enjoy a bit of the coast north of San Francisco rather than going south, or maybe just making a day trip to Napa from San Francisco. The Mariposa grove is the largest in the park and is conveniently located just 10 miles from Fish Camp. The fastest way to get from SF to Yosemite is out I580 through Tracy, connecting with Highway 120 in Manteca. Families traveling with kids may enjoy kid-friendly activities like Safari West, a wildlife compound, and Castello di Amorosa, a big castle with a spooky dungeon that kids will get a kick out of. you have 7 days to see 4 places and you want to add more? 2-5 Days. var obj = document.getElementById("2527080060dates_range_end"); Enjoy a multi-day tour of the stunning attractions in Yosemite that includes accommodation in our cozy tent cabins! Today wineries of Napa Valley rival the Old World wine regions in France and Italy. Visit Yosemite National Park, Napa Valley, Cable Car, Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf & more! . Prices vary, depending on where they go and how big the tour group is. Prices are subject to change without prior notice. It began operation way back in 1881, so Oakville Grocery is known to be the oldest Californian grocery store in operation. If you take the train inland, youll pass through one of the countrys most productive agricultural regions. The falls process the most water during the springtime. It reads "37 Napa/Novato - Auto Mall Columbus Parkway" and exits on the right. Napa Valley consists of five different towns and cities. Leave San Francisco at 8am to reach Yosemite by noon. Call US 7 days a week from 8AM to Midnight ET 1-800-430-0484; FAQ: What is a good route to travel to Yosemite (or to San Francisco) from Las Vegas? . In 1846 the U.S. flag was raised over the Customs House, and California became part of the United States after the ensuing Mexican-American War. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46693821', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');rent a car and at least see the city and Napa Valley. Tucked along Hwy. This amazing experience kicks off in the city by the bay; San Francisco. Many companies also offer Napa Valley tours from San Francisco, some with side trips to Muir Woods or other places. 14 San Francisco: Muir Woods Redwoods and Wine Country Tour. - Jess Lander joined the food and wine team at The San Francisco Chronicle as wine reporter in 2022. Spring has the best waterfalls, but will also still have snow on the ground. On the return trip, you can take the faster route, Highway 101, and pass through Sonoma County, one of the best wine regions in the United States. Ages 12+. For you to maximize your day, leave early and work back your travel itinerary so that you can enjoy some quick stops along the way. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46730033', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Napa Valley usually means expensive. It outlines specific things to do in colder weather, including hikes, scenic viewpoints and tours. Its amazing architecture has made it popular for weddings and photography. Merced is Yosemites smallest grove of giant sequoia, but its also the most secluded and its worth putting in the effort to visit. In fact, if you tried that, you'd probably end up in the San Francisco Bay. 1 Hour 30 Minutes, Admission (Optional): Adult $28; Child (3-9 yrs) $18|Duration: Approx. How long you spend in the Napa Valley really depends on your interest in wine. However, this is the slowest option. Driving From San Francisco To Napa Valley. Why not spend your day here kayaking on the water? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46694122', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Yosemite off the list. maybe next time! Guests can enjoy the scenic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Angel Island. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Hopefully your return flight is late in the day! This itinerary is purely a suggestion, and can be tailor-made to your requirements, so please contact us with your dates and requests and well put together a bespoke quotation for you. HomepageAboutBlog ArchiveWork with UsPrivacy PolicyContact Us. It hits up some lovely backroads and tackles both the northern and southern areas of Yosemite. Public transportation is a slow way to get to Napa and is not designed for tourists who want to see the sights and visit some wineries. With only 7 days & 6 nights, I think that the best use of time for your choices is SF (3 nights, get car when you leave) - Napa / Sonoma (2 nights) - Carmel / Monterey (1 night.) This option will take one on Highway 101 North across the Golden Gate Bridge. Day 2: Drive from San Francisco to Yosemite (200 miles/5 hours) With a head full of art and science and a belly full of gourmet food, head to Yosemite. Yosemites natural wonders make it a very popular park, for both Californians and visitors. This place requires reservations, so you should plan accordingly. Thoughts on a few great places to consider? 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. Coastal Redwoods Road Trip. Enjoy this relaxing stop on Hwy 120 on the way to Yosemite National Park with modern, clean rooms and amenities such as complimentary breakfast, high speed internet and an outdoor pool. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a4e44061edd6cc9e94ca29cff754da9d" );document.getElementById("bdd8f95227").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); We are a participant in the various affiliate programs including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Do a tasting at one or two of the nine wineries on thewine trail map. 4-Day Los Angeles to Universal Studio Hollywood, Seaworld . Find the largest alpaca farm in the state, stay in a classic Airstream trailer, take a scenic flight over the park plus ten more things to do in this charming historic county. Patch - Maggie Fusek 6h. While there's no way to get from San Francisco to the Napa Valley by train, you could sign up for a tour on the Napa Valley Wine Train, which will take you from Napa to Helena and back in a day and includes winery stops and meals enjoyed on-board. The drive to Yosemite from San Francisco is only about 3 hours and 20 minutes. It is also the oldest, having been founded in 1868. It is located on the south wall of Yosemite Valley at an elevation of 7214 ft, 3200 ft above Half Dome Village. Shed your weary, nerve-shaken bones and let the mountains guide you on your Yosemite road trip. Dont be in a hurry to drive back from Yosemite to San Francisco, because there are some cool stops to make along the route home. Start: San Francisco. Day 3: San Francisco, Big Basin OR Monterey. TOP 5 POPULAR MUST-SEE Learn More . A trip to Napa Valley is a breath of fresh air from the busy streets of San Francisco, and luckily, it's not a far distance to cover. Goes to Mirror Lake and then continues along a flat-ish loop back into the valley. Wineries in Napa Valley open at 10 AM. Upload Photos You can get from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park in around 3 to 3 hours and 30 minutes, and the two most conventional routes cover 165 and 200 miles, respectively. Amtrak. It sits over the Stanislaus river and there are some nice hiking trails on the north side and tons of picnic tables on the south side. Happy trails! The biggest "issue" this forum has is people trying to bite off more than they can chew. var obj = document.getElementById("2527080060dates_range_start"); All passengers above age of 16 who want to join the tour need to be fully vaccinated with vaccination record card proven. Make sure you take the cable car down to visit the sea-lions at Pier 39 on Fishermans Wharf before jumping on a boat over to Alcatraz Island where you can learn about the prisons history. The cheapest way to get from San Francisco to Yosemite is by a series of buses and a train. The cheapest way to get from Napa to Yosemite National Park costs only $42, and the quickest way takes just 4 hours. Three Sonoma and Napa valley tastings. From there, you can walk to the Iron Horse Parkway bus stop and catch the SmaRT BART . Eventually, the snowflake flows into the San Francisco Bay and passes under the Golden Gate Bridge to reach the Pacific Ocean. This will just add about 15 minutes from your total travel time, so you can adjust your itinerary accordingly, but the breathtaking vistas are worth it. 17 San Francisco: Aquarium of the Bay General Admission Ticket. Mandatory Fee (pay the fee in cash to the tour guide) is $100 per passenger, for optional activity you can choose to join or not. more. You'll experience exquisite vineyards, enchanting forests and gigantic redwoods . Go early to get a parking spot or take the shuttle, which runs four times per day. 5 Things that Are Greatand 1 That Isnt, 12 National Parks Near San Francisco (Under 3 Hours of Drive-time), The Best Time to Visit Big Sur: Season by Season Guide. Thread Tools Search this Thread Jun 23rd, 2009, 06:29 PM #1 ncsuchemist2002. Take the bus from Merced Transpo to Yosemite Valley Visitors Center. Park hotels already sold out in July -Next best alternative? The National Weather Service says San Francisco's low of 39 degrees on Friday is a new record low for this day. Yosemite in a Day Tour From San Francisco. In 1986, the Tunnel View became a National Historic Place. Best Alcatraz Tours combined with San Francisco, Napa, Silicon Valley & Redwoods. Share this San Francisco to Yosemite road trip with your friends: Where is a good place to stop approximately halfway between between San Francisco and Yosemite? Mandatory Fee (pay the fee in cash to the tour guide): $115 per passenger including Cable Car, San Francisco in-depth tour, Berkeley University, Yosemite National Park, Napa Valley/17 Miles/Stanford University transportation fee and fuel surcharge. Go, Admission (Optional): Adult $40; Child (Under 21 yrs, without Wine Tasting) $40|Duration: Approx. Another option is to enjoy a bit of the coast north of . Now that you've set your multi-destination itinerary, I suggest you go to the city/destination forum page. The distance depends upon the season and whether or not you want to cover both falls. The Greyhound bus journey takes over nine hours and includes several stops plus a transfer in Merced. It was also a thriving gold town during the mid 1800s. 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. This region between San Francisco and Sacremento is internationally famous for its wines, which are considered among the best in the world. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-43240801', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Yosemite - Monterey/Carmel. Tracy Barbutes/Special to The Chronicle Show More Show . Stanford University is recognized as one of the world's leading research and teaching institutions. If you are looking for an overnight stop I would recommend one of two options. There is a lot to explore in the Napa Valley with its hundreds of wineries, fantastic restaurants, and many lovely inns and resorts to choose from. First, you can take the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) train from Civic Center/UN Plaza Station to Dublin/Pleasanton Station, a 50-minute ride that costs about $7.10. From there, we'll head to Yosemite for 2 days . Vacation Packages: San Francisco - Napa Valley - Yosemite National Park - Monterey (Self Drive), USA Vacations, Build Custom Vacation Packages with Airfare, best vacation deals, online bookings. The trail to the grove is a 3 mile round trip with 520 feet of elevation gain. All purchases are subject to re-confirmation within 2-3 business days after booking. They will then follow the Interstate 80 - Berkeley/ Sacramento signs. In total, this route takes about two hours. After the side trips, you can head directly to St. Helena for your very first wine tasting at V. Sattui. The kids will love the tour and tasting afterwards. Most would suggest 3-4 full days to see SF so if want to add a day trip to Napa valley, I think that would be fine. One of the things to consider is the season, but there is always something to do in Napa Valley any month of the year. If you are craving more wine in the afternoon, you can go straight to the Round Pond Estate Winery along Rutherford. WHat if i opted to pay all the the Admission fee amounting to $135 and the $100 (cable cars, etc..) and the Tour guide fee of $9/day total of $27that is a grand total $262 so in addition to the $338 tour , i have to add the $262, totalling to $600. Continue north through wine country stopping in Healdsburg for wine tasting and a meal. This winery also requires reservations, so make sure you book ahead of time. Look at lodging reviews; B&Bs are usually under Specialty Lodging. Check the Forest Service site before you go as there are occasional closures due to weather and downed trees. There will be a sign reading "121 Napa/Calistoga." Post a request for finding a partner to share the tour! Purchases are tracked automatically. Towering granite rocks, mighty waterfalls and placid valleys give Yosemite all the aspects of a "land of the gods". In the winter this is Californias most popular ski resort but in the summer it is a great place to enjoy the lake. 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. Dont assume that youll have mobile coverage, so cache maps, trail maps and this article. From local artisan producers and farmers to Western culture, this town is a great place to spend some time on the way to the park. Even today, there are still cultural ceremonies held there. Yosemite Falls is one of the largest waterfalls in North America. If so, do some price comparison shopping atRentalcars.com. Hot Tip: Do you need a rental car for your San Francisco to Yosemite road trip? We offer two to five-day experiences! Stay at Evergreen Lodge just a mile from the parks Hetch Hetchy Entrance or Rush Creek Lodge less than a mile from the Big Oak Flat Entrance. --, I would suggest not having a car for SF but renting it for the day to go to Napa Valley.