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. Suggested Days: 4-6. Notable Stops: Jamestown (Gold Rush Town) Suggested Gas Stop: Oakdale (Shell, Quik Stop, 76) Highway 120 is the most straightforward way to get to Yosemite from San Francisco, and it will take about 3 hours and 45 minutes to get there. International flights (per person, based on 2 sharing), Explore the eclectic neighbourhoods of San Francisco, Taste your way through the vineyards of Napa Valley, Admire the views over Lake Tahoe and Emerald Bay, Hike your way through the lush mountains in Yosemite National Park. If not Yosemite, we are considering Muir Woods Any insight would be greatly appreciated! The Yosemite Falls tumble down in three separate sections. We reserve the right to edit or reject questions that include inappropriate content, profanity, references to other retailers, pricing, or personal information. Upload Photos Day 10: Depart from San Francisco. Best Budget Tour: Napa & Sonoma Valley Wine Tour from San Francisco. There is, of course, the town of Napa, as well as Oak Knoll and Yountville, all of which provide lively social centers with shops and attractions. Multi-Day Yosemite Tours - Tent Cabin Stay. Any and all suggestions are appreciated. Guests should meet our tour guide in front of the Information Center at Terminal 2 for transfer to the hotel. Never having been there before; would it be best to spend two days in The Napa Valley and the remaining time catching a few sites in SF? Also known as wine country, a trip to Napa Valley is a breath of fresh air from the busy streets of San Francisco. This is where they will have reached Napa Valley's southern edge. For the best views of Half Dome, drive to Glacier Point where you can take photos of the mountain and down into the lush valley you were previously exploring. The Giving Trees Once home to Al Scarface Capone and other notorious criminals, Alcatraz Island is a National Park Service site located 1.25 miles offshore. When its running, you can reach the lower falls from a fairly easy loop trail. Here are four fun stops to make along the route: Historic Sonora is named after the miners from Sonora Mexico who settled the city in 1848. Most would suggest 3-4 full days to see SF so if want to add a day trip to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The cheapest way to get from Napa to Yosemite National Park costs only $42, and the quickest way takes just 4 hours. They can head to the city of Napa next or follow this road for wine tasting. See the Most Controversial Spot in Yosemite near the Hetch Hetchy Entrance This hike starts at Yosemite Falls and takes a nice long stroll along the Merced River. Here are four top things for you to add to your must-do list. Today we will gather in San Francisco. Merced is Yosemites smallest grove of giant sequoia, but its also the most secluded and its worth putting in the effort to visit. But the Parks Service also offers aguided bus tourto Glacier Point. 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. Theres a reason why so many songs have been written about San Francisco. Best 2-Day Eco-Friendly Yosemite Vacation Itinerary www.outdoorsy.com. This San Francisco to Yosemite road trip itinerary will take you from the Bay Area to the park in one day, stops included. South Bay - the tech capital! Learn before you go by checking out our article on. Your time here will fly by and by the time you leave youll most likely be planning your next trip! Tour bus will be fully sanitize after each day of service. The distance depends upon the season and whether or not you want to cover both falls. By car, journey through towns like Livermore where youll find a laidback wine region, with grapes nourished by that snowflake. Whether you're looking for private charter services, a fun family vacation . If you are traveling with kids, or you are simply a train nerd, the Sugar Pine Railroad is a fun stop to make on the way from SF to Yosemite. A park ranger vehicle sits near the Big Oak Flat entrance into Yosemite National Park along Hwy 120, on Thursday, February 23, 2023. 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. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-43241286', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Napa-Monterey is plenty for 7 days; leave Yosemite for the next trip. Look for Cathedral Beach, Housekeeping Camp, Swinging Beach, Devils Elbow and Sentinel Beach. 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. Visit before July if you want to see the waterfalls in their full glory from the snowmelt. With only three full days in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. ThisCalifornia state parkshares the ancient customs of the Sierra Miwok people. Start in San Francisco where youll have time to soak up the best of the city before driving out to Napa Valley, one of the most famous wine regions in the country. Wine taste in Napa & Sonoma with an excursion in the giant sequoias of Muir Woods, San Francisco's stunning Coastal Redwood Forest. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. 16 San Francisco Bay Sunset Cruise by Luxury Catamaran. The top can also be reached by taking a hiking trail out of Yosemite Valley. Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, California is one of the western United States' most famous and popular tourist spots. 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. 60 miles (97 km) from San Francisco, 1 hour 10-minute drive. From Vallejo, connect to the Napa Valley VINE bus system Route 10, which can take you all the way to Calistoga . It never quite became a ghost town, which is why some of the on-site buildings managed to survive. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, USA Today, Michelin Guides, Hemispheres, DuJour, and Forbes. Jelly Belly Factory Tour. 17 San Francisco: Aquarium of the Bay General Admission Ticket. Include specific info about your trip. Next, they should continue their drive over a second bridge on Interstate 80 and through Vallejo. Leave San Francisco early by crossing the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County. Hop between sunlit vineyards and gourmet restaurants and then head to the mountains, where Lake Tahoe sits in the middle of the Sierra Nevada. 120 on the way to Yosemite, Oakdale holds its heritage close. Visitors can tour many of the more than four hundred vineyards and wineries that dot the area. A few San Francisco tour companies offer a personalized way to get to Napa Valley from San Francisco, taking small groups on adventures planned just for them. Yosemite Valley Loop Trail: 11 miles (full loop), 7 miles (half-loop). October 13-16, 2022 . This article was updated to detail the process and several options for driving from San Francisco to Napa Valley, either across the Golden Gate Bridge or across the Bay Bridge. Muir woods is a 30 mins drive from SF and you leave SF early see it for an hour or two and drive to Napa. I also have noticed a change in at least one of their alogrithms for lodging reviews which helps to make the overall rating of a property more realistic. Here are 4 ways to get to Yosemite from San Francisco that involve a car rental or transportation and tour by a local operator. . Hop between vineyards tasting the different wines Cabernet Sauvignon is the speciality here but there are lots of others to choose from including Merlot, Pinot Noir or Zinfandel. Read More: If you are keen on mining history, check out this article onCalifornia ghost towns. Napa Valley is more or less due north of San Francisco, but you can't just start driving north from the middle of town and get there. 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). For the trip itself, driving from San Francisco to Napa Valley takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on the traffic, and add a bit more if you are going to take the scenic route along the way. I would cut one place out . Today wineries of Napa Valley rival the Old World wine regions in France and Italy. Read their Top Questions and any relevant threads (just 'lurk' on other threads; don't add your questions.) The Winchester Mystery House is a mansion in San Jose, California, that was once the personal residence of Sarah Winchester, the widow of firearm magnate William Wirt Winchester. # of Tastings: Up to 3 stops and wine tastings included in the price. Hike up to Nevada Falls to get a sense of the wonderful hiking that you can experience here. http://www.weather.com has weather info. Are there any suggestions for an itinerary? As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. From local artisan producers and farmers to Western culture, The bridge at Wapama Falls in Yosemites Hetch Hetchy Valley, Photo by Kim Carroll Photography courtesy of Everygreen Lodge, Alcatraz Island is a National Park Service site, down-to-earth wine, beer, ice cream and caffeine tasting scene, this town is a great place to spend some time on the way to the park, www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/oakdale/oklca/hoteldetail, listen to an entertaining guide in your car, plus ten more things to do in this charming historic county, Stay in a Modern Airstream at AutoCamp Yosemite. youll turn into the park and drive through to the western edge where youll check into your hotel for three nights. Why not spend your day here kayaking on the water? Explore Alcatraz in 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. There is a ton to do in Yosemite valley. True that John. But consider taking a beat and doing the San Francisco to Yosemite road trip at a slower pace. Get a free Yosemite National Park trip planner with inspiring itineraries and essential information. The city is also home to many public parks, gardens, and hiking trails. Take the bus from Merced Transpo to Yosemite Valley Visitors Center. Shed your weary, nerve-shaken bones and let the mountains guide you on your Yosemite road trip. The area is home to Ghirardelli Square, a wax museum, shopping centers, an aquarium, and much more. Costa Rica. Visit San Francisco and camp in Yosemite National Park. This granite cliff on the north side of Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park is world-famous as a challenge for rock climbers. . Whatever you end up doing, we know youll love your time in Lake Tahoe. Betsy has been writing about California for nearly more than two decades as TripSavvy's expert on the state. Tracy Barbutes/Special to The Chronicle Show More Show . 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. San Francisco, the heart of central California's Bay Area, is famous for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, its unique culture, and its position at the forefront of technological innovation. From either location, you can avoid summer traffic hassle in Yosemite valley by catching theYarts busright from town. 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. Yosemite & Napa Valley. 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. 2-5 Days. Yosemite has three giant sequoia groves within the park boundaries. a Gray Line customer. The kids will love the tour and tasting afterwards. Eight days in San Francisco, Yosemite NP, Napa Valley and Carmel/Big Sur. Napa Valley comprises several regions, and the notable wine places are Napa, Calistoga, St. Helena, Rutherford, Oakville, and Yountville. From San Francisco, California's wine-famous Napa Valley is 60 miles to the north. Try the Angele Restaurant and Bar, a bistro at the riverfront in a timeworn boathouse that serves French food. The cheapest way to get from San Francisco to Yosemite is by a series of buses and a train. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46712157', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Napa seem to be nice, we would really like to be a bit more secluded (possibly in a vineyard). With world class wine comes top notch food The French Laundry Restaurant has been voted best in the world many times and while youll struggle to get a table here without booking months ahead, there are plenty of other excellent eateries to pair your new favourite wines with. Its also a great spot to do some fishing or hiking although a lot of visitors end up relaxing on the tiny beaches that hug the shoreline. If you want to do this drive in the winter, then check out our Yosemite winter guide. Take advantage of all of them for some sensational views. All that personal attention means you might pay more than you would for a big group bus tour, but if you're traveling with several other people, the price difference grows smaller. I recently published an extended guide to planning Redwoods road trips that includes this itinerary in greater detail. This region between San Francisco and Sacremento is internationally famous for its wines, which are considered among the best in the world. The National Weather Service says San Francisco's low of 39 degrees on Friday is a new record low for this day. If so, do some price comparison shopping atRentalcars.com. Hi. (Updated Jan. 2015). Stay at the Holiday Inn Express Oakdale It has been speculated that it is the most photographed bridge in the world; it's certainly one of the most picturesque. Historic Sonoma Plaza lunch break. Napa Valley is one of the world's top wine-growing regions and rivals the traditional regions of France and Italy. Dr Knight realized that this stretch of the Stanislaus river made for a favorable crossing serving gold rush towns like Columbia and Sonora. It was one of the countrys most infamous federal prisons. 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. Jess Lander joined the food and wine team at The San Francisco Chronicle as wine reporter in 2022.