You'll experience exquisite vineyards, enchanting forests and gigantic redwoods . --, I would suggest not having a car for SF but renting it for the day to go to Napa Valley. The Greyhound Bus service from San Francisco to Yosemite appeals to budget-conscious travelers. San Francisco To Yosemite National Park Road Trip - 10 stops Day 1: San Francisco to Wine Country. Please post your review to earn 100 points. If you go to Yosemite, stay at least a night. Patch - Maggie Fusek 6h. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Text Us. Top 4 Ways to get from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park: San Francisco To Yosemite Road Trip. Before saying goodbye to Napa, you can stop by numerous restaurants to have dinner. I recently published an extended guide to planning Redwoods road trips that includes this itinerary in greater detail. It was the only port of entry for taxable goods in California. You can also stop by Oakville Wine Merchant and get some wine per glass. A one-way adult ticket on the ferry costs about $15, but there are discounts for children and senior citizens age 65 and up. On arrival in San Francisco you will make your own way into the city and check into your hotel for one night. Napa Valley comprises several regions, and the notable wine places are Napa, Calistoga, St. Helena, Rutherford, Oakville, and Yountville. Wine Country & Muir Woods Wine Tour | Extranomical Tours In addition, there is a food truck stationed by the garden where you can have lunch, but note that they only serve small bites. Terms and Conditions. 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. We are considering a day trip to Yosemite (long day but understand it is worth it). Thread Tools Search this Thread Jun 23rd, 2009, 06:29 PM #1 ncsuchemist2002. If 7 days is 6 nights you might even think about cutting it down to two areas. Which ones have you tried? Take the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) from San Francisco on the Richmond line. Pick Your Perfect Yosemite Activities Climb, Raft, Bike, Ski, Hike United Airlines. For its part, Yosemite Valley tallied 40 inches of snow Tuesday alone. Affiliated to the Alameda County, Berkeley is home to UC Berkeley, which is the world's most famous institutions of higher learning. Park hotels already sold out in July -Next best alternative? Yosemite snow totals smash 54-year-old record It is the home of Vista Point, the Marine Mammal Center, and beautiful views of San Francisco Bay. The biggest "issue" this forum has is people trying to bite off more than they can chew. San Francisco to Yosemite Road Trip Itinerary: Explore the Scenic Backroads 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. United States - Yosemite to San Fran or Napa Valley - After leaving Yosemite , we are headed towards Napa Valley . 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! Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. There are lodging suggestions for these towns in the article. Prices as travel date approaches. With only three full days in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? This winery is built by an Iranian and is Persian-inspired. Its best tobook aheadfor the train. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46694221', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Napa Valley. Take the ferry from Vallejo Ferry Terminal to San Francisco Ferry Building Gate E. Take the bus from San Francisco to Merced. Nile House, Nile Street, Brighton, BN1 1HW, United Kingdom, Exc. Stanford University is recognized as one of the world's leading research and teaching institutions. 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. Upload Photos Amtrak. Multi-Day Yosemite Tours - Tent Cabin Stay. In the winter, Tioga Pass and other high elevation sites are closed. Please do not book airline tickets until you receive the confirmation. And fall has lovely color and is quieter, but no waterfalls. The first section of the drive starts from wherever you are in the Bay Area and ends in Fish Camp. 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. Yosemite National Park has nearly 1,200 square miles of towering granite, alpine lakes and ancient sequoia trees. The relatively low elevation of Hetch Hetchy means that it offers a long hiking season. Thanks for all of the great information! 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. You may have to stay outside the park. Wine taste in Napa & Sonoma with an excursion in the giant sequoias of Muir Woods, San Francisco's stunning Coastal Redwood Forest. Get stuck into the outdoorsy life of Northern California with this USA road trip. Visit San Francisco and camp in Yosemite National Park. 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. SF requires at least 3 nights. . 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. Sonoma and Sonoma County - a more affordable, more down-to-earth version of Napa Valley. Joshua - secluded in the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? more. They also have French food, and the ambiance gives you that warm, rustic Italian vibe. }); 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. 16 San Francisco Bay Sunset Cruise by Luxury Catamaran. 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. www.outdoorsy.com. It was also a thriving gold town during the mid 1800s. After the side trips, you can head directly to St. Helena for your very first wine tasting at V. Sattui. A trip through wine country will take you through the valley's many quaint towns like Napa, Yountville, and Calistoga, any of which would make a lovely place to stay. 13 Best Things To Do Between San Francisco And Yosemite NP They lived in this area for 8,000 years and used the site as a meeting place. San Francisco & Yosemite Vacation Package This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. There are a ton of hiking trails that start in or near Tuolumne Meadows. Tracy Barbutes/Special to The Chronicle Show More Show . She has written for Thethings, Babygaga, Thetravel, and Therichest. Yosemite is one of the wonders of Nature. Start your trip with a visit to the world-famous, Yosemite National Park. Nowadays, B&Bs seem to be mostly listed on TripAdvisor under B&Bs -- not so much under Specialty Lodging any longer. Downtown Napa is 50 miles from San Francisco, but Napa Valley stretches beyond just the city of Napa. Better to do fewer things more slowly and savor your experience, than rush around, barely scratching the surface. Jess Lander joined the food and wine team at The San Francisco Chronicle as wine reporter in 2022. Northern Yosemite is the higher elevation portion of the park and there are yet more stunning hikes and views in this part of the park. Prices are subject to change without prior notice. 1 Hour, Admission (Optional): Adult $32; Child (2-12 yrs) $25; Senior (Over 65 yrs) Free|Duration: Approx. youll turn into the park and drive through to the western edge where youll check into your hotel for three nights. Leave San Francisco early by crossing the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County. What makes a vacation memorable is not only the destination but also the trip along the way. See complete details at the, Free upgrade to bus first 3 rows seating, subject to availability, All domestic ground transportation via air-conditioned vehicle. If you want to visit some wineries . Distance: 176 mi / 283 km Time: 4 hours Reply Apr 24th . Located in northwestern Silicon Valley, this famous research institution is not just one of the best schools in the United States, but one of the top universities in the world. Rent an RV with Outdoorsy A popular loop is SF - (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Tour bus will be fully sanitize after each day of service. Similar Tours. If you are flying into San Francisco and staying in Napa Valley, your hotel may offer a shuttle from the airport. After Yosemite, wind your way back through beautiful farmlands and orchards, stopping in Modesto where youll find a sea of lovely white blossoms in the spring, thanks to the citys groves of almond trees. Napa Valley is a little . It began operation way back in 1881, so Oakville Grocery is known to be the oldest Californian grocery store in operation. But if you are trying to do the drive in 4 days, youll need to prioritize whats important to you. To do a trip to Yosemite-- wow that is 8 plus hours of driving and too little time to actually see the amazing valley. Another option is to enjoy a bit of the coast north of . Live Bay Area weather updates: Massive trees fall onto homes in Santa 4-Day San Francisco, Napa Valley, Yosemite National Park - TakeTours Get an early start, because its over four hours of straight up drive time with lots of cool stops along the way. This option will take one on Highway 101 North across the Golden Gate Bridge. This small group tour takes you from San Francisco to the famed Napa Valley. - For the Gold Country part of the itinerary, we recommend the Historic National Hotel in Jamestown or the Lazy Z Resort in Twain Harte. We arrive at SFO at 2pm on Wednesday, May 8 and leave SFO at 2pm on Sunday, May 12. AirBorrn Aviation / Yosemite Airways offers affordable scenic flights with views of El Capitan, Half Dome and more. 13 Gems in Mariposa Countys Gold Rush Towns Hello! (note that the Glacier Point road will be closed for repaving during the 2022 season). Need advice on California Road Trip 20 days Itinerary. California Wine Country: The Complete Guide, How to Travel From San Francisco to Lake Tahoe By Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, How to Travel from Sacramento to San Francisco by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, How to Travel From San Francisco to Yosemite by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, The 9 Best Day Trips From Napa and Sonoma, How to Travel From San Francisco to Las Vegas by Bus, Car, and Plane, Getting Around the San Francisco Bay Area: A Public Transit Guide, How to Travel From San Diego to San Francisco by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, How to Travel From San Francisco to New York by Plane, Train, Car, or Bus, How to Travel From Cancun to Cozumel by Bus, Car, Ferry, and Plane. The Giving Trees 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). Include specific info about your trip. Day 3: San Francisco, Big Basin OR Monterey. While wine has been growing there since the nineteenth century (and Prohibition didn't help), premium wine production only started in the 1960s, and it only really took off in the 80s and 90s. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, USA Today, Michelin Guides, Hemispheres, DuJour, and Forbes. Day 9: Napa Valley/ Sonoma OR Muir Woods. This itinerary can be tailored to suit your requirements please contact one of our consultants to start planning your dream American road trip. 4-Day San Francisco,Yosemite NP & Napa Valley Tour 7 day itinerary for San Francisco, Napa, Yosemite, Carmel? Highlights of San Francisco, Napa Valley and Yosemite. A park ranger vehicle sits near the Big Oak Flat entrance into Yosemite National Park along Hwy 120, on Thursday, February 23, 2023. Specialties: Incredible Adventures is an outdoor travel company that specializes in sightseeing and adventure tours from San Francisco to Yosemite, Napa & Sonoma Wine Country, Silicon Valley, Tahoe and Whitewater Rafting! 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. 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. That being said, the most convenient way to travel to wine country is by renting or driving your vehicle. Before you start planning for your itinerary, it would be good to do a little research about your destination. Next, they will see another sign with two options for Napa. Continue north through wine country stopping in Healdsburg for wine tasting and a meal. The region houses one of the most important reservoirs storing and serving drinking water to northern California. California National Parks Road Trip Itinerary | Yosemite Road Trip On arrival in San Francisco you will make your own way into the city and check into your hotel for one night. We will alert you when your requested tour becomes available! Or course, you could also skip the ferry and travel from San Francisco to Vallejo along the BART Train or along another bus route, depending on where in the Bay Area you're coming from. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. 4-Day Los Angeles to Universal Studio Hollywood, Seaworld . Napa Valley is roughly considered to be the area from American Canyon to Calistoga at the northernmost point, with the city of Napa located near the southern part of the valley. If you take the train inland, youll pass through one of the countrys most productive agricultural regions. During the summer months, there are four entrances to Yosemite National Park. 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. 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. To do a trip to Yosemite -- wow that is 8 plus hours of driving and too little time to actually see the amazing valley. Book Now. My wife and I are planning a quick stop in this region. FAQ: Where are the Coastal Redwoods in California (added Oct 2013). The Yosemite 1-day private tour is limited to the Yosemite Valley sights and attractions, which represent only 1% of the Yosemite National Park . ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-43239749', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');San Francisco in November. But youll want to book these lodgings way in advance. 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. 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. 14 San Francisco: Muir Woods Redwoods and Wine Country Tour. SF-(ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. Guests can enjoy the scenic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Angel Island. Towering granite rocks, mighty waterfalls and placid valleys give Yosemite all the aspects of a "land of the gods". The 34-acre property features a main home, guest house and studio all centered around a generous-sized pool and elevated terraces. 01244 435 806. Northern Cali Loop |The American Road Trip Company If you are craving Italian food, you can visit Bistro Don Giovanni. Yosemite Tours | Guided Yosemite Tours from San Francisco With the drive being as short as it is (at least, in California terms, where we don't call a drive long until . There is also an alternative wine trail called theYosemite Sierra trail. Most would suggest 3-4 full days to see SF so if want to add a day trip to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? From there, we'll head to Yosemite for 2 days . All passengers above age of 16 who want to join the tour need to be fully vaccinated with vaccination record card proven. This granite cliff on the north side of Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park is world-famous as a challenge for rock climbers. The area is home to Ghirardelli Square, a wax museum, shopping centers, an aquarium, and much more. Goes to Mirror Lake and then continues along a flat-ish loop back into the valley. Want more redwoods? Length: 10 hours. This morning youll drive south to Yosemite National Park. Getting to Yosemite From the West and North San Francisco/Bay area. Guests should meet our tour guide in front of the Information Center at Terminal 2 for transfer to the hotel. Monthly average prices. California Dreaming: From Yosemite National Park to Napa and Sonoma Valley. If you are from out of the areas, check out this advice for finding theclosest airport to Yosemite. Experience the best of Yosemite whiletraveling sustainablyby eating locally grown food, staying at eco-friendly lodges and hiking on gorgeous trails. Dont assume that youll have mobile coverage, so cache maps, trail maps and this article. Trips. TOUR DESCRIPTION. Here are four top things for you to add to your must-do list. From San Franciscos shores, decide whether to visit Yosemite by rail or car. 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. They can head to the city of Napa next or follow this road for wine tasting. This means that you can take off late or meander on the way and still make it to Yosemite at a reasonable time that same day. All of our holidays are tailor-made to your requirements by an expert Travel Specialist. Find Western Heritage in Oakdale On this road trip, youll trace the snowflakes route backwards. Start: San Francisco. Do this road trip in a rental RV to stay close to nature. The South Bay consists of Silicon Valley cities like Santa Clara, San . Consider staying in either Fish Camp (which is near the Mariposa sequoia grove) or around Midpine and Mariposa (which is a lovely drive into the valley along the Merced river). Also, will the weather be unpleasant this time of year? How to Get From San Francisco to Yosemite National Park - TripSavvy $(obj).not(".hasDatepicker").datepick({onSelect: function(dateText, inst) {$(this).blur();} , minDate: new Date(), showTrigger: false, constrainWidth: false}); This article was expanded with more information about Napa Valley and suggestions to make more of a day trip of visiting Napa Valley. You can use public transportation to get to Yosemite all year. You will receive a confirmation email (e-ticket) after your order is processed. Ages 12+. 120 on the way to Yosemite, Oakdale holds its heritage close. Spring is also an excellent time of year to visit neighboring wine country and sip some vino. Napa & Sonoma Valley Wine Tour from San Francisco at a Glance: Departure Point: 478 Post St. or 2805 Leavenworth St. Departure Time: 8:40 AM - 9:00 AM. How to Get From San Francisco to Wine Country. # of Tastings: Up to 3 stops and wine tastings included in the price. 120 on the way to Yosemite, Oakdale holds its heritage close. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 8 Epic San Francisco Road Trips to Plan Right Now 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. Re: San Francisco - Napa Valley - Yosemite? Try the Angele Restaurant and Bar, a bistro at the riverfront in a timeworn boathouse that serves French food. Signing up for a guided tour is usually the lowest-priced way to tour Napa Valley, but you may be stuck in a crowd of 30 people or more and won't have any choices about where you go or when you stop. Its large campus is a sight to behold. Take a boat ride around one of the most famous and historical bays in the United States, the famous San Francisco Bay. trip. 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. This tiny snowflake, and unfathomable numbers of its companions, water two-thirds of California. Look at lodging reviews; B&Bs are usually under Specialty Lodging. 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.) Hopefully your return flight is late in the day!. How long is the drive from Napa to Yosemite National Park?. If not Yosemite, we are considering Muir Woods Any insight would be greatly appreciated! The ultimate guide to activities inside Yosemite National Park. You have 3 full days and about 2 half days. After exiting the Oakland side of the Bay Bridge, travelers will head north. South Bay - the tech capital! 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.