So you’re planning a trip to Yosemite National Park. Spectacular! There’s a good chance you'll be coming to Yosemite from San Francisco or somewhere else in the Bay Area.
This could be either because you live there or you'll be flying into one of its airports. Let’s talk about how to get to Yosemite from the San Francisco area.
Best Ways To Get to Yosemite From San Francisco
Traveling Yosemite by Car
Depending on which way you go, which part of Yosemite you want to head towards, and traffic, driving from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park generally takes 4 or more hours.
If you’re driving from San Francisco, chances are you’ll take I-580 to leave the metro area. From there, you'll head east towards Yosemite.
To continue east, you’ll merge onto I-205 before I-580 turns south. And then down the road in Manteca, you’ll leave the interstate system.
After that, you'll hop on a state highway to reach Yosemite. But which one is up to you.
Fastest Route Highway 120
To reach Yosemite National Park the fastest, you’ll take Highway 120 east for 90 miles from Manteca. The Big Oak Flat Entrance is about 2 hours away.
There’s nothing particularly to do near this entrance. Consider that you’ll need to continue driving into the park before making a stop.
From the entrance, it’s another 30 minutes to Yosemite Valley. So in total, taking Highway 120 is about 2.5 hours and 115 miles from Manteca to Yosemite Valley.
Taking Route 120 to the Big Oak Flat Entrance is the best way to access some of Yosemite’s less-traveled sections.
The turn for the scenic Tioga Pass through the Sierra Nevada is 15 minutes down the road from the entrance gate.
Also, with its own entrance just before Big Oak Flat, is the quiet Hetch Hetchy Valley, about 40 minutes away.
Scenic Route Highway 140
Highway 120 is the most direct route to Yosemite Valley from San Francisco.
However, you’ll want to note that going this way, the road descending into the valley is very mountainous, twisty, and at times narrow.
Those who would rather take a smoother, less harrowing road might consider taking Highway 140 into the valley.
Going this way, you’d take Route 99 South from Manteca instead of Route 120. This will take you through the city of Modesto.
Then you’ll take the exit for Route 140 East in Merced. This route will head towards Yosemite and straight into the valley through the Arch Rock Entrance.
Though there are still some hills to climb, you’ll approach Yosemite Valley through the mouth of the valley, rather than from above it.
Going this way, it’s 136 miles and a little over 2.5 hours from Manteca to Yosemite Valley. So, going this way is just a little longer than using Route 120.
Traveling Yosemite by Guided Tour
As I mentioned above, some of the roads in Yosemite National Park are twisty and narrow as they negotiate the Sierra Nevada.
Sometimes there are guardrails, but often there are not. If you’re uncomfortable with driving in the mountains, you might consider taking a guided tour of Yosemite from San Francisco.
There are several companies that offer tours from the Bay Area to Yosemite.
They’re long days, with departures as early as 5:30 am (which is a good thing, to maximize your time in the park).
You get to see most of the highlights while someone else does the driving and planning.
These tours don’t come cheap, and you don’t get to set your own itinerary. Also, sequoias may be on your bucket list.
Most of the guided tours have a stop at Tuolumne Grove, which requires a downhill and uphill hike to access.
So if you’re dead set on seeing some sequoia trees but are unable to finish a moderate hike, consider reaching Yosemite in a way that will take you to Mariposa Grove. This area doesn’t require a hike.
Guided tours are an option if dealing with driving and parking within the busy park is going to be a dealbreaker.
Of course, the Shaka Guide tour of Yosemite is much, much cheaper than a guided tour, and much more flexible.
Traveling Yosemite by Bus
Another option to avoid driving and parking in Yosemite is to take the bus. The Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System, or YARTS, is a regularly scheduled, fixed-route bus system.
It takes tourists from nearby cities into the national park and back. Park and rides are available in some places.
You can park your car in a parking lot near the bus stop. Then, take the bus to the park and return to your car later.
There are a few advantages to taking YARTS. The buses skip some of the traffic, for one, which will save you time.
You won’t need to worry about finding a parking spot, which can be a hassle during busy times.
Your admission to Yosemite is also included in the bus fare since you don’t need to buy a vehicle pass.
For more information about YARTS, check out their website.
Traveling Yosemite by Train
If you don’t want to take a car at all, it is possible to take an Amtrak train from San Francisco to stops nearby Yosemite.
From there, you can take the YARTS bus to reach the park. The San Joaquins passenger train has stops in Merced and Fresno.
From either of these stops, you can take a YARTS bus into the park. The whole journey will likely take about 6 hours.
Doing it this way makes you totally dependent on a fixed schedule.
However, you can catch a nap on the train ride out there and skip highway traffic.
Additionally, you can enjoy all the perks of taking a YARTS bus into the park. This includes free admission and hassle-free movement within the park.
For more on Amtrak’s journey into Yosemite, check out the Amtrak website.
Traveling Yosemite by Private Transfer
Of course, you can always hire a private company that offers door-to-door transportation.
They can take you from a provided address to the national park. This is the most expensive way to go, but you get the benefit of flexibility and having someone else do the driving.
Attractions Between San Francisco and Yosemite
Columbia State Historic Park/ mage from Flickr by David Berry
The drive between San Francisco and Yosemite is not short, and Yosemite is definitely the main attraction in the area.
Therefore, you probably don’t want to make a lot of stops in between. However, there are a handful of worthy side stops if you need a stretcher, or have an interest.
If you’re willing to take a 20-minute detour from Route 120 towards the Big Oak Flat Entrance, then Columbia State Historic Park is worth a stop.
Here, you can learn more about the California Gold Rush from one of its major sites. Swollen with prospectors arriving from around the world, the town of Columbia was once one of the largest cities in California.
You can take a stagecoach ride, listen to music in a historic saloon, and visit historic Gold Rush-era buildings. Of course, there’s also plenty of shopping and food to eat.
The city of Groveland is also worth a stop. You can grab a good bite to eat before heading into the park.
It was once another bustling Gold Rush town but is now a gateway to Yosemite.
There’s no detour required, as Route 120 goes straight through town.
You can grab lunch or a drink at Iron Door Saloon, which has been around since 1852.
FAQs About Yosemite National Park
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How long does it take to go through Yosemite National Park?
Not many people will actually drive through Yosemite. Driving through the park means entering the park, probably from Route 120 at Big Oak Flat Road.
Then, you continue on Tioga Road to cross the Sierra Nevada to the other side, going west to east.
If your plan is to head to Lake Tahoe or Mammoth Lakes, then this will be the route you’ll want to take.
But this route skips Yosemite Valley entirely, which is where most of the highlights are.
From the Big Oak Flat Road Entrance to the Tioga Pass entrance on the other side of the park is 54 miles and takes about an hour and a half, not including stops.
If you were planning on driving through Yosemite north to south, you would then go in the direction of Yosemite Valley.
To enter through the Big Oak Flat entrance, drive through the valley, and leave via either the Arch Rock or South entrances is about 60 miles and takes about 2 hours.
Can you explore Yosemite in one day?
One day is enough time to see the highlights within Yosemite Valley, and perhaps make it over to Glacier Point’s spectacular view or Mariposa Grove’s sequoias if you’re not going to spend time hiking.
But to see all of Yosemite, you’ll need at least a few days.
What is the best month to visit Yosemite?
The best time to visit in terms of weather and open roads is June through September.
Shoulder seasons offer their own benefits, including reduced crowds, but some roads may still be closed in Spring, and weather in the Fall can be unpredictable.
Does Yosemite have an entrance fee?
Yes. A $35 entrance pass is charged at the gate and is good for seven days. Park entry also requires a reservation on the busiest days of the year. Check the park’s website for information on what days require a reservation.
Does Yosemite National Park have a shuttle service?
The Yosemite Valley Shuttle System is free to use and very handy during the busy season when parking can be a nightmare. Park your car once, and use the shuttle to get around the valley until you’re ready to leave.
Shaka Guide’s Yosemite National Park Tour works on the shuttle - so if you choose this route, you’ll still have access to the tour’s audio narration.
Is Yosemite worth it in the winter?
Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road are closed during the winter months, because of snow. If you have a set of tire chains and are comfortable with driving in winter conditions, then Yosemite Valley typically remains open year-round.
You’ll enjoy far fewer people, and the Sierra Nevada as a winter paradise, but not everything will be open.
Explore Yosemite with Shaka Guide
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We might be a little biased, but we believe that taking the Shaka Guide to Yosemite is your best option.
You’ll have the flexibility of your own vehicle to go wherever you want. We’ll provide tips, stories, and directions wherever you go within the park.
Yosemite is one incredible place. It’s even more impressive with a personal tour guide who can interpret the park and all its offerings. So join us in one of America’s greatest treasures!
Ready to take the tour? Check out Shaka Guide's Yosemite National Park Tour!
We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.
For more detailed information to help you plan, check out our Yosemite National Park Itinerary and Know Before You Go article.
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