This means that if you choose to purchase, Ill make a small commission.). In the winter, Tioga Pass and other high elevation sites are closed. Northern California: Napa, Lake Tahoe to Yosemite | Travel Nation This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. This in-depth tour of the city allows guests time at more of the famous Bay Area sights like Cable Car, Lombard Street, City Hall, St. Mary's Cathedral, and Chinatown. Wine Tours from San Francisco | Sonoma & Napa Day Trips - SF Tourism Tips We reserve the right to edit or reject questions that include inappropriate content, profanity, references to other retailers, pricing, or personal information. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46694221', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Napa Valley. FAQ: RVing in California: Is it Right for you? 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. San Francisco to Yosemite Road Trip | GetJerry.com Coastal Redwoods Road Trip. How to Get From San Francisco to Wine Country. You can take a bus from Napa to Yosemite Valley via El Cerrito Del Norte BART Station, El Cerrito Del Norte, Hayward, Hayward, Merced Bus Stop, and Merced Transpo in around 9h 19m. You climb through pine forest into the craggy granite tippy top of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. 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. Typically one needs 2-3 days in SF and at least 2 in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? You can do that on the east or west side of the body of water, but many prefer the western route because it's more scenic, even if it does take a little longer: The easiest way to get from San Francisco to Napa using public transportation is to take the San Francisco Bay Ferry from the San Francisco Ferry Building or Fisherman's Wharf Pier 41 to Vallejo. The distance depends upon the season and whether or not you want to cover both falls. 1 Hour, Admission (Optional): Adult $32; Child (2-12 yrs) $25; Senior (Over 65 yrs) Free|Duration: Approx. 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. There is a ton to do in Yosemite valley. 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. Want to Avoid Traffic and Parking inside Yosemite? Hikes range from the easy Big Trees accessible loop trail (.3 miles) to the more strenuous Mariposa Grove trail (7 miles), which covers four famous trees, more groves and a panoramic overlook. $25 $20 $15 $10 $5 M A M J J A S O N D J F. If you are trying to decide when to travel from Napa to San Francisco by train so you can score the best possible deal, your best bet would be to plan your trip for February. The trail to the grove is a 3 mile round trip with 520 feet of elevation gain. 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. October 13-16, 2022 . Before saying goodbye to Napa, you can stop by numerous restaurants to have dinner. To do a trip to Yosemite -- wow that is 8 plus hours of driving and too little time to actually see the amazing valley. Enjoy shopping and dining along the way in addition to taking in the vistas. Once home to Al Scarface Capone and other notorious criminals, Alcatraz Island is a National Park Service site located 1.25 miles offshore. Patch - Maggie Fusek 6h. Find more information at www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/oakdale/oklca/hoteldetail, Highway 120 (Big Oak and Hetch Hetchy entrances). Driving along Conzelman Road provides a shorter scenic detour. 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. INCREDIBLE ADVENTURES - 765 Pennsylvania Ave, San Francisco - Yelp What is your budget? Getting from San Francisco to Yosemite Valley-where a lot of the magic and action takes place-will take about 3 hours and 45 minutes (186 miles). http://www.weather.com has weather info. A popular loop is SF - (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The Madera area also grows wine grapes and its a secret spot that is far less crowded than Napa or Paso. It is considered one of the top scientific schools in the world. Tour Yosemite Like a Local with Gypsy Guide To see Napa from a different perspective, try a horseback riding tour or hop aboard a hot air balloon. Please note that the Tioga Pass doesnt get plowed and is closed in the winter. 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. Hot Tip: Do you need a rental car for your San Francisco to Yosemite road trip? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46696545', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');San Francisco, the maximum amount of time I would take for the Napa Valley is a day tour there an back. If you are lovin those views, you may want to consider coming back to Tioga Pass as an entryway to our scenicHighway 395 drivedown the Eastern Sierras. On arrival in San Francisco you will make your own way into the city and check into your hotel for one night. May 3, 2022 Mikaela Ruland. We are extremely excited for our first visit to the valley! 14 San Francisco: Muir Woods Redwoods and Wine Country Tour. United States - Yosemite to San Fran or Napa Valley - After leaving Yosemite , we are headed towards Napa Valley . 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. It was one of the countrys most infamous federal prisons. A one-way adult ticket on the ferry costs about $15, but there are discounts for children and senior citizens age 65 and up. It has been speculated that it is the most photographed bridge in the world; it's certainly one of the most picturesque. Overview. Park hotels already sold out in July -Next best alternative? Wineries in Napa Valley open at 10 AM. Heres how it works. Tucked along Hwy. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. The drive to Yosemite from San Francisco is only about 3 hours and 20 minutes. A mass of shimmering blue-green water, Lake Tahoe is a highlight of any trip to Northern California. This small group tour takes you from San Francisco to the famed Napa Valley. * Please note the Tour Map is subject to change. Day 1: San Francisco to Wine Country. Also, will the weather be unpleasant this time of year? Yosemite Valley Loop Trail: 11 miles (full loop), 7 miles (half-loop). If you want to grab a bite, you can go to Ariscault Bakery and get their popular Chocolate Almond Croissant. 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 biggest "issue" this forum has is people trying to bite off more than they can chew. The state park is really fun for families as they offer docents in period attire, stagecoach rides and panning for gold. The status of Napa Valley as a premier wine-tasting destination is fairly new. Awesome California National Parks Road Trip You Need to Do - 2TravelDads Text Us. Nile House, Nile Street, Brighton, BN1 1HW, United Kingdom, Exc. It is branded as one of the best California tasting sites, with huge palm trees leading you to a magnificent building that overlooks the breathtaking vineyards. If you are a hardy hiker, you can purchase a 1-way ticket and then take your pick of either a 5 or 8 mile hike back down to Yosemite Valley. Trip Report Eight days in San Francisco, Yosemite NP, Napa Valley and . You can usually find more choice and less expensive room inventory just outside of the valley. You must print the e-tickets and take them along on your trip; they are your proof of purchase. Day 9: Napa Valley/ Sonoma OR Muir Woods. How To Get To Yosemite | Getting To Yosemite Mariposa County Prices are subject to change without prior notice. You can drive yourself up to Glacier Point, which is a lovely, popular overlook in the park.. 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. FAQ: When to Tip and How much? 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. A park ranger vehicle sits near the Big Oak Flat entrance into Yosemite National Park along Hwy 120, on Thursday, February 23, 2023. Witness the stunning scenes of California's Wine Country as you travel past sun-dappled fields . Springtime temperatures hover around a pleasant 70 . Monterey was the capital of Alta California under both Spain and Mexico. Yosemite National Park is enormous so with two days to explore youre never going to see all of it, which means you need to plan wisely. 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. FAQ: Where are the California Traveler Articles, Written for Travelers by Travelers? Dont leave Yosemite without visiting theMariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. What was once a lush valley is now a reservoir holding water for the city of San Francisco. During the summer months, there are four entrances to Yosemite National Park. That's when the average price for a train ticket is expected to be just $14 - the lowest of the year. It was the only port of entry for taxable goods in California. 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. 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). Take a boat ride around one of the most famous and historical bays in the United States, the famous San Francisco Bay. 7 nights from 3,499 per person. She loves to travel, read novels, and watch old classes movies. Which means one spot is getting one night which isn't much time when you consider what time you might arrive and the time you have to leave the next day. Santa Cruz is situated on the northern edge of Monterey Bay, about 32 mi (51 km) south of San Jose and 75 mi (120 km) south of San Francisco. - On arrival in San Francisco you will make your own way into the city and check into your hotel for one night. For dinner drop in to the Oxbow Public Market, a . Theres a gorgeous, historic lodge to stay in nearby and you can hike around the reservoir and discover its history. See the Most Controversial Spot in Yosemite near the Hetch Hetchy Entrance 38 Best Stops Between Yosemite National Park and Napa - Wanderlog Leave San Francisco early by crossing the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County. And fall has lovely color and is quieter, but no waterfalls. Tracy Barbutes/Special to The Chronicle Show More Show . The routes from San Francisco to Yosemite's valley floor takes you through California's Central Valley and into the Sierra Nevada Mountains. If you're driving, it takes between four and seven hours, depending on the route you choose and the traffic intensity. Alcatraz & Muir Woods Tour Package . In addition to touring the castle interior, visitors can taste a wide selection of fine Napa Valley wine which is made on premises and not sold elsewhere. Same as other wineries, a visit to this place requires reservations, and they close at 5 PM. It veers off of Highway 41 onto Route 200 and has an additional three wineries. you have 7 days to see 4 places and you want to add more? (This article contains affiliate links. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-43239963', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Yosemite. 120 on the way to Yosemite, Oakdale holds its heritage close. California road trip: from San Francisco to Yosemite and the Big Sur But youll want to book these lodgings way in advance. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. 4-Day Los Angeles to Universal Studio Hollywood, Seaworld . south of San Francisco, around Santa Barbara, and lots more. 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. Pick Your Perfect Yosemite Activities Climb, Raft, Bike, Ski, Hike Newly Built Modern Estate Compound In Napa Valley: $14M However, this is the slowest option. 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.) Convenient SF hotel pickup and drop off. It is located on the south wall of Yosemite Valley at an elevation of 7214 ft, 3200 ft above Half Dome Village. The direct drive from Napa to Yosemite National Park is 213 mi (343 km), and should have a drive time of 4 hrs 34 mins in normal traffic..