In the event you’re planning a visit to San Francisco, why not rent a automotive and take a highway journey? This is how you can plan a San Francisco to Yosemite Highway Journey.
The drive from San Francisco to Yosemite isn’t precisely a protracted one, protecting 168 miles and taking simply over 3 hours to finish continuous. However, like every good journey, it’s a journey that provides up just a few good locations to cease alongside the way in which. And for travellers hiring a campervan out of San Francisco, the route detailed beneath provides you a direct, well-signed, and easy-to-follow journey with none have to double again.
San Francisco to Livermore
Leaving San Francisco, you’ll head east throughout the Bay Bridge earlier than chopping by means of the East Bay. After round 45 minutes, you’ll arrive in Livermore, and that is the primary place you’ll pull over and spend a while exploring.
Livermore’s downtown space is stuffed with cafes and grocery shops, so it’s a good suggestion to refill in your provides earlier than heading out on the highway once more. Additionally, you probably have time (and we extremely suggest making it), a brief cease at an area park or vineyard provides you the right alternative to stretch your legs with out having to enterprise out on day-long hikes.
Livermore to Groveland
From Livermore, the drive continues east by means of the Central Valley earlier than climbing into the foothills. Groveland is about 2 hours on the highway, and it’s a type of small cities which you could simply go straight by means of with out realizing what treasures it holds.
The most well-liked of those is The Iron Door Saloon, usually famous as California’s oldest repeatedly working saloon, and undoubtedly the primary place you need to go to when you’ve parked your campervan. Or, for one thing a bit of extra outdoorsy, Pine Mountain Lake is lower than 10 minutes from Groveland and has loads of brief walks and quiet viewpoints.
Groveland to Yosemite Nationwide Park
From Groveland, it is a half-hour drive to Yosemite Nationwide Park’s Massive Oak Flat Entrance. The highway climbs steadily by means of the forest right here, and when you’re contained in the park, Yosemite Valley is the very first thing that greets you.
Pullouts alongside the highway right here provide you with an opportunity to soak up some stellar views of El Capitan and Bridalveil Falls. There are additionally brief walks alongside the path to Decrease Yosemite Fall or alongside the valley flooring, offering close-up views with out requiring longer treks or venturing into distant areas.
Exploring Yosemite Valley
Having made your means by means of the Massive Oak Flat Entrance and stopping for the views, now you can head onto the loop highway, shifting at your individual tempo and stopping wherever the surroundings attracts you in.
Tunnel View is without doubt one of the most iconic overlooks alongside the loop highway, whereas Cook dinner’s Meadow has flat paths with large views of Half Dome. Each are, understandably, busy spots, however every has quiet areas that allow you to step away from the group and take all of it in.
Honorable Point out: Tuolumne Meadows
You probably have the time, proceed east from Yosemite Valley towards Tuolumne Meadows. This part of the park sits at excessive elevation, which suggests it might be closed through the winter months and early spring, however when it’s open, you’ll have the chance to discover meadows and granite domes, accompanied by views throughout the river and grasslands.
Suggestions for Solo Travellers
Plan Round Seasonal Entry
In the event you’re touring solo, it’s value checking highway entry earlier than you permit San Francisco. Yosemite’s increased elevations are affected by snow for a big portion of the yr, and meaning routes like Tioga Highway to Tuolumne Meadows are normally closed. If they’re, you need to persist with Yosemite Valley, the place you’ll nonetheless discover loads to see with out the danger of getting caught or having to unnecessarily backtrack.
Keep on with Properly-Traveled Areas
Areas like Yosemite Valley, Tunnel View, and Decrease Yosemite Fall have clear signage, frequent pullouts, and a gradual movement of different guests. This makes it simple to discover when you’re touring alone, and the arrogance that if one thing goes unsuitable, there’s prone to be someone else round that will help you out.
It’s All About Timing
Top-of-the-line issues about solo journey on this route is that you just’re capable of step away from the crowds. Early mornings and late afternoons are typically quieter, notably on the overlooks and alongside valley paths. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless a good suggestion to remain close to central areas the place doable, as meaning you’re by no means too removed from amenities or assist from different travellers if wanted. Blissful highway tripping!