If you happen to’re planning a visit to San Francisco, why not rent a automotive and take a highway journey? This is the way to plan a San Francisco to Yosemite Street Journey.
The drive from San Francisco to Yosemite isn’t precisely an extended 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 a couple of good locations to cease alongside the way in which. And for travellers hiring a campervan out of San Francisco, the route detailed beneath offers you a direct, well-signed, and easy-to-follow journey with none must double again.
San Francisco to Livermore
Leaving San Francisco, you’ll head east throughout the Bay Bridge earlier than chopping by way 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 crammed with cafes and grocery shops, so it’s a good suggestion to replenish in your provides earlier than heading out on the highway once more. Additionally, in case you have time (and we extremely advocate making it), a brief cease at an area park or vineyard offers you the proper 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 way 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 that you would be able to simply go straight by way of with out figuring out what treasures it holds.
The preferred of those is The Iron Door Saloon, usually famous as California’s oldest constantly working saloon, and undoubtedly the primary place you need to go to when you’ve parked your campervan. Or, for one thing slightly 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 Huge Oak Flat Entrance. The highway climbs steadily by way 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 offer you an opportunity to absorb 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 ground, offering close-up views with out requiring longer treks or venturing into distant areas.
Exploring Yosemite Valley
Having made your method by way of the Huge Oak Flat Entrance and stopping for the views, now you can head onto the loop highway, transferring at your personal 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 vast 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
In case you 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
If you happen to’re touring solo, it’s value checking highway entry earlier than you permit San Francisco. Yosemite’s greater elevations are affected by snow for a big portion of the yr, and meaning routes like Tioga Street to Tuolumne Meadows are normally closed. If they’re, you need to keep on with Yosemite Valley, the place you’ll nonetheless discover loads to see with out the chance of getting caught or having to unnecessarily backtrack.
Stick with Effectively-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 flawed, there’s more likely to be someone else round that can assist you out.
It’s All About Timing
Among the best issues about solo journey on this route is that you simply’re in a position to step away from the crowds. Early mornings and late afternoons are typically quieter, significantly on the overlooks and alongside valley paths. Nonetheless, 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 services or assist from different travellers if wanted. Completely satisfied highway tripping!