In case you’re planning a visit to San Francisco, why not rent a automotive and take a highway journey? Here is the best way to plan a San Francisco to Yosemite Highway Journey.
The drive from San Francisco to Yosemite isn’t precisely a protracted one, masking 168 miles and taking simply over 3 hours to finish continuous. However, like all good journey, it’s a journey that gives up just a few good locations to cease alongside the best way. 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 must double again.
San Francisco to Livermore
Leaving San Francisco, you’ll head east throughout the Bay Bridge earlier than reducing via 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 full of 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, if in case you have time (and we extremely suggest making it), a brief cease at an area park or vineyard provides 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 via 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 could simply go straight via with out understanding what treasures it holds.
The preferred of those is The Iron Door Saloon, usually famous as California’s oldest repeatedly working saloon, and positively the primary place you must go to when you’ve parked your campervan. Or, for one thing just a little 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 National Park’s Massive Oak Flat Entrance. The highway climbs steadily via 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 method via the Massive Oak Flat Entrance and stopping for the views, now you can head onto the loop highway, shifting 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 Prepare 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 gang and take all of it in.
Honorable Point out: Tuolumne Meadows
When 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 throughout 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.
Ideas for Solo Travellers
Plan Round Seasonal Entry
In case you’re touring solo, it’s price checking highway entry earlier than you permit San Francisco. Yosemite’s larger elevations are affected by snow for a big portion of the yr, and which means routes like Tioga Highway to Tuolumne Meadows are normally closed. If they’re, you must stick with Yosemite Valley, the place you’ll nonetheless discover a lot to see with out the chance of getting caught or having to unnecessarily backtrack.
Persist 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 should you’re touring alone, and the boldness that if one thing goes improper, there’s prone to be someone else round that will help you out.
It’s All About Timing
Probably the greatest 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, notably on the overlooks and alongside valley paths. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless a good suggestion to remain close to central areas the place attainable, as which means you’re by no means too removed from services or assist from different travellers if wanted. Glad highway tripping!
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