Charleston The best way to get to Yosemite really depends on your personal preferences. This is usually the route that most GPS services will suggest. Take the BART train from San Francisco to Richmond station, the last stop on the "Richmond line." Be sure to book your campsite well ahead of your visit. In fact, you can travel all the way from San Francisco on planes, buses, and trains without ever having to get behind a wheel yourself. Cross Roads Tours & Limos helps arrange your San Francisco to Yosemite train and reserves your overnight lodging. The tour includes hotel pick up at hotels in Downtown San Francisco and the Fishermans Wharf area. Betsy has been writing about California for nearly more than two decades as TripSavvy's expert on the state. There are miles upon miles of trails, among them the famous Bridalveil Fall Trail, Lower Yosemite Fall Trail, and the strenuous Half Dome Trail, which requires a permit to hike. However, I only recommend this if you have 3 or more days in Yosemite as the travel time required for this type of trip is definitely longer than other ways of reaching Yosemite National Park from SF. Planning Your Visit to Yosemite: To ensure a fabulous visit to Yosemite National Park, read up about Yosemite's top attractions such as Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and El Capitan. Dylan changed the way tourists see San Francisco by weaving them through the sites and culture through the lens of a local. Hikers craning their necks to see the canopy of giant sequoias. Extranomical Tours runs several bus tours to Yosemite, including a highly rated one-day tour from San Francisco. If you have multiple drivers, you can eliminate some of the fatigue component of the drive. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, when you consider the time it takes to actually commute to the airport, check a bag, go through security, and travel by ground on the other side, flying is about as time-consuming as driving the entire distance. If you only have time for a day trip to Yosemite from SF, then it makes sense to pick one of the less time-consuming options. This tour includes round-trip transportation to the park with pick-up/drop-off service from most hotels in Downtown San Francisco and Fisherman's Wharf. Taking a rented vehicle means you can break up the drive however you like! Can I Use Public Transportation to Travel From the Airport? If you are only visiting Yosemite on a day trip, I really recommend going with a guided tour. The road enters the park via Arch Rock. The nearest gas pumps to Yosemite Valley are open year-round inside the park at Wawona (45 minutes south of the valley on Wawona Road) and Crane Flat (30 minutes northwest on Big Oak Flat Road). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Is There a Bus That Goes From San Francisco to Yosemite National Park? Add a few of these together, and you can come up with a pretty epic California road trip that includes San Francisco, Yosemite, and so much more! You can book each leg of the shuttle bus independently, so that you can customize your Yosemite stay. Note that some roads may be closed during certain times of the year, so before you depart for Yosemite, check the National Park Services Current Conditions page. If you arrive in Merced, you will want to take the Blue line. In terms of public transportation to Yosemite from San Francisco, its definitely possible but takes a long time and requires a whole lot of patience. Book your semi-independent small group tour of the Yosemite Valley from San Francisco here! Blue connects Merced to Mariposa, Midpines, and El Portal before reaching the Valley Visitor Center. There are a few ways to drive to Yosemite National Park. From start to finish, you should allow at least six hours for the journey, or more depending on the timing of connections. Use this link to Google Maps for specific directions and routes that you can take from your point of departure anywhere in San Francisco. London Interstate 80 will lead you into Oakland, where you can merge onto 580 East for 45 miles (72 kilometers), then State Route 120. 
Shes obsessed with bouldering, houseplants, other peoples pets, and anywhere she can see the ocean. Maybe you want to visit other Northern California destinations like Sacramento and Lake Tahoe, or maybe you want to see other Sierra Nevada national parks (Sequoia NP, Kings Canyon NP) along the way perhaps you even want to make your way down to Southern California and Los Angeles and see some of the SoCal national parks as well! Duration: 15 hours (including travel time), Tickets: $189/Adults | $175/Children *Discounts in winter months, Keep driving on I-580 and merge onto I-205, Continue on I-205 and merge onto I-5 for a short while, Drive past Manteca on Hwy 120 and merge onto Hwy 99, After driving past Merced, merge onto Hwy 140, Take Hwy 140 all the way to Yosemite National Park, Take Hwy 120 all the way to Yosemite National Park. New Orleans Board the Amtrak train southbound on the "San Joaquin line" and enjoy the relaxing two-hour-and-40-minute train ride to Merced station. Extranomical offers an array of services, including San Francisco bus tours, wine tasting tours, and more. Her writing and podcast have been featured in Forbes, CBC Canada, National Geographic, the Huffington Post, and CNN Arabic, amongst others. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Their minibuses are comfortable and the small groups create an intimate experience that bigger bus tours just cant recreate. New York City This post explains how to get to Yosemite National Park from San Francisco by car, by taking a bus tour, or by using public transportation. Once inside Yosemite, you can use this free shuttle service to get around the park. We also recommend this service instead of taking public transportation on your own, if you don't want to deal with a complicated, time-consuming journey from San Francisco to Yosemite. The Ultimate Southern California Road Trip: Coastal Cities, National Parks + Beyond. YOSEMITE VALLEY|Thissmall group tour focuses on Yosemite Valleywith ample free time to explore Yosemite Valley at your own pace. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. All of the extra windows on the Observation Car will offer incredible views as the Yosemite train chugs along past Glacier Point. The fastest way to get to Yosemite from San Francisco is to fly. Dylan continues to train every local guide with his passionate, knowledgeable and gracious touch. Whats the Most Scenic Route to Yosemite National Park? Los Angeles Your best bet is to fill your tank at gas stations outside of the city and before you get too close to the park. First, youll take the Amtrak Thruway bus. If you arrive in Fresno, you will want to take the Yellow line. The service takes care of all the travel arrangements for each step of the journey: an organized bus ride from San Francisco to the Amtrak train station in Oakland, a train ride to Merced and then a transfer by motor coach to Yosemite with a drop-off near several popular hotels. Consider the time of year you will be visiting Yosemite because some roads in the park are seasonal. Learn More. Nashville A guided tour from San Francisco to Yosemite isnt the cheapest, but it is definitely the most efficient and the least stressful. Yosemite National Park is a nature lover's paradise. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); California Crossroads is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. This guided tour stops at Gold Rush towns on the way to Yosemite and then covers the highlights of Yosemite National Park, including a hike through Tuolumne Grove and a photo-op at Tunnel View with Half Dome in the background. The Greyhound Bus service from San Francisco to Yosemite appeals to budget-conscious travelers. Britt is a San Francisco Bay Area native, and has spent 25 years in this magical city. These cookies do not store any personal information. Read my privacy policy and disclaimer here. 
The entire journey takes six and a half hours, not including bus wait times. Allison Green is a travel blogger, writer, and podcasterwho grew up in the Bay Area of California. The train is very peaceful, with beautiful scenery and WiFi along the way to enjoy. TIP: See our post on things to do at Yosemite National Park to plan your free time. The best time to travel to Yosemite is during May and September, when most things in the park are open (not all things: Tioga Pass sometimes isn't clear enough to open until July and closes in November), but summer crowds aren't at their peak. How to Get from San Francisco to Yosemite. Berlin Otherwise, you can catch the Merced County Bus, a Greyhound, or the Amtrak, but none of those go into the park. This multi-day Yosemite tour begins from the Amtrak Transbay Terminal in the SOMA neighborhood. Philadelphia Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues. There are a handful of different ways to get to Yosemite National Park from San Francisco, but some require more effort than others. Here are 4 ways to get to Yosemite from San Francisco that involve a car rental or transportation and tour by a local operator. Prague Here's how to travel from San Francisco to Yosemite by train: First, go to any BART station in San Francisco. The tour price includes round-trip transportation with hotel pick-up/drop-off, the park entrance fee and live commentary from a professional guide during the bus trip. See their full selection of services. The main scenic part of this drive starts once you reach Hwy 140. 
See their full selection of tours. If you cant drive, or would prefer not to, but you want to spend more than one day in Yosemite, a shuttle bus is a fantastic option. This shuttle bus only brings you to the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center, but from there, you can take YARTS to Tuolumne Meadows and Mariposa and other places along the outskirts of the park. Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired. That way you dont have to worry about rushing back from Yosemite National Park to San Francisco on the same day. SMALL GROUP TOUR |Thissmall group guidedday tourof Yosemite includes pickup and drop-off (from either San Francisco or the Dublin BART station if youre located elsewhere in the Bay Area). Youll can stop at either Merced or Fresno. In the summer, gasoline is available at Tuolumne Meadows on Tioga Road, too. Meanwhile, if you are planning a longer trip to Yosemite, such as 3+ days, it may make more sense to take either a private shuttle bus (if you dont want to deal with driving and parking) or public transportation such as Amtrak train + YARTS bus to get from SanFrancisco to Yosemite. 
To make getting there half the fun, you can stop at tourist attractions along the way. Tours typically include round-trip bus service between San Francisco and Yosemite, park entrance fee, and a live guide and/or audio guide. This bus tour is a great way to visit Yosemite for the first time as it takes all of the stress out of figuring it out as it includes all the parks major attractions. You should also decide in advance which Yosemite hikes suit your abilities, before you embark on your adventures. If you want to enjoy the best views on your way to Yosemite National Park, this is the best option. Lisbon Plus, youll have about 3-4 hours in Yosemite Valley to explore at your own pace, enjoying a picnic and seeing the valley floor sights such as the Yosemite Valley Chapel or the Ansel Adams Gallery. Here the Stanislaus River Parks in the Knights Ferry Recreation Area beckon outdoor lovers, hikers, kayaking enthusiasts, and white water rafting thrill seekers. There, youll connect to a YARTS bus. Driving Directions from San Francisco to Yosemite: Take I-80 E over the Bay Bridge towards Oakland. From Merced, you transfer to the YARTS system to get to Yosemite. Defined by its towering granite cliffs, giant sequoia groves, and plunging waterfalls, Yosemite National Park is a natural oasis just 155 miles (249 kilometers) east of San Francisco. The quickest driving route between San Francisco and Yosemite takes about four hours. YARTSis a regional transit system that connects a few major destinations in Central California and the Eastern Sierras to Yosemite. Jillian Dara is a freelance journalist and fact-checker. Start planning your trip to Yosemite with our list of transportation options. If you take the scenic route, Merced or Mariposa are good places to stop for gas. It's also possible to get to Yosemite by taking Highway 140 east via Merced (instead of Highway 120) after starting out on Highway I-580 east to I-205 east. As far as waterfalls, the park is home to dozens, including one of the world's tallest: Yosemite Falls. NOTE: City Sightseeing also offers day trips to the Muir Woods, Sausalito, Sonoma Valley, and other locations. Youll spend two nights at your campsite and will have Yosemite guided hikes and free time during your stay. There are several small group tours that go from San Francisco to Yosemite. The UNESCO-listed Yosemite National Park is a place of awe-inspiring natural wonders: a majestic glacier-sculpted valley blanketed in flowering meadows and festooned with rushing waterfalls that plunge from granite cliffs. For once, it gives you very little time for hiking. Camping in Yosemite: If you're interested in spending a night under the stars, you can choose from Yosemite's array of excellent campgrounds. Travel through San Franciscos most iconic neighborhoods and explore Muir Woods, and enjoy lunch in the beautiful town of Sausalito. Its also a popular route for people driving to Yosemite from the San Jose area. Then once youre ready to head back to the city, you can catch the Grayline bus from Yosemite to San Francisco. Rise and shine! He has traveled to over 30 countries, and has never found a place he loves as much as this one! Winter in Yosemite National Park, while beautiful, is a different experience entirely. This Yosemite bus picks up near manyUnion Square hotelsand shuttles guests to Yosemite. Here are the basic prices you can expect to pay: Gas is pretty pricey in and around San Francisco, and the price may rise the closer you get to Yosemite National Park. Hertz offers rental cars from a location near San Francisco Airport. Theres nothing like a nice cup of camp coffee while taking in all the fresh air , A post shared by Incredible Adventures (@incadventures) on May 11, 2018 at 4:37am PDT. Another good place to break up the journey is just over a two-hour drive east of San Francisco in Knights Ferry. Below we go into detail about two companies, City Sightseeing and Extranomical Tours. If you prefer to leave the driving to someone else yet want to explore Yosemite at your own pace, the Yosemite One Way or Round Trip from San Francisco transfer service is the right choice. 
However, in doing that, you skip the opportunity to see the giant sequoias, so keep that trade-off in mind. The cheapest way to get from San Francisco to Yosemite is by a series of buses and a train. 12 Best Yosemite Valley Hikes for All Levels, Where to Find Giant Sequoias in Yosemite: 3 Serene Sequoia Groves, 30 Useful Things to Know Before Visiting Yosemite in Winter & Best Things to Do. Weve previously ranked Incredible AdventuresSmall-Group Yosemite Tour from San Franciscoas one of the best Yosemite tours. You can, however, get by with only transferring once if you take a Greyhound bus to Merced ($20, three hours and 45 minutes), then transfer onto the YARTS bus ($5 to $10, two hours and 45 minutes), which will take you all the way to the visitor center. You will have a few hours of free time inside the park for you to explore. San Francisco You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, USA Today, Michelin Guides, Hemispheres, DuJour, and Forbes. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. SEQUOIA HIKE |Thissmall group sequoia hike-focused tour of Yosemiteis a great option for those who want to prioritize seeing the beautiful sequoia groves of this majestic USA national park. Yosemite's nearest commercial airports are in Fresno (Fresno Yosemite International Airport) and Merced (Merced Regional Airportthe closest to the park), but both are small. Yosemite is at least a four-hour drive from San Francisco (and can take longer with traffic), so it is not usually recommended as a day trip. 
Once you cross into Oakland, take I-580 E for about 70 miles. This website uses cookies to improve your browsingexperience and analyze the use of the website. If you like, you can purchase food and beverages inside the park. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Its better if you have two drivers so you can switch off driving responsibilities if one of yip get tired, but its also manageable to do it yourself if you need to. First, you can take the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) train from Civic Center/UN PlazaStation to Dublin/Pleasanton Station, a 50-minute ride that costs about $7.10. There are four branches of YARTS, two of which are relevant for those arriving on Amtrak. In spring, redbud trees sprout magenta-colored blooms along its banks and the river rises high enough to accommodate whitewater rafters, but its a pretty drive in any season. Miami Youll get to see Tuolumne Grove, Tunnel View, Half Dome, the Yosemite Valleyfloor (where you can take a break to hop in the Merced River if the weather allows! As fun as that one day tour is, we definitely think travelers should consider this 3-day camping trip as a unique way of seeing Yosemite. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Briefly, youll merge onto I-5 North; shortly thereafter, youll merge onto CA-120, which will take you all the way to the Yosemite area. 
You can even take a quick digital photography class in Yosemite Valley. However, if you have a large group, a guided tour may be expensive for your entire party. Ticket prices typically range from about $140-$150 for a full-day outing and services are usually limited during the winter. When deciding how to get from San Francisco to Yosemite, choose the option that suits your travel style, budget, and vacation itinerary. Book your Yosemite shuttle bus from San Francisco here! On the way to Yosemite, it also makes a stop at the Dublin BART station, in case that is more convenient for you. Thrill-seekers will be happy to know there are also Yosemite zipline tours, just south of the park! Depending on how you choose to get there, travel time will take an average of 3 - 4 hours. Once at Yosemite, you have 5- 6 hours of free time to explore the park. Yosemite is about 170 miles away from San Francisco and about a 4-hour drive. There are infinite itineraries you could choose for this many of which Ive already written about rather in-depth. Rome June through August, you can expect major crowds on the trails and in the campsites, not to mention traffic coming into the park. Several tour companies offer day trips from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park. This way youll be able to better document your once-in-a-lifetime experience of Yosemite National Park. Book your sequoia hike + tour of Yosemite Valley from San Francisco here! For the most enjoyable experience of Yosemite, we suggest getting there in one of two ways: 1) renting a car or 2) catching a Yosemite bus tour from San Francisco. Then, youll go from Emeryville through the scenic San Joaquin Valley for several hours. Typically, these are very well timed and you will have to wait no more than 10 minutes between your bus and your train. Washington DC. Chicago Read more about this shuttle service in our post onthings to do in Yosemite National Park. The drive is too long for any ride share or taxi service, so we would recommend nixing Uber or Lyft right off the bat. What Is the Cheapest Way to Get From San Francisco to Yosemite National Park? This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. One thing to keep in mind: Because the drive takes a minimum of four hours each way, you should plan to spend at least two or three nights for a leisurely experience and to fully appreciate the place. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Every year, the 1,200-square-mile park attracts millions of visitors who come here to go camping, hiking, climbing, or just to admire the scenery. With several rental car services, youll also have the option to reserve a car rental that you can drop off near Yosemite. Driving into the park during winterwhere the Sierra Nevada range beginscan be treacherous. Yosemite National Park has something for everyone, and located just 170 miles away from San Francisco, its a popular day trip or weekend getaway for both Bay Area locals and San Francisco tourists. This way you can spread your trip from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park over 2 or 3 days. See our post on Yosemite bus tours from San Francisco to find out about other tour options. You can also enjoy the scenic drive to Yosemite from the comfort and privacy of a rental car. We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. The two routes we suggest below are a scenic route via Highway 140 or a faster route viaHighway 120. During lunch, youll have free time to explore on your own before driving back from Yosemite to San Francisco. Many hiking trails, roads, viewpoints, and campgrounds are closed for the season and there aren't many people around. Yellow connects Fresno with Coarsegold, Oakhurst, Fish Camp, Mariposa Grove, and the Visitor Center. The El Capitan Shuttle (operating from mid-June until early October) goes to the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center, El Capitan, and the Four Mile trailhead. This tour operates every day between April and October, and Thursday - Sunday in the winter months. Because Yosemite is one of the most popular tourist destinations in California, several companies offer services to help you get from San Francisco to Yosemite and back. The YARTS Bus makes multiple stops and takes about one hour and 45 minutes to reach the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center. These Yosemite tours begin in the heart of San Francisco, near Union Square and Fishermans Wharf. Sign up to receive our monthly newsletter filled with San Francisco travel tips and occasional discounts on tours and rentals. Add on Alcatraz at checkout. The San Francisco to Yosemite shuttle bus departs once a day, leaving from San Francisco at 5:40 AM. Travelers can choose from stopping at the Yosemite Valley Lodge or the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center. If you prefer to sleep in while on vacation, something were all guilty of, you can easily book ahotel.
Shes obsessed with bouldering, houseplants, other peoples pets, and anywhere she can see the ocean. Maybe you want to visit other Northern California destinations like Sacramento and Lake Tahoe, or maybe you want to see other Sierra Nevada national parks (Sequoia NP, Kings Canyon NP) along the way perhaps you even want to make your way down to Southern California and Los Angeles and see some of the SoCal national parks as well! Duration: 15 hours (including travel time), Tickets: $189/Adults | $175/Children *Discounts in winter months, Keep driving on I-580 and merge onto I-205, Continue on I-205 and merge onto I-5 for a short while, Drive past Manteca on Hwy 120 and merge onto Hwy 99, After driving past Merced, merge onto Hwy 140, Take Hwy 140 all the way to Yosemite National Park, Take Hwy 120 all the way to Yosemite National Park. New Orleans Board the Amtrak train southbound on the "San Joaquin line" and enjoy the relaxing two-hour-and-40-minute train ride to Merced station. Extranomical offers an array of services, including San Francisco bus tours, wine tasting tours, and more. Her writing and podcast have been featured in Forbes, CBC Canada, National Geographic, the Huffington Post, and CNN Arabic, amongst others. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Their minibuses are comfortable and the small groups create an intimate experience that bigger bus tours just cant recreate. New York City This post explains how to get to Yosemite National Park from San Francisco by car, by taking a bus tour, or by using public transportation. Once inside Yosemite, you can use this free shuttle service to get around the park. We also recommend this service instead of taking public transportation on your own, if you don't want to deal with a complicated, time-consuming journey from San Francisco to Yosemite. The Ultimate Southern California Road Trip: Coastal Cities, National Parks + Beyond. YOSEMITE VALLEY|Thissmall group tour focuses on Yosemite Valleywith ample free time to explore Yosemite Valley at your own pace. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. All of the extra windows on the Observation Car will offer incredible views as the Yosemite train chugs along past Glacier Point. The fastest way to get to Yosemite from San Francisco is to fly. Dylan continues to train every local guide with his passionate, knowledgeable and gracious touch. Whats the Most Scenic Route to Yosemite National Park? Los Angeles Your best bet is to fill your tank at gas stations outside of the city and before you get too close to the park. First, youll take the Amtrak Thruway bus. If you arrive in Fresno, you will want to take the Yellow line. The service takes care of all the travel arrangements for each step of the journey: an organized bus ride from San Francisco to the Amtrak train station in Oakland, a train ride to Merced and then a transfer by motor coach to Yosemite with a drop-off near several popular hotels. Consider the time of year you will be visiting Yosemite because some roads in the park are seasonal. Learn More. Nashville A guided tour from San Francisco to Yosemite isnt the cheapest, but it is definitely the most efficient and the least stressful. Yosemite National Park is a nature lover's paradise. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); California Crossroads is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. This guided tour stops at Gold Rush towns on the way to Yosemite and then covers the highlights of Yosemite National Park, including a hike through Tuolumne Grove and a photo-op at Tunnel View with Half Dome in the background. The Greyhound Bus service from San Francisco to Yosemite appeals to budget-conscious travelers. Britt is a San Francisco Bay Area native, and has spent 25 years in this magical city. These cookies do not store any personal information. Read my privacy policy and disclaimer here. The entire journey takes six and a half hours, not including bus wait times. Allison Green is a travel blogger, writer, and podcasterwho grew up in the Bay Area of California. The train is very peaceful, with beautiful scenery and WiFi along the way to enjoy. TIP: See our post on things to do at Yosemite National Park to plan your free time. The best time to travel to Yosemite is during May and September, when most things in the park are open (not all things: Tioga Pass sometimes isn't clear enough to open until July and closes in November), but summer crowds aren't at their peak. How to Get from San Francisco to Yosemite. Berlin Otherwise, you can catch the Merced County Bus, a Greyhound, or the Amtrak, but none of those go into the park. This multi-day Yosemite tour begins from the Amtrak Transbay Terminal in the SOMA neighborhood. Philadelphia Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues. There are a handful of different ways to get to Yosemite National Park from San Francisco, but some require more effort than others. Here are 4 ways to get to Yosemite from San Francisco that involve a car rental or transportation and tour by a local operator. Prague Here's how to travel from San Francisco to Yosemite by train: First, go to any BART station in San Francisco. The tour price includes round-trip transportation with hotel pick-up/drop-off, the park entrance fee and live commentary from a professional guide during the bus trip. See their full selection of services. The main scenic part of this drive starts once you reach Hwy 140. See their full selection of tours. If you cant drive, or would prefer not to, but you want to spend more than one day in Yosemite, a shuttle bus is a fantastic option. This shuttle bus only brings you to the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center, but from there, you can take YARTS to Tuolumne Meadows and Mariposa and other places along the outskirts of the park. Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired. That way you dont have to worry about rushing back from Yosemite National Park to San Francisco on the same day. SMALL GROUP TOUR |Thissmall group guidedday tourof Yosemite includes pickup and drop-off (from either San Francisco or the Dublin BART station if youre located elsewhere in the Bay Area). Youll can stop at either Merced or Fresno. In the summer, gasoline is available at Tuolumne Meadows on Tioga Road, too. Meanwhile, if you are planning a longer trip to Yosemite, such as 3+ days, it may make more sense to take either a private shuttle bus (if you dont want to deal with driving and parking) or public transportation such as Amtrak train + YARTS bus to get from SanFrancisco to Yosemite. To make getting there half the fun, you can stop at tourist attractions along the way. Tours typically include round-trip bus service between San Francisco and Yosemite, park entrance fee, and a live guide and/or audio guide. This bus tour is a great way to visit Yosemite for the first time as it takes all of the stress out of figuring it out as it includes all the parks major attractions. You should also decide in advance which Yosemite hikes suit your abilities, before you embark on your adventures. If you want to enjoy the best views on your way to Yosemite National Park, this is the best option. Lisbon Plus, youll have about 3-4 hours in Yosemite Valley to explore at your own pace, enjoying a picnic and seeing the valley floor sights such as the Yosemite Valley Chapel or the Ansel Adams Gallery. Here the Stanislaus River Parks in the Knights Ferry Recreation Area beckon outdoor lovers, hikers, kayaking enthusiasts, and white water rafting thrill seekers. There, youll connect to a YARTS bus. Driving Directions from San Francisco to Yosemite: Take I-80 E over the Bay Bridge towards Oakland. From Merced, you transfer to the YARTS system to get to Yosemite. Defined by its towering granite cliffs, giant sequoia groves, and plunging waterfalls, Yosemite National Park is a natural oasis just 155 miles (249 kilometers) east of San Francisco. The quickest driving route between San Francisco and Yosemite takes about four hours. YARTSis a regional transit system that connects a few major destinations in Central California and the Eastern Sierras to Yosemite. Jillian Dara is a freelance journalist and fact-checker. Start planning your trip to Yosemite with our list of transportation options. If you take the scenic route, Merced or Mariposa are good places to stop for gas. It's also possible to get to Yosemite by taking Highway 140 east via Merced (instead of Highway 120) after starting out on Highway I-580 east to I-205 east. As far as waterfalls, the park is home to dozens, including one of the world's tallest: Yosemite Falls. NOTE: City Sightseeing also offers day trips to the Muir Woods, Sausalito, Sonoma Valley, and other locations. Youll spend two nights at your campsite and will have Yosemite guided hikes and free time during your stay. There are several small group tours that go from San Francisco to Yosemite. The UNESCO-listed Yosemite National Park is a place of awe-inspiring natural wonders: a majestic glacier-sculpted valley blanketed in flowering meadows and festooned with rushing waterfalls that plunge from granite cliffs. For once, it gives you very little time for hiking. Camping in Yosemite: If you're interested in spending a night under the stars, you can choose from Yosemite's array of excellent campgrounds. Travel through San Franciscos most iconic neighborhoods and explore Muir Woods, and enjoy lunch in the beautiful town of Sausalito. Its also a popular route for people driving to Yosemite from the San Jose area. Then once youre ready to head back to the city, you can catch the Grayline bus from Yosemite to San Francisco. Rise and shine! He has traveled to over 30 countries, and has never found a place he loves as much as this one! Winter in Yosemite National Park, while beautiful, is a different experience entirely. This Yosemite bus picks up near manyUnion Square hotelsand shuttles guests to Yosemite. Here are the basic prices you can expect to pay: Gas is pretty pricey in and around San Francisco, and the price may rise the closer you get to Yosemite National Park. Hertz offers rental cars from a location near San Francisco Airport. Theres nothing like a nice cup of camp coffee while taking in all the fresh air , A post shared by Incredible Adventures (@incadventures) on May 11, 2018 at 4:37am PDT. Another good place to break up the journey is just over a two-hour drive east of San Francisco in Knights Ferry. Below we go into detail about two companies, City Sightseeing and Extranomical Tours. If you prefer to leave the driving to someone else yet want to explore Yosemite at your own pace, the Yosemite One Way or Round Trip from San Francisco transfer service is the right choice. However, in doing that, you skip the opportunity to see the giant sequoias, so keep that trade-off in mind. The cheapest way to get from San Francisco to Yosemite is by a series of buses and a train. 12 Best Yosemite Valley Hikes for All Levels, Where to Find Giant Sequoias in Yosemite: 3 Serene Sequoia Groves, 30 Useful Things to Know Before Visiting Yosemite in Winter & Best Things to Do. Weve previously ranked Incredible AdventuresSmall-Group Yosemite Tour from San Franciscoas one of the best Yosemite tours. You can, however, get by with only transferring once if you take a Greyhound bus to Merced ($20, three hours and 45 minutes), then transfer onto the YARTS bus ($5 to $10, two hours and 45 minutes), which will take you all the way to the visitor center. You will have a few hours of free time inside the park for you to explore. San Francisco You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, USA Today, Michelin Guides, Hemispheres, DuJour, and Forbes. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. SEQUOIA HIKE |Thissmall group sequoia hike-focused tour of Yosemiteis a great option for those who want to prioritize seeing the beautiful sequoia groves of this majestic USA national park. Yosemite's nearest commercial airports are in Fresno (Fresno Yosemite International Airport) and Merced (Merced Regional Airportthe closest to the park), but both are small. Yosemite is at least a four-hour drive from San Francisco (and can take longer with traffic), so it is not usually recommended as a day trip. Once you cross into Oakland, take I-580 E for about 70 miles. This website uses cookies to improve your browsingexperience and analyze the use of the website. If you like, you can purchase food and beverages inside the park. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Its better if you have two drivers so you can switch off driving responsibilities if one of yip get tired, but its also manageable to do it yourself if you need to. First, you can take the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) train from Civic Center/UN PlazaStation to Dublin/Pleasanton Station, a 50-minute ride that costs about $7.10. There are four branches of YARTS, two of which are relevant for those arriving on Amtrak. In spring, redbud trees sprout magenta-colored blooms along its banks and the river rises high enough to accommodate whitewater rafters, but its a pretty drive in any season. Miami Youll get to see Tuolumne Grove, Tunnel View, Half Dome, the Yosemite Valleyfloor (where you can take a break to hop in the Merced River if the weather allows! As fun as that one day tour is, we definitely think travelers should consider this 3-day camping trip as a unique way of seeing Yosemite. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Briefly, youll merge onto I-5 North; shortly thereafter, youll merge onto CA-120, which will take you all the way to the Yosemite area. You can even take a quick digital photography class in Yosemite Valley. However, if you have a large group, a guided tour may be expensive for your entire party. Ticket prices typically range from about $140-$150 for a full-day outing and services are usually limited during the winter. When deciding how to get from San Francisco to Yosemite, choose the option that suits your travel style, budget, and vacation itinerary. Book your Yosemite shuttle bus from San Francisco here! On the way to Yosemite, it also makes a stop at the Dublin BART station, in case that is more convenient for you. Thrill-seekers will be happy to know there are also Yosemite zipline tours, just south of the park! Depending on how you choose to get there, travel time will take an average of 3 - 4 hours. Once at Yosemite, you have 5- 6 hours of free time to explore the park. Yosemite is about 170 miles away from San Francisco and about a 4-hour drive. There are infinite itineraries you could choose for this many of which Ive already written about rather in-depth. Rome June through August, you can expect major crowds on the trails and in the campsites, not to mention traffic coming into the park. Several tour companies offer day trips from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park. This way youll be able to better document your once-in-a-lifetime experience of Yosemite National Park. Book your sequoia hike + tour of Yosemite Valley from San Francisco here! For the most enjoyable experience of Yosemite, we suggest getting there in one of two ways: 1) renting a car or 2) catching a Yosemite bus tour from San Francisco. Then, youll go from Emeryville through the scenic San Joaquin Valley for several hours. Typically, these are very well timed and you will have to wait no more than 10 minutes between your bus and your train. Washington DC. Chicago Read more about this shuttle service in our post onthings to do in Yosemite National Park. The drive is too long for any ride share or taxi service, so we would recommend nixing Uber or Lyft right off the bat. What Is the Cheapest Way to Get From San Francisco to Yosemite National Park? This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. One thing to keep in mind: Because the drive takes a minimum of four hours each way, you should plan to spend at least two or three nights for a leisurely experience and to fully appreciate the place. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Every year, the 1,200-square-mile park attracts millions of visitors who come here to go camping, hiking, climbing, or just to admire the scenery. With several rental car services, youll also have the option to reserve a car rental that you can drop off near Yosemite. Driving into the park during winterwhere the Sierra Nevada range beginscan be treacherous. Yosemite National Park has something for everyone, and located just 170 miles away from San Francisco, its a popular day trip or weekend getaway for both Bay Area locals and San Francisco tourists. This way you can spread your trip from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park over 2 or 3 days. See our post on Yosemite bus tours from San Francisco to find out about other tour options. You can also enjoy the scenic drive to Yosemite from the comfort and privacy of a rental car. We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. The two routes we suggest below are a scenic route via Highway 140 or a faster route viaHighway 120. During lunch, youll have free time to explore on your own before driving back from Yosemite to San Francisco. Many hiking trails, roads, viewpoints, and campgrounds are closed for the season and there aren't many people around. Yellow connects Fresno with Coarsegold, Oakhurst, Fish Camp, Mariposa Grove, and the Visitor Center. The El Capitan Shuttle (operating from mid-June until early October) goes to the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center, El Capitan, and the Four Mile trailhead. This tour operates every day between April and October, and Thursday - Sunday in the winter months. Because Yosemite is one of the most popular tourist destinations in California, several companies offer services to help you get from San Francisco to Yosemite and back. The YARTS Bus makes multiple stops and takes about one hour and 45 minutes to reach the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center. These Yosemite tours begin in the heart of San Francisco, near Union Square and Fishermans Wharf. Sign up to receive our monthly newsletter filled with San Francisco travel tips and occasional discounts on tours and rentals. Add on Alcatraz at checkout. The San Francisco to Yosemite shuttle bus departs once a day, leaving from San Francisco at 5:40 AM. Travelers can choose from stopping at the Yosemite Valley Lodge or the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center. If you prefer to sleep in while on vacation, something were all guilty of, you can easily book ahotel.