Sierra Nevada Adventure (San Francisco to Yosemite National Park) From City to High Sierra

Distance & Time: ~200 miles to Yosemite Valley, about 4–5 hours driving nonstop. In reality, you’ll want an early start and potentially all day, especially if you plan stops. If doing a round-trip in one day, it will be a very long day consider staying overnight if possible to maximize your time in the park.

Route: Leave San Francisco via either the Bay Bridge (I-80) or San Mateo Bridge (Hwy 92) to connect with I-580/I-205 east. Continue toward Manteca, then transition to CA-120 east, which leads all the way to Yosemite (enter via the Big Oak Flat Entrance on Highway 120). Alternate: Some prefer I-580 to I-5 north, then CA-120 east roughly the same distance, often just a matter of Bay Area traffic patterns. CA-120 will take you through the Sierra foothills and into the park. (Note: In winter when mountain conditions are harsh, sometimes the slightly lower-altitude route via CA-140 through Mariposa is used, but normally CA-120 is great and direct.)

Highlights: This drive leads from urban bustle to the natural splendor of Yosemite National Park. Along the way, you cross the fertile Central Valley consider a pit stop in a farm town like Oakdale (which proudly calls itself the “Cowboy Capital of the World”) for a hearty bite or a peek at its Cowboy Museum. As CA-120 climbs into the Sierra foothills, you’ll pass historic gold rush towns. Groveland, for example, is a charming 49er-era town where you might pop into the Iron Door Saloon opened before 1852, it claims to be California’s oldest continuously operating saloon, full of Old West character.

Once inside Yosemite National Park, prepare to be awe-struck. Driving towards Yosemite Valley on CA-120/Big Oak Flat Road, you’ll pass through a tunnel and suddenly arrive at Tunnel View a legendary viewpoint that unveils El Capitan (the massive granite monolith on the left), Half Dome (dominating the background), and Bridalveil Fall (pouring from the right) all in one frame. It’s an unforgettable panorama that has moved many a traveler to tears. Descend into Yosemite Valley and you’re in a true alpine paradise. Park and explore the valley floor: easy walks will take you to vistas of Yosemite Falls, which at 2,425 feet total drop is one of the world’s tallest waterfalls (and the highest in North America). Stroll along the Merced River (there are picnic spots and beaches like Cathedral Beach), or visit iconic meadows like Cook’s or Sentinel Meadow you might spot grazing mule deer with Half Dome looming above. If time permits and you’re prepared, trailheads from the valley lead to famous hikes (Vernal Fall, Mirror Lake, etc.), but even a short walk up the Mist Trail or a relax at Yosemite Village is rewarding. Every direction you look, there’s a postcard scene: towering granite cliffs, plunging waterfalls, and ancient ponderosa pines. As late afternoon sets in, the sunlight often turns the granite walls golden. If you stay into the evening, you might catch the alpenglow or starry skies free from city lights.

Tips:

Reservations and timing: Yosemite is extremely popular and at times the park has required reservations for entry during peak summer days. Check the National Park Service website ahead of your trip for any entry reservation system in effect (for summer 2025, for example, reservations were required to drive in during peak hours on certain dates). If you plan to stay overnight in or near the park, make lodging reservations months in advance hotels, campgrounds, and cabins fill up quickly.
Start early for day trips: If you’re doing a long day-trip from SF in peak season, leave very early (pre-dawn if possible) to arrive in Yosemite Valley by mid-morning. Parking in the valley often fills by 9–10 a.m. on busy days, and traffic can back up. An early start means cooler morning drive temperatures and a better chance to snag parking and enjoy quieter trails before crowds grow.
Wildlife and driving safety: Within the park, obey the speed limits (25–35 mph in the valley). Wildlife frequently crosses roads from black bears to coyotes to deer especially during dawn and dusk. Keep your eyes peeled and drive cautiously, particularly around blind curves. Hitting an animal is bad for both you and the wildlife, so slow down and enjoy the scenery.
Fuel up beforehand: There are very few gas stations inside Yosemite (and none in the main valley itself). Fill your tank in Groveland, Oakdale, or Mariposa on the way in. While gas is available at a couple of remote stations like Wawona or Crane Flat, it’s expensive and not always 24 hours. It’s best to enter the park with plenty of fuel so you can focus on fun, not your gas gauge.
Winter considerations: If traveling in late fall, winter, or early spring, be prepared for snow and ice at higher elevations. Always carry tire chains (even if you have 4WD) when entering Yosemite in winter it’s required by law to have them in your vehicle, and chain control checkpoints can be enforced during storms. Roads like CA-120 or CA-41 can temporarily close for heavy snowfall, and you may be rerouted to the all-weather CA-140. Check park road conditions before and during your trip. Dress in layers; Yosemite Valley can be chilly or snowy while the Bay Area was mild.
Stay overnight if possible: A day trip barely scratches the surface of Yosemite. If you can, consider spending at least one night (or more) in or near the park whether at a campsite, rustic lodge, or hotel in nearby towns like El Portal or Mariposa. This gives you the chance to experience sunset and sunrise in the valley, when the crowds thin and the park’s serenity is magical. Early morning mist, the pink glow on Half Dome at dawn, or the sight of stars over Yosemite’s granite peaks are bucket-list experiences that a same-day return trip would cause you to miss.

Sierra Nevada Adventure (San Francisco to Yosemite National Park) From City to High Sierra

Tips:

Reservations and timing: Yosemite is extremely popular and at times the park has required reservations for entry during peak summer days. Check the National Park Service website ahead of your trip for any entry reservation system in effect (for summer 2025, for example, reservations were required to drive in during peak hours on certain dates). If you plan to stay overnight in or near the park, make lodging reservations months in advance hotels, campgrounds, and cabins fill up quickly.
Start early for day trips: If you’re doing a long day-trip from SF in peak season, leave very early (pre-dawn if possible) to arrive in Yosemite Valley by mid-morning. Parking in the valley often fills by 9–10 a.m. on busy days, and traffic can back up. An early start means cooler morning drive temperatures and a better chance to snag parking and enjoy quieter trails before crowds grow.
Wildlife and driving safety: Within the park, obey the speed limits (25–35 mph in the valley). Wildlife frequently crosses roads from black bears to coyotes to deer especially during dawn and dusk. Keep your eyes peeled and drive cautiously, particularly around blind curves. Hitting an animal is bad for both you and the wildlife, so slow down and enjoy the scenery.
Fuel up beforehand: There are very few gas stations inside Yosemite (and none in the main valley itself). Fill your tank in Groveland, Oakdale, or Mariposa on the way in. While gas is available at a couple of remote stations like Wawona or Crane Flat, it’s expensive and not always 24 hours. It’s best to enter the park with plenty of fuel so you can focus on fun, not your gas gauge.
Winter considerations: If traveling in late fall, winter, or early spring, be prepared for snow and ice at higher elevations. Always carry tire chains (even if you have 4WD) when entering Yosemite in winter it’s required by law to have them in your vehicle, and chain control checkpoints can be enforced during storms. Roads like CA-120 or CA-41 can temporarily close for heavy snowfall, and you may be rerouted to the all-weather CA-140. Check park road conditions before and during your trip. Dress in layers; Yosemite Valley can be chilly or snowy while the Bay Area was mild.
Stay overnight if possible: A day trip barely scratches the surface of Yosemite. If you can, consider spending at least one night (or more) in or near the park whether at a campsite, rustic lodge, or hotel in nearby towns like El Portal or Mariposa. This gives you the chance to experience sunset and sunrise in the valley, when the crowds thin and the park’s serenity is magical. Early morning mist, the pink glow on Half Dome at dawn, or the sight of stars over Yosemite’s granite peaks are bucket-list experiences that a same-day return trip would cause you to miss.