The 34-acre property features a main home, guest house and studio all centered around a generous-sized pool and elevated terraces. Located in northwestern Silicon Valley, this famous research institution is not just one of the best schools in the United States, but one of the top universities in the world. The direct drive from Napa to Yosemite National Park is 213 mi (343 km), and should have a drive time of 4 hrs 34 mins in normal traffic.. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46729650', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');the B&B industry seem to have F-I-N-A-L-L-Y gotten THAT fixed with TA. When springs warm sun turns winter snows to water, that snowflake takes a circuitous route, through mountain streams winding across wildflower dotted meadows, through tributaries like the American and Tuolumne rivers and eventually ends up in either the Sacramento or the San Joaquin rivers, flowing through a giant expanse of wetlands known as the Bay-Delta. But if you are trying to do the drive in 4 days, youll need to prioritize whats important to you. This winery also requires reservations, so make sure you book ahead of time. Over 800 5-star reviews. Terms and Conditions. This itinerary can be tailored to suit your requirements please contact one of our consultants to start planning your dream American road trip. Whether you're looking for private charter services, a fun family vacation . Want more redwoods? Hopefully your return flight is late in the day!. If you are a hardy hiker, you can purchase a 1-way ticket and then take your pick of either a 5 or 8 mile hike back down to Yosemite Valley. Yosemite has deep snowfall in the winter with many roads closed for the season while summer sees blue skies and lots of tourists. The area is home to Ghirardelli Square, a wax museum, shopping centers, an aquarium, and much more. The Winchester Mystery House is a mansion in San Jose, California, that was once the personal residence of Sarah Winchester, the widow of firearm magnate William Wirt Winchester. The leading independent voice for aviation news and insight. Weekends are more crowded. ThisCalifornia state parkshares the ancient customs of the Sierra Miwok people. Families traveling with kids may enjoy kid-friendly activities like Safari West, a wildlife compound, and Castello di Amorosa, a big castle with a spooky dungeon that kids will get a kick out of. Coming northwest out of Yosemite puts you smack into California gold rush country. Original Poster . Mirror Lake Trail Loop: 5 miles. It's not exactly cheap and, surprisingly, wine is not included unless you opt for a special package, but it is a luxury experience and the only way to see Napa by rail. For the best views of Half Dome, drive to Glacier Point where you can take photos of the mountain and down into the lush valley you were previously exploring. Can I adjust? After exiting the Oakland side of the Bay Bridge, travelers will head north. See the Most Controversial Spot in Yosemite near the Hetch Hetchy Entrance Jess Lander joined the food and wine team at The San Francisco Chronicle as wine reporter in 2022. Amtrak. Complete operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, is included on your e-ticket. If so, do some price comparison shopping atRentalcars.com. Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. The Napa Valley is a scenic stop when travelling between San Francisco to Yosemite National Park. Downtown Napa is 50 miles from San Francisco, but Napa Valley stretches beyond just the city of Napa. Find Western Heritage in Oakdale We will mark (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? what they think could be improved, it's all here to help you make the most of your next The Sunny Side of the Bay Distance: 176 mi / 283 km Time: 4 hours There is mobile service on the valley floor, but it may be spotty elsewhere in the park, like on Tioga Pass. TOP 5 POPULAR MUST-SEE Learn More . Mandatory Fee (pay the fee in cash to the tour guide): $115 per passenger including Cable Car, San Francisco in-depth tour, Berkeley University, Yosemite National Park, Napa Valley/17 Miles/Stanford University transportation fee and fuel surcharge. The cheapest way to get from Napa Valley Wine Train to Yosemite National Park costs only $42, and the quickest way takes just 4 hours. 2 Hours, Opening Hours: Closed on 1/1/18, 2/23, 2/24, 4/26-4/28, 5/11-5/13, 6/14-6/17, 9/1, 9/8, 9/15, 9/18-9/23, 10/6, 10/25-10/28, 11/10, 11/22, 12/25, Admission (Optional): Adult $39; Child (6-12 yrs) $25; Senior (Over 65 yrs) $36, Admission (Optional): Adult $42; Child (5-11 yrs) $28|Opening Hours: Closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day|Duration: Approx. Sacramento. Vacation Packages: San Francisco - Napa Valley - Yosemite National Park - Monterey (Self Drive), USA Vacations, Build Custom Vacation Packages with Airfare, best vacation deals, online bookings. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. But consider taking a beat and doing the San Francisco to Yosemite road trip at a slower pace. After Yosemite, wind your way back through beautiful farmlands and orchards, stopping in Modesto where youll find a sea of lovely white blossoms in the spring, thanks to the citys groves of almond trees. We booked a room at the Inn on Randolph! Even today, there are still cultural ceremonies held there. Travelers can choose from stopping at the Yosemite Valley Lodge or the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center. If you do that, your train ticket to Napa from San Francisco will be about $4.94 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute. If you like how this itinerary adds the Sonora Gold Country, then do the itinerary in reverse and stay in Sonora or the cute town of Twain Harte a bit further east. Read their Top Questions and any relevant threads (just 'lurk' on other threads; don't add your questions.) High up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, a snowflake falls. Northern California Adventure. If you can still hold your alcohol for one more tasting before returning to San Francisco, you can make a quick stop in Napa to visit Darioush. Take the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) from San Francisco on the Richmond line. Visitors to the park wont want to miss any ofthese following heart-stopping vistas, all easily accessible from paved roads throughout the park. The fastest way to get from SF to Yosemite is out I580 through Tracy, connecting with Highway 120 in Manteca. On your Yosemite adventure,listen to an entertaining guide in your car. Three Sonoma and Napa valley tastings. $(obj).not(".hasDatepicker").datepick({onSelect: function(dateText, inst) {$(this).blur();} , minDate: new Date(), showTrigger: false, constrainWidth: false}); If you want to visit some wineries along the way, stick to the ones along Highway 29 and contact the winery directly to ask where the nearest bus stop is. It is known for its moderate climate, natural environment, coastline, redwood forests, alternative community lifestyles and socially liberal leanings. You can usually find more choice and less expensive room inventory just outside of the valley. Post a request for finding a partner to share the tour! Stanford University is recognized as one of the world's leading research and teaching institutions. . Her contributions reflects her special interest in travel, women health and celebrities. 1 of 2. We reserve the right to edit or reject questions that include inappropriate content, profanity, references to other retailers, pricing, or personal information. This itinerary includes three stops intended to show you a few interesting things along the way that you otherwise may have missed. The grandiosely-named Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, California is a huge, ornate outdoor structure that is part of the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Depending on what time your flight arrives you could get out and explore, so why not head to the harbour for a bowl of clam chowder as the sun goes down the perfect start to a Californian adventure! We are considering a day trip to Yosemite (long day but understand it is worth it). Get a Birds Eye View of Yosemite on a Scenic Flight For dinner drop in to the Oxbow Public Market, a . Start in San Francisco where youll have time to soak up the best of the city before driving out to Napa Valley, one of the most famous wine regions in the country. Thread Tools Search this Thread Jun 23rd, 2009, 06:29 PM #1 ncsuchemist2002. On this trip, you'll head into the wilderness of Yosemite National Park before a vino-tasting tour through the finest fine wine country in the US. is that all im gonna pay? A one-way adult ticket on the ferry costs about $15, but there are discounts for children and senior citizens age 65 and up. Tuolumnes Top 8 on the Edge of Yosemite Each entrance has its own unique character and special points of interest along the way. We've been offering travelers a safe, eco-friendly, reliable way to connect with nature since 1993. True that John. Take advantage of the shuttle buses to get around the valley floor. Hello! Accommodations planning: 2 nights in San Francisco, 2 nights in Monterey, 2 nights in . If you are short on time, this itinerary is the best option for you. After a day swimming and kayaking through the lake, drive from Lake Tahoe to Yosemite National Park hiking, climbing and looking out for wildlife that roams the hills. Enquire Now. Get an early start, because its over four hours of straight up drive time with lots of cool stops along the way. To do a trip to Yosemite-- wow that is 8 plus hours of driving and too little time to actually see the amazing valley. If not Yosemite, we are considering Muir Woods Any insight would be greatly appreciated! From local artisan producers and farmers to Western culture, The bridge at Wapama Falls in Yosemites Hetch Hetchy Valley, Photo by Kim Carroll Photography courtesy of Everygreen Lodge, Alcatraz Island is a National Park Service site, down-to-earth wine, beer, ice cream and caffeine tasting scene, this town is a great place to spend some time on the way to the park, www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/oakdale/oklca/hoteldetail, listen to an entertaining guide in your car, plus ten more things to do in this charming historic county, Stay in a Modern Airstream at AutoCamp Yosemite. This is oneCalifornias most scenic drivesand our guide will help you find additional stops along the way from San Francisco to Yosemite which feature Californias Native American culture, gold rush history, cool hikes and culinary tourism. 14 San Francisco: Muir Woods Redwoods and Wine Country Tour. On arrival in San Francisco you will make your own way into the city and check into your hotel for one night. Is the Avenue of the Giants Worth It After Redwood NP? Never having been there before; would it be best to spend two days in The Napa Valley and the remaining time catching a few sites in SF? The trail to the grove is a 3 mile round trip with 520 feet of elevation gain. Getting to Yosemite From the West and North San Francisco/Bay area. You can drive yourself up to Glacier Point, which is a lovely, popular overlook in the park.. Distance: 195 mi / 314 km Time:4-5 hours Take I-580 east to I-205 east to Highway 120 east (Manteca) or Highway 140 east (Merced) into Yosemite National Park. This option will take one on Highway 101 North across the Golden Gate Bridge. It is considered one of the top scientific schools in the world. This amazing experience kicks off in the city by the bay; San Francisco. Check out some impressive numbers of Napa Valley: More than 400 wineries; Home to more than 150 restaurants; More Michelin stars per capita than any other wine region in the world FUN FACT: For all its (worthy) success, only 4% of California's wine comes from Napa Valley. Consider staying in either Fish Camp (which is near the Mariposa sequoia grove) or around Midpine and Mariposa (which is a lovely drive into the valley along the Merced river). Estimated Price: $259*. With the diverse natural landscapes in the region, you could easily spend 3-4 days (or a lifetime) exploring the trails, rock climbs, and attractions. Which ones have you tried? There is travel time involved as well. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-43239749', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');San Francisco in November. These services are mostly used by workday commuters and the number of trips they make per day is fewer on weekends, especially on Sundays. Visit San Francisco and camp in Yosemite National Park. What they loved, what they liked and Stop #2: Point Reyes National Seashore. 5 Famous Viewpoints Close to the Road in Yosemite Go early to get a parking spot or take the shuttle, which runs four times per day. The relatively low elevation of Hetch Hetchy means that it offers a long hiking season. It outlines specific things to do in colder weather, including hikes, scenic viewpoints and tours. She has written for Thethings, Babygaga, Thetravel, and Therichest. We are extremely excited for our first visit to the valley! International flights (per person, based on 2 sharing), Explore the eclectic neighbourhoods of San Francisco, Taste your way through the vineyards of Napa Valley, Admire the views over Lake Tahoe and Emerald Bay, Hike your way through the lush mountains in Yosemite National Park. A popular loop is SF - (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Day 4 from San Francisco to Sonoma and Napa. Going to Napa Valley from San Francisco can be enjoyable from the trip to the destination if you do a little research, book your schedules, study the routes and traffic situations and plan your time. Spring is also an excellent time of year to visit neighboring wine country and sip some vino. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. You can explore Emerald Bay, a beautiful section of the southern shore before having lunch at a beach bar and taking the cable car up the mountain for stunning views over the lake. 2-5 Days. This small group tour takes you from San Francisco to the famed Napa Valley. With a day to enjoy Napa Valley, you need to get stuck right into the wonderful food and wine of the region. $25 $20 $15 $10 $5 M A M J J A S O N D J F. If you are trying to decide when to travel from Napa to San Francisco by train so you can score the best possible deal, your best bet would be to plan your trip for February. We offer two to five-day experiences! Enter your target tour date range and email address below. But the Parks Service also offers aguided bus tourto Glacier Point. It sits over the Stanislaus river and there are some nice hiking trails on the north side and tons of picnic tables on the south side. }); There are various options to reach Napa Valley from San Francisco. Hop between vineyards tasting the different wines Cabernet Sauvignon is the speciality here but there are lots of others to choose from including Merlot, Pinot Noir or Zinfandel. The road into the Valley meanders along the Merced River. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. Goes to Mirror Lake and then continues along a flat-ish loop back into the valley. If you want to do this drive in the winter, then check out our Yosemite winter guide. If you go to Yosemite, stay at least a night. Next, they will see another sign with two options for Napa. Multi-Day Yosemite Tours - Tent Cabin Stay. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. FAQ: Yanks drive on the wrong side of the road. AirBorrn Aviation / Yosemite Airways offers affordable scenic flights with views of El Capitan, Half Dome and more. If you are making this a 6-7 day road trip, you can probably do all of them. The well-preserved downtown core has a county history museum, tons of cute antique and apparel shops and the Iron Door Saloon, which is the oldest operating saloon in California. There is a lot to explore in the Napa Valley with its hundreds of wineries, fantastic restaurants, and many lovely inns and resorts to choose from. . Another option is to enjoy a bit of the coast north of . HomepageAboutBlog ArchiveWork with UsPrivacy PolicyContact Us. youll turn into the park and drive through to the western edge where youll check into your hotel for three nights. Yay, we in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Please note that the Tioga Pass doesnt get plowed and is closed in the winter. Yosemite & Napa Valley. Today we will gather in San Francisco. I recently published an extended guide to planning Redwoods road trips that includes this itinerary in greater detail. Napa, as well as Oak Knoll and Yountville. San Francisco sits on the edge of the Pacific Ocean giving it a changeable climate, where you can experience summer and winter in the same day. For the Gold Country part of the itinerary, we recommend the Historic National Hotel in Jamestown or the Lazy Z Resort in Twain Harte. Rent a bike and cycle over the Golden Gate Bridge for iconic views, Discover world class wines in the Napa Valley, Drive past the bizarre Mono Lake - a soda lake full of strange salt formations, Lake Tahoe is a highlight of any trip to Northern California, Plan your Yosemite National Park visit wisely. Note: This question will be posted on a public forum. This winery is built by an Iranian and is Persian-inspired. FAQ: Where are the California Traveler Articles, Written for Travelers by Travelers? Better to do fewer things more slowly and savor your experience, than rush around, barely scratching the surface. National Park Tour. Upload Photos Any and all suggestions are appreciated. Here are 4 ways to get to Yosemite from San Francisco that involve a car rental or transportation and tour by a local operator. Before you start planning for your itinerary, it would be good to do a little research about your destination. Get Ready to Leave Your Heart The Greyhound Bus service from San Francisco to Yosemite appeals to budget-conscious travelers. Aerial view of hot air balloon flying over green Napa Valley, San Francisco To Napa Valley: How To Plan The Perfect Day Trip Itinerary, The Trip From San Francisco To Napa Valley, What Driving From San Francisco To Napa Valley Is All About, Why Napa Valley Is Such A Famous Eco-Destination, your proximity to places like Napa Valley, The 10 Best Napa Wineries For First-Timers To Visit, Check Out These Hidden Gems In Napa Valley, It is branded as one of the best California tasting sites, wineries of Napa Valley rival the Old World wine regions, something to do in Napa Valley any month of the year. The status of Napa Valley as a premier wine-tasting destination is fairly new. Maybe I will actually break down and become *a fan* of TA one of these days! If you are keen to do primarily Yosemite, then I would recommend an overnight in either Mariposa (a bit closer to SF) or Fish Camp (closer to the Mariposa Grove). Oct 05 2022. Enjoy a multi-day tour of the stunning attractions in Yosemite that includes accommodation in our cozy tent cabins! If you are traveling with kids, or you are simply a train nerd, the Sugar Pine Railroad is a fun stop to make on the way from SF to Yosemite. It was one of the countrys most infamous federal prisons. Merced is Yosemites smallest grove of giant sequoia, but its also the most secluded and its worth putting in the effort to visit. Yosemite in a Day Tour From San Francisco. Wine taste in Napa & Sonoma with an excursion in the giant sequoias of Muir Woods, San Francisco's stunning Coastal Redwood Forest. Before saying goodbye to Napa, you can stop by numerous restaurants to have dinner. Visit before July if you want to see the waterfalls in their full glory from the snowmelt. We arrive at SFO at 2pm on Wednesday, May 8 and leave SFO at 2pm on Sunday, May 12. Train operators. Happy trails! In the winter, Tioga Pass and other high elevation sites are closed. Meet awesome people! Dont be in a hurry to drive back from Yosemite to San Francisco, because there are some cool stops to make along the route home. In Oakdale, explore Gold Rush history and a delicious culinary scene before continuing to towns like Pinecrest, where you can paddle on a peaceful, snowmelt-fed lake or Tuolumne where youll find apple orchards producing cider. It is located near the geographical center of the Nevada mountain range. We will alert you when your requested tour becomes available! The region houses one of the most important reservoirs storing and serving drinking water to northern California. Napa Valley comprises several regions, and the notable wine places are Napa, Calistoga, St. Helena, Rutherford, Oakville, and Yountville. In total, this route takes about two hours. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46730033', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Napa Valley usually means expensive. Eight days in San Francisco, Yosemite NP, Napa Valley and Carmel/Big Sur. Do a tasting at one or two of the nine wineries on thewine trail map. Break for Modesto From there, we'll head to Yosemite for 2 days . The region is a popular daytrip from the Bay Area, but it doesn't have just one destination. The first section of the drive starts from wherever you are in the Bay Area and ends in Fish Camp. Do this road trip in a rental RV to stay close to nature. 15 San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge and Lombard GoCar Tour. FAQ: Where are the Coastal Redwoods in California (added Oct 2013). Why The Napa Valley Is One Of The World's Premier Wine Regions. This tiny snowflake, and unfathomable numbers of its companions, water two-thirds of California. Moderate. In addition to touring the castle interior, visitors can taste a wide selection of fine Napa Valley wine which is made on premises and not sold elsewhere. When she's not writing, she spends time with her two beautiful and naughty sons. Visitors can stroll through 300 feet of crystal clear tunnels featuring over 20,000 marine animals.