This winery also requires reservations, so make sure you book ahead of time. Let's Chat. Read More: If you are keen on mining history, check out this article onCalifornia ghost towns. Be aware that the time of year makes a big difference in Yosemite. A popular loop is SF - (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The American Society of Civil Engineers considers the Golden Gate Bridge one of the wonders of the modern world. Northern California: Napa, Lake Tahoe to Yosemite | Travel Nation However, if you think that you have already had your fill of wine for the day, you can go to Oakville for your next stop and drop by the Oakville Grocery. Youll probably approach from the east driving past the bizarre Mono Lake, a soda lake full of strange salt formations. The area is home to Ghirardelli Square, a wax museum, shopping centers, an aquarium, and much more. This granite cliff on the north side of Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park is world-famous as a challenge for rock climbers. Discover the top eight things to do in these quaint towns from boating to Gold Rush-era experiences. What was once a lush valley is now a reservoir holding water for the city of San Francisco. Road Trip From San Francisco To Yosemite National Park You may have to stay outside the park. It reads "37 Napa/Novato - Auto Mall Columbus Parkway" and exits on the right. Yosemite & Napa Valley. Many companies also offer Napa Valley tours from San Francisco, some with side trips to Muir Woods or other places. If so, do some price comparison shopping atRentalcars.com. Head over to the Napa valley. Best Napa Valley day tours to experience Castello di Amorosa, Sausalito, Napa Factory Outlets and enjoy wine tasting at Napa wineries. Northern California 7 Days Itinerary from San Francisco - Ocean California Day 2 : San Francisco - Napa. From San Francisco, California's wine-famous Napa Valley is 60 miles to the north. From $277.00. Our San Francisco and Yosemite Vacation package includes five nights accommodations and multiple guided group tours. Best Budget Tour: Napa & Sonoma Valley Wine Tour from San Francisco. Look for Cathedral Beach, Housekeeping Camp, Swinging Beach, Devils Elbow and Sentinel Beach. 1 Hour, Admission (Optional): Adult $32; Child (2-12 yrs) $25; Senior (Over 65 yrs) Free|Duration: Approx. Napa Valley symbolizes California's wine country and is considered one of the world's premier wine regions. Castello di Amorosa, a 13th century Tuscan-styled castle and winery, is the only authentic medieval castle in the United States. Typically one needs 2-3 days in SF and at least 2 in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Tour the famous landmarks of San Francisco, cross the bay to Muir Woods, and spend a day tasting wine in the Napa and Sonoma . When you make it to Yosemite, be sure to visit the Hetch Hetchy area, where less than 1% of park visitors ever venture. 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. Coming northwest out of Yosemite puts you smack into California gold rush country. How long is the drive from Napa to Yosemite National Park?. In addition to being the tallest waterfall in North America, the Yosemite Falls are the seventh-tallest in the world. San Francisco to Yosemite Road Trip Itinerary: Explore the Scenic Backroads Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in Yosemite National Park, Cruise to Alcatraz Island, the infamous prison in San Francisco Bay. See complete details at the, Free upgrade to bus first 3 rows seating, subject to availability, All domestic ground transportation via air-conditioned vehicle. This is where they will find a sign on 101 on the highway that will tell them to take the route for both Napa and Sonoma. Hike up to Nevada Falls to get a sense of the wonderful hiking that you can experience here. Leave San Francisco at 8am to reach Yosemite by noon. Please do not book airline tickets until you receive the confirmation. If you are making this a 6-7 day road trip, you can probably do all of them. Today Napa Valley has over 400 wineries (particularly prized for Cabernet Sauvignon). Find Western Heritage in Oakdale This guide is organized around four major sections of the drive: SF to Yosemites southern reaches, Yosemite Valley, Northern Yosemite and the return from Yosemite to San Francisco. Napa Valley is roughly considered to be the area from American Canyon to Calistoga at the northernmost point, with the city of Napa located near the southern part of the valley. Napa proper tends to be extremely crowded in peak season, and that . Day 6: Yosemite National Park. The cheapest way to get from Napa to Yosemite National Park costs only $42, and the quickest way takes just 4 hours. From the Golden Gate Bridge, you have two options. Your Scenic San Francisco to Death Valley Road Trip, Your Highway 395 Road Trip Itinerary: Everything You Need to, The Essential Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary, Is Big Sur Worth Visiting? All the wine youve sipped, streams youve hiked along and produce youve eaten along the way are all thanks to Sierra Nevada snowmelt. Dr Knight realized that this stretch of the Stanislaus river made for a favorable crossing serving gold rush towns like Columbia and Sonora. The boutique vineyards and the premium wines combine with the dramatic views of the valley to form a truly idyllic setting just on the doorstep of San Francisco. Top 4 Ways to Get From San Francisco to Yosemite National Park Whether you're looking for private charter services, a fun family vacation . Downtown Napa is 50 miles from San Francisco, but Napa Valley stretches beyond just the city of Napa. Your first stop is at Muir Woods National Monument, aka the Forest Moon of Endor, for a hike among the redwoods. Costa Rica. Napa to San Francisco Train - Amtrak Tickets $15 | Wanderu A Tale of Two Lodges, Evergreen and Rush Creek Yosemite to San Fran or Napa Valley - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums If you're driving, it takes between four and seven hours, depending on the route you choose and the traffic intensity. 15 San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge and Lombard GoCar Tour. This hike starts at Yosemite Falls and takes a nice long stroll along the Merced River. Arrive in Napa Valley and enjoy an included wine tasting, before having lunch at Napa's Oxbow Public Market. This region between San Francisco and Sacremento is internationally famous for its wines, which are considered among the best in the world. NAPA VALLEY, CA . This breathtaking stretch of coastline along California's Monterey Peninsula takes visitors through a maze of beautiful scenery, unique wildlife, and amazing mansions. The fastest way to get from SF to Yosemite is out I580 through Tracy, connecting with Highway 120 in Manteca. 4-Day San Francisco/Las Vegas to Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend and Grand Canyon East Rim/South Rim Tour (Airport Pickup) $498.00 $483.06. Best 2-Day Eco-Friendly Yosemite Vacation Itinerary 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. San Francisco to Napa Train - Amtrak Tickets $15 | Wanderu San Francisco to Yosemite Road Trip | GetJerry.com The tour includes El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls in Yosemite Valley, Tunnel View, and Glacier Point. Maybe I will actually break down and become *a fan* of TA one of these days! 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. The drive to the Big Oak Flat entrance takes at least four hours; however, traffic, especially in summer and on weekends, can make it much . Napa Valley Wine Train to Yosemite National Park - Rome2rio Thanks for all of the input! Based in Napa Valley, Jess has extensively covered California wine country for numerous national . Mirror Lake Trail Loop: 5 miles. Today wineries of Napa Valley rival the Old World wine regions in France and Italy. Next, they should continue their drive over a second bridge on Interstate 80 and through Vallejo. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. When its running, you can reach the lower falls from a fairly easy loop trail. San Francisco to Yosemite National Park: Best Ways to Get There Post a request for finding a partner to share the tour! Do this road trip in a rental RV to stay close to nature. 12-15 People. Yosemite Tours | Guided Yosemite Tours from San Francisco They will then follow the Interstate 80 - Berkeley/ Sacramento signs. After the side trips, you can head directly to St. Helena for your very first wine tasting at V. Sattui. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Length: 10 hours. California Wine Country: The Complete Guide, How to Travel From San Francisco to Lake Tahoe By Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, How to Travel from Sacramento to San Francisco by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, How to Travel From San Francisco to Yosemite by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, The 9 Best Day Trips From Napa and Sonoma, How to Travel From San Francisco to Las Vegas by Bus, Car, and Plane, Getting Around the San Francisco Bay Area: A Public Transit Guide, How to Travel From San Diego to San Francisco by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, How to Travel From San Francisco to New York by Plane, Train, Car, or Bus, How to Travel From Cancun to Cozumel by Bus, Car, Ferry, and Plane. Springtime temperatures hover around a pleasant 70 . If you want to do this drive in the winter, then check out our Yosemite winter guide. . Visit San Francisco and camp in Yosemite National Park. 13 Best Things To Do Between San Francisco And Yosemite NP In the winter, Tioga Pass and other high elevation sites are closed. HomepageAboutBlog ArchiveWork with UsPrivacy PolicyContact Us. 3 Day Yosemite Camping Adventure From San Francisco. But consider taking a beat and doing the San Francisco to Yosemite road trip at a slower pace. It is located on the south wall of Yosemite Valley at an elevation of 7214 ft, 3200 ft above Half Dome Village. INCREDIBLE ADVENTURES - 765 Pennsylvania Ave, San Francisco - Yelp Security Statement | Private Policy | User Agreement. south of San Francisco, around Santa Barbara, and lots more. Napa Valley is one of the world's top wine-growing regions and rivals the traditional regions of France and Italy. The first section of the drive starts from wherever you are in the Bay Area and ends in Fish Camp. 4-Day Los Angeles to Universal Studio Hollywood, Seaworld . If you take the US-101, the total distance will be around 200 miles and 4 hours of driving. 38 Best Stops Between Yosemite National Park and Napa - Wanderlog Even today, there are still cultural ceremonies held there. Alcatraz & Muir Woods Tour Package . 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. The latter will allow travelers to drive the Silverado Trail and witness various wineries such as Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Clos du Val, and Silverado Vineyards. This is where they will have reached Napa Valley's southern edge. If not Yosemite, we are considering Muir Woods Any insight would be greatly appreciated! Weekends are more crowded. Tuolumnes Top 8 on the Edge of Yosemite Check out our Web Storiesfor more inspiration. The ultimate guide to activities inside Yosemite National Park. Start: San Francisco. Consider these tips for making your Yosemite trip from San Francisco as smooth as possible. Thread Tools Search this Thread Jun 23rd, 2009, 06:29 PM #1 ncsuchemist2002. 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.. I also have noticed a change in at least one of their alogrithms for lodging reviews which helps to make the overall rating of a property more realistic. 45 Minutes, Ask a Question It hits up some lovely backroads and tackles both the northern and southern areas of Yosemite. The status of Napa Valley as a premier wine-tasting destination is fairly new. The South Bay consists of Silicon Valley cities like Santa Clara, San . Eventually, the snowflake flows into the San Francisco Bay and passes under the Golden Gate Bridge to reach the Pacific Ocean. It is the home of Vista Point, the Marine Mammal Center, and beautiful views of San Francisco Bay. A park ranger vehicle sits near the Big Oak Flat entrance into Yosemite National Park along Hwy 120, on Thursday, February 23, 2023. This itinerary is purely a suggestion, and can be tailor-made to your requirements, so please contact us with your dates and requests and well put together a bespoke quotation for you. Napa Valley is renowned for quality wine and excellent food and is always worth a stop. Jess Lander joined the food and wine team at The San Francisco Chronicle as wine reporter in 2022. WHat if i opted to pay all the the Admission fee amounting to $135 and the $100 (cable cars, etc..) and the Tour guide fee of $9/day total of $27that is a grand total $262 so in addition to the $338 tour , i have to add the $262, totalling to $600. Alcatraz & San Francisco Combo Tour. Day 3: San Francisco, Big Basin OR Monterey. Next, they will see another sign with two options for Napa. One day is not enough to really experience Napa Valley, and visitors should consider staying in accommodation for a night or two surrounded by the vineyards. Best Alcatraz Tours combined with San Francisco, Napa, Silicon Valley & Redwoods. National Park Tour. You have 3 full days and about 2 half days. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. var obj = document.getElementById("2527080060dates_range_end"); We reserve the right to edit or reject questions that include inappropriate content, profanity, references to other retailers, pricing, or personal information. Spring has the best waterfalls, but will also still have snow on the ground. Yosemite has deep snowfall in the winter with many roads closed for the season while summer sees blue skies and lots of tourists. This trip is a great way to experience California at its best! Trip Report Eight days in San Francisco, Yosemite NP, Napa Valley and Highlights of San Francisco, Napa Valley and Yosemite Yosemite snow totals smash 54-year-old record Spend the afternoon uncovering the rest of the city - why not browse City Lights Bookstore for a glimpse into Beat Poetry history before strolling into Chinatown for some dumplings. 120 on the way to Yosemite, Oakdale holds its heritage close. The fastest way to get from SF to Yosemite is out I580 through Tracy, connecting with Highway 120 in Manteca. Thanks for your input! In addition, there is a food truck stationed by the garden where you can have lunch, but note that they only serve small bites. # of Tastings: Up to 3 stops and wine tastings included in the price. 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. Ten minutes on Highway 37, they will head north on Highway 121. Departing from San Francisco, you can look forward to nature-rich hikes through majestic Yosemite, renowned for its . Stanford University is recognized as one of the world's leading research and teaching institutions. From the Tunnel View vantage point, tourists can see some of the park's most famous areas in the Yosemite Valley, including El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall. This tiny snowflake, and unfathomable numbers of its companions, water two-thirds of California. Get an early start, because its over four hours of straight up drive time with lots of cool stops along the way. Check Major Road Closures in CA via this official Map. Also known as wine country, a trip to Napa Valley is a breath of fresh air from the busy streets of San Francisco. Learn more about each of these scenic routes into Yosemite, and get some ideas for things to do along the way. 120 on the way to Yosemite, Oakdale holds its heritage close. 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. Reply Subscribe . Historic Sonoma Plaza lunch break. (note that the Glacier Point road will be closed for repaving during the 2022 season). Take the bus from Merced Transpo to Yosemite Valley Visitors Center. more. From San Francisco to Yosemite: 5 Best Ways to Get There Why not spend your day here kayaking on the water? 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! 1 of 2. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-43239749', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');San Francisco in November. First stop will be the valley, where the visitor centre and a couple of hotels sit in the imposing shadow of El Capitan, a favourite of rock climbers from all over the world. However, Napa's true appeal is in exploring the vineyards along the way. Today we will gather in San Francisco. The falls process the most water during the springtime. If you are lovin those views, you may want to consider coming back to Tioga Pass as an entryway to our scenicHighway 395 drivedown the Eastern Sierras. If you have kids, make a slight detour to the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield and take the tour. The easiest way to get from San Francisco to Napa using public transportation is to take the San Francisco Bay Ferry from the San Francisco Ferry Building or Fisherman's Wharf Pier 41 to Vallejo. It seems that options are all over the place. How To Get To Yosemite | Getting To Yosemite Mariposa County ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-43241286', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Napa-Monterey is plenty for 7 days; leave Yosemite for the next trip. V. Sattui is a family-owned winery, and its wines are only sold on-site, so it is not available anywhere else. Do a tasting at one or two of the nine wineries on thewine trail map. Winery and estate hit the market in Napa Valley for $35 million 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. There is travel time involved as well. Time is not an issue so happy to spend additional 4 days to include Yosemite, if needed? While wine has been growing there since the nineteenth century (and Prohibition didn't help), premium wine production only started in the 1960s, and it only really took off in the 80s and 90s. Awesome California National Parks Road Trip You Need to Do - 2TravelDads Its large campus is a sight to behold. Coastal Redwood forest stroll. . It was one of the countrys most infamous federal prisons. Enquire Now. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. She has written for Thethings, Babygaga, Thetravel, and Therichest. Get a free Yosemite National Park trip planner with inspiring itineraries and essential information. Take advantage of all of them for some sensational views. Best Way to Get to Napa Valley from San Francisco A few San Francisco tour companies offer a personalized way to get to Napa Valley from San Francisco, taking small groups on adventures planned just for them. If you are short on time, this itinerary is the best option for you. The Mariposa grove is the largest in the park and is conveniently located just 10 miles from Fish Camp. This means that if you choose to purchase, Ill make a small commission.). SF to Yosemite via Highway 120 E. Travel Time: 3 hours and 45 minutes. Moving north through San Rafael, travelers will reach Highway 37 by heading east. }); We have been looking at hotels and B&B's. Breathe in the sweet pine-scented air and dangle your toes in playful mountain rivers. Its amazing architecture has made it popular for weddings and photography. If you are craving Italian food, you can visit Bistro Don Giovanni. The previous record was 40 degrees on Feb. 24 in 1891. This means that you can take off late or meander on the way and still make it to Yosemite at a reasonable time that same day. Please see " Departures and Returns" for more info. 1 Hour 30 Minutes, Admission (Optional): Adult $28; Child (3-9 yrs) $18|Duration: Approx. One of the things to consider is the season, but there is always something to do in Napa Valley any month of the year. Hetch Hetchy is in the far northwest corner of the park and its less popular (and therefore less crowded) than other parts of the park. 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. San Francisco, Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, Sequoia NP, Yosemite NP Lake Tahoe & Napa Valley Explore the best of California on this Northern Cali Loop . Day 4: Big Sur. For you to maximize your day, leave early and work back your travel itinerary so that you can enjoy some quick stops along the way. Wineries in Napa Valley open at 10 AM. Enjoy this relaxing stop on Hwy 120 on the way to Yosemite National Park with modern, clean rooms and amenities such as complimentary breakfast, high speed internet and an outdoor pool. Daily temperature check for all passengers including driver and tour guide. The University of California at Berkeley is the flagship branch of the University of California system. Until Highway 121 dead ends, travelers shall turn left to drive towards the Napa wineries on the highway. $(obj).not(".hasDatepicker").datepick({minDate: new Date(), showTrigger: false, constrainWidth: false}); The Sunny Side of the Bay 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. Explore Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay We do enjoy wine so would definately like to take advantage of Napa. TOP 5 POPULAR MUST-SEE Learn More . Pick Your Perfect Yosemite Activities Climb, Raft, Bike, Ski, Hike Find more about her work at www.auninditabhatia.com. Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity John Muir (get more Muir quotes here). Explore the Mission District with its colourful murals and famous burritos before renting a bike and cycling over the Golden Gate Bridge for iconic views back over the city. Amtrak. 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. Get answers to your questions about California, FAQ: What you need to know about California Before you Visit, FAQ: What you Need to Know Before you drive here, FAQ: California Itineraries and Trip Reports, Driving from SF to LA or vice Versa -- Please read this, FAQ: How to drive the Coastal Highway in Southern California. A fabulous place to be explored in its own right, it's also a base to the Californian wine region Napa, and an epic drive from Yosemite National Park and the Big Sur. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-43239963', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Yosemite. Top 4 Ways to get from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park: San Francisco To Yosemite Road Trip. From the Golden City, wind your way through unpretentious wine country, orchards and historic towns on this San Francisco to Yosemite road trip. Private Wine Tour of Napa and Sonoma, up to 14 people http://www.weather.com has weather info. 7 day itinerary for San Francisco, Napa, Yosemite, Carmel? Distance: 176 mi / 283 km Time: 4 hours Depending on what time your flight arrives you could get out and explore, so why not head to the harbour for a bowl of . Start your second day with some morning exploration taking you from Fisherman's Wharf to stylish Union Square.