If it were later in the summer I'd say you need more time in Yosemite but since many of the roads will still be closed due to winter closures, one night is fine.

Do you have lodging?

www.yosemitepark.com

There are constant cancellations due to people making their reservations up to a year in advance, so don't give up on in park lodging

I'm not sure I'd bother stopping in Monterey just for the aquarium (it's a very nice aquarium, but there's a very nice aquarium in San Francisco, too, if that's a must do).

any suggestion on where i should go in YNP? i understand that there are many entrances.... as far as the aquarium, its not a must so would you recommend on any other stops along the way? what attractions shouldn't we miss??

it sounds like you're into nature/flora/fauna - if this aspect of your visit is important, I would definitely check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium (it doesn't take that long to see the entire facility) but I would also recommend the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park in SF and if it's sunny walk across the plaza to go up and into the deYoung tower for a dynamite view of the entire SF area and GG Bridge...more later

There's a good chance that the Rt. 140 entrance (from Merced) will be the only one open. At the entrance station they will give you a map of the park. With the limited amount of the park that you can drive to 1 night is enough.
If you can't get a reservation in the park come back to El Portal.

From SF you should enter the park either via the Big Oak Flat entrance which is on 120 on the north west side of the park or via 140 Arch Rock entrance on the west side from Merced. You would not drive all the way to the south entrance to drive back to the valley. Also the east side entrance doesn't make sense since you are coming from SF and Tioga Pass is closed in the winter.

You should visit the Yosemite park website to see what's going on during the seaosn you will visit:

Here's the link for spring:

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/spring.htm

Specifically April:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/april.htm

Things to do:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/things2do.htm

Things to know:

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/things2know.htm

Videos:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/photosmultimedia/ytp.htm

The Yosemite Guide from last year for the dates of your visit this year. Gives you an idea of what to expect in the way of programs and activities. The Yosemite Guide for this year for your time period will be out shortly before you leave.:

http://www.nps.gov/yose/photosmultimedia/ytp.htm

In spite of what tomfuller says, Big Oak Flat entrance doesn't typically close. So you will have that entrance to use if you prefer to enterr from the north west.

I'd drop something - what is up to you.

The drive from SF to Yosemite is 4+hours and from Yosemite to LA is more than 6 hours - so basically you'd be driving probably 11 hours to net half a day in Yosemite Valley.

I'd do SF and Yosemite (heading up nasty/boring but fast I-5) - OR - the coast and Yosemite - OR - The coast and SF.

. . . OR - add a day or two . . .

Leaving SF by 8 am you'd be in Yosemite Valley by noon. You can do alot of hiking around the valley before the sun sets in April. Something like 8 hours worth of light afer noon.

The next day you can stay in the valley in the am and then early afternoon head to the south part of the park spend a little time in the Mariposa Grove and then head out for your drive to LA. From Fish Camp to Los Angles it's about 4.5 hours - no stops. So if you left Mariposa Grove by 5 You could be home in LA by 10 PM after a short stop for dinner around the Grapevine. When we have gone to Yosemite in Mid April the water is gushing everywhere. Great to be there! WE don't stay more than 1 night that time of year either. I'm of the opinion that any visit to yosemite is a good visit.

I guess if you want to do everything on your list you will find a way. Me - I'll sleep when I'm dead.

But - leaving at 08:00 puts you in the commute all through SF and the East Bay. True, they'd be 'going against the flow' - but in the Bay area the flow is pretty awful in every direction. W/ an 8AM departure plan on hitting Yosemite Valley by hopefully 1PM - have lunch and then 5 or 6 hours max before dark

I agree - travel now and sleep when you can't travel anymore

And if all those places are musts it can be done. Hard choices.

It was just an example Janis. They can leave earlier or later but I don't think the traffic exiting the city will severly impact their travel. There will still be plenty of light to see what's happening in Yosemite. Not many people get to see Yosemite midweek in April when the water pours out of every crevice in the park, making temproary waterfalls like Ribbon Falls which can only be seen that time of year and the mighty Merced river is roiling while the Falls roar with newly melted snow casting their mist far and wide.

Could you fly open-jaw? Like into LA and home from Oakland or SFO? Would save the return drive back to LA.

"Could you fly open-jaw? Like into LA and home from Oakland or SFO? Would save the return drive back to LA."

I understood the OP that Sarad lives in LA and their family was flying in to visit them.

I thought that too janis. I guess if the residents of LA had extra time they could drive the flyers to SF to go home & they could relax along the coast - now that sounds like a nice ending....