Mantis

I am planning a trip to California in May, and would like to see both Yosemite and King's Canyon/Sequoia NPs. There isn't a whole lot of lodging left in Yosemite for May, so I was thinking of staying outside of the park, and driving in every day.

How long does it take to get from some of the border towns (Oakhurst, El Portal, Mariposa) to Yosemite Valley? Also, how long does it take to get from Fresno to Sequoia NP? Are there any better lodging options for that park than Fresno?

Thanks for the insight.

Howard

El Portal is the closest town to Yosemite. I can recommend the Yosemite View Lodge on Highway 140, just outside of the park. Actually, it's closer to Yosemite Valley than some of the accommodations within the park.
email: [email protected]
website: www.yosemite-motels.com
telephone: 209-379-2681
fax: 209-379-2704

Suzie

If you are interested in staying outside Yosemite on the south side so that it's an easier drive to or from Sequoia then Fish Camp is a good choice. The south entrance is close by but the valley floor is a windy but beautiful drive. Probably in the neighborhood of 45 minutes. On the way though are some Yosemite sites like Wawona and the giant sequoias. We've stayed at the Tanaya Lodge several times and it's very nice.

kam

I would go with staying at El Portal---two fairly nice motels and pretty close to the valley floor.

Polly

We stayed in Mariposa the night before our Yosemite visit. Very easy, beautiful drive into the park from there. After Yosemite, we exited via Route 41 to Fresno for an overnight before proceeding to Sequoia.

sammie

Fish Camp is a decent location,about 45 minutes to the Valley area. - check the Tenaya Lodge, which used to be a Marriott. Fresno is too far to drive daily.

Susan

I would say if you can get ANY lodging inside the park you should take it. Even the tent cabins at Curry Village would be preferable to driving into Yosemite Valley every day. It is a beautiful drive but very windy. Plus, nothing beats waking up in the morning and seeing the sun rise on El Capitan, or seeing the stars from the valley floor at night.

hobojo

I would never stay at those tents in the park-they are expensive and they looked like slums to me,with everyone right on top of one another. We stayed in Yosemite West which is just outside the border of the park but closer than any of those towns. You should only rent from Four Seasons Vacation Rentals though. 800-669-9300. There is always someone at the rental office if you encounter problems-we did have minor ones, but they were fixed as soon as we alerted them. The price was very reasonable for a studio condo. We stayed a night in Kings Canyon Hotel the one that is run by the park service, basic, clean motel room. The next day we drove through Sequoia and stayed just outside the park in Three Rivers at the Best Western. We had a great time there. We even went swimming in the river behind the property. It was as warm as a bathtub. This is a great part of the country and you will enjoy it.

roadtripper

I stayed in Three Rivers CA for my trip to the Sequoias & it was very quaint, only 15 minutes from the park. The locals were all very nice too.

rob

do NOT stay at yosemite west condos...yeeecchhhhh!!!!

Kate

We stayed at the Hounds Tooth Inn, which is a wonderful bed and breakfast just outside of Yosemite. It is really nice, and we are not really bed and breakfast people.You will like it!
Kate

xxx

We stayed at a Best Western right on Mono Lake. It was beautiful. Check out website
http://www.thesierraweb.com/lodging/bwlakeview/

kim

We stayed at Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal last May and would highly recommend it. It's only about 15 mins. to the valley floor and we never hit any traffic on the way in except for late morning on a Saturday. A very easy drive. Great accommodations for about $150/night.

Suzie

The possible problem of staying in a hotel near Mono Lake in May is that it is very possible that Tioga Pass will not be open so that a trip into Yosemite from there would be out. This year the snowpack in the Sierra is 137% of normal due to the nonstop storms this December this means that the pass may not open by Memorial Day weekend even which is quite common.

janet

We stayed at the wuksachi lodge inside sequoia.. very nice accomodations and good location.
fresno is about an hour's drive to sequoia. we arrived at night in fresno, stayed at the fairfield inn (newly built) and then drove into the park next morning and checked into wuksachi for that night, also a newly built lodge.