We are spending a week in the San Francisco area in September. The first few days will be spent touring the city/Alcatraz. Then we'd like to spend a day in wine country. Originally, we were going to do a tour, but after reading responses on this site, feel we could put together our own itinerary. After that I really wanted to see Yosemite but someone posted that this was not possible. I was thinking of staying in Modesto to break up the trip. Any thoughts?

Why is Yosemite not possible?

I'm planning a trip to San Francisco in Sept., also. Sounds like we are doing pretty much the same things. After arriving at SFO we are heading to Yosemite. I already have a motel room booked at Curry Village. We plan to spend two full days at Yosemite, then stay overnight in Modesto on the way back to San Francisco.

dpage5
Yosemite is possible. I don't know what your itinerary looks like, but I would not spend the night in Modesto. Drive all the way back to the city that night or spend another night in Yosemite and leave early the next morning.

-Bill

Why not stay in Modesto? I read that there is a farmer's market on Saturday and a couple of good agricultural tours in the area.

prarihil,

To each his own, but Modesto is not where I would choose to spend a night of my vacation. Agricultural tours do not interest me and I'd rather go to the farmer's market at the Ferry Building in the city. dpage5 aksed for thoughts and those are mine.

-Bill

I agree with Bill. Skip Modesto. You could stay just outside the park at some little gateway motel if you don't want to drive back to SF. There are some cute ones - and the gateway towns are pleasant.
Definitely go to the Ferry Building farmer's market! And if not the market - do not miss the building itself. But go to Yosemite. It is spectacular.

We have family in Modesto, and that's the only reason I'd go there. If you want to stop somewhere in the central valley, make it Stockton.

dpage5

I checked on the little gateway towns for a motel and I couldn't find a nice one in my price range (<$100), until I got to Modesto. I guess that it depends upon what you want to do and how much you want to spend to do it.

I've used sanfrancisco.com for booking hotels. You can get some good deals there. We will be there in Sept as well. It sounds like you enjoy the outdoors, so I also recommend the arboretum in Golden Gate Park to view gardens of the world. Not only is it beautiful, it's free.

Are you thinking of taking a day trip to Yosemite from San Francisco, or going there after your time in SF? I don't think I'd try it as a day trip.

Lee Ann