I am planning to be in Nevada/California in October with my family (kids 8 +12). Can anyone suggest the best (not necessarily quickest) route to Yosemite from Death Valley. Assuming we have spent a full day in Death Valley where should we overnight on the route up? Where is the best value family place to stay in Yosemite? I heard Yosemite Lodge is good.

Quickest way -- and also the most scenic -- is to go up US Hiway 395 to Hiway 120 at Lee Vining, then into Yosemite via Tioga Pass.

If you plan to stay within the Park, make reservations the MINUTE you decide on a place and date. Lodging for October may already be sold out.

Paul gave you good info 0 especially about booking ASAP for the Valley. When in Oct. are you going? I ask because Tioga Pass is VERY high altitude and if you are there in late October you could run into early snow -

We will be there 19th October - will this rule out Tioga Pass. I have already experienced problems with lodgings.

Here is a web site for the openings and closings of Tioga Pass: http://www.monobasinresearch.org/data/tiogapass.htm In the last twenty years Tioga Pass has closed in October only 2 times the 24th and the 29th. The views from Tioga Pass are awesome and something those arriving from the west or south entrance usually miss. If it were me I'd give it a try. Try staying overnight in Bishop or Mammoth if you've spent the day in Death Valley. Was just through Bishop last week and it has really built up. Has lots of lodging on the main street which is also 395. To be closer to the Tioga entrance you could stay in Mammoth Lakes, June Lake or Lee Vining. All would be close to the entrance and give you an early start to a day in the valley. If you got off early enough you could see the pass, Tuolumne Meadows and the valley before a nights lodging. Good Luck