Jennie_English_Maiden - SF to Yosemite
Oct 15th, 2001, 05:25 PM
#1
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Jennie_English_Maiden - SF to Yosemite
Jennie, in case you transferred your search from the Europe to the USA board, here is a repeat of my recommended driving instructions from SF to Yosemite Valley.
Dear English Maiden, May I be your knight and provide assistance. I live in California, have been to Yosemite and San Francisco countless times, so here is my recommendation. I know you should be on the US board, but you no doubt would help me, so here goes. You did not say where you are staying in Yosemite, so I assume you are staying in Yosemite Valley. If not, different directions may be appropriate.
From San Francisco, go east across the Bay Bridge, and pick up the 580 direction San Leandro, Livermore, Stockton. After Livermore, you will cross the Sierra Madre Mountains, through a pass known as Altamont Pass. Roads are all 3 and four lane Freeway each direction. After the mountains, follow signs Route 205 direction Tracy and Stockton. After crossing the San Joaquin River, east of Tracy, exit to 120 east direction Manteca. Take 120 to Hiway 99 South, direction Modesto. Continue on 99 south to Merced. At south side of Merced, exit to Hiway 140 east, direction Mariposa and Yosemite. After leaving Merced, 140 is a well paved mostly 2 lane road. Mariposa is a town from the Gold Rush days of California history. A little further on is the awesome Merced River Canyon.
Travel time San Francisco to Merced is about 2.5 to 3 hours, and about 2 to 2.5 hours Merced to Yosemite.
It's really a lot simpler than it sounds.
Welcome to California!
Dear English Maiden, May I be your knight and provide assistance. I live in California, have been to Yosemite and San Francisco countless times, so here is my recommendation. I know you should be on the US board, but you no doubt would help me, so here goes. You did not say where you are staying in Yosemite, so I assume you are staying in Yosemite Valley. If not, different directions may be appropriate.
From San Francisco, go east across the Bay Bridge, and pick up the 580 direction San Leandro, Livermore, Stockton. After Livermore, you will cross the Sierra Madre Mountains, through a pass known as Altamont Pass. Roads are all 3 and four lane Freeway each direction. After the mountains, follow signs Route 205 direction Tracy and Stockton. After crossing the San Joaquin River, east of Tracy, exit to 120 east direction Manteca. Take 120 to Hiway 99 South, direction Modesto. Continue on 99 south to Merced. At south side of Merced, exit to Hiway 140 east, direction Mariposa and Yosemite. After leaving Merced, 140 is a well paved mostly 2 lane road. Mariposa is a town from the Gold Rush days of California history. A little further on is the awesome Merced River Canyon.
Travel time San Francisco to Merced is about 2.5 to 3 hours, and about 2 to 2.5 hours Merced to Yosemite.
It's really a lot simpler than it sounds.
Welcome to California!
Oct 16th, 2001, 07:29 AM
#2
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Dear Sir Bill ;-)
Many thanks for your kindness - what splendidly helpful and detailed directions - they are really very greatly appreciated.
<curtseying> (which is tricky with laden suitcases!)
Jennie
PS: The accomodation is in Wawona - could I trouble you to let me know how I need to alter the directions accordingly ??... Thank you again in anticipation
Many thanks for your kindness - what splendidly helpful and detailed directions - they are really very greatly appreciated.
<curtseying> (which is tricky with laden suitcases!)
Jennie
PS: The accomodation is in Wawona - could I trouble you to let me know how I need to alter the directions accordingly ??... Thank you again in anticipation
Oct 16th, 2001, 12:05 PM
#5
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Wawona is near the south entrance. That road does not close. I believe you take 41 to get there. If Jennie is going there then Bill's directions should probably be changed because if she goes all the way from the entrance out of Merced to the entrance out of Fresno it's a looooong and windy road.....
Oct 17th, 2001, 01:34 PM
#7
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For Wawona, you could continue south on 99 from Merced to Madera, about 30-40 minutes south, and exit 99 on the 145, which connects to 41 somewhat north of Fresno. (In Fresno, another 20 miles south, you would find the 99 - 41 junction. By turning on the 145 at Madera, you will save some time.) Follow 145 to 41, turning left, or north on 41, which you will follow all the way to Yosemite. You will go through small towns like Oakhurst, Coarsegold, Fish Camp, etc. After entering Yosemite, in about 20 minutes or so is Wawona.
From Wawona its another 30 minutes or so to the Valley floor. TIP: as you travel to the valley floor from Wawona, you will go through a tunnel. As you exit the tunnel, on your left, will be a large view point, or vista. From this site is one of the most famous of Yosemite vista's, and you will want to stop and get some pictures. Of course you could stop on the way back up to Wawona after a day in the Valley.
If you have time, try to get lunch or dinner at the Ahwanee Hotel in the Valley Floor. This is where your Queen stayed when she visited Yosemite (in the 60's I believe).
If you depart the Yosemite area from the Valley, and want to go back to San Francisco, use the 140 - Merced route described earlier. It will be shorter.
Have fun.
From Wawona its another 30 minutes or so to the Valley floor. TIP: as you travel to the valley floor from Wawona, you will go through a tunnel. As you exit the tunnel, on your left, will be a large view point, or vista. From this site is one of the most famous of Yosemite vista's, and you will want to stop and get some pictures. Of course you could stop on the way back up to Wawona after a day in the Valley.
If you have time, try to get lunch or dinner at the Ahwanee Hotel in the Valley Floor. This is where your Queen stayed when she visited Yosemite (in the 60's I believe).
If you depart the Yosemite area from the Valley, and want to go back to San Francisco, use the 140 - Merced route described earlier. It will be shorter.
Have fun.
