After six years of trying to visit Yosemite, we finally got reservations for four nights at the Yosemite Valley Lodge for May 2012! Given that 395 may or may not be open at that time, we are coming up with a plan for our one week in the area that does not involve traveling into or out of the park on that road. As our dates of stay are May 20-24, we will likely have to contend with some Memorial Day crowds as the holiday is on the 28th next year.

We have decided to stay our first night before the park in Sonora as we will be landing at SFO and wanted to be as close to the park as possible for our first full day of vacation. After the park on the 24th, we plan to stay two nights in Placerville, enjoying Highway49 and the Sierra Foothills. This takes us to Saturday, right in the middle of the holiday weekend.

My question is, should we try to find someplace between Placerville and SFO to spend Saturday night, like Sonoma or Napa, or should we just do a red eye back to the east coast that night. As you may have guessed, I don 't like crowds, or traveling on holiday weekends, but I am not missing the chance to finally visit Yosemite. My assumption is that traveling back to SFO at night would mean a lot less traffic. If we stay over Saturday night, we will fly home on Sunday.

Have you thought of flying in/out of Sacramento? Sacramento Airport is so much easier to navigate than SFO. Even with the construction of the new terminal, I'd take SMF over SFO anyday. I live near Placerville and the area abounds with interesting sights and wineries.

SFO really doesn't make that much sense for your plans. As BarbAnn says, SMF would be easier.

BTW - it isn't 395 that closes -- it is hwy 120 and yes, it will most likely still be closed. But one never knows, this year has a HUGE snow pack --next year could be dry. So wait til next Spring to decide the rest of your itinerary. Absolutely no reason to make those plans so far ahead.

I personally probably wouldn't stay IN Placerville. I'd stay somewhere along 49 south of there.

As for Napa/Sonoma -- really difficult to get 1 night bookings over any weekend let alone a holiday.

Since you have Yosemite nailed down -- I start thinking about a YNP > hwy 49 foothills > Lake Tahoe loop out of SMF.

Then next March/April when we know what the snow pack is, you can make firmer plans or look for a plan B.

Oh -and you won't miss out on vineyards/wineries. There are many really wonderful wineries/tasting rooms all through the area -- in Amador and El Dorado counties and farther south too.

Thanks for your input. I know I am planning WAY in advance. I' m so excited, I couldn't help myself!

I am flying from the NY area and don't believe there are any direct flights to Sacramento. Given the hassles of stop overs, and the fact that we are only away for the week, I wanted to avoid spending hours in airports. My idea was that even with the hassles of SFO, we would be saving time flying direct.

Janisj, where would you recommend staying south of Placerville? I've found information on Hgwy 49 to be disappointing compared with what is available on other parts of California.

I had been lazy in my searches for flights, only checking with Orbitz. Jet blue flies direct from NY to Sacramento. Thanks for the suggestion- a much better option.

Try this website for Hwy 49 http://www.historichwy49.com/home.html

Utahtea

The Gold Country/Sierra Foothills also extends north of Placerville. Nevada City is very cute. Empire Mine SHP is nearby along with wineries near Auburn. South of Placerville, Sutter Creek, Jackson and Murphys are cute towns with B&Bs. In Fair Play, Fitzpatrick Winery has a Lodge. I'm not wild about their wine, but the lodging is cool (http://www.fitzpatrickwinery.com/lodge.html).

Thanks so much for the handy likes. We are now considering extending our stay for a few days. If we are able to do this, is it feasible to work in a visit to Kings and Sequioa? Perhaps for an additional two nights after Yosemite?

After seeing Yosemite including Mariposa Grove you will likely be disappointed with Kings/Sequoia. The big trees in Mariposa are just as impressive.
How about a day/night in the Monterey or Big Sur area?
Coming from the south will give you an easier trip back to SFO.

That is a good idea tomfuller, but we are trying to avoid mixing coastal with inland, at least for this trip. We hope to avoid having to pack our hiking gear with attire more appropriate for the upmarket coastal towns. My hope is that the Tioga Pass will be open and we can enjoy a trip through the park and around Tahoe. I just want to have a Plan B in place in the event that next year's snow fall is as heavy as this years! The more I search around, the more I think we should try to extend this trip to two weeks!

"After seeing Yosemite including Mariposa Grove you will likely be disappointed with Kings/Sequoia."

I don't think that is true at all. Mariposa Grove is wonderful -- but the trees in Sequoia are 'wonderful-er'. Mariposa Grove is convenient to a Yosemite visit but is not a substitute if one wants to see the best trees/groves.

If Tioga Pass is closed during your trip next year, you could either take a detour up hwy 49 and still include Lake Tahoe -- or you could add a couple of days @ Sequoia/Kings Canyon.