I need to know the easiest route to Yosemite from the Monterey,Carmel area.Then where should we stay at Yosemite?? Thanks for all the info I have recieved on previous posts and to anyone responding to this one.

I feel strongly that Yosemite Valley is best entered by the tunnel coming from the Wawona in the south on Hiway 41. From Monterey, go north on Hiway 1 to US Hiway 101, then north, then east on Hiway 152 to Hiway 99. Go south on 99 to Madera, then east again on Hiway 145. Then go north on Hiway 41 into the Wawona area of Yosemite, then enter the Valley through the tunnel. Be prepared to have your eyes pop out when you come through the tunnel!!

We prefer a deluxe room at the Yosmite Lodge overlooking the river. Otherwise,
take anything you can get anywhere. It is difficult to find a room. You often have the best chance at the last minute. If nothing is available when you call, call every evening as there is a chance that there will be a cancellation.

We go Hwy 1 to 101 to 152 to 165 (North) to Hwy. 140 all the way into Yosemite via Merced. 140 is open almost year-round.

DON'T GO 140 !!!

It's broken right now. Well, at any rate it's being fixed The hours of access are extremely limited, the traffic that does get through is congested.
120 is fastest, Paul feels 41 is most picturesque. (Though personally I have a soft spot for that first glimpse of Bridal Veil Falls that you get from coming in on 120.)

See if 140 is repaired by the time you need it. I goofed about Hwy 165; my spouse reminded me that we go 152 to 59 through Merced the pick up 140 by taking 16th St under Hwy.99 and turning left puts you right on 140 all the wy into Yosemite. The reason its preferable is that you go first through Catheys Valley up to Mariposa the MidPines, then climb a bit of mountain and then drop down and travel all along the Merced River for an hour or so into the Yosemite Pk. via Arch Rock Entrance. Its gorgeous along the river and you can stop and watch the rafters if you like. Try it sometime when the road permits. We like to stay in Currey Village; eat at the Ahwanee.

I can join the group of folks saying "Where's my msg?" It didn't post. I didn't know 140 was in disrepair. I goofed a bit, according to my spouse, we take 152 to 59 into Merced and pick up 140 by going all the way on 59 to 16th St and turning right. 16th St deadends at Hwy 99. Go left instead of getting on 99 and go under the fwy. You will be on 140. The nice thing about going 140 (when then road is fixed) is that after going through Catheys Valley, Mariposa, Midpines, etc., you drop down to the Merced River and drive through alongside the river & rapids. Its a lovely drive. You enter Yosemite by Arch Rock Entrance. I have always gone this way because my kids get carsick and being able to pull over by the river lets their stomachs settle. People from the Bay Area always reccommend going via Hwy 120, but the locals know 140 is prettier. When we want to speed we know safer avenues without cliffcrashing results. We locals get all the news of the traffic fatalities from the speeders.

Sorry. I didn't know 140 was in disrepair. My spouse corrected my directions, however. He said we go 152 to 59 into Merced and pick up 140 from 16th Street by not getting on 99 and making a left onto 140 instead. We like 140 best because it takes you along the Merced River. Its a lovely view, occasionally we stop and watch the rafters practicing on the rapids. You enter Yosemite through Arch Rock Entrance. We avoid all the Bay Area traffic by not going 120. They tend to drive faster and we are more leisurely-oriented. Also, we are "locals" and get the CHP reports in aour newspaper about the fatalities from idiots not making a curve and winding up wheels-up. We like 140---when its fixed. Just another opinion.