[This is a re-post as I had forgoten to post under 'California'!]

Is it worth driving about 20 miles more and enter the Park through Wawona and Tunnel View, or go the 'short' way, through El Portal?

On Mapquest I found the two following possibilities (I list the towns as I don't know the Hwy numbers!):

+ Monterey - Los Banos - Merced - Mariposa - El Portal - Yosemite Village = 200.78 miles (5Hrs 18min)

+ Monterey - Los Banos - Madera - Oakhurst - Wawona - Tunnel View - Yosemite Village = 221.54 miles (5Hrs 26 min)

YES!!! go by way of tunnel view, you won't be sorry. Awe-inspiring view.

Another vote for tunnel-view. It is definitely worth the extra driving.

The route on 140 through El Portal is nice - right along the Merced river, but not nearly as spectacular as the tunnel-view. You literally come out of the tunnel and can see Bridal Veil Fall, Half Dome, El Capitan, Clouds Rest, and many other peaks at the same time. Anyone going to Yosemite for the 1st time should take this route. As you exit the tunnel there is a parking lot on the left where you can stop and take in the view. It is absolutely incredible.

I think the drive through El Portal is best taken in the spring anyway when the river is high and the wildflowers are blooming.

Yes -- do the Wawona entrance -- and not just for the Tunnel View. You can access that easily if you come in El Portal with a 5 minute side trip. The Tunnel View is NOT to be missed, but the main advantage of Wawona is the Big Trees -- right inside the entrance you'll see the signs for the Mariposa Grove. Stunning HUGE trees. Was at Yosemite end of May and it is always spectacular. Enjoy

Do the Wawona route. It is the best approach to Yosemite IMO. I will never forget my introduction to Yosemite: May 1968, 6th grade science camp trip to Yosemite. We went throught this long tunnel, then, as we emerged, there it was, Yosemite in all its glory! Beautiful and I will never forget that view!!