Need help with trip planning. Just beginnning to think about a trip that includes Pt Reyes, Yosemite and SB. I am an east coaster. Not looking to do a lot of driving but will rent a car for some of the time. Thinking of flying into a northern Airport--Fresno maybe and then getting to Yosemite by Rail/bus. Would like to visit Pt Reyes but dont want to drive 4 hours from SF to Yosemite. Is this the only choice. Then perhaps Amtrak down to Santa Barbara and fly out of LA. Any suggestions appreciated.

The only public transportation I know about is bus 61 (or is it seasonal shuttle?) by Golden Gate Transit. I tried to check the website, the route is listed on the map, but not on the list of individual bus schedules.

So if you get to San Francisco by train/bus, you may be able to catch the Golden Gate bus to Pt Reyes.

If you call Golden Gate transit and get a positive answer, you can fly into SFO or OAK, and out of LA.

Yosemite by Amtrak is doable, and there are shuttles from the Yosemite Valley.

Don't plan to fly off the train as Amtrak is often late. Plan at least one night before the flight in a hotel.

Thanks. Other suggestions. Planning to spend a few nts in SB and Yosemite Each. Shoudl I try to do point Reyes first from SF then on to Yoseite and SB. Or Fly to Fresno then to Yosemite, then Pt Reyes and maybe SF to SB? I will probably rent a car for the poitn Reyes Part.

w/o a car you trip is not very realistic. Northern/Central California is really not an easy area to tour by public transport. Your three destinations are not connected by any sort of direct (or indirect for that matter) transport links. You'd have to do a TON of to-ing and fro-ing to major hubs like SF.

If those are the three places you want to visit, you should plan on renting a car for at least a week.

When are you planning on doing this trip? Often, when the weather is at its best in Yosemite, it's cold and foggy over at Pt. Reyes. If you go there in July or August, you will most likely encounter overcast skies and windy, damp conditions. Pt Reyes is best in Spring or Fall.

This will definitely be a challenge without a car. Distances are long and there aren't any direct connections. But it looks like it will be doable - just take longer than it would if you drove.