Hi all,
I'm planning on driving up to San Fran from L.A. for a travel photography seminar in mid-April and then immediately going to Yosemite to put my knowlege to work.
I found some info on the web that says the road to Yosemite from San Fran is Highway 120 and takes you through something horrible called the Priest Grade. Is this drive really as bad as some say? Are there any alternative routes that I may have missed on the map?
Also, I couldn't find any info on whether or not the Tuolomne Meadows is accessible at that time of the year.
Thanks ahead of time for info.

Yes, Hwy 120 is the best way to get to Yosemite from SF. Priest Grade is really not that bad of a road. It's somewhat narrow and windy, but it is paved and safe at a slower speed. Large vehicles would probably be better off taking the longer route to the south.

The road to Tuolomne Meadows (Tioga Pass) is closed in the winter (usually until Memorial Day weekend), but you will get some wonderful scenery in the valley. And you can take Hwy 41 to Inspiration Point just before you enter the tunnel for some spectacular views. I would recommend that you continue on that road to the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoia trees. You will be impressed, I'm certain!

Trish

There is an old Priest Grade and that is pretty steep and not advisable for trailers and larger motorhomes. If you stay on Hwy 120 you are on the new Priest Grade. It's a little curvey but not as steep as the Old Priest Grade. We have driven our 24 foot travel trailer and our 30 foot motorhome up and down the new grade many, many times.

Depending on the rainfall and the bloom of the California Poppies, I prefer to enter Yosemite at the El Portal entrance on Hwy 140 in the spring time. If the poppies are in bloom you will see a lot of them along the Merced River as you drive in to Yosemite. From San Francisco this route might be a tad longer. Unfortunately, this route was closed last spring due to a rock slide. They do have it open to one way traffic..so it could take longer to go in this way. Make sure you check the road condition of Hwy 140 before leaving.

http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi

Utahtea

Definitely take Hwy 140 if it is open - the wildflowers are really wonderful in the spring. Hwy 120 is a fine road and Priest Grade isn't bad - curvey, but not bad.

Thanks for the advice, everyone!