Hello, I am planning a road trip my elderly parents + husband on a road trip. Details below

Sept 25th - NYC - SF (Hilton)
Sept 26th - SF(Hilton)
Sept 27th - SF to TBD (one night)
Sept 28th - TBD to Yosemite (2 nights - Yosemite Park Place)
Sept 29th - Yosemite
Sept 30th - Yosemite to Death Valley (Furnace Creek Resort)
Oct 1st - Death Valley sight seeing all day then drive to Las Vegas to catch 9:40pm flight to Phoenix (2 night - friend's place)
Oct 2nd - Pheonix sight seeing at Sedona and Antelope Canyon/Lake Powell
Oct 3rd - Phoenix - NYC

My question is, we want to spend one night someplace on the way to Yosemite from San Fran on Sept 27th, (it says TBD above - to be determined). Where do you suggest we go? We want the place to be mid-way to Yosemite, so we don't spend too much time in the car (Esp since Yosemite to DV is going to be one long drive).

Also, please suggest what we should see in Yosemite while we are there for 2 days.

Not sure why you want to stop overnight - it's only 4 hours to Yosemite from SF, and frankly, there isn't any destination between the two that is worth spending the night. It's a pretty flat, dull drive across the agricultural Central Valley. I think the only place that you might consider if you're determined would be Jamestown, which is a cute little town just as you're getting into the foothills, just a few miles past the Hwy 120 turn towards Yosemite. I can't recommend a particular place to stay, however, since I usually stay at a friend's place when I'm in that area.

"We want the place to be mid-way to Yosemite, "

There is no place to stop (or even slow down ) midway SF to Yosemite, and as hazel mentions - it is only a 4 hour drive.

If you just want a 'different' place to stay, you could stop in the foothills like Jamestown, Sonora, etc. But since you are staying in Yosemite West, they are on the wrong route. You'd be using 140 and going through Mariposa. But IMO spending a night in Mariposa before 2 nights in YNP doesn't make a lot of sense.

My choices would be either 1) spend an additional night in San Francisco, or 2) try for a night in Wawona to get another night inside the Park and near the Mariposa Grove.This would give you more time for Yosemite Valley the next two days.

Good point, janisj - I missed the part about Yosemite West, and I love the idea of staying at the Wawona. I love that place! It's such an old-fashioned lovely place in the most beautiful setting - a great opportunity to see that side of Yosemite.

hazel1: Not to worry. The OP didn't specifically mention Yosemite West - I just know that house is in Yosemite West from other posts on here.

Thanks SO much everyone for your help. I ABSOLUTELY AGREE and we have changed our dates to go directly from SF to Yosemite on 9/27 so below is the new itinerary. Therefore, we will spend a night onroute to DV and see a bunch of scenic places on our way there. Please suggest BEST places to see onroute to DV and where to spend the night on Sept 29th. Also, how do spend 2 days seeing DV, please suggest the best highlights

Sept 25th - NYC - SF (Hilton)
Sept 26th - SF(Hilton)
Sept 27th - SF to Yosemite (Yosemite Park Place)
Sept 28th - Yosemite (Yosemite Park Place)

*Sept 29th* - Yosemite to Death Valley seeing various scenic places on the way on US 395 like Mono Lake, Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, the Manzanar National Historic Site, etc. Spending the night onroute (TBD)

*Sept 30th* - Continue To Death Valley (Furnace Creek Resort), Death Valley sight seeing part 1

*Oct 1st* - , Death Valley sight seeing part 2 then drive to Las Vegas to catch 9:40pm flight to Phoenix (2 night - friend's place)

Oct 2nd - Pheonix sight seeing at Sedona and Antelope Canyon/Lake Powell
Oct 3rd - Phoenix - NYC

A suggestion for your overnight on Sept. 29 would be Lone Pine. It's a cute little town just at the turnoff to Death Valley, and it sits at the bottom of Mt. Whitney, the highest point in the U.S., and the Alabama Hills, where numerous movies were filmed. You can probably just stop in and get a room anywhere, right in the middle of town is the Dow Villa, a good place that is walking distance to restaurants and such.

You will love the drive all the way through Yosemite and down 395, incredibly scenic.