We are planning to drive from Tahoe's West shore to Oakland through Yosemite on July 1. We are staying at Tahoe for 3 days and fly out Sunday AM early. Have been to Yosemite but not on the through route so thought it would be some new scenery. Good Idea? Scenic Routes? Side trips or short hikes. etc.?

I personally would not try to drive from Lake Tahoe to Yosemite to Oakland on the Sat before July 4th. The traffic in/out of Yosemite will be heavy. It is a very long drive - and while Tioga Pass will most likely be open by then there aren't any guarantees just yet. In fact it snowed in the high country just this week.

Without traffic delays you are looking at 8 hours of driving verse just 3 1/2 to get from Lake Tahoe to Oakland.

Yes, Tioga Pass is a nice drive and there is one very good turn out to see Half Dome, but you really don't see much of Yosemite Valley and there is alot of curvey forested road to travel.

You might instead enjoy the route over Hwy 88, the Carson Pass. This is a very scenic route too.

Utahtea

Yes - hwy 88 through Alpine and Amador counties then through Stockton/Tracy/Livermore and on to Oakland would be a doable drive. Long but at least doable.

So 88 is the best choice of the 3 or 4 choices other than Yosemite? Any side trips for short hikes etc. We don't mind spending daylight to dark getting from one to the other with stops and good scenery, etc
Thanks for the help so far.

I'd leave Tahoe by 8 am personally. Summertime in CA, especially on a holiday weekend, the traffic gets worse as the day goes on.