SF-Yosemite-Monterey Peninsula
 

I am taking an unexpected trip to California last week in October/first week in November. Flying into SF and would like to visit Yosemite and the Monterey Peninsula. I have very low expectations of snagging a place in Yosemite at this late date, so am looking for suggestions as to where would we should stay outside the park, but close to the entrance. Due to short time, we will most likely limit our trip to the Yosemite Valley. From SF are we better off going to YP, then the Peninsula, or the opposite way, or does it even matter. We have been to SF and absolutely love it, but most likely will spend only one night (2 max) there. YP has always been on my bucket list. Thanks for any suggestions...

>>I have very low expectations of snagging a place in Yosemite at this late date, so am looking for suggestions as to where would we should stay outside the park, but close to the entrance.<<

Try in Yosemite Valley -- you might be lucky because there are frequent cancellations and you aren't there over Thanksgiving or Veteran's weekend

But barring that -- Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal is the very closest property, is large, and usually has availability. Most places that claim to be 'close to the park' are mostly an hour to 90 minutes drive.

>> From SF are we better off going to YP, then the Peninsula, or the opposite way, or does it even matter<<

Six of one / half dozen of the other. What I would do is nail down Yosemite accommodations and let that determine which order you do them.

Thanks janisj, that is exactly what I was thinking as far as hopefully getting accommodations in YP and then working the flights and other accommodation around that important factor. Do you have any suggestions as far as where to stay on the peninsula?

I just returned from Yosemite and really liked the Yosemite View Lodge. I would have preferred to stay in the park, but it was full, and this worked out fine. You can read my trip report.

We did exactly that 6 years ago. We drove to Yosemite from Oakland. At Yosemite, we stayed in the town of Oakhurst at the Shilo Inn near the southern park entrance. Oakhurst is a town devoid of charm, but the Shilo Inn was great. Huge rooms, spotless, decent breakfast, friendly staff and an outstanding value.. It is a 15-20 minute scenic drive to the south entrance of Yosemite. We only had one full day in the park. If anyone tells you it takes too long from the south entrance to the valley, cutting your day, don't believe it. We stuffed a lot into that day, including a long hike up to Sentinel Dome, then a drive over to Glacier Point and over to the valley.

We left the park using the road to Mariposa on the way to the Monterey Peninsula. Driving times: Oakland to Oakhurst = 3 hours. Yosemite to Monterey = 2.5 hrs, Monterey to = SF 2+ hrs.

>>don't believe it<<

or do ;)

Oakhurst is OK -- but it is an hour farther from Yosemite Village.

janisj, there is far more to Yosemite worth seeing than the Village. Frankly, I do not see why that should be central to a visit.

I also enjoyed the Yosemite View Lodge.

In Pacific Grove we stayed at the Sunset Inn. It seems to be an old motel, completely remodeled. It's in a very quiet area, you can a couple of blocks to the beach. Has good reviews on TA.

sunbum, we also stayed in Pacific Grove, an excellent location. We stayed at the Anton Inn, also an older motel, but very nice and an easy walk to the beach.

Looking at the OPs travel dates, if she stays in Pacific Grove she may very well be there in time to see the Monarch Butterfly migration to Pacific Grove's Monarch Butterfly sanctuary where thousands of them overwinter. Her dates seem to be around the time of their arrival and it would be a sight to see.

>>janisj, there is far more to Yosemite worth seeing than the Village. Frankly, I do not see why that should be central to a visit.<<

Absolutely - no argument there. But on a short visit, the Valley, sentinel dome and Glacier Point are the main focus for the vast majority of visitors (w/ good reason) so one probably should stay as close to those as is possible.

Leaving from Oakhurst, we were hiking the Sentinel Dome trail 45 minutes later, and of course the way there was scenic.

I was thinking about the Monarchs, which I enjoy seeing all summer in my yard, so thanks for that info basingstoke2. Although no one has a crystal ball, in general, would we have to worry about snow at that time of year at Yosemite (late Oct/into early November). Reason I am asking is because when I called to see if there were cancellations, the agent told me that we would have to have chains in the rental car...got me a big concerned...PG is where I want to stay in Monterey. I am looking forward to reading your trip report, songdoc.

bit, not big, concerned...

susieQ . the monarchs begin to arrive in October and by November there should be quite a few there already so you could be there right at the peak of migration. If it works out like that, lucky you! The Anton Inn where we stayed is a short walk to the sanctuary. It is an older, kind of funky motel but nice, and when we were there they had a nice wine and cheese reception every afternoon for guests. Considering your dates, you had best make your reservations now wherever in PG you plan to stay since rooms can be at a premium during the migration.

Sorry, I should have addressed your question about snow. Yes, it is possible in late October and Early November. Check directly with the park as to requirements for chains. No, I would not worry about it. Just have a good time and nature will do whatever it wants.

Sorry, I should have addressed your question about snow. Yes, it is possible in late October and Early November. Check directly with the park as to requirements for chains. No, I would not worry about it. Just have a good time and nature will do whatever it wants.

songdoc, I just read your trip report and have a question. One of the major sights I am looking forward to in Yosemite are seeing the majestic falls. Do you know if they are flowing, or are dried up due to the drought?

check this website for current conditions

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

Yosemite Falls is typically dry this time of year

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

The Vernal, Bridal Veil and Nevada Falls have low flows

Be sure to check road conditions

>>Do you know if they are flowing, or are dried up due to the drought?<<

Nothing at all to do w/ the drought. Even in the wettest of years, the waterfalls are basically dry in the Autimn. A this time of year it is the color and lack of crowds that draws people -- not the waterfalls.

But having said that , a series of three wet storms is passing through as we speak -- so there might actually be water. But don't count on it.

Janis is correct. Waterfall flows are always a trickle this time of year. Drought or not. Our rainy season is in the winter. However, we had some rain this weekend so they may have picked up. Always beautiful.

You've gotten the correct answers. Sorry you will miss most of the falls, but there is so much additional majestic beauty. Mirror Lake will be dry, as well. :-(

FYI, the only color we saw (a little over a week ago) was the reddish browns of dead trees that have died from a combination of drought and a disease being spread by beetles. It was actually quite pretty, but lost a bit of the beauty when I realized I was looking at dead trees, not ones changing into their autumn colors! We'd heard the aspens were turning yellow, but we didn't see that anywhere.

FYI, Mariposa Grove is closed due to controlled burning. But again, there is SO much beauty--more than enough to be enthralled.

My first trip to Yosemite was in Autumn, so not much activity with the falls. There are a couple that are stream-fed, like Bridalveil, but no water in Yosemite Falls. I was still in absolute awe of the place. It was amazing.

The link I posted also has webcams of the falls.. Also handy if there are fires, then you can check the visibility.

Even though Mariposa Grove is closed, there is Nelder Grove, a few miles south of the south entrance. Nelder Grove, although not a grand as Mariposa, has scattered Sequoias and a lot of redwoods. Chances are you will have it pretty much to yourself if you go. It is quite beautiful in its own right. If you stay in Oakhurst you will pass it on the way to the south entrance.

Songdoc- the aspen colors are best at the very high elevations and on the eastern side of the Sierra. Maybe next time you are out this way!

https://www.monocounty.org/things-to...g/fall-colors/

I was speaking to the innkeeper in PG today. She advised me to go from SF to Mariposa and stay in that town. She said it is a short 15 minute ride from Mariposa to the Yosemite Valley, and a 4 hour ride from Mariposa to the MP. Is this accurate information? She also suggested we stay in Mariposa rather than in the park itself. What do my Fodor Friends think of this?

No. Mariposa is too far. Stay either in the Valley or Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal. Far less driving.

It's a lot farther than a 15 min drive from Mariposa to Yosemite Valley.

>>She said it is a short 15 minute ride from Mariposa to the Yosemite Valley,<<

She must have been smoking something strong ;)

Mariposa to Yosemite Valley is about 45 miles and around 80-90 minutes.

Trust us . . .

El Portal or Yosemite Valley.

>>Mariposa to Yosemite Valley is about 45 miles and around 80-90 minutes.<<

To clarify that would be to Yosemite Village which is where all the services are

And one more thing . . . long stretches of the road in from Mariposa are posted 25 and 35 mph . . . and they are strictly enforced both in and outside of the park. So it really is a slow drive.

Thanks for the clarification. That 15 minute ride info sounded extremely unlikely, even to me, who knows not too much about the area (although I am learning, thanks to all of you!)

The PG woman may have been mixing up Mariposa and El Portal - El Portal is about 15 minutes from Yosemite Valley - if there isn't a wait at the ranger station when you enter the park.

Next question: My flight doesn't get in until 3:30PM, so by the time we get luggage and the car, I guess we won't hit the road until 5 or so. I don't think I want to drive the entire distance to El Portal after the flight, in the dark,(partially due to bad memories of being lost in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, in the dark, in a snowstorm, with no cell service and low on gas) so am looking to drive part way there and continue early the next morning. Are there any suggestions where to stop for the night? Thanks!

>> so am looking to drive part way there and continue early the next morning. Are there any suggestions where to stop for the night? Thanks!<<

Not really - the first nice place to stay is practically there.

I'd probably either stay that night somewhere in the East Bay (so you are out of the main morning commute) Like Pleasanton or Livermore or a little farther in Tracy. In any - I would just stay in one of the several national chains right next to the freeway (Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, etc and eat in nearby chain restaurants/fast food)

I did a mapquest of the route. There is a Hampton in Merced, which looks to be about two hours out of SF and two hours or so from Yosemite. What do you think of that plan?

I'd personally stay in Tracy but that Hampton Inn would be OK -- just don't wander around Merced.

Driving to Merced takes much longer than 2 hours -- in the afternoon commute count on at least 3.5 hours. (assuming this is a weekday)

That is why I suggested staying closer to SFO. There is a DoubleTree and a Courtyard in Livermore -- probably other but those are the only ones I know. That would take about 1.5-2 hours at that time of day.

Depends which route you are taking to Yosemite. If taking 120, then Tracy would be good. If going south on 101, over Pacheco Pass on 152, to 59 and 140, then look at the Casa de Fruta motel or La Quinta in Los Banos. I grew up in Los Banos. La Quinta is next to a pretty good restaurant and bar. There is also an old fashioned Basque restaurant in town. Casa de Fruta has a restaurant, fruit stand etc. reviews for the motel look good.

Not sure which route you are thinking about.

>> then look at the Casa de Fruta motel or La Quinta in Los Banos<<

Ooh -- that would be a good idea -- if you go south and cut over. I was just assuming 580>205>99