susieQ122

I actually have no idea of what route I am taking. We will still be on East coast time, so after a day spent at airports and flying and all the hassle that tends to go along with that, I would just like to do what those of you familiar with the area would suggest as the easier drive to get a few hours closer to Yosemite, relax, eat, get a decent night's sleep and hit the road early in the AM to get to Yosemite before noontime. Since it will be dark and sightseeing not an issue, I would prefer to get where we're going as directly and easily as possible. I'm still checking for cancellations in the park, but if not, will stay in El Portal the 2nd night, and maybe 3rd too, as suggested.

janisj

Then Merced is NOT the place. It will be too far/take too long after a transcontinental flight and leaving at 4:30-5PM

Your Choices are basically either 1) stay the night at SFO or just across the Bay in Hayward and leave at 0-dark-30 the next morning, 2) stay 90 mins to 2 hours east (Livermore/Tracy at the farthest) or 3) michelleY's suggestion of Los Banos (which will take longer)

Me -- I'd probably do the Livermore/Tracy option because it gets you the farthest towards YNP in the least time w/ a reasonable drive the next day.

The commute to the east and to the south of SFO is gnarly so mileage will take time.

mlgb

I would get out of town...east along the 580 freeway should be easy..maybe Tracy.

We got lost just making hte turn out of Oakdale last time..it's at angles..

janisj

Oakdale would be fine - and normally probably the best place to stop -- but would take longer than the OP wants to drive at that time of day.

So yes, out 580 and then stop where you need to stamina-wise -- Livermore, Tracy wherever. If you want to prebook (which shouldn't be necessary at the main freeway-side chains, I'd probably press on as far as Tracy. Will take at a couple of hours.

MonicaRichards

That evening commute traffic is brutal though. Personally for me I'd stay somewhere close by and leave at O' dark the next morning and have smooth sailing to Yosemite. It would be so peaceful with the sun coming up and you going against traffic.

susieQ122

You have all been so wonderfully helpful with your insight as to this little adventure. As of now, what I've decided to do is this. After we land later in the afternoon, have booked a B & B in the Noe Valley for that night, unless that is an out of the way area to get to, and if so, I am up for other suggestions. Figure by the time we get in, retrieve our luggage and get the vehicle, it would be easier to have a nice place to crash for the night, get dinner and get up and out early the next morning and drive to Yosemite. It looks like I can get the next two nights in the Yosemite Valley Lodge, and then move onto the Peninsula for the last few days. I have to confirm everything tomorrow. So does that sound like a good plan? Right now, I'm just deciding if we should spend 3 nights Yosemite, 3 nights MP, then drive up to SF the day we depart OR cut one night in either YP or MP and spend the next to last day up in SF.

janisj

>>Noe Valley for that night, unless that is an out of the way area to get to, and if so, I am up for other suggestions

susieQ122

janisj, so glad you replied. So your advice is that when I get out of the airport, I want to head south or east away from the City? I have decided I don't want to drive far on the day we land. I want to get bags and car and contend with whatever traffic we will hit and just find a nice spot to grab dinner, spend the night, maybe walk around a bit to stretch the legs after the long flight and then take off early and fresh in the morning. So I guess what you're saying is that we would be better off NOT spending the night in SF?

Ideally, I would like to keep the drive to about an hour, and start fresh in the morning. I'd rather not drive as far as Livermore or Tracy. Do you have any suggestions?

NorCal_Jo

Hi SusieQ122 - based on your last post, I think you stick with Janisj advice and get at least to Pleasanton. Your mission for that first night is to break out of the main commute area so you have a cleaner start in the morning - I assume you will take the 580/205/120 route to Yosemite as it is the fastest/most direct route from SFO.

If you really want to keep your drive to around 1 hour, your very best option IMO is Pleasanton because:
1) It gets you past (barely) the 580/680 interchange that is messy in the morning.
2) Pleasanton has a well, pleasant, main street for a walk to stretch your legs and get a nice dinner
3) You can stay either at a hotel right off of 580 (be sure to be east of the 680/580 interchange) or can stay on Main street (such as Rose Hotel) if you want to walk around.

You'll hit traffic leaving the airport to get over the San Mateo bridge (on 92)but it shouldn't be much more than 1 hour unless you get unlucky on the bridge with someone having a stall or something.

Great that you can get into Yosemite Valley Lodge! You'll love Yosemite!

janisj

Then Pleasanton or Livermore . . . Pleasanton probably has more options (I've driven through both countless times but never paid a lot of attention to which chains are in which). If you are making good time you can go as far as Tracy. I wouldn't think there would be a need to have reservations anywhere since you'd be arriving in the early evening

It will all be worth the hassle since you will get to Yosemite earlier the next day. Staying IN the Valley will be a really special treat.

susieQ122

I can't believe I'm still talking about this, but now that I have the YP portion of the trip sent, I am now figuring out the MP part. I found what looks to be a fantastic apartment on the MP in a town called Seaside. Does anyone know anything about this area, and if so, would you recommend us staying there. I believe it is a short ride to PG, Monterey, etc., but am trying to ascertain what type of area it is. As always, your wisdom is appreciated!

MichelleY

I wouldn't stay in Seaside. Stay in Pacific Grove, Carmel or Monterey.

basingstoke2

I agree with Michelle. Think of the 3 towns this way:

Monterey - a small city with marina, docks, lots of restaurants both tourist type /chain and local. Some very good. Lots of shops of the souvenir type - if you want to buy a T shirt, this is the place. Sites like the aquarium and the place where you take the whale watching boats should you want to do that. I would recommend that you do. You may not see whales but you will be entertained by porpoises and dolphins.

Pacific Grove - laid back and quiet. Some good restaurants and lower priced, but usually nice motels, lots of Victorian architecture. Home of the Monarch Butterfly groves where they migrate to. If you are there at the right time you can see them arrive by the thousands. Beautiful oceanfront - mostly rocky. I like PG

Carmel - Upscale, fine dining, lovely beach and a tradition to go down to the beach in late evening to see the sunset. Tends to be pricey. Some fun facts about Carmel:

http://www.carmelcalifornia.com/fun-...out-carmel.htm

mlgb

Seaside itself is anything but fantastic. I prefer Pacific Grove. maybe you can find a room at Asilomar Conference center. There are also some b&BS Near Ailomar.

janisj

Seaside is an old military town and at least in the past was sort of the poor step sister of the Monterey area.