We're planning to fly into San Francisco for a few days and then drive to Yosemite in June. Hubby's not thrilled to be in the car for 4+ hours each way. Any suggestions on places to stop along the way? Best route to take from San Francisco? We'll be staying at
Ahwahnee. Thanks.

Just get to Yosemite. There is no place along the route that is worth stopping. There ARE lots of places worth stopping in the wider area (foothills/delta/etc) but any will add hours to the total drive.

Get in the car -- head east -- get out of the car in Yosemite Valley. If you feel you must stop to stretch your legs, then just stop when you feel you need a break. There is no special place to aim for or detour to . . .

I agree with janisj, I'd just go directly to Yosemite. It's just a little less than 200 miles from SF to Yosemite Valley.

If you want to stop for a short break, then Groveland would be a nice little town to explore and it's on the route. Jamestown or Sonora are both in Gold Rush Country of California Historic Hwy 49 but are a little out of your way.

You will probably want to take I 580 to I 205 and then Hwy 120 into Yosemite and then Hwy 140 into Yosemite Village.

Utahtea

188 miles or so not a long drive

best to just head to the Park.

mapquest.com

According to Google, a detour to Sonora and Columbia adds only 25 miles to the trip when going via 120.

thanks, guys. i'm fine in the car that long; he isn't. i'll check out groveland, sonora and the other towns.

Stop in Oakdale or Knights Ferry for a break. Oakdale has a small family owned Cheese factory with a store and nice picnic grounds. There's also the Cowboy Museum and some cute shops and antique stores. Knights Ferry is a historic little town with a covered bridge, nice park by the river, general store with a bar and deli, museum, etc. Oakdale and Knights Ferry are about the halfway point between San Francisco and Yosemite.

Thanks, Sharon, I'll check out those towns.

Stop in Groveland. There is an old saloon/restaurant there with great hamburgers. Problem is that Groveland is only 1 hour away from the Valley. I'd pass on the detour to Sonoma. Oakdale (2 hours away from Berkeley) has lots of chain fast food restaurants; sometimes we do that. We find the Taco Bell the least obnoxious.
While you are in Yosemite, have dinner once at the Mountain Room in the Lodge. Price is about half the Awahnee Dining Room, food is good..but it is not as gorgeous. Enjoy the park--the water is spectacular this year.

Forget the Taco Bell or the other hideous fast food chains in Oakdale - grab some lunch at the H-B Saloon, which a fun cowboy/Western bar with all sorts of great cowboy pictures and memorabilia on the walls and the Cowboy Museum next door. It's on East F Street (Hwy 108/120), just after you make the left turn from Hwy 120 on the route to Yosemite thru Oakdale, so you can't miss it. Really good hamburgers and a great jukebox. We always stop there.

thanks, guys!

There's a teepee hotel in Groveland that's fun, and you can walk to breakfast etc. along
old town strip. We rented a convertible and got CDs (AudioBooks?) of Michael Prichard? Pritchard? reading a Mark Twain book about the area that was really entertaining on the drive.
Have fun!

P.S. Mark Twain book is "Roughing It". The (large) teepee (wood floor) will give you something to talk about, and will make you appreciate the Ahwahnee.

Columbia is an important destination. I was quite impressed with the place the first time I saw it: http://www.columbiacalifornia.com/

HTTY

Also in Oakdale is Ferrareses Deli. Long established family owned restaurant with very good food.