Summer trip to Lake Tahoe and Yosemite
#5
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 11,752
Likes: 17
Since you want to see Tahoe first, I agree with boom_boom. Fly to Sacramento, rent the car, and see Tahoe.
If you are coming in the summer, you could go through Carson City and south on US395 and use the East entrance to Yosemite over the Tioga Pass. The Tioga Pass is usually closed with snow until sometime in June. On the return, go to Merced and up I-5 to Sacramento and the airport.
If you wanted to see Yosemite first, flying/renting at Fresno is another option (south entrance.)
If you are coming in the summer, you could go through Carson City and south on US395 and use the East entrance to Yosemite over the Tioga Pass. The Tioga Pass is usually closed with snow until sometime in June. On the return, go to Merced and up I-5 to Sacramento and the airport.
If you wanted to see Yosemite first, flying/renting at Fresno is another option (south entrance.)
#6
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,854
Likes: 0
I think boom_boom has overestimated how long the drive is from Yosemite Valley to Sacramento aiport. I would expect that drive to take no more than 4 hours. It's really just over 180 miles from the valley to the airport but due to the speed limit on the road from the valley to 99 you need to add more than the 3 hours it would take on a typical California road to travel 180 miles. I think 4 hours is about right.
You could also fly in and out of Reno as well. The drive on 395 is very nice during the summer.
You could also fly in and out of Reno as well. The drive on 395 is very nice during the summer.
#7

Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,269
Likes: 0
I live in the Sacramento area. We have driven to Yosemite via 99 and returned via 49. Much preferred the 49 route. Kids might be interested in seeing the old Gold mining towns along the route, especially Columbia. About 9 miles outside of San Andreas is the California Caverns. Really cool..literally!
It takes about 4 hours with no stops (except gas or restroom) to go from Yosemite to Sacramento area.
It takes about 4 hours with no stops (except gas or restroom) to go from Yosemite to Sacramento area.
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#8
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
I went to Tahoe via Reno, rented a car, we stayed in S Lake Tahoe for a week, we had planned on going to San Fran which we did, easy, nice drive. I am from Florida too.
The mountains are beautiful. We also had planned on Yosemite and were advised to spend the night, long drive but for Florida Crackers it was stuff we never see, we booked a room in Lee Vining right down the road from one of the Yosemite gates, Lee Vining is a really small town, the hotel was a mom and pop but clean and the views from the room were magnificant. Be sure and go to the Whoa Nellie Deli at the gas station, the food was great, live music, we really enjoyed it.
The mountains are beautiful. We also had planned on Yosemite and were advised to spend the night, long drive but for Florida Crackers it was stuff we never see, we booked a room in Lee Vining right down the road from one of the Yosemite gates, Lee Vining is a really small town, the hotel was a mom and pop but clean and the views from the room were magnificant. Be sure and go to the Whoa Nellie Deli at the gas station, the food was great, live music, we really enjoyed it.






