We are coming from Minneapolis, Minnesota and our options are to fly to LAX then change planes and fly to Fresno OR fly non-stop from Mpls. to San Jose--We will be renting a car and staying at the Awahnee in Yosemite-- Thanks for your advice!

Assuming the cost is approx the same go to Fresno. It is the closest city to Yosemite, and depending on the time of day, the traffic in the south bay around San Jose can be utterly impossible.

The only reasu you might use San Jose insated is if you were also going someplace in the Bay area. But your post sounds like you are concentrating on Yosemite.

BTW - You will absolutely LOVE the Ahwanee. Did you get in on the Diamond Anniversary special? The little extra money is really worth it for the "backstage" tour, commemorative paperweight, wine glasses, video, etc.

Fresno is closer but it's likely to result in a higher airfare and for most people there's no compelling reason to visit the area other than the access to Yosemite (I have family there so it's a bit different for me). That said, you'll have to consider driving time - Fresno is 85 miles and no more than a two hour drive - San Jose is about 190 miles and more like five hours. I'd go for the non-stop and drive from Fresno. You'll also find far less potentiasl for local traffic slowdowns around Fresno than in the San Jose area.

It depends when you are flying in. San Jose will have the lower fare compared to Fresno. If you get into San Jose (assuming you are arriving on a weekday)and leave the city for Yosemite before rush hour(4-7pm) or after rush hour, you should not have much of a problem. If you do get into San Jose during the rush hour crunch, head downtown(about 5 mile form the airport)for a late lunch or dinner. There are many great restaurants in the area.

You recently asked this same question and I suggested Fresno and gave you the connections.

I still recommend Fresno. Although it has no other qualities, it is very convienient to Yosemite. Driving from San Jose, regardless of the time of day, is stupid and a complete waste of time.

Dick

If you are just going to Yosemite and considering San Jose, you might also want to consider Sacramento. While not nearly as convenient as Fresno, it would be an easier drive to Yosemite from Sacramento than the drive from San Jose. In fact, Oakland airport would also be easier than San Jose airport.

I'm flying Soutwest Airlines on some free tickets and they don't fly to Fresno. My options are Sacramento, San Jose, San Francisco and Reno. Considering I don't want my wife and daughter to suffer traffic, what is my best choice. Flight times vary but we could leave Thurs thru Saturday.

Also, we need to get to Yosemite from Los Angeles (staying there for a week). Thinking of driving but wonder if that's the best option. What route would be good. Thanks all.

Kevin,

Your post doesn't make sense. What the cities you mentioned have to do with traveling from Los Angeles to Yosemite is beyond me.

You might want to rethink your question and start your own thread.

By the way, Southwest does not fly inot San Francisco. It does fly into Oakland, San Jose, Reno and Sacramento.

Dick

Kevin, your post doesn't make much sense to me either, but I'll try and guess what you mean. Are you first flying into Los Angeles, then driving to Yosemite and then driving to the nearest airport from which Southwest flies? If that is the case, I'd suggest San Jose. Dick is right. Southwest does not fly into San Francisco.

Kevin: As the others - your post is confusing. But assuming you mean you are flying to LA, traveling to Yosemite and flying out, here is my recommendation.

Drive from LA to Yosemite. You could take the train to Fresno - but you'd need a carin LA anyway and to see much except for Yos. Valley. So pick up a car in LA and keep it until you fly home.

definitely fly out of either Reno or Sacramento. Sacramento and San Jose are almost exactly the same distance from Yosemite - but the traffic in and around Sac is MUCH less. But my real first choice would be Reno - straight up Hwy 395 from the back side of Yosemite, not much traffic, really interesting scenery, and reno airport is small and very user friendly. And if you had time you could do a quick detour over the hill to Tahoe. But it depends on WHEN your trip is - Tioga pass doesn't open until late June or early July.

If you are going in Spring or late Autumn/winter, use Sacramento.

Kevin,

You don't say whenyou are coming. Assuming it's summer you should drive from LA to Yosemite via 99 to 41 in Fresno.

To fly out you should travel over Tioga pass which is a beautiful part of the park and drive up to Reno via 395 and fly out of there. This would give you the most interesting drive. If you come before Tioga Pass opens then you could fly out of San Jose or Oakland provided you select a good time of day or Sacramento whcih does not have the traffic issues the bay area does.

Thanks for you're replies. You all guessed correctly that I meant I was driving up from LA to Yosemite, then needed to catch a flight out from one of the airports I mentioned. We are going in August, and we will take the suggestions you gave to fly out of Reno. We will be stopping in Tahoe for 2 days. We want to stay on the beach. Thought of the Hyatt, but they're renovating and want to avoid construction noise. Any suggestions of places to stay on the water near Incline Village, Sand Harbor? Thanks.

Kevin,

The Hyatt is renovating? I stayed there summer 2000 and they were renovating. I understood they were finished. It was really looking nice by the time we left. I doubt they are renovating anything in the main tower. It's possible that they would renovate the lower wings and then construction might interfere with the pool but the beach is across the road where the cottages are and if you're going there the construction noise would not be heard.

Other cool lodging: Sunnyside resort.

It has been about 6 months since I've driven up to Incline and the Hyatt - but at that time all the remodeling was complete. So unless they have started something new, the Hyatt is fine.

Hey Janice, We're both wrong. Hyatt has started phase II of the remodel and the only remaining part is the 3 story buildings. The web site says they are going to close that and demolish the pool area (which was kinda oldish looking but still decent) Guests will use the Incline Village Recreation Center with indoor pool. Since Guests will stay in the main tower they probably won't be affected much by the construction though. Won't be complete until 2003.