My husband and i are driving from carmel to yosemite and then continuing on to lake tahoe at the end of June. We have a limited amount of time, but would like to take a day and a half to explore yosemite before heading up to tahoe.

Currently the plan is to drive from Carmel and spend the night outside of Yosemite (all lodging within the park in booked). We plan to spend the entire first day in the Park as well as several hours the next morning before driving to Lake Tahoe.

Since we can't stay inside Yosemite, can anyone recommend any budget places to stay outside of the park? Or at least a convenient town? Does it make sense to spend the first night on the west side of the park and the second night on the east side for different routes and a more convenient exit to Tahoe? We'd like to see as much of Yosemite as possible in this short amount of time. Any other recommendations or advice is much appreciated! Thanks in advance!

I am sorry I don't know any motels to suggest but I do think you have a good plan. Get up early the first day and see as much of the Western side of the park as possible, expect it to be crowded. Then drive to the Eastern part and enjoy seeing the sun set over the mountains. In late June you will have many hours of sunlight to enjoy the park. The next day again get up early and watch the sunrise and explore the Eastern side of the park. The drive from Yosemite to Lake Tahoe is beautiful itself. I am sure you will have a wonderful trip. Enjoy!

the only accommodations w/i a reasonable distance/time of Yosemite Valley are motels in El Portal and vacation rentals in Yosemite West. Anyplace else will be an hour's drive or more from the valley.

What are your exact dates? As of today there is no estimated opening date for Tioga Pass. The plows are working from both ends but they are still getting snow at the high elevations. And after the road is plowed, there will be repairs and maintenance to be completed before it is open to traffic. My guess is it may be open by the middle of June -- but this year had historic snow depths.

If it isn't open you can't stay on the east side of the park but will have to drive either up hwy 49 to hwy 88 or to hwy 50 -- or -- back into the Central Valley and up hwy 99. Then on to Tahoe.

Yosemite is great! Spend your time in the valley and ride the free bus system. If possible head out of the valley on 120 east through Tioga pass, stop at the Mobil Gas Station's Whoa Nelli Deli and gas. This is the best food ever, this is not a joke look them up on the internet.

After eating or picking up food to go head north on 395 to Bodie State Historical Park, California's best preserved ghost towns, another well worth stop before heading north on 395 and over 50 to Tahoe.

Hope you share our fond memories. If Tioga Pass is closed due to snow and not passable, this leg is off and should be placed on a must try for a later date.

Happy Travels!

Thanks so much for the great responses and suggestions! My exact dates are June 21-23 so I'll keep my fingers crossed for Tioga Pass to be open by then!

If you are lucky it might be open by then -- but more snow is forecast for this week.

Looks like Tioga Pass will open in time for your trip. It's expected to open Saturday Morning 6/18/2011.

Here's hoping Suzie is right! I drove up US 395 on Monday and paid $4.999 per gallon for regular in Lee Vining. I just put in enough to get to Carson City where the price was $3.689.
Sonora Pass (Rt. 108) has been open for awhile.

Oh it's not a guess. The YNP Superintendent has made the announcement. It's public info now.

Yuba.net is one source but you can probably find the info release elsewhere.

http://tinyurl.com/3scr32j