We booked a room at the Inn on Randolph! Newly Built Modern Estate Compound In Napa Valley: $14M. SF to Yosemite via Highway 120 E. Travel Time: 3 hours and 45 minutes. We have 7 days and would like to stay in Napa for a few days and maybe visit Yosemite and Carmel. Hop between sunlit vineyards and gourmet restaurants and then head to the mountains, where Lake Tahoe sits in the middle of the Sierra Nevada. It all comes down to preference, but it is recommended that you start all the way north so that going back to San Francisco will be a shorter trip. This amazing experience kicks off in the city by the bay; San Francisco. Arrive in Napa Valley and enjoy an included wine tasting, before having lunch at Napa's Oxbow Public Market. All purchases are subject to re-confirmation within 2-3 business days after booking. Try the Angele Restaurant and Bar, a bistro at the riverfront in a timeworn boathouse that serves French food. San Francisco is the most popular city on the route it's 4 hours from Yosemite National Park and less than an hour from Napa. From the Golden City, wind your way through unpretentious wine country, orchards and historic towns on this San Francisco to Yosemite road trip. Break for Modesto There is travel time involved as well. Day 9: Napa Valley/ Sonoma OR Muir Woods. 2-5 Days. What was once a lush valley is now a reservoir holding water for the city of San Francisco. The American Society of Civil Engineers considers the Golden Gate Bridge one of the wonders of the modern world. Families traveling with kids may enjoy kid-friendly activities like Safari West, a wildlife compound, and Castello di Amorosa, a big castle with a spooky dungeon that kids will get a kick out of. Muir woods is a 30 mins drive from SF and you leave SF early see it for an hour or two and drive to Napa. If you drive to Napa on your own, you may be able to see all of it in a single day or plan a longer trip. Go, Admission (Optional): Adult $40; Child (Under 21 yrs, without Wine Tasting) $40|Duration: Approx. Get answers to your questions about California, FAQ: What you need to know about California Before you Visit, FAQ: What you Need to Know Before you drive here, FAQ: California Itineraries and Trip Reports, Driving from SF to LA or vice Versa -- Please read this, FAQ: How to drive the Coastal Highway in Southern California. We do enjoy wine so would definately like to take advantage of Napa. Coastal breezes keep the city cool and huge fog drifts can sweep over the Golden Gate Bridge during the summer meaning winter is usually more reliable with clear days and moderate temperatures. The kids will love the tour and tasting afterwards. For a longer one, from the Golden Gate Bridge, drive along Highway 1 to Stinson Beach, where you can enjoy the scenic route of the coastline. Are there any suggestions for an itinerary? $25 $20 $15 $10 $5 M A M J J A S O N D J F. If you are trying to decide when to travel from Napa to San Francisco by train so you can score the best possible deal, your best bet would be to plan your trip for February. It has been speculated that it is the most photographed bridge in the world; it's certainly one of the most picturesque. However, if you think that you have already had your fill of wine for the day, you can go to Oakville for your next stop and drop by the Oakville Grocery. Napa Valley is more or less due north of San Francisco, but you can't just start driving north from the middle of town and get there. 13h 14m . Guests can enjoy the scenic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Angel Island. May 3, 2022 Mikaela Ruland. The Napa Valley is a scenic stop when travelling between San Francisco to Yosemite National Park. Highways 120 West, 140, 41 and 120 East/Tioga Road. Where to see Superbloom Sunday (March 5th) near Los Angeles? City of Berkeley, referred to as Berkeley for short, it's a hilly city on the east coast of the San Francisco bay area. This is where they will have reached Napa Valley's southern edge. Any and all suggestions are appreciated. Park your car in a Yosemite gateway town and take the YARTS bus into Yosemite Valley. This tiny snowflake, and unfathomable numbers of its companions, water two-thirds of California. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Tour Yosemite Like a Local with Gypsy Guide They can either head north across the Golden Gate Bridge out of the city, or they can go first across the Bay Bridge to the east and then continue north. There are ten day hikes, swimming, scenic viewpoints and three National Park sponsored tours. Find Western Heritage in Oakdale Best 2-Day Eco-Friendly Yosemite Vacation Itinerary Eventually, the snowflake flows into the San Francisco Bay and passes under the Golden Gate Bridge to reach the Pacific Ocean. Check the Forest Service site before you go as there are occasional closures due to weather and downed trees. San Francisco, the heart of central California's Bay Area, is famous for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, its unique culture, and its position at the forefront of technological innovation. Read More: If you are keen on mining history, check out this article onCalifornia ghost towns. . That surpassed a record of 36 inches for Feb. 28, set in 1969, spokesperson Scott Gediman confirmed to the San Francisco . --, I would suggest not having a car for SF but renting it for the day to go to Napa Valley. Yosemites natural wonders make it a very popular park, for both Californians and visitors. On your Yosemite adventure,listen to an entertaining guide in your car. }); Maybe I will actually break down and become *a fan* of TA one of these days! With a day to enjoy Napa Valley, you need to get stuck right into the wonderful food and wine of the region. There is mobile service on the valley floor, but it may be spotty elsewhere in the park, like on Tioga Pass. There is a ton to do in Yosemite valley. One of the things to consider is the season, but there is always something to do in Napa Valley any month of the year. These services are mostly used by workday commuters and the number of trips they make per day is fewer on weekends, especially on Sundays. Departing from San Francisco, you can look forward to nature-rich hikes through majestic Yosemite, renowned for its . Take a boat ride around one of the most famous and historical bays in the United States, the famous San Francisco Bay. For out-of-town visitors, the process can be painstakingly complicated, so you're really better off booking a guided tour or renting a car and driving. Stay at Evergreen Lodge just a mile from the parks Hetch Hetchy Entrance or Rush Creek Lodge less than a mile from the Big Oak Flat Entrance. Many companies also offer Napa Valley tours from San Francisco, some with side trips to Muir Woods or other places. This winery is built by an Iranian and is Persian-inspired. $(obj).not(".hasDatepicker").datepick({onSelect: function(dateText, inst) {$(this).blur();} , minDate: new Date(), showTrigger: false, constrainWidth: false}); Day 10: Depart from San Francisco. The Winchester Mystery House is a mansion in San Jose, California, that was once the personal residence of Sarah Winchester, the widow of firearm magnate William Wirt Winchester. Find more information at www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/oakdale/oklca/hoteldetail, Highway 120 (Big Oak and Hetch Hetchy entrances). The road trip map below recommends a more circuitous routing that only adds about two extra hours of drive time. We've been offering travelers a safe, eco-friendly, reliable way to connect with nature since 1993. Over 800 5-star reviews. If you want to maximize your road trip to Napa Valley, the best route would be via the Golden Gate Bridge to the Marin Headlands. You can get from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park in around 3 to 3 hours and 30 minutes, and the two most conventional routes cover 165 and 200 miles, respectively. See complete details at the, Free upgrade to bus first 3 rows seating, subject to availability, All domestic ground transportation via air-conditioned vehicle. 17 San Francisco: Aquarium of the Bay General Admission Ticket. Upload Photos Find more about her work at www.auninditabhatia.com. Its best tobook aheadfor the train. Please note on day 2 there are two optional tours so the fee will be different. Visitors can tour many of the more than four hundred vineyards and wineries that dot the area. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46730033', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Napa Valley usually means expensive. Youll probably approach from the east driving past the bizarre Mono Lake, a soda lake full of strange salt formations. You can also stop by Oakville Wine Merchant and get some wine per glass. Getting to Yosemite From the West and North San Francisco/Bay area. (note that the Glacier Point road will be closed for repaving during the 2022 season). After a quiet morning in Napa recovering from a day of indulgence yesterday, youll drive north into the Sierra Nevada Mountains where youll find Lake Tahoe, a blue gem high up in the mountains. Stop #3: Bodega Bay. When she's not writing, she spends time with her two beautiful and naughty sons. If 7 days is 6 nights you might even think about cutting it down to two areas. Expert guides. RELATED: Check Out These Hidden Gems In Napa Valley. On arrival in San Francisco you will make your own way into the city and check into your hotel for one night. 2 Hours, Opening Hours: Closed on 1/1/18, 2/23, 2/24, 4/26-4/28, 5/11-5/13, 6/14-6/17, 9/1, 9/8, 9/15, 9/18-9/23, 10/6, 10/25-10/28, 11/10, 11/22, 12/25, Admission (Optional): Adult $39; Child (6-12 yrs) $25; Senior (Over 65 yrs) $36, Admission (Optional): Adult $42; Child (5-11 yrs) $28|Opening Hours: Closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day|Duration: Approx. From there, you can ride the shuttle to many attractions and trailheads in the park. All of our holidays are tailor-made to your requirements by an expert Travel Specialist. Learn More. Castello di Amorosa, a 13th century Tuscan-styled castle and winery, is the only authentic medieval castle in the United States. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46693821', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');rent a car and at least see the city and Napa Valley. Never having been there before; would it be best to spend two days in The Napa Valley and the remaining time catching a few sites in SF? ThisCalifornia state parkshares the ancient customs of the Sierra Miwok people. Happy trails! The previous record was 40 degrees on Feb. 24 in 1891. However, if you can hold your hunger and want to have your breakfast in downtown Napa, you can visit The Model Bakery and get the English muffin Oprahs favorite. To reach Napa, you need to get around the north end of the Bay. The fastest way to get from SF to Yosemite is out I580 through Tracy, connecting with Highway 120 in Manteca. Breathe in the sweet pine-scented air and dangle your toes in playful mountain rivers. Check Major Road Closures in CA via this official Map. Book Now. Prices are subject to change without prior notice. (* Last name will not be published). In addition to touring the castle interior, visitors can taste a wide selection of fine Napa Valley wine which is made on premises and not sold elsewhere. Moderate. $(function() { With only 7 days & 6 nights, I think that the best use of time for your choices is SF (3 nights, get car when you leave) - Napa / Sonoma (2 nights) - Carmel / Monterey (1 night.) Thanks! The railway was established in 1875 to carry tourists there. Napa & Sonoma Valley Wine Tour from San Francisco at a Glance: Departure Point: 478 Post St. or 2805 Leavenworth St. Departure Time: 8:40 AM - 9:00 AM. Get a free Yosemite National Park trip planner with inspiring itineraries and essential information. Visitors to the park wont want to miss any ofthese following heart-stopping vistas, all easily accessible from paved roads throughout the park. If so, do some price comparison shopping atRentalcars.com. Nine days is a reasonable length of time for this itinerary. Yay, we in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? If you want to visit some wineries . Convenient SF hotel pickup and drop off. Another option is to enjoy a bit of the coast north of . Northern Yosemite is the higher elevation portion of the park and there are yet more stunning hikes and views in this part of the park. They will then follow the Interstate 80 - Berkeley/ Sacramento signs. If you can still hold your alcohol for one more tasting before returning to San Francisco, you can make a quick stop in Napa to visit Darioush. When its running, you can reach the lower falls from a fairly easy loop trail. To see Napa from a different perspective, try a horseback riding tour or hop aboard a hot air balloon. It sits over the Stanislaus river and there are some nice hiking trails on the north side and tons of picnic tables on the south side. United Airlines. Its just a matter of picking your distance. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. After a day swimming and kayaking through the lake, drive from Lake Tahoe to Yosemite National Park hiking, climbing and looking out for wildlife that roams the hills. WHat if i opted to pay all the the Admission fee amounting to $135 and the $100 (cable cars, etc..) and the Tour guide fee of $9/day total of $27that is a grand total $262 so in addition to the $338 tour , i have to add the $262, totalling to $600. You can usually find more choice and less expensive room inventory just outside of the valley. Terms and Conditions. Stop #4: Jenner. Ten minutes on Highway 37, they will head north on Highway 121. Day 6: Yosemite National Park. Enquire Now. From there, we'll head to Yosemite for 2 days . Top 4 Ways to get from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park: San Francisco To Yosemite Road Trip. Napa Valley Winery Tours From San Fransisco Reviews. While there's no way to get from San Francisco to the Napa Valley by train, you could sign up for a tour on the Napa Valley Wine Train, which will take you from Napa to Helena and back in a day and includes winery stops and meals enjoyed on-board. Excellent tour, the best way to know Napa valley. Alcatraz & San Francisco Combo Tour. More than 15-feet of snow has already fallen at the park, and 40 inches of snow fell on the valley floor - elevation 4,000 feet - on Tuesday alone, surpassing the old record of 36 inches for . Most would suggest 3-4 full days to see SF so if want to add a day trip to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-43239749', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');San Francisco in November. Hot Tip: Do you need a rental car for your San Francisco to Yosemite road trip? You can take a bus from Napa to Yosemite Valley via El Cerrito Del Norte BART Station, El Cerrito Del Norte, Hayward, Hayward, Merced Bus Stop, and Merced Transpo in around 9h 19m. Is lodging in the valley really that bad? Once home to Al Scarface Capone and other notorious criminals, Alcatraz Island is a National Park Service site located 1.25 miles offshore. Check out our Web Storiesfor more inspiration. When you make it to Yosemite, be sure to visit the Hetch Hetchy area, where less than 1% of park visitors ever venture. If you're in the mood for a little rest and relaxation, Napa Valley is also home to many of the best spas in California and it's here where you can get an authentic Calistoga mud bath. One hundred years after flooding Hetch Hetchy Valley, central Californias water struggles have only intensified. Go early to get a parking spot or take the shuttle, which runs four times per day. Text Us. Betsy has been writing about California for nearly more than two decades as TripSavvy's expert on the state. Muir woods is a 30 mins drive from SF and you leave SF early see it for an hour or two and drive to Napa. Day 4: Big Sur. What makes a vacation memorable is not only the destination but also the trip along the way. Beautiful weather and waterfront views await visitors as well! The easiest way to get from San Francisco to Napa using public transportation is to take the San Francisco Bay Ferry from the San Francisco Ferry Building or Fisherman's Wharf Pier 41 to Vallejo. Yosemite & Napa Valley. The region houses one of the most important reservoirs storing and serving drinking water to northern California. Why The Napa Valley Is One Of The World's Premier Wine Regions. Want more redwoods? Visitors can stroll through 300 feet of crystal clear tunnels featuring over 20,000 marine animals. If you're going on a road trip from Napa to Yosemite National Park, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way with San Francisco, San Jose, the Mill Valley, Palo . San Jose is the central city in the Silicon Valley region of California's Bay Area, which is world-famous for its technological innovations and successful startups. Take the ferry from Vallejo Ferry Terminal to San Francisco Ferry Building Gate E. Take the bus from San Francisco to Merced. It is also the oldest, having been founded in 1868. If you go to Yosemite, stay at least a night. Public transportation is a slow way to get to Napa and is not designed for tourists who want to see the sights and visit some wineries. Here are 4 ways to get to Yosemite from San Francisco that involve a car rental or transportation and tour by a local operator. The well-preserved downtown core has a county history museum, tons of cute antique and apparel shops and the Iron Door Saloon, which is the oldest operating saloon in California. The drive to Yosemite from San Francisco is only about 3 hours and 20 minutes. Whether you're looking for private charter services, a fun family vacation . Napa, as well as Oak Knoll and Yountville. The cheapest way to get from Napa Valley Wine Train to Yosemite National Park costs only $42, and the quickest way takes just 4 hours. The state park is really fun for families as they offer docents in period attire, stagecoach rides and panning for gold. HomepageAboutBlog ArchiveWork with UsPrivacy PolicyContact Us. Joshua - secluded in the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Travelers can choose from stopping at the Yosemite Valley Lodge or the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center. Explore the Mission District with its colourful murals and famous burritos before renting a bike and cycling over the Golden Gate Bridge for iconic views back over the city. SF-(ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Yosemite Falls is one of the largest waterfalls in North America. Day 7: Yosemite National Park. In the winter, Tioga Pass and other high elevation sites are closed. During the summer months, there are four entrances to Yosemite National Park. A fabulous place to be explored in its own right, it's also a base to the Californian wine region Napa, and an epic drive from Yosemite National Park and the Big Sur. FAQ: RVing in California: Is it Right for you? Share them with the rest of the community and you can, Standard Hotel: Marriot / Holiday Inn SFO / Beverly Heritage /Days Inn / Super 8 or similar, Choose 1 from Napa Valley+Sausalito or Redwood Forest+Monterey or Stanford+San Jose, Standard Hotel: Holiday Inn SFO, Park Pointe Hotel or Similar, Standard Hotel: Quality inn Merced or Similar, Modesto - Yosemite National Park - California Central Valley - Los Angeles. Oct 05 2022. This itinerary is purely a suggestion, and can be tailor-made to your requirements, so please contact us with your dates and requests and well put together a bespoke quotation for you. Length: 10 hours. Napa Valley is renowned for quality wine and excellent food and is always worth a stop. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a4e44061edd6cc9e94ca29cff754da9d" );document.getElementById("bdd8f95227").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); We are a participant in the various affiliate programs including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. With only three full days in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? From either location, you can avoid summer traffic hassle in Yosemite valley by catching theYarts busright from town. It veers off of Highway 41 onto Route 200 and has an additional three wineries. Trips. Enjoy this relaxing stop on Hwy 120 on the way to Yosemite National Park with modern, clean rooms and amenities such as complimentary breakfast, high speed internet and an outdoor pool. Sign Me Up. Note: This question will be posted on a public forum. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-43241286', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Napa-Monterey is plenty for 7 days; leave Yosemite for the next trip. From Vallejo, connect to the Napa Valley VINE bus system Route 10, which can take you all the way to Calistoga . Coastal Redwoods Road Trip. Enjoy shopping and dining along the way in addition to taking in the vistas. Even those living next door in the Bay Area should consider spending the night in accommodation surrounded by vineyards. The relatively low elevation of Hetch Hetchy means that it offers a long hiking season. FAQ: Where are the California Traveler Articles, Written for Travelers by Travelers? They operated a ferry until 1852, and then they built the bridge, which is the longest covered bridge west of the Mississippi. 7 nights from 3,499 per person. If you are lovin those views, you may want to consider coming back to Tioga Pass as an entryway to our scenicHighway 395 drivedown the Eastern Sierras. I recently published an extended guide to planning Redwoods road trips that includes this itinerary in greater detail. There is a lot to explore in the Napa Valley with its hundreds of wineries, fantastic restaurants, and many lovely inns and resorts to choose from.