While the winter brings in thousands of skiers and snowboarders, the summer shows a different side of the town. You have several options for a road trip from San Francisco to Las Vegas. Get an ad-free experience, support The Outbound, and snag a bunch of other perks by subscribing for only $29.99/year. Hi bbutch - an Australian who has done this a few times, one way or the other: Personally I would stay at the Bug Hostel Night 1 (it's outstanding), and Night 2 at Lee Vining, the other side of Tioga Pass - nice part of the world too. 2300 Kilometer/1400 Meilen Any help, and advice would be very appreciated. Camp in the Alabama Hills | Photo: Mike O’Hara. Getting there: I always search for my flights on Skyscanner.We flew into San Diego and out of Las Vegas. You can head out of the park (but not before checking out the Giant Sequoias) and drive straight to San Francisco. There are bus tours if you are carless at this point. That's how you will go. Whitney. Grab your hiking boots and extra batteries for your camera and let’s hit the road! Start your road trip in San Francisco, see the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Mission District, Fisherman’s Wharf … You can stand in the middle of a two lane road and look out in every direction and realize you are the only people for miles and miles. Explore San Francisco before heading inland to sample Northern California’s amazing food and wines on this epic 431-mile adventure to Yosemite and back. Lee Vining, Death Valley, Las Vegas, about 6 hrs. Can buy it at the maritime museum on a pier west of Fisherman's Wharf. There is a serious problem with that map. This map is more or less what you would want to do. The fastest route is 570 miles and takes about 9 hours with no stops. Have no idea what you've been reading but nothing conflicting about it. We're at the very early stage of planning a road trip from Las Vegas to San Francisco in mid October 2017. San Francisco – Yosemite National Park – Bodie – Devils Postpile National Monumentt – Death Valley National Park – Las Vegas – Lake Mead – Grand Canyon National Park – Flagstaff – Las Vegas Dauer: 14 Tage Gesamtstrecke: ca. Mountain bikers and hikers will love this picturesque town. And how long roughly would this take? Death Valley National Park has such a surreal feeling to it. From here you have several options. Copy and paste the url below to share the link. However, I keep reading conflicting advice and finding conflicting information about driving times etc so I'm after some definitive advice. All rights reserved. By the shortest route, that does not include Yosemite, it's six hundred miles. You’ll find restaurants, shops, lodging, tours, etc. Scottsdale, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Death Valley, Yosemite NP, Napa Valley, Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, Los Angeles & more 15 nights from £ 1799 Portland to LA Yeah, neither do we, but it keeps the lights on. las vegas to san francisco via yosemite i'm planning a trip from los angeles to las vegas visiting grand canyon, and this part of the trip seems fine, driving wise. United States - best travel route Las Vegas to San Fran - We are a family of 5 driving from Las Vegas to San Francisco in early April. I have added a drive to the Valley. By: Jessica Foiles + Save to a List. Be aware of local regulations and don't damage these amazing places for the sake of a photograph. That advice about"most scenic" is very relative. Please explore responsibly! Roads and weather will be very good. The scramble at the end isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s so worth it in the end. Thorn Tree is currently set to READ-ONLY mode. From San Francisco, you'll drive east to take I-80 and I-580, and then go south on I-5. Either way, spend the next few days reflecting on the awesome road trip you just had while eating some delicious San Francisco eats! Vegas to San Francisco Via Yosemite. It's a great city to visit - but you can see what it mainly offers in 5 (maybe 6) full days. We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Going from Alaska cruise, Vancouver to San Fran, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Washington DC and New York in 6 weeks. Then head to Bakersfield and Ridgecrest on your return route to Las Vegas. The scenic route is very appealing to the both of us. my concern is from las vegas to san francisco, not much information on this route so i'm worried its not easy to drive? I've seen anywhere from 8 to 12 hours and am totally confused. Jessica Foiles Read "FAQ: What is a good route to travel to Yosemite (or to San Francisco) from Las Vegas?" Keep your eyes peeled for the occasional coyote (we had one walk right up to our car) and make sure to check out Bad Water Basin, the lowest point in North America. However, I have included something that will add an hour or more to your drive. San Francisco. Will it still be hot in late September/early October or will the roads start to ice up? we use cookies to improve your experience on our website. You want to drive through the park toward Lee Vining then down to Death Valley. Yosemite is 200 miles, i.e., it's twice the distance, by the shortest route, from Yosemite to Las Vegas than from San Francisco to Yosemite. Have 11 nights in NY at the end but also want to check out Boston. Fastest way from Las Vegas to Yosemite is via us95 and 120 but this is far less scenic than via Death Valley and us395. Have 4 nights there and have been advised by others to hire a car/tour and take a run down the coast anyway. We flew from Las Vegas to San Francisco and picked up our car at the airport (a mustang of course!). To drive SF to Las Vegas with just one night at Lee Vining is possible, but it is a terrible (unpardonable) tragedy to do so - we have nothing like Yosemite NP in Australia. Yep, us too. And time is a bit of a problem. The route south of Yosemite is the last scenic route. My idea was to leave San Fran early in the morning, drive through Yosemite NP and stay somewhere south of there for the night. One more possibly ignorant question - will we travel past sequoias at all, or should we take a trip from San Fran to see these? Also - worth considering the America the Beautiful national park annual pass - $US80.00, and will pay for itself after about four NPS national parks / national monuments / federal urban sites, etc. But that's an extremely rushed trip through Yosemite regardless. If you don't have lodging reservations in San Francisco already, check with … Our route is malleable and we haven't firmly locked in nights at each place - open for arguments! Don't see your favorite adventure on The Outbound? The run down the coast (as far as say Cambria) is very good indeed, but the nearest coastal redwoods (a different sequoia to those at elevation in the Sierra Mountains) can be seen at John Muir Woods not far north of the Golden Gate Bridge - you can get there, visit, and return in half a day (go early). Interstate 80 will lead you into Oakland, where you can merge onto 580 East for 45 miles (72 kilometers… (again, keep seeing conflicting advice), Realistic (but very short - it's worth more, as per Joe above), It could theoretically take 12 hours, but that is way too short (see (1) above), Go Hwy 120 - no need to go anywhere near Modesto-Turlock-Merced, The weather will be superb - expect neither hot nor icy (you would be very unlucky). Don't like ads? What To Do: Alcatraz. I think eleven nights in NYC is about 4-5 too many. 10 Must-Do Adventures In The San Francisco Bay Area | Photo: Josiah Roe. California Gold Country Road Trip to Yosemite. This is very much appreciated. This topic has been locked by a moderator. The Whoa Nellie Deli is a a good place to eat. Whitney the next day definitely gives you bragging rights. The drive over Tioga Pass is also one that might inspire a stop or two. and be able to see iconic El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, and Half Dome. The Nevada route is the most direct: the 415-mile drive to Las Vegas takes 7 hours, 45 minutes. In October we will be driving from San Francisco to El Portal, where we shall be staying at Yosemite View Lodge for 2 nights. Bus tour from San Francisco to Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Yosemite National Park to explore Grand Canyon South/West Rim, Mather Point, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Tunnel View and more at the low price. Plan Your Trip to California. If you’re looking for a great day hike, Clouds Rest is one of my favorite hikes in the park. 1 Night - Yosemite Valley 1 N - Bridgeport or Lee Vining via the north route, maybe Tioga will be open 1 N - Las Vegas via Death Valley, it can be pretty hot in even in late April-early May It's a much more scenic pleasant drive then via Bakersfield which sucks big time, a major wasteland. I know similar tops have ben posted but these are years old now and also confusing. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. Get the best route from Yosemite National Park to Las Vegas with ViaMichelin. By: The drive to Big Oak Flat is about 170 miles from San Francisco and takes at least four hours; however, traffic, especially in summer and on weekends, has the potential to make it much longer. Could cut Vanc a bit shorter but we are visiting close friends, so its about spending time with them. You can If you're only allowing one-two days for this I would not head to Mariposa | Mariposa Grove - just go straight into the Valley and drive up Glacier Point and also hike Nevada Falls - the two best features in the Park easily accessible. "We need advice on the following" Do all car Rental companies charge a … Don't know what's it like when we cross dearth valley and YosemiteWill I need an suv or 4x4 car or any car will be ok?Where in Yosemite do you suggest staying?Do we go up any hills during this route that might be cold for example or valleys that might be too hot?Thanks in advance. Hiking the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias | Photo: Rob Witt. Pay attention to the information aboutgas stations you don't want to run out of gas between Yosemite & Lee Vining. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Here are 4 ways to get to Yosemite from San Francisco that involve a car rental or transportation and tour by a local operator. ... Has anybody got any experience or a tourist routes for driving to San Fran from Las Vegas via Yosemite national park?? Follow CA-120 East to US-6 in Benton. We are wanting to drive through part of … According to this: http://gocalifornia.about.com/od/cayosemite/a/get_there.htm the route through Merced etc is the most scenic from San Fran. If you are wondering how to spend a week in California but still see the most popular attractions, then this itinerary is for you. Personally I would stay at the Bug Hostel Night 1 (it's outstanding), and Night 2 at Lee Vining, the other side of Tioga Pass - nice part of the world too. Follow the golden road to and from Yosemite on … I'm travelling from Australia in September and am thinking of driving between San Fran…. Entering the park from the Tioga Road entrance is so beautiful that you will want to make sure you take advantage of the pull-off spots along to the road to really take it all in. If it is not likely you will make it back to Yosemite, you absolutely do not want to skip the Valley. Learn more below. The quickest driving route between San Francisco and Yosemite takes about four hours. If you’re looking for a more laid back day, take a drive through Alabama Hills, an area of strange rock formations and hills where countless movies and tv shows have been filmed throughout the years. A drive from Las Vegas to San Francisco that avoids interstates means taking roads through Mojave, Death Valley or Yosemite … Show us by creating an adventure. Please feel free to browse existing topics for answers to your travel questions. Car hire: We hired our car via US Car Hire.As there were 5 us us, we had a 7-seater Ford Yukon, which fitted us and our … Via Yosemite and Death Valley, it's about seven hundred magnificent, spectacular, wondrous, beautiful, and worth-while miles. © I'm planning to do the same route with wife this September. 7 day road trip from San Francisco to Yosemite. Camp at Wild Willy’s Hot Springs | Photo: Greg Balkin. Is there somewhere to stay about 6-7 hours down the road from San Fran(taking the route through Modesto, Merced and Mariposa? The next morning, drive through Death Valley and on to Las Vegas, thus breaking up what looks to be a 12 hour drive. Learn More. by clicking the Privacy policy link at the bottom of the page. I personally enjoy Tuolumne Meadows area of Yosemite over the more popular Yosemite Valley. From Las Vegas to San Francisco via Death Valley and Yosemite 23 Jun 2010 Photos Reviews. It’s the last stop before entering Yosemite National Park. Then a straight shot via Death Valley to Las Vegas. And there is no way that the route from SF to YNP via Modesto-Merced is the most scenic - just head straight into Yosemite NP via 120, in my view, and as I said, with such a short time, no need to include Mariposa Grove (which is closed through most of 2015 anyway). More information can be found by viewing the following announcement. Yeah, neither do we, but it keeps the lights on. Red Rock Canyon offers amazing climbing and hiking routes, as well as a one-way 13-mile loop road if scenic drives are more your thing. Take a few hours and head to Red Rock Canyon, a short 30-minute drive from the Vegas Strip. There are a number of motels in Lee Vining. This route is the least likely to experience winter road closures, but there's not a lot to see along the way. Hello, I’m looking to drive from Las Vegas to San Francisco via Yosemite National Park, spending two nights in or around the national park on the way.I’m going on the 11th April and understand that some of the roads may not be open at this time of year. If you’re looking for a beautiful mountain town to hang out in for a night, Mammoth Lakes is it. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures. For most of the year, the best route is via Tioga Pass (if you’re traveling in winter or spring, check to make sure that it’s open before heading out). Oh, and if you see signs that say to turn your air conditioning off in your car while going up a hill, do it. After that, the return per day drops off dramatically. Las Vegas-Yosemite: The Scenic Route. So, ignore that huge loop north toward Lake Tahoe. You can just drive a loop through the Valley, but I can't imagine that you will not want to stop and look around a few times, if for no other reason than to stretch your legs. Let’s take a close look at both options, beginning with the scenic route, as this is by far my favorite. We didn’t break up the Yosemite to Vegas drive, we went all in one go – but we didn’t drive through Death Valley.The road we drove was fine but the scenery wasn’t that amazing! Get an ad-free experience, support The Outbound, and snag a bunch of other perks by subscribing for only $29.99/year. Once you arrive, the adventure doesn’t end...San Francisco is full of amazing adventures nearby and some even right in the city. If you’re looking for more of “city in a park” feel, head down to Yosemite Valley. Start: Las Vegas, Nevada. 3 nights San Francisco 3 nights Yosemite 3 nights Vegas. Discover the beauty of the California coast on a road trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco via the Pacific Coast Highway. Look to the right. 12 days travelling for an amazing American road trip - June 2017 Follow me in Instagram @stephane_couprie Hi there, You could also stay south out of the park and head west all the way to the coast and hit up Santa Cruz for some surfing and beach time, or take highway 101 up the coast for some breathtaking views (check out the Big Sur to San Francisco section in this road trip guide for some awesome ideas). Ah and you see, this is what I find confusing. SF-Lee Vining via Yosemite about 6 hrs. If you’re up for the winding road, head up to Glacier Point and look out over Yosemite Valley. Its fantastic having this local knowledge re: closures/renovations etc. By the shortest route, that does not include Yosemite, it's six hundred miles. This historic attraction isn’t to be missed. Drive time from San Francisco to Yosemite: approx. There are some great trailheads in the area, as well as climbing. Since you walked across the lowest point in North America the day before in Death Valley, making it to the summit of Mt. Yes - spend two nights on the road between SF and Las Vegas (even three). Open the full TA website. Plan Your Las Vegas to San Francisco Route. After you’ve seen what Death Valley has to offer, head out of the park and towards Lone Pine, a small town located at the base of Mt. Yosemite is 200 miles, i.e., it's twice the distance, by the shortest route, from Yosemite to Las Vegas than from San Francisco to Yosemite. The road trip is definitely worth several days. Just want to dedicate this post to anyone who will ever choose this route for a gateway to Las Vegas and Northern California. If you have a spare night, add it in somewhere - even in the Valley. Start your trip in Sin City, but don’t spend too much time gambling away your gas money on the strip. 2020 It is packed full of character and we throughly enjoyed exploring it. Is the drive into the Valley to which you refer that spur off towards Yosemite Village? And do you agree that we should take at least two nights do this trip? Highway 120 through Yosemite to Lee Vining is closed right now and Google Maps won't let me take you that way. Hike Red Rock’s Ice Box Canyon | Photo: Spud Groshong. Heading out of Lone Pine on Highway 395 towards Yosemite is such a cool drive. Take a Walk on Badwater Basin’s Salt Flats | Photo: Tiffany Nguyen. Explore from the desert to the mountains to the coast. Via Yosemite and Death Valley, it's about seven hundred magnificent, spectacular, wondrous, beautiful, and worth-while miles. © 2020 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. That's why we send you the best local adventures, stories, and expert advice, right to your inbox. Vancouver warrants three nights, but no more on a quick trip (unless visitor politics demand it). Lonely Planet. Before heading into Yosemite, fill up your tank and your stomachs in Lee Vining. We learned the hard way and almost broke down in the middle of nowhere. Any other suggestions or things to be careful about?Are there any dangerous parts in this route? I'm travelling from Australia in September and am thinking of driving between San Fran and Las Vegas.