City of Berkeley, referred to as Berkeley for short, it's a hilly city on the east coast of the San Francisco bay area. Dr Knight realized that this stretch of the Stanislaus river made for a favorable crossing serving gold rush towns like Columbia and Sonora. Napa Valley is renowned for quality wine and excellent food and is always worth a stop. Health monitoring within 14 days from the tour end for all passengers including driver and tour guide. Hop between sunlit vineyards and gourmet restaurants and then head to the mountains, where Lake Tahoe sits in the middle of the Sierra Nevada. Napa, as well as Oak Knoll and Yountville. Youll probably approach from the east driving past the bizarre Mono Lake, a soda lake full of strange salt formations. It never quite became a ghost town, which is why some of the on-site buildings managed to survive. Vernal & Nevada Falls trail: 4-10 miles. Re: San Francisco - Napa Valley - Yosemite? Hot Tip: Do you need a rental car for your San Francisco to Yosemite road trip? It outlines specific things to do in colder weather, including hikes, scenic viewpoints and tours. Napa Valley consists of five different towns and cities. From local artisan producers and farmers to Western culture, this town is a great place to spend some time on the way to the park. What they loved, what they liked and Breathe in the sweet pine-scented air and dangle your toes in playful mountain rivers. For the Gold Country part of the itinerary, we recommend the Historic National Hotel in Jamestown or the Lazy Z Resort in Twain Harte. They can head to the city of Napa next or follow this road for wine tasting. NAPA VALLEY, CA . Take this itinerary north from, Or just hang out in SF and visit a few of the local. $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. Yosemite in a Day Tour From San Francisco. It is located near the geographical center of the Nevada mountain range. FAQ: Yanks drive on the wrong side of the road. Security Statement | Private Policy | User Agreement. Park your car in a Yosemite gateway town and take the YARTS bus into Yosemite Valley. Also known as wine country, a trip to Napa Valley is a breath of fresh air from the busy streets of San Francisco. Please note that the Tioga Pass doesnt get plowed and is closed in the winter. Thanks for all of the input! Monterey was the capital of Alta California under both Spain and Mexico. They lived in this area for 8,000 years and used the site as a meeting place. It began operation way back in 1881, so Oakville Grocery is known to be the oldest Californian grocery store in operation. (Updated Jan. 2015). Day 2: Drive from San Francisco to Yosemite (200 miles/5 hours) With a head full of art and science and a belly full of gourmet food, head to Yosemite. California Dreaming: From Yosemite National Park to Napa and Sonoma Valley. youll turn into the park and drive through to the western edge where youll check into your hotel for three nights. From the Golden Gate Bridge, you have two options. Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, California is one of the western United States' most famous and popular tourist spots. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Alcatraz & San Francisco Combo Tour. We will mark (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The region houses one of the most important reservoirs storing and serving drinking water to northern California. Though the options in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Newly Built Modern Estate Compound In Napa Valley: $14M. It is considered one of the top scientific schools in the world. Monthly average prices. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Castello di Amorosa, a 13th century Tuscan-styled castle and winery, is the only authentic medieval castle in the United States. This itinerary includes three stops intended to show you a few interesting things along the way that you otherwise may have missed. Stop #4: Jenner. Afterwards drive to Napa and visit the town. Napa is about ten minutes from 121 north. From either location, you can avoid summer traffic hassle in Yosemite valley by catching theYarts busright from town. We reserve the right to edit or reject questions that include inappropriate content, profanity, references to other retailers, pricing, or personal information. Thanks for all of the great information! There is also an alternative wine trail called theYosemite Sierra trail. Yosemite National Park has nearly 1,200 square miles of towering granite, alpine lakes and ancient sequoia trees. Sign Me Up. If you are a hardy hiker, you can purchase a 1-way ticket and then take your pick of either a 5 or 8 mile hike back down to Yosemite Valley. Read More: If you are keen on mining history, check out this article onCalifornia ghost towns. Alternatively, look into shuttle companies that service Napa Valley from San Francisco Airport (SFO) like Evans Transportation or California Wine Tours. Stop #3: Bodega Bay. Enjoy shopping and dining along the way in addition to taking in the vistas. Leave San Francisco early by crossing the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County. Share this San Francisco to Yosemite road trip with your friends: Where is a good place to stop approximately halfway between between San Francisco and Yosemite? San Francisco International Film Festival: April 13 - 23 ; Earth Day San Francisco: April 22 ; Art Market San Francisco: April 20 - 23 ; Bay Area National Dance Week: April 21 - 30 ; Napa Valley. Terms and Conditions. Length: 10 hours. From there, we'll head to Yosemite for 2 days . Your Scenic San Francisco to Death Valley Road Trip, Your Highway 395 Road Trip Itinerary: Everything You Need to, The Essential Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary, Is Big Sur Worth Visiting? If you're driving, it takes between four and seven hours, depending on the route you choose and the traffic intensity. Book Now. Hikes range from the easy Big Trees accessible loop trail (.3 miles) to the more strenuous Mariposa Grove trail (7 miles), which covers four famous trees, more groves and a panoramic overlook. This small group tour takes you from San Francisco to the famed Napa Valley. Unsubscribe anytime by clicking the link at the bottom of your email. Thanks! 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. This trip is a great way to experience California at its best! 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? From San Francisco, California's wine-famous Napa Valley is 60 miles to the north. 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.) The leading independent voice for aviation news and insight. Enter your target tour date range and email address below. From the Golden City, wind your way through unpretentious wine country, orchards and historic towns on this San Francisco to Yosemite road trip. People have two options if they want to drive from San Francisco to Napa Valley. If 7 days is 6 nights you might even think about cutting it down to two areas. Take the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) from San Francisco on the Richmond line. Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in Yosemite National Park, Cruise to Alcatraz Island, the infamous prison in San Francisco Bay. Get a free Yosemite National Park trip planner with inspiring itineraries and essential information. Hetch Hetchy is in the far northwest corner of the park and its less popular (and therefore less crowded) than other parts of the park. The distance depends upon the season and whether or not you want to cover both falls. Or check out Destination Delivery: Have an RV delivered directly to a campground or parking site to camp in style without having to get behind the wheel. A trip to Napa Valley is a breath of fresh air from the busy streets of San Francisco, and luckily, it's not a far distance to cover. From San Francisco to Yosemite by Bus Yosemite Valley. FAQ: What is a good route to travel to Yosemite (or to San Francisco) from Las Vegas? 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. 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. The top cities between Yosemite National Park and Napa are San Francisco, San Jose, Mill Valley, Palo Alto, Oakland, Santa Clara, Berkeley, and Sausalito. Its large campus is a sight to behold. is that all im gonna pay? Day 3: San Francisco, Big Basin OR Monterey. There is a ton to do in Yosemite valley. Find more about her work at www.auninditabhatia.com. When springs warm sun turns winter snows to water, that snowflake takes a circuitous route, through mountain streams winding across wildflower dotted meadows, through tributaries like the American and Tuolumne rivers and eventually ends up in either the Sacramento or the San Joaquin rivers, flowing through a giant expanse of wetlands known as the Bay-Delta. The 1-hour ride travels through logging country in a restored historic train. 10 Hour excursion. 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. Getting from San Francisco to Yosemite Valley-where a lot of the magic and action takes place-will take about 3 hours and 45 minutes (186 miles). 13 Gems in Mariposa Countys Gold Rush Towns SF to Yosemite via Highway 120 E. Travel Time: 3 hours and 45 minutes. Hello! Whether you're looking for private charter services, a fun family vacation . If you are craving more wine in the afternoon, you can go straight to the Round Pond Estate Winery along Rutherford. 7 nights from 3,499 per person. --, I would suggest not having a car for SF but renting it for the day to go to Napa Valley. As you make your way towards the coast, consider that little snowflake and its incredible journey. The National Weather Service says San Francisco's low of 39 degrees on Friday is a new record low for this day. 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. Accommodations planning: 2 nights in San Francisco, 2 nights in Monterey, 2 nights in . Tucked along Hwy. To see Napa from a different perspective, try a horseback riding tour or hop aboard a hot air balloon. Convenient SF hotel pickup and drop off. Why not spend your day here kayaking on the water? After Yosemite, wind your way back through beautiful farmlands and orchards, stopping in Modesto where youll find a sea of lovely white blossoms in the spring, thanks to the citys groves of almond trees. A few San Francisco tour companies offer a personalized way to get to Napa Valley from San Francisco, taking small groups on adventures planned just for them. It's not exactly cheap and, surprisingly, wine is not included unless you opt for a special package, but it is a luxury experience and the only way to see Napa by rail. The boutique vineyards and the premium wines combine with the dramatic views of the valley to form a truly idyllic setting just on the doorstep of San Francisco. 12-15 People. Wine taste in Napa & Sonoma with an excursion in the giant sequoias of Muir Woods, San Francisco's stunning Coastal Redwood Forest. RELATED: Check Out These Hidden Gems In Napa Valley. If anyone's temperature is unusual will be terminate for participating the tour. Few valleys are as famous around the world as Napa Valley, with its stunning setting and Mediterranean climate. Three Sonoma and Napa valley tastings. 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. The Sunny Side of the Bay The road trip map below recommends a more circuitous routing that only adds about two extra hours of drive time. With the drive being as short as it is (at least, in California terms, where we don't call a drive long until . She loves to travel, read novels, and watch old classes movies. Travelers can choose from stopping at the Yosemite Valley Lodge or the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center. Go on Thursday, not on the weekend. The Napa Valley is a scenic stop when travelling between San Francisco to Yosemite National Park. The relatively low elevation of Hetch Hetchy means that it offers a long hiking season. Start: San Francisco. Spring is also an excellent time of year to visit neighboring wine country and sip some vino. Distance: 195 mi / 314 km Time:4-5 hours Take I-580 east to I-205 east to Highway 120 east (Manteca) or Highway 140 east (Merced) into Yosemite National Park. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Explore Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay Day 10: Depart from San Francisco. If you are short on time, this itinerary is the best option for you. My husband and I are planning a trip to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? United States - Yosemite to San Fran or Napa Valley - After leaving Yosemite , we are headed towards Napa Valley . Tour bus will be fully sanitize after each day of service. I recently published an extended guide to planning Redwoods road trips that includes this itinerary in greater detail. $(obj).not(".hasDatepicker").datepick({onSelect: function(dateText, inst) {$(this).blur();} , minDate: new Date(), showTrigger: false, constrainWidth: false}); On the return trip, you can take the faster route, Highway 101, and pass through Sonoma County, one of the best wine regions in the United States. From Vallejo, connect to the Napa Valley VINE bus system Route 10, which can take you all the way to Calistoga. This breathtaking stretch of coastline along California's Monterey Peninsula takes visitors through a maze of beautiful scenery, unique wildlife, and amazing mansions. I will admit that this Travel Forum is good. Explore the city at your own pace before heading across the Golden Gate Bridge on the way to Napa Valley. Hand sanitizer and sanitize wipes will be provided on tour bus. San Francisco Known as 'the city' by the locals, San Francisco is a diverse and captivating metropolis with an artistic heart and diversity running through its veins. From the San Francisco Airport to Yosemite National Park is about 200 miles. Best Alcatraz Tours combined with San Francisco, Napa, Silicon Valley & Redwoods. Here's what to know about each of the two options. And fall has lovely color and is quieter, but no waterfalls. Call US 7 days a week from 8AM to Midnight ET 1-800-430-0484; Public transport like trains or buses have no routes for Napa Valley, and your only affordable option is to book a guided tour. Supermarket recommendations in Santa Monica? Check Major Road Closures in CA via this official Map. In 1986, the Tunnel View became a National Historic Place. Historic Sonoma Plaza lunch break. Or course, you could also skip the ferry and travel from San Francisco to Vallejo along the BART Train or along another bus route, depending on where in the Bay Area you're coming from. The Madera area also grows wine grapes and its a secret spot that is far less crowded than Napa or Paso. Make sure you take the cable car down to visit the sea-lions at Pier 39 on Fishermans Wharf before jumping on a boat over to Alcatraz Island where you can learn about the prisons history. Any other places we should try to visit? Goes to Mirror Lake and then continues along a flat-ish loop back into the valley. Stop #1: Marin Headlands & Mount Tamalpais State Park. 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. $(function() { Are there any suggestions for an itinerary? Another option is to enjoy a bit of the coast north of San Francisco rather than going south, or maybe just making a day trip to Napa from San Francisco. Yosemites natural wonders make it a very popular park, for both Californians and visitors. Nowadays, B&Bs seem to be mostly listed on TripAdvisor under B&Bs -- not so much under Specialty Lodging any longer. But if you are trying to do the drive in 4 days, youll need to prioritize whats important to you. This hike starts at Yosemite Falls and takes a nice long stroll along the Merced River. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. A Tale of Two Lodges, Evergreen and Rush Creek TOP 5 POPULAR MUST-SEE Learn More . Our San Francisco and Yosemite Vacation package includes five nights accommodations and multiple guided group tours. Best Budget Tour: Napa & Sonoma Valley Wine Tour from San Francisco. Take a boat ride around one of the most famous and historical bays in the United States, the famous San Francisco Bay. Arrive in Napa Valley and enjoy an included wine tasting, before having lunch at Napa's Oxbow Public Market. Time is not an issue so happy to spend additional 4 days to include Yosemite, if needed? (And the next one on this list about visiting the Giant Redwoods too). In addition, there is a food truck stationed by the garden where you can have lunch, but note that they only serve small bites. The fastest way to get from SF to Yosemite is out I580 through Tracy, connecting with Highway 120 in Manteca. That surpassed a record of 36 inches for Feb. 28, set in 1969, spokesperson Scott Gediman confirmed to the San Francisco . Napa Valley tours & tour packages to San Francisco, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Yosemite National Park, Yellowstone, Antelope Canyon. She has written for Thethings, Babygaga, Thetravel, and Therichest. Weekends are more crowded. Day 4 from San Francisco to Sonoma and Napa. There are various options to reach Napa Valley from San Francisco. Read what other travelers think about this tour. It was also a thriving gold town during the mid 1800s. Continue north through wine country stopping in Healdsburg for wine tasting and a meal. See the Most Controversial Spot in Yosemite near the Hetch Hetchy Entrance On arrival in San Francisco you will make your own way into the city and check into your hotel for one night. Expert guides. If you have kids, make a slight detour to the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield and take the tour. 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. Wineries in Napa Valley open at 10 AM. The Yosemite 1-day private tour is limited to the Yosemite Valley sights and attractions, which represent only 1% of the Yosemite National Park . You'll tour three of the regions noteworthy wineries with a stop for lunch in Calistoga (lunch not included in the price). Get an early start, because its over four hours of straight up drive time with lots of cool stops along the way. For the trip itself, driving from San Francisco to Napa Valley takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on the traffic, and add a bit more if you are going to take the scenic route along the way. Your time here will fly by and by the time you leave youll most likely be planning your next trip! On this road trip, youll trace the snowflakes route backwards. Napa Valley has plenty of luxurious resorts, spas, and top-rated restaurants. Day 5: Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea. If you are keen to do primarily Yosemite, then I would recommend an overnight in either Mariposa (a bit closer to SF) or Fish Camp (closer to the Mariposa Grove). If you take the US-101, the total distance will be around 200 miles and 4 hours of driving. Yosemite Valley Loop Trail: 11 miles (full loop), 7 miles (half-loop). The city is also home to many public parks, gardens, and hiking trails. There are lodging suggestions for these towns in the article. Its just a matter of picking your distance. This means that you can take off late or meander on the way and still make it to Yosemite at a reasonable time that same day. Pick Your Perfect Yosemite Activities Climb, Raft, Bike, Ski, Hike From $277.00. Coastal Redwood forest stroll. International flights (per person, based on 2 sharing), Explore the eclectic neighbourhoods of San Francisco, Taste your way through the vineyards of Napa Valley, Admire the views over Lake Tahoe and Emerald Bay, Hike your way through the lush mountains in Yosemite National Park. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, USA Today, Michelin Guides, Hemispheres, DuJour, and Forbes. Springtime temperatures hover around a pleasant 70 . Until Highway 121 dead ends, travelers shall turn left to drive towards the Napa wineries on the highway. 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. A popular loop is SF - Yosemite - Monterey/Carmel.Nine days is a reasonable length of time for this itinerary. 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. Get Ready to Leave Your Heart 5 Things that Are Greatand 1 That Isnt, 12 National Parks Near San Francisco (Under 3 Hours of Drive-time), The Best Time to Visit Big Sur: Season by Season Guide. Here are four top things for you to add to your must-do list. That's when the average price for a train ticket is expected to be just $14 - the lowest of the year. Towering granite rocks, mighty waterfalls and placid valleys give Yosemite all the aspects of a "land of the gods". Once home to Al Scarface Capone and other notorious criminals, Alcatraz Island is a National Park Service site located 1.25 miles offshore. 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. Its also a great spot to do some fishing or hiking although a lot of visitors end up relaxing on the tiny beaches that hug the shoreline. Day 8: Napa Valley. One day is not enough to really experience Napa Valley, and visitors should consider staying in accommodation for a night or two surrounded by the vineyards. This lovely Italian-style vineyard is located up in the hills just west of Sonora. True that John. There will be a sign reading "121 Napa/Calistoga." In addition to being the tallest waterfall in North America, the Yosemite Falls are the seventh-tallest in the world. When she's not writing, she spends time with her two beautiful and naughty sons. Reply Apr 24th . from. Shed your weary, nerve-shaken bones and let the mountains guide you on your Yosemite road trip. Looking to recharge? 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. We booked a room at the Inn on Randolph! 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. $1399. Get a Birds Eye View of Yosemite on a Scenic Flight Hopefully your return flight is late in the day! Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco Photo: Getty Images. Aunindita Bhatia is a professional content writer based in India. We will alert you when your requested tour becomes available! 1 Hour, Admission (Optional): Adult $32; Child (2-12 yrs) $25; Senior (Over 65 yrs) Free|Duration: Approx. 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. It is known for its moderate climate, natural environment, coastline, redwood forests, alternative community lifestyles and socially liberal leanings. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46712157', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Napa seem to be nice, we would really like to be a bit more secluded (possibly in a vineyard). It is branded as one of the best California tasting sites, with huge palm trees leading you to a magnificent building that overlooks the breathtaking vineyards. This place is famous for its laid-back atmosphere as well as its great outdoor area. 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. Vacation Packages: San Francisco - Napa Valley - Yosemite National Park - Monterey (Self Drive), USA Vacations, Build Custom Vacation Packages with Airfare, best vacation deals, online bookings. RELATED: The 10 Best Napa Wineries For First-Timers To Visit. Depending on what time your flight arrives you could get out and explore, so why not head to the harbour for a bowl of . 120 on the way to Yosemite, Oakdale holds its heritage close. If you can snag a camp spot or lodge reservation inside Yosemite Valley, go for it. With a day to enjoy Napa Valley, you need to get stuck right into the wonderful food and wine of the region. One of the things to consider is the season, but there is always something to do in Napa Valley any month of the year. Driving along Conzelman Road provides a shorter scenic detour. Next, they should continue their drive over a second bridge on Interstate 80 and through Vallejo. The South Bay consists of Silicon Valley cities like Santa Clara, San . # of Tastings: Up to 3 stops and wine tastings included in the price. Dont leave Yosemite without visiting theMariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. To reach Napa, you need to get around the north end of the Bay. Which ones have you tried? Learn More. Today we will gather in San Francisco. 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. Most would suggest 3-4 full days to see SF so if want to add a day trip to Napa valley, I think that would be fine.