Yosemite by Automobile
Yosemite is a three to four hour drive from San Francisco and about six hours from Los Angeles. Consult our map to get a better idea of the highways that lead into Yosemite. Hwy 120 is the most common route for visitors coming from the San Francisco area, while travelers coming from the south use Hwy 140 or 41. If you're using an online mapping service, Yosemite's zipcode is 95389.
Hwy 120 is closed at Tioga Pass in the winter, blocking direct access to Yosemite from the east. Check the road conditions to find out whether the road is open or not. Other options for getting across the Sierras include Sonora Pass (CA 108), Monitor Pass (CA 89), and Ebbets Pass (CA 4). When all of them are closed, take CA 88 through Minden, NV, and Jackson, CA, a 300-mile route that takes six hours to drive.
Yosemite by Bus
If you're staying outside the park, Yosemite Area Transportation System (YARTS) offers bus service along CA 140 between Merced and Yosemite Valley. During the summer when Tioga Pass is open, YARTS also offers one round trip a day between Mammoth Lake and Yosemite Valley.
Yosemite From Amtrak
The Amtrak San Joaquin Route stops in Merced, where you can catch a bus to Yosemite.
Getting to Yosemite from San Francisco
A few bus tour companies offer trips to Yosemite from San Francisco, but the drive is so long that you won't be left with much time to see the place. If you're determined to do it anyway, you can reserve a one-day trip through Viator.com. For a more leisurely visit, try a 3-day camping adventure or a 2-day hotel tour. For a custom tour in a comfortable mini-van, try A Friend in Town tours.
Nearest Airport
The nearest airports are in Fresno and Merced.
