Yosemite National Park is the perfect road trip destination, offering travelers endless views, outdoor adventures and convenient, comfortable accommodations. This breathtaking region is a dream to drive through, making your trip from San Francisco, San Diego or San José to Yosemite entertainment in itself. After a long day of travel, you’ll appreciate that you selected convenient Yosemite lodging.
Evergreen Lodge is the perfect place to stay during a Yosemite road trip because it offers the rustic comfort you’d expect and plenty of amenities for couples, families and hikers of all skill levels. Now that you know where to stay, it’s time to plan the rest of your activities and adventures:
Yosemite Road Trip Itinerary
Driving a loop through Yosemite Valley typically takes about 30 minutes, so you could accomplish this road trip in a day and see the sights from the car (travelers should expect longer driving times during the summer months). But the monolithic granite structures, waterfalls and natural surroundings are best viewed up close and in person. This region is home to trails and adventures for every skill level, and between guided Yosemite excursions and exploring on your own, you’ll fill your schedule in no time.
We recommend planning a road trip itinerary that allows you to spend two to four days in Yosemite. This gives you plenty of time to experience the area’s best hikes and sightseeing adventures and enjoy the lodge’s amenities during downtime and evenings. Here are some of the highlights to help get your plans started.
Seasonal Sights
Each season in Yosemite brings different scenic opportunities and various weather conditions to consider for your road trip. Use these tips to plan the ideal arrival time based on your interests.
- Spring: April to June are best for waterfall viewing in Yosemite, but the weather can be cooler and slightly unpredictable, so prepare for wet and slushy conditions early in the season. Some roads and access points may remain closed until the weather warms.
- Summer: Enjoy full park access but expect crowds and warm temperatures. Far fewer waterfalls flow in the summer, but full foliage makes for other marvelous views.
- Fall: Enjoy fewer crowds in September and October thanks to cooler temperatures. Though most waterfalls may be dry, expect to see stunning fall colors.
- Winter: Some roads may be closed due to snow, but seeing Yosemite transform into a wonderland of frozen falls and icy landscapes is worth a snowy drive, as is the chance to experience a winter hike.
Scenic Road Trips Near Yosemite
If you don’t have time in your Yosemite itinerary to hike it all, auto-touring is a good way to see iconic landscapes and stunning views. Evergreen Lodge is an optimal home base, giving you easy access to some of the most scenic drives to enjoy on your way in, out or during your stay, including:
Glacier Point to Washburn Point: This 55-mile drive from Evergreen Lodge leads to one of the best views in the park of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls and the high country. Washburn Point nearby offers a profile view of Half Dome’s steep incline.
Crane Flat to Tuolumne Meadows: Start at Crane Flat, a forest and meadow with a hikable fire trail and lookout, for a 360-degree view of Yosemite. Then, drive on to Tioga Road, a spectacular high-country route with alpine lakes, meadows and seasonal access to granite peaks.
Gold Rush Towns & Tuolumne County Road Trip: Explore the historic heart of California’s Gold Country with a road trip through Tuolumne County. Start in Sonora, a charming town with Gold Rush-era architecture, boutique shops, and rich history. Continue to Columbia State Historic Park, a preserved 1850s mining town where stagecoach rides, gold panning, and old-time saloons bring the past to life. Return to Evergreen Lodge for a cozy retreat after a day of exploring the Golden State’s pioneering past.
Hidden Hikes and Explorations
Explore places off the beaten path during your trip to Yosemite. The Valley offers plenty of low-key adventures to escape the crowds and experience fantastic sights and exciting days in nature. Here are a few lesser-known places worth checking out:
- Hetch Hetchy: This lesser-known part of Yosemite only hosts about 100 visitors a day and provides a scenic, serene atmosphere with gradual climbs, a waterfall and many options for sightseeing, just two miles from Evergreen Lodge.
- Carlon Falls: This 1.5-mile hike and swimming hole is only six miles from the lodge and provides an exceptional place to picnic, relax and spend time on a sandy beach surrounded by beautiful rock formations and nature.
- Tuolumne Grove: Located just a short drive from Evergreen Lodge, the Tuolumne Grove offers a peaceful, shaded hike through one of Yosemite’s iconic giant sequoia groves. This 2.5-mile round-trip trail leads you through towering ancient trees, including the famous Tunnel Tree, a standing remnant of Yosemite’s logging history.
Downtime Entertainment
When you stay at Evergreen Lodge in Yosemite, you’ll want to pencil in time to spend around the lodge so you can take advantage of the fantastic on-site features. Here are a few of the amenities and activities to enjoy during downtime or after a day out exploring to complete your Yosemite road trip itinerary:
- Daily Activities for All Ages: The resort’s activity calendar includes crafts, historical slideshows, s’mores and more.
- Wellness Amenities: Visit the recreation desk to schedule a revitalizing massage in one of our private massage cabanas or head to our sister property for a soothing spa treatment after hiking or a long road trip.
- Swimming Pool and Hot Tub: The saltwater pool and hot tub keep the kids entertained and the adults recharged. Enjoy the full-service, seasonal pool bar and comfortable lounge chairs to watch the sun set and relax. And at nightfall, catch the stars from the hot tub!
Getting to Yosemite National Park
Despite its location in a national forest, Yosemite is easily accessible from California’s major cities. Whether you call The Golden State home or you’re from another state, here are a few routes to consider taking to Yosemite:
Sacramento to Yosemite Road Trip
The journey from California’s capital to Yosemite National Park offers a scenic drive through the heart of the Central Valley and the Sierra Nevada foothills. With a relatively short travel time, this route provides plenty of opportunities for scenic stops and mountain views along the way.
- Distance: Approximately 140 miles, a 3- to 3½-hour drive
- Recommended Route: Take CA-99 S to CA-120 E (Manteca) or CA-99 S to CA-140 E (Merced) into Yosemite National Park.
San José to Yosemite Road Trip
CA-120 winds through farm country and Stanislaus National Forest, offering a beautiful, scenic drive. You’ll find plenty of places for fuel and food along the way. Once at Evergreen Lodge, visit the recreation desk to receive the best advice on nearby Yosemite road trips.
- Distance: Approximately 180 miles, a 3½- to 4-hour drive
- Recommended Route: Take I-680 N to I-580 E to CA-120 E into Yosemite National Park.
San Francisco to Yosemite Road Trip
The drive from the Bay Area to Yosemite is similar to the trip from San José, taking you down winding mountain roads lined with redwoods. You’ll find plenty of places to stop along the way, and the short travel time leaves plenty of daylight for a hike or adventure once you arrive.
- Distance: Approximately 170 miles, a 3- to 4-hour drive
- Recommended Route: Take I-580 E to CA-120 E (Manteca) or CA-99 S to CA-140 E (Merced) into Yosemite National Park.
San Diego to Yosemite Road Trip
A road trip to Yosemite from San Diego takes you by some of the most iconic cities, landscapes and national parks in the United States. Despite its length, the route is fairly easy and direct, depending on how many attractions you visit. Wildfire season, which peaks in late August and early October, may affect your route.
- Distance: Approximately 400 miles, a 7- to 8-hour drive
- Recommended Route: Follow I-5 N and CA-99 N to CA-41 N in Fresno. Exit and take CA-99 N into Yosemite National Park.
Though Yosemite is known for its hiking trails and paths, the area’s many scenic drives are worth checking out. The convenient location, plentiful amenities and lodging deals on cozy cabins and custom campsites make Evergreen Lodge the ultimate destination for anyone. Book your stay today and start planning your next road trip to Yosemite.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Month To Go to Yosemite?
The ideal time to take a road trip to Yosemite is between May and October, when all roads are accessible and the weather is optimal. Visiting in April to June is your best time to see waterfalls, and later summer months are ideal times to visit the swimming holes, while fall provides fantastic foliage.
What Is the Best Driving Route Through Yosemite?
Most people recommend Tioga Road as the best driving route through Yosemite because this high-altitude road provides unbelievable vistas, but it is only accessible in the summer. For first-time visitors, the Yosemite Valley Loop is an excellent option to see Half Dome, El Capitan and cascading falls, and it’s open year-round.
Do I Need a Reservation to Just Drive Through Yosemite?
Yosemite National Park requires reservations to enter the park during peak season, and an improved reservation system is underway for 2025. Check for updated NPS visitor access policies before you visit.