After the side trips, you can head directly to St. Helena for your very first wine tasting at V. Sattui. Most would suggest 3-4 full days to see SF so if want to add a day trip to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Yosemite & Napa Valley. Specialties: Incredible Adventures is an outdoor travel company that specializes in sightseeing and adventure tours from San Francisco to Yosemite, Napa & Sonoma Wine Country, Silicon Valley, Tahoe and Whitewater Rafting! The place is constructed to be like Persepolis, and French wine is the inspiration for their spirits. Prices as travel date approaches. Take the ferry from Vallejo Ferry Terminal to San Francisco Ferry Building Gate E. Take the bus from San Francisco to Merced. She loves to travel, read novels, and watch old classes movies. Napa Valley comprises several regions, and the notable wine places are Napa, Calistoga, St. Helena, Rutherford, Oakville, and Yountville. Now, if you think that you have had too much to drink and need to spend the night in Napa, you can visit Andaz Napa or Archer Hotel Napa, which are both located downtown. Start: San Francisco. On this trip, you'll head into the wilderness of Yosemite National Park before a vino-tasting tour through the finest fine wine country in the US. 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. Breathe in the sweet pine-scented air and dangle your toes in playful mountain rivers. Tuolumnes Top 8 on the Edge of Yosemite 1 night San Francisco; 2 nights Napa Valley; 2 nights Lake Tahoe; 3 nights Yosemite Day 1: Arrival in San Francisco. If you have kids, make a slight detour to the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield and take the tour. Theres a reason why so many songs have been written about San Francisco. 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. Hop between vineyards tasting the different wines Cabernet Sauvignon is the speciality here but there are lots of others to choose from including Merlot, Pinot Noir or Zinfandel. Book Now. The road trip map below recommends a more circuitous routing that only adds about two extra hours of drive time. Historic Sonoma Plaza lunch break. If you take the US-101, the total distance will be around 200 miles and 4 hours of driving. 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. Tucked along Hwy. You can drive yourself up to Glacier Point, which is a lovely, popular overlook in the park.. Find the largest alpaca farm in the state, stay in a classic Airstream trailer, take a scenic flight over the park plus ten more things to do in this charming historic county. Include specific info about your trip. This means that if you choose to purchase, Ill make a small commission.). you have 7 days to see 4 places and you want to add more? What is your budget? This article was updated to detail the process and several options for driving from San Francisco to Napa Valley, either across the Golden Gate Bridge or across the Bay Bridge. Oct 05 2022. Sign Me Up. 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. 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. First, you can take the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) train from Civic Center/UN Plaza Station to Dublin/Pleasanton Station, a 50-minute ride that costs about $7.10. Please do not book airline tickets until you receive the confirmation. It was also a thriving gold town during the mid 1800s. 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. My husband and I are planning a trip to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? A park ranger vehicle sits near the Big Oak Flat entrance into Yosemite National Park along Hwy 120, on Thursday, February 23, 2023. Yosemite Falls is one of the largest waterfalls in North America. Wineries in Napa Valley open at 10 AM. From the Golden City, wind your way through unpretentious wine country, orchards and historic towns on this San Francisco to Yosemite road trip. Why The Napa Valley Is One Of The World's Premier Wine Regions. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46694221', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Napa Valley. 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. 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. 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 1: San Francisco to Wine Country. The fastest way to get from SF to Yosemite is out I580 through Tracy, connecting with Highway 120 in Manteca. Get Ready to Leave Your Heart Happy trails! Each section suggests four things to do. Day 2 : San Francisco - Napa. There are various options to reach Napa Valley from San Francisco. The relatively low elevation of Hetch Hetchy means that it offers a long hiking season. Just north of Sonora is the historic Columbia mining town. From there, you can walk to the Iron Horse Parkway bus stop and catch the SmaRT BART . Take this itinerary north from, Or just hang out in SF and visit a few of the local. We will mark (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Knowledgeable, friendly, attentive to individuals, and focused on making the experience . If 7 days is 6 nights you might even think about cutting it down to two areas. A trip through wine country will take you through the valley's many quaint towns like Napa, Yountville, and Calistoga, any of which would make a lovely place to stay. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. what they think could be improved, it's all here to help you make the most of your next What was once a lush valley is now a reservoir holding water for the city of San Francisco. south of San Francisco, around Santa Barbara, and lots more. Eight days in San Francisco, Yosemite NP, Napa Valley and Carmel/Big Sur. Coastal Redwoods Road Trip. 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. From $277.00. Need advice on California Road Trip 20 days Itinerary. In 1846 the U.S. flag was raised over the Customs House, and California became part of the United States after the ensuing Mexican-American War. The city is also home to many public parks, gardens, and hiking trails. An A+ company rated by BBB; Chat with us! Read More: If you are keen on mining history, check out this article onCalifornia ghost towns. Besides enjoying the valley's wine, gastronomy, and hospitality, there are a number of attractions that may be interesting if you're looking for something else to do. Yosemites natural wonders make it a very popular park, for both Californians and visitors. FAQ: RVing in California: Is it Right for you? Check out some impressive numbers of Napa Valley: More than 400 wineries; Home to more than 150 restaurants; More Michelin stars per capita than any other wine region in the world FUN FACT: For all its (worthy) success, only 4% of California's wine comes from Napa Valley. If you are craving Italian food, you can visit Bistro Don Giovanni. Is the Avenue of the Giants Worth It After Redwood NP? The National Weather Service says San Francisco's low of 39 degrees on Friday is a new record low for this day. The Yosemite 1-day private tour is limited to the Yosemite Valley sights and attractions, which represent only 1% of the Yosemite National Park . There are lodging suggestions for these towns in the article. Mandatory Fee (pay the fee in cash to the tour guide) is $100 per passenger, for optional activity you can choose to join or not. Napa Valley symbolizes California's wine country and is considered one of the world's premier wine regions. This granite cliff on the north side of Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park is world-famous as a challenge for rock climbers. Rent an RV with Outdoorsy Get a free Yosemite National Park trip planner with inspiring itineraries and essential information. var obj = document.getElementById("2527080060dates_range_end"); One minute later, people will see a sign to Napa for Highway 29, where they should take a right and stay for around 10 minutes on Highway 29/12. Excellent tour, the best way to know Napa valley. Hello! Guests can enjoy the scenic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Angel Island. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-43240801', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Yosemite - Monterey/Carmel. This is where they will have reached Napa Valley's southern edge. Want more redwoods? Visit Yosemite National Park, Napa Valley, Cable Car, Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf & more! Prices vary, depending on where they go and how big the tour group is. 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. The point offers a superb view . 4-Day San Francisco/Las Vegas to Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend and Grand Canyon East Rim/South Rim Tour (Airport Pickup) $498.00 $483.06. Jess Lander joined the food and wine team at The San Francisco Chronicle as wine reporter in 2022. If you want to visit some wineries . 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. 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. A one-way adult ticket on the ferry costs about $15, but there are discounts for children and senior citizens age 65 and up. You will receive a confirmation email (e-ticket) after your order is processed. When you make it to Yosemite, be sure to visit the Hetch Hetchy area, where less than 1% of park visitors ever venture. There are ten day hikes, swimming, scenic viewpoints and three National Park sponsored tours. Discover the top eight things to do in these quaint towns from boating to Gold Rush-era experiences. Castello di Amorosa, a 13th century Tuscan-styled castle and winery, is the only authentic medieval castle in the United States. 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. Get stuck into the outdoorsy life of Northern California with this USA road trip. Springtime temperatures hover around a pleasant 70 . To do a trip to Yosemite-- wow that is 8 plus hours of driving and too little time to actually see the amazing valley. In fact, if you tried that, you'd probably end up in the San Francisco Bay. Heres how it works. 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. If you are making this a 6-7 day road trip, you can probably do all of them. Your first stop is at Muir Woods National Monument, aka the Forest Moon of Endor, for a hike among the redwoods. These services are mostly used by workday commuters and the number of trips they make per day is fewer on weekends, especially on Sundays. This guide is organized around four major sections of the drive: SF to Yosemites southern reaches, Yosemite Valley, Northern Yosemite and the return from Yosemite to San Francisco. Arrive in Napa Valley and enjoy an included wine tasting, before having lunch at Napa's Oxbow Public Market. Day 9: Napa Valley/ Sonoma OR Muir Woods. If not Yosemite, we are considering Muir Woods Any insight would be greatly appreciated! 4-Day San Francisco to Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, Barstow Outlet and Yosemite National Park Tour - LA OUT $725.00 $688.75. All the wine youve sipped, streams youve hiked along and produce youve eaten along the way are all thanks to Sierra Nevada snowmelt. Here are four top things for you to add to your must-do list. 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? What makes a vacation memorable is not only the destination but also the trip along the way. Go early to get a parking spot or take the shuttle, which runs four times per day. . var obj = document.getElementById("2527080060dates_range_start"); Suggested Days: 4-6. 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. 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.) FAQ: Yanks drive on the wrong side of the road. It was the only port of entry for taxable goods in California. Visitors can stroll through 300 feet of crystal clear tunnels featuring over 20,000 marine animals. Jillian Dara is a freelance journalist and fact-checker. Get off at El Cerrito del Norte Station and transfer to the number 29 Redwood Park and Ride Vine Bus, which will take you up to Napa. We arrive at SFO at 2pm on Wednesday, May 8 and leave SFO at 2pm on Sunday, May 12. Summer is awesome, but busy. The previous record was 40 degrees on Feb. 24 in 1891. We have 7 days and would like to stay in Napa for a few days and maybe visit Yosemite and Carmel. Stop #1: Marin Headlands & Mount Tamalpais State Park. They can head to the city of Napa next or follow this road for wine tasting. 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. Distance: 176 mi / 283 km Time: 4 hours Napa Valley is a little . 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. 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. You may have to stay outside the park. This winery is built by an Iranian and is Persian-inspired. 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. From there, we'll head to Yosemite for 2 days . The Greyhound Bus service from San Francisco to Yosemite appeals to budget-conscious travelers. Before you start planning for your itinerary, it would be good to do a little research about your destination. You have 3 full days and about 2 half days. Enquire Now. from. There are very few options to visit Napa from San Francisco. October 13-16, 2022 . How long you spend in the Napa Valley really depends on your interest in wine. Thread Tools Search this Thread Jun 23rd, 2009, 06:29 PM #1 ncsuchemist2002. California Dreaming: From Yosemite National Park to Napa and Sonoma Valley. Signing up for a guided tour is usually the lowest-priced way to tour Napa Valley, but you may be stuck in a crowd of 30 people or more and won't have any choices about where you go or when you stop. Check out our Web Storiesfor more inspiration. On this road trip, youll trace the snowflakes route backwards. San Francisco sits on the edge of the Pacific Ocean giving it a changeable climate, where you can experience summer and winter in the same day. Next, they will see another sign with two options for Napa. Check Major Road Closures in CA via this official Map. By car, journey through towns like Livermore where youll find a laidback wine region, with grapes nourished by that snowflake. How long is the drive from Napa to Yosemite National Park?. 5. Note: This question will be posted on a public forum. Witness the stunning scenes of California's Wine Country as you travel past sun-dappled fields . The falls process the most water during the springtime. Highways 120 West, 140, 41 and 120 East/Tioga Road. South Bay - the tech capital! 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. The park isnt large and you can make a quick cultural stop by visiting the traditional round house. 120 on the way to Yosemite, Oakdale holds its heritage close. 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? Experience the best of Yosemite whiletraveling sustainablyby eating locally grown food, staying at eco-friendly lodges and hiking on gorgeous trails. This morning youll drive south to Yosemite National Park. Its understandable if you want to drive straight there from San Francisco so that you can start exploring without delay. Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in Yosemite National Park, Cruise to Alcatraz Island, the infamous prison in San Francisco Bay. The tour includes El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls in Yosemite Valley, Tunnel View, and Glacier Point. Overview. For ages 21-35. Take advantage of all of them for some sensational views. Rent a bike and cycle over the Golden Gate Bridge for iconic views, Discover world class wines in the Napa Valley, Drive past the bizarre Mono Lake - a soda lake full of strange salt formations, Lake Tahoe is a highlight of any trip to Northern California, Plan your Yosemite National Park visit wisely. Start your trip with a visit to the world-famous, Yosemite National Park. San Francisco, Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, Sequoia NP, Yosemite NP Lake Tahoe & Napa Valley Explore the best of California on this Northern Cali Loop . 1 Hour 30 Minutes, Admission (Optional): Adult $28; Child (3-9 yrs) $18|Duration: Approx. The routes from San Francisco to Yosemite's valley floor takes you through California's Central Valley and into the Sierra Nevada Mountains.