Driving from San Francisco to Yosemite: iconic city meets incomparable nature

There’s nary a land more beautiful than Northern California — something locals know and have celebrated for centuries. From the dramatic craggy coastline to the rolling hills of Sonoma and Napa to the Redwood and Sequoia-filled forests, and, hello, Yosemite, the counties north of San Francisco are a natural wonderland unique to its place. The best way to explore this expansive territory? It has to be a road trip. 

And so, there are many iconic road trips (we don’t use that term lightly) through California, and allowing up to 10 days offers quite the possibilities. What to do? Plot your way from San Francisco to Yosemite. But, please, don’t choose the shortest route. No disrespect to Modesto or Stockton (or any other city on Highway 99), but when a trip can lead you to the sea, the sunshine, and the vines, dusty 1980s strip malls and suburban sprawl really don’t make a case for themselves, do they? Instead, from Marin to Sonoma and Napa on the Pacific, to Sacramento and the Gold Rush towns, to Yosemite (with options to head north to Tahoe or Sequoia National Forest) is the way to go. 

How long will this road trip take? 

Google Maps will tell you that Yosemite National Park is around 170 miles from San Francisco, about a 4-hour drive, but that would be a huge waste. Instead, take a few days (four nights is perfect) to take in the views, landmarks, charming towns, parks, and wine along the way. That morning drive suddenly becomes a week-long, breathtaking adventure. 

What are the highlights? 

Boomtowns from the Gold Rush, the state capital, Wine Country, redwood forests, stunning views, and, of course, the has-to-be-seen-to-be-believed Yosemite. 

What are the main attractions along the way? 

The Golden Gate Bridge, wildlife and seafood in Bodega Bay, wine tasting in Napa Valley, mud baths in Calistoga, Michelin-starred meals in Yountville, and river cruises in Sacramento.

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime?

San Francisco to Sonoma: Golden Gate Bridge, ocean views, seals, and seafood

After seeing San Francisco and probably sailing under its Golden Gate Bridge, it’s time to grab your keys, pack up the car, and drive over it on your northbound adventure. 

Point Reyes

Make your first stop at Point Reyes, Marin County, for a warm-up hike. Chimney Rock will whet your palette for the suite of transcendent vistas you’re about to encounter. It’s an easy walk on a 1.5-mile trail along the ridge that allows for spectacular views of the bay and of the seals sunning themselves. 

Bodega Bay

You may be thinking “Muir Woods, we can’t bypass that.” It can be frustratingly busy these days, being so close to the city of San Francisco, and as this road trip will take you to the redwoods and sequoias, fear not. From Point Reyes, take Highway 1 towards Bodega Bay, home to Doran Beach where the seals come to rest, the whales breach, and the sea catch is famously fresh. Stop at Hog Island’s Oyster Co., which has become nationally famous so call ahead if you’re visiting Friday to Monday. Walk it off on the Bodega Bay Trailhead as you head toward the beach, looking out for blue (and other) whales on the horizon. 

Jenner-by-the-sea

End your day at my personal favorite, the quaint and quirky Jenner-by-the-Sea. Stay the night, preferably overlooking Goat’s Rock Beach and the rugged coast, evoking the canvases of J.M.W. Turner (who never even made it to California, but could fool us all).  

Coastal Cali to Napa: Sunrise on the beach, redwoods, restaurants, and Wine Country

In the morning, get an early start catching the sunrise on Goat’s Rock Beach and pick up some provisions for the road. Then get a move on.

Guerneville

Guerneville is home to Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Preserve, where trails snake you through old-growth forests with options for a longer ridgeback hike. Armstrong does indeed attract one too many visitors from the city on weekends, but on weekdays, it’s rather clear. The town is also the base of the Russian River, famous for Pinot Noir wines, as well as the Russian River Pub, beloved of Bourdain and Guy Fieri and a good stopping point for lunch before the scenic drive on Highway 128 towards Calistoga.

Calistoga

Napa Valley is the most famous region of Wine Country, and you can either stay in Calistoga, at its north end and famous for its hot springs and mud baths, or check out one of the other towns further south, like Yountville. 

Yountville

Yountville became the poster child for Napa when “America’s best chef” Thomas Keller moved in with The French Laundry and Bouchon, putting the place on the map as a culinary destination. Stroll down Washington Street, the town’s main thoroughfare, and pop into the tasting rooms of local wineries, then trail the sculpture-laden Yountville Art Walk with a glass in hand. Wine tastings should be part of any stop in Napa, so booking an overnight stay (or two) is a must.

Napa to the Gold Rush: Untouched boomtowns, famous saloons, river cruises, and California’s capital

In the morning, make your way east to Sacramento, the state’s capital.

Sacramento

Cruising along the Sacramento River is an easy way to spend an afternoon, and as the city is the portal to California’s Gold Rush history, you can ground your knowledge on a walking tour. Next, grab a drink and a bite in the famous saloons — though maybe stick to soda, there’s another stop today. 

Sutter Creek

After a spin through Sacramento, head west toward Sutter Creek. The first of the Gold Rush towns on this road trip, nestled in the Sierra Foothills, Sutter Creek is also the most beloved, probably for its great wine. It was a mining boomtown, right off the Historic 49er Trail, known for its lucrative gold mines and entrepreneurs, including Leland Stanford, who founded the university. Its downtown area remains almost untouched from its glory days. Take a walk on the Gold Mine Trail to Old Eureka Mine or an easier walk in Miner’s Bend Park, or poke around the haunted Preston Castle.

Southern Mines: Californian gems, a literary trail, caves, and the other City of Angels 

On the final stretch before Yosemite, Highway 49 takes you through Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties, through the Southern Mines and old stomping grounds of Mark Twain.

Angels Camp

Angels Camp is famed as the place where Mark Twain found his voice as a writer. One of his short stories inspired the small city’s annual Frog Jump contest, which takes place on the third weekend of May. There’s also a Mark Twain trail that leads you through the time, past all the landmarks of significance to the American writer. 

Columbia

Columbia is known as the “Gem of the Southern Mines” where around $1 billion (in today’s money) of gold was mined between 1850 and 1870. Columbia State Historic Park is worth the ramble, as are the Moaning Caverns, the largest open cave in the state.

Yosemite National Park: A wonderland of nature and adventure 

You’ve arrived at America’s third-oldest National Park and a nature-lovers paradise of granite peaks, waterfalls, lakes, valleys, and ancient forests.

Yosemite

Exploring the park fully can take up to 10 days, so your journey inside really depends on what you’re looking to do. Three-day camping adventures are a popular route to take, or you can self-guide for two or three days, with a mix of driving and hiking. There are hotels within the park, from the luxurious Ahwahnee or mid-tier Yosemite Village Lodge, or the more budget-friendly Curry Village tents. Want to tick off Yosemite’s highlights? Don’t miss Tunnel View for vistas of El Capitan and Half Dome, the Mist Trail leading to Nevada and Vernal Falls, Yosemite Falls trail, Glacier Point, and Mariposa Grove, where the sequoias reign supreme. At up to 250 feet tall and 25 feet wide, they’re the most massive living things on the planet. 

After Yosemite: North to Lake Tahoe or south to the largest trees on Earth

If you’re still aching for adventure after Yosemite, there are two ways to go: south to Sequoia National Forest or north to Lake Tahoe. 

Sequoia National Forest

Sequoia National Forest in the Sierra Nevada mountains covers more than a million acres of incredible, scenic landscapes. Even if you hugged every one of these giant trees in Yosemite, you’ll never cease to be amazed by them. The forest is about a 3.5-hour drive from Yosemite, taking you through Fresno. Fresno County has some of the richest farmlands in the world, giving its capital city a unique dining scene that prizes farm-to-table cuisine. 

Lake Tahoe 

If you choose Lake Tahoe, you’ll take the Tioga Pass, a 64-mile scenic mountain pass that has some of the most breathtaking views you’ll likely ever experience. It isn’t free, but it’s worth every single penny of the $35 toll. It closes in winter and during harsh weather. When you arrive in Lake Tahoe, one of the country’s largest lakes, you’ll be struck by the dramatic scenery that surrounds it. The surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains attract skiers in winter, but summer is the best time to enjoy Lake Tahoe’s beaches and cruise across it, crossing the border of California and Nevada as you do. A yacht tour or helicopter ride to see the lake’s highlights might be the perfect end to the trip, but there’s always the opportunity to do it all again in reverse if you return to San Francisco.

Read more

• California’s epic outdoor adventure experiences
• Going off the beaten path in Northern California
• The best things to do in San Francisco

Produced in partnership with Visit California

San Francisco to Yosemite: the best experiences en route