San Francisco To Yosemite Road Trip: Top 12 Tips

San Francisco to Yosemite road trip is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA. The 167 miles of San Francisco to Yosemite drive takes around 3 hours and 12 mins without stops.

This article includes 12 tips that turn your San Francisco to Yosemite drive into an unforgettable journey. So if you’re looking for the best hotels, restaurants, and places to visit on the road trip from San Francisco to Yosemite, take your coffee and keep reading!

4 Best Hotels On The Road Trip From San Francisco To Yosemite

On the San Francisco to Yosemite road trip, you may want to stay at some points. Here are the top four hotels on the San Francisco – Yosemite route!

1. Hampton Inn & Suites Manteca: Hampton Inn & Suites Manteca is one of the best hotels; you can stay on the San Francisco to Yosemite road trip. Driving from San Francisco to Hampton Inn & Suites Manteca might take around 1 hour and 16 mins. Our visit to the hotel was satisfying. The customer service was exemplary, and the rooms were clean and spacious, providing a comfortable atmosphere. Moreover, the area surrounding the hotel had an abundance of restaurants offering a variety of delicious cuisines. Check the Hampton Inn & Suites Manteca, one of the best hotels in Manteca, California, on TripAdvisor and Booking.com for recent reviews, prices, and availability.
2. Best Western Plus Rama Inn & Suites: Another top hotel where you can choose the stay on the road trip to Yosemite from San Francisco is Best Western Plus Rama Inn & Suites. Located in Oakdale, California, the hotel is 99.1 miles away from San Francisco, and it would take 1 hour and 47 mins to drive. Oakdale visitors seeking accommodations will find The Hotel ideal, offering spacious, immaculate rooms and luxurious amenities, including a SPA, indoor pool, and gym. The on-site restaurant offers excellent dining options for all tastes. If you want to learn more about the Best Western Plus Rama Inn & Suites, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
3. The Groveland Hotel: Didn’t our first two hotel suggestions interest you? So we would like to introduce you to The Groveland Hotel. The Groveland Hotel is located in Groveland, California, and it’s 143 miles away from San Francisco. You can arrive there in 2 hours and 41 mins of non-stop driving. This 18-room boutique hotel provides a unique accommodation experience and promises guests a tranquil vacation. Located near numerous tourist attractions, visitors can enjoy the restaurant’s flavorful cuisine and high-quality service. Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of The Groveland Hotel for more information.
4. Curry Village: If you are taking a road trip from San Francisco to Yosemite, Yosemite, California, is must have a place you should visit. Plus, Curry Village is one of the best hotels in town. The hotel is 191 miles from San Francisco, and it would take 3 hours and 55 mins to drive. Curry Village offers visitors the chance to round off their Yosemite adventure with a remarkable natural experience. With its inviting atmosphere, guests can soak up the peaceful tranquility of their natural surroundings. If you need more info about the price and availability of Curry Village, check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages.

In this part, we explained four hotels you can stay at on the road trip from San Francisco to Yosemite. You can pick one of them that suits your taste. Don’t forget to share your experience by commenting on this post. It will help people who will take San Francisco to the Yosemite route.

Now, it’s time to discover the best restaurants from San Francisco to Yosemite. We have four restaurant recommendations worth your attention.

4 Best Restaurants On The San Francisco To Yosemite Road Trip

If dining is a pleasure, some restaurants will please you on your San Francisco to Yosemite road trip. This section lists four restaurants to dine at on the road trip from San Francisco to Yosemite. Stay hungry and enjoy!

1. El Jardín, Manteca: We would like to start our restaurant recommendation list on San Francisco to Yosemite road trip with El Jardín, Manteca. El Jardín, Manteca is located in Manteca, California, and is 76.0 miles from San Francisco. It would take 1 hour and 18 mins of driving. Visitors to this restaurant can expect to find generous portions on an extensive menu. Chicken fajitas, in particular, are renowned for their flavor and size. Prices are reasonable and reflective of the portion sizes. For more information about El Jardín, Manteca, you can visit TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of El Jardín, Manteca.
2. Ferrarese’s Deli Restaurant: Ferrarese’s Deli Restaurant is another top restaurant you can choose to eat at on the road trip to Yosemite from San Francisco. In Oakdale, California, Ferrarese’s Deli Restaurant is 98.7 miles from San Francisco and would take 1 hour and 46 mins to drive. We were impressed with the presentation of the food, particularly with the savory taste of the Cowboy Steak and lasagna. If you want to learn more about Ferrarese’s Deli Restaurant, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
3. Cocina Michoacana: Another restaurant that can be preferred by those who are fond of food is Cocina Michoacana. It will take 2 hours and 28 mins of car drive to take 133 miles from San Francisco to Cocina Michoacana, Groveland, California. Cocina Michoacana is a Mexican restaurant renowned for its authentic flavors and fresh ingredients. It offers a unique culinary experience with its highly recommended Fish Taco dish. Visitors are invited to experience the distinct flavors of this charming eatery for themselves. You can check Cocina Michoacana on TripAdvisor or Google Maps for more information.
4. The Mountain Room, Yosemite: The Mountain Room, Yosemite deserves to be on our list. It is one of the most recommended restaurants in Yosemite, California. Visitors to this restaurant will experience a cozy atmosphere, highlighted by the wooden decor and picturesque views of the surrounding forest. Customers can expect competitive prices and generous portions for their meals. Those seeking top-quality steak should consider dining at this establishment for an enjoyable and satisfactory dining experience. The Mountain Room, Yosemite, is 192 miles from San Francisco, and it would take 3 hours and 56 mins of non-stop car driving. If you want to learn more about The Mountain Room, Yosemite, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.

This section lists our four restaurant recommendations for your road trip from San Francisco to Yosemite. We hope these suggestions will help you turn your 167 miles journey into a feast of taste. Of course, you can choose a suitable restaurant according to your preference. Remember, like you, people planning a Yosemite road trip need your opinion. Therefore, we kindly ask you to share your experience with us in the comment field at the end of the blog post.

In the next section, we list the destinations worth seeing along the route from San Francisco to Yosemite. Keep reading.

4 Places To Visit On The San Francisco To Yosemite Drive

A unique experience awaits you in Yosemite. However, on your road trip, there are also some unique destinations like Manteca, California. We want to explain the top four destinations we recommend on the Yosemite route.

• Bass Pro Shop, Manteca: Bass Pro Shop, Manteca will be the first destination we recommend you stop by on your San Francisco to Yosemite road trip. Located in Manteca, California, Bass Pro Shop, Manteca is 75.2 miles away from San Francisco, and it would take 1 hour and 17 mins to drive. Nature enthusiasts looking to gain a unique experience should consider visiting Bass Pro Shop. A plethora of fish and other wildlife are on display housed in expansive aquariums, providing guests with a memorable encounter. If you want to learn more about the Bass Pro Shop, Manteca, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• Oakdale Museum & History Center: Oakdale Museum & History Center, Oakdale, California, is one of the destinations we recommend you stop by on the San Francisco to Yosemite route. It’s 98.4 miles from San Francisco, and it’ll take about 1 hour and 45 mins of driving. The Oakdale Museum, situated in the Victorian period, boasts a captivating design. Visitors can take a journey through history as they explore artifacts from the town’s and nation’s development. They can gain a better understanding of the culture and heritage of the area by delving into evidence from the past. If you want to learn more about Oakdale Museum & History Center, you can check it on TripAdvisor or their website.
• Rainbow Pool: One of the stops you should not neglect to stop by when you take the road trip from San Francisco to Yosemite is Groveland, California. And if you visit Groveland, California, we suggest you visit Rainbow Pool. You can arrive at Rainbow Pool after 2 hours and 58 mins of driving. Visitors looking to find solace amidst the serenity of nature should consider a trip to Rainbow Pool in Groveland. This picturesque destination provides multiple tranquil spots to take in the stunning beauty of the surrounding environment. You can visit TripAdvisor and the official site of Rainbow Pool for more information.
• Yosemite Valley: Do you also like to travel and experience new things? Then, it would be best to visit Yosemite Valley, Yosemite, California, on the San Francisco to Yosemite road trip. Yosemite Valley is 189 miles from San Francisco, and you can arrive there after the 3 hours and 49 mins of drive. Yosemite Valley is renowned for its picturesque scenery and plethora of outdoor activities. Visitors can enjoy rock climbing, exploring the surrounding lush forests, and admiring the thundering waterfalls, all underscored by a tranquil atmosphere ideal for immersing oneself in the beauty of nature. In addition, you should check TripAdvisor and the official website of Yosemite Valley before going there.

FAQ of the Road Trip From San Francisco to Yosemite

Here we are answering the frequently asked questions about the San Francisco to Yosemite drive.

How Long Is The Road Trip From San Francisco To Yosemite?

• With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the San Francisco to Yosemite road trip takes approximately 3 hours and 12 mins to drive. Therefore, the driving distance between San Francisco to Yosemite is 167 miles.
• If you want to make the San Francisco to Yosemite road trip by bike, the time you spend on the road will be 16 hours.
• If you are crazy enough and plan to walk the San Francisco-Yosemite route, you will have to walk for two days and 8 hours.

Where Do You Stop On Driving From San Francisco To Yosemite?

There are many beautiful pit stops along the way to Yosemite. On the road, you can visit Manteca, California; Oakdale, California; Groveland, California; Yosemite, California. Here we list four places to visit for you. For more information about the best places on the San Francisco to Yosemite journey, you can check the 4 Best Places To Visit On The San Francisco To Yosemite Road Trip.

1. Bass Pro Shop, Manteca: 75.2 miles / 1 hour and 17 mins to drive from San Francisco | 92.9 miles / 2 hours of driving to Yosemite.
2. Oakdale Museum & History Center: 98.4 miles / 1 hour and 45 mins to drive from San Francisco | 69.4 miles / 1 hour and 29 mins of driving to Yosemite.
3. Rainbow Pool: 157 miles / 2 hours and 58 mins to drive from San Francisco | 10.6 miles / 16 mins of driving to Yosemite.
4. Yosemite Valley: 189 miles / 3 hours and 49 mins to drive from San Francisco | 17.6 miles / 35 mins of driving to Yosemite.

Where Should You Stay On The Road Trip From San Francisco To Yosemite?

There are many excellent hotels during your road trip from San Francisco to Yosemite. We have selected four hotels for you. These hotels are listed below. Remember, you can find detailed information about these hotels in the 4 Best Hotels On The Road Trip To Yosemite From San Francisco section.

• Hampton Inn & Suites Manteca: 75.1 miles / 1 hour and 16 mins to drive from San Francisco | 92.8 miles / 2 hours of driving to Yosemite.
• Best Western Plus Rama Inn & Suites: 99.1 miles / 1 hour and 47 mins to drive from San Francisco | 68.2 miles / 1 hour and 25 mins of driving to Yosemite.
• The Groveland Hotel: 143 miles / 2 hours and 41 mins to drive from San Francisco | 24.0 miles / 31 mins of driving to Yosemite.
• Curry Village: 191 miles / 3 hours and 55 mins to drive from San Francisco | 17.2 miles / 36 mins of driving to Yosemite.

Where To Eat Between San Francisco to Yosemite?

If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your San Francisco to Yosemite drive, you can consider the four restaurants we have chosen. In addition, you can read detailed information about the restaurants in the section titled 4 Best Restaurants On The San Francisco To Yosemite Road Trip.

1. El Jardín, Manteca: 76.0 miles / 1 hour and 18 mins to drive from San Francisco | 92.4 miles / 2 hours of driving to Yosemite.
2. Ferrarese’s Deli Restaurant: 98.7 miles / 1 hour and 46 mins to drive from San Francisco | 68.6 miles / 1 hour and 26 mins of driving to Yosemite.
3. Cocina Michoacana: 133 miles / 2 hours and 28 mins to drive from San Francisco | 48.8 miles / 1 hour and 11 mins of driving to Yosemite.
4. The Mountain Room, Yosemite: 192 miles / 3 hours and 56 mins to drive from San Francisco | 15.3 miles / 32 mins of driving to Yosemite.

Conclusion

So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from San Francisco to Yosemite. We have listed four hotels, four restaurants, and four places to visit on the San Francisco to Yosemite drive. We have also given you detailed information about each place so that you can make an informed choice about where to stay, eat, and what to see. We hope this guide has helped make your road trip from San Francisco to Yosemite as enjoyable as possible.

Share Your Thoughts

Have you ever taken the San Francisco to Yosemite road trip? So, it would be perfect if you shared your experience with other travelers who want the same experience. You can share your thoughts about the road trip from San Francisco to Yosemite and your recommendations about this route by using the comment field below.