Yosemite To San Francisco Road Trip: The Ultimate Guide

Note: This guide was last updated 1 year and 1 month and 25 days ago. If you've spotted anything that seems a bit out-of-date or if you have some killer tips to share, we're all ears! Feel free to leave a comment below.

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

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

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

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

  1. The Groveland Hotel: The Groveland Hotel is one of the best hotels; you can stay on the Yosemite to San Francisco road trip. Driving from Yosemite to The Groveland Hotel might take around 29 mins. This boutique hotel offers an unforeseen accommodation experience with 18 rooms, providing guests with a tranquil and enjoyable stay. Located near numerous renowned regional attractions, visitors can savor exquisite meals at the hotel’s restaurant and bask in the superior service. Check The Groveland Hotel, one of the best hotels in Groveland, 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 San Francisco from Yosemite is Best Western Plus Rama Inn & Suites. Located in Oakdale, California, the hotel is 68.2 miles away from Yosemite, and it would take 1 hour and 24 mins to drive. For visitors seeking accommodations in Oakdale, The Hotel is an ideal choice. It offers spacious, well-maintained guest rooms and amenities such as a SPA, indoor pool, and gym. Guests will also enjoy the culinary offerings of the hotel’s restaurant. If you want to learn more about the Best Western Plus Rama Inn & Suites, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
  3. Hampton Inn & Suites Manteca: Didn’t our first two hotel suggestions interest you? So we would like to introduce you to the Hampton Inn & Suites Manteca. Hampton Inn & Suites Manteca is located in Manteca, California, and it’s 92.4 miles away from Yosemite. You can arrive there in 1 hour and 58 mins of non-stop driving. During our stay at the hotel, we were thoroughly satisfied with the exceptional customer service and the comfortable and immaculate accommodations. Additionally, the surrounding area boasted various delicious restaurants to enhance our enjoyment. Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Hampton Inn & Suites Manteca for more information.
  4. Hotel Emblem San Francisco: If you are taking the road trip from Yosemite to San Francisco, San Francisco, California, it is must have a place you should visit. Plus, Hotel Emblem San Francisco is one of the best hotels in town. The hotel is 166 miles from Yosemite, and it would take 3 hours and 14 mins to drive. The hotel is situated in the city’s center and offers convenient access to nearby attractions and amenities. Upon entering, guests are warmly greeted by the friendly and accommodating staff, ensuring a pleasant stay. Showcasing a contemporary design and distinctive concept, travelers can look forward to an unforgettable experience. Furthermore, rooms provide guests with superior comfort while service surpasses expectations. If you need more info about the price and availability of Hotel Emblem San Francisco, check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages.

In this part, we explained four hotels you can stay at on the road trip from Yosemite to San Francisco. 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 Yosemite to the San Francisco route.

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

4 Best Restaurants On The Yosemite To San Francisco Road Trip

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

  1. Cocina Michoacana: We would like to start our restaurant recommendation list on Yosemite to San Francisco road trip with Cocina Michoacana. Cocina Michoacana is located in Groveland, California, 48.5 miles from Yosemite. It would take 1 hour and 10 mins of driving. Cocina Michoacana is a unique Mexican restaurant that offers an authentic culinary experience through its fresh ingredients. Their signature dish, Fish Tacos, has become highly recommended amongst visitors and can be enjoyed in the cozy atmosphere of this quaint dining destination. Guests are encouraged to visit and discover the distinct flavors offered at Cocina Michoacana. For more information about Cocina Michoacana, you can visit TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of Cocina Michoacana.
  2. Ferrarese’s Deli Restaurant: Ferrarese’s Deli Restaurant is another top restaurant you can choose to eat at on the road trip to San Francisco from Yosemite. In Oakdale, California, Ferrarese’s Deli Restaurant is 68.7 miles from Yosemite and would take 1 hour and 25 mins of driving. Attendees of the event were treated to an impressive spread, with Cowboy Steak and lasagna offering exceptionally flavorful dishes. If you want to learn more about Ferrarese’s Deli Restaurant, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
  3. El JardĂ­n, Manteca: Another restaurant that can be preferred by those who are fond of food is El JardĂ­n, Manteca. It will take 1 hour and 57 mins of car drive to take 91.6 miles from Yosemite to El JardĂ­n, Manteca, and Manteca, California. Visitors to this restaurant will be impressed by the generous portion sizes and the vast array of options on the menu. Among the favorites is the chicken fajita dish, which boasts abundant flavor and size. Prices are also reasonable and suitable for portion sizes. You can check El JardĂ­n and Manteca for more information on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
  4. Eight Am: Eight Am deserves to be on our list. It is one of the most recommended restaurants in San Francisco, California. Residents of San Francisco can look forward to enjoying a memorable breakfast outing at Eight Am. Boasting fresh ingredients and generous portions, this beloved local eatery offers an array of dishes to suit any taste. Add freshly squeezed orange juice for a burst of vibrant flavor and a charming atmosphere with top-notch service, and you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience. Eight Am is 166 miles from Yosemite, and it would take 3 hours and 19 mins of non-stop car driving. If you want to learn more about Eight Am, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.

This section lists our four restaurant recommendations for your road trip from Yosemite to San Francisco. 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 San Francisco 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 Yosemite to San Francisco. Keep reading.

4 Places To Visit On The Yosemite To San Francisco Drive

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

  • Rainbow Pool: Rainbow Pool will be the first destination we recommend you stop on your Yosemite to San Francisco road trip. Located in Groveland, California, Rainbow Pool is 10.6 miles away from Yosemite, and it would take 15 mins to drive. Located in Groveland, Rainbow Pool is an ideal destination for those desiring to immerse themselves in the calming effects of nature. With various tranquil spots from which to appreciate its beauty, Rainbow Pool allows guests to find peace and serenity. If you want to learn more about the Rainbow Pool, 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 Yosemite to San Francisco route. It’s 69.4 miles from Yosemite, and it’ll take about 1 hour and 28 mins of driving. Situated in Oakdale, the Victorian-era museum showcases a captivating design. Travel through time to explore artifacts detailing the town’s and nation’s development. Discover evidence of the past to gain greater insight into the culture and heritage of the area. If you want to learn more about Oakdale Museum & History Center, you can check it on TripAdvisor or their website.
  • Bass Pro Shop, Manteca: One of the stops you should not neglect to stop by when you take the road trip from Yosemite to San Francisco is Manteca, California. And if you visit Manteca, California, we suggest you visit Bass Pro Shop, Manteca. You can arrive at Bass Pro Shop, Manteca, after 1 hour and 59 mins of driving. Bass Pro Shop provides an unparalleled opportunity for visitors to experience the wonders of wildlife up close through the various large aquariums featuring a diverse selection of fish and other creatures. A visit to this iconic store is highly recommended for all nature lovers. You can visit TripAdvisor and Bass Pro Shop’s official site, Manteca, for more information.
  • Alcatraz Island: Do you also like to travel and experience new things? Then, it would be best to visit Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, California, on the Yosemite to San Francisco road trip. Alcatraz Island is 166 miles from Yosemite, and you can arrive there after the 3 hours and 16 mins of drive. Alcatraz Island, situated in the San Francisco Bay, has become an iconic destination renowned for its history as a federal prison. Its status as one of the oldest correctional facilities in the United States offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the past of the American criminal justice system. Guests can gain insight into its most memorable inmates through guided tours and exhibits, providing invaluable information about their lives and stories. In addition, you should check TripAdvisor and the official website of Alcatraz Island before going there.

FAQ of the Road Trip From Yosemite to San Francisco

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

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

  • With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the Yosemite to San Francisco road trip takes approximately 3 hours and 12 mins to drive. Therefore, the driving distance between Yosemite to San Francisco is 167 miles.
  • If you want to make the Yosemite to San Francisco road trip by bike, you will spend 13 hours and 46 mins on the road.
  • If you are crazy enough and plan to walk the Yosemite-San Francisco route, you will have to walk for two days and 7 hours.

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

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

  1. Rainbow Pool: 10.6 miles / 15 mins to drive from Yosemite | 157 miles / 3 hours to San Francisco.
  2. Oakdale Museum & History Center: 69.4 miles / 1 hour and 28 mins to drive from Yosemite | 97.9 miles / 1 hour and 47 mins of driving to San Francisco.
  3. Bass Pro Shop, Manteca: 92.5 miles / 1 hour and 59 mins to drive from Yosemite | 75.4 miles / 1 hour and 19 minutes to San Francisco.
  4. Alcatraz Island: 166 miles / 3 hours and 16 mins to drive from Yosemite | 3.2 miles / 18 mins of driving to San Francisco.

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

There are many excellent hotels during your road trip from Yosemite to San Francisco. 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 San Francisco From the Yosemite section.

  • The Groveland Hotel: 24.0 miles / 29 mins to drive from Yosemite | 143 miles / 2 hours and 42 mins of driving to San Francisco.
  • Best Western Plus Rama Inn & Suites: 68.2 miles / 1 hour and 24 mins to drive from Yosemite | 98.6 miles / 1 hour and 48 mins of driving to San Francisco.
  • Hampton Inn & Suites Manteca: 92.4 miles / 1 hour and 58 mins to drive from Yosemite | 75.3 miles / 1 hour and 19 mins of driving to San Francisco.
  • Hotel Emblem San Francisco: 166 miles / 3 hours and 14 mins to drive from Yosemite | 1.6 miles / 9 mins of driving to San Francisco.

Where To Eat Between Yosemite to San Francisco?

If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your Yosemite to San Francisco 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 Yosemite To San Francisco Road Trip.

  1. Cocina Michoacana: 48.5 miles / 1 hour and 10 mins to drive from Yosemite | 133 miles / 2 hours and 28 mins to San Francisco.
  2. Ferrarese’s Deli Restaurant: 68.7 miles / 1 hour and 25 mins to drive from Yosemite | 98.2 miles / 1 hour and 47 minutes to San Francisco.
  3. El JardĂ­n, Manteca: 91.6 miles / 1 hour and 57 mins to drive from Yosemite | 75.7 miles / 1 hour and 19 mins of driving to San Francisco.
  4. Eight Am: 166 miles / 3 hours and 19 mins to drive from Yosemite | 2.6 miles / 15 mins of driving to San Francisco.

Conclusion

So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from Yosemite to San Francisco. We have listed four hotels, four restaurants, and four places to visit on the Yosemite to San Francisco 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 Yosemite to San Francisco as enjoyable as possible.

Share Your Thoughts

Have you ever taken the Yosemite to San Francisco 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 Yosemite to San Francisco and your recommendations about this route by using the comment field below.

Video: San Francisco Road Trip – 10 Things to Do

If you’re planning to visit San Francisco, you can check this video guide before your road trip.

Ece

Hi, I'm Ece. Join me in navigating memorable road trips around the USA, Europe, and Australia. I provide valuable tips and destination guides, sometimes enhanced by AI. Let's hit the road and make memories!

Leave a Comment