Getting to Yosemite from San Francisco (3.5h), Fresno & Sacramento: The 4 Entrances & YARTS Bus

Located in the central Sierra Nevada mountains of California, Yosemite Valley sits 305 kilometres (3.5 to 4 hours' drive) east of San Francisco, 150 kilometres (90 minutes to South Gate or 2.5 hours to the Valley) north of Fresno Airport (FAT), and 3 hours south-east of Sacramento (SMF).

1. Comparing the 4 Park Entrances

1. Highway 120 West, Big Oak Flat Entrance (Via Oakdale & Groveland): the shortest summer route from San Francisco and the Bay Area (3.5 hours to the gate, plus 35 mins into the Valley). Note: climbs winding New Priest Grade to 1,800m elevation; avoid during winter snowstorms.
2. Highway 140, Arch Rock Entrance (Via Merced, Mariposa & El Portal, 'The All-Weather Highway'): 15 minutes longer from San Francisco, and the easiest, flattest, lowest-elevation drive (600m at El Portal) following the Merced River gorge straight into Yosemite Valley. Take Highway 140 from November to April or if anyone gets travel sick on mountain drop-offs.
3. Highway 41 South, South Entrance (Via Fresno & Oakhurst): the route from Fresno Airport (FAT) and Los Angeles. It enters beside the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and passes Glacier Point Road and Tunnel View.
4. Highway 120 East, Tioga Pass Entrance (Via Lee Vining & Mammoth Lakes): crosses the 3,031-metre Sierra crest from the east, open only from late May or June until October or November.

2. Visiting Yosemite Without a Car (Or Without a Reservation): Ride 'YARTS'

Missed a Peak Hours Vehicle Reservation or travelling from San Francisco without a car? Use YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System):

• From San Francisco by Amtrak Train + YARTS Bus: book a combined ticket on amtrak.com from San Francisco to Yosemite Valley (Code: YOV). You ride the Amtrak San Joaquins train to Merced Station, where the Highway 140 YARTS Coach drives you along the Merced River to Yosemite Valley Lodge and the Visitor Center.
• Park in a Gateway Town & Ride YARTS In: if Peak Hours Reservations are sold out, park for free at YARTS stops in Mariposa, El Portal, Groveland or Oakhurst and ride the YARTS bus into the Valley; your YARTS ticket includes your National Park admission fee.