If you would like to travel from Sacramento to Yosemite National Park, you have a variety of options. One of the most popular options is driving, which can take up to three hours depending on traffic. About 145 miles separate Sacramento from Yosemite by road. There are also buses and trains, but they arrive later.
As one of the most stunning national parks in the United States, Yosemite comes in first. And regardless of the mode of transportation, Yosemite is worth the trip because of the magnificent nature on display there. Most years, over five million people visit the park, with June, July, and August seeing the highest numbers. Throughout the summer, you can anticipate seeing large groups of other tourists and the resulting traffic.
To find the most efficient way to travel from Sacramento to Yosemite, examine your options and plan accordingly.
By Car
Getting around Yosemite National Park’s is made much easier by having a car. Depending on the intended park entrance, the distance from Sacramento to Yosemite ranges from 140 to 175 miles. Out of Sacramento, all routes start by traveling south on Highway 99.
The shorter route departs from Highway 99 at Highway 4 close to Stockton and then joins Highway 120 close to Copperopolis. After that, Highway 120 leads directly to the park’s Big Oak Flat Entrance, a three-hour drive in total.
A worthwhile entrance to aim for is Big Oak Flat. Additionally, it’s one of the busiest entrances for motorists coming from the Bay Area, which causes significant summertime traffic congestion. But it’s a beautiful place to visit, with old-growth sequoias welcoming visitors within the first few miles. One of the most beautiful summertime drives in the country, Tioga Road, begins at Big Oak.
The alternate entrance that is accessible from Sacramento by car is Arch Rock. It is further south on Highway 99 and can be reached from Merced by turning off onto Highway 140. It takes about 3.5 hours on average to complete this drive. Although less congested than Big Oak Flat to the north, it becomes a busy thoroughfare in the summer.
The Arch Rock Entrance does a great job of displaying Yosemite’s unspoiled beauty. Visitors are greeted by the park’s namesake caved entrance as soon as they arrive. With a quick drive, the remaining portions of Yosemite Valley are reachable from here.
Remember that some of the seasonal roads through Yosemite National Park close during the winter. This won’t be an issue on this route, but it might have an impact on your plans if you continue to other locations.
By Bus
The route taken by the bus to get to Yosemite National Park from Sacramento is similar to that taken by Amtrak. But if you want to take a bus to Merced, go to the Greyhound station rather than the Amtrak station. To get a ride into Yosemite Valley from Merced, bus passengers change to the Yellowstone Area Regional Transit System (YART). Bookings for these two bus trips must be made separately.
Although it costs the least to travel on this Greyhound route, it takes a lot longer. The morning route takes more than five hours to reach Merced after leaving Sacramento at 9:10am. The entire trip takes about nine hours, including the three-hour YART bus ride. For those with more flexible schedules, Greyhound offers faster routes in the afternoon and evening. For instance, the bus from Sacramento to Merced leaves at 2:05 p.m. and arrives at 5:10 p.m. Spend the night there and then take an early YARTS bus the following morning.
By Train
Yosemite National Park’s roads are a serious problem in the summer. Even light travel can take hours longer due to traffic. Because of this, taking public transportation to get to Yosemite can help you conserve a lot of energy and daylight. Trains are among the quickest and most well-liked forms of public transportation from Sacramento.
From Sacramento, Amtrak offers a well-liked route to Yosemite National Park. This route offers both train travel and bus travel, both of which can be reserved through Amtrak. The journey begins in Sacramento with a San Joaquins Train ride, which is followed by a bus connection in Merced.
The bus service from the Merced Amtrak station to the park is run by Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS). The Yosemite Valley Visitor Center is where the bus line turns around after a few stops along the route. The entire journey, including the bus and train ride, lasts about six hours. To get to the park before noon, several trains leave Sacramento early.
Best rest stops along the route from Sacramento to Yosemite National Park
Old Sacramento
The 28-acre Old Sacramento Waterfront National Historic Landmark District and State Historic Park pays homage to California’s early years during the 1849 Gold Rush. The lovely Sacramento River runs along the edge of the district. Shopping, dining, entertainment, historical attractions, and renowned museums that are set during the California Gold Rush and the Transcontinental Railroad abound in this bustling area.
Countless Gold Rush-era structures have been recreated or restored along the Old Sacramento Waterfront. Living history actors, horse-drawn carriages, and wooden sidewalks offer a glimpse into 19th-century life.
Tunnel View
Any visitor to Yosemite Valley for the first time must stop at Tunnel View, the famous photograph by Ansel Adams. You can find it on State Highway 41 right outside the Wawona Tunnel. There is no need to hike; just park at one of the lots and proceed to the vista. In the summer, this location can become very busy, so try to get there early.
You can see Bridalveil Fall, Half Dome, and El Capitan from this vista.
California State Railroad Museum
The California State Railroad Museum was established in Sacramento, California, to recognise the value of the railroad and all that it has accomplished for the state of California, the community, and the country as a whole.
Bridalveil Fall
You can get a close-up view of this frequently windswept waterfall by taking a short walk to the base of Bridalveil Fall.
Tuolumne Grove
The Tuolumne Grove trail was designed with desert-lovers in mind because the entire journey there is downhill. Oh, and there are a few dozen mature Giant Sequoias in the grove itself, including one you can walk through.
Columbia State Historic Park
The historic downtown of Columbia, California, is preserved by Columbia State Historic Park, also known as Columbia Historic District, a state park unit and National Historic Landmark District. Nearly 30 buildings, the majority of which are still standing today, were constructed during the California Gold Rush. In 1961, it was designated as a National Historic Landmark.
California State Capitol Museum
Sacramento, the state capital of California, is home to the California State Capitol, which serves as the state’s administrative centre. Along with the California governor’s office, the structure houses the Assembly and Senate chambers of the California State Legislature. Between 1861 and 1874, Reuben S. Clark’s Neoclassical building was completed. The structure was included in the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and can be found at the western and eastern ends of Capitol Park. On the grounds of the capitol, there is a museum called the California State Capitol Museum.
Crocker Art Museum
One of the first art museums in the United States, the Crocker Art Museum is now recognised as one of the top Californian museums. The Museum, which was founded in 1885, houses one of the nation’s finest collections of Californian art, exceptional holdings of master drawings, a vast assortment of international ceramics, as well as works by artists from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. On Mondays, The Crocker is CLOSED.
Bogle Vineyards
California’s Bogle Vineyards has a long history in the Sacramento River Delta dating back to the late 1800s. The business is headquartered in Clarksburg, California, and was established in 1979. The company’s president and vineyard director are Warren Bogle. [2] Chardonnay, zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon, petit syrah, sauvignon blanc, merlot, and pinot noir are among the varietal wines produced by the company. It also produces dessert wines made with petit Sirah in the Port style.
Stockton Arena
In Stockton, California, there is an indoor arena called Stockton Arena. With a capacity of 12,000 spectators, it debuted in December 2005.
The Stockton Kings of the NBA G League call it home. The Stockton Heat of the American Hockey League, the Stockton Lightning of arenafootball2, the Stockton Cougars of the Professional Arena Soccer League, the Stockton Wolves of independent indoor football, the California Eagles of professional indoor football, and the Stockton Thunder of the ECHL from 2005 to 2015 are just a few of the teams that have previously occupied the space.
The Banner Island Ballpark, the venue for the Stockton Ports minor league baseball team, and the University Plaza Waterfront Hotel are all a part of the Stockton Waterfront Events Center, which also includes the Stockton Arena.
Golfland Roseville Sunsplash
An amusement and water park called Golfland Sunsplash Roseville is situated in Roseville, California. The park, one of six owned and managed by Golfland Entertainment Centers across California and Arizona, has over 30 rides and attractions, including five ProSlide water slides.
Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary
Numerous rescued wild and domestic animals have a home at the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary. The ideal way to spend the day is taking a tour of the zoo sanctuary, where you can meet the friendly animals that call it home, such as bears, wolf-hybrids, monkeys, birds, raptors, foxes, cougars, reptiles, insects, and many more.
Haggin Museum
The Haggin Museum is a local history and art museum in the Victory Park of Stockton, California, in San Joaquin County. It was founded in 1931. Its art collection includes pieces by European painters Rosa Bonheur, William-Adolphe Bouguereau, Jean-Léon Gérôme, Jean-Berraud, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and René de Saint-Marceaux, as well as sculptures by Alfred Barye, Auguste Rodin, and René de Saint-Marceaux. The museum also houses a number of pieces by Californian and Hudson River School landscape painters.
Gallo Center for the Arts
In Modesto, California, there is a performing arts venue called the Gallo Center for the Arts.
The Foster Family Theater and the Mary Stuart Rogers Theater are two theatres that are part of the structure, which had its official opening on September 27, 2007, respectively. Six resident companies perform at the Gallo Center: the Modesto Symphony Orchestra, Central West Ballet, Modesto Community Concerts Association, Modesto Performing Arts, Opera Modesto, and YES Company.
Klinker Brick Winery
In Modesto, California, there is a performing arts venue called the Gallo Center for the Arts.
The Foster Family Theater and the Mary Stuart Rogers Theater are two theatres that are part of the structure, which had its official opening on September 27, 2007, respectively.
Six resident companies perform at the Gallo Center: the Modesto Symphony Orchestra, Central West Ballet, Modesto Community Concerts Association, Modesto Performing Arts, Opera Modesto, and YES Company.