Visitors can stroll through 300 feet of crystal clear tunnels featuring over 20,000 marine animals. $(function() { ThisCalifornia state parkshares the ancient customs of the Sierra Miwok people. Before saying goodbye to Napa, you can stop by numerous restaurants to have dinner. Napa Valley is more or less due north of San Francisco, but you can't just start driving north from the middle of town and get there. Napa Valley has plenty of luxurious resorts, spas, and top-rated restaurants. Signing up for a guided tour is usually the lowest-priced way to tour Napa Valley, but you may be stuck in a crowd of 30 people or more and won't have any choices about where you go or when you stop. You can get from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park in around 3 to 3 hours and 30 minutes, and the two most conventional routes cover 165 and 200 miles, respectively. Summer is awesome, but busy. Towering granite rocks, mighty waterfalls and placid valleys give Yosemite all the aspects of a "land of the gods". This is oneCalifornias most scenic drivesand our guide will help you find additional stops along the way from San Francisco to Yosemite which feature Californias Native American culture, gold rush history, cool hikes and culinary tourism. Start your second day with some morning exploration taking you from Fisherman's Wharf to stylish Union Square. Pick Your Perfect Yosemite Activities Climb, Raft, Bike, Ski, Hike That, in itself is stretching SF very thin, but if you really want to see the Napa Valley, then so be it. Do this road trip in a rental RV to stay close to nature. I recently published an extended guide to planning Redwoods road trips that includes this itinerary in greater detail. If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 29 days ahead of time. Notable Stops: Jamestown (Gold Rush Town) Suggested Gas Stop: Oakdale (Shell, Quik Stop, 76) Highway 120 is the most straightforward way to get to Yosemite from San Francisco, and it will take about 3 hours and 45 minutes to get there. The Yosemite 1-day private tour is limited to the Yosemite Valley sights and attractions, which represent only 1% of the Yosemite National Park . The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Trips. National Park Tour. Yosemite is one of the wonders of Nature. Please note on day 2 there are two optional tours so the fee will be different. From local artisan producers and farmers to Western culture, The bridge at Wapama Falls in Yosemites Hetch Hetchy Valley, Photo by Kim Carroll Photography courtesy of Everygreen Lodge, Alcatraz Island is a National Park Service site, down-to-earth wine, beer, ice cream and caffeine tasting scene, this town is a great place to spend some time on the way to the park, www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/oakdale/oklca/hoteldetail, listen to an entertaining guide in your car, plus ten more things to do in this charming historic county, Stay in a Modern Airstream at AutoCamp Yosemite. Daily temperature check for all passengers including driver and tour guide. Napa Valley consists of five different towns and cities. A park ranger vehicle sits near the Big Oak Flat entrance into Yosemite National Park along Hwy 120, on Thursday, February 23, 2023. There are ten day hikes, swimming, scenic viewpoints and three National Park sponsored tours. Here are four top things for you to add to your must-do list. It never quite became a ghost town, which is why some of the on-site buildings managed to survive. Want to Avoid Traffic and Parking inside Yosemite? A one-way adult ticket on the ferry costs about $15, but there are discounts for children and senior citizens age 65 and up. Enjoy a day in San Francisco. What is best way to fit Yosemite into San Francisco to Las Vegas drive (i am planning to complete the 7 day trip on this site to get from SF to LV including Bridgeport and Death Valley but not sure best way to include Yosemite into the trip). Which means one spot is getting one night which isn't much time when you consider what time you might arrive and the time you have to leave the next day. 1. The Napa Valley shouldn't be missed if you're in the area, although since it is filled with vineyards and if you're planning on tasting wine, we'd suggest spending the night (or . What is your budget? Its amazing architecture has made it popular for weddings and photography. This breathtaking stretch of coastline along California's Monterey Peninsula takes visitors through a maze of beautiful scenery, unique wildlife, and amazing mansions. From there, you can walk to the Iron Horse Parkway bus stop and catch the SmaRT BART . (This article contains affiliate links. You'll tour three of the regions noteworthy wineries with a stop for lunch in Calistoga (lunch not included in the price). The biggest "issue" this forum has is people trying to bite off more than they can chew. 14 San Francisco: Muir Woods Redwoods and Wine Country Tour. Until Highway 121 dead ends, travelers shall turn left to drive towards the Napa wineries on the highway. We are extremely excited for our first visit to the valley! Happy trails! 1 Hour, Admission (Optional): Adult $32; Child (2-12 yrs) $25; Senior (Over 65 yrs) Free|Duration: Approx. High up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, a snowflake falls. Before you start planning for your itinerary, it would be good to do a little research about your destination. Moderate. The leading independent voice for aviation news and insight. Best Alcatraz Tours combined with San Francisco, Napa, Silicon Valley & Redwoods. Its large campus is a sight to behold. 4-Day Los Angeles to Universal Studio Hollywood, Seaworld . People can enjoy the iconic and breathtaking views as they cross the historic bridge. We have been looking at hotels and B&B's. There are lodging suggestions for these towns in the article. Accommodations planning: 2 nights in San Francisco, 2 nights in Monterey, 2 nights in . With the diverse natural landscapes in the region, you could easily spend 3-4 days (or a lifetime) exploring the trails, rock climbs, and attractions. We will mark (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Nine days is a reasonable length of time for this itinerary. The 1-hour ride travels through logging country in a restored historic train. Beautiful weather and waterfront views await visitors as well! Reply Apr 24th . Your first stop is at Muir Woods National Monument, aka the Forest Moon of Endor, for a hike among the redwoods. Meanwhile, 2910 Spring Mountain Road includes 30 acres, of which . Castello di Amorosa, a 13th century Tuscan-styled castle and winery, is the only authentic medieval castle in the United States. If you go to Yosemite, stay at least a night. That being said, the most convenient way to travel to wine country is by renting or driving your vehicle. Now that you've set your multi-destination itinerary, I suggest you go to the city/destination forum page. 7 nights from 3,499 per person. They operated a ferry until 1852, and then they built the bridge, which is the longest covered bridge west of the Mississippi. The American Society of Civil Engineers considers the Golden Gate Bridge one of the wonders of the modern world. Where to see Superbloom Sunday (March 5th) near Los Angeles? For ages 21-35. In Oakdale, explore Gold Rush history and a delicious culinary scene before continuing to towns like Pinecrest, where you can paddle on a peaceful, snowmelt-fed lake or Tuolumne where youll find apple orchards producing cider. from. Get stuck into the outdoorsy life of Northern California with this USA road trip. The South Bay consists of Silicon Valley cities like Santa Clara, San . The fastest way to get from SF to Yosemite is out I580 through Tracy, connecting with Highway 120 in Manteca. Today youll say goodbye to Yosemite National Park and drive back to San Francisco Airport where youll drop off your rental car in time to catch your onward flight. south of San Francisco, around Santa Barbara, and lots more. Consider these tips for making your Yosemite trip from San Francisco as smooth as possible. This amazing experience kicks off in the city by the bay; San Francisco. Northern Yosemite is the higher elevation portion of the park and there are yet more stunning hikes and views in this part of the park. During the summer months, there are four entrances to Yosemite National Park. This option will take one on Highway 101 North across the Golden Gate Bridge. Experience the best of Yosemite whiletraveling sustainablyby eating locally grown food, staying at eco-friendly lodges and hiking on gorgeous trails. The routes from San Francisco to Yosemite's valley floor takes you through California's Central Valley and into the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Napa Valley is one of the world's top wine-growing regions and rivals the traditional regions of France and Italy. Depending on what time your flight arrives you could get out and explore, so why not head to the harbour for a bowl of clam chowder as the sun goes down the perfect start to a Californian adventure! The National Weather Service says San Francisco's low of 39 degrees on Friday is a new record low for this day. SF-(ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I also have noticed a change in at least one of their alogrithms for lodging reviews which helps to make the overall rating of a property more realistic. Please do not book airline tickets until you receive the confirmation. Find more information at www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/oakdale/oklca/hoteldetail, Highway 120 (Big Oak and Hetch Hetchy entrances). Travelers will then start seeing vineyards and wineries on the rolling hills after passing the Sonoma Raceway. On your Yosemite adventure,listen to an entertaining guide in your car. Never having been there before; would it be best to spend two days in The Napa Valley and the remaining time catching a few sites in SF? . Here are four fun stops to make along the route: Historic Sonora is named after the miners from Sonora Mexico who settled the city in 1848. Napa & Sonoma Valley Wine Tour from San Francisco at a Glance: Departure Point: 478 Post St. or 2805 Leavenworth St. Departure Time: 8:40 AM - 9:00 AM. When you make it to Yosemite, be sure to visit the Hetch Hetchy area, where less than 1% of park visitors ever venture. From $277.00. Wineries in Napa Valley open at 10 AM. Napa Valley comprises several regions, and the notable wine places are Napa, Calistoga, St. Helena, Rutherford, Oakville, and Yountville. Newly Built Modern Estate Compound In Napa Valley: $14M. All of our holidays are tailor-made to your requirements by an expert Travel Specialist. Then post a new question on that forum. HomepageAboutBlog ArchiveWork with UsPrivacy PolicyContact Us. It is the home of Vista Point, the Marine Mammal Center, and beautiful views of San Francisco Bay. Day 4 from San Francisco to Sonoma and Napa. Theres a gorgeous, historic lodge to stay in nearby and you can hike around the reservoir and discover its history. Napa Valley symbolizes California's wine country and is considered one of the world's premier wine regions. It is known for its moderate climate, natural environment, coastline, redwood forests, alternative community lifestyles and socially liberal leanings. You can usually find more choice and less expensive room inventory just outside of the valley. This hike starts at Yosemite Falls and takes a nice long stroll along the Merced River. This place requires reservations, so you should plan accordingly. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Security Statement | Private Policy | User Agreement. Terms and Conditions. FAQ: Yanks drive on the wrong side of the road. Continue north through wine country stopping in Healdsburg for wine tasting and a meal. Santa Cruz is situated on the northern edge of Monterey Bay, about 32 mi (51 km) south of San Jose and 75 mi (120 km) south of San Francisco. Check out our Web Storiesfor more inspiration. Nowadays, B&Bs seem to be mostly listed on TripAdvisor under B&Bs -- not so much under Specialty Lodging any longer. Tucked along Hwy. Explore the Mission District with its colourful murals and famous burritos before renting a bike and cycling over the Golden Gate Bridge for iconic views back over the city. There are a ton of hiking trails that start in or near Tuolumne Meadows. As you make your way towards the coast, consider that little snowflake and its incredible journey. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-43239749', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');San Francisco in November. A trip to Napa Valley is a breath of fresh air from the busy streets of San Francisco, and luckily, it's not a far distance to cover. It was also a thriving gold town during the mid 1800s. From Vallejo, connect to the Napa Valley VINE bus system Route 10, which can take you all the way to Calistoga. Go early to get a parking spot or take the shuttle, which runs four times per day. Find the largest alpaca farm in the state, stay in a classic Airstream trailer, take a scenic flight over the park plus ten more things to do in this charming historic county. San Francisco, Yosemite, & Napa. First stop will be the valley, where the visitor centre and a couple of hotels sit in the imposing shadow of El Capitan, a favourite of rock climbers from all over the world. Another option is to enjoy a bit of the coast north of San Francisco rather than going south, or maybe just making a day trip to Napa from San Francisco. Depending on what time your flight arrives you could get out and explore, so why not head to the harbour for a bowl of . That surpassed a record of 36 inches for Feb. 28, set in 1969, spokesperson Scott Gediman confirmed to the San Francisco . For the trip itself, driving from San Francisco to Napa Valley takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on the traffic, and add a bit more if you are going to take the scenic route along the way. Overview. For out-of-town visitors, the process can be painstakingly complicated, so you're really better off booking a guided tour or renting a car and driving. Do a tasting at one or two of the nine wineries on thewine trail map. Learn before you go by checking out our article on. Hot Tip: Do you need a rental car for your San Francisco to Yosemite road trip? Stop #3: Bodega Bay. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-46694122', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Yosemite off the list. maybe next time! 2 Hours, Opening Hours: Closed on 1/1/18, 2/23, 2/24, 4/26-4/28, 5/11-5/13, 6/14-6/17, 9/1, 9/8, 9/15, 9/18-9/23, 10/6, 10/25-10/28, 11/10, 11/22, 12/25, Admission (Optional): Adult $39; Child (6-12 yrs) $25; Senior (Over 65 yrs) $36, Admission (Optional): Adult $42; Child (5-11 yrs) $28|Opening Hours: Closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day|Duration: Approx. How to Get From San Francisco to Wine Country. Highways 120 West, 140, 41 and 120 East/Tioga Road. To do a trip to Yosemite -- wow that is 8 plus hours of driving and too little time to actually see the amazing valley. Best Napa Valley day tours to experience Castello di Amorosa, Sausalito, Napa Factory Outlets and enjoy wine tasting at Napa wineries. It was the only port of entry for taxable goods in California. Suggested Overnights: Crescent City, Eureka, Benbow, Mendocino, Santa Rosa. If 7 days is 6 nights you might even think about cutting it down to two areas. This itinerary is purely a suggestion, and can be tailor-made to your requirements, so please contact us with your dates and requests and well put together a bespoke quotation for you. Youll probably approach from the east driving past the bizarre Mono Lake, a soda lake full of strange salt formations. Dear irene, yes, the total fee is around $600 per person and it doesn't include your own air ticket, meals and any private expenses. . Tracy Barbutes/Special to The Chronicle Show More Show . This San Francisco to Yosemite road trip itinerary will take you from the Bay Area to the park in one day, stops included. United States - Yosemite to San Fran or Napa Valley - After leaving Yosemite , we are headed towards Napa Valley . Public transportation is a slow way to get to Napa and is not designed for tourists who want to see the sights and visit some wineries. You'll experience exquisite vineyards, enchanting forests and gigantic redwoods . Yosemite & Napa Valley. Continue through wine country . Afterwards drive to Napa and visit the town. Also, will the weather be unpleasant this time of year? Hand sanitizer and sanitize wipes will be provided on tour bus. It covers an area of 35 square kilometers. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. 17 San Francisco: Aquarium of the Bay General Admission Ticket. Park your car in a Yosemite gateway town and take the YARTS bus into Yosemite Valley. Day 4: Big Sur. Be aware that the time of year makes a big difference in Yosemite. Coming northwest out of Yosemite puts you smack into California gold rush country. Visit Yosemite National Park, Napa Valley, Cable Car, Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf & more! If you are craving more wine in the afternoon, you can go straight to the Round Pond Estate Winery along Rutherford. The drive to Yosemite from San Francisco is only about 3 hours and 20 minutes. Yosemite Falls is one of the largest waterfalls in North America. www.outdoorsy.com. Explore Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay From the Golden City, wind your way through unpretentious wine country, orchards and historic towns on this San Francisco to Yosemite road trip. Nile House, Nile Street, Brighton, BN1 1HW, United Kingdom, Exc. True that John. In addition to being the tallest waterfall in North America, the Yosemite Falls are the seventh-tallest in the world. We do enjoy wine so would definately like to take advantage of Napa. Reply Subscribe . Over 800 5-star reviews. For the Gold Country part of the itinerary, we recommend the Historic National Hotel in Jamestown or the Lazy Z Resort in Twain Harte. I would cut one place out . See the Most Controversial Spot in Yosemite near the Hetch Hetchy Entrance Tour Yosemite Like a Local with Gypsy Guide The Winchester Mystery House is a mansion in San Jose, California, that was once the personal residence of Sarah Winchester, the widow of firearm magnate William Wirt Winchester. Share this San Francisco to Yosemite road trip with your friends: Where is a good place to stop approximately halfway between between San Francisco and Yosemite? Coastal Redwood forest stroll. Buses to Napa Valley from San Francisco. With only 7 days & 6 nights, I think that the best use of time for your choices is SF (3 nights, get car when you leave) - Napa / Sonoma (2 nights) - Carmel / Monterey (1 night.) - Goes to Mirror Lake and then continues along a flat-ish loop back into the valley. Discover the top eight things to do in these quaint towns from boating to Gold Rush-era experiences. Each section suggests four things to do. To do a trip to Yosemite-- wow that is 8 plus hours of driving and too little time to actually see the amazing valley. My wife and I are planning a quick stop in this region. One minute later, people will see a sign to Napa for Highway 29, where they should take a right and stay for around 10 minutes on Highway 29/12. Guests should meet our tour guide in front of the Information Center at Terminal 2 for transfer to the hotel. Look for Cathedral Beach, Housekeeping Camp, Swinging Beach, Devils Elbow and Sentinel Beach. You can use public transportation to get to Yosemite all year. She loves to travel, read novels, and watch old classes movies. A few San Francisco tour companies offer a personalized way to get to Napa Valley from San Francisco, taking small groups on adventures planned just for them. If you are making this a 6-7 day road trip, you can probably do all of them. FAQ: What is a good route to travel to Yosemite (or to San Francisco) from Las Vegas? It is branded as one of the best California tasting sites, with huge palm trees leading you to a magnificent building that overlooks the breathtaking vineyards. On arrival in San Francisco you will make your own way into the city and check into your hotel for one night. Aunindita Bhatia is a professional content writer based in India. Try the Angele Restaurant and Bar, a bistro at the riverfront in a timeworn boathouse that serves French food. Yay, we in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Discover a down-to-earth wine, beer, ice cream and caffeine tasting scene and sun you can count on, 45 minutes from San Franciscos Fishermans Wharf. Get Ready to Leave Your Heart We will alert you when your requested tour becomes available! In fact, if you tried that, you'd probably end up in the San Francisco Bay. Mandatory Fee (pay the fee in cash to the tour guide): $115 per passenger including Cable Car, San Francisco in-depth tour, Berkeley University, Yosemite National Park, Napa Valley/17 Miles/Stanford University transportation fee and fuel surcharge. Why The Napa Valley Is One Of The World's Premier Wine Regions. From San Francisco to Yosemite by Bus Yosemite Valley. While wine has been growing there since the nineteenth century (and Prohibition didn't help), premium wine production only started in the 1960s, and it only really took off in the 80s and 90s. Also known as wine country, a trip to Napa Valley is a breath of fresh air from the busy streets of San Francisco. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Enjoy shopping and dining along the way in addition to taking in the vistas. FAQ: When to Tip and How much? If so, do some price comparison shopping atRentalcars.com. . Text Us. Alternatively, look into shuttle companies that service Napa Valley from San Francisco Airport (SFO) like Evans Transportation or California Wine Tours. On arrival in San Francisco you will make your own way into the city and check into your hotel for one night. The Mariposa grove is the largest in the park and is conveniently located just 10 miles from Fish Camp. Multi-Day Yosemite Tours - Tent Cabin Stay. Take the bus from Merced Transpo to Yosemite Valley Visitors Center. Vacation Packages: San Francisco - Napa Valley - Yosemite National Park - Monterey (Self Drive), USA Vacations, Build Custom Vacation Packages with Airfare, best vacation deals, online bookings. Stop in Modesto, half way between Yosemite and San Francisco, for a much-needed break from the car and grab a bite to eat, visit a farm stand or see a show. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. 4-Day San Francisco to Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, Barstow Outlet and Yosemite National Park Tour - LA OUT $725.00 $688.75. Departing from San Francisco, you can look forward to nature-rich hikes through majestic Yosemite, renowned for its . Day 9: Napa Valley/ Sonoma OR Muir Woods. This in-depth tour of the city allows guests time at more of the famous Bay Area sights like Cable Car, Lombard Street, City Hall, St. Mary's Cathedral, and Chinatown. Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity John Muir (get more Muir quotes here). Take this itinerary north from, Or just hang out in SF and visit a few of the local. Spring has the best waterfalls, but will also still have snow on the ground. (And the next one on this list about visiting the Giant Redwoods too). They also have French food, and the ambiance gives you that warm, rustic Italian vibe. Is lodging in the valley really that bad? This winery is built by an Iranian and is Persian-inspired. Start: San Francisco. Our advice: dont try to do it all. Sonoma and Sonoma County - a more affordable, more down-to-earth version of Napa Valley. you have 7 days to see 4 places and you want to add more? People have two options if they want to drive from San Francisco to Napa Valley. This article was updated to detail the process and several options for driving from San Francisco to Napa Valley, either across the Golden Gate Bridge or across the Bay Bridge. Looking to recharge? Wine taste in Napa & Sonoma with an excursion in the giant sequoias of Muir Woods, San Francisco's stunning Coastal Redwood Forest. In addition to touring the castle interior, visitors can taste a wide selection of fine Napa Valley wine which is made on premises and not sold elsewhere. It seems that options are all over the place. With world class wine comes top notch food The French Laundry Restaurant has been voted best in the world many times and while youll struggle to get a table here without booking months ahead, there are plenty of other excellent eateries to pair your new favourite wines with. They can head to the city of Napa next or follow this road for wine tasting. The top cities between Yosemite National Park and Napa are San Francisco, San Jose, Mill Valley, Palo Alto, Oakland, Santa Clara, Berkeley, and Sausalito. We reserve the right to edit or reject questions that include inappropriate content, profanity, references to other retailers, pricing, or personal information. . Meet awesome people! Consider staying in either Fish Camp (which is near the Mariposa sequoia grove) or around Midpine and Mariposa (which is a lovely drive into the valley along the Merced river). This means that if you choose to purchase, Ill make a small commission.). 5:30 p.m. WB I-80 closed due . But the Parks Service also offers aguided bus tourto Glacier Point. The ultimate guide to activities inside Yosemite National Park. Stop #4: Jenner. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-43239963', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Yosemite. Or course, you could also skip the ferry and travel from San Francisco to Vallejo along the BART Train or along another bus route, depending on where in the Bay Area you're coming from. Costa Rica. trip. what they think could be improved, it's all here to help you make the most of your next Read More: If you are keen on mining history, check out this article onCalifornia ghost towns. Thoughts on a few great places to consider? The area is home to Ghirardelli Square, a wax museum, shopping centers, an aquarium, and much more. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. This itinerary includes three stops intended to show you a few interesting things along the way that you otherwise may have missed. We have 7 days and would like to stay in Napa for a few days and maybe visit Yosemite and Carmel. Unsubscribe anytime by clicking the link at the bottom of your email. Mandatory Fee (pay the fee in cash to the tour guide) is $100 per passenger, for optional activity you can choose to join or not. You can also stop by Oakville Wine Merchant and get some wine per glass. Head over to the Napa valley. Napa Valley is renowned for quality wine and excellent food and is always worth a stop. Note: This question will be posted on a public forum. Leave San Francisco early by crossing the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County. International flights (per person, based on 2 sharing), Explore the eclectic neighbourhoods of San Francisco, Taste your way through the vineyards of Napa Valley, Admire the views over Lake Tahoe and Emerald Bay, Hike your way through the lush mountains in Yosemite National Park. AirBorrn Aviation / Yosemite Airways offers affordable scenic flights with views of El Capitan, Half Dome and more. The Sunny Side of the Bay Share them with the rest of the community and you can, Standard Hotel: Marriot / Holiday Inn SFO / Beverly Heritage /Days Inn / Super 8 or similar, Choose 1 from Napa Valley+Sausalito or Redwood Forest+Monterey or Stanford+San Jose, Standard Hotel: Holiday Inn SFO, Park Pointe Hotel or Similar, Standard Hotel: Quality inn Merced or Similar, Modesto - Yosemite National Park - California Central Valley - Los Angeles. After a quiet morning in Napa recovering from a day of indulgence yesterday, youll drive north into the Sierra Nevada Mountains where youll find Lake Tahoe, a blue gem high up in the mountains.