Breaking up trip from Vegas to Yosemite, where?
Replies: 8 - Last Post: Feb 18, 2013 4:00 AM Last Post By: ianw6705
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Breaking up trip from Vegas to Yosemite, where?
Hi everyone,Three friends and I (all in our late 20's and early 30's) will be going on a 22 day road trip in California from April 2nd onwards. We've booked accomodation in Yosemite Park on the 12th and 13th. The days before that we'll be in Las Vegas. As far as I can tell the drive up to Yosemite will take us at least 8 houres, if not more.
I've been thinking of breaking that trip up in 2 days, ie leave the 11th in stead of the 12th early in the morning. I believe we have to take the Barstow/Bakersfield/Fresno route, and I was wondering if there's anything special to see, or some place nice to stay on that route.
Any thoughts? Any advice would help!
Thanks, Ruben
1
If you break it up between two days, I would drive via the Tahoe area. Much, much more scenic. But it does involve more driving.On a map.
Otherwise, Bakersfield is as good as any place.
2
Rubenvanderzaag, you appear to have the time. From Las Vegas, drive NV-160 to Pahrump and than cross Death Valley National Park to US-395. You can drive north on US-395 all the way to Reno. Sites along the way are Tioga Pass, at least as far as the barricade that closes the road, Bodie State Historic Park (a ghost town), Mono Lake, Virginia City (a "resurrected" ghost town), Mammoth Lakes, and Lake Tahoe. You can then cross the Sierra Nevada Mountains on I-80 or US-50 and drive down the west front of the mountains to Yosemite. You could break this trip into 3 or 4 days if you liked. Your "southern route" really has little to offer unless you take a considerable detour into Death Valley.3
Thanks for the quick replies. I should probably add that the reason why I would like to break the trip up between two days is to arrive in Yosemite the morning of the 12th. Therefore I would like to be a maximum of 2 - 3 houres away from Yosemite.That rules out Bzookaj's option. Zeldasdad's option also sounds good, but unfortunately we don't have that much time. We've got many more things we would like to see...
So no funky little towns or other worthwhile attractions to be seen along the 'southern route'? What's Bakersfield or Fresno like?
4
Bakersfield and Fresno, in my opinion, aren't worth stopping in for more than gas. That said, seeing as you're going that way due to time constraints, etc., I suggest you take the "extra" time and visit Sequoia National Park and/or Kings Canyon National Park. They are beautiful parks w/ lots of ridiculously gigantic trees. The only problem w/ that is that you're still looking at a 6.5 hour drive. Depends on how early you're willing to leave Vegas, I guess. Otherwise, there's just really nothing worth stopping for between Vegas and Yosemite on the route you're going.5
If you stay in Fresno, you could visit the Forestiere Underground Gardens in the afternoon. Then you're just two and a half hours to the valley. You can watch the California's Gold episode about the gardens here: Californias Gold.6
Therefore I would like to be a maximum of 2 - 3 houres away from Yosemite.
What's Bakersfield or Fresno like?
Bakersfield is almost 4 hours away.... so "too far."What's Bakersfield or Fresno like?
I really think you should accept the drive on the east. It really is worth it. You can drive farther the first day if you want to get closer that night.
If you can, see if you can get to Oakhurst. You're at the doorstep to the park. Still not anything special, but a nicer place to wake up than Fresno.
7
If you want to wake up just outside the park, a wonderful place to stay is Maroni's Restful Nest Bed and Breakfast in Mariposa. Stayed there a couple years ago and enjoyed it! Delicious breakfast, pretty grounds, good amenities (pool and hot tub), very friendly owners and quiet.8
With four drivers and a straight road (via Bakersfield and Fresno) - I would just drive all the way from Las Vegas to your Yosemite accommodation in the day, and have three nights (two full days), to enjoy the park. If you're not able to consider the Hwy 395/Lake Tahoe option, then this would be a much better use of your available time, in my view.And if driving in from the Fresno direction, then you can go via the Mariposa Grove - where there is a lovely (but also over-loved) stand of giant sequoia trees. Impressive.
