Most scenic route Yosemite

[maisa]

Hello all

My to sisters and I are planning to go from Fan Francisco to Las Vegas through Yosemite and need help in choosing the most scenic drive. I read some of your forum and it was mentioned that a good choice would be Tioga Pass but I must say I don`t even know where it is. Please send me some suggestions (detailed if possible, since it will be our first trip to the US - I bought a road map at Amazons but it haven`t arrived yet...)

Also, would you say it would be more interesting going, after Yosemite, to Sequoia or to Death Valley? Is it possible to go though them to Vegas?

Thank you all in advance.

Maisa

[Utahtea]

Tioga Pass is Hwy 120 though the park over to Lee Vining. Tioga pass closes for the winter around October or November each year and doesn't open until May or June. Infact, it's scheduled to open this Friday. You didn't mention what time of the year you were taking this trip. If it's the summer then it won't be a problem.

How many days do you have to get from San Francisco to Las Vegas?

Tioga Pass (Hwy 120) is a scenic route but it won't get you to Yosemite Valley where all the waterfalls are. Please plan on taking a little detour down to the valley.

Now if you take Tioga Pass from Yosemite, then you won't be able to get to Sequioa. There is no access to the main part of Sequioa on the eastern side of the park off of Hwy 395. You could take Hwy 395 and cross though Death Valley on your way to Las Vegas. Just keep in mind that it will be really HOT in Death Valley during the summer months.

Utahtea

[maisa]

Utahtea, thank you for the response. Our idea was to leave San Francisco around July 15/16, since we have to be at Las Vegas on the 18. Is it possible to go through Tioga Pass than go down to Yosemite Village and take a west route from the park that will take us to Sequoia? Is there another scenic route besides Tioga pass or is it really worthwhile?

We wanted to spend one night at Yosemite (if we find lodging, since I believe those dates will be a weekend) and then sleep somewhere between the park and Las Vegas - do you have any suggestions?

What is your personal favorite: Sequoia or Death Valley (I know they must be completely different, but I just want some personal insight).

Again, thank you for your help. If you ever need any travel tips from Brazil, we will be glad to help - we do have some very beautiful national parks here (and beaches, and small villages, and etc).

Maisa

[Robert Schaller]

... thank you for the response. Our idea was to leave San Francisco around July 15/16, since we have to be at Las Vegas on the 18. Is it possible to go through Tioga Pass than go down to Yosemite Village and take a west route from the park that will take us to Sequoia? Is there another scenic route besides Tioga pass or is it really worthwhile?

Tioga is worth your time. I believe it is the highest paved highway pass in the state of California -- the terrain near the top is alpine in nature -- it is breathtakingly beautiful up there.. But it would be AFTER your visit to the Yosemite Valley, not before it (since you would continue on toward Las Vegas).

We wanted to spend one night at Yosemite (if we find lodging, since I believe those dates will be a weekend) and then sleep somewhere between the park and Las Vegas - do you have any suggestions?

Look for reservations NOW -- it may already be too late to find lodging within Yosemite -- and may even be difficult to find a place immediately outside the park. It does get crowded. Once you leave Yosemite and go over Tioga Pass, you'll head south on US395. Bishop is a great town to stay in -- or any one of several other small communities along that road. If you search for US395 or hot springs on the forum, you'll find reference to some hot springs along that road as well -- that'd be a great way to spend an evening after a long drive, eh?

What is your personal favorite: Sequoia or Death Valley (I know they must be completely different, but I just want some personal insight).

They ARE completely different -- but I'd suggest that since you are already planning to see Yosemite, then for variety, Death Valley is a better choice. Sequoia is more trees -- magnificent, beautiful, giant, old growth trees, to be sure -- but similar to Yosemite in that they are both wooded and green. Death Valley is as different as you can get and still be in North America! And if you choose Sequoia, you miss Tioga as previously mentioned -- so I wouldn't do it.

Bob

[maisa]

Bob, thank you for everything. I will start on reservations right now.

Maisa

[Mark Sedenquist]

Now if you take Tioga Pass from Yosemite, then you won't be able to get to Sequioa. There is no access to the main part of Sequioa on the eastern side of the park off of Hwy 395.

Actually there is (in a way) the Sherman Pass road is a two-lane paved route that directly reaches the Sequoia groves on the south side and also crosses the Sierras and reaches US-395. For more information about the route click here. It would still be a round-about way to reach Sequoia, but it is an awesome road!

Mark

[maisa]

Mark, thank you for the tip.

By the way, I need to buy a road map for the region - can you suggest me one?

Maisa

[Mark Sedenquist]

By the way, I need to buy a road map for the region - can you suggest me one?

If you decide to take the Sherman Pass road -- you would be wise to get the California Benchmark map , but it may provide a bit more detail than you need for the rest of trip. For that reason, I would suggest looking at our map recommendations page and choose one that matches your budget.

[maisa]

thank you

maisa