By Shuttle
The Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System YARTS (http://www.yarts.com/) offers reasonably-priced transportation into Yosemite Valley from towns east and west of the park including Merced, Mariposa, El Portal, Lee Vining and Mammoth Lakes. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time or from the shuttle driver, and round-trip fares are between $7 from El Portal to $20 from Merced and Mammoth Lakes into Yosemite Valley. When combined with the free shuttle service that operates within Yosemite Valley, YARTS can eliminate many hassles for summer visitors.
By bus
Many tour bus companies run tours from the Bay Area. Some will just take you to Yosemite Valley; others provide full tours to see the Giant Sequoias and/or Glacier Point.
By plane
There are no landing strips within the park. Airports in surrounding communities include:
Fresno-Yosemite International (FAT)
Fresno. Located approximately 1.5 hours by car south of the park's entrance on Highway 41.Merced Airport (MCE)
Merced. Located approximately two hours by car from Yosemite Valley on Highway 140.Modesto City-County Airport (MOD)
Modesto. Located approximately 1.5 hours by car from the park's east entrance on Highway 120.Stockton Municipal Airport no longer has any commercial flights.
Bay Area airports including San Francisco International SFO, Oakland International OAK, and San Jose International SJC are larger and offer more flights. Driving distance from the Bay Area is approximately four hours. However, landing at SFO requires crossing one of the San Francisco Bay bridges which are usually congested during the late afternoon and early evening commute. Likewise, in the morning for the return flight, and this direction includes a toll booth. Sacramento International airport SMF, north of Sacramento, is another large airport option that is also about a four-hour drive from the park. Visitors arriving from the east may choose Reno/Tahoe International RNO in Reno, which is approximately 3.5 hours by car from the Tioga Pass Entrance summer only.
Small private aircraft land at Mariposa-Yosemite Airport KMPI about 5 mi/8 km northwest of the town of Mariposa on State Route 49. There is no control tower, and car rentals in the area are very limited. The YARTS shuttle see below is another possibility. Park entrance is an additional 27 mi/44 km via State Route 140.
By train
Amtrak offers service to Yosemite by means of a motorcoach bus that meets its San Joaquins trains in Merced. The San Joaquins provide several departures each day along its route from Bakersfield in the south, Sacramento in the north, and the San Francisco Bay Area in the west. With ample motorcoach connections to and from the trains, this train service serves most of the state, allowing quick and easy access to Merced from most places within the state. However, by driving from San Francisco to Yosemite, it will take 4 1/2 to 5 hours. By train, it will take closer to six hours.
By car
Warning: There are no gas/petrol stations in the Yosemite Valley!
There are four major entrances into the park. All of these routes are relatively windy mountain roads and appropriate time should be budgeted for them. Be advised that the above can pose a safety risk, so when driving, stay alert and focused throughout the ride. Also, don't confuse the town of Oakdale to the west, with Oakhurst to the south.
State Route 120 from the west
from Oakdale. This is the fastest route from locations west Bay Area and northwest Sacramento. Route 120 is a bit steep, so RVs and trailers should consider Route 140 instead. In winter, snow makes the lower elevations of Route 140 more attractive.State Route 140
west from Mariposa and Merced. This route mostly travels up the Merced River Canyon into Yosemite Valley and is the most scenic western entrance. RV and tour bus traffic used to congest this road a bit too much in summer. However, two new bridges to bypass a recent rock slide in the Merced River Canyon now limit vehicles to 45 feet. Many visitors are still unaware of the new bridges over the Merced River and assume State Route 140 is still closed. Highway 140 is now pleasantly less congested and the bridges afford an excellent view of the massive rock slide.State Route 41
north from Fresno and Los Angeles/Southern California. Be sure to fill your gas tank in Oakhurst several stations along highway, or pay dearly as you get closer to the park. Note that many businesses including two more gas stations are located on the first half mile of ajoining State Route 49 in Oakhurst.State Route 120 from the east
Tioga Pass Road from Lee Vining and points east. This road is only open from June through October, although heavy snow may force closure in late September and push opening back to late July.A secondary entrance exists to Hetch Hetchy Reservoir exclusively no Yosemite Valley access off of State Route 120 from the west. It requires taking a side road near the main Route 120 west entrance of Yosemite. Please note that Hetch Hetchy has restricted hours for access due to security for the Reservoir. Please check with Yosemite National Park information before heading out to Hetch Hetchy.
During the snow season, usually November through March, snow chains may be required. Chain requirements are strictly enforced in Yosemite with potential fines being as much as $5,000, so chains should be carried during those months.
Note: During summer months traffic becomes heavily congested in Yosemite Valley, and parking can be nearly impossible to find. Summer visitors to Yosemite Valley are therefore highly encouraged to use the YARTS shuttle system see below to get into the park.