Many of our visitors to Yosemite and the Groveland area come to us via Las Vegas, either on their way to riches or coming from Nevada with less deep pockets. This passage is worth a discussion for those looking for starting points, stopping points, and dwelling points in their investigation of their Los Angeles-Las Vegas-Death Valley-Yosemite-Groveland-San Francisco-Los Angeles loop. For conciseness, I’ll work with directions from Las Vegas to Yosemite, but please recognize that you can come and go from either direction.
Tioga Pass it is the key element in determining which route you will take. If you’re planning a trip after mid-October, keep an eye on our weather, 209-372-0200. A single snow storm followed by warm weather can cause Tioga Pass to close and reopen multiple times in the fall. Once the “big” falls or we get sustained cold, the pass will close for the season, usually closed mid-November, reopening late May or June. You’re right to predict the weather as often as you are to win in Las Vegas. Opening and closing dates depend on snow and weather.
Driving Directions: Las Vegas to Yosemite, Tioga Pass Open
Exit Las Vegas on 95 Northwest to 373 South which becomes 127 at Stateline to 190 West to Death Valley. Follow 190 through and out of Death Valley where you will take 136 North to Lone Pine and 395. Highway 395 will take you to Lee Vining and 120 West to Yosemite and over Tioga Pass. If there are “difficult” parts of this path, they are at the access to Death Valley. You can find an excellent PDF map online through the National Park Service
Highlights along the way (395 North)
Death Valley National Park is a land of extremes: lowest elevations of 282 feet below sea level, high temperatures, average summer temperatures of over 100 degrees daily, and with only 1.96 inches a year, the least amount of rain. Despite the drama of this environment, more than 1,000 types of plants live within the park. Each spring, Death Valley turns into a kaleidoscope of color as spring rains spawn a variety of annual desert wildflowers. Last year’s incredible snow levels provided a wonderful season for desert wildflowers.
Bishop and Erik Schatt Bakery
If you love a good bakery, this one will intrigue you for a long time. Big, well scented and reasonably priced! It is located right on Hwy 395 as it runs through town, not to be missed, on the west side of the street.
Mammoth Lakes and June Lake they provide great overnight stops with plenty of places to stay and scenic wonders. Good food can be found in both areas. Mammoth is a bustling community with hospitals, golf courses, and schools where, like June Lake, it is calmer and populated by locals in the region for world-class fishing.
monkey lake It is a phenomenon that must be explored. Very lunar looking. You can get out and walk along the shoreline, or view the beauty from the picnic benches of Whoa Nellie Deli at the Mobile gas station on Highway 120. Both and Bodie State Park are discussed in our Eastern Sierras itinerary. Check out our Tahoe Itinerary if you’re heading for the optional route around the Sierras, and as you head down Highway 49, take a few hours or even an overnight in Murphys to explore the Calaveras Big Trees and Murphys Wine Country.
Driving Directions: Las Vegas to Yosemite, Tioga Pass Closed
If you are planning a stop in Death Valley, follow the directions above to get to DV. Once through the park, stay on 190 until you reach 395, then head south. Follow this to 178, a scenic route or 58, a slightly larger highway. Both take you to Bakersfield, from where you’ll take Highway 99 and quickly hop onto Highway 41 in Fresno, which will take you to the southern entrance to Yosemite, via Oakhurst and Fishcamp. When you’ve finished your stay in Yosemite, exit Highway 120, North Entrance, and drive through Groveland. Spend the night with us or just drop by and say hi on your way to San Francisco.
There really aren’t many must-sees along this route. Usually we drive as far as we can and then find a place to sleep.
Optional longer scenic drive if Tioga Pass is closed
Follow all instructions if the pass is open, in Lee Vining stay on 395, look for Mono Lake on your right, continue north on 395 through Bridgeport and into Carson, then take 50 West to South Lake Tahoe. Spend a day in the snow, skiing, gambling, hiking…then head west again on 50 to Hwy 49 south to Hwy 120 east and into Groveland for an evening of food, fun and relaxation . Other winter closed highways that cross the Sierras are the 108 and the 4. If you’re traveling in late spring, either can be open before the 120 and you don’t have to go as far as Lake Tahoe to cross.
Whichever route you choose, have a safe trip and we look forward to seeing you in Groveland!