Yosemite National Park: Getting there
Getting to Yosemite by car is straightforward, though the only road in from the east, Hwy-120 from Lee Vining, is closed from early November to around the beginning of June. Gas is pricey in the park and unavailable in Yosemite Valley. Public transportation into the Park centers on the Amtrak-accessible Central Valley town of Merced, from where YARTS buses (tel 209/388-9589 or 1-877-989-2787, ) make the two-hour run to Yosemite Valley four or five times a day, charging $10 each way. All services call at the Merced Transport Center, 710 W 16th St, for Greyhound connections, and at the Amtrak station, 324 W 24th St at K Street, where two of the services connect with trains from San Francisco. YARTS also runs a once-daily summer-only service over the Tioga Pass road from Mammoth Lakes and Lee Vining ($20 round-trip).Bus fares are inclusive of park entry , which otherwise costs $20 per vehicle, $10 per cyclist or hiker, and is valid for seven days.
If you need somewhere to stay overnight before heading to Yosemite, consider the HI-Merced Home Hostel (tel 209/725-0407; members $14, nonmembers $17), where the staff pick you up from the train or bus and drop you off at the appropriate station the following morning. If you'd rather be closer to the park, try the lively Yosemite Bug Hostel & Lodge , 6979 Hwy-140 (tel 209/966-6666, fax 966-6667, ; rooms $50-75, bunks $15), at Midpines , on the YARTS bus route, with an excellent bar and café.
For recorded park, road and weather information phone 209/372-0200.
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