Expert: Ernest Tufft - 5/12/2010

Question
My family is considering a vacation this June to Yosemite. What is the closest city to fly into? Where would you recommend staying in the park with a 10 & 7 year old? 3

Answer
My family used to visit Yosemite nearly every summer from the time I was an infant until I was a young adult.  It's a great NP for families.  If you are coming directly via air, visit this link:

 http://jrabold.net/yosemite/transp.htm

In general though, Merced, 90 minutes from the Arch Rock Entrance (goes direct into the Yosemite Valley itself), has the closest commercial airport.  But, this airport is small, so Fresno's International Airport, about 75 minutes from the secondary South Park entrance (then about another 30 minutes of driving into Yosemite Valley) is the closest viable entry point for most tourists choosing to fly directly to Yosemite.  Most tourists, however, visit by rental car or tour bus from either San Francisco Bay Area or Los Angeles.  San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, and Sacramento International Airports are all about 4 hours away from the main Arch Rock Entrance.