Things to do / Travel Guide
Flying to Lake Tahoe and Reno
Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) is your best bet for flying to Reno, Lake Tahoe and the California Sierras. Several major US airlines offer service to the major cities of the Western United States, as well as Houston, Dallas and Chicago.
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) also serves the region with non-stop flights to destinations as distant as Honolulu and New York City. The drive to Lake Tahoe will take about one hour longer than from RNO.
Driving Distance from San Francisco to Yosemite
The most practical way to get to Yosemite is to drive and the drive time from the major population centers of California makes Yosemite a realistic destination for a long weekend, as long as you can avoid the traffic getting out of the big cities.
- Driving Distance from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park: 190 miles, 3 hours 45 minutes
- Driving Distance from Los Angeles to Yosemite: 312 miles, 6 hours
And, from further away:
- Driving Distance from Las Vegas to Yosemite: 484 miles, 8 hours 45 minutes
- Driving Distance from Yellowstone to Yosemite: 1062 miles, 18 hours 15 minutes
We added Yellowstone, because it seems that some people assume that they are right near each other. They are not, and each one is certainly worth its own dedicated vacation. Or, just do a nice big loop around the west hitting both Yellowstone, Yosemite and many other exciting natural wonders.
Take the Train to Reno, Nevada
Amtrak's California Zephyr serves Reno, Nevada with daily trains from Emeryville and Sacramento, as well as from points all the way east to Chicago. This mighty train crosses both the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Rocky Mountains. Expect some pretty amazing views, as well as a comfortable sleeper cabin for the boring parts.
Emeryville, California is a short bus ride from San Francisco. The bus connection is coordinated with the train schedule and seven daylight hours later you have crossed the Central Valley and climbed the Sierras. The trip from Sacramento is only five hours.
Coming from the east, Salt Lake City is a nine and a half hour overnight trip, Denver is 24 hours. Consider this plan – catch the train in Chicago in the early afternoon and watch the plains pass by until its time to fold down the sleeper. Wake up in Denver and spend the day crossing the Rockies. After a second night crossing Utah and Nevada, wake up in Reno, Nevada.
Airports Serving Lake Tahoe, Reno, Yosemite, Sequoia, in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains
Getting-There
Reno International Airport (RNO)
Sacramento Metropolitan Airport (SMF)
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