Primer
Journeys by nature are not efficient. And yet I spend so much of my day-to-day striving for efficiency. Maybe that’s why I love travel. It is a true respite from my daily routine. When I plan a trip – and I even plan free time – I like to allow of inefficiency. Road trips are perfect for this. When I see that random, interesting store, I stop to check it out.
Journeys by nature are not efficient.
That doesn’t mean we don’t have schedules to abide by. The Vatican has a timed-entry regardless of my desire to wander. But after four hours immersed in museums, Rafael Rooms, and the Sistine Chapel, I’m gonna schedule some time for wandering. My favorite trips allow for both timed events and wandering. And I’m convinced The Greatest Trip in the World for both is my San Francisco to Yosemite adventure.
Why is it The Greatest Trip in the World?
Because I have yet to find a journey that blends urban appeal with the awe-inspiring beauty of nature quite like this one. Even the journey from San Francisco to Yosemite is majestic—it is the Golden State after all.
What does the journey entail?
Let’s start by looking at the agenda we chose. This could be different for everyone. I feel like we landed on a really nice balance.
| Day | Activities |
| Thursday | Arrive and take the BART to Downtown, Dinner at Pier 39 |
| Friday | Alcatraz, Zoo |
| Saturday | Muir Woods, Food in Marin, Golden Gate Park, California Academy of Sciences |
| Sunday | Travel to Yosemite |
| Monday | Get the lay of the Land: El Capitan, Yosemite Village, Curry Village (where we stay) |
| Tuesday | Big Hike Day: Half Dome or Grand Tour |
| Wednesday | Rest and Wander: Merced River, Sentinel Falls, Yosemite Falls, Yosemite Valley Chapel, Yosemite Conversation Heritage Center |
| Thursday | Glacier Point at Sunrise and/or Tunnel View at Sunset |
| Friday | Travel to San Francisco, one last trolley ride |
| Saturday | Flight back home |
Lots to unpack here but I’ll start by highlighting the trip from the San Francisco Airport (SFO) to downtown. Yes, it is easier to take a cab. The BART is part of the experience though. Remember my Primer. It is not about efficiency.
Why the BART? Most of us already spend time in traffic every working day. My favorite cities in the world (New York, London, Washington D.C., San Francisco) all have one thing in common: easy to use public transportation. Why take a cab to Pier 39 in San Francisco when you can hang off a trolley car that began service over 150 years ago in 1873. Public transportation gives you a flavor for the city and is – for me at least – part of the experience.
What issues will you encounter by taking the BART? The payment system can be a bit confusing and I’ll talk more about that in the next blog (TLDR: download the Clipper app to your phone before the trip). The worst part of taking the BART is dragging your luggage up hills. They look flat on Google Maps so choose a hotel near a BART station or take a cab from there.
If you are willing to travel a tiny bit further from the BART station, we loved our stay at the Golden Gate Hotel. Founded in 1913, this gem includes cozy rooms, tea & cookies, and an old-fashioned lift (elevator) in a central location. Their website is fantastic if you are wanting more. We dragged our luggage uphill so we could stay at the Golden Gate Hotel and it was worth it.
What is to Come
How am I going to squeeze all of this into one blog? Well, I’m not. Here in my plan. I’ll update this list as I post each blog—yes, I’m planning a thirteen part blog series (not because of Taylor Swift unless that means something to you then it’s absolutely because of Taylor Swift) on this journey. It’s worth it.
- The Greatest Trip in the World (this blog)
- Hang Off the Cable Car: San Francisco
- Go to Prison with Us: Alcatraz
- The View: Muir Woods
- Focal Point: California Academy of Sciences
- Behind the Lens: San Francisco Zoo
- Road Trip to Yosemite
- Peachy: Ramos Country Corner
- Earthy: Mountain Sage Coffee
- Yosemite Overview: lodging, food, hikes, nighttime
- Triumphant: Half Dome Hike
- Wanding in Yosemite
- Sweeping: Grand Tour Hike (Four Mile Trail -> Panorama Trail)
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