DIRECTIONS & TRANSPORTATION
Firefall Ranch is easy to find
Firefall Ranch is easy to find, situated fifteen miles from Yosemite's Highway 120 west entrance, providing an ideal launching point for exploration into all parts of the Park. Our Yosemite resort is a 2.5-hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area along scenic Highway 120, the most direct route to Yosemite from the Bay Area, offering year-round access to the Park. This highway offers convenient access to the lodge from all parts of California. Highway 120 also offers easy access to Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows and the rest of Yosemite.
Remember that when road tripping through the great outdoors it’s best to keep plenty of water in the car and keep your gas tank fueled up. Traveling east on Highway 120 the closest gasoline is 9.5 miles inside the Park at Crane Flat gas station
NAVIGATION System Warning
Please note that GPS navigation systems (often found in rental cars) and online sites such as Mapquest and Google Maps can be unreliable in our area. If you have any questions about the best route to Firefall Ranch, please see the directions below or call/email us before your trip. We wouldn’t want you to get lost or waste valuable vacation time trying to find us!
Airports
There are a variety of commercial airports serving the region. Public transportation is available in some areas (such as Amtrak rail service and YARTS bus service), however, you will need a car to get to Firefall Ranch.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Service for many major airlines
155 miles west of the Firefall
Approximately 3-hour drive
Oakland International Airport (OAK)
Service for many major airlines
140 miles west of Firefall
Approximately 2.5-hour drive
San Jose International Airport (SJC)
Service for many major airlines
145 miles west of Firefall
Approximately 3-hour drive
Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
Service for many major airlines
145 miles north of Firefall
Approximately 2.5-hour drive
Merced Regional Airport (MCE)
Daily commercial service to/from Los Angeles on Great Lakes Airlines
80 miles southwest of Rush Creek
1.5-hour drive
Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH)
Serving the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego through Alaska Airlines
115 miles southeast of Firefall
Approximately 3-hour drive (route closed in winter)
Fresno-Yosemite International Airport (FAT)
Service for several major commercial airlines
120 miles south of the Firefall
Approximately 2.5-hour drive
DETAILED DRIVING DIRECTIONS
From the San Francisco Bay Area
Drive time: 2.5 - 3 hours
From downtown San Francisco, take I-80 East across the Bay Bridge. After the bridge, merge onto I-580 East. Continue for about 45 miles then merge onto I-205 East towards Tracy/Stockton. At the junction of I-205 East and I-5 North, take CA-120 East and follow signs to Manteca.
At Manteca, take CA-99 North and exit immediately to stay on CA-120 East. Continue on CA-120 East to Oakdale (note that CA-120 makes a left-hand turn in the middle of Oakdale). 26 miles beyond Oakdale, turn right at Yosemite Junction and continue on CA-120 East through Groveland.
7.5 miles beyond Groveland, you'll see the entrance to Firefall on your right-hand side.
From the Sacramento area
Drive time: 2.5 hours
Take CA-99 South to Manteca. Exit onto CA-120 East and begin following the “San Francisco Bay Area” directions above.
From the Los Angeles (or Fresno) area
Drive time: 5 - 5.5 hours
Recommended Route
Take I-5 North to CA-99 North. In Merced, take exit 187A, then turn right onto G Street which becomes Snelling Rd. After 16 miles, turn right onto CA-59. After 1.5 Miles turn Left onto J-59 towards Sonora. Follow J-59 for 26 miles and turn right onto CA-120. After 3.5 Miles turn right to stay on CA-120. 7.5 miles beyond Groveland, you'll see the entrance to Firefall on your right-hand side.
Highway Route
Take I-5 North or CA-99 North. Exit at signs for CA-120 East. Continue on CA-120 East to Oakdale (note that CA-120 makes a left-hand turn in the middle of Oakdale). 26 miles beyond Oakdale, turn right at Yosemite Junction and continue on CA-120 East through Groveland. 7.5 miles beyond Groveland, you'll see the entrance to Firefall on your right-hand side.
Scenic Route through Yosemite Valley
Take CA-99 North towards Fresno, then take CA-41 North into the south entrance of Yosemite National Park. Unless you have a national parks pass, there will be a $25 or $30 entry fee that will cover trips into the park for your vehicle for seven days. Head North on CA-41 through the Park, and follow signs for Yosemite Valley destinations. Once you enter the Valley, take this opportunity to enjoy the scenic views of Half Dome, El Capitan and some of the tallest waterfalls in the world. When you’re ready to head to the lodge, follow the signs to CA-120 West. Stay on CA-120 until you exit Yosemite National Park. 15 miles after exiting Yosemite, the entrance to Firefall will be on your left-hand side on Highway 120.
From the Lake Tahoe area
Drive time: 4.5 - 5 hours
Take CA-89 South to I-395 South. Make a right onto CA-120 West and enter Yosemite National Park (note that Tioga Pass located on CA-120 closes each winter – please see below). Continue to Crane Flat and make a right following the signs towards San Francisco. Exit the Park.
15 miles after exiting Yosemite, the entrance to Firefall will be on your left-hand side on Highway 120.
From Mammoth Lakes
Drive time: 3 hours
Take I-395 North. Make a left onto CA-120 West and begin following the “Lake Tahoe Area” directions above.