| Yosemite National Park is one of United States’ | | | | White Wolf, Tuolumne Meadows, Lee Vining, June |
| first national parks. It received that designation in 1890 | | | | Lake and Mammoth Lakes. |
| with the prodding of naturalist John Muir. Today over | | | | Three: You may wish to reserve a rental car for |
| 3.5 million people visit the 1200 acres of the park | | | | maximum flexibility. Most of the car rental facilities are |
| annually. | | | | on 13th or 16th Streets in Merced, at least one mile |
| Fortunately, Yosemite National Park has Amtrak | | | | away from the train station. Therefore you should |
| service close by on the San Joaquin service. From | | | | check with your rental car agency to see whether |
| Merced, CA, you have automobile and bus alternatives | | | | they can pick you up at the train station or if you will |
| to the park. Here are five tips/hints for effectively | | | | need to take a taxi to get there. |
| traveling to/from Yosemite by land: | | | | Four: If it is more convenient to start your trip in San |
| One: There are three or four Amtrak trains northbound | | | | Francisco or Southern California, Amtrak has |
| from Bakersfield and southbound from Sacramento or | | | | connecting service. There are six locations in San |
| Oakland each day that have connecting service to | | | | Francisco where travelers can connect to an Amtrak |
| Yosemite. At Merced, connect to the Yosemite Area | | | | Thruway bus to Oakland. In Los Angeles, there is |
| Regional Transportation System (YARTS) bus right at | | | | connecting train or bus service from San Diego, |
| the Amtrak station. The YARTS bus stops in Catheys | | | | Oceanside, and Santa Ana. From Los Angeles, there is |
| Valley, Mariposa, Midpines and El Portal on its way to | | | | dedicated bus service to Bakersfield. For all of these |
| from Yosemite. In the park itself, the bus stops at the | | | | services, there is through ticketing that allows you to |
| Yosemite Lodge, Valley Visitor Center, Ahwahnee | | | | travel the various buses and trains on one ticket! |
| Hotel and Curry Village. The same bus will get you | | | | Five: The San Joaquins are all-reserved trains. To |
| back to the Amtrak Merced station in time to board | | | | experience Amtrak coach service, you must make |
| your outbound train. | | | | advanced reservations. By buying your tickets in |
| Two: From the Visitor Center, you can connect with | | | | advance for both Amtrak and connecting services to |
| another YARTS bus to the rest of Yosemite and | | | | Yosemite, you may be able to receive discounted |
| beyond to Mammoth Lakes. This service runs only | | | | advance purchase fares or special fares for students |
| when the Tioga Pass is open, which is typically from | | | | and seniors. |
| June to September. The bus goes to Crane Flat, | | | | |