Nice budget motel just outside of Park?

Hi All,

I am new to this forum but sounds like from previous post everybody is very helpful so I am hoping you can shed some light on this:

I am booking for 2 elderly couples going to Yosemite from 6/13 - 6/16. They will be driving by rental car from SFO airport. I have following questions:

1) Due to budget, I need to find them a motel just outside of the park but with a national chain name, eg. best western or comfort inn, econolodge..etc. Where would you suggest I look?

2) Should I try to find them a motel close to a particular entrance? Where is a closest town?

Many thanks!

Nice budget motel just outside of Park?

There are no national chains right next to the park. The closest one to a park boundary is probably the Best Western at Buck Meadows, which is a pretty basic motel about 15 minutes from the northern entrance to the park, but another 45 minutes to the valley. The closer you get to the park, the more expensive it becomes. Also, you may find lodging to be hard to come by this close to your date.

El Portal is the closest area to Yosemite Valley that has motels. The Yoesmite View Lodge and the Cedar Lodge are located there. For budget motel chains, and coming form SF, your closest town would be Mariposa, off route 140, which is about an hour from the park.

Nice budget motel just outside of Park?

You know there is a Shilo Inn right in Oakhurst near the southern entrance. You%26#39;d have quick access to the Mariposa Sequoia Grove and Wawona but it would be about 1 hour to the valley which is about the same as from Mariposa where there is some less expensive lodging.

There is also a Best Western Gateway in Oakhurst. Also close to teh southern entrance same as Shilo. Here%26#39;s a link:

http://www.yosemitegatewayinn.com/

Also in Oakhurst is a Ramada Inn, located right across from Erna%26#39;s Elderberry House which is a 5 star destination restaurant. They have a small pool and the property looks very clean and well kept. There are several nice places to eat in Oakhurst including Three Sisters and El Cid for Mexican food. Have fun! :)

The reason I didn%26#39;t mention Oakhurst is because cclpc is driving in from SF, and Oakhurst is quite a bit out of the way from the routes normally taken from SF. Not impossible, of course, but certainly a long diversion.

Yeah, Macjack I thought about that too but since there was a request for national chains outside the park you do what you can.

Sonora to the valley is about the same distance as Oakhurst to the valley with plenty of national chains. www.TCVB.com is the visitor%26#39;s bureau website and can provide direct links.

If you choose Sonora as a home base, the travelers will also be in a great spot to see some of the wonderful gold rush historic sites on their way into Yosemite and are well located for some very fine dining, Jamestown%26#39;s National Hotel provides a great meal at a fair price.

I am curious as to why a national chain is important.

Many thanks for all your expert advice!

The only reason for the national chain is because these older folks are coming from out of the country and since I personally cannot be there, I am just somewhat more comfortable to send them to a name I know even though i recognize they are just franchise as well.

As you all predict (:-), most rooms are already sold out in Mariposa and Oakhurst except for higher price. I only find a Travelodge at Merced. Is this town close to Yosemite at all if I am driving from San Francisco? Any other town suggestions?

Many many thanks!!

Along 120 there are Oakdale %26amp; Manteca, but now you are 2-2.5 hours out of the valley. Did you give Sonora a try?

Thanks HotelCharlotte. I found a BestWestern there but it%26#39;s about $125/night. Could you tell me how far away is Sonora? Is there a map where I can see where all these towns are from Yosemite park?

Thanks again.