Take a Yosemite Adventure with your Eyes, Not the Car

The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias in Yosemite National Park recently reopened following three years of restoration to save the lives of the trees. Along with the unveiling comes a new hassle-free option for traveling to the grove that’s filled with some of the largest trees on earth if you are headed from various Southern California locations.(Photo courtesy of Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau)

Amtrak San Joaquin train and Yosemite Area Regional Transit System (YARTS) bus take visitors from southern California destinations directly to the park and the big trees.   Once in Yosemite Valley, visitors can ride the free shuttle bus to iconic locations or take a guided bus tour bus or transportation via jeep or SUV.

 

Therese Williams, Public Relations Director from Visit Yosemite Madera County said, “Visiting Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias in Yosemite National Park to see the biggest trees on earth should be on everyone’s “bucket list.”  Amtrak San Joaquin train and YARTS bus makes travelers’ visits to the National Park both relaxing and unforgettable.”

Reasons to ride and not drive

If you’re headed to Yosemite National Park, why endure time behind the wheel? Adventure with your eyes on nature instead of the road. Here are some reasons to take public transportation or private tour and why it’s a simply unbeatable option.

1. It’s so efficient

It is an efficient way to get around to the destinations on your bucket list. If you only have one or two days to see Yosemite National Park, leave the hassle of driving to someone else.  Avoid the possibility of traffic and looking for a parking space.

 

2. Adventure with your eyes

When you are in an unfamiliar environment, you focus on the road, traffic signals or maps, and it can be very stressful. Let professional drivers take the stress away for you, so you can fully appreciate the awesomeness before you. (Photo courtesy Visit Yosemite Madera County)

3. Free up time for trip planning

When you go on vacation, a lot of planning occurs each day. When you take public transportation or a tour, this is all done for you, freeing your time up to create memories.

4. Lots less tiring

There is always so much you want to see on a trip and a lot of walking to be done, but taking public transportation or a tour delivers you directly to important sites, cutting out some of the tiring stuff.

5. Meet other travelers

If you take public transportation or a tour, you will be surrounded with other visitors aboard. This makes for interesting conversation to learn about new cultures, explore the world together, or share places to eat and drink. This is a great option for solo travelers!

6. Tour drivers are informed experts

Guided tour drivers know Yosemite National Park. They can take you on an unforgettable journey, providing you with history, current information and fun facts.(Photo courtesy Visit Yosemite Madera County)

How to reserve

Booking to Mariposa Grove is simple. Travelers can visit https://www.amtrak.com/san-joaquins and enter departure and arrival destinations. Be sure to select Mariposa Grove (YOM) as the destination. Visitors arrive at Fresno Amtrak then transfer to a YARTS through-way bus which makes a stop at Mariposa Grove. Their purchased train ticket gets them on the bus and into the park.  If traveling from Southern California, they will connect at Union Station (LAX) through Fresno to Mariposa Grove (YOM).  Currently a Friends and Family discount is available. (Buy 1 get up to 5 tickets 50% Off). A visitor’s train ticket is also the bus ticket.

YARTS Schedule: https://yarts.com/routes-and-schedules/fresno-madera-yosemite-valley/

You Tube Video: Take Amtrak San Joaquins to Yosemite National Park: https://youtu.be/tsJjs2bJzZ4