Are there any stores inside Yosemite park?

[ruadisneyfan2]

We'll be driving from San Fran and we're considering renting a vacation home in Yosemite West. From what I've read, if we want to make a grocery stop before entering the park, the neares is in the town of Oakdale. Since it's still approx 2.5 hours to the house, we'll need a cooler for any perishables. I guess a box of popsicles is out.

Is there a store near the valley floor to buy milk? I'd rather buy that closer to our vac home. A quart or half gallon would be good. If not, we'll have to really load up on the ice.

 

[skiingfast]

Yes there are small grocery stores in the park. Expect something like a convinience store with basics.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Yes there are small grocery stores in the park. Expect something like a convinience store with basics.

That's perfect. Thank you!!

 

[Wallrat]

The Yosemite store by the Ahwahnee is a full grocery store. You can get everything you need from steaks to baby food and every type of Yosemite souvenir you can imagine. They'll have soy, rice, and regular milk. Full fat, 2 percent, 1 percent and non fat. In other words, it'll be fully stocked.

 

[woody73]

There's also a well-stocked convenience store at the Yosemite Lodge.

Woody

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Thank you. I think we could stop at a regular grocery store further away for non-perishables and once we're in Yosemite, stop at a convenience store for milk, eggs, etc.

 

[woody73]

Be sure to top off the gas tank in Oakdale. There are NO gas stations on the Yosemite Valley floor.

Woody

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Be sure to top off the gas tank in Oakdale. There are NO gas stations on the Yosemite Valley floor.

Woody

Thanks! We'll be coming from San Fran. Google maps leads us in on Rt. 120 but I've read it's worth it to drive the extra distance to enter the park by Rt. 140. Supposed to be a much less stressful drive with fewer twists & turns.
Is this correct?

 

[woody73]

Thanks! We'll be coming from San Fran. Google maps leads us in on Rt. 120 but I've read it's worth it to drive the extra distance to enter the park by Rt. 140. Supposed to be a much less stressful drive with fewer twists & turns.
Is this correct?

We drive in from L.A., so I'm not sure of the best way from S.F.

Either way, you want to tank up before arriving in Yosemite.

Woody

 

[GrandBob]

Thanks! We'll be coming from San Fran. Google maps leads us in on Rt. 120 but I've read it's worth it to drive the extra distance to enter the park by Rt. 140. Supposed to be a much less stressful drive with fewer twists & turns.
Is this correct?

Strongly disagree. When I lived in SF, I would always take 120. I think that the drive through the Merced canyon down 140 is much more twisty and stressful than 120. 120 has some twists and turns also, but not nearly as bad as on 140. Also, 120 is at much higher elevation; I much prefer the mountain and alpine meadow scenery on 120 to the rock walls you see on 140.

The one place on 120 where you'll get a lot of switchbacks is right after passing Moccasin Reservoir. Personally, I always bypassed that long set of switchbacks by taking Old Priest Grade Road. It's nearly straight up, but the operative words there are "straight" and "up" But that sudden rise in elevation just before Groveland only lasts a couple of miles. And whichever way you take it (120 or Priest Grade), you then have a long, mostly straight shot into Yosemite at a pleasantly high elevation.

-Bob
P.S. Groveland is a good place to tank up.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

There is a nice grocery store in Yosemite Village that will have just about everything you need when you are are Yosemite West.

I prefer coming in the south entrance. I forget which one was steeper for us coming in, 120 or 140, but whichever road you take, they are all well maintained.

I agree with gassing up before you get into the park. There are no gas stations in Yosemite Valley, and the closest ones would be either at Crane Flat off of the 120, or at the Wawona Hotel off of the 41.