Nat & Cynthia
Nat & Cynthia
Travel
Paradise Springs
Driving Directions
Wherever you're coming from, make your way to Oakhurst, CA. Head north out of town on Rt. 41 for 3.8 miles, then take a right on Road 632/Sky Ranch Road. Follow signs for Paradise Springs up this road for 6.7 miles; after a few miles the name of the road will change to Road 10 (sometimes displayed on maps as 6S10). Take a right at the sign for Paradise Springs. You're there! The road is paved but twisty, so go slow!
Note: Google may suggest that you take one of the many dirt roads in the area. We would view such advice with extreme caution. You may find a beautiful shortcut past lovely granite outcrops, hidden waterfalls, and shady groves. Or you may puncture your oil pan and get lost for weeks. The recommended route to Paradise Springs takes only paved roads; if you find yourself on dirt, you might consider turning around.
Note 2: Cell service is spotty-to-nonexistent at Paradise Springs. Please take appropriate precautions.
Paradise Springs Camping
You can camp on-site! Cost is $45 per tent/truck/RV/tarp per night. You can contact Debby@paradisespringsmountain.com to confirm a spot.
There is a bathhouse with five men's and five women's showers as well as bathroom facilities. We hope that many of you will take advantage of this and spend the whole weekend with us!
For Those Flying in from Afar
The closest airports are, in descending order:
-Fresno (1:20 driving time)
-Oakland (3:30)
-San Jose (3:30)
-San Francisco (3:45)
-Los Angeles (5:00)
Note that these times do not include holiday traffic or rush hour. Leave extra time if you're coming in Friday night.
Out-of-towners will probably want to rent a car. Let us know if you're looking for a car-sharing buddy.
Break up the drive!
If you're driving up to Paradise Springs from the Bay Area, you'll probably want to stop for food and to stretch your legs on the way. Here are some suggestions we've discovered in our extensive explorations of California:
-La Estrella Taqueria, Manteca, CA - this taqueria features in many of our trips to the Yosemite area. The al pastor burrito and mixed fajitas come highly recommended. And don't forget to sample all of the grilled peppers and salsas at the salsa bar.
-Camp 4 Wine Cafe, Modesto, CA - owned by late pioneering climber Royal Robbins's son, this wine bar serves paninis and salads and has a great California-based wine list.
-Priest Station Cafe, Big Oak Flat, CA - this cafe isn't on the way if you're going straight from the Bay to Paradise Springs. But if you take a detour to Yosemite Valley and drive on Rt. 120, you'll go right past it. Owned by relatives of the famous mountaineer Conrad Anker, the Priest Station Cafe has great food and a wonderful patio overlooking the foothills.
Other stops could include walking the charming foothill town of Mariposa (Castillo's is good for Mexican food) or looking for migratory birds at the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge.
Lodging in the Area
There are lots of hotels, rentals, and other accommodations in Oakhurst, CA, 11 miles from Paradise Springs. There are also options in Fish Camp (17 mi) and Bass Lake (13 mi), as well as rental properties sprinkled throughout the area. If you're staying offsite, please use good judgment with driving and alcohol!
The Yosemite area is incredibly popular over the 4th of July weekend and demand for hotel rooms often outstrips supply. We strongly recommend booking as soon as possible. If you run out of options, you can always camp on-site or dirtbag it in the woods (see below).
Some hotels in Oakhurst, arranged roughly in ascending order of fanciness:
America's Best Value Inn Yosemite Southgate
Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway
Outside Oakhurst
These are some other options in the area.
The Narrow Gauge Inn (Recommended for railroad enthusiasts)
Cabins/House Rentals
In addition to hotels, consider looking at properties listed on Air BnB and VRBO. There are a good number of rental properties in the area and they can be a nice alternative to hotels. If you get a group of people together, you can probably save some money as well. If you need help finding an age-appropriate group of people, we can broker introductions upon request.
Dirtbag Options
Paradise Springs is surrounded by National Forest land and a maze of dirt roads. If you want to throw a tent up somewhere in the woods, no one is probably going to stop you. Sierra National Forest rules apply.