Groveland, Mariposa, or Oakhurst in October

Question

Hey all,

Planning a trip to Yosemite for 4 days in the park and 4 nights in mid October. Staying in the park isn’t an option and we’re passing on el portal as we’re willing to drive a little more to have more dining options and better accommodations.

Our itinerary is basically

Day 1: Drive to Glacier Point (Half day/short hike)

Day 2: Yosemite Valley (shuttle to glacier point and hike down, evening in the valley)

Day 3: Tioga pass rd (make stops, tenanya lake)

Day 4: Mariposa grove (possibly head back to valley)

Day 5: departure to SFO

From what I can see, it doesn’t really save any considerable time from any of these 3 locations? If this is correct, which has the best food, small “downtown” to kill time after dark?

Answer

For a mid-October Yosemite trip with 4 nights outside the park, Groveland, Mariposa, and Oakhurst are all viable options. Driving times to Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point are relatively similar, so the choice mainly comes down to dining options, small-town atmosphere, and overall convenience.

Driving times and accessibility:

Groveland: About 1–1.25 hours to Yosemite Valley via Big Oak Flat entrance. Closest to Glacier Point if using the Wawona Road route, slightly shorter than Mariposa or Oakhurst for Day 1’s visit.
Mariposa: Roughly 1–1.25 hours to Yosemite Valley via South Entrance/Wawona Road. Convenient for Mariposa Grove on Day 4, but slightly longer for Glacier Point.
Oakhurst: About 1 hour to Yosemite Valley via South Entrance. Closest to Mariposa Grove and Tioga Pass Road on some routes. A bit farther for Glacier Point unless taking a longer scenic route.

Dining and small-town amenities:

Groveland: Small historic downtown with a few restaurants, cafes, and bars. Cozy and walkable. Popular spots include Iron Door Saloon and local bistros. Limited but charming options.
Mariposa: Largest of the three towns with a more developed downtown, offering a wider variety of restaurants, coffee shops, and grocery stores. Good for evening strolls and casual dining after a day in the park.
Oakhurst: Suburban feel with several chain restaurants, cafes, and some local eateries. Convenient for groceries and quick meals. Downtown is small but less historic in character than Groveland or Mariposa.

Other considerations:

October evenings can be cool; Groveland and Mariposa both have charming streets to walk and explore after dark.
Oakhurst offers more modern conveniences and stores, which is useful if you want options for supplies or quick meals.
All three towns have lodging ranging from motels to small inns. Mariposa typically has the widest selection, including some upscale options.

Recommendation:

If your priority is a small, walkable, historic town with a cozy evening atmosphere, Groveland is ideal. If you prefer more dining options and a slightly livelier downtown after dark, Mariposa is the best choice. Oakhurst works well for convenience and proximity to Mariposa Grove but is less scenic for evening strolls.

Overall, time differences to Yosemite are minimal, so choose based on ambiance, dining, and personal preference rather than driving efficiency.

Groveland, Mariposa, or Oakhurst in October

More Yosemite National Park Travel Questions

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions