Yosemite from San Diego, Oct 16–18: $2,013 for two, all in
The verdict
Our verdict
Worth it, because
- Southwest nonstop, 1h 15m, landing in Fresno at 9:45 AM
- Forecast highs 77–80°F with a 0% rain chance each day
- Free cancellation at 28 Raccoon's End, a two-bedroom house rated 8
The catch: A checked bag is about $140 for two and isn't in the total, and the three houses have only 1 to 3 reviews each.
Worth it if you want a quick nature weekend of trails and big views; skip it if you want a town with nightlife.
Worth it for the two of you: the trip is $2,013 for two, all in. That's the flights at $910 plus 2 nights at 28 Raccoon's End at $1,103, taxes and fees included, but not a checked bag or spending money. You leave Friday, Oct 16 and come back Sunday, Oct 18, 2026, on a Southwest nonstop from San Diego to Fresno that takes 1h 15m.
The total, before you go
$2,013 for two · 2 nights · flights, hotel, taxes & fees
| For two | |
|---|---|
| Flights for two, round trip | $910 |
| 28 Raccoon's End, 2 nights, two guests, taxes in | $1,103 |
| The total, before you go | $2,013 |
| A checked bag each, round trip (not in the total) | about $140 |
Not in it: seat picks on basic fares and a checked bag (about $35 each way per bag on Southwest, $140 for two round trip); a resort fee, if the hotel has one, is collected at the desk. Prices are what we found at the time shown; the booking site’s checkout is the binding one.
The flight
$455 per person, round trip
$910 for two, taxes and fees included · Southwest · nonstop · 1h 15m
Out Fri, Oct 16, 8:30 AM – Fri, Oct 16, 9:45 AM
| Airline | Per person | Stops | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest | $455 | nonstop | 1h 15m |
| Alaska. Operated by SkyWest Airlines as Alaska SkyWest | $475 | nonstop | 1h 30m |
| Southwest | $455 | nonstop | 1h 20m |
Prices checked Oct 13, 2026, 1:18 PM PDT. Prices change; the binding price is the one on the booking site.
Paid links: when you book through a link on this page, the booking site pays us a referral fee. Your price does not change. How we earn
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Why now
The $455 per person fare on a Southwest nonstop is $4 below the $459 median of our earlier checks on this route, about 1% under. Those checks also went as low as $437, so this isn't the lowest we've seen. With the hotel added, it comes to $2,013 for two, all in. The forecast for Oct 16–18 runs from clear to overcast, with highs of 77–80°F, lows of 55–56°F and a 0% rain chance each day. That's good hiking weather. Mid-October also comes before snow closes Tioga and Glacier Point roads, which happens from November, so a sunset at Glacier Point is still possible. The waterfalls run at full force from April to June, not now, so come for the granite, the sequoias and the trails rather than the spray.
The kind of trip this is
This is a nature weekend: granite walls, giant sequoias and long days on the trail, then quiet evenings in a two-bedroom house in Wawona. It suits a couple who like to hike, or two friends who want room to spread out. Expect early starts and full days outdoors. With only 2 nights, you'll get more out of it with a plan than by wandering.
Weather in Yosemite, Oct 16–18
Highs 77–80°F, little rain expected
| Day | High | Low | Rain chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Oct 16 | 80 °F | 55 °F | 0% |
| Sat, Oct 17 | 79 °F | 56 °F | 0% |
| Sun, Oct 18 | 77 °F | 55 °F | 0% |
Where to stay in Yosemite
All three picks are two-bedroom houses, room only, with free cancellation. 28 Raccoon's End in Wawona is the best value and the one in our total: $1,103 for 2 nights, or $552 a night, rated 8 from 3 reviews. (30A) Dunning's Retreat at The Redwoods In Yosemite, also in Wawona, is the top rated at 9, though that's from a single review, at $1,107, or $554 a night. (8) Nugent's Nest at The Redwoods In Yosemite in North Wawona is the budget pick at $1,065, or $533 a night, rated 6.5 from 2 reviews. If you'd rather sleep beneath the big walls, Yosemite Valley has The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge and Curry Village. Oakhurst / Fish Camp has hotels near the south entrance and the Mariposa Grove.
28 Raccoon's End
$1,103 for 2 nights, two guests · $552 a night
See rooms(30A) Dunning's Retreat at The Redwoods In Yosemite
$1,107 for 2 nights, two guests · $554 a night
See rooms(8) Nugent's Nest at The Redwoods In Yosemite
$1,065 for 2 nights, two guests · $533 a night
See roomsAll hotels in Yosemite for these dates
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Where in Yosemite
- Yosemite Valley: The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge and Curry Village beneath the big walls.
- Oakhurst / Fish Camp: Hotels near the south entrance and the Mariposa Grove of sequoias.
- El Portal: Lodges on the Merced River just outside the west gate.
- Mariposa: Gold Rush town with motels and B&Bs an hour from the valley.
- Groveland: Historic town on the Highway 120 approach from the Bay Area.
What to do in Yosemite
- Hike the Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls on a clear morning
- Watch sunset on Half Dome from Glacier Point while the road is still open
- Walk among the giant sequoias of the Mariposa Grove
- Photograph El Capitan from Tunnel View
Also worth it
- Stand beneath Yosemite Falls in May
- Drive Tioga Road to Tuolumne Meadows in summer
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Getting there and around
| Airports in San Diego | San Diego International (SAN) |
|---|---|
| Airports in Yosemite | Fresno Yosemite International (FAT), San Francisco International (SFO) |
| Flight time | 1h 15m nonstop |
| Distance | 374 miles each way |
| Time difference | same time zone |
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What 2 nights in Yosemite costs
| Estimate | |
|---|---|
| Flights for two | $910 |
| Hotel, 2 nights (28 Raccoon's End) | $1,103 |
| Food, getting around and tickets, 2 days for two | $520 |
| Total for two | $2,533 |
Flights and hotel are the prices we found; spending is a planning estimate for an upscale destination, per person per day times two.
Price history: San Diego to Yosemite
| Per person | |
|---|---|
| This trip | $455 per person |
| Lowest in the last 30 days | $437 (Oct 12, 2026) |
| Typical price, last 60 days | $459 |
| Price checks | 6 |
Good to know
- Passport: no passport needed for travelers from the United States: a government photo ID is enough for Yosemite.
- Currency: US dollar (USD).
- No passport needed. You pay in US dollars, and Yosemite is on the same time as San Diego.
- You fly into Fresno Yosemite International (FAT). San Francisco International (SFO) is the other airport listed for the park.
- The $455 fare is per person, round trip, with taxes and fees included, as found when we checked. Prices change.
- Add $520 in spending money for two, or $130 per person per day, and the trip budget comes to $2,533.
- Snow closes Tioga and Glacier Point roads from November through May, but the valley stays open.
Questions readers ask
Is it worth it?
Yes, for a hiking weekend. It's a 1h 15m nonstop, the forecast is dry with highs of 77–80°F, and the fare is $4 below the $459 median of our earlier checks. The honest downside: the houses have very few reviews.
How much is the whole trip for two?
It's $2,013, all in: $910 for two Southwest round trips and $1,103 for 2 nights at 28 Raccoon's End, with taxes and fees included. A checked bag runs about $140 for two, and spending money is extra.
What is the weather like?
The forecast is clear on Oct 16 and 18 and overcast on Oct 17. Highs are 77–80°F, lows are 55–56°F, and the rain chance is 0% all three days.
Is 2 nights enough?
It's enough for one big hike like the Mist Trail, a Glacier Point sunset and a walk in the Mariposa Grove. The 8:30 AM flight lands at 9:45 AM on Friday, so you get most of day one.
Are there other flights?
There's an Alaska nonstop operated by SkyWest at 9:40 AM, which takes 1h 30m and costs $475 per person. Southwest also has a 9:15 PM nonstop that lands at 10:35 PM for the same $455 per person.
Do I need a passport?
No. It's a domestic trip of 374 miles, you pay in US dollars, and there's no time difference.
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Yosemite in pictures
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