Most of you will be coming from the Bay Area, so here is the route we find the most direct and quickest…

  • Head east on I-238 S toward Castro Valley/Stockton/I-580
  • Merge onto I-580 E
  • Continue onto I-205 E (signs for Interstate 205/Tracy/Stockton)
  • Merge onto I-5 N
  • Take the exit onto CA-120 E toward Manteca/Sonora
  • Keep left at the fork, follow signs for CA-99 N / Sacramento / CA-120 / Sonora N and merge onto CA-120 E/CA-99 N
  • Take the CA-120 E/Yosemite Ave exit toward Sonora
  • Turn right onto CA-120 E/E Yosemite Ave
  • Continue to follow CA-120 E
  • Turn left onto CA-108 E/CA-120 E (also known as E ‘F’ Street)
  • Continue to follow CA-108 E/CA-120 E
  • Turn right onto CA-120 E (Old Priest Grade) or continue to New Priest Grade

Your biggest driving decision will be to drive up 'the Old Priest Grade' or 'the New Priest Grade'; both are labeled Hwy 120E. The Old Grade is 2 lane, there isn’t a guardrail & is very steep. It takes 5 (white knuckle) minutes to get to the top. Put your car in 2nd gear (sometimes 1st) all the way.

The new grade is wider, well-paved, less winding yet still steep, and takes 20 minutes. The views from both roads are tremendous.  We always travel the Old Grade.

Via New Priest Grade

Via Old Priest Grade

**When you reach the top of the grade you will be ~ 10 minutes from your destination. 
You’ll need to pass through the main gate. Your name will be on a list with the gate attendant. To avoid a parking fee, be sure you tell them you’re our guests. In case they ask, our unit and lot # is 8/74.


On the Way to Pine Mountain Lake

It ought to take you about 3 hours to arrive, even with a few short stops along the way. If you follow this route, here are a few of our tried & true favorites to enjoy along the way:

The Big Dipper

Homemade ice cream, frozen yogurt, milk shakes, sandwiches
1512 California Street
Escalon, CA
Phone: (209) 838-7063
Website: https://www.thebigdipperescalon.weebly.com

Green Pea Boutique

Antiques
1802 Main Street
Escalon, CA 95320
Phone: (209) 838-1913
Website: http://thegreenpeaboutique.blogspot.fr/

Starbucks

Best place to stop for coffee & a bio-break. It’s also a drive-thru spot.
325 E. F Street
Oakdale, CA

I Love Paris

Fun French-themed items, in the shop next door to Starbucks.
325 E F St # C
Oakdale, CA
Phone: (209) 847-4783
Website: www.shopiloveparis.com/

Arco

Best gas prices along the way
1505 E 'F' Street ('F' Street is also called CA HWY 108)
Oakdale, CA 95361