Trip to Yosemite National Park
♦ Routes (free): Detailed travel itineraries in USA
General
Yosemite is a massive national park, covering an area of 3,093 square kilometers, in the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountains in eastern California. The park features forests with giant trees, alpine scenery, and a charming valley with impressive waterfalls, cliffs, and uniquely shaped rocks. The source of the park's name is the word "Uzumati," the nickname for the grizzly bear in the language of the Native Americans who once lived in the area. Today, there are no longer grizzly bears in the area, but black bears and many other wild animals live in the park.
Yosemite was declared a national park as early as 1890 and has since become one of the most famous nature sites in the world. It is considered the most popular landscape site in California and attracts over four million visitors every year, most of them in the summer months, although it is open to visitors year-round. The park has 420 km of roads, over 1,300 km of hiking trails, and 13 km of bike paths.
The most traveled and famous area in the park, where there is a high concentration of wonderful natural sights, is Yosemite Valley, which is 11 km long and 1.6 km wide (at its widest part). For those who dedicate only one day to a trip in the park, it is recommended to travel only there. The optimal duration of stay for a family in the park is two days, although many travelers can spend over a week among its trails.
The park has many diverse activities including guided tours by rangers, horseback riding, cycling, performances in the valley's amphitheater, boating, fishing, and more. Most activities involve an additional fee. Details about the various activities can be obtained at the visitor centers and in the park newspaper.
Large parts of the park are closed to car traffic during the winter months (November-May).
Book Yosemite tours for two or three days from San Francisco:
Park Location and Transportation
The park is located in the eastern part of the state of California, about a four-and-a-half-hour drive from San Francisco and about 6 hours from Los Angeles. The closest airport to the park is in Fresno, at a distance of 144 km from the southern entrance of the park.
The park can also be reached by public transportation from Merced.
The park has four entrances from different directions:
The southern entrance is reached from Highway 41, north of Fresno. The southwestern entrance, Arch Rock Entrance, is reached from Highway 140 east of Merced. The northwestern entrance, Big Oak Flat, which is the most convenient for those coming from San Francisco, is reached via Highway 120 east of Manteca. The eastern entrance, Tioga Pass Entrance, which is open only in the summer months, is reached from Lee Vining (about 16 km from the entrance) via Highway 120 West.
In winter, the most convenient way to enter Yosemite Valley is via Highway 140 through Mariposa, as it hardly passes through high mountains and therefore snow chains are usually not required.
Inside the park, the roads are comfortable for driving (some are closed in the winter months). Some of the roads in Yosemite Valley are closed to private car driving, and travel on them is by a shuttle bus that operates free of charge year-round. The bus runs at a very high frequency and stops near all the interesting sites in the valley and near the popular hiking trails. In the summer months, a shuttle bus also runs to the southern part of the park: Wawona and the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias. Another line that operates only in the summer months runs between Tenaya Lake and the Tuolumne Meadows Lodge.
Many organized tours to all parts of the park also depart from Yosemite Valley. A tour of about two hours in open-air trams among the most impressive sights and central attractions in the park. Highly recommended for those whose time is short and who wish to see Yosemite Valley easily and comfortably. Details about the organized tours can be obtained at all visitor centers in the park.
Weather
In Yosemite Park, there are significant altitude differences between the various areas, a fact that causes significant differences in weather from area to area. Therefore, it is recommended to dress in the layering method in all seasons. Yosemite Valley has the most comfortable weather. The summer is hot and dry, and the winter is quite rainy, but temperatures are usually comfortable. In the high areas, much snow falls, and the valley receives much less snow. The months of April and November are the transition months where warm and sunny days can unexpectedly turn rainy and stormy. Phone for checking weather conditions and road status in the park: 209-372-0200.
♦ Recommended Accommodations in and Around the Park:
It is recommended to book accommodation in Yosemite long in advance (preferably many months in advance!) because demand far exceeds supply, both inside the park (where it is recommended to book even a year in advance) and outside the park.
♦ Best Western Plus Yosemite Way Station
A 3-star level hotel with breakfast. Pool (seasonal), free internet and parking.
A 3-star level hotel with breakfast. Free internet and parking.
♦ Yosemite Nights Bed & Breakfast
A 3-star level hotel with breakfast. Free internet and parking.
♦ 5th Street Inn
A 3-star level hotel. Free internet and parking.
♦ Quality Inn Yosemite Valley Gateway
A 2-star level hotel with breakfast. There are also family suites with a fully equipped kitchen. Seasonal pool and jacuzzi. Free internet and parking.
♦ Family cabins and vacation rentals:
If you are planning to pass through Tioga Pass from the western side of the park to the eastern side through the impressive Sierra Nevada mountains, it is recommended not to drive this long way back and forth on the same day, but to stay overnight in Lee Vining and return only the next day, or continue your trip in the charming tour sites located east of Yosemite such as: Mammoth Lakes, Mono Lake, and many others.
Where to Visit in the Park:
Yosemite Valley
This is the main center of attraction and activity in Yosemite Park. Its area is only 18 square kilometers, but rivers, lakes, many waterfalls, visitor centers and museums, viewpoints, impressive cliffs, and many hiking trails are concentrated in it. It is worth dedicating a full day to visiting the valley to make the most of it.
Below is a list of the most recommended sights and trips in the valley.
Valley Visitor Center
Located in the center of the valley in "Yosemite Village." At the center, you can get information, maps, and explanations from the rangers, and in addition, there is a display of the park's nature and history, and films about the park are screened there. Before you continue your visit, take a copy of the Yosemite Park newspaper, Yosemite Guide, which contains up-to-date information on all activities in the park in addition to a description of the wildlife, flora, recommended trips, and weather in Yosemite. Adjacent to the visitor center is the Yosemite Museum, which features displays on the culture of the Native Americans and indigenous people who once lived in the area.
Additional visitor centers are located in several other areas of the park: Wawona, Big Oak Flat, and Tuolumne Meadows, but they are much smaller and it is definitely enough to visit the large visitor center in the valley.
Yosemite Valley Viewpoints
Two excellent viewpoints from which there is a spectacular view of the river, waterfalls, and giant cliffs are "Valley View Turnout" and "Tunnel View." Do not miss either of them! They are located not far from each other on Highways 41 and 140 on the roads leading to the valley from the southern and western entrances. The view from "Tunnel View" is especially spectacular during sunset.
In Yosemite Valley, there are large and impressive cliffs, each of which has been given a name: Three Brothers, El Capitan, Cathedral Spires, North Dome, and Half Dome.
Half Dome:
Yosemite Falls
Do not miss a visit to at least some of the waterfalls in the park. The main abundance of waterfalls is in the spring and early summer. Starting from mid-July, the flows dwindle and the waterfalls are less impressive. One of the most popular is Yosemite Fall, which is the highest waterfall in North America and the fifth highest in the entire world. The waterfall is divided into two: Upper Yosemite Fall and Lower Yosemite Fall, and its total height is over 800 meters.
A short and comfortable walking path, located near the bus stop, leads to the bottom of the waterfall. A hiking trail leads to the top of the lower waterfall and also continues to the top of the upper waterfall. For an average family, the easy and impressive hiking trail to the lower waterfall will definitely suffice. The climb to the upper waterfall is quite difficult (on a steep ascent) and is suitable only for those in high physical condition.
Bridalveil Fall
An easy hiking trail of 800 meters (about 20 minutes round trip). This is the second highest waterfall in Yosemite. Access to the waterfall is convenient and the sight is impressive.
Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall
The Mist Trail is a very popular hiking trail in Yosemite that starts at "Happy Isles" and passes near the two impressive waterfalls, Vernal and Nevada. The trail is not easy, as a large part of it is uphill, but you will get to see beautiful rainbows near the waterfalls. The length of the trail is about 2.2 km. Not recommended for families with small children.
"Happy Isles"
Two tiny islands around which the Merced River flows powerfully. The islands are within a short walking distance from the bus stop. Wooden bridges connect the islands. A lovely place for a trip and a picnic in nature. Near the islands is the Nature Center at Happy Isles (open from May to October) which features nice displays of wildlife, flora, and natural phenomena unique to the Yosemite area. Especially suitable for children!
"Mirror Lake"
An easy walking trail about 1.6 km long leads from the bus stop to a small lake that dries up at the end of summer.
In the spring, the impressive cliffs of Yosemite Valley, especially "Half Dome," are reflected in the lake's waters, creating a picture that inspires admiration. The walking path to the lake goes along a dirt road and is not particularly exciting.
Giant Sequoia Trees:
Glacier Point
This is the best viewpoint over the entire Yosemite Valley, from a height of about 1,000 meters. It is located at a distance of about 48 km from Yosemite Valley. The road to this point is open for passage in the months of May – September (if weather conditions allow). In winter the road is blocked by snow.
Mariposa Grove
Yosemite Park has three groves of giant sequoia trees. The largest of them is "Mariposa Grove" adjacent to the southern entrance to the park. Driving inside the grove is forbidden, so you can tour it by walking among the trees or by riding in special trams for a modest fee. The largest tree in the grove is the Grizzly Giant: its height is 64 meters and the diameter of its trunk at the base is about 11 meters. In the "California Tree," there is a tunnel through which travelers can pass. Among the trees, you can meet many wild animals such as deer and squirrels. Those of you combining a trip to Yosemite with a trip to Sequoia Park can skip this area of Yosemite, as it is likely that you have already had your fill of seeing these ancient giant trees, as impressive as they may be.
On the way from Mariposa Grove towards Yosemite Valley, it is worth stopping at Wawona and visiting a historical pioneer village.
Tioga Pass Road (Highway 120)
This is the only entrance to Yosemite Park from the east, passing at a high altitude and through magical landscapes of sub-alpine plains, canyons, wild mountains, and lakes. The road is scattered with viewpoints, from which you can comfortably overlook the scenery from the best angles. The most beautiful areas where the road passes are: Tuolumne Meadows and Tenaya Lake. Tioga Pass, located at an altitude of about 3,300 meters above sea level, is the highest pass for vehicles in all of California. The road is usually open from late May until late October.
Many hiking trails (most for experienced hikers) depart from near the road.
Hetch Hetchy
This is a large reservoir created as a result of building a dam on the Tuolumne River. Before building the dam in 1920, the area was very similar to Yosemite Valley. Today the floor of the water reservoir is under 100 meters of water. The dam is located about 30 minutes drive from the northwestern entrance of the park:
Big Oak Flat.
It is recommended to stay updated on road conditions, fires, etc. on the Yosemite National Park website.