Vacation In Yosemite
Yosemite National Park is a United States National Park located in the western Sierra Nevada mountains of California, bounded on the south by Sierra Point (about 5 mi southwest of Jackson), on the east by Tioga Pass Road (SR 120), on the north by Ebbetts Pass Road (SR 4), and on the west by the Clark Mountain Range. The park’s 3,000 square miles (7,800 km2) cover an area slightly larger than the state of New Hampshire.
Yosemite National Park is a stunning place to visit, but it can be very touristy and crowded. If you’re trying to find solitude, Yellowstone is a great alternative.
Yosemite National Park is a stunning location in California with vast amounts of natural beauty. Yosemite is home to hundreds of waterfalls some that are easily accessible via walkways and others that are tucked away within the park’s limited area. Yosemite also contains the mighty granite monolith also known as El Capitan located in Yosemite Valley which draws thousands of visitors each year to attempt climbing the 2150 foot peak.
Yosemite National Park is located in eastern California and stretches almost 475,000 acres. The park was granted that status in 1864 and was named after the tribe of Native Americans who lived in the region. Yosemite has nearly 400 square miles of land and over 90% of that land remains a pristine wilderness.
From the scenic drive to snow covered peaks and towering waterfalls, Yosemite National Park is one of the most beautiful places in the world. The drive in from San Francisco is about 5 hours but it’s well worth it. My favorite things about Yosemite are the meadows and all the waterfalls, especially Bridalveil Falls-it’s just breathtaking! Don’t forget to say hi to the bears living near Seven Gables. I promise you’ll fall in love with Yosemite as much as I have.
Vacation In Yosemite
When considering a trip to any National Park, a little planning goes a long way. There are a ton of things to factor in before you plan a trip to Yosemite. This guide is here to help you start your trip off on the right foot.
If you have been to another National Park before like Olympic National Park, The Everglades or even Redwood National Park, you might think you have it all figured out. However, Yosemite is different.
Not only is it one of the largest National Parks in the US, but it is also home to some of the best hikes and best photo spots in the country. However, you may miss out on seeing some fantastic sights or a chance to raft along the Merced River if you visit at the wrong time.
Don’t despair as below you can find everything you need to know about Yosemite and how to plan a trip any month of the year. Whether it is the quiet months of December, January, February or March or the busy months of May, June, July and August.
This guide walks you through how to get there when to visit Yosemite, where to stay, what to pack and what to include in your 2 day or 3 day Yosemite Itinerary.
How to Get There When Planning a Trip to Yosemite
Driving is the easiest way to get to Yosemite. If you have a car or an RV then this is probably a no brainer. If you don’t then you may consider renting one for the trip. Having a car makes the trip straightforward and allows you some flexibility especially if you are visiting Yosemite with kids.
Best Things To Do In Yosemite
Things To Do In Yosemite National Park
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It’s not your only option though if you are coming from the Bay area. The bus is a common means of transportation for tourists when they want to visit Yosemite.
There are two different ways to get to Yosemite by bus. The first option is Highway 99, which is usually the quickest way but also the most expensive. Highway 99 costs $40 and takes about 4 hours.
The second option is highway 120, which can take up to 8 hours but costs only $10.
The Highway 120 route offers stunning views of Yosemite National Park and takes you through Merced, Mariposa, and other small towns along the way.
There is also the option of one of the many Yosemite tours. They pick you up and drop you off. The great thing about a guided tour is that you get to know more about the park along the way, they take the stress out of planning and many of them are kid-friendly.
They are also perfect if you just have one day in Yosemite.
There are several options to choose from including a day trip and the option to stay for two nights.
Click here to find out more about guided tours.
Which Entrance When You Plan a Trip to Yosemite
Getting to Yosemite is pretty easy from the west side of the country. Most of the main highways lead you straight there and there really is no need for a map.
San Francisco is the closest major city to the park and it is a four-hour drive.
Those travelling from San Francisco may want to take the most direct route along Highway 120. Most visitors then enter the park using Arch Rock Entrance or Big Oak Flat Entrance. However, they are not your only option.
Further north is Hetch Hetchy Entrance. This entrance takes a little longer, but it is a great way to avoid the crowds and the scenery is also stunning.
You could also visit Yosemite from Los Angeles or San Diego. As you travel along Highway 41 you can enter the park using the South Entrance. All of these entrances are open all year round so there is no need for detours.
On the other hand, things are a little tricker on the east side of the park. There is only one entrance, Tioga Pass Entrance and it is only open from May or early June until October.
Don’t worry you can still plan a trip to Yosemite Park from Death Valley or Las Vegas if you are visiting Yosemite in April or any other time of year. You could enter using the South Entrance off Highway 41.
Your road trip would take a little longer, but there are plenty of places to stop along the way.
It costs around $35 to enter the park with a vehicle at any of the entrances. However, if you can also use America the Beautiful Pass to enter the park. In fact, the annual pass allows you to visit over 2000 sites around the US.
It is relatively inexpensive and a great investment if you plan on visiting a few federal sites throughout the year.
For more information about America the Beautiful Pass click here.
Travelling Around When You Plan a Trip to Yosemite
There are many ways to get around Yosemite, some of which are free! Walking is great, but biking might be a better option. You can take bikes on the trails and through the valley.
In Yosemite Valley, visitors can hop on the shuttle bus too. Visitors can access the shuttle buses at any of the 19 stops. The buses run all year round with a reduced schedule in winter months, December, January, February and March.
They are pretty frequent in high season and run every 10-20 minutes. There is even a bus stop on Highway 120!
Another great option for exploring the Park is by taking the open-air tram. There are plenty of stops and they include Glacier Point, Wawona, Mariposa Grove, and Tuolumne Meadows.
One of the most popular tours in Yosemite is the Valley Floor Tour, which takes you through some of the best-known landmarks.
It’s a 26-mile tour that lasts 2 hours, so take some water and snacks with you. Yosemite Falls, Half Dome and El Capitan are just some places this tour covers.
How Long Should You Stay When You Plan a Trip to Yosemite
It is a long drive to Yosemite so while you could make it a day trip or fit it into just one day, it is best to stay for 2 or 3 days. This is particularly important if you are visiting Yosemite with kids.
If you are visiting with kids make sure to pack some awesome road trip activities for kids to keep them entertained on the long drive.
Ideally, you want to hike a few trails and see the breathtaking views darted around the park. To do that would take around three or four days at the least.
Not everyone can stay that long, so don’t cancel your trip just yet. Even if you only have a weekend, you could squeeze many of the attractions into a 2 day Yosemite Itinerary.
Best Time to go When Planning Yosemite Trip
After figuring out your best route there, you need to decide when you want to visit. Yosemite National Park is open all year round. However, most of the visitors arrive in July and August.
If you’re visiting during the height of summer, make sure to take precautions and book accommodation and tickets ahead of time.
There will be lots of people around on the weekends so it is recommended to visit any day but Saturday or Sunday.
To avoid crowds and enjoy Yosemite in its winter glory, visit the park in the dead of winter. Some places might be closed but there’s still plenty to do such as skiing or ice skating.
Spring and Fall are quieter than summer but still busy. The weather is great at this time of year and the majority of the park is open, weather dependant.
No matter when you decide to plan a trip to Yosemite, there is always a ton of activities and trails to discover around the park.