Yosemite Valley

When you arrive make sure you analyse the map you are given and plan your drive well so. you know where to get the best location stops and pictures. It is very easy to drive past a section and miss it. Take your time.
There are some amazing sights to see here with some impressive waterfalls.
It can get cold in the shade areas so factor that in if walking about with kids.
The gift shop wasn't that big but had some interesting items for sale include a discount section.
The restaurant area was very nice and modern with a good selection of food albeit a bit pricey. A side section had a comfy area with large chairs and a gorgeous fire. As we went during late October the Christmas tree was up and it was all very cosy.
The drive there and back takes you on some very steep roads with some amazing views but some scary drops off the edge of the road so take your time and concentrate. It won't help you if the family are being loud and disruptive in the back when driving so close tO the edge!

The park is absolutely amazing and the sites unsurpassed!!! We stayed in the little camp, Curry Village (last minute cancellation), which worked for us. It is extremely crowded and impossible to park many times. If there is something you wish to see without crowds, be there when the gates open and plot your sites logistically, otherwise can be a two mile back up to get in at the gate, and so crowded to park and walk around. We ate dinner two nights at the Ahwahnee which was good. Highly recommend their cottages to stay instead of hotel, but need to make reservations well in advance of a year out. I found the park accommodations to be a bit run down and in need of TLC. Definitely do a dusk loop car ride, see amazing wildlife, bears, deer, elk, etc. Was also 115 degrees when we went, so hiking was too hard and the waterfalls dried up. I'm sure Spring would be optimal.

One of the most amazing parks in the world. What ever you want to do is amazing. I love the early spring, April, May, the falls are going strong, attendance is less too. Lodging is expensive but location, location, location. When our family was young we spent many weeks camping, which they loved.

It's always an amazing adventure. Rt 120 is closed going into the park, so exoect delays. The park currently has a lot of water and flooding in the valley. So make sure to bring appropriate gear. The plus about the water is that the Modesto river is spectacular, and the falls are flowing perfectly. Crowds are heavy this time of the year, so expect delays. The entry fee is $35.00, I have an annual pass and highly recommend getting one. Make sure to gas up before getting to the park. Enjoy yourself and the sites.

Yosemite doesn't have a bad view. Everywhere we went was incredible. We especially loved the various views of El Capitán from the valley floor. You do need reservations to enter the park and although we didn't have a delay entering through the west gate we saw a long line to get in as we were exiting through the south gate. Some parts of the park were kind of crowded but the farther you get from the popular spots, the fewer people there were. And no spot in Yosemite is bad!

Travel during the pandemic was nice. I wish he had more time to hike, but the sites along the drive were good enough for us for the first trip out here.

There weren't many people entering the park in early November which was nice because the roads weren't congested. The roads are well maintained which is very important on the winding roads. The most inconvenient part of the park was the closure on 41 south entrance which leads to Fresno. It was only open for 1 hour from 12noon-1pm. Because of this closure we spent a lot of time driving around the park to get to our next destination of Sequoia national park. It took us an extra hour because of the road work.

It was a great time to go to see the leaves changing colors. Definitely recommend starting your day early so you can get a lot of hiking done. Weather was cool with a breeze and warm when you are in the sun light. Very comfortable climate.

Invested in an annual park pass for $80 since we were going to sequoia and kings canyon parks. Otherwise to access the park its currently $35.

Family of 4 teens (18, 16, 15 & 15yrs) and a 10yr old and we ALL pushed our individual athletic limits from free climbing, simple hiking, and riverside fishing. Beautiful and perfect for everyone of all ages and interests. Loved this natural getaway

Traveled to Yosemite last summer with my husband and son. Amazing views and geology. Go early in the morning as by mid-day there are tons of people making driving almost impossible. Did not take the shuttle because of time constraints, but recommend the shuttle if you can.

This gorgeous area, in the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, was the third to get its status as a National Park on October 1, 1890, and is still wowing every visitor today, even after 250 years. The Park’s diverse landscape supports more than 400 species of wildlife. It is known around the world for its towering granite cliffs, its deep Valleys, the ancient giant Sequoias (that can grow up to 300 feet in height with trunks 27 feet across), Ponderosa Pines, massive Oaks, and its Waterfalls. It also helps that photographer Ansel Adams made it even more famous by his amazing, fiery sunset photos of two of its formations – El Capitan and Half Dome.

It was one of the most incredible Parks that we have ever visited. Our jaws dropped as soon as we exited the Tunnel from Route 41, and got our first glimpse of the classic panorama of the Yosemite Valley, and the iconic sites of the Half Dome and the Bridal Veil Falls. We parked at the Village, and took the Shuttle to all the most-visited fabulously scenic spots, and were fortunate to capture some fantastic photos. The breathtaking views must be experience firsthand, because no photos or words do it any justice. At the end, we hiked up to Mirror Lake to take a mini-break before heading back home. It is no wonder that John Muir described this Park as “the brightest and the best of all the Lord has built”.

We felt fortunate to have stepped foot in this National Park, and were also happy to add a Sticker and a Stamp to our Parks Passport.

Absolutely, a “Must Visit” destination in everyone’s lifetime. It is like visiting Heaven on our Earth.

I would absolutely recommend a trip to this national park treasure. The scenery is spectacular! However a couple of items surprised me. We stayed in Curry Village in the platform tent which provided a Queen and two twin beds. It was clean and had necessary basic appointments. The density of the tents made for overcrowding at the 2 restaurants there so plan on eating early or late. Two other options for dining were not open this season which accounted for the long wait times. There was a nice cafeteria style breakfast option and a Peete’s Coffee. Bathrooms were adequate.

We also came to hike. What we discovered is that Yosemite hiking is either very easy with paved walkways about a mile in length or very strenuous hikes with major elevation changes and nothing in between. Probably our fault for not investigating more before arrival. If you do a strenuous hike I’d recommend soaking your feet in the river off one of the many sand bars. Very refreshing!

We were there the week of the 4th and with the reservation system there was less than a 10 minute wait time to enter the park. A little deceiving though because all the day parking in Yosemite Village was full by 9 AM and the camp stores were swarming with people. It was easy the find a quiet place outside Yosemite Village however and traffic flow was good. A visit through the historic Awahnee is worth it.