I acknowledge that there are thousands of posts about Yosemite National Park out there, but it would be remiss of me to not give my two-cents when this is the most popular national park in California. It's huge; it's a lot; it can be overwhelming.
I've visited half a dozen times but I can only speak with confidence on the areas I'm going to discuss in this blog: Wawona, Yosemite Valley and Tioga Road.
There are lots to see and Yosemite is now like any major tourist spot: it offers a lot of flexible options. You can stay as short as a few hours or as long as you want. Days? Weeks? Your choice.
Yeah, unfortunately, it is like a major tourist spot now with misbehaving tourists and overcrowded sites. But that's another story.
Some basic and non-comprehensive tips and things to think about before you go:
First, know how many days you have to explore.
Next, read up on what you want to see.
Then, decide where you're going to spend your nights. Your lodging is your HQ and critical to planning/scheduling.
Reservations are required prior to enter Yosemite National Park.
If you only have a few hours, try this short itinerary through Yosemite Valley. Scroll down a bit to get to the part about Yosemite.
If you spend several days in the park... congratulations! You'll be able to see more and at a more leisurely pace.
If it's your first time in Yosemite and have a few days to explore, may I suggest, like in my "short itinerary" above, making Yosemite Valley your HQ. For the following reasons:
Most, if not all, of Yosemite's iconic landmarks can be found here: El Capitan, Half Dome, Bridal Veil Falls, Tres Hermanos, Yosemite Falls, Reflection Lake, Merced River.
The same landmarks are relatively close to each other.
Most of these landmarks are visible without or with minimal effort.
There are a lot of amenities available here. Aside from the visitor center, they have a museum, lots of restaurants.
Multiple types of lodging: Ahwahnee Hotel, Curry Village, tent camping, RV camping. More info Yosemite NP's Lodging website.
Great for both adults and kids.
If you're a returning visitor and have a few days to explore, I suggest staying in the Wawona area.
So many different things to see: Redwood forest, prairie, educational centers, stores.
Awesome insight into the less crowded part of Yosemite.
There are also a lot of amenities available here: visitor center, museum, stores and even a restaurant.
Multiple types of lodging: Wawona Hotel, tent camping, etc. More info Yosemite NP's Lodging website.
Great for both adults and kids.
For the best, latest and most accurate information, visit National Parks Website.
Happy trails!
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