How to get there
There are four entrances to the park
1) From Northern California(San Fransisco, San Jose, Sacramento) take 120 East, the Big Oak Flat Entrance or the 140 East, the Arch Rock Entrance
2) From Southern California(Los Angeles, San Diego) take 41 North, the South Entrance
3) From Nevada state take 120 West, the Tioga Pass entrance(closed in winter)
Where to stay
There are a variety of hotels to choose from in the valley. But if you really want to experience the wilderness completely, reserve a camp spot in advance and plan for a 7 day retreat.
1) Ahwahnee Hotel—The biggest and expensive hotel in the area
2) Yosemite Lodge facing the falls—Situated right next to the falls, it has condos in many buildings some facing the falls too. It has a pool, some stores and a pretty good food court
3) LeConte Memorial Lodge—Near Housekeeping camp
4) Curry Village—Has cabins with or without attached baths, no heater/AC
5) Campgrounds—Perfect choice for the adventurous types
What to do
The most common things to do apart from absorbing the scenic beauty of the place here is Hiking. There are plenty trails short and long, steep and flat. Most challenging being the one to the top of Half Dome. A 16.3mi hike up and down. It starts from Happy Isles Shuttle stop and could be shortened if taken via Mist Trail. Permit is needed fri-sun and holidays.
Camping is the activity many of us prefer next to hiking. There are 13 popular campgrounds some with and some without reservations. A total of 30 days of camping is allowed in the park per year.
Horse/mule rides are also available with reservation. 2 hour and 4 hour rides are available.
Skiing can be done in winter on the famous Badger pass and many other spots.
Ranger walks, nature walks, star gazing, Campfires, Art workshops everything is happening in Yosemite for kids and adults. Swimming Rafting, Fishing is allowed too. There is also a museum, gift shops, the Ansel Adams gallery, and visitor centers where you can get a lot of information about the valley its wildlife and vegetation.
What not to do
Never leave your cars open with food inside. One of the first warnings you are given when you check into the hotel. Reason, bear can break into them and cause a wreck!
Useful Tips
To experience the magic of this heaven, plan and reserve in advance
Hiking shoes would be very useful on this trip. Whether you choose a 1 mile trail or a 10 mile one, the wilderness is best when tread with shoes( except when you decide to have a picnic beside the merced river when you may prefer slippers)
Dress according to the season. But its going to be a while before the sun shows up into the valley so its always good to keep a sweatshirt.
When to go
Although the park looks great any time of the year, the best time to go is the spring when the water is full and the sun is out. Later in the summer, the water dries out and the heat drills into you, and in the winter, most of the ways are closed, you cant camp and trails are difficult. One advantage of the winter is the skiing.
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