Yosemite National Park and Yosemite Valley are world famous for impressive cliffs, waterfalls and rock formations — the result of millions of years of glacial activity.
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Vacation
Package Tour –
SF, Yosemite, Monterey, Solvang,
Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, San Diego
9 days, 9 meals
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Pictures &
click images to enlarge
Yosemite Falls as seen from the path to the base
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A Yosemite day tour from San Francisco is a popular way for San Francisco visitors to see Yosemite since the park is only about a three and a half hour drive away.
Multi-day park and hotel packages are also available.
Refer to my Yosemite National Park Map and the pictures and panoramas in the left column to help locate and identify the following points of interest:
Half Dome — probably the most recognized symbol of Yosemite, this huge domed granite mountain rises over 4,000 feet above Yosemite Valley and is 8,800 feet high.
Glacial activity cut Half Dome in two, converting one half to rubble and leaving a 2,200 foot cliff with the steepest vertical grade in the US.
El Capitan — is a 3,000 foot high block of granite on the Northern side of Yosemite Valley. The vertical face is a favorite of experienced rock climbers (often requiring them to camp overnight attached to narrow ledges).
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Cathedral Rocks and Spires — on the opposite side of the valley from El Capitan, form the canyon through which Bridalveil Creek flows.
The Three Brothers — just East of El Capitan include Eagle Peak, Middle Brother and Lower Brother.
Sentinel Rock — overlooks Yosemite Valley from a location between Cathedral Rocks and Half Dome on the Southern side of the valley.
 Bridalveil Falls — often the first water fall visitors to Yosemite Valley see, Bridalveil Falls drops 620 feet from a U-shaped hanging valley. Bridalveil Falls flows all year transforming from a thunderous torrent in the spring to a light swaying flow later in the season.
Yosemite Falls — actually three separate falls, Upper Yosemite Fall (1,430 ft.), Middle Cascades (675 ft.) and Lower Yosemite Fall (320 ft.). The total 2,425 foot drop makes Yosemite Falls the highest in North American and fifth tallest in the world.
Frequently dried up by August, Lower Yosemite Fall is still the most visited landmark in Yosemite because of its easy accessibility. A hike to Upper Yosemite Fall, by contrast, is a strenuous, all-day hike.
Nevada Fall and Vernal Fall — are best seen from Glacier Point or by hiking the Mist Trail. Nevada Fall is above Vernal Fall. Both flow all year.
Glacier Point — with views of Yosemite Valley, including Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Nevada and Vernal Falls as well as the High Sierra — is the most spectacular view in Yosemite Park. The road to Glacier Point is usually closed beyond Badger Pass Ski area from November to May.
Tunnel View — view El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall on either side of the valley with Half Dome in the background at one of the most famous views of Yosemite Valley.
Portal View — a great view of El Capitan, Half Dome, the Yosemite Valley and Merced River can be seen from the pull outs along Big Oak Flat Road (Highway 120) near the tunnels.
Tioga Road — the most famous scenic drive in Yosemite Park stretches 39 miles from Crane Flat to Tioga Pass through forests, meadows, lakes and granite domes. Open in summer only, the Tioga Road was originally a wagon road across the Tioga Pass built by the Great Consolidated Silver Company in 1883.
Tioga Pass — where Tioga Road (Highway 120) enters Yosemite Park's Western edge, crosses the Sierra nevada's crest at 9,945 feet and is California's highest automobile pass.
Tuolumne Meadows — a stunningly picturesque subalpine region is a great place to camp and hike with many varied trails. Near the Western entrance to Yosemite, area is only accessible by car during the summer via Tioga Road.
Giant Sequoias — The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is the largest and most accessible in Yosemite Park. The Tuolumne and Merced Groves are both smaller and less visited giant sequoia groves near Crane Flat. Giant Sequoias are the largest of all living things and live for thousands of years. The Grizzly Giant in Mariposa Grove, at 2,700 years old, is thought to be Yosemite's oldest living sequoia. Visit Coastal Redwoods at John Muir National Monument near San Francisco.
Wawona — not far from Mariposa Grove and the South entrance to the park the Wawona Hotel, dating form the late nineteenth century, and other historic buildings comprising the Pioneer Yosemite History Center are accessible by car year-round.
Ribbon Falls — seventh highest in the world at 1,610 feet. President Theodore Roosevelt camped with naturalist John Muir in the meadow below the falls during his historic visit in 1903 where they discussed doing some "forest good."
For the ultimate California Vacation Tour take an all-inclusive 9 day trip begining with 2 days at The Sheraton at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco continuing to Yosemite Lodges at Yosemite National Park for another overnight stay, followed by a night in Monterey at Beach Resort Monterey, then the Royal Scandinavian Inn in Solvang before visiting Santa Barbara and Los Angeles on the way to 2 more nights at Sheraton Suites San Diego. Nine meals are included along with a balance of sightseeing and free time to enjoy each exciting destination.
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Yosemite National Park Lodging
Lodging in Yosemite National Park needs to be booked well in advance. Hotels outside the park will be less expensive and easier to book if you haven't planned far enough ahead.
Lodging options inside Yosemite range in price from $59 per night for a basic tent cabin with nearby bathroom, to $358 per night for a room at The Ahwahnee. Reservations are highly recommended and may be made up to one year and one day in advance.
Lodging in Yosemite Valley includes Yosemite Lodge and The Ahwahnee Hotel, year-round, Curry Village cabins and tent cabins, year-round – but weekends only in winter - and Housekeeping Camp, Spring–Fall.
Lodging in Yosemite Park but outside Yosemite Valley include The Wawona Hotel, year-round - but weekends only in February and March and tent cabins at Tuolumne Meadows Lodge and White Wolf Lodge, summer to early fall.
Yosemite area lodging options include many comfortable hotels a short distance from the park in Oakhurst, Maripose, El Portal, Chowchilla and Buck Meadows.
Many of these accommodations could be considered destinations themselves with their heated swimming pools and other resort facilities. Check out the Chateau Du Sureau, for instance, with its 10 elegant guest rooms, antique furniture and balconies with stunning views. Other options include Days Inn, Comfort Inn, Best Western, Super 8 and Best Value Inns.
Reservations for all overnight lodging within Yosemite can be made by calling 559 252-4848 or by visiting the Yosemite Park website accommodations and reservations page.
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for Bed & Breakfasts, Resorts, Inns and Hotels in or near Yosemite Park. Most are located in or near the towns of El Portal, Mariposa, Ahwahnee, Oakhurst and Bass Lake or are situated along Highway 120, Highway 140 or Highway 49.
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