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A Weekend in Yosemite

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I love Yosemite any time of the year! My husband introduced me to Yosemite decades ago when we used to rock climb. Our climbing days are long gone, but sharing Yosemite with our kids is even more magical!

We are fortunate that Yosemite is approximately four hours from Monterey County, allowing us to visit one of our country’s top national parks over a long weekend. Of course, Yosemite is incredibly large, and there is so much to see and do that it would take much longer than a long weekend to see it all.  

That said, if you want to share Yosemite with the family, you can see a lot over a weekend with some planning. When I suggest a first trip to Yosemite, I recommend taking Highway 41 into the Valley. Most of those iconic views can be seen when you take this South Entrance and head into the park, and you get to experience so much of what Yosemite has to offer.     

WAWONA

I have been to Yosemite dozens of times, and it was only last year that I explored the Wawona area. I had been missing something big. If you leave the Monterey area early and go through the south entrance using Highway 1, you can stop at the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza and visit the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. The plaza is just past the formal entrance and, in my opinion, is the best place to start exploring Yosemite. There are no food options here, but if you bring lunch, you can have a picnic, explore the plaza, and take the shuttle to the big trees. Unfortunately, the Mariposa Grove Museum is temporarily closed for restoration, but tons of trails and information are available on the paths. 

You will need to catch a shuttle to the Grove. Once there, you have so many options for seeing the giant sequoias. If you have little ones, you will not be disappointed with the Big Trees Loop (0.3 miles) or the Grizzly Giant Loop Trail (2 miles), both relatively flat and easy, perfect for younger explorers. There is also a wonderful 7-mile loop if your family members are seasoned hikers and have the time.  

There are limited options for staying in this area, but if you are lucky, you can stay at the Wawona Hotel, a Victorian-style hotel built in 1856. The best part of this hotel is the entertainment provided by Tom, a pianist and singer  who performs most nights. He fills the lobby with songs and stories from Yosemite’s past. Even if you decide to camp or stay elsewhere, pop in for food and a drink and listen to him. You will not be disappointed. 

My little one loves history. Next to the Wawona Hotel, you’ll find the Pioneer Yosemite History Center. It is an immersive experience into the days of horse-drawn wagons and rustic cabins. If you are fortunate, you will be there when the blacksmiths forge iron tools. Even if they don’t have an active program when you visit, it is worth some time; plenty of informational signs tell the stories of the people who shaped this beautiful park. 

I love Yosemite’s views, and the drive from Wawona to the Valley is the best way to see Half Dome, El Capitan, and the Valley’s many waterfalls. If you go this route, you can NOT miss the Glacier Point overlook. Head toward the Valley using Wawona Road (Highway 41) and turn at Glacier Point Road. It will be out of the way but well worth it. Be warned, it is a very busy spot. This area has a gift shop and snack stand during the summer months.

If your family is interested in hiking, the area has two moderate 2.2-mile round-trip hikes. My family has done Sentinel Dome and loves the views of Half Dome from this location. The benefit of these hikes is that there are far fewer crowds for seeing the impressive Valley and domes of Yosemite.   

YOSEMITE VALLEY

As you proceed down Wawona Road, you will enter the Wawona Tunnel. Just outside is Tunnel View, a spot that is on every first-time visitor’s Instagram. You don’t even have to hike to see this epic view of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall; all you need to do is pull into the overlook to get your first glimpse of the Valley, made famous by Ansel Adams.  

After this view, you are so close to the Valley; there is much to see and do there. I swear you could spend weeks still only scratching the surface. I suggest your first stop be the Yosemite Valley Welcome Center, which is located next to the Village Store and was recently remodeled. It is incredible with its interactive educational kiosks, resources for all Yosemite information, and the best part: Your kids can pick up a Yosemite Junior Ranger handbook. My daughter loves the Junior Ranger program, which is a wonderful way to explore an area.

For those who like science and/or history or just want to learn more about this incredible landscape, you can visit the Yosemite Exploration Center and the Yosemite Museum. My daughter and I happened to be in Yosemite when the Exploration Center reopened, and we were blown away. It is a stunning center with interactive areas for all learning styles and abilities. We went back a few times. The Yosemite Museum was constructed 100 years ago and was the first museum in a national park. If you are lucky, Ben will be at the museum. He is a fantastic resource on the history of the Miwok people. He gave us a quick tour of the Village of Ahwanhee, located behind the museum.  

I believe no visit to Yosemite is complete without a hike. You can feel the magic of this place among the trees and surrounded by incredible rock. The National Park Service has done amazing things to ensure all ability levels can enjoy the park. One example is the short hike to Lower Yosemite Falls. This trail is a one-mile hike to the bottom of the fifth-tallest waterfall in the world and is great for young kids and anyone with disabilities. For those who want to go farther up the fall, take the trail to Columbia Rock. It is just a 2-mile round trip hike but strenuous. You will get the closest you can to the base of Upper Yosemite Fall and the thousand-foot cascade of water. If you are new to Yosemite, I recommend hiking small sections of the Valley Floor Loop or heading to Mirror Lake.  

For us, the trip is only complete with a visit to the Ahwanhee, a hotel within Yosemite.  I still remember my son’s eyes widening the first time he walked into its Great Hall. He exclaimed that this was the Hogwarts dining hall. This is a stunning lodge and has quite the history. The last time we visited, they were remodeling, and you could only dine in the restaurant if you were staying on the property. Tip: You can still eat in the bar, which is kid-friendly. The menu has little for kids, but we love to grab a hot chocolate and take it to the dining room entrance. There are tables, incredibly comfy chairs, and a huge fireplace. 

Once you decide to leave the Valley, you might head out the Arch Rock Entrance on Highway 140 toward Mariposa, which my family prefers. You will travel along the Merced River and see another beautiful landscape unfold. The main reason we love to use this exit is the stop in Mariposa, which has become a tradition for the long drive home. Happy Hamburger doesn’t look like much from the outside, but it is the kids’ favorite. The milkshakes and French fries always add smiles. For adults, head across the street to the 1850 Restaurant and Brewery. The burgers are amazing and you can try the local beer.

Yosemite is such a unique place. Millions of visitors come to the park from around the globe, and we feel blessed to live so close. There is so much to see and do; this barely scratches the surface. If you have never been to the park, I hope this inspires you to take the trip. If you have not been in a while, I recommend going even with the summer crowds. There are many new things to experience. Of course, always check the weather and be prepared. For Yosemite, also check their website; entrance into the park changes with each season. Happy exploring!

California National Parks For Families

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Did you know that California has more national parks than any other state? When you stop to think about it, the diverse landscape here is not only unique but quite beautiful. Within a few hours, you can explore beaches, mountains, forests, and maybe even deserts. If your family is looking for ideas on what parks to explore this summer or fall, check out this guide on the top things for families in California’s national parks.

Pinnacles National Park

The newest of all the California national parks is Pinnacles, which was designated a national park in 2013. Pinnacles is the closest national park to Monterey County and a perfect day trip option. Families can get to the western side of the park in about an hour while getting to the eastern side is a bit longer. Note that there is no road connecting the two sections of the park. Pinnacles gets its name from the huge domed spires that were created out of the volcanic activity. This park is one of the least visited in California, which can be great if you don’t enjoy the crowds.

Two of the most popular hikes for families are the Moses Spring Trail and Bear Gulch Cave Trail, which are found in the eastern section of the park. This 2.2-mile loop hike provides easy to navigate caves and some pretty nice views of the volcanic structures. Be sure to bring a headlamp or flashlight as exploring any section of the cave is quite dark. On the western side, Balconies Cave loop is a 2.4-mile trail that is another option for families to explore some talus caves. Rock climbing is also very popular on this side of the park, as there are a few routes for beginners and advanced climbers alike.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is one of the most iconic parks in the U.S. Located four hours away from Monterey in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Yosemite is well known for its’ giant sequoia trees and the granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome. Although it is pretty touristy, Yosemite Valley is where you want to explore first. This is where the world’s largest granite monolith, El Capitan is located, along with the Tunnel View Outlook and many of Yosemite’s most famous waterfalls: Vernal Falls, Bridalveil Falls, and Yosemite Falls.

Many of the trails in Yosemite Valley are gentle flat trails that lead directly to top attractions, which are perfect for families. On Southside Drive, you’ll find a couple of short trails leading to Bridalveil Fall and the Sentinel Bridge, which is known for its’ views of Half Dome. Other popular hikes include Tuolumne Meadows and Mariposa Grove, where visitors can walk through the massive sequoia forest. The Merced River, which flows through the valley is a great option for those wanting to go swimming or kayaking. Lake Tenaya is another popular spot for boating as well. A fair warning, this is the most visited national park in California, so be prepared for crowds.

Sequoia National Park andKings Canyon National Park

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park are often overlooked by Yosemite which is only 75 miles south. While they are technically two parks, they are administered jointly. These two parks should not be disregarded though, as they are just as beautiful and family friendly. In Sequoia, you will find the biggest tree in the world, the General Sherman Tree, and a view of the highest peak in the contiguous United States, Mt. Whitney. Tokopah Falls is a nice, mostly shady, 4-mile hike with granite and forested views that follows the Kaweah River for about half of it. Moro Rock is another great option for families, as it offers panoramic views of the area. At a quarter of a mile, it is considered more of a climb than a hike, but be sure to hold on tight to little ones as it is a steep ascent 300 feet up.

In King’s Canyon, you can drive or walk through a fallen giant sequoia at Tunnel Log, and hike through the park’s giant sequoias on Congress Trail or Grant’s Grove. Families will love Zumwalt Meadow as it has rocks for kids to scramble on, a suspension bridge, and a picturesque meadow framed by towering canyon walls. The 1.5-mile hike also has access to portions of the Kings River and is a great spot for a picnic.

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lassen Volcanic National Park is a little over five hours from Monterey County. This park is quite unique because it’s geography reflects both the volcanic Cascades and the evergreen Sierra Nevadas. It is also one of the least visited parks in the state due to its remote location. Lassen Peak is named after its’ signature volcano, which is the largest plug dome volcano in the world.

Families will enjoy a hike on the Bumpass Hell Trail that will take you through Lassen’s largest hydrothermal area and give some up-close views of the boiling mud pots and superheated turquoise pools. The Sulphur Works area is another prime spot to take a boardwalk hike through some volcanic gas vents known as fumaroles. The other side of Lassen Volcanic National Park contains waterfall hikes and Manzanita Lake, a popular lake for families to enjoy kayaking, swimming, and camping. This area of the park provides visitors with views of Lassen Peak and lush forest hikes that connect to a section of the Pacific Crest Trail.

Channel Islands National Park

The Channel Islands are one of the most remote national parks in the country. They are comprised of 5 islands off the coast of Southern California. The only way to reach them is via a plane or ferry departing from Ventura, Oxnard or Santa Barbara. The most practical approach for families is usually to take a ferry out of Ventura, as that is where the park’s visitor’s center is located. There are limited restroom facilities, no electricity or services on the island, so be sure to pack plenty of water, lunch, and snacks. While camping is available, everything brought onto the island must leave with you.

These islands are known as the Galapagos of North America, as wildlife is plentiful here. Visitors can usually spot whales, dolphins, sea lions, seals, and marine birds frequently while exploring the local islands or even on the ferry. Anacapa, the closest of the islands, is the most popular; next to Santa Cruz, the largest of the islands. While the hiking trails provide a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean and the island’s sea cliffs and caves, kayaking and snorkeling are among the best activities to do here.

Redwood National Park

Redwood National Park is actually a huge series of connected state parks – Prarie Creek, Jedediah Smith, and Del Norte. Located almost 8 hours away from Monterey and Santa Cruz, this national park contains a large concentration of the famed, gigantic redwood trees.

The most popular hike in the area is Fern Canyon, which was actually a filming location for Jurrasic Park 2. Walking through this densely forested canyon will, in fact, make you feel like you have stepped back in time. Tall Trees Grove is a great family hike, as that is where the tallest of the redwoods reside. To get here though requires a free permit at Kuchel Visitor Center. This helps to keep the number of visitors to a minimum. This area is also a great spot for kayaking, mountain biking, river fishing, and horseback riding. There are several tour companies that take visitors on half-day or full day excursions.

Joshua Tree National Park

Located just a couple of hours outside of Los Angeles, Joshua Tree National Park is a great place to visit if you’re in Southern California. This park is well known for its’ namesake “Dr. Seuss looking” Joshua trees, which actually are not even trees, they are yucca plants. This national park has a unique landscape because it is located where the high Mojave desert meets the low Colorado desert. This means that Joshua Tree National Park has areas that are traditionally desert looking, yet it also has mountains and valleys.

Visiting this park is not recommended in the summer, as the heat is intense and there is very little shade. If you plan a trip in the cooler months, make sure to include Indian Cove Natural Trail, which is a great place to see the Joshua trees. Another great family hike is the Cholla Cactus Garden Trail where you can see a dense concentration of cactus plants. Joshua Tree National Park also has huge boulders that have become a rock climbers’ paradise. Visitors can scramble some of the smaller boulders on Arch Rock Trail, or watch the rock climbers at Echo Cove. For panoramic views of the valleys and nearby peaks, head to Keys View, which is the highest point at Joshua Tree National Park.

Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park straddles the California/Nevada border and is the hottest, driest and lowest national park on Earth. It holds the record for the hottest temperature in the world 136F, and is the driest place in North America, seeing an average of 2 inches of rainfall a year. It should not be visited during the months of May-September due to the extreme heat in the valley

There are quite a few highlights to be seen in this land of extremes. Zabriskie Point and Golden Canyon are two locations where visitors can see various shades of yellow and orange during the sunrise or sunset. Another must-see is the Badwater area, which is the location of America’s lowest point, – 282 feet below sea level. A drive down Badwater Road lets visitors view the salt flats and puddles that remain from an ancient dried up lake. The Mesquite sand dunes area offers families a chance to see some wildlife, like a coyote or a desert fox. Another unique hike is Ubehebe Crater, where you can walk along the rim of a dried up volcano.

While some national parks gain more attention than others, it is easy to see that there is plenty of beauty throughout California. Hopefully, you and your family can adventure to one of these national parks in the near future.

California’s Quirky Fairs & Festivals

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WHALEFEST MONTEREY

  • April 13-14, 2024 | Whalefest.org

World-renowned marine experts and a variety of local groups share whale facts, maps and opportunities to support our biggest neighbors. Enjoy music from 12 different artists/groups including the very appropriately named “Jonah and the Whalewatchers” and Nicholas Fettis and his “Orca”stra, visit a marine research vessel and more at this outdoor event. Admission is free.

JACKALOPE INDIE ARTS FAIR

  • Pasadena: April 27-28, 2024
  • Burbank: June 8-9 and December 7-8, 2024 | JackalopeArtFair.com

Explore items from more than 200 local artisans across a variety of disciplines while enjoying live music at this outdoor fair. Kids may particularly enjoy making customizable slime, getting glitter tattoos and unicorn braids, coloring a free postcard or getting a custom poem written about them. In Burbank, peruse goods from more than 170 local artisans including specially featured young artisans showing off their handmade items. Admission to this event is free at both locations.

SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAIN MUSHROOM FESTIVAL

  • Felton | May 4-5, 2024 | CaliforniaMushroomFestival.com

“Building community through fungi”: Experience this new festival focused on our local mushroom bounty. Enjoy demos, DIY booths, nature walks, live music and a kids zone.

KINETIC GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP

  • Humboldt County | May 25-27, 2024 | KineticGrandChampionship.com

For three days, pilots and crews guide kinetic sculptures in a 40-mile race across roads, sand, mud and water. These “all-terrain human-powered art vehicles” include fun details such as faces, fire cannons and other unusual features. This event has been held for more than 50 years: now it’s your turn to experience it.

CALIFORNIA EXTREME

  • Santa Clara | July 27-28, 2024 | CAExtreme.org

“The classic arcade game show”: Lean into your nostalgia and play hundreds of old-school games, all day with no coins needed. Options include pinball machines, arcade games, video games and many that you just can’t find much any more. Introduce the kids to your hard-to-find favorites!

THE WORLD DOG SURFING CHAMPIONSHIPS

  • Pacifica | August 3, 2024 | SurfDogChampionships.com

“Hanging ten with man’s best friend”: Human and dog surfers gather to seek the best waves at Linda Mar Beach. You’re guaranteed to catch lots of fun sights. Grab some dog surfing merchandise while you’re there. The event helps raise money for good causes. Admission is free.

THE LITTLE CAR SHOW

  • Pacific Grove | August 14, 2024

Featuring over 100 cars from micro to mini to arcane vehicles, you’ll enjoy browsing and cheering for these cute, fun cars as much as your kids will. Browse on Lighthouse Avenue or watch them cruise down Ocean View Boulevard to Asilomar State Beach. Free admission.

NIGHTS OF THE JACK

  • Calabasas | September 29-October 31, 2024 | NightsoftheJack.com

“The premiere immersive Halloween experience”: Lights everywhere, pumpkins made into huge animals such as gorillas and elephants, Jack-o-Lantern trees and more. Walk their spooky trail with some hot cider.

DEATH VALLEY ‘49ERS ENCAMPMENT

  • Death Valley National Park | DeathValley49ers.org

Join the Death Valley ‘49ers for gold rush-style activities, from gold panning and gem mining, doll-making, and blacksmithing demonstrations. 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of this event.

INDIO INTERNATIONAL TAMALE FESTIVAL

  • December 7-8, 2024 | IndioTamaleFestival.com

Celebrated since the 1990s, venture to Indio in early December to enjoy thousands of tamales, carnival rides, mariachi, and plenty of music appealing to all ages. Which flavor will be your favorite? Free admission.

JESSICA THIBAULT is a communications/events professional and Monterey Public Library Friends & Foundation board member. She leads the 2023 Monterey Military Babies group, is a trained Mothers and Babies Program facilitator, and is an RRCA-certified running coach.

Two Unique Southern California Vacation Destinations

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THE SUN IS OUT, THE FLOWERS ARE IN BLOOM, AND SUMMER IS APPROACHING. It’s time to start planning your family vacation! Some families have a vacation tradition, so they already know what they will do. Maybe it’s a week at a beach house, a Disney World trip, or a cruise. But some may be looking for something different or less expensive. Maybe a unique experience. For those looking for something new in California, read on.

UNIQUE SMALL-TOWN FUN

Are you an outdoorsy family looking for an adventure off the beaten path? Look no further than Skypark at Santa’s Village. Some background: When I was a kid (longer ago than I want to admit), there was a tiny theme park called Santa’s Village. It had Christmas-themed carnival rides, popcorn, cotton candy, and Santa—all year long. While that cool place shut down a few decades back, it has been given new life by some fun-loving outdoor folks. It’s now a park that offers mountain biking trails for all levels, rock climbing walls for all skills and sizes, axe throwing, lessons for all of these activities, zip lines, archery, train rides, fishing, walking trails, and numerous fun activities for young kids. There are too many fun things to list, including a beautiful campground with stunning views of the valley below. There are themed activities all year, such as breakfast with the Easter Bunny, tea with Mrs. Claus, St. Patrick’s Day parties, and—in the winter—outdoor ice skating. The park is in the San Bernardino mountains in Sky Forest, California. If you don’t want to camp, there are hotels in nearby Lake Arrowhead and an abundance of homes for rent.

HISTORY IN SAN PEDRO/LONG BEACH

Are you looking for something more educational and exciting? Many people—even those from Southern California—have never heard of the Korean Bell of Friendship. The bell is in San Pedro, just west of Long Beach. It is located in an area called Angels Gate Park, in a field overlooking the ocean. The structure itself is beautiful, and the view is amazing. The bell structure is enormous—over 12 feet tall—and the bell rings only five times a year: New Year’s Eve, Korean American Day (January 13), Independence Day (July 4), Korean Liberation Day (August 15), and every September in celebration of Constitution Week.

Also of interest is the location: same hill as the now-defunct Fort MacArthur. In the same area as the bell, you can see the gigantic tracks from the gun turrets that used to reside there during World War I.

If you are in the area for more than one day, spend some time at the San Pedro fish market and swing by the nearby USS Iowa to look into the history of a World War II battleship (https://pacificbattleship.com/). A short skip over the Port of Long Beach from the USS Iowa is the Queen Mary, the Cunard Line ship that was the standard of class and luxury on the sea from 1936 to 1967.

These are just two ideas for unique family trips guaranteed to create warm memories for your family. While these are based in Southern California, a little time with Google will help you find unique activities all throughout the state. You can start with our list of quirky festivals on pages 18-19. You won’t be sorry you skipped the amusement park or beach vacation this year!

TRICIA VLASAK is a mother and grandparent who writes the monthly “Grandma Says” column as well as travel features. She works in law enforcement when she isn’t writing, hiking with her dogs, or going on Jeep adventures.

Archie Visits Yosemite

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Archie adventured in Yosemite this week! This was our 4th family trip to Yosemite, and Archie’s sister Esme’s first time. The sheer awesomeness doesn’t ever get any less breathtaking. Archie’s grandparents also joined us this trip and it was extra special for the kids to get some quality time with them.

We always stay at Autocamp when we visit Yosemite National Park. It’s located just outside the park in Midpines. Autocamp is our kind of camping because you get the fun and experience of a camping adventure without having to rough it. It’s ideal for camping with small children because all the necessities are provided, we just have to bring food and clothes – and all the accoutrements that are necessary for the menagerie that is our family, course. Archie packed a small suitcase full of stuffed animals.

Archie always has so much fun when we go camping. When we arrived this time, he ran through the airstream checking everything and then emerged shouting, “I’m so into this!”

He loved playing with the camp kitties, stalking the wild turkeys, swimming in the pool, and making s’mores. This was our biggest excursion to date with two kids. Even with the tricky parts, it was such an incredible experience and I know core memories were made.

One day, when the kids are grown, my wife and I will journey to Yosemite, just the two of us, and it will be serene and peaceful and we’ll have all the time to do everything we want. I will remember these semi-chaotic trips when our children were small where we were so busy keeping everyone fed and safe, changing diapers, kissing boo-boos, managing naps, adjusting car seats, and making pit stops…the memory of the stress and anxiety of parenthood will have faded with time, and I’ll just remember how we were a team doing it all together. I’ll be so glad we took all the adventures. 

Follow Archie’s Adventures on Instagram!

Archie Enjoys the Snow at Leland

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Archie has been asking to play in snow since last summer. We took a 4 hour roadtrip up to Strawberry this week and stayed for a couple nights to make his snow wishes come true. There was a perfect amount of snow, the roads were clear, and the weather was beautiful. At 6,300 ft elevation, it definitely looked like a winter wonderland. 

We had a lot of fun with a full day of tubing at Leland Snowplay! We met up with some friends and the kids had a blast together. We definitely made the trip out of love for Archie, because neither of his parents are big fans of the cold or snow. I can enjoy the snow for a couple of days though, as long as I get to drive back home to the beach when it’s over. This was Esme’s first snow experience at 17 months old. She called it “ice” and loved eating it. She was not a fan of wearing snow gear. ❄️ 

There were a lot of challenging things about this trip (traveling with toddlers is tough) but Esme’s belly laughs tubing down the hill, and Archie’s excitement about the snow and the many times he told us how much fun he was having made it all worth it. 

Follow Archie’s Adventures on Instagram!

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