Yosemite Archives - Monterey Bay Parent

A Weekend in Yosemite

By Dawn Alva | August 26, 2024

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!

Archie Visits Yosemite

By Monterey Bay Staff | February 24, 2024

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!

A Weekend in Yosemite National Park

By Denise Green | March 29, 2023

Last April, we decided to take our kids, who were then 3.5 and 1.5, to Yosemite National Park and had a wonderful experience. Yosemite is scenic, a convenient drive from Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, and offers a range of adventures for any age. Here is what we learned, including some tips.

WHEN TO GO

In terms of weather, summer is a fantastic time to visit Yosemite. However, the biggest drawback can be the large crowds during the high season when visitors from across the country and the world visit. Fall and spring can be less crowded but less predictable regarding weather. I have yet to visit in the winter, and while it would be beautiful, I don’t think our children at this age (under 5) would enjoy it quite the same. We found our visits in fall and spring peaceful, and we were less concerned about lines and general traffic.

GETTING TO YOSEMITE VALLEY

I highly recommend visiting Yosemite Valley with young children, as it is a convenient road trip. The Valley offers lots of food and lodging nearby with shuttles. Depending on where in Monterey or Santa Cruz counties you are located, it’s about a 4.5-hour drive without traffic. Once you are there, you can park your car and not drive again until it’s time to go home if you choose to walk and use the shuttles.

On your drive to Yosemite, make sure you make a stop at the Merced Fruit Barn. It’s on the way and an excellent spot for young children to get a break and play. It has food, clean bathrooms, and an assortment of animals. In addition, it splits the drive almost evenly (if you’re heading to Yosemite Valley, about 2 hours on either end from the Merced Fruit Barn) and has a few gas stations nearby where you can fill up too.

If you are driving in the summer or on a long spring or fall weekend, consider leaving early in the day to beat weekend traffic. If you have children who get squirmy in the car, they’ll appreciate not having to sit in traffic, particularly at the park entrance.

If you are traveling with a grandparent, consider taking advantage of the Senior Pass to enter the park. A lifetime pass is available for $80, a pass for one-year is $20 for those over 62. The pass entitles the pass owner and up to three adults to enter national parks for free.

WHERE TO STAY

Staying in the park is well worth it, especially with young children. If you need a midday break, your lodging is right there. You also avoid traffic entering and exiting the park, which we noticed daily. We booked our travel plans about nine months in advance. When we booked, a range of options was available at The Ahwahnee, Curry Village, and Yosemite Valley Lodge for our family of 4 that did not involve camping or unheated tents. If you are going with a large group, book earlier.

Here are your in-park lodging options with pros and cons:

The Ahwahnee

Majestic is a great descriptor for The Ahwahnee. It’s breathtaking and full of history. The rooms are older and might be due for some upkeep, but this felt like a luxury hotel.

Tip: If you are a guest staying at the hotel, you can make reservations at the restaurant in advance, which I highly recommend. It’s a beautiful dining room and quite the treat at the end of a long day.

Curry Village

Curry Village is the most rustic feeling. The accommodations are canvas tents and cabins. This is an excellent location if you have a large group or want a more nature-focused lodging experience.

Yosemite Valley Lodge

Yosemite Valley Lodge feels like a standard, average hotel. The buildings are short (two floors), and the rooms are 2 Queen beds. The location has more food options, a store, and bike rentals.

You can rent bikes and bike trailers for smaller kids here. We fit both kids in one trailer and biked Cook’s Meadow Loop, frequently stopping to admire the views. Even so, it was not a long or overly challenging bike ride. It was much better than carrying the kids when tired, and they loved riding in the carriage.

If you cannot book early and are traveling with a small group (like a family of 4), regularly check the website the month before, as the cancellation policy says to cancel seven days in advance for free. Usually, a few (non-camping) last-minute options open up.

WHAT TO EXPLORE IN YOSEMITE VALLEY

Here’s what we explored with our young children:

Lower Yosemite Fall Trail. This was a great, easy walk. Our general experience has been that this was the busiest of all the trails but a good one. Seeing these waterfalls up close and far away on a well-maintained, minimal-elevation trail was a special treat for our kids.

Mirror Lake Loop (we did the out and back, not the full loop)

We made Mirror Lake harder than it should have been. We accidentally strayed onto a more challenging trail, so we had to double back before doing the out and back. Mirror Lake offers a beautiful view, which is quite different and more serene than the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail. The last portion of the trail has an elevation (uphill on the way there), so be prepared to motivate kids to keep going. We brought snacks and took breaks. Our goal was to do as little carrying of the littles as possible.

Cook’s Meadow Loop. As mentioned earlier, we biked this, which was a highlight for the whole family. Elevation was insignificant, and the paths were wide and relatively easy to bike, even while pulling a kid bike trailer.

I hope your experience with your family is wonderful. Most importantly, savor exploring nature and making memories at the beautiful Yosemite Valley together.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Check nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/valleyhikes.htm before heading out to see what trails are open. You can also view the available trails with difficulty ratings to plan your trip, find links to downloadable apps, and find park services on social media. You can also download maps ahead of time or pick up hard copies in case you lose reception.

Denise Green has worked in education for over a decade, specializing in mathematics pedagogy and professional development. She, her husband, and their two children reside in the sunny hills off Highway 68.