Why pay for a standard motel room at Yosemite when you can rent a two bedroom condo for almost the same price? Pine Mountain is an excellent choice for large groups, with many large condos and chalets for rent. At some, you'll have to bring your own linens, but if you rent the ones managed by Hotel Charlotte, you'll get all the amenities provided. Because Pine Mountain is not well known, it's also possible to reserve on short notice. I once got a reservation here less than a week before Thanksgiving, when everything else in the Yosemite area was fully booked.
For those who prefer to camp, the campground is open to the public with 49 campsites and 10 RV hook-up sites. Rates are lower than Yosemite Valley. Reserve by phone at (209)962-8625.
Activities
If you're staying long enough that you don't spend every waking moment at Yosemite, Pine Mountain Lake has plenty of things to do. Activities include water skiing, boating, sailing, swimming, fishing, tennis, golfing, horseback riding, volleyball, horseshoes, archery and hiking. There's even a water taxi service to carry you around the lake.Nearby Groveland offers a small selection of restaurants, shopping and a gold rush era saloon.
