One Day in Yosemite

Long-time Yosemite naturalist Carl Sharsmith was once asked what he would do if he only had a day to see Yosemite. "Madam," he replied, "I'd sit by the Merced River and cry."

Certainly, one can spend a lifetime - as Sharsmith did - exploring Yosemite National Park, but if you only have a day, here are some highlights that are must-dos.

1. Pack a picnic or foods you can eat on the go, so you don't have to spend a lot of time getting lunch.

2. Drive to Yosemite Valley via CA Hwy 140 through Mariposa. It's the most scenic way to get there. Use our handy map to get oriented.

3. On the way in, detour onto CA Hwy 41 by following the sign marked Bridalveil Falls near the east end of the Valley. Just before you reach the tunnel, stop in the parking lot for classic picture-taking and a panoramic view of the Valley. If you have time at the end of the day, this is also a good place to be at sunset.

4. Retrace your route and continue into the Valley, stopping at the parking areas beside the road for views of El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall. In spring when Bridalveil Fall is flowing, you can also take a short walk to its base from here. When you arrive in the heart of the Valley, park your car in a day-use parking lot.

5. The Visitor Center in Yosemite Village is a good place to get information from the rangers and find out about special activities. The displays inside are quite informative, but unless you're an extreme information-seeker, your time is probably better spent outside enjoying Yosemite than inside reading about it.

6. Spend as much time as you can touring the valley. If your budget allows, guided bus tours are given daily. The narrated, two-hour tours include descriptions of the Valley's famous landmarks and history and are an especially good way to see and learn a lot in a short time.

7. For a self-guided approach, energetic visitors can rent bicycles at Curry Village, or you can use the Valley Shuttle Bus to get a quick trip around the east end of Yosemite Valley. Board it at Stop #1 or #2 in Yosemite Village. Stop #6 is the place to get a closer look at Yosemite Falls. For a short hike, try the Mirror Lake Trail (stop #17) or get off at stop #16 for a walk to the Vernal Fall footbridge. Both hikes are about a mile long and moderately uphill.

8. Back at the Village, take the shuttle bus or walk to the Ahwahnee Hotel for a look around this grand park lodge. It's also a good place for a meal if you have time.

9. Depart Yosemite Valley with stops at El Capitan meadow to look for rock climbers high up on the side of El Capitan (binoculars are helpful) and at Valley View for a beautiful afternoon picture of El Capitan reflected in the river.

How Long Will This Take?

It will take you 5 to 6 hours to cover the stops above at a leisurely pace after you reach the park entrance. Add an hour for each of the hikes and add more time if you want to have a sit-down meal instead of a quick picnic.

The surrounding mountains put Yosemite Valley in the shadows for an hour or so after sunrise and again before sunset. In winter, that will leave you about 8 hours of daylight to tour in and in mid-June, you'll have about 12 hours.