You can plan your Yosemite National Park weekend getaway in a jiffy using the resources below.
Will You Like Yosemite?
- Take a look at our Yosemite Pictures.
- Yosemite is popular with nature lovers, photographers and hikers.
Best Time to Visit Yosemite
Yosemite weather is best in spring and fall, and it's less crowded then.Frankly, this beloved national park can be more crowded in summer than sale day at the local department store. The best strategy for a summer trip is to stay out of the valley, spending your time in cooler, less-crowded spots like Tuolumne Meadows.
Don't Miss
The views from Glacier Point have inspired photographers from Ansel Adams to Moose Peterson. It's a short walk from the parking lot to vista points that you might otherwise have to hike hours to reach. When Glacier Point is closed in winter, try Tunnel View instead.5 More Great Things to Do in Yosemite
There's a lot to do at Yosemite, and much of it is free after you pay the entrance fee.- Yosemite Valley: This is where you'll find Half Dome, El Capitan and many other famous sights. You'll enjoy the Valley a lot more if you stop and walk, even if it's only a little distance from the road. Find out all about it here.
- Take a Hike: Choose one of these four day hikes - they're relatively easy and fun.
- Tuolumne Meadows: This is a great place to head on a hot day when the park is crowded. Find out how to get there and what you can see and do.
- Take a Ranger-Led Tour: Check the Yosemite Today newspaper or ask in the visitor center to find out what tours are planned during your visit. They can range from winter's full moon snowshoe hike to camera walks and children's programs.
- Watch the Sunset: From Tunnel View, you'll get a view of the entire Yosemite Valley, and if you hang around for longer than the scant five minutes that most visitors give this stop, you can watch the afternoon light play across Half Dome and El Capitan. Stay longer and you may be treated to a rare alpenglow, a red glow of scattered light that can sometimes be observed in the east after the sun sets.
Annual Events You Should Know About at Yosemite
- The Bracebridge Dinner has been an annual Christmas tradition at Yosemite since 1927, transforming the Ahwahnee dining room into a 17th century English manor set up for a holiday feast. It's held in December, but you'll need to make reservations the previous February. Use this guide to find out more about it.
- The Ahwahnee sponsors special events all year long, including the Vintners' Holiday, Chefs' Holiday and a New Year's Eve celebration. Most require advance planning and reservations.
Tips for Visiting Yosemite
- For the most beautiful approach to Yosemite, especially if this will be your first trip, take CA Hwy 140 through Merced and Mariposa. The drive along the Merced River is a good warm up for sights in the Valley.
- Check out all the ways to be a smart Yosemite visitor.
Yosemite's Best Bites
The Ahwahnee dining room is the park's most famous place to eat, but there are plenty of other options, including the lovely dining room at Yosemite Lodge, where the quality of the photography displayed on the walls threatens to upstage the dishes on your plate. The Ahwahnee Hotel serves Sunday brunch featuring nine buffet stations, but it's so popular that reservations are a must during busy times (call 209-372-1489).
Where to Stay at Yosemite
Check our recommended hotels and campgrounds.To keep costs down for a Yosemite getaway, think "camping." That doesn't mean you have to sleep on the ground, fight off bears and do battle with uncooperative tent poles, though. Check out these options to keep your expenses on track.
