Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park was the initial park we explored out of a total of 15. This park will always hold a special place in my heart because of that. With no prior experience in exploring National Parks, we dove right in. Since we were heading to Northern California, we thought it made sense to explore other areas while we were there.
We began our journey by flying into San Francisco and our initial destination was Napa Valley. We had our daughter with us so we kept napa valley a short visit. I vividly recall how exhausted we felt after a full day of flying and how surprised we were by the chaotic traffic in San Francisco. By the time we reached our destination, we were starving and decided to eat at a place recommended by a friend – Gott's Roadside. This restaurant is renowned for its contemporary take on using locally sourced, California-inspired ingredients. The burgers were exceptionally delicious, and my husband and I still reminisce about how fantastic the ketchup tasted lol (whether it was due to our extreme fatigue or if it’s really that good, we're not sure).
During our trip to Napa Valley, we explored various vineyards to visit with our daughter. After some research, we selected Sterling Vineyards because they offered a kid-friendly package with juice tastings. The property at Sterling Vineyards was stunning, and we kicked off our visit with a scenic aerial gondola ride to the hilltop. They offer a range of tasting packages to cater to different preferences. Our experience at this vineyard was delightful, and we wholeheartedly endorse it.
The following day, we set off on a four-hour journey to Yosemite National Park. We took the Pacific Coast Highway to explore the stunning Big Sur area. The Pacific Coast Highway offers breathtaking views! Don't forget to include it in your itinerary when traveling to Yosemite.
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park-Summer
We reached our hotel very late, opting for one just outside Yosemite National Park. During check-in, we inquired with the concierge about park visitation times. To our surprise, she recommended waking up at 4 am – UM really!?!? She explained that Yosemite is a top destination and gets extremely crowded. This being our first national park visit, I was unaware of the parks' popularity, especially in the summer.
We followed her suggestion since we had one full day at the park and got up at 4 am . I'm grateful we did because the morning drive was breathtaking! With no other cars around, we managed to see some animals, like a grizzly bear crossing the road! Since we only had a day at the park, waking up early allowed us to make the most of our time and enjoy a complete day.
We parked at the RV parking lot and proceeded to the Vernal Falls trail. Remember not to leave any snacks in your vehicle, as there have been reports of bears being attracted to the food. The hike to Vernal Falls is a challenging 2.4-mile roundtrip with a 1,000-foot elevation gain. The most difficult section for us was the 600 granite steps, which come towards the end of the hike. Take your time and exercise caution as the steps can be slippery due to the waterfall mist and lack of handrails. The breathtaking view of the 317-foot waterfall at Vernal Falls makes the hike truly rewarding. We enjoyed our lunch at the top while admiring the stunning waterfall. Be aware of squirrels eager to snatch your food!
Vernal Falls-Summer
After spending most of our day at Vernal Falls, we only had time for a few more destinations. We then made our way to the Lower Yosemite Falls trail, opting for the shuttle due to the park's increasing busyness and limited parking availability. The trail was a simple 1.2-mile walk on a paved path, offering breathtaking views of both the upper and lower falls.
Our ultimate stop was Mariposa Grove & Giant Sequoias. While there are various hiking options available, we decided to take the Grizzly Giant Loop Trail. This moderate hike leads you through stunning trees that make you feel like you're in a dream! The highlight for me was seeing the renowned California tunnel tree. Check out this picture to see just how massive this tree is!
California Tunnel Tree-Summer
Whenever I reminisce about our trip to Yosemite, it brings a smile to my face. It marked the beginning of our appreciation for national parks, making it a cherished memory for me. I strongly suggest spending a few days in this park to fully experience its wonders. I am eagerly looking forward to returning one day to explore further.
for those curious about our Yosemite trip plan, check out our custom curated travel templates in pdf format (sign up for our email list, and receive a free pdf yosemite template download). additionally you can collaborate with me to create a personalized itinerary exclusively tailored to your vacation.
check out our store in the link below for custom travel itineraries:
happy travels!
mandy
