Yosemite National Park began its journey as the third national park of the US in October of 1890 and has been a popular place to visit ever since, but how much do you, as a first-time visitor, actually know about the park? When you choose to enjoy a Disney vacation, you probably already know all the rides you want to ride, and when you make a journey to Paris, you probably have a long list of landmarks that you have dreamed about visiting your entire life. But for most people, when it comes to Yosemite, all they really know is that it is a National Park in California famed for its natural beauty. Today, we at Love Yosemite! want to share our love of the area with this ultimate first-time visitor guide to Yosemite, offering a step by step, place by place map of everything that makes the park special and that should not be missed!
When Is the Best Time to Visit?
Before we delve into the adventures you will have, we would like to take a few minutes to discuss when the best time of year to visit would be. Is it the winter months when snow and ice turn the park into a magical winter wonderland? The falls may freeze, including the park’s namesake falls, Yosemite Falls, creating frazil ice, which is a stunning collection of ice crystals that will look like something out of a Disney movie.
Could it be the spring months, when the wildlife of Yosemite start appearing more frequently, often with babies in tow, and the waters of Yosemite Falls take on majestic proportions due to the snowmelt? Or what about summer, when families from all over the world flock to our piece of paradise, hiking, rock climbing, or fishing in the numerous rivers and lakes that are in the area? Maybe, just maybe, it is the fall season that will capture your heart, the trees turning fiery colors and the cool weather making a hike through the park an easy and comfortable trek? The answer is yes to all of the above, because Yosemite National Park is open every day of the year, and each new season brings more magic to view.
Shouldn’t Miss Attractions
Now that you have chosen a time to visit, let’s explore the attractions offered at the park, the ones that you shouldn’t miss if you want a full and successful vacation experience. There is so much to see and do during a Yosemite visit that we can’t cover it all in one page, but we have added the highlights to the list below.
The Waterfalls of Yosemite
The two waterfalls you will hear about the most are Yosemite Falls, which are the tallest falls in the nation, and Horsetail Falls, which offers an unusual natural occurrence in which the falls appear to turn to molten lava tumbling over the rocks at sunset in February. Both are definitely sights to behold and should not be missed, but don’t forget that there are over 25 waterfalls in Yosemite, all waiting to be exclaimed over, perhaps while using them as a backdrop to your family photos. Snow Creek Falls, the second tallest falls, features a series of cascades that tumble over 2000 feet from top to bottom. In comparison, the smallest waterfall of Yosemite, Quaking Aspen Falls, climbs just 25 feet high, but has multiple strands that create a truly magical effect, in spite of its miniscule size.
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Yosemite is known for being home to several record breakers, not just the tallest falls, and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is where one of the largest living things resides, the not so humble sequoia tree. Yosemite’s Mariposa Grove is home to 500 massive giants, trees that have stood in the same spot for over 3000 years. The most famous tree in the groves, the Grizzly Giant, is reputed to be over 2700 years old, a number that truly boggles the mind. This magnificent sequoia was just a seed or sapling when the rise of Mesopotamia was happening, when the pyramids were being built, and papyrus was still hundreds of years away from being used. The grove is filled with fascinating trees, many with names and “reputations,” and is destined to live on in your photos and stories for years to come.
Glacier Point
When you drive into Yosemite for the first time, one of the most difficult parts of the drive will be keeping your eyes on the road and off the stunning beauty of the landscape that surrounds you. For safety’s sake, we highly recommend visiting Glacier Point, the park’s most popular viewing spot, offering panoramic views of some of the park’s greatest attractions, including Half Dome and Yosemite Falls. Perched 7200+ feet above the countryside, visitors can see for miles, and the pictures taken at this photographic hot spot will be the ones that will make your friends, family, and neighbors jealous that they weren’t able to join in on your adventures.
Off the Beaten Path in Yosemite
Not everyone likes to follow the crowds, and if you are one that turns away from the popular and towards the unique, the places that generally only the locals know, this next section will take you to your new happy spot.
Wawona Swimming Hole/Swinging Bridge
In the days before air conditioning, swimming holes were the best way to keep cool during the hottest days of the year, and even as our Wawona retreats will provide that modern convenience, the Wawona Swimming Hole still provides summer refreshment. Wawona is a small community located within the borders of Yosemite National Park, serving as the spot where several rivers meet, including the Merced River, and the swimming hole offers clear waters that are cold and wonderful. Whether you are taking a break from your hike through the area or make your way to the swimming hole specifically to frolic in the river, be sure to explore the old fashioned thrill of a walk across the Swinging Bridge. Not to be confused with the one in Yosemite Valley, this swinging bridge actually swings as you walk across it, adding an extra dose of excitement to your summer adventures. Taking Chilnualna Falls Road is the best way to get to this idyllic spot.
Taft Point
Glacier Point may be the most popular viewing spot in Yosemite, but the lesser traveled Taft Point, named after President Taft, will give you better views and less company. For those afraid of heights, this may not be the scenic viewing spot you want to explore, as there are no stone walls partially blocking the views and the thin metal rails that corral the first overlook offer just a suggestion of comfort. As you make your way to the edge, be sure to step around the fissures, massive gaps in the granite that drop straight down, an uncomfortable and perhaps catastrophic fall if you aren’t careful.
It’s the top overlook that you will want to see, if you dare, as it dangles 7500 feet over the countryside, and yes, there is no guardrail. The trail leading you to this daredevil’s delight is actually a moderate one, well-marked and easily followed, crossing creeks and leading hikers into the lush depths of the wooded areas of Yosemite. Your reward for facing your fears and completing the hike is, of course, those life-changing views.
Road Trip to Coulterville
Located just 60 miles away from your Bass Lake escape, the town of Coulterville offers a step back in time, featuring a downtown area that could have jumped from the pages of a Western novel. Many of its buildings date back to Gold Rush times, and its annual Coyote Fest pays homage to small towns everywhere as well as serving as a reminder that you truly are in the west. Offering artisan and food vendors, live music, a kids’ show, a howling contest, and a chili cookoff as well as a beer and wine garden, if you are visiting Yosemite at the end of September, we suggest adding a visit to Coulterville for this fun festival to your itinerary.
A Taste of Yosemite
The best vacations often include the best meals, devoured at restaurants that aren’t offered in our hometowns, and your California escape to Yosemite is destined to top your list of best meal experiences. Below we have listed just a few of our favorites as there just isn’t enough time to list them all!
The Ahwahnee Dining Room, 1 Ahwahnee Drive in Tuolumne Meadows
Located just 39 miles north of Bass Lake, the town of Ahwahnee is famous for being used for filming some of the interior scenes of the Stephen King movie, The Shining, but also for its iconic restaurant, the Ahwahnee Dining Room. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a space offering a crossbeam ceiling and cathedral windows, the menu offers a tasty selection of American delights. A buffet breakfast ensures no one will go hungry during their Yosemite adventures, and dinner is also buffet style, including a prime rib carving station.
The Mountain Room, Yosemite Lodge Drive in Yosemite Valley
If you haven’t gotten your fill of views of Yosemite Falls, but are also fighting a powerful hunger, dinner in the Mountain Room will solve both problems. Perfectly cooked steak is on the menu at this wonderful restaurant, and views of Yosemite Falls will help take the deliciousness of your steak to the next level. Also offering seafood, pasta dishes, and a full bar, we can promise that even the pickiest of diners will find something they love at the Mountain Room.
The Elderberry House, 48688 Victoria Lane in Oakhurst
The Elderberry House blends magic and wonder with a prixe-fixe menu of French California favorites. A generous patio with twinkle lights and white tablecloth tables offers a serene vibe to your choice of a three-course meal or five-course meal that offers a wine pairing for an additional cost. The Cellar offers a bar bites menu for those who try to avoid fancy foods, but if you are looking for a special occasion meal during your Yosemite journey, a visit to the Elderberry House will give you an experience that will be the topic of your vacation stories for years to come.
Come Home to Love Yosemite!
The adventures you experience during your Yosemite travels are going to capture your heart and become a part of your soul, and each evening, no matter how you spend your day, coming home to Love Yosemite! will be a highlight you won’t soon forget. Blending all the comforts of home with the modern conveniences you will love our properties are destined to be an integral part of your vacation experience.
The Comfort You Crave
Not every vacation property owner understands the importance of comfort, and if you, like us, have spent far too many nights trying to sleep in lumpy beds or relax on sofas that are so hard and stiff a stone bench would be more comfortable, you are going to fall in love with the comforts we offer. Sofas that you will sink into are placed in the exact position to enjoy views of state of the art televisions, and the warmth of a roaring fire on a chilly night may encourage you to take an impromptu nap, waking up only to climb into the most comfortable beds in the state.
Luxury You Deserve
Because rustic charm does not have to mean austere and bland, even our cabins will feature the luxury amenities you deserve. From the simple (fireplaces in the bedrooms) to the extraordinary (private pools), every thought has been paid to every detail in our Yosemite luxury rentals that may make you feel spoiled and pampered.
Reserve Your Favorite Escape Today!
Most decisions aren’t as easy as choosing Love Yosemite! for your vacation accommodations, but we do what we can to make your California journey one that you will compare all other vacations to for years to come. Reserve your favorite property today!
