Yosemite Accommodation/Sight Seeing
Discussion
Originally we took the decision not to make the drive out to Yosemite when we go to California in April, but we have come to the conclusion, as we may not make it back that way, at least for an number of years, it would be churlish not to visit.
Unfortunately accommodation options are now very limited (and I really don't fancy an unheated tent in April nor £1300 for 2 nights at the fancy hotel).
Trip Advisor throws up this place as covering most of the bases (price/location/clean cheap and cheerful/pool for the kids). Does anyone have any thoughts or alternative suggestions? El Portal seems to be the closest town from the western side (will be heading in from Carmel/Monterrey) without actually being in the Park (which we cant do for the said limted accomodation options). Ive read, conflictingly, its between 20mins and an hour from the Park, but not sure if that's 20 mins to the Park entrance and an hour from the 'good stuff'?
Also, having one afternoon and one full day in the Park, any 'must see' suggestions?
As always, advice appreciated
Unfortunately accommodation options are now very limited (and I really don't fancy an unheated tent in April nor £1300 for 2 nights at the fancy hotel).
Trip Advisor throws up this place as covering most of the bases (price/location/clean cheap and cheerful/pool for the kids). Does anyone have any thoughts or alternative suggestions? El Portal seems to be the closest town from the western side (will be heading in from Carmel/Monterrey) without actually being in the Park (which we cant do for the said limted accomodation options). Ive read, conflictingly, its between 20mins and an hour from the Park, but not sure if that's 20 mins to the Park entrance and an hour from the 'good stuff'?
Also, having one afternoon and one full day in the Park, any 'must see' suggestions?
As always, advice appreciated
I went last June and found the same problem of availability within the park. I managed to get one night in one of those tents and and that was the only night available up until October.
I stayed in the area for two nights and the second was at the Shilo Inn in Oakhurst.
I don't remember how much I paid for the night, but it wasn't expensive, in fact I think the night in the tent cost more.
It's a little bit outside the park but then it seems that most of the hotels are.
I think it's over an hour away from the main Yosemite Valley, but there's the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad and a grove of Giant Sequoias on the way.
I stayed in the area for two nights and the second was at the Shilo Inn in Oakhurst.
I don't remember how much I paid for the night, but it wasn't expensive, in fact I think the night in the tent cost more.
It's a little bit outside the park but then it seems that most of the hotels are.
I think it's over an hour away from the main Yosemite Valley, but there's the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad and a grove of Giant Sequoias on the way.
We stayed at the Yosemite Lodge at the Falls. Accommodation is pretty average, but the location more than makes up for it. However, we booked about a year in advance, and only just got in! If I was going again, I'd stay at the Ahwahnee Hotel, and damn the expense. Avoid Curry Village at all costs.
We arrived mid-afternoon, and had the rest of that day plus all of the following day. In that time we went to Yosemite Falls, Yosemite Museum, Tunnel View, Mariposa Grove, Glacier Point & Bridalveil Falls. If there's one "must see" out of that lot, it's Glacier Point.
We arrived mid-afternoon, and had the rest of that day plus all of the following day. In that time we went to Yosemite Falls, Yosemite Museum, Tunnel View, Mariposa Grove, Glacier Point & Bridalveil Falls. If there's one "must see" out of that lot, it's Glacier Point.
Was there a couple of years ago and can recomend the Yosemite Bug as being good value and in a cracking spot.
Have a look at www.yosemitebug.com for more information.
If i manage to return to Yosemite then i will be staying there again!
Have a look at www.yosemitebug.com for more information.
If i manage to return to Yosemite then i will be staying there again!
Fidgits said:
amazing place - stayed at the Tenya Lodge in Fish-somethingorother just outside the park, much cheaper and a lovely hotel to boot.
This place is nice in fish camp, just outside the park entrance, still a good drive to the valley though. We also stayed in oakhurst in the best western on a previous trip, cheaper but then it shows and an hour or so to the park entrance. We hired snow shoes from tanaya on that trip and when we went back in the summer we stayed there.
I didn't see anything better than 3* in oakhurst and that's being generous probably mainly 2*, the Tanaya lodge is probably 4*
My wife and I stayed here when we honeymooned last September. It's a B&B near the south entrance. It will take about an hour to get to the centre of the park but don't let that put you off.
We were the only guests on the first night and the lady that owns the place is quite a character. Made a change from the usual anonymous hotels.
We were the only guests on the first night and the lady that owns the place is quite a character. Made a change from the usual anonymous hotels.
We stayed at the Lodge by the Falls, but I guess that's full then.
Take a walk out to Mirror Lake - about an hour from the centre, and goes passed Half Dome. Also drive around to Badger Pass, and walk up to the viewing platform - it's a couple of thousand feet above the valley, and very spectacular. Pity you can't get in the Lodge. When we were there last year and got friendly with a couple who work there. They invited us for a BBQ on night - really great evening. Restaurant there is good too, and managed to get fairly lubricated on Long Island Iced Tea one night.
Take a walk out to Mirror Lake - about an hour from the centre, and goes passed Half Dome. Also drive around to Badger Pass, and walk up to the viewing platform - it's a couple of thousand feet above the valley, and very spectacular. Pity you can't get in the Lodge. When we were there last year and got friendly with a couple who work there. They invited us for a BBQ on night - really great evening. Restaurant there is good too, and managed to get fairly lubricated on Long Island Iced Tea one night.
Just have to go with one of the hotels/motels just outside the Park and drive in. General consensus of the Park is it's a 'has to be done' We rented a house in Forest, just outside the main park. It was FANTASTIC!
Here's the link: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/VacationRentalReview-...
Top tip: go mid-week to avoid the crowds and congestion.
Here's the link: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/VacationRentalReview-...
Top tip: go mid-week to avoid the crowds and congestion.
A few years ago, a friend and I hiked up to the tree line, just before the rock based climb of Half Dome, and camped overnight. Just after sunrise we went up the last bit, and had the whole of the top of Half Dome to ourselves.
It was worth it.
We camped the whole time in Yosemite valley, but it was September.
It was worth it.
We camped the whole time in Yosemite valley, but it was September.
We stayed at 'Cedar Lodge' a couple of years ago, which is also listed in location as 'El Portal' and just a bit further down the road from the one you have found I think. It really isn't that much if an issue to get into the park from there, but I wouldn't recommend Cedar Lodge. It was like a ropey motel and the food at the restaurant was inedible, and service uncharacteristically terrible for the USA. I think they do well because they are cheaper than other options and accommodation is pretty limited in the area!
Hub said:
We stayed at 'Cedar Lodge' . It was like a ropey motel and the food at the restaurant was inedible, and service uncharacteristically terrible for the USA.
Does make you wonder how much you should listen to Trip Advisor 
I am really trying to make this visit work mid week, but struggling. Is it as bad as it sounds at the weekends? (and to make matters worse I believe I have picked 'National Parks Week' where entry to all US parks is free ...hmm).
FUBAR said:
Does make you wonder how much you should listen to Trip Advisor
I am really trying to make this visit work mid week, but struggling. Is it as bad as it sounds at the weekends? (and to make matters worse I believe I have picked 'National Parks Week' where entry to all US parks is free ...hmm).
We stayed there at the end of Feb last year. There were a fair amount of people around, but not what I'd call busy. The people there said that the crowds can gro 10 fold from that during the summer. So if it's nationsl parks week, then maybe avoid it. Shame really. We woke to this one morning....I am really trying to make this visit work mid week, but struggling. Is it as bad as it sounds at the weekends? (and to make matters worse I believe I have picked 'National Parks Week' where entry to all US parks is free ...hmm).
FUBAR said:
Does make you wonder how much you should listen to Trip Advisor
I am really trying to make this visit work mid week, but struggling. Is it as bad as it sounds at the weekends? (and to make matters worse I believe I have picked 'National Parks Week' where entry to all US parks is free ...hmm).
Like JulianHJ said, we stayed in Foresta. It's inside the park entrance so no need to sit in a traffic jam everyday if the park is busy. I think we arrived on a Wednesday and left on a Sunday towards the beginning of May. The Saturday was HELL in the Valley... people and cars everywhere. I was very glad we had already had 2 full days during the week. We quickly escaped the Valley and headed up to Glacier Point, which was much quieter. From here you can look down on the Valley floor, and feel sick if you dislike heights. The road might not be open to Glacier Point if you are going in April though. This website has links to the Foresta cabins. I am really trying to make this visit work mid week, but struggling. Is it as bad as it sounds at the weekends? (and to make matters worse I believe I have picked 'National Parks Week' where entry to all US parks is free ...hmm).
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