Travel Answers

I will be travelling to Yosemite NP for the first time in June. Is there any benefit to having a 4WD? or should i just hire a sedan?

Cheers.

I have a few questions on this :
I am travelling from SFO to Yosemite (Grovelands) on a Saturday. of July 2013.
Can you guys please advise on the time taken for a regular trip?
Is it possible without a GPS navigator?

Thanks,
Samit

Hi
Me and family are going to Yosemite for 2 nights.
We are driving from SFO... and will drive down to LA fromhere.

I have presenly got 2 places booked and need to decide which one to keep:
They are at :
1. June Lake
2. Sonorra.

Based on the main viewing points:I need to work out which one would be a better place.
I understand Sonorra is a shorter route from SFO and into LA, but how far is it from Yosemite Park gates.
WIll it be closer to the main

Yosemite Falls
Bridalveil Fall
Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias
Tunnel View
Glacier Point Rd

Answers Appreciated....

I need to transport six hikers from the Ahwahnee to start a hike at Tuolumne Meadows and a week later to return. The bus takes a long time, stopping for sightseeing, etc. Is there a more direct way? Is there a taxi service? I don't mind paying a reasonable cost.

Hey, I am goign with my girlfriend to visti fresno and we want to expend 2 nights in yosemite park, we need advices about evrything, which camping zone you recommend us, where can i make reservations, what part of the park would be the best to visit since we are only going for like 3 days, We are from Colombia and i hope everyone could help us

We are going end July,will be approaching Yosemite from the east, following previous advice (coming from Death Valley)will be staying around the mono lake area and starting early for trip in and enjoying the Tioga Road, we can still get in at Yosemite View Lodge (expensive) but this means we can be up early for full day in the park. Combined with our trip in on the Tioga road will we get a flavour of Yosemite or are we rushing it? You may have read my previous question, we are doing a loop Vegas/Death Valley/Yosemite/HWay1 (in 10 days)...very ambitious! I know this is not a general forum but are we crazy?

Hi We are visiting in late July and after Death Valley we want to visit Yosemite. I am thinking of taking the 395 then off on the 120 into Yosemite is this the way to go...thing is we are from England and we dont see many deserts here! so just need some advice on if this is the right thing to do. We are planning on two possibly three days in the park but will post question later on that, main thing is will my wife still be talking to me after dragging here through the desert then off over the mountains! Hoping to stay furnace creek roughly how long for the trip baring in mind I will want lots of photos..oh and are there gas tations or food areas on the way? Im sure its fine its just the map looks remote. Thanks for taking time to read.

We are a family of 4, 2 kids 5yr and 3yr old looking to visiting California this December. We are doing the road trip up from Los Angeles to San Francisco, and figured since we are in San Francisco, it would be good to also visit the Yosemite Park and hopefully enjoy a bit of snow as well. As we will be in a rented car and understand that chain must be used, we figured it would be easiest to stay outside the park. I was looking at the town of Mariposa, then taking the shuttle bus into the valley( one day) and another day maybe going up to badger Pass for snow tubing. I would like to know if there are any area for accommodation outside the park to look at, considering we won't have any chain? What about the drive from S.F. to Mariposa, will that route be Ok? Also would go from Mariposa direcctly to Los Angeles for our return flight. How is the road for that road? And finally, is it worth it staying in Mariposa and taking the shuttle bus to the park worth it? We are really hoping to experience the snow, and if we could predict snow then I think we would be extremely pleased.

We have a house reserved in Yosemite for Oct.2012. I am traveling with another family also. I have a 4 yr old, 2 yr old, and a 5 month old who will be traveling with us. I'm really concerned about the Hantavirus that is getting a lot of recent exposure. My kids are at that age where they can't keep their hands off anything and their curiosity beyond anything. Should I be concerned about taking them?

Hi - my family (2 adults, 3 kids) are planning on visitng Yosemite from Dec. 24-26, 2012. Hoping to play in the snow and ski/tube at Badger Pass. A couple of questions: 1) Is there a high likelihood of having snow there at the end of December? 2) Is Badger Pass operational on Christmas day? Thanks!

Hi, Family of 4 visiting Yosemite this summer. Question on the difference between parking and taking the yosemite tours such as Glacier Point or Valley Tour or Grand Tour that cost anywhere from40=$80 OR can you see as much just taking the free shuttle around from stop to stop. Does the free shuttle get you to Glacier Point? Also where is the Ansel Adams Gallery? Is it better to stay near Mariposa or Groveland as far as distance into the park? Thanks for your help!

my family with children, all early 20's, will be in the SF area in mid august, and Yosemite is a definite place to see. what i'm thinking of doing, and would like some help with, is staying outside of the park, and driving in for probably 3 days. so any help with places to stay would be helpful also. entering the park, i'm trying to do some research and have decided that i would like to come in through the Wawona Tunnel into the Valley area and go from there. Places i have written down to see include Glacier Point, Yosemite Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Half Dome, El Capitan, and Mirror Lake. Please feel free to include anything else. Kinda sad that its gonna be mid august when we're there, would love to see the waterfalls, but i know its gonna be a wonderful time to be had anyway. so i was wondering if i was right about entering through Wawona Tunnel?

Our first Yosemite visit was last June and the waterfalls were spectacular!!! With the snowpack this year how should they be the last week of June? We plan to visit the valley, glacier point and Meriposa grove.Staying at Wawona. VTrs- thanks for the help

Hi We are a family of four with two children and would like to do a day trip to Yosemite from San Francisco.We would like to do the day-trip in mid June. Unfortunately we have only 1 full day and would be unable to stay overnight in Yosemite. Perhaps one idea to spend more time at the resort would be to take a private tour ; rather than a standard coach tour. So say we get picked up from San Francisco at 6am-7am and would be dropped back at 9pm...what would you suggest could be seen within Yosemite in that timeframe? SOme of these coach companies suggest covering Half Dome,El Capitan,Yosemite Falls,Bridalveil Fall,Mariposa Grove ,Glacier Point etc. Do you think we could skip Mariposa Grove since we would be doing the Giant Redwoods in Muir Wodds, guess its not needed to repeat the same in Yosemite? Do let us know a suggested itinerary with some of the above places and which would give us a chance to walk around or hike a bit also;plus stop for lunch at Ahwanee etc. Suggestions of good tour companies who offer such private tours also most welcome. Thanks!

Me (15 years old) and my sister(17 years old) and two parents (just over 40) are going to yosemite national park in july this year we are able to do almost anything apart from extreme things but we would like to know what are the must do's to do in this park we have preferably 2 days here more if there is a lot more to do but if you could help it would be much appreciated

My family is traveling to Yosemite in June of 2012? From what I have read the snowpack is lighter this year in yosemite. What can we expect from waterfalls in late June? Has yosemite falls been known to be fairly dry in late June? Thanks.

Hi Me and my Husband will be travelling in June this year and one of our stops is 2 days in Yosemite, I am very excited and wish I was there longer but have been looking at the things I would like to fit in being Mariposa Grove and Glacier Point. I know that this question is the same as how long is a piece fo string but I know the main roads to get to both of these places are closed each year with snow, is June normally a good time to go to Yosemite to find the roads open? We will be in Yosemite on the 5th and 6th June before heading to Death Valley. Thank you in advance. Kirsty

Need help with a 3 day for Yosemite. Want to hit the falls, redwoods and what other areas are must do. Traveling with my 23 year old daughter both like to hike and in good shape. Thanks Myra

I just read some of the posts. Will there be snow on the road around Yosemite National Park in mid April? I have not driven in snow. If so, are there other transportation alternatives? We will come from San Francisco.

My family (2 adults, 2 children) will drive from Union Square, SF, to Yosemite. Would you recommend we take Wawona Road to pass by the giant trees (sequoias?) If so, what route do we take? The lodge in Scenic Wonders sent us a brochure which mentioned that the nearest restaurant in Yosemite is 12 miles away. Where can we buy food in the park? Any suggestions or comments about sightseeing (easy hiking only as we have a 7 yo girl) - views and wildlife?

Hi, Got a trip to California booked for May will be driving from South Lake Tahoe to Las Vegas over the course of a few days. We are looking to include a visit to Yosemite as we pass through. As we are too late to book hotel accommodation in the park itself, we are looking to drive down from Tahoe and stay somewhere interesting on the west side of Yosemite (Jamestown, Mariposa, Groveland??) visiting Yosemite the following day and spending the full day in the park, and then spending that night on the east side of Yosemite (Mammoth Lakes maybe?) Then the following day drive on down, stopping off at wherever we fancy (tips appreciated!) and then spending that night in Lone Pine before continuing to Vegas the next morning. Just wondered if anyone has any info on the best place to stop the night before Yosemite or if anyone can offer any alternatives? I've checked out driving distances on Google maps for our proposed timetable and it looks pretty do-able but open to suggestions for a better plan! Thanks so much in advance, really appreciate any advice :) Jen

Hi gang - I'm posting this mostly for our friends from Down Under who visit the U.S. in winter - when it's summer vacation there. We see a lot of questions about getting to Yosemite in the wintertime. Many of those involve trying to do that with rental vehicles that don't allow the tire chains that are mandatory to have - and likely to have to be used - in the snowy months. Have any of you found any U.S. car-rental companies that allow use of chains or have any useful advice for visitors trying to do this park or any other which require them?

Hi, we're a family of 2 adults and 3 teenage kids from Australia who are doing a once in a lifetime trip to the US. We would like to have a white Christmas so thought we would spend Chrismas at Yosemite. Does anyone have any recommendations for somewhere to stay that would have a special Christmas feel to it. Ahwahnee is slready booked out and probably beyond our price range anyway. I am thinking of Yosemite Lodge at the Falls or something ourside the park like Yosemite View Lodge. Any feedback from people who know these places would be greatly appreciated.

Hi, Myself and 3 friends are planning a big trip around America and our last week is spent in San Fran/LA. We have been told that yosemite is not to be missed but that tahoe is also an amazing place to see...so we were hoping to do both. HOWEVER. The slight problem we have is that we fly into San Fran on 10th June midday and leave San Fran to drive down coast to LA on the 13th. So...are we being overly ambitiousto go to both tahoe and yosemite? We are thinking 10th: arrive midday, drive to Tahoe and spend night there 11th: drive tahoe to yosemite (leaving very early) and see as much as we can that day, sty the night and see more the next day 12th: drive back to San Fran middayas we are doing Alcatraz that night. So, are we nuts? Is it worth doing both? Most likely we will never be back so want to squeeze it in if we can. and what is best entrance from tahoe if we want to see tunnel view? A reply would be much appreciated! Thanks

Hi, I'm going with some friends on a trip in June to San Francisco and Los Angeles and we wanted to pass by one the National Parks.... we don't have many days so we want to spend 2 days at Yosemite National Park or Sequoia National Park. Can anyone that has visited these 2 Parks give me they're opinion of which Park they recommend / prefer? Thanks in advance, Michael

We have now cancelled our Dec trip to Yosemite mainly because of snow and road closures we still desperately want to go but can anyone advise us wen best time to go when its not too hot and to avoid the crowds also was passing through there and onto SF would one night stopover in YNP be long enough to appreciate this place.

We are planning on travelling through death valley up to yosemite then on to San Fransisco mid December 2011 we have read on this site that tioga road and others may be closed due to snow? also the vehicle we travel in has to carry tyre chains? we found out last night from the rental company that they do not allow any of there vehicles to be fitted with these chains but we have read that there is a heavy fine if we dont comply, Is there another route that we can take to get from yosemite to SF? and could you tell us if there will be a high chance of snow on our route.

we will be travelling to yosemite np from LA.just looking for some accommodation ideas -- family of 6 for 2 nights..are there nice towns /motels/cabins outside the park -- or any where inside that anyone could recommend -- thanks all.

Hi all. I've read a lot in the forums about Yosemite and Tioga Rd in the winter. However, my question is more generalized. We are scheduled to go to Yosemite, then on to Mono Lake from San Francisco the 3rd week in October. It appears that on one day already, Tioga Road was closed, only to be open today. Is it possible that earlier in the season, it's likely to be open one day, closed the next, and then back open or is it more likely that as soon as it's closed the first time, it's closed for the season? We are monitoring closely in case we have to cancel the Mono Lake portion of our trip. Thanks!!!

I am traveling to Yosemite National Park from South Lake Tahoe. What are the best driving route to use?