2 good places for a special meal are The Ahwahnee dining room or the Mountain Room at the Yosemite Lodge dining area:


http://www.yosemitepark.com/ahwahnee-dining-room.aspx

http://www.yosemitepark.com/mountain-room-restaurant.aspx

For all other dining options - nothing really remarkable:

http://www.yosemitepark.com/Dining.aspx

Not necessary Anniversary faire - but the Pizza place by the Curry Village market is pretty good.

Is it worth the time to go to The Ahwahnee or The Mountain Room? I mean in terms of doing other activities down by Curry Market

Have a late lunch & a late dinner:

The Mountain Room Lounge is open from noon to 11pm. on Saturday and Sunday and 4:30 to 11pm. Monday through Friday.

Not quite as late at Ahwhanee:
Sunday till 8:30, Monday till 9:00.

MAKE RESERVATIONS! Or at Mountain room you will wait for a table unless you get there pretty late, in June may miss out on Ahwahnee without them.

"Is it worth the time to go to The Ahwahnee or The Mountain Room? I mean in terms of doing other activities down by Curry Market"

Sure it is. You are talking about night time . . .

Go to the Ahwanee It's spectacular and the food is good too. Of course you can always have a romantic picnic somewhere. If you are there on Saturday night in the summer, outside of the valley is the Wawona Hotel. The Wawona has a wonderful outdoor summer barbque on the lawn outside the hotel. google the wawona hotel

For a splurge, the Eldeberry House in Oakhurst, south of Yosemite:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/6954353465/in/set-72157629150082574

I agree Elderberry house is special. But it would be a 90 minute drive (each way) from Curry Village. Though only about 1/2 an hour from Fish Camp (where they are staying one night)

But it would be a 90 minute drive (each way) from Curry Village.

Why not; there's not much to do in the valley after the sun goes down.

In June it won't get dark until well after 9 PM. If choosing Elderberry House, make it on the first night when you're staying in Fish Camp.

http://www.chateausureau.com/

"Why not; there's not much to do in the valley after the sun goes down."

Because it would be a 3 hour round trip . . .

That is why it really only makes sense from their Fish Camp stopover.

Is there not ranger programs offered in the evening?

Also, if I can get a nicer room for Sunday night, which is our anniversary is it worth changing rooms?

If you believe the Zagat Survey... out of a possible 30 for each category of Food - Decor - Service...

Erna's Elderberry House is a 27-28-27. East of SF, only Chez Panisse has a higher score in cuisine. EEH is first in service and second to the Ahwanee in decor.

Ahwanee is 18-29-21. Still very respectable, and a breathtaking view.

Because it would be a 3 hour round trip . . .

We did it. But it could be at the end of an outing to visit the Wawona grove, which might make the trip more bearable for those who do not see a 90 min. ride and back to what I would consider a destination restaurant.

I found the Sunday brunch at the Ahwanee to be a better value than its dinner.

Why leave beautiful Yo to drive 3 hours rt - to some restaurant? For all you know - the main chef might have the night off.

Tomsd - a restaurant builds its reputation on it's overall cuisine. A restaurant that uses Fred the dishwasher a couple of times a week as chef de cuisine, will fall flat immediately.

Erna's has been receiving rave reviews for many many years

Along with quality, there is consistency. Two main ingredents in building an excellent restaurant. Gunnar Thompson is the Executive chef, and is responsible for both quality and consistency. His job and the restaurant itself depend on that.

"Why leave beautiful Yo to drive 3 hours rt

They don't have to . . . They are staying one night in Fish Camp.

(Where is 'Yo' BTW? Anywhere near 'Cali'?)

New2CA: Either Elderberry House or the Ahwahnee would be a really memorable dinner. Either Elderberry House on your Fish Camp night, or the Ahwahnee on one of your Yosemite Valley nights.

I might opt for the Ahwahnee w/ a lateish sitting so it is still daylight when you arrive and dusk falls. So you could see the views and then have the room in candlelight. Just an amazing space.

the food at Elderberry house is amazing - but I just think the Ahwahnee fits a bit better in your itinerary.

We enjoyed the Sunday Brunch too.

We enjoyed a meal at Wawonna Lodge as well. The pizza place in the valley is very good pizza(maybe because we were just hungry).

Before I drove 3 hours away from Yo(lol), I would pack a sandwich and have a picnic.

It's not 3 hours away--implying one direction--but 3 hrs RT, let's not exaggerate.

Ok - all you loyal gourmands of Elderberry. If the visitor gets a 3rd night in Curry Village - I still say - bag driving to this Elderberry place. Yes, while in Provence - we did drive an hour from our little villge of Fontvielle over to Aix for a 2 star Michelin dinner - but hey - that was in France.

And jj: Maybe you are a spring chicken (not!)- but way back when - all of my circle of friends called it Yo - as did a number of people in the Valley.

I worked for the forest service and no one I knew called it Yo.

What is the deal with the Elderberry House discussion? The OP will be staying in Fish Camp for 1 night. If they decide to go to Erna's they should go for dinner the night they are in FC. Why drive all the way to Oakhurst from the Valley after having driven there from Fish Camp earlier in the day? Makes absolutely no sense. But Fodorites will argue about anything!

As I said on the other thread: Suzie - maybe you were too far out in the deep woods to get the word?

And I have encouraged the traveler to try and get a 3rd night in Curry Village - by continuing to call. Why stay in Fish Camp when you can be at the main event?

For one thing, if one is interested in the giant Sequoias, it makes sense to be close to the Wawona area. There is more to Yosemite than the valley.

Tom, tom, tom - the OP is coming from SEKI to Fish Camp then has 2 nights in Curry but may be thinking of getting away late instead of staying that 3rd night.

I'd happily stay in the deep woods than be caught using that stupid term. But thanks anyway for trying to get me to join the kool kids klub

I think "circle of friends" might be the key phrase here.

And on a similar note.

YN---is that Yellowstone or Yosemite National Park?

MV--is that Monument Valley or Mesa Verde?

YNP*

Tommy . . . I've lived w/i 3 hours of Yosemite almost my entire life and have visited the place probably 45+ times . . . and I have never EVER heard anyone call it 'yo'.

And I dare say, neither have you.

New2CA,

Sorry, we're just having some fun. Anyway, there are Ranger Programs. I think they also do a shuttle tour to Glacier Point at night--which might be interesting.

I think you should go for The Awahnee for a meal(perhaps Sunday Brunch if you are there on a Sunday). If you are near Wawonna, then perhaps lunch. We didn't do the bbq dinner, but it does look interesting. We stayed 1 night at Wawonna and the rest of our time in Curry Village.

Since you are coming from Sequoia though, I'm not sure I would spend much time if any at Maripossa. I really like the trees at Sequoia much better. There is a lot of history at Maripossa though.

But Mariposa Grove has some really interesting trees even if you've seen SEKi trees. Like Clothespin, Giant Grizzly and a group of four trees - three growing very close together one a little distance away. All the roots are intertwined keeping them all standing. Ok maybe I'm a tree dork.

It would be a shame to skip Maripossa, but with limited time and seeing sequoia, it might be better to see valley, tioga road, glacier point, even hetch hetchy. Decisions Decisions. Any of them are worth seeing. I had forgotten that you mentioned you can't do much hiking. The tram around Maripossa might be a really good treat then.

If a tree falls in a forest and nobody hears it say Yo - does it mean it didn't happen?

If you don't get to Mariposa - try to see some big trees over at the Merced Grove. It takes a little hiking but hopefully you can have someone help you? http://www.yosemitehikes.com/hetch-hetchy/merced-grove/merced-grove.htm

Tomsd - the bad joke is, and I'll probably be killed for this, is "you don't because your wife is talking".

OMG Tom if she's been in SEKI and goes to "Yo" she hardly has to go to the Merced Grove. Try some sensitivity, man. She has said she has a disability so that steep climb to the Merced Grove is out of the question. It's not a matter of getting someone to help you for that. Stop being ridiculous.

I see that you guys will argue or discuss anything but mean while I am getting some good ideas for my trip. Thanks and my name is Melissa

Well, Melissa there is someone here being incredibly obtuse. Wouldn't want you to end up with really bad information. Some things are worth arguing about.

Rasta: Good one!!! And Melissa - just trying to provide some info - that apparently irks some of the delicate sensibilities of a few.

As I asked on one of your other posts/Q's - what's with the Muir Woods tour? After the beautiful nature you will be seeing in Sequoia and in Yosemite - I think Muir Woods will pale by comparison - and I used to visit a friend of mine's house that was two big trees away from one of the entrances.

And while we freely used the term Yo years ago - I have to admit - until reading these posts - had never heard of the term SEKI before. Guess times change.

BTW Spirodog: MV is Mill Valley.

New2CA: PLEASE ignore the Merced Grove suggestion! It is down hill, but there'd be a nearly 700 foot climb back to your starting point -- all for just a very small group of trees.

Maybe you use freely use the term Yo, but as a courtesy to people asking questions, isn't is nicer to use the full name of Yosemite?

In terms of itinerary, it makes sense to stay at Fish Camp (dine that evening in the area--I already made my recommendation for a 30 year anniversary dinner). The next day, see the sequoias if interested, and then drive to Glacier Point on the way to the valley floor; Glacier happens to be equidistant between Wawona and the Yosemite valley according to Google map. After the valley floor stay, I would take CA120 out of Yosemite and stop in Sonora and Columbia State Historic Park to visit the Gold Rush towns on the way to SF or Napa, as the OP chooses.

So are two full days enough to Yosemite?
I will have all day Sunday and then all day Monday
If it is, then I would love to take CA120 to SF.It sounds just like what I would love to see. We have just moved to CA from the east coast and what I miss the most is history.My DD and myself were involved in doing Civil War reenactments .
If we take our time and get out and sight see and eat will it take the entire day to get to SF?

IMHO Elderberry not worth the drive. Very pretentious restaurant with ok food. Our dinner had very unusual cinnimon sauce on steak. It is a long drive and we left from Wawona. Then you need to drive back. Ahwanee is interesting, food ok/good but great atmosphere. I think it is a must-see in Yosemite.

If you just moved to California, 2 full days is sufficient. You'll go back to see the area in other seasons.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/4855480336/in/set-72157624516613985 and the next 12 pictures.

It probably will take all day to get to SF if you stop to visit the Gold Rush towns.

To show you what's possible in 2 days - Here is one of my trip reports of a 2 night/2+ day stay in Yosemite (plus some of the gold rush country along hwy 49) including a dinner at the Ahwahnee. This trip did not venture south of the Valley and you'd have the extra 1/2+ day for the big trees/Wawona etc. But just in Yosemite Valley, 2 days would be very nice.

If you decided to do some of hwy 49, it would be in the reverse order of my trip.

(Sorry if I already posted a link on one of your other threads)

http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/yosemite-and-hwy-49-short-getaway.cfm

Thanks All. You are making my trip planning very easy.
Another question from Curry Village how far is it to Ahwahnee?
Do they require dress clothes? What time should we make our dinner reservation?

It's only like 2 miles from Curry Village. You can drive since you have limited mobility. The dress has loosened up in recent years. Used to require jackets on men:

Proper attire is kindly requested for dinner. Dinner dress code in The Ahwahnee Dining Room is 'Resort Casual'. Gentlemen are asked to wear collared shirts and long pants. Ladies are asked to wear dresses, skirts or slacks and blouses. Children over the age of four are asked to dress accordingly. Breakfast, brunch and lunch dress are casual.

You can drive if you have a handicap tag - but the shuttle will drop you right in front of the Ahwahnee so that is just about as convenient.

If you use the shuttle be mindful of the operating hours. In June the shuttle ends at 10:00 pm so make sure you will be able to return to Curry Village from the Ahwhanee after your dinner.

Tomsd,

SEKI is the abbreviation that the National Park uses. YOSE is what it uses for Yosemite. www.nps.gov

If you look at this map of wineries along the Gold Country/Sierra foothills - route 120 comes out of the park (through Big Oak flat - and yes, it's scenic) but the real road through Gold Country is hiway 49 - http://www.historichwy49.com/wine.html .

It continues on over to hiway 50 at Placerville - but you can even turn before that and head to Folsom, or if memory serves me right - before that work your way down to 80 (by Elk Grove?), although it might be just as quick going to Folsom, and getting onto 50 to I-80 and then into SF.

From the Valley Floor to China Camp (a cute place to stop) - and then Jamestown, more or less the "start" of Gold Country - is around 40 miles. see: http://www.distance-calculator.co.uk/usa-distance-jamestown-to-yosemite_national_park.htm

And yes, the bus/shuttle will pick you up right in front of Curry Village and one of the stops is at the Ahwahnee. Make sure though it's still running if you are dining later, or as noted - you can also drive.

BTW - I think most readers can figure out that when I say Yo - it means Yosemite.

We like to take CA4 back from Sonora all the way to the Bay area because it gives a slice of California's development, from the rolling hills of ranch country through the industrialized agricultural areas and towns to Brentwood, the exurb on the delta, and then I80 through the closer suburbs and its glimpses of the SF Bay.

And here is a more complete list of wineries in Gold Country.

http://www.weekendwinery.com/Wineries/Wineries_CA_SierraGold.htm

On most travel boards I've seen, MV is Monument Valley rather than Mesa Verde, only because more foreign tourists want to visit Monument Valley.

Never seen MV for Mill Valley.

And once again, isn't this about providing useable and clear information for the OP? Isn't it about OP rather than any one of us?

suzie: "If you use the shuttle be mindful of the operating hours. In June the shuttle ends at 10:00 pm so make sure you will be able to return to Curry Village from the Ahwhanee after your dinner."

Not to worry. If one over stays at the Ahwahnee they will send a shuttle just for you. Happened to me - I asked the driver if there was some special reason in my case, and both she and the hotel concierge said it was just normal operating procedure. Dinner at the Ahwahnee comes w/ privileges

TOM! Please stop confusing things!!! Talking about totally irrelevant places like Elk Grove of all places (and no, Elk Grove is not near I-80). Context man! jeeze louise.

Just at Yosemite on Tuesday (4/24). The tram at Mariposa Grove was NOT running (a shame, as there was no way I was making it beyond Grizzly Giant), but we did see a tram at Tunnel View. Didn't see it on the valley floor, but that could just be a matter of timing, since we saw people at the stops.

We ate at the Ahwahnee of lunch. Been there for Sunday brunch years ago. Good service, decent/good food. Vacation prices. $18 for a burger, though it was good.

Beautiful day. The hot weekend meant the falls and rivers were really running; all the ephemeral falls, too. We decided not to get too close to Bridalveil Falls--everyone was coming back pretty soaked from the spray and we didn't want to get that wet. And we'd seen it, this trip was more distance-viewing.

If we go for dinner, what time should we make reservations?

What time do you like to eat? Or do you mean how far in advance?

Both questions, actually.
What is the best time to eat in terms of the view?

Well in June it stays light pretty late so you kind of have your pick. What about 7:30-8:00? Is this for Sunday night? They are only open until 8:30. The rest only till 9.

I'd make reservations as soon as you decide on a date and time. Easier to cancel reservations than to get them if you've waited too long.

It would be a Monday night . So I will make it for 7:30pm

Or am I better off having dinner there Monday night as we will be in Fish Camp?

If you are staying in Fish Camp Sunday night you should have dinner there or in nearby Oakhurst or Bass Lake.

Monday you can have dinner at the Ahwahnee.

Or am I better off having dinner there Monday night as we will be in Fish Camp?

If "there" refers to the Ahwanee, be aware that the drive from Fish Camp is about one hour according to Google map:

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

Just enter Fish Camp, Yosemite, CA for one destination and Yosemite Valley, CA for the other.

Thanks Then I will make reservations for Ahwanee for Monday night at 7:30pm

Enjoy a nice dinner at the Ahwanee. It's world class in setting - and also - has pretty fair chow.

And as for how to get around the area, driving, etc - be sure to have some good maps with you. I have sent you a few map links - here and on your other threads, but there is no substitute for doing your own homework.

It's really not that complicated, but some posters (nitpickers really) here seem to think you have to file a precise flight plan if you make any suggestions.

And Spiro. My MV reference to Mill Valley was meant as a joke, but don't tell some people that. As for the current Park Service names - great. Glad to know that. Now I will sleep more soundly.

Thanks everyone

New2CA,
I was up there for 2.5 days in mid March (and also in October) and did have LUNCH at Ahwahnee.

People don't mention prices, but for a great lunch (including dessert), it cost two of us $100+. Dinner is more expensive though. Dress is more casual at lunch too.

Our later Dinner at Mountain Room totaled $100 too. We are both small women.

As for what we did while there for 2 days (we are older folks), we took the valley tram (a bus in March) on both days that we were there because the sites we stop at look different on different days, depending on the weather. It was a GREAT ride both times. And the guide, Herb, was REALLY informative and fun to hear.

Also, the free shuttle "in town" or in Yosemite proper is one you can get on and off from, at the regular stopping and boarding points. I loved just going to Cook's Meadow where I could drink in the sights of Yosemite waterfalls, Half Dome, Sentinel Rock and a bit of Glacier Pt rock.

Going back to San Francisco (I live in that area) takes a good while -- observing speed limits, it's about 4 hours.

I have photo sets with some captions of the trips in March and also for Fall colors in October. They're at:

http://www.pbase.com/andrys/yosemitetrips

The one in March will pretty much show you what the tour stops look like. In October we had prettier colors though.

Good report andrys. I forgot that at the Yosemite Lodge is it - they have a nice restaurant and you can look out the two story high picture window - right up at Upper Yosemite Falls. And walking along the trail to the parking lot for these Falls - there is a gap in the trees a block or so before you get to the parking lot/rest rooms (coming from the Visitor's Center) - that has a beautiful view of Lower Yo falls.

It was the Mountain Room with the great view - and hopefully you can get away for under $100 if you order lightly.

Have some good H'or D'oeuvres before you go, or see if they have an early bird type special.

http://yosemitepark.com/mountain-room-restaurant.aspx

Yes tom, the Mountain Room has been mentioned/recommended several times - and linked in the very first response as a matter of fact. . . .

A short post asking for Yosemite Dining options. How did we ever get 75 posts out of this. lol

Tomsd, yes, the Mountain Room is at Yosemite Lodge, and re the high picture window looking up at Upper Yosemite Falls, I was sitting at that very table for dinner and took a picture from it as night was falling, which captured a large photograph in the Mountain Room also.

That plus the leisurely walk to Lower Yosemite Falls (although in light rain) and the beautiful view of these falls that can be seen at a detour in the path, that you recommend, are also seen in the photo set. Here's a direct link to just that March 2012 gallery.
http://www.pbase.com/andrys/yosemite2

UNforgettable trip. But so was October's. It's just an unforgettable place and you're lucky to have been there for so long.

As for ordering lightly, I'm afraid that's not my style LOVE FOOD. The food was not as delicious as it was at Ahwanee but it was very relaxing there, the big photos in glass on the walls are fantastic and the waiters were really helpful with information on the photos, and on the special times for unusual sights in Yosemite.

Ahwahnee staff was also very pleasant/helpful. People who work in Yosemite seem to really enjoy their jobs or maybe the locale of their jobs.

I saw that the Mountain Room looked very nice but they do not take reservations. How long a wait for dinner is what I am wondering?

Melissa