vumit

My wife and I (enjoy photography, scenery, wild life, and short hikes) will be arriving San Francisco late on July 16 and must be back in Oakland for a family event on July 23. I can get reservation in Ahwanee for 19-22. Questions:
1. Is four nights at Ahwnee too long? (it is expensiver but we aren't campers)
2. Will the mosquito problem make it undesirable to be there at this time?
3. What do you suggest for July 17,18? Sequoia two nights??

boom_boom

Four nights at the Ahwnee isn't too long if you plan to concentrate on Yosemite Valley. You could also consider two nights in the Valley and two nights at the historic Wawona Hotel or the Tuolumne Meadows lodge.
Prior to Yosemite, why not explore the Lake Tahoe area?

spirobulldog

There are other things in The Valley to stay in besides the Awahnee. Everything from Tent Cabins, Cabins, The Lodge. You could go ahead and book at The Awahnee and keep calling back for cancellations. It will open up, but might be the week right before you come.

As boom boom suggests The Wawonna would be another option. Certainly, Sequoia NP is worth 2 or 3 days there. I think the trees are a little better at Sequoia vs. Yosemite(IMOP). Both are great though. The Wuksachi Lodge is just ok for Sequoia, but the food their is pretty darn good.

You can't go wrong with either place. The longer the amount of time you have the better. Sequoia shouldn't be as crowded.

tomfuller

Good advice from both boom_boom and spiro. If you don't like the idea of renting your car from SFO you can either rent one downtown or take the Amtrak bus Sunday morning (6:50AM) from Fisherman's Wharf to Emeryville to get on the 712 San Joaquin to Fresno. Pick up your rental car at the Fresno Airport. Once you have the rental car you have many more options as to where to stay. You could save some money by staying less time at Awahnee.
The northbound San Joaquin you want to be on leaves Fresno at 12:05. It is usually within 4 minutes of scheduled time.

vumit

Thanks for the advice. Ahwanee is the only lodging in the valley available right now so I booked it. Might cut back to three nights and add two nights in Sequoia.