annarb

Is this a good (but expensive) base from which to explore Yosemite? Waited too long to make reservations and this is doable for us in terms of price but would want to make sure it is worthwhile in terms of driving into the park (in August)

sludick

It's a beautiful place, but it does take awhile to get back into the valley from there. I'd allow about an hour, not really counting traffic. If you're staying that far out, also check Apple Tree Inn, which is next door to the Tenaya. Very cute, duplex-style cottages in the trees. There's a path so you can walk over to Tenaya to eat. Here's a link for it: http://www.appletreeinn-yosemite.com/

POlson

We stayed 4 nights at Tenaya last summer and thought it was a good base. We enjoyed a night nature hike led by a guide out of Tenaya. They also have a pool and decent restaurant. We went into Yosemite Valley and spent one full day, walked to the lower falls, concluding with dinner at The Ahwahnee (wow). We also enjoyed Wawona (we ate breakfast at the Inn), Mariposa Grove, Sugar Pine Railroad and the sites closer to Tenaya.

dina4

i would expect a really long, congested drive into the valley in August.

We stayed there in april, once, and it took a good 30 min to drive with no traffic at all.

Personally, I would choose to stay in the park, near the valley. The hotel has beautiful public areas, but the rooms are very simple --reminded me of a holiday inn /best western type accomodation. Not good for the price.

On the other hand, my brother-in-law took his family there (young kids), and they spent most of their vacation at the resort, enjoying all the family friendly activities. they only drove into the park one day.

To me, the reason to go to Yosemite is much farther north than this resort... the valley and the areas just south and north of the valley are gorgeous.

kimamom

The Tenaya Lodge is a full-scale resort and a very nice property, we were just there looking around the day after Valentine's Day, we stayed at the Pines Resort in Bass Lake and drove to Fish Camp to see the snow.

Aside for the Apple Tree Inn, there is also a Bed and Breakfast in the area called the Tin Lizzie Inn, the room stay includes a ride in their Model T car which is kind of cool and unique, it's a very nice-looking place, set back off of the main road. Enjoy Yosemite! Have you considered a stay at the Ahwahnee Hotel! ***kim***

alwaysafrica

Hi!

My husband and I are planning a trip to Yosemite in June as part of our 16-day trip in California.

As you can imagine, all of the lodging within the park is completely booked for that time We're thinking of staying at the Apple Tree Inn for 2 or 3 nights and have a couple of questions:

1) Is it really worth staying that far out? We're traveling with our (then) 12-month-old son and so we're concerned about too much driving... It's been said that it takes about an hour to get into the valley (although I've heard up to as much as 1 1/2 hours? Any clarification would be great...).

2) How far is the Apple Tree Inn (Fish Camp Area) from the other areas of interest within the park - the Sequoias, etc.?

3) If we're staying that far out, does it sound right that we'd probably only head into the valley for one full day? The first day that we get there (after driving in) and the final day (before heading out), we could do the areas closer to the Inn... does that sound right?

4) The main question is: 2 or 3 nights? Staying only 2 nights really only gives us 1 full day in the park, but because we're not staying right in the park, and we'll have lots of driving to do to get anywhere, we feel like our DS might be ready to leave!

Any thoughts on this would be great - thanks!

Suzie

The Apple Tree in is right next to the Tenenya Lodge so it's just outside the south entrance.

Whether it is worth it or not is entirely a personal thing but I will say this. Check every day for cancellation at teh Lodge at teh Falls. People's plans change and rooms become available all the time. Look for a night at the beginning or end of your visit so you can stay in the valley at least part of the time. Also if you get one night now and then closer to your date you may be able toget the others.

If you end up getting no nights in the valley then you'll have to be strategic about how you will see the park. I heard a great idea from someone who stayed in Oakhurst for the entire visit, which is even further south than Fish Camp. What they did was decide first what sights they would see. Then they drove to the furthest places from their lodging on the first day. Then each subsequesnt day they knew they wouldn't have as far to drive since they would be visiting sights that were closer to their lodging on each of the other days.

Bottom line is don't give up on trying for a night or two in the park. Check every day. I think with having a baby you should condsider lodging that would be most convenient to you as parents which is the Lodge at the Falls.

Also just outside the west entrance/Arch Rock there is a small town El Portal. Look for a room at Yosemite View. You'd only have about 20-30 minutes straight shot into the valley.

enzian

You could also look for a condo or cabin at Yosemite West:

http://www.yosemitewest.com/

According to their map, this is near the intersection of the Glacier Point Road and the one between Wawona and the Valley, so it would be considerably closer to the Valley than lodging outside the southern entrance.

alwaysafrica

Hi - thanks for your ideas! We had actually already looked into Yosemite West - they have a condo available, but unfortunately, they don't have a flexible cancellation policy (i.e. if you cancel after booking, you lose your deposit). And thus, it would prevent us from checking for lodging to become available within the park... otherwise, that would be a great option.

Maybe what we'll do is book at the Apple Tree and then keep checking for even one night at the Lodge at the Falls... How close would the lodge be to the valley? We've also found a couple of private homes within the park - has anyone ever stayed at any of these?

enzian

"How close would the lodge be to the valley?"

If you are referring to Yosemite Lodge at the Falls, it is right IN the valley, in a beautiful location.

Do keep calling the Yosemite Reservations number, especially right around the date 30 days ahead of your dates. I think many cancellations show up then.

That's too bad about the Yosemite West cancellation policy, but I can understand their reasoning. Otherwise, they would be faced with lots of people who book and then cancel. I'm thinking that private homes in that area might have the same policy.

iamq

Is kimamom ever at home?

Suzie

kimamom lives in the Fresno area so Yosemite, especially the south entrance, is easy for a look see. The thing is I do not believe she has ever said she has stayed at the Tenaya Lodge though she has looked around during a stop in.

I've stayed at the Tenaya lodge a bunch of times and agree that it's a very nice place.

ElendilPickle

>>2) How far is the Apple Tree Inn (Fish Camp Area) from the other areas of interest within the park - the Sequoias, etc.?<<

You'll be closest to Mariposa Grove; hang a right after you pay to get into the park and it's just a couple of miles.

Lee Ann

MBnancy

We actually stayed at the Tenaya Lodge for 4 days recently, and it is a very nice place. It was about an hour and a half to the Valley. We only drove in for one day, but have been visitors many times before, otherwise I would have wanted to go back. It might get a little tiring driving back and forth, and I too, would keep trying for a cancellation in the valley.

However, there are so many things to do at Tenaya, that is the reason we choose to vacation there. To the OP, if you take advantage of the activities and pool, etc., you will love Tenaya.

iamq

Thanks Suzie. I thought that she might actually live in her car.

sludick

The different driving time estimates are due in large part to traffic. The road is pretty windy in parts, and you do have an up then down incline. If you get behind a slower-moving vehicle, cars can stack up and you will take longer. Personally, we really enjoyed Apple Tree Inn (and also have stayed at Wawona), but the drive does get tiring and can be a bit much to do every day.

alwaysafrica

Thanks so much for all of these replies... It's definitely unanimous that a place in the valley would be ideal... but since we don't have that option, we're thinking that we might book at the Yosemite West Four Seasons. It seems like a good "in between" - it's only about a 30-minute drive from the valley, which is much better, and it allows us to have a one-bedroom apartment (which will greatly enhance my husband's and my vacation - since we won't have to go to bed at the same time as our son at 8:30 ). It's a shame that we can't hold out for a cancellation in the valley, but I'm pretty sure that the Lodge doesn't have any separate bedroom accommodations, so maybe this is better overall anyway...

Now we're just trying to decide between 2 nights or 3!!!