k_marie

If you do decide to keep trying for rooms at the Yosemite Lodge, don't limit yourself to the internet resevations line. Even when the online service tells you there is no availability, keep trying by phone. Yes, you could try a few times a week. You never know when the cancellations will come in.

My one experience at Yosemite was also in late May, also after my daughter's graduation. What a perfect time to be there, when the melting snows had the falls full and sparkling! But not all the snow had melted--I stepped into a patch that was up to my knees as I made my way from one parking lot to a trail. And the glorious lake at the end of the trail, that I expected to see reflecting the distant mountain was...frozen and snowcovered.

At the end of the month, Tioga Pass had j-u-s-t opened. (Correct me if I'm wrong on that name, folks.) So check on driving conditions.
And don't forget the mosquito repellent!

obxgirl

rex, Why don't you go to Venice instead of Yosemite? At least then this thread would have some relevance to the Europe Forum.

Surfergirl

Rex,
First, "in the park" really means in the Valley.
Second, if you're going to be up there over Memorial Day weekend, you're going to have to hunt hard for a place in the Valley, and this includes the tent cabins. Do keep checking back with the lodging, because they do have cancellations.
Third, May is the BEST time to visit Yosemite because the waterfalls are full, the Merced is full, and if you hit it lucky with weather, you will never want to leave.
Fourth, as you remember, Yosemite Lodge looks dead on to Yosemite Falls, and I can't imagine a prettier place to kick back and relax, breathe in and out, and just take it all in. Also, it has the best pool, which they heat up in May. Imagine swimming in that big pool and looking up at the falls looking back at you. Do you really care where you sleep? Who's going to be inside anyway?

Finally, Yosemite Lodge rents bikes right there, and the best way to travel around the valley is by bike. Everyone, including your MIL, can do this and it is so much fun going in a group through the pastures and along the Merced. If you have to have a t.v., bring along a portable DVD player with DVDs or a portable computer to watch movies.

I agree with the other suggestions on going to lunch or buffet breakfast at the Ahwahnee. We had dinner there once and find it over-rated and over-priced. Plus, at night you can't see the beautiful views from the windows.

Surfergirl

We go to Yosemite every year, usually over Labor Day. While we usually camp out (which is really the best experience), we like to spend the first night recovering from the long ride from L.A. either at the Tenaya Lodge in Fish Camp (2 miles from the park entrance) or the Ahwahnee. Gives us time to bathe, relax, and take a dip in the pools. The Tenaya has 2 pools, one indoor and one out, and an outstanding bar. Last May, we had the interesting prospect, due to Memorial Day lodging issues, of spending 1 night at the Ahwahnee, 1 night in the tent cabins (which weren't that bad!) and the last camping out. We had one of the best rooms at the Ahwahnee, because it had a balcony. The thing is, the wood bees were out in force over the balcony, so you find yourself always dealing with something. The pool there is nice, but small and round. The tent cabins are surprisingly decent, but making noise after 10 p.m. and you get people yelling at you to shut up. And you have to leave the tent to use the loo. The showers are good. Small pool, not as good as Yosemite Lodge. As dirty as we get, I think we all prefer camping, not that this is an option for you.

We always wanted to try the Wawona Hotel. because it is so beautiful from the outside, lovely grounds, and also the place with the last gas station before you hit the valley itself. You will pass it on your way to the Valley. Maybe that's an option.

Again, if you are there for Memorial Day weekend, you are better off in the Valley, because there is bumper to bumper traffic and you would not get out of the Valley until midnight and you will be grumpy.

On Venice: I'd rather stay in a dump in Venice to be in Venice so I can stroll the canals and lose myself without having to worry about time. Being in the Valley is like that: you don't have to worry about how long it's going to take you to get back to the stupid hotel where you're only going to sleep anyway. Especially with you MIL with you!!!

rex

I am really, really grateful for all this outpouring - - it's interesting to see how much Yosemite expertise there is here on the Europe forum.

I believe that we are comfortable with my tentative decision to go with a house on Foresta - - which is not "IN the valley" but may be out next best choice, given the late date and my wish to avoid the high prices of the Ahwanee. We have chosen Half Dome View, about 10-15 minutes from the valley - - closer than Yosemite West, and accessible from Hwy 120, as opposed to having to go via Oakhurst for our departure to go to Sacramento airport.

Having the requisite number of rooms/beds is important to us - - and this particular house seems to come as close to our criteria as we are going to find. I definitely will investigate Incline House, as it looks to have almost all the same features as the house we have chosen, with similar access (though we will avoid having to go through park admission gate from where we are).

I apologize for the "abuse" to this forum, asking this question here, but it felt good to get advice from friends.

I don't think we will cross the "MaiTai trail" as we are leaving to go home the 22nd - - but have a good trip, Tom.

Surfergirl

I think you have a good plan, Rex. One more thing, and this is on the subject we often hear about "will my cell phone work in Venice?" (!). My cell phone works all over Europe, but guess what -- not in Yosemite! There were a few people who could actually use them in the Valley (on the weakest signal) -- they were AT&T, and better to have an analog than digital. Believe me, I took a poll on this, because we planned (party of 10) to keep in touch by cell in the Valley. Go figure.

Lorena

Rex,

I agree with Howard. The Yosemite View Lodge is a good option if you can't find something in the Valley. Nothing fancy, but in close proximity. We were there a few years ago during 4th of July and traffic from El Portal to the valley wasn't all that bad. Could be because we started early and came back after dark.

Food in El Portal is the main issue since there is not much around and I wouldn't recommend the Yosemite View Restaurant. Terrible food and worse service. Maybe they just had an off night. However, since they have a captive clientele, it is my guess that there would be no incentive to improve either. I think there is also a pizza joint with a few tables to eat outside, though. We opted for having both lunch and dinner in the Valley. We had lunch (pretty casual) at the Wawona and the Ahwanee. We enjoyed both.

No matter where you stay, my one recommendation is to start your day early before the mid-day rush. Have a wonderful time!

rex

Dare I beat this dead horse again? Getting down to the final planning...

Any recommendations for restaurants likely to appeal (especially) to "Euro-dites"...

in SF?

in Berkeley, Sausalito or Marin county (is Chez Panisse stil at the top of its game)?

in Carmel?

Thanks in advance...

FainaAgain

In San Francisco? What a silly question, of course Rex hotel and Rex cafe ><

Grasshopper

Are you kidding? SF is FULL of wonderful restaurants. Head to North Beach for a pretty authentic Italian meal. And hit the Saturday Farmer's market for what surely rivals Campo dei Fiori.

marcy_

Rex,
We had a really good dinner last fall at Kokkari- an upscale Greek restaurant at 200 Jackson Street--Fabulous moussaka, excellent wine list.

http://www.kokkari.com

If you want French, Absinthe is a fun, brasserie-type restaurant at Hayes and Gough.

http://www.absinthe.com/

(Notice that I kept these European-- staying on topic!)

Marcy

KathrynT

Rex, may I suggest breakfast at the Awahnee? It is a beautiful room and the views out of the windows are lovely during the daylight hours. It will be a little bit more expensive than other places but it is a wonderful way to start the day. You can dress casually and fit right in. Dinner is more pricey - OK but not great - and you would want to be more dressed up.
You plans to stay in Foresta sound good. Have a wonderful time!

ira

>...is Chez Panisse stil at the top of its game?<

Is anything as good as it used to be?

My California daughter tells me it is still worth the candle.

SalB

Rex, Blow for the Ahwanee. Our daughter was married there a couple years ago. It is worth it.

Next time stay someplace cheap.

You gotta know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em.

rex

Even when I started looking back in May, I think that four rooms at the Ahwanee were not available. Not to mention the fact that their cost would have exceeded the entire lodging budget for the other seven nights combined.

Unless I am very mistaken, the main appeal of a rip to Yosemite is <i>not</i> <b>any</b>where <i>in&lt;/&gt;doors.

We do, nevertheless, plan to go the Ahwanee for a meal; we've gotten some slightly conflicting signals about the relative value of going there for dinner versus a sumptuous breakfast. Thanks for the other suggestions as well.
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kellyfres

Living just 90 minutes south of Yosemite Valley, I know you and your family will love it all--but do suggest breakfast at the Ahwahnee (or lunch) versus dinner--driving back to Foresta along the &quot;river&quot; after dinner in the dark isn't fun, and far less so after a glass of wine. Glacier Point overlook is not to be missed--take a picnic--and it's one of the few places in Yosemite where your cell phone might work--for the adventurous, the shuttle from the Valley will drop you at Glacier Point for a 4 1/2 mile DOWNHILL hike...and the Wawona Lodge has bbq dinners on the weekends...(Plus that 9 hole golf course) Yes, stop at a grocery store before you go--food in the Valley is pricey and cafeteria-like and not at all reflective of the agricultural bounty of the Valley, with the exception of the Ahwahnee and the Yosemite Lodge's Mountain Room (think that's the name--good steak with a fab view of Yosemite Falls best at sunset)

Don't forget charcoal, marshmallows and good coffee--wine if you like it, or you can buy Gallo for three times retail in the Valley...

The valley shuttle buses are a far cry from a vaporetto, but it is elbow-to-elbow with the &quot;locals,&quot; and allows all the rubbernecking you can handle.

With a family group the house rental is a better spot--and fyi the Cedar Lodge is where those 3 tourists were kidnapped a few years ago (yuck).