My husband and I are driving from San Fran to Yosemite, and we'll have about 2 1/2 days there before we have to head back to SF. Any advice on the best way to spend those 2 1/2 days? We like to hike, but we're probably not up for Half Dome. We're staying in Yosemite West, so not too far from the Valley, but we'd like to see as much of the park as possible. We'll be there the end of May/beginning of June, so the weather should be great. Any guidance on "must-not-miss" places in the part would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Glacier Point is a DO NOT MISS, you can also do some hiking up there.

Maybe you could visit Hetch Hetchy valley and The famous dam there.

We are happy that we did that.

The hike to Mirror lake is nice starting from Happy Isles. There is also the hike to Vernal falls which is partway to Half Dome, but not so far or hard. Just walking around the valley and the meadows and the river is beautiful.

Profsuzy: If your not up for the Half Dome hike, check out whether the hiker's bus still runs from Yosemite Valley up to Glacier Point. If so, take the bus and hike back down into the valley via the Panorama, John Muir, and Mist trails. You'll pass some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the park, including Illilouette, Nevada, and Vernal Falls with good views of Half Dome as well, and it's mostly downhill.

The separate hike from the valley floor to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls and back down into the valley is also not to be missed. You should also take the shorter hike through the Mariposa Grove of giant Sequoias near Wawona.

For a fantastic splurge lunch or dinner, check out Erna's Elderberry House in Oakville, near the southwestern (Wawona) entrance to the park:
www.elderberryhouse.com/eehMain.html

Suzy,

We loved sunset from Sentinel Dome. Drove up to Glacier Point early enough to do the short hike out to Taft Point for that great view then back around to be up on Sentinel in time to get our cameras set up for sunset. The walk back to our car in the Alpine glow was magical, as well. A large buck crossed the trail right in front of us. He stopped and just looked at us for a few moments before he trotted off. Take a jacket, the temp drops quickly once the sun is down and it's windy up there.

We did the Panorama Trial hike that MRand mentioned. It's an awesome hike but it's long, about 8 hours as I recall and is rated as strenuous by the Park Service. And I'm not sure I'd classify it as mostly downhill. You do lose about 2000 feet in elevation but it's sort of lose 1000' gain 500', lose 1000' gain 500', lose 1000'. If you're accustomed to altitude it might not bother you at all but as a flatlander I found I did great on the downhill, flat, and only slightly inclined parts. But when we reached the steeper switchback sections I had problems. My legs were going strong, but I felt like I couldn't suck in enough air no matter how hard I tried.

I'm not trying to discourage from doing this hike. We saw people older than us and some in much worse shape - or so it appeared - and they made it. Just want you to know it's not like some of the lesser hikes mentioned here. It's also not nearly has hard as the Half Dome hike. The views are awesome and well worth the effort. If you do it, be sure to take more water than you think you'll need. We drank the last of ours as we reached the Valley floor.

Hope this helps a bit.

Fran

"check out Erna's Elderberry House in Oakville"

That's Oakhurst. Oakville is in the Napa Valley.

If you are seeing Yosemite for the first time, I'd forgo the really long hikes.You don't have a lot of time so you really only have time for the highlights. I'd spend the first day seeing the Valley, visiting the waterfalls, meadows, and visitor center. If you want a hike - do the Vernal Falls trail as suggested above. If you have the energy and time, continue up to Nevada Falls. There is a loop trail you can take and this is probably the best half day hike in the Valley.

The next day, drive up to the Mariposa grove and see the big trees. Then drive up to Glacier Point and see the views in the afternoon when the lighting is better for photos. As Fran said, the view from Sentinel Dome is awesome.

On your final morning, you might go back into the Valley and have breakfast at the Ahwanee. You should at least stop in at some point since it's such a classic hotel.

If you had more time, you could go up to Tuolumne Meadows since the road will most surely be open when you are there. They are plowing it right now. But you don't really have enough time so do that on your next visit.

When you enter Yosemite, you will receive a paper and pamphlet with events scheduled during your stay, and a rudimentary hiking map. Do yourself a favor...purchase a trail map (very inexpensive) at any store in Yosemite. It will provide you with more detailed hiking trails than that provided upon entry. Then, you can choose what is right for you.

Have a wonderful time in one of the most beautiful places on earth!

sentinel dome is a nice hike that gets you some great views. T. meadows will likely still be filled with snow, the road will be open but maybe not trails so your best luck will be in the valley or the west side of the park.

Thanks for all your suggestions. I agree that an 8-hour hike is probably not a good idea since we have only 2 1/2 days - but I apprecite your suggestions for some shorter hikes. I was thinking of trying to make reservations for a dinner at the Ahwanee. I know it's expensive, but can any of you tell me if you think it's worth it - i.e. the quality of the food. I know the atmosphere is spectacular. Thanks again for all your ideas!

As you know, the dining room at the Ahwahnee is beautiful, but I was uderwhelmed with the food. Maybe you could still go there for dinner, but eat in the bar (lite fare) instead of the dining room. You could still have a peek at the dining room.

Profsuzy:

1. I don't think you should rule out an 8 hour hike for a 2 and 1/2 day trip. All our trips to Yosemite have been in the 2 to 3 day range, but the longer hikes up and down to Upper Yosemite Falls, the one I described down from Glacier Point, and to Half Dome have been the highlights of and best memories of Yosemite. I understand you may not be up for Half Dome, but the other two are among the most spectacular hikes we've taken anywhere. While the Valley itself is indescribably beautiful, getting away from the crowded roads and stops in the Valley and spending most of your time on the trails is where I think you'll get a much better feel for the magnificence of Yosemite.
2. Supercilious is right - it's Oakhurst not Oakville. Sorry for any confusion.
3. I agree with Iregeo that the food is less than spectacular at the Ahwahnee, but the hotel -- especially the dining room -- is something to be seen. Breakfast might be your best option there.