Our trip is approaching. We are driving from LA to Yosemite in a week.
We know we don't have long enough to really see the whole park. Do the tour buses give you an overview?
What are must sees?
We are pretty fit and would like to get some physical activity in.
Also,we are staying outside the park, any recommendations for restaurants?
Thanks,
CCF

For such a short trip, I would focus on seeing Yosemite Valley - with a stop at Mariposa Grove on the way in or out since you will be coming from the south.

If the open-air valley tram tour is running this time of year, it provides a good overview of Yosemite Valley. It is led by a ranger, hits the highlights, and provides a nice history of the park.

I've never taken a tour bus in Yosemite - actually I've never seen them actually touring Yosemite, just bringing people in and taking them back out. There is a shuttle that goes around the valley, which is handy.

We like to ride bikes in Yosemite valley - nice way to see the sights. We also like to walk the trails along the Merced River - past meadows, through groves of trees, seeing the massive cliffs from different vantage points, etc.

For more demanding hikes, Vernal and Nevada Falls make for a good hike. Not sure about the amount of water coming over the falls this time of year, but the hike should be nice either way. There is generally some pretty good fall color in the park this time of year too.

As for where to eat - where are you staying outside the park? If you are staying in Fish Camp, for example, restaurant recommendations in Groveland will not be relevant.

The new Yosemite Guide has a great section on what to see and how to see the park during short visits. There are ideas for what to do on a 1 day visit, a 2 day visit and a 3 day visit. You might want to take a look at it. It's on the guide's page 11 but if you are scrolling through it's on page 12 of the pdf file you download.

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/upload/yg08-3.pdf


Though the current guide for Oct to Dec does not have that section, it has lots of good information about this time of year.

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/upload/yg08-4.pdf


.

Thanks for the web sites, very useful. Getting us more excited to go.
We are staying at the Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal.I understand it is 2 miles from the park entrance. South entrance I'm guessing.
Reviews of its restaurant aren't very encouraging.
Should I make a reservation for the Awahnee Lodge dining room in the park, or is it too far away for dinner?
I haven't gotten a handle on the layout yet.
Thanks again for all the help.
CCF

The Ahwahnee Lodge is beautiful, and I remember the breakfast I had there as a moment of pure perfection and happiness. It's great to eat before exploring.

http://www.yosemitepark.com/Dining_A...Room_Menu.aspx

The Valley Floor Tour would be a great way to see the highlights. There are big coach buses that do a tour, but they take all day (~8 hours). The Mariposa Grove is also pretty impressive.

Yosemite View Lodge is on the Merced River just outside the Arch Rock entrance which is on the west side and within about 20 minutes of the valley. It is NOT the south entrance. The south entrance is near Fish Camp and the Mariposa Grove of Redwoods. You are nicely located to get to the valley easily. Hold onto your entry receipt. The feeis good for 7 consecutive days. You don't have to pay each time you enter tha park.

I also found a 2 hr bus tour which may be a better choice for the first day.
My mistake re hotel location. I'm learning!
Are there other good places to eat besides the Ahwahnee in and out of the park?
Thanks!
CCF

CCF
I would suggest you drive directly to Glacier Point after clearing the ranger station at the Arch Rock entrance. The view is amazing.
Next I would drive to the valley , park at Camp Curry ,and take the free shuttle bus to the Ahwahnee. After a look/see hop back on the shuttle and stop at the nearby Visitor Center. After viewing their museum and video it's
back on the bus.
Get off at the Yosemite Lodge.
Stroll to the base of Yosemite Falls(the falls will probably be dry)but it's only a 10 minute walk.
Back to Camp Curry to pick up your car and return to your hotel.
Next day drive directly to Camp Curry and take the shuttle, going in the opposite direction,get off at Happy Isles, and hike to Vernal/Nevada Falls via Mist trail.
The Yosemite guide book shows that the hike to the top of Vernal Falls is 3 miles and takes 2 to 4 hours. . Strenuous with a 1,000 foot elevation gain.
If you feel up to it you can take the easy 2 mile hike to Mirror Lake(next bus stop).
The meals at Camp Curry and the Food Court at the Lodge are typical cafeteria quality.
The meals at the Ahwahnee are better.
If you are returning to LA I would suggest you drive via Wawona and see Mariposa Grove. You may want to have a meal at Wawona and you can see the closeby pioneer History Center which is also free.
The bus ride through the Wawona Grove is well worth while but I recommend a do-it-yourself tour instead of the open air bus trip in the valley.

This time of year driving around the valley and finding parking is pretty easy. You can probably find parking spots in any area you want to visit. Getting on & off tte shuttel is good during heavy traffic times but this time of youar you should be ok.

The drive between El Portal and Yosemite valley is easy - no issues with driving that after dinner.

Other than that - restaurants are pretty much take what you get. Food isn't generally what draws people to national parks

Thanks all,
sounds like food is not a priority for Yosemite visitors! Liking the idea of the bus overview and then walk,hike or bike, time permitting.
Driving to SF after our 2 days so will try to see Mariposa on the way in.
We are typical Americans, do it all, see it all in 2 days.
In our retirement, which is now delayed about 5 yrs, we hope to spend more time seeing the beauty of our country!We appreciate the help!

Typically the Half Dome cables are down after the Columbus Day weekend. The cables are down for the season. Look for them to be back up sometime next spring depending on the weahter.

Try the panorama trail.

Here's a link to hikes out of the valley:

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/valleyhikes.htm