We are renting a house in Lake Tahoe and planning an excursion to Yosemite. Please recommend accomodations (other than camping). We are a family of four with 2 boys, ages 9 & 12. We enjoy the outdoors and we are fit for hiking, etc. Please suggest activities.

When is this trip - makes a huge difference re how you can get to YNP from Tahoe. Also - for accommodations we'd need to know when you are there - high summer gets pretty much booked solid at Yosemite.

I'm assuming you mean this summer. If so, you'll be scrambling at this point to find available lodging in the Valley. Look into condo rentals (although most if not all are at the opposite end of the park from where you will enter).

You could stay in Lee Vining and drive (or take the daily bus) into the park each day. There are a couple of modest, no-frills motels in Lee Vining.

http://www.yosemitepark.com/
http://www.leevining.com/
http://www.yarts.com/

Yes, we are going in July. We can go anytime between July 13 and 19th

As mentioned above, the loft condos in Yosemite West are about 13 miles or so from the valley floor off of Hwy 41. We have stayed there the past 4 yrs. Nothing special. The upside is that there is a kitchen so you can have home cooked meals if desired. Also very close to Glacier Point Road and Tunnel view possibly the most scenic and famous vistas in Yosemite. Further south on Hwy 41 is the Mariposa seqouia grove near Wawona. May be fun to hike and see the HUGE trees. Google "scenic wonders yosemite west" and you can see if it is to your liking.

There are various hikes of all distances and difficulties from the valley floor. Bus tours, evening programs, ranger talks, photography walks. Best to get to the valley floor fairly early and park. Use the shuttle system to get around. Go to visitor centers for activity info. Have fun.

This may be helpful:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/upload/yg09-3.pdf