We are travelling from New Zealand and will be in Las Vegas around July, we are deciding if we fly to San Francisco or drive via Yosemite National Park. We have two daughters, 11 and 13 and enjoy the outdoors. Any recommendations on what to do at Yosemite during July? and if its worth the few days detour or do we go straight to San Francisco?

Definitely worth it but you will have to jump on accommodations ASAP -- like yesterday. It will be crowded, but you leave your car parked and take the free shuttle buses to various viewpoints, trail heads, Yosemite Village, etc.

If nothing is available in the Valley, then book @ the Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal (also ASAP since it is the closest accommodations to the Valley and are very popular). After you have a firm/cancelable booking you can keep trying for a cancellation in the Valley.

The drive from Las Vega up 395 and over Tioga Pass is gorgeous.

BTW -- Yosemite is MUCH more worth visiting in July than Vegas is

Yosemite is worth it in any season.

I totally agree with janisj and Michael. Be sure to see Hoover dam while in the Las Vegas area.
See the 62+ lb. gold nugget at the Golden Nugget along the Fremont Street Experience. See the light show over Fremont too. The Golden Nugget also has a good all you can eat buffet (upstairs). I hope you don't roast.

Las Vegas will be VERY hot in July. Plus you won't be able to take your daughters into the casinos. I would skip it.

> Any recommendations on what to do at Yosemite during July?

Seriously, the only thing I can recommend doing there in July is to view one of the most stunningly beautiful places in North American, if not the world. For an idea of what you'll see from Glacier Point, check out
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...S_-_Diliff.jpg

http://360panos.com/panos/GlacierPointTopCubic.php

> We have two daughters, 11 and 13 and enjoy the outdoors.
Then Las Vegas would be a waste of time & money compared to Yosemite, particularly in July.

Yes; much more so than Vegas, IMO, and especially with kids.

Lee Ann

I would skip Las Vegas. It is too hot (120+F and 40+C), but if you do go there are things outside of Vegas that are interesting to do and see.

I would prefer Yosemite. But it is too late now and you won't be able to get accommodations in the Park itself. You can however stay outside the park area and drive into the park each day.

Umm.. did you even check the website before typing that "It is too late now and you won't be able to get accommodations in the Park itself"

According to what I see, other than a few days around the 4th of July weekend, there is plenty of space at the old Camp Curry (tent cabins for the OP, now called Half Dome Village). And for some dates in July, you can still get the Yosemite Valley Lodge.

OP I would quickly grab something at Camp Curry/Half Dome.

Here's the website (be careful as there are lots o fake travel agency websites that don't actually give a reservation. Being from NZ I suspect you will be okay with using the toilet/shower blocks.

It is pretty hot in July and some of the falls aren't running but it 's always worth going up to Glacier Point.

https://reservations.ahlsmsworld.com...Plan-Your-Trip

>>It is pretty hot in July and some of the falls aren't running

No comment on Camp Curry being wide open then?

Definitely visit Yosemite. It's a special place.

Do you have to be in Vegas in July? If not, I'd skip it.

Maybe go to Lake Tahoe?

I would definitely recommend Yosemite over Las Vegas. Yosemite is lovely. It may be warm but nothing like Las Vegas. In Yosemite, there are beautiful hikes and waterfalls to visit (hopefully they will still be running well due to all the rain and snow we got this year.) You may be able to rent rafts and float down the Merced river (depending on the height of the river.) Do book accommodations now and keep checking back if what you would prefer is not now available as there are often cancellations. The park does get crowded but if you head a short distance off the beaten paths you can quietly enjoy natural areas. I am a San Franciscan and never tire of visiting Yosemite. Las Vegas is another issue - I've been twice and will be fine if I never return.

Ski season in the Sierra is scheduled to run until July 4 this year. There WILL be water in the falls.

Oh yeah - definitely go to Yosemite if you can. If you have to take time from LV, do it. As mentioned, it will be very hot there and there are limited things that the kids can do.

Thank you all for your comments, looks like its somewhere we have to go to - perhaps rather than Las Vegas1

It will be hot in Las Vegas, but not 120F! Maybe 110F. It doesn't cool down all that much at night. It does make it a bit warm to do outside things though, although people still go hiking in the very lovely parks outside the city. You can do a lot in Vegas without setting foot in a casino. The High Roller is fun and the view is amazing.

You should not miss Yosemite though.

no question, anytime in Yosemite is worth it. It will be very warm but so beautiful.