You guys have come thru for us in the past so I thought I'd give it a go again! We (husband and I) are taking our 3 grown kids to Yosemite in 2019! They are responsible for getting there, we've got the rest. Where is the easiest and most cost effective airport to fly into as well as rent a car(s) at? I am looking to rent a house with fairly easy access to the park. What area(s) would you recommend looking into? Other than visiting Yosemite, what are some other activities that are worth doing? We are an outdoorsy type family. I'd love any and all tips you can give me as I plan our next "trip of a lifetime".

>>Where is the easiest and most cost effective airport to fly into as well as rent a car(s) at?

Easiest won't necessarily be most cost effective. Fresno is by far the closest -- but schedules and fares probably would be difficult. The easiest 'big' airports would be SMF, OAK, SFO and SJC. Which would be best partly depends on where they are flying from and which airline(s) you want.

If you are renting a house . . . look only in Yosemite West or Foresta . . . or if there are airbnb's/vrbo's in El Portal that would be good. Any other's located 'near' the park will be a 60 to 90 minute or more drive from Yosemite Valley. How many days will you have total and when is the trip? Both make a big (huge) difference re what you can do. Besides the basics of Yosemite - the Valley, the back country on Tioga Pass (access is totally dependent on the 'when'), and Mariposa Grove which would easily fill several days. If you have more time there are all the sites along Hwy 49 (Columbia, Gold Rush towns, wineries/vineyards, caverns, etc etc.)