Lodging - Yosemite
Apr 24th, 2012, 05:23 PM
#21
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No you are correct. I felt that I wanted 3 nights in Yosemite but could not get it. I booked the tent cabin in SEKI because we need to sleep somewhere. Just to clarify, you are saying that if I cannot get the third night in Yosemite , then I should spend that night in Fish Camp instead of SEKI. Is that correct?
Thanks for all the information
Thanks for all the information
Apr 24th, 2012, 05:38 PM
#22
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That's what I would do. If I couldn't get into the valley I would stay at the point of entry fpr you which is the south entrance. I would do all the sites there on arrival day and before heading to the valley for your curry village nights. You'll be able to see more sites with the additional time.
So if you arrive in the afternoon I would do Mariposa Grove and if there is time Wawona.
The next day you could visit Glacier Point and then the valley. If you were planning to see Tuolumne Meadows do that on day 3 along with any other sites on your must see list.
You can look at the Yosemite Guide to see what sites you want:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/guide.htm
If the guide for your visit isn't out yet just look at prior years guides.
So if you arrive in the afternoon I would do Mariposa Grove and if there is time Wawona.
The next day you could visit Glacier Point and then the valley. If you were planning to see Tuolumne Meadows do that on day 3 along with any other sites on your must see list.
You can look at the Yosemite Guide to see what sites you want:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/guide.htm
If the guide for your visit isn't out yet just look at prior years guides.
Apr 24th, 2012, 07:19 PM
#25
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Just at Yosemite today for a day trip, leaving Fresno at 9am, getting home at 6pm.
We took the 41 up, but the 140 out, since Hubby had never driven that route and was curious.
The 41 has all the mountainous turns expected of such a road. I did see these six deer just standing next to the road, chewing away and watching traffic roll by.
The 140 had a slight detour--actually, it was a 15 minute wait for traffic to pass on a one-lane portion. Not a long portion, but detouring around a rockslide; NO road there. The wait was longer than the drive on the one-lane. Mi don't think the traffic light monitors traffic, just makes it wait a set time. The road had far fewer winds to it, which was nice, and a great nearly-continuous view of the Merced River. But it added an hour to our ride home. You gotta weigh an hour more of mostly-relaxed driving against less driving but more hairpin turns when you might be tired after a day in the sun.
As for our day, we started at Mariposa Grove. The walk up was hard on me (heart issues), which disappeared once we were at the top. Then, we just drove the valley floor, stopping to look and take pics. We opted for lunch at the Ahwahnee. Yeah, $18 burgers, but it was our day out and they tasted pretty good.
Beautiful day, cloudy on the way up, but mostly sunny once there. And I got to check out my new app--it lets me select pics on my iPhone to make a panorama shot. Totally dependent on the photographer to actually take the correct shots, of course, but aligns them well.
We took the 41 up, but the 140 out, since Hubby had never driven that route and was curious.
The 41 has all the mountainous turns expected of such a road. I did see these six deer just standing next to the road, chewing away and watching traffic roll by.
The 140 had a slight detour--actually, it was a 15 minute wait for traffic to pass on a one-lane portion. Not a long portion, but detouring around a rockslide; NO road there. The wait was longer than the drive on the one-lane. Mi don't think the traffic light monitors traffic, just makes it wait a set time. The road had far fewer winds to it, which was nice, and a great nearly-continuous view of the Merced River. But it added an hour to our ride home. You gotta weigh an hour more of mostly-relaxed driving against less driving but more hairpin turns when you might be tired after a day in the sun.
As for our day, we started at Mariposa Grove. The walk up was hard on me (heart issues), which disappeared once we were at the top. Then, we just drove the valley floor, stopping to look and take pics. We opted for lunch at the Ahwahnee. Yeah, $18 burgers, but it was our day out and they tasted pretty good.
Beautiful day, cloudy on the way up, but mostly sunny once there. And I got to check out my new app--it lets me select pics on my iPhone to make a panorama shot. Totally dependent on the photographer to actually take the correct shots, of course, but aligns them well.
Apr 24th, 2012, 07:30 PM
#27
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But the OP isn't going back to Fresno so it won't add that much time to their drive vs 120 on the north side of the park. But they should decide what kind of drive out they want. Both are scenic so no bad choices.
Apr 24th, 2012, 07:34 PM
#29
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You should keep all the nights you have for Yosemite now. Even not hiking you will have plenty to see.
You can take the tram in Mariposa Grove to see all the trees.
You can drive up to Glacier Point and enjoy the sights.
You can take the Valley tram tour to see the sites if you want but you don't have to.
In the evenings you can take in the ranger talks or other great night actities.
It sounds like you are putting together a great vacay.
Just driving on Tioga Road will be amazing - you can get out of the car and stroll around without having to hikeo
You can take the tram in Mariposa Grove to see all the trees.
You can drive up to Glacier Point and enjoy the sights.
You can take the Valley tram tour to see the sites if you want but you don't have to.
In the evenings you can take in the ranger talks or other great night actities.
It sounds like you are putting together a great vacay.
Just driving on Tioga Road will be amazing - you can get out of the car and stroll around without having to hikeo
Apr 24th, 2012, 07:43 PM
#30
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We just moved to CA from NC so we are excited about exploring CA.
My question is We will be in Yosemite all day Sunday and Monday.
On Tuesday , should we stay in Yosemite all day and drive to Muir Woods that night or drive to Muir Woods in the morning?
We are going to spend one day in SF and then drive down 101 for two days until we head home
My question is We will be in Yosemite all day Sunday and Monday.
On Tuesday , should we stay in Yosemite all day and drive to Muir Woods that night or drive to Muir Woods in the morning?
We are going to spend one day in SF and then drive down 101 for two days until we head home
Apr 24th, 2012, 07:48 PM
#31
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That's a good question. Since you can't actually stay in Muir Woods where were you thinking of staying? I can see the merit of driving in the evening. If you are going in the summer you will have a later sunset.
Apr 24th, 2012, 07:55 PM
#32
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We are going the end of June.Should we spend the morning in Yosemite and then go to Muir Woods/Muir Beach.
According to their web site, these are their hours
Park closes at 8 PM. Visitor Center closes at 7:30PM. Muir Beach, Muir Beach Overlook and Stinson Beach close at 9 PM.
After that we can drive in SF. How long a drive is that?
According to their web site, these are their hours
Park closes at 8 PM. Visitor Center closes at 7:30PM. Muir Beach, Muir Beach Overlook and Stinson Beach close at 9 PM.
After that we can drive in SF. How long a drive is that?
Apr 24th, 2012, 08:06 PM
#33
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Maybe you want to leave Yosemite on your third day late and drive to a good jumping off spot for the following day at Muir woods and then end the day in SF?
So how many hours do you think you might want to drive getting away from Yosemite?
So how many hours do you think you might want to drive getting away from Yosemite?
Apr 24th, 2012, 08:26 PM
#34
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If on your final afternoon you are visiting the Tuolumne Meadows area you will be well located to leave the park via 120.
From the junction of 120 & 140 at Crane Flat to say San Rafael - which is nicely located to visit Muir Woods the next day at less than 15 miles away - the drive is about 3.5 hours as long as you do it outside commute hours. Leave the park around 4 -4:30 stop for dinner so that you arrive in the Bay Area after 7. You'll still have plenty of daylight to make it to San Rafael in north bay.
I'd drive 120 to Manteca to 205 to 580 which I would stay on heading north. Then in Oakland you'll switch to 80 east for a short time till you see the exit for San Rafael which is 580 again across part of the bay to San Rafael.
Hey this is just one idea. Others may have better suggestions.
From the junction of 120 & 140 at Crane Flat to say San Rafael - which is nicely located to visit Muir Woods the next day at less than 15 miles away - the drive is about 3.5 hours as long as you do it outside commute hours. Leave the park around 4 -4:30 stop for dinner so that you arrive in the Bay Area after 7. You'll still have plenty of daylight to make it to San Rafael in north bay.
I'd drive 120 to Manteca to 205 to 580 which I would stay on heading north. Then in Oakland you'll switch to 80 east for a short time till you see the exit for San Rafael which is 580 again across part of the bay to San Rafael.
Hey this is just one idea. Others may have better suggestions.
Apr 25th, 2012, 05:42 AM
#35
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Definitely keep your two days in Curry Village - and if it were me - I would keep calling to try and add a 3rd day. People cancel all the time. And you would probably taking multiple rides around the valley floor on the trams.
And in the evening - they usually have a slide show/presentatino at the ampi-theater in Curry Village.
There are also nice exhibits over at the main visitor center -and shows - and you might even enjoy going on a float trip down the river. Very easy-smooth trip.
And certainly not to be missed is getting up and personal with lower Yo - wihch might be spraying you if the falls are gushing. From there - you can also look up to see upper Yo falls. Bridal Veil falls on your way in is also very pretty to stop and admire.
And in the evening - they usually have a slide show/presentatino at the ampi-theater in Curry Village.
There are also nice exhibits over at the main visitor center -and shows - and you might even enjoy going on a float trip down the river. Very easy-smooth trip.
And certainly not to be missed is getting up and personal with lower Yo - wihch might be spraying you if the falls are gushing. From there - you can also look up to see upper Yo falls. Bridal Veil falls on your way in is also very pretty to stop and admire.
Apr 25th, 2012, 08:31 AM
#36
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I cannot add a third night to Yosemite but we will have all day Monday and Tuesday .
That brings me to my choice- Do we leave Yosemite in the morning on Wednesday and drive to Muir Woods and then into SF OR do we spend Wednesday in Yosemite and then drive over to Muir woods for Thursday. If we spend Thursday in Muir Woods and Muir Beach, that will only leave us one day in SF. We have been in SF before, but it was 20 years ago. Does One day give us enough time to do the typical tourist things?
HELP!!
Thanks
That brings me to my choice- Do we leave Yosemite in the morning on Wednesday and drive to Muir Woods and then into SF OR do we spend Wednesday in Yosemite and then drive over to Muir woods for Thursday. If we spend Thursday in Muir Woods and Muir Beach, that will only leave us one day in SF. We have been in SF before, but it was 20 years ago. Does One day give us enough time to do the typical tourist things?
HELP!!
Thanks
Apr 25th, 2012, 05:09 PM
#37
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Is this where we are New2CA?
Night 1 - SEKI to FishCamp - spend night visit Mariposa Grove, Wawona & Glacier Point on arrival day and next morning berfore driving to valley.
Night 2- Spend night in Curry Village after spending the day in the valley. (Limited mobility so no hiking)Next morning see sights on Tioga Road like Tuolumne Meadows Olmsted Point etc.
Now this is where it's confusing - leave the park late to go towards Muir Woods? If yes then you are giving up one of your Curry Village nights, is that correct?
Stay near Muir Woods so you can see it early the next morning and then head to SF?
Night 1 - SEKI to FishCamp - spend night visit Mariposa Grove, Wawona & Glacier Point on arrival day and next morning berfore driving to valley.
Night 2- Spend night in Curry Village after spending the day in the valley. (Limited mobility so no hiking)Next morning see sights on Tioga Road like Tuolumne Meadows Olmsted Point etc.
Now this is where it's confusing - leave the park late to go towards Muir Woods? If yes then you are giving up one of your Curry Village nights, is that correct?
Stay near Muir Woods so you can see it early the next morning and then head to SF?
Apr 25th, 2012, 05:13 PM
#38
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Suzie: Maybe you didn't get the word out in the deep woods? 
IMO - make the decision about when to leave Yo after you are there, and IMO - you should spend as much time there as possible.
Still think you could add a 3rd night to your Curry Village stay if you kept calling.
IMO - make the decision about when to leave Yo after you are there, and IMO - you should spend as much time there as possible.
Still think you could add a 3rd night to your Curry Village stay if you kept calling.
