judilie; thx for all the info! ok, so staying in the lakes basin makes sense 'cause it would be centrally located to other day trip destinations. can you recommend accommodations? bike paths in town sound perfect for us. we'll be coming from the bay area so i thought go thru Yosemite on the way there and then take a different scenic route on the return.

I suggest that you check out the various cabins in the lakes basin (e.g., Tamarack, Woods, Crystal Crag) that have been mentioned by others. I have seen all of them but don't have any personal experience with any of them.

Also, see if there are any programs on at Parsons Lodge in the Tioga Pass part of Yosemite. Several years ago we went to a great slide show by Ansel Adams son.