Hi there! Can anyone throw at me a sample itinerary/ ideas about a one night stay in Yosemite? I'll be in CA for a work trip/visiting my boyfriend for my birthday in July and we are wanting to drive to Yosemite and camp one night in the park. We both want to see a couple of the big "must-see's" in Yosemite but are struggling on finding advice as most folks go for several days.

Our constraints:

Saturday, July 15th: Leave Tracy, CA as bright and early as needed.
Sunday, July 16th: Must be in Santa Clara, CA by 4:30pm.

Both of us are in shape and wouldn't mind a hefty hike for a beautiful view. We have all things needed for a car camping situation. I understand campsites fill up fast so I'll try to book one ASAP, depending on what y'all say.

As far as I know, camping is in designated campsites, and I might guess they are already reserved by now. Maybe look at commercial sites outside the Park.

Not really possible this year. There are a few first come first serve campsites -- but most are still under a lot of snow.

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/nrcamping.htm Note the highlighted section where they say that it will very likely be the end of July/early August before the campsites are open.

And a day trip to YNP in the middle of July is difficult due to crowds and parking issues.

Plan on going to some other part of CA.

Check out the Yosemite BUG hostel. http://www.yosemitebug.com/
It is nearly an hour from the Valley but not a bad place to stay. Their cabins are comfy.
There is a YARTS bus stop at the foot of their driveway.

The BUG is an option -- from Tracy to Yosemite Valley and then to the BUG is about a 5 hour drive in total, then from the BUG back to Tracy on Sunday would take maybe 2.5-3 hours. So it would be in a hostel room or dorm, not camping. They do have tent cabins but I just checked and those are full for your date.

Well you guys are EXTREMELY helpful! This was my first time posting to this community website. Good find!

Check for reservations here.

http://www.travelyosemite.com/lodgin...ng-experience/

I see canvas tents in Half Dome (Curry) village available for some days in July 11-13, but nothing for July 15. And nothing in Housekeeping camp all July.

This list changes all the time, so check back often.

If you can find a reserved lodging free, I'd book that rather than roll the dice on a first come/first served campground.

Your screen name is creepy!

Right now I'm seeing canvas tents in Half Dome (Curry) Village available for July 15th, so places do free up.

We did that and it is fun. Tubing on the Merced. That's really neat if you could get in.