We'll be spending two nights in Yosemite Valley (late August), after driving up from Southern California. We thought we might arrive a day early and stay somewhere outside the park, but close-by, to take full advantage of our two days there.

I've read about Oakhurst- is that a place any of you could recommend? Hotel or b&b? Any other places to consider? Thanks-

I like the location of Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal, between mountains and the river.

wow, I imagined it would be a lot less expensive to stay outside the park- I guess not! Hadn't considered El Portal, but I'll take a look.

Oakhurst would be fine; from there it's about an hour to the park's southern entrance. You could drive up and go to Mariposa Grove that first day.

Lee Ann

are there any specific places in Oakhurst to recommend? Or is it mainly motels?

I like the idea of seeing Mariposa Grove- do you enter the southern entrance, and then drive through to the valley, or exit the park and drive around to the valley entrance?

Near the South entrance, you'll also find the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad. I didn't know this existed until I saw it on that PBS show, California's Gold. What is the name of the guy who does that show? It's on the tip of my tongue, but ....!

Anyway, here's the web site for the railroad:

http://www.ymsprr.com/

gosh, that reminds me of the Skunk railroad we went on 25 yrs ago...

Hi nv, we stayed in El Portal a few years ago. Unfortunately for us, we had to come from CA via the southern route, thru the park to El Portal because shortly before our trip El Portal has a massive rock slide, so there was no entering from the east.

We actually stayed at BOTH lodges (1 night each, long story) and both were quite nice. The Yosemite View was closer to the park entrance and was the nicer of the 2, but also more expensive. You can find reviews of both hotels here:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g3...ia-Hotels.html

Also, you might want to take a look at Yosemite Today. It will tell you all the programs & activities happening in the park when you go. Here's a link for that, too:

http://www.nps.gov/archive/yose/now/today.htm

Have a great trip!

I stayed in Mariposa at the Mariposa Lodge (a motel, but pretty nice). That was only 45 minutes from the valley entrance. The drive back and forth each day didn't bother me at all.