We will be traveling from San Fran to Yosemite in early May for essential 1 day. Have reservations at Yosemite View Lodge, good choice? Any suggestions on how to get the most of our short trip? We are not hikers and want to see as much of Yosemite as we can in this short time. Can anyone suggest a tour or should we go it on our own. Thanks for your help!!!

Bonnie, there is a nice bus/tram tour that takes you around the valley floor and points out all the interesting sites. I believe you catch it at Curry Village. If you like a leisurely bike ride you can also rent bikes (nice, easy to ride cruisers) in Curry Village and ride around the valley floor. Most of the roads are closed to cars and it's relatively flat. That's my preferred method for a quick tour of Yosemite.

Bonnie,
Take the Glacier Point bus tour. I took the last time I went to Yosemite and the views were spectacular.

Hi Bonnie,
Yosemite is VERY LARGE. If you want to see a lto of it you shoudl be prepared to do lots of driving. But it is also spectacular. Personally I don't think a tour is necessary. If you have only one day I would suggest:

- spend the morning in Yosemite Valley, the "heart" of the park. There are buses that travel around the valley floor, or bikes and many walks, as suggested above. It is flat so walking is easy. There are a few shops, restaurants, etc. also.
-drive to the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias in the afternoon - it about a 45 minute drive from the valley. Parking is tight. But if you get there after 3:00 or 4:00 it should be okay. You could also check out the pretty Wawona Hotel on the way.

-stop at Glacier Point on the way back, hopefully around sunset. The views really are incredible.

Have a great time!

You'll be happy with the Yosemite View Lodge. Decent accommodations in an excellent location. It's the closest facility outside the park, about 11-12 miles to the center of Yosemite Valley, which is actually closer than some of the facilities within the park.