Staying at Yosemite
 

I am planning a trip to Yosemite next April or May. I have found lodging available at both Yosemite Lodge and Yosemite View Lodge. From what I have read Yosemite Lodge is in a beautiful location within the park, whereas, Yosemite View is outside the park but within a short driving distance. Yosemite Lodge is more basic, Yosemite View more amenities. I'm not sure that my husband would like going without a TV (he enjoys late night television while on vacation). So is staying inside the park that much better or would Yosemite View be a good option also?

By all means, stay in the park, you and your husband won't regret it.

Ditto on staying in the park. If you stay outside the park, it's a 40 mile drive to the valley floor.

Forty miles on one lane, curving mountain roads while you're stuck behind RVs and tour buses.

I agree with everyone else. You're not going to want to drive that road back and forth to often. The days are short in April or May and you will have to leave early or you'll get stuck driving that windy road at night. <BR><BR>If you stay in the Valley you can find plenty to do during the evenings besides watch TV. Take the short walk over to Yosemite Falls from the lodge or go to a ranger program that they have every evening. <BR><BR>You're on vacation, give up the TV for a few nights and if TV is that important to your DH then pay the extra and stay at the Ahwahnee in Yosemite Valley.<BR><BR>You will be glad you stayed in the valley. <BR><BR>Utahtea

First, I want to correct some misinformation posted. The Yosemite View Lodge is only about 12-13 miles from Yosemite Valley, not 40. And it's a beautiful ride. Further, if you drive into the park early enough (as you should!), you don't have to worry about tour buses and RVs ahead of you.<BR>Having said that, I would still opt for the Yosemite Lodge within the park. However, if latenight TV is THAT important to your husband, then the Yosemite View Lodge is certain a good choice. We stayed there (couldn't get park lodging) and were satisfied.

One more vote for staying at Yosemite Lodge--you won't regret it. Staying in the valley is so convenient that it more than makes up for missing the TV. Enjoy this beautiful place!

Getting up early to see the beauty of nature, eating well, hiking or biking, attending ranger presentations after dinner----I don't think the TV would be a big deal for me. Yosemite Lodge would be my choice. The Ahwanhee has TVs if you wanted to pay an extra $200--although it is a terrific hotel on its own. Most likely fully booked by now.

Howard is right. Yosemite View Lodge is only 16 miles to Yosemite Village, but those 16 miles are going to take anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes to drive.<BR><BR>Utahtea

During our five days at the Yosemite View Lodge, it never took us more than 30 minutes, and usually less, to drive into the Valley. As I said before, the secret is to start your drive before the day trippers (in cars, RVs and buses) arrive.

So 5 days at 30 minutes each way is 5 hours. Almost a whole day you could have been enjoying the valley. <BR><BR>:)<BR><BR>Utahtea<BR><BR>

(forgive me, I'm another Shannon). Ditto for the others. My husband also likes t.v., but makes due when we go camping in Yosemite (every Labor Day for years) with the t.v. at the Curry village bar or the t.v. at the Yosemite Lodge bar. They generally only have sports on -- except for the weekend Princess Di passed away when the guys were outvoted 6 to 1 on what was being viewed.<BR>We have stayed at the Ahwahnee, which has t.v. in each room (for a price).<BR>Another thought -- get a portable DVD player and let him watch movies to his heart's content. We used one of those in our tent, and it was great. Do NOT bring a portable t.v. -- Yosemite Lodge is in the VALLEY -- you will get no reception.<BR>Hope this helps.

utahtea, you're really stretching things to make a point. I agree that it's best to stay at Yosemite Lodge, and I would have if the facility could have accommodated us. However, I hardly felt that total of an hour a day's travel time really curtailed our enjoyment of the park!<BR>To give others a better overall perpective (if that's the right word) of where to stay, the Yosemite View Lodge is actually closer to Yosemite Valley than some of the facilities within the park!

Howard,<BR><BR>"To give others a better overall perpective (if that's the right word) of where to stay, the Yosemite View Lodge is actually closer to Yosemite Valley than some of the facilities within the park!"<BR><BR>Huh? <BR><BR>We were comparing Yosemite Lodge and Yosemite View Lodge. Yosemite Lodge is IN the valley. <BR><BR>I've never stayed at either because we alway camp. We have camped at other campgrounds in Yosemite that aren't in the valley but we prefer camping in the valley. You wake up, go out side and see Half Dome. (at the Lodge you walk out side and can see Yosemite Falls) We take long walks along the river, walk to the shuttles or ride our bikes all over the valley.<BR><BR>After a long hike it's just a short trip to the campsite (or other lodging). You can go to evening ranger talks and not have to worry about driving anywhere in the dark.<BR><BR>If TV is that important then by all means stay outside of the park.<BR><BR>There are other sections of the park that are beautiful and interesting but the valley is the best IMHO.<BR><BR>Utahtea<BR>

Utahtea, do you know what time it uaully gets dark in Yosemite in late April? Do you find really great sunrises or sunsets staying in the park? What is there to do in the evenings and nights at that time of the year?

utahtea, did you get up on the wrong side of the bed the past two days? I'm well aware of the fact that the original questioner was asking about Yosemite Lodge and Yosemite View Lodge.<BR>My point was simply that while Yosemite Lodge is certainly a preferable location, Yosemite View Lodge was also well located compared to the options.<BR>So, just relax! We're not disagreeing!

Shannon,<BR><BR>It will in daylight savings by late April. The sun sets kind of early in the valley but it stays light until say about 7:30 or so.<BR><BR>Ever evening there is at least one Ranger Program that last an hour. They usually start at 8 or 8:30 P. M. They are held at the Yosemite Lodge, Curry Village and the Campgrounds. The free Yosemite Shuttle will take you where ever you need to go and back within the valley.<BR><BR>Sometimes there are evening strolls that start at 5:30. When you get to Yosemite they will give you a Yosemite Guide that will list everything that is going on in the park for that particular season. <BR><BR>If nothing else you can walk over to Yosemite Falls and just listen to the waterfall. April is the best time for waterfalls. <BR><BR>We haven't been this year and BOY do I miss this place. We were there a year ago in Sept. and the waterfalls were at a trickle so I'm waiting till next spring.<BR><BR>Utahtea