Tenaya, anyone????
 

Hey - to all of you who have offered opinions, we have listened. Have lengthened our trip from LA to SF and now have read about some construction delays from El Portal into Yosemite... I try every night for the Ahwanee, no luck yet. BUT, if there is construction at the West entrance, should I look toward the Tenaya instead of the Yosemite View in El Portal???? They have availability ... Help, please ...

We enjoyed Tenaya Lodge when we stayed there. It is just outside the park and has a pool and very nice grounds. We joined a small tour that picked us up at the hotel in a small van and took us into the park for the day and stopped at all the important spots for us to see and we had time to ourselves for lunch at the Ahwanee. It was nice not to have to do the driving on the mountain roads. We would do it again.

I don't know how the delays are on Hwy 140 going into the park, but I understand that the recent flooding caused some problems - the road into the park follows the river - and I can imagine that the delays are pretty significant with the summer crowds.

The drive into the valley from the Tenaya Lodge is nice - definitely longer than from El Portal, which when we go in May before the summer crowds, usually takes us about 15-20 minutes.

When we stayed at the Tenaya, it was November, so the park wasn't particularly crowded and we didn't see many people on Hwy 41 going in or out of the valley. At that time, the drive took us about 45 minutes. I don't know what it is like this time of year. When you come in on 41, you pass through a tunnel and just after the tunnel is a spectacular view of Yosemite Valley. Be sure to stop for a look if you take this route.

We also enjoyed the Tenaya Lodge and did not feel that the drive into the valley was too long. Since you are close to the south entrance, the Mariposa Grove is a short drive away, the Wawona a little farther. We were there in May (a couple of years ago) and there was no traffic on the drive into the park.

We also did a trail ride with the stables close to the Tenaya. They were not as busy as the stables in the park.

I'm getting mixed signals even from the wonderful folks at the Yosemite reservations desk - one says go for the Tenaya, another says stay at the Yosemite View if you can't get the Ahwannee.

I guess I just keep trying unless someone else has a thought...

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Tenaya. Gorgeous grounds and rooms, nice restaurants, great pool and wonderful concierge. They have much to offer. Everything was top notch when we were there (in April) and we did not find the drive to be an issue.

I also enjoyed my stay at the Tenaya Lodge. It's a beautiful place.