We are planning a trip to California from UK towards the end of May 2008. We intend to rent a car and would like to spend the mid week period (Sunday to Thursday)somewhere between Yosemite and Kings Canyon so that we can drive to both. Can anyone suggest a good vacation rental property/company for that area ? We only require a 1 bedroom property and would be on a budget of 200 dollars per night maximum.

Thanks,
Gaynor

You probably want to avoid moving, but Fresno is about half way between both and it takes approximately an hour and a half to get to each from there. (and then you will probably be driving through the parks for another hour or so to get to where you want to go in the parks). IMO it would be much more efficient to spend a couple of days inside each park. (or in Yosemite's case, right outside of the park). If you already know this, please ignore my comments. I was surprized when we went at how long it took to drive through the mountains (and the scenery between the two wasn't that great).

Between Yosemite and Kings Canyon (by road) is industrial farming country (and Fresno). While the scale of farming might be somewhat interesting to someone from UK, it is utterly lacking in charm as a place to stay. Stay in Yosemite if you can; otherwise as close as possible (there are some vacation rentals at Yosemite West and Wawona). If you want to fit Kings Canyon/Sequoia in your itinerary, spend a night there.

Totally agree w/ curmudgeon. You don't want to stay between the two. You get the worst of all worlds - long drives into the parks and not such nice country.

Stay in Yosemite Valley Sunday-Tues. Leave YNP Tues afternoon and stay near Sequoia/Kings Canyon Tues/Wed nights, leaving Thurs a.m.

(if you possibly meant through Thurs night/Fri a.m. then stay in YNP Sunday through Wed afternoon and S/KC Wed/Thurs nights)

Thank you very much for your advice. I will look at stopping in or close to Yosemite. We have been to Sequoia on a previous trip, but Kings Canyon was closed, hence the reason for considering both. Given what you've said I may think about staying on the coast for a day or two at the beginning (or end) of the trip and spend the rest of the time at Yosemite.

Gaynor

Good choice.

We couldn't get into Kings Canyon the first time we tried too. Finally made it this summer. It's nice, but nothing compared to Yosemite. You've made the right choice to spend your time there.

Utahtea

We just returned from two nights at Yosemite Lodge at the Falls...just wonderful. You should definitely make reservations now for May. We had to reserve three months ago to get this. The Lodge rooms are $176-147 plus tax (17%). Curry Village rooms with bath are $147-$120 plus tax.
www.yosemitepark.com

I agree with the above postings. But if you want to stay as close to "in between" and not be to bored try around Oakhurst or Mariposa.