Where to stay to visit Yosemite
 

Hi, I am driving at the end of August from LA to S. Francisco, with a short visit to Yosemite and to Merced. Any suggestions for cheap but not horrible places to stay in the area? We found a Motel 6 in Mammoth Lake, but I read some previous messages saying it is too far from Yosemite. Thanks!

Recently, friends and I visited Yosemite without making prior lodging reservations. Upon arrival at the Yosemite lodge at 9:45pm there were no rooms available at the lodge (1st preference). Instead we opted for the tent/cabins. These were wood framed tents with cots, mattress, sheets and towels. The bath house was a short walk away. They were a lot better than I thought they were going to be, since I was really leary about sleeping in a tent type cabin. However, in the morning we were well rested and the setting was spectacular and we were right in the middle of beautiful scenery. Near the grounds is a lodge, snack stands, a small grochery, and restaurant. I think the cost was about $53 for a tent/cabin for 3. Hope this helps.

Stayed for 3 nights in July in Curry Village canvas tent cabins mentioned above. I would definitely choose these over having to do the drive in and out of the Valley. We did make reservations well in advance so I'm not sure if you will even be able to get a tent cabin. The drive in and out of the Valley is probably an hour each way so I wouldn't want to do that every day. Curry village has a big swimming pool (only open during the day) a restaurant and bar where you can get pizza or a decent buffet meal. Also the store which stocks a lot of food- best for breakfast. The food prices in the Valley were very reasonable. A large ice cream cone in Curry Village only cost $1.30 and I think our pizza was only about $13 or less. The showers were convenient but the lines in the evening were very long. <BR>I thought it was worth it to be right there. We rented bikes at Curry Village at 8:30 one morning and it was great because no one was out and about yet. Very peaceful. Also if you do any hiking in the Valley you can beat the crowds on the trails. You definitely have an advantage staying the Yosemite Valley. I think the $53 a night is correct. The only bad thing was that you couldn't store food in your tent- only in bear boxes. And despite my daughter's fear regarding the bears we didn't see any bears at all.

Know that cosmetics, toothpaste, perfume and other things should also be stored in the bear boxes. And, believe me, they are around even if you don't see them! I've seen a car that they took apart overnight looking for something left inside. Please be careful--it's for their sake as well. You might also start calling the general Yosemite number since they accept cancellations up to 3 days ahead and quite a number of people do cancel. You might get lucky. If you have to stay outside the park, El Portal is the easiest and closest town.(actually not a town, just an area) Think the other posters were talking about staying in Fish Camp, Oakhurst, or Lee Vining which can be an hour into the floor of the valley.

Yosemite Pk and Curry Co. is in the phonebook...in the 209 area code. Call ahead for reservations...we have gotten cancellations and really nice rooms on a week's notice that way. Also, there is holiday Inn Express in Merced right at Highway 99 and 140 (a route into/outta Yosemite). Merced also has a "motel row" along Hwy. 99 with lots of inexpensive motels that are safe and family-oriented. I've stayed at several different ones at various times. From Merced, its 3 hours to Yosemite via 140. Some people like to come in from the Bay area through Hwy. 120 and this route misses Merced (it runs through the Mountains)but is also scenic with various communities along the route.