Yosemite at Thanksgiving
 

Hi,

My husband and I and 3 teenage sons (14,16,18) are considering spending Thanksgiving at Yosemite this year. We live in Nashville, TN.and have never been to Yosemite so know nothing really about it as of now. We have friends who said they had a great Thanksgiving dinner at the Majestic Hotel in Yosemite and recommended the trip. I have a couple of questions for those in the know..

1. What is the typical weather like during November in Yosemite? I know this is not something that can be predicted, but is Thanksgiving week a good idea?? Are hiking and climbing the main things to do there, besides admiring the beautiful scenery? any other popular things to do there?

2. If the lodges in the park are booked, would renting a VRBO inside the park be an okay option? any tips on lodging are appreciated..

3. How is the food at the Majestic Hotel?

I am open to hearing any and all tips & things to know about Yosemite!

thanks

>>1. What is the typical weather like during November in Yosemite?<<

Absolutely no telling. Could be snow but that is early for heavy snow. Could be clear/crisp/gorgeous. Snow on the floor of the valley isn't likely to be heavy but almost certainly the back country will be inaccessible due to Tioga Pass being closed for the season. Glacier Point road might or might not be open. Badger Pass ski area could be in operation -- or not. Hiking wil be fine, climbing possibly not.

>>2. If the lodges in the park are booked, would renting a VRBO inside the park be an okay option? any tips on lodging are appreciated..<<

If the Valley is fully booked . . . the <B>ONLY</B> other places to consider are condos/houses in Yosemite West or the Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal. Yosemite west Anyplace else will be 1 to 2 hours from the valley (longer if there is snow) http://www.yosemitewest.com http://www.stayyosemiteviewlodge.com

>>3. How is the food at the Majestic Hotel?<<

The Majestic (the <i>name</i>) is an abomination >) For us purists it is still, and will always be, the Ahwahnee (and likely will be again since the law suit is going into mediation)

The food is very good. The dining room itself is a national treasure. Thanksgiving is very popular in Yosemite and dinner at the Ahwahnee/<strike>Majestic</strike> does get fully booked.

OP, I can't speak directly to your questions, but out of curiosity I googled Thanksgiving in Yosemite (because your idea sounds really nice to me, weather permitting). This rather positive was included in the results:

http://www.bayareaparent.com/Article...c-in-Yosemite/

Maybe it'll give you some ideas.

If you go, please report back! I'd love to figure out something more interesting to do over the holiday than what my husband and I usually do!

Nice article -- one note -- Tenaya Lodge where they stayed is nice but is more than an hour from Yosemite Village.

Thanks for clarifying that, Janis. Their website makes it sound a lot closer; sorry I didn't check that out beforehand.

Thank you janis and indy for your replies and info! I will definitely look only for VRBO on the west side. The places I had found were in Foresta and am not sure where that is..but will investigate on the map.

I did call the Ahwahnee (majestic lower case) for reservations, but they are under construction and aren't taking any for Thanksgiving at this time..

I will write about it if we do indeed go!

thanks

>> I will definitely look only for VRBO on the west side. <<

To clarify -- not just 'on the west side' . . . I meant in <u>Yosemite West</u> -- it is the name of a specific development. I gave you the link.

Fortesta would be OK - about 35 minutes from Yosemite Village.

If the Ahwahnee/<strike>Majestic</strike> isn't taking bookings that will put extra stress on the Yosemite Lodge at the Falls/<strike>Yosemite Valley Lodge</strike> -- but I would try there first, then Yosemite West and/or Foresta, then finally Yosemite View Lodge. (YVL would be the closest but you'd get more space in a condo/cabin in Foresta or Yosemite West).

Slightly off topic, but the Bracebridge dinner at Awahnee is on the bucket list

>>the Bracebridge dinner at Awahnee is on the bucket list<<

Been twice -- wonderful experience. Still deciding whether to go this year or possibly next year. My previous visits I stayed at Yosemite Lodge/<strike>Yosemite Valley Lodge</strike> - when and if I attend again I want to stay at the Ahwahnee

I spent part of thanksgiving week in Yosemite a few years ago and thought it was my best visit ever. The crowds were nearly non existent. Perhaps I was luck but the weather was perfect. Frost in the valley overnight, the sunny & high's in the mid 60's during the day. Perfect hiking weather.

Roads at higher elevations including Glacier Pt were all closed. There was some snow on the trails near Glacier Pt, but I never needed to use my slip on ice grippers for my hiking shoes.

ymmv

Thanks for the link on Yosemite West janisj and input J62!

I am hoping there will be a cancellation at the Ahwahnee but as for now we are in El Portal at YVL. Husband wants to be close as can be if we can't be at the lodge.

Good - Yosemite View Lodge is fine -- and they have a generous cancellation policy.

Besides the Ahwahnee/<strike>Majestic</strike> also try for a cancellation at Yosemite Lodge at the Falls/<strike>Yosemite Valley Lodge</strike>.

While YVL is totally OK and an easy drive, staying in the Valley would be even better.

My godparents had a family reunion at Yosemite every Thanksgiving for about 40 years.
I think they alternated between Yosemite lodge and Wawona, and always loved the park that time of year.