Hi. We are planning a trip to San Francisco this July and we were told to be sure to book at Yosemite first, so we have three nights reserved at the Ahwahnee. However, as much as we love nature and all the beauty, we are city people at heart and I am concerned that two full days in the park will be too much. It is myself, my husband and our three kids (ages 15, 13 and 10). While we do really enjoy an occassional hike, what else would we do in all that time? Thanks so much for any advice!

How long is your whole trip?

You will LOVE Yosemite! It's unlike any other National Park you may have visited! It's my favorite!!!! They offer very informative bus tours that you can reserve! You can do small hikes to the waterfalls or simply sit and enjoy the majestic scenary!

Have fun in San Francisco, another one of my favorite places!

The whole trip is two weeks and I think we just decided to fly into LA and then work our way up to San Francisco, making sure we get Yosemite in also. Nothing is definite yet. However, since the resort at Yosemite books quickly, that is where I am starting with the plans.

You are staying at a gorgeous hotel, your kids will love Yosemite. If you like art, browse through the Ansel Adams Art Gallery in the Village, just minutes away from the hotel. ***kim***

(assuming you arrive in the late afternoon/early evening - so 3 nights/2 days)

I think 2 full days in YNP is just about perfect for the non-hiker, non-strenuous-outdoors-activity visitor.

Only having one day would have you arriving, unpacking, having dinner, a mad dash around the Valley the next day, and packing/checking out the next morning.

I think you will enjoy your time at Yosemite, but I suppose you could cut your stay to two nights if you are really non-outdoorsy. However, there is much to do in Yosemite. There are many pleasant strolls and hikes to take, waterfalls and beautiful views to see. Also, you can rent bikes, ride horses and go swimming. When conditions are good, you can take a mild raft trip down the Truckee river. There are also ranger-led hikes and night-time ranger programs. If the skies are clear, stargazing is amazing away from city lights. If your kids haven't experienced these kinds of activities much it may be a real treat for them.

The Ahwahnee hotel is a beautiful place to just relax. You can enjoy tea-time in the lobby and also play board and card games there. I think you'll have a great time.

Just a small correction - rafting in Yosemite is on the Merced River, not the Truckee.

http://www.yosemitepark.com/Activiti...s_Rafting.aspx

I would have said we were not into hiking ect, 4 years ago. We went to a couple of National Parks and did some unusual things, got hooked. National Parks is pretty much all our trips have been since then. Unless you are physically unable or really overweight, I can't imagine not enjoying them. You may get a little spoiled starting with the Awahnee, it is tops of the top as far as lodging in a National Park.

Yosemite has what I consider three different areas. The Valley, the high sierra's, and then the Giant Tree area. of course, that is just my way of thinking of Yosemite. I would certainly try to see all of them. You might want to consider a night in the Wawonna Lodge. may not even have a private bath there. Don't start out hiking in the high altitude areas, that will wear you out quick if you try doing that on your first day.

I would change to 2 nights. Arrive in the morning, take the valley trolley tour, watch the sunset, next day wake up early for sunrize if you can, take shuttles to see other areas of the park, spend the night, leave in the morning.

Yosemite is beautiful, but if you are not into hikes your teenagers will kill you with whining

OOps, you are right, sf7307. It certainly is the Merced river.

I agree with FainaAgain. I would probably change to just a couple of nights. We are like you when we travel, we really enjoy the natural beauty of things but are not avid hikers, though we do enjoy getting out in nature.Will you be coming from San Francisco? If you leave fairly early, you would still have a day and a half if you spend two nights. I would spend the third night in the Big Sur area. It's a bit out of the way but definitely worth it if you haven't planned to go that area. We did just that a couple of years ago, when we left Yosemite a day early, running from a snow storm. Personally, I find Big Sur just as impressive as Yosemite, but what can I say, I am an ocean and coastline person.

The problem w/ FainaAgain's 2 night plan (sorry FA ) is there is almost no way one can arrive in YNP in the morning if you are traveling up from SoCal Your first "day" in the Park would only be a couple of hours.

That's why I qualified my first post by assuming you'd arrive in the late afternoon/early evening.

I didn't see the "from SoCal" part

"we just decided to fly into LA and then work our way up to San Francisco, making sure we get Yosemite in also" - who knows where Azh will spend the night prior to Yosemite?

Azh, check out Solvang leaving LA. Neat Dutch village. Don't plan to spend more then a few hours.

We agree -- IF they can arrive in YNP in the morning - then 2 nights would be enough . . . . .

Otherwise, they need to stay the 3 nights to get 2 days in the Park/Valley.

Thank you all for your input. What I learned is that if we can get to YNP in the a.m., then 2 nights is probably enough, otherwise stay for 3. I am actually getting excited to see all the natural beauty and even try rafting!
Thanks again!!!