I am travelling to San Francisco over Christmas vacation with my family. Is there much to do in Yosemite that time of year? Is it worth it to travel there for just a few days? HOw are the road conditions? Any other suggestions for spending 4-5 days away from the city? Thanks

I've never been to Yosemite in the wintertime myself, but I have friends who go every year and they love it. There aren't any crowds like other times of the year, so it's a totally different experience. They like to cross country ski and go hiking with snow shoes. I think it would definitely be worth it for a few days.

For other ideas for trips out of SF, Monterey is always nice. A lot of people go up to Lake Tahoe that time of year, mostly to ski. You could go up to the gold country and spend a couple days along Hwy 49. It will be wintertime, so you are likely to get rain anywhere you go on the coast and snow in the mountains above say 3000 ft, so be prepared with warm clothing.

Yosemite can be a beautiful winter wonderland in December.

http://www.utahtea.lithium.com/december_28yosemite.htm

The week before we went and took these pictures, my son went and had to put snow chains on his vehicle to get in the park because it was snowing so hard. When we went, the roads had been cleared. We went in on Hwy 140 and came out on Hwy 120.

You will need to carry chains at this time of the year but be aware that many car rental places tell you that you can't use chains on their cars!

I think it's worth it just for a few day trip. We went just for the day but that's a lot of driving. You need special shoes with spikes to do any hiking, but you can ride the shuttle buses and we go to Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil falls. The trails were icy but we managed.

Other ideas would be to stay on the coast.

Utahtea

It is a fabulous place in the winter. Do go if you get the chance.

You probably won't be able to have dinner at the Ahwanee because the Bracebridge dinners are over Christmas and the are booked up (by lottery) months in advance.

But the rest of the Valley will be open to you - and there is decent skiing at Badger Pass.

I agree with all these posts: Yosemite is spectacular in winter. The crowds are missing but all the attractions are still there. It is almost like being in Disneyland after it closes to the public.

It is a great place to visit especially after a fresh snow. Don't get in the situation I did. I was in the valley when it started falling heavily. As I did not have chains I tried to leave the park. I was stopped by a park ranger saying without chains or snow tires I had to return to the valley. She added if it had been Caltrans who stopped me would have been given a citation.

Yosemite is great in December. We used to go every year about Dec. 15th. But, that said, it is VERY difficult to get accommodations the Christmas week. If you can get reservations, go for it. Do bring chains, like the previous poster said. And take the naturalist guided snowshoe walk at Badger Pass.