We are considering going to Yosemite for a few days in early November. My goal would be landscape photography but I gather that the waterfalls may not be as impressive in the autumn. And the Yosemite NP website says to "expect poor air quality and limited visibility due to fires in Yosemite."

Has anyone been to Yosemite recently? Or have experience going to Yosemite in early November? Should I save Yosemite for a trip in the spring sometime?

Hopefully there aren't still fires burning by November which is generally past fire season. Last year there were early rains which made for some nice waterfalls in November but it's hard to say what this year will be like. We went in November last year and were treated to some nice falls viewing, autumn color and a very quiet park but we have the advantage of living 4 hours away so can make last minute decisions based on conditions. Spring is reliable for waterfall viewing but can be busy.

"but I gather that the waterfalls may not be as impressive in the autumn."

Some of the waterfalls are usually pretty much non-existant at that time of year. Last year was a little bit different and last winter was soooooo wet/such a deep snow pack that there may be more flow than is typical.

"And the Yosemite NP website says to "expect poor air quality and limited visibility due to fires in Yosemite"."

That is NOW -- not in November. It would be very unlikely there'd be any fires in Nov.

I've visited YNP in almost every month of the year -- Never in Sept. or Jan. but every other time of year. Mid-Autumn is a FABULOUS time to visit if for no other reason that then small crowds. But like Patty said -- the Fall colors and crisp weather make is a glorious time.

Thank you both for your input! We have to be in San Jose one weekend and in San Diego the next, so we are thinking of staying in California for the days in between - rather than spend 4 days flying across the country. And we decided to drive so we would have the potential to visit Moss Landing and Point Lobos, Yosemite, etc. (We have been to Napa, Lake Tahoe, Big Sur, Joshua Tree NP, and Santa Barbara on previous trips.)

Oh, if you're going to be here anyway, then I'd say it's a no brainer, go!

We've been to Yosemite for our anniversary in late October. It can be gorgeous, but there are no guarantees. (Then again, you can say that about lots of places at different times of the year.)

But if I couldn't get lodging in the Valley, I'd probably think twice...

"But if I couldn't get lodging in the Valley, I'd probably think twice…"

Or unless I could book at Yosemite View Lodge (in El Portal) or in Yosemite West. On the Valley floor rates #1 of course, but either El Portal or Yosemite West would be totally doable. Any farther out would DEFINITELY be a no go for me.

You should be able to find something in the valley at that time of year and without the spring/summer traffic, El Portal or any of the communities within the park (Yosemite West, Foresta, etc) wouldn't be a bad drive.

Patty, Jean, and Janisj - Thank you very much for your input! I am just coming back to planning our time in California. We will be in San Jose the first weekend, leave Monday to drive south to LA, arriving by late Friday afternoon to visit friends that second weekend.

Our options for Monday to Friday are:

1. Make a quick trip to Yosemite, arriving early afternoon on a Monday and leaving Wednesday to head south.

2. Visit Moss Grove and Point Lobos State Park and then drive to the Pismo Beach area for a night or two before heading to Santa Monica.

We could try to visit Yosemite another year - perhaps in May or October - for a few days instead of a whirlwind visit. Or take this opportunity to see this NP for the first time.

Any thoughts? Driving is not an issue for us.

Thank you!

If you do stay in El Portal, you can ride the YARTS bus into the valley instead of driving.
DW and I spent an anniversary in Yosemite in early November a few years ago. We spent the first night in Oakhurst before going into the park. After we visited the park, we stayed at the BUG hostel near Midpines. We returned the car to the Fresno airport and then went to the Fresno Amtrak station to continue our trip.
There is also a YARTS bus stop at the foot of the driveway of the BUG hostel if you ended up staying there.
The view from the viewpoint just north of the tunnel is spectacular even if the waterfalls are not flowing very much.
I'm hoping that the Maricopa Grove will be fully open sometime next year (south end of Yosemite).

Thank you, Tom. I looked at Colby Brown's tips for photographing Yosemite, and he definitely recommends Tunnel View lookout!

(https://www.colbybrownphotography.co...ting-yosemite/)

Both of your options have pros and cons. (BTW YARTS is pretty irrelevant IF you have a car - which you would)

IF you think you could visit Yosemite in May that would be the very best option since the waterfalls would be running absolutely full and the back country is often open by then (but not always)

Hwy 1 through Big Sur is still closed - so you can visit Pt Lobos and drive part way down for the scenery, but then you'll have to back track through Monterey and down 101 to get to Pismo Beach.

If it was me and I had to choose one or the other -- I'd probably do the coast (as long as I could visit Yosemite another time)

"I'm hoping that the Maricopa Grove . . . "

Mariposa Grove

Having recently done the same "Quick drive" to Yosemite I can tell you pros and cons from my view.

1. There is no such thing as a "Quick drive" to/from Yosemite. We drove from the bay area, and it took a full half day to get there (we knew that). We arrived mid afternoon, and were glad for an hour of daylight before dinner. November you will have much less daylight hrs. The last 30-40 miles are slow, windy roads. Not a leisurely Sunday drive.

2. We stayed for two nights. It was not my first trip there, but it was DWs.

3. Two days were not enough for us to decompress and shake off the long drive, and feel like we had a restful stay (for us, restful does not mean idle...) We basically spent 1 full day on a long hike up to the top of Nevada falls & back and would have loved another few days of the same to mentally decompress & escape.

4. The "not so quick" drive back to the bay area was another pain., with stops at Tuolome grove on the way back.

5. Much better would have been 3-4 nights to explore some of the high country, and more hikes in the valley.

6. That said, we would do it all over again. Our trip was a NorCal sampler platter, mixed with family time. If you've never been to Yosemite, then by all means it's ok to enjoy the limited time in what is truly one of the iconic landscapes anywhere. If you know you will return with more time, I agree with Janis - spend time on the coast and visit Yosemite another time.

Janisj and J62 - thank you both for your input. Much food for thought!

Yosemite is on my bucket list but we live near Philly and don't get to California all that often. So I can't count on going there again. But a visit in May would be ideal! Perhaps when DH retires....

We attended a January wedding in Big Sur one year, so we've explored that area a bit (and know the road is closed). But we only had a quick stop in Point Lobos. So if we don't go to Yosemite, the photographer (myself) would "settle" for Point Lobos and maybe Moss Landing - with the possibility of seeing otters.

Thank you again for your helpful comments.

Yosemite and Pt Lobos are two of my favorite places on Earth so you really can't go wrong. (I have the advantage of living 4 hours from either one - so I seldom have to 'decide')

Is there any way you could squeeze out one more night in Yosemite? The drive is long and as J62 says, the days are short (even shorter than on the coast because the sun sets behind the mountains earlier than 'official' sunset time.)

We were in Yosemite two weeks ago. Yes, the waterfalls are a trickle, but if you have never been, then go. Don’t wait for your husband to retire.

This trip was a quick few days to see the aspen colors in the Eastern Sierras. We came over Tioga Pass into the park. We only spent one night, mid week, at the Lodge. I reserved online a few days before. Growing up nearby, I had never spent the night, so loved our stay. This time of year is very different than the summer. No traffic, lines, or mobs of tourists. Plus the light of fall is wonderful. It was a bit smoky, but nothing to spoil the view (should be much better air quality now). If you can fit it in, try to go.

Janisj and MichelleY - thanks for your input. I have heard that the light (as well as the fall color) can contribute to some lovely photo opportunities in the autumn. And good point about the shorter days in the valley. Looks like the sun will officially set just before 5pm with the time change. While that means there are fewer daylight hours, it also means that one could photograph the sunset (if the weather cooperates) and then eat dinner. Hmmmm....

We have decided to make the trip to Yosemite. We will have almost two days there: Monday afternoon, Tuesday, and Wednesday morning. So hopefully we will be able to sample its beauty and have some good photo ops if the weather cooperates.

Any suggestions for where to eat dinner Tuesday night? Do you recommend one of the restaurants in Yosemite Valley?

Many thanks!

Where are you staying? You don't want to be driving mountain roads in the dark any more than absolutely necessary.

The iconic place to eat is the Ahwahnee dining room (officially called the Majestic but I stick with 'The Ahwahnee'). Pricey but decent food and a GLORIOUS room. Lunch or breakfast would be even better because you could see the outdoors.

https://s3-media2.fl.yelpcdn.com/bph...lN_fdYVA/o.jpg

There is a nice restaurant (the Mountain Room) and a basic cafeteria in Yosemite Valley Lodge.

There is a deli/cafe with a pizza parlor upstairs in Yosemite Village.

If you are staying at Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal -- they have an on-site restaurant. Nothing to write home about but convenient if you are staying there.

Are you aware of this?

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/chains.htm