Hi .......

Trying to understand where I should stay in the Yosemite area ... Yosemite Valley is full for my dates (28/29 July 2000)

What about Yosemite West ? About 15 miles from Yosemite Valley. Condo with Scenic Wonders ...

Or can people say at which exit I should stay near ?

Mark (very confused !!)

Mark, we stayed at yosemite view lodge outside of the park in june of 1998. I am not sure of the town but it is about 2 miles from the park entrance. It is closer to anything you would find in any other lodging outside of the park.

A river runs right behind the hotel and it is pretty neat.

Hi ....

Thanks Bill for the reply .... problem is they are wanting $149 + tax.

Condos at Yosemite West are wanting $99 + tax .... this is inside the park

Anyone got experience of Scenic Wonders ...

Thanks

Mark

I second the Yosemite View Lodge suggestion. We have stayed there & were pleased. Our room had a fireplace, jacuzzi tub & our balcony overlooked the river.
Not too far from the valley floor either.

Yosemite View Lodge is also a winner with us. Fireplace in each room, rooms on the Merced River, and ajacuzzi tub large enough for 2. I think is located in the town on El Portal. Closer to the park than Tenaya.

We have also stayed at the Tenaya Lodge located in a town called Fish Camp. Very beautiful, like a rustic lodge, but very plush. Tenaya has a website...Tenaya.com or tenayalodge.com.

Both are wonderful, would stay again at either located, each provides a different atmosphere.

we stayed at yosemite west condos in Nov. '99. i believe they had a basic unit and a unit w/ a loft. we had the basic unit ...it was one of the most disgusting places i've ever had to sleep in. since i booked it online and had to prepay we couldn't leave (i don't remember there being on site management...they just left the key to our room under the door mat) we spent the rest of our trip at yosemite lodge....we booked it the day before we checked out of y. west condo. it was $10 cheaper and a hell of a lot nicer. of course, MAYBE all the rooms at y. west condos aren't as bad as the one we had but........

Just outside of Yosemite we stayed at Mammoth Lakes as a stop off on the way to Las Vegas and wished that we had been able to stay longer. In the winter Mammoth lakes is a popular ski resort but in the Summer it is a pleasant, quite little town. We stayed at a hotel called Cinnamon Bear Inn. It is a really homely place. There are very few rooms (about 6) all at a very reasonable price. We booked by telephoning direct. There is information and photos on the Mammoth Lakes web page www.visitmammoth.com under lodgings. We also went out for dinner to a restaurant for dinner called "Whisky Creek". This place isn't cheap but it was money well spent - with huge portions!!! http://thesierraweb.com/dining/whisk...k/default.html
Enjoy!!

To stay in Mammoth Lakes and then visit Yosemite during the day is to spend a whole lot of time in the car! It's just too far during peak tourist season. El Portal is probably the best location outside of the park with Tenaya second. Wawona is inside the park but about 30 miles from the valley and the the major attractions. If you wanted spartan accomodations, you could look into Curry Village which is very centrally located but very basic.

We were in Yosemite last October and stayed in Fish Camp at Apple Tree Inn. The room had two queen beds, a fireplace and TV for $126/night + tax. There was also a coffee maker, small refrigerator and microwave in the room. The room was nicely decorated and very clean. Continental breakfast is also included in the price. The facilities also include a hot tub, racquetball court and
indoor pool. The Inn is located next to the Tenaya Lodge which has several restaurants. There is a walkway between the Inn and the Lodge that you can
use (about 5 min. walk) if you plan to have dinner at the Lodge. The Apple Tree
Inn is about 4 miles south of the South Entrance to Yosemite on Rt. 41. The phone number is 1-888-683-5111.

About El Portal: It looks lika a good choice on a map, but it isn't a town and there isn't anything there beyond 2 places to stay. Also, the road between El Portal and Yosemite is under construction and has limited "open" hours and delays other times. We stayed there last year and it was a problem at times.

Stayed at Yosemite View in El Portal in July, 1998 and it was great. You CAN'T get any closer, unless you stay in the park. While the road MAY be under construction, it doesn't matter that there's not much there. We ate bfst. in our room (it had a micro/fridge) and the other meals in the Park. Although if I'm not mistaken, there's a nice restaurant in the motel. Also, it's right on the Merced River and is quite lovely. The pool was ok for the kids, too. If you can't get into the park, this would be the ONLY place I'd stay.

Just got back from Yosemite. We stayed in the park itself. At this late date, most places are probably booked, but people cancel 2-3 weeks before their scheduled dates to avoid losing their deposit. Try calling and see what you can get. That way you don't have to spend all of your time driving to and from the park everyday. The park does offer a bus service that runs about every 10 minutes to take you to and from the different sights. You do not need to drive from sight to sight because of the shuttle buses. But bring a lock... You are not allowed to leave food or drinks in your car. (bears break in) The park has bear boxes all around the park (metal storage boxes). You put your food items in it and lock it. Good luck.

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