I'm planning a trip for late may or early June. I can't decide whether to got to Alaska ( Anchorage area) or Yosemite? Need recommendations

This seems like such an odd choice. How much time do you have? If less than two weeks minimum, I'd say forget Alaska. If you have more than that, are you seriously considering the entire time in Yosemite?

We spent a full month in Alaska a few years ago. Don't get me wrong. It was great and I'm glad we went. But I can't say that there was a single sight that took my breath away the same way my first view of the Yosemite Valley did!

I guess Alaska is out. We only have one week. We have gone to several NP such as Yellowstone, Grand tentons, Bryce, Zion, GC and loved them all.
I have a 12 & 14 yr. old that like to do alot of diff. activities. If we go to Yosemite how would you recommend splitting the trip between Yosemite and Sequoia? How many days in each park?
Is the main activity in these 2 hiking?
We love to do this however, are there any white water facilities around either or horseback riding? Thank you for your reply.

I usually agree with Patrick but on this one, we'll have to disagree. I love Yosemite too but, IMO, it pales in comparison to Alaska. Surely two weeks would be better for an Alaskan visit but one week is still enough to sample my favorite place in the world.

I too disagree with Patrick and I too usually agree with his opinion. We enjoyed our two trips to Yosemite but Alaska takes our breath away each time we are there. It always starts with incredible views of endless glaciers from a plane as we approch Alaska Many years later we are still visit Alaska and spend lots of time there. We bought two cabins, float plane, made many friends. Please read posts '1 week in Alaska" It is possible to get introduced to Alaska in one week. We see many teenagers visiting and activities for them are endless. Read posts here on Alaska and you can learn how much is there to d even if you have only one week.
With one week I would suggest Anchorage, Seward and Homer. Ask your kids how they would like to go for a bear watching day trip from Homer? Read posts here on bear watching. I would go in June

you could do a week alaskan cruise. This way you can sample Alaska. I have never been, but I was thinking this may be the way to see it in less time.

I have to agree with Patrick on this one...for a week's time..Yosemite is the best! IMO, that view when you leave the tunnel in Yosemite, is perhaps the most stunning vista in the world!!!!! I absolutely ADORE Yosmite and it is one of my top 3 places. I did the cruise to Alaska, and it was great, but the best way to see it is to land tour IMO.

Where would you fly/drive from to Anchorage, AK or Yosemite?

There seem to be parallel threads going on this topic.

I don't disagree with Patrick that Yosemite is one of the most spectacular single sights anywhere, but to put the debate in another context, it's somewhat like comparing a trip to Santorini to a trip to Greece.

Santorini is arguable the iconic vista of Greece, at least for Americans, but there's only so long you can stare from the caldera rim.

Alaska's beauty lies in its diversity of experiences. If you judge a vacation by a single site or by only what you can do or see from a car, bus or ship window, then Yosemite might be the best bet.

There are several posts with week-long activities mapped out. I agree that a Kenai Peninsula focus, perhaps with a flightseeing trip around Denali is a great way to go.

Bottom line: You can have a great one-week trip to Alaska -- you just can't see it all. And you could spent two months in AK and say that.

Z I was trying to find more information on the bear watching day trips outside of Homer. I looked through 250 posts and I could not find any on this topic. Which one do you recommend and how much do they cost?