Yosemite OR Grand Canyon
 

Need your help deciding which is better to spend 3-4 nights next week or the week after. We have an opportunity to take a few days off work and would like to either go to Grand Canyon/Sedona area or Yosemite, both of which never been to before.

One of my concerns is the weather: Just checked yosemite is at 54 daytime, which is really cold for a socal resident. Could it be that temps will rise in the next week or so? Also, keep in mind some areas in yosemite are closed. But, I hear the waterfalls are the *best* this time of year, so if this is my chance, don't want to miss it...also, if we wait any longer on yosemite (esp. after labor day) we'll get the crowds which we want to avoid.

As for GC, the weather there is: 65 daytime, which is still cold, but much better. and sedona is mid 70s which is perfect. I'm afraid it will get too hot (upper 80s) in the next few weeks there though, since we plan to stay one night in/around gc and 2-3 nights in sedona itself.
as for lodging, I've been monitoring closely, and think I'll be able to get something last minute if I keep trying.

Right now just need to decide which place to visit taking into account timing. When the waterfalls at yosemite are strong, is the temp usually this low? I feel like it might snow any day there now!

also, we have total 5 days max which includes driving time from LA area.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

You've got 2 good choices. I'd probably choose GC now and put off the Yosemite trip until I could get up to the Tioga Pass area.

A comment on temperatures: 65 at the GC won't feel cold if it's sunny. In fact, you might want to wear shorts and a tee shirt at that temperature. The reason is that the air is so much drier and thinner that it doesn't carry off body heat like it would at sea level. If it's windy, then that's a different story.

Spring in Yosemite is pretty variable - sometimes you get warm temperatures, sometimes it's chilly. This year we have have a really wet spring all over California. If feels like it's rained every single day this past month.

We have a camping trip in Yosemite in a couple weeks and so I am hoping for warm weather, but not counting on it. The park should be absolutely beautiful though.

If you are looking for warm temperatures, then I think the GC is your best bet.

Laderaranch,

We seem to be having a very late spring this year. I can't remember the last time we had this much rain this late in the season. I cancelled my own trip out to Yosemite this weekend because I think it will be too cold and muddy. I'd go to GC instead. Nicer temps and if the alternative was to go to CG later, yuck! too hot.

Accuweather.com has forecast for 15 days. It may help you.

I've been to both and just my opinion but the Grand Canyon/Sedona blows Yosemite away.

Both are excellent choices. I would go where the best weather would be and my best guess that would be the Grand Canyon this year. Like others have mentioned this has been a cold and wet spring in N. California. We keep getting rain storm after rain storm.

Yosemite after Memorial Day will start getting the crowds but if you could make it there during the middle of the week it won't be to bad. They have been getting more and more snow in the mountains so the waterfalls should have a good showing even in early June.

Utahtea

ok, good advice, thanks everyone!!
i was starting to wonder whether those great springtime waterfalls at yosemite everyone always talks about come with cold and wet weather. it's been colder than usual down here in southern california as well.

laderaranch,

No, you don't have to have a cold wet spring to have the waterfalls at their best. We've gone to Yosemite in April on many occasions and I've worn shorts on the mist trail hike to Vernal Falls.

On the other hand we've been in May and had a couple of inches of snow fall on us in the valley.

Spring is a very unpredicatible weather time of the year in Yosemite!

Utahtea

We were at the Grand Canyon last week and it was very very windy and therefore quite cold. The week before in Yosemite it was much warmer than we had anticipated (certainly warmer than the Canyon) even though there was a little snow on the ground here and there. The waterfalls were awesome. However, I too would opt for the Canyon - parts of Yosemite valley are shaded by the trees which will impact the temperature of course. I'm sure the Canyon would offer better temperatures as long as it's not windy! Have a fantastic trip.