Just returned from 4 days at Yosemite and 4 days in SF. Stayed at the Yosemite Lodge, and was very pleased with the accomodations, and the friendliness of the staff. There is some construction going on (they are adding cable TV...not sure that is such a great improvement?) but overall grounds were nice. Ate all our meals at the food court there, and while not fancy or gigantic portions (they count out the asparagus stalks), it was reasonably priced, and decent, with some entrees exceptional (sauteed trout, blueberry waffles and chocolate chip cookies come to mind). The most bang for the buck hike was the Vernal/Nevada Falls trip. Awesome. Make sure you take some raingear.

Stayed at the Prescott Hotel in Union Square area of San Francisco (in preparation for the Bay-To-Breakers), and it was nice...rooms very very small, but nice furnishings, and very helpful personnel, particularly the concierge. Friends stayed at the Beresford Arms just a block-and-a-half away and their rooms were HUGE compared to ours, but older, plain furnishings. Both places had 'happy hours' with wine. Dinner at the Thai Stick restaurant nearby was good. Also dined at Trattoria Pinocchio in North Beach which was a good experience, with very nice accomodating hostess and reasonable prices. Had to get at least take-out from Greens, and was not disappointed, but the best dining experience by far was at Dottie's True Blue Cafe; the breakfasts there are excellent (make sure you get there early). Rented bikes at Blazing Saddles and that was easy and bikes were in very good condition. Also booked a tour to Muir Woods/Sonoma which was interesting, and the lunch in Sonoma at Viansa was very good. If you have any questions about the above items, feel free to email.
Phil

Phil, thanks for sharing. Sounds like you had a good time. We'll be in Yosemite, staying at Yosemite Lodge for 2 nights, Oct 1-2, driving in from the south. Was wondering about when to visit Mariposa Grove, which we definately want to visit while there? Do you think it would be good to try to get there early enough in the day to visit Mariposa Grove on our drive in that first day on our way to the Lodge, or go back there the next day from the Valley, perhaps on their shuttle?

Hi Ibaboyd

We questioned the same thing (when to visit Mariposa Grove) before our trip in May. We decided (after we got to Yosemite) to visit Wawona and Mariposa Grove on our way out of the park heading towards Fresno. I'm very glad we did it that way. It is a fairly long drive from Yosemite Valley to Mariposa (many fodorites had stated this before)--so the least amount of backtracking you can do--the better IMO. Also, I may be wrong having never been there in October, but I don't know of any shuttle that goes from Yosemite Valley to Mariposa Grove. The only one I have heard of goes from Wawona to Mariposa--and I would think (could be wrong--hopefully someone else will see this and help), that you could park in the lot at Mariposa Grove at that time of the year.

I would agree....visit before getting into the Valley or on your way out. We faced this question with our visit to Hetch Hetchy (when to visit) and did it on the way out...and that was definitely a wise choice. It would have involved a fair amount of backtracking otherwise.

Thanks maj. We were thinking along those lines, but good to have 1st hand experience inputs. So we'll shoot to visit Mariposa Grove on the way in the day of our arrival. This seems fitting, too, since we will likely leave Yosemite heading to San Francisco via hwy 140. Betty Ann is prone to motion sickness so will have to take it easy through the area as much as practical. Thanks again.

Hello ibaboyd,

We toured Mariposa Grove after lunch at the Wawona Hotel on our way into the Valley last summer, and were glad we did. Pick up the shuttle bus at the Wawona Store, and it will take you back to the trails. And yes, be careful of the drive in, since she's prone to motion sickness...many hairpin turns! Ginger is often a good remedy for that. Be sure to park and get out of your car at Tunnel View, just beyond the tunnel...you'll have a breathtaking view of El Capitan, Bridlevail Falls, and Half Dome. Highway 140 is the easiest drive heading out of the valley - pretty along the river for several miles. Have a great trip!

Thanks everyone, especially dean56. Sounds like real good advice. Really looking forward to experience seeing those great views. I think Betty Ann will do most of the driving - she seems to do better fending off motion sickness when she is in the driver seat then in the passenger seat (I'll probably be the one who gets a little woozzy sitting over there, huh)? Best to you all.

Any idea when the cable TV goes live?