Melissa5

November_Moon: Thanks for explaining that the accommodations are basically in quiet areas, with the exception of Curry Village. I think I have chosen well, with everyone's help. I think we'll be pleased with the Ahwahnichi Lodge rental property in Yosemite West (through scenic wonders). And I appreciate your explanation of VRBO. I checked it out...interesting to see what's available. It's good to know there are some gigantic cabins that have as many as 12 rooms! Whew! Plenty of room when we have lots of grandchildren in the future!!! I'm hoping this trip turns into an annual event for extended family. Or we can also explore other national parks!

POLson: It sounds like you had a good trip with 3 generations. Tenaya Lodge sounds nice too. Your Sequoia trip sounds great too. I'd love to see a bear on a trip with 3 generations...a memorable moment! It would be our grandbaby's first bear-sighting. (She is almost 2...interested in animals and learning what they are called, and imitating the sounds that they make.)

spirobulldog

I would say odds are very good that with 6 days in Yosemite, you will see a bear. If you see a group of people pulled off the road(usually in odd places) and everyone point their camera that way, usually it means a bear. I think you will find plenty of "nature walks". I would probably just stick with the house for a few more days, rather than move. Looks nice enough to me and it says it is New. You will be about 15-30 minute from all the main attractions(depending on traffic). Don't sit in that house too much, get out and enjoy the park. Sounds like a fun trip.

Melissa5

spirobulldog: I like your recipe for bear-spotting! Look for people pulled off the road in odd places...will do! :-B I am definitely leaning towards adding a couple more days onto the house in Yosemite West, thereby having the house for 6 nights instead of 4 nights... Although my original thought was to switch over to a b&b for a couple nights... But the house does have a great location though...and the lodge in Yosemite Valley was full ages ago for June.

If I wait too long to decide, the house may book up and then I won't have the choice!

So we will definitely drive from San Diego to Yosemite via the south entrance.

But what is the best route to return home to San Diego? One dilemma is that I won't know ahead of time when Tioga Road and the eastern entrance will be open... I wish I knew ahead of time, because it might be fun to go home that way...but if we went home that way, I'd need to book at least 1 night someplace along that route home, to break up the drive (especially with a 2-year-old.) It seems that we will probably need to do Tioga Road as a day-trip from our house at Yosemite West.

Ya know, that house (Ahwahnichi lodge) in Yosemite West is already growing on us! We have all looked at the photos, and scenic wonders has been great about emailing me answers to my questions...

Barbara: Thanks for recommending the Best Western Creekside Inn in Bishop. If we decide its possible to return home via the eastern entrance, I'll keep that one in mind. But we may end up returning home to San Diego via the south entrance. I'm just not sure which way to plan the return home right now. How far a drive is Bishop from Yosemite West or from the Yosemite Valley?

Barbara

Maybe a couple of hours. Depends how many stops you make along the way! However, leaving the Park that way takes you up high to Tuolumne Meadows. It's like another world up there and whether or not you come back on the 395, don't miss the highest part of Yosemite.

spirobulldog

You could book a spot that allowed cancellations on your return. You would have an idea of whether or not it will be open about a week in advance(most likely have an idea).

POlson

I like spirobulldog's idea of booking a spot along 395 that allows for cancellations, that way if you don't think you will go home via 395 you can cancel. You could also book a second spot in LA, Pasadena, at the beach or Anaheim so if you end up traveling the way you came you could break the drive up with a last night along the path home.

Melissa5

Barbara, spirobulldog, and POlson: What a good plan the 3 of you have cooked up for me. Yes I could find hotels with good cancellation policies, so that I can check the weather and road conditions later and decide whether we will drive back to San Diego past the east entrance of the park, or past the south entrance.

We can definitely visit Tuolumne Meadows and the highest part of Yosemite as a day-trip. I wonder if it will be too early towards the end of June to see flowers up at the higher elevations?

CordeliaCH

bookmarking

mish42

Hello: Just wanted to mention that if you decide to drive on 395 either way, you could also break up the trip with an overnight at Lone Pine. Great Little town with lots of lodging choices and you're at the base of Mt. Whitney. Home of all the Western classic movies,

Additionally, if you head up to Tuolomne Meadows area or venture thru, be sure to stop at Tenaya Lake. It's gorgeous and at the eastern end there is a sandy beach area which my kids have loved to play at since they were toddlers. My kids also love to stop at the General Store in Tuolomne Meadows. Just remember the weather can change quickly in the high country so be prepared for cold or sun or rain etc.
Have fun.