Beginner's Guide to Visiting Yosemite National Park in California

Not only California’s most visited national park, but one of the most visited national parks in the U.S. - Yosemite is strikingly beautiful. The national park’s 7-mile-long canyon is cradled by towering walls of sheer granite and is speckled with lush sequoias and cascading waterfalls. It’s one of those places you never forget visiting. We’ve been fortunate enough to have gone to Yosemite National Park numerous times, and there are definitely some tips to know before you go to get the most out of your experience. Here’s our beginner’s guide to your perfect first trip to Yosemite National Park.

It’s difficult to explain the grand beauty of Yosemite National Park in California. Just a 5-hour drive from Los Angeles, millions flock to the park each year, with soaring sequoias, towering mountain peaks and thundering falls, it’s a celebration of nature. While the park itself is over 1,200 acres, most visitors spend their time in the 7-square mile area of Yosemite Valley. Many of the park’s famous monuments like El Capitan and Half Dome can be seen from the valley floor, and there are hikes available for all ranges and abilities. UPDATE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Yosemite National Park is now requiring reservations for visitors. Please visit the NPS website here for more information.

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STAY If you’re looking for the “camping” experience without the headache of finding facilities and remembering all of your gear, we can’t recommend Autocamp enough. We were blown away by how comfortable and well-equipped our suite was. It has everything you could want for a comfortable, outdoorsy stay including a well-equipped kitchen and outdoor fireplace. The property has a community feel with complimentary breakfast each morning in the clubhouse, group yoga sessions and a selection of board games that guests can borrow. Their general store is also darling, full of locally made gifts and plenty of snacks and luxury food items. One thing to note, they are located about 40 minutes from the park, it’s a beautiful drive but something to be aware of.

If you want to be right in the middle of the action, you can’t get closer than the Ahwanee Hotel, which has been in the park since the 1920s. But being such a historic property, the prices do reflect its popularity. However, lodging within the park usually books up almost a year in advance. Let us know if you’re planning to visit and we can help you secure a spot.

EAT Dining options are limited in Yosemite National Park, especially during the winter. We made most of our own dinners in our Autocamp suite, but there are a few spots in the area we’ve enjoyed in the past. The Curry Village Pizza Deck is a very casual option that serves standard American pies. If you’re looking for craft cocktails and small plates, Bar 1899 is a great, newly renovated option. If you’re driving through Mariposa, Sugar Pine Cafe is a fun retro diner with classic breakfast options. One of our absolute favorites in Mariposa is Shortstop Sandwiches, they do have quirky hours so be sure they’re open before you visit, but the hearty sandwiches are worth it.

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WEAR This is largely influenced on the time of year you choose to travel and what activities you plan to do. We unfortunately have seen many visitors without proper attire (ie: flip flops covered with plastic bags in winter - yes, really). Do yourself a favor and bring two pairs of walking shoes, one seasonally appropriate hiking pair and one pair of tennis shoes. The temperature can change fairly rapidly once the sun dips behind the valley, which is earlier than in other areas of the state. Bring layers, even in the summer months. If you start your Yosemite hikes early in the morning (which we highly recommend) you’ll appreciate being able to shed layers as the day warms up.

PACK If you’re planning to “camp” at Autocamp, be sure to bring food supplies for your stay, and non perishable snacks while you’re out and about like granola bars, trail mix and dried fruit. It’s also a good idea to pack more clean water than you think you’ll need. A good judge is about a gallon per person, per day. If you’re planning to hike all day, a Camelbak always comes in handy. You’ll also want to bring sunscreen, insect repellant, and disinfecting wipes. It’s always a good idea to have an emergency kit on you, for those unexpected bumps and bruises nature may inflict! You will be asked to purchase a park pass upon entry to Yosemite, which is $35 per vehicle. If you’re planning to visit other National Parks within the year, it’s a better deal to buy the annual pass at $80 which pays for itself in 3 visits.

SEE
Waterfalls - Bridal Veil, Horsetail Fall, Yosemite Falls, Sentinel Falls, Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall, Ribbon Fall, Illilouette Fall
Viewpoints - Tunnel View, Glacier Point, Olmsted Point, El Capitan Meadow, Valley View
Beginner Hikes - Glacier Point, Lower Mariposa Grove, Tuolumne Meadows, Lower Yosemite Falls, Tenaya Lake, Sentinel Dome, Bridalveil Fall
Advanced Hikes - Pohono Trail, Upper Yosemite Falls, Vernal Fall Footbridge, Inspiration Point, Columbia Rock
Grand Tour - a full day 8-hour tour of many of Yosemite’s most visited sites
Cycling - a wonderful way to see more of the valley and get to each site more quickly
Fishing - just be sure to check Yosemite’s park regulations beforehand
Stargazing - take advantage of the lack of light pollution, the park offers guided tours most evenings
Education - learn more about the history of Yosemite Valley from a local Park Ranger

SAFETY Yosemite is home to many wild animals and potentially dangerous cliffs and waterfalls. Please always use extreme caution when hiking and only complete activities you are fit to at your own risk. Please follow all signage in the park regarding wildlife and hike or road closures. The area is known for having some very frisky brown bears, so be sure to always lock up your food and always practice respect for the land by disposing of garbage and not taking any items from the park home with you.

WHEN There’s nothing like visiting Yosemite in autumn, with the changing leaves and crisp weather, it’s our favorite time to visit. Summers can get crowded and warm, but you’re less likely to encounter closures as most hikes and roads will be open. Spring is lovely, and due to the melting snowpack runoff, waterfalls are at their prime during this time of year. Winter is calm and beautiful, but can get bitterly cold, and requires extra planning as temperatures dip way below freezing. It can also be extremely crowded (ie: expensive) the month of February, as many photographers flock to the area that time of year. To check road closures before you go, head to the NPS website.

Ready to wander on a trip of your own with a customized itinerary? Get in touch with our team and we’ll get you ready to go!