Yosemite Family Week

Make this your first stop to discover all the park has to offer. In addition to information about Ranger Programs, bear conditions, location of attractions and other visitor information, the center acts as a sort of gallery, with displays that change each year. For example, you might see an audiovisual presentation on the splendor of the valley, or an exhibit of Native American arts and crafts, or you might even take part in a discussion about future plans for the park. The compound includes an auditorium along with various exhibit spaces.

The Yosemite Valley has long been recognized as one of nature's true wonders. Its beauty has drawn artists from all over the world for well over 100 years. This museum displays a collection of works by such artists, all selected by a jury. The works include a variety of styles and range from old to contemporary. In addition to the paintings, the gallery features historical exhibits, which change from time to time. The museum as a whole gives a good visual sense of Yosemite through the ages.

This replica of a Native American village gives you a taste of how the Miwok and Paiute peoples lived; the places where they prepared and cooked their food, and more. The village is setup in a more or less natural setting behind the Yosemite Museum Gallery. There is no fee for this attraction. Weather permitting, the staff of the Indian Cultural Exhibit puts on demonstrations of basket weaving, beadwork and game playing. These programs usually take place between 9a and noon and again between 1:30p. and 4:30p.

Like a cafeteria, this food court serves meals and snacks all day. Breakfast consists of bacon, eggs, sausage and omelets. Lunch offerings include soups, sandwiches and salads. For dinner you can choose from meats, fish and casseroles. The food court always serves hot and cold beverages and snacks. It can get very crowded in mid-summer.

As the closest property to Yosemite Falls, Yosemite Lodge is an idyllic spot for families, group retreats and visitors seeking to blend the comforts of a hotel while exploring the wilderness. In 1998, the main complex was redesigned and modernized with an emphasis on glass and wood detailing to blend harmoniously with its surroundings. Landscaping of indigenous trees, shrubs and wildflowers further reflects the natural beauty of the Yosemite Valley.The Yosemite Lodge has 226 lodge rooms and 19 standard rooms with daily maid service. (Please note: The Lodge does not have air conditioning in any guest accommodations.

This is a strenuous hike with an elevation gain of over 1,000 feet over the course of about a mile. In other words, it is quite steep. Along that change in elevation, you will get to see how plant life varies at various altitudes. When you get to the top, you will be rewarded with incredible views of both the top of Yosemite Falls and of the Yosemite Valley as a whole. Plan on taking your time. The round-trip usually takes at least two hours and often three. Start at Sunnyside Camp 4 near Shuttle Stop 7. Bring water, and be sure to wear a hat and comfortable walking shoes or boots. The trail may be closed in the winter. For your safety, it is recommended that this hike be completed before dark.

Mirror Lake has been gradually filling up with silt, so it is not as mirror-like as it once was, but the lake's banks do provide a glorious view of Half Dome rock. Start from Shuttle Stop 17. This is considered an easy walk, with a mild uphill grade. The distance is just about a mile, and you will probably complete the round-trip in about an hour. This area can get crowded in summer. The trail stays open some winters, depending on snow depth, but in winter hikers must start from Shuttle Stop 19, which adds another mile to the trip. In summer months, there is access for vehicles with current disability placards.

This hike is also known as the Mist Trail because it passes right beside Vernal Falls, which in the spring blows a heavy mist everywhere. This 1.4 mile roundtrip hike is considered a moderate hike, with a steep 400-foot elevation gain in just over a mile. It is recommended that you wear shoes that grip as the path can be slippery. You can see the rushing water from the Vernal Falls Footbridge as well as the top of the falls in the distance. This is probably the busiest and most crowded hike in the Valley, small wonder given the loveliness of the trail. Plan on spending an hour or two on your walk. The trail may be closed in winter.

A Yosemite tradition this huge and elegant dining room somehow feels intimate, despite its 34-foot ceilings. For breakfast, you can choose from frittatas or omelets, or enjoy a variety of salads or sandwiches for lunch. The dinner menu features entrees such as Salmon Ahwahnee served with Dungeness crab with bearnaise sauce and wild rice. The restaurant has an extensive and award-winning wine list. Reservations are essential for dinner, and the evening dress code calls for jackets or sweaters for men older than 12 and dresses or pantsuits for women.

Paddle amid spectacular scenery in Yosemite Valley on an inflatable raft.

Open in the summer only, this station is the place to start when you enter Yosemite from the south via Highway 41. Located just inside the south entrance, the station offers maps, books, park orientation material and current information on trails. The station also offers campfire programs nearby. These campfires take place during summer months and last about an hour. Rangers lead a variety of walks through the area as well. Schedules of these walks are posted daily in the station.

The trees in this grove are more than 3,000 years old, more than 50 feet around, and reach up over 300 feet seemingly to touch the sky. You can drive to the lower edge of the grove, but parking is strictly limited and you may wait in line for quite a while; better to take the free shuttle from the Wawona General Store, which departs every 15 minutes from 9a to 4:30p. Note: Trailers and motor homes are not permitted on the Mariposa Grove Road.

Enjoy breakfast, a buffet lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch in this delightful restaurant with quaint 19th century decor. Breakfast consists of bacon or sausage, and eggs, as well as a large selection of omelets. Lunch is buffet-style and changes with the seasons. Dinner includes delicacies such as roast duck and fresh trout. Come at the end of the day to watch the spectacular Yosemite sunset from the outdoor dining patio. A full service bar is available.

Here, you can see millions of gallons of water and a spectacular waterfall in a pristine setting. Do not let its beauty fool you, the reservoir's purpose is to supply the San Francisco area with water as well as electrical power. This reservoir is located in a secluded and quiet area of the park making it a great location for picnics or meditation. In addition, this place has trailheads for several hikes. The road to the reservoir is closed from October to June.