Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in east-central California. Yosemite is internationally recognized for its spectacular granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves and biological diversity. The 750,000-acre, 1,200 square-mile park contains thousands of lakes and ponds, 1,600 miles of streams, 800 miles of hiking trails, and 350 miles of roads.

Physically fit travelers will enjoy hiking the park’s many trails and footpaths. Check with rangers for trail conditions; snow and hazards from falling rock close many trails in winter. No permits are required park-wide for day hikes. The valley also offers some of the most challenging and spectacular rock climbing in North America, with vertical faces more than  3,000 feet tall. There are still commercial horseback-riding concessions in the Yosemite Valley, Wawona and Tuolumne Meadows areas.

For cross-country skiers the park offers over 350 miles of trails, with 90 miles of marked trails and 25 miles of groomed trails originating at Badger Pass. Downhill skiing options include 10 runs at Badger Pass. The majority of these runs are for beginners and moderate skiers, so thrill seekers may wish to ski elsewhere.

The casual dining room has large windows and ceilings with exposed beams. Only open during the summer, this restaurant at White Wolf Lodge serves breakfast and dinner. Breakfast offerings include bacon, eggs, omelets and good, hot coffee. The dinner menu varies throughout the season, but you can count on a New York Steak, fresh catch of the day, and at least one vegetarian dish nightly. The restaurant serves beer, wine, tea, coffee and soft drinks.

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.

Situated on Highway 41, Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite is two miles from the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park and approximately 55 miles from Fresno Air Terminal. This location is also two miles from the Yosemite Mountain Historic Sugarpine Railroad, four miles from the Mariposa Grove, 20 miles from Bass Lake, 30 miles from Badger Pass, and 35 miles from Glacier Point. Hotel amenities include the climbing wall, fitness equipment, spa tub, and indoor/outdoor swimming pools. Sierra Restaurant, Jackelope's Bar and Grill, and Parkside Deli offer on-site dining options. The hotel also offers a business center, concierge assistance, room service, free weekday newspapers, free parking, valet laundry service, and 24-hour front desk service. All rooms feature writing desks, armoires, wireless Internet access (fee applies), voicemail, coffeemakers, hairdryers, cable TV, and video-game consoles (on request).

The casual dining room has large windows and ceilings with exposed beams. Only open during the summer, this restaurant at White Wolf Lodge serves breakfast and dinner. Breakfast offerings include bacon, eggs, omelets and good, hot coffee. The dinner menu varies throughout the season, but you can count on a New York Steak, fresh catch of the day, and at least one vegetarian dish nightly. The restaurant serves beer, wine, tea, coffee and soft drinks.

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.

The lunches and dinners served here consist mostly of Western-style barbecue. The selection of appetizers includes beer-battered onion rings and chili & beans. For lunch, try barbecue sandwiches with chicken, beef, pork or turkey or a vegetarian burger At dinner, you can get baby-back pork ribs, spareribs or a selection of steaks. The menu also includes salads, and there is a children's menu. The atmosphere is rustic and casual, and it can get downright noisy at times, especially when the bar starts hopping. The restaurant closes for winter.

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.

A place to read, eat, drink coffee or beer, meet people from all over the world and generally enjoy life, this cafe has a lot to offer. When it is cold, you can sit by the fireplace or wander out to the glass-enclosed deck to view the spectacular countryside. When it is warm, sit out on the open-air decks. You can get breakfast, lunch and dinner here. It is a wonderful spot to relax after a day on the trail. Only 25 miles from Yosemite, the bistro is open all year.

This is a very strenuous hike; with an altitude gain of 3,200 feet. You may be disappointed when you get there because you will find that you could have reached the same place by bus. On the other hand, the trail is lovely, and you will feel virtuous because you spent four or five hours hiking. Take water with you and wear a hat as well as comfortable hiking shoes or boots. For your safety, it is recommended that you complete this hike before dark. The trail may be closed in winter.

The center is a real find for both adults and children. Located south of the Village Store, it houses a lovely selection of art books with paintings and photos of Yosemite, plus how-to books and books about artists who have worked in Yosemite. You will also find art supplies, including paper, paints, easels and brushes. However, the real surprise is the availability of free daily art classes. These can be hard to get into during the high summer season, so be sure to plan ahead.

One of the oldest in the area, this gallery was founded in 1985. The gallery features works by artists who live in the Sierras. Members of the Guild of Mountain Artists created and operate the gallery. The surprising variety of works include stained glass, metal sculpture and woodcarvings, as well as oil and watercolor paintings. Many of the works reflect the beauty of Yosemite and the Sierra Mountains, but you may also see a modern still life or charming acrylic penguins. In other words, delightful surprises await you here.

Pete Devine, naturalist, will be your guide for this popular course in (and about) the diverse Yosemite Valley. The adventure includes lessons in astronomy, zoology, ecology, botany and geology, and is a great course for the entire family to experience together. Attendees participate in daily hikes (easy to moderate) of two to three miles; once in the field, nature lovers get a chance to explore insects, birds, trees, rocks and stars. It is recommended that you bring binoculars, a notebook and a hand lens. The $225 per person fee does not include meals or lodging.

The casual dining room has large windows and ceilings with exposed beams. Only open during the summer, this restaurant at White Wolf Lodge serves breakfast and dinner. Breakfast offerings include bacon, eggs, omelets and good, hot coffee. The dinner menu varies throughout the season, but you can count on a New York Steak, fresh catch of the day, and at least one vegetarian dish nightly. The restaurant serves beer, wine, tea, coffee and soft drinks.

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.

The casual dining room has large windows and ceilings with exposed beams. Only open during the summer, this restaurant at White Wolf Lodge serves breakfast and dinner. Breakfast offerings include bacon, eggs, omelets and good, hot coffee. The dinner menu varies throughout the season, but you can count on a New York Steak, fresh catch of the day, and at least one vegetarian dish nightly. The restaurant serves beer, wine, tea, coffee and soft drinks.