We visited Yosemite during April 7-10, 2015. From the bay area it is about 4 hours drive. Most of the times during April, the weather is good you should be able to see lot of flowers blooming in the spring season. However this year we had snow on the day we reached there. It wasn't a bad experience at all, for people living in bay area who do not get to see snow often it was great. My kids enjoyed time outside making snow man!!!
We stayed at Tenaya Lodge. It is a good place but it is just outside the park. To enter the park it takes about 8 mins. It takes about 1.5 hours to enter the center of the valley from there. So if you plan to spend most of your time around the valley center then this might not be a great place. Our kids are young and we were not too sure if they are up for lots of activity. Tenaya offers lots of activities within its premises - there is a swimming pool, archery, places to eat, horseback riding, rock climbing, ice skating rink, guided hiking tour. All the activities are outside so the weather needs to be appropriate for you to be able to use those facilities. For horseback riding the children need to be atleast 7 years old. Due to the weather we could not do rock climbing. The ice rink was closed because it was too hot earlier in the week !!!!
The hike at Tenaya Lodge:
We took the guided hike - the guide talks a lot about the plants and animals around the place. The hike itself is very short but was a bit more interesting for us because we walked on snow. There is another hike that happens during the night - more for people who was to star gaze. It is not for kids under 12 years of age.
Archery at Tenaya Lodge:
It is the most basic archery that you can imagine. Basic equipment is provided and with a 4 people batch you can hardly do much in the 30 mins allotted. Remember every one needs to finish a round before you can start again and more often than not if you are a beginner your arrows will be lost!!!!!
Eating at Tenaya Lodge:
The food is good but pricey, if you want to save money get as much food as possible to minimize eating at the restaurants.
The cottages at Tenaya Lodge:
The cottages are comfortable, you get a refrigerator and microwave that allows you to get food and heat it up. They have a fireplace for the cold season. There are three cottages in a building, 2 in the first floor and one in the second floor. The rooms in the 1st floor open up to the woods. Parking is included in the room rentals. The cottages have a different entrance from the main hotel, it is about a 15 mins walk. However the hotel does provide shuttle from hotel to cottages and back.
Bass Lake:
It is a beautiful place, a lake surrounded by mountains. There are some homes on the shore. The water is clear and the best part is that it is almost empty. You reach the lake by traveling in the opposite direction from the park - we enjoyed our trip to the lake.
Drive up to Yosemite park:
Mariposa Grove:
Right after you enter the park there is mariposa grove. Lots of sequoia trees here - you would need to trek between a mile and 1.5 miles to see the famous ones.
There are many trails for different spots - bridal veil is an example. We stopped at swinging bridge. Again the view was beautiful with mountains on one side, clear stream on the other and a fall view. We saw some deers in the fields between the mountains and the streams.
Tunnel view, comes at the end of the long tunnel - spectacular view of the mountains. You will not miss this - it is a famous view point with lots of tourists parked in.
You reach the yosemite park center and then take a shuttle/bike to reach the various points.
Yosemite falls - up to the mid point is a very easy hike. To reach this you get down on stop 6 of the shuttle.The Venal falls and Nevada falls are stop 16 on the shuttle. The hike is much harder here and about 1.7 miles to reach Vernal falls and 3.3 miles to reach Nevada falls. Would recommend this only if your kids are older - closer to 10 or more.
Things to do before you visit Yosemite:
1. Check on the weather in Yosemite. If you there is snow make sure you have snow chains - that is required.
2. Prepare to have clothes appropriate for the weather - if there will be snow wear waterproof shoes and carry spare socks and pants (esp., for kids) as it can be very uncomfortable to be around with wet clothes.
3. Carry lots of food esp if you have special food needs (vegan etc)
We stayed at Tenaya Lodge. It is a good place but it is just outside the park. To enter the park it takes about 8 mins. It takes about 1.5 hours to enter the center of the valley from there. So if you plan to spend most of your time around the valley center then this might not be a great place. Our kids are young and we were not too sure if they are up for lots of activity. Tenaya offers lots of activities within its premises - there is a swimming pool, archery, places to eat, horseback riding, rock climbing, ice skating rink, guided hiking tour. All the activities are outside so the weather needs to be appropriate for you to be able to use those facilities. For horseback riding the children need to be atleast 7 years old. Due to the weather we could not do rock climbing. The ice rink was closed because it was too hot earlier in the week !!!!
The hike at Tenaya Lodge:
We took the guided hike - the guide talks a lot about the plants and animals around the place. The hike itself is very short but was a bit more interesting for us because we walked on snow. There is another hike that happens during the night - more for people who was to star gaze. It is not for kids under 12 years of age.
Archery at Tenaya Lodge:
It is the most basic archery that you can imagine. Basic equipment is provided and with a 4 people batch you can hardly do much in the 30 mins allotted. Remember every one needs to finish a round before you can start again and more often than not if you are a beginner your arrows will be lost!!!!!
Eating at Tenaya Lodge:
The food is good but pricey, if you want to save money get as much food as possible to minimize eating at the restaurants.
The cottages at Tenaya Lodge:
The cottages are comfortable, you get a refrigerator and microwave that allows you to get food and heat it up. They have a fireplace for the cold season. There are three cottages in a building, 2 in the first floor and one in the second floor. The rooms in the 1st floor open up to the woods. Parking is included in the room rentals. The cottages have a different entrance from the main hotel, it is about a 15 mins walk. However the hotel does provide shuttle from hotel to cottages and back.
Bass Lake:
It is a beautiful place, a lake surrounded by mountains. There are some homes on the shore. The water is clear and the best part is that it is almost empty. You reach the lake by traveling in the opposite direction from the park - we enjoyed our trip to the lake.
Drive up to Yosemite park:
Mariposa Grove:
Right after you enter the park there is mariposa grove. Lots of sequoia trees here - you would need to trek between a mile and 1.5 miles to see the famous ones.
There are many trails for different spots - bridal veil is an example. We stopped at swinging bridge. Again the view was beautiful with mountains on one side, clear stream on the other and a fall view. We saw some deers in the fields between the mountains and the streams.
Tunnel view, comes at the end of the long tunnel - spectacular view of the mountains. You will not miss this - it is a famous view point with lots of tourists parked in.
You reach the yosemite park center and then take a shuttle/bike to reach the various points.
Yosemite falls - up to the mid point is a very easy hike. To reach this you get down on stop 6 of the shuttle.The Venal falls and Nevada falls are stop 16 on the shuttle. The hike is much harder here and about 1.7 miles to reach Vernal falls and 3.3 miles to reach Nevada falls. Would recommend this only if your kids are older - closer to 10 or more.
Things to do before you visit Yosemite:
1. Check on the weather in Yosemite. If you there is snow make sure you have snow chains - that is required.
2. Prepare to have clothes appropriate for the weather - if there will be snow wear waterproof shoes and carry spare socks and pants (esp., for kids) as it can be very uncomfortable to be around with wet clothes.
3. Carry lots of food esp if you have special food needs (vegan etc)
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