California’s Treasure for Nature Lovers: Yosemite National Park

Last month my husband and I decided to take a romantic long weekend, and visit one of the most picturesque places in northern California. Just a few hours from San Francisco, we arrived in Yosemite on the valley floor.

I had visited this park many years ago, and had forgotten how stunning it was. The first site we saw was Bridal Vale Falls, and Half Dome.

The shear magnitude of Half Dome and El Capitan, are breathtaking. Rock climbers claim half dome is one of the most challenging climbs, and a must do. The park offers hiking, biking and walking tours, along with narrated open air bus tours. Mariposa Grove is where you will find the “big trees” and the visitor centers have so much history and story telling, you could spend a whole day exploring and learning.

We hiked up Vernal Falls, also know as Misty Trail (because of the over spray from the falls). The hike took us about 1 ½ hrs with 600 granite steps at the last part of the climb.

I was grateful the weather was cool as the hike is a bit challenging. There are several places to stay inside the park including Yosemite Lodge, Ahwahnee Hotel and Curry Village, with cabins and tent cabins, just to name a few. It is best to book early as summer accommodations sell out fast. We were lucky to get a reservation in a tent cabin in Curry village.

There are also accommodations just outside the park’s south and west entrance. The $20 park entrance fee is valid for 7 days. You could easily spend the whole week exploring this beautiful national park in our own back yard.

Kathy and Duane S., Foresthill Ca.

Contact one of our experienced travel experts to learn more about our US National Park vacation packages.