Explore Yosemite National Park, the gem of California, a sanctuary of natural beauty and wonder. Nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains, this iconic park spans over 1,100 square miles. In January 2022, we embarked on our adventure with Extranomical Tours, a San Francisco-based tour company, to explore this stunning national park. Keep reading this blog post to uncover more information about our tour and helpful tips to make the most of your day.
Best time to visit Yosemite National Park
The park remains accessible year-round, making it ideal for camping getaways or a quick day trip. But the best time to visit the waterfalls is right after winter when the snow begins to melt and the falls are at their peak flow. During this time, there are also fewer tourists. The peak months for visiting are from May to September when the weather is warm, the trails are accessible, and the meadows are free of snow.
Top spots to visit in Yosemite National Park
The park has a plethora of mind-boggling natural wonders, from the tallest waterfall in North America to the tallest granite monolith in the world. Below is a list of the top spots in the park and why they are a must-visit.
Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Falls is one of the most iconic natural attractions in the park and the tallest waterfall in North America. The waterfall has three levels: the Upper Falls, the Middle Cascades, and the Lower Falls.
The Upper and Lower Falls can be seen from Yosemite Valley. The Lower Falls is the easiest to reach out of all. It is a 1-mile loop trail that gives you a closer view of the falls, dropping from a height of 320 feet (98 meters).
The Middle Cascades is a series of tiny waterfalls flowing between the Upper and Lower Falls. It is not visible from the Valley and requires a strenuous hike to view the falls.
The Upper Yosemite Falls is the tallest section of Yosemite Falls, dropping approximately 1,430 feet (440 meters). If you love a good and challenging hike, Columbia Rock is a great alternative to the Half Dome trail if you didn’t get the permit or need some warm-up.
Horsetail Falls (Glacier Point Firefall)
Horsetail Fall is another captivating waterfall gracefully cascading down the eastern face of El Capitan. This waterfall is generally dormant through the winter and springs to life in late February.
It is popularly known as the Firefall, a rare event that occurs annually in late February when the fall emits a mesmerizing orange glow backlit by the descending sun.
Thousands of visitors head to the national park in the hope to witness this natural wonder. However, the occurrence depends on many factors that cannot be determined prior, like clear skies and water flow, haze, etc. Check the national parks website for the latest updates before planning your trip for this event.
El Capitan
El Capitan is the largest granite monolith in the world, standing as a testament to nature’s grandeur at a height of over 3000 feet from the ground. It embodies the essence of Yosemite, drawing people to witness the marvels of the natural world. Apart from serving as a breathtaking backdrop to the park’s landscapes, this is also a popular spot for climbers & hikers. The Nose is a popular climbing route among adventurers that requires extensive training and practice. You can check out more details about the Nose and the best hiking trail in El Capitan.
Half Dome
Another iconic granite formation, resembling a half dome formed due to glacial and erosional processes over millions of years. It is a magnet for thrillseekers worldwide. The Half Dome Trail is the most popular hike to the summit. This 16-mile loop trail is strenuous and includes the ascent up using cables, where hikers pull themselves up the steep granite face using metal cables for support. The hike is challenging and requires careful planning and preparation, including obtaining permits during the hiking season.
Our Itinerary (by Extranomical Tours)
Pickup from San Francisco
Our excursion began at 6:20 AM from the JW Marriott hotel located at 515 Mason St. It took us only 12 minutes by cab to reach there from our hotel. Upon boarding, our bus driver and tour guide, Bonita, greeted us warmly and shared details about the itinerary. She was friendly and knowledgeable. We had fun interacting with her. She had an entertaining Trivia game planned for us, which made our 4-hour-long journey delightful.
Our tour had two segments, starting with short halts at various viewpoints for photos, followed by a 2.5-hour break at Yosemite Valley Welcome Center to explore on our own. While the tour offered a taste of Yosemite’s beauty, the fleeting nature of the experience left me yearning for more time amidst its grandeur—a testament to the park’s boundless allure.
Breakfast Stop at Safeway
Halfway down, Bonita made a 20-minute bathroom and snack break at a Safeway. We quickly freshened up, grabbed coffee, and packed cold sandwiches to keep us fueled throughout our Yosemite experience.
During the remaining journey, Bonita shared insightful information and tips to prepare us for an immersive day at the National Park.
Viewpoints at Yosemite National Park
Our first stop was at the park signboard (not the main one) located at El Portal Road, a must-stop photo spot with breathtaking vistas in the backdrop. The next stop was the Cascade Creek Waterfall viewpoint. We stopped there for a few minutes to get some nice shots. The flow was good, and the view of water gushing through the granite cliffs was refreshing!
Next, we headed to Yosemite Falls Vantage Point for a panoramic view of the Crooks Meadow and the mighty Yosemite Falls. The meadow was covered in thick snow and was complimenting the granite peaks. From there, Bonita dropped us at Yosemite Valley Welcome Center to explore the park on our own.
We weren’t hungry, so we decided to skip lunch and headed out to explore the valley. If you want to grab a meal, head to Degnan’s Deli at the visitor center.
Exploring Yosemite Valley
Our first stop was Yosemite Falls View, just a 15-minute walk from the visitor center to get a closer view of the Lower Falls. As we had limited time, we skipped hiking the Lower Falls trail and explored the Yosemite Village instead.
We began our journey at the Wilderness Center & Ansel Adams Gallery to get a deeper perspective of Yosemite’s rich history and natural heritage. Next, we headed to the Ahwahnee, a national historic landmark established in 1927.
To save time, we then took the Valleywide Shuttle (green line). However, you can also walk to this hotel, just a 1.5-mile walk from the Wilderness Center.
The architecture is such that it highlights the natural surroundings. Moreover, the breathtaking views of the Half Dome, Glacier Point, and Yosemite Falls from its rooms make it an ideal spot for a luxurious stay. If you’re looking for a more pocket-friendly option, I recommend booking a room at Yosemite Valley Lodge instead.
You can visit The Ahwahnee even if you’re not a boarder. We walked around the hotel admiring the architecture, the grand sitting rooms, the stone fireplaces, the majestic room with high, beamed ceilings, and the gift shop for souvenirs.
Yosemite Valley View
On our way back, Bonita made one last stop before driving us back to San Francisco. We headed to Yosemite Valley View to see the mighty El Capitan up and close and get a panoramic view of the valley and the stunning Bridalveil Falls. The view was absolutely gorgeous. It was the perfect view to end the trip.
Dinner stop
For dinner, Bonita stopped at a strip mall somewhere in Sonora. We grabbed a combo meal from the Panda Express that we relished on the way back.
Final thoughts
A visit to Giant Sequoia was also part of our itinerary. However, that was closed due to heavy snowfall. Despite this minor setback, the journey remained captivating, filled with moments of awe and wonder at every turn. The only thing I could have wished for was more time at the Yosemite Valley (at least one more hour).
Reflecting on our adventure, I can wholeheartedly endorse Extranomical Tours for their exceptional service and commitment to delivering memorable experiences. From the expertise of our guide to the seamless organization of the tour, every aspect exceeded expectations and left an indelible mark on our Yosemite journey.
Tour cost: $219 (this includes park entry fee of $10) | Tour link
Looking for more day trip ideas from San Francisco? Here’s a guide to one of the best wine regions in the country, Sonoma and the winery we highly recommend.
