First trip to Yosemite with a large group of people....
Attractions:
- The area around Yosemite Falls is paved, and very scenic and easy to walk around. If you walk to the base of the falls, it should be spectacular. There is a nice, but easy trail, that leads from the falls back towards Yosemite Village. Easy to take kids and older folks, paved most of the way, and usually not crowded. Might be fun, no equipment needed! Come by with a map and I will show you where it is. Go to the falls early in the day, it will get crowded.
- The valley tours leave from Yosemite Lodge. This is a great way to see the valley for anyone who hasn't been there before. The tour guides tell you lots of things, and you get plenty of photo opportunities. You stop at several scenic viewpoints that you would otherwise need to drive to. Better if someone else does the driving.
- You can take the bus to "Happy Isles" and walk uphill to the Vernal Falls bridge. This is a little strenuous, but the views are very nice. (NOTE - The Mist Trail to the top of Vernal Falls is still closed for the winter, if you want to go to the top of the falls that is over a mile uphill on the John Muir trail. Not a hike for anyone who is not in reasonable shape, has good hiking shoes, and is carrying water with them.)
- You can walk out to an area called "Mirror Lake". There is not really a lake here anymore, just a river, but it is very scenic and the walk is mostly flat. A nice way to spend a few hours. There is a bus stop for the trail to Mirror Lake. Lots of people do this with kids, even kids in strollers.
- The base of Bridalveil falls is another nice place to visit. You need to drive there, then it is a very short walk to the base of the falls.
- The "Visitor Center" in Yosemite Village has some nice exhibits, and a little bookstore. There is also a film about yosemite that plays over and over all day. Nearby is the Ansel Adams gallery, where there are lots of nice pictures. There is also a museum in a separate building that is pretty nice.
- If some people wanted to do a strenous hike, the hike to the top of Vernal Falls mentioned above would be really good. If you want to go all the way to Nevada Falls, and back, that would take more than half the day. The hike to the top of Yosemite Falls would also take a large part of the day. Don't start on any of these hikes without good hiking shoes, plenty of water, and a flashlight in case it starts to get dark before you finish. There are no streetlights, if it got dark and you did not have a light, you are spending the night.
Food, Shopping, etc.
- There is a restaurant and cafeteria at the Yosemite Lodge. Both have pretty good food. The cafeteria, as you would expect, is less expensive.
- The Pizza Patio at Curry Village has decent pizza, and they handle crowds well. There are places to sit both inside and outside. Don't be fooled by a long line, they are efficient. We have eaten at Cuffy Village many times.
- Yosemite Lodge, Curry Village and Yosemite Village all have stores. The Village Store at Yosemite Village is the largest. If you are going to get souveners, or food, this is probably the place to stop. It is within walking distance of the day use parking.
IMPORTANT - Any of the streams are very cold, and fast moving. Keep people out of the water.
