Great Itineraries

Great Itineraries

Yosemite in One Day

Your first stop as you enter the Yosemite from the west is the graceful 620-foot cascade of Bridalveil Fall. As you continue east, you'll spot 3,593-foot El Capitan, the world's largest granite monolith, across the Valley. Follow signs to Yosemite Village, and stop in at the Valley Visitor Center to pick up maps and brochures. Behind the center, walk through a small, re-created Ahwahneechee village. For more Native American lore, take a quick peek at the Yosemite Museum next door, where there's an impressive collection of baskets. If you're a photography buff, the nearby Ansel Adams Gallery is a must-see. Next, amble over to Sentinel Bridge, walk to its center, and take in the best view of Half Dome, with its reflection in the Merced River. Before you leave the Village, stop at the Village Store or a snack bar to pick up provisions for a picnic lunch.

Return to your car, drive over Sentinel Bridge, turn left, and continue on Southside Drive toward Curry Village. Hardy hikers may want to go straight to the day-use lot, walk to the end of the shuttle-bus road, and climb the moderately steep trail to the footbridge overlooking 317-foot Vernal Fall (1 1/2 mi round-trip; allow 1 1/2 hours). Looping back toward Yosemite Village, follow signs to the Ahwahnee Hotel.

Back on the main road heading west, drive to Yosemite Falls, the highest waterfall in North America. If you have time at the end of the day, drive up to Glacier Point for a sunset view of the Valley and the surrounding peaks.

Yosemite in Three Days

If you have three days, start at the Valley Visitor Center. Head west for a short hike to Yosemite Falls. Afterward, continue driving west for a valley view of giant, granite El Capitan. Continue west on Northside Drive, and follow signs for Route 41 (Wawona Road); head south. At the Chinquapin junction, make a left turn onto Glacier Point Road (summer only). From Glacier Point, you'll get a phenomenal bird's-eye view of the entire Valley, including Half Dome, Vernal Fall, and Nevada Fall. If you want to avoid the busloads of tourists at Glacier Point, stop at Sentinel Dome instead.

On Day 2, head south on Route 41 and visit the Mariposa Grove of Big Tre es and the Pioneer Yosemite History Center. Stop at the historic Wawona Hotel and have lunch. Return to Yosemite Valley on Route 41, stopping at the Tunnel View pullout to take in the breathtaking panorama of the Valley, with the afternoon sun lighting up the peaks. Back in the Valley, stop at Bridalveil Falls on the right side of the road. Then head to the Ahwahnee Hotel.

On the third day, have breakfast near the Valley Visitor Center in Yosemite Village, then see the Ansel Adams Gallery, the re-created Ahwahneechee Village, and the Yosemite Museum. Pick up light provisions before hiking to Vernal Fall or Nevada Fall. Picnic on the trail or in the Valley, then visit Tuolumne Meadows, 55 mi east of the Valley on Tioga Road (Route 120, summer only).