There are an endless number of Yosemite travel blogs out there, so I wanted to take a different approach here. Instead of sharing an exact itinerary, I wanted to share my top 10 tips for first timers. While you should definitely have an itinerary in mind, that will take many different shapes depending on what kind of traveler you are and what month you go. Do make sure to do some research on what you want to see, but know you’re in for a magical time no matter what. It’s the little details I’ll share below that I was grateful for ahead of my first visit to the park. These tips will help you have the best Yosemite travel experience possible!
Yosemite Overview
Yosemite is located about 200 miles east of San Francisco in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. It’s one of the most visited national parks in the US and is frequently described as “majestic.” I completely agree– it’s home to rushing waterfalls, picturesque valleys, ancient trees, and granite cliffs. I totally understand the desire to preserve this (1,200 square mile) slice of nature. It was protected in the 1860s and became a national park in 1890 (the third in US history after Yellowstone and Sequoia).
Yosemite Travel Tip #1: Use Turo to rent a car
Turo is an app/website/service that’s basically the Airbnb of cars. It lets you search hundreds of options and use other peoples’ vehicles for your vacation. I used it twice in 2022 and would recommend! It was a lot cheaper than using a rental company. Having your own car for Yosemite travel is pretty important. I’m sure it can be done without one (maybe by joining a tour?), but having the freedom to explore at your own pace will make your trip so smooth. Another thing to note: if you’re flying in and out of San Francisco, it actually takes way longer to get to Yosemite than Google Maps says it will, so plan accordingly. We stayed in Modesto the day of our arrival and headed to Yosemite bright and early the next morning.
Tip #2: Stay in the park
Yosemite is massive. You will be driving around a lot, way more than you think. That being said, you don’t want to waste even more time driving into and out of the park each day (that would add hours to your schedule.) Accommodation does need to be booked pretty far in advance if you want to get a good reservation inside the park. Staying in Yosemite also gets you a national park reservation, which you would have to sort out separately if you stay somewhere outside the park.
There are many popular options in Yosemite Village for accommodation, but they were either sold out or too expensive for our Yosemite travel budget. We ended up staying in a studio apartment rented through Scenic Wonders. It was perfect for a group of 4, and I would highly recommend them as an option! It was affordable and had everything we needed to cook our own meals, prepare our pack lunches, shower after sweaty days, and sleep comfortably.
Yosemite Travel Tip #3: Early days and early nights
Did I mention that Yosemite is one of the most popular national parks? Over 3 million people went in 2021! You’ll want an early start to beat the crowds, but it’s also nice to get back in touch with your circadian rhythm for a few days. We started each day early and still barely got parking for some trails. After a full day of hiking and exploring, we enjoyed each other’s company over dinner and that was pretty much it. A good night’s sleep is also a must! I left feeling so rested and rejuvenated.
Tip #4: What not to miss
I’m not going into a scheduled itinerary, but I do want to highlight a few of my favorite spots. I absolutely loved hiking the Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls and then looping back via the John Muir Trail. That took us through rainbows and over grand vistas–it was incredible. I also loved seeing all the famous trees at Mariposa Grove and doing the easy trail there. One other thing not to miss is Tunnel View for that iconic Yosemite photo op.
Yosemite Travel Tip #5: Prepare accordingly for your big hike(s)
The Mist Trail/John Muir Loop was our “big hike.” It took us about 8 hours including all the time we stopped for snacks and pictures. It was challenging with a decent amount of incline but not as hard as people say the Upper Yosemite Falls hike is. A full day on the trails requires lots of water, so be prepared for that. Also pack enough snacks (jerky, trail mix, protein bars) and a PBJ for lunch.
Tip #6: When nature calls
There are a decent amount of bathrooms around, but plan your breaks accordingly and stop whenever you can. On the Mist Trail, for example, there wasn’t a bathroom until about 45 minutes into the hike–nothing at the trailhead. With long drives and long hikes requiring lots of water, it’s just something to keep in mind. It’s also not a bad idea to bring your own wipes and hand sanitizer.
Yosemite Travel Tip #7: Watch Free Solo
Before your trip, I highly recommend watching Free Solo, a 2018 sports documentary about the legendary rock climber Alex Honnold. (Even if you can’t find it streaming for free, it’s well worth renting for a few bucks.) It’s filmed in Yosemite and follows his preparation for and attempt at free climbing El Capitan. Free climbing!! No ropes, no harnesses, no safety. It highlights Alex’s incredible athleticism and lack of fear. I don’t want to give anything away, but I appreciated seeing El Cap in person even more having seen this film.
Tip #8: Have the right gear
Packing for Yosemite travel takes a bit of thought. You are going to experience different temperatures in a single day no matter what time of year you visit. Be prepared for that by bringing layers. Our trip was in June, so the waterfalls were rushing and made many trails very misty.
I was grateful for my water-resistant hiking pants that I was gifted from a brand called Kuhl. These leggings were perfect for our big hike–kept me warm when needed but were breathable so I stayed cool when needed. I also loved the phone pocket. I was grabbing my phone for photo ops constantly and having to open my backpack that often would have been annoying. These are now my go-to hiking pants after passing the Yosemite test!
My previous pair of hiking shoes had been worn to shreds, so I needed new boots for this trip. I bought this pair from a brand called Keen and love them so much. I personally needed ankle support and good grip (remember lots of the trails were wet at the time of our visit). These made me feel so comfortable!
Yosemite Travel Tip #9: Disconnect
The WiFi is notoriously bad in Yosemite if it exists at all, and there’s not great cell service either. (Make sure you grab a park map!!) Instead of grasping to stay connected, use your time in Yosemite as a way to disconnect with the internet and reconnect with nature (and your travel companions). It was so nice to not have to worry about my phone for a few days. I felt so relaxed and present. It allowed me to be in the moment on our hikes and even in our down time. My favorite travel memories always seem to be the ones where I’ve taken a (forced or unforced) social media detox. I would highly recommend you do the same while in Yosemite!
Tip #10: Don’t over plan
One of my favorite hikes was one we hadn’t planned before our visit. We came across it spontaneously and ended up seeing the most picturesque views from the valley floor. We even dipped our sore feet into ice cold stream water–bliss. So while you should plan for your non-negotiable, “don’t miss” moments, don’t over plan your days. Make sure you stay safe and avoid getting into something strenuous that you aren’t prepared for, but let your sense of adventure roam free.
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