Every spring, my parents planned where we’d go on our summer vacation. They’d pour over maps and brochures for hours while we anxiously waited to hear what our destination would be. One year it was Gettysburg and Washington D.C. The next year, we went to the Great Smokey Mountains.
I can’t understand why we never went to Yosemite National Park since there are so many fun activities for families. During my visit, I saw groups that included parents, kids, grandparents, other extended family, and even a pet or two.
Planning a trip might seem overwhelming since Yosemite covers almost 1,200 square miles. Luckily, you can see the main attractions by entering the park from the south and following Highway 41 through Yosemite Valley and back.
Sightseeing in Yosemite
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
The Mariposa Grove is home to over 500 giant sequoias. The welcome center and parking lot are inside the park’s south entrance. A free shuttle takes you from the parking lot to Mariposa Grove.
The Big Trees Loop is the first part of the hike. When you get to the Grizzly Giant Loop, follow the trail to the top to see the Grizzly Giant and the California Tunnel Tree. The Grizzly Giant is the largest sequoia in Mariposa Grove, and the California Tunnel Tree is the only tree you can walk through. The hike is about two miles long round trip. No pets are allowed on the trail.
SheBuysTravel Tip: The Big Trees Loop is on flat pavement, but the Grizzly Giant Loop is a rocky dirt trail and requires walking uphill. If anyone in your group has mobility issues, show your handicap sticker and drive to the Grizzly Giant parking area. From there, it’s an easy 0.10-mile walk to the Grizzly Giant and California Tunnel Tree. If you don’t have a handicap sticker, go to the desk in the Welcome Center, and they’ll ask a park ranger to help you.
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Pioneer History Center
The Pioneer History Center is an outdoor museum that shows how people lived during the 1800s. Follow the signs to Wawona from the park’s south entrance and turn into the Wawona Hotel parking lot. The Pioneer History Center is on the road to the left of the hotel.
The collection of original and restored buildings includes a barn with old wagons and farm equipment, a jail and the Wells Fargo transportation building. One of the original buildings is a laundry, where Chinese workers cleaned and ironed clothing and hotel linens by hand for the Wawona Hotel. The exhibits inside provide an eye-opening view of the treatment of Chinese Americans during the Gold Rush.
Yosemite Scenery Stops
I followed Highway 41 to Yosemite Village and back again and found six stops where you can see spectacular scenery. The road is one way after Bridalveil Fall. Watch the signs carefully to avoid passing the places where you want to stop. If you miss a turn, you must go around the loop and come back.
- Tunnel View: At Tunnel View, you’ll see a magnificent view of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall. The overlook is on the left as you come out of the Wawona Tunnel. There are parking lots on both sides of the highway.
- Bridalveil Fall: Bridalveil Fall is 1.5 miles down Highway 41. Turn into the parking lot on your right and take the paved trail to the base of the falls. Bring a jacket in spring or early summer because you’ll probably get wet! For a different view of Bridalveil Fall, drive a few hundred yards further and park on either side of the highway. If you want a closer look at the falls, a hiking trail crosses Bridalveil Creek and leads to the base. Leashed dogs are allowed on the trail.
- Swinging Bridge: Swinging Bridge is a nice place to stop for a picnic or a swim at nearby Sentinel Beach. You have a wonderful view of Yosemite Falls. If the sun is at the right angle, you can see the falls reflected in the Merced River. One of the first things you’ll notice about Swinging Bridge is that it doesn’t swing. The original bridge did swing, but years of heavy flooding took its toll, so park officials replaced it with a fixed bridge.
- Yosemite Chapel: As you continue on Highway 41, look to your right to see Yosemite Chapel, the oldest building in Yosemite Valley. Its first service was on June 7, 1879. In 1887, it hosted a memorial service for President Ulysses S. Grant. Sir Arthur Sullivan of Gilbert and Sullivan fame was visiting Yosemite and agreed to be the organist. The chapel is still used for church services, weddings, and group functions.
SheBuysTravel Tip: The El Capitan Meadows and Glacier Point stops are past Yosemite Village. So, it’s easiest to stop at Yosemite Village and visit them on your way back.
- El Capitan Meadow: El Capitan towers 3,000 feet above the Yosemite Valley and is popular with experienced rock climbers and photographers. El Capitan Meadow is the best place to see an unobstructed view of El Capitan, Lower and Middle Cathedral Rock and the Cathedral Spires. Many people think the Cathedral Spires are more impressive than El Capitan.
- Glacier Point: Glacier Point is 15 miles from Highway 41. You’ll ascend 3,214 feet, but you’ll agree the drive is worth it once you see the stunning view of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Yosemite’s high country. Glacier Point is said to have some of the best sunsets in California. So, bring your camera, wear warm clothes and be prepared to drive down the mountain in the dark.
Just south of Glacier Point, Washburn Point has a similar view of Half Dome and the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and provides an excellent view of Nevada and Vernal Falls, the “giant staircase” waterfalls.
Family-Friendly Activities in Yosemite Village
Allow a couple of hours to spend in Yosemite Village. There are several restaurants where you can have lunch or a snack, interesting shops to browse through and various family-friendly Yosemite activities.
- The Ansel Adams Gallery: The Ansel Adams Gallery has a collection of original photographs, from his earliest work to famous Western vistas, which have become his trademark. The gallery is in the same building where Adams lived and worked and is listed in the Register of Historic California Businesses.
- Yosemite Exploration Center: Kids of all ages will enjoy the interactive displays and exhibits at the Yosemite Exploration Center. It’s the perfect place to learn about the history of the park, people who originally lived in the area, and native animals, plants and trees.
- The Yosemite Museum: This is the best place to learn about the history of the Miwok and Paiute people who originally inhabited the area. You’ll see demonstrations of stone tool making, basket weaving, beadwork and traditional games.
- The Indian Village of Ahwahnee: In the back of the museum, the Indian Village of Ahwahnee is located on the former site of the largest Indian village in Yosemite Valley. It includes a collection of umacha, cedar bark houses and community structures that would have been in a typical Sierra Nevada Miwok village.
Check the schedule of park programs at Yosemite Valley. They include ranger talks about black bears, guided wildflower walks, night hikes, stargazing and stories about Yosemite’s Buffalo Soldiers.
Family-Friendly Yosemite Activities Outside the Park
The main reason people visit the area is to see Yosemite National Park. There are also fun activities for families outside the park.
Board the Sugar Pine Railroad, an old-fashioned steam locomotive that used to ship lumber out of the mountains. After your train ride, stop by their authentic sluice boxes to try your luck at gold panning. I didn’t strike it rich, but maybe you will.
Take a one or two-hour trail ride with Yosemite Trails Horseback Adventures through towering pines, lush alpine meadows and rushing streams. Experienced cowboys lead the tours on gentle horses. So, no horseback riding experience is required.
Family Fun in Historic Mariposa
Mariposa was established in 1850 during the Gold Rush. The historic downtown area has interesting shops and galleries to explore.
A block north on Bullion Street is The Mariposa County Courthouse, the oldest superior courthouse west of the Mississippi. Nearby are the Old Stone Jail, built in 1858, and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, the oldest, continually used Catholic Church in the Diocese of Fresno.
The Mariposa History Museum is full of exhibits and artifacts that show how people in the area lived during the Gold Rush and the late 19th century. Once you visit, you’ll see why the Smithsonian Institute calls it the “Best Little Museum of its Size West of the Mississippi.”
Immerse yourself in California’s mining history and see gems and minerals from all over the world at the California State Mining and Mineral Museum. The Yosemite Climbing Museum shows the evolution from climbing equipment used in the mid-1800s to modern-day rock climbing tools.
Kids love meeting and feeding the animals at Coffee With Critters. The staff provides organic feeds, vegetables, fruit and sprouts that horses, goats, pigs and chickens eat out of your hand.
Yosemite Travel Tips
- Decide what you want to see and plan your trip accordingly. The waterfalls are at their best in spring and early summer. Wildflowers are at their peak in late spring and summer. Late September and early October are perfect for leaf peeping.
- Make hotel reservations well in advance. Many park lodges fill up fast, especially in the summer when kids are out of school.
- Get to the park early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
- Parking is limited in popular areas. Consider using the free shuttles that stop in various locations around Yosemite. The shuttles are often crowded, but they take you where you want to go, and you avoid parking headaches.
- Take a guided bus tour. You’ll see all the sights with a knowledgeable guide, can enjoy the scenery instead of driving, and eliminate the chance of parking problems.
- Watch your gas gauge. Gas is only available in three locations in the park. The closest gas stations outside Yosemite are 15 miles from the south and west entrances. Charging stations are available at several lodges inside and outside Yosemite.
- Wear layers and bring sunscreen. The weather can be unpredictable.
- Bring plenty of water and refill bottles whenever you have the chance. There are water refilling stations at some stops, but not all.
- Bring toilet paper or tissues. Many bathrooms aren’t well maintained or stocked.
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