With a land area of more than 2,000 miles, Yosemite National Park is the most important nature reserve in Eastern California, especially famous for its granite cliffs and waterfalls, Yosemite offers camping, hiking and climbing all year round.Knowing where to stay is a concern for visitors to the park as it’s far away from the big cities. The options for staying within Yosemite National Park range from bringing your own tent or caravan and staying at the more than 10 designated sites to staying at the Ahwahnee Hotel, a luxurious establishment built in 1927, which is located within the park’s boundaries and was declared a National Historic Monument.
The alternative to stay in Yosemite is to stay in one of the villages that are adjacent to the area: Wawona village, approximately 9 km from downtown, is a recommended area, especially for families with children, since they have all kinds of services and accommodation, both luxury hotels and simple hostels and bed & breakfast .El Portal and Mammoth Lakes, thirty minutes from the centre of the park, are quieter areas, with five or six hotels, and where you can engage in conversation with the locals.If you want to stay close to the park but are looking for cheaper options, the cities of Groveland, Mariposa, Oakhurst and are about an hour from Yosemite are small towns and are suitable for those who want a quiet and relaxed holiday, with all types of accommodation.
If you are interested in knowing where to stay in Yosemite , you may also be interested in knowing where to stay in Grand Canyon, where to stay in Lake Tahoe, where to stay in San Francisco and where to stay in Las Vegas.
Best places to stay in Yosemite
Yosemite Valley
When entering Yosemite Valley for the first time, it is highly recommended that you visit the Valley Visitor Center to learn about all the activities the park has to offer.Hiking, climbing, biking, horseback riding, golf, water sports, rafting , skiing and snowshoeing are some of the sports outdoor you can practice inside the park, but you can also do other activities such as shopping, participate in the history and nature programs and visit several museums.Families with young children will love the Nature Centre on the Happy Isles, there is also an old-fashioned museum with various exhibits suitable for the little ones.
Yosemite Falls is the biggest attraction in the whole park, and it is certainly a place not to be missed.You can walk to the Falls or, for those who do not wish to walk, there is also a bus service that will bring you closer.
One of the most impressive views in the Yosemite Valley is from the top of the glacier tip, where you will have incredible postcard views of the Half Dome and Vernal Falls as well as an unparalleled panorama of the High Sierras.You can go by car or hire a guided tour and even an excursion, if you feel up to it. Yosemite is a place of pilgrimage for many hikers and climbers who visit the park to try and reach the summit of the Half Dome.The route is only recommended for experienced climbers, those less adventurous can admire its beauty from the bottom of the valley, and take pictures instead!
Yosemite Village is a small resort where you will find many places to eat and drink ranging from vegetarian restaurants to family parties in the loft-style restaurant where pizzas and burgers are its star dishes.There are five restaurants and bars along Curry Village, including a cafe and pizzeria, and for a more luxurious dinner and a great meal, head to the four-star hotel in the park.Since 1827, guests have appreciated the splendor of the hotel’s large dining room with its huge fireplaces and floor-to-ceiling windows with breathtaking views.
Hotels in Yosemite Valley
El Portal
Just 20 kilometers from Yosemite is this small town on the Merced River.
Hotels in El Portal
Mammoth Lakes and Mammoth Mountain Ski Area
Located southeast of Yosemite National Park, the Mammoth area offers all kinds of recreational activities, events and festivals throughout the year.Mammoth is one of the most active nightlife areas in Yosemite, with many music bars.
Mammoth offers a wide range of accommodation options, from small, inexpensive rooms to luxury hotels.
Hotels on Mammoth Lakes
Wawona
Near the southern entrance to the park you will find Wawona, an area full of meadows, streams and the amazing giant sequoia Grove Butterfly.
Very close to Wawona you can ski and do all kinds of winter activities in the Badger Pass Ski Area, with an area of about 90 hectares and facilities for you to practice sports comfortably and safely.You will also have the opportunity to ride horses or play golf, or simply have fun doing research in each of the rooms of the Pioneer Museum, which explains how Yosemite became the inspiration for National Parks in the United States and around the world, and where you can also see horse-drawn carts among other curious things.
