- When to book accommodation: As early as possible, especially if you want to go during the summer months! People told me they would book up to a year in advance. When we looked in March to go in August, pretty much everything inside Yosemite was booked.
- How long to go for: It’s tough to say because Yosemite is so large and there are so many places to see. We did a weekend there from SF and I would say that was too short. I would love to go back and do a full week there.
- Where to stay: Ideally inside Yosemite National Park (click here) so you don’t waste time driving in and out of the park. We thought about staying in Mariposa, the city just outside of Yosemite, but that would add an additional hour just to drive to Half Dome Village. We ended up staying in Half Dome Village’s unheated canvas tents, which was a nicer version of camping since they provided towels, sheets, and the sort of bed that you would get at a summer camp. It was also breathtaking to walk around and be able to see so many stars since we were in the center of Yosemite.
- Half Dome Village Overview: This place was amazing because you have a view of Half Dome and can walk to various trailheads or take the free shuttle. There are cabins, motel rooms, and canvas tents at Half Dome Village, and a large cafeteria (since they do not allow stovetops). This was a great option for my group since we didn’t have all the necessary camping equipment and didn’t want to plan too far in advance to camp.
- Would I have service / internet: There is limited service and data so make sure you plan ahead of time. Our friend brought her MiFi so that was helpful when we needed to unwind during the evening or plan for the next day. There is also spotty Wi-Fi at the cafeteria.
- What should I bring: Depending on where you are staying and the season, you may have to bring more stuff. We were staying in the canvas tents during August so we brought toiletries, shower shoes, extra blankets (it did get chilly during the night), and padlocks (for our door, they provide one but you may want to lock up your food as well). In general, I would bring sunscreen, snacks, large water bottles (there are places to refill water but make sure you have a container large enough to refill during long hikes…I learned the hard way), hiking backpack, hiking sticks, headlamps (for evening strolls or if you plan to do a late hike), proper attire / shoes, bug spray, and a camera for the amazing views!
- What should I do: Just to name a few – hiking, fishing, rock climbing, star gazing, catching some amazing sunsets, seeing all the waterfalls, waking up early to see the sunrise at Glacier Point.
- Which hikes should I do: There are so many great hikes and places to explore in Yosemite so it really depends on what you want to see (e.g., waterfalls, lakes, meadows, landscape, etc.) I found this Thrillist article outlining some of the best hikes, length, and difficulty (click here). We ended up doing the Vernal and Nevada hike which took the entire afternoon.
Across Oceans & Travels 