Y O S E M I T E

YOSEMITE

Located in California's Sierra Nevada mountain range, Yosemite National Park is home to some of the most iconic and breathtaking landscapes in the United States.

  • Spring: The temperature begins warming up in April, and by the end of May, you will be in the 80’s on average. After the snow melts, the valley starts regrowing with vivid colors & tall grass, the rivers and lakes begin to experience a massive amount of snow-melt water, and the waterfalls begin to echo with their roars. For activities around your wedding day, go and hike the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls for a totally immersive waterfalls experience,

    Summer: The best weather is in the summer, with massive waterfalls and perfect temperatures. It can get pretty warm, but in the shade, it’s constantly pleasant. The days are longer, and at night, I highly recommend a walk to watch the galaxy float by. The downfall is there are significantly more tourists that any part of the year. People are everywhere, on every trail. The best way to have privacy is a weekday wedding, and maybe a sunrise ceremony! For activities, go float down the Merced River, try bouldering at the OG bouldering rock at Camp 4, or doing something crazy like hike Half Dome. (I’ve done it twice - it’ll be epic but you’ll be sore!)

    Fall: My favorite season. The colors are vibrant red, orange, yellow, and hunter green. There aren’t a lot of tourists either, because students are back at school. Snow begins falling in late October, but doesn’t usually get heavy until late November/early December. For activities, I’d recommend having a camera to photograph the incredible autumn scenery, stargazing at night, and visiting the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.

    Winter: Talk about a winter wonderland, Yosemite is the place to be. The National Parks Service does an incredible job making sure the roads are accessible by car even in heavy storms. You can still access many areas of the valley with snow, and still enjoy eating a good meal by the fireplace at one of the valley lodges in the evening.

  • There are 5 entrances to Yosemite National Park. The most popular routes to enter is via the South Entrance with HWY-41 from Fresno/Central Valley or the HWY-140 Arch Rock entrance, which is closer from San Francisco.

    Once you enter the National Park, you’ll have an additional 20-35 minute driving time until you reach Yosemite Valley. I’d recommend flying directly into Fresno, renting a car (more affordable here!) and then drive to Yosemite. If you plan on staying in Fresno, here is my Fresno guide! (PS - I grew up in Fresno!)

    For the South/Western Entrances (from the central valley)
    + Fresno Airport (FAT): 1 hour and 25 minutes or so
    + San Francisco Airport (SFO): 2 and half hours or so
    + San Jose Airport (SJC): 3 hours or so
    + Los Angeles Airport (LAX): 5-6 hours or so

    For the East Entrance (on the eastern side of the Sierra’s)


    + Reno Airport (RNO): approximately 2 and half hours to reach the East entrance, adding another 1.5 hours to reach Yosemite valley.

  • Yosemite National Park is located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California and has an elevation ranging from about 2,000 feet at its lowest point to over 13,000 feet at its highest point. The park is home to a number of iconic peaks, including Half Dome, which stands at an elevation of 8,842 feet, and El Capitan, which stands at an elevation of 7,569 feet.

    Drink plenty of water and take your time while hiking. Always have a first aid kit while hiking.

ACCOMMODATIONS

We prefer to stay in Yosemite Valley to be able to explore before the tourist rush throughout the day. The stars are incredible at night (hello, Milky Way galaxy!) and the mornings are so quiet. We stay at the Yosemite Valley Lodge, because it’s affordable and within walking distance of Yosemite Falls.

Hiking in Yosemite National Park is an absolute must for any outdoor enthusiast. From meandering trails through fields of wildflowers to challenging backcountry routes that take you to the top of some of the park's most famous peaks, there are trails for hikers of all skill levels.

One of the most popular and strenuous hikes in Yosemite is the Half Dome trail, which takes you to the top of the iconic rock formation that towers over the park. The hike is challenging, but the views from the top are absolutely worth it. Other popular hikes in the park include the Mist Trail, which takes you to the top of Vernal Falls, and trails to the top of Glacier Point, like the Taft Point and Sentinol Dome Loop. A much easier and equally beautiful trail is Mirror Lake. The Valley Floor loop is great too, because even though it is 20 miles altogether, you can hop on and off the buses.

In addition to its great trails, Yosemite is also home to an abundance of wildlife, including bears, mule deer, and a wide variety of birds. Keep an eye out for these creatures while you're out on the trails, but remember to give them their space and respect their habitats.

Overall, hiking in Yosemite National Park is a truly unforgettable experience. With its stunning landscapes, diverse trails, and abundance of wildlife, there's no better place to hit the trails.

Yosemite National Park
my first real dose of love-for-nature.

I grew up in Fresno, CA, which is an hour and a half from Yosemite National Park. From a young age, my dad took me hiking on numerous trails in the valley, picnics at Sentinel Beach, camping in Tuolumne Meadows, and I even hiked Half Dome for the first time by the time I turned 14 and then again for my 18th birthday with my best friend.

I feel free in Yosemite. I loved the smell, the sounds, the colors, the adventure, and the community I experienced with my family and friends there.