Yosemite Help

[AzScorpion]

We're trying to plan next Junes trip and we're thinking of heading to Yosemite for our first stop. You all have always been helpful with great suggestions especially finding things off the beaten path to do. It looks like there's not a lot of places to stay close by that aren't super expensive and on Airbnb there's several really nice places in Groveland, CA reasonably priced. They all say 30 minutes to the park entrance and another 30 minutes to the main attractions inside.
Is this a decent area to stay in?
What are some of the things we should look into doing while there?
Also, how much time should we allow while there?

I'm trying to limit the amount of places (and driving) this trip so we'd like to start off here on Friday May 31st and I was thinking 2 weeks. Several of the places are on Pine Mountain Lake which gives you access to all the amenities there like the beach, kayaking, etc...

Now after leaving there I need some help planning places to go for the next 3 weeks, we're taking 5 weeks next year. I see Lake Tahoe is North East of Yosemite so would that be a good stop and for how long? We obviously want to be in areas that are cooler (the reason we're getting out of AZ is to escape the heat) I know there are nice areas in Eastern OR and Eastern WA but have no idea where and what there is to do. Or we could spend more time in CA and skip going all the way up to OR & WA if there's enough to do there. I see on Google maps there's a lot of National Forest NW of Lake Tahoe.

We don't want to be on the go all the time but like to checkout National Parks, State parks, scenic drives and any other cool sights in those areas. Annie can only hike so much without having a day (or two) off so that's something we can fill in doing too, besides shopping. ?‍ Help! lol

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[AzScorpion]

? I guess we could always go to Payson? ?

 

[subquark]

We're trying to plan next Junes trip and we're thinking of heading to Yosemite for our first stop. You all have always been helpful with great suggestions especially finding things off the beaten path to do. It looks like there's not a lot of places to stay close by that aren't super expensive and on Airbnb there's several really nice places in Groveland, CA reasonably priced. They all say 30 minutes to the park entrance and another 30 minutes to the main attractions inside.
Is this a decent area to stay in?
What are some of the things we should look into doing while there?
Also, how much time should we allow while there?

I'm trying to limit the amount of places (and driving) this trip so we'd like to start off here on Friday May 31st and I was thinking 2 weeks. Several of the places are on Pine Mountain Lake which gives you access to all the amenities there like the beach, kayaking, etc...

Now after leaving there I need some help planning places to go for the next 3 weeks, we're taking 5 weeks next year. I see Lake Tahoe is North East of Yosemite so would that be a good stop and for how long? We obviously want to be in areas that are cooler (the reason we're getting out of AZ is to escape the heat) I know there are nice areas in Eastern OR and Eastern WA but have no idea where and what there is to do. Or we could spend more time in CA and skip going all the way up to OR & WA if there's enough to do there. I see on Google maps there's a lot of National Forest NW of Lake Tahoe.

We don't want to be on the go all the time but like to checkout National Parks, State parks, scenic drives and any other cool sights in those areas. Annie can only hike so much without having a day (or two) off so that's something we can fill in doing too, besides shopping. ?‍ Help! lol

Dang, damper sales must be way up! =D

 

[BS67]

Another epic trip in the works!

 

[AzScorpion]

Dang, damper sales must be way up! =D

Along with 303. ?

 

[Bob902]

Dave?

 

[IdahoRanger]

Lots of stuff to do in gold country part of the western Sierra. Moaning Cavern,https://www.visitcalifornia.com/experience/moaning-cavern/, is interesting if you don't mind being deep in a cave. Make sure you get to upper Yosemite as Yosemite Village is busy!

I haven't been to Yosemite for almost 40 years so hopefully someone can update you how it is today.

 

[AzScorpion]

Lots of stuff to do in gold country part of the western Sierra. Moaning Cavern,https://www.visitcalifornia.com/experience/moaning-cavern/, is interesting if you don't mind being deep in a cave. Make sure you get to upper Yosemite as Yosemite Village is busy!

Thanks Steve. On our way home Annie was reading online there were 3 hour waits to get into the park! But that was 4th of July week and I was hoping the beginning of June wouldn't be so bad because the kids (most) are still in school and families don't start traveling until later in the month. At least that's what we encountered the past 2 years.

 

[IdahoRanger]

Thanks Steve. On our way home Annie was reading online there were 3 hour waits to get into the park! But that was 4th of July week and I was hoping the beginning of June wouldn't be so bad because the kids (most) are still in school and families don't start traveling until later in the month. At least that's what we encountered the past 2 years.

Unfortunately, that early in the year the Tioga Pass entrance is usually still closed due to snow as it still is this year.

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

The eastern Sierra would be an option if Tioga Pass was open and you could see Mono Lake.

 

[Scott_Anderson_]

It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Yosemite, but I lived in Oregon for 10 years prior to moving to the South.

I would definitely recommend working Lake Tahoe into your trip. May -June is beautiful there, and tourist crowds die down significantly after Memorial Day. It’s such a beautiful place. My wife and I actually got married there. You could find plenty to do in Tahoe and Yosemite without venturing into Oregon.

If you do go into Oregon, drive the Oregon coast on highway 101. So many cool places and fun little beach towns to visit… Lincoln City is a place I used to go to often. Tillamook is nice too. Also, the Inn at Spanish Head in Lincoln City has an awesome bar/lounge, and is one place they say you can see the curvature of the earth as you look out at the Pacific Ocean.

 

[AzScorpion]

It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Yosemite, but I lived in Oregon for 10 years prior to moving to the South.

I would definitely recommend working Lake Tahoe into your trip. May -June is beautiful there, and tourist crowds die down significantly after Memorial Day. It’s such a beautiful place. My wife and I actually got married there. You could find plenty to do in Tahoe and Yosemite without venturing into Oregon.

If you do go into Oregon, drive the Oregon coast on highway 101. So many cool places and fun little beach towns to visit… Lincoln City is a place I used to go to often. Tillamook is nice too. Also, the Inn at Spanish Head in Lincoln City has an awesome bar/lounge, and is one place they say you can see the curvature of the earth as you look out at the Pacific Ocean.

Thanks Scott. I've always heard a lot about Lake Tahoe but never really looked into it. I saw it that it was only 3.5 hours away from Yosemite on Google Maps which got me thinking of there.

Which area would be best? I see you can go to either the CA or NV side to the north or the south of the lake.

I've heard the Oregon coast was really nice so that might be an option to kill some time too. I'd rather not drive all over like the past 2 years, it gets tiring especially since Annie won't drive my truck in unfamiliar areas.

 

[Motorpsychology]

After Yosemite, head up through Mt Shasta to Crater Lake NP, Or. Not crowded and interesting history & geography. Head west to Coos Bay and pick up the Pacific Coast Highway to Seattle; a great walking town, lots to do and see. We've flown back there twice since. Then over to Glacier NP. That's basically the reverse of a trip we did in 2003 (Custer SP, SD and Devil's Tower WY incl., too). Usually cooler along the coast than Napa Valley, but that is pretty nice, too.

 

[AzScorpion]

After Yosemite, head up through Mt Shasta to Crater Lake NP, Or. Not crowded and interesting history & geography. Head west to Coos Bay and pick up the Pacific Coast Highway to Seattle; a great walking town, lots to do and see. We've flown back there twice since. Then over to Glacier NP. That's basically the reverse of a trip we did in 2003 (Custer SP, SD and Devil's Tower WY incl., too). Usually cooler along the coast than Napa Valley, but that is pretty nice, too.

Thanks Chris, good suggestions! There's so many great places to see it really gets confusing trying to put this all together. We just did Tetons and Glacier (Custer SP & DT lol) last month so we'd skip those next year. Although I really loved Tetons and wished we stayed there a few more days (5 wasn't enough) so that might be a stop on our way back.

 

[Grumpaw]

Unfortunately this is what you might be facing at Yosemite....
Traffic waiting to get in, and the crowds once you do.....
And, of course, Annie's response.....

 

[EJH]

Do you travel with a dog, or is it just the wife and you? I asked because most national parks are fairly dog unfriendly on anything other than parking lots. We always travel with our dog, and tend to spend a lot more time in national forests than national parks due to hiking with a dog.

The Oregon coast is nice, but might be a longer drive than you want to do. The Redwood coast might be better? Southern Oregon could be an option also. Ashland is a nice town. You could also check out Crater Lake NP (again back to the dog question). I live in Central Oregon. If you do end up wanting to come to this state, please hit me up.

BTW: I just ordered my tailgate damper over the weekend, so you're welcome I've have a slow healing sprained wrist from snowboarding and got tired of dealing with the heavy tailgate, lol.

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