DESTINATIONS

YOSEMITE ★★ in the mountains is the third largest park in all of California, covering 3,079 km2. The park welcomes more than 3.5 million visitors each year. The became the first area of land to be protected by the U.S. government in 1864. Yosemite Valley offers breathtaking scenery with its towering granite cliffs, powerful waterfalls and giant sequoias, not to mention the astounding biodiversity that lives within this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK © iStockPhoto, Fhogue WHAT TO DO — YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK ★★ Season: Open year-round, 24 hours a day. Note that Tioga Road is closed YOSEMITE VALLEY glaciers that carved out the from November until late May/early June (Hwy. 120, between Crane Flat The Yosemite Valley section of valley, leaving these natural and ), as is Road, from November to May. Keep that in mind while planning your USA self drive holidays. Yosemite National Park, where monuments in their wake. most of the park’s famous Visitor centers: cliffs and waterfalls are found, On the right you can see • Yosemite Valley Visitor Center is open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Big Old Flat Information Station is open May-October from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. is accessible by car and bus all Bridalveil Falls ★★ , spilling from • Tuolume Meadows Visitor Center is open from late May to late Sep­tember year round. an enchanting hanging canyon from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. into the pine-carpeted valley. • Wawona Visitor Center is open May-October from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. TUNNEL VIEW ★★★ Entry fee: $35/vehicle including occupants, or $20/person (age 15 and Tunnel View is the best Across from the falls, to the under free). Valid 7 days. Purchase the America the Beautiful Pass for $80 if viewpoint for iconic views left, is the sheer 2,307-metre you plan to visit more than 2-3 parks. (and photos) of Yosemite face of ★★ , one of Shuttle service inside the park? Yes (see box below) Valley. While best known for the largest granite monoliths www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm its mountains, the park also in the world. Its sheer size will boasts thousands of lakes, two impress you; it’s easy to believe *Note: RVs longer than 30 feet are not allowed on Glacier Point Road (beyond /) and vehicles longer than 25 feet (or 8 reservoirs and many waterfalls. that it boasts one of the world’s feet wide) are not allowed on Road north of Mather. It also has ancient giant sequoia highest cliffs! trees (in ), for anyone who doesn’t have In the background, ★ ★ time to visit Sequoia and Kings looms over the end of the valley Canyon National Park. from a height of 2,693 metres, a massive formation resembling These landscapes are a reminder a dome cut in half with a dark that, around 2 million years band running across its sheer ago, this area was covered by face.

SUNSET ON THE PARK © YosemiteDiscovery

SUNRISE ON THE VALLEY, VIEW FROM TUNNEL VIEW SUNRISE ON HALF DOME © Visit California © Adobe Stock, Uladdzik Kryhin

★ Noteworthy ★★ Worth the detour ★★★ Must see DESTINATIONS

YOSEMITE FALLS ★★ is a series GOOD TO KNOW of three falls which, taken Watch out for the valley’s together, form the third inhabitants: it is important tallest waterfall in North to remember that deer, coyotes and bears are part of America (739 metres) and the landscape. Drive slowly the fifth tallest in the world. in the park and keep an eye The falls are at their most out for animals: you’ll enjoy the scenery more and avoid magnificent in late spring, causing any accidents. As Yo- when water flow is at its peak semite National Park is home from the melting snow and to hundreds of black bears, it is better to store food inside glaciers of the Sierra Nevada. your vehicle, out of sight, An easy 30-minute round-trip with windows completely walk leads to the base of the closed. Be sure not to leave any visible food wrappers, falls (Lower Fall). You can also crumbs in baby seats, and follow the Yosemite Falls even canned food and drinks, in your car. Trail ★ to the top of the YOSEMITE FALLS Upper Fall, but it will take you © DollarPhotoClub 6 to 8 hours round trip.

GLACIER POINT ★★★ Glacier Point, a lookout with a breathtaking view of the Yosemite Valley, Half Dome and Yosemite Falls, is accessible by car and bus from late May to October or November. You can also get there by one of two hiking trails: the Four Mile Trail ★ (difficult, 6 hours round trip) or the (less ★steep, 10 hours round trip). A short, paved, wheelchair- accessible trail leads from the Glacier Point parking lot to an exhilarating viewpoint ★ ★ ★ 3,214 feet above . Visit Glacier Point at sunset ★ ★ and watch the valley fade into deepening dusk as the mountain peaks glow shades of pink and FULL MOON AT GLACIER POINT red. © iStock-1140013281, pabst_ell

SUNSET FROM GLACIER POINT © iiStock-1028386050, XIN WANG

Hiking ★ Noteworthy ★★ Worth the detour ★★★ Must see every winter. the weather conditions, andcloses May until November , dependingon year. It is typically openfrom late more than 500,000visitors every Road isaseasonalroad usedby vistas. Today,spectacular the Tioga It hasmany turnouts offering meadows, lakes, andgranite domes. passing through forests andpast Flat and , scenic drive between Crane Tioga Pass. It isa45-kilometre an elevation of 9,945 feet at the Sierra route inCalifornia, reaching The Tioga Road is the highest trans- TIOGA ROAD HIGH SIERRA TUOLUMNE MEADOWS ★★ ★★ surroundings. marvel at the beauty of your place to go for astroll and and domes.It isawonderful surrounded by majesticpeaks winding Tuolumne River and meadow graced by the a large, opensubalpine Tuolumne Meadows is angle. Dome from avery different distance, you canseeHalf of Canyon and,in the Road offers panoramic views Olmsted Point along the Tioga TUOLUMNE MEADOWS OLMSTED POINT ★★ ★★ HALF DOME FROM OLMSTED POINT ★ Noteworthy ★ Worthdetour the ★ Must see

© iStock-1161643854, alcfeoh21 © iStock-1087673406-Ron and Patty Thomas DESTINATIONS

TIOGA ROAD © shutterstock_1326749957, EB Adventure Photography

VISITING WITH AN RV?

Since parking for RVs is limited in YARTS operates from mid-May to Tickets can be purchased on the bus Note that there are vehicle restric- Yosemite, we strongly encourage early October and has 4 diffe- using a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, tions on Glacier Point Road and you to leave your RV outside the rent routes. It offers service from Discover) and at certain hotels in Hetch Hetchy Road. If you see that park and use YARTS (Yosemite Area the main towns around the park Mariposa and El Portal. there is a long line of cars behind Regional Transportation System) to (Groveland, Mariposa, El Portal, you, use a turnout to allow them travel into the park. Oakhurst, etc.) and even certain Once you’re in Yosemite, you can use to pass. hotels and campgrounds (Yo­semite the free park shuttle to get to the Not only will you be able to sit back Lakes Campground, Yosemite View different areas such as Yosemite Valley, If you’re travelling by car, you can and enjoy the scenery, you will Lodge, etc.). Visit yarts.com for Glacier Point and Tuolumne Meadows. still use the shuttle service to get avoid traffic congestion (there are more details. around: it’s efficient, you’ll avoid reserved bus lanes) and parking When YARTS is not in operation, traffic delays and parking problems, problems. You will spend less time Ticket prices depend on your point you can easily drive in and around and it’s better for the environment! getting there and have more time to of origin. Prices include the park Yosemite. Bear in mind that it is always enjoy the park. entrance fee and a child under 12 better to arrive early to avoid parking rides free for each paying adult. problems. MONO LAKE, CALIFORNIA © AdobeStock_287423113, TS Schofield NEARBY — MONO LAKE ★★ feel like it, you can even swim in Located on the edge of the Mono Lake: floating effortlessly snow-capped peaks of the Sierra on the salt water is a delightful Nevada mountains, about ten and memorable experience! kilometres east of Tioga Pass in WWW.MONOLAKE.ORG Yosemite National Park and 50 km north of Mammoth Lakes, BODIE ★ Mono Lake is an ancient salt lake Bodie, California was a boom with an unusually productive town that sprang up in the late ecosystem. As it is 2.5 times as 19th century, only to become a salty as the ocean, no fish can live ghost town just a few years later. there. In 1859, prospector William S. Bodey discovered gold near what However, the desert lake is home is now known as Bodie Bluff. A to trillions of brine shrimp, which mill was built there in 1861 and the thrive in its salty waters, and town quickly grew. The population provides critical habitat for two increased from 20 miners to over SUNSET IN SOUTH TUFA © iStock-1048917152, ansonmiao million annual migratory birds that 10,000 at the town’s peak in the feed on the shrimp and alkali flies. 1880s. At that time, there were Volcanic in origin, it is known for 65 saloons along Main Street! its picturesque calcium carbonate formations that rise above the The town went into decline in surface of the water, known as the subsequent decades and tufa towers. The south shore of came to be described as a ghost the lake, South Tufa, offers the town by 1915. It became a State most spectacular scenery, and Historic Park in 1962. Since that the light is best for taking pictures time, its buildings have been early in the morning. maintained, but have not been restored. The park is open year- Short guided tours are offered round from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in on Saturdays and Sundays in low April-October and from 9 a.m. to season and three times a day 4 p.m. in November-March. It is during the summer. Stop at the accessible only by skis, snowshoes Visitor Center to learn more or snowmobiles during winter about the lake’s history, geology months. and wildlife (Open every day from 100, US-395, BRIDGEPORT 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in summer and 760-571-9378 Thursday-Monday from 9 a.m. to WWW.BODIE.COM BODIE GHOST TOWN

4:30 p.m. in spring and fall). If you © shutterstock_1414827827, Michael Kaercher

★ Noteworthy ★★ Worth the detour ★★★ Must see DESTINATIONS

LOWER YOSEMITE FALLS TRAIL © iStockPhoto, JeremiAs WHERE TO EAT — 1 CASTILLO’S MEXICAN 3 BIG TREES LODGE DINING organic, seasonal ingredients 9 p.m. for dinner. Reservations RESTAURANT ($-$$) ROOM ($$-$$$) including sustainable fish and are recommended and there is a One of the most popular Located inside Big Trees Lodge seafood. The menu features dress code for dinner (no shorts, restaurants in town. The (formerly the Wawona Hotel), the soups, salads, steaks, fresh tank tops, etc.). Castillo family has been serving chef cooks up an array of seasonal seafood, pasta, chicken, 1, AHWAHNEE DRIVE, YOSEMITE classic Mexican fare such specialties as well as traditional lamb and duck, in addition to 209-372-1489 / WWW. as enchiladas, burritos and favorites, including fresh trout and vegetarian and gluten-free TRAVELYOSEMITE.COM/LODGING/ tamales since 1991. They use a sumptuous flank steak. The pot dishes. Open daily from 5 DINING the freshest ingredients and roast is a favourite, and be sure to p.m. to 9 p.m. welcome you with friendly try the turkey chili when it’s on the 9006, YOSEMITE LODGE DRIVE, ERNA’S ELDERBERRY HOUSE / service, a warm atmosphere menu. In the summer, the Saturday YOSEMITE / 209-372-1281 CHÂTEAU DU SUREAU ($$$$) and very affordable prices. night outdoor barbecue is a must. WWW.TRAVELYOSEMITE.COM/ Austrian-born Erna Kubin-Clanin Open daily from 11 a.m. (hours The former Wawona Hotel is a LODGING/DINING brought European haute cuisine may vary according to the national historic site and was even to the foothills of the Sierra season). visited by President Roosevelt. 5 THE MAJESTIC YOSEMITE Nevada. Ranked as one of the 4995, 5TH STREET, MARIPOSA Open daily from mid-March to late HOTEL DINING ROOM best places to eat in California, 209-742-4413 November, 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. for ($$$-$$$$) Château du Sureau is proud to be breakfast, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Enjoy award-winning cuisine a member of the exclusive Relais 2 SAVOURY’S ($$-$$$) lunch, and 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in a spectacular dining room & Châteaux group. Located inside Savoury’s is another favorite for dinner. with a 34-foot high ceiling and an elegant 10-bedroom hotel eatery with the locals in 8308, WAWONA ROAD, YOSEMITE floor-to-ceiling windows. The surrounded by vast gardens, the the small historical town of 209-375-1425 restaurant is located inside restaurant has three dining rooms Mariposa. The menu features WWW.TRAVELYOSEMITE.COM/DINING/ the historic Yosemite Hotel where the chef carefully prepares simple, fresh dishes such as WAWONA-HOTEL-DINING-ROOM/ (formerly the ) the finest dishes. Reservations penne with Bolognese sauce, and is considered the crown are highly recommended and chicken with pesto and chipotle, 4 MOUNTAIN ROOM jewel of Yosemite dining for there is a dress code. Open every spicy diablo shrimp and steaks. RESTAURANT / YOSEMITE its fine cuisine and exceptional evening from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. For dessert, the decadent panna VALLEY LODGE ($$$) views of Half Dome and Glacier (reduced hours in low season). cotta on a bed of strawberry Located at Yosemite Valley Point. On the menu: Angus beef, 48688, VICTORIA LANE, OAKHURST sauce and the airy lemon Lodge (formerly Yosemite free-range chicken with mango 559-683-6800 / WWW. mousse are two decadent Lodge at the Falls), the and tabbouleh relish, sautéed CHATEAUSUREAU.COM/ERNAS- examples. Children’s menu Mountain Room Restaurant mountain trout, pasta, vegetarian ELDERBERRY-HOUSE-RESTAURANT available. Open every evening boasts striking views of the and gluten-free dishes, and more. from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. 2,424-foot high Yosemite Open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 *** Hours may vary *** 5034, STATE HIGHWAY 140, Falls. The chef’s specialties a.m. for breakfast, 11:30 a.m. to 2 MARIPOSA / 209-966-7677 are prepared using local, p.m. for lunch, and 5:30 p.m. to

$ Inexppensive $$ Moderate $$$ Upscale $$$$ Fine dining YOSEMITE 1 = Restaurants = Parks N = Scenic drive TUOLUMNE MEADOWS ★★

OLMSTED POINT ★★ to Mono Lake & Bodie 120 TIOGA ROAD ★★ 7 m Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center

Tioga Rd.

120 Buck Meadows to San Francisco 120 Big Oak Flat Visitor Center Yosemite YOSEMITE FALLS ★★ National Park 5 ★★ 4 Yosemite EL CAPITAN ★★ HALF DOME ★★ El Portal Inclin ★

Noteworthy Barrett 140 49 GLACIER POINT ★★★ TUNNEL VIEW Briceburg ★★★ BRIDALVEIL FALLS ★★ ★ Bear Valley

Worthdetour the Wawona 3

NE VA DA 2 1 Fish Camp CALIFORNIA Mariposa Bootjack ★

Sugar Pine 49 Must see 41 San Francisco

to Oakhurst & 140 Erna’s Elderberry House