Planning a trip to Yosemite National Park! Need tips!

**selmer** · 12-02-2008 01:40 AM

Hi,

Me and my girlfriend is planning a trip to Yosemite during Christmas!!
However, we know nothing besides it's breath taking views.
Anyone been there and know the accommodation, weather and driving etc over there?
We are coming from Los Angeles!!

**SoCalS4Avant** · 12-02-2008 10:02 AM

Selmer - there's a lot to know about Yosemite. I've been camping there every Labor Day for the past eight years. It's an amazing place - for sure.

Bring your camera and a big memory card!

The drive isn't too bad - about six hours - but that's with no snow or extreme weather conditions. I know that if it snows, it'll take you a lot more time to get up there. They may (may) even close the routes in (such as Tioga Pass). Which way are you thinking of going in? The way we always go is I-5 to 99 to 41 to Yosemite.

Accomodations wise, you have several choices: camping, cabins, and lodges. You can winter camp - but it's chilly! There are cabins that I believe are available year-round in Curry Village and Housekeeping Camp. As for the lodges, you have the famous Awahnee, Yosemite Lodge, Wawona Inn (in Yosemite N.P., but not in the Valley), and Tenaya Lodge (which is not in Yosemite N.P. - but I hear great things about).

That time of year, I bet you can expect snow, but who knows! I'd be happy to go into more detail. PM me if you have other questions, or need more info.

**imola** · 12-02-2008 12:02 PM

That's funny because I think I will be doing the same (except with my family). I've never been there so it would be nice to get any tips. I've been to Yellowstone a couple of times and that was amazing and would love to see what Yosemite has to offer!

I'm taking my girlfriend up to SF instead along the coast - from what I hear that is a nice trip as well.

**HPW** · 12-02-2008 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by SoCalS4Avant

Selmer - there's a lot to know about Yosemite. I've been camping there every Labor Day for the past eight years. It's an amazing place - for sure.

Bring your camera and a big memory card!

The drive isn't too bad - about six hours - but that's with no snow or extreme weather conditions. I know that if it snows, it'll take you a lot more time to get up there. They may (may) even close the routes in (such as Tioga Pass). Which way are you thinking of going in? The way we always go is I-5 to 99 to 41 to Yosemite.

Accomodations wise, you have several choices: camping, cabins, and lodges. You can winter camp - but it's chilly! There are cabins that I believe are available year-round in Curry Village and Housekeeping Camp. As for the lodges, you have the famous Awahnee, Yosemite Lodge, Wawona Inn (in Yosemite N.P., but not in the Valley), and Tenaya Lodge (which is not in Yosemite N.P. - but I hear great things about).

That time of year, I bet you can expect snow, but who knows! I'd be happy to go into more detail. PM me if you have other questions, or need more info.

Socal basically covered it all in his post. Curry Village just permanently closed off some of their cabins due to some rock slides, but it's mostly still open. Keep in mind Curry Village is mainly wooden base with canvas top type cabins - I went around Thanksgiving once and it got down to about 10-12 degrees. So bring a warm sleeping bag. It definitely gets cold in the winter, and be prepared for snow.

The Ahwanee is pretty fancy - it's a different kind of Yosemite experience, if that's what you're looking for. It's not cheap, but the restaurant is supposed to be really good. As for decor, think "The Shining".

Wawona cabins/houses are great... as stated, it's not in Yosemite Valley. It's located a few miles inside the south entrance on the 41, near the redwood meadows. What's great is you can just rent a cabin/house and live in comfort. The drive to the Valley from Wawona takes about 45 minutes. Longer if there's snow on the ground. www.redwoodsinyosemite.com

Of course there are tons of campsites that you can reserve as well.

120/Tioga Rd is already closed due to snow. If Glacier Point Road is still open when you go, definitely check out Glacier Point, Taft Fissures and Sentinel Dome. They offer amazing views after only a short walk/hike.

Check out www.nps.gov/yose

Offers up to date information, road conditions, bear activity, etc.
Just remember not to leave *ANYTHING* food related or scented in your car. Snacks, mints, even lotion. You don't want a bear test driving your Audi.

**SoCalS4Avant** · 12-02-2008 04:41 PM

^ Ha, seriously. Bears love Audis!

HPW - did you camp or stay in the Curry cabins? I had heard about the slide, but didn't know how many cabins it took out. Yikes! When you going to come to one of the Pasadena GTG's and show us the Avant?

**audidrver** · 12-03-2008 12:04 AM

Bears

came within 25ft of one bear and about 150ft from another on a backpacking trip this past summer. Not to mention 10 Jack Daniels piss drinking deer for 2 nights.
That's all I have to say about that.

**nickyreno** · 12-03-2008 12:14 AM

So all in all keep anything you like to have sex with away from BEARS.

**HPW** · 12-03-2008 02:26 AM

Originally Posted by SoCalS4Avant

^ Ha, seriously. Bears love Audis!

HPW - did you camp or stay in the Curry cabins? I had heard about the slide, but didn't know how many cabins it took out. Yikes! When you going to come to one of the Pasadena GTG's and show us the Avant?

Heh, bears will definitely love Audis if you leave a snickers bar inside, lol.

I've stayed at Curry Village and at the Wawona cabins. Supposedly the slide was pretty big. I heard they're closing off about 1/3 of the Curry cabins, about 233 total. It's gonna be a little harder finding a place to sleep on those holiday weekends next summer.

Been meaning to make it out to the weekly Pasadena GTG. Hopefully after the holidays.

**selmer** · 12-03-2008 02:42 AM

Originally Posted by SoCalS4Avant

Selmer - there's a lot to know about Yosemite. I've been camping there every Labor Day for the past eight years. It's an amazing place - for sure.

Bring your camera and a big memory card!

The drive isn't too bad - about six hours - but that's with no snow or extreme weather conditions. I know that if it snows, it'll take you a lot more time to get up there. They may (may) even close the routes in (such as Tioga Pass). Which way are you thinking of going in? The way we always go is I-5 to 99 to 41 to Yosemite.

Accomodations wise, you have several choices: camping, cabins, and lodges. You can winter camp - but it's chilly! There are cabins that I believe are available year-round in Curry Village and Housekeeping Camp. As for the lodges, you have the famous Awahnee, Yosemite Lodge, Wawona Inn (in Yosemite N.P., but not in the Valley), and Tenaya Lodge (which is not in Yosemite N.P. - but I hear great things about).

That time of year, I bet you can expect snow, but who knows! I'd be happy to go into more detail. PM me if you have other questions, or need more info.

yaya snow is what we are looking for!lol