Nearly four million visitors can’t be wrong: The Yosemite National Park with its waterfalls and imposing mountain peaks is a must for each CA-traveler. Even those who have only one day should visit the highlights of Yosemite Valley!
Be sure to look in Yosemite:
- Impressive granite rocks: The El Capitan is particularly popular for climbers
- Best photo opportunity: The over 700-meter high Yosemite waterfalls
- Really a nice hike: Walk to the Vernal Falls
The Yosemite Valley
It is the heart of the National Park and makes only one percent of the total area – yet the Yosemite Valley attracts the most visitors. The valley is open throughout the year and can be explored easily by car, because at each highlight there is parking area.
Our tip: In springtime the Yosemite Valley is especially beautiful, because the waterfalls have a plenty of water and the nature lights in a gorgeous green! In addition, the valley is often overcrowded in summer, so that the parking lots are full and there are long queues on the trails.
The waterfalls
The Yosemite National Park is famous for its impressive waterfalls and so we followed by car the one-way circular route through the valley and stopped at the most beautiful waterfalls. My favorites are the Yosemite Falls that plunge over three cascades more than 700 feet! A small path leads to the lower waterfall, who wants to go up higher, should bring a lot of time and a very good condition.
Also of Bridalveil Fall is absolutely worth a visit, already from the parking lot you can take good photos!
Who wants to see the Vernal Falls, has to do a short hike. In half an hour you can reach the waterfall from the parking lot. But beware: The water often creates slippery rock steps on the path.
The mountains
The landmark of the National Park is the El Capitan, a granite rock which rises about 1,000 meters above the Yosemite Valley. In good weather you can even spot free climbers!
Opposite of him the Half Dome is an impressive granite ball, that can be climbed in the summer partly over rope ladders on the rock.
What to pay for a day at Yosemite?
A seven-day pass costs 30 US dollars (from November through March $ 25) per car. Motorcyclists pay $ 20, pedestrian $ 15. For readmission you should think about the Yosemite Annual Pass for $ 60 or a pass for all National Parks for $ 80 (Prices from April 2016).
Most visitors to bring their own picnic and take a lunch at one of the seating areas in the park a. If you like, you can stroll through the shop and look for T-shirts, black bear stuffed animals or cups.
Find more information at Visit California.
