Yosemite National Park
Yosemite
A World Heritage site in California's Sierra Nevada. Its glacier-carved valley, home to El Capitan, Half Dome and the 739-meter Yosemite Falls, can be reached in about 4 hours from San Francisco for a day or two-day trip.
Yosemite lies on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, about 300 km east of San Francisco. The park was established in 1890 and inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1984. It covers 3,000 square kilometers, but most visitors concentrate on the 12-km-long Yosemite Valley: the granite cliff El Capitan (a climbing mecca and the stage of the documentary 'Free Solo'), the iconic Half Dome (climbing requires a permit), North America's tallest waterfall, Yosemite Falls (739 m, most spectacular during the May-June snowmelt and often dry in August), Bridalveil Fall and Mirror Lake. The Tunnel View lookout on the valley road takes in all of these at a glance. Outside the valley are Glacier Point (overlooking Half Dome and the valley, road open late May to November), the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias near the South Entrance (about 500 trees), and the high-country lakes of the Tioga Road, which opens in summer. Entry is US$35 per vehicle (valid for 7 days). During peak summer seasons in 2024-2025, timed-entry reservations were required and must be booked in advance on recreation.gov; they are not needed in winter or off-peak times. Free shuttle buses circle the valley. Getting there: driving from San Francisco via Highway 120 or 140 takes about 4 hours. You can also take Amtrak to Merced and transfer to a YARTS bus, about 5 hours in total. Day tours from San Francisco (about 15 hours in total, including the round trip, around US$200) suit travelers with little time, but it is strongly recommended to stay 1-2 nights in the park or in gateway towns such as El Portal, Mariposa or Oakhurst. Lodging inside the park, such as Yosemite Valley Lodge, The Ahwahnee and Curry Village tent cabins, must be booked months in advance. Note: bears are present, so store all food in bear-proof lockers. In winter (November-March), carry snow chains. In summer, valley parking fills up before 10 a.m.
Opening hours
Open 24 hours year-round; glacier points and Tioga Road open only late May/June–November; reservations required during summer peak
Nearby sights
- Half Dome
- Mirror Lake
- Mist Trail: Vernal & Nevada Falls
- The Ahwahnee
- Glacier Point
- Yosemite Village & Ansel Adams Gallery
- Sentinel Dome
- Yosemite Falls