As someone who goes up to Yosemite at least once a year these are my top recommendations
Map
Sections
5
What to eat
What to hike
Best photo ops
Campgrounds
Airbnb & resorts near the park
What to eat
The wings!! Chef’s kiss
Bar 1899
Basic but a classic
Starbucks at Yosemite Valley Lodge
Definition of don’t judge a book by its cover. Was not expecting the quality to be so good and the price was justified. Thee absolute best potato wedges
Tuolumne Meadows Grill
Seriously the best pizza
Curry Village Pizza Deck
What to hike
Must do!! Easy to medium level depending how far you go. First bridge to waterfalls is only about .5 miles and paved.
The Mist Trail
Easy and quick, best water flow in spring & summer
Lower Yosemite Falls Trailhead
Easy to intermediate hike. Take the shuttle from the gift shop up and hike from .5 to a few miles. Dirt path
Yosemite - Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Best photo ops
Under rated view, gives a different perspective of half dome. Rangers are out during the day with a telescope and you can see hikers on half dome.
Olmsted Point
A classic can’t skip
Tunnel View
Always lots of deer! My favorite area in the park
Tuolumne Meadows
Campgrounds
Fav campground in the park!! Highly desirable and sells out quick. Super close to curry village and mist trail. Beautiful view of half dome
Upper Pines Campground, Yosemite National Park
Airbnb & resorts near the park
Cheaper in the winter plus you get to see the snow in Yosemite! Outside the park but not too far from the gate
Tenaya Lodge
Hotels in Oakhurst that I recommend if you don’t want to camp in Yosemite and don’t want to spend a fortune on a hotel inside the park!
THE 10 BEST Hotels in Oakhurst, CA 2025 (from $103)
