Frommer's Yosemite and Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks - Frommer's

Simply breathtaking views nowmatter which corner of the park you are standing in. It has everything and much, much more for everyone to enjoy.

You can find the Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of central California. It has been created by earthquakes, glaciers and other forces of nature over millions of years. You can still see the affects, through the waterfalls, steep mountains, lakes and their entire landscape of the park. This is place for all especially those who love exploring mountains. If climbing Mount Everest has been a dream to you, then put it on hold. Go here first. You will you get to climb on top of mountains, which are achievable even for those who have no experience of it. Believe me, it will leave you gasping for breath but it is well worth just for the spectacular views. Take a decent camera with you, not one that you would use for home, as it won’t be able to capture the magnificence of it all. Unless, of course you do have a great camera.

It is in a remote spot. While you’re driving there, you won’t see anything but the road and a background of mountains and cliffs, which in itself are very beautiful (the mountains and cliffs that is, not the road).

There are few ways to get to the park. I flew into San Francisco and drove to the Yosemite Valley. I would suggest staying a night at the airport hotel before heading to the park, which is something my partner and I didn’t do. So by the time, we got to the park, all we wanted to do is sleep. Anyway, we drove to an exit called Big Oak Flat and then straight to Yosemite Valley. All in all, it took us about 8 hours. According to the park’s website, it takes 6 hours. Perhaps, for people who know the way, but as we didn’t we drive carefully, so not to miss the exit?

Weather
This is very important. As the park is huge, the weather is dependant on which area you are in. One minute, it’s warm, the next your pulling out your jumper. The temperature is never scorching hot, which is good and of course the opposite, It’s never freezing (although it is in the winter, naturally).

Activities
The park is open all year round and each season shows you a different side of Yosemite. I went in the spring, so I saw the flowers just blossoming and the green grass. In each season, there are different programs and tours arranged for visitors.

Yosemite Park is not a place for relaxing if you really want to experience the beauty of it. It’s best to start the day early, talking walks through the park. It is so peaceful early in the morning, and by early I mean nothing later than 7am.
The activities in spring are:

•Rafting – you will be rafting on the Merced River. Be prepared to get very wet, but it is very refreshing. Normally, you go to the top to see the views, but going down this river gives breathtaking views looking up. You’re looking up at tall, green trees, with a backdrop of the mountains, with the sun just shining down on it. Unfortunately, you can’t take a photo of it, unless you are capable of hold the raft with one hand and the camera with the other.
•Stable rides – if you’re not scared of horses, then this is an excellent way to see the back country of the park. You have a choice of 2 hours, 4 hours or all day ridings, and if you are an experienced horse rider you get to go on your own.
•Hiking – you can’t go to Yosemite without hiking. You have the choice of easy hikes or something more challenging. For the more adventurous, you can climb up Half Dome, which is extremely tiring.

You then have some less strenuous activities that you can do like take a walk to the waterfalls, or stroll along the river. Or perhaps, take a bike through the many trails. You can also take a swim at the Merced River on the eastern side of it, where you will also see sandy beaches.

In the evening, you can take the Moonlight Tour, which takes you in to the park on special open air tram. It really is very beautiful at night under the stars, and if you go on the right night you may get to see a full moon. You can also sit beside incredibly beautiful fireplace and listen to stories of the park told by those who work there or by visitors themselves.

Badger pass
This is California’s original ski area. You can ski or snowboard while enjoying the sun. If you’ve never tried these sports then Bader Pass offers a ski resort which will teach you, and provide all the necessary equipment. There is a free shuttle service (like a small train service) that takes you to the area. If you have kids, then they must try tubing. It’s a round tire like tube without the middle taken out, where the kids simply lay on and ride down the slopes.

All the facilities at Badger Pass are very affordable.

Dining
The dining experience in Yosemite is excellent. During the day, there are several picnic spots around the park as well as restaurants. You can get a mixture of types of food during the day from, pizzas, tacos, burgers and other fast food. For the evening, the main places are at The Ahwahnee, The Ahwahnee Dining Room and The Ahwahnee Lodge, and The Yosemite Lodge, The Mountain Room and Mountain Room Lodge. These are very stylish restaurants that a delicious range of meals, and cocktails.
The Ahwahnee Dining Room is within a hotel and is quite expensive.

Accommodation
You have the choice of staying in a tent to cabins, to a 4 star hotel.
For happy campers, who like tents, you can do so at Tuolumne Meadows Lodge or White Wolf Lodge. If you want to enjoy the roughness of camping without sleeping on the ground then you can stay at a cabin in Curry Village. But for anyone, who enjoys the outdoors, but still needs to comforts of a good and peaceful night sleep then there is always Yosemite Lodge which is at the base Yosemite Falls, or better still the elegant The Ahwahnee hotel. I must admit, I loved Yosemite but I need my sleep, so I opted for The Ahwahnee. It is slightly expensive, but it’s a beautiful hotel, very luxurious for something that’s in the middle of the mountains.

Shopping
Shopping is mostly souvenir items, like t-shirts, mugs, hats, pens, which all bear the name Yosemite National Park. The prices are affordable. You can also find things like batteries, toiletries, generally things you may have forgotten to pack. If you haven’t taken a jumper with you due to the changes of weather, you’ll be able to buy one at the park.

This is a wonderful park to visit for everyone. You don’t have to be an outdoor person or an experienced mountain climber to enjoy Yosemite National Parks. A truly amazing experience.

For more information, visit www.yosemitepark.com