Covering nearly 2,000 square miles of the central California landscape, Yosemite National Park is one of the finest, most visually overwhelming destinations in the world. Every year, 3.5 million visitors come to be awestruck by everything this ecological gem has to offer, including massive granite cliffs, towering Sequoias and beautiful waterfalls, just to name a few, and best of all it’s within driving distance of most major California cities, including San Francisco and Los Angeles, making it an ideal weekend getaway. Despite its sprawling size, however, most of the park’s visitors spend the vast majority of their time only exploring the 7 square miles of Yosemite Valley, which should give you an idea of just how much there is to see and do. So whether you’re looking to see the most popular sites or just want some seclusion to experience the tranquility of nature away from the crowds of camping tourists, you can have it all in Yosemite.

But camping and nature watching aren’t the only things you’ll find. For more active travelers, the park also has great opportunities for biking, hiking, rock climbing, and even downhill skiing in the winter at Badger Pass Ski Area, California’s oldest place to ski. And if that isn’t enough to convince you this is the place for your next weekend getaway, you can do it all amidst some of the state’s best scenery, including the breathtaking, world famous peaks of Half Dome, North Dome and El Capitan.

RealTravelers Mark & Ciara visited Yosemite last summer (the most popular time of year to see the park, though there’s beauty to be found here year-round) and had this to say:

“Yosemite valley appears in front of you as you exit a tunnel through one of the many huge mountains that surround it. Its no more than a few miles wide at any point, but the hugeness of it is awe inspiring. The valley floor is looked down upon by huge granite cliffs and walls, complete with waterfalls, meadows, rivers, lakes and streams…

Curry village is a mixture of camps, cabins and tents which makes up the largest lodge in the valley. All they had left was a tent cabin, which came complete with bear claw style rips. we were given the hard sell on what to do and not to do when you see a bear.

Apparently, hundreds of bears break into peoples cars and cabins each year when they smell food and drink inside. We locked up our toiletries in our “bear locker” and attempted to get some sleep!!

The next morning brought a change of accommodation, to the Yosemite lodge..right underneath the largest waterfall in the park. it was a stunning setting. we had a nice wooden cabin complete with bear proof locks.

That day, we took a really great 2 hour tour around the 7 sq. miles of the valley floor. As you’ll see from the photos, there is a great view around every corner. The park has 400 to 500 black bears, elk, moose, deer, dozen of species of birds, and literally thousands of squirrels. There are more giant Sequoias as well, just for good measure.

Everyone should come here at some stage as its one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever seen. It ranks with the grand canyon in the jaw dropping category. No trip to California is complete without seeing this place.” (more…)

I couldn’t agree more! And not to worry, if camping isn’t your idea of a great weekend getaway, there are plenty of Yosemite hotels, where you can stay and enjoy this special place with all the comforts and amenities you could ask for.

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