Because of schedule constraints, plenty of visitors to Yosemite National Park are, by necessity, day-trippers: They swoop in for an afternoon in Yosemite Valley, see some of the sights, and declare the park “visited.” Sometimes that’s just the reality of timing and obligations, but consider making your next—or your first—trip to Yosemite an overnighter. Among [...]
Tag Archives | Yosemite vacation
Yosemite National Park – Through The Gates And In The Heart Of Yosemite!
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Yosemite Economic Report Released
The National Park Service has released a new report analyzing the positive economic effects of the national parks on the US economy. According to the report, Yosemite National Park had more than four million visitors in 2010, and those visitors spent a total of $354.7 million in the park and the surrounding areas. The spending [...]
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Horsetail Fall Turns to Lava
Yosemite National Park has a number of famous waterfalls — Yosemite Fall, Bridalveil Falls, Vernal Fall, and Sentinel Falls, just to name a few. But Yosemite has another kind of waterfall that only shows itself for a short window in February: the Yosemite firefall. The vast majority of the time, Horsetail Fall looks a lot [...]
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Your Yosemite Weekend Getaway
California is a big place, but it’s not so big that you can’t get to Yosemite National Park for a weekend trip. Flights from within the state aren’t that expensive, and driving there is beautiful. This summer, take a little time for yourself and visit Yosemite for a weekend getaway. Here are a few tips [...]
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Yosemite Summer Lodging Tips and Advice
If you’re planning to visit Yosemite National Park this summer, now is the time to start making your reservations. Reserve your climbing permits, plan your equipment rentals, and above all else, reserve your Yosemite lodging as soon as possible. Summer is the most popular season at the Park, and with good reason. Don’t wait and [...]
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Yosemite Romantic Vacations
Spring is the perfect time of year to plan a romantic getaway to Yosemite National Park. Plan a weekend excursion or a week long escape — you’ll have numerous opportunities for fun and romance, and we’ve got wonderful Yosemite romantic cabins to perfect your stay. During the spring the weather starts to warm up, but [...]
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Half Dome Permits May Be Reduced
The National Park Service has put forth a new proposal that aims to reduce the number of permits issued to hike Half Dome. If the proposal is accepted, which seems rather likely at this point, the number of hikers who would be allowed to climb Half Dome every day would be reduced to 300. Currently [...]
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Beautiful Glacier Point
Glacier Point is considered one of the best lookout spots in the entire country, and some would argue, in the whole world. Glacier Point is located on the south wall of Yosemite Valley at an elevation of over 7,000 feet. It stands 3,200 feet above Curry Village. From Glacier Point the entire Yosemite Valley can [...]
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Fun Yosemite Winter Activities
Winter is considered one of the best times of year to visit Yosemite National Park. This is because winter in Yosemite is cold but temperate, creating idyllic conditions for hikes, ice-skating, skiing, photography, and other adventures in the park. It’s the time of year that sees the least visitors to Yosemite, so you can enjoy [...]
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Yosemite Photography Classes
Many photographers feel that their cameras are much smarter than they are. We tend to buy fancy cameras that have multiple modes and speeds and settings that most of us never learn to use. Terry Gardner recently got tired of this fact and decided to take some of the photography classes offered at the Ansel [...]
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Yosemite Sledding and Tubing
Yosemite National Park is an ideal place to take your children to experience the joy of a winter wonderland. Children who don’t typically get to see snow as well as those that live in snowy areas can both revel in the beauty and excitement of winter in Yosemite. Among the favorite kid’s activities in Yosemite [...]
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Snow, Snow Everywhere
If you’re like the rest of winter in Yosemite fans, chances are that you have been waiting ever so anxiously for snow. Usually, snow has covered Yosemite by this time, but this year the powder took longer than anticipated to reach this National Park. Now, we’re happy to say that the snow is finally here! [...]
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New Yosemite Visitor Center
Representative Jeff Denham has introduced bipartisan legislation in Congress that would allow the National Park Service to acquire up to 18 acres of land from Mariposa County in order to establish a visitor center for Yosemite National Park. In his proposal Denham says that the acquisition would have no cost to taxpayers because the funds [...]
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No Snow, Now Problem
Visitors to Yosemite National Park this winter are in for a real treat. Due to unseasonably low snow levels, the park has frozen over creating a winter landscape that is unlike any previous winter in Yosemite. Skiers and snowboarders may be disappointed by the lack of snow on the slopes at the Badger Pass Ski [...]
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Yosemite Skiing Tips
Many people enjoy coming to Yosemite National Park during the winter to enjoy the great family skiing available in the Badger Pass Ski Area. Yosemite downhill skiing is geared towards families, as Yosemite is the perfect place to learn how to ski or to enjoy a skiing vacation with your children or novice to intermediate [...]
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Yosemite’s El Capitan Rock Climbers
Speed climbers Hans Florine and Alex Honnold are determined to break the speed climbing record for El Capitan’s famous Nose root. Known all over the world by climbing enthusiasts, the Nose is perhaps the most famous climbing route anywhere. It was first forged in 1957 by George Whitmore and Rich Calderwood. It took the pair [...]
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Yosemite Cabin & Home Rental vs. Hotels
A Yosemite cabin rental has a number of advantages over staying in a hotel room. For example, with a Yosemite cabin rental you’ll have more space, more beds to go around, more bathrooms, and a better ambience than you would in Yosemite hotels. But perhaps one of the greatest advantages of staying in Yosemite vacation [...]
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Merced River May Limit Park Access
Yosemite National Park officials are looking to the local community and the millions of people who visit annually to come up with a public plan for both protecting Yosemite’s natural wonders and ensuring access to its most valued activities. The problem is that Yosemite National Park has more visitors each year than it is able [...]
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Yosemite Winter Lodging: Fun for All
Winter in Yosemite is a perfect time to visit the park. You’ll get to take in Yosemite’s sprawling natural beauty with the least number of other visitors, you’ll experience seasonal festivities that only happen during the winter, and you’ll get to partake in a number of winter sports and activities that can only be enjoyed [...]
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Yosemite Park Reservations
There are a number of important factors that you should consider before you make your Yosemite Park reservations. Deciding where you would like to stay can have a major impact upon your vacation experience. Do you want to camp within the park? Would staying in a hotel make sense for you and your family? Or [...]
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Lodge in Yosemite during the Winter
Winter in Yosemite National Park is one of the most magical times of the year to visit. For many Californians in particular who have never had a snowy holiday, visiting the park for Christmas, Hanukkah, or the New Year can be an unforgettable way to celebrate the holidays. Yosemite National Park gets the fewest visitors [...]
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Your Fall Trip to Yosemite
Fall is considered one of the best times to visit Yosemite if you’re looking to enjoy the park when it is quiet, peaceful, and exceptionally beautiful. Your trip to Yosemite this fall may well be one of your favorite visits to the park ever if you take the time to plan your vacation carefully, considering [...]
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Convenient and Affordable Yosemite Reservations
Making your Yosemite reservations is simple when you choose Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We at Scenic Wonders have a number of excellent condominium, cabin, and home rentals available within the gates of the park. Our great Yosemite cabins will put you just minutes away from all of your favorite activities including rock climbing, hiking, wildlife watching, [...]
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Yosemite Lodging for Fall
Each season in Yosemite offers its own special wonders, and Yosemite Fall is no exception. Fall in Yosemite is one of the least crowded times of year, making it a great time to enjoy the natural beauty of the park without being too interrupted by your fellow man. Opportunities for fun, sightseeing, and wildlife watching [...]
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Yosemite Kayaking
One of the many wonderful activities that you can enjoy in Yosemite is kayaking. Visitors to the park can bring their own kayaks and enjoy the waters of the Merced River and Tenaya Lake. In fact, Merced River is the most popular place to and go kayaking in Yosemite. Unfortunately, there is nowhere to rent [...]
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Getting to the Park from Yosemite Airports
For travelers coming to Yosemite National Park from out-of-state or out-of-town, there are a number of airport options available for getting to Yosemite. The three airports closest to Yosemite are Fresno-Yosemite International (FAT), Modesto City-County Airport (MOD), and Merced Airport (MCE). Each of these small regional airports is about an hour to an hour and [...]
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Yosemite Vacation Homes Present More Value
More and more travelers are learning that hotel rooms have little to offer in comparison to the comfort and savings of Yosemite vacation homes. However, despite the fact that a Yosemite cabin rental can cost less than a hotel reservation, many travelers still choose the old standard of staying in Yosemite hotels. If you’re planning [...]
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Top Yosemite Hiking Routes | Half Dome and Yosemite Falls
If you’re looking for challenging climbs and incredible views on your next trip to Yosemite National Park, there are two Yosemite hikes that simply can’t be missed – the Half Dome day hike and the Yosemite Falls hike. Climbing Half Dome The Half Dome hike is one of the most strenuous Yosemite hikes, but if [...]
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Yosemite Bear Facts
Yosemite is home to a wide variety of wildlife including deer, rabbits, birds, wolves, and bears. Incidents with Yosemite National Park bears are down 77% this year compared to the same time last year, but incidents still occur on a regular basis. That’s why it’s a good idea to be aware of the wildlife that [...]
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4th of July in Yosemite to Remember
Whatever you plan to do on your vacation, book your Yosemite lodging from Scenic Wonders. We have Yosemite cabins, condominiums, and homes within the gates of Yosemite National Park that are cozy and comfortable. Our prime locations will put you just minutes from your favorite activities and provide you with the best comforts of home [...]
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Half Dome Permits’ System
A group known as SaveHalfDome.com has created an online petition to try to end the Half Dome permit system which limits the number of climbers per day. The permit system began in 2010 as an attempt to combat overcrowding on Half Dome. Currently two cables lead to the top of Half Dome and a maximum [...]
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Yosemite Waterfalls and Record Snow Falls
Summer may well be the best time of year to visit Yosemite National Park, and this summer is no exception. Record snow falls in the Sierras have translated into record snow melts. The result of all that melting ice is some of the most spectacular Yosemite waterfalls in generations. Only three waterfalls at Yosemite flow [...]
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Yosemite Condominiums and Condos
Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite condominiums are an excellent choice for your next trip to Yosemite National Park. When you stay in one of our studio condominiums you’ll get the comforts of home within the gates of the park. Perfectly sized for groups of two or families with young children, our Yosemite condos provide you with everything [...]
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Yosemite Campsite Reservation Ticket Scalpers
Yosemite National Park is cracking down on campers who purchase scalped campsite reservations. Some of the most popular campsites at Yosemite book up months in advance, especially reservations for the summer months. Scalpers take advantage of this by making multiple reservations and then selling those reservations at inflated prices on such sites as Craigslist. While [...]
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Tioga Road Finally Opens
Tioga Road was reopened on June 18th. The news of the road’s opening has been extremely well-received by visitors of the park, as Tioga Road is the most popular east-west crossing of Yosemite. Destinations along the road include White Wolf, Yosemite Creek, Porcupine Flat, Olmsted point, and Tuolumne Meadows. The road is closed the winter [...]
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Yosemite Valley
When most people think of Yosemite National Park, the first thing they think of is Yosemite Valley. They either think of sights they’ve seen from the valley floor, activities they’ve enjoyed in the valley, or experiences they’ve had with friends or family in Yosemite’s most iconic location. Yosemite Valley is home to a number of [...]
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Summer Cabins in Yosemite
Summer cabins in Yosemite are a great way to fully enjoy your Yosemite vacation with friends or family. Cabins in Yosemite have a number of great perks over other lodging options. Here are just four of the top reasons why you should consider staying in a Yosemite cabin rental during your summer trip. 1. Easy [...]
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Chilnualna Falls
Yosemite National Park’s waterfalls are at their best right now. Some of the most visited and most majestic falls in the park include Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, and Ribbon Fall. These well-known and well-loved waterfalls are favorite sights of almost everyone who visits the park during the spring and early summer. But these falls are [...]
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Accommodations Near Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is a very big place. Even if you choose to stay at a campground within the park, you’ll likely be looking at a commute to your campsite after your last activity each night. Depending upon where you choose to stay, particularly during the busy summer months, your commute time to your Yosemite [...]
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Yosemite Picnicking
Picnicking is a favorite pastime in Yosemite National Park. Yosemite picnicking is loved by young families, groups of friends, and couples alike. It’s a great way to enjoy a meal without leaving the beauty of the park. Picnic areas are provided throughout Yosemite so you can stop and enjoy a meal with your friends, family, [...]
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Yosemite Group Activities
Whether you’re going to Yosemite National Park with a group of friends or a group of coworkers, Yosemite is an ideal location for enjoying great group activities. Things you can do in groups include cycling, hiking, climbing, sightseeing, sports, and much more. Whether your group is out for adventure or likes to take it easy, [...]
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Top Reasons to Book Yosemite Lodging with Scenic Wonders
When planning your trip to Yosemite National Park, consider making your Yosemite lodging reservations with Scenic Wonders. We offer great cabin, condominium, and home rentals within the gates of the park. Here are just five of the many reasons why Scenic Wonders should be a part of your Yosemite vacation: 1. Affordability With Yosemite’s Scenic [...]
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El Capitan | Yosemite Sights To See
El Capitan stands three thousand feet above Yosemite National Park. The granite vertical rock-face is a world famous challenge for rock climbers. Aptly named “the Chief” by the Spanish Mariposa Battalion that explored Yosemite Valley in 1851, El Capitan has stood in Yosemite for millions of years and remains a favorite site in the park. [...]
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Yosemite Vacation Home Rental vs. Hotels
Many travelers automatically start searching for hotel rooms when they plan their vacations. But smart travelers know that vacation rentals have major perks over hotel rooms including greater affordability, more space, and more fun. If you’re planning a trip to Yosemite, why not consider staying in a cabin, home, or condominium provided by Scenic Wonders [...]
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Yosemite in the Spring
Spring is nearly upon us and with it comes some of the best reasons to visit Yosemite National Park. The spring months in Yosemite are accompanied by flowing waterfalls, blooming flowers, new animal life, mild temperatures, minimal crowds, and some of the best opportunities for photography all year long. If you’ve never visited Yosemite in [...]
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Yosemite Hotels May Not Be Your Most Convenient Option
When most travelers plan a trip to Yosemite National Park they make reservations with Yosemite hotels without thinking twice about it. The next time you visit Yosemite, join the ranks of smart travelers who have discovered the perks of staying in a cabin, condominium, or house within the gates of the park. When you rent [...]
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Yosemite Backpacking
Almost 95% of Yosemite National Park is designated as wilderness. With so much natural area to explore, backpacking through the park is a great way to get a full and unique Yosemite experience. Yosemite backpacking is a favorite pastime of many visitors to the park as it features over 750 miles of trail. Whether you’re [...]
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Celebrating Ansel Adams
Ansel Adams is a name that has become synonymous with Yosemite. But for those of us who aren’t particularly familiar with his work, who is he? What did he do? And why is he so important to the history and future of Yosemite National Park? Ansel Adams’ Early Years Ansel Adams first came to Yosemite [...]
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Book Yosemite Lodging Early
It’s always important to make sure you book your Yosemite lodging arrangements early to ensure all of your preferences are met, but 2010 visitor numbers are showing that now more than ever this is the case. You may want to start browsing the Scenic Wonders website a little earlier this year because more and more [...]
Yosemite Rock Climbing
Yosemite rock climbing is world-renowned because the boulders and granite rock formations make for some of the most challenging climbing this planet has to offer. But, you don’t need to be a legend of the sport to enjoy the grip of the rock and the scenery that naturally surrounds the area. Inside the park there [...]
Yosemite Biking
Yosemite National Park is certainly big—to put it mildly – but a great way to see many of the famous (and picturesque) spots in the park is to bike along the bike trails and avoid the hassle of driving in traffic. Bikes are available to rent in the park during the warmer months and can [...]
Fly Fishing in Yosemite
Whether you’re a seasoned angler with stuffed trophies lining your walls or you’re just picking up a pole for the first time (as Oprah attempted very recently), Yosemite fly fishing offers both excitement and relaxation for any visitor. The park offers a variety of locations to dip your pole—including streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs—as well [...]
Yosemite Vacations Are Great during All Seasons
Yosemite National Park is an ideal place to take your family, friends, or loved ones on vacation year-round. Every season in Yosemite has something different and exciting to offer. No matter what time of year you would like to plan your Yosemite vacation, you’ll find unique adventures, beautiful sites, and you’ll always find excellent Yosemite [...]
Tuolumne Meadows
Tuolumne Meadows is a section of Yosemite Valley that runs along the Tuolumne River. Tuolumne Meadows is one of the more beautiful sections of Yosemite Valley, boasting a plethora of wildflowers throughout the spring, some of the best hiking in the park, and excellent rock climbing on the several domes scattered about the edges of [...]
Valentine’s Day in Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is one of the most beautiful and romantic places in California and is a great place to take your loved one for a Valentine’s Day weekend getaway. You can make sure your Valentine’s vacation is absolutely perfect with a cozy Yosemite cabin rental from Scenic Wonders and an itinerary of romantic activities [...]
