Kicking Back In Yosemite
You can get your blood pumping in Yosemite through any number of means—tough backcountry hikes, world-class rock-climbing, river-running, downhill skiing—but the park also lends itself to slowing down. And with its shortening days and falling temperatures, autumn is especially ideal.
Here are a few fine ways to kick back, drink in the scenery, and celebrate the moment in one of the planet’s most remarkable places.
Sit by the Fire
For all the charms out your door—and they are innumerable—you may find yourself lingering within the warm and cozy quarters of your Scenic Wonders cabin. The fireplace becomes the hub, the little crackling altar beside which you can toast the memories of a day well-spent amid natural beauty and good company.
Take a Tour of the Valley Floor
Want to soak in the famous sights of Yosemite Valley in comfort and luxury? Try a two-hour cruise through the valley floor in a motor coach, graced with huge windows for your enjoyment of the unbelievable vistas. The Valley Floor Tour, which departs a few times a day from the Yosemite Lodge at the Falls, gives you—courtesy of your ranger tour guides—plenty of details on natural history and geology as you roll relaxedly along.
Sample a Local Beer
If a libation is just what the doctor ordered for your Yosemite R&R, why not try a local brew? A number of breweries operate in the region, and sampling their beers allows you yet another channel for appreciating where you are. Take an easy drive to the warm, friendly taprooms of Prospectors Brewing in Mariposa, South Gate Brewing Company in Oakhurst, or Mammoth Brewing Company in Mammoth Lakes.
As exhilarating as it can be to cram your Yosemite days with activities, you may well appreciate a little (or a lot of) downtime so you can really digest all the wonders you’re experiencing. A Scenic Wonders fireside evening, a heated bus tour, and a local craft brew are only a few of the possibilities!