Yosemite National Park is an easy family weekend getaway if you live in the San Francisco Bay area. Yosemite is approximately 200 miles from San Francisco, and the drive will take you four or five hours. Directions on the park's website suggest starting your drive by taking Interstate 580 east from San Francisco and then taking Interstate 205 east. You can take I-205 east to state Route 120 or state Route 140. Taking either of these highways east will take you into the park.
Easy Accommodations
You can choose the type of accommodations you want. If you want to camp, you can stay in a canvas tent or a heated cabin. There are canvas tent cabins, wooden cabins, and motel rooms at Curry Village. You can also stay in a lodge or a hotel for the weekend.
The Yosemite Lodge at the Falls is close to Yosemite Falls. The lodge has guest rooms and large family rooms. The Yosemite Lodge Food Court is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Mountain Room Restaurant is open for dinner.
Hotels in the park include The Ahwahnee and the Wawona Hotel. You can stay in standard hotel rooms, suites, or cottages at The Ahwahnee. The hotel's dining room is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Wawona Hotel was built in 1879. The rooms are furnished with antiques, and most of the rooms have verandas. This hotel is closed during the winter except for the last two weeks in December. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served in the dining room.
Numerous Activities
You will find plenty to do in Yosemite all year long. You will be a short walk away from Yosemite Falls, a hiking trail, and a beach if you stay at the Yosemite Lodge. You can also take the free Yosemite Valley Shuttle to several other hiking trails, picnic areas, and a nature center. This shuttle also stops at The Ahwahnee, the Wawona Hotel, and Curry Village.
There are outdoor pools at Yosemite Lodge and Curry Village. You can go rafting on the Merced River near Curry Village.
You will have time during your weekend to take a four-hour trip to Glacier Point. Yosemite Falls, Vernal Falls, and the High Sierra are visible from this point 3,200 feet above the park. This guided tour is available during the summer. A family weekend getaway to Yosemite will also give you a chance to take a two-hour mule ride to Mirror Lake from a stable near Curry Village.
If you enjoy biking, you can rent a bike in the park and explore 12 miles of paved bike paths.
You can go ice skating and skiing if you visit the park during the winter. There is an outdoor rink at Curry Village. Badger Pass shuttle buses will take you from The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Lodge, or Curry Village to the Badger Pass Ski Area. You can enjoy downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing at the ski area.
