If there is one thing you should definitely do while visiting California, it is Yosemite National Park. Last April, I went on an amazing adventure in San Francisco and I couldn’t get out of San Francisco without making my way to Yosemite National Park.
The park itself is huge, just over 3,000 square feet [3,000 sq m]. It is part of the California mountains of Sierra Nevada and home to incredible views, amazing colors of all seasons and amazing wildlife. You can stay a day or a week in Yosemite, there will always be something you can find.
So if you’re hesitant to take the road to Yosemite National Park (and believe me you shouldn’t), check out my top reasons for going there and don’t tell me you don’t want to leave after reading this!
1. American Nature & National Parks as much as possible
The United States lists 58 reserves. Some are very popular, some are less visited but they all have something different. “No man-made temple can compete with Josemite,” said John Muir, an American naturalist, author, environmental philosopher, and glaciologist, on the park.
I think most people agree with this because Yosemite receives more than 5 million visitors every year. Amazing number but equally attractive park!
2. Waterfalls – especially in April
This I did not know at all before I read it a little before my trip to Yosemite: April and Spring are usually the best months to visit the park. Why? Due to the previous heavy rains and especially the melting of snow, the waterfalls are just flowing!
Not just a stream, they just come in, hit all the water in the world. You will definitely understand when you try to get closer. You are not even near the fog of a heavy rainstorm! Watch your cameras.
3. Ideas
Do you know those green screens where you put the most beautiful place and make it look real? It is quite a feeling when you arrive at Tunnel View in Yosemite Park.
I was just amazed at the beauty of the place, the light, the trees, the sky… Everything looked almost fake as it was so beautiful. I wish someone had painted or just taken a picture and put it in front of me.
But no, it was real! And the idea continues to bring everywhere in the park. Tunnel View, Half-dome, El Capitan on foot time… Enough to be surprised! I just wish I could go to Glacier Point but it only opens during the summer months.
4. Little hearing in the middle of nature
That was another amazing feeling I had when I got to Yosemite: amidst all those big trees, big spaces and big rocks, I just felt so small. But in a good way, nature is so wonderful there that I felt like I was just a small part of this world and I felt good just to go back to basics and just appreciate the moment and the environment.
5. Many incredible mountains on all levels
Yosemite National Park has over 800 miles of trails so there are plenty of options to get around any level. I have seen many kinds of visitors to the park, families, young, old, couples, single… But all the climbs are very accessible and some are easy to make and for ideas.
You can’t go to Yosemite without at least one drop leading to a fall! One of my favorites was the Mirror Lake Hike very early in the morning with no one around. I loved the wild trail and the view of the valley from the end of the trek.
6. There is something for everyone there
Kind of linked to my previous point, everyone will be satisfied at Yosemite National Park. There are many options where you want to stay: hostel, luxury hotel, tents, accommodation okuningi Many food choices: restaurants, restaurant. And there are so many options to visit around: planned trips, adventure trips, solitude, etc.
7. Wildlife
Yosemite National Park has about 90 species. There you will easily see birds, squirrels, mammals such as deer and mice, fish. You can also see bears even though it is not so easy. Funny truth, there were 68 cases of human bears in 2016.
It’s funny, maybe not as this is not the best situation! Wherever you live in a park, you will be reminded not to feed wild animals completely and to stay away from them so that you do not become accustomed to animals and thus avoid dangerous situations.
8. Close to major cities such as SF, LA, San Jose, Sacramento
Yosemite National Park “only” is about 4-5 hours by car from San Francisco, very close to San Jose and Sacramento. Whether you’re from Las Vegas or Los Angeles, it’s not too far away if you’re already on a road trip or have a few extra days.
You can rent a car and drive or you can do some research if there is a tour from where you live.
