A hidden gem Yosemite travel guide is just what you need (and what I wish I had before going on this trip!) Yosemite National Park is located in the Sierra Nevada mountain region of northern California, United States. I’m an American and from my perspective Yosemite is one of the most internationally & locally well-known national parks in the US.
Have you seen the 2018 documentary Free Solo? If you don’t live under a rock, then you (and I) were captivated by Alex Honnold. This mega-human is a climber who ‘free-soloed’ one of Yosemite’s tallest CLIFFS, El Capitan, without any ropes or safety net. It is an extraordinary human feat, and a beautiful documentary.
Viewing the Yosemite cliffs on a screen is one thing, but seeing them in person will take your breath away. The iconic granitic rock formations stand proudly, elegantly, boldly within the lush forests. There is wisdom in these rocks. The memories they hold, the language they speak, the length of time they have existed. It is remarkable.
Apparently other people think so too, as my short clip of my favorite Yosemite hike garnered over 30k views on Tiktok (check it out below).
You will most likely need a rental car to get to Yosemite from San Francisco. It is around a 3 hour drive. I did see signs for an Amtrak train in Yosemite valley. You can ride the Amtrak train via the Gold Runner, and I’m sure the views are insane.
Check this out: Best of all — when purchasing Amtrak tickets to Yosemite, the (shuttle) bus ride and admission to the park are included. There is a bus in Yosemite valley that we took a few times to take you trailhead to trailhead. Free, easy, and convenient!
So theoretically, you can do Yosemite without a car, though it would require some planning.
I went at the end of September, and got so lucky with bright blue skies. September is a perfect month to visit Yosemite. It was cool and sunny, perfect hiking weather.
I was fortunate enough to be invited to a wedding in Yosemite, so I spent 4 days on a travel adventure through one of the United State’s most beautiful national parks. Here’s what I found remarkable, and what I’d recommend for you.
the BEST Yosemite travel guide
What are the best hikes for beginners / intermediates?
My favorite hike in Yosemite is the Four Mile Trail (which is actually closer to 10 miles round-trip). It is level difficult, so beware. The first 4 miles are zig-zag (switchback) uphill, with a 3200 elevation feet gain.
You can see the entire Yosemite valley on this hike. These include epic, staggering views of Half Dome, North Dome, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls.
The funny thing is, you can actually drive up to the viewpoint. But hiking up the entire mountain is much more rewarding, and will grant you extra quiet views, just you and the mountains.
This hike took around 6-7 hours, and I was SO SORE for days afterward. But I was also very proud of myself for never giving up! You can do hard things, as my yoga teacher tells me. Try out the Four Mile Trail and prove to yourself your own strength.
If you’re a waterfall lover, try hiking the Vernal and Nevada Falls via Mist Trail. This is probably the most famous hike in Yosemite, and you can stop anytime throughout the 6 miles. There’s views and waterfalls throughout, so you don’t have to go to the tippy top to get the rewards. This is for a beginner / intermediate hiker.
It takes around 2-3 hours for the lower, scenic part. That is all I did and I had a great time! This hike would be good for children, or beginner hikers.
Where do I stay?
The Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite was a perfect, elevated stay. I cannot recommend this place enough — I cannot believe they built such a beautiful place in the middle of forests and mountains. This place has a chic mountain aesthetic. Could you ask for anything more?
The lodge is beautiful, kid-friendly, with a gorgeous hot tub and pool. There’s a zip line, adorable general store, and twinkly fairy lights and cozy hammocks everywhere. It is truly perfect for a weekend to unwind, immerse yourself in nature, and breathe in that fresh Yosemite air.
The Evergreen Lodge is around 1 hour drive outside Yosemite valley, so keep that in mind when planning your travel. We did spend a lot of time here. The Yosemite valley can get busy, so it’s luxurious to come back to our lodging and experience true peace in nature.
The food is also excellent at Evergreen Lodge. This place is first class and probably the best lodging option in all of Yosemite. Stay here !!
Regarding food, the actual Yosemite valley has some options (like a Starbucks and cafeteria). It is expensive though, so I’d recommend stopping at Walmart on the way to the valley to get trail mix, protein bars, fruit, and any other sustenance your body will need for hiking.
To conclude: Yosemite travel guide
Yosemite National Park is a wonder of this world. The views are so sprawling, it is incomprehensible to the human eye. I almost felt like I was looking at a painting while hiking.
I hope my Yosemite travel guide has helped you with planning inspo, and gotten you excited about your trip. Yosemite is in my top 3 favorite national parks in the United States. I think everyone would enjoy a trip here, it’s like nowhere else in the world.
Thank you for reading, and see you next time.
xx Gracie
If you enjoyed reading this, you’ll enjoy my other travel blogs:
Las Vegas travel guide from a non-Vegas person
10 things I wish I knew before traveling to Iceland
