Yosemite! Nice moderate hike. The only negative during high season was the line for restaurants. Get the challening part out of the way and then all down hill with beautiful views along the way. WOW!). Parking: $5/seasonal, weekends and holidays. Gentle uphill on a wide gravel road with some occasional nice views of the golden hills. They serve burgers, sandwiches, shakes on a beautiful deck. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Just beware of poison oak. It was fabulous. We booked tent cabins 4.5 months in advance without too much trouble. Experience this 2.1-mile out-and-back trail near Sunol, California. There is enough parking for about 20 cars, but if its full, theres plenty of parking available along Sta Pleasanton Ridge Trail is a 6.4 mile loop. Its a gravel road, sorta felt like walking down a street, not woodsy. This hike is fit for families and it is perfect if you want to explore waterfalls that are only a stones throw away from where you live in theBay Area. These trails are lets just say well-fertilized. We were there in the middle of summer and to be honest it wasnt that bad. It is open to the public through a lease agreement with the San Francisco Water Department, which owns the property. Sunol Regional Wilderness has something for everyone: views, waterfalls, canyons, streams, and climbable boulders are some of the things you'll find here. Below are our top picks for things to do in Yosemite National Park with kids as well as options on where to stay and eat. Little Yosemite is a scenic gorge with waterfalls within an hour of Oakland. Much of the trail is open and exposed so bring a hat and sunscreen. Awesome trail, with a little water area in the rocks at the end! Little Yosemite is pretty underwhelming, and there were hundreds of people all trying to take nature selfies. I am a save for the last kind of guy. Visit the Sunol Visitor Center for information about these programs. Learn how your comment data is processed. Went clockwise. Some good views of the wildflowers! amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; The pool at Curry Village may only be available to people staying at the cabins and tent cabins, but if you are, it is a great clean pool to let the kids splash around in and cool down. The paved path offers a flat walk from the shuttle stop. Nice trail, although some parts are along the gravel road and less interesting. Whether you have little ones who cant manage long hikes or teens ready for a challenge, there is something for everyone here. This is a great post! Bike rentals are not cheap, but it is worth it. One of the easiest walks in the park is here at Lower Yosemite Falls. Going the scenic route brings plenty of stream side fun and exploring. It offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Mist Trail is a beautiful hike with great views throughout. Overflow options include one lot across the street and another by the Visitor Center. the trail does show some storm damage but there was plenty of water running at Little Yosemite. Rolling hills, wildflowers, gushing streams of water, freshness all around, .. just beautiful . That said, please admire the cows from a distance for your safety. We left it on the trail near Mirror Lake and hiked out, then got back on later. Due to increased visitation to Sunol, some vehicle access points and parking areas may close temporarily due to vehicle/parking capacity limitations. Good view of Calaveras Reservoir. However if you are not heading down to Sequoia, dont miss this area of the park! Climbed on the boulders all around and found more small, chill areas! The canyon view portion is less traveled. There is NOswimming allowed in Alameda Creek and trespassing is prohibited on Water Department lands that are not accessible to the public. The National Park website for Yosemite has up to date calendar information for all interpretive programs available each year. Explore little Yosemite (sunol) - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. 2950 Peralta Oaks Court,Oakland, CA 946051-888-EBPARKS,1-888-327-2757(Deaf or Hearing Impaired, use the TRS at 711). As the description says- this is definitely a late fall/winter hike. It's like . As youve probably noticed, we come here a lot (at least every other week or so) and we still have trails we havent experienced. It is easy to access, however even with the large parking lot, during busy seasons you might have to circle the lot a few times to get a parking spot. Its nicely shaded in this area so even on a hot day you will find relief. The smell of blooming buckeyes in the air. The gate will be near a bridge. Please note this is a fragile ecosystem and watershed. I cant remember at this point if we had locks, but I feel like we didnt and it was fine. Proceed as noted above. Ground squirrels, yellow-billed magpies and red-tailed hawks share this wilderness with raccoons, skunks and black-tailed deer. Was hoping to spot some tarantulas and was not disappointed! The water is flowing generously in the river, from all the rain we've had. Click to enlarge. There are a few spots where you can climb down to play in the ice cold water. It is the ultimate family destination. The creek/falls itself are accessible by car and that means visitors that aren't accustomed to leave-no-trace ethics. If you are exiting the park through this gate, do not miss the Mariposa Grove hike. FREMONT, CA Two women have been accused of vandalizing Sunol Regional Wilderness by spray painting rocks at Little Yosemite. There has been ongoing construction on a nearby dam, which can be seen a bit during the hike. Note, as mentioned previously, Tioga Road is closed in winter (usually some time in November until May or June depending on seasonal snowfall. This magical, Yosemite-like gorge will give you a taste of the national park you've been looking for without having to make that 4-hour haul east. Last hiked 12/31/20 Having fun with kids will make you stress-free and will give you a peaceful mind. But its worth it! Can we chat re: freelance blogging opportunities we have? Parking was easy and free on this Nov 3 Thursday morning. I saw bats fly overhead on one of my midnight potty runs. From this hike, you will get greatviews of Half Dome reflected in the Merced River. There are shuttles from Fresno to Yosemite, taking about 1.5 hours to the Southern Entrance at Wawona. The gate will be near a bridge. If not, go watch it. During the height of summer in Yosemite temperatures can soar up into the 100s. If you are on a tighter budget, there are also plenty of campgrounds where you can pitch your own tent, as well as Housekeeping Camp where your tent is pitched, but you do everything else just as you would on a regular camping trip. We enjoyed the views on the canyon trail and found it to be a nice easy hike. Important to remember, especially at national parks. Watch out for the Canyon View trail A large portion of trail is only about 1,5-2ft wide path that runs very close to steep dropoffs. For those arriving by car, there are multiple entrances into the park.For travelers heading into Yosemite Valley from Northern California, the two main entrances are on the western side of the park along either Highway 120 at Big Oak Flat or Highway 140 (El Portal Road) at the Arch Rock Flat entrance. As always, quality and prices arent quite what you might be used to outside of the park, but this is nature after all! A bit of an eye sore, but still a hike worth hiking. Little Yosemite is a hidden gem located in the Sierra National Forest. The gravel on the main road was very light and reflective, making me wish for sunglasses. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; East Bay Regional Park District Police say they've arrested the. NOTE: If you plan to visit Sequoia or Kings Canyon National Parks to the south of Yosemite, the better value is to purchase the America the Beautiful national Park pass for $80 which is valid for 1 full year for everyone in your car. This fine dining restaurant is part of the 4 star hotel in Yosemite Valley. A few small things I don't give a full 5 stars which have everything to do with people and nothing to do with the place: LY is amazing but with it being small it can quickly feel crowded and I couldn't imagine what it's like on a weekend. Narrow and exposed paths. Stayed just outside the park in Mariposa. Start early so that you get to park. Packed with drop-in classes, free storytimes, and seasonal festivals, our events calendar will help you plan your weekend and your summer vacation. For general information about the Ohlone Wilderness, phone 1-888-EBPARKS option 3 x4559. 03 | BRIDALVEIL FALLS (.5 mile round trip), 04 | LOWER YOSEMITE FALLS (1 mile round trip), 05 | MIST TRAIL TO VERNAL FALLS (~ 3+ Miles), 06 | SENTINEL MEADOW LOOP & COOKS MEADOW (2.25 miles), Pulling a kid (or two) behind you in a trailer makes the ride a little more difficult, but does not take away the fun and freedom you have of exploring off the roads and away from the, If Traveling with A Group, Make Reservations Together. So, we patiently waited for it to cross. However.. However its not bad at all, and seeing water in the river is heart warming. Very few people. Follow Mishi B. on instagram as @MelaninMommy. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. The backpack area is open year round. One of the best reasons for a summer visit to Yosemite with kids is the abundance of family friendly programming at the park. I would definitely go during the May to Sept time period. In recent years, the late summer also brings with it the chance of smoky skies due to wildfires. Expect to take many breaks if you are walking with a child. Is there an off season? Through this option, your child will also receive a button (for younger kids) or a patch. Its not cheap, nor amazing quality food, but for the options provided, its a good place to go. A wildflower identification kit may be checked out at the Visitor Center. From the ridge your viewpoints will include Mount Diablo and the San Francisco Bay. WOW its so beautiful there! We like to take this trail because its near the streams and youll get to take in more nature. If you are determined to swim, please wear reef safe Sunscreen and no other lotions or oils. Imagine being an eager young naturalist sent off to the park for a week's summer session. Without a bike, it is a 1 mile walk from Curry Village under a heavy canopy of trees, making it an easy breezy walk. Something for everyone here. And those cabins look so cozy and fun! This hike is best done during the spring, fall, or winter when moderate temperatures make the hike more comfortable. We actually paired the two hikes together on the same day, which is another great option if youre looking to extend your adventure. Copyright 2010 2022 by 510 FAMILIES INCcontact | RSS | privacy policy | giveaway policy | native land acknowledgment, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window). However, there are a decent number of less crowded trails in the area with some decent elevation gain. Its crazy how far in advance you have to book for national park adventures! Naturalist-led activities include walks, hikes, birding outings, family activities, nature arts and crafts, virtual programs and various other adventures. Excellent views of San Antonio Reservoir and Mt. we found the perfect place to jump off small rocks & just explore. Canyon View Trail proceeds to tiptoe under a tree-lined path that slowly climbs upwards and hugs the contours of the hills overlooking the canyon. ), splashing through rivers, and spying out some of the best natural scenes in the US is one of the best trips you can do with your family. If you are planning a visit to Californias most iconic park, we have laid out all you need to know in order to have the best trip ever in Yosemite with kids. It's a short 2 miles upstream from the visitors center and is open 8am to dusk all year long. Park at the Stanford Avenue entrance gate. Perfect spring hike. Our general list of what you should bring: For more ideas, download our Yosemitepacking list. It is a park for all ages. In Half Dome Village, there is a small pizza bar where you can order pizza to be enjoyed while sitting outside. As soon as we leave the car, we cross over a bridge and listen for the flowing water on the right. Trail was fine, my expectations were just high. Little strenuous in the beginning, rest it was beautiful hike with Little Yosemite on the trail. Little Yosemite is known for its waterfalls and rock scrambling and its easy to get to. Spend the day exploring the terrain instead of staying in the valley and you will be rewarded with green panoramas of the east bay hills. Little Yosemite is a scenic gorge with waterfalls within an hour of Oakland. Box 5381, Oakland, CA 94605-0381. A bob cat? This is a very popular spot for hikers and for photographers (aka Instagrammers!). I did the loop anti clockwise. Overcast day with good amount of wind. Beautiful, green, wild flower, picturesque hike. There was parking & restrooms. One of those places that youd love to see without the crowds right? My husband visited there with his parents as a kid, and really wants to take our 2 children. If you have a 4th grader in the family, you can get a national park pass for free for the year through theEvery Kid Outdoors program, so definitely take advantage! Yosemite National Park is a wonderful destination to visit year round. Fee for in-person purchase is $2/person/year; by mail/phone/online $4/person/year for first five permits and $3/person/year for each additional permit after five. Definitely bring lots of water as it's mostly uncovered. Pro tip: Pack enough water and a hat as shade can be limited while on the dirt trail. There is a shuttle service that connects the key sites in the Valley (reopened as of December 2021), as parking is quite limited at many points of interest. ), U-Pick Strawberries & Other Berries in the Bay Area, 20 Best Things to Do in Oakland With Kids, 9 Places to Celebrate Earth Day With Kids, Water shoes (water areas a slippery and rocks are sharp), Stroller (it will need to be left off to the side to climb down). 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