Naturalist John Muir once wrote, “No temple made with human hands can compare with Yosemite.” Often considered one of the most stunning expanses of nature in the world, this National Park lives up to the hype. Everything here is larger than life, and no photo (or screensaver) can do Yosemite justice. From the sky-high sequoias to massive granite monoliths to some of the tallest waterfalls in the United States, this is nature at a scale so grand, only an in-person trip will do.
While you could spend a lifetime getting to know the park’s 750,000 or so acres (and many people do), here’s how to get the most beauty for your buck in a three-day weekend.
As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.
Friday: Sweat It Out in the Valley
Set an early alarm for your day of hiking in Yosemite Valley — so you can see the rising sun illuminate the rock façades and also avoid the crowds. Before you leave, pack a breakfast to power your hike. Grab-and-go meals like those offered by Fairfield Inn & Suites in nearby Oakhurst make for any easy option.
Yosemite Valley is the most popular part of the park for good reason. The juxtaposition of soaring cliffs and glacier-carved meadows makes for nonstop dramatic vistas. One good choice of trails is the 5.5-mile round-trip hike on the iconic Mist Trail.
After a mile or so of hiking, you’ll understand its name: The gentle grade turns into challenging carved-granite steps as you continue into the splash zone. Soak in the spray of stunning Vernal Falls before continuing across hikers’ bridges and through pine trees up to Nevada Falls.
Resist the urge to take a dip in the crystal waters (hidden currents can be deadly) and continue back down the John Muir Trail, enjoying valley views.
Back at your starting point, stop in Degnan’s Kitchen for a classic turkey sandwich and a well-earned summit beer. Then head to Yosemite Valley Visitor Center. Rest your legs while watching the 23-minute “Spirit of Yosemite” film to get a sense of the park’s history. Well-informed rangers are happy to provide recommendations to help you further customize your trip.
Pop in the Ansel Adams Gallery next door to see the park through the eye of one of the world’s most famous landscape photographers.
As afternoon turns into evening, rent a bike in Yosemite Village to take a peaceful cruise around the designated paths. If you’re visiting in late February, make sure to head over to the El Capitan Picnic Area just before sunset.
For a few weeks each winter, the light hits the 1,575-foot-tall Horsetail Falls just right, giving the illusion of fire streaming down the mountain side. For travelers visiting any other time of year, Tunnel View will be your photo spot. Pull over on State Highway 41 at golden hour to capture El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall and Half Dome in a single shot.
After night falls, head south to Oakhurst. Dig in to a hearty dinner at South Gate Brewing Company, where you can wash down the “Jalapeño Jam Burger” with an Orchard Lady Stone Fruit Sour, or pick up a poke bowl from Matsumoto Samurai’s Kitchen.
Saturday: Find Scenic Drives and Starry Skies
Give your body a break and begin the day on four wheels instead with a scenic drive along Tioga Road. The 64-mile stretch (open May through November) makes for a thrilling journey up and over California’s highest mountain pass with views of snowcapped peaks and wildflower-filled fields at every turn.
Fuel up with breakfast at Wild Fig Kitchen in Coarsegold. With whitewashed walls and farmhouse decor, this little hidden gem of a restaurant is known for its Southern fried chicken and waffles and “Mexican Scramble.” Order breakfast “for here” and lunch “to go,” then pack your cooler and set out on the road.
Set out on Tioga until you hit Olmsted Point. Stop to stretch your legs along the 0.2-mile path, which provides a panorama of Mount Clark, Cathedral Peak and Half Dome (the rock face where Alex Honnold of πFree Solo” performed his death-defying feat). Back in the car, watch dense forests turn to bright green fields.
Hop out at Tuolumne Meadows for a mellow 1.5-mile hike along the Soda Springs & Parsons Lodge Trail. Watch naturally carbonated water bubble from the ground and see one of the earliest park’s structures, a modest stone building that serves as a memorial to a former director of the Sierra Club.
Tioga Road’s terminus at Lee Vining offers an opportunity to see a natural wonder located just outside of the park. Drive by Mono Lake to find otherworldly tufa towers jutting like upended daggers from the alkaline lake.
Break out your packed lunch to enjoy at the water’s edge, then rent a vessel from Caldera Kayak at Crowley Lake Marina and spend some time paddling around the otherworldly geological formations.
Make a U-turn and head back the way you came, this time stopping at Tenaya Lake for a dip (weather permitting) or a snack and some sunshine at the water’s edge.
If you’re staying in one of the many in-park rental homes, fix yourself a simple dinner before embarking on the final adventure of your day. The Starry Night Skies Over Yosemite program takes visitors on a walking tour through Yosemite Valley, admiring the glittering sky above. Thanks to a lack of light pollution, you’ll be able to see myriad constellations and the Milky Way.
Sunday: Meet the Giants
Now that you’ve checked off colossal cliffs and sprawling night skies, it’s time to meet the park’s most famous giants. For breakfast, indulge in a few pillowy treats from Judy’s Donuts in Oakhurst. Don’t miss the signature “Burrito Donuts” — sweet dough stands in for the tortilla, stuffed with cream cheese or fruit before the whole thing is deep-fried.
Next, drive to the southernmost corner of Yosemite to explore Mariposa Grove — stopping along the way at the Fish Camp General Store to stock up on picnic supplies. Home to more than 500 mature giant sequoias, this area marks one of the very first federally protected areas in the United States, signed into law by President Lincoln, well before Yosemite became a national park in 1890.
Depending on the level of exertion you’re after, choose from the grove’s many hikes, ranging from the 0.3-mile Big Trees Loop to the 7-mile Mariposa Grove Trail.
For the most bang for your buck, the Grizzly Giant Loop Trail takes hikers through the most notable attractions over a manageable 2-mile loop. You’ll get the chance to walk right through a trunk at the California Tree Tunnel, give the 3,000-year old, 210-foot-tall Grizzly Giant a big bear hug and enjoy a breezy picnic in the shade.
As afternoon hits, you have two choices: family-friendly fun or adults-only adventure. Kids and animal lovers can enjoy a guided ride through alpine meadows and up a river canyon with Yosemite Trails Horseback Adventures.
Those hoping to unwind on solid ground with a glass of wine in hand should drive an hour or so to Mariposa. This mountain town is known for its proximity to the park as well as its exceptional wine. Visit Silver Fox Vineyards, Butterfly Creek Winery, and Rauch Ranch to try zinfandel and white merlot, cultivated in the Sierra Foothills.
For supper, all ages will appreciate the Wild West decor and hand-cut steaks at Mariposa’s Charles Street Dinner House. Choose from the rib-eye or the filet mignon and finish the evening with the daily crème brûlée special, paired with an espresso made with beans from a local roaster, Pony Expresso.
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