Elise’s Yosemite/Oakhurst guidebook
Hikes
For a hike that doesn't take long to drive to, Willow Creek is a favorite for many reasons. It's a short scenic drive that takes about 10 minutes to get to. It starts at Bass Lake with a designated parking lot. Natural swimming pools. Easy/medium difficulty hike. Tree Swings. Good place to have a picnic.
52 habitants recommandent
Willow Creek Trailhead
Road 432For a hike that doesn't take long to drive to, Willow Creek is a favorite for many reasons. It's a short scenic drive that takes about 10 minutes to get to. It starts at Bass Lake with a designated parking lot. Natural swimming pools. Easy/medium difficulty hike. Tree Swings. Good place to have a picnic.
Lewis Creek is another local hike that doesn't take too long to get to. Just about 15-20 minutes. Pretty large waterfall all year round but especially in late winter and spring. Dog friendly but must be on leash. Easy and short trail. 2 miles in and 2 out (4mi out and back)
109 habitants recommandent
Lewis Creek Trail
Cedar Valley DriveLewis Creek is another local hike that doesn't take too long to get to. Just about 15-20 minutes. Pretty large waterfall all year round but especially in late winter and spring. Dog friendly but must be on leash. Easy and short trail. 2 miles in and 2 out (4mi out and back)
Vernal Falls is our favorite hike for people coming to Yosemite for the first time. You can't hike Vernal Falls without seeing many of Yosemite's treasures along the way. Vernal Falls starts at the back of the valley so many of the iconic mountaintops and waterfalls will be viewed along the way. Several stunning views of El Capitan, Half Dome, Bridalveil Falls, Tunnel View, all will be included in the trail. Great place for a picnic. It's rated as Medium/Hard but I've seen a dad with a stroller attempting this hike. If you're going in the summer or a weekend please try to go early as the entrance gets crowded.
15 habitants recommandent
Vernal Fall
Vernal Falls is our favorite hike for people coming to Yosemite for the first time. You can't hike Vernal Falls without seeing many of Yosemite's treasures along the way. Vernal Falls starts at the back of the valley so many of the iconic mountaintops and waterfalls will be viewed along the way. Several stunning views of El Capitan, Half Dome, Bridalveil Falls, Tunnel View, all will be included in the trail. Great place for a picnic. It's rated as Medium/Hard but I've seen a dad with a stroller attempting this hike. If you're going in the summer or a weekend please try to go early as the entrance gets crowded.
Easy access waterfall hike in Yosemite that is great for families.
24 habitants recommandent
Chutes Yosemite
Easy access waterfall hike in Yosemite that is great for families.
Nelder Grove, Giant Seqouias. Enough said. From our place its the closest grove of Giant Seqouias. Make sure to see if its open because it has been closed for several months.
47 habitants recommandent
Nelder Grove - Giant Sequoias
Nelder Grove, Giant Seqouias. Enough said. From our place its the closest grove of Giant Seqouias. Make sure to see if its open because it has been closed for several months.
Just up and past the Historic Wawona Hotel. Requires park entry but a fantastic hike with great waterfalls.
Chilnualna Falls
Just up and past the Historic Wawona Hotel. Requires park entry but a fantastic hike with great waterfalls.
Food scene
This is probably one of the best places in town to eat. Standard American food with great burgers and appetizers, full bar, patio seating.
281 habitants recommandent
Southgate Brewing Company
40233 Enterprise DrThis is probably one of the best places in town to eat. Standard American food with great burgers and appetizers, full bar, patio seating.
This is a good place to get brunch but it's only on Sunday. They serve lunch daily and the owner is a total wine head. They serve good wine whether it's lunch or brunch.
61 habitants recommandent
Idle Hour Winery & Kitchen
41139 CA-41This is a good place to get brunch but it's only on Sunday. They serve lunch daily and the owner is a total wine head. They serve good wine whether it's lunch or brunch.
This is a very upscale dining experience and reservation should be made online. About $70-130 per person.
93 habitants recommandent
Erna's Elderberry House
48688 Victoria LnThis is a very upscale dining experience and reservation should be made online. About $70-130 per person.
Order and sit down style BBQ smokehouse. Meats are good. Tons of comfort food sides. A few draft beers. Reviews on yelp are high.
78 habitants recommandent
Smokehouse 41 BBQ
40713 CA-41Order and sit down style BBQ smokehouse. Meats are good. Tons of comfort food sides. A few draft beers. Reviews on yelp are high.
Modest family restaurant with typical American food items. They have a spicy wing that is dubbed (non refundable). Good for the thrill seeker.
67 habitants recommandent
Oakhurst Grill
40530 CA-41Modest family restaurant with typical American food items. They have a spicy wing that is dubbed (non refundable). Good for the thrill seeker.
Diner food on the lake. Food is what you'd expect but it's a beautiful place to get a bite.
181 habitants recommandent
Ducey's On the Lake & Ducey's Bar & Grill
39255 Marina DrDiner food on the lake. Food is what you'd expect but it's a beautiful place to get a bite.
Glow Juicery LLC
39993 CA-49Great place for a healthy granola bowl or smoothie
Sightseeing
Great place to visit real and (still running) historic trains. Great for kids and underrated for adults. *Special moonlight train includes live music and food (bring vintage attire to relive the history) Rides range from 30 minutes to 1 hour. Night train usually runs Wednesday and Saturday, check to verify.
8 habitants recommandent
Sugar Pine Railroad Trailhead
Forest Route 4N01Great place to visit real and (still running) historic trains. Great for kids and underrated for adults. *Special moonlight train includes live music and food (bring vintage attire to relive the history) Rides range from 30 minutes to 1 hour. Night train usually runs Wednesday and Saturday, check to verify.
They have basic supplies and offer sandwiches, home-made pies and hamburgers, beer and other sundry items you might need up there. Jones Store sells gasoline (mostly to motorcyclists) from its old-fashioned gravity pump but have a very limited supply. Owner Vern Black claims it’s the only gravity pump licensed by the state.
32 habitants recommandent
Jones Store
5S07They have basic supplies and offer sandwiches, home-made pies and hamburgers, beer and other sundry items you might need up there. Jones Store sells gasoline (mostly to motorcyclists) from its old-fashioned gravity pump but have a very limited supply. Owner Vern Black claims it’s the only gravity pump licensed by the state.
Boat Rentals on Bass Lake
Boat rentals can be pretty affordable, especially when the bill is split. The boats are newer and have cushioned seats. Pontoon boats have grills on them so they're great for picnics on the boat. All equipment for water tubing is also included upon request.
Surf boats can be rented for wakeboarding although wakeboarding takes some skill and first timers should do some research on proper technique and proper driving of the boat.
Boating license is not needed and it's a very underrated day activity in this area. Tons of fun!
35 habitants recommandent
Millers Landing
Boat rentals can be pretty affordable, especially when the bill is split. The boats are newer and have cushioned seats. Pontoon boats have grills on them so they're great for picnics on the boat. All equipment for water tubing is also included upon request.
Surf boats can be rented for wakeboarding although wakeboarding takes some skill and first timers should do some research on proper technique and proper driving of the boat.
Boating license is not needed and it's a very underrated day activity in this area. Tons of fun!
Conseils sur la ville
Ne manquez pas
Important notice on driving into Yosemite
Statement from Yosemite National Park
"Speeding kills Bear"
The drive into Yosemite is scenic, please slow down to save a bear. And increase the possibility of seeing one as well.