Yosemite is one of the United States most promising National Parks, filled with breathtaking views for all adventurists of any skill level.
Yosemite has a wide variety of beautiful sites; from nature’s best waterfalls and hikes, to towering mountains and enormous sequoia trees, there is always something to admire.
Whether you are looking for an expert hiking trail or a fun day exploring with the family, Yosemite has an experience that cannot be found elsewhere. Here are some of the most popular things to do in and around the Yosemite area:
Take note to the following list of standard entrance fees that might apply to all attractions within Yosemite:
Entrance Fees (good for 7 days):
• Individual (on foot, horseback, or bus): $15
• Motorcycle: $30
• Automobile: $35
Entrance Fees (good for 1 year):
• Yosemite Pass (automobile): $70
• America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass (automobile): $80
• Complete list and other options
1. Visit the iconic Half Dome
Tourists enjoy a sunny day to visit the Yosemite National Park with Half Dome in the background | Nido Huebl, Shutterstock
Half Dome is a well known granite formation that can be found in the eastern end of Yosemite Valley. This site is commonly known as the iconic location associated with Yosemite and is perhaps more commonly recognized as the famous logo used for The North Face apparel. Hiking here has been said to change peoples lives, the beauty is unexplained.
Since this location is so popular, a permit is required to make the hike happen. Everyday the site has a limit of 300 hikers who are only allowed to make this climb if they have a permit. The hike is extremely hard and requires a lot of physical strength, if you are afraid of heights this is perhaps not the hike for you.
For more information on how to hike Half Dome visit Recreation.gov (or call (877) 444-6777).
Half Dome
PO Box 577 Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
Permit cost: $10 per person for application and another $10 is charged after receiving the permit
Ph: 877-444-6777
Get directions
Best place to eat nearby according to locals and visitors:
• Coyote Taco (5/5 stars, Restaurant, $$$)
• Love Café (4.7/5 stars, Vegan, $$)
• Charles Street Dinner House (4.7/5 stars, Fine dining, $$)
See the full list of places to eat near Half Dome.
The best hotel to stay near Half Dome based on overall price, location, and amenities according to travelers:
• Bears Den & Little Bear (8.6/10 stars, $$$) – Booking.com
2. Visit the famous El Capitan
A hiker stands at the edge of a cliff at Taft Point overlooking El Capitan | Michael Carni, Shutterstock
El Capitan is easily one of the most beautiful and well known mountains located within Yosemite. This granite mass lies 7,569 feet above sea level and looms about 3,600 feet above the rest of Yosemite Valley.
On June 3 of 2017, a man by the name of Alex Honhold was the first ever to complete a free solo of El Capitan- an enormous feat. People from all over the world will come to climb this monster and is well known by serious climbers.
El Capitan
El Capitan, California 95389, USA
Admission: Standard park entrance fee
Ph: +1 209-372-0200
Get directions
Best place to eat nearby according to locals and visitors:
• June Bug Café (4.5/5 stars, American, $$$)
• Buffalo Bar at Narrow Gauge Inn (4.7/5 stars, Restaurant, $$)
• Hitching Post (4.5/5 stars, Bar & grill, $$)
See the full list of places to eat near El Capitan.
The best hotel to stay near El Capitan based on overall price, location, and amenities according to travelers:
• A Bed of Roses Bed and Breakfast (9/10 stars, $$$) – Booking.com
3. Take a stroll through Hetch Hetchy Valley
Kolana Rock and Hetch Hetchy Dome straddle the reservoir | Colin D. Young, Shutterstock
Hetch Hetchy is one of the many beauties in Yosemite. This glacial valley is filled with waterfalls, hiking trails and greenery. This was once comparable to Yosemite Valley today, however in 1923 it’s valley was completely flooded. Though most of its beauty was washed away, there are still many wonders that remain today. Hetch Hetchy is home to some of the best hiking in the area and offers an extended hiking season for all visitors.
Hetch Hetchy Valley
Hetch Hetchy Road, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
Admission: Standard park entrance fee
Ph: (510) 893-3400
Get directions
Best place to eat nearby according to locals and visitors:
• Priest Station Café (4.5/5 stars, Traditional American, $$$)
• Charlotte’s Tavern (4.8/5 stars, Restaurant, $$)
• 9 Diamonds BBQ (4.8/5 stars, Restaurant, $$)
See the full list of places to eat near Hetch Hetchy Valley.
The best hotel to stay near Hetch Hetchy Valley based on overall price, location, and amenities according to travelers:
• The Hotel at Black Oak Casino Resort (8.8/10 stars, $$$) – Booking.com
4. Enjoy the views of Yosemite Falls
Winter Storm Descending on Yosemite Falls | Stephen Moehle, Shutterstock
Yosemite Falls is North America’s tallest waterfall, standing at 2,425 feet tall! The waterfall is actually composed of three separate water falls: Lower Yosemite Fall, the Middle Cascades and Upper Yosemite Fall. It’s flow is best in May, though can be seen throughout the months between November and July.
Catching a glimpse of the waterfall is not hard, it can be seen from many places around the park including hiking trails and Yosemite Valley Lodge. If you have a fascination with nature’s most magnificent water structures- this is something you cannot miss!
Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Village, CA 95389, United States
Admission: Standard park entrance fee
Ph: +1 209-372-0200
Get directions
Best place to eat nearby according to locals and visitors:
• Hitching Post (4.5/5 stars, Bar & grill, $$$)
• Woodys (4.7/5 stars, Restaurant, $$)
• Tacos Sonora (4.6/5 stars, Taco, $$)
See the full list of places to eat near Yosemite Falls.
The best hotel to stay near Yosemite Falls based on overall price, location, and amenities according to travelers:
• Yosemite Lodging at Big Creek Inn B&B (9.6/10 stars, $$$) – Booking.com
5. Walk the Yosemite Falls Trail
Half Dome Trail View, Yosemite National Park, California | Stephen Moehle, Shutterstock
Yosemite falls trail is a hike just over 7 miles long that takes visitors to the top of the waterfall. This 1,000 foot climb is no small feat, but it is definitely worth the trip to the top. Not only will you be able to experience the glory of the country’s tallest waterfall, but you will be able to see many other sites around the park!
Yosemite Falls Trail
Yosemite Falls Trail, Yosemite Valley, CA 95389, United States
Admission: Standard park entrance fee
Ph: (209) 372-0200
Get directions
Best place to eat nearby according to locals and visitors:
• Carnitas Barajas (4.5/5 stars, Mexican, $$$)
• Buckhorn Saloon & Restaurant (4.5/5 stars, Bar, $$)
• Pete’s Place (4.5/5 stars, Greek, $$)
See the full list of places to eat near Yosemite Falls Trail.
The best hotel to stay near Yosemite Falls Trail based on overall price, location, and amenities according to travelers:
• Bears Den & Little Bear (8.6/10 stars, $$$) – Booking.com
6. Take a look at the Tunnel View
Tunnel View, Yosemite Valley | Steven Guo, Shutterstock
The tunnel view is perhaps one of the most well known spots in the area. This is an outlook post that surpasses almost all others in beauty and popularity. This attraction gives guests the best vantage point for some of the park’s best attractions such as El Capitan, the Half Dome and much more.
The tunnel is located on Wawona Road and is rather easy to access. Visiting this site may be more crowded in the busy seasons, like summer, so it is wise to rise early and get a head start.
Tunnel View
Yosemite National Park, Wawona Rd, California 95389, United States
Admission: Standard park entrance fee
Ph: +1 209-372-1000
Get directions
Best place to eat nearby according to locals and visitors:
• Bread Head Kitchen (4.5/5 stars, Restaurant, $$$)
• Smokehouse 41 BBQ (4.7/5 stars, Barbecue, $$)
• Dulce Sabor (4.7/5 stars, Mexican torta, $$)
See the full list of places to eat near Tunnel View.
The best hotel to stay near Tunnel View based on overall price, location, and amenities according to travelers:
• WorldMark Bass Lake (9.6/10 stars, $$$) – Booking.com
7. Spot some beautiful trees in Mariposa Grove
Grizzly Giant, Mariposa Grove, Yosemite national park, United States | Giuseppe Milo, Flickr
Mariposa Grove is located in Yosemite and is home to over 500 towering Sequoia trees. Among the three groves located in this park, Mariposa contains the largest amount of Sequoia trees most of which date back to thousands of years ago. The trees are most likely some of the largest and most beautiful you will ever see.
Take some time to hike around the grove to view its many remarkable Sequoias. There are multiple hikes to choose from, with the easiest being the Big Trees Loop Trail, which can take anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes to complete. Take a visit to experience some of the tallest and oldest things on this earth!
Mariposa Grove
Mariposa Grove Road, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
Admisssion: Standard park entrance fee
Ph: (209) 372-0200
Get directions
Best place to eat nearby according to locals and visitors:
• Papa Murphy’s Take ‘N’ Bake Pizza (4.6/5 stars, Pizza, $$$)
• Chuckchansi (4.5/5 stars, Restaurant, $$)
• The Habit Burger Grill (4.6/5 stars, Hamburger, $$)
See the full list of places to eat near Mariposa Grove.
The best hotel to stay near Mariposa Grove based on overall price, location, and amenities according to travelers:
• TIN LIZZIE INN (9.8/10 stars, $$$) – Booking.com
8. Take a look out of Glacier Point
Hiker at the Glacier Point | Simon Dannhauer, Shutterstock
Glacier Point is another one of Yosemite’s famous lookouts, 3,200 above the valley floor. At this vantage point, you can see the whole valley and it’s spectacular sites like the Half Dome. It is said to be one of the most breathtaking views in all of Yosemite.
This site is generally only accessible by car mid-May through September. Glacier Point has accessibility for cars to drive up whereas the others require some hiking, which makes this an easy trip for everyone. In the winter, visitors have the opportunity to ski 10 ½ miles to gain access to these spectacular views.
Glacier Point
Glacier Point Rd, Yosemite Valley, CA 95389, United States
Admission: Standard park entrance fee
Ph: +1 209-372-0200
Get directions
Best place to eat nearby according to locals and visitors:
• Marina Bar and Grill at Bass Lake Watersports Boat Rentals (4.6/5 stars, Restaurant, $$$)
• Morelia Mexican Restaurant (4.5/5 stars, Mexican, $$)
• River Creek Café (4.6/5 stars, American, $$)
See the full list of places to eat near Glacier Point.
The best hotel to stay near Glacier Point based on overall price, location, and amenities according to travelers:
• Rush Creek Lodge at Yosemite (9.2/10 stars, $$$) – Booking.com
9. See the best sites within Tuolumne Meadows
Tuolumne meadows in summer, Yosemite National Park | Sergey Yechikov, Shutterstock
Known as one of the biggest high- elevation meadows of the Sierra Nevada’s, Tuolumne Meadows is a whopping 8,600 feet. Like the rest of Yosemite, Tuolumne Meadows is one of unsurpassed beauty. Filled with forests, rivers, forests and mountain scenery, this is a location that cannot be easily beat.
Enjoy the view from the comfort of your car or on one of the many scenic hikes available, either way it will be an experience to remember. If you are looking for a great hike, this is definitely the spot for you. With over 8 hiking trails, there is an opportunity for everyone to find something that fits their skills and desires perfectly.
Tuolumne Meadows
7943 Willow St, Wawona, CA 95389, United States
Admission: Standard park entrance fee
Ph: +1 209-372-0200
Get directions
Best place to eat nearby according to locals and visitors:
• Whoa Nellie Deli (4.5/5 stars, Deli, $$$)
• Shortstop Sandwiches (4.5/5 stars, Sandwich shop, $$)
• Ohanas 395 (4.7/5 stars, Bar & grill, $$)
See the full list of places to eat near Tuolumne Meadows.
The best hotel to stay near Tuolumne Meadows based on overall price, location, and amenities according to travelers:
• Tamarack Lodge & Resort (8.7/10 stars, $$$) – Booking.com
10. Enjoy the best waterfalls along the Mist Trails
The Mist Trail | Roel Slootweg, Shutterstock
The Mist Trail a trail unlike any other. This 3-7 mile hike up a granite staircase made up of 600 steps and is one of the most popular trails in Yosemite for good reason. Along the trail lay two of the best waterfalls Yosemite has to offer, Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall.
While hiking to the top, visitors will feel the mist issuing from these falls (thus explaining the name Mist Trails) and will get breathtaking views along the way. The hike brings it’s travelers along some of Yosemite’s most prized jewels, Nevada Fall, the back of Half Dome and Liberty Cap.
Mist Trails
Happy Isles, Yosemite National Park, CA
Admission: Standard park entrance fee
Ph: +1 209-372-0200
Get directions
Best place to eat nearby according to locals and visitors:
• El Jardin Restaurant & Catering (5/5 stars, Restaurant, $$$)
• Airport Bar & Grill (4.7/5 stars, Bar & grill, $$)
• Bleu Handcrafted Foods Market & Kitchen (4.6/5 stars, Restaurant, $$)
See the full list of places to eat near Mist Trails.
The best hotel to stay near Mist Trails based on overall price, location, and amenities according to travelers:
• All Seasons Groveland Inn (9.4/10 stars, $$$) – Booking.com
11. Take a look down from Cloud’s Rest
Summit view from Cloud’s Rest in Yosemite | Pugventure Photo, Shutterstock
Cloud’s Rest is a mountain within Yosemite that offers one of the widest views in the entire area. Visitors here have the chance to take in the beauty of the 360 degree view. It is said that you can see from Hawaii to Nevada once on top of Cloud’s Rest.
When visiting Yosemite there are simply too many things to choose from- if you’re looking for the best views this is the spot for you. If you’re trying to catch a glimpse of Hawaii, this is something you don’t want to miss on your trip!
Cloud’s Rest
Yosemite Valley, California, United States
Admission: Standard park entrance fee
Ph: (209) 372-0200
Get directions
Best place to eat nearby according to locals and visitors:
• Erna’s Elderberry House (4.8/5 stars, Restaurant, $$$)
• Pete’s Place (4.5/5 stars, Greek, $$)
• Carnitas Barajas (4.6/5 stars, Mexican, $$)
See the full list of places to eat near Cloud’s Rest.
The best hotel to stay near Cloud’s Rest based on overall price, location, and amenities according to travelers:
• Hounds Tooth Inn (9.4/10 stars, $$$) – Booking.com
12. Hike Sentinel Dome
Yosemite National Park at Sentinel Dome summit | Benny Marty, Shutterstock
This granite dome offers a different view of Yosemite, since it is located in the southern region. Showing off, again, some of the park’s best features at the top of this hike, but there is something more noteworthy at the top.
On the summit is by far the world’s most famous tree… a dead tree that is otherwise known as the Jeffrey pine. This tree has been photographed hundreds of times and is now world famous because of its popularity.
Sentinel Dome
Yosemite Valley, California, United States, California 95389, USA
Admission: Standard park entrance fee
Ph: (209) 372-0200
Get directions
Best place to eat nearby according to locals and visitors:
• River Creek Café (4.8/5 stars, American, $$$)
• Levy Restaurants (5/5 stars, Restaurant, $$)
• Mule House Café (4.5/5 stars, Diner, $$)
See the full list of places to eat near Sentinel Dome.
The best hotel to stay near Sentinel Dome based on overall price, location, and amenities according to travelers:
• The Ahwahnee (9.2/10 stars, $$$) – Booking.com
13. Enjoy the view at Taft Point
A group of people visiting Taft Point | Sundry Photography, Shutterstock
This is, yet another beautiful view point, but can there really be too many in Yosemite? This glacier point offers a true hiking experience as you walk out onto it’s ledge (with no rails) to take in the views below. It is definitely not for the faint of heart, as the height can be quite unnerving for anyone with a fear of heights.
Come here for some spectacular pictures and beautiful views. All of Yosemite is worth seeing, and that’s why this viewpoint is one you should not miss as it gives such a great view of the rest of the area.
Taft Point
Yosemite Valley, California, United States, California 95389, USA
Admission: Standard park entrance fee
Ph: (209) 372-0200
Get directions
Best place to eat nearby according to locals and visitors:
• Buffalo Bar at Narrow Gauge Inn (4.7/5 stars, Restaurant, $$$)
• Tacos Sonora (4.6/5 stars, Taco, $$)
• Woodys (4.7/5 stars, Restaurant, $$)
See the full list of places to eat near Taft Point.
The best hotel to stay near Taft Point based on overall price, location, and amenities according to travelers:
• Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite (8.9/10 stars, $$$) – Booking.com
14. Take a drive along Tioga Pass
Tioga Pass is a mountain pass in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California | Bjoern Alberts, Shutterstock
This is a road that is located throughout Yosemite and offers some spectacular views from above. Tioga Pass is the highest pass in all of California and even in the Sierra Nevada. It is the eastern entry point into the park, giving visitors a view of the best sites before even entering Yosemite National Park. This is a must drive for anyone visiting who wishes to have some relaxed, panoramic views of the beauties within Yosemite.
Tioga Pass
Tioga Pass, California 93541, USA
Admission: Standard park entrance fee
Ph: (209) 372-0200
Get directions
Best place to eat nearby according to locals and visitors:
• Skadi (4.9/5 stars, Fine dining, $$$)
• Dos Alas CubaRican Café & Lounge (4.9/5 stars, Restaurant, $$)
• Mogul Restaurant (4.6/5 stars, Restaurant, $$)
See the full list of places to eat near Tioga Pass.
The best hotel to stay near Tioga Pass based on overall price, location, and amenities according to travelers:
• The Westin Monache Resort, Mammoth (8.7/10 stars, $$$) – Booking.com
15. Take a picture on Sentinel Bridge
Sentinel Bridge & Half Dome | Jim Getchell, Commons Wikimedia
Sentinel Bridge is one of the staples within Yosemite for photographers and hikers alike. This location is famous for its view of the Half Dome. One of the most breathtaking views in the park and definitely one of the most photographed as well.
It is not hard to see why so many visitors plan their trip in Yosemite around golden hour, so that they might catch the Half Dome in the perfect lighting for their photo. This offers a great view of the Half Dome and also gives you the chance to walk around and see more of Yosemite.
Sentinel Bridge
Sentinel Dr, Yosemite National Park, CA
Admission: Standard park entrance fee
Ph: (209) 372-0200
Get directions
Best place to eat nearby according to locals and visitors:
• Selland’s Market-Cafe East Sacramento (4.6/5 stars, Family, $$$)
• The Hideout Saloon (4.7/5 stars, Bar & grill, $$)
• June Bug Café (4.5/5 stars, American, $$)
See the full list of places to eat near Sentinel Bridge.
The best hotel to stay near Sentinel Bridge based on overall price, location, and amenities according to travelers:
• Bears Den & Little Bear (8.5/10 stars, $$$) – Booking.com
Like this article? Share it!
Subscribe to get more travel tips and guides like these to your inbox.
