Three weeks in USA: Part 2 - Yosemite National Park, California

 

It has been a long time since my wife and I wanted to visit the USA. As follows, we report our trip experience indicating what is worth visiting and a description of the best restaurants we tried during our holidays according to different criteria (location, menu, service, and price). Our tips and plan can concern a three-week strip spent in San Francisco (California), Yosemite National Park (California), Death Valley and Las Vegas (California and Nevada), Zion National Park (Utah), Monument Valley (Arizona and Utah), Grand Canyon National Park  (Arizona), Los Angeles (California), Maui (Hawaii).

Structure of Pages in this Blog post:

- Days 1, 2, 3, and 4 - San Francisco

- Days 5 and 6 - Yosemite National Park

- Days 7 and 8 - Death Valley and Las Vegas

- Days 9 and 10  - Zion National Park

- Day 11  - Monument Valley

- Days 12 and 13  - Grand Canyon National Park

- Days 14 and 15  - Los Angeles

- Days 16 and 21  - Maui 

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Days 1 and 2 - Yosemite National Park

Day 1 - Arrival to Yosemite

Our adventure in the USA continued with us driving to the well-known Yosemite National Park. Specifically, we started our journey by picking up a rental car at San Francisco's airport and moving to Groveland, near Yosemite, where we reached our hotel (TheGrovelandHotel, Hotel, 18767 Main St, Groveland, CA 95321, United States). The driving trip takes around 3h and 30 minutes, depending on driving conditions and potential construction sites. After leaving our luggage at the hotel, we started to explore the Yosemite National Park.  

“About Yosemite National Park”: Yosemite National Park, nestled in the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, is a breathtaking natural wonder that captivates visitors worldwide. Renowned for its breath-taking landscapes, the park is home to ancient sequoia trees (Tuolumne Grove| Merced Grove  - Giant Sequoias) that stand as living monuments to time. Suggestion: once arrive at Groveland focus on taking a “national park card”, which allows you to go to most areas, trails, and viewpoints of Yosemite and other national parks.

Visit the Tuolumne Grove (Merced Grove - Giant Sequoias).  A visit to Tuolumne Grove and Merced Grove, home to the majestic Giant Sequoias, is an experience that allowed us to be in touch with groves that offer an intimate encounter with historical trees. Giant Sequoias, among the largest and oldest living organisms on Earth, can live more than 3,000 years and reach a height of more than 250 feet. Walking among these trees, we could feel their resilience and history: they have survived fires, storms, and centuries of change. According to the guides, historically, these groves played a pivotal role in early conservation efforts, inspiring the establishment of Yosemite as a protected area in 1864 by a grant from Abraham Lincoln.  

After an awe-inspiring visit to the majestic Giant Sequoias, Cristiana and I returned to our cozy retreat at The Groveland Hotel. On the way, we made a quick stop at a local gas station—always good to be road-ready for the next day’s adventures. That evening, we dined at the iconic “Iron Door Saloon”. This old-fashioned tavern served up hearty American fare, ice-cold beer, and an unforgettable atmosphere. With live music and karaoke adding to the charm, it was the perfect way to wind down a day filled with natural wonders. 

Day 2 - Yosemite Valley and Falls

The day after, we continued our trip to other important park areas, including the Yosemite Valley and the Yosemite Falls. 

What to know and what to visit: The Yosemite Valley, with sweeping views of waterfalls, meadows, and towering peaks. The Yosemite Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in North America, cascade dramatically in three levels, captivating viewers with their power and beauty. Together, these landmarks form the soul of Yosemite. One of Yosemite's most iconic features is Tunnel View, a spectacular observation point that offers panoramic views of the Bridalveil Fall, and the sheer granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome.  The falls are 620ft and the indians used to call it "Pohono" (Spirit of the puffing wind). 

In addition to its natural beauty, Yosemite offers a rich cultural experience. Yosemite Village is the centerpiece of the park, where visitors can explore several trails. The village is also home to the Yosemite Museum, which illustrates the region's history and Native American heritage, and the renowned Ansel Adams Gallery.

 

To reach Mammoth Lakes (hotel Mammoth Creek Inn) we were supposed to drive through Yosemite National Park using the Tioga Pass. However,  the route was closed due to snow.  This added extra time to our drive (originally1h-2h) since we were forced to go through the Sonora Pass (6-7 hours). This gave us the possibility to appreciate the winter landscapes in the middle of a desertic region. Mammoth Lakes is known for the constant presence of bears roaming around, but unfortunately we had no chance to see any of them.