Sierra Nevada & national parks Lake Tahoe
A deep, startlingly clear alpine lake ringed by peaks on the California–Nevada border: beaches and boats in summer, big ski resorts in winter.
Things to see in Yosemite
Seven sights from the valley floor to the high country. Road access to the last three depends on the season.
1. Tunnel View
The famous first view of the valley, from a car park at the east end of the Wawona Tunnel on Highway 41: El Capitan on the left, Bridalveil Fall on the right and Half Dome in the distance. Best in the afternoon and after a storm clears.
2. Yosemite Falls
At 739 m (2,425 ft) in three drops, one of the tallest waterfalls in North America. An easy, level loop of about 1.6 km (1 mile) leads to the base of the lower fall. The falls thunder in spring and often dry up completely by late summer.
3. Half Dome and Glacier Point
Half Dome’s sheer face rises almost 1,500 m (4,800 ft) above the valley. The finest view of it is from Glacier Point, an overlook reached by a road that normally opens from late May or June to November. Climbing Half Dome itself is a strenuous all-day hike that needs a permit won by lottery.
4. El Capitan
A single granite wall about 900 m (3,000 ft) high and the world’s most famous big-wall climb. From El Capitan Meadow you can pick out climbers with binoculars by day and their headlamps at night.
5. Mist Trail to Vernal Fall
The park’s signature hike climbs a granite staircase beside the Merced River to the top of 97 m (317 ft) Vernal Fall. It is about 5 km (3 miles) return and steep; in spring the spray soaks everyone. Sections may close in winter.
6. Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Around 500 mature giant sequoias near the south entrance, including the Grizzly Giant, thought to be about 3,000 years old. A free shuttle usually runs from the welcome plaza in the main season; at other times expect an extra walk of about 3 km (2 miles) each way.
7. Tuolumne Meadows and Tioga Road
Highway 120 crosses the park’s high country past Olmsted Point and Tenaya Lake to Tuolumne Meadows at 2,600 m (8,600 ft), then over Tioga Pass. Open only from about late May or June until the first major snow in autumn.
Destinations
Combine it with
Sierra Nevada & national parks 
Sierra Nevada & national parks Sequoia & Kings Canyon
Two adjoining national parks in the southern Sierra Nevada, home to the largest trees on Earth and one of the deepest canyons in North America.
San Francisco & Northern California San Francisco
A compact city of steep hills, cable cars and fog — with the Golden Gate Bridge at one end and Alcatraz in the middle of the bay.
Plan your trip
Book tours in Yosemite
Compare real-time prices and availability on GetYourGuide. Most tours can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours ahead.