DAY 1:
Valley Floor Tour
Kick-off your first day in the park with the Valley Floor Tour. This 2-hour, open-air tram, tour is a great way to see the Valley while learning about the incredible history, flora, and fauna throughout the park.
Lunch
Curry Village’s Taqueria offers a wide variety of lunch options including fantastic tacos , burritos, nachos, and numerous vegetarian options. Another lunchtime option is heading to Degnan’s Kitchen (shuttle stop #4) for sandwiches, soup, Pete’s Coffee, and a variety of grab & go options.
Ranger & Nature Programs
Walk alongside a Yosemite Ranger as they share their stories about the park’s geology, first native people, early settlers and wildlife in a free 60 to 90-minute Yosemite Ranger Walk & Talk. Weekend guests can join a Yosemite naturalist for a free, one-hour, Naturalist Stroll with topics that include getting to know Yosemite’s trees, the inspiration of John Muir, and the dance between preservation and recreation.
Bike Rentals
Take a relaxing evening cycle through the Valley with bike rentals offered in Curry Village and The Yosemite Valley Lodge. The Valley has 12 miles of designated bike paths, giving you the freedom to tour the valley at your leisure.
Dinner
The Pizza Deck in Curry Village offers delicious hand-tossed pizza, fresh salads and cold drinks served on the outdoor deck, surrounded by great views of Glacier Point, Half Dome and the Royal Arches. Enjoy a refreshing strawberry margarita, beer, wine, or creative cocktail next door from the Curry Village Bar.
DAY 2:
Breakfast
Degnan’s Kitchen (shuttle stop #4) and Basecamp Eatery (shuttle stop #8) are convenient breakfast options to kick-start your day. Degnan’s Kitchen serves hot breakfast sandwiches, pastries, freshly baked donuts, handcrafted coffee/espresso drinks and a variety of grab & go options. Basecamp Eatery has a wide variety of breakfast items. Items include breakfast burritos, French toast or tasty grab & go options such as muffins or pastries. Basecamp Eatery also provides a Starbucks coffee bar to enjoy your favorite drink.
Hike
After a quiet winter of snowfall, the waterfalls are rushing and Yosemite’s wilderness is waiting to be explored. Take the path less traveled with a half-day (4-hour) custom guided hike! A private hiking guide will design a hike tailored specifically for your preferences and hiking experience level. Along the way you’ll have to the opportunity to learn about Yosemite’s geology, flora, fauna, and Native American history.
If you're looking for some self-guided hiking options that are best in spring some recommendations include;
- Easy: Lower Yosemite Fall (1 mile, 30 minutes round trip); Bridalveil Fall (0.5 miles, 20 minutes round trip)
- Moderate: Mist Trail to Vernal Fall footbridge (1.6 miles, 1-1.5 hours round trip); Mirror Lake Loop (2 miles, 1 hour round trip to the lake & back; 5 miles, 2-3 hours loop around the lake); Valley Loop Trail (6.5 miles half loop, 2.5 hours round trip; 13 miles full loop, 5-7 hours round trip)
- Strenuous: Mist Trail to top of Vernal Fall (2.4 miles, 3 hours round trip) Mist Trail to top of Nevada Fall (5.4 miles, 5-6 hours round trip)
Lunch
The Village Grill (shuttle stop #2 & #10) is a convenient, classic American lunch option. The menu features grilled sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, and a vegetarian option daily all to be enjoyed in the outdoor seating on the expansive deck beside the grill. Another lunchtime dining option is Basecamp Eatery at the Yosemite Valley Lodge (shuttle stop #8) with international, Italian, and classic American menus.
Yosemite Village
Stroll through Yosemite Village to learn about the park’s history, wildlife, and artistic influences at The Ansel Adams Gallery, Yosemite Museum, Visitors Center, and the Wilderness Center. Each unique stop is as entertaining as it is informational.
Historic Ahwahnee Tour
*This tour is on hold right now but will resume once the Historic Seismic Project is complete.
Join in the free, one-hour Historic Ahwahnee Tour. During the tour of this National Historic Landmark, you will explore the stunning décor, iconic landscape and architecture as you learn about the hotel’s unique history, how it played a role in the National Park Service history.
Dinner
Consider an exquisite fine dining experience at The Ahwahnee Dining Room. Featuring 34-foot, floor-to-ceiling windows that take in the surrounding views and wrought iron chandeliers suspended from the sugar pine timbers, this timeless dining room is fit for royalty and is a must see for visitors.
We strongly recommend you make reservations in advance to secure a table for your party.
Evening Programs
End your day with a walk through the woods with the Night Prowl adventure or go on a cosmic voyage with the Starry Night Skies Over Yosemite tour where you will learn about animals, such as bats, owls, or bears and those nocturnal animals’ adaptions for living at night. The walk will be easy, flat, and one mile or less.
