[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"ge":3,"en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fglobal\u002Ffooter":221,"story-\u002Fen-gb\u002Fexperiences\u002Fusa\u002Fyosemite-national-park":295},["Reactive",4],{"name":5,"created_at":6,"published_at":7,"updated_at":8,"id":9,"uuid":10,"content":11,"slug":18,"full_slug":206,"sort_by_date":207,"position":208,"tag_list":209,"is_startpage":210,"parent_id":211,"meta_data":207,"group_id":212,"first_published_at":213,"release_id":207,"lang":214,"path":207,"alternates":215,"default_full_slug":207,"translated_slugs":207},"Header","2022-07-25T09:41:40.982Z","2026-10-09T14:45:33.722Z","2026-10-09T14:45:35.812Z",167377631,"aedb7dba-a9c4-4919-a156-7811e7dfa393",{"_uid":12,"logo":13,"items":17,"title":14,"component":18,"metaTitle":19,"nav_menus":20,"strapline":201,"search_page_link":202,"search_bar_placeholder_text":205},"79db3d30-00b1-497c-987c-f5f00938f54f",{"name":14,"filename":15,"fieldtype":16},"","https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1663659218\u002FPicolo\u002FAssets\u002Fpicolo_logo_black-1_yml543.svg","asset",[],"header","Picolo Travel Tips",[21,59,93,139,191],{"_uid":22,"items":23,"title":57,"component":58},"308eea60-0253-48ab-98d9-615c6d12ffc0",[24,33,39,45,51],{"_uid":25,"link":26,"label":31,"component":32},"a7139461-6c37-4a7d-9cec-581d691d477f",{"id":27,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":30},"159f3d9c-5d41-4fe5-9ffa-82c8e9f0839b","story","multilink","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fwhere-is-hot-in-november","Where is hot in November","link_list_item",{"_uid":34,"link":35,"label":38,"component":32},"931e80d8-c47f-47c2-a8c9-202cb4a3454b",{"id":36,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":37},"b13cdf89-fddd-41f1-b2b0-c33dd41651f8","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fwhere-is-hot-in-december","Where is hot in December",{"_uid":40,"link":41,"label":44,"component":32},"4c50e61d-6cdf-4486-8e7b-eef2f9cfd596",{"id":42,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":43},"eadd2a7c-1ee1-4e43-ae8c-af0cbedece52","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fchristmas-breaks","Christmas breaks",{"_uid":46,"link":47,"label":50,"component":32},"1bf43ffc-1684-49e0-af0c-f0e9a29f7a53",{"id":48,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":49},"e2fca915-bfea-4138-a458-6030be48ab28","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fchristmas-market-breaks","Christmas market breaks",{"_uid":52,"link":53,"label":56,"component":32},"6374e290-023a-47a4-8770-41619ef1adb2",{"id":54,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":55},"77521228-5783-4dbf-b797-e28a625dd37e","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fnew-years-eve-breaks","New Year's Eve breaks","Right now","link_list",{"_uid":60,"items":61,"title":92,"component":58},"076dab03-0dc1-4428-b543-541e4f74c20a",[62,68,74,80,86],{"_uid":63,"link":64,"label":67,"component":32},"0467df0d-120e-47da-9167-7c59a66264d1",{"id":65,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":66},"2e2c00b1-d5f1-481e-9075-66f57043529e","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002F","Hotels by theme",{"_uid":69,"link":70,"label":73,"component":32},"6a60804e-9f79-4a67-a83e-d29f8581b578",{"id":71,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":72},"7227e7b7-1e79-4544-9a16-4947234ba7da","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fflights-and-hotels\u002F","Flights and hotels",{"_uid":75,"link":76,"label":79,"component":32},"cf311dbb-ff85-48f0-a805-848523029511",{"id":77,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":78},"3a730dc4-4926-4589-b1a4-11f85f26ca22","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fwinter-sun-destinations-europe","Winter sun in Europe",{"_uid":81,"link":82,"label":85,"component":32},"85334270-beb3-4a12-afd0-0937a2cb43a8",{"id":83,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":84},"e869e6a5-4388-456b-9e67-d5494078f88e","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fnature-spa-breaks-europe","Nature spa breaks",{"_uid":87,"link":88,"label":91,"component":32},"33981365-4783-43ce-9dc3-4f73aa12b20f",{"id":89,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":90},"4197aa74-299f-4c2c-bb89-3bf995e8d516","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fvalentines-breaks","Romantic weekends","Find a hotel",{"_uid":94,"items":95,"title":138,"component":58},"bb4c77e6-620a-4cb5-a558-e9509808c4f9",[96,102,108,114,120,126,132],{"_uid":97,"link":98,"label":101,"component":32},"20873083-1a6b-480f-9d6b-e9487fdd3896",{"id":99,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":100},"d4bec25e-b0ce-454e-94d6-aabab96617a1","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Fnordics\u002F","Nordic experiences",{"_uid":103,"link":104,"label":107,"component":32},"926badc3-b116-47b1-96c7-8e5b1639334d",{"id":105,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":106},"e854f0f1-1618-4117-88a7-069db9211b76","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Feurope\u002F","Europe experiences",{"_uid":109,"link":110,"label":113,"component":32},"22ce5e3a-5767-4673-a037-557ccaea4318",{"id":111,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":112},"71798c40-9b2b-4115-b340-77f2006f4054","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Fski-resorts\u002F","Ski holidays",{"_uid":115,"link":116,"label":119,"component":32},"168333e8-fcea-4b43-82fd-0db41ecb0600",{"id":117,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":118},"13108ae9-ca64-4510-a112-6b1c3ea2944e","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Fusa\u002F","USA",{"_uid":121,"link":122,"label":125,"component":32},"2b26525f-4bf3-4242-a85e-d30a4900507e",{"id":123,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":124},"904ed885-bd21-4400-97a4-830a30341989","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Flong-haul\u002F","Long-haul",{"_uid":127,"link":128,"label":131,"component":32},"a0c1883d-a044-4509-b2c3-83d565975dfb",{"id":129,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":130},"3c8767b2-37cc-487c-b4c8-ce277e4e8cbb","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Ffood-and-wine\u002F","Food and wine",{"_uid":133,"link":134,"label":137,"component":32},"41561fb3-d852-4cc3-81b8-59a72d343ffe",{"id":135,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":136},"65b6931b-f03f-42c5-83b4-51a22d0c53f3","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002F","See all experiences","Things to do",{"_uid":140,"items":141,"title":190,"component":58},"faf95dbe-68cc-42ec-9f95-c047b12f6445",[142,148,154,160,166,172,178,184],{"_uid":143,"link":144,"label":147,"component":32},"f88be9cb-56b1-43bd-87e5-61b909e6d028",{"id":145,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":146},"4cfd8153-93bc-4589-8f91-f4ea9e124b55","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Fnorway\u002F","Norway",{"_uid":149,"link":150,"label":153,"component":32},"71215f2d-3d4b-4631-aeaf-ade259f4c4f5",{"id":151,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":152},"bee8a472-ed8a-4679-8c3f-8c0a8cab414f","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Fitaly\u002F","Italy",{"_uid":155,"link":156,"label":159,"component":32},"bedbfc2b-15df-45e0-bb55-5cfa5d962be1",{"id":157,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":158},"3d2c1717-b78f-46be-886c-a50329a1d5fb","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Fspain\u002F","Spain",{"_uid":161,"link":162,"label":165,"component":32},"05d2e472-f3ab-499e-aed0-309c563eb265",{"id":163,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":164},"43400836-9ef5-4c7d-8738-8b52cf2ea330","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002F","Europe",{"_uid":167,"link":168,"label":171,"component":32},"b9d4845c-7006-4b34-a8e3-38256248a729",{"id":169,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":170},"75196b14-bd87-4113-9065-94eacad4509e","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Fasia\u002F","Asia",{"_uid":173,"link":174,"label":177,"component":32},"9adf8203-f8af-417f-a8e6-584e36f1a052",{"id":175,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":176},"869bd101-b4f3-4ef6-99b7-aeffb194bb1a","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Famericas\u002F","Americas",{"_uid":179,"link":180,"label":183,"component":32},"5fc3e140-ef59-4467-be36-edf30539e8f7",{"id":181,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":182},"522bcfc3-baa4-49f3-9403-8a65dc026d65","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Fafrica\u002F","Africa",{"_uid":185,"link":186,"label":189,"component":32},"af7c3323-096e-4eb2-a0d3-e3ce3a41d313",{"id":187,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":188},"9c79c139-575e-48ee-8138-b26efe313f6a","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002F","All destinations","Destinations",{"_uid":192,"items":193,"title":200,"component":58},"bb82266a-cfdd-407d-a157-0072051f2228",[194],{"_uid":195,"link":196,"label":199,"component":32},"4ce71de8-1754-4a12-ba25-520eb1c2e279",{"id":197,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":198},"a8814b43-4a19-4ed2-9002-41ea88f575d6","nb-no\u002Fpicolo\u002F","Norsk","Language","Inspiring and exciting experiences",{"id":203,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":204},"a9877681-b62b-4eae-8125-e96847aca2b1","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fsearch\u002F","Where to?...","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fglobal\u002Fheader",null,10,[],false,167377332,"5ce8deff-b415-4f40-bb4b-c82a15584076","2022-07-28T21:11:26.000Z","default",[216],{"id":217,"name":5,"slug":18,"published":218,"full_slug":219,"is_folder":210,"parent_id":220},187661765,true,"nb-no\u002Fpicolo\u002Fglobal\u002Fheader",187661764,["Reactive",222],{"name":223,"created_at":224,"published_at":7,"updated_at":225,"id":226,"uuid":227,"content":228,"slug":284,"full_slug":286,"sort_by_date":207,"position":287,"tag_list":288,"is_startpage":210,"parent_id":211,"meta_data":207,"group_id":289,"first_published_at":290,"release_id":207,"lang":214,"path":207,"alternates":291,"default_full_slug":207,"translated_slugs":207},"Footer","2022-08-01T10:17:45.534Z","2026-10-09T14:45:35.849Z",170410593,"a3c27be4-5ddf-4376-9917-39ec88c6de35",{"_uid":229,"logo":230,"text":234,"columns":235,"component":284,"copyright":285,"strap_line":201},"aa4a67f6-5d8d-423e-b53f-a4c6411af5e0",{"id":231,"alt":232,"name":14,"focus":207,"title":14,"filename":233,"copyright":14,"fieldtype":16},5439798,"Picolo","https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F166375\u002Fx\u002F377c9060a6\u002Fpicolo_logo_black.svg","Picolo gives you lesser-known stories about the best destinations and experiences around the world.",[236,257],{"_uid":237,"items":238,"title":256,"component":58},"6a300a87-a4c4-4643-9b24-1928696fcb77",[239,242,246,250],{"_uid":240,"link":241,"label":190,"component":32},"72634048-c738-4699-9680-b44f47d6b3ff",{"id":187,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":188},{"_uid":243,"link":244,"label":245,"component":32},"175aaac6-aab6-44c8-ac79-4e0b025e273c",{"id":65,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":66},"Hotels",{"_uid":247,"link":248,"label":249,"component":32},"89c14a67-b335-4516-9ace-d532414548bb",{"id":135,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":136},"Experiences",{"_uid":251,"link":252,"label":255,"component":32},"0d5b99cc-091c-42e4-9f9c-90705b181a16",{"id":253,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":254},"e33d1592-d92e-4d10-9fc5-bcd5d9a5fc47","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Foffers\u002F","Offers","Be Inspired",{"_uid":258,"items":259,"title":232,"component":58},"0c687126-87ed-4cb2-9072-be77225de293",[260,266,272,278],{"_uid":261,"link":262,"label":265,"component":32},"b9bedb2d-0db0-4467-bfd6-513146efcc43",{"id":263,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":264},"fdbc39a5-b257-491d-bb4f-dd2e97b0757d","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fabout\u002F","About Picolo",{"_uid":267,"link":268,"label":271,"component":32},"094480ff-71fb-4df7-a5c1-bf3ab81cda3e",{"id":269,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":270},"4873e643-35c6-43ae-951c-9fee3b82596c","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fabout\u002Fprivacy-policy","Privacy Policy",{"_uid":273,"link":274,"label":277,"component":32},"00851bfe-b5bd-4153-8110-822904a67d47",{"id":275,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":276},"0b522400-1ca4-43e2-aba3-c05be57bec77","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fabout\u002Fterms-conditions","Terms and Conditions",{"_uid":279,"link":280,"label":283,"component":32},"a419e3c8-e0ed-4ef6-8e4c-bb88839fae2a",{"id":281,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":282},"35c57c05-32a6-4878-a541-59c7e9d650e9","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fabout\u002Fcontact-us","Contact Us","footer","© Picolo 2026","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fglobal\u002Ffooter",0,[],"235946ca-f453-4f27-9755-dad13461f1b9","2022-08-02T09:14:29.527Z",[292],{"id":293,"name":223,"slug":284,"published":218,"full_slug":294,"is_folder":210,"parent_id":220},187661766,"nb-no\u002Fpicolo\u002Fglobal\u002Ffooter",["Reactive",296],{"name":297,"created_at":298,"published_at":7,"updated_at":299,"id":300,"uuid":301,"content":302,"slug":815,"full_slug":816,"sort_by_date":207,"position":817,"tag_list":818,"is_startpage":210,"parent_id":819,"meta_data":207,"group_id":820,"first_published_at":821,"release_id":207,"lang":214,"path":207,"alternates":822,"default_full_slug":207,"translated_slugs":207},"Yosemite National Park","2026-10-08T19:07:29.955Z","2026-10-09T14:46:01.028Z",228543897446988,"9adeb728-a2a9-4a70-bfee-b67da53ae5c5",{"SEO":303,"_uid":311,"body":312,"title":321,"author":14,"summary":324,"duration":323,"no_index":210,"overline":249,"tag_list":14,"component":812,"image_caption":14,"date_published":14,"featured_image":813,"transparent_header":218},{"_uid":304,"title":305,"plugin":306,"og_image":307,"og_title":308,"description":309,"twitter_image":307,"twitter_title":308,"og_description":310,"twitter_description":310},"d1510e81-7e84-4b19-9389-6ddd3af26715","Yosemite National Park guide: sights, hikes and hotels","seo_metatags","https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1\u002FPicolo\u002FExperiences\u002Fusa\u002Fusa-yosemite-1.jpg","Yosemite: granite, waterfalls and giant sequoias","Plan Yosemite: Tunnel View, El Capitan, Half Dome, the waterfalls and the giant sequoias of Mariposa Grove, plus when to go and where to stay.","El Capitan, Half Dome and the spring waterfalls. How to plan Yosemite, and the hotels that make an early start easy.","8a256389-e351-4a88-81a3-4caf9e6c10cd",[313,340,344,443,456,518,531,563,572,674,729,796,803],{"_uid":314,"component":315,"scrolly_blocks":316},"127401bc-e98b-40fc-9dfa-553defc12dc7","Scrollytelling",[317,337],{"_uid":318,"date":319,"theme":320,"title":321,"author":14,"opacity":322,"duration":323,"body_text":324,"component":325,"overline_text":249,"breadcrumb_link":326,"background_asset":327,"breadcrumb_label":14},"371159dd-4cd0-400d-8be2-82006b9a91d8","2026-10-08 00:00","noon","Yosemite National Park: the valley, the falls and the giant trees","100","9 min","Granite walls rise straight from the valley floor, and in spring the waterfalls thunder. How to experience Yosemite, and where to stay near the valley.","ScrollyHero",{"id":14,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":14},{"id":14,"alt":328,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":328,"width":329,"height":330,"source":331,"filename":307,"copyright":332,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":333,"public_id":334,"aspect_ratio":335,"content_type":336,"is_external_url":210},"Yosemite Valley with granite cliffs and a waterfall",2400,1601,"Aniket Deole \u002F Unsplash","Unsplash",{"alt":328,"title":328},"Picolo\u002FExperiences\u002Fusa\u002Fusa-yosemite-1",1.499063085571518,"jpg",{"_uid":338,"Click":210,"component":339},"5ec2eff3-ae82-4798-9657-c19e2be3459f","StorytellingEnd",{"_uid":341,"content":342,"component":343},"df0c92f5-d061-47a2-b6bd-0074bb815cf1","\u003Cstyle data-picolo-spacing>.blok__page>div:not(:first-of-type){margin-top:3rem;margin-bottom:3rem}@media (min-width:1024px){.blok__page>div:not(:first-of-type){margin-top:4rem;margin-bottom:4rem}}.blok__block-listing>.pb-40{padding-bottom:2.5rem}.blok__article-footer .grid{row-gap:1rem}.blok__page>div:has(style[data-picolo-spacing]){display:none!important}\u003C\u002Fstyle>","Embed",{"_uid":345,"body":346,"card":440,"layout":441,"component":442,"article_rounded":210},"8f40909c-befd-4f01-bfba-b24ab53d98bd",{"type":347,"content":348},"doc",[349,355,359,363,370,398,403,418],{"type":350,"content":351},"paragraph",[352],{"text":353,"type":354},"You drive through a tunnel, and there it is: Yosemite Valley, with El Capitan on the left, Bridalveil Fall on the right and Half Dome at the far end. It is one of the most famous views in America, and it is every bit as overwhelming in person as it is in photographs.","text",{"type":350,"content":356},[357],{"text":358,"type":354},"Yosemite National Park lies in California's Sierra Nevada, a few hours' drive from San Francisco. The valley is only a small part of the park, but it is where the big sights are packed together. The rest is high country, lakes and forest where it is much easier to find some peace.",{"type":350,"content":360},[361],{"text":362,"type":354},"The links to the hotels and experiences are partner links. If you book through them, Picolo may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.",{"type":364,"attrs":365,"content":367},"heading",{"level":366},2,[368],{"text":369,"type":354},"How to do it",{"type":371,"content":372},"bullet_list",[373,380,386,392],{"type":374,"content":375},"list_item",[376],{"type":350,"content":377},[378],{"text":379,"type":354},"Hire a car in San Francisco, or come in from the south via Fresno. There are also buses into the valley.",{"type":374,"content":381},[382],{"type":350,"content":383},[384],{"text":385,"type":354},"Check whether the park requires an advance reservation to drive in during peak season. The rules have changed from year to year.",{"type":374,"content":387},[388],{"type":350,"content":389},[390],{"text":391,"type":354},"Park the car and use the free valley shuttles. Car parks fill up quickly in the middle of the day.",{"type":374,"content":393},[394],{"type":350,"content":395},[396],{"text":397,"type":354},"Tioga Road over the high country and the road to Glacier Point close in winter.",{"type":364,"attrs":399,"content":400},{"level":366},[401],{"text":402,"type":354},"What not to miss",{"type":350,"content":404},[405,410,412,416],{"text":406,"type":354,"marks":407},"Tunnel View",[408],{"type":409},"bold",{"text":411,"type":354}," is the spot for the classic photo, best in the late afternoon. In the valley you can walk to the foot of ",{"text":413,"type":354,"marks":414},"Yosemite Falls",[415],{"type":409},{"text":417,"type":354},", at its most powerful in spring and early summer when the snow melts. By late summer it can be almost dry.",{"type":350,"content":419},[420,422,426,428,432,434,438],{"text":421,"type":354},"Look up at ",{"text":423,"type":354,"marks":424},"El Capitan",[425],{"type":409},{"text":427,"type":354}," and search for climbers, tiny dots halfway up the wall. From ",{"text":429,"type":354,"marks":430},"Glacier Point",[431],{"type":409},{"text":433,"type":354}," you look straight across at Half Dome and down over the whole valley, and to the south, the giant sequoias of ",{"text":435,"type":354,"marks":436},"Mariposa Grove",[437],{"type":409},{"text":439,"type":354}," are some of the largest trees on earth.",[],"0","BodyBlock",{"_uid":444,"image":445,"theme":14,"author":14,"component":453,"caption_text":454,"caption_title":455,"image_caption":14},"b7a8e545-2007-4cbc-8fed-d063e776834d",{"id":14,"alt":446,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":446,"width":329,"height":447,"source":448,"filename":449,"copyright":332,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":450,"public_id":451,"aspect_ratio":452,"content_type":336,"is_external_url":210},"Yosemite Valley in summer with granite in the background",1600,"Rakshith Hatwar \u002F Unsplash","https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1\u002FPicolo\u002FExperiences\u002Fusa\u002Fusa-yosemite-2.jpg",{"alt":446,"title":446},"Picolo\u002FExperiences\u002Fusa\u002Fusa-yosemite-2",1.5,"FullImage","In summer the valley is green and the river runs calm. Photo: Rakshith Hatwar \u002F Unsplash","Yosemite Valley",{"_uid":457,"body":458,"card":517,"layout":441,"component":442,"article_rounded":210},"1d679fa7-6ca9-430a-8391-dfa2c414de2d",{"type":347,"content":459},[460,465,481,491,508,513],{"type":364,"attrs":461,"content":462},{"level":366},[463],{"text":464,"type":354},"Hikes for every level",{"type":350,"content":466},[467,469,473,475,479],{"text":468,"type":354},"The ",{"text":470,"type":354,"marks":471},"Mist Trail",[472],{"type":409},{"text":474,"type":354}," to Vernal Fall is the most popular hike: steep, wet and wonderful. In spring you will be soaked by the spray, so bring a rain jacket. For something shorter and flat, walk around ",{"text":476,"type":354,"marks":477},"Cook's Meadow",[478],{"type":409},{"text":480,"type":354},", with Yosemite Falls in one direction and Half Dome in the other.",{"type":350,"content":482},[483,485,489],{"text":484,"type":354},"The summit of ",{"text":486,"type":354,"marks":487},"Half Dome",[488],{"type":409},{"text":490,"type":354},", with its famous cables, requires a permit allocated in advance. If you are planning it, apply early. Without a permit, Glacier Point and Taft Point are excellent alternatives with huge views and less walking.",{"type":350,"content":492},[493,497,499],{"text":494,"type":354,"marks":495},"Book experiences:",[496],{"type":409},{"text":498,"type":354}," ",{"text":500,"type":354,"marks":501},"See tours and activities in Yosemite",[502],{"type":503,"attrs":504},"link",{"href":505,"uuid":207,"anchor":207,"target":506,"linktype":507},"https:\u002F\u002Fexpedia.com\u002Faffiliate\u002Flm1hZ7u","_blank","url",{"type":364,"attrs":509,"content":510},{"level":366},[511],{"text":512,"type":354},"Where to stay for Yosemite",{"type":350,"content":514},[515],{"text":516,"type":354},"The park entrances are far apart, so choose your hotel by the part of the park you want to see. Stay in the valley and you can walk to the waterfalls. Stay outside and you get more space and facilities, but longer drives.",[],{"_uid":519,"image":520,"theme":14,"author":14,"component":453,"caption_text":529,"caption_title":530,"image_caption":14},"dde4e857-0863-45dd-a745-eb738bc422ec",{"id":14,"alt":521,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":521,"width":329,"height":522,"source":523,"filename":524,"copyright":525,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":526,"public_id":527,"aspect_ratio":528,"content_type":336,"is_external_url":210},"Yosemite Valley Lodge surrounded by forest",1536,"Hotels.com (Expedia Group)","https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1\u002FPicolo\u002FExperiences\u002Fusa\u002Fusa-hotell-yo-valley.jpg","Expedia Group",{"alt":521,"title":521},"Picolo\u002FExperiences\u002Fusa\u002Fusa-hotell-yo-valley",1.5625,"Its nearest neighbour is Yosemite Falls. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)","Yosemite Valley Lodge",{"_uid":532,"body":533,"card":562,"layout":441,"component":442,"article_rounded":210},"6e487f25-8210-4578-b4b9-13a27ae6c2a3",{"type":347,"content":534},[535,541,545,549],{"type":364,"attrs":536,"content":538},{"level":537},3,[539],{"text":540,"type":354},"Yosemite Valley Lodge: walk to the falls before breakfast",{"type":350,"content":542},[543],{"text":544,"type":354},"Yosemite Valley Lodge is inside the valley, near the foot of Yosemite Falls. You are out first in the morning and back last at night, after the day visitors have driven home.",{"type":350,"content":546},[547],{"text":548,"type":354},"The rooms are simple, but the location is what you are paying for.",{"type":350,"content":550},[551,555,556],{"text":552,"type":354,"marks":553},"Book your stay:",[554],{"type":409},{"text":498,"type":354},{"text":557,"type":354,"marks":558},"See rooms at Yosemite Valley Lodge",[559],{"type":503,"attrs":560},{"href":561,"uuid":207,"anchor":207,"target":506,"linktype":507},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hotels.com\u002Faffiliates\u002Fhotelscom-norway.foUVb5o",[],{"_uid":564,"image":565,"theme":14,"author":14,"component":453,"caption_text":570,"caption_title":571,"image_caption":14},"5a55f82f-a012-4163-98bb-a2a9ee9880b1",{"id":14,"alt":566,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":566,"width":329,"height":447,"source":523,"filename":567,"copyright":525,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":568,"public_id":569,"aspect_ratio":452,"content_type":336,"is_external_url":210},"The pool and forest at Rush Creek Lodge","https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1\u002FPicolo\u002FExperiences\u002Fusa\u002Fusa-hotell-yo-rush.jpg",{"alt":566,"title":566},"Picolo\u002FExperiences\u002Fusa\u002Fusa-hotell-yo-rush","A pool and pine forest near the Big Oak Flat entrance. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)","Rush Creek Lodge",{"_uid":573,"body":574,"card":673,"layout":441,"component":442,"article_rounded":210},"36d510e0-df47-416d-9d18-810868376291",{"type":347,"content":575},[576,581,585,597,602,606,618,623,627,639,644,648,653],{"type":364,"attrs":577,"content":578},{"level":537},[579],{"text":580,"type":354},"Rush Creek Lodge: a pool and spa after the hike",{"type":350,"content":582},[583],{"text":584,"type":354},"Rush Creek Lodge is next to the Big Oak Flat entrance on the west side of the park. It works well for families, with an outdoor pool, a spa and fire pits in the evening.",{"type":350,"content":586},[587,590,591],{"text":552,"type":354,"marks":588},[589],{"type":409},{"text":498,"type":354},{"text":592,"type":354,"marks":593},"See rooms at Rush Creek Lodge and Spa at Yosemite",[594],{"type":503,"attrs":595},{"href":596,"uuid":207,"anchor":207,"target":506,"linktype":507},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hotels.com\u002Faffiliates\u002Fhotelscom-norway.JqpGRLn",{"type":364,"attrs":598,"content":599},{"level":537},[600],{"text":601,"type":354},"Evergreen Lodge: cabins in the woods",{"type":350,"content":603},[604],{"text":605,"type":354},"Evergreen Lodge is close to Hetch Hetchy, the quiet corner of the park. You stay in cabins among the trees and eat in a friendly restaurant, far from the valley traffic.",{"type":350,"content":607},[608,611,612],{"text":552,"type":354,"marks":609},[610],{"type":409},{"text":498,"type":354},{"text":613,"type":354,"marks":614},"See rooms at Evergreen Lodge Yosemite",[615],{"type":503,"attrs":616},{"href":617,"uuid":207,"anchor":207,"target":506,"linktype":507},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hotels.com\u002Faffiliates\u002Fhotelscom-norway.CDZqjDm",{"type":364,"attrs":619,"content":620},{"level":537},[621],{"text":622,"type":354},"Château du Sureau: a French country house by the south entrance",{"type":350,"content":624},[625],{"text":626,"type":354},"In Oakhurst, south of the park, Château du Sureau is a small hotel in French country house style with a fireplace in every room. Mariposa Grove is a short drive up the road.",{"type":350,"content":628},[629,632,633],{"text":552,"type":354,"marks":630},[631],{"type":409},{"text":498,"type":354},{"text":634,"type":354,"marks":635},"See rooms at Château du Sureau",[636],{"type":503,"attrs":637},{"href":638,"uuid":207,"anchor":207,"target":506,"linktype":507},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hotels.com\u002Faffiliates\u002Fhotelscom-norway.iQwsCDT",{"type":364,"attrs":640,"content":641},{"level":366},[642],{"text":643,"type":354},"When is the best time to visit Yosemite?",{"type":350,"content":645},[646],{"text":647,"type":354},"May and June are best for the waterfalls. July and August bring warm days, open mountain roads and the most visitors. September and October are quieter with lovely colours, but the falls may be small. In winter the valley is still and often snowy, and many roads are closed.",{"type":364,"attrs":649,"content":650},{"level":366},[651],{"text":652,"type":354},"When should you book?",{"type":371,"content":654},[655,661,667],{"type":374,"content":656},[657],{"type":350,"content":658},[659],{"text":660,"type":354},"Lodges in the valley: many months ahead, they go fast.",{"type":374,"content":662},[663],{"type":350,"content":664},[665],{"text":666,"type":354},"Hotels outside the park: a few weeks ahead, earlier for summer.",{"type":374,"content":668},[669],{"type":350,"content":670},[671],{"text":672,"type":354},"Check entry rules and Half Dome permits before booking everything else.",[],{"_uid":675,"body":676,"card":728,"layout":441,"component":442,"article_rounded":210},"5e330193-6c3c-4cf0-be37-9f0bee01e160",{"type":347,"content":677},[678,683,688,692,697,701,706,710,715,719,724],{"type":364,"attrs":679,"content":680},{"level":366},[681],{"text":682,"type":354},"Frequently asked questions about Yosemite",{"type":364,"attrs":684,"content":685},{"level":537},[686],{"text":687,"type":354},"Where should I stay when visiting Yosemite?",{"type":350,"content":689},[690],{"text":691,"type":354},"Stay in Yosemite Valley if you want to walk to the waterfalls and viewpoints without a car. Yosemite Valley Lodge is in the middle of the valley. Rush Creek Lodge and Evergreen Lodge on the west side, and Château du Sureau to the south, offer more space and calm.",{"type":364,"attrs":693,"content":694},{"level":537},[695],{"text":696,"type":354},"How far is Yosemite from San Francisco?",{"type":350,"content":698},[699],{"text":700,"type":354},"Allow around four hours by car from San Francisco to Yosemite Valley, depending on traffic and which entrance you use.",{"type":364,"attrs":702,"content":703},{"level":537},[704],{"text":705,"type":354},"When do the Yosemite waterfalls have the most water?",{"type":350,"content":707},[708],{"text":709,"type":354},"The waterfalls are at their biggest in spring and early summer, when the mountain snow melts. In late summer and autumn, Yosemite Falls can be almost dry.",{"type":364,"attrs":711,"content":712},{"level":537},[713],{"text":714,"type":354},"Do you need a permit to hike Half Dome?",{"type":350,"content":716},[717],{"text":718,"type":354},"Yes. To climb the final cables to the top of Half Dome you need a permit, allocated in advance. Day hikes elsewhere in the park do not need a separate permit.",{"type":364,"attrs":720,"content":721},{"level":537},[722],{"text":723,"type":354},"How many days do you need in Yosemite?",{"type":350,"content":725},[726],{"text":727,"type":354},"Two to three days is a good starting point. That covers the valley, Glacier Point, a longer hike and ideally the giant sequoias in Mariposa Grove.",[],{"_uid":730,"body":731,"card":795,"layout":441,"component":442,"article_rounded":210},"50aba286-69a8-4d53-9051-a8d57ed7c398",{"type":347,"content":732},[733,738],{"type":364,"attrs":734,"content":735},{"level":366},[736],{"text":737,"type":354},"Read more",{"type":371,"content":739},[740,751,762,773,784],{"type":374,"content":741},[742],{"type":350,"content":743},[744],{"text":745,"type":354,"marks":746},"Experiences in the USA",[747],{"type":503,"attrs":748},{"href":749,"uuid":117,"anchor":207,"target":750,"linktype":28},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Fusa\u002F","_self",{"type":374,"content":752},[753],{"type":350,"content":754},[755],{"text":756,"type":354,"marks":757},"Alcatraz and San Francisco",[758],{"type":503,"attrs":759},{"href":760,"uuid":761,"anchor":207,"target":750,"linktype":28},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Fusa\u002Falcatraz-san-francisco","c270e054-756b-41ee-855b-40d237e26290",{"type":374,"content":763},[764],{"type":350,"content":765},[766],{"text":767,"type":354,"marks":768},"Death Valley",[769],{"type":503,"attrs":770},{"href":771,"uuid":772,"anchor":207,"target":750,"linktype":28},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Fusa\u002Fdeath-valley","2ba6d58c-a03d-4f9d-b395-92f341fd2053",{"type":374,"content":774},[775],{"type":350,"content":776},[777],{"text":778,"type":354,"marks":779},"Pacific Coast Highway and Big Sur",[780],{"type":503,"attrs":781},{"href":782,"uuid":783,"anchor":207,"target":750,"linktype":28},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Fusa\u002Fpacific-coast-highway-big-sur","b119a332-adb2-438d-bf8c-431fe817596c",{"type":374,"content":785},[786],{"type":350,"content":787},[788],{"text":789,"type":354,"marks":790},"USA travel guide",[791],{"type":503,"attrs":792},{"href":793,"uuid":794,"anchor":207,"target":750,"linktype":28},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Famericas\u002Fusa\u002F","ad644723-b55d-4939-ac16-6002061d04c7",[],{"_uid":797,"theme":14,"author":14,"component":798,"author_name":14,"author_text":14,"author_image":799,"section_overline":800,"facebook_share_link":801,"instagram_share_link":802},"ddc4438f-6cd2-4e9e-9306-4c5794a3830f","ArticleFooter",{"id":207,"alt":207,"name":14,"focus":207,"title":207,"filename":14,"copyright":207,"fieldtype":16},"Enjoy Yosemite",{"id":14,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":14},{"id":14,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":14},{"_uid":804,"card_type":805,"component":806,"filter_by":807},"de14b32f-e688-4dbd-ad65-5177b863cf06","stories to inspire your next trip","PaginatedArticles",{"_uid":808,"plugin":809,"values":810},"cc4ccf77-4441-4d9f-9dd7-4fbfb18583b3","storyblok-tags-select",[249,119,811],"National Park","Article",{"id":14,"alt":328,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":328,"width":329,"height":330,"source":331,"filename":307,"copyright":332,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":814,"public_id":334,"aspect_ratio":335,"content_type":336,"is_external_url":210},{"alt":328,"title":328},"yosemite-national-park","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Fusa\u002Fyosemite-national-park",-30,[249,811,119],228543848008261,"727f4bb5-4504-4aa8-a866-55a2524d1113","2026-10-09T07:10:41.879Z",[]]