Yosemite & San Fran - September 2021

does anyone have any experience with Yosemite recently?

My friends, who live just south of the south entrance, went to Yosemite last week, during the week, with the necessary park entry reservation. Arriving at 730am there were just a few cars ahead of them to enter. There were minimal crowds and plenty of parking at each of their park stops.

Leaving the park mid afternoon (around 2 or 3) they told me the line of cars to enter was miles long, with entering visitors waiting for departures.

Rental bicycles are available for the mostly-flat Valley floor -- might be easier than trying to find parking spaces at viewpoints like Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil Falls.

Three days in Yosemite Valley is probably enough, but it probably isn't enough if you want to go up to the high country and hike near Tuolomne Meadows, which is at much higher elevation and has a different feel. It's hard to recommend hikes without knowing the difficulty level you'd prefer. The hike to Vernal and Nevada Falls from the valley is great (https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/valleyhikes.htm), and you can choose to only go part way if you want. Taking a shuttle to Glacier Point and walking down is also terrific (there are two ways to do that--a shorter steeper one called the Four-Mile Trail and the longer Panorama Trail that goes by the falls). See https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/glacierhikes.htm. There are a number of easier hikes in the valley as well, which you can find on the nps website.

Thank you all for your replies.
We are staying 2 nights at Yosemite Lodge and 1 night at Curry Village. If we were to book a third night we could book at either of those, or it looks like additional park lodging has opened up, as well.
I've read that the park shuttles are not running currently, I guess due to Covid.

A number of my thoughts:

1.) It’s high fire season in CA. Make certain to research news stories about CA fires before you leave. The state is dealing with drought conditions. The Dixie Fire which is approximately 4.5 hours North of Yosemite Valley has been raging since mid July. It is nowhere near contained. Air pollution is high in Plumas, Lassen and Butte counties.

2.) Waking early and walking along a path into Yosemite meadow to watch sunrise if not cloudy is something to consider. I Also, at night if it’s a clear sky standing in the meadow and looking up to see the stars can be memorable. Been visiting Yosemite for over 50 years. Never fails to impress. However, with the drought conditions don’t expect the various waterfalls to be as impressive as they could be.

3.) To appreciate CA’s Giant Sequoia trees, consider stopping to visit the Nelder Grove outside of Yosemite park on your drive back to SF. Less crowded.

In regards to San Francisco (The City by The Bay)

1.) Be prepared for the out of control homeless situation.

2.) Dress in layers.

3.) Don’t call it Frisco!

4.) The City by The Bay is more often cloudy and grey in the Fall.

5.) Walk along the foot path by Chrissy Field for stellar views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Follow the path all the way to the Wave Organ.

6.) From the Wave Organ you can walk up to Home Plate for breakfast or lunch. I like that entire SF neighborhood. Filmore Street, Steiner, Webster et al.

7.) Take the N Judah line to the Outer Sunset. Get off
Judah St and 9th Ave and walk to Perilla’s for garlic noodles.

8.) If looking for unique art visit Creativity Explored. It’s on 16th Ave close to Mission Dolores. Creativity Explored features art work by individuals with developmental disabilities. I visit each time I’m in The City and then head to Mission Dolores Park for the views or if in good weather, enjoying a picnic lunch. I’ve bought more than a few pieces of artwork there.

9.) For years I enjoyed staying at the Laurel Motor Inn when I drove into The City. However, it’s no longer cheap and haven’t stayed there for over 15 years. It was practical because of the car and I liked the neighborhood. Especially the nearby The Vogue movie theater. Not sure if The Vogue still exists.

10.) you want a good workout and stay at The Laurel Inn head out to the Lyon Street Steps. SF is about hills and interesting views. These steps provide both.

My son was in Yosemite this past Sunday. He arrived at the Tioga Pass entrance at noon and had to wait an hour to get i to the park. Once in the park he drove on Tioga Road and to the Valley. He did not find it that crowded and had no trouble finding parking places.

The shuttles are not running.

The Dixie fire affected visibility in the park somewhat in that is was a little hazy. This was less so in the Valley than on Tioga Road. Apparently it varies by day.

I think you'll be glad you chose to stay in the park. It is so nice to walk out of your room in the morning and be in one of the most beautiful places. We visit every couple of years, but most recently in June. It was different due to Covid. Without the trams running, you will need to drive to some trailheads depending on which hikes you choose. For the most part we didn't find parking to be a problem, I'm sure due to the decrease in visitors allowed. We rented bikes one day and that was a lot of fun.

If your planned stay at Curry Village is in the tent cabins, I'd try to switch that night to the lodge also? The tent cabins are really close together, so you'll hear everything from neighbors all around you. I actually like to tent camp, but I don't enjoy the set up there. If your Curry Village stay is in the hard side cabins w/bath, or the Stoneman, those are nicer. Also, check-in isn't until 5pm so if you change rooms you'll be without your base most of the day, because you'll need to be out of your room by 10.

Not all of the dining has reopened, and we did see long lines many times at the different eateries. Something to consider is a stop at a grocery store for some picnic/snack type items on your drive to the park. The lodge has small refrigerators in the rooms, and there are so many wonderful places to picnic. So much better than sitting in a cafeteria, with food that is really mediocre.

If you stay on Chicago time, you will be up and out before most. The trails were busiest in the midday and afternoon.

Please respect the speed limit; speeding kills bears. Please, remember this. Remember that when traveling through Yosemite, we are all just visitors in the home of countless animals and it is up to us to protect them. Respect the speed limit, stay alert, and look out for wildlife.

Learn more at http://keepbearswild.org/vehicle-bear-collisions/.

Also, make sure you always keep all food (including drinks, trash, and other scented items like lip balm) stored properly. If your food is not within arm’s reach, it is too far away. People often leave food unattended while swimming and bears will take that opportunity to eat our high-calorie food. Once a bear starts seeing areas with people as a food source, it is hard to dissuade them from trying again and again to obtain it. Once this happens, there is an increased safety threat to both the bear and people.

You can save a bear's life: do your part to keep them safe! If a bear approaches you or your picnic, act immediately to scare it away. Yell as loudly and aggressively as possible while making yourself look big. American black bears—the only bears living in Yosemite—are innately scared of people and will typically run away if they see you as the bigger, more assertive animal. (If you see a bear away from development, like in a meadow or forest, enjoy it from a distance of at least 50 yards away.)

For SF I recommend SF City Guides Walking Tours. They are free but ask for a donation at the end. They’re great.

https://sfcityguides.org/

I also recommend the Haas-Liliental House. A Victorian, with the original furniture, that is now a museum and open to the public with docent led tours.

https://www.haas-lilienthalhouse.org/

Definitely check out the wildfire situation! We just returned from almost a week in Lake Tahoe (8/25) and it was smoky and hazy and getting worse. I realize Yosemite is south but if it's expected to be smoky and hazy you might want to push your trip back.

If it works for your itinerary, I think one of the most spectacular views in S.F. is that from the road just outside the Palace of the Legion of Honor. You are outside the Golden Gate Bridge , looking back at it. Of course, if it’s foggy, don’t bother. I do think, however, that the fog tends to diminish as September rolls around. It’s more of a high summer phenomenon.
Being there is also an opportunity to partake in a local culinary treat, Asian food. Along Geary and Clement streets there innumerable restaurants with Chinese, Thai, Burmese, and probably other cuisines.

Baker Beach, very near the Palace of the Legion of Honor, is also a spectacular place for an iconic Golden Gate Bridge photo.

You might also consider taking the ferry from The Ferry Bldg (fun place to visit) to Sausalito, a charming town on the Bay on the north side of the GG Bridge. It’s a 30 min ride with amazing views.