Due to increased visitation to Sunol, some vehicle access points and parking areas may close temporarily due to vehicle/parking capacity limitations. If you are car camping, then you will need to bring a lot more than if you are staying in the lodge or even one of the hotels. ), splashing through rivers, and spying out some of the best natural scenes in the US is one of the best trips you can do with your family. Saw some friendly cows as well. Having fun with kids will make you stress-free and will give you a peaceful mind. Keep this in mind while packing and separate all of these things into their own bag for ease of packing up the bear locker every day. Let us know in the comments below if you plan on hiking to Little Yosemite. The shuttle does not go here, so if is best to go early or later in the day as parking can be difficult. Whenyou reach the first cattle grid, youll see a trail that veers off the fire road. If you are on a tighter budget, there are also plenty of campgrounds where you can pitch your own tent, as well as Housekeeping Camp where your tent is pitched, but you do everything else just as you would on a regular camping trip. We recommend visiting in the shoulder seasons if possible as the weather is moderate and crowds are less. With that said, you're still getting in a great climb, and spending the day outdoors on one of the bay area's most challenging climbs. If you want to keep valuables in your bear locker, bring a lock from home to lock it. Very buce hike with some shading. also lots of people ignoring the do not swim/wade signs plus some graffiti on the rocks, both of which are so aggravating to me. worth it when the hills are green! Going the scenic route brings plenty of stream side fun and exploring. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. We aim to inspire families to explore where and when they can even if its in their own city! Exploration will reveal sandstone outcrops with fossils deposited in what was once ancient seabed. The gravel road will be dusty and shade is sparse. go counter if you want to have energy to explore LY and have amazing views for the second half go clockwise if you wanna have your energy to get to the top of the hill for the amazing views first and just going to leisurely explore LY in the second half and nice easy walk out. There is one place in Curry Village (at the lodge, across from the dining area) that you can get internet access, but you need to go early in the morning or in middle of the day to get on. One youve finished exploring Little Yosemite, go back up Cerro Este Road and Canyon View Trail to return to the trailhead. (This also means no wading or dogs in the creek) The gate will be near a bridge. Glacier Point Overlook offers one of the most iconic views over the park. Easy trail. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your This is a popular park, fit for families and Fido. It is open to the public through a lease agreement with the San Francisco Water Department, which owns the property. Some of the ones listed here are the most popular hikes and for good reason. To reach the Old Green Barn take the first left after the park entrance.From the Oakland-Berkeley area, drive east on I-580 to the junction with I-680. We didnt even venture out to the other areas of Yosemite, like the Hetch Hetchy area which we hear is also breathtaking. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. If you stay in Curry Village like us, you will need to bring less than camping, but more than a traditional hotel stay. Plenty off off road trails to escape the crowds. Required fields are marked *. We have heard that the stargazing program is great, but it was a bit late for our young children. One of the easiest walks in the park is here at Lower Yosemite Falls. They're very easy to spot on the side latter half of the trail. Speaking of which there's a quarry close enough to see and hear that's taken down a hill face. Flowers blooming everywhere. " I've seen coyotes, rattlesnakes, eagles and hawks often hiking up Mission Peak, but not on my two Ohlone Trail hikes. We opted for the tent cabins. Not that scenic, at least on this trail. A bike rental will cost around $30 per day. Dogs: Yes. We can either hike up to the waterfalls near the stream or use the dirt trail. Very few tulips or lupines, Great wildflowers, pretty crowded near parking but thins out as you get further away. Such a beautiful hike! one day i will travel around the USA with my kids! In an ideal world, if you can at least spend a week you will have time to visit most areas of the park, visit nature centers and take in a few ranger presentations too. Your email address will not be published. Get there early very popular area. Other notes: 1-Oct. 31: 8am-7pm. There are several waterfalls and some dry out on hot days. My pup is too young to go any longer. Ask for trail suggestions, learn about recent animal sightings, purchase an Ohlone Wilderness Trail permit, and meet our animal ambassadors a gopher snake, rattle snake, western toad, western pond turtle, and a tarantula. Or was the bike ride the activity for the day? Streamside, oak woodland, grassland communities. Important to remember, especially at national parks. Parking: There is ample parking. Coast live oaks abound along with valley and blue oak, elderberry, madrone and gray pine. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. Spending quality time with family is a good thing. WOW its so beautiful there! For many of the trails we didnt notice huge crowds. While walking to the Lower Falls you will get a glimpse of the Upper Falls, however note that you cannot see the Upper Falls from the end of the trail. Good view of Calaveras Reservoir. We booked tent cabins 4.5 months in advance without too much trouble. There are several places to stay throughout Yosemite Valley and the greater Yosemite National Park as well as outside the park. Gorgeous in an overcast late afternoon into the evening. Exploring Yosemite with kids while camping (or glamping as it is for us! amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links"; It offers a nice break from the city streets and can be enjoyed by walkers, joggers, and bikers alike. We enjoyed the views on the canyon trail and found it to be a nice easy hike. Parking was super easy and no fee when we went. It is wet and steep, so make sure you prepare for that. Spending time in the great outdoors is the best thing to do in Yosemite with kids. This fine dining restaurant is part of the 4 star hotel in Yosemite Valley. Please abide by the boundary signs and do not trespass onto Water Department lands that are not part of the lease arrangement.Notice:Swimming isNOT allowedin Alameda Creek in the Little Yosemite area. This kid-friendly hiking trail is a must see in the Bay Area. Please explore responsibly! A family trip to Yosemite National Park is the quintessential American summer holiday. Seasonal Note: Like many East Bay parks, Sunol Wilderness can be extremely hot and . Excellent views of San Antonio Reservoir and Mt. Fun rock outcrops to keep the kids entertained and of course, Little . For our son, the Junior Park Ranger Program was a super hit. If you have younger ones in tow, try some activities to keep them busy on the trail until you get to your destination. We mostly rode bikes to areas and then would leave them to do a little hike. Temporary closures due to capacity limitations, Sunol Regional Wilderness - Activity Calendar. Pretty easy to avoid the mud. For those of you not quite into the camping or glamping experience, you do have the option to stay in a lodge at theYosemite Valley Lodge. If so, check out our in-depth guides for some of the other amazing parks in the state. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. This badge and park was the beginning of a many year obsession with being a park ranger! Tunnel View is one of the first views of the Yosemite Valley that most people see as they enter the park from the southern entrance. As a reminder, please do not feed the animals as cute as they are! Follow the main road/trail then go down towards the water. When you make it to the hike, it's also important to realize that without recent rain, there many not actually be a waterfall. Better yet, bring your own bikes! When I finally come to the States, Ill plug in as soon as possible. I think it's a better option because the start of the hike is on gravely road and in the return section of the loop, there are beautiful views of green fields and lush mountains. Wherever you stay, just make sure to stay within the park itself. Nice easy hike, perfect weather, and not muddy. Get a bit of fresh air and some epic views with a family bike ride around Yosemite Valley. We were there for a day last September. Unfortunate it's right on the border of the national park. This depends on where you stay. Amazing!!! This airport is often used by backpackers arriving to Yosemite for the John Muir Trail. It's like . Expect to take many breaks if you are walking with a child. The trail is not covered in most of the sections. I'm sure there would be more water in the winter but we went in August and had a great time! More Info: East Bay Parks Website. As many as 20 to 40 bird species are often seen in a single morning. Crazy but super dope. Looking to stay connected with work or family back home while in Yosemite?Forget it! This trail is not paved, but is easily accessible for even small children. WiFi and cell service does exist, but very rarely works. If you are planning a visit to Californias most iconic park, we have laid out all you need to know in order to have the best trip ever in Yosemite with kids. Explore this 4.6-mile loop trail near Sunol, California. . There are camping options available as well. With acknowledgment that the region we celebrate is the unceded territory of native peoples, our mission is to share activities for East Bay families. 03 | BRIDALVEIL FALLS (.5 mile round trip), 04 | LOWER YOSEMITE FALLS (1 mile round trip), 05 | MIST TRAIL TO VERNAL FALLS (~ 3+ Miles), 06 | SENTINEL MEADOW LOOP & COOKS MEADOW (2.25 miles), Pulling a kid (or two) behind you in a trailer makes the ride a little more difficult, but does not take away the fun and freedom you have of exploring off the roads and away from the, If Traveling with A Group, Make Reservations Together. You might be lucky enough to see some hikers on the dome. Not really impressed with this trail. The hike . Great boulders of greenstone, schist and metachert indicate a turbulent past. TravelerTip: Even if you go in the summer months, book a heated tent cabin. Start your hike by crossing the footbridge at Canyon View Trailhead. A travel obsessed mom and a nature obsessed son exploring at home in Southern California as well as throughout the world looking for adventure, nature and a little luxury too! Little Yosemite is a scenic gorge on Alameda Creek about two miles upstream from the Visitor Center. It is an easy trail for most kids, but it is not stroller friendly as its rocky along the way. Ill definitely consult this list. We try to arrive before 10 am especially on weekends. There are also lots of rocks in the river to walk on. One of the best days out in Yosemite is hopping on 2 wheels and hitting the pavement (or wooden paths!). A little muddy at some parts but doable. Unfortunately this wasnt offered during our stay. The Mist Trail is a beautiful hike with great views throughout. For information about campsites in other parks, please visit theCamping Page. Steady incline, no steep climb, wide (gravel) walkways. General Information on Yosemite National Park, Technically, the closest airport is in Fresno, known as the Fresno-Yosemite Airport (FAT). There is also a fee for dogs. There is NOswimming allowed in Alameda Creek and trespassing is prohibited on Water Department lands that are not accessible to the public. I walked clockwise. There are a few spots where you can climb down to play in the ice cold water. Be careful not to step into any cow pies! Buses: $25/per bus.Dogs: $2 per dog. The small nature center is fun to explore before a ranger guided walk or to cool down later in the day. An Ohlone Wilderness Permit is required for each person age 12 years or older. Water felt great after the hike b/c the sun was beaming. The hike is a easy, short 3 mile loop on a gravel lined, semi-paved road. So, we patiently waited for it to cross. Diablo. The water is flowing generously in the river, from all the rain we've had. The best part was definitely getting to the falls and climbing the boulders! The boulders and waterfalls are beautiful. From the trailhead, it takes an easy walk of only 0.9 of a mile to reach it, a 1.8-mile round trip. Will come back. Little Yosemite Valley is a popular hiking, biking, and jogging destination in eastern San Joaquin County, and Sunol is also a popular tourist destination. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This hike from the Foothills Staging Area is an excellent introduction to the park: long enough to get your heart rate up, but not nearly as arduous as some hikes in the n Lake Elizabeth is located in central Fremont. Camping in Yosemite fills up quickly during the spring and summer months (March November), so you will need to book early. Technically, the closest airport is in Fresno, known as the Fresno-Yosemite Airport (FAT). They also teach about natural and cultural history to children that meet current State Science and Social Science Curriculum Standards during the school year. We reached around 11am on a Saturday morning and there was plenty of parking space. It's a short 2 miles upstream from the visitors center and is open 8am to dusk all year long. Little Yosemite The best way to get to the jumble of huge boulders and waterfalls on Alameda Creek that constitutes Little Yosemite is to turn right on Camp Ohlone Road a short distance.. Leads through "Valley of the Giants." It takes quite a while to get here up winding roads, so we recommend doing it on your way in/out of the park. A miniature version of Yosemite awaits you at the end of this trail, complete with creeks, boulders, and mini waterfalls (seasonally dependent). Hiked this place multiple times and it never fails to amaze me. Visitors from Southern California will enter on the south Wawona on Highway 41 via Oakhurst. I highly suggest you to take the longer trail along the creek. It is free and geared for the whole family. Climbed on the boulders all around and found more small, chill areas! Depending on how much you have already done or are planning for the day, you can continue hiking to the top of Lower Falls which is 2 miles in/out. I brought a garbage bag and carried out about 15 water bottles, trash, 6 pieces of clothing, a baby towel and a soccer ball out of the creek only within a hundred foot span. This is an excellent resource, even without kids! Layers of clothes for all weather. Start early so that you get to park. Very little shade on canyon trail so take note of time and temperature. For those arriving by car, there are multiple entrances into the park.For travelers heading into Yosemite Valley from Northern California, the two main entrances are on the western side of the park along either Highway 120 at Big Oak Flat or Highway 140 (El Portal Road) at the Arch Rock Flat entrance. It offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Little Yosemite in Sunol is a scenic hike offering breathtaking oak lined canyon views and dramatic waterfalls. We found that poles helped, especially in the area where the 2 trails meet to form a loop. Thanks so much to Mishi B, author of Hey Carter! Started the hike around 5:30 in the evening and saw ten spiders. 2023 East Bay Regional Park District.All Rights Reserved. 6-May 17: 8am-8pmMay 18-Sep. 8: 8am-9pmSep. During summer it is hot in the day and cool at night. Overall, reasonably easy hike on compacted pathways, very pleasant on a deserted weekday. Go in the late afternoon or middle of the day to avoid some crowds. The payoff on this short, unassuming hike was wonderful and unexpected. Moderate trail. Very few people. 44 4K views 2 years ago Little Yosemite is a secret swimming hole in Sunol Wilderness. In the spring, the green hills are so beautiful. Parking was easy and not too crowded. Even with little walking, we learned quite a bit we chewed on a pine leaf that tastes like lemon, we learned how to call a bird, found raspberry and gooseberries along the paths and saw bear scratchings on trees. Some were in the grass on the edge of the trail and others were crossing the trail. The trail was more of a road which cut thru the hills. Other attractions include volleyball nets, multiple playgrounds, and aqua adventure park, geese, and peddle boats. This is a great place to get a snack and explore with the kids. Several days of eating in the same few places gets old quickly! Mostly uphill for the first half but not very steep. There are shuttles from Fresno to Yosemite, taking about 1.5 hours to the Southern Entrance at Wawona. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Cant wait to go back and try them myself. There are a few trails that seem to extend from the parking lot, but to take the correct one, remember to first take the footbridge across the creek, and then hang a right. 0 47 4 minutes read. After entering the kiosk youll be able to pick up a brochure with a map at the trail head. During our visit, we had several days of high 90s and 100s.