As a continuation from the 3 Days in San Francisco recommendations, here are some of my suggestions for day trips around the extended area:
Yosemite National Park – 2-3 Days:
Yosemite is currently requiring reservations due to the ongoing pandemic – the reservation grants you 3 days of access, and even that isn’t enough time to see everything at this massive National Park.
We visited in September when the weather was still warm enough to swim, to bike, and to hike – although many of the waterfalls had dried up at this time. Also, we were surprised how few restaurants and lodging were available, and reservation tickets were required, so certainly plan in advance.
For a perfect introduction to the part, start with hiking the Cooks Meadow Loop hike (2.25 miles) around Yosemite Valley for an easy, flat, and not too busy hike with stunning views. You’ll be greeted by green meadows along the river with Half Dome and granite cliffs soaring above. Normally, you could also see views of Yosemite Falls, but they had dried up by the late Summer and Fall, so the side trip to the falls wasn’t worthwhile for us.
Also within Yosemite Valley was a small village perfect for picking up food, souvenirs, mailing a post card at the Post Office, and seeing the Ansel Adams black and white photography gallery. I’d also strongly recommend bicycles as this is perfect to see around this area on paved biking trails.
For a “big hike”, I’d recommend the Mist Trail (7 miles) although you could do more or less than that. This trail takes you past several beautiful spots including Vernal and Nevada Falls – the Vernal Falls still was flowing in the late summer.
Finally, unless you’re planning to go to Sequoia National Park, I’d conclude at the Mariposa Grove to see the giant sequoia trees. Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, the bus shuttles were closed requiring a 3 mile hike (one-way) to the Grizzly Giant.
If we had more time, I’d go back to see slackliner’s climbing at Taft Point (2.2 miles), Sentinel Dome (2.2 mile) steep hike towards the rocky dome, and to drive out to Glacier Point (1 hour from Yosemite Village).
Sequoia National Park:
Visiting the “Land of the Giants” or Sequoia National Park is worth the 4 hour drive from Yosemite National Park. After entering the park, it’s about an hour drive from the Visitor Center to the giant trees located high on top of the Granite rocks.
I’d recommend starting with the General Sherman Tree, the largest living tree by volume with a massive circumference of 102 feet and 275 feet tall. Next, hike the east 0.75 Big Trees Trail around the Round Meadow to learn about the sequoia ecology. After a difficult 300 steps, the Moro Rock also provides fantastic view of the Great Western Divide.
You may also consider these other day trips around San Francisco:
Napa or Sonoma for Wineries
Drive down the Pacific Coast Highway — Monterey and Half Moon Bay
Muir Woods easy 2 mile hike with redwoods and Sausalito sea-side community
What else are your favorites to do around San Francisco?
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I can’t believe Yosemite is limiting visits to only three days. I guess everyone has to be very deliberate about what they see. I hiked the Half Dome when I was in my twenties. I wish I would have spent more time at the top because the views were amazing!