Here's the itinerary from my trip - Hiked Half Dome, but that is not an option with young kids - so skip that day but the rest should be great for you and the kids - let me know if you have any questions.
Friday Sep 18Drive 4 hrs from SFO to
Yosemite View Lodge just outside the park entrance. (209)379-2681
- After about 2.5 hours and 150 miles outside SFO, stop for dinner at the enchanting
Vista Ranch and Cellars Restaurant live music, wood fired pizza, wine, etc.
www.vistacellars.com Saturday Sep 19- Drive 1 hr 45 minutes to
Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center and the Yosemite High Country hiking area
o 1 hour to
Olmsted Point (view of half dome) mile hike awesome!
o 3 minutes to
Tenaya Lake - just walk to it and relax... don't walk the 2.5 mile loop around
o 15 minutes to
Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center many options to look and hike
o 25 minutes back to
May Lake hike 3 miles round trip 3 hours -
DON'T MISS! - Drive an hour back to the Valley
o Stop by
Bridevail Falls short hike nice don't miss since it doesn't take long.
o Drive past
El Capitan see climbers going up
o
Mountain Room Restaurant 209-372-1403 is a good spot for dinner great outdoor views
- Drive 20 minutes back to Yosemite View Lodge
Sunday Sep 20 - Leave by 5 am for
Half Dome 30 minute drive -park near Curry Village or Happy Isles Trailhead Parking.
- Sunrise is 6:39 am - We started the 17 mile trek at 5:30 am (dark!!) and got back to the car at 6:30 pm
o Take the Mist Trail on the way up (lots of steep steps) and then come back down via the John Muir Trial
- Dinner at the
Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite Village 5 Star beautiful! (Great breakfast brunch also!)
- Back to Yosemite View Lodge
Monday Sep 21- Drive to
Inspiration Point check it out at sunrise
DON'T MISS SUNRISE AMAZING!- Drive 1 hour to
Glacier Point. Stop at
Washburn Point on the way up.
- Head back to SFO
Other things to keep in mind:
Yosemite National Park 209-372-0200
www.nps.gov/yoseValley Visitor Center 209-372-0299 open 9-5
Cathedral Lakes we didn't make it consider next time?
Wear hiking boots and bring gloves for half dome
Sunscreen, lip balm, mosquito repellant, camel back for water and definitely bring flashlights