Unveiling Yosemite: A 5-Day Journey to Hidden Wonders, Iconic Trails, and Half Dome Heights
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Yosemite National Park came on my radar when my sister and her family extended an invitation to join them on their Half Dome hike last summer. Their offer ignited my curiosity, compelling me to dive into preliminary research about the park. As I revisited that research for this blog, I found myself instinctively crafting a five-day itinerary. Instead of simply presenting my findings, I chose to embrace the planning process and share an itinerary that I would personally follow. My hope is that this inspires you to embark on your next adventure—allowing me to guide you along the way.
The following itinerary is for 5 days inside the park and two travel days making is a 7-day trip occuring between late Spring to early Fall.
Day 1: Arrival at San Francisco airport (3.5-4hr away from park)
Early afternoon: Land and check into San Francisco hotel. Explore the city for the evening.
You could also fly into Sacramento (similar distance from the park as San Francisco) or Fresno Yosemite (about 2 hours from the park), but I chose San Francisco because I haven’t been there in years and want to revisit the area.
Matt and I prefer AirBnB or VRBO while traveling so we can cook a few meals during trips, but since it is just for one night a hotel room works just fine.
Budget hotel: Hilton Garden Inn San Francisco Airport North
Great reviews and free parking; Outside the city but a quick drive to downtown to check out the city's highlights
This is a good budget-friendly option as you will have a car anyways
Easy access to freeway for a quicker departure to Yosemite
Premium hotel: Hotel Caza Fisherman's Wharf
Right downtown, great amenities, and walking distance to many city highlights;
Great option if you want to get the true city experience
May deal with morning rush hour when departing for Yosemite
San Francisco highlights
Visit the Iconic Golden Gate Bridge (But of course!)
Explore Alcatraz Island and prison (I hear its haunted!)
Walk Fisherman’s Wharf (Be sure to say hi to the seals)
Walk Lombard Street (Crookedest street in the world)
Indulge at Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience (A must for my sweet tooth!)
Get a panoramic view of the city at Twin Peaks (Great place for a beautiful sunset)
Yosemite Valley Lodge
Curry village
Day 2: Arrival and Yosemite Valley Highlights
Morning: Depart for Yosemite National Park
Leave San Francisco around 7am to arrive at Yosemite National Park around lunch time. Check into lodging if room is available.
After looking at both inside the park lodging and outside the park lodging, I decided to go with inside the park. Any reasonably priced Airbnb was in West Yosemite which is about a 30-minute drive to the park’s central location.
Premier lodging: Yosemite Valley Lodge
For views of Yosemite Falls, great location, many conveniences, pool and restaurants
Great choice for families
Budget lodging: Curry Village
Choose from motel room, classic cabin, or canvas tents (I personally would choose a canvas tent), pool, dining options, seasonal availability, basic accommodations
Great for a more rustic experience
Afternoon: Explore Yosemite Valley
Yosemite Valley is the hub of the park and great starting spot for your visit
Here you can get your bearings and any questions answered by visiting the Welcome Center. Don’t skip out on the other informational centers and museums in the area to learn the most you can about Yosemite.
Evening: Dinner at The Loft at Degnan’s and visit Tunnel View for a stunning sunset
Tunnel View is a famous viewpoint offering stunning views of Yosemite Valley. From here, you can see El Capitan on the left, Bridalveil Fall on the right, and Half Dome in the distance.
tunnel view at sunset
This spot is perfect for photographers and nature lovers, providing a picturesque scene that changes with the light throughout the day. Accessible via Wawona Road (Highway 41), Tunnel View is a must-visit for anyone exploring the valley.
Because of the popularity of this viewpoint, you will want to arrive 1 hour early.
There is parking right at the viewpoint, or you can walk up to a short, 1-mile trail to Inspiration Point for a less crowded showing.
Day 3: Glacier Point and 4-mile Trail
Morning: Glacier Point Tour to Glacier Point
Book tour ahead of time to ensure a morning departure
Enjoy a big breakfast before leaving and pack snacks and water to fuel during hike.
Once at Glacier Point stroll to the overlook (0.5miles), which is 3,200 feet above Yosemite Valley, and experience iconic views of the valley floor and the high Sierra.
Continue onto the 4-mile trail
A 3.5-hour hike back to Yosemite Valley with views of El Capitan and the Cathedral Rocks tower to the west, while Yosemite Falls plummets in the north and Half Dome looms eastward.
The trail ends about a mile west of Yosemite Village
Ride the Valleywide Shuttle (summer only) or use connecting trails to walk back to lunch destination
Afternoon: Recuperate from morning hike and enjoy a stroll to Mirror Lake
Make your way back to lodging to rest
Once refreshed, take shuttle to Mirror Lake trailhead (stop #17)
Mirror Lake
1.5-hour easy loop trail around Mirror Lake, a seasonal calm lake located on Tenaya Creek and situated in Tenaya Canyon directly between North Dome and Half Dome. It is the last remnant of a large glacial lake that once filled the entire Yosemite Valley.
Evening: Relax and enjoy a nice dinner out at The Ahwahnee
Enjoy a big dinner before your BIG hike tomorrow
Day 4: Half Dome Hike
10-12 hour hike
The trail takes you through diverse terrains, including steep switchbacks and rocky paths. The final ascent involves climbing steel cables anchored into the granite rock face, offering breathtaking panoramic views of Yosemite Valley and the High Sierra.
Who’s stoked?!?! I know I am 😊
Hiking in the dark is not enjoyable or safe so if you haven't reached the top of Half Dome by 3:30 pm, turn around. Check for sunrise and sunset times before you hike.
Each person should carry a good flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries (your cell phone doesn't count).
To hike Half Dome, you’ll need a permit when the cables are up, typically from late May to mid-October. Here’s how the permit system works:
Day Hikers: Permits are distributed via a lottery system on Recreation.gov. There’s a preseason lottery in March, where you can apply for up to six permits for specific dates or a range of dates. Results are announced in mid-April. Additionally, there’s a daily lottery during the hiking season, offering permits two days in advance.
Backpackers: If you plan to camp in Little Yosemite Valley, you can request a Half Dome permit along with your wilderness permit. This option is ideal for those embarking on multi-day trips.
Important Details:
Only 300 hikers are allowed on the trail beyond the subdome each day (225 day hikers and 75 backpackers).
Permit holders must bring a photo ID and email confirmation of their permit.
The cables’ availability depends on weather conditions, so always check the current status before planning your hike.
Early Morning: Begin the Half Dome hike.
Pack day-hike pack: water bladder, high carb snacks and lunch for at the top
Big breakfast and leave at dawn or earlier
Take shuttle (stop #16) or walk to John Muir trailhead
Shuttle service doesn't begin until 7 am, so if you're arriving prior to then, you can walk on the road (closed to all but authorized vehicles) to the trailhead.
Follow the Mist Trail up to the Half Dome
At the top, enjoy lunch while surrounded by the beautiful views
Afternoon: Start your descent no later than 3:30
Take the John Muir Trail for a change of scenery on the way down
Evening: Rest and recover at your lodging.
Indulge in some pizza and ice cream
Dinner: 7-Points Pavillion
Ice cream: Jennie’s Ice Cream
Alternate option: If you are not able to obtain a permit for Half Dome and still wanting full-day hike, Clouds Rest is a prefect alternative.
Day 5: Tuolumne Meadows and Olmsted Point
Morning: Day trip to Tuolumne Meadows for serene alpine scenery and easy hikes
Enjoy a slow morning and breakfast
Pack a brown-bag lunch, plenty of water, and snacks
Begin a no-rush drive to Tuolumne Meadows
Hike Tuolumne Grove (90-minute hike)
Marvel at nearly two dozen mature giant sequoias in the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. You’ll get to walk on one of the first roads into Yosemite Valley
Afternoon: Hike Olmsted Point and lunch by Tenaya Lake
Olmsted Point is famous for its picture postcard views of Half Dome, Tenaya Lake and Clouds Rest. Bonus is it is only 0.4 miles!
Enjoy beautiful scenery while having lunch by Tenaya Lake
Caught between immense granite domes and clear Sierra Nevada sky, Tenaya Lake is the largest lake in Yosemite's frontcountry. Because of its remarkable scenic qualities, its inviting blue water, and its proximity to Tioga Road, Tenaya Lake is one of the most popular destinations for summer visitors in Yosemite. It is quite popular for picnicking, swimming, and canoeing.
Continue onto Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center to learn about the area's geology, plant and animal life, and history.
Day 6: Mariposa Grove and San Francisco
Morning: Pack and visit Mariposa Grove
Pack up your things, grab breakfast, and check-out
Drive to Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Largest sequoia grove in Yosemite and is home to over 500 mature giant sequoias
In peak times, park at the Mariposa Welcome Plaza and take the free shuttle to the grove.
Hike Grizzly Giant Loop trail (easy 2-miles)
View notable trees such as the Bachelor and Three Graces, the 3,000-year-old Grizzly Giant, and California Tunnel Tree.
Afternoon: Depart for San Fransico (about 4-hr drive)
Stop at Southgate Brewing Company for lunch
Choose from steak, a burger and fries, or wood-fired pizza
Evening: Check-in to San Francisco Airport hotel
Hilton Garden Inn San Francisco Airport North
Day 7: Departure
Morning: Depart from San Francisco International Airport
Afternoon/Evening: Home Sweet Home
