Yosemite National Park

A picture of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park on a foggy day. Everyone has sunny pictures of this view, the fog is cool!

Climbing El Capitan

Some climbers take a break from the rain on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. Read up on mountain climbing in Yosemite.

Mariposa grove parking lot

This giant sequoia is smack in the middle of the Mariposa Grove Parking lot in Yosemite National Park. From the parking lot you can hike up and see more giant sequoias, ride an open "tram" around the trees for $25 a person, or shrug it off as one big tree looks pretty similar to another big trees and go on your way. I don't particularly suggest the tram (a cart pulled by a tractor) unless you have a high tolerance for diesel fumes, but walking the whole trail is a little much unless you have a lot of time to spend in Yosemite. For my money, walk a bit on the grove trail from the parkinglot, then turn around when you're nearly bored. Laura has more.

Yosemite National Park, California

A picture of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park on an annoyingly foggy day. You know it is not a good day for pictures when the gate ranger suggests you go take in a movie. The roads were already starting to close this weekend, hopefully they plow them out and reopen soon. Check out the Yosemite blog for more information.

Yosemite National Park.

Yosemite Falls

This is the best time to visit Yosemite National Park. The walk to the point in the picture is just about 30 minutes. I recommend staying at a bed and breakfast just outside the park, and then driving in for your Yosemite adventures. Unless you're into planning ahead, staying in the park itself is difficult.

Yosemite National Park.

Probably 90% of Yosemite tourists take this picture, more here.

Yosemite Falls upper and lower.

Yosemite National Park is a fairly interesting four hour drive from San Francisco and then its about two more really interesting hours to get into the valley. Its easy to drive to the park edge after work, stay at a hotel right outside the border then go into the valley the next day. I've never met anyone who didn't absolutely love the place and wanted to take a million pictures of everything, one of those places you have to see at least once in your lifetime. Its best in the spring, thats when the waterfalls are in full force, drive to the valley early then hike to one of them. There are several different hiking options from easy to extreme so you can pick one you know you can handle. Check out the Yosemite Blog for more information.