How To Get To Yosemite From Los Angeles
If you are looking to take in some natural beauty, then look no further than California! The state has so many beautiful places that it is hard to choose where to visit next. Some of the most well-known destinations include Disneyland, Universal Studios, Valley View Casino, Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, and of course, Yosemite.
Yosemite is one of America’s top tourist attractions. It is home to incredible geological features like waterfalls and cliffs as well as spectacular wildlife. There are several ways to get to Yosemite from outside of the park. This article will talk about the best routes for traveling to the park.
Reminder: You do not need to spend a lot to have an amazing experience here. Many things can be done free of cost or very cheaply. Even if you pay more to go into the national parks, these tips will still help you enjoy them greatly.
Fly into LA
If you are coming from out of town, then your first stop should be deciding where to stay in California’s largest city. Luckily for you, we have gathered some helpful information here for you.
There is nothing wrong with staying in the heart of downtown Manhattan or Chicago, but if you want to truly get away there are many great options outside of the busy areas.
You will find yourself spending more time outside than inside after visiting one of these locations. All of them offer easy access to major highways, airports, and rail stations. Some even have shuttle services that take you directly to the park!
Some may feel like they are too expensive, but when you consider all of the amenities offered it is totally worth it. Check out this article to learn about our favorite places to stay in Los Angeles.
Connect with an LA-based tour company
Many companies offer bus tours from Los Angeles that take you through the surrounding areas of California as well as into national parks like Yosemite. These are usually organized in groups where people typically pay around $100 per person to go on the trip.
Some common stops include San Francisco, Nevada, Las Vegas, Death Valley, Hoover Dam, Lake Tahoe, and more. Some even have night time trips where you stay at hotels close by so you can enjoy sleep after your day trip!
By adding these extra days to your vacation, you’ll be able to explore more than just one area. For example, some buses will stop at both Hoover dam and Reno which gives you two totally different experiences within one week.
These types of tours are very popular due to how cost effective and fun they are! If you are looking to see more of the country or want to spend more time in a specific area, this is a good way to do it.
Stay in the Yosemite area
If you are coming from the west, there are several airports that can get you into the park easily. Most of these have shuttle services or taxis that take you directly to areas with easy access such as downtowns or cruise ship terminals where you can catch a bus into the park.
There are also many cities close to the park that have excellent public transportation systems. Many people live and work within walking distance of a train station, so it is easy to travel into the center of the city using mass transit.
Some popular places to stay near an airport include The Lodge at Tahoe, Hilton Voorhees Hotel & Resort, Hyatt Regency Torrance Center, DoubleTree Anaheim-Convention Ctr., Sheraton Wildwood Court, Courtyard by Marriott San Clemente, and Best Western Premier Lake Elsinore.
Visit other National Parks in California
While traveling to or from Yosemite, you can also visit another one of America’s great natural treasures- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park!
Anza Borrego is located about an hour south of downtown San Diego and features some of the most beautiful sights of any national park in the country.
Not only does it have incredible scenery, but there are many activities and amenities for tourists to enjoy as well.
These include hiking trails, horseback riding, golf courses, and more. In fact, several hotels close by offer free shuttle service to these sites so that visitors do not need to use public transportation.
Visit San Francisco
While most people talk about visiting California for its beaches, natural beauty, and outdoor activities like hiking or cycling, what many don’t realize is that there are actually plenty of ways to get outside in California almost every day!
If you live in the LA area, spending some time in other major cities is an excellent way to experience nature close up. Some of these experiences can be free if you are willing to look for them, making it possible to enjoy nature without having to spend extra money.
San Francisco is one such city that offers lots of opportunities to connect with nature. Not only does it have beautiful scenery at all hours, but also several great parks and trails where you can stroll, run, or even take more active routes.
There are two airports located within easy reach of SF so if you choose to make the trip during non-peak times, your options remain unchanged. If not, consider which ones offer better transit connections than others so that you do not need to use car services to move around.
This article will discuss some cheap ways to see the Golden State from the air and how to best utilize those opportunities while you are here. We will go over both domestic and international flights so that everyone can find something they feel comfortable with.
See the Hollywood sign
If you are ever in LA, then it is worth your time to see the cityscape of Los Angeles. Some very famous buildings have been incorporated into the skyline as part of this process. One such building is called The Hollywood Sign.
The Hollywood Sign was built in 1923 by artist Georgia O’Keeffe. It took her over two years to complete and she spent most of that time painting directly next to the large granite slab where now the letters of “HOLLYWOOD” can be seen.
This is not an easy place to visit because there is no entrance or exit- only viewing from above gives the full effect. Luckily for those who want to see it, The Getty Museum owns and maintains the sign so it is protected well!
Another great way to get some pictures of the sign is at night when it looks more dramatic. During winter months, visitors may also find the Hollywood Sign white and beautiful which adds to its mystique.
Eat delicious food
While you can’t go camping in Yosemite, or staying at one of the many hotels that cater to tourists, you are able to stay somewhere close by where you can wake up and start your day with some great eating.
Yosemite is known for its incredible hiking so there are lots of opportunities to explore local cuisine while exploring the area. Many restaurants offer discounts if you show proof of hotel reservation which makes it easy to spend money while on vacation!
Food in California has an excellent reputation so don’t hesitate to try new things. Even if you aren’t sure what something is, ask about it because chances are someone else has tried it and knows how good it is.
Another way to enjoy yourself more quickly during your trip is to learn the basics of taking care of your health and fitness. The best place to find health-related information is at a community center, university, or online source. You should be aware of any important announcements they make so you can attend without having to pay extra for a membership.
Do some shopping
While you can’t bring everything with you when you travel, you will need to have appropriate clothing for your trip in Yosemite. You don’t want to be stuck waiting outside because there was an unexpected rainfall while you were inside trying on lots of clothes!
Since most people that visit Yosemite take transportation, it is helpful to know where all the major transport hubs are so you can make sure you’re prepared.
Some places to buy new or used gear include tourist areas and online sites like Amazon. Make sure to look into seller reviews as well to ensure you're getting what you paid for.