yosemite tips and recommendations

[AmericasTorturedBrow]

8 of us (4 adults, 4 children ranging age 2.5yo - 7.5yo) are going to Yosemite for the final weekend of August, driving up from LA and back again. Travel plan is to leave LA Thursday afternoon before rush hour or leave post rush hour and stay in a motel somewhere along the freeway, then do the second half of the journey friday am. Prob head back Sunday or Monday, taking the full day.

Anyone been? What are your top tips? Should we book a cabin in or as close to the park itself, anywhere in particular? I personally am not a camping fan, though the others are! It's a short amount of time and we have small children so any tips and recommendations appreciated

We're going 1st week in Aug and all accomodation in the valley has been booked up for months.
There may be some availability at curry village, but didn't look that nice - and we're hardened campers!
We booked an apartment about 30 mins away, I'll dig out the details and post them

This is where we're staying

www.scenicwonders.com/?gclid=CPfIxby8nr8CFeyWtAodO1cA6Q

I've been looking at AirBnB places outside the park (some 45mins drive) but they all seem to be near to other cool stuff - redwoods and waterfalls and hikes, do you think that's worth doing?

As you are going at a quieter time of year I think you will be ok staying outside the park. The accommodation inside the park is incredibly overpriced anyway.
We went early September and stayed at Tenaya Lodge in Fish Camp which was 10 mins into the park. There was very little traffic within the park but I know peak season it would be a nightmare to drive into the park.
I do think you need to stay as close as you can though because the distances in the park are huge, especially with little kids, you don't want them grumpy before you even get there.
I went pre DC so don't quote me on this but I think you will need to think about back pack carriers for the little ones if you want to do much in the way of exploring. The paths can be steep. It really is a place for walking/climbing. If you have outdoorsy kids though they will love the giant redwoods and exploring the forests.
I loved Yosemite and would love to go back. In sure you will have a wonderful trip.

Oh and the waterfalls will be dry in Yosemite in August, it's still beautiful without them though

ah good point. I'm worried about it being really busy as it's Labour Day weekend though....

Labor Day is the first Monday in Sep. Many states have started back at school by then so it's the end of the season.

There are loads of motels around the edge if the park so look at those as you're likely to find somewhere. Most camping is for RVs although there is some walk in camping. Which is actually drive in with a tent space. It is pretty basic. When you get to the park entrance they will give you maps of trails etc which are really clearly marked with difficulty length and other info so you can plan it.

All of this is online as well. The roads around Yosemite are slow so head for the nearest entrance to LA. Don't try to save a bit of money by going to the far side. It takes a day to get across the mountains.

The drive in is pretty amazing if kids old enough to enjoy scenery. It's twisty turny roads and amazing rock formations even before you get there.

Yeah I know - my son starts school two weeks before but my friends' kids (in private school) don't start until the Tuesday after Labour Day

Thanks for travel advice...maybe hiring an RV is an idea? The two older boys will prob love to be in a tent as well. In fact I think everyone bar me would be up for it...maybe I'll just get a nice little studio lodge on the outskirts and see them at the beginning and end of the trip

will def have a look at the motels

Yosemite is amazing - but do try to get out of the Valley, which is the 'main drag' for visitors. If you can get even a little distance off the main paths you get a chance to really appreciate some of the scenery, without being surrounded by hordes of day-trippers.