Yosemite Bed and Breakfast Inns and Vacation Home Rentals
Yosemite Peregrine Lodging



 
Yosemite Travel Tips

Yosemite dogwood in spring
Yosemite Dogwood in the Spring

When is the best time to visit Yosemite?


Yosemite has four distinct seasons:

Spring is the best time to see the waterfalls. Yosemite Valley is filled with Dogwood blossoms in late April-early May. However, the Glacier Point road and Highway 120 over Tioga Pass may be closed due to snow until Memorial Day. Highway 140 has unbelievable wildflowers and redbud in April and good white water rafting.

Summer brings wildflowers to Yosemite Valley and the high Sierra, lazy rafting and swimming, long days and starry nights.

Autumn crisps the air and is a great time for hiking. In October, the colors are spectacular: dogwood leaves are salmon and burgundy, maples turn yellow, and the oaks display a burnished gold. The quaking aspen near Mono Lake are simply unbelievable.

Winter brings snow, lots of snow! There is great cross country skiing at Badger Pass as well as downhill and snow boarding. Often, Yosemite Valley will be free of snow so one can hike, ice skate and ski the same day. Most people enjoy just viewing the awesome snow covered cliffs. It is truly a winter wonderland. Cars are required to carry chains (even four wheel drive). We recommend four wheel drive vehicles.

How long should we stay?

You should plan three nights minimum so you will have two full days to see the three most popular areas: Yosemite Valley, 16 miles North; Glacier Point, 16 miles East, and The Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias (redwoods), 16 miles South. Three full days (four nights) will give you time to visit the incomparable Tuolumne Meadows area and Mono Lake. What is there to do? Walking and hiking everywhere. We will help you plan hikes suitable to your abilities. Fishing, rafting, bicycling, golf, swimming, bird and wildlife viewing, star gazing and you can go fishing....

In Winter, you can nordic ski on the many trails, Alpine ski or snow board at Badger Pass and ice skate in Yosemite Valley. You'll be amazed at the height and power of Yosemite Falls and the unbelievable size of El Capitan. You'll wonder what happened to the other half of Half Dome. So many rock formations: Cathedral Spires, Sentinel Dome, Cloud's Rest, Unicorn Peak, and more. So many waterfalls: Bridal Veil, Nevada, Vernal, Ribbon, Chilnualna, Waterwheel and more. Any one of these alone would make an area famous. And they are all here in Yosemite. Just stare! The view is everywhere! (apologies to author John Updike).

What can we expect for weather and temperature?

This is Camelot! Summer temperatures at the Yosemite Peregrine seldom rise above 80 degrees and the air is very dry. Yosemite Valley can be hotter as it is lower and the cliffs retain heat. Nights are cool and you should bring a jacket. It seldom rains May - October except afternoon storms in the high Sierra. Winters are quite mild considering the amount of snow. Days are usually 40+ degrees and nights around 25 degrees.

Can we use our car in Yosemite Valley?

Absolutely! Despite what you may have heard, cars are allowed in Yosemite Valley and crowding isn't nearly as severe as reported in the press.

How do we get to Yosemite?

Please don't use an online map. Most are inaccurate! Use a printed California map. Travel times are: from the Bay area (4.5 hours) and Napa (5 hours), route 120 is best. From Monterey (4 hours) and Los Angeles (6 hours) you enter the Park on Highway 41. From Tahoe (5 hours) or Death Valley (8 hours) Make sure Tioga Pass is open. Highway 140 is filled with wildflowers in the Spring and is often the best route for Winter driving. As part of our service, we help plan your route and a map to our inn is on this web site.

Why should we choose to stay with you?

Let our guests tell you.

"We loved the hummingbirds and the chipmunks, the peace and quiet, and watching the stars."
- The Hague, Netherlands

"Our second visit. The food and scenery are fantastic. Trust Kay and Don to point out hiking trails. We found solitude in the middle of tourist season." - Minneapolis, MN

"The sunsets are unbelievable." - London, UK

"If the spectacular beauty of Yosemite could ever pale, it would do so to the warmth and unequivocal hospitality of people like you." - Melbourne, Australia

"The breakfast was delicious and it was a pleasure to meet the couples from Japan and Baltimore." - Brazil

"I have never felt so at home before in a B and B." - Camino, CA

"Your gorgeous home was the perfect mountain retreat -- away from the congestion of the Valley and ideally situated to take advantage of all Yosemite has to offer." - Norwalk, CT

"We enjoyed a vacation away from our vacation at the peaceful Falcon's Nest. The indoor art complimented the outdoor beauty." - North Wales, PA

Links to other sites:

Yosemite National Park Service
Current Road Condition
Fun things to do in Yosemite
Web Cams
Things to do
Yosemite Artists
Yosemite Links

 

 
mule deer in yosemite national park
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phone reservations:
800-396-3639

yosemite falls in yosemite valley
ask about our wheel chair accessible rooms
  • 11% room tax is not included in the rates.
  • two night minimum stay
  • 30 day cancellation policy.
  • Please see policy page for complete policy details.
  • no pets - no smoking
 
contact us
209-372-8517
fax 209-372-4241
info@yosemiteperegrine.com


 
squirell in Yosemite National Park from the deck at Yosemite Peregrine Inn yosemite sunset half dome yosemite

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Members of CABBI
California Association of Bed and Breakfast Inns

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Yosemite Peregrine Lodging is located inside Yosemite National Park and is only accessable by entering Yosemite National Park. Yosemite Peregrine Lodging offers bed and breakfast rooms, Yosemite vacation home rentals, and Yosemite condo rentals. Yosemite is beautiful anytime of year, make your reservation today.