Olivia & John
Things To Do
Friday 10/27 - Watercolor Hike & Class
Watercolor w/ Zach Polic 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Enjoy autumn in Yosemite Valley while learning watercolor fundamentals. Registration required ($20), and supplies are available to rent. Parking is at the Yosemite Valley Trailhead, and then a 15 minute walk to the Nature Center. Plan to arrive by 8:30 or 8:45. It's a 20 minute drive from the lodge, or an hour walk. Let's try The Mountain Room Steakhouse in Yosemite Valley Lodge for dinner.
Saturday 10/28 - Creative Smartphone Photography
This is an In-the-Field class offered by the Ansel Adams Gallery, from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Space is limited; registration required ($95)
Saturday 10/28 - Halloween Train Ride
We are definitely doing this! Pre-registration is encouraged ($45+). It's 4:00 - 7:30 and dinner is included.
Saturday 10/28 - Sunset Walk
If you don't want to do the train ride, how about this? Pre-registration ($10) is required for this 5:00 pm walk. Once you register, you get the meeting place and time in the confirmation email (top secret;)
Sunday 10/29 Rehearsal Dinner
We have a reservation for 7:30 at the Mountain Room, Yosemite Valley Lodge. Please join us after rehearsal!
Tuesday 10/31 - Halloween Cemetery Tour
Explore Yosemite’s cemetery with a Yosemite Hospitality interpretive naturalist. This is a free event that starts at 8:00 pm.
Wednesday 11/1 - Big Creek Horseback Trail Ride
The 2:00 ride will take 1 hour. Proper attire and approved BMI required. Check the website for details and to register.
Thursday 11/2 - Dia De Los Muertos in Hornitos
Celebrate the Day of the Dead in a ghost-town vibe! Festivities begin at dusk. This is a free event. Since Mariposa is on the way to Hornitos, let's make a day trip out of it. An hour drive with a few trails along the way, if we want to stop. In the town of Mariposa, we can visit the Mining & Mineral Museum, the Mariposa Museum & History Center, Butterfly Creek Winery, hiking trails in the Stockton Creek Preserve, Coffee with the Critters, the Old Stone Jail, and the Gold Mine Escape Room. Charles Street Dinner House and 1850 Restaurant and Brewery are just two of the many good restaurants in Mariposa.
Daytime Travel Choices - Northeast
NORTHEAST toward Tuolumne Meadows - You'll get the Vista Point, Tuolumne Grove hike (pass-through sequoia trees), Dead Giant Tunnel Tree, Tenaya Lake, plus lots of trailheads along the way. Food - Believe it or not, there are rave reviews for the Mobil (gas station) Restaurant! It's at the corner of 395 and 120, the east entrance to the park. Or, Basin Cafe is a little further in Lee Vining...
Daytime Travel Choices - South
SOUTH toward Wawona & beyond - You can do Glacier Point, Swinging Bridge Trail, Yosemite History Center, Wawona Covered Bridge, Wawona Golf Course, and you can continue on to Oakhurst and Bass Lake... Food - Of course, there's the Wawona Hotel Dining Room, as well as Chateau Du Sureau (& Spa), South Gate Brewing Company, and Ducey's on the Lake. If you're in the mood for Mexican, there are lots of choices. Plazuelas Mexican Restaurant has top reviews.
Daytime Travel Choices - Valley
VALLEY FLOOR - Check out the Ansel Adams Gallery, Yosemite Museum, Superintendent's Bridge, bike rentals, Curry Village Historic Tour, Mirror Lake Trail, Valley Loop Trail, Happy Isles Trail, and of course many more! For meals, there's Base Camp Eatery, Curry Village, and Degnan's.
Day-Hike Checklist
Check out REI's handy checklist for day-hiking in this blog post. There is a printer-friendly version linked within.