STATE

California

COUNTRY

United States of America

CONTINENT

North America

LANGUAGE

English

CURRENCY

US Dollar

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Spring season (April- June)

NEAREST RAILWAY STATION

Merced Station

NEAREST AIRPORT

Merced Regional Airport(MCE)

EMERGENCY HELPLINE NUMBER

911

INTERNET ACCESS

Yosemite Valley Lodge, Majestic Yosemite Hotel, Half Dome Village and Big Trees Lodge offer free wi-fi to guests. Half Dome Village The lounge next to the food pavilion is a fun spot; free wi-fi for guests. Mariposa County Public Library Free internet terminals and wi-fi.

VISA

Visitors from certain countries require a visa to enter Canada. Those who are exempt require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA; $7), with the exception of Americans. This must be applied for prior to traveling and can be completed online. It usually takes minutes but can take days. See www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta-start.asp.

More Information

Currently, visas are not required for citizens of 46 countries – including most EU members, Australia and New Zealand – for visits of up to six months.

To find out if you need an eTA or are required to apply for a formal visa, go to www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp.

Visitor visas – aka Temporary Resident Visas (TRVs) – can now be applied for online at: www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/visa.asp. Single-entry TRVs ($100) are usually valid for a maximum stay of six months from the date of your arrival in Canada.

A separate visa is required for all nationalities if you plan to study or work in Canada.

Visa extensions ($100) need to be filed with the CIC Visitor Case Processing Centre in Alberta at least one month before your current visa expires.

Visiting the USA

Admission requirements are subject to rapid change. The US State Department (www.travel.state.gov) has the latest information; you can also check with a US consulate in your home country.

Under the US visa-waiver program, visas are not required for citizens of 38 countries – including most EU members, Australia and New Zealand – for visits of up to 90 days (no extensions allowed), as long as you can present a machine-readable passport and are approved under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (www.cbp.gov/esta). Note that you must register at least 72 hours before arrival with an e-passport, and there’s a $14 fee for processing and authorization.

Canadians do not need visas to enter the USA, though they do need a passport or document approved by the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (www.getyouhome.gov). Citizens of all other countries need to apply for a US visa in their home country before arriving in Canada.

All foreign visitors (except Canadians) must pay a US$6 processing fee when entering at land borders. Note that you don’t need a Canadian multiple-entry TRV for repeated entries into Canada from the USA, unless you have visited a third country.

HOTEL

The best place to stay, if it falls within your budget, is right in the park. This allows you to bypass the traffic getting in and out of the park, forget about having to find a parking spot, and it takes the stress out of almost every aspect of a visit to Yosemite. If staying in the park doesn’t suit your spending plan, you will have to commute. Hotel options near Yosemite are surprisingly limited, but you can find a few good hotels in the nearby small towns.

IN THE PARK

For a combination of luxury, convenience, and history, you can’t beat The Majestic Yosemite Hotel, classified by the National Parks system as a Premier Lodge. Built in 1927, this outstanding property, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and also a National Historic Landmark, is set in the heart of the Yosemite Valley, surrounded by the iconic sites of the park. The stone façade and open-beamed ceilings blend beautifully with the scenery, while the rooms offer modern comfort and elegance.

EL PORTAL

One of the best options for people day tripping to Yosemite is the Cedar Lodge in the small town of El Portal, just 30 minutes from Yosemite Village, along Highway 140. This is a mid-range motel-style property with a pool. Rooms are large, and some come with full kitchens and a separate bedroom.

Highway 120 and Groveland: Rush Creek Lodge is located along Highway 120, about 50 minutes west of Yosemite Valley. The hotel features rooms and suites with balconies, a large outdoor pool, games room, and restaurant. Farther on, in Groveland, The Groveland Hotel is modest but cute.

OAKHURST

Although commuting this far makes for a long day trip, you can find some decent hotels in Oakhurst, about a 1.5-hour drive from the main section of the park. Two good options here include the Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn and the Yosemite Southgate Hotel & Suites.

COST OF LIVING

Rough it Camping in the park (which includes bringing your own tent, food and supplies) is the cheapest way to experience Yosemite. Just be sure to book a spot early, especially if you want to visit during the busy summer season.

Don’t visit during the summer. Summer season is peak travel season in Yosemite, so expect lodging costs to be at their highest. To avoid this, come during fall or late spring.

Take advantage of public transit Yosemite’s bus service is extensive and free, taking visitors to popular points of interest including the Mist Trail and Tuolumne Meadows.