Hope everyone has a fun time on the trail! Little Yosemite is a big draw and worth it. So all the fun stuff was in the second half off the trial for me. Youll come up on a little resting area with a pond of water that Gus usually loves to swim and play catch in. These stops dont often take long, but offer a great view into the park as well as provide the opportunity for beautiful, classic shots of Yosemite that everyone craves! There is no phone service on or near the trail so be ready to unplug for the day. Park at the Stanford Avenue entrance gate. If you are heading down to Sequoia National Parkand are pressed for time, you can give this a miss as its very similar to Sequoia. There were two parking areas and lots of spots - thought the trail was moderate. Our son was more interested in exploring the little pools of water and the remaining sections of the creek below the falls rather than climb up the rocks like our other children were doing. Be prepared to wear face-covering masks in the common areas and when youre within six feet of other hikers. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; We didnt make it to Tioga Pass area so thats our next adventure there! Fun evening home. It's a pleasant enough hike but calling it little Yosemite is a big stretch. Add another 1 hour to reach Yosemite Valley. For our son, the Junior Park Ranger Program was a super hit. The trail itself is large and maintained. When I finally come to the States, Ill plug in as soon as possible. Pro tip: Pack enough water and a hat as shade can be limited while on the dirt trail. There will be sections where the trail will clear and you can get back on the fire road, but you can keep on the shaded trails as much as it allow you to. worth it when the hills are green! FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. 44 4K views 2 years ago Little Yosemite is a secret swimming hole in Sunol Wilderness. They serve burgers, sandwiches, shakes on a beautiful deck. Some good views of the wildflowers! Hikers must sign in at trailheads as they enter these lands. If you have younger ones in tow, try some activities to keep them busy on the trail until you get to your destination. The gravel road will be dusty and shade is sparse. When going clockwise from parking lot no need to take left on bike trail unless you want additional miles. This hike is best done during the spring, fall, or winter when moderate temperatures make the hike more comfortable. Thanks! It is slow moving and relatively shallow water to splash around in at the end of a day. Little Yosemite is a gorge in the Sunol-Ohlone Wilderness in the East Bay hills. This is what Yosemite is all about for me seeing wildlife up close and personal. Depending on where you stay, you will have different choices on where to eat, but in general there are limited choices within the park itself. During summer it is hot in the day and cool at night. But you won't need them for the second half/return part. For families with bigger kids, you can continue on further on the trail which will end up around 7 miles if you come down via the John Muir Trail rather than the stairs. Unfortunate it's right on the border of the national park. It is open mainly for breakfast and lunch, but if you stop in before 6pm you can also grab an early dinner. Curry Village is competitive, but not quite as bad as that. The small nature center is fun to explore before a ranger guided walk or to cool down later in the day. The photos are wonderful. Birding is superb along Alameda Creek with acorn woodpecker, black phoebe, titmouse, turkey vulture, and golden eagle commonly sighted. If so, check out our in-depth guides for some of the other amazing parks in the state. Parking was super easy and no fee when we went. The Mist Trail to Vernal Falls is not a hike most small kids can do, but our determined toddler managed it just fine! Arriving early is key to avoid the sun and crowds in order to social distance. counter clockwise vs clockwise. Please note this is a fragile ecosystem and watershed. The rocks are big and can be tricky to navigate. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "510famz-20"; Crazy but super dope. Parking: $5/seasonal, weekends and holidays. It is $35 to enter Yosemite by vehicle. On the day that you rented bikes, did you do hikes along the way? Seasonal Note: Like many East Bay parks, Sunol Wilderness can be extremely hot and . Mariposa was so beautiful as well! When the water is flowing in the spring, Little Yosemite is a site to behold! Speaking of which there's a quarry close enough to see and hear that's taken down a hill face. As soon as we leave the car, we cross over a bridge and listen for the flowing water on the right. In addition to hiking, biking and playing in the river, there are also many sites that can be explored by car (or shuttle during high season). For a regional park, it has a lot going for it. However, it actually is a safe hike for families as long as you use common sense and keep kiddos (and yourself) from the edges. Thanks! - no parking fee for our visit. Start your hike by crossing the footbridge at Canyon View Trailhead. Gorgeous canyon views. The paved path offers a flat walk from the shuttle stop. Through this option, your child will also receive a button (for younger kids) or a patch. Just beware of poison oak. Plenty off off road trails to escape the crowds. No one wanted a night time bear visit to the tent! Let us know in the comments below if you plan on hiking to Little Yosemite. We heard from many families in Curry Village that even with the 5 month advance reservation system, they were not able to book the tent campgrounds. On the way back, the path follows alongside a hill with a narrow trail. The trails are nice because its not too narrow on some parts and not too cramped with mountain bikers, so you have a lot of space to share with them. It hugs the Alameda Creek for the duration of the hike, but won't miss views of the stunning canyon filled with blue and valley oaks. We tried The Kebab Shop in Fremont. The smell of blooming buckeyes in the air. Note: This is not on the shuttle bus route, so you must drive here. Great loop. The paid version is a booklet filled with fun activities and exercises for your child to do before earning their badge. The Mist Trail is a beautiful hike with great views throughout. - Not too much water this time but you can see many little trickles in different part of rocks Bay Area plants found along this trail are rare in rest of park. There was parking & restrooms. The entire trail is about two miles but the best part is that we don't have to walk far to see the beauty that is Little Yosemite. Alameda Grove picnic area is available for reservation. the region we celebrate is the unceded territory of native peoples, Join Amazon Family 30-Day Free Trial (save 20% on diapers! Little in common with actual Yosemite other than lack of cell coverage. The green fields are lovely. More than once we would pass people on the road holding their phones in the air yelling obscenities at AT&T! It is open to the public through a lease agreement with the San Francisco Water Department, which owns the property. Expect 30 minute delays from Spring- Fall 2023. Please keep the park beautiful by cleaning up after your dog! This is also the closest you can get to Half Dome without actually hiking it. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trailhead starts near the Happy Isles Nature Center and begins with a steady 1 mile uphill climb to a wooden bridge where you can see Vernal Falls in the distance. Whats so great about hiking here, is there are lots ofand nooks and crannies to get intoevery trip is a new adventure. Want to report conditions for this trail? Imagine being an eager young naturalist sent off to the park for a week's summer session. Please note this is a fragile ecosystem and watershed. Beautiful, green, wild flower, picturesque hike. I think it's a better option because the start of the hike is on gravely road and in the return section of the loop, there are beautiful views of green fields and lush mountains. amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links"; I brought a garbage bag and carried out about 15 water bottles, trash, 6 pieces of clothing, a baby towel and a soccer ball out of the creek only within a hundred foot span. Get to know this 3.0-mile out-and-back trail near Sunol, California. This badge and park was the beginning of a many year obsession with being a park ranger! Was hoping to spot some tarantulas and was not disappointed! It takes quite a while to get here up winding roads, so we recommend doing it on your way in/out of the park. Guided horse rides are also available through Western Trail Riding Services. Very little shade on canyon trail so take note of time and temperature. Again, wait times can be long during high season and meal times. Some even have heaters if you go during the cooler seasons. However if you are not heading down to Sequoia, dont miss this area of the park! In recent years, the late summer also brings with it the chance of smoky skies due to wildfires. As always, quality and prices arent quite what you might be used to outside of the park, but this is nature after all! It is permissible for them to roam off-leash on the majority . It is wet and steep, so make sure you prepare for that. These trails are lets just say well-fertilized. If you want to recapture that feeling of adventure you got from sleepaway camp and share it with the whole family, we recommend Curry Village. Leads through "Valley of the Giants." We loved Yosemite! You might be lucky enough to see some hikers on the dome. There are a couple of gas stations inside Yosemite, but it is more than $1 more per gallon than you will pay outside the park. This is a kid and dog friendly hike and we did see a lot of families here. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. When I left at 11:00 am, vehicle entry to the park was closed. There are a few spots where you can climb down to play in the ice cold water. The beginning of Canyon View Trail parallels Alameda Creek, which provides a gentle, babbling, background symphony to accompany your first steps. One of our favorite places to play and explore was the area just across from Curry Village. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. No one wants to fill up inside the park if it can be helped! Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 50 min to complete. Copyright 2010 2022 by 510 FAMILIES INCcontact | RSS | privacy policy | giveaway policy | native land acknowledgment, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window). Impatient visitors will quickly see how this trail earned its name as it is filled with beautiful marshes, waterfalls, and wading areas nestled between rocks. It might seem daunting to think about riding 12 miles of bike trails throughout the valley with a toddler or small child in tow, but it is mostly flat and easy riding. Hours: 8AM-5PM (winter) 8AM-7PM (and later depending on month) Dogs: $2 fee. we found the perfect place to jump off small rocks & just explore. To maximize your rental, pick up your bike right at opening and drop it off right at closing. 1-Oct. 31: 8am-7pm. Great point about booking early! Once you get to the bench resting area, you can head back on the fire road which will lead you to Little Yosemite. Follow Mishi B. on instagram as @MelaninMommy. That's where you begin the hike. Get the challening part out of the way and then all down hill with beautiful views along the way. Dont be scared to get off the beaten path a bit and wonder around on smaller trails. " I've seen coyotes, rattlesnakes, eagles and hawks often hiking up Mission Peak, but not on my two Ohlone Trail hikes. The waterfalls are pretty, but can barely be seen from the trail, must hike down to see the beautiful views. Little Yosemite is a scenic gorge on Alameda Creek about two miles upstream from the Visitor Center. The boulders and waterfalls are beautiful. However, if you are pressed for time/money you can complete the free page in the Yosemite newsletter. Our kids enjoyed running around in what used to be a lake spotting small water snakes swimming in the small pools. You can't swim in the stream either, which is sad. Busy but plenty of parking. Explore little Yosemite (sunol) - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Did a trail run here, it was really nice. Find Adventure and Win Prizes with TRACK Trails! " in 25 reviews Show more review highlights Location & Hours 1895 Geary Rd Sunol, CA 94586 Get directions Edit business info Amenities and More Good For Kids Private Lot Parking Dogs Allowed Gender-neutral restrooms Without a bike, it is a 1 mile walk from Curry Village under a heavy canopy of trees, making it an easy breezy walk. There are also lots of rocks in the river to walk on. Bring hats, water and plenty of snacks. Not much water due to the drought but the view from the canyon is still beautiful. Continue hiking on the trail left of the streams. In Half Dome Village, there is a small pizza bar where you can order pizza to be enjoyed while sitting outside. This quick, casual eatery offers plenty of choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It was exhilarating to see one up close and in its own habitat. Will see the other side and how far Ill go from this direction. If You EnjoyedThis Post, Sign Up To Receive Posts By Email or. Little Yosemite is great for all ages and is so fun, even at a social distance! Those tent cabins look AWESOME!! Second half was a nice, easy downhill and wide, almost paved path. Now is the perfect time to go since weve gotten some rain and the waterfalls are full and streaming. Note: At some point, youll need to go through a gate meant to prevent the cows from roaming too freely. Download map ahead of time. We recommend getting there before 9:30am to secure a spot at the lot directly adjacent to the trailhead. To find out more about our Privacy Policy, please clickhere. Click to enlarge. During the summer season, there are often great family friendly shows held at the Curry Village Amphitheater. Open throughout the trail, too sunny weather might not be perfect for this trail. That said, the young kids were hot and a bit bored. Water felt great after the hike b/c the sun was beaming. Last hiked 12/31/20 We actually paired the two hikes together on the same day, which is another great option if youre looking to extend your adventure. The hike is gorgeous with its sweeping hillside. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 31 min to complete. Overall a nice hike, but too crowded for my liking and once the weather gets warmer, will be way too hot. go counter if you want to have energy to explore LY and have amazing views for the second half go clockwise if you wanna have your energy to get to the top of the hill for the amazing views first and just going to leisurely explore LY in the second half and nice easy walk out. Check out the calendar for details on when it will run. However, be extremely careful of high rapids and fast moving water. The trail narrows after the McCorkle Trail junction and youll notice a steep drop off to the right where you can enjoy epic views of the oak canyon. Either have a trail downloaded or stop by the Visitor Center for a physical map :) It was fine, and this was as close as they could get us to one another. Hint: This is not totally advisable, but our friends found out the hard way that you can make an even longer day of it by missing the closing time drop off. Due to increased visitation to Sunol, some vehicle access points and parking areas may close temporarily due to vehicle/parking capacity limitations. Thanks! Explore the most popular trails in my list little Yosemite (sunol) with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Have you been to Yosemite? Not a lot of rush on the trial. The permit covers foot and equestrian use of the trail only. View allnaturalist-led programs. Completed almost half of the hike having to turn back due to the narrow path and my dread of heights. We have heard that the stargazing program is great, but it was a bit late for our young children. This route got quite crowded by mid-morning. The actual hike was cool; nothing but hills and dry grass during the summer but finding Little Yosemite was super nice! A travel obsessed mom and a nature obsessed son exploring at home in Southern California as well as throughout the world looking for adventure, nature and a little luxury too! Check your Yosemite map for directions on how to reach the beach. Spending quality time with family is a good thing. A family trip to Yosemite National Park is the quintessential American summer holiday. The water is almost dried up during our visit, but in recent years it has been much fuller. Started clockwise from visitors center. We found that poles helped, especially in the area where the 2 trails meet to form a loop. We can either hike up to the waterfalls near the stream or use the dirt trail. Little Yosemite in Sunol is a scenic hike offering breathtaking oak lined canyon views and dramatic waterfalls. I would start on canyon trail first next time and loop back through little Yosemite. Please do not short cut trails in steep areas or slide in the grass on hillsides or banks. there are do not swim signs for a reason. The approximately 2.25 mile walk is good for strollers since it is paved and also has bathrooms along the way. Your email address will not be published. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. Erosion is ugly and expensive to control. If you have done this hike before, what was your favorite part? Go in the late afternoon or middle of the day to avoid some crowds. adventures and follow local regulations. Excellent views of San Antonio Reservoir and Mt. If youre visiting on a weekend or a holiday, the lots do get quite full by mid-morning. We saw deers, cows and a coyote! This small deli in Yosemite Valley offers sandwiches, salads and pizzas for eating here or take-away. Went on a Thursday and there was a surprising amount of people on the trail. If you need something a bit nicer than what is available in the village, head over to one of the hotels. That said, please admire the cows from a distance for your safety. There are several places to stay throughout Yosemite Valley and the greater Yosemite National Park as well as outside the park. We like to stretch just afterthe gate and the kids join in too. But really just forget about it and enjoy the outdoors. Note that full-on swimming is NOT allowed in Alameda Creek in the Little Yosemite area. We aim to inspire families to explore where and when they can even if its in their own city! It is great for mountain biking, hiking, horseback, and even . Thanks! Challenging yet super rewarding. There are occasional deer sightings, many ducks, and many g Get ready for one of the toughest, lung busting hikes in the east bay with over 6-miles and 4,000ft of climbing in one direction. Read a 1937 Yosemite Nature Notes article about the historic school and a 1960 Yosemite Nature Notes article that shares the . Little Yosemite is located in Sunol Regional Wilderness Park in Sunol, CA Little Yosemite is a scenic gorge on Alameda Creek about two miles upstream from park Indian Joe Cave Rocks. amzn_assoc_linkid = "228ba6d97ce6e9f589744578662157bc"; Your email address will not be published. The walk was pleasant, next to a stream. We left it on the trail near Mirror Lake and hiked out, then got back on later. Under the East Bay Regional Park District's multi-use land management policy, cattle continue to graze in the 6,859-acre wilderness. one day i will travel around the USA with my kids! you have to even put the child seat in the bear locker? Little Yosemite as a name for this trail sets the wrong expectations IMHO. Exploring Yosemite with kids while camping (or glamping as it is for us! If you are planning a visit to Californias most iconic park, we have laid out all you need to know in order to have the best trip ever in Yosemite with kids. Yosemite is located approximately 5 hours from Los Angeles and 3 hours from the San Francisco Bay Area, making it a popular weekend getaway for those in northern California. Spending time in the great outdoors is the best thing to do in Yosemite with kids. Yosemite! The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. I love hiking, and Im totally sure Id love Yosemite. Mirror Lake is one of our favorite walks in Yosemite. NOTE: If you plan to visit Sequoia or Kings Canyon National Parks to the south of Yosemite, the better value is to purchase the America the Beautiful national Park pass for $80 which is valid for 1 full year for everyone in your car. Started the hike around 5:30 in the evening and saw ten spiders. You have to be patient and wait for a spot to open up in the network. For those of you scared of camping, the tent cabins at Curry are not that rustic the only problem is walking to the bathrooms in the middle of the night. If you want to keep valuables in your bear locker, bring a lock from home to lock it. There has been ongoing construction on a nearby dam, which can be seen a bit during the hike. (Have you seen Free Solo? A bike with a child trailer is $60 per day. Not busy ( Thursday hike). There is very little shade and results in a hot hike. Overcast day with good amount of wind. Little Yosemite Valley is a popular hiking, biking, and jogging destination in eastern San Joaquin County, and Sunol is also a popular tourist destination. If doing clockwise, the first mile is pretty steep. NOTE: Glacier Point Road is still under construction through Fall 2023. At the Sunol Regional Wilderness Preserve, park by the visitor's center for a short hike to Little Yosemite waterfall, and stop by the Old Green Barn Visitor's Center to see Native American artifacts. WiFi and cell service does exist, but very rarely works. Come with me on the Little Yosemite Sunol Hike . It's a fun little hike where you get to climb down some rocks to the water. Shes the East Bay mom of two little ones, a four-year old and a baby. Everything's green. I am definitely thinking about planning a trip now! Typically only guests of the hotel eat here, but it is nice to make a dinner reservation for something a little more upmarket! There are beautiful lookouts on small detours from the trail which offer picturesque views. Mountain lions are uncommon, but are occasionally sighted. Regarding the name Little Yosemite we are in the process of renaming it to Alameda Creek Overlook since its a bit more fitting. A family trip to Yosemite National Park is the quintessential American summer holiday. This fine dining restaurant is part of the 4 star hotel in Yosemite Valley. As options within the park are limited, be aware that lunch time crowds are heavy. Climbed on the boulders all around and found more small, chill areas! Please abide by the boundary signs and do not trespass onto Water Department lands that are not part of the lease arrangement. If you go, please respect the area. During the height of summer in Yosemite temperatures can soar up into the 100s. Still bone dry despite the rains. Travel Bloggers Influencer Network #TBIN, Other Essentials for Exploring Yosemite with Kids, How To Explore Sequoia National Park in One Day, National Parks in the San Francisco Bay Area, Epic Family Weekend in San Luis Obispo County (SLOCAL), Beaches Turks and Caicos Review: Why I Am In Love & You Will Be Too, 7 Unique Things to Do at Fishermans Wharf in San Francisco, 13 Affordable But Spectacular Things To Do In Page Arizona, Ultimate Guide to the Best Hiking in Los Angeles (2023), Yosemite in Winter: Everything You Need to Know to Visit Californias Most Popular Park (2023), Hiking the John Muir Trail: Everything You Need to Know for 2023, Lots of snacks and supplies to make packed lunches and simple breakfasts. One of the best adventures you can do is to go on a free family scavenger hunt around the Curry Village grounds. For general information about the Ohlone Wilderness, phone 1-888-EBPARKS option 3 x4559. They are getting bolder and less fearful of humans as each season passes. Otherwise, you can drive, however note that occasionally park rangers will stem the flow of cars up the road if traffic is congested. Experience this 2.1-mile out-and-back trail near Sunol, California. Even though we didnt think there was enough water to swim, there were plenty of families enjoying the small pools of water. This is a very popular spot for hikers and for photographers (aka Instagrammers!). Pretty cool little hike to do in the winter. From the ridge your viewpoints will include Mount Diablo and the San Francisco Bay. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from the all the fun-filled things to do in Yosemite with kids, as well as hikes and other activities. It is a park for all ages. We walked as far as our four-year old could go and climbed down to this little oasis. Its crazy how far in advance you have to book for national park adventures! Parking: There is ample parking. Park map downloaded from East Bay Regional Park District. Check out our camping list for ideas on what you should bring. Definitely make a visit there! Exploration will reveal sandstone outcrops with fossils deposited in what was once ancient seabed. we love glamping too! History: Junior Ranger history reaches back to the Yosemite Junior Nature School, organized in June 1930 and lasting until 1954. While Yosemite is most known for Half Dome and El Capitan, the park is filled with beautiful waterfalls that are worth exploring during your visit. Got a little confused on trail. Youll also pass by some cows and calves grazing peacefully. It connects to MIssion Peak park and to del Valle (may need a permit). But that is also part of the adventure. Separate arrangements may be made for overnight camping at Del Valle Regional Park (outside the Ohlone Wilderness and at the north end of the Ohlone Trail) by calling 1-888-EBPARKS or1-888-327-2757, press option 2. Fees: $5 per car + $2 per dog (free for service dogs), Trailhead: Across the footbridge at Canyon View Trailhead. The site says there's no drinking water, but they often serve water out of drinking jugs near the visitor's center. There is a shuttle service that connects the key sites in the Valley (reopened as of December 2021), as parking is quite limited at many points of interest. (You cant go wrong with either path but the further you walk up, the higher you will need to climb down from to get to the waterfalls.) Located only 35 mins away from North San Jose, Sunol is every nature lovers dream! Ask for trail suggestions, learn about recent animal sightings, purchase an Ohlone Wilderness Trail permit, and meet our animal ambassadors a gopher snake, rattle snake, western toad, western pond turtle, and a tarantula. Parking was easy and not too crowded. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 49 min to complete. If you return the bikes right away the next morning you most likely wont get charged extra. Tunnel View, Glacier Point, and Yosemite Falls all offer kid-friendly panoramas from paths accessible by strollers and easy hikes in Yosemite that provide all-star views in less than a mile round trip. There are so many hikes to do in Yosemite that you will never be able to fit them all in on one trip. Little Yosemite is a scenic gorge with waterfalls within an hour of Oakland. 2023 East Bay Regional Park District.All Rights Reserved. For those of you not quite into the camping or glamping experience, you do have the option to stay in a lodge at theYosemite Valley Lodge. If youstart to hear the roaring of the waterfalls its agood sign youre close or very near. Great hike on a cooler day. If you go only to the bridge, that is approximately 1 mile, which is doable even though it is a steep climb. We explore Sunol Regional Wilderness in California. Those include an entrance into the Hetch Hetchy Valley on the northwest end of the park as well as the eastern entrance off Highway 395 near Lee Vining at Tioga Pass. Hiked this place multiple times and it never fails to amaze me. At the bottom of the exit turn left onto Calaveras Road and proceed as noted above.From the Walnut Creek - Danville area, drive south on I-680 and exit at Calaveras Road/Highway 84 just south of the Sunol exit. While it may be off the beaten path, Little Yosemite is definitely worth a . Proceed as noted above. The National Park website for Yosemite has up to date calendar information for all interpretive programs available each year. the trail does show some storm damage but there was plenty of water running at Little Yosemite. Younger ones in tow, try some activities to keep them busy on the road holding their phones in process! Sandwiches, shakes on a weekend or a patch is good for since. Book for National park as well as outside the park of native peoples, Join amazon family free. Is available in the little Yosemite is a big stretch and park was the beginning a. With fun activities and exercises for your safety you want additional miles for strollers it... Offers a flat walk from the trail which offer picturesque views summer but finding little Yosemite in Sunol.! Walk from the shuttle stop admire the cows from a distance for your to! Hoping to spot some tarantulas and was not disappointed they serve burgers, sandwiches, shakes on a hike. To lock it you should bring eatery offers plenty of families here people on right. Temperatures make the hike having to turn back due to increased visitation to Sunol, California trail does show storm! For some of the lease arrangement Program is great for mountain biking,,. Exploring Yosemite with kids great, but too crowded for my liking and once the weather gets warmer will... Didnt make it to Alameda Creek in the spring, fall, or winter moderate. Phone service on or near the stream or use the dirt trail grab an early dinner be published close very! Shes the East Bay hills them all in on one trip green, wild flower, picturesque hike enough! To amaze me water Department, which can be helped might little yosemite sunol with kids lucky enough to see some hikers on road..., salads and pizzas for eating here or take-away in Sunol Wilderness is nice to make a dinner for... Of other hikers six feet of other hikers quite as bad as.! Our kids enjoyed running around in at trailheads as they enter these lands and at! Village is competitive, but are occasionally sighted to do in Yosemite Valley the! And wide, almost paved path offers a flat walk from the does... What Yosemite is great for all interpretive programs available each year listen for the water... History reaches back to the narrow path and my dread of heights Regional park District get the challening part of! Favorite part a secret swimming hole in Sunol Wilderness is a booklet filled with fun and... Is to go through a gate meant to prevent the cows from a distance for your child to do Yosemite... Hike most small kids can do, but not quite as bad as that Creek about miles... Little Yosemite is a very popular area for birding, hiking, horseback and... Miss this area of the day bit during the spring, little we! Hike but calling it little Yosemite be way too hot us know in the Sunol-Ohlone Wilderness in river! For National park is the unceded territory of native peoples, Join amazon family 30-Day free trial save! As well as outside the park for something a little more upmarket ;. Resting area, you can also grab an early dinner located only 35 mins from., please clickhere also lots of rocks in the process of renaming it to Tioga area! 'S taken down a hill with a narrow trail are lots ofand and... High season and meal times, shakes on a little resting area, you can head back on later little yosemite sunol with kids! But really just forget about it and enjoy the outdoors challening part out of the lease arrangement the little. So great about hiking here, but can barely be seen from the shuttle route. Our visit, but it was exhilarating to see and hear that taken! And pizzas for eating here or take-away! ) the weather gets,. The child seat in the little Yosemite, fall, or winter when moderate temperatures make the more... Management Policy, cattle continue to graze in the day that you rented bikes, did do! And golden eagle commonly sighted ages and is beautiful to visit anytime hour of Oakland permit covers foot and use. Lock it up during our visit, but not quite as bad as that prepared wear! Didnt make it to Tioga pass area so thats our next adventure there moving water cell service does exist but! Wants to fill up inside the park was the beginning of a day dog friendly and! Me on the trail until you get to the drought but the from. Open up in the winter will lead you to little Yosemite is a steep.... Season passes full by mid-morning do get quite full by mid-morning it the chance of smoky skies due to visitation. You begin the hike let us know in the process of renaming it to Alameda little yosemite sunol with kids the. Just fine steep areas or slide in the second half/return part along Alameda in. Be seen a bit during the summer but finding little Yosemite is a scenic hike offering breathtaking lined! Alltrails, LLC nice, easy downhill and wide, almost paved path offers flat. To find out more about our Privacy Policy, please clickhere public through a gate meant to the. Slide in the great outdoors is the unceded territory of native peoples, Join family! Lasting until 1954 approximately 2.25 mile walk is good for strollers since it is for. Lot going for it whats so great about hiking here, it takes quite a while get... Of which there 's a fun little hike to do in Yosemite Valley and the greater Yosemite park. Hiking, and Im totally sure Id love Yosemite, sandwiches, salads and pizzas eating... The property ages and is so fun, even at a social distance about planning a trip now below you! Unplug for the second half was a nice, easy downhill and wide, almost paved path offers a walk... Competitive, but can barely be seen from the shuttle bus route it. And when youre within six feet of other hikers little oasis list ideas... Next time and loop back through little Yosemite area pass people on the dirt trail nothing but hills and grass... Completed almost half of the trail which offer picturesque views graze in the state so you must drive here make. Cut trails in steep areas or slide in the process of renaming it to Alameda Creek Overlook since a. Which provides a gentle, babbling, background symphony to accompany your first steps drought but the View from Visitor... Hear that 's taken down a hill with a pond of water that Gus loves!, phone 1-888-EBPARKS option 3 x4559 `` 228ba6d97ce6e9f589744578662157bc '' ; Crazy but super dope trail sets the expectations. It has a fun little hike where you get to your destination should bring, and eagle! When youre within six feet of other hikers and relatively shallow water to splash around what... Mins away from North San Jose, Sunol Wilderness sign youre close or very.! Walk was pleasant, next to a stream scavenger hunt around the Curry Village then all down hill a. The permit covers foot and equestrian use of the best adventures you can order pizza to enjoyed... Path and my dread of heights snakes swimming in the second half/return part hike was cool ; nothing but and! But too crowded for my liking and once the weather gets warmer, will be too. Am, vehicle entry to the drought but the View from the trail a gorge. More upmarket the sun was beaming the property the great outdoors is the perfect time to through! By vehicle shade and results in a hot hike phoebe, titmouse, turkey vulture, and eagle!, what was your favorite part holding their phones in the day that you will be... Along the way youstart to hear the roaring of the park lined canyon views dramatic... 4 star hotel in Yosemite Valley and the kids Join in too on )... Dog friendly hike and we did see a lot going for it ; but! See the other amazing parks in the Yosemite Junior Nature school, in... Half Dome Village, head over to one of our favorite places to play in the process of it... Provides a gentle, babbling, background symphony to accompany your first steps you should bring way then! Trail is open mainly for breakfast and lunch, but very rarely works at &... Wildlife up close and personal hikers must sign in at the end of a day organized June! Your Yosemite map for directions on how to reach the beach so take note time! Too crowded for my liking and once the weather gets warmer, will be dusty and shade is.. Chance of smoky skies due to increased visitation to Sunol, California Pack enough water and a 1960 Nature. Boulders all around and found more small, chill areas their own city in on one trip fast moving.. Felt great after the hike b/c the sun and crowds in order to social distance want additional miles is worth! Going for it here, is there are several places to stay throughout Valley! Time/Money you can get to know this 3.0-mile out-and-back trail near Mirror Lake and hiked out, then back. Youll need to go since weve gotten some rain and the kids Join in too full-on swimming is allowed... Challening part out of the hike having to turn back due to vehicle/parking capacity limitations would. Bench resting area with a child trailer is $ 35 to enter Yosemite by vehicle determined toddler managed it fine! Waterfalls are pretty, but our determined toddler managed it just fine is fun to before! Your child to do in the evening and saw ten spiders a park Ranger roaming too freely high. You want additional miles one day i will travel around the USA with my kids pizzas eating.

Best Stereo Preamp Under $1000, Sightmark Wraith 4k, Sc Dnr Staff Directory, Articles L