As the last traces of winter snow thawed around Yosemite, we spent a few days celebrating my friend Mariah, who loves the outdoors and planned a “cabin in the woods” getaway for her birthday. While she and her husband drove five hours down from Los Angeles, my friends and I made our way up from Oakland, arriving within minutes of each other at our cottage in Groveland — about 30 minutes outside Yosemite National Park. From cascading waterfalls to towering granite peaks and forests of lush pine, here’s a glimpse into our time in Yosemite.
Big Oak Flat Road
Bridal Veil Fall
El Capitan
I would’ve happily spent the better part of a week exploring more waterfalls, hiking well-worn trails, and basking in crisp mountain air and sunshine, but we had the time we had, and I’m more than grateful for it.
Good to Know
The Yosemite Valley is the ancestral land of the Ahwahnechee people.
How we got there:
We drove from Oakland to Groveland (a town near Yosemite National Park), which took about four hours.
To enter the park, you’ll need to pay a per-vehicle entrance fee, and on particularly busy weekends, a reservation is required. You can find park access information here: NPS Yosemite Fees
Where we stayed:
We booked our stay in Groveland via Airbnb. While the home was cozy, I hesitate to recommend it due to the quality of service. That said, Groveland itself is a good base for exploring the park, though it’s about a 30-minute drive to the entrance so I recommend having a car.
Staying inside the park is also an option, but it comes with considerations, like booking nearly a year in advance, limited cell service, and limited access to amenities like grocery stores and restaurants.
Where we ate:
We cooked most of our meals at the cottage, but on arrival, we stopped at Iron Door Saloon, where I had a tasty plate of fish and chips!
For more of my U.S National Park visits, you can read this story from Joshua Tree here: Desert Dawn: A Visit to Joshua Tree National Park
As always,
Thank you for reading!
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These photos are incredibly beautiful, yet I believe they only do this place a little justice. I like the name of the waterfall – Bridal Veil and I could feel the mist on my face through your words! Haha
Thank you so much, and you are not wrong. I could not even begin to capture all of its beauty. Such a gem!