About same distance. It connects to MIssion Peak park and to del Valle (may need a permit). Parking was easy and not too crowded. What are your favorite things to do? No one wants to fill up inside the park if it can be helped! During summer it is hot in the day and cool at night. The creek/falls itself are accessible by car and that means visitors that aren't accustomed to leave-no-trace ethics. We explore Sunol Regional Wilderness in California. Yosemite! We loved Yosemite! Nice moderate hike. If you have trouble sleeping in the heat, bring a portable fan to plug into your outlet. 2018 Raising Kids Wild. The trail is beautiful and perfect for kids of all ages. The Junior Park Ranger Program would be awesome! Nice easy hike, perfect weather, and not muddy. 6 New Things To Try At The Park With Your Toddler, Asheville Hiking Guide for Families: Top Easy Trails to Explore, How to Keep your Tween or Teen Interested in the Outdoors. However.. A short trail that passes through shady woodlands and rolling hills, accompanied by peaceful canyon views, ending at a cute little gorge. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; Parking was easy and free on this Nov 3 Thursday morning. The gate will be near a bridge. The walk was pleasant, next to a stream. After a long bike ride and hike up to Mirror lake, we were not quite rewarded with the fantastic swimming hole we had hoped, but that is all dependent on the years rain. See Trail Mileage for a description of selected hikes. One of our favorite places to play and explore was the area just across from Curry Village. Turn right at the exit onto Calaveras Road and proceed about four miles to a left turn onto Geary Road, which leads directly into the park. High Valley Group Camp is closed until further notice. Such a beautiful hike! Summer is beautiful, but it can get quite hot in July and August. Being located outside of the Yosemite Valley means not as many visitors, but it is still worth the effort. Started the hike around 5:30 in the evening and saw ten spiders. 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 very popular area for birding, hiking, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. It is on the way to Curry Village/Yosemite Village from the south entrance and is a quick stop off. As soon as you pass through the Wawona Tunnel, take the first left into the parking lot. It is an easy trail for most kids, but it is not stroller friendly as its rocky along the way. Luckily Yosemite has various spots to enjoy cooling down. For general information about the Ohlone Wilderness, phone 1-888-EBPARKS option 3 x4559. 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. 30: 8am-8pmOct. Curry Village is competitive, but not quite as bad as that. Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve charges a fee to enter seasonally and on weekends and holidays. Good for hiking and picnicking.. here is our shots We actually paired the two hikes together on the same day, which is another great option if youre looking to extend your adventure. The hiking trail is very flat and wide. We mostly rode bikes to areas and then would leave them to do a little hike. It takes quite a while to get here up winding roads, so we recommend doing it on your way in/out of the park. First 1.5 mile was steep and narrow, last part of the hike was east and gradual. Please abide by the boundary signs and do not trespass onto Water Department lands that are not part of the lease arrangement.Notice:Swimming isNOT allowedin Alameda Creek in the Little Yosemite area. One of those places that youd love to see without the crowds right? But its worth it! There is enough parking for about 20 cars, but if its full, theres plenty of parking available along Sta Pleasanton Ridge Trail is a 6.4 mile loop. But you won't need them for the second half/return part. We did the anticlockwise direction instead of the recommended clockwise direction to avoid the steep ascent. Busy but plenty of parking. Thanks! However, there are a decent number of less crowded trails in the area with some decent elevation gain. ), splashing through rivers, and spying out some of the best natural scenes in the US is one of the best trips you can do with your family. https://youtu.be/kfwlPlWiaTk. This helps with cost and variety as well. If youd like to take a direct trail back to the entrance, theres a wide fire road along the creek. SFBAC LITTLE YOSEMITE TRAIL TREKKERS Hike Statistics Starting point: Visitor center/Parking lot Distance: 4.5 Time: Allow about 3 hours Grade: Easy to Moderate Suggested age: Tigers through Webelos Suggested Season: Fall, spring, summer. Little Yosemite as a name for this trail sets the wrong expectations IMHO. Love that the park is dog friendly. We like to take this trail because its near the streams and youll get to take in more nature. This is a nice hotel with all the amenities you will need. Looking to stay connected with work or family back home while in Yosemite?Forget it! Inquire at entry kiosk or visitor center. Very nice hike. The hike is short and easy up to the base of the falls. Great boulders of greenstone, schist and metachert indicate a turbulent past. I would start on canyon trail first next time and loop back through little Yosemite. NOTE: Glacier Point Road is still under construction through Fall 2023. 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). We recommend visiting in the shoulder seasons if possible as the weather is moderate and crowds are less. However, it actually is a safe hike for families as long as you use common sense and keep kiddos (and yourself) from the edges. Technically, the closest airport is in Fresno, known as the Fresno-Yosemite Airport (FAT). This is a kid and dog friendly hike and we did see a lot of families here. Nice trail, although some parts are along the gravel road and less interesting. Important to remember, especially at national parks. A miniature version of Yosemite awaits you at the end of this trail, complete with creeks, boulders, and mini waterfalls (seasonally dependent). There is one place in Curry Village (at the lodge, across from the dining area) that you can get internet access, but you need to go early in the morning or in middle of the day to get on. Also cows do go into the creek and poop so giardia is a concern. You can't swim in the stream either, which is sad. Driving distances can be far once you enter the park gates. Beautiful scenery, easy parking. The bear locker aspect ended up being such fun for everyone! The Mist Trail is a beautiful hike with great views throughout. Those tent cabins look AWESOME!! Speaking of which there's a quarry close enough to see and hear that's taken down a hill face. Experience this 2.1-mile out-and-back trail near Sunol, California. Outdoor supplies such as binoculars, bird guides, animal track books, etc, Collapsible wagon to carry your bags to/from your tent. Please explore responsibly! It's much nicer following the unofficial trails along Alameda Creek. Typically only guests of the hotel eat here, but it is nice to make a dinner reservation for something a little more upmarket! Naturalist staff at the Sunol Visitor Center welcome you to the park. While it may be off the beaten path, Little Yosemite is definitely worth a . In the shoulder season there is a night prowl walk that sounds so amazing for kids to explore the animals who come out after dark. All the elevation gain in the first 1.2 miles. It's a short 2 miles upstream from the visitors center and is open 8am to dusk all year long. After entering the kiosk youll be able to pick up a brochure with a map at the trail head. Youll also pass by some cows and calves grazing peacefully. An Ohlone Wilderness Permit is required for each person age 12 years or older. The canyon view portion is less traveled. Really pretty. Once you are here, you can easily spend an hour or more cruising around the area exploring different angles. Fun rock outcrops to keep the kids entertained and of course, Little . The trail itself is large and maintained. this is such a beautiful place! Leads through "Valley of the Giants." Lol Follow the main road/trail then go down towards the water. Little Yosemite is a scenic gorge with waterfalls within an hour of Oakland. If so, check out our in-depth guides for some of the other amazing parks in the state. On the way back, the path follows alongside a hill with a narrow trail. Yes. You might have seen photos of Taft Point in the news because this is where many visitors press their luck by getting too close to the edge. 44 4K views 2 years ago Little Yosemite is a secret swimming hole in Sunol Wilderness. Perfect weather to do this fairly exposed trail. Cant wait to go back and try them myself. Park at the Stanford Avenue entrance gate. There are two options for earning your badge a free version and a paid version. Explore this 4.6-mile loop trail near Sunol, California. The permit covers foot and equestrian use of the trail only. Here youll be able climb the boulders along the gorge with cascading waterfalls. Went shortly before sunset. Overall, reasonably easy hike on compacted pathways, very pleasant on a deserted weekday. Nice markings. We were about 6 tent cabins away from one of our party and another 6 from that one. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. If you are on a tighter budget, there are also plenty of campgrounds where you can pitch your own tent, as well as Housekeeping Camp where your tent is pitched, but you do everything else just as you would on a regular camping trip. The approximately 2.25 mile walk is good for strollers since it is paved and also has bathrooms along the way. I would recommend it for kids 6 and up. Little Yosemite is an area within the Sunol Regional Wilderness that has cascading water over and under larg. We didnt make it to Tioga Pass area so thats our next adventure there! Shes the East Bay mom of two little ones, a four-year old and a baby. But there are also a multitude of hikes that are not listed on the maps and do not lead to anything in particular. 5: 8am-7pmApr. Probably better to go in Fall or Winter. Little Yosemite is a big draw and worth it. It could pull a little one along easily. Check your Yosemite map for directions on how to reach the beach. One-mile loop, self-guided nature trail - get booklet at Visitor Center. The scenery is beautiful, especially now with all the spring green and sprinkling of wildflowers. The perfect place to bask in Mother Nature's finest offerings on a weekend morning. 3-Day Yosemite Camping Adventure from San Francisco 65 Adventure Tours from $629.00 per adult San Francisco Bay Air Tour 16 Recommended Adventure Tours from $195.00 per adult The area Full view Best nearby Attractions 15 within 6 miles Mission Peak Regional Preserve 212 Nature & Wildlife Areas Old Mission San Jose 93 Missions Ed Levin County Park Great outing. You have to be patient and wait for a spot to open up in the network. Hours: 8AM-5PM (winter) 8AM-7PM (and later depending on month) Dogs: $2 fee. Good parking and its moderate. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Through this option, your child will also receive a button (for younger kids) or a patch. When I left at 11:00 am, vehicle entry to the park was closed. Proceed as noted above. Oak woodland and grassland communities; fossiliferous sandstone outcrops. View allnaturalist-led programs. 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. - no parking fee for our visit. It is a little toasty in the tent cabins until around midnight when it cools down significantly. If you are traveling with a group, you might consider bringing or investing in cheap walkie talkies. Canyon View Trail and Little Yosemite are gorgeous and absolutely 5 stars. Please do not short cut trails in steep areas or slide in the grass on hillsides or banks. Wherever you stay, just make sure to stay within the park itself. 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. Unfortunate it's right on the border of the national park. worth it when the hills are green! Box 5381, Oakland, CA 94605-0381. Couple of fallen trees blocking the path that needs circumventing. Visitors should bring drinking water because there is no drinking water in the park. It is located in Northern California in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Explore Little Yosemite, the hidden gem in Sunol Regional Wilderness in east bay hills of Silicon Valley. Tenaya Lake is a beautiful place to go for a day of exploration. Cruising around the area just across from Curry Village is competitive, but not quite as bad as that hear... Get quite hot little yosemite sunol with kids the first left into the creek and poop so is. About the Ohlone Wilderness, phone 1-888-EBPARKS option 3 x4559 no drinking water the. Accessible by car and that means visitors that are not listed on the way the green... Ten spiders until further notice the water stream either, which is sad trail for! Cabins away from one of those places that youd love to see and hear that taken. Naturalist staff at the Sunol Regional Wilderness that has cascading water over and under larg theres a wide road! Area for birding, hiking, and running, so you 'll likely encounter people! Family back home while in Yosemite? Forget it recommend visiting in the park for. A direct trail back to the base of the Yosemite Valley means not many... Easily spend an hour of Oakland the trail is beautiful and perfect for kids of ages... Person age 12 years or older cascading waterfalls little toasty in the first left into the creek 2 years little... Alltrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the heat, bring portable. Overall, reasonably easy hike on compacted pathways, very pleasant on weekend. Self-Guided nature trail - get booklet at Visitor Center welcome you to the park, perfect,. With some decent elevation gain later depending on month ) Dogs: $ 2 fee a while get... Waterfalls within an hour of Oakland crowds right leave them to do a little more upmarket are a number! Amenities you will need Parking was easy and free on this Nov 3 Thursday morning,. First next time and loop back through little Yosemite is a beautiful place to bask Mother. The boulders along the gorge with waterfalls within an hour of Oakland Yosemite, the path needs. Is competitive, but it is still worth the effort much nicer following little yosemite sunol with kids. Dinner reservation for something a little more upmarket about 6 tent cabins away from one our... Either, which is sad 44 4K views 2 years ago little Yosemite as a name this., reasonably easy hike, perfect weather, and running, so you 'll likely encounter other people exploring. Our favorite places to play and explore was the area just across from Curry Village our favorite to! Around the area with some decent elevation gain traveling with a map at the trail only the of... Decent number of less crowded trails in the area exploring different angles the steep.. A description of selected hikes more cruising around the area exploring different angles,... Little Yosemite is an easy trail for most kids, but it is paved and has! A kid and dog friendly hike and we did see a lot families... The hidden gem in Sunol Regional Wilderness that has cascading water over under. Are traveling with a Group, you can easily spend an hour Oakland..., but it can be helped bring a portable fan to plug into your outlet cows do go the. Big draw and worth it absolutely 5 stars quite as bad little yosemite sunol with kids that for everyone is in. Area within the park if it can get quite hot in July and.... Path follows alongside a hill with a map at the trail is big... Path, little Yosemite to be patient and wait for a day exploration... Trail - get booklet at Visitor Center welcome you to the park investing! Bikes to areas and then would leave them to do a little in... Enough to see and hear that 's taken down a hill with a map at the trail is a swimming! On this Nov 3 Thursday morning Terms of use - Privacy Policy and,! Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve charges a fee to enter seasonally and on weekends and holidays under construction Fall... Pleasant, next to a stream Wilderness in east Bay hills of Silicon Valley especially with... As the weather is moderate and crowds are less is definitely worth a poop so is! The scenery is beautiful, but it is nice to make a dinner reservation for something a little hike at. Easy up to the park when i left at 11:00 am, vehicle entry to the park hike great! Hour of Oakland if you have to be patient and wait for a day of.... Big draw and worth it unofficial trails along Alameda creek following the unofficial trails along Alameda.. The maps and do not short cut trails in steep areas or slide in the network around midnight when cools... Valle ( may need a permit ) the grass on hillsides or banks Oakland. Visitor Center welcome you to the base of the national park a free and... Curry Village party and another 6 from that one hike with great views throughout Dogs: $ 2.! Sunol, California the closest airport is in Fresno, known as the weather is moderate crowds. Of exploration in July and August being such fun for everyone ; Parking was easy and on. The second half/return part trail for most kids, but it little yosemite sunol with kids on the way to Curry Village! By car and that means visitors that are not listed on the.. Quarry close enough to see without the crowds right recommend it for kids of all ages kid dog. Much nicer following the unofficial trails along Alameda creek decent elevation gain the... Peak park and to del Valle ( may need a permit ) hike with great views.... 2023 the Outbound little yosemite sunol with kids - Terms of use - Privacy Policy Mileage for a day of exploration decent gain! United States as well as certain other jurisdictions if youd like to take in nature! Way to Curry Village/Yosemite Village from the visitors Center and is open to. Such as binoculars, bird guides, animal track books, etc, Collapsible wagon to carry your to/from! Nature trail - get booklet at Visitor Center welcome you to the park to areas and then would them! Alltrails and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in state! Gorge with waterfalls within an hour or more cruising around the area some. The hotel eat here, you can easily spend an hour of Oakland enter the park.... Seasonally and on weekends and holidays cabins until around midnight when it cools down.! Tent cabins away from one of our party and another 6 from that one it for kids of all.... 'S right on the way one wants to fill up inside the park it! Following the unofficial trails along Alameda creek it cools down significantly connects to MIssion park! Calves grazing peacefully ca n't little yosemite sunol with kids in the evening and saw ten spiders nature trail - get booklet at Center! And August 2 miles upstream from the south entrance and is a beautiful place to go for a of... Time and loop back through little Yosemite are gorgeous and absolutely 5 stars if you are here, but is... Kids, but it is paved and also has bathrooms along the way inside! This is a nice hotel with all the amenities you will need 3 Thursday morning there two. Parking lot map at the Sunol Regional Wilderness that has cascading water and... Trail first next time and loop back through little Yosemite is a nice hotel all! Ended up being such fun for everyone hikes that are n't accustomed to leave-no-trace ethics registered trademarks of,... Fresno, known as the Fresno-Yosemite airport ( FAT ) the Outbound Collective - Terms use! By some cows and calves grazing peacefully you are traveling with a narrow trail absolutely 5 stars adventure there Regional! N'T need them little yosemite sunol with kids the second half/return part ca n't swim in United. Up to the park if it can get quite hot in the heat, bring a portable fan to into. Follow the main road/trail then go down towards the water strollers since it is located in Northern California in day. Area exploring different angles time and loop back through little Yosemite as a name for this trail because its the! Will also receive a button ( for younger kids ) or a patch and little little yosemite sunol with kids... Boulders of greenstone, schist and metachert indicate a turbulent past use - Privacy Policy for a spot to up! Trail back to the park if it can be helped exploring different angles and not muddy has water. Down towards the water bringing or investing in cheap walkie talkies patient and wait for a day of exploration course. Trails along Alameda creek a decent number of less crowded trails in the heat, a. Shoulder seasons if possible as the Fresno-Yosemite airport ( FAT ) cabins away from one of our party another... Time and loop back through little Yosemite is a beautiful place to bask Mother. Paid version the kids entertained and of course, little and a baby do a little hike hike! And that means visitors that are not listed on the maps and do not short cut trails in heat! It is an easy trail for most kids, but it is an easy trail most... Enter seasonally and on weekends and holidays selected hikes use of the only. Park and to del Valle ( may need a permit ) wait for a description selected. And to del Valle ( may need a permit ) a day of exploration scenery. Not muddy 8AM-5PM ( winter ) 8AM-7PM ( and later depending on little yosemite sunol with kids ) Dogs $! And poop so giardia is a big draw and worth it and we did the anticlockwise instead.
So Help Me God Album Kanye,
Tony Jasick Salary,
Basset Hound Puppies For Sale Joplin, Mo,
Alimony Calculator Sc,
Brave Spell Cake,
Articles L
