HIKING THROUGH YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
For years we have seen photographs of the stunning Yosemite Valley and the famous Half Dome, and has forever been near the top of our National Park bucket list(yep, we have way too many bucket lists). When we arrived in San Fransisco and found out we were merely a few hours drive away from Yosemite National Park we simply had to take a day out of our itinerary of exploring San Fran, and finally see this amazing natural wonder with our own two eyes!
At a chilly 6.45am we excitedly waited for Extranomical Tours to pick us up for our full day trip to Yosemite National Park. Once picked up, along with 34 other excited travellers, we began our 4 hour drive to Yosemite. On the way we stopped at a grocery store where they hand make sandwiches and salads fresh to order. We grabbed a few rolls and delicious doughnuts, along with a cheeky morning coffee, so we could have a picnic together later that day (we highly recommend you bring along a picnic, it was such a lovely addition to the day).
During the drive our guide shared with us the history behind San Fransisco and Yosemite National Park. The hours flew by as our knowledge and excitement grew. At 11am we arrived at our first stop, Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. Here we took a 2-mile hike through the grove full of some of the largest trees we had ever seen!
Sequoias at Yosemite National Park
Sequoias at Yosemite National Park
Sequoias at Yosemite National Park
Sequoias at Yosemite National Park
Sequoias at Yosemite National Park
Sequoias at Yosemite National Park
Sequoias at Yosemite National Park
Sequoias at Yosemite National Park
Sequoias at Yosemite National Park
Sequoias at Yosemite National Park
Sequoias at Yosemite National Park
Sequoias at Yosemite National Park
Sequoias at Yosemite National Park
Sequoias at Yosemite National Park
Jumping back on the bus it was time to drive to our favourite spot of the day, Inspiration Point. As we began our ascend to the lookout our jaws dropped. Towering around us were giant granite walls with lush green valleys below. We are simply going to let the photos speak for themselves.
Sequoias at Yosemite National Park
Sequoias at Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park
After taking way too many photographs our bellies began to rumble and it was time to head to Yosemite Valley. Once we arrived we found a quiet spot to have our picnic whilst being surrounded by gigantic trees, the smell of fresh pine was in the air. After a much needed relax from our hike earlier, we made our way to Yosemite Falls. We climbed over rocks as squirrels darted around our feet until we got so close we could feel the spray from the water crashing in front of us. We were metres away from the tallest waterfall in North America.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park
At 4pm it was time we reluctantly headed to the bus and make our way back to reality. We were excited to find out that half way home we would stop back at the grocery store for a stretch and bite to eat, and another cheeky pastry or two, before arriving back into the city at 8pm.
Yosemite National Park has to be the most beautiful landscape we had ever visited so far in our travels. We highly recommend if you ever find yourself in the San Fransisco area to take a day out of your schedule to visit this breathtaking national park.
Tour Price: $159pp for the Total Yosemite Experience & Giant Sequoias Tour with Extranomical Tours.
Want to see more? Check out the footage we took from our day at Yosemite National Park below.
https://youtu.be/_hvt0pWVZFY
What is the most beautiful national park you have visited?
Many thanks to Extranomical Tours for hosting us for the day. As always, all opinions are our own.
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