Overwhelmed organising at short notice

Question

Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to read my post.

I have decided to switch out Sequoia for Yosemite and have left myself with a tight timeframe to organize a Yosemite itinerary and accommodation for JUNE. I am travelling with my husband and our two children (4 & 6) from Australia.

We are driving from Palm Springs on June 5. I expect we won’t arrive at the South entrance of the park until around 4pm that day. We then drive to Monterrey on June 7.

-Do we spend the first night outside the south entrance, e.g., Fish Camp or Oakhurst (All park accommodation seems booked out. Yosemite West accommodation is too expensive. Our budget would be max USD 500/night)

-then do a full day sightseeing on the 6th

-then exit the park at the west entrance and spend the night of the 6th there before driving to Monterrey on the 7th

Should we drive straight through to the West entrance and spend both nights there?

-is there any of the park we could enjoy after arriving late afternoon on the first day?

Would this be a good one-day itinerary:

Mariposa Grove (giant sequoias)

Tunnel View (famous Yosemite Valley view)

Bridalveil Fall (short waterfall walk)

Yosemite Valley (El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, lunch)

Valley View (scenic spot)

Tuolumne Grove (optional) (second sequoia grove)

Is 8-10 hours for this reasonable? What am I missing??

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!

Answer

Given your tight timeframe and budget, here’s a practical approach for your Yosemite trip in early June with young children.

Accommodation Strategy:

Since arriving at the South Entrance around 4pm, driving straight into Yosemite Valley to the West Entrance could be quite long and stressful, especially with kids. Staying the first night outside the park near the South Entrance (Fish Camp, Oakhurst, or Mariposa) is the more relaxed option. This allows you to rest after the drive and start sightseeing fresh the next day. Yosemite West and other in-park lodging are usually more expensive, so your budget aligns better with accommodations outside the park.

Night of June 5: Stay in Fish Camp or Oakhurst (approx. 1 hour from South Entrance)
Day of June 6: Enter the park early for a full day of sightseeing
Night of June 6: Stay near the West Entrance (e.g., El Portal, Wawona, or Mariposa if west side is more convenient for your drive to Monterey)

Driving straight to the West Entrance and spending both nights there could save some driving, but you will arrive late on June 5 and likely have little opportunity to explore. Kids may also be tired from the drive, making sightseeing difficult that evening.

Activities After Arriving Late Afternoon:

If you choose to stay outside the South Entrance, a short stop at Mariposa Grove or a scenic pullout along the South Entrance road could be doable in the late afternoon. Keep it brief to avoid over-tiring the children.

Suggested One-Day Itinerary (June 6):

Your planned itinerary is ambitious but reasonable if you start early (around 7–8am). Eight to ten hours is doable, but consider that driving within the park and short walks will add time. With kids, a slightly relaxed pace is advised.

Mariposa Grove: Giant sequoias, allow 1–1.5 hours including shuttle/walk
Tunnel View: Quick scenic stop, 15–20 minutes
Bridalveil Fall: Short walk, 20–30 minutes
Yosemite Valley: El Capitan, Yosemite Falls viewpoints, and lunch. Allocate 2–3 hours for this area including breaks
Valley View: Scenic photo stop, 10–15 minutes
Optional Tuolumne Grove: If kids are energetic, 1–1.5 hours for a secondary sequoia experience

Consider packing snacks, water, and allowing for bathroom breaks. Depending on traffic and park shuttle schedules, your total day could stretch closer to 10 hours.

Additional Tips:

Start as early as possible to beat crowds at Mariposa Grove and Yosemite Valley
Use the shuttle system where possible to reduce walking with children and parking hassle
Check for any road closures or shuttle schedules online prior to your trip
If Tuolumne Grove seems too ambitious with children, prioritize Mariposa Grove for the giant sequoias

Overall, spending the first night outside the South Entrance, a full day inside Yosemite on June 6, and then positioning yourself near the West Entrance for the drive to Monterey is a balanced plan that keeps driving manageable and sightseeing enjoyable for your family.

Overwhelmed organising at short notice

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