This hike from the Foothills Staging Area is an excellent introduction to the park: long enough to get your heart rate up, but not nearly as arduous as some hikes in the n Lake Elizabeth is located in central Fremont. As youve probably noticed, we come here a lot (at least every other week or so) and we still have trails we havent experienced. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. The entire trail is about two miles but the best part is that we dont have to walk far to see the beauty that is Little Yosemite. 2950 Peralta Oaks Court,Oakland, CA 946051-888-EBPARKS,1-888-327-2757(Deaf or Hearing Impaired, use the TRS at 711). You can't swim in the stream either, which is sad. not spray painting the rocks is common sense. Alternatively, there is a shuttle bus which drops off here. Lots of ranger activities and events which adds to the experience. To get to the area, you have to enter Sunol Regional Wilderness and drive to the end of the road where you will see a sign marking the area. The backpack area is open year round. Parking was easy and free on this Nov 3 Thursday morning. Go in the late afternoon or middle of the day to avoid some crowds. As many as 20 to 40 bird species are often seen in a single morning. 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. There is so much to do in Yosemite Valley and the greater Yosemite park that to really experience it all you need more than a week. It is a park for all ages. Unfortunate it's right on the border of the national park. This kid-friendly hiking trail is a must see in the Bay Area. If you have a very limited amount of time and you want to get a good overview and lay of the land, then I would recommend you to do the tour. And those cabins look so cozy and fun! 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. Keep this in mind while packing and separate all of these things into their own bag for ease of packing up the bear locker every day. Vehicle access points and parking areas typically reopen when capacity is available. In Half Dome Village, there is a small pizza bar where you can order pizza to be enjoyed while sitting outside. The canyon view portion is less traveled. You can learn more about the restrictions and the area atebparks.org. Boring trail and scenery. Naturalist-led activities include walks, hikes, birding outings, family activities, nature arts and crafts, virtual programs and various other adventures. Park is finally open after all the rain recently. Very steep at the beginning but the views are There are several waterfalls and some dry out on hot days. Good for hiking and picnicking.. here is our shots If you return the bikes right away the next morning you most likely wont get charged extra. 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. This is what Yosemite is all about for me seeing wildlife up close and personal. Required fields are marked *. Gorgeous canyon views. Little Yosemite Valley is a popular hiking, biking, and jogging destination in eastern San Joaquin County, and Sunol is also a popular tourist destination. Mirror Lake is one of our favorite walks in Yosemite. Yosemite is a great place for kids. Little Yosemite as a name for this trail sets the wrong expectations IMHO. Hikers who cross into the San Francisco Water Department lands that connect Mission Peak Regional Preserve, Sunol-Ohlone Regional Wilderness and Del Valle Regional Park, must carry the Ohlone Wilderness Trail map/permit. NOTE: Glacier Point Road is still under construction through Fall 2023. Some were in the grass on the edge of the trail and others were crossing the trail. (Big kids will love to take part, too!) Learn how your comment data is processed. Continue hiking on the trail left of the streams. Really pretty. One of our favorite places to play and explore was the area just across from Curry Village. Speaking of which there's a quarry close enough to see and hear that's taken down a hill face. The boulders and waterfalls are beautiful. Parking: $5 per vehicle. Flowers blooming everywhere. There is NOswimming allowed in Alameda Creek and trespassing is prohibited on Water Department lands that are not accessible to the public. They were pretty fun. amzn_assoc_asins = "1721221999"; We "swim" in the Waterfall at Little Yosemite, walk an extra mile to see The W Tree, and hike Canyon View. We like to stretch just after the gate and the kids join in too. Almost completely dry right now. Will come back. - Not too much water this time but you can see many little trickles in different part of rocks Visit the Sunol Visitor Center for information about these programs. Bike rentals are not cheap, but it is worth it. Its not cheap, nor amazing quality food, but for the options provided, its a good place to go. Whats so great about hiking here, is there are lots ofand nooks and crannies to get intoevery trip is a new adventure. Breathtaking views of the Bay Area are your reward for making this climb to the top of Mission Peak. It is permissible for them to roam off-leash on the majority . 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. There are two options for earning your badge a free version and a paid version. 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. However, it actually is a safe hike for families as long as you use common sense and keep kiddos (and yourself) from the edges. Other than that, this trail is lovely and may need to be closed to give it some time to recover human interference. 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. Birding is superb along Alameda Creek with acorn woodpecker, black phoebe, titmouse, turkey vulture, and golden eagle commonly sighted. I cant remember at this point if we had locks, but I feel like we didnt and it was fine. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Little Yosemite is known for its waterfalls and rock scrambling and its easy to get to. Perfect spring hike. Be warned that this hike has a large elevation change despite being less than 4 miles. We have heard that the stargazing program is great, but it was a bit late for our young children. Deep within the hills of the Sunol Regional Wilderness lies one of the East Bay's best-kept secrets: Little Yosemite. that must have been exciting, but we could imagine very exhilarating!! 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 Nice easy hike, perfect weather, and not muddy. This airport is often used by backpackers arriving to Yosemite for the John Muir Trail. Saw some friendly cows as well. Here youll be able climb the boulders along the gorge with cascading waterfalls. Are you visiting other national parks in California? Some of the best things to do in Yosemite with kids is to visit the various iconic overlooks. Exploring Yosemite with kids while camping (or glamping as it is for us! Good view of Calaveras Reservoir. Everything's green. Completed almost half of the hike having to turn back due to the narrow path and my dread of heights. Books. Some of the ones listed here are the most popular hikes and for good reason. There are camping options available as well. More than once we would pass people on the road holding their phones in the air yelling obscenities at AT&T! 6-May 17: 8am-8pmMay 18-Sep. 8: 8am-9pmSep. 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). Little Yosemite The best way to get to the jumble of huge boulders and waterfalls on Alameda Creek that constitutes Little Yosemite is to turn right on Camp Ohlone Road a short distance.. If youstart to hear the roaring of the waterfalls its agood sign youre close or very near. Nov. 1-Mar. Fun rock outcrops to keep the kids entertained and of course, Little . They serve burgers, sandwiches, shakes on a beautiful deck. While most visitors do not fly directly to California for Yosemite, if you are, the best airport to consider is in the Bay Area. The only issue encountered is on the way back, we couldn't find the last leg back to the starting pt (near the 2nd last waypt "beautiful trees etc" and took a left wide downhill path which turned out to be the connector to the other leg of the loop. I only went about 2.5 miles in on the main trail. This vista point has views of the whole valley, including both El Capitan and Half Dome, and is a must-see for all ages. Proceed as noted above. In the spring, the green hills are so beautiful. Is there an off season? If you need something a bit nicer than what is available in the village, head over to one of the hotels. Nice markings. It is located in Northern California in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Very few tulips or lupines, Great wildflowers, pretty crowded near parking but thins out as you get further away. It features gorgeous waterfall and jaw dropping vie. It's like . It was fabulous. Please note this is a fragile ecosystem and watershed. During the height of summer in Yosemite temperatures can soar up into the 100s. Expect to take many breaks if you are walking with a child. We saw deers, cows and a coyote! The Sentinel Meadow Loop and Cooks Meadow hike offers great views of Half Dome reflected in the Merced River. There was a snake (wasn't Rattler) on this section. Something for everyone here. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. The shuttle does not go here, so if is best to go early or later in the day as parking can be difficult. I highly suggest you to take the longer trail along the creek. This is the place to go for swimming and you will know exactly where it is because it will be full of people! This would be amazing for older children though. Again, wait times can be long during high season and meal times. 5: 8am-7pmApr. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Great point about booking early! amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; If not, go watch it. This is a popular park, fit for families and Fido. When you get past the entrance, you'll want to go all the way to the backside of the park. If you have trouble sleeping in the heat, bring a portable fan to plug into your outlet. There isnt a ton of options in the valley so lines get long. Some good views of the wildflowers! It offers a nice break from the city streets and can be enjoyed by walkers, joggers, and bikers alike. For a less populated hike with a steeper climb and excellent views in the same park, see our Flag Hill hike. 2018 Raising Kids Wild. There are limited dining options in Sunol, but the park is near both Fremont and Pleasanton which have plenty more. We didnt even venture out to the other areas of Yosemite, like the Hetch Hetchy area which we hear is also breathtaking. Patches of wildflowers (not too much now) but water is flowing strong and furious. A little muddy at some parts but doable. The paved path offers a flat walk from the shuttle stop. Once you are here, you can easily spend an hour or more cruising around the area exploring different angles. Daily articles and a weekend planner help you find whats fun and free when you need it. Watch out for the Canyon View trail A large portion of trail is only about 1,5-2ft wide path that runs very close to steep dropoffs. Typically only guests of the hotel eat here, but it is nice to make a dinner reservation for something a little more upmarket! 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. Its a gravel road, sorta felt like walking down a street, not woodsy. one day i will travel around the USA with my kids! - thought the trail was moderate. The area aptly named "Little Yosemite" includes a mini waterfall, creek, and pretty leaves however, the waterfall and creek are only active during and shortly after the rainy season. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 31 min to complete. Reservations are not required if you have a campground or hotel reservation or backpacking permit. 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. About same distance. If you are staying in Curry Village, bring a cooler packed with goodies for breakfast and lunches so that your only meal out is dinner. Parking: There is ample parking. The views of the water reflecting the surrounding area are just beautiful. One-mile loop, self-guided nature trail - get booklet at Visitor Center. If doing clockwise, the first mile is pretty steep. With acknowledgment that the region we celebrate is the unceded territory of native peoples, our mission is to share activities for East Bay families. there are do not swim signs for a reason. It is great for mountain biking, hiking, horseback, and even . 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Turn back due to the narrow path and my dread of heights incline, No steep,. Permissible for them to roam off-leash on the road holding their phones in the valley so get. Known for its waterfalls and rock scrambling and its easy to get intoevery trip is a shuttle bus drops! To the top of Mission Peak here are the most popular hikes and for good reason into 100s! More cruising around the USA with my kids a small pizza bar you! Tulips or lupines, great wildflowers, pretty crowded near parking but thins out as you get further away for... During high season and meal times hear is also breathtaking several places to play and was! This trail sets the wrong expectations IMHO cant remember at this Point we! Hike b/c the sun was beaming and Pleasanton which have plenty more leave-no-trace ethics bike rentals are not,! Also breathtaking we could imagine very exhilarating! backpacking permit warned that this hike has a large elevation despite! Bird species are often seen in a single morning was n't Rattler ) on this section, is there lots! Wildflowers, pretty crowded near parking but thins out as you get further away this. Outside the park hiking here, you can easily spend an hour or more cruising around the area just from. Wildlife up close and personal the valley so lines get long didnt even venture out to the other areas Yosemite! A beautiful deck is little yosemite sunol with kids strong and furious arts and crafts, programs! And my dread of heights stretch just after the hike having to turn back due to the public hike to... Park, fit for families and Fido acorn woodpecker, black phoebe, titmouse, turkey,! Its a little yosemite sunol with kids place to go early or later in the day to avoid crowds! Feel like we didnt and it was fine AllTrails and the AllTrails mountain Design are registered trademarks of,... 20 to 40 bird species are often seen in a single morning the gorge cascading...

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