One Day Trip To Yosemite From Fresno

Best Options For a One-Day Trip To Yosemite From Fresno!

You’re in Fresno and loving it I am sure *wink*. But sometimes you want to visit one of the most beautiful places on the planet, Yosemite, but still want to get back to Fresno by the end of the day. What do you do?

What to Do During Your One-Day Trip to Yosemite

Even though your time in Yosemite will be limited, you can still visit some of the park’s most iconic attractions.

First, remember that it currently costs $30 to get into Yosemite. And reservations are also required to get in during busier times of the year. Check this site for Yosemite entrance reservations.

With that, here are a few must-see one-day spots you should aim for if you’re runnin’ up that hill from Fresno (linked to Google Maps location):

tunnel-view-1024x768 One Day Trip To Yosemite From Fresno

1. Tunnel View
Start your day by taking in the breathtaking panoramic view of Yosemite Valley from Tunnel View. This lookout provides an incredible vantage point of El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, and Half Dome. It’s a great place for photos and a perfect introduction to the park’s grandeur.

2. Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in North America, and it’s especially impressive in the spring when snowmelt fuels its flow. You can take a short walk to the base of the falls or enjoy the view from several points around the park.

3. Glacier Point
If time permits, head to Glacier Point for some of the most stunning views in Yosemite. From this viewpoint, you can see the entire Yosemite Valley, including Half Dome, El Capitan, and the High Sierra peaks. It’s a bit of a drive, but the view is worth it.

Heads up: Glacier Point Road (the way in) is often closed during the Winter.

Check Yosemite road conditions by calling 209-372-0200 and by checking this page.

4. Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
If you have extra time, consider visiting the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, home to some of the oldest and largest trees in the world. The Grizzly Giant and the California Tunnel Tree are particularly popular.

This is also the best option if you have very little time but want to see something significant in Yosemite, as it is the first thing you can do after you get through the South Gate entrance on 41. Worth noting, this is closed in the Winter often, check here to see when – pretty sure you can always hike in though, but there is a shuttle that brings you in the rest of the time.

How to Get to Yosemite from Fresno

merced-river-1024x768 One Day Trip To Yosemite From Fresno

To make the most of your one-day trip, planning your route is important. That said, I am a wing-it kind of person and since you’re coming from Fresno, you have some freedom to wing. Anyway, here’s a quick guide to getting from Fresno to Yosemite:

  • Route: The most direct route to Yosemite is Highway 41 (aka “up the hill”), which will take you through the South Entrance (also known as the Arch Rock Entrance). This is the easiest and quickest way to reach the park from Fresno.
  • Drive Time: The drive is 1 to 2 hours, depending on traffic, where in Fresno you’re coming from, and weather conditions, so plan it out to get your full day in the park; leave early. Be sure to check the road conditions before your trip, especially in the winter months. Side note: Yosemite is big so drive time estimates are loose.
  • Best Time to Visit: While Yosemite is beautiful year-round, spring and fall are considered the best times for a day trip, due to pleasant weather and fewer crowds. However, early summer is popular for visitors who want to experience the park’s waterfalls and hiking trails at their fullest. But that means it is packed most Summer days, especially holiday weekends.
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I took this of Half Dome in August of 2024

Tips for a Successful Day Trip to Yosemite

Arrive Early: Since you’ll have limited time, getting an early start is key. Arriving early ensures you have a full day of exploration and gives you the best chance to avoid the busiest crowds.

  • Pack Essentials: Even if you’re just going for a day, pack a backpack with water, snacks, sunscreen, and a camera. Layers of clothes too, as temperatures can vary throughout the day. Thunderstorms can even pop up when you think there is no way.
  • Be Mindful of Time: With so much to see, it’s easy to get caught up in the beauty of Yosemite. However, remember that you’ll need to head back to Fresno in the evening. Set a time to leave the park so you’re not rushed on your way home. You can even have time to stop for dinner in Oakhurst at one of my favorite places, South Gate Brewing.

Stay The Night Instead!

I know you’re trying to get back to Fresno (hey, I don’t blame ya) but you may want to stay, the top three suggestions on where to stay inside Yosemite for the night:

  • Yosemite Valley Lodge – Great for families, my go-to. Worth noting, there is no AC so it does get hot in the Summer trying to sleep.
  • The Ahwahnee – Good if you’re trying to impress your date.
  • Curry Village – When you want it cheap and can rough it slightly.

More options for booking a place to stay in Yosemite can be found here.

Get Stoked, You’re Going To Yosemite!

A one-day trip from Fresno to Yosemite offers a convenient escape to one of the most stunning national parks in the world. Whether you’re admiring the view from Tunnel View, hiking to Yosemite Falls, or marveling at the ancient giant sequoias, the memories you create will last a lifetime. While a single day doesn’t allow for an in-depth exploration, it’s the perfect way to experience Yosemite’s highlights without straying too far from home. Start planning your adventure today, and let the beauty of Yosemite take your breath away.

Trips to escape the Fresno heat

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The Marriot Grande in Tahoe looking mighty good right now

I am like many Fresnans in that I can take the heat. May, June, July, and August is hot and we accept that. Otherwise, we’ll go crazy.

For me though, by the time September rolls around and something upper 90s or 100s shows up, I am like “Hell no! We have all had enough out of you. Get the freaking frack out of here!”

Well, this week is going to be in the upper 90s and 100 plus. And it’s September. Scew that.

If you have the means, I say you get the frick out of here. Might I suggest someone you can go to get away from Fresno for a day or more? These are places I have stayed before or places I want to stay when I can:

Or generate a whole package for a trip anywhere, using CheapOair.

I don’t have the money for this today. I blew it a few weeks ago in Yosemite. I will be at work hating life and sweating, hoping my swamp cooler will work at home. But maybe YOU can get out of here.

Get out for all of us. Enjoy life!

And when you come back the weather will finally be better and you can tell us how nice it was to get away.

Be safe.

-Mikey

Fresno’s Christmas Tree Lane Brings Back Walk Nights!

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Walk Night pic from Christmas Tree Lane


I am not going to question it, I will just accept it.

The rumors are true. Organizers of Fresno’s Christmas Tree Lane have brought back ‘walk nights’. For you Fresno newbs, this is when they do not let cars go down Old Van Ness and they let people do something totally strange in Fresno… walk

Last year they implied Walk Nights would never come back, but here we are.

As per the tradition, there are two walk nights:

  • Saturday, December 2nd.
  • Tuesday, December 12th.

Christmas Tree Lane starts Saturday (Dec 2nd) and is open every night thru December 25th.

The Lane opens every night at 6 PM. Closes (lights off) at 10 Sunday-Thursday and 11 PM Friday and Saturday.

More info can be found here.

Where To Park On Christmas Tree Lane Walk Nights

You just park in the neighborhood. I assume people who live in Old Fig hate Walk Nights. But they get to throw parties on Walk Nights, so it’s kinda worth it.

Some people park in Fig Garden Village and take some sort of tram, or get a ride and are dropped off, or walk all the way down to Shields and then walk back.

Heads up: if you do park at Fig Garden Village, it is insane with cars and people. I went to pick up food one night not remembering it was a Walk Night, and got stuck in the Village for a while and didn’t even score food.

I just find a dumb house to park in front of somewhere near Dakota but not South of the railroad tracks.

Hopefully, the return of Walk Nights will relieve some of the pressure of regular car nights when the line to drive Christmas Tree Lane goes down Blackstone all the way to Shaw.

That is right. You basically get in line for Christmas Tree Lane at Shaw.

But hey, screw that, Walk Nights are back. I might hit up both nights, just because.

A nice video that Localish put together a few years ago:

Don’t forget to get some good hot Fresno coffee and I’ll see ya out there.

Can You See Satellites In Fresno? Yes.

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The ISS with solar array in full bloom (pic by NASA just in case you thought I took this)

Sorry if this is yet another thing that makes me a nerd but I like spotting satellites in Fresno’s night sky. Even with our light pollution, its not that hard to do.

If ya think you have never seen one, you probably have and just passed it off as a plane.

The trick to spot them for me is: there are no blinking lights on a satellite. 

It is one solid light that looks like a star, but moving smoothly and quietly across the night sky.

  • Blinking = Plane.
  • Solid = Satellite.

If you like watching a small dot move across a screen, here is a video I took of the International Space Station going over the Eastern Fresno sky:

And this equally dorky one across the NW Fresno sky:

I mean, come on now, THAT is some THRILLING ? video people! [sarcasm]

As nerds in Fresno take video of them that you can hardly see, the Space Station crew occasionally takes shots of the Earth below:

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https%3A%2F%2Fpbs.substack.com%2Fmedia%2FE3jUv74X0Ag2jZY Can You See Satellites In Fresno? Yes.
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There are websites and apps to help spot things. I sometimes use an app simply called “Satellite Tracker” to find me some info on what I might be seeing – there is a lot of abandoned space junk up there still circling.

You can find a calendar of the ISS’s activities here.

Once you get the hang of it, it becomes pretty easy to spot the random ? satellite – there are many more than there used to be. It usually only takes a minute to find one and I live in the middle of the city.

Also, over the next few weeks the Perseid Metor Shower is going on, peaking August 11-13th. You definitely can catch a few from your patio but those are best viewed outside of the city.