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Ahwahnee Hotel (Yosemite National Park)

Address: Yosemite National Park #1 Ahwahnee Drive Yosemite Valley, Ca. 95389

In 1927 Ahwahnee Hotel opened for business and is called the Grand Hotel, well known for its stunning interior and rustic architectural design. The hotel is also a Natural Historic Landmark. It has been previously visited by queens and presidents such as John F. Kennedy, Herbert Hoover, Eleonor Roosevelt, Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philips, and many more. It provides guests with elegance, hospitality, and great history. The Hotel is also in close proximity to Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and Glacier Point. The Hotel is 150,000 sq ft Y shaped building and has 123 rooms which are 99 hotel rooms and 24 cottages.

It took us 4 hours and 15 minutes (220 miles) drive from San Francisco to Ahwahnee Hotel via CA-140 El Portal way. The El Portal route is less switchbacks and winding roads compared to CA- highway 120. We were in awe when we arrived at the entrance of the beutiful Ahwahnee Hotel. We were immediately greeted by the bell hop attendants, took our bags and brought it inside the hotel. We only waited in the lobby for a few minutes as our room was ready. We were impressed and surprise by the rustic and architectural design of our room with a private balcony facing the Glacier Point and Half Dome. And we have to use an old room gold keys and not the more sophisticated key card being used nowadays. The rooms decor is very classic and rustic with one bedroom, bathroom and a living room space.

We decided to explore the Hotel and walked around their architecturally designed lobby with 2 huge fire place, piano and some old artifacts and collectible items. My wife ordered a cocktail at their Ahwahnee bar which serve cocktails, small appetizers, and are only open from 2-9 p.m. It’s a great place to unwind and relax after a day of outdoor activities. We also visited and had lunch at their famous elegant Dining room which was named the crown jewel of Yosemite dining. We were impressed at the elegant, large dining room with Cathedral windows and a 34 ft high cross beam ceiling. Due to covid restrictions, we had to order first by the bar and had to eat at the available tables on a first come, first serve basis. We ordered chicken tenders for $9.25, Ahwahnee Boysenberry pie for $13.50, Seafood pasta for $25, soup of the day (miso soup) for $8.50 and seasonal grill cheese for $18.50. We were lucky enough to find an available table right by the cathedral window overlooking the meadows and trees. The tables were consistently cleaned and sanitized by the restaurant staff members. All our food came in large portions and delicious especially the seafood pasta and the Boysenberry pie. My daughter was surprised and happy to see from our window a few deers hanging out by the meadows.

Overall, it’s a very nice and grand Hotel with lots of amenities and great service. We would definitely come back again and stay overnight in the future. Some of the amenities are free WI-Fi, shuttle, valet parking, concierge, swimming pool and childcare services.

Tips: The Hotel is very close to The Village Store for reasonable price grocery items, Park Clinic, Degnan’s Deli, picnic areas and there is a giftshop inside the hotel for basic necessity and snack items. They also sell a wide variety of high quality chocolates. There are also a few tables available outdoor if you prefer to be outside. The outdoor swimming pool is open but we didn’t get to try it. And you can walk around the meadows just be careful of the deers especially during mating season. They have ample parking but don’t leave any food or scented items as the bears can break into your car at night if they smell food or scented items.

Let me know if you have any questions or what you think about The Ahwahnee Hotel and Restaurant after your visit in the comments below. And kindly subscribe, comment, and share our family travel blog site with your friends and family. Or even include our travel blog website address when you post your pictures on social media. Have fun and stay safe. Thank you.

Click here to find a hotel close to Yosemite National Park in Mariposa County.

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Tenaya Lake (Yosemite National Park)

Address: Tioga Pass Road Yosemite National Park Ca. 95389

Tenaya Lake is located in Yosemite’s high country region between Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows with an elevation of 8,150 feet. It is a high sierra lake surrounded by granite domes, forests, and vast wilderness. Tenaya Lake is the largest lake in Yosemite’s high country. Tenaya lake is also referred to as “Jewel of the High Country”. It is about an hour and 17 minutes and 49 miles drive from Yosemite Valley to Tenaya Lake via Tioga Pass Road. Tenaya Lake is a popular spot for kayaking, sunbathing, swimming, and boating.

Our drive from Yosemite Valley to Tenaya lake is very scenic, with lots of winding roads and switchbacks but well worth the effort. We pulled over to some of the Vista Points and took some amazing pictures of the gorgeous views. We also stopped over at a few places such as Tuolumne Grove Trailhead to use the public restroom, Tenaya Lake picnic area, Olmstead Point, Lembert Dome, and Tuolumne Meadows. Our stopover at Olmstead Point with an amazing view was one of the highlights of our trip to Tenaya lake. We first pulled over at the Tenaya lake picnic area and stayed there for an hour to eat and relax. This area is slightly rocky with a different view or angle of the lake and the granite domes. After eating we then drove for about 10 minutes and parked on the side of the road at the Tenaya lake beach area close to Murphy Creek Trailhead. There’s also a parking lot and public restroom available by the Trailhead. From the parking area, we carried all our snacks, foldable chairs, drinks, and picnic blanket to the beach area. We all played in the clear, refreshing, cold water which we later got acclimated to the coldness. A few people were swimming in the water, brought their own paddleboards, inflatable kayaks, smaller boats, and explored the amazing Tenaya Lake. We were amazed by the crystal clear water of the Lake with a backdrop of the huge granite domes surrounding the lake. There were a few trailheads to choose from around the area and it’s also the base camp for the hike to Cloud’s Rest which is about a 6-8 hours hike.

Overall, it’s a very big lake with clear, cold, and refreshing water surrounded by picturesque granite domes. We would definitely come back again and stay overnight in the future. It is a great place for the entire family to relax and enjoy the scenery.

Tips: Don’t forget to fill up with gas at the Chevron in Crane Flat which is the only gas station going to the Lake. They have ample parking and public restrooms available on site for visitors near the trailhead. The water is refreshing and cold so try to bring water shoes to protect you from rocks. Go there early to find parking and don’t leave food or drinks out in the open to prevent wildlife from eating your food. The west bank is spectacular while the east bank has a nice beach and picnic areas. Don’t forget to stop by at Olmstead Point which is before Tenaya Lake coming from the Valley. Watch out for bears that may be around the area.

Let me know if you have any questions or what you think about Tenaya lake after your visit in the comments below. And kindly subscribe, comment, and share our family travel blog site with your friends and family. Or even include our travel blog website address when you post your pictures on social media. Have fun and stay safe. Thank you.