little yosemite sunol with kids

Alternatively, there is a shuttle bus which drops off here. Proceed as noted above. Little Yosemite is known for its waterfalls and rock scrambling and its easy to get to. Really pretty. Cross Camp Ohlone Road and step down into Little Yosemite. But you won't need them for the second half/return part. Camping is by advance reservation only (5 business days); phone 1-888-EBPARKS or1-888-327-2757press option 2, orvisit the Camping pagefor details. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Explore little Yosemite (sunol) - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Did the hike on 4/10. The trail is beautiful and perfect for kids of all ages. Weathered serpentine and sandstone outcrops. The loop is shared by dog walkers, trail runners, hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. This is a moderate hike that provides a nice workout so be prepared. Bedrock mortars used by Native Americans for pounding acorns that were found in the area are reminders of Sunol's first inhabitants. This quick, casual eatery offers plenty of choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Little Yosemite is a scenic gorge on Alameda Creek about two miles upstream from the Visitor Center. Beautiful all around. This is devastating to the environment. Little Yosemite in Sunol is a scenic hike offering breathtaking oak lined canyon views and dramatic waterfalls. There are a few parking lots near the trailhead. During summer it is hot in the day and cool at night. 2018 Raising Kids Wild. A bike with a child trailer is $60 per day. It provides spectacular views across the valley including of El Capitan. Oak woodland and grassland communities; fossiliferous sandstone outcrops. There are multiple trails you can take to modify the hike and make it harder/longer. The scenery is beautiful, especially now with all the spring green and sprinkling of wildflowers. Impatient visitors will quickly see how this trail earned its name as it . There were two parking areas and lots of spots The beginning of Canyon View Trail parallels Alameda Creek, which provides a gentle, babbling, background symphony to accompany your first steps. Find Adventure and Win Prizes with TRACK Trails! If you want to recapture that feeling of adventure you got from sleepaway camp and share it with the whole family, we recommend Curry Village. Cant wait to go back and try them myself. As a reminder, please do not feed the animals as cute as they are! 2023 East Bay Regional Park District.All Rights Reserved. They're very easy to spot on the side latter half of the trail. Its pretty silly in parts, but it educates kids (big and small) on the history of the park through a fun comedy sketch. If you want to keep valuables in your bear locker, bring a lock from home to lock it. Perfect weather to do this fairly exposed trail. This kid-friendly hiking trail is a must see in the Bay Area. Typically only guests of the hotel eat here, but it is nice to make a dinner reservation for something a little more upmarket! The paid version is a booklet filled with fun activities and exercises for your child to do before earning their badge. 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). Check here for details on how to try to nab a spot. Camping at designated campsites along the Ohlone Wilderness Trail is allowed by advance reservation only (5 business days), and separate arrangements should be made by phoning 1-888-EBPARKS or1-888-327-2757, press option 2. However, if you have more time at the park, my recommendation is to rent bikes and explore on your own for an even better experience and overview of the park. Fees: $5 per car + $2 per dog (free for service dogs), Trailhead: Across the footbridge at Canyon View Trailhead. During our visit, the program started at 2 pm which was sometimes difficult to make our way back to camp in the middle of the day. 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. We aim to inspire families to explore where and when they can even if its in their own city! At the end there's a shallow creek with a small waterfall with class 2 scrambling. Went clockwise. For a less populated hike with a steeper climb and excellent views in the same park, see our Flag Hill hike. There are a multitude of places to wander around near here and begin exploring Yosemite. Saw LOTS of woodpeckers so that was fun! The green fields are lovely. The smell of blooming buckeyes in the air. amzn_assoc_linkid = "228ba6d97ce6e9f589744578662157bc"; Your email address will not be published. Little Yosemite as a name for this trail sets the wrong expectations IMHO. Even within Curry Village there are several options. About same distance. There is one place in Curry Village (at the lodge, across from the dining area) that you can get internet access, but you need to go early in the morning or in middle of the day to get on. We explore Sunol Regional Wilderness in California. The water is almost dried up during our visit, but in recent years it has been much fuller. It was exhilarating to see one up close and in its own habitat. With acknowledgment that the region we celebrate is the unceded territory of native peoples, our mission is to share activities for East Bay families. The hike to Little Yosemite Area starts at the end of Geary Road. Such a beautiful hike! Ill definitely consult this list. We missed the entry to the water but found our way down. For those of you scared of camping, the tent cabins at Curry are not that rustic the only problem is walking to the bathrooms in the middle of the night. Naturalist staff at the Sunol Visitor Center welcome you to the park. A good hike for some kids. Beautiful trail with so many wildflowers! Easy hike into Little Yosemite. If yo North Rim Trail to Eagle Rock is an out-and-back trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near San Jose, California. We opted for the tent cabins. The entire trail is about two miles but the best part is that we don't have to walk far to see the beauty that is Little Yosemite. Again, wait times can be long during high season and meal times. Still lonely on a cool morning. 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. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Little Yosemite, Canyon View Trail, McCorkle Trail, Little Yosemite via Camp Ohlone, Geary, Backpack and McCorkle Loop, Indian Joe, Cave Rocks, High Valley, and Flag Hill Loop, Little Yosemite and Indian Joe Creek Loop, Indian Joe Creek, Vista Grande, Eagle View, and Canyon View Loop, McCorkle, Indian Joe, Cave Rocks, Vista Grande, and Cerro Este Loop, Indian Joe Creek Trail to Canyon View Trail, Indian Joe Nature, High Valley, Welch Creek Road, Maguire Peaks, Canyon View, McCorkle, Eagle View, Shady Glen, and Hayfield Road Loop, Little Yosemite, McCorckle Trail, and Vista Grande Overlook Loop. Those include an entrance into the Hetch Hetchy Valley on the northwest end of the park as well as the eastern entrance off Highway 395 near Lee Vining at Tioga Pass. For those of you wanting a little more luxury during your visit, check out the only 4 star hotel in the park, The Majestic Yosemite. This badge and park was the beginning of a many year obsession with being a park ranger! Check out our camping list for ideas on what you should bring. This is also the closest you can get to Half Dome without actually hiking it. The only negative during high season was the line for restaurants. The hike . During the summer season, there are often great family friendly shows held at the Curry Village Amphitheater. Parking: There is ample parking. This would be amazing for older children though. When you get past the entrance, you'll want to go all the way to the backside of the park. (This also means no wading or dogs in the creek) Canyon View Trail and Little Yosemite are gorgeous and absolutely 5 stars. Very buce hike with some shading. Please explore responsibly! There are camping options available as well. Required fields are marked *. Definitely a chill spot. 510Families.com is the best website for parents in Alameda, Berkeley, and Oakland to find kid-friendly activities every day. This is one of the most beautiful regions of the park, with some amazing panoramic views best experienced under soft morning light when crowds are few. A wooden bridge leads over Alameda Creek and to the right youll find Canyon View Trail, which will take you to the falls. Hikers must sign in at trailheads as they enter these lands. The walk was pleasant, next to a stream. Got a little confused on trail. Still bone dry despite the rains. On the day that you rented bikes, did you do hikes along the way? Went shortly before sunset. Turned back at the first small rocky falls. They are easy, short and most kids (and adults!) That said, the young kids were hot and a bit bored. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. Other than that, this trail is lovely and may need to be closed to give it some time to recover human interference. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. Birding is superb along Alameda Creek with acorn woodpecker, black phoebe, titmouse, turkey vulture, and golden eagle commonly sighted. Last hiked 12/31/20 The hiking trail is very flat and wide. The creek/falls itself are accessible by car and that means visitors that aren't accustomed to leave-no-trace ethics. Great loop. 6-May 17: 8am-8pmMay 18-Sep. 8: 8am-9pmSep. Bring hats, water and plenty of snacks. We like to take this trail because its near the streams and youll get to take in more nature. This is what Yosemite is all about for me seeing wildlife up close and personal. Arriving early is key to avoid the sun and crowds in order to social distance. 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. Visited the Sunol park and chose to visit the Little Yosemite Trail. Its also very shaded and where one of our favorite landmarks T-rex rapids is. Littles will particularly love the poop exhibit. Good view of Calaveras Reservoir. Parking: $5 per vehicle. (You cant go wrong with either path but the further you walk up, the higher you will need to climb down from to get to the waterfalls.) Spending time in the great outdoors is the best thing to do in Yosemite with kids. If youd like to take a direct trail back to the entrance, theres a wide fire road along the creek. Park at the first parking lot after the fee station at the end of Geary Road. Without a bike, it is a 1 mile walk from Curry Village under a heavy canopy of trees, making it an easy breezy walk. The family photo at the top of this post is from this viewpoint. However, it actually is a safe hike for families as long as you use common sense and keep kiddos (and yourself) from the edges. The only program we paid for was the Yosemite Valley Floor Tour. Getting to Little Yosemite from Danville/Walnut Creek: Go south on I-680 and exit at Calaveras Road/Highway 84 just south of Pleasanton. All rights reserved. One youve finished exploring Little Yosemite, go back up Cerro Este Road and Canyon View Trail to return to the trailhead. We enjoyed the views on the canyon trail and found it to be a nice easy hike. Depending on how much you have already done or are planning for the day, you can continue hiking to the top of Lower Falls which is 2 miles in/out. $5 entrance fee. Little Yosemite is a scenic gorge with waterfalls within an hour of Oakland. Overall, if you want to do trail run/hiking, this place is pretty good. Visitors from Southern California will enter on the south Wawona on Highway 41 via Oakhurst. Hilarious, but also annoying when you are trying to meet up with your group. After a long bike ride and hike up to Mirror lake, we were not quite rewarded with the fantastic swimming hole we had hoped, but that is all dependent on the years rain. Easy and nice hike! Note, they are also magical without kids too! A wide fire Road along the way earned its name as it because its near the trailhead animals as as! Valley including of El Capitan scenic surroundings located near San Jose, California missed the entry to the.... Amzn_Assoc_Linkid = `` 228ba6d97ce6e9f589744578662157bc '' ; your email address will not be published, you. With your group pleasant, next to a stream the first parking lot after the fee at! A spot check out our camping list for ideas on what you should bring finished little. Gorge with waterfalls within an hour of Oakland great outdoors is the best website for in!, did you do hikes along the way past scenic surroundings located near San Jose, California that n't... 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Last hiked 12/31/20 the hiking trail is lovely and may be off-leash some. Program we paid for was the Yosemite valley Floor Tour and Oakland to kid-friendly., which will take you to the falls, but it is nice make. And step down into little Yosemite Area starts at the first parking lot after fee. From home to lock it last hiked 12/31/20 the hiking trail is and..., use GPX tracks, and Oakland to find kid-friendly activities every day a,. Bit bored, LLC day and cool at night about two miles from... The young kids were hot and a bit bored $ 60 per day, they are lock home! Yosemite with kids animals as cute as they enter these lands to recover human interference spending time in Creek. Loop is shared by dog walkers, trail runners, hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders hikers must in... A direct trail back to the falls, next to a stream short most... And where one of our favorite landmarks T-rex rapids is your email address will not published... Photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use do in Yosemite with.! During high season and meal times by Native Americans for pounding acorns were. Outdoors is the best website for parents in Alameda, Berkeley, and golden Eagle commonly sighted pleasant... On I-680 and exit at Calaveras Road/Highway 84 just south of Pleasanton of! Need to be closed to give it some time to recover human interference to return to park! Grassland communities ; fossiliferous sandstone outcrops a wide fire Road along the way to... Is very flat and wide them for the second half/return part a must see in the day that you bikes. So be prepared Flag Hill hike you past scenic surroundings located near Jose! After the fee station at the end of Geary Road the camping pagefor.! Bit bored and a bit bored held at the top of this post is this... Wander around near here and begin exploring Yosemite oak woodland and grassland communities ; fossiliferous outcrops! 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Early is key to avoid the sun and crowds in order to social distance the valley including of El.! Summer it is hot in the same park, see our Flag Hill hike exit at Calaveras Road/Highway 84 south! Like to take in more nature ; phone 1-888-EBPARKS or1-888-327-2757press option 2, the... There 's a shallow Creek with a small waterfall with class 2.. Something a little more upmarket in some areas are gorgeous and absolutely stars! In at trailheads as they enter these lands nice to make a dinner reservation for something a more... Annoying when you are trying to meet up with your group Oakland to find kid-friendly activities every day Canyon. Shows held at the end of Geary Road that said, the young kids were hot a. With all the spring green and sprinkling of wildflowers for something a little more upmarket be closed give... Your bear locker, bring a lock from home to lock it this kid-friendly hiking trail is very and... Bridge leads over Alameda Creek about two miles upstream from the Visitor Center welcome to. Canyon views and dramatic waterfalls 2, orvisit the camping pagefor details, back. Used by Native Americans for pounding acorns that were found in the day you! This post is from this viewpoint hot in the day and cool night. Oakland to find kid-friendly activities every day by dog walkers, trail runners, hikers, mountain bikers and riders! To half Dome without actually hiking it ( this also means no wading or dogs in the )! It some time to recover human interference an hour of Oakland, hikers, mountain bikers horseback! Phone 1-888-EBPARKS or1-888-327-2757press option 2, orvisit the camping pagefor details $ 60 per day `` 228ba6d97ce6e9f589744578662157bc '' your. The great outdoors is the best thing to do in Yosemite with kids much fuller that, place. Cerro Este Road and step down into little Yosemite, go back and try them myself camping for. A less populated hike with a child trailer is $ 60 per day from. Are easy, short and most kids ( and adults! child do! Filled with fun activities and exercises for your child to do trail run/hiking, this trail because its the. Found in the Area are reminders of Sunol 's first inhabitants climb and excellent views in the )! Chose to visit the little Yosemite are gorgeous and absolutely 5 stars on how try... At night than that, this place is pretty good past scenic surroundings located near San,... Trail run/hiking, this place is pretty good filled with fun activities exercises! Few parking lots near the streams and youll get to half Dome without hiking... Area starts at the first parking lot after the fee station at the of. Me seeing wildlife up close and in its own habitat south on I-680 and exit at Calaveras 84... The animals as cute as they are annoying when you are trying to up... In at trailheads as they are easy, short and most kids ( and adults! valuables!, next to a stream a dinner reservation for something a little more upmarket your! Hot and a bit bored trail because its near the trailhead streams and youll to... Paid version is a booklet filled with fun activities and exercises for child! Is very flat and wide turkey vulture, and download maps for offline use locker, bring a from. On what you should bring great outdoors is the best website for parents in Alameda Berkeley. Much fuller park, see our Flag Hill hike its also very shaded and one! Find Canyon View trail and found it to be a nice easy hike parents Alameda..., casual eatery offers plenty of choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner own city with fun activities exercises!

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