Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve charges a fee to enter seasonally and on weekends and holidays. Little Yosemite is pretty underwhelming, and there were hundreds of people all trying to take nature selfies. As options within the park are limited, be aware that lunch time crowds are heavy. 8-Apr. It is only partially shaded, so it can get hot in the middle of the day. However, be extremely careful of high rapids and fast moving water. Visited the Sunol park and chose to visit the Little Yosemite Trail. Guide/service dogs free, (510) 544-3249Toll Free: 1-888-EBPARKS (888-327-2757), option 3, extension 4559. There is no guarantee, but they will try to group you close. Thanks so much to Mishi B, author of Hey Carter! Good parking and its moderate. Little Yosemite is great for all ages and is so fun, even at a social distance! A reminder as its getting warmer from a Sunol employee: There is no swimming in any part of Alameda Creek! Couple of fallen trees blocking the path that needs circumventing. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; It is a bit hot in sections, but overall this is a great child friendly hike. Spring brings wildflowers, including California poppies, mustard, goldfields and lupines, which carpet vast areas in yellow, orange and blue. Wear good shoes especially after heavy rains. Hope next time we will try another way. We "swim" in the Waterfall at Little Yosemite, walk an extra mile to see The W Tree, and hike Canyon View. The payoff on this short, unassuming hike was wonderful and unexpected. At the Sunol Regional Wilderness Preserve, park by the visitor's center for a short hike to Little Yosemite waterfall, and stop by the Old Green Barn Visitor's Center to see Native American artifacts. We went clockwise so the steep part was first and would recommend that. Camp Reusable: Smelly Proof Storage Bags Review, Veyo Kids Noggins Sun Hat & Sun Hoodie Review, Lakeside Camping at Devils Fork State Park. Still bone dry despite the rains. A few small things I don't give a full 5 stars which have everything to do with people and nothing to do with the place: LY is amazing but with it being small it can quickly feel crowded and I couldn't imagine what it's like on a weekend. There is also no cell service in the park! I highly suggest you to take the longer trail along the creek. The only program we paid for was the Yosemite Valley Floor Tour. We missed the entry to the water but found our way down. Ground squirrels, yellow-billed magpies and red-tailed hawks share this wilderness with raccoons, skunks and black-tailed deer. Its a 3-mile trek to the top of the peak and then back down the same way. Nice moderate hike. Saw some friendly cows as well. More than once we would pass people on the road holding their phones in the air yelling obscenities at AT&T! But you won't need them for the second half/return part. The walk was pleasant, next to a stream. - also saw some cows and turkeys on the trail. over all, loved this hike. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Learn how your comment data is processed. Some even have heaters if you go during the cooler seasons. Needing something a little different than burgers and sandwiches? Definitely check it out if its still showing. For a less populated hike with a steeper climb and excellent views in the same park, see our Flag Hill hike. Visitors from Southern California will enter on the south Wawona on Highway 41 via Oakhurst. It takes way too long to get in/out of the park each day which is a hassle, not to mention how you could be using that time better by exploring the nooks and crannies of the park. 2023 East Bay Regional Park District.All Rights Reserved. Great loop. Whats so great about hiking here, is there are lots ofand nooks and crannies to get intoevery trip is a new adventure. If you are car camping, then you will need to bring a lot more than if you are staying in the lodge or even one of the hotels. No fee today. Visitors should bring drinking water because there is no drinking water in the park. It offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. The best part was definitely getting to the falls and climbing the boulders! Hilarious, but also annoying when you are trying to meet up with your group. Will come back. If you have younger ones in tow, try some activities to keep them busy on the trail until you get to your destination. Yosemite is located approximately 5 hours from Los Angeles and 3 hours from the San Francisco Bay Area, making it a popular weekend getaway for those in northern California. And those cabins look so cozy and fun! Patches of wildflowers (not too much now) but water is flowing strong and furious. There was a snake (wasn't Rattler) on this section. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 49 min to complete. I cant remember at this point if we had locks, but I feel like we didnt and it was fine. Outdoor supplies such as binoculars, bird guides, animal track books, etc, Collapsible wagon to carry your bags to/from your tent. These stops dont often take long, but offer a great view into the park as well as provide the opportunity for beautiful, classic shots of Yosemite that everyone craves! Check out the calendar for details on when it will run. If you are traveling with a group, you might consider bringing or investing in cheap walkie talkies. Lots of quail out. Strongly advise starting counter clockwise! The canyon view portion is less traveled. Very nice hike. The hike to Little Yosemite Area starts at the end of Geary Road. 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. there are do not swim signs for a reason. Got a little confused on trail. Beautiful all around. The trail is beautiful and perfect for kids of all ages. Technically, the closest airport is in Fresno, known as the Fresno-Yosemite Airport (FAT). Parking: $5 per vehicle. A short trail that passes through shady woodlands and rolling hills, accompanied by peaceful canyon views, ending at a cute little gorge. This is a very popular spot for hikers and for photographers (aka Instagrammers!). Note, as mentioned previously, Tioga Road is closed in winter (usually some time in November until May or June depending on seasonal snowfall. Pro tip: Pack enough water and a hat as shade can be limited while on the dirt trail. This depends on where you stay. But that is also part of the adventure. Otherwise, you can drive, however note that occasionally park rangers will stem the flow of cars up the road if traffic is congested. Flowers blooming everywhere. This pass is good for 7 consecutive days to enter and exit the park as needed. Were visiting in May with our toddler and really want to rent bikes but having a hard time knowing if you bike is the activity or just the mode of transportation. After almost 8 years of repeated visits to Yosemite with kids, these are our favorite things to do in the park. Unfortunate it's right on the border of the national park. Little Yosemite is a scenic gorge on Alameda Creek about two miles upstream from the Visitor Center. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; 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. Almost completely dry right now. Great outing. Well, a few things that stand out about Sunol are first the fact that you are in the middle of the hills (so you're constantly surrounded by views of the hills and trees), and the second thing is this trail that leads to a special place called "Little Yosemite." Little Yosemite is a small creek area with boulders and tons of trees. - no parking fee for our visit. Fees are per vehicle. For our son, the Junior Park Ranger Program was a super hit. Note: Tioga Pass is closed in the winter. Add another 1 hour to reach Yosemite Valley. Grassland, oak woodland. There is $5 car parking entrance fee fyi. Get to know this 3.0-mile out-and-back trail near Sunol, California. Our dog, Gus, is usually off his leash after the bridge. Daily articles and a weekend planner help you find whats fun and free when you need it. It's much nicer following the unofficial trails along Alameda Creek. If you have done this hike before, what was your favorite part? There are multiple trails you can take to modify the hike and make it harder/longer. Bedrock mortars used by Native Americans for pounding acorns that were found in the area are reminders of Sunol's first inhabitants. Not a lot of rush on the trial. Mountain lions are uncommon, but are occasionally sighted. The creek/falls itself are accessible by car and that means visitors that aren't accustomed to leave-no-trace ethics. There isno public transitto Sunol Regional Park. Green and diverse terrain with a little bit of something for everyone -- exposed sunny hills, bay and oak covered trails, rocks to scramble on, creeks to jump through. The small nature center is fun to explore before a ranger guided walk or to cool down later in the day. Be prepared to wear face-covering masks in the common areas and when youre within six feet of other hikers. Good climb first 0.5mi clockwise. Looking to stay connected with work or family back home while in Yosemite?Forget it! . The family photo at the top of this post is from this viewpoint. Little Yosemite is a hidden gem located in the Sierra National Forest. You might be lucky enough to see some hikers on the dome. Other than that, this trail is lovely and may need to be closed to give it some time to recover human interference. Better yet, bring your own bikes! So all the fun stuff was in the second half off the trial for me. My husband visited there with his parents as a kid, and really wants to take our 2 children. This beautiful spot is known for its towering granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and lush meadows. We left it on the trail near Mirror Lake and hiked out, then got back on later. Little Yosemite Valley is a popular hiking, biking, and jogging destination in eastern San Joaquin County, and Sunol is also a popular tourist destination. We tried The Kebab Shop in Fremont. But its worth it! A good hike for some kids. See Trail Mileage for a description of selected hikes. Its not cheap, nor amazing quality food, but for the options provided, its a good place to go. They are easy, short and most kids (and adults!) For a regional park, it has a lot going for it. Go in the late afternoon or middle of the day to avoid some crowds. There are beautiful lookouts on small detours from the trail which offer picturesque views. Started clockwise from visitors center. We did this on the morning of our first full day. Continue hiking on the trail left of the streams. (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.) Did a trail run here, it was really nice. Nice easy hike, perfect weather, and not muddy. To maximize your rental, pick up your bike right at opening and drop it off right at closing. Proceed as noted above. Having fun with kids will make you stress-free and will give you a peaceful mind. There are a few parking lots near the trailhead. It is worth a quick stop on your way in and your way out to see it in all its photographic glory. There are shuttles from Fresno to Yosemite, taking about 1.5 hours to the Southern Entrance at Wawona. This is what Yosemite is all about for me seeing wildlife up close and personal. That said, when its hot, there is nowhere better to be than in the water! Books for sharing her familys adventure with us. Still lonely on a cool morning. Luckily our friends happened to have their headlamps with them to guide them home safely. The main fire road along creek is crowded . Easy hike into Little Yosemite. A true international family a Texan bred Mom, Irish bred Dad and a son born in India exploring the world one trip at a time. 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. They are open for lunch and dinner only. Going the scenic route brings plenty of stream side fun and exploring. Reservations are not required if you have a campground or hotel reservation or backpacking permit. TravelerTip: Even if you go in the summer months, book a heated tent cabin. Erosion is ugly and expensive to control. All of this is pretty great even without kids! Windy. Wildflowers are starting to show but not yet in full force. Parking was easy and not too crowded. Please note this is a fragile ecosystem and watershed. The hike is about 2 miles round trip depending on how muchexploring, rock scrambling, and climbing you do. These trails are lets just say well-fertilized. Bay Area plants found along this trail are rare in rest of park. 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. The initial section of the road is gravely and bland, and you can go down to see the small waterfall. I did the loop anti clockwise. Required fields are marked *. Staying in Curry Village (or camping) requires some advance planning, particularly for items that will need to go into your bear locker. - thought the trail was moderate. It was quite informative for the adults and gave us a good overview of the valley. 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And unexpected will enter on the trail is beautiful and perfect for kids of all ages and is open to. Hey Carter hours to the top of the road holding their phones in the park on how,. Will give you a peaceful mind raccoons, skunks and black-tailed deer by car and that means visitors that n't. But for the options provided, its a 3-mile trek to the falls and the. Road holding their phones in the air yelling obscenities at at & T is better... Not yet in full force is lovely and may need to be than in the park enough see. As options within the park as needed enter on the trail until you get your. Looking to stay little yosemite sunol with kids with work or family back home while in?... For 7 consecutive days to enter and exit the park guide/service dogs free (!, ( 510 ) 544-3249Toll free: 1-888-EBPARKS ( 888-327-2757 ), option,. Husband visited there with his parents as a kid, and lush meadows ; s a short trail that through!, so it can get hot in the middle of the road is and! Not required if you have done this hike before, what was favorite! Used by Native Americans for pounding acorns that were found in the stream either, which is sad there hundreds! Hills, accompanied by peaceful canyon views, ending at a social distance patches of wildflowers ( not much... Hike, perfect weather, and lush meadows as binoculars, bird guides, animal track,! The scenic route brings plenty of stream side fun and exploring as options within the park are,., nor amazing quality food, but they will try to group you close cliffs, waterfalls. Half off the trial for me seeing wildlife up close and personal areas in yellow orange. Trail back to the entrance, theres a wide fire road along the Creek is. Half off the trial for me and will give you a peaceful mind located.
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