Alameda Grove picnic area is available for reservation. Another option would be to book all cabins under one reservation, so you can get them all together. Indian Joe Cave Rocks. Snow can start as early as October or November in parts of Yosemite and remain into well into the spring. Great outing. Little Yosemite is an area within the Sunol Regional Wilderness that has cascading water over and under larg. When you get past the entrance, youll want to goall the way to the backside of the park. Did the hike on 4/10. Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve charges a fee to enter seasonally and on weekends and holidays. For our son, this felt the most like a real hike in that it is a rocky path rather than a paved path like we experienced on most other trails in the park. There are picnic sites available on a first come, first served basis. It is absolutely beautiful and looks different all the time depending on the sky and weather. I completed it anti clockwise. Went clockwise. Its a 3-mile trek to the top of the peak and then back down the same way. We were there in the middle of summer and to be honest it wasnt that bad. You can hike up about 4 miles from the Valley to this viewpoint if you want to spend more time here. There are a variety of kids programs offered throughout Yosemite Valley throughout the year. Little Yosemite is a scenic gorge on Alameda Creek about two miles upstream from the Visitor Center. Leads through "Valley of the Giants." 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. They are easy, short and most kids (and adults!) Either have a trail downloaded or stop by the Visitor Center for a physical map :) (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.) The most popular destination is Little Yosemite which sports a small canyon with giant granite boulders and gushing rapids (during spring) of the Alameda Creek. Pulling a kid (or two) behind you in a trailer makes the ride a little more difficult, but does not take away the fun and freedom you have of exploring off the roads and away from the crowdsa bit more. Follow Mishi B. on instagram as @MelaninMommy. Very little shade on canyon trail so take note of time and temperature. Not busy ( Thursday hike). Please abide by the boundary signs and do not trespass onto Water Department lands that are not part of the lease arrangement. Glacier Point Overlook offers one of the most iconic views over the park. My husband visited there with his parents as a kid, and really wants to take our 2 children. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. 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. Great hike on a cooler day. Last hiked 12/31/20 It is permissible for them to roam off-leash on the majority . At the bottom of the exit turn left onto Calaveras Road and proceed as noted above.From the Walnut Creek - Danville area, drive south on I-680 and exit at Calaveras Road/Highway 84 just south of the Sunol exit. Little Yosemite is known for its waterfalls and rock scrambling and its easy to get to. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. We can either hike up to the waterfalls near the stream or use the dirt trail. This is a kid and dog friendly hike and we did see a lot of families here. Boring trail and scenery. there are do not swim signs for a reason. Our dog, Gus, is usually off his leash after the bridge. Oak woodland and grassland communities; fossiliferous sandstone outcrops. At the end there's a shallow creek with a small waterfall with class 2 scrambling. I am definitely thinking about planning a trip now! Box 5381, Oakland, CA 94605-0381. Saw LOTS of woodpeckers so that was fun! Make pre-arranged plans with one another rather than relying on phones. Fees are per vehicle. The walk was pleasant, next to a stream. With acknowledgment that the region we celebrate is the unceded territory of native peoples, our mission is to share activities for East Bay families. Get the challening part out of the way and then all down hill with beautiful views along the way. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. A bit of an eye sore, but still a hike worth hiking. That said, it is also common for there to be little snow even in February, making a winter trip quite pleasant. Please do not short cut trails in steep areas or slide in the grass on hillsides or banks. Curry Village is competitive, but not quite as bad as that. Waterfall running wild, beauty growing powerful. In the shoulder season there is a night prowl walk that sounds so amazing for kids to explore the animals who come out after dark. Camp Reusable: Smelly Proof Storage Bags Review, Veyo Kids Noggins Sun Hat & Sun Hoodie Review, Lakeside Camping at Devils Fork State Park. However, it actually is a safe hike for families as long as you use common sense and keep kiddos (and yourself) from the edges. It is on the way to Curry Village/Yosemite Village from the south entrance and is a quick stop off. A family trip to Yosemite National Park is the quintessential American summer holiday. This is an excellent resource, even without kids! The small nature center is fun to explore before a ranger guided walk or to cool down later in the 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. Visit the Sunol Visitor Center for information about these programs. If you stay in Curry Village like us, you will need to bring less than camping, but more than a traditional hotel stay. Youll also pass by some cows and calves grazing peacefully. This is a popular park, fit for families and Fido. Little Yosemite in Sunol is a scenic hike offering breathtaking oak lined canyon views and dramatic waterfalls. I arrived at 8:30 am. Its pretty silly in parts, but it educates kids (big and small) on the history of the park through a fun comedy sketch. Do not give up hope though, we have been able to secure camping reservations several times both in the spring and summer months with diligently checking for cancellations and being flexible on the dates. Amazing!!! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Please keep the park beautiful by cleaning up after your dog! When the water is flowing in the spring, Little Yosemite is a site to behold! The trail is called Camp Ohlone Road and theres not a lot of shade so bring water and hats! The Happy Isles Nature Center is a great place to visit in Yosemite for people with younger kids. If you are heading down to Sequoia National Parkand are pressed for time, you can give this a miss as its very similar to Sequoia. Lol Come with me on the Little Yosemite Sunol Hike . Check out the calendar for details on when it will run. Start your hike by crossing the footbridge at Canyon View Trailhead. Phone service is spotty at best. There are several waterfalls and some dry out on hot days. Want to report conditions for this trail? Parking: There is ample parking. High Valley Group Camp is closed until further notice. A miniature version of Yosemite awaits you at the end of this trail, complete with creeks, boulders, and mini waterfalls (seasonally dependent). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Tunnel View, Glacier Point, and Yosemite Falls all offer kid-friendly panoramas from paths accessible by strollers and easy hikes in Yosemite that provide all-star views in less than a mile round trip. There are a few parking lots near the trailhead. This kid-friendly hiking trail is a must see in the Bay Area. Staying in Curry Village (or camping) requires some advance planning, particularly for items that will need to go into your bear locker. This route got quite crowded by mid-morning. Whenyou reach the first cattle grid, youll see a trail that veers off the fire road. The gravel on the main road was very light and reflective, making me wish for sunglasses. That said, please admire the cows from a distance for your safety. Pretty cool little hike to do in the winter. There is NOswimming allowed in Alameda Creek and trespassing is prohibited on Water Department lands that are not accessible to the public. If you are traveling with a group, you might consider bringing or investing in cheap walkie talkies. 30: 8am-8pmOct. There is no guarantee, but they will try to group you close. Let us know in the comments below if you plan on hiking to Little Yosemite. we found the perfect place to jump off small rocks & just explore. Nice easy hike, perfect weather, and not muddy. No one wants to fill up inside the park if it can be helped! So, we patiently waited for it to cross. Again, wait times can be long during high season and meal times. Once arriving at the Little Yosemite site, you can easily understand how it got its name. Gentle uphill on a wide gravel road with some occasional nice views of the golden hills. go counter if you want to have energy to explore LY and have amazing views for the second half go clockwise if you wanna have your energy to get to the top of the hill for the amazing views first and just going to leisurely explore LY in the second half and nice easy walk out. Thanks! The paid version is a booklet filled with fun activities and exercises for your child to do before earning their badge. It is free and geared for the whole family. Fill up before you get inside the park, even if you have half a tank. Little Yosemite is a scenic gorge with waterfalls within an hour of Oakland. Wooded canyon. It's a pleasant enough hike but calling it little Yosemite is a big stretch. $2 per dog (free for service dogs). Saw couple of rattlesnakes close to the trail. 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. Strongly advise starting counter clockwise! Be warned that this hike has a large elevation change despite being less than 4 miles. Not closed. 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. Still bone dry despite the rains. WiFi and cell service does exist, but very rarely works. This depends on where you stay. There was parking & restrooms. Much of the trail is open and exposed so bring a hat and sunscreen. Regarding the name Little Yosemite we are in the process of renaming it to Alameda Creek Overlook since its a bit more fitting. 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. Find Adventure and Win Prizes with TRACK Trails! This is not on the shuttle bus route, so you must drive your car here. Nice trail, although some parts are along the gravel road and less interesting. The views of the water reflecting the surrounding area are just beautiful. There are two options for earning your badge a free version and a paid version. So all the fun stuff was in the second half off the trial for me. Parking was easy and free on this Nov 3 Thursday morning. Little Yosemite is known for its waterfalls and rock scrambling and it's easy to get to. - thought the trail was moderate. The Village Grill Deck is located in Yosemite Valley and is open only seasonally. But there are also a multitude of hikes that are not listed on the maps and do not lead to anything in particular. Completed almost half of the hike having to turn back due to the narrow path and my dread of heights. Please abide by the boundary signs and do not trespass onto Water Department lands that are not part of the lease arrangement.Notice:Swimming isNOT allowedin Alameda Creek in the Little Yosemite area. Turn left onto Calaveras Road and proceed to Geary Road . During the summer season, there are often great family friendly shows held at the Curry Village Amphitheater. For the adventurous, climb up the rocks to get a closer view of the falls and a glistening pool of water at the top. 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. Love that the park is dog friendly. Yes. There isno public transitto Sunol Regional Park. Little Yosemite is great for all ages and is so fun, even at a social distance! If youre visiting on a weekend or a holiday, the lots do get quite full by mid-morning. - Fun place to explore different nooks and crannies. Overall a nice hike, but too crowded for my liking and once the weather gets warmer, will be way too hot. Little Yosemite is a scenic gorge with waterfalls within an hour of Oakland. Technically, the closest airport is in Fresno, known as the Fresno-Yosemite Airport (FAT). This hike is fit for families and it is perfect if you want to explore waterfalls that are only a stones throw away from where you live in theBay Area. This airport is often used by backpackers arriving to Yosemite for the John Muir Trail. Easy trail. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. We didnt walk far, so this walk can easily be handled by most people. You'll see a long brown bridge. Heavy rain. These trails are lets just say well-fertilized. When going clockwise from parking lot no need to take left on bike trail unless you want additional miles. There was a snake (wasn't Rattler) on this section. Mountain lions are uncommon, but are occasionally sighted. Once you are here, you can easily spend an hour or more cruising around the area exploring different angles. There are several places to stay throughout Yosemite Valley and the greater Yosemite National Park as well as outside the park. Exploring Yosemite with kids while camping (or glamping as it is for us! This vista point has views of the whole valley, including both El Capitan and Half Dome, and is a must-see for all ages. With that said, you're still getting in a great climb, and spending the day outdoors on one of the bay area's most challenging climbs. Hope next time we will try another way. Climbed on the boulders all around and found more small, chill areas! Perfect weather to do this fairly exposed trail. However its not bad at all, and seeing water in the river is heart warming. Hikers must sign in at trailheads as they enter these lands. An Ohlone Wilderness Permit is required for each person age 12 years or older. Little strenuous in the beginning, rest it was beautiful hike with Little Yosemite on the trail. Got a little confused on trail. Pretty easy to avoid the mud. Its also very shaded and where one of our favorite landmarks T-rex rapids is. I explored a bit and there wasn't anything terribly noteworthy back there. Imagine being an eager young naturalist sent off to the park for a week's summer session. It was fabulous. Experience this 2.1-mile out-and-back trail near Sunol, California. Especially if the creek is running. Visitors should bring drinking water because there is no drinking water in the park. We like to stretch just afterthe gate and the kids join in too. Would recommend taking the time to scramble down to the stream at little Yosemite but be VERY careful. From the trailhead, it takes an easy walk of only 0.9 of a mile to reach it, a 1.8-mile round trip. Canyon View Trail and Little Yosemite are gorgeous and absolutely 5 stars. Yosemite National Park is a wonderful destination to visit year round. It is the ultimate family destination. For information about campsites in other parks, please visit theCamping Page. It is located in Northern California in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Just beware of poison oak. The only program we paid for was the Yosemite Valley Floor Tour. Proceed as noted above. Its not cheap, nor amazing quality food, but for the options provided, its a good place to go. Some even have heaters if you go during the cooler seasons. Note: This is not on the shuttle bus route, so you must drive here. 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. If you are determined to swim, please wear reef safe Sunscreen and no other lotions or oils. Better yet, bring your own bikes! Second half was a nice, easy downhill and wide, almost paved path. Be prepared to wear face-covering masks in the common areas and when youre within six feet of other hikers. the region we celebrate is the unceded territory of native peoples, Join Amazon Family 30-Day Free Trial (save 20% on diapers! This helps with cost and variety as well. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; Temporary closures due to capacity limitations, Sunol Regional Wilderness - Activity Calendar. 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. For families with bigger kids, you can continue on further on the trail which will end up around 7 miles if you come down via the John Muir Trail rather than the stairs. We opted for the tent cabins. Layers of clothes for all weather. 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. 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The golden hills a distance for your safety View trail and little Yosemite is a popular,! Admire the cows from a distance for your safety the river is heart warming pretty cool hike... A winter trip quite pleasant, even if you plan on hiking to little Yosemite is known its! Kids join in too are determined to swim, please visit theCamping Page waited for it to Alameda Creek trespassing! Fun activities and exercises for your child to do in the comments below if you are determined to,. About campsites in other parks, please wear reef safe sunscreen and other. Little shade on canyon trail so take note of time and temperature and youre. Of a mile to reach it, a 1.8-mile round trip drinking water there! Areas and when youre within six feet of other hikers then back down the same way kids while camping or! And looks different all the fun stuff was in the middle of and... Making a winter trip quite pleasant Eagle rock is an out-and-back trail veers. 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