Yosemite Westgate Lodge Blog

You’ve heard the rumors about Yosemite in the winter, right? The snow-dusted granite, the low-hanging fog, the sheer silence. It’s majestic—it’s also significantly less crowded. But if you’re planning a trip outside of peak summer, you might be asking: What are the best things to do in Yosemite in winter if I’m not a hardcore snowshoer? The short answer: The Valley is open, the fun is accessible, and the crowds are gone. As the closest hotel to Yosemite i...

You've booked your trip outside of the summer rush—smart move. But now the calendar is creeping towards late fall or early spring, and you’re starting to see a scary term pop up in your planning: Yosemite road closures. Let’s be honest: Nothing throws a wrench in a dream vacation faster than arriving at a park entrance only to find your planned route is gated shut. The good news? Yosemite National Park itself is open year-round. The key is understanding which roads clos...

You’ve already made the wise decision: skipping the kitchen chaos and crowded highways this November. Instead, you're planning a truly memorable holiday. But here’s the million-dollar question: Is Yosemite a good place to spend Thanksgiving? The short answer is a resounding YES. While the major tourist hubs are jammed with Black Friday shoppers, Yosemite offers a stunning blend of crisp mountain air, beautiful late-fall colors, and the quiet magic of the pre-winter season. ...

If you’re planning a visit to Yosemite, you’ve probably already realized just how much there is to do in the national park. If you’re having a difficult time trying to decide exactly what to do, don’t worry. We’ve got a list of the must-see sights and must-do experiences to make your visit Yosemite National Park a memorable one, whether you’re staying for just a couple of days or a few weeks. • Mariposa, Tuolumne, and Merced Groves of Giant Sequoias Mos...

The McHenry Mansion is a popular Victorian house in downtown Modesto, California. The house was built in the year 1883 as a home for Robert McHenry. History: The McHenry Mansion construction began in 1882 along 15th Street in Modesto, California and was resided by Robert and Matilda McHenry in 1883. The Mansion was contracted to be built by Jeremiah Robinson, a Stockton temporary worker who developed the Stanislaus County court house in 1872-1873. The house is built in the Victorian Italianate ...

Groveland is a small town in the state of California. The city offers boundless things to enjoy your time completely. Half Dome, Hetch Hetchy and Tuolumne Meadows, El Capitan, the Tuolumne, Clavey and Merced Rivers, the Stanislaus National Forest are some of the places which you shouldn’t miss to explore during your holiday. Other than this also enjoy high Sierra recreational activities including rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, bird watching, water skiing etc. Fishing is one of ...

Plenty of opportunities to take photos although can be pretty busy. Do not avoid it purely due to the crowds though. It is spectacular and not to be missed. Everyone who enters the park makes this stop. A view of the valley that highlights all the major attractions. Take your time here as it is crowded and popular. It is no wonder it is one of the most photographed spots on earth. Amazing. Definitely need to get your own picture. Evening is better because the sun shines down the valley and your...

Tuolumne is located in the northern high country at 8,600 feet elevation with an accessed by Highway 120 that is on Tioga Road. It is known for its open meadows, high-altitude temperatures, granite domes/structures and shelters in comparison to rest of the park. Tuolumne Campground offers over 300 campsites that feature some fire pit, flush toilets, a picnic table and bear lockers. Additionally on-site amphitheater hosts ranger events and programs throughout the summer. A horse camp is also avai...

Yosemite Pioneer History Center an open air museum in southern Yosemite National Park features buildings and exhibits of the History of Yosemite. The Pioneer History Center is a collection of old buildings, most of them relocated to this location from other areas within the park. There are informational signs throughout the park describing the bridge and other historical buildings at the History Center. The Pioneer Yosemite History Center is a collection of many buildings (most originally not l...

Calaveras Big Trees the most is that you can hike and explore it’s history at the same time. Grab a guide and explore stops filled with fascinating information. There are two trails there, one is 1.6 miles and another one 5 miles. The smaller one is stroller friendly and can be easily done with small kids. Such a fantastic place to learn about the areas history and amazing BIG trees! This place has numerous trails from easy to mile loop strolls to good up down hikes, a lot of the trails a...

During your traveling to Groveland, California, make your stay most luxurious, elegant and comfortable with Yosemite Hotel Accommodations which will not disappoint you and available at the best price. It is always good and advisable to book directly through hotel website: www.yosemitewestgate.com  to have closer look of the available hotel rooms and get the best hotel deals. The upgraded Yosemite Westgate Lodge features swimming pool, spa, playground, laundry facilities, and an adjacent re...