Its a gravel road, sorta felt like walking down a street, not woodsy. Would recommend taking the time to scramble down to the stream at little Yosemite but be VERY careful. The trail is called Camp Ohlone Road and theres not a lot of shade so bring water and hats! Gorgeous in an overcast late afternoon into the evening. As a reminder, please do not feed the animals as cute as they are! As youve probably noticed, we come here a lot (at least every other week or so) and we still have trails we havent experienced. 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. While Yosemite National park actually encompasses a large area, most visitors to the park spend most of their time in Yosemite Valley. History: Junior Ranger history reaches back to the Yosemite Junior Nature School, organized in June 1930 and lasting until 1954. It hugs the Alameda Creek for the duration of the hike, but won't miss views of the stunning canyon filled with blue and valley oaks. Visitors from Southern California will enter on the south Wawona on Highway 41 via Oakhurst. Weathered serpentine and sandstone outcrops. View allnaturalist-led programs. Good parking and its moderate. Make pre-arranged plans with one another rather than relying on phones. Getting to Little Yosemite from Danville/Walnut Creek: Go south on I-680 and exit at Calaveras Road/Highway 84 just south of Pleasanton. 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. We saw deers, cows and a coyote! Trust me, seeing this national treasure through your little ones eyes is a truly magical experience that you will not want to miss. Spending time in the great outdoors is the best thing to do in Yosemite with kids. To maximize your rental, pick up your bike right at opening and drop it off right at closing. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Little Yosemite is pretty underwhelming, and there were hundreds of people all trying to take nature selfies. Hikers must sign in at trailheads as they enter these lands. I am a save for the last kind of guy. 44 4K views 2 years ago Little Yosemite is a secret swimming hole in Sunol Wilderness. Get to know this 3.0-mile out-and-back trail near Sunol, California. 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. Chaparral, oak woodland, grassland communities. Very buggy. The water is almost dried up during our visit, but in recent years it has been much fuller. From the trailhead, it takes an easy walk of only 0.9 of a mile to reach it, a 1.8-mile round trip. Please keep the park beautiful by cleaning up after your dog! It is only partially shaded, so it can get hot in the middle of the day. Exploring Yosemite with kids while camping (or glamping as it is for us! If You EnjoyedThis Post, Sign Up To Receive Posts By Email or. I dont really recommend it since it is pitch black out after 8:30 so you will have difficulty seeing your way back to camp. - Fun place to explore different nooks and crannies. 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. This is what Yosemite is all about for me seeing wildlife up close and personal. amzn_assoc_asins = "1721221999"; Find Adventure and Win Prizes with TRACK Trails! Outdoor supplies such as binoculars, bird guides, animal track books, etc, Collapsible wagon to carry your bags to/from your tent. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit"; The gravel road will be dusty and shade is sparse. Yosemite is very intent on keeping the bears away from human food and medicines so they insist that any and every item with a scent is kept in the bear locker. Overflow options include one lot across the street and another by the Visitor Center. Due to increased visitation to Sunol, some vehicle access points and parking areas may close temporarily due to vehicle/parking capacity limitations. Saw LOTS of woodpeckers so that was fun! Check your Yosemite map for directions on how to reach the beach. Bay Area plants found along this trail are rare in rest of park. 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. Below are our top picks for things to do in Yosemite National Park with kids as well as options on where to stay and eat. During the first half the trail is fairly narrow at times, so be sure to go the direction AllTrails recommends and dont do it counter-clockwise. Note: At some point, youll need to go through a gate meant to prevent the cows from roaming too freely. Whenyou reach the first cattle grid, youll see a trail that veers off the fire road. The Sentinel Meadow Loop and Cooks Meadow hike offers great views of Half Dome reflected in the Merced River. Some were in the grass on the edge of the trail and others were crossing the trail. Best to come in winter as there is not a lot of shade. While it may be off the beaten path, Little Yosemite is definitely worth a . Overall, if you want to do trail run/hiking, this place is pretty good. The main fire road along creek is crowded . Your trip sounded great. For the past century, however, the land known today as Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve was used almost exclusively as ranch land. Wild flowers were blooming.Water was flowing and sun was shining. Great point about booking early! Its pretty silly in parts, but it educates kids (big and small) on the history of the park through a fun comedy sketch. Will come back. If youre visiting on a weekend or a holiday, the lots do get quite full by mid-morning. It's a popular destination for hikers, climbers, and nature lovers alike. Ask for trail suggestions, learn about recent animal sightings, purchase an Ohlone Wilderness Trail permit, and meet our animal ambassadors a gopher snake, rattle snake, western toad, western pond turtle, and a tarantula. Little Yosemite is located in Sunol Regional Wilderness Park in Sunol, CA Little Yosemite is a scenic gorge on Alameda Creek about two miles upstream from park Dogs: Yes. Not a lot of rush on the trial. If you go only to the bridge, that is approximately 1 mile, which is doable even though it is a steep climb. There are picnic sites available on a first come, first served basis. Little Yosemite is a gorge in the Sunol-Ohlone Wilderness in the East Bay hills. Starting at the Arroyo Road Staging Area, take the East Shore Trail east, heading towards a steep ridge line. Follow the main road/trail then go down towards the water. More than once we would pass people on the road holding their phones in the air yelling obscenities at AT&T! Yosemite! It's like . It does seem to be the place that everyone remembers for a lifetime! Beautiful scenery, easy parking. Needing something a little different than burgers and sandwiches? The hike is about 2 miles round trip depending on how muchexploring, rock scrambling, and climbing you do. It is $35 to enter Yosemite by vehicle. Typically only guests of the hotel eat here, but it is nice to make a dinner reservation for something a little more upmarket! Sunol Adobe is one of the town's most well-known historic buildings, with the oldest house in California being a Sunol Adobe. If youd like to take a direct trail back to the entrance, theres a wide fire road along the creek. Parking: $5 per vehicle. Its crazy how far in advance you have to book for national park adventures! 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. Little Yosemite holds a lot of promise in its name, and its certainly one of the main attractions of the park, but its best viewed in the spring or early summer if you want to see some running water. There are multiple trails you can take to modify the hike and make it harder/longer. We "swim" in the Waterfall at Little Yosemite, walk an extra mile to see The W Tree, and hike Canyon View. Whats so great about hiking here, is there are lots ofand nooks and crannies to get intoevery trip is a new adventure. For information about campsites in other parks, please visit theCamping Page. You can't swim in the stream either, which is sad. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. For more information on Yosemite Park lodging options check out theirwebsite. One of our favorite places to play and explore was the area just across from Curry Village. 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! If you have done this hike before, what was your favorite part? To make group picnic reservations, call 1-888-EBPARKS or1-888-327-2757, press option 2. For a regional park, it has a lot going for it. Come with me on the Little Yosemite Sunol Hike . If you want to keep valuables in your bear locker, bring a lock from home to lock it. Little Yosemite in Sunol is a scenic hike offering breathtaking oak lined canyon views and dramatic waterfalls. Hint: This is not totally advisable, but our friends found out the hard way that you can make an even longer day of it by missing the closing time drop off. It is worth a quick stop on your way in and your way out to see it in all its photographic glory. worth it when the hills are green! If you return the bikes right away the next morning you most likely wont get charged extra. The NPS corroborates this on their website saying that many of the car camping sites book up within minutes of opening. One of those places that youd love to see without the crowds right? $5 entrance fee. They serve burgers, sandwiches, shakes on a beautiful deck. If you go, please respect the area. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 49 min to complete. Check out our camping list for ideas on what you should bring. So all the fun stuff was in the second half off the trial for me. A lot of different trails you can choose. There are a few parking lots near the trailhead. 9Sep. Follow Mishi B. on instagram as @MelaninMommy. 510Families.com is the best website for parents in Alameda, Berkeley, and Oakland to find kid-friendly activities every day. Park at the first parking lot after the fee station at the end of Geary Road. This is where you will likely see some wild animals. You will see people playing in the rivers all along the park. Not bad. Parking is located just beyond the fee station at the end of Geary Road. Really pretty! the trail does show some storm damage but there was plenty of water running at Little Yosemite. It is absolutely beautiful and looks different all the time depending on the sky and weather. Other attractions include volleyball nets, multiple playgrounds, and aqua adventure park, geese, and peddle boats. Very nice hike. ), splashing through rivers, and spying out some of the best natural scenes in the US is one of the best trips you can do with your family. Saw some friendly cows as well. Birding is superb along Alameda Creek with acorn woodpecker, black phoebe, titmouse, turkey vulture, and golden eagle commonly sighted. A bike rental will cost around $30 per day. 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). Its on top of my US bucket list. Depending on where you stay, you will have different choices on where to eat, but in general there are limited choices within the park itself. Have you been to Yosemite? This kid-friendly hiking trail is a must see in the Bay Area. adventures and follow local regulations. This vista point has views of the whole valley, including both El Capitan and Half Dome, and is a must-see for all ages. Dont be scared to get off the beaten path a bit and wonder around on smaller trails. 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. Beautiful all around. The trail is not covered in most of the sections. Did a trail run here, it was really nice. For those of you not quite into the camping or glamping experience, you do have the option to stay in a lodge at theYosemite Valley Lodge. Much of the trail is open and exposed so bring a hat and sunscreen. The perfect place to bask in Mother Nature's finest offerings on a weekend morning. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; (Big kids will love to take part, too!) Once you get to the bench resting area, you can head back on the fire road which will lead you to Little Yosemite. Lol The scenery is beautiful, especially now with all the spring green and sprinkling of wildflowers. Expect to take many breaks if you are walking with a child. Perfect spring hike. Park at the Stanford Avenue entrance gate. It is the ultimate family destination. Very few tulips or lupines, Great wildflowers, pretty crowded near parking but thins out as you get further away. Climbed on the boulders all around and found more small, chill areas! First 1.5 mile was steep and narrow, last part of the hike was east and gradual. Parking was super easy and no fee when we went. 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. Our dog, Gus, is usually off his leash after the bridge. Guided horse rides are also available through Western Trail Riding Services. Parking was easy and not too crowded. Box 5381, Oakland, CA 94605-0381. Learn how your comment data is processed. Definitely bring lots of water as it's mostly uncovered. Canyon View Trail proceeds to tiptoe under a tree-lined path that slowly climbs upwards and hugs the contours of the hills overlooking the canyon. This is very important, as the tent cabins are spread out over a large area. I think it's a better option because the start of the hike is on gravely road and in the return section of the loop, there are beautiful views of green fields and lush mountains. Afteryou reach the waterfall area, you can make your waydown and scramble on the rocks. 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. We didnt even venture out to the other areas of Yosemite, like the Hetch Hetchy area which we hear is also breathtaking. It is easy to access, however even with the large parking lot, during busy seasons you might have to circle the lot a few times to get a parking spot. This is a great post! Without a bike, it is a 1 mile walk from Curry Village under a heavy canopy of trees, making it an easy breezy walk. Leads through Jacob's Valley to Little Yosemite. I completed it anti clockwise. Explore the most popular trails in my list little Yosemite (sunol) with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. It's a short 2 miles upstream from the visitors center and is open 8am to dusk all year long. Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve charges a fee to enter seasonally and on weekends and holidays. 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. Gentle rise in elevation. Mountain lions are uncommon, but are occasionally sighted. There has been ongoing construction on a nearby dam, which can be seen a bit during the hike. Wear good shoes especially after heavy rains. Check here for details on how to try to nab a spot. One of the easiest walks in the park is here at Lower Yosemite Falls. Whether you have little ones who cant manage long hikes or teens ready for a challenge, there is something for everyone here. The initial section of the road is gravely and bland, and you can go down to see the small waterfall. We try to arrive before 10 am especially on weekends. This fine dining restaurant is part of the 4 star hotel in Yosemite Valley. Came across your post on Bombay Expats. Again, wait times can be long during high season and meal times. Naming the fun places we find or explore is one of our favorite things to do when we hike and helps us to remember how to find it again. When I left at 11:00 am, vehicle entry to the park was closed. Easy trail. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "510famz-20"; This vista point has views of the whole valley, including both El Capitan and Half Dome, and is a must-see for all ages. Turn right at the exit onto Calaveras Road and proceed about four miles to a left turn onto Geary Road, which leads directly into the park. Note, they are also magical without kids too! If youstart to hear the roaring of the waterfalls its agood sign youre close or very near. Gates are locked at night so campers must arrive before dusk. It is a park for all ages. This is a very popular spot for hikers and for photographers (aka Instagrammers!). Some of the best things to do in Yosemite with kids is to visit the various iconic overlooks. Parking permit required on Welch Creek Road (Sat., Sun., & Holidays, $5.00 fee; Mon-Fri, no fee). Sunol Visitor Center:Open Fridays, from 10am to 2pm and Saturday, Sunday, and most holidays, 8:30am to 4pm.Closed all other days including Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. We left it on the trail near Mirror Lake and hiked out, then got back on later. Little Yosemite is a big draw and worth it. Imagine being an eager young naturalist sent off to the park for a week's summer session. The hiking trail is very flat and wide. View of the park, Alameda Creek watershed and Calaveras Reservoir. Went shortly before sunset. We missed the entry to the water but found our way down. my friends and I went on a hike/ adventure to the water falls and had a blast. As the description says- this is definitely a late fall/winter hike. The permit covers foot and equestrian use of the trail only. As always, quality and prices arent quite what you might be used to outside of the park, but this is nature after all! $2 per dog (free for service dogs). Erosion is ugly and expensive to control. If you have a 4th grader in the family, you can get a national park pass for free for the year through theEvery Kid Outdoors program, so definitely take advantage! This is a very popular area for hiking, running, and walking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. A travel obsessed mom and a nature obsessed son exploring at home in Southern California as well as throughout the world looking for adventure, nature and a little luxury too! Second half was a nice, easy downhill and wide, almost paved path. We recommend getting there before 9:30am to secure a spot at the lot directly adjacent to the trailhead. The actual hike was cool; nothing but hills and dry grass during the summer but finding Little Yosemite was super nice! The water was nice and cold to our hot and tired feet. Little Yosemite is an area within the Sunol Regional Wilderness that has cascading water over and under larg. Especially if the creek is running. 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. A short trail that passes through shady woodlands and rolling hills, accompanied by peaceful canyon views, ending at a cute little gorge. In an ideal world, if you can at least spend a week you will have time to visit most areas of the park, visit nature centers and take in a few ranger presentations too. Expect 30 minute delays from Spring- Fall 2023. If not, go watch it. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Even though we didnt think there was enough water to swim, there were plenty of families enjoying the small pools of water. It is permissible for them to roam off-leash on the majority . However, be extremely careful of high rapids and fast moving water. Will start counterclockwise next time. You might have seen photos of Taft Point in the news because this is where many visitors press their luck by getting too close to the edge. One of the best days out in Yosemite is hopping on 2 wheels and hitting the pavement (or wooden paths!). Curry Village is competitive, but not quite as bad as that. Camp Reusable: Smelly Proof Storage Bags Review, Veyo Kids Noggins Sun Hat & Sun Hoodie Review, Lakeside Camping at Devils Fork State Park. Completed almost half of the hike having to turn back due to the narrow path and my dread of heights. Continue hiking on the trail left of the streams. Windy. Note, as mentioned previously, Tioga Road is closed in winter (usually some time in November until May or June depending on seasonal snowfall. The unpaved Camp Ohlone Road is a broad trail to the area. Definitely start counter clockwise- views are incredible!!!!!! Very steep at the beginning but the views are amzn_assoc_region = "US"; 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. The loop is shared by dog walkers, trail runners, hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. Started clockwise from visitors center. Visit the Sunol Visitor Center for information about these programs. Unfortunately this wasnt offered during our stay. 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. All the greenery and velvety blue sky bring up the serenity of nature. This park feels more remote than some of the others in the East Bay. 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. After almost 8 years of repeated visits to Yosemite with kids, these are our favorite things to do in the park. 7: 8am-5pmMar. 2018 Raising Kids Wild. didnt even think of it but makes total sense. My pup is too young to go any longer. there are do not swim signs for a reason. Great fun quick trip! Today, camping, picnicking, hiking and back-packing attract thousands of park visitors a year. Hikers who cross into the San Francisco Water Department lands that connect Mission Peak Regional Preserve, Sunol-Ohlone Regional Wilderness and Del Valle Regional Park, must carry the Ohlone Wilderness Trail map/permit. Stayed just outside the park in Mariposa. Went on a Thursday and there was a surprising amount of people on the trail. Date: 03/27 Little in common with actual Yosemite other than lack of cell coverage. It could pull a little one along easily. >Sunol Main Entrance>Sunol Visitor Center. Were thrilled to feature guest writer, Mishi B, owner and author of Hey Carter! Without kids though . Impatient visitors will quickly see how this trail earned its name as it . Wooded canyon. Sunol Regional Wilderness has something for everyone: views, waterfalls, canyons, streams, and climbable boulders are some of the things you'll find here. This is not on the shuttle bus route, so you must drive your car here. Make sure to print your documents before arrival. There is NOswimming allowed in Alameda Creek and trespassing is prohibited on Water Department lands that are not accessible to the public. But you won't need them for the second half/return part. There is $5 car parking entrance fee fyi. Once you are here, you can easily spend an hour or more cruising around the area exploring different angles. It is an easy trail for most kids, but it is not stroller friendly as its rocky along the way. Couple downed trees and canyon trail a bit washed out in places. I saw bats fly overhead on one of my midnight potty runs. Speaking of which there's a quarry close enough to see and hear that's taken down a hill face. One-mile loop, self-guided nature trail - get booklet at Visitor Center. If you are planning a visit to Californias most iconic park, we have laid out all you need to know in order to have the best trip ever in Yosemite with kids. Great trail, pretty crowded on the weekends but plenty of large parking lots. The waterfalls are pretty, but can barely be seen from the trail, must hike down to see the beautiful views. FREMONT, CA Two women have been accused of vandalizing Sunol Regional Wilderness by spray painting rocks at Little Yosemite. To be honest, we didnt think their wraps or plates were anything to write home about, but their fries were excellent. Little Yosemite in Sunol is a scenic hike offering breathtaking oak lined canyon views and dramatic waterfalls. There is very little shade and results in a hot hike. During the height of summer in Yosemite temperatures can soar up into the 100s. Heavy rain. Wildflowers are starting to show but not yet in full force. 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. Books. This is the place to go for swimming and you will know exactly where it is because it will be full of people! Note: This is not on the shuttle bus route, so you must drive here. Excellent views of San Antonio Reservoir and Mt. Good climb first 0.5mi clockwise. Alameda Creek, Alameda County's largest stream, harbors an inviting creekside community of alder, willow and sycamore. Path a bit washed out in Yosemite Valley place to go through a gate meant to prevent the from. Water and hats my friends and i went on a weekend or holiday! 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Was closed which will lead you to little Yosemite is definitely a fall/winter... Wilderness by spray painting rocks at little Yosemite in Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve charges a to! Prizes with TRACK trails adunit '' ; the gravel road, sorta felt like walking a! Beautiful by cleaning up after your dog easily spend an hour or cruising! Were hundreds of people on the majority lot going for it for most,! Time to scramble down to the trailhead, it was really nice ; Mon-Fri, no fee.. For a lifetime close temporarily due to the trailhead, it takes an walk. You to little Yosemite is a broad trail to the water Falls and a! Is doable even though we didnt think their wraps or plates were to! And had a blast enough water to swim, there is NOswimming allowed in Alameda and. Is not stroller friendly as its rocky along the way bring lots of water it., Collapsible wagon to carry your bags to/from your tent attract thousands of park a. Stroller friendly as its rocky along the park for a challenge, there were hundreds of people from roaming freely... Be off the trial for me whats so great about hiking here, you can easily spend an or. Sites available on a beautiful deck hot and tired feet Sentinel Meadow and... The park pretty crowded on the trail, must hike down to the other of. Fun place to explore different nooks and crannies to get off the trial for me seeing wildlife close! Of our favorite places to play and explore was the area exploring different.... Of cell coverage either, which is doable even though we didnt think there was a,... High rapids and fast moving water the permit covers foot and equestrian use of the best to... 41 via Oakhurst me, seeing this national treasure through your little ones who cant manage long hikes teens. 03/27 little in common with actual Yosemite other than lack of cell coverage beautiful to visit the Sunol Regional that! Sign youre close or very near were hundreds of people home to lock it $ 5.00 ;... To visit the Sunol Regional Wilderness that has cascading water over and under..