California roadtrip: First timers' guide to Yosemite

(yes I ventured a few feet off the walkway but I only walked where the grass was already gone!)

Americans probably don't realize this, but for Europeans, travelling through the U.S. feels like stepping straight from regular life into a movie. And of all the places I've visited in the U.S.A., nothing looks more like a movie set than Yosemite. A scenic beauty that seems unreal, makes you pinch yourself and try to make every second last twice as long because the time you have here never feels quite long enough.

We visited Yosemite as a stop between Seaside and San Francisco, spending one night in Mariposa. I don't know if I'd recommend this unless you would be able to spend two nights in Mariposa to maximize your time in Yosemite. Our planning was for us to leave Seaside early in the morning, drive into Mariposa to drop off our bags, and drive straight into Yosemite until the evening, then spend the night in Mariposa before leaving for San Francisco. Frankly, that's too ambitious, but that's kind of the main theme for any California road trip. Always take more time than you think you'll need because you'll spend more time driving than expected, and there is just too much beauty to rush through it.

Still, I am so very grateful to have experienced even 1% of what Yosemite has to offer. Next time I'll be better prepared to make the most of it! More hiking, definitely. That's my first tip for first timers: come prepared, with an actual paper map of what you want to see because reception won't be great in Yosemite Valley, and the park is HUGE.

Second tip is to start saving up and be prepared to book your lodgings up to a year in advance, because any lodgings close to or actually IN Yosemite fill up within the blink of an eye. If you have less time to plan ahead, or a more modest budget (because lodgings in Yosemite are expensive AF): go for Mariposa. A charming little town about an hour's worth of driving from Yosemite valley's entrance. Apparently, the county of Mariposa has NO traffic lights anywhere, that's how rural and laid back it is here.

There are also buses between Mariposa and Yosemite Valley, but the bus takes even longer so I wouldn't recommend it. People often warn you that it will be impossible to find parking in Yosemite Valley, and I have to admit it was pretty crowded in September but we always found parking within minutes, so in September your own car is the way to go. You'll pay $30 per vehicle driving into the park, and it's completely worth it. Let me show you why. Cook's Meadow, the first real place we were able to stop and take it all in.

Are you dead yet? If not, the next couple of pics will kill you.

How is this even a real place?? It's these kinds of views that make me fully understand that American patriotism that always feels so over the top to us Western Europeans (except probably the French). Seeing this type of natural splendor is almost like a religious experience. 

Let me share another little tip: there's actual bears in Yosemite, so if you park your car, be sure to not leave any food out (or even covered but smell-able) or a bear might raid your car. And I don't know whether your rental insurance will cover bear theft. The only animals we spotted were birds and mosquitoes though. My friend Natalia's was very happy not to meet any bears.

Another first timer's tip to Yosemite: most of Yosemite's biggest draws, like El Capitan, the Half Dome and the Lower Yosemite Falls are easily viewable from right beside the road after parking your car. This is what we did, because we had so little time, but I absolutely recommend taking more time to actually hike somewhere to take in the beauty of nature in a slightly more authentic way rather than on a quick stop outside of your car. So American, a great way to see a lot in a little time, but not ideal. Still worth it though.

Another tip: timing. If you're someone who enjoys taking photographs, be aware of the fact that the sun sets early in Yosemite valley because you're enclosed by, well, high mountains. Don't roll your eyes at me, I know that's obvious, but I'm from one of the flattest countries in the world so this isn't top of mind for me.

Which also makes it necessary to take the position of the sun into account when planning your visit to certain sights. The famous Valley view featured above was photographed around golden hour, which made the light contrast between the background and the forefront very stark. Very beautiful, but not the easiest to shoot. The viewpoint can be found on the one-way Northside Drive, after Bridalveil Fall and before Pohono Bridge. You'll encounter this on your way out of the park.

Also, certain parts of the park are closed during certain times of the year because roads may become too dangerous to drive in winter, or because nature needs time to recuperate.

I am not a Yosemite pro by any means, but I feel like these tips are some good first pointers for anyone who wants to venture into this stunning park.

Hope I made you hungry for your next trip!

Read more about our California roadtrip here.