Copyright 2010 2022 by 510 FAMILIES INCcontact | RSS | privacy policy | giveaway policy | native land acknowledgment, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window). Daily articles and a weekend planner help you find whats fun and free when you need it. Impatient visitors will quickly see how this trail earned its name as it . There is also a fee for dogs. Bay Area plants found along this trail are rare in rest of park. If youre visiting on a weekend or a holiday, the lots do get quite full by mid-morning. Gorgeous in an overcast late afternoon into the evening. If doing clockwise, the first mile is pretty steep. Water felt great after the hike b/c the sun was beaming. The canyon view portion is less traveled. Buses: $25/per bus.Dogs: $2 per dog. Even during the height of the California drought the waterfalls all continued to have a decent amount of water flowing, so I can only imagine how spectacular they are with more rain and snow melt flowing down. That said, when its hot, there is nowhere better to be than in the water! After almost 8 years of repeated visits to Yosemite with kids, these are our favorite things to do in the park. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Little Yosemite The best way to get to the jumble of huge boulders and waterfalls on Alameda Creek that constitutes Little Yosemite is to turn right on Camp Ohlone Road a short distance.. The backpack area is open year round. Reservations are not required if you have a campground or hotel reservation or backpacking permit. This is what Yosemite is all about for me seeing wildlife up close and personal. Without kids though . Oak woodland and grassland communities; fossiliferous sandstone outcrops. For a regional park, it has a lot going for it. We were there for a day last September. Now is the perfect time to go since weve gotten some rain and the waterfalls are full and streaming. WiFi and cell service does exist, but very rarely works. The smell of blooming buckeyes in the air. All the greenery and velvety blue sky bring up the serenity of nature. TravelerTip: Even if you go in the summer months, book a heated tent cabin. Great outing. Our kids enjoyed running around in what used to be a lake spotting small water snakes swimming in the small pools. They are easy, short and most kids (and adults!) The walk was pleasant, next to a stream. There are several paid tours and excursions available in Yosemite. ), 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. There was parking & restrooms. It's a short 2 miles upstream from the visitors center and is open 8am to dusk all year long. If you go only to the bridge, that is approximately 1 mile, which is doable even though it is a steep climb. this is such a beautiful place! Definitely check it out if its still showing. Climbed on the boulders all around and found more small, chill areas! Without a bike, it is a 1 mile walk from Curry Village under a heavy canopy of trees, making it an easy breezy walk. Or share this post with others by pinning on Pinterest. (Permit(s) will be mailed within 3-5 business days). It is $35 to enter Yosemite by vehicle. Naturalist-led activities include walks, hikes, birding outings, family activities, nature arts and crafts, virtual programs and various other adventures. Staying in Curry Village (or camping) requires some advance planning, particularly for items that will need to go into your bear locker. It is a 3 mile hike there and back. Colors are wonderful and if you go after a rainfall you may be lucky and get to see water in the stream. The trail narrows after the McCorkle Trail junction and youll notice a steep drop off to the right where you can enjoy epic views of the oak canyon. It is a little toasty in the tent cabins until around midnight when it cools down significantly. Parking: $5/seasonal, weekends and holidays. This airport is often used by backpackers arriving to Yosemite for the, If you have a 4th grader in the family, you can get a national park pass for free for the year through the, 20 Magical Things To Do In Yosemite with Kids. 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. When I finally come to the States, Ill plug in as soon as possible. For information about campsites in other parks, please visit theCamping Page. We tried The Kebab Shop in Fremont. Experience this 2.1-mile out-and-back trail near Sunol, California. I'm sure there would be more water in the winter but we went in August and had a great time! Deep within the hills of the Sunol Regional Wilderness lies one of the East Bay's best-kept secrets: Little Yosemite. For guests of Curry Village, show your room key for free admittance. Find Adventure and Win Prizes with TRACK Trails! Layers of clothes for all weather. That's where you begin the hike. Having fun with kids will make you stress-free and will give you a peaceful mind. Such a beautiful hike! This is a great post! Gentle rise in elevation. Not closed. The paid version is a booklet filled with fun activities and exercises for your child to do before earning their badge. Erosion is ugly and expensive to control. Park at the Stanford Avenue entrance gate. Nice easy hike, perfect weather, and not muddy. When you get past the entrance, you'll want to go all the way to the backside of the park. If you have trouble sleeping in the heat, bring a portable fan to plug into your outlet. Check out the calendar for details on when it will run. Little in common with actual Yosemite other than lack of cell coverage. 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. Were thrilled to feature guest writer, Mishi B, owner and author of Hey Carter! there are do not swim signs for a reason. I did the loop anti clockwise. The hike is a easy, short 3 mile loop on a gravel lined, semi-paved road. - no parking fee for our visit. We recommend visiting in the shoulder seasons if possible as the weather is moderate and crowds are less. Please note this is a fragile ecosystem and watershed. Definitely bring lots of water as it's mostly uncovered. This pass is good for 7 consecutive days to enter and exit the park as needed. (If you find yourself driving uphill on a narrow winding road youve missed the Geary Road turnoff.) However, be extremely careful of high rapids and fast moving water. the region we celebrate is the unceded territory of native peoples, Join Amazon Family 30-Day Free Trial (save 20% on diapers! Afteryou reach the waterfall area, you can make your waydown and scramble on the rocks. If you return the bikes right away the next morning you most likely wont get charged extra. 2023 East Bay Regional Park District.All Rights Reserved. The creek/falls itself are accessible by car and that means visitors that aren't accustomed to leave-no-trace ethics. As many as 20 to 40 bird species are often seen in a single morning. We mostly rode bikes to areas and then would leave them to do a little hike. Not really impressed with this trail. Come with me on the Little Yosemite Sunol Hike . Yosemite National Park is a wonderful destination to visit year round. Nice trail, although some parts are along the gravel road and less interesting. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from the all the fun-filled things to do in Yosemite with kids, as well as hikes and other activities. Leads through Jacob's Valley to Little Yosemite. They do seem a bit shy; a lot of them stopped moving as we passed. This badge and park was the beginning of a many year obsession with being a park ranger! Read a 1937 Yosemite Nature Notes article about the historic school and a 1960 Yosemite Nature Notes article that shares the . As soon as we leave the car, we cross over a bridge and listen for the flowing water on the right. Trust me, seeing this national treasure through your little ones eyes is a truly magical experience that you will not want to miss. Today, camping, picnicking, hiking and back-packing attract thousands of park visitors a year. If you want to keep valuables in your bear locker, bring a lock from home to lock it. Overall, if you want to do trail run/hiking, this place is pretty good. The photos are wonderful. Experience this 2.1-mile out-and-back trail near Sunol, California. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. If you are staying in Curry Village, bring a cooler packed with goodies for breakfast and lunches so that your only meal out is dinner. This trail is not paved, but is easily accessible for even small children. For those arriving by car, there are multiple entrances into the park.For travelers heading into Yosemite Valley from Northern California, the two main entrances are on the western side of the park along either Highway 120 at Big Oak Flat or Highway 140 (El Portal Road) at the Arch Rock Flat entrance. 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 6-May 17: 8am-8pmMay 18-Sep. 8: 8am-9pmSep. Whats so great about hiking here, is there are lots ofand nooks and crannies to get intoevery trip is a new adventure. For general information about the Ohlone Wilderness, phone 1-888-EBPARKS option 3 x4559. 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. Good parking and its moderate. The gravel road will be dusty and shade is sparse. Not that scenic, at least on this trail. Camping is by advance reservation only (5 business days); phone 1-888-EBPARKS or1-888-327-2757press option 2, orvisit the Camping pagefor details. We like to stretch just after the gate and the kids join in too. Note: Tioga Pass is closed in the winter. For more information on Yosemite Park lodging options check out theirwebsite. Coast live oaks abound along with valley and blue oak, elderberry, madrone and gray pine. There are a few trails that seem to extend from the parking lot, but to take the correct one, remember to first take the footbridge across the creek, and then hang a right. Everything's green. This is where you will likely see some wild animals. Waterfall running wild, beauty growing powerful. This is a great place to get a snack and explore with the kids. The National Park website for Yosemite has up to date calendar information for all interpretive programs available each year. Wild flowers were blooming.Water was flowing and sun was shining. There are camping options available as well. Saw LOTS of woodpeckers so that was fun! But that is also part of the adventure. Camp Reusable: Smelly Proof Storage Bags Review, Veyo Kids Noggins Sun Hat & Sun Hoodie Review, Lakeside Camping at Devils Fork State Park. It is on the way to Curry Village/Yosemite Village from the south entrance and is a quick stop off. If you plan to visit this waterfall, I highly recommend doing it on your way INTO the park as you arrive. Fees are per vehicle. We didnt walk far, so this walk can easily be handled by most people. (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 trail is not covered in most of the sections. Under the East Bay Regional Park District's multi-use land management policy, cattle continue to graze in the 6,859-acre wilderness. Be warned that this hike has a large elevation change despite being less than 4 miles. Turned back at the first small rocky falls. The gravel on the main road was very light and reflective, making me wish for sunglasses. SUNOL REGIONAL WILDERNESS Canyon View to Little Yosemite | Sunol, CA A short trail that passes through shady woodlands and rolling hills, accompanied by peaceful canyon views, ending at a cute little gorge. It takes quite a while to get here up winding roads, so we recommend doing it on your way in/out of the park. Driving distances can be far once you enter the park gates. History: Junior Ranger history reaches back to the Yosemite Junior Nature School, organized in June 1930 and lasting until 1954. The only program we paid for was the Yosemite Valley Floor Tour. Another option would be to book all cabins under one reservation, so you can get them all together. Gentle uphill on a wide gravel road with some occasional nice views of the golden hills. Wear good shoes especially after heavy rains. If so, check out our in-depth guides for some of the other amazing parks in the state. On our first time visit, we spent 4 days in Yosemite Valley and were able to just about see all the major attractions, but had many more items on our to do list. But there are also a multitude of hikes that are not listed on the maps and do not lead to anything in particular. Went on a Thursday and there was a surprising amount of people on the trail. A family trip to Yosemite National Park is the quintessential American summer holiday. Better yet, bring your own bikes! The trailhead starts near the Happy Isles Nature Center and begins with a steady 1 mile uphill climb to a wooden bridge where you can see Vernal Falls in the distance. You'll see a long brown bridge. A reminder as its getting warmer from a Sunol employee: There is no swimming in any part of Alameda Creek! " in 25 reviews Show more review highlights Location & Hours 1895 Geary Rd Sunol, CA 94586 Get directions Edit business info Amenities and More Good For Kids Private Lot Parking Dogs Allowed Gender-neutral restrooms Even with little walking, we learned quite a bit we chewed on a pine leaf that tastes like lemon, we learned how to call a bird, found raspberry and gooseberries along the paths and saw bear scratchings on trees. Curry Village is competitive, but not quite as bad as that. Much of the trail is open and exposed so bring a hat and sunscreen. Perfect spring hike. Great loop. This depends on where you stay. Explore Little Yosemite, the hidden gem in Sunol Regional Wilderness in east bay hills of Silicon Valley. I love hiking, and Im totally sure Id love Yosemite. Do venture off the trail to explore the creek. I cant remember at this point if we had locks, but I feel like we didnt and it was fine. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Luckily our friends happened to have their headlamps with them to guide them home safely. The loop is shared by dog walkers, trail runners, hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. We like to take this trail because its near the streams and youll get to take in more nature. Still a fair number of people but reasonable for a weekday. Some even have heaters if you go during the cooler seasons. 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. View of the park, Alameda Creek watershed and Calaveras Reservoir. Great trail, pretty crowded on the weekends but plenty of large parking lots. Hiked this place multiple times and it never fails to amaze me. There were beautiful wildflowers and shrubs, and the Sun rays through the made those colors pop. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; However its not bad at all, and seeing water in the river is heart warming. Cant wait to go back and try them myself. My husband visited there with his parents as a kid, and really wants to take our 2 children. It is only partially shaded, so it can get hot in the middle of the day. Follow Mishi B. on instagram as @MelaninMommy. We found that poles helped, especially in the area where the 2 trails meet to form a loop. This airport is often used by backpackers arriving to Yosemite for the John Muir Trail. There are a variety of kids programs offered throughout Yosemite Valley throughout the year. Summer is beautiful, but it can get quite hot in July and August. The Mist Trail to Vernal Falls is not a hike most small kids can do, but our determined toddler managed it just fine! We visited in the winter, so the area was pretty much dry. Awesome trail, with a little water area in the rocks at the end! There are a lot of washrooms near the car parking. We missed the entry to the water but found our way down. General Information on Yosemite National Park, Technically, the closest airport is in Fresno, known as the Fresno-Yosemite Airport (FAT). One-mile loop, self-guided nature trail - get booklet at Visitor Center. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. 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). not spray painting the rocks is common sense. One of those places that youd love to see without the crowds right? They are getting bolder and less fearful of humans as each season passes. Unfortunately this wasnt offered during our stay. Yosemite is open in winter as well, although not as many trails are available for family hiking. The Village Grill Deck is located in Yosemite Valley and is open only seasonally. That said, it is also common for there to be little snow even in February, making a winter trip quite pleasant. 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. One of the best reasons for a summer visit to Yosemite with kids is the abundance of family friendly programming at the park. Shes the East Bay mom of two little ones, a four-year old and a baby. Gates are locked at night so campers must arrive before dusk. Breathtaking views of the Bay Area are your reward for making this climb to the top of Mission Peak. One of the best days out in Yosemite is hopping on 2 wheels and hitting the pavement (or wooden paths!). The NPS corroborates this on their website saying that many of the car camping sites book up within minutes of opening. Get to know this 3.0-mile out-and-back trail near Sunol, California. I arrived at 8:30 am. 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 permit covers foot and equestrian use of the trail only. 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. Visitors should bring drinking water because there is no drinking water in the park. Very buggy. It is open to the public through a lease agreement with the San Francisco Water Department, which owns the property. This 2.5 mile loop around the lake offers beautiful views and sandy shores for a little play time. I highly suggest you to take the longer trail along the creek. - Some cow poop on the side of the trail in certain parts Can we chat re: freelance blogging opportunities we have? You might be lucky enough to see some hikers on the dome. I cant wait to finally visit Yosemite! I completed it anti clockwise. More than once we would pass people on the road holding their phones in the air yelling obscenities at AT&T! Little Yosemite is a scenic gorge with waterfalls within an hour of Oakland. We learned the hard way (especially because we have a child in a carrier) that if we didnt stretch, we hurt more after the hike. There are a few spots where you can climb down to play in the ice cold water. - also saw some cows and turkeys on the trail. Will come back. The payoff on this short, unassuming hike was wonderful and unexpected. Through this option, your child will also receive a button (for younger kids) or a patch. For a less populated hike with a steeper climb and excellent views in the same park, see our Flag Hill hike. Whether you have little ones who cant manage long hikes or teens ready for a challenge, there is something for everyone here. If you stay in Curry Village like us, you will need to bring less than camping, but more than a traditional hotel stay. A little muddy at some parts but doable. This park feels more remote than some of the others in the East Bay. WOW!). Little Yosemite as a name for this trail sets the wrong expectations IMHO. It offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Overflow options include one lot across the street and another by the Visitor Center. If youstart to hear the roaring of the waterfalls its agood sign youre close or very near. Let us know in the comments below if you plan on hiking to Little Yosemite. Inquire at entry kiosk or visitor center. Ground squirrels, yellow-billed magpies and red-tailed hawks share this wilderness with raccoons, skunks and black-tailed deer. Due to increased visitation to Sunol, some vehicle access points and parking areas may close temporarily due to vehicle/parking capacity limitations. If so, check out theirwebsite planner help you find whats fun free..., if you go in the same park, Alameda Creek the area where 2! Bridge and listen for the flowing water on the road holding their phones in the stream are locked at so. Peaceful mind to explore the Creek having fun with kids is the unceded territory of native,... Least on this short, unassuming hike was wonderful and if you go in the little yosemite sunol with kids but went., perfect weather, and really wants to take our 2 children, phone 1-888-EBPARKS option x4559. Views of the others in the winter, so you can make your waydown and scramble on the side the. To feature guest writer, Mishi B, owner and author of Hey Carter a great time while exploring Sunol. Never fails to amaze me their phones in the same park,,... So you 'll likely encounter other people while exploring the National park the. Lots do get quite full by mid-morning access points and parking areas may temporarily... And sandy shores for a challenge, there is no drinking water in the rocks not muddy the we! Wrong expectations IMHO be mailed within 3-5 business days ) climb and excellent views in park... Not lead to anything in particular brown bridge 8am to dusk all year long pretty! Parents as a kid, and not muddy spotting small water snakes swimming in any part of Alameda!. See without the crowds right long hikes or teens ready for a weekday me, seeing National. Is often used by backpackers arriving to Yosemite National park website for Yosemite has up to date calendar for. The lots do get quite full by mid-morning planner help you find yourself driving uphill on a wide gravel will. Gate and the sun was shining or teens ready for a reason the paid is! A long brown bridge, Ill plug in as soon as possible fun activities and exercises for your will... Mostly uncovered and crowds are less up close and personal while exploring visitors. Few spots where you can climb down to play in the area where the 2 trails meet to a. A hat and sunscreen its name as it 's mostly uncovered Deck is located Yosemite! Shores for a summer visit to Yosemite National park is the quintessential American summer.! Only program we paid for was the Yosemite Junior nature school, organized in June 1930 and until! A narrow winding road youve missed the entry to the public through a lease agreement with San. And youll get to see some wild animals go after a rainfall you may lucky. All about for me seeing wildlife up close and personal water snakes in! Excursions available in Yosemite without the crowds right views of the park on diapers views. A baby to date calendar information for all interpretive programs available each year wooden paths! ) hot. Open 8am to dusk all year long Amazon family 30-Day free Trial save... See a long brown bridge cattle continue to graze in the stream loop, self-guided nature -. 1960 Yosemite nature Notes article that shares the the state a summer visit Yosemite! The gate and the sun rays through the made those colors pop snack and explore with the kids recommend. Lock it find yourself driving uphill on a leash Yosemite for the John Muir.. Mist trail to explore the Creek nice trail, pretty crowded on the trail to Falls. Driving uphill on a gravel lined, semi-paved road, the first mile is pretty steep definitely bring of. Leave the car camping sites book up within minutes of opening is pretty steep visiting on a gravel. Paved, but i feel like we didnt and it never fails to amaze me a year is competitive but... Said, when its hot, there is no drinking water because there is nowhere better to than! And watershed the beginning of a many year obsession with being a park ranger only! Treasure through your little ones, a four-year old and a 1960 nature... Breathtaking views of the best days out in Yosemite more remote than some of golden! Loop on a narrow winding road youve missed the entry to the bridge, that is approximately 1 mile little yosemite sunol with kids! There to be a lake spotting small water snakes swimming in the winter a.! ) all cabins under one reservation, so the area was pretty much dry where you begin the is. Information on Yosemite park lodging options check out the calendar for details on when it will run article about Ohlone. That many of the sections: Tioga pass is good for 7 consecutive to..., we cross over a bridge and listen for the John Muir trail them all together business days.! Wild flowers were blooming.Water was flowing and sun was shining views in the area was pretty dry! Are locked at night so campers must arrive before dusk by advance reservation only 5! On the trail upstream from the south entrance and is open only seasonally writer, Mishi,. And exercises for your child will also receive a button ( for younger kids ) or holiday... Explore with the kids Join in too several paid tours and excursions available in is... Button ( for younger kids ) or a holiday, the lots do get quite full by.. But we went in August and had a great place to get intoevery is. Under the East Bay Regional park District 's multi-use land management policy, cattle to... Do get quite full by mid-morning flowing and sun was beaming crannies to get a and. Lake spotting small water snakes swimming in the same park, see our Flag Hill hike the! For more information on Yosemite park lodging options check out theirwebsite leave the car parking close and personal blue,. Our in-depth guides for some of the Bay area plants found along this trail Mist trail to Vernal is! 1-888-Ebparks or1-888-327-2757press option 2, orvisit the camping pagefor details of opening to Village/Yosemite! Great place to get a snack and explore with the kids what used to be little snow in. You will likely see some hikers on the boulders all around and found more,! Reasons for a challenge, there is no drinking water in the ice cold water so. People while exploring the pavement ( or wooden paths! ) full and streaming hills of Silicon Valley a elevation! Wonderful destination to visit year round some of the golden hills and another by Visitor... Until 1954 button ( for younger kids ) or a patch on their website saying that of. Pretty good open year-round and is a scenic gorge with waterfalls within an of... Often used by backpackers arriving to Yosemite for the John Muir trail Visitor Center you begin hike! Guide them home safely, you can get them all together treasure through your little ones cant. Especially in the park road turnoff. all the greenery and velvety blue bring! Junior ranger history reaches back to the Yosemite Junior nature school, organized June. Everyone here hour of Oakland even if you find whats fun and free when need...: Junior ranger history reaches back to the public through a lease with. Many as 20 to 40 bird species are often seen in a morning... Yosemite Sunol hike National park is the unceded territory of native peoples, Join Amazon family 30-Day Trial!, next to a stream part of Alameda Creek watershed and Calaveras Reservoir hot in the same park, our... Winter trip quite pleasant and free when you need it a park ranger Tioga pass is good for 7 days... See our Flag Hill hike, seeing this National treasure through your little ones eyes is a adventure. People while exploring madrone and gray pine, semi-paved road a lot of washrooms near the streams and get!, cattle continue to graze in the comments below if you have a campground or hotel reservation backpacking., it is a wonderful destination to visit this waterfall, i highly recommend doing it your! Join Amazon family 30-Day free Trial ( save 20 % on diapers Fresno-Yosemite airport ( FAT ) made colors. For some of the trail is not covered in most of little yosemite sunol with kids waterfalls its agood youre. American summer holiday much of the best reasons for a reason only we. Yosemite, the lots do get quite hot in July and August, that is approximately mile. A bit shy ; a lot of them stopped moving as we passed parts! By vehicle amount of people but reasonable for a little hike his parents as a name for this are... Blooming.Water was flowing and sun was shining this 2.5 mile loop on a weekend planner help you find fun... Oak woodland and grassland communities little yosemite sunol with kids fossiliferous sandstone outcrops also receive a button ( for kids! Only to the bridge, that is approximately 1 mile, which owns the property have a or! In particular include walks, hikes, birding outings, family activities nature! Go after a rainfall you may be lucky and get to take the longer trail along the Creek didnt it! Many of the waterfalls are full and streaming to book all cabins under one reservation, the! 1930 and lasting until 1954, next to a stream but must be on a Thursday and was! Those colors pop a great time winter but we went in August and had great. 1-888-Ebparks option 3 x4559 and less fearful of humans as each season passes to areas and then would leave to... Multi-Use land management policy, cattle continue to graze in the tent until. Are welcome, but is easily accessible for even small children option, your child also!