3 Days in Yosemite: An Itinerary for the National Park and Beyond

Today I want to share my California itinerary for spending 3 days in Yosemite. This is a great place to travel if you love getting outdoors and into nature. With spectacular scenery, miles of hiking trails through the Sierra Nevada mountains, and stunning views, Yosemite National Park and the area around it is worth a special trip. I’m here now and I can’t wait to share my itinerary with you. I’ve included a map, too.

3 Days in Yosemite

If you’re wondering if 3 days is enough to visit Yosemite, it is. With a few days you’ll be able to hit the highlights of Yosemite Valley and take your pick of places like Tuolumne Meadows, the Tioga Road, and Wawona.

You can do everything from hikes to guided tours, drives, and sightseeing. You can also explore the area around the national park and check out gold rush towns and local points of interest. It’s a great amount of time to get an overview of Yosemite and its surroundings.

Day 1: Mariposa

My trip to Yosemite originates in San Francisco. It’s a 3-hour drive from the City by the Bay to Mariposa, the first stop on my itinerary.

As soon as I arrive in Mariposa, I feel like I’ve stepped back in time. This gold rush town near Yosemite National Park has almost 200 years of history.

From the oldest operating courthouse west of the Rocky Mountains to the 19th-century Old Stone Jailhouse and the heritage shopfronts on the main street, the past makes itself felt in this part of California.

I spend a couple hours walking around the town to see what it has to offer. First I pop into the shops. They’re packed with everything from intriguing antiques to olive oil and locally-roasted coffee beans. They’re housed in some of the most historic buildings in Mariposa, too.

Afterwards I stumble upon a famous hidden bar called the Hideout Saloon. It’s a popular place with locals and visitors, and there’s often live music here.

From the saloon I walk past historic houses to get to St Joseph’s Catholic Church. It features historic 1860s Carpenter Gothic architecture and views across the local streets.

I also head over to see the gold mining exhibits outside the Mariposa Museum & History Center. This place brings the area’s past to life with rich information and lots of visual displays.

When I’m done exploring, I check into my room at the Mariposa Lodge. The hotel is in an ideal location in the heart of town. It has everything from a swimming pool to little garden gazebos dotted throughout the grounds. My room is enormous, too.

After settling in, I take a walk through Mariposa County Arts Park and along the creek bed running through town. It’s peaceful here, and I spot deer grazing as I go.

When the sun starts to sink, I walk over to Happy Burger Diner to eat dinner. This restaurant is known for having the largest menu in the Sierra. It also stands out for its quirky decor, vintage records, and classic American ambiance. I order a huge plate of nachos as I get excited for the next day’s itinerary in Yosemite National Park.

Day 2: Yosemite Valley

The following morning my itinerary for 3 days in Yosemite continues as I wake up early, check out of the Mariposa Lodge, and head to breakfast at Pony Expresso Coffee House. It’s a rustic little place with house-roasted beans and quick breakfast options.

After eating, I head next door to get gas (this is the last place to fuel up for miles), then make my way to Yosemite National Park. The 45-minute drive along the Merced River is awe-inspiring, with spectacular natural scenery the whole way.

When I pull up to the Arch Rock Entrance to the park, I pay the entry fee and drive into Yosemite Valley. I spend the day seeing the main sights.

First up is Tunnel View, one of the most famous vista points in the national park. Just outside the Wawona Tunnel on State Highway 41, it’s a popular place to take pictures.

Once in the valley, I stop at the 19th-century Yosemite Valley Chapel. It’s a traditional wooden building with views of Yosemite Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in the United States.

From the chapel I drive to Curry Village. I park in the big lot and hike up the Mist Trail to Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall. It’s one of the best hikes in Yosemite, and it offers unparalleled views of the waterfalls along the way.

After taking in the panoramas of Yosemite National Park from the top of Nevada Fall, I return to Curry Village via the John Muir Trail. It’s a lesser-trodden path, and the woodland scenery along it offers a peaceful alternative to the busy Mist Trail.

When I finish the hike, I reward myself with a big pizza lunch on the outdoor terrace at Curry Village. It hits the spot, and it feels great to eat it in such beautiful natural surroundings.

After lunch I drive over to The Ahwahnee, the most famous hotel in Yosemite National Park. This place was designed to highlight its natural surroundings, including Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and Glacier Point. Inside, the hotel is known for its heritage interiors and stunning Arts and Crafts Movement architecture.

From the The Ahwahnee I head into Yosemite Village. I pass the Ansel Adams Gallery, then explore the Indian Village of the Ahwahnee by the Yosemite Museum. It features reconstructed buildings and exhibits with information about the original human inhabitants of the land here.

Leaving Yosemite Village, I make quick photo stops at El Capitan Meadow and Valley View before driving out to Yosemite View Lodge, my accommodation for the night. Located just outside the Arch Rock Entrance, it’s the closest resort to the national park.

Yosemite View Lodge is situated right on the Merced River. My spacious waterfront room features a deck with views over the water. The property also has walking paths in natural surroundings and several restaurants for dining.

I have dinner at The River Restaurant & Lounge, where the food is welcome sustenance after a long day of exploring Yosemite Valley.

Day 3: Yosemite National Park

The next morning my 3-day Yosemite itinerary continues as I check out of Yosemite View Lodge after breakfast and drive back through the Arch Rock Entrance into Yosemite National Park.

This time I’m not going to Yosemite Valley, though. I’m heading up to the Tioga Road, a seasonally-opened high-elevation pass that a lot of the park’s visitors miss. It’s worth venturing this way in the warmer months, though, as there are awe-inspiring views, tons of hiking trails, and few crowds.

I stop at Olmsted Point, Tenaya Lake, and other places to take in panoramic views of Half Dome, Clouds Rest, and more famous peaks and sites. It’s a stunning drive. It takes me all the way to Tuolumne Meadows not far from the Tioga Entrance to the park near Mammoth Lakes.

In the afternoon I retrace my route along the Tioga Road and go hiking in the Tuolumne Grove of giant sequoia trees. The 2.5-mile round-trip route takes me down 500 feet from the trailhead to see the natural wonders up close.

I spend some time walking around the loop trail at the bottom and passing under the arch in the stump of the tunnel tree. It’s amazing to take in the giants (they’re the most massive trees on earth, after all). Getting up close to them makes the hill climb back to the parking lot worth it.

After the hike it’s time to say good-bye to Yosemite. I hop in the car and make the 4.5-hour drive from the Sierra Nevada to the City by the Bay.

3 Days in Yosemite

I hope my itinerary for 3 days in Yosemite has inspired you to visit this part of California and see the national park and the areas around it. From hiking to history and natural beauty, this place has a lot going for it.

If you want more inspiration, take a look at my blog posts about a weekend in Yosemite and a Yosemite itinerary for 4 days. They’ll show you other places you can visit in and around the park if you have more or less time here.

3-Day Yosemite Itinerary Map

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