Yosemite National Park is a must-visit for everyone, but visiting with kids will surely create an incredibly memorable trip. No matter how old your kids are, Yosemite National Park is filled with fun adventures for your family. I grew up going to Yosemite often, and I love that we are continuing the same tradition with our kids.
In this post, I will give you all the information you need to plan an incredible trip to Yosemite National Park. I will cover important considerations for planning your Yosemite vacation and our favorite things to do in the different areas of the park. I will also cover our favorite kid-friendly hikes and restaurants in Yosemite. You will not be disappointed whether you visit in the sunshine or snow.
PLANNING A TRIP TO YOSEMITE WITH KIDS
This section is for you if you are beginning your planning process! The first step is to decide when to go and secure your lodging reservation. From here, you will know what entrance you will use to enter Yosemite National Park. Then you can begin pinpointing what you want to do, build your itinerary, and pack accordingly!
WHEN TO VISIT YOSEMITE
One thing that makes Yosemite unique is that it is exceptional any time of year. You know your family best, so deciding when to visit will be based on what type of experience you are looking for in Yosemite National Park. For our family, it is Spring and Summer. How about you? Here are some of the pros and cons of each season.
SPRING IN YOSEMITE
As the snow melts in spring, the waterfalls begin flowing strong and colorful wildflowers paint the valley floor. Roads at higher elevations in the park begin to open, allowing you to access more of the park. May is a great month to experience both the spring and summer perks of Yosemite Valley.
SUMMER IN YOSEMITE
Summer brings longer days of hotter temperatures and heavier crowds but also beautiful conditions for biking around the valley and swimming and rafting in the Merced River. These are some of our favorite activities, so summer is one of our family’s favorite times to visit. However, by August, the waterfalls are a tiny drizzle versus the luscious flow of Spring.
FALL IN YOSEMITE
As fall approaches, the temperatures begin to cool as the days shorten. Finally, however, the fall colors begin to pop. Early fall, like September, is an excellent time to experience some of the fall changes with a bit of the warmer temperatures from summer.
WINTER IN YOSEMITE
The Winter months bring a wonderland of snow to the valley floor. The Badger Pass Ski Area gives you all the options for a fun day of skiing, snowboarding, or tubing. I have incredible memories as a kid of ice skating under the stars in Curry Village and snow sledding in the different snow play areas of the park (Crane Flat is a highlight). However, several roads in the park, such as Glacier Point Road and Tioga Pass, are closed due to icy or slippery conditions on the road. Always carry chains and check current road conditions when heading to snowy areas.
WHERE TO STAY WHEN VISITING YOSEMITE WITH KIDS
I love staying in the park, but these reservations book 6 months to a year in advance. Nothing compares to opening the blinds in the morning to incredible views of the granite monoliths above you. Also, when traveling to national parks with kids, staying in the park allows you to get going faster as most people outside have a 30-60 minute drive to get into the valley. Visit the official Yosemite National Park lodging site to see what is available.
YOSEMITE VALLEY LODGE
We love the Yosemite Valley Lodge. The location is exceptional at the start of the Yosemite Falls trail. You can hear the roaring waterfall in your room at night. In addition, the buildings are along one of the many paved trails and bicycle paths leading to our favorite swimming spot, the Swinging Bridge over the Merced River. We love the Laurel building, so our view faces the bicycle path and is closest to the river.
ROOM AMENITIES
The lodge buildings are two stories, so every room has a balcony or patio. This is perfect for listening to the falls with coffee in the morning or enjoying a glass of wine after a full day while the kids fall asleep. During COVID closures, we also enjoyed eating take-out meals on our patio.
Each room has a mini-fridge, coffee maker, television, space heater, and fan (no A/C). Various room types are available, but my son’s favorite is the bunk bed rooms (in the Hemlock building). The kids had fun peeking over to say “hello” when someone was using the sink. I love to see the type of room I am booking from real traveler photos, so here are more pictures of our different rooms!
THE LODGE PROPERTY
The large lodge property has a shuttle stop, making it a convenient start for morning exploration. In addition, the Yosemite Valley Lodge has a gift shop (with snacks and light groceries), a quick-service restaurant (The Base Camp Eatery), a nicer sit-down restaurant and lounge (The Mountain Room), an amphitheater to catch a ranger program, a swimming pool, and a bicycle rental stand. There is free wifi when you stay at the lodge, but it is limited, spotty, and not fast enough for television streaming or Zoom-style meetings.
CURRY VILLAGE
Curry Village is another great option for families in the heart of Yosemite Valley. Once known as Half Dome Village, Curry Village is located at the start of several popular trailheads – the John Muir Trail, Vernal Falls Mist Trail, Half Dome, and Mirror Lake. Curry Village has a variety of tent cabins and cabin rooms that can make your summer stay especially unique.
TENT CABINS
The tent cabins of Curry Village are a fun experience for families, especially those with older kids. It is important to note that they do not have electrical outlets, and you must lock all food and toiletries outside in bear lockers. The bathroom and showers are a shared building for campers. There are quiet hours to ensure everyone’s enjoyment. There are no televisions, rollaway beds, or cribs available. I have great memories from childhood and am excited to share them with my kids in a few years. This is more a match for families with elementary or middle school-age kids, not infants or young toddlers.
Curry Village is home to one of our favorite lunch spots – the craft beer Pizza Deck. They also have a restaurant, bar, gift shop, ice cream shop, swimming pool, and bicycle rental stand. The property is large and a great place to stop for a meal, even if you are not staying there.
OUTSIDE THE PARK LODGING OPTIONS
If you cannot secure in-park lodging, book something outside of the park with free cancellation. We always use Expedia because it is so easy to modify your reservation, and you can often book a reservation with no deposit. You can continue checking Travel Yosemite for cancellations to stay in the park. Some of our favorite accommodations outside of the park are the Rush Creek Lodge (Highway 120), Tenaya Lodge (Highway 41), and Yosemite View Lodge (Highway 140).
HOW TO GET TO YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
Once you know where you are staying, you can determine your route and what entrance you will be using to access Yosemite National Park. There are four entrances you can use to access Yosemite Valley.
- Big Oak Flat Entrance on Highway 120 from the northwest – commonly used by those coming from the Bay Area, San Francisco, and the Silicon Valley (about 40 minutes to Yosemite Valley)
- Arch Rock (El Portal) Entrance on Highway 140 from the west – commonly used by those coming from San Jose, Monterey, and Merced (about 22 minutes to Yosemite Valley)
- Fish Camp South Entrance on Highway 41 – commonly used by those coming from Los Angeles, San Diego, and Sequoia National Park (about 60 minutes to Yosemite Valley)
- Tioga Pass East Entrance on Highway 120 – commonly used by those coming from Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, or visitors to the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountain Range on Highway 395 (about 1.25 hours to Yosemite Valley). During the winter, Highway 120 closes due to snow. Therefore, to access Yosemite Valley in winter, you must plan one of the first entrances. According to the National Park Service, it is usually open from late May/early June through November. Check current conditions to know if Tioga Pass is open as it is always weather permitting which can make planning difficult if you are visiting in May or November.
You can also enter Yosemite National Park to access the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir from the Hetch Hetchy Entrance near Big Oak Flat. However, the Yosemite Valley is not accessible from this park area. This area is a great place to explore but plan at least a half-day to visit if you are looking to hike around the area. You can read more about hiking and exploring the Hetch Hetchy Area here. If you are heading to the San Francisco area after your visit, consider stopping here on your way out of the park!
PARK ENTRANCE RESERVATIONS
2023 Update: Reservations will not be required for the 2023 summer season! You can confirm the current status of reservations here.
Since COVID, Yosemite National Park now requires reservations for entry during peak months. From late May to September, you must make a reservation in advance to enter the park between 6 am-4 pm. However, if you are staying in the park, your lodging reservation is your park reservation, and you can skip this section. If not, knowing the timing and securing your entry reservation is crucial.
Reservations are released on a particular day in March. In 2022, 70% of reservations were released at 8 am PST on March 23. Follow the link above to ensure you know the date these will be released. 30% of reservations are released seven days prior. These reservations are gone immediately, similar to sunrise at Haleakala National Park in Maui. I recommend you use the same strategy I did with Haleakala and sign in on the Recreation.gov app versus the website.
Once you secure a park reservation, make sure to print it out. If your lodging or camping is in the park, print the confirmation page to show at the entrance gate. Unfortunately, there is little to no cell service at the entrance gates, so you cannot pull it up on your cell phone.
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK FEES
As of 2022, park entrance fees are $35/vehicle for seven days. You can confirm the current park fees here. Park entrances are open 24 hours per day. If you plan to visit any other national parks in the year following your visit, I highly recommend getting the $80 America The Beautiful Annual National Parks pass. In addition, if you are visiting a national park with kids, don’t miss out on the free national park annual pass available to every 4th grader!
DRIVING & TRANSPORTATION IN YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
I am a huge fan of driving into the valley ourselves. I love the flexibility it gives us to stop and check out any views we want. However, it is important to know that gas is non-existent in the valley. There are two gas stations inside the park. One is in Crane Flat, just after the Big Oak Entrance, and the other is in Wawona, just after the southern entrance to the park. So make sure to fill up in the town just outside the park before heading in to avoid unnecessary stress.
BIKING IN THE VALLEY
During peak months, parking is a struggle. I love staying in the park because it allows us to park our car and have a central home base to venture from. My absolute favorite thing is biking around the valley for a day. You can either rent bikes or bring them with you, allowing you to explore without the stress of parking at each stop. You can read all of the details about biking in Yosemite Valley here.
SHUTTLE BUSES
The shuttle buses in Yosemite are an excellent way to explore some of the top places in Yosemite Valley. The shuttles are free and run between 7 am – 10 pm. With 19 stops, they cover the valley and allow you to jump on and off to enjoy all of the best places without the parking hassle. In addition, the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) can bring you into the park from nearby airports and towns.
WHAT TO PACK FOR A KID-FRIENDLY TRIP TO YOSEMITE
In addition to regular vacation packing, make sure you bring some fun things to enrich your national park trip! You can read more about our favorite things to bring to a national park here. Always bring a refillable water bottle, as the park has refill stations. I like to have a large one in the room too. Print necessary confirmations and directions; you cannot always rely on cell service to pull things up on your phone. Don’t forget your annual park pass if you are using one!
If you plan to hike, pack a pair of comfortable hiking shoes and socks, plenty of water, and a small first aid kit. If hiking with kids, make sure to have comfortable hiking shoes for them, and if hiking with a baby, a carrier that can support them if needed. My son loves his hydration pack and binoculars when we hike. I love that he can hold his stuff! We love our hiking backpack and always bring extra carabiners for whatever you may need to attach! We love to hang a small outdoor blanket for impromptu picnics or happy hour!
Consider asking for a small refrigerator for leisurely breakfast in the morning when booking your accommodations. We love to pack yogurt and granola, muffins, bananas, milk, cereal, and bars to help us get up and out faster than going to breakfast each morning. Our son has refrigerated meds due to Cystic Fibrosis, so this is a must for us. Many hotels will bring one in for free if it is not already there.
In addition, if traveling with a baby, check whether you can request a pack-and-play or crib. A small stroller is nice for cruising around the park at bedtime. This blanket is the cutest for a national park visit. I love having one of these disposable diaper pails for longer trips to avoid diaper smells in the room. I also love this pop-up laundry hamper to keep the dirty laundry together in our room. We also love our stainless YETI tumblers for coffee in the morning and whatever you choose for an evening stroll!
BUILDING SCHEMA
I love getting my kids excited about the national park we are visiting. Check out books at your local library to read at bedtime and get them excited about the sights and wildlife they may see. If you want a keepsake, I love this inexpensive Yosemite Rookie Reader for younger kids or this Yosemite Guide or National Parks guide for older elementary kids.
If you plan on visiting many national parks, consider starting their Junior Ranger National Park Passport book on this trip. Then, you can stop in the visitor center to stamp the passport or book cover inside! It will become a keepsake with the dates of your visits right inside!
THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS IN YOSEMITE
Here is a list of our favorite places to go when exploring Yosemite with kids. I cover our favorite sights, kid-friendly hikes, and restaurants in Yosemite. I’ve grouped the locations by area to help with planning. After you check out the list, check out my posts on different itineraries for two and 3-day trips to Yosemite.
BEST SIGHTS TO SEE DRIVING INTO THE VALLEY
No matter the entrance you use to start your Yosemite adventure, there will be pullouts and views along the way to your destination in the valley. Here are a few of our favorite stops when we use the southern entrance from Oakhurst on Highway 41. This is the route you would use if you come from Sequoia of Kings Canyon National Parks.
MARIPOSA GROVE – HOME OF THE GIANT SEQUOIAS
Just after your entrance, you will see the turn towards the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza and parking area for Mariposa Grove. Although this is a more extended stop, the giant sequoia trees are sure to “wow” your kids. Mariposa Grove is home to over 500 giant sequoias and the famed California tunnel tree.
The welcome plaza has over 300 parking spaces, and the grove is a 2-mile hike down the road. However, shuttles run seasonally (April – November) that take you to the grove’s entrance. Check the shuttle schedule for your trip here.
Once you reach the grove of giant sequoias, you can hike the easy, wheelchair-accessible paved trail through the incredible trees. Enjoy a short hike (.3-mile loop) on the Big Trees Loop Trail or spend 2 -hours on the 2-mile Grizzly Giant Loop Trail to see the most famous trees, such as the 3,000-year-old Grizzly Giant and California Tunnel Tree.
GLACIER POINT
2023 Summer Update: Glacier Point Road is closed to all traffic for road improvements until late July. Check the current status here before you visit. Visiting during your trip will not be possible without hiking or long delays.
Glacier Point is a beautiful overlook with panoramic views of the entire Yosemite Valley from the Sierra Nevada Mountains. At 3,200 feet, Glacier Point stands high above the valley and shows off many of Yosemite’s signature landmarks. You will see several waterfalls, like Vernal Falls, Nevada Falls, and Yosemite Falls, and the park’s towering granite monoliths, like Half Dome and Yosemite’s high country.
The small gift shop has ice cream treats that make for a fun treat after a long car ride or hike! Pop up a camping chair and take a few moments to enjoy the view from one of the many viewpoints.
Glacier Point is about an hour from Yosemite Valley, so I love stopping here on the way in or out of the park. Unfortunately, it is only accessible by car, as this location has no shuttle stop. However, you can book a guided bus tour if you do not have a vehicle. Depending on snow conditions, Glacier Point Road is open from May to November. You can check current road conditions here. The road is closed in winter, just after the Badger Pass Ski Area.
Glacier Point Road is also where you can find the trailhead to some of the best hikes in Yosemite, such as Taft Point and Sentinel Dome. The hike to Taft Point is 2.2 miles round trip with stunning views. However, Taft Point has some massive 2,000-foot drops that make me nervous with my young kids, so we have not hiked there yet. You can read more about the family-friendly hike to Sentinel Dome below.
WAWONA TUNNEL VIEW
The Wawona Tunnel View is a quick stop you should not miss. I love making this one of our first stops heading into the valley. There is plenty of parking on both sides of the road, and the views are just the beginning of the incredible sights to come.
You are in for a treat if you enter the park from the south. As you head through the Wawona Tunnel, you will begin to see the valley views emerge as the tunnel ends. You probably recognize this photo spot with Half Dome standing tall in the background. Wawona Tunnel View is a natural stop on the way into the valley and an excellent place for family pictures you will cherish forever. Stop for photos in these signature locations when visiting a national park with kids.
BRIDALVEIL FALLS
2023 Update: The Bridelvail Falls Trail remains closed to all traffic for the trail improvement project. However, you can still pull over and enjoy the view from the side of the road.
Yosemite is known for its waterfalls, and Bridalveil Falls is a quick way to stop and enjoy these stunning landforms when traveling with kids. I love stopping here on our way into the valley because the road is one-way, so you pass by it as you come in. Then, a short, easy .5-mile round trip hike takes you from the parking on the side of the road to the viewing point for the 620-foot falls.
As always, stay on the trail and do not climb the rocks. The signs are there for a reason, and exploring beyond the trail is unsafe. Water is unpredictable and slippery conditions can cause severe damage. There are great views from the trail’s end and designated viewing points.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN YOSEMITE VALLEY WITH KIDS
These locations are all accessible by shuttle or bicycle in the Yosemite Valley area. You can easily spend your entire trip enjoying these locations.
YOSEMITE VILLAGE
Yosemite Village is the “hub” of Yosemite National Park and will be busy throughout the year. A large paved trail runs through the village and connects you to bicycle trails all over the valley. Here you can find the Village Store (gift shop and grocery store), several places to eat, and the park’s bookstore and visitor center. The village is also home to the 80-year-old Yosemite Museum, the first building built as a museum in the national park system.
VISITOR CENTER
I always recommend you stop by the visitor center at the start of your trip to check in about current conditions and grab any maps you may need. I also pick up the park’s Junior Ranger booklet for my kids. The Yosemite National Park Junior Ranger booklet is a hit for all ages. I love that they have created an adaptive companion for kids with diverse learning needs. I love that the national parks are always working to be more accessible and inclusive for all. When your child completes the program, they receive a special badge that makes a great souvenir!
Plan an hour or so to stop by the visitor center, chat with a ranger about your plans, grab the Junior Ranger booklet, and check out the ranger program guide for any unique opportunities. Don’t forget to grab lunch for the rest of the day’s adventure!
SWIM IN THE MERCED RIVER BY THE SWINGING BRIDGE PICNIC AREA
Merced River runs through the valley floor, making swimming and rafting popular during the summer. When you stay at the Yosemite Lodge, swimming under the swinging bridge is practically in your backyard. We love coming out in the evening and enjoying our picnic happy hour while the kids play.
There is a parking lot with bathrooms and barbeques just to the left of Southside Drive and the beach access just off the bicycle path on the Lodge side of the river. So you can plan an entire day playing in the river during the summer. Other popular spots on the river are Sentinel Beach and Cathedral Beach, but we love Swinging Bridge because it is right off the bicycle path and a short walk from the lodge (where we like to stay). There is a shuttle stop at Cathedral Beach.
RAFTING IN THE MERCED RIVER
Families with older kids will enjoy rafting down the Merced River! You can bring your own float or spend the afternoon with a rental that starts at Curry Village (previously known as Half Dome Village) and heads down the river with a shuttle back! I will add this to my summer itinerary when my kids are older.
Like bike rentals, these are popular and can fill up during peak seasons. Unfortunately, you cannot book over the phone or through email ahead of time, but you can book in person a day or two before. I highly suggest checking in with the Guest Recreation Kiosk in Curry Village on your first day to set up your plans if you want to raft.
WANDER THE HAPPY ISLES NATURE CENTER
Due to COVID, the Happy Isles Nature Center has been closed for several years. However, the grounds are open and a great place to stop to see on your way out to one of our favorite kid-friendly hikes, like Mirror Lake or the Vernal Falls footbridge. Wander over the bridges, check out the old rock slide and the marshy “Fen.” This is a great place to have a snack or picnic lunch, take a few minutes to work on a Junior Ranger book, or rest on your bike ride!
BEST SIGHTS TO SEE WITH KIDS ON YOUR WAY OUT OF YOSEMITE VALLEY
You can quickly drive to see these spots during your trip, but we love stopping on our way out of the park due to their location on the one-way road!
EL CAPITAN
El Capitan is famous for climbers, given it is over 3,000 feet of sheer granite that creates a playground for climbers worldwide. So if you pull off at the El Capitan Meadow and break out your binoculars, chances are you will see some climbers in action. This makes for a fun stop on your way out of the park!
VALLEY VIEW LOOKOUT
Valley View Lookout is a great place to say “goodbye” to Yosemite because it is on your way out of the park. Just before the exit to Highway 140 and the turnaround towards Bridelvail Falls and the Yosemite Village area, there is a small pullout and parking area on your left. The views of the valley are spectacular so take a moment to stop!
OTHER AREAS OF INTEREST
Driving east on Highway 120, known as Tioga Pass, towards Tuolumne Meadows is a day trip in itself but also a fun way to exit the park if you have time to explore more of the Eastern Sierras. Heading East on Tioga Road is memorable and will give you some incredible views.
Make sure to stop at Olmstead Point for stunning views and photos. Next, explore the less crowded Merced Grove of giant sequoias before picnicking at Tenaya Lake. Finally, take in the views of the stunning Tuolumne Meadows. At 8,6000 feet high, Tuolumne Meadows is one of the most extensive high-elevation meadows in the Sierra Nevada.
KID-FRIENDLY HIKES IN YOSEMITE
These are my favorite kid-friendly hikes in Yosemite. All the hikes, except Sentinel Dome, are accessible by shuttle or bicycle. These are great for kids because they are interesting, not too long or strenuous, and can be combined with other activities nearby.
LOWER YOSEMITE FALLS
The walk to Lower Yosemite Falls is a very easy hike that is stroller-friendly and wheelchair accessible. This is beautiful any time of day, but evenings are tranquil. The Lower Yosemite Fall Trailhead is just across the street from the Yosemite Valley Lodge, making it a great walk before or after dinner. The hike to the viewpoint is only .25 miles, but you can also take the one-mile loop through the trees. The paved trail is flat, with a slight incline at the end.
It is surreal when you stand at the base of the 2,425-foot waterfall and realize you are only looking at the bottom portion, lower Yosemite Falls. Thinking back to the views from Cook’s Meadow makes you realize how small we are standing in the valley carved by glaciers so many years ago.
COOK’S MEADOW LOOP
Cook’s Meadow gives you incredible views of Yosemite Falls and Half Dome. The loop is about 1 mile, and the trail takes visitors along the meadow on the bike path, or you can zig-zag in the meadow on the paved boardwalks. You will also pass the oldest building in Yosemite, the Yosemite Chapel, built-in 1879.
Our favorite thing to do when we stay at the lodge during summer is to ride our bikes down to Swinging Bridge for a late afternoon dip in the river before continuing the loop along Cook’s Meadow at dusk. Nothing beats the sun going down over the mountains and the deer relaxing in the meadow.
Cook’s Meadow is one of our favorite hikes in Yosemite, especially when exploring with kids. No matter the season or time of day, you will surely see something beautiful in the meadow. When we visited Yosemite National Park as it was opening from COVID closures in 2020, we were lucky enough to see a bear running through Cook’s Meadow.
MIRROR LAKE
The 2-mile hike to Mirror Lake is great for families of all ages. The lake sits between Half Dome and North Dome along Tenaya Creek. Mirror Lake is the last of the large glacial lake that once covered Yosemite Valley. The views of Half Dome from Mirror Lake are unique because you look up and stand almost directly under it. As a result, the lake’s water reflects like a mirror, creating a beautiful spot for photos.
However, Mirror Lake may look more like a meadow in late summer, but the views surrounding you are worth the journey. In winter, the lake may be frozen over. The Mirror Lake paved trail allows walkers and bicyclists to enjoy the hike together. To access the trailhead, you can hop off the shuttle at stop #17, the North Pines campground. You can also bike over from shuttle stop #16 and the Happy Isles Nature Center.
THE MIST TRAIL TO THE VERNAL FALLS FOOTBRIDGE
When you look into the best hikes in Yosemite, you will read about the Mist Trail. This 3-mile hike takes you through the mist to an incredible view of Vernal Falls. The hike is uphill; the last part is rocky, with slippery steps to the stunning view. Hiking enthusiasts will take this hike even further on the John Muir Trail to Nevada Falls (7 miles roundtrip). These hikes in Yosemite look incredible, but with our young kids, we are not there yet.
However, the hike to the footbridge is doable with young kids. Although short at only one mile each way, it is still challenging as you mostly walk uphill for an elevation gain of 300 feet. However, the views are worth it! I carried my infant daughter because we were biking, and I did not pack a carrier for hiking that day. I don’t recommend this, but it is possible. The trail starts at shuttle stop #16, The Happy Isles Nature Center.
SENTINEL DOME HIKE
The Sentinel Dome and Taft Point trailhead are located in the same area on Glacier Point Road. This is one of our favorite hikes in Yosemite, giving you incredible 360° views! The hike to Sentinel Dome is only 1.8 miles, but the steep climb at the end makes it feel longer! The trail is wide, which is great for kids.
When you reach the top, you feel like you are in the clouds. The view of Half Dome is impressive and unlike any other view in the park. Although you are high, there is a lot of space around you. However, I did want my kids to stay close and NOWHERE near the edges. At the top of Sentinel Dome, you will find the “Lone Pine” from the famous Ansel Adams photo. We picnicked during this hike and had a kombucha at the top before heading down. Take your time up here! It is beautiful.
KID-FRIENDLY DINING IN YOSEMITE
If you follow my blog, you know we love to eat and drink! So these are our favorite places to dine when visiting Yosemite with our kids. However, we don’t usually spring for fancy meals when visiting just because we are generally catching quick meals between adventures!
CURRY VILLAGE – THE PIZZA DECK
The Pizza Deck is an awesome place to grab a quick meal. The pizza deck has a variety of craft beers and pizzas. The menu is simple but bound to please the kids. Service is fast, and the patio views are gorgeous on summer. However, the squirrels are aggressive, so do not leave your food around.
YOSEMITE LODGE – BASE CAMP EATERY
We eat here a lot because it is the primary dinner choice at the Yosemite Valley Lodge. A short walk from our room, the Base Camp Eatery is a quick-service restaurant with a menu that tends to evolve. There is ample seating indoors and two small outdoor patios. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can check current meal hours here. We have only had dinner, but they have a Starbucks coffee bar for grabbing coffee in the morning.
During our last visit, the menu included a variety of chicken sandwiches, burgers, poke, and Mediterranean-style bowls. Waits can be long during peak seasons, but splitting your party and having someone wait while the kids explore the history of rock climbing throughout the restaurant is easy. This is also an excellent time for kids to work on their Junior Ranger booklets.
YOSEMITE LODGE – MOUNTAIN ROOM LOUNGE
The Mountain Room Lounge is a great place to take a moment to relax after a busy day. The environment is cozy, a few appetizers and pizzas are available before 8 pm. However, the highlight of the Mountain Room Lounge is the massive fire pit for smores. Pick up a smore kit in the gift shop next door, and your kids will be thrilled! We love to have dinner at the Base Camp Eatery and swing by for a nightcap and smores after a busy day!
YOSEMITE VILLAGE – DEGNAN’S KITCHEN
We love grabbing sandwiches, macaroni salad, chips, and drinks to-go from Degnan’s Kitchen for a picnic lunch later in the day. The fresh-made sandwiches are delicious but can take a while, especially during crowded seasons. They also have artisan pizzas and salads, a coffee bar, and various beverage options. Make sure to fill your water bottles for the day from the spring water by the cash registers.
I recommend stocking up from the to-go cooler to save time because we have waited over 30 minutes for sandwiches before in minimal crowds. When traveling and dining with kids, you want to eliminate the frustrations caused by waiting too long when you can. Plus, you have so much to see! So don’t waste your time in an annoying line.
THE AHWAHNEE HOTEL – DRINKS FROM THE BAR ON THE LAWN
So a bar may not be the first place to list on kid-friendly dining, but hear me out! The Ahwahnee Hotel is a destination in itself. It is a beautiful place to visit, and we love riding our bikes out there in the afternoon. The Ahwahnee Bar makes excellent cocktails, you are welcome to take them out to the furniture surrounding the giant lawn. The lobby’s Sweet Shop is another favorite stop for our son. So basically, candy or ice cream on a huge lawn for the kids and a beverage in hand on comfortable patio furniture for you! That is a win for me!
Anything you would add to my list? I love Yosemite and cannot wait to keep it growing. I hope it helps you plan an unforgettable trip! Check out some of our Yosemite itineraries below.
YOSEMITE TRIP PLANNING RESOURCES
Planning a trip to Yosemite? Check out my other Yosemite resources here!
- Biking in Yosemite Valley
- Secret Yosemite – Hiking Hetch Hetchy
- Two Days in Yosemite National Park
- Road Trip – Sequoia & Yosemite National Parks Itinerary and Planning Guide
