Staying outside Yosemite, recommendations

Thank you all who responded to my first posting. I am now investigating affordable places to stay that are outside the park but good location. Any recommendations on towns or hotels. I definitely need a/c, so staying inside the park is not for me, ie: Yosemite lodge, which came recommended. I read alot of reviews about Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal, however they were VERY mixed. I liked the fact that it had a great location, scenic and a/c. I am still researching as I have plenty of time to plan for next June.

Staying outside Yosemite, recommendations

Dear Barbara,

Do consider the friendly and diverse property choices along the Highway 120 entrance into Yosemite. Those located in the town of Groveland will provide interesting things to do when not in Yosemite with a Museum, Library, Saloon, nursery complete with a Hammock Garden and a mapped out historic building walk, you will enjoy this cute town. www.Yosemite-Lodgings.com provides a list of 12 properties along the way.

Have a marvelous holiday, where ever you end up.

Staying outside Yosemite, recommendations

If you stay outside the park, you%26#39;ll always be driving 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours to where you want to enjoy the park.

Being in Yosemite at the Valley Floor is how you%26#39;ll enjoy the best time in the park. If not, its a lot of driving and difficult parking, etc. next June. Given June, I%26#39;d stay in Groveland if you don%26#39;t like the valley or El Portal. Tioga Pass may or may not be open so best to plan its still closed so you don%26#39;t get disappointed. Book early as May/June lodging alternatives are even more limited until Tioga Pass opens which then allows people to stay in Eastern Sierras.

Groveland is a cute little town, but its a good long drive from the valley. I%26#39;d say its a good 1 1/2 hr. drive each way down into the valley. I%26#39;d stay in El Portal instead.

Groveland is more convenient to Hetch-Hetchy and Tuolomne Meadows. However, there%26#39;s no guarantee the 120 is open in June, though it usually is.

Most visitors wish to spend most of their trip in the valley. In that case, you%26#39;d be better served staying in El Portal.

I wouldn%26#39;t worry about the choice of Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal, or Cedar Lodge for that matter. And while I understand your concern about air conditioning- I fo rone am ALWAYS hot (too much time in the SF fog, I guess), I stay in Yoemite Valley all the time, and in June I%26#39;m really comfortable at night in the lodgings.

I just completed a mid-August stay in Yosemite West and was downright cold at night. It%26#39;s a higher elevation than the valley but only about a 20 minute drive.

Any recommendations on which town to stay for the night after visiting Yosemite before continuing on to LA? Considered Bakersfield but it%26#39;s still a long drive from Yosemite.

Should I consider Fresno?

On a budget so any place to sleep for the night will do.

Thanks

It depends what time you plan on leaving Yosemite and what part of LA area is your final destination! Most of us S. Californians drive it in a day. Fresno to LA would still be long drive. Try Tulare or push on as far as you can. Without offending Bakersfield, it really would be just a place to shower and sleep . Otherwise, if you want to get almost to LA, try Valencia or Santa Clarita after crossing the Tehachapi Mountains south of Gorman and then drive on to LA the next morning.

We had no problem making it back to OC in 6 hours, even with weekday traffic and the potty stops required by two small girls. I%26#39;d not waste a night on Fresno or Bakersfield.

We just returned from Yosemite. We stayed at Fish Camp just outside the south entrance at a Chalet for Two (you can reserve through the Fish Camp General Store). It was $99 per night and a very nice place to stay. We didn%26#39;t need A/C so doubt you%26#39;d need it in June. In fact, we had to turn the heat on to get the chill out! There are other places in Fish Camp also. The closest entrance to the valley floor is from El Portal. The roads are very winding and the speed limit is 35 at best. I think the next time we go we%26#39;ll try something outside El Portal just to save some driving time to the valley floor.