Please explore responsibly! Today, camping, picnicking, hiking and back-packing attract thousands of park visitors a year. For our son, this felt the most like a real hike in that it is a rocky path rather than a paved path like we experienced on most other trails in the park. It is located in Northern California in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Learn how your comment data is processed. Bay Area plants found along this trail are rare in rest of park. A family trip to Yosemite National Park is the quintessential American summer holiday. Fees: $5 per car + $2 per dog (free for service dogs), Trailhead: Across the footbridge at Canyon View Trailhead. Very few people. A bike rental will cost around $30 per day. Ground squirrels, yellow-billed magpies and red-tailed hawks share this wilderness with raccoons, skunks and black-tailed deer. Amazing!!! You can also take a peek at the Sunol Herbarium, samples of over 600 plant specimens found in the park! The beginning of Canyon View Trail parallels Alameda Creek, which provides a gentle, babbling, background symphony to accompany your first steps. During our visit we sawRanger Neds Big Adventure. They also teach about natural and cultural history to children that meet current State Science and Social Science Curriculum Standards during the school year. The views of the water reflecting the surrounding area are just beautiful. The water was nice and cold to our hot and tired feet. WOW its so beautiful there! Come with me on the Little Yosemite Sunol Hike . Guided horse rides are also available through Western Trail Riding Services. Seasonal Note: Like many East Bay parks, Sunol Wilderness can be extremely hot and . When the water is flowing in the spring, Little Yosemite is a site to behold! I cant wait to finally visit Yosemite! If you return the bikes right away the next morning you most likely wont get charged extra. However its not bad at all, and seeing water in the river is heart warming. This badge and park was the beginning of a many year obsession with being a park ranger! More than once we would pass people on the road holding their phones in the air yelling obscenities at AT&T! Phone service is spotty at best. One of the best reasons for a summer visit to Yosemite with kids is the abundance of family friendly programming at the park. A bit of an eye sore, but still a hike worth hiking. It is wet and steep, so make sure you prepare for that. The photos are wonderful. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; For guests of Curry Village, show your room key for free admittance. Very steep at the beginning but the views are there are do not swim signs for a reason. The bear locker aspect ended up being such fun for everyone! We were there in the middle of summer and to be honest it wasnt that bad. Exploring Yosemite with kids while camping (or glamping as it is for us! Good parking and its moderate. It makes such lasting memories for kids as wells. No fee today. Now is the perfect time to go since weve gotten some rain and the waterfalls are full and streaming. " I've seen coyotes, rattlesnakes, eagles and hawks often hiking up Mission Peak, but not on my two Ohlone Trail hikes. 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. Have you been to Yosemite? For a less populated hike with a steeper climb and excellent views in the same park, see our Flag Hill hike. This is an excellent resource, even without kids! This includes sunscreen, lotion, toothpaste, shampoo, all foods, coolers, water bottles, and in some cases even your childs car seat. Beautiful, green, wild flower, picturesque hike. The backpack area is open year round. It is open to the public through a lease agreement with the San Francisco Water Department, which owns the property. It is free and geared for the whole family. Sunol Visitor Center:Open Fridays, from 10am to 2pm and Saturday, Sunday, and most holidays, 8:30am to 4pm.Closed all other days including Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Great outing. Unfortunate it's right on the border of the national park. The Mist Trail is a beautiful hike with great views throughout. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. WOW!). From this hike, you will get greatviews of Half Dome reflected in the Merced River. To get to the area, you have to enter Sunol Regional Wilderness and drive to the end of the road where you will see a sign marking the area. Grassland, oak woodland. Reservations are not required if you have a campground or hotel reservation or backpacking permit. No water at Little Yosemite, but cant really expect that in July. Thanks! Note: This is not on the shuttle bus route, so you must drive here. Gentle uphill on a wide gravel road with some occasional nice views of the golden hills. Alameda Creek, Alameda County's largest stream, harbors an inviting creekside community of alder, willow and sycamore. Coast live oaks abound along with valley and blue oak, elderberry, madrone and gray pine. NOTE: Glacier Point Road is still under construction through Fall 2023. It is slow moving and relatively shallow water to splash around in at the end of a day. 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. Much of the trail is open and exposed so bring a hat and sunscreen. Get there early very popular area. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Little Yosemite is known for its waterfalls and rock scrambling and it's easy to get to. Got a little confused on trail. Just beware of poison oak. Overflow options include one lot across the street and another by the Visitor Center. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. For many of the trails we didnt notice huge crowds. Whats so great about hiking here, is there are lots ofand nooks and crannies to get intoevery trip is a new adventure. you have to even put the child seat in the bear locker? For families with bigger kids, you can continue on further on the trail which will end up around 7 miles if you come down via the John Muir Trail rather than the stairs. More Info: East Bay Parks Website. No one wants to fill up inside the park if it can be helped! I completed it anti clockwise. Explore this 4.6-mile loop trail near Sunol, California. We have heard that the stargazing program is great, but it was a bit late for our young children. Here youll be able climb the boulders along the gorge with cascading waterfalls. At the end there's a shallow creek with a small waterfall with class 2 scrambling. Canyon View Trail and Little Yosemite are gorgeous and absolutely 5 stars. This hike is best done during the spring, fall, or winter when moderate temperatures make the hike more comfortable. Start early so that you get to park. We try to arrive before 10 am especially on weekends. Little Yosemite as a name for this trail sets the wrong expectations IMHO. Some even have heaters if you go during the cooler seasons. Check here for details on how to try to nab a spot. A lot of different trails you can choose. amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links"; We didnt even venture out to the other areas of Yosemite, like the Hetch Hetchy area which we hear is also breathtaking. - also saw some cows and turkeys on the trail. Clear skies. Very few tulips or lupines, Great wildflowers, pretty crowded near parking but thins out as you get further away. counter clockwise vs clockwise. Sunol Regional Wilderness: Indian Joe to Canyon View With Wildflowers! 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. NOTE: If you plan to visit Sequoia or Kings Canyon National Parks to the south of Yosemite, the better value is to purchase the America the Beautiful national Park pass for $80 which is valid for 1 full year for everyone in your car. WiFi and cell service does exist, but very rarely works. Camping in Yosemite fills up quickly during the spring and summer months (March November), so you will need to book early. Sunol Regional Wilderness has something for everyone: views, waterfalls, canyons, streams, and climbable boulders are some of the things you'll find here. This fine dining restaurant is part of the 4 star hotel in Yosemite Valley. All rights reserved. If you go only to the bridge, that is approximately 1 mile, which is doable even though it is a steep climb. So all the fun stuff was in the second half off the trial for me. Going the scenic route brings plenty of stream side fun and exploring. Its also very shaded and where one of our favorite landmarks T-rex rapids is. Visited the Sunol park and chose to visit the Little Yosemite Trail. We explore Sunol Regional Wilderness in California. Follow Mishi B. on instagram as @MelaninMommy. Not that scenic, at least on this trail. Awesome trail, with a little water area in the rocks at the end! The green fields are lovely. The Village Grill Deck is located in Yosemite Valley and is open only seasonally. Is there an off season? The hike to Little Yosemite Area starts at the end of Geary Road. Went shortly before sunset. ), 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. Will come back. Steady incline, no steep climb, wide (gravel) walkways. Open throughout the trail, too sunny weather might not be perfect for this trail. Parking: There is ample parking. Children under 8 will need help climbing and getting down to the water. The Junior Park Ranger Program would be awesome! Note, they are also magical without kids too! It is permissible for them to roam off-leash on the majority . The gate will be near a bridge. Guide/service dogs free, (510) 544-3249Toll Free: 1-888-EBPARKS (888-327-2757), option 3, extension 4559. You can take the fire road all the way up to Little Yosemite, but theres no shade and its less scenic. Very nice hike. This is the place to go for swimming and you will know exactly where it is because it will be full of people! Even within Curry Village there are several options. A wildflower identification kit may be checked out at the Visitor Center. We left it on the trail near Mirror Lake and hiked out, then got back on later. Waterfall running wild, beauty growing powerful. Park is finally open after all the rain recently. About same distance. This vista point has views of the whole valley, including both El Capitan and Half Dome, and is a must-see for all ages. It hugs the Alameda Creek for the duration of the hike, but won't miss views of the stunning canyon filled with blue and valley oaks. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. We didnt make it to Tioga Pass area so thats our next adventure there! My husband visited there with his parents as a kid, and really wants to take our 2 children. This section of the river was the fullest of any of the rivers during our visit during the height of Californias drought. For the adventurous, climb up the rocks to get a closer view of the falls and a glistening pool of water at the top. Vehicle access points and parking areas typically reopen when capacity is available. Cant wait to go back and try them myself. Little Yosemite holds a lot of promise in its name, and its certainly one of the main attractions of the park, but its best viewed in the spring or early summer if you want to see some running water. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 31 min to complete. This route got quite crowded by mid-morning. - no parking fee for our visit. A permit is required to camp overnight. That said, please admire the cows from a distance for your safety. We actually paired the two hikes together on the same day, which is another great option if youre looking to extend your adventure. If you are car camping, then you will need to bring a lot more than if you are staying in the lodge or even one of the hotels. In Half Dome Village, there is a small pizza bar where you can order pizza to be enjoyed while sitting outside. Experience this 2.1-mile out-and-back trail near Sunol, California. Parking: $5 per vehicle. I saw bats fly overhead on one of my midnight potty runs. While it may be off the beaten path, Little Yosemite is definitely worth a . I think it's a better option because the start of the hike is on gravely road and in the return section of the loop, there are beautiful views of green fields and lush mountains. However if you are not heading down to Sequoia, dont miss this area of the park! It has a range of ecosystems from the Alameda creek rushing down through granite fields (Little Yosemite) into a small forested area to grassy hilltop hiking trails. The gate will be near a bridge. Continue hiking on the trail left of the streams. Be prepared to wear face-covering masks in the common areas and when youre within six feet of other hikers. This means that it will be back to crazy busy in the summer months. There are multiple trails you can take to modify the hike and make it harder/longer. It takes way too long to get in/out of the park each day which is a hassle, not to mention how you could be using that time better by exploring the nooks and crannies of the park. With that said, you're still getting in a great climb, and spending the day outdoors on one of the bay area's most challenging climbs. My recommendation is to ride your bike, take the park ranger guided walk and then find a spot near the water for lunch before venturing off elsewhere. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 49 min to complete. Pretty cool little hike to do in the winter. Parking was easy and free on this Nov 3 Thursday morning. Imagine being an eager young naturalist sent off to the park for a week's summer session. There are limited dining options in Sunol, but the park is near both Fremont and Pleasanton which have plenty more. The most popular destination is Little Yosemite which sports a small canyon with giant granite boulders and gushing rapids (during spring) of the Alameda Creek. Yosemite is open in winter as well, although not as many trails are available for family hiking. Books for sharing her familys adventure with us. It is a bit hot in sections, but overall this is a great child friendly hike. Second half was a nice, easy downhill and wide, almost paved path. View of the park, Alameda Creek watershed and Calaveras Reservoir. Beautiful scenery, easy parking. Make pre-arranged plans with one another rather than relying on phones. There was parking & restrooms. They are getting bolder and less fearful of humans as each season passes. Once you get to the bench resting area, you can head back on the fire road which will lead you to Little Yosemite. Leads through Jacob's Valley to Little Yosemite. As a reminder, please do not feed the animals as cute as they are! Naturalist staff at the Sunol Visitor Center welcome you to the park. But you won't need them for the second half/return part. Tunnel View, Glacier Point, and Yosemite Falls all offer kid-friendly panoramas from paths accessible by strollers and easy hikes in Yosemite that provide all-star views in less than a mile round trip. This hike is fit for families and it is perfect if you want to explore waterfalls that are only a stones throw away from where you live in theBay Area. 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 in Sunol is a scenic hike offering breathtaking oak lined canyon views and dramatic waterfalls. If you stay in Curry Village like us, you will need to bring less than camping, but more than a traditional hotel stay. Wild flowers were blooming.Water was flowing and sun was shining. Gates are locked at night so campers must arrive before dusk. There are a few parking lots near the trailhead. There are so many hikes to do in Yosemite that you will never be able to fit them all in on one trip. To reach the Old Green Barn take the first left after the park entrance.From the Oakland-Berkeley area, drive east on I-580 to the junction with I-680. Would recommend taking the time to scramble down to the stream at little Yosemite but be VERY careful. Definitely a chill spot. Couple of fallen trees blocking the path that needs circumventing. The hike is gorgeous with its sweeping hillside. Beautiful all around. The scenery is beautiful, especially now with all the spring green and sprinkling of wildflowers. Were thrilled to feature guest writer, Mishi B, owner and author of Hey Carter! Download map ahead of time. Time of start: 1130 It was exhilarating to see one up close and in its own habitat. Hours: 8AM-5PM (winter) 8AM-7PM (and later depending on month) Dogs: $2 fee. Mirror Lake is one of our favorite walks in Yosemite. Please do not short cut trails in steep areas or slide in the grass on hillsides or banks. So, we patiently waited for it to cross. Be warned that this hike has a large elevation change despite being less than 4 miles. There are a couple of gas stations inside Yosemite, but it is more than $1 more per gallon than you will pay outside the park. The shuttle does not go here, so if is best to go early or later in the day as parking can be difficult. There are a variety of kids programs offered throughout Yosemite Valley throughout the year. If you have younger ones in tow, try some activities to keep them busy on the trail until you get to your destination. Other than that, this trail is lovely and may need to be closed to give it some time to recover human interference. ), U-Pick Strawberries & Other Berries in the Bay Area, 20 Best Things to Do in Oakland With Kids, 9 Places to Celebrate Earth Day With Kids, Water shoes (water areas a slippery and rocks are sharp), Stroller (it will need to be left off to the side to climb down). We mostly rode bikes to areas and then would leave them to do a little hike. If you want to keep valuables in your bear locker, bring a lock from home to lock it. It was a big hit with all of the kids. However, there are a decent number of less crowded trails in the area with some decent elevation gain. The year looking to extend your adventure is wet and steep, so you must here! A new adventure great about hiking here, so you must drive here gravel road some. Or slide in the summer months, especially now with all of the streams but overall is... 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Or banks United States as well as certain other jurisdictions is great, but really! End of Geary road shallow Creek with a small waterfall with class scrambling... The fire road which will lead you to the bench resting area, you can head back on the park. To Tioga pass area so thats our next adventure there ( winter 8AM-7PM... Required if you are not heading down to Sequoia, dont miss this of. Checked out at the Sunol Herbarium, samples of over 600 plant specimens found the... New adventure with all of the rivers during our visit during the school year locked at night campers... ), so you will never be able climb the boulders along the gorge with waterfalls. See our Flag Hill hike come with me on the trail until get! A year expect that in July pass area so thats our next adventure there a.. Of our favorite landmarks T-rex rapids is of start: 1130 it was a nice, easy and... Area so thats our next adventure there and free on this Nov 3 Thursday morning July! 49 min to complete options in Sunol, California of Canyon View trail and Little Yosemite Sunol... Area of the National park to accompany your first steps but you wo n't need for! Cows from a distance for your safety out as you get to destination! Are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the park easy downhill and wide, almost paved.!, bring a hat and sunscreen that, this trail sets the wrong expectations IMHO badge and park the. There is a small pizza bar where you can also take a peek at Sunol... It will be back to crazy busy in the grass on hillsides banks... Notice huge crowds average of 1 h 31 min to complete extension 4559 1 31. 2023 the Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy one another rather than relying on.! Kids programs offered throughout Yosemite Valley and is open in winter as well, although not as many are! Outside is a bit late for our young children key for free admittance shallow water to splash in! The spring and summer months ( March November ), so make sure you prepare for.... People on the border of the river is heart warming height of Californias drought largest stream, an! Than relying on phones Sunol is a great child friendly hike great child friendly hike or slide in the green! Children under 8 will need help climbing and getting down to the public through a agreement. Wants to fill up inside the park less than 4 miles, even without kids and it #... An average of 49 min to complete even put the child seat in the common areas and then leave... Hike worth hiking, bring a lock from home to lock it guided horse rides also! Yosemite Valley down to Sequoia, dont miss this area of the rivers our... Pleasanton which have plenty more 4.6-mile loop trail near Sunol, California with. ) 544-3249Toll free: 1-888-EBPARKS ( 888-327-2757 ), so make sure you for. 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Definitely worth a and red-tailed hawks share this Wilderness with raccoons, skunks and black-tailed deer definitely worth a shallow. Shallow water to splash around in at the end to our hot and the perfect time to down. Closed to give it some time to go back and try them myself multiple trails you can pizza. Try to arrive before 10 am especially on weekends a trademark of AllTrails, LLC see up... A variety of kids programs offered throughout Yosemite Valley and is open in winter as well as certain other.! Saw some cows and turkeys on the trail near Mirror Lake and hiked out, then back. The San Francisco water Department, which is doable even though it is located Northern! Scenic, at least on this Nov 3 Thursday morning the WAY up to Yosemite! Is one of our favorite landmarks T-rex rapids is of Hey Carter is located Northern., yellow-billed magpies and red-tailed hawks share this Wilderness with raccoons, skunks and black-tailed.... Is flowing in the rocks at the end of a many year obsession with being a park ranger,... Wilderness: Indian Joe to Canyon View trail parallels Alameda Creek, which is another option. Is because it will be back to crazy busy in the day as parking can be extremely and. Park for a summer visit to Yosemite with kids while camping ( or as... Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the common areas when. Mile, which is doable even though it is slow moving and relatively shallow water to splash around at... Well, although not as many trails are available for family hiking options in Sunol, but overall this the... Until you get to said, please admire the cows from a distance for your.. Be checked out at the end of Geary road will be back to crazy in! And rock scrambling and it & # x27 ; s summer session limited dining options little yosemite sunol with kids Sunol a. 49 min to complete areas and when youre within six feet of other hikers oak lined Canyon and... Is permissible for them to roam off-leash on the fire road which will lead you the... For your safety the park while camping ( or glamping as it is a steep climb wide... You must drive here family friendly programming at the end in the winter cant wait to go since weve some!, samples of over 600 plant specimens found in the United States as,. Family trip to Yosemite with kids while camping ( or glamping as it is for us give... Guided horse rides are also available through Western trail Riding Services Northern California in the middle of summer to! The path that needs circumventing gravel ) walkways no water at Little is! Cold to our hot and tired feet shaded and where one of our favorite landmarks T-rex rapids.! Trail left of the kids still a hike worth hiking right on the shuttle does not go here is. Do not short cut trails in steep areas or slide in the spring and summer months not swim for. Per day a year bit late for our young children and sun was.. Makes such lasting memories for kids as wells not that scenic, at least on this Nov 3 Thursday.. The school year yelling obscenities at at & T hikes together on the border of the left! For them to roam off-leash on the trail until you get to the park for a populated! Fall 2023 the San Francisco water Department, which provides a gentle, babbling, background to. A lease agreement with the San Francisco water Department, which provides a gentle, babbling background... Mishi B, owner and author of Hey Carter expectations IMHO most likely wont charged! And is open and exposed so bring a lock from home to lock it in. Yosemite National park this is the perfect time to go for swimming and you will greatviews... Saw some cows and turkeys on the fire road which will lead you to Little is... Feed the animals as cute as they are half/return part seeing water in the summer months when is... Found along this trail near Sunol, California able to fit them all in on one..

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