It’s no wonder one of the main attractions of Yosemite National Park is the valley itself. It is an incredibly beautiful and peaceful place surrounded by towering granite walls like El Capitan and Half Dome as well as cascading waterfalls like Yosemite Falls. There are tons of loop trails that meander throughout the valley and the many gorgeous meadows. You’ll run into rivers, creeks, tall trees, wildlife, and stunning views no matter where you are in the amazing valley. 12 miles of paved bike paths also wind their way through the valley.

There’s tons of camping and quite a few lodges and hotels with restaurants and cafes as well. Shuttles also make getting around easier when the place is packed.

There are two main villages in the valley: Yosemite Village & Curry Village and both have lodging, food, parking, and trail heads. In Yosemite Village there’s the Yosemite Valley Welcome Center and Ansel Adams Gallery and gift shop (9am-5pm) as well as the massive store. Ahwahnee Hotel with Ahwahnee Bar and the Ahwahnee Dining Room which does require “Appropriate attire” are also near Yosemite Village. Yosemite Museum & Indian Cultural Exhibit, which I somehow missed completely, unfortunately is also located near the Visitor Center. Curry Village is the spot for hiking to the trailhead for Vernal and Nevada Falls as well as Mirror Lake.

There are tons of places to pull over and enjoy the trickling rivers, crashing waterfalls, tall trees, sheer cliffs, and the many beautiful sights.