ITINERARIES
Central California
1 Week Trip for Families
Central California is one of the most beautiful parts of the country! This one-week trip takes you to San Francisco (and a bit north), Monterey, down the Coastal Highway through Big Sur, and up to Yosemite National Park. This is a great itinerary for families who enjoy the outdoors. This is a 7-day itinerary, but could be extended to spend more time in San Fransico or add a day in wine country.
Deciding when to go
Since this trip includes some high elevation areas (specifically Yosemite), I recommend going between April – October to avoid major snow. If you want to see waterfalls in Yosemite, Spring will be best. If you want weather warm enough for dipping your feet in the cool Pacific, aim for July – September.
Flights
We recommend flying in and out of San Francisco (SFO). Try to look for a flight that arrives before 3pm when flying in, and departs not too early the day you leave. Compare flight prices >
Car Rental
Unless you can drive to California, you will need to rent a car for this trip
We recommend comparing prices on multiple companies at booking.com to find the best deal with free cancelation.
I recommend renting a minivan if you have a family of 4-6 people. I don’t care if you think minivans “aren’t cool”, they are the most spacious and convenient for road trips with kids and have plenty of room for luggage.
Check the prices on car seat rentals at your car rental place. I have rented before and sometimes got great seats and other times did not. Sometimes they are unavailable or too pricey and it may be better to bring your own. You can pack them in a car seat travel pack or a big suitcase and check them as luggage.
Lodging
This trip involves hopping around to different places. Our family prefers hotels over vacation rentals for short stays because they are more flexible, check in and check out are always easy, and they have more services. We like to book within the same hotel family as much as possible to earn points and usually do Marriott Bonvoy. If you want more flexibility to choose different hotel brands, I recommend using booking.com. They have great customer service, free cancelations, good prices, and there website and app have a good user interface.
Hotels to Book:
- 2 nights in San Francisco – somewhere close to the bridge. We like Courtyard by Marriott Fisherman’s Wharf or Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Fishermans Wharf
- 2 Nights in Monterey (or Carmel-by-the-Sea). Check out The Clement Monterey for lovely water views and walkable to shops and restaurants.
- 2 Nights in Yosemite. Try to get a room at the Yosemite Valley Lodge so you’re staying inside the park. If they don’t have availability or it’s too expensive, we also love Yosemite View Lodge – they have family suites and an indoor pool.
Other Reservations
- Muir Woods (redwoods!) requires a reservation to park. You will visit this park the day after you fly in, ideally in the early afternoon. Reservations open up 3 months in advance. Purchase them at https://gomuirwoods.com/
- Yosemite National park often requires reservations, especially if you’ll be visiting during a weekend. Get your reservations here: https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10086745
Here is what we packed as a family of 5 with kids aged 9, 9, and 6. If you have younger children you’ll of course need to add a bit more to this list.
- Backpacks for each person as a carry-on. Inside the backpacks:
- Change of clothes, water bottle, tablets/eReaders, headphones, books, other things to entertain in plane and car rides
- We managed to pack into 4 large suitcases. 1 for husband, 1 for myself and the 6 year old, 1 for my 9 year olds to share, and 1 we used to put all the booster seats in (renting was expensive and all 3 still needed boosters at the time). We then used that “extra” suitcase for dirty clothes during the trip.
- Clothes that match the season. Which in California will probably mean both warm and cold weather and will vary by area. Check the 10 day weather forecast for the locations you’ll be visiting.
- Athletic shoes (something good for walking)
- Tevas or other shoes that can get wet (something you could walk and climb around tide pools in)
- All Toiletries
- Fanny Pack or cross-shoulder bag (I love a fanny pack for packing the essentials and staying hands free and not putting stress on shoulders)
- All chargers – phones, watches, tablets, etc.
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Medicines
- Coats/jackets
- Ponchos or rain coats
- Bug spray
- Sound machine (if you’re sharing a hotel room with your whole family a sound machine really helps!)
Prices are always going to vary! But here are some ranges/estimates to help you budget:
- Flights – $300-600 per person
- Rental Minivan for 1 weeks – $500
- 6 hotel nights – $150-300 per night
- Food (if you’re eating breakfast at your hotel and not doing fancy dinners every day) – $60-80/adult per day, $30-40/kid per day
- Yosemite entry fee – $35 per vehicle
- Monterey Bay Aquarium – Adults $59.95, Youth $49.95, child $44.95
- 17-mile drive and Point Lobos – around $21 in entry fees per vehicle
- Gas – this will really depend on the car you rent and the price of gas, but keep it in mind!
- Shopping – this can vary a lot depending on your shopping habits. It’s best to have a shopping budget in mind to stick to.
Information and Preparation
Jump to a Day
All timeframes listed are estimates to help you plan. Don’t feel too tied to them.
Day 1
Arrive in San Fransico
- If you can get a flight that arrives before 3pm that is ideal.
- Pick up your bags at luggage claim then follow signs to the AirTrain Blue Line.
- Take the AirTrain Blue Line to the Rental Car Center and follow signs for the company you rented from.
If you can use a car rental company that doesn’t require you to check in at the service desk, that is ideal! The line can get long. Hertz members and other loyalty programs allow you to go straight to the lot and get your car.
- Drive to the Pier 39 parking garage and then walk to the Pier.
- Walk toward the back left of Pier 39 to see the sea lions! These wild sea lions love to bathe in the sun in this area and it’s fun to watch them bark and dive in an out of the water.
- There are fun little shops in the Pier you can explore (it’s very touristy but you’re a tourist!) There’s also a carousel and even an aquarium if you have time for it. Aquarium of the Bay tickets are typically $27/adult and $18/child.
Have dinner at one of the several restuarants with nice views over the water. Most of the restaurants serve seafood dishes and have kid-friendly options. Good options include:
- Fog Harbor Fish House (Nice but still kid friendly with fish, seafood steaks, and clam chowder. Has indoor seating with views.)
- Chowders (Quick-service, more casual, known for clam chowder bread bowls. Some indoor seating, but only outdoor seating has views.)
- Crab House at Pier 39 (Restaurant with crab-focused menu. Has indoor seating with views.)
- Pier Market Seafood Restaurant (Restaurant with fish, seafood, steaks, and clam chowder. Has indoor seating with views.)
Check in and go to bed.
Day 2
North of San Francisco
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel if they offer free breakfast or find a restaurant nearby.
Skip the parking area right after you cross the bridge (it can get very crowded, it’s where all the tour buses go, and the views are not the best). Instead exit at the next exit after the parking lot, and turn left onto Bunker road and head into the Golden Gate Natinoal Recreation area. Map >
In the Golden Gate Recreation area, turn left on Conzelman Road and stop for views at:
– Golden Gate Observation Deck
– Golden Gate Viewpoint
– Battery Spencer
(Be sure to lock your car when you get out! This area has had problems with break-ins.)
This cute town on the water is known for it’s houseboats and great views of San Diego. Kid-friendly lunch options in pretty locations include:
- Spinnaker (seafood and amazing water views! White tablecloths, but not too fancy at lunch and they have a kid’s menu)
- Bayside Cafe (breakfast food and sandwiches)
- Fish (seafood and sandwiches)
- Bar Bocce (pizza with bocce ball on the patio)
Follow the signs to the parking lot and have your parking pass reservation ready to show on your phone. Admission is $15/adult and kids 15 and under are free. (See the Advanced Prep tab at the top of this page for info on getting your reservation).
Map >
- The Visitor’s Center has restrooms, trail maps, and souvenirs. From the Visitor’s Center, walk toward the Main Trail which starts at the Muir Woods arch.
- The Main Trail is mostly flat, stroller-friendly, and takes you through an old-growth forest of redwoods. You can make the trail longer or shorter depending on your family’s needs. Cross at the 2nd bridge to make it a .5 mile loop, cross the 3rd bridge to make a 1 mile loop, or continue to the 4th bridge for a 2 mile hike. The 2-mile version has more incline, but offers a more elevated view of the forest.
- If your family wants more hiking in the park, check out the other hikes available: https://www.nps.gov/muwo/planyourvisit/hike.htm
(Skip this if you do more hikes in the park, if your family is tired, or you’re running out of daylight).
Drive to Muir Beach (Map), park in the lot, and follow the short trail down to Muir Beach. There is a sandy beach area to play in and some large coastal rocks to climb.
There are endless food options in San Francisco! It’s also ok if you’re tired and want to grab some fast food on the way back and head to your hotel!
Goodnight!
Alternatives to Muir Woods or options for an extra day in San Francisco
If you failed to get a parking reservation to Muir Woods, if you don’t really enjoy hiking through the woods, if the weather is bad, or you just prefer something else, there are many options in San Fransico!
You can also add an extra day to explore the city if you have time for it!
- Alcatraz Island – not the most little-kid friendly, but older kids and teens may love touring this famous prison. Plus you get to take a ferry out to the island! Only buy ferry tickets from the official Alcatraz City Cruises.
- Walt Disney Family Museum – If you’re a Disney-loving family or just a fan of Walt, consider checking out this interactive, family-friendly museum! Learn about the life of Walt and how the Disney company began plus there are often special exhibits. While there, you can explore the Presidio – a beautiful area with paths, grass field, gardens, and more.
- Exploratorium – This interactive museum is described as is a public learning laboratory where you can explore the world through science, art, and human perception.
- Cable Car ride – Ride a classic San Francisco cable car! These cable cars have an “inside” section, seats that face the outside, and places to stand and hang on to the edge (this might be what you think of when you think of cable cars). The cable cars are mostly used by tourist and they can fill up. During weekends and any day with good weather, you may have to wait at a stop for a little while to find a car with room. The standing spots can fill up and aren’t good for young kids. You may end up with an interior seat. When you get to the end of the line, it’s fun to get out and watch them manually turn the cable cars around on a giant turntable. Single rides are $9. Purchase tickets on the MuniMobile app >
- Walk or bike to enjoy views, green spaces, and beaches – I don’t love walking up and down steep streets, but along the coastline there are lovely parks and paved paths to walk on. Walk the Aquatic Park pier or enjoy the beach, walk around Fort Mason Park, walk the Golden Gate Promenade, enjoy the Crissy Field Beach, and much more! Or head to the other side of the Presidio and walk the Batteries to Bluffs Trail and walk down the Sand Ladder to Baker Beach.
- Money Saving Tip: If you want to do multiple attractions and activities while in San Francisco, consider purchasing the San Francisco City Pass where you save a lot doing multiple attractions. Check out the attractions on the list >
Day 3
Monterey
Try to leave by 8am if you can – earlier is better if you can so you can beat the crowd at the aquarium.
It’s about a 2 hour drive with a lot of beautiful scenery along the way! Map >
During your drive, call 800-877-0597 to see if you can make a dinner reservation for Hay’s Place at Pebble Beach for dinner. You can also try to reserve another option in Pebble Beach, but ask if it’s kid-friendly first.
- Head straight to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Buy your tickets online in advance. There may be a queue to enter, even with advanced tickets, but the line moves pretty quickly. It opens at 10am, so if you can make it there close to opening time the crowds should be less.
- Enjoy the aquarium! There is an awesome sea otter area plus an outdoor area where you can often see wild sea otters as well. There’s a penguin exhibit and a fun kids play and splash area. There’s also a unique kelp forest aquarium and many other interesting exhibits that make this aquarium one of a kind!
- The aquarium has a cafeteria where you can get lunch overlooking they bay.
After the aquarium, you can walk down Cannery Row, a charming road along the coast full of restaurants and shops. It’s a bit touristy, but hey, you’re a tourist!
Drive to the start of 17-mile drive in Pebble Beach. Enter at the Pacific Grove Gate. This gorgeous drive offers many stunning views of the coastline and the Pebble Beach golf course. It also includes the famous “Lone Cypress” tree. There are many marked stops along the route where you can get out and walk to further explore the beauty. Our kids loved stopping at some of the beach stops where they could climb on the coastal rock formations.
Admission is $11.27 per vehicle but is reimbursed with a purchase of $35 or more at any of the Pebble Beach restaurants or stores.
Most of your stops will be on the coastline, so by the time you reach the Lodge area, you will probably be hungry! There are several restaurant options, but we recommend Hay’s Place – it’s kid-friendly (has a kids menu), the food is good, and you have views of the golf course.
If you have a golf fan, I recommend looking through the shops and checking out the visitor’s center to learn more about the history of the Pebble Beach golf course.
8. Drive to your hotel, check in, and go to bed.
Day 4
Drive Down Highway 1 - Big Sur
If you have breakfast included at your hotel, definitely take advantage of that or get some quick breakfast on your way down Highway 1.
You also need to prepare a picnic lunch because there won’t be any food options until dinner time in Big Sur. There are a few grocery options in Carmel by the Sea to get lunch items. You probably want to aim to start down Highway 1 around 9am since there is a lot to see today, but if the marine fog layer is thick in the morning, you may want to give it a little longer to burn off.
Your first stop on our Highway 1 tour is Point Lobos where you’ll find lots of great coastal trails. Where you find a parking spot may dictate which trail you take. If you’re here in the Spring, I suggest parking in one of the more southern parking lots so you can walk to China Cove, this is an area that frequently has baby seals! All the trails will give you great views of the beautiful coastline, stunning coves and cliffs, and little beaches with rocks for kids to climb on and tide pools to explore. View a trail map >
Drive 5 minutes south on Highway 1 and you’ll come to parking for the Garrapatta Bluff Trail right off the side of the Highway. There is a trail along the coastal bluffs that leads through meadows of flowers with the beautiful rocky coast below. It’s a beautiful trail to explore. And if you’re ready for lunch, bring your pinic lunch with you and eat with a view!
Drive about 6 miles south on Highway 1 and pull over when you reach the Castle Rock Viewpoint. This spot offers a great viewpoint of the iconic Bixby Bridge.
There are actually 3 vista points just a few minutes south of Bixby Bridge that all offer stunning, but similar views. If one parking lot is full, try the next one! The three vistas are Hurricane Point Vista, Sea Otter Refuge View Point, and Great Sur Vista Point.
Drive about 12 miles further south on Highway 1, then turn right on Sycamore Canyon Road to reach Pheiffer Beach. There is limited parking so you may have to drive around and wait for someone to leave. The last two stops have only been vistas, so this is a great place to get out and let the kids run around on the beach! There are beautiful rock formations around and a place where the water crashes through a carved hole in the rock.
About 10 more miles down Highway 1/Pacific Coast Highway you will see a turn off for McWay Falls parking on the left side of the road (sometimes the road to the lot is closed, but you can park along the Highway also). From the parking lot, there is a trail head that leads you under the Highway then up to a view point to look back at McWay Falls. This is the famous waterfall you’ve probably seen in photos of a waterfall falling into a gorgeous cove. You cannot hike close to the waterfall or down into the cove – just enjoy the views from the top.
Start heading back north on Highway 1 and choose one of these dinner options:
- Nepenthe – Considered the best restaurant in the area, this restuarant has delicious food and incredible views of the coastline. They do have a kids menu, but the adult menu is a bit expensive. Reseverations recommended.
- Homestead Restaurant at Big Sur Lodge – serving a variety of foods in a relaxed environment with views of the redwoods. Kid-friendly and more affordable then others in the area, but only open until 8pm for dinner.
- Fernwood Tavern – casual with lots of outdoor seating, lots of food options including pizza, and rarely a wait.
Head back north to your hotel. If the timing is right and it’s near sunset, stop at a overlook to enjoy it!
Day 5
Yosemite National Park
Eat breakfast at your hotel if offered, or get quick food on the road. Try to be on your way by 8am or earlier.
- About a 3.5-4 hour drive
- Address for GPS: Mariposa Grv Rd, Fish Camp, CA 93623
- I recommend getting a quick lunch on the road in the Oakhurst area before entering Yosemite where there will be few options. There is a McDonald’s and a Carl’s Jr. if you’re not opposed to fast food. There are restaurants in the town as well but I don’t recommend wasting too much daylight at a restaurant today.
- Big Trees Loop Trail – this trail is only .3 miles (about a 30 minute hike) and is wheelchair and stroller friendly.
- Grizzly Giant Loop Trail – we highly recommend this trail if you have kids that can handle a 2-mile hike. This hike will take about 2 hours and has about 300 feet of elevation gain. It will take you to notable trees such as the Bachelor and Three Graces, the 3,000-year-old Grizzly Giant, and the California Tunnel Tree.
Continue north on Wawona Road, go through the tunnel and then immediatley turn left into the Tunnel View parking lot to enjoy the perfect first view of Yosemite Valley.
Continue on Wawona Road to the Bridalveil Falls trailhead. It’s an easy .5 mile paved trail to get you closer to this 620ft. waterfall. It can get icy in winter, can spray water onto the trail in Spring, and sometimes go dry in late summer.
Continue your drive into the valley on the one-way Southside drive and admire the beauty around you! Your next step will really depend on how crowded it is that day and where you can find parking. There are a few smaller parking areas along the drive where you can stop to enjoy the views and play in the meadow or along the river. Some of these stops, like the Swinging Bridge Picnic area, have trails that will lead you toward Yosemite Falls and the lodge, so you could stay parked there for the rest of the evening. Or there are larger parking areas if you turn left onto Sentinal Drive at the Yosemite Falls viewing area, or turn left again onto Northside Drive and there are parking spots along the road. If you can’t find parking there or are just ready for dinner, drive all the way to the Lodge and park there and skip item #7 below.
If you still have enough daylight left, you can walk or bike this 1 mile easy, flat loop trail that gives you great views of Half Dome, Glacier Point, and the Royal Arches. Hopefully it will be around “golden hour” during this time and the late-day sun will be hitting the rocks beautifully!
Turn left onto Northside Dr. and follow the signs to Yosemite Valley Lodge. There are two options for dinner at the Lodge.
1. The Mountain Room – A lovely restaurant with views of Yosemite Falls serving steaks, seafood, and more, plus it has a kids menu. Reservations are available on Open Table >
2. Basecamp Eatery – If you didn’t get a reservation at the Mountain Room or don’t want to do a traditional table-service restaurant, this food court offers a lot of good food variety sure to please everyone. View the Menu >
If you’re staying at Yosemite Valley Lodge – you’re home! They did not have rooms available that fit a family of 5 during our last trip so we stayed at the Yosemite View Lodge and thought it was perfect for our family. It’s a short drive from the valley, had spacious rooms with rollaway beds available, an indoor pool, friendly staff, and a convenience store to grab snacks. Check out this list of other lodging options close to Yosemite.
Day 6
Yosemite National Park
- If staying at the Yosemite View Lodge, they do not offer free breakfast but they do have a restaurant on property and a convenience store where you can grab protein bars and quick convenience foods.
- Try to get up fairly early and eat breakfast quickly if you are visiting on a weekend between April – October. Even with a reservation, parking can get tricky if you don’t get there early.
This is the time of year when the falls have plenty of water, Glacier road is closed, and there may be some snow on the ground. Make sure you have proper winter apparel.
- Cascade Glade Trail off El Portal Rd.
If staying at Yosemite View Lodge, you will come to this trail before you enter the Valley, which also means it’s not very crowded! Enjoy the bit of tranquility before entering the valley! It’s a short hike to get a view of the falls with some fun rocks for kids to traverse over, but watch out for ice and don’t get too close to the water if the flow is quick.
*If staying at Yosemite Valley Lodge, you may want to skip this as it may not be worth giving up your parking spot to drive out here. - Lower Yosemite Falls TrailIf driving, continue to drive on El Portal Rd. and enter into the Valley. Turn left at Sentinal Drive and find parking near the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail (several options for parking including at the Lodge or the Village, then walk, bike, or take a shuttle to the trailhead).
If staying in the Valley, walk to the Lower Yosemite Falls trailhead.
This flat, .5 mile trail will take you close to the base of the falls. Stay on the trail and watch out for ice. There should be some nice snow and ice off the trail this time of year that makes for lovely pictures.
- Cooks Meadow LoopWhen you exit the Yosemite Falls Trail, cross over the road and continue to the Cook’s Meadow Loop. This flat trail will give you more great views of the Valley and the Merced River, and then back toward the Visitor’s Center. Follow this route:
- Visitor’s Center and Lunch
Keep walking to the Visitor’s Center and watch the movie in the theater to take a break from the cold. You can also walk over to Degan’s Deli for lunch. If you’d like some souvenirs or snacks, walk over to the Village Store. All of these are in the Yosemite Village area. - Mirror Lake TrailTake a free shuttle, re-park in the campground lot, or bike to the trailhead for Mirror Lake.
This is a longer hike at 4.4 miles, but is pretty easy and a good family trail. The trail can be done as a loop or an out-and-back and you don’t have to go the whole way to enjoy the beauty. Most of the trail is natural but 1.5 miles of the trail is paved (the first part if you go counter-clockwise). Check out the map below.
Don’t be too fooled by the name – there is never a true lake here. But in winter/early spring, there should at least be SOME water, although I’d call it a pond. About mid-way, there is an area that usually has some water in it and a sign that marks Mirror Lake, and at the apex of the trail is a beautiful open meadow (sometimes with some water in the middle) where kids can run around underneath the beauty of half-dome. Just watch for ice.
- Take in some beauty at Golden Hour
By this point in the day and time of year, the sun should be lower and if it’s clear it will shine beautifully golden on the rocks around the valley. You can enjoy this from almost anywhere in the Valley. You could also travel back to Tunnel View to enjoy the view from there if you’re staying outside the park. - Dinner
If staying at Yosemite View Lodge, there is a good restaurant on-site called The River Restaurant and Lounge. If staying at Yosemite Valley Lodge, you can eat at The Mountain Room (table service restaurant serving steak and seafood + a kids menu), Basecamp Eatery (food court with a variety of options), or walk or take a bus to the Ahwahnee Dining Room (currently buffet only, table service should be returning – check the website). - Pool time and bed
Yosemite View Lodge has an indoor pool that may be nice to swim in after a cold day if your kids still have some energy. The indoor pool is in a separate building, so just a warning that the walk in between your room and the pool will be cold!
This is the time of year when the falls still have water (although maybe not as intense) and Glacier Point Road is open.
- Cascade Glade Trail off El Portal Rd.
If staying at Yosemite View Lodge, you will come to this trail before you enter the Valley, which also means it’s not very crowded! Enjoy the bit of tranquility before entering the valley! It’s a short hike to get a view of the falls with some fun rocks for kids to traverse over, but don’t get too close to the water if the flow is quick.
*If staying at Yosemite Valley Lodge, you may want to skip this as it may not be worth giving up your parking spot to drive out here. - Lower Yosemite Falls TrailIf driving, continue to drive on El Portal Rd. and enter into the Valley. Turn left at Sentinal Drive and find parking near the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail (several options for parking including at the Lodge or the Village, then walk, bike, or take a shuttle to the trailhead).
If staying in the Valley, walk to the Lower Yosemite Falls trailhead.
This flat, .5 mile trail will take you close to the base of the falls. Stay on the trail and watch out for ice. There should be some nice snow and ice off the trail this time of year that makes for lovely pictures. There are several entrances to the trail but it will lead you toward the base of the falls and then loop you around to another good viewing location. See the map below:
- Cooks Meadow LoopWhen you exit the Yosemite Falls Trail, cross over the road and continue to the Cook’s Meadow Loop. This flat trail will give you more great views of the Valley and the Merced River, and then back toward the Visitor’s Center. Follow this route:
- Visitor’s Center and Lunch
Walk, bike, or take the free shuttle to the Visitor’s Center and watch the movie in the theater to take a break from the cold. You can also walk over to Degan’s Deli for lunch. If you’d like some souvenirs or snacks, walk over to the Village Store. All of these are in the Yosemite Village area. - Glacier Point
Glacier Point Road is usually open to cars late May – October or November. The drive to the top will take about an hour. Park in the lot and walk the short, paved, accessible trail to the viewing area where you’ll be 3,214 feet above Yosemite Valley. The views are truly breathtaking! - Sentinal Dome Hike
This 2.2 mile hike doesn’t have too much elevation gain until the very end (and even then it’s pretty short) and when you reach the top you are treated to incredible 360 degree views of Yosemite. I would do this hike with babies/toddlers in back carriers. Kids should be fine to hike this one and will enjoy climbing the rocks at the top, but definitely keep an eye on them at the top. It is a large, rocky dome with some large flat areas so it feels safe, but there are no guard rails so don’t let them venture far. - Dinner
If staying at Yosemite View Lodge, there is a good restaurant on-site called The River Restaurant and Lounge. If staying at Yosemite Valley Lodge, you can eat at The Mountain Room (table service restaurant serving steak and seafood + a kids menu), Basecamp Eatery (food court with a variety of options), or walk or take a bus to the Ahwahnee Dining Room (currently buffet only, table service should be returning – check the website). - Pool time and bed
Yosemite View Lodge has an indoor pool and several outdoor pools that may be nice to swim in if your kids still have some energy. The Yosemite Valley Lodge has an outdoor pool if it is warm enough.
- Mirror Lake TrailTake a free shuttle, re-park in the campground lot, or bike to the trailhead for Mirror Lake.This is a longer hike at 4.4 miles, but is pretty easy and a good family trail. The trail can be done as a loop or an out-and-back and you don’t have to go the whole way to enjoy the beauty. Most of the trail is natural but 1.5 miles of the trail is paved (the first part if you go counter-clockwise). Check out the map below.
Don’t be too fooled by the name – there is never a true lake here. But in winter/early spring, there should at least be SOME water, although I’d call it a pond. About mid-way, there is an area that usually has some water in it and a sign that marks Mirror Lake, and at the apex of the trail is a beautiful open meadow (sometimes with some water in the middle) where kids can run around underneath the beauty of half-dome.
- Visitor’s Center and Lunch Walk, bike, or take the free shuttle to the Visitor’s Center and watch the movie in the theater to take a break inside if you’d like. You can also walk over to Degan’s Deli for lunch. If you’d like some souvenirs or snacks, walk over to the Village Store. All of these are in the Yosemite Village area.
- Cooks Meadow Loop If you didn’t do this trail the day before, you could do all or part of it now. It’s a flat loop in between the Lodge and Village areas.
- Glacier Point Head back to your car and start the drive to Glacier Point. The drive to the top will take about an hour. Park in the lot and walk the short, paved, accessible trail to the viewing area where you’ll be 3,214 feet above Yosemite Valley. The views are truly breathtaking!
- Sentinal Dome Hike This 2.2 mile hike doesn’t have too much elevation gain until the very end (and even then it’s pretty short) and when you reach the top you are treated to incredible 360 degree views of Yosemite. I would do this hike with babies/toddlers in back carriers. Kids should be fine to hike this one and will enjoy climbing the rocks at the top, but definitely keep an eye on them at the top. It is a large, rocky dome with some large flat areas so it feels safe, but there are no guard rails so don’t let them venture far.
- Dinner If staying at Yosemite View Lodge, there is a good restaurant on-site called The River Restaurant and Lounge. If staying at Yosemite Valley Lodge, you can eat at The Mountain Room (table service restaurant serving steak and seafood + a kids menu), Basecamp Eatery (food court with a variety of options), or walk or take a bus to the Ahwahnee Dining Room (currently buffet only, table service should be returning – check the website).
- Pool time and bed Yosemite Valley Lodge has an outdoor pool and Yosemite View Lodge has both an indoor pool and outdoor that may be nice to swim in after a long day!
Day 7
Drive back to SFO, Fly Home
- Pack up, eat breakfast, check out of hotel
- Drive to the San Francisco Airport (Or drive home if not flying)
About a 3.5 hour drive, but check Google maps for traffic conditions.
There are some beautiful views as you leave the area so keep your eyes open! - Return Rental Car
- Fly home!
Optional Day
Explore Winecountry
If you don’t want to leave Central California without visiting Napa, no problem! We love this area and prefer to enjoy it without kids (some wineries and tours do not permit children), but you can still do it with kids if you know where to go!
A few of our favorite kid-friendly options:
- Castello di Amorosa – Kids are allowed on the tour through this Tuscan castle!
- Beringer – Kids are allowed in the lovely outdoor grounds and adults can order wine to enjoy in the courtyard.
- Sterling – Ride a gondola to the vineyard – kids like that part!
- There are many others that have outdoor spaces where kids are welcome.
Explore more of San Francisco
There is SO much to do in San Francisco! Here are a few or our favorites:
- Alcatraz Island – not the most little-kid friendly, but older kids and teens may love touring this famous prison. Plus you get to take a ferry out to the island! Only buy ferry tickets from the official Alcatraz City Cruises.
- Walt Disney Family Museum – If you’re a Disney-loving family or just a fan of Walt, consider checking out this interactive, family-friendly museum! Learn about the life of Walt and how the Disney company began plus there are often special exhibits. While there, you can explore the Presidio – a beautiful area with paths, grass field, gardens, and more.
- Exploratorium – This interactive museum is described as is a public learning laboratory where you can explore the world through science, art, and human perception.
- Cable Car ride – Ride a classic San Francisco cable car! These cable cars have an “inside” section, seats that face the outside, and places to stand and hang on to the edge (this might be what you think of when you think of cable cars). The cable cars are mostly used by tourist and they can fill up. During weekends and any day with good weather, you may have to wait at a stop for a little while to find a car with room. The standing spots can fill up and aren’t good for young kids. You may end up with an interior seat. When you get to the end of the line, it’s fun to get out and watch them manually turn the cable cars around on a giant turntable. Single rides are $9. Purchase tickets on the MuniMobile app >
- Walk or bike to enjoy views, green spaces, and beaches – I don’t love walking up and down steep streets, but along the coastline there are lovely parks and paved paths to walk on. Walk the Aquatic Park pier or enjoy the beach, walk around Fort Mason Park, walk the Golden Gate Promenade, enjoy the Crissy Field Beach, and much more! Or head to the other side of the Presidio and walk the Batteries to Bluffs Trail and walk down the Sand Ladder to Baker Beach.
- Money Saving Tip: If you want to do multiple attractions and activities while in San Francisco, consider purchasing the San Francisco City Pass where you save a lot doing multiple attractions. Check out the attractions on the list >
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