Little Yosemite is known for its waterfalls and rock scrambling and it's easy to get to. This park feels more remote than some of the others in the East Bay. It is a bit hot in sections, but overall this is a great child friendly hike. 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. Generated via caltopo.com. This is a moderate hike that provides a nice workout so be prepared. $2 per dog (free for service dogs). The shuttle does not go here, so if is best to go early or later in the day as parking can be difficult. Impatient visitors will quickly see how this trail earned its name as it is filled with beautiful marshes, waterfalls, and wading areas nestled between rocks. There are camping options available as well. Without kids though . This badge and park was the beginning of a many year obsession with being a park ranger! The rocks are big and can be tricky to navigate. There are so many hikes to do in Yosemite that you will never be able to fit them all in on one trip. Visit the Sunol Visitor Center for information about these programs. However, there are a decent number of less crowded trails in the area with some decent elevation gain. However if you are not heading down to Sequoia, dont miss this area of the park! Whether you have little ones who cant manage long hikes or teens ready for a challenge, there is something for everyone here. Almost completely dry right now. Take I-680 south and exit at Calaveras Road/Highway 84 just south of the Sunol exit. Come with me on the Little Yosemite Sunol Hike . With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from the all the fun-filled things to do in Yosemite with kids, as well as hikes and other activities. For information about campsites in other parks, please visit theCamping Page. The backpack area is open year round. 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. Add another 1 hour to reach Yosemite Valley. 3-Day Yosemite Camping Adventure from San Francisco 65 Adventure Tours from $629.00 per adult San Francisco Bay Air Tour 16 Recommended Adventure Tours from $195.00 per adult The area Full view Best nearby Attractions 15 within 6 miles Mission Peak Regional Preserve 212 Nature & Wildlife Areas Old Mission San Jose 93 Missions Ed Levin County Park The small nature center is fun to explore before a ranger guided walk or to cool down later in the day. The water is flowing generously in the river, from all the rain we've had. Fill up before you get inside the park, even if you have half a tank. It is a park for all ages. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit"; The Junior Park Ranger Program would be awesome! This section of the river was the fullest of any of the rivers during our visit during the height of Californias drought. Gorgeous in an overcast late afternoon into the evening. Be warned that this hike has a large elevation change despite being less than 4 miles. As a reminder, please do not feed the animals as cute as they are! Experience this 2.1-mile out-and-back trail near Sunol, California. Erosion is ugly and expensive to control. It is open mainly for breakfast and lunch, but if you stop in before 6pm you can also grab an early dinner. Required fields are marked *. Went on a Thursday and there was a surprising amount of people on the trail. Awesome trail, with a little water area in the rocks at the end! Came across your post on Bombay Expats. It might seem daunting to think about riding 12 miles of bike trails throughout the valley with a toddler or small child in tow, but it is mostly flat and easy riding. Great outing. There isnt a ton of options in the valley so lines get long. WOW!). ), 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). The pool at Curry Village may only be available to people staying at the cabins and tent cabins, but if you are, it is a great clean pool to let the kids splash around in and cool down. Great hike on a cooler day. Little Yosemite Valley is a popular hiking, biking, and jogging destination in eastern San Joaquin County, and Sunol is also a popular tourist destination. Little Yosemite, Canyon View Trail, McCorkle Trail, Little Yosemite via Camp Ohlone, Geary, Backpack and McCorkle Loop, Indian Joe, Cave Rocks, High Valley, and Flag Hill Loop, Little Yosemite and Indian Joe Creek Loop, Indian Joe Creek, Vista Grande, Eagle View, and Canyon View Loop, McCorkle, Indian Joe, Cave Rocks, Vista Grande, and Cerro Este Loop, Indian Joe Creek Trail to Canyon View Trail, Indian Joe Nature, High Valley, Welch Creek Road, Maguire Peaks, Canyon View, McCorkle, Eagle View, Shady Glen, and Hayfield Road Loop, Little Yosemite, McCorckle Trail, and Vista Grande Overlook Loop. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your All rights reserved. Whether you have little ones who cant manage long hikes or teens ready for a challenge, there is something for everyone here. The best part was definitely getting to the falls and climbing the boulders! We enjoyed the views on the canyon trail and found it to be a nice easy hike. You can also take a peek at the Sunol Herbarium, samples of over 600 plant specimens found in the park! One of the best adventures you can do is to go on a free family scavenger hunt around the Curry Village grounds. This includes sunscreen, lotion, toothpaste, shampoo, all foods, coolers, water bottles, and in some cases even your childs car seat. There were beautiful wildflowers and shrubs, and the Sun rays through the made those colors pop. My husband visited there with his parents as a kid, and really wants to take our 2 children. 2018 Raising Kids Wild. Go in the late afternoon or middle of the day to avoid some crowds. TravelerTip: Even if you go in the summer months, book a heated tent cabin. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Gates are locked at night so campers must arrive before dusk. The main fire road along creek is crowded . Boring trail and scenery. I saw bats fly overhead on one of my midnight potty runs. Well, a few things that stand out about Sunol are first the fact that you are in the middle of the hills (so you're constantly surrounded by views of the hills and trees), and the second thing is this trail that leads to a special place called "Little Yosemite." Little Yosemite is a small creek area with boulders and tons of trees. " in 25 reviews Show more review highlights Location & Hours 1895 Geary Rd Sunol, CA 94586 Get directions Edit business info Amenities and More Good For Kids Private Lot Parking Dogs Allowed Gender-neutral restrooms Please abide by the boundary signs and do not trespass onto Water Department lands that are not part of the lease arrangement.Notice:Swimming isNOT allowedin Alameda Creek in the Little Yosemite area. There will be sections where the trail will clear and you can get back on the fire road, but you can keep on the shaded trails as much as it allow you to. The next stage continues uphill, culminating in stairs (that get very wet and slippery the higher you go) cut into the path. Please keep the park beautiful by cleaning up after your dog! Want to report conditions for this trail? Go early or plan to be there for a while! If yo North Rim Trail to Eagle Rock is an out-and-back trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near San Jose, California. A permit is required to camp overnight. It is great for mountain biking, hiking, horseback, and even . For those of you wanting a little more luxury during your visit, check out the only 4 star hotel in the park, The Majestic Yosemite. One of those places that youd love to see without the crowds right? Snow can start as early as October or November in parts of Yosemite and remain into well into the spring. We try to arrive before 10 am especially on weekends. over all, loved this hike. Trust me, seeing this national treasure through your little ones eyes is a truly magical experience that you will not want to miss. The permit covers foot and equestrian use of the trail only. It might come with electricity including a power outlet to plug your phone into. Started clockwise from visitors center. It is on the way to Curry Village/Yosemite Village from the south entrance and is a quick stop off. This depends on where you stay. Its on top of my US bucket list. This kid-friendly hiking trail is a must see in the Bay Area. If so, check out our in-depth guides for some of the other amazing parks in the state. There are a multitude of places to wander around near here and begin exploring Yosemite. Busy but plenty of parking. There are two other entrances less commonly used, unless you are heading to the more remote sections of the park. Please email. However, be extremely careful of high rapids and fast moving water. Alameda Creek, Alameda County's largest stream, harbors an inviting creekside community of alder, willow and sycamore. It is free and geared for the whole family. Ill definitely consult this list. However, if you are pressed for time/money you can complete the free page in the Yosemite newsletter. Even when the water level is low, its find to explore the boulders of the creek bed. This is a great post! Very buggy. Experience this 2.1-mile out-and-back trail near Sunol, California. It was exhilarating to see one up close and in its own habitat. In the shoulder season there is a night prowl walk that sounds so amazing for kids to explore the animals who come out after dark. Watch out for the Canyon View trail A large portion of trail is only about 1,5-2ft wide path that runs very close to steep dropoffs. You may purchase your permit in one of the following ways: By Phone: call the Reservations Department at. It is a 3 mile hike there and back. As options within the park are limited, be aware that lunch time crowds are heavy. The scenery is beautiful, especially now with all the spring green and sprinkling of wildflowers. This 2.5 mile loop around the lake offers beautiful views and sandy shores for a little play time. These stops dont often take long, but offer a great view into the park as well as provide the opportunity for beautiful, classic shots of Yosemite that everyone craves! Hope next time we will try another way. Amazing!!! Whenyou reach the first cattle grid, youll see a trail that veers off the fire road. Your email address will not be published. All of this is pretty great even without kids! Bring hats, water and plenty of snacks. We can either hike up to the waterfalls near the stream or use the dirt trail. We tried The Kebab Shop in Fremont. Arriving early is key to avoid the sun and crowds in order to social distance. Once you get to the bench resting area, you can head back on the fire road which will lead you to Little Yosemite. In recent years, the late summer also brings with it the chance of smoky skies due to wildfires. Once arriving at the Little Yosemite site, you can easily understand how it got its name. Wherever you stay, just make sure to stay within the park itself. However, if you have more time at the park, my recommendation is to rent bikes and explore on your own for an even better experience and overview of the park. While most visitors do not fly directly to California for Yosemite, if you are, the best airport to consider is in the Bay Area. Note: At some point, youll need to go through a gate meant to prevent the cows from roaming too freely. Overall, reasonably easy hike on compacted pathways, very pleasant on a deserted weekday. An Ohlone Wilderness Permit is required for each person age 12 years or older. All the greenery and velvety blue sky bring up the serenity of nature. Get to know this 3.0-mile out-and-back trail near Sunol, California. Depending on how much you have already done or are planning for the day, you can continue hiking to the top of Lower Falls which is 2 miles in/out. Water felt great after the hike b/c the sun was beaming. 2023 East Bay Regional Park District.All Rights Reserved. We could have use the creek trail for more water views. Little Yosemite is a scenic gorge with waterfalls within an hour of Oakland. Here youll be able climb the boulders along the gorge with cascading waterfalls. If not, go watch it. 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 family photo at the top of this post is from this viewpoint. I love hiking, and Im totally sure Id love Yosemite. The hike . Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 50 min to complete. amzn_assoc_asins = "1721221999"; As soon as you pass through the Wawona Tunnel, take the first left into the parking lot. Please abide by the boundary signs and do not trespass onto Water Department lands that are not part of the lease arrangement. No one wanted a night time bear visit to the tent! It is worth a quick stop on your way in and your way out to see it in all its photographic glory. Beautiful weather, lots of birds around. During our visit, the program started at 2 pm which was sometimes difficult to make our way back to camp in the middle of the day. Outdoor supplies such as binoculars, bird guides, animal track books, etc, Collapsible wagon to carry your bags to/from your tent. Spending quality time with family is a good thing. Water trough is also cool. I remember going to Yosemite when I was 12 and I had a blast! East Bay Regional Park District Police say they've arrested the. See Trail Mileage for a description of selected hikes. If you are on a tighter budget, there are also plenty of campgrounds where you can pitch your own tent, as well as Housekeeping Camp where your tent is pitched, but you do everything else just as you would on a regular camping trip. There is no guarantee, but they will try to group you close. Went shortly before sunset. The gate will be near a bridge. For more information, please visit, No conditions reported in the past 7 days. The trail itself is large and maintained. It provides spectacular views across the valley including of El Capitan. There is $5 car parking entrance fee fyi. A travel obsessed mom and a nature obsessed son exploring at home in Southern California as well as throughout the world looking for adventure, nature and a little luxury too! Patches of wildflowers (not too much now) but water is flowing strong and furious. The entire trail is about two miles but the best part is that we dont have to walk far to see the beauty that is Little Yosemite. Starting at the Arroyo Road Staging Area, take the East Shore Trail east, heading towards a steep ridge line. While Yosemite is most known for Half Dome and El Capitan, the park is filled with beautiful waterfalls that are worth exploring during your visit. Little Yosemite is a gorge in the Sunol-Ohlone Wilderness in the East Bay hills. $5 entrance fee. Having fun with kids will make you stress-free and will give you a peaceful mind. Summer is beautiful, but it can get quite hot in July and August. We actually paired the two hikes together on the same day, which is another great option if youre looking to extend your adventure. Keep this in mind while packing and separate all of these things into their own bag for ease of packing up the bear locker every day. I walked clockwise. For guests of Curry Village, show your room key for free admittance. On our first time visit, we spent 4 days in Yosemite Valley and were able to just about see all the major attractions, but had many more items on our to do list. Parking: $5/seasonal, weekends and holidays. Open throughout the trail, too sunny weather might not be perfect for this trail. Our dog, Gus, is usually off his leash after the bridge. If you go, please respect the area. Please note this is a fragile ecosystem and watershed. Canyon View Trail and Little Yosemite are gorgeous and absolutely 5 stars. Everything's green. Very steep at the beginning but the views are It is located in Northern California in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Though it looks steep here, the trail actually takes you gradually up and down a scenic hill. 6-May 17: 8am-8pmMay 18-Sep. 8: 8am-9pmSep. Or share this post with others by pinning on Pinterest. This is an excellent resource, even without kids! The canyon view portion is less traveled. Technically, the closest airport is in Fresno, known as the Fresno-Yosemite Airport (FAT). Little Yosemite The best way to get to the jumble of huge boulders and waterfalls on Alameda Creek that constitutes Little Yosemite is to turn right on Camp Ohlone Road a short distance.. Lots of quail out. Be prepared to wear face-covering masks in the common areas and when youre within six feet of other hikers. There are occasional deer sightings, many ducks, and many g Get ready for one of the toughest, lung busting hikes in the east bay with over 6-miles and 4,000ft of climbing in one direction. Lol This is devastating to the environment. There isno public transitto Sunol Regional Park. 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. But it was a beautiful morning. Definitely start counter clockwise- views are incredible!!!!!! It is the ultimate family destination. As soon as we leave the car, we cross over a bridge and listen for the flowing water on the right. Note, as mentioned previously, Tioga Road is closed in winter (usually some time in November until May or June depending on seasonal snowfall. Wildflowers are starting to show but not yet in full force. 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. my friends and I went on a hike/ adventure to the water falls and had a blast. They're very easy to spot on the side latter half of the trail. They are easy, short and most kids (and adults!) Turn right at the exit onto Calaveras Road and proceed about four miles to a left turn onto Geary Road, which leads directly into the park. It is wet and steep, so make sure you prepare for that. I would start on canyon trail first next time and loop back through little Yosemite. You can't swim in the stream either, which is sad. The only issue encountered is on the way back, we couldn't find the last leg back to the starting pt (near the 2nd last waypt "beautiful trees etc" and took a left wide downhill path which turned out to be the connector to the other leg of the loop. - no parking fee for our visit. Download map ahead of time. WiFi and cell service does exist, but very rarely works. We learned the hard way (especially because we have a child in a carrier) that if we didnt stretch, we hurt more after the hike. Moderate trail. We heard from many families in Curry Village that even with the 5 month advance reservation system, they were not able to book the tent campgrounds. Little Yosemite is a hidden gem located in the Sierra National Forest. Note: Tioga Pass is closed in the winter. In Half Dome Village, there is a small pizza bar where you can order pizza to be enjoyed while sitting outside. If you have a 4th grader in the family, you can get a national park pass for free for the year through theEvery Kid Outdoors program, so definitely take advantage! Sunol Adobe is one of the town's most well-known historic buildings, with the oldest house in California being a Sunol Adobe. View of the park, Alameda Creek watershed and Calaveras Reservoir. Leads through "Valley of the Giants." We visited in the winter, so the area was pretty much dry. There are several places to stay throughout Yosemite Valley and the greater Yosemite National Park as well as outside the park. Reservations are not required if you have a campground or hotel reservation or backpacking permit. Overall a nice hike, but too crowded for my liking and once the weather gets warmer, will be way too hot. we love glamping too! Will see the other side and how far Ill go from this direction. Guided horse rides are also available through Western Trail Riding Services. 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. Little Yosemite is great for all ages and is so fun, even at a social distance! Stayed just outside the park in Mariposa. Very nice hike. Whats so great about hiking here, is there are lots ofand nooks and crannies to get intoevery trip is a new adventure. For many of the trails we didnt notice huge crowds. You have to be patient and wait for a spot to open up in the network. We did the anticlockwise direction instead of the recommended clockwise direction to avoid the steep ascent. We have heard that the stargazing program is great, but it was a bit late for our young children. The water was nice and cold to our hot and tired feet. The trail was more of a road which cut thru the hills. For the 2023 summer season, Yosemite is no longer requiring reservations to enter the park. We were there for a day last September. This is a great place to get a snack and explore with the kids. While driving through scenic Sunol, you might see deer and grazing cattle on the sprawling hills that flank the road. Or was the bike ride the activity for the day? For the past century, however, the land known today as Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve was used almost exclusively as ranch land. Is there an off season? We "swim" in the Waterfall at Little Yosemite, walk an extra mile to see The W Tree, and hike Canyon View. The creek/falls itself are accessible by car and that means visitors that aren't accustomed to leave-no-trace ethics. There is also no cell service in the park! Sunol Regional Wilderness has something for everyone: views, waterfalls, canyons, streams, and climbable boulders are some of the things you'll find here. If youd like to take a direct trail back to the entrance, theres a wide fire road along the creek. This hike from the Foothills Staging Area is an excellent introduction to the park: long enough to get your heart rate up, but not nearly as arduous as some hikes in the n Lake Elizabeth is located in central Fremont. There is so much to do in Yosemite Valley and the greater Yosemite park that to really experience it all you need more than a week. There is also a fee for dogs. Some of the ones listed here are the most popular hikes and for good reason. Little Yosemite is a scenic gorge with waterfalls within an hour of Oakland. The trailhead starts near the Happy Isles Nature Center and begins with a steady 1 mile uphill climb to a wooden bridge where you can see Vernal Falls in the distance. Explore little Yosemite (sunol) - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. That said, when its hot, there is nowhere better to be than in the water! 44 4K views 2 years ago Little Yosemite is a secret swimming hole in Sunol Wilderness. Driving distances can be far once you enter the park gates. We were about 6 tent cabins away from one of our party and another 6 from that one. Sunol Regional Wilderness: Indian Joe to Canyon View With Wildflowers! Thanks so much to Mishi B, author of Hey Carter! Flowers blooming everywhere. But its worth it! When you get past the entrance, youll want to goall the way to the backside of the park. Such a beautiful hike! Excellent views of the park, Calaveras Reservoir and south bay area. Again, wait times can be long during high season and meal times. Ground squirrels, yellow-billed magpies and red-tailed hawks share this wilderness with raccoons, skunks and black-tailed deer. Even during the height of the California drought the waterfalls all continued to have a decent amount of water flowing, so I can only imagine how spectacular they are with more rain and snow melt flowing down. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. As the description says- this is definitely a late fall/winter hike. The paved path offers a flat walk from the shuttle stop. 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. However, it actually is a safe hike for families as long as you use common sense and keep kiddos (and yourself) from the edges. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. The gravel road will be dusty and shade is sparse. It is permissible for them to roam off-leash on the majority . SUNOL REGIONAL WILDERNESS Canyon View to Little Yosemite | Sunol, CA A short trail that passes through shady woodlands and rolling hills, accompanied by peaceful canyon views, ending at a cute little gorge. Even within Curry Village there are several options. Expect 30 minute delays from Spring- Fall 2023. It is only partially shaded, so it can get hot in the middle of the day. Its a 3-mile trek to the top of the peak and then back down the same way. This is a very popular spot for hikers and for photographers (aka Instagrammers!). The trail narrows after the McCorkle Trail junction and youll notice a steep drop off to the right where you can enjoy epic views of the oak canyon. They will try to group you close pathways, very pleasant on a free family scavenger around. For good reason magical experience that you will not want to goall the to... As they are easy, short and most kids ( and adults! ) night so campers must arrive dusk... 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