Carmel & Monterey Hotels
Yosemite Hotels
Information
Things To See & Do
Yosemite
Yosemite National Park has the unique ability to amaze, charm and surprise, no matter how many times you've been there. Many people visit, yet few see the place in its entirety - which would take some time indeed. Established as one of the first national parks in October 1890, the protected territory encompasses 1,189 square miles of scenic wild lands in the Sierra Nevada, ranging from 2,000 feet above sea level to more than 13,000 feet. The park is home to alpine meadows, mountain forests, lakes and waterfalls, plentiful wildlife, and groves of giant Sequoias. About 3 - 4 million people visit each year, mostly during the summer, but Yosemite offers real adventure and inspiration for every season and every type of traveller.
Yosemite sightseeing is all about the great outdoors and everything you can do to immerse yourself in it. Waterfalls are a Yosemite hallmark, drawing visitors from around the globe. Because many of Yosemite's waterfalls are fed by melting snow, the amount of water rushing over each one varies widely throughout the year. Yosemite Falls is one of the tallest in North America and fifth highest in the world with a total drop of 2,425 feet - nearly half a mile. Rock Formations: Yosemite Valley represents only one percent of the park area, but this is where most visitors arrive and stay. Approximately 3,000 feet deep and less than a mile wide, the valley is known for its incredible rock formations. The sheer granite cliff known as Half Dome is among the most recognised natural features. Rock climbers from around the world come to challenge their abilities on the steep face of El Capitan, though most park visitors prefer to just watch
Wildlife: With a keen eye, you're likely to see some of Yosemite's thriving and diverse wildlife. One of the easiest animals to spot in Yosemite, the Mule Deer can be found throughout the park, but most often near open meadows. At night, nothing beats hearing the wail of a coyote echoing against the walls of Yosemite Valley. Perhaps the park's most famous (and notorious) residents are Black Bears. Some formerly endangered species like the Peregrine Falcon and Golden Eagle are once again flourishing under the watchful eye on the National Park Service. The most common bird of prey in Yosemite, the Red-tailed Hawk, is distinguished by its red and yellow feet. The most impressive plant specimen is the Giant Sequoia, considered to be the most massive living thing on earth. In Mariposa Grove, the oldest living tree is known as the Grizzly Giant. Its age is somewhere between 1,900-2,400 years old, and is has a base diameter of 30 feet across
Historic Sites and Museums: The historic and natural sites throughout Mariposa County and Yosemite National Park all have fascinating stories to tell. The best way to learn about those stories and gain a fuller perspective is by visiting some of the wonderful museums and landmarks here. Mariposa County Courthouse built in 1854, is the oldest superior courthouse west of the Mississippi, and the oldest courthouse in continuous use west of the Rockies. California State Mining and Mineral Museum, Mariposa County Fairgrounds where you can get a glimpse of California's mineral wealth, colourful history and geologic diversity.Yosemite Museum, Yosemite Village tells what we know of native Miwok and Paiute people since the arrival of European settlers. Northern Mariposa County History Centre, Coulterville see what a Gold Rush town looked like back in time. Pioneer Yosemite History Centre, Wawona in Yosemite National Park brings to life the early days of white settlements in Yosemite.Mariposa Museum and History Centre, Mariposa an award-winning small museum concentrating on the Gold Rush and late 19th century.
Carmel and Monterey County
Some of the best features of coastal California can be found here - seaside restaurants, hillside vineyards, majestic redwood groves, world-famous golf courses, music and art festivals, and much more.
A visitor to Monterey County can enjoy several truly iconic California experiences. A drive down the cliff-hugging Highway One winds along the breathtaking Big Sur coastline - arguably the best road trip in the United States. The county's sandy coastal stretches are the perfect venue for anything from a surfing lesson to a barefoot beach wedding. Several of the golf courses here are genuinely legendary - giving the visitor the unique opportunity to just hang out on the nineteenth hole and watch pros practice.
Among the county's many well-known landmarks are the internationally renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium, the phenomenal golf courses of Pebble Beach, the California wine country destinations of Carmel Valley, Soledad and Salinas Valley, the art galleries of gorgeous Carmel-by-the-Sea or buzzing Sand City, the wild trails of Big Sur, the surfing at Moss Landing, the hang gliders in Marina and Seaside, the fine dining in Del Rey Oaks and the Victorian cottages and Monarch butterflies of Pacific Grove.
Big Sur The scenery in Big Sur, perching high above the Pacific Ocean at the very edge of the continent, cannot be done justice by secondhand account. It simply must be seen to be believed. About the least that may be said is that a table with a view is not hard to come by here. Cliffs, rocks, redwoods and effervescent surf create an epic backdrop for recreation, romance and relaxed exploration. Big Sur's hiking trails range from tranquil walks along a coastal waterfall and stream at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park to miles-long ascents through redwood forest into the rugged wilderness at the Los Padres National Forest. Big Sur has provided inspiration to photographers, painters, writers and muscians. Longtime Carmel resident Robinson Jeffers tried to describe it in verse, and one of his poems was immortalised as a song by the Beach Boys. Today Big Sur is a world famous art colony, a favourite of both local and international artists of every stripe.
Carmel-By-The-Sea Classic, cosmopolitan and cool, the city of Carmel-by-the Sea is as special as its white sand beach. The city's residents make their homes in the world-famous distinctive Carmel Cottages, and the towns 45 inns are mostly small, charming and historic - perfect romantic getaways. That is one reason Carmel plays host to thousands of weddings - often on the white sand beach or at the 1770 Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo - and honeymoons each year. Carmel was once - and for many, still is - a bohemian haven, a mecca for artists, and a refuge for writers and intellectuals. The spectacular sunsets and the sea caves at Point Lobos inspired Rovert Louis Stevenson in writing Treasure Island, and Jack London and George Sterling composed some of their best works here - as did poet Robinson Jeffers, who built the beautiful stone Tor House and Hawk Tower on barren, rocky Carmel Point in which to write. It is also the cultural hub of the region, home to Carmel Bach Festival, the Carmel Music Society, and the Monterey Symphony. Many performances take place in the spectacular Gothic-inspired Sunset Centre, which was recently renovated. The Pacific Repertory Theatre, the renowned Monterey Jazz and Monterey Blues Festivals, and the Carmel Art Festival further enliven the local cultural scene. Carmel also now hosts the world-class Concours on the Avenue, a car buff's fantasy in which 16 blocks of downtown and Ocean Avenue close to traffic and fill with foreign and domestic collector cars. Cherished and preserved by local residents and city government, the town is a pedestrian-friendly labyrinth of enchanting continental ambience - specialty shops, restaurants, art galleries, boutiques, historic buildings, antique shops and much more. No fast-food restaurants, neon signs or parking meters clutter the landscape. To maintain the provincial charm of the one-mile-square village, the nature of merchandise is as closely monitored as the zoning regulations that separate the beach and the businesses by a few blocks. There are no commercial boardwalks, and the manicured gardens and Aspen-style architecture create an enticing ambience. Carmel has long been famous for its shopping, and Ocean Avenue is both the entrance to the heart of Carmel's shopping district. Ocean and the blocks that surround it are lined with unique shops both facing the main streets and nestling in myriad courtyards. Upscale shops clustered at Carmel Plaza, The Barnyard, and the Crossroads shopping centres offer even more opportunities. Ten wine tasting venues also now dot the downtown, all with walking distance of one another. Monterey County wines are the stars at the Bountiful Basket and tasting rooms for Galante Vineyards and Cima Collina. Carmel's restaurants offer superb dining and award-winning wine cellars. Check out Hoggs Breath Inn and maybe catch a local celebrity such as Clint Eastwood or Doris Day.
Pebble Beach Even non-golfers can't help but appreciate the harmonious marriage of golf course topography and coastal majesty in and around Pebble Beach. From the legendary Lone Cypress to the famed 18th green of Pebble Beach Golf links, a trip along 17-Mile Drive is spellbinding. Pebble Beach hosts many noted golf tournaments throughout the year, including the Callaway Golf Pebble Beach Invitational, the Wal-Mart First Tee Open and the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. In 2010, it hosted the most prestigious golf tournament in the USA, the U.S Open Championship. Though Pebble Beach golf tournaments attract much attention, they are not the only grand events held there. Pebble Beach Food and Wine is an annual celebration of the finest cuisine and wine the world has to offer, and the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance is the premier internationally renowned classic car event.
Monterey Few places on earth can live up to their own mythology, but Monterey is a notable exception. John Steinbeck, born and raised in nearby Salinas, was a frequent visitor, and drew considerable inspiration from the area landmarks, including, of course, Cannery Row, which he immortalised in his novel of the same name. Today, world-class restaurants, boutiques and attractions have helped make Monterey a favourite destination for visitors from around the globe. Whether it's the landmark Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Monterey Museum of Art or one of the other fascinating museums; a Monterey whale watching excursion; or a self-guided kayaking exploration of the bay, Monterey's activities can keep you busy from the moment you get up in the morning until you rest your head at night. History buffs can walk the Path of History to see classic buildings that remain from Monterey's period as California's state capital, while wine fans can stroll among the city's tasting rooms. Avid shoppers will find antiques in New Monterey, unique boutiques on Cannery Row, and upscale fashion and technology at the Del Monte Centre. And beachcombers can find treasures along Monterey's beautiful sandy oceanfront.
