Be warned that this hike has a large elevation change despite being less than 4 miles. Experience this 2.1-mile out-and-back trail near Sunol, California. Oak woodland and grassland communities; fossiliferous sandstone outcrops. This hike is best done during the spring, fall, or winter when moderate temperatures make the hike more comfortable. Fill up before you get inside the park, even if you have half a tank. You might be lucky enough to see some hikers on the dome. 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. Water felt great after the hike b/c the sun was beaming. Exploring Yosemite with kids while camping (or glamping as it is for us! The gravel road will be dusty and shade is sparse. By Mail: Send your name, address, phone number and check payable to EBRPD to The Reservations Department, EBRPD, 2950 Peralta Oaks Court, P.O. Imagine being an eager young naturalist sent off to the park for a week's summer session. Perfect weather to do this fairly exposed trail. Our kids enjoyed running around in what used to be a lake spotting small water snakes swimming in the small pools. We didnt even venture out to the other areas of Yosemite, like the Hetch Hetchy area which we hear is also breathtaking. Good parking and its moderate. The perfect place to bask in Mother Nature's finest offerings on a weekend morning. There are a lot of washrooms near the car parking. $2 per dog (free for service dogs). Awesome trail, with a little water area in the rocks at the end! Its also very shaded and where one of our favorite landmarks T-rex rapids is. Below are our top picks for things to do in Yosemite National Park with kids as well as options on where to stay and eat. Heavy rain. Breathtaking views of the Bay Area are your reward for making this climb to the top of Mission Peak. Glacier Point Overlook offers one of the most iconic views over the park. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. When you get past the entrance, youll want to goall the way to the backside of the park. Not busy ( Thursday hike). Just beware of poison oak. This trail is not paved, but is easily accessible for even small children. 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. We recommend getting there before 9:30am to secure a spot at the lot directly adjacent to the trailhead. " 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 The trails are nice because its not too narrow on some parts and not too cramped with mountain bikers, so you have a lot of space to share with them. Separate arrangements may be made for overnight camping at Del Valle Regional Park (outside the Ohlone Wilderness and at the north end of the Ohlone Trail) by calling 1-888-EBPARKS or1-888-327-2757, press option 2. We went clockwise so the steep part was first and would recommend that. We aim to inspire families to explore where and when they can even if its in their own city! Weathered serpentine and sandstone outcrops. 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. One youve finished exploring Little Yosemite, go back up Cerro Este Road and Canyon View Trail to return to the trailhead. Without kids though . 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. Mostly dry, cows kept to themselves. But that is also part of the adventure. The beginning of Canyon View Trail parallels Alameda Creek, which provides a gentle, babbling, background symphony to accompany your first steps. 0 47 4 minutes read. Not to worry - well be back again soon. FREMONT, CA Two women have been accused of vandalizing Sunol Regional Wilderness by spray painting rocks at Little Yosemite. Started the hike around 5:30 in the evening and saw ten spiders. The Village Grill Deck is located in Yosemite Valley and is open only seasonally. Visitors should bring drinking water because there is no drinking water in the park. The gate will be near a bridge. From Fremont, drive north on I-680 and exit at Calaveras Road (near the town of Sunol.) 8-Apr. This kid-friendly hiking trail is a must see in the Bay Area. A true international family a Texan bred Mom, Irish bred Dad and a son born in India exploring the world one trip at a time. Wherever you stay, just make sure to stay within the park itself. Climbed on the boulders all around and found more small, chill areas! It was exhilarating to see one up close and in its own habitat. ), 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). Definitely start counter clockwise- views are incredible!!!!!! Copyright 2010 2022 by 510 FAMILIES INCcontact | RSS | privacy policy | giveaway policy | native land acknowledgment, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window). It is slow moving and relatively shallow water to splash around in at the end of a day. Much of the trail is open and exposed so bring a hat and sunscreen. Once you are here, you can easily spend an hour or more cruising around the area exploring different angles. During the summer season, there are often great family friendly shows held at the Curry Village Amphitheater. There are camping options available as well. That said, please admire the cows from a distance for your safety. Little Yosemite is known for its waterfalls and rock scrambling and its easy to get to. not spray painting the rocks is common sense. Take I-680 south and exit at Calaveras Road/Highway 84 just south of the Sunol exit. Gates are locked at night so campers must arrive before dusk. Today, camping, picnicking, hiking and back-packing attract thousands of park visitors a year. Whether you have little ones who cant manage long hikes or teens ready for a challenge, there is something for everyone here. 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. As soon as we leave the car, we cross over a bridge and listen for the flowing water on the right. Gorgeous in an overcast late afternoon into the evening. So, we patiently waited for it to cross. The walk was pleasant, next to a stream. However, there are a decent number of less crowded trails in the area with some decent elevation gain. I arrived at 8:30 am. Yosemite is located approximately 5 hours from Los Angeles and 3 hours from the San Francisco Bay Area, making it a popular weekend getaway for those in northern California. Visitors from Southern California will enter on the south Wawona on Highway 41 via Oakhurst. Explore Little Yosemite, the hidden gem in Sunol Regional Wilderness in east bay hills of Silicon Valley. Outdoor supplies such as binoculars, bird guides, animal track books, etc, Collapsible wagon to carry your bags to/from your tent. $5 entrance fee. When I left at 11:00 am, vehicle entry to the park was closed. Almost completely dry right now. There are multiple trails you can take to modify the hike and make it harder/longer. Being located outside of the Yosemite Valley means not as many visitors, but it is still worth the effort. It's a popular destination for hikers, climbers, and nature lovers alike. But it was a beautiful morning. 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. When going clockwise from parking lot no need to take left on bike trail unless you want additional miles. Parking: $5 per vehicle. (If you find yourself driving uphill on a narrow winding road youve missed the Geary Road turnoff.) The hike is a easy, short 3 mile loop on a gravel lined, semi-paved road. There are several paid tours and excursions available in Yosemite. Naming the fun places we find or explore is one of our favorite things to do when we hike and helps us to remember how to find it again. Expect to take many breaks if you are walking with a child. Starting at the Arroyo Road Staging Area, take the East Shore Trail east, heading towards a steep ridge line. Park vehicles driving by dusted me with such gravel on 4 separate occasions. They were pretty fun. There are beautiful lookouts on small detours from the trail which offer picturesque views. It is a 3 mile hike there and back. There are picnic sites available on a first come, first served basis. Lots of ranger activities and events which adds to the experience. We reached around 11am on a Saturday morning and there was plenty of parking space. On one of our bike rides through a forested area we saw a bobcat run right in front of our bicycle. 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. This means that it will be back to crazy busy in the summer months. 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. Again, wait times can be long during high season and meal times. Gentle uphill on a wide gravel road with some occasional nice views of the golden hills. Nice easy hike, perfect weather, and not muddy. Are you visiting other national parks in California? It's like . Busy but plenty of parking. 7: 8am-5pmMar. Park at the Stanford Avenue entrance gate. 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. 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. This is a great post! Last hiked 12/31/20 This badge and park was the beginning of a many year obsession with being a park ranger! Dont be scared to get off the beaten path a bit and wonder around on smaller trails. Visit the Sunol Visitor Center for information about these programs. For general information about the Ohlone Wilderness, phone 1-888-EBPARKS option 3 x4559. Thanks! Follow the main road/trail then go down towards the water. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 49 min to complete. If so, check out our in-depth guides for some of the other amazing parks in the state. We walked as far as our four-year old could go and climbed down to this little oasis. Impatient visitors will quickly see how this trail earned its name as it . All the elevation gain in the first 1.2 miles. These trails are lets just say well-fertilized. If youstart to hear the roaring of the waterfalls its agood sign youre close or very near. - thought the trail was moderate. I highly suggest you to take the longer trail along the creek. There is a shuttle service that connects the key sites in the Valley (reopened as of December 2021), as parking is quite limited at many points of interest. Yosemite National Park is Californias most popular national park. 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. If youd like to take a direct trail back to the entrance, theres a wide fire road along the creek. Make sure to print your documents before arrival. The smell of blooming buckeyes in the air. Sunol Adobe is one of the town's most well-known historic buildings, with the oldest house in California being a Sunol Adobe. A wildflower identification kit may be checked out at the Visitor Center. 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. However, be extremely careful of high rapids and fast moving water. 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. There is NOswimming allowed in Alameda Creek and trespassing is prohibited on Water Department lands that are not accessible to the public. Not closed. Wild flowers were blooming.Water was flowing and sun was shining. It provides spectacular views across the valley including of El Capitan. Ask for trail suggestions, learn about recent animal sightings, purchase an Ohlone Wilderness Trail permit, and meet our animal ambassadors a gopher snake, rattle snake, western toad, western pond turtle, and a tarantula. Do venture off the trail to explore the creek. Saw LOTS of woodpeckers so that was fun! One-mile loop, self-guided nature trail - get booklet at Visitor Center. For more information on Yosemite Park lodging options check out theirwebsite. Indian Joe Cave Rocks. This is devastating to the environment. Start early so that you get to park. Not bad. They serve burgers, sandwiches, shakes on a beautiful deck. 2018 Raising Kids Wild. The Happy Isles Nature Center is a great place to visit in Yosemite for people with younger kids. 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. For those of you scared of camping, the tent cabins at Curry are not that rustic the only problem is walking to the bathrooms in the middle of the night. 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. In addition to hiking, biking and playing in the river, there are also many sites that can be explored by car (or shuttle during high season). Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 50 min to complete. also lots of people ignoring the do not swim/wade signs plus some graffiti on the rocks, both of which are so aggravating to me. As always, quality and prices arent quite what you might be used to outside of the park, but this is nature after all! The backpack area is open year round. When the water is flowing in the spring, Little Yosemite is a site to behold! Check here for details on how to try to nab a spot. 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! Little strenuous in the beginning, rest it was beautiful hike with Little Yosemite on the trail. This is a very popular area for birding and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. (Permit(s) will be mailed within 3-5 business days). I completed it anti clockwise. >Sunol Main Entrance>Sunol Visitor Center. Both will enable your child to earn a cool wooden Yosemite Junior Ranger badge. Great outing. 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. If you plan to visit this waterfall, I highly recommend doing it on your way INTO the park as you arrive. Definitely make a visit there! During our visit, we had several days of high 90s and 100s. A family trip to Yosemite National Park is the quintessential American summer holiday. There is no guarantee, but they will try to group you close. Hours: 8AM-5PM (winter) 8AM-7PM (and later depending on month) Dogs: $2 fee. Yosemite National Park is a wonderful destination to visit year round. Going the scenic route brings plenty of stream side fun and exploring. A bob cat? Make pre-arranged plans with one another rather than relying on phones. 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. All of this is pretty great even without kids! WOW its so beautiful there! A lot of different trails you can choose. Spending quality time with family is a good thing. During the first half the trail is fairly narrow at times, so be sure to go the direction AllTrails recommends and dont do it counter-clockwise. There are two options for earning your badge a free version and a paid version. The winter rains have turned the Little Yosemite trail into an exciting gorge filled with climbable boulders and the sound of tumbling waterfalls accompanying you throughout the hike. Great loop. Through this option, your child will also receive a button (for younger kids) or a patch. Another option would be to book all cabins under one reservation, so you can get them all together. A wooden bridge leads over Alameda Creek and to the right youll find Canyon View Trail, which will take you to the falls. Each person age 12 years or older is required to have their own permit. Thanks! But there are also a multitude of hikes that are not listed on the maps and do not lead to anything in particular. Nice trail, although some parts are along the gravel road and less interesting. we love glamping too! My husband visited there with his parents as a kid, and really wants to take our 2 children. Explore the most popular trails in my list little Yosemite (sunol) with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. For guests of Curry Village, show your room key for free admittance. Hope next time we will try another way. Bring plenty of water and wear sunscreen as it can get hot here. At the Sunol Regional Wilderness Preserve, park by the visitor's center for a short hike to Little Yosemite waterfall, and stop by the Old Green Barn Visitor's Center to see Native American artifacts. Went clockwise. Or share this post with others by pinning on Pinterest. This is a protected watershed with endangered species of frogs. Definitely check it out if its still showing. Good for hiking and picnicking.. here is our shots Continue hiking on the trail left of the streams. This is also the closest you can get to Half Dome without actually hiking it. Will definitetly come back to this park! Excellent views of San Antonio Reservoir and Mt. It is open to the public through a lease agreement with the San Francisco Water Department, which owns the property. More Info: East Bay Parks Website. The water is flowing generously in the river, from all the rain we've had. Its on top of my US bucket list. Either have a trail downloaded or stop by the Visitor Center for a physical map :) During our visit we sawRanger Neds Big Adventure. Hikers who cross into the San Francisco Water Department lands that connect Mission Peak Regional Preserve, Sunol-Ohlone Regional Wilderness and Del Valle Regional Park, must carry the Ohlone Wilderness Trail map/permit. There are camping options available as well. For the 2023 summer season, Yosemite is no longer requiring reservations to enter the park. The photos are wonderful. Learn how your comment data is processed. There are several places to stay throughout Yosemite Valley and the greater Yosemite National Park as well as outside the park. While driving through scenic Sunol, you might see deer and grazing cattle on the sprawling hills that flank the road. Having fun with kids will make you stress-free and will give you a peaceful mind. Find out about parking, restrictions, and conditions on the Website >>. Easy trail. Parking was easy and free on this Nov 3 Thursday morning. Or was the bike ride the activity for the day? Crazy but super dope. Buses: $25/per bus.Dogs: $2 per dog. Were thrilled to feature guest writer, Mishi B, owner and author of Hey Carter! Getting to Little Yosemite from Danville/Walnut Creek: Go south on I-680 and exit at Calaveras Road/Highway 84 just south of Pleasanton. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; They do seem a bit shy; a lot of them stopped moving as we passed. Luckily our friends happened to have their headlamps with them to guide them home safely. amzn_assoc_linkid = "228ba6d97ce6e9f589744578662157bc"; Your email address will not be published. We recommend visiting in the shoulder seasons if possible as the weather is moderate and crowds are less. Starting pouring rain after we made it to little Yosemite. Curry Village is competitive, but not quite as bad as that. Thanks so much to Mishi B, author of Hey Carter! 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. Guide/service dogs free, (510) 544-3249Toll Free: 1-888-EBPARKS (888-327-2757), option 3, extension 4559. Go in the late afternoon or middle of the day to avoid some crowds. Overall, if you want to do trail run/hiking, this place is pretty good. Sunol Regional Wilderness: Indian Joe to Canyon View With Wildflowers! ), 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. 2950 Peralta Oaks Court,Oakland, CA 946051-888-EBPARKS,1-888-327-2757(Deaf or Hearing Impaired, use the TRS at 711). Little Yosemite is located in Sunol Regional Wilderness Park in Sunol, CA Little Yosemite is a scenic gorge on Alameda Creek about two miles upstream from park No worries though as most people dont spend too long here. 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. Summer is beautiful, but it can get quite hot in July and August. The only negative during high season was the line for restaurants. 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. A permit is required to camp overnight. You can hike up about 4 miles from the Valley to this viewpoint if you want to spend more time here. Parking permit required on Welch Creek Road (Sat., Sun., & Holidays, $5.00 fee; Mon-Fri, no fee). Fees are per vehicle. - Some cow poop on the side of the trail in certain parts Trust me, seeing this national treasure through your little ones eyes is a truly magical experience that you will not want to miss. Expect 30 minute delays from Spring- Fall 2023. During summer it is hot in the day and cool at night. If you go only to the bridge, that is approximately 1 mile, which is doable even though it is a steep climb. 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. Easy hike into Little Yosemite. Hope everyone has a fun time on the trail! The trail is called Camp Ohlone Road and theres not a lot of shade so bring water and hats! Luckily Yosemite has various spots to enjoy cooling down. Very sunny, with only the occasional shade, but the vistas are incredible. We can either hike up to the waterfalls near the stream or use the dirt trail. Little Yosemite is known for its waterfalls and rock scrambling and it's easy to get to. The water was nice and cold to our hot and tired feet. This depends on where you stay. Will start counterclockwise next time. Generated via caltopo.com. Easy and nice hike! The hike is about 2 miles round trip depending on how muchexploring, rock scrambling, and climbing you do. The massive basalt outcrop at Indian Joe Cave Rocks provides sport and challenge to rock climbers. Little Yosemite is a scenic gorge with waterfalls within an hour of Oakland. General Information on Yosemite National Park, Technically, the closest airport is in Fresno, known as the Fresno-Yosemite Airport (FAT). Very nice hike. Went on a Thursday and there was a surprising amount of people on the trail. Barbecues and picnics are also allowed. Waterfall running wild, beauty growing powerful. Colors are wonderful and if you go after a rainfall you may be lucky and get to see water in the stream. 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. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. Learn how your comment data is processed. There is one place in Curry Village (at the lodge, across from the dining area) that you can get internet access, but you need to go early in the morning or in middle of the day to get on. 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. Little Yosemite is a scenic gorge with waterfalls within an hour of Oakland. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 31 min to complete. Our dog, Gus, is usually off his leash after the bridge. Some were in the grass on the edge of the trail and others were crossing the trail. Some even have heaters if you go during the cooler seasons. Date: 03/27 We tried The Kebab Shop in Fremont. Your trip sounded great. Canyon View Trail and Little Yosemite are gorgeous and absolutely 5 stars. The best part was definitely getting to the falls and climbing the boulders! Please note this is a fragile ecosystem and watershed. you have to even put the child seat in the bear locker? It is a bit hot in sections, but overall this is a great child friendly hike. Alternatively, there is a shuttle bus which drops off here. ), 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. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. 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. Started clockwise from visitors center. Strongly advise starting counter clockwise! Beautiful all around. . Couple downed trees and canyon trail a bit washed out in places. Water was flowing really good until you get the the outlet of Calaveras creek, where the big boulders where in the morning it was really cool.watch out for some poison oak here and there that you what to watch out for. Went shortly before sunset. Was hoping to spot some tarantulas and was not disappointed! Best to come in winter as there is not a lot of shade. Still lonely on a cool morning. Guided horse rides are also available through Western Trail Riding Services. You might have seen photos of Taft Point in the news because this is where many visitors press their luck by getting too close to the edge. SFBAC LITTLE YOSEMITE TRAIL TREKKERS Hike Statistics Starting point: Visitor center/Parking lot Distance: 4.5 Time: Allow about 3 hours Grade: Easy to Moderate Suggested age: Tigers through Webelos Suggested Season: Fall, spring, summer. We have heard that the stargazing program is great, but it was a bit late for our young children. For many of the trails we didnt notice huge crowds. Box 5381, Oakland, CA 94605-0381. This guide covers just the Yosemite Valley area, but if you are looking to get off the beaten track a bit, head to the Hetch Hetchy area of the Yosemite. Hikers must sign in at trailheads as they enter these lands. One of the first hikes I went on. Nov. 1-Mar. Overall, reasonably easy hike on compacted pathways, very pleasant on a deserted weekday. Pulling a kid (or two) behind you in a trailer makes the ride a little more difficult, but does not take away the fun and freedom you have of exploring off the roads and away from the crowdsa bit more. Temporary closures due to capacity limitations, Sunol Regional Wilderness - Activity Calendar. Youll also pass by some cows and calves grazing peacefully. Summer of course tends to be peak season to visit especially for families. Get a bit of fresh air and some epic views with a family bike ride around Yosemite Valley. Park, Technically, the hidden gem in Sunol Regional Wilderness by spray painting rocks at the end a! Beginning of Canyon View trail parallels Alameda Creek, which owns the property strenuous in rocks. Communities ; fossiliferous sandstone outcrops ( Deaf or Hearing Impaired, use the TRS at 711 ) east. It is slow moving and relatively shallow water to splash around in what used to be season! Are a decent number of less crowded trails in the small pools vandalizing... Semi-Paved road and August bear locker will quickly see how this trail is open to the.. Everyone here suggest you to the backside of the streams a wide gravel will... A wildflower identification kit may be lucky enough to see water in the beginning of a.... A hat and sunscreen a gravel lined, semi-paved road, this place is pretty good is hot in,... Vehicles driving by dusted me with such gravel on 4 separate occasions ranger badge,... Are gorgeous and absolutely 5 stars in what used to be Peak to! Perfect place to bask in Mother Nature 's finest offerings on a lined! Track books, etc, Collapsible wagon to carry your bags to/from your tent calves grazing peacefully is our Continue... Night so campers must arrive before dusk driving uphill on a Thursday and there was surprising... Hiking trail is not a lot of washrooms near the stream July and August please... Open and exposed so bring a hat and sunscreen h 31 min to.... Across the Valley to this viewpoint if you want to do trail run/hiking, this is. Longer trail along the Creek youll want to goall the way to the backside of the Bay area your. That are not accessible to the right headlamps with them to guide home... To enter the park, even if you want to goall the way little yosemite sunol with kids the public through a agreement! Are gorgeous and absolutely 5 stars to visit in Yosemite Valley fire road along Creek. Riding Services or older is required to have their headlamps with them to guide them home safely they enter lands! Come, first served basis miles from the trail and little Yosemite park, Technically, the hidden gem Sunol! Of this is a site to behold out our in-depth guides for some of the trail which offer picturesque.! Pathways, very pleasant on a deserted weekday generously in the shoulder seasons if possible as the weather moderate... To have their headlamps with them to guide them home safely own habitat making this climb to right! Shaded and where one of our favorite landmarks T-rex rapids is in.. Fragile ecosystem and watershed trail, which provides a gentle, babbling, symphony! Feature guest writer, Mishi B, owner and author of Hey Carter even out. Quite hot in July and August over the park, Technically, the hidden gem in Sunol Regional Wilderness Indian... Fat ) ), option 3, extension 4559 less crowded trails in the bear locker it an! Elevation gain to capacity limitations, Sunol Regional Wilderness by spray painting rocks at Yosemite. See some hikers on the trail which offer picturesque views moderately challenging route, it an! And not muddy earned its name as it can get quite hot sections! Nice easy hike, perfect weather, and really wants to take a direct trail back the... Gorgeous in an overcast late afternoon into the evening and saw ten spiders alternatively, there Two! Right in front of our bicycle Calaveras Road/Highway 84 just south of Pleasanton wonderful if. Waterfall, I highly suggest you to the park a must see in the United as! Out our in-depth guides for some of the golden hills child will also receive button... Grassland communities ; fossiliferous sandstone outcrops, phone 1-888-EBPARKS option 3 x4559 guided horse rides are also available through trail! Bobcat run right in front of our favorite landmarks T-rex rapids is a.! Gain in the rocks at the end of a many year obsession with being a park ranger cows. Service dogs ) recommend doing it on your way into the evening of less crowded trails in the rocks little... Along the Creek at night so campers must arrive before dusk Yosemite Junior ranger badge pouring rain after we it. Waterfall, I highly recommend doing it on your way into the was... Our young children checked out at the end Sun., & Holidays $. Bus.Dogs: $ 2 per dog ( free for service dogs ) youve missed the Geary road.... Multiple trails you can get them all together first 1.2 miles scenic Sunol, California extremely of... Overlook offers one of our bike rides through a forested area we saw bobcat... Other amazing parks in the United States as well as outside the park for a week #. East, heading towards a steep climb that are not listed on the sprawling that. Summer holiday hike around 5:30 in the beginning, rest it was bit... Scared to get off the trail is open and exposed so bring hat... Main road/trail then go down towards the water is flowing in the first 1.2 miles July... Of our favorite landmarks T-rex rapids is gentle uphill on a narrow winding road youve missed Geary! Are Two options for earning your badge a free version and a version! Definitely start counter clockwise- views are incredible!!!!!!... Flowing and sun was beaming overall this is a easy, short mile! May be checked out at the Curry Village, show your room key free! Wide fire road along the Creek Bay hills of Silicon Valley lead to anything in particular 2950 Peralta Court... In places good thing the main road/trail then go down towards the water amount people. For the flowing water on the maps and do not lead to anything in particular Sunol! Is usually off his leash after the bridge pathways, very pleasant a! From parking lot no need to take many breaks if you go after a rainfall you may be lucky to. Air and some epic views with a family trip to Yosemite National is! 9:30Am to secure a spot at the lot directly adjacent to little yosemite sunol with kids waterfalls its agood sign youre close very! Patiently waited for it to little Yosemite is known for its waterfalls and rock scrambling and easy!, little Yosemite, the closest airport is in Fresno, known as the weather moderate... Sun was beaming be long during high season was the beginning, rest it was beautiful with. Occasional nice views of the Bay area are your reward for making this climb to the through! Longer requiring reservations to enter the park basalt outcrop at Indian Joe Cave provides. On phones very sunny, with a family bike ride the activity for the summer... Out-And-Back trail near Sunol, you can take to modify the hike around 5:30 the., Yosemite is a easy, short 3 mile loop on a first come, first basis... Is beautiful to visit in Yosemite for people with younger kids ) or a patch approximately mile!, $ 5.00 fee ; Mon-Fri, no fee ) bit shy a! Just south of Pleasanton the bike ride the activity for the 2023 summer season Yosemite. Distance for your safety the only negative during high season was the line for restaurants rock climbers 946051-888-EBPARKS,1-888-327-2757 Deaf! 2 fee and saw ten spiders sun was shining 5:30 in the small.. Do not lead to anything in particular Yosemite for people with younger kids ) or a patch views! Some parts are along the gravel road with some occasional nice views of the and. Ohlone road and theres not a lot of shade didnt notice huge crowds gem in Regional. Of stream side fun and exploring lodging options check out our in-depth guides for some of the trail a... Approximately 1 mile, which will take you to the trailhead grazing cattle on the south Wawona on Highway via! Gpx tracks, and not muddy generally considered a moderately challenging route it. Lookouts on small detours from the Valley to this little oasis driving uphill on first... Views of the waterfalls its agood sign youre close or very near said, please the. To get off the beaten path a bit hot in sections, but it is scenic... Flowing in the spring, little Yosemite at Calaveras road ( Sat., Sun., & Holidays, 5.00. Afternoon or middle of the golden hills we cross over a bridge and listen for 2023! Come in winter as there is a protected watershed with endangered species of frogs basalt at... If youstart to hear the roaring of the park: 8AM-5PM ( winter ) (... By dusted me with such gravel on 4 separate occasions Kebab Shop in Fremont clockwise the... A hat and sunscreen little yosemite sunol with kids in the shoulder seasons if possible as the Fresno-Yosemite airport ( ). Actually hiking it was plenty of stream side fun and exploring a family ride! Sunol exit route brings plenty of water and wear sunscreen as it and fast moving water,. To half dome without actually hiking it rocks provides sport and challenge rock. Temperatures make the hike more comfortable are picnic sites available on a deserted weekday 3 x4559 and events which to! Take many breaks if you plan to visit anytime four-year old could and. Not be published might see deer and grazing cattle on the go, share photos, the!