Visit Yosemite | Madera Country Brochure

Dear Visitor: During these COVID-19 times there have been many changes on how you travel and how we, as your travel destination, make sure to keep our visitors and locals safe. We’ve added this insert into our 2020 Visitors Guide to help you navigate those changes. If you have further questions, please feel free to call our ofﬁce at 559-683-4636 Monday through Saturday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm to talk to a “live” person. You can also stop by the Visitors Center in Oakhurst at 40343 Highway 41 to get maps and current information when you are in the area. Local businesses are owned and operated by families, and people just like you. This community has taken a pledge to uphold the highest standards of cleanliness, sanitation and safety for everyone. Please help us stay open by following all required safety measures at all times. We WELCOME you to our beautiful destination. Enjoy your journey! •YOSEMITE currently requires a reservation to enter the park. Day-use visitors must book their tickets in advance at www.Recreation.gov, search Yosemite National Park Ticketed Entry. Note: They do sell out quickly. If you can’t get the day you want, you can try two days before when they release the balance of the tickets (i.e. for Wednesday entry, try Monday at 7 am). Another important change is that you MUST enter on the day of your reservation or your reservation will be canceled. Once you enter, your pass is then good for seven consecutive days. Check out the NPS video below for even more on reservations. •Other Yosemite Tips: oBe prepared for limited dining and shopping inside the park (www.travelyosemite.com/alerts/2020/covid-19- guest-updates/) oThere are no shuttle buses in Yosemite Valley or the Mariposa Grove, however the Grove is open to walk or bike-in trafﬁc. oDay use guests must leave the park from 11 pm to 5 am. Video https://youtu.be/SPKgPhBM9lM •You do NOT need a Yosemite reservation/pass if you take a guided or public tour of Yosemite. For tour options see pages 22-23 or go to www.yosemitethisyear.com/tours-transportation. VISIT YOSEMITE | MADERA COUNTY 2020 VISITORS GUIDE COVID-19 UPDATE VISIT YOSEMITE | MADERA COUNTY 2020 VISITORS GUIDE COVID-19 UPDATE YosemiteThisYear.com | ysvb@yosemitethisyear.com COVID-19 Update 2020 Visitors Guide - Visit Yosemite MaderaVISITORS GUIDE COVID-19 RELATED CHANGES OAKHURST TROLLEY: Unfortunately the Oakhurst Trolley (page 21) will not operate the summer of 2020. Please check our website for 2021 updates. www.yosemitethisyear.com/oakhurst-trolley WELCOMING COMMITTEE’S YOSEMITE ADVENTURE VACATION CONTEST (pages 24-25): Due to some of the locations not being able to fully open this year, we’ve updated the contest and will have one major drawing at the end of 2020. You can still collect trading cards at the open locations, please refer to our website – www.yosemitethisyear.com/welcomingcommittee for details. FOOD & BEVERAGE: Most of our restaurants, brewery and wineries remain open with take-out, curbside, outside dining or dine-in options depending on the current California mandate. Please refer to each restaurant’s website or social media page for current information (pages 48-49 & 34). EVENTS: There have been many event cancellations as well as some new creative events added. Visit our events page online for up-to-date information regarding what’s still happening? NATURALLY SOCIAL DISTANCING ITINERARIES: We’ve added special itineraries to our website on suggested ways to naturally social distance. www.yosemitethisyear.com/itineraries COVID-19 Update 2020 Visitors Guide - Visit Yosemite Madera YosemiteThisYear.com | ysvb@yosemitethisyear.comBLACK BEAR • DARVIN ATKESON • YOSEMITE LANDSCAPES Pet Friendly ��30 Fossils to Falls Road Trip ��24-25 Sierra Vista Scenic Byway ��18-19 Yosemite In A Day Or More ... ��4-5 30 Things We Love About Bass Lake ��13 Visit Yosemite | Madera County Team Hope To See You Soon! Hit the road and experience a gateway to exploration that offers so much more than Yosemite National Park� It’s the ultimate California Road Trip, and it’s all right here� In Madera County, we’re farmers, hikers and climbers, we’re brewers and winemakers, we’re cowboys and gold miners, we’re entertainers and some pretty great hosts� We hope that you’ll ﬁnd your perfect adventure along the way, then return year after year to this special part of the world� Judi’s Jaunts ��32Art and The Arts ��42-43 1 YosemiteThisYear.com | ysvb@yosemitethisyear.com 2020 Visitors Guide - Visit Yosemite | Madera CountyVISIT US ONLINE! Website: YosemiteThisYear�com VISITOR CENTER HOURS Mid-May thru Mid-October: Daily 8:30 a�m� to 5:00 p�m� Mid-October thru Mid-May: Monday - Saturday 8:30 a�m� to 4:30 p�m� • Sunday 9:00 a�m� to 1:00 p�m� THE OFFICIAL SOUTHERN YOSEMITE VISITORS BUREAU Visit Yosemite | Madera CountyVisit Yosemite | Madera County U.S. Forest Service U.S. Forest Service/Oakhurst fs.fed.us • (559) 658-7588 (April - September) Sierra National Forest Bass Lake Ranger Headquarters (559) 877-2218 Average Temperatures Yosemite National Park LOW HIGH Jan 29° 48° Feb 31° 52° March 34° 58° April 38° 64° May 45° 71° June 51° 81 ° LOW HIGH July 57° 89° Aug 56° 89° Sept 51° 82° Oct 42° 71° Nov 33° 56° Dec 28° 47° Highway Conditions & Weather Reports Yosemite National Park nps.gov/yose • (209) 372-0200 Highway 41 into Yosemite National Park rarely suffers impassability. Caltrans (800) 427-7623 • dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi • Highway 41 Guide Books & Maps • Free Coffee • Clean Restrooms 24-Hour Information & Reservation Board • Gift Shop 40343 Highway 41, Oakhurst, CA 93644 Phone: (559) 683-4636 • Fax: (559) 683-5697 Email: ysvb@yosemitethisyear.com Mileage & Drive Times to Oakhurst FROM MILEAGE DRIVE TIME Bakersﬁeld ��155 miles ��2�5 hours Fresno ��48 miles ��50 minutes Las Vegas ��438 miles ��7 hours Los Angeles ��275 miles ��4�5 hours Merced ��67 miles ��1�25 hours Sacramento ��170 miles ��3�5 hours San Diego ��380 miles ��6 hours San Francisco ��213 miles ��4 hours Electronics are wonderful—but are not always reliable in rural and mountain areas. For your safety, don’t depend on GPS/Nav Satellite devices to get you to your destination. NOTE REGARDING GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM facebook�com/yosemitemadera twitter�com/yosemitemadera youtube�com/yosemitesierra pinterest�com/yosemitemadera instagram�com/yosemitemadera National Weather Service noaa�org COVER PHOTO Yosemite Falls & Half Dome What started out as a few late night hours photographing with friends turned into a twenty hour marathon up and down the Upper Yosemite Fall trail. The views were spectacular, the memories even better. When looking at the photograph, I am reminded that my best results are captured when going with the moment. And I didn’t even have to get out of bed to catch the sunrise; I was already up� Photographer Nancy Robbins 2 2020 Visitors Guide - Visit Yosemite | Madera County YosemiteThisYear.com | ysvb@yosemitethisyear.comSTAY WITH US Camping & RV Parks16-17 Lodging 54-55 Vacation Rentals 56 MAPS California 2 Yosemite Valley Shuttle 6-7 Bass Lake 8 Sierra Vista Scenic Byway 19 Madera County & Southern Yosemite 28-29 Museums & Historical Sites 36 Thrifting & Gifting 37 INFORMATION General Information 2 Dining 48-49 Learn more about the Welcoming Committee and start planning your Fossil to Falls Road Trip at YosemiteThisYear.com/welcoming-committee The more places you visit and the more cards you collect, the more chances you have to win! This fun group of characters invites you to explore Yosemite’s Southern Gateway by joining them on an exciting adventure, the Fossils to Falls Road Trip� It’s a journey that takes you from the heart of California’s agriculture region, through the historic Madera Wine Trail and to the beauty and grandeur of Yosemite National Park! Along the way you'll visit some of our area’s most popular attractions� Collect special trading cards for each of the Welcoming Committee Members at speciﬁc locations and enter to win a custom Yosemite Adventure Vacation package! Yosemite in a Day 4-5 Bass Lake 8-15 Sierra Vista Scenic Byway 18-19 Tours & Transportation 20-23 Fossils to Falls Road Trip 24-25 Calendar of Events 26-27 Pet Friendly 30 Hiking - Judi’s Jaunts 32 Wine, Brew & Spirits 34 Wellness in the Woods 35 Museums & Historical Sites 36 Thrift & Gift Shops 37 Winter Fun 39 Golf, Sporting Events 40-41 Art and the Arts 42-43 Majestic Mountain Loop 45-46 Work Where You Play 50 TABLE OF CONTENTS MEET OUR Welcoming Committee! They’ve been known to act like animals! 3 YosemiteThisYear.com | ysvb@yosemitethisyear.com 2020 Visitors Guide - Visit Yosemite | Madera CountyYosemite STOP 1 Glacier Point (Open Seasonally) Make your way up to Glacier Point via Glacier Point Road. At 3,000 feet above the valley ﬂoor, this grand vista offers a bird’s-eye view of Yosemite Valley, many of the valley’s waterfalls, and massive granite peaks of Yosemite’s high country� STOP 2 Tunnel View and Bridalveil Fall Enjoy views of of Bridalveil Fall, Half Dome, Clouds Rest and El Capitan� From Tunnel View head toward Yosemite Valley� You will see a sign for Bridalveil Fall on your right. Enjoy an easy ¼ mile walk to the base of the waterfall (be prepared to get a little wet in the springtime)� STOP 3 Yosemite Chapel The Yosemite Chapel is the oldest building still in continuous use in Yosemite Valley� Dating back to 1879, the chapel offers both a history lesson and a spectacular view of Yosemite Falls. It’s also a fantastic location to capture fall photos� STOP 4 Sentinel Bridge Continue on Southside Drive and follow the signs to turn left over Sentinel Bridge. You can park at Shuttle Stop 11. After taking in views of Yosemite Falls across Cooks Meadow, walk back to the middle of the bridge for the perfect selﬁe spot featuring a view of Half Dome over the Merced River. We highly recommend spending more time in the park, but if you are limited to only one day, here is our list of must-see highlights DAY 1 (Yosemite Valley) TUNNEL VIEW • STEVE MONTALTO/HIGHMOUNTAIN IMAGES STOP 5 Yosemite Valley, Valley Loop Trail & Yosemite Falls Follow the signs for the Day Use parking area� If it is time for lunch, step into Degnan's Deli for a tasty sandwich� We suggest taking it to-go and making the short walk to Lower Yosemite Fall� There, you can enjoy your lunch while gazing at the magniﬁcent 2,425 foot waterfall. From the lower fall, head out on the Valley Loop Trail and meander your way through the valley enjoying views of Half Dome, El Capitan, and the Merced River from different angles. In addition, enjoy lush meadows, wildﬂowers, and a possible deer or coyote sighting. Looking for an easy way to get around the Valley? Hop on the free Yosemite Valley Shuttle� (See map on page 6/7) STOP 6 Curry Village (Open Seasonally) Work your way back to Curry Village to enjoy a tasty fresh-baked pizza on the Pizza Deck� If you’re in the mood for something more reﬁned, hop back on the Yosemite Valley Shuttle and head over to The Ahwahnee for dinner� If you have a little extra time, stop in at the Ansel Adams Gallery, Indian Museum and the Valley Visitor Center before you depart� GLACIER POINT SELFIE • VYMC/BRAND USA You’ll need to get an early start if you want to pack all these great sights into ONE DAY! or more 4 2020 Visitors Guide - Visit Yosemite | Madera County YosemiteThisYear.com | ysvb@yosemitethisyear.comDAY 2 (Highway 41) DAY 3 (Highway 120 East) STOP 1 Tuolumne Grove Park at the grove trailhead and take a short 1¼ mile hike along Old Big Oak Flat Road through a shaded forest. Here you can ﬁnd around two dozen mature Giant Sequoias� Plan for 1½ to 2 hours of hiking� STOP 2 Olmsted Point Enjoy amazing views that showcase how glaciers shaped this part of Yosemite as you look down Tenaya Canyon toward Yosemite Valley� Clouds Rest and a unique view of Half Dome are key features toward the south with Tenaya Lake viewed toward the northeast. STOP 3 Tenaya Lake The views around this alpine lake are spectacular and it’s a popular location to enjoy a picnic, do some kayaking, swimming or ﬁshing. You can also choose to just lay back and enjoy the sunshine� STOP 4 Tuolumne Meadows Just 6½ miles from Tenaya Lake is one of the largest high-elevation meadows in the Sierra. Stop by the Visitor Center, take a short hike to the Parson Memorial Lodge or simply enjoy the changing light on the meadow, the Tuolumne River, and the many unique geologic features of the area like Lembert Dome, Unicorn and Cathedral Peaks� MARIPOSA GROVE OF GIANT SEQUOIAS • VYMC VERNAL FALL • VYMC STOP 1 Mariposa Grove Stand among some of the world’s oldest and largest trees in Mariposa Grove. With its newly completed multi-year restoration, Mariposa Grove is home to several hundred mature Giant Sequoias and is the largest grove in Yosemite. STOP 2 Wawona Located about 10 minutes inside the south gate to Yosemite, step back in time in historic Wawona� Explore picturesque sites such as the Pioneer Yosemite History Center, the Wawona Hotel and the Wawona Covered Bridge. STOP 3 Chilnualna Falls Take a less-traveled hike to enjoy some of the lower cascades of Chilnualna Falls or plan for a full day of hiking and complete the entire trail� (8�4 miles /13�5 kilometers)� OTHER RECOMMENDED STOPS Hetch Hetchy Hetch Hetchy Valley and Reservoir is located in the northeast corner of the park; it’s roughly a 1½ hour drive from Yosemite Valley. Dubbed by John Muir as a "wonderfully exact counterpart” to Yosemite Valley� This gorgeous water-ﬁlled valley, boasts fewer visitors, beautiful scenery and one of the park’s longest hiking seasons� 5 YosemiteThisYear.com | ysvb@yosemitethisyear.com 2020 Visitors Guide - Visit Yosemite | Madera CountyNext >