Yosemite, Napa, & Tahoe - USA
This blog is a compilation of multiple trips to Northern California during different seasons
Overview: Wineries of Napa, Yosemite National Park, and snowboarding at Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts
Duration: 1-2 weeks total, split over multiple trips
Locations visited: Napa, Sonoma, Yosemite, Kirkwood, and Northstar
How to get there: Fly into San Franaciso (SFO), Sacramento International Airport (SMF), or Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO)
How to get around: Rental car
When to go: Summer or Fall for Napa and Yosemite, winter for skiing in Tahoe, or summer for hiking and boating in Tahoe
Pace: Relaxed to Moderate
Future trips: Palisades and Heavenly for skiing, additional wineries in Napa and Sonoma, and Redwood and Sequoia National Parks
Vernal Falls in Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is ideal for a 2 to 4-day trip. The park consists of several distinct landscapes. For those visiting for 1-2 days, most people focus on Yosemite Valley, known for its dramatic granite cliffs, waterfalls, and meadows. Near Yosemite Valley is Glacier Point and Badger Pass, which offer panoramic views of the valley.
The second most popular area is Mariposa Grove, home to giant sequoia trees. It’s an easy stop near the park entrance but may feel repetitive if you’ve already visited Sequoia National Park.
We had only two days to explore and were staying 45 minutes outside the park entrance, so we focused on Yosemite Valley and nearby areas.
Day 1: Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point
Our first stop was Tunnel Viewpoint, the iconic photo spot in Yosemite. From here, you can see El Capitan, the sheer-faced granite cliff famous among rock climbers, Bridalveil Fall, and Half Dome. Cathedral Rocks, Sentinel Rock, Clouds Rest, and Horsetail Fall are also visible.
Next, we took a short hike on the Bridalveil Fall Trail. Since we visited in late October, many waterfalls had less water flow. Yosemite Falls, for example, was completely dry.
We then stopped at Yosemite Village for lunch. Along the way, we made multiple stops to photograph El Capitan and Cathedral Rocks. If you have extra time or energy, several hikes of varying lengths and difficulties start from this area.
In the afternoon, we drove to Glacier Point, which offers some of the best views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and El Capitan. On our way back, we did a 1-hour hike near Sentinel Dome, which was fairly easy except for the final climb up the dome.
Day 2: Mist Trail and Vernal Falls
We revisited a few sites before heading to the Mist Trail, accessible from Curry Village or a nearby parking lot. This trail passes by Vernal Falls and continues to Nevada Falls. Hikes to Half Dome also start in this area. The Mist Trail has significant elevation gain and was more challenging than expected. The views of Vernal Falls were great midway, but I wouldn’t recommend climbing to the top unless continuing to Nevada Falls. The trail is not a loop, so you must descend the same way.
For those with extra time, Tuolumne Meadows is a high alpine area with open meadows, granite domes, and lakes. Beyond it, Tioga Pass and the High Country offer alpine lakes, rugged peaks, and remote trails. These areas require long drives or an overnight stay inside the park.
Napa Valley
Napa Valley and nearby Sonoma are among the most famous wine regions in the U.S. Napa’s top varietals include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Franc. I associate Napa wines with Tuscany—warmer climates producing fuller-bodied wines. That said, I prefer Tuscan and, overall, European wines to American wines.
Most wineries offer tastings, some by reservation only and others for walk-ins. In Sonoma, many restaurants and winery shops are within walking distance, offering alternatives to driving between wineries. There are also coordinated wine tours, though we didn’t use them.
Since my group wasn’t as into wine as I was, we limited our tastings to three wineries over two days:
Jacuzzi Family Vineyards
Viansa Winery
Domaine Carneros (for California sparkling wine)
Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts: Kirkwood and Northstar
In winter, Lake Tahoe becomes California’s largest ski area, featuring resorts like Heavenly, Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley), Northstar, and Kirkwood. While Heavenly and Palisades Tahoe are more popular, Northstar and Kirkwood have their own advantages.
In summer, Lake Tahoe offers hiking, biking, and boating.
Northstar
Northstar is a modern, well-designed Vail Resorts-style ski resort. The walking village at the base includes lodging, rentals, bars, and restaurants, with extensive ski-in/ski-out access. Once you arrive, you won’t need a car, which is convenient given the snow and icy roads.
The mountain layout is great for beginners and intermediate skiers. Slopes progress in difficulty, so it’s easy to avoid accidentally ending up on an advanced run. However, expert skiers may find the terrain lacking real challenges, especially in good conditions.
Kirkwood
Kirkwood offers more challenging terrain while still accommodating beginners and intermediates. Although its lifts top out below 9,500 ft, much of the advanced terrain has a high-alpine feel, with wide-open, treeless slopes.
Unlike Northstar, Kirkwood lacks a well-developed village. Lodging and dining options are limited, and walking anywhere feels more like walking on the side of the road than through a ski town. While there are decent places to stay and eat, you’ll likely need a car.
